Steve's Family History - Our Family History

The last Lumpee in my immediate family died in 1943 when I was nine months old. During the first 50 years of my life there were still people alive who new my father and grandparents, but I was not interested in family history. It is only now that I realize how much family history I have missed by not asking. The following was contained in a black notebook maintained by my grandmother. The early parts were written by my great grandfather around 1913 and the rest by my grandmother in the mid 30's. Lellia died in January 1939 and never did finish her history. The following is as written in the black book.

“Lumpee’s History”

              By

Lewis Lumpee Sr. (1913)

Lellia Estella McCann Lumpee (1934)

Stephen Lewis Lumpee Gunn (2007)

                   “Lumpee’s History”

        Written by Lewis Lumpee Sr, in 1913.

          As far back as I have been able to trace the “Lumpee’s family”. They originally came from the south-Western part of Germany. Then later in yrs. moving north near Hessel – Castle Germany.

          Where they all remained, except Johannes Lumpee and family. Johannes was born in 1779, met and married Miss Mardorf in 1800, to them were four sons born, John, Justiee, Fredrick and Henry.

          At the time of their marriage there was trouble between the Germans and French government also bands of out-laws. They were continually making raids and plundering the small villages. This band made a raid on the village in which the “Lumpee’s” lived, they stole and destroyed the public property also private. This was more than the villagers would stand for, so they asked “Johannes Lumpee” and two other men (names I have forgotten) to call the men of the village together, organize and capture these out-laws.

          Of course these three men were made leaders, they armed their self with anything they could find in a way of a weapon to protect them, such as guns and grass hooks straightened. As they passed through other villages, they were reinforced, they finally overtook them and demanded them to surrender, which they gladly did. They arrested and brought back to the village to have a trial.

          The property was taken from them and returned to their rightful owners.

          The out-laws or Brigands claimed protection from the French gov. and military protection was granted them. All those that participated in capturing and arresting the out-laws, were promptly arrested by the French Government soldiers.

          The soldiers set out to find the leaders of the villagers and instigators of the move to capture the out-laws. When “Johannes Lumpee” returned home, he was warned the soldiers were looking for him. He took refuge in the barn and for several days he was able to stay before they found out.

          Then they stationed pickets around the barn, while they searched for him, sticking their bayonets in the hay. “Lumpee” decided it was getting rather dangerous for him in the barn, so he watched for his chance and then jumped out of the back window of the barn, and running across the yard and garden, which had a rather high hedge fence around it.

          When he was able to get over the fence, he was at the foot of one of the soldiers, but as luck was with him he got away, after being shot at, but the guard missed him.

          At last he was captured and he was taken to prison with the other two leaders, to await their trial. They were tried by court martial and found guilty for only trying to protect their own property. They were sentenced to be shot, which was the way they punished in those days.

          When the day came the other two leaders were blind folded and shot, and they were blind-folding “Johannes” when a messenger came riding at full-speed, with a respite for the three men from the French Government ruler for them to be taken back to prison and wait for a new trial, that they could make a new investigation. But there was only “Lumpee” left as the other tow had been shot. The prisoners were kept on an island part of time, where they often kept the prisoners of war.

          But “Lumpee” got tired of waiting and as he was a man of considerable means, he bought his freedom, before he was tried again. When he was released he went home to his family, and at once began gathering together what he had left, preparing to immigrate to America with his family.

          In a few years he got a permit from the German Government for he and his family to come to the U.S. So in the spring of 1836 he got passage on a steamer (or rather a sail boat) leaving Bremen going via North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean landing in New York City after being in the water 3 months.

          They travel to Pennsylvania by land and canal, stopping in Philadelphia for a few days, to have their money exchanged into U.S. money. Then from Philadelphia they went to the Ohio River then on down the Mississippi river to St. Louis Mo. on a boat.

          They intended to locate there “Johannes” had bargained for a tract of land of 160 acres paying $2,400 ($15 per acre) for it, the land where the Court House now stands, the mud was hub deep in the street and took a good team to pull an empty wagon through. At that time St. Louis was a French trading post and the principal street was along river front, where the boats landed. “Johannes” wife objected of settling there on account of the mud, so they decided to go on to Boonville Mo. as it was the largest town west of St. Louis. So the next boat going up the Missouri River the family took passage, as it was in the fall the river was low and after leaving St. Louis, the boat would get stuck on sandbars, would take quite awhile to get off.

          So it began getting tiresome to all, “Johannes” wife told her family she was getting tired and the next time the boat stopped, she was getting off. Just below Jefferson City Mo. the boat was stranded on a sand bar for several hours before they were able to get off, so that settled it for her. When the boat landed she promptly got off, telling the rest of the family that was going to stay with her, had better get off, so of course there was nothing to do, but do as she said.

          And in fact they were all happy their long journey of several months was at an end. Jefferson City was also a French trading post, the traders would bring their hides and furs that they brought from the Indians and pioneer settlers, that is the way they lived.

          “Johannes” bought and cleared land for a farm about 4 miles south of town. He only lived 18 years after coming to America; he died in 1854 and was buried there on the farm where he lived. In those days the families had their own cemeteries on their farm.

          “Johannes Lumpee” was of French[1] descent on both sides of the family, but lived in Germany the biggest part of his life, to which country he was loyal to until until he came to America in 1836.

          He was a farmer by trade, after his death his wife and three sons lived on the farm until 1857, they then sold the farm and moved to Boyer’s Mill Mo. where she died in 1887.

          Justice and Henry were never married and they lived on the farm until they died.

          Fredrick Lumpee married Miss Hearth Fogle and lived with the family until his mother’s death, and then he and his family moved to Benton County, later moving to Smithton Missouri, Pettis County where he died in 1908.

NOTE
The Lumpee account to date was definitely written by Lewis Lumpee Sr. (my great grandfather) and copied by Lellia Estella McCann Lumpee (my grandmother).

Comments by Stephen Lewis Lumpee Gunn April 2007.

                           “John Sr.”

          John was born in Hassel – Castle Germany in 1817, where he lived on a farm in his native country until he was 19 years of age. He then came to America with his parents in 1836, and settled in Cole County Missouri.

          He was the oldest son of Johannes and wife, so in the spring of 1837, he homesteaded 40 acres of Government land, which he began to clear and improve for a farm.   At odd times he was able to earn money working on stone work for the capital in Jefferson City Missouri.

          John married Rosina M. Suchard December 20, 1838. She was born in Saxony Germany, and came to America with her parents about the time the Lumpee’s did. Her father was a linen weaver in his country, weaving very fine linen by hand and was an expert in weaving designs.

          To this Union there were seven children born, five girls and two boys. Theresa, John, Louisa Annie, Susan, Lewis and Nannie. They were all born on the farm in Cole County. John went for a visit with his mother and brothers in the late summer of 1866 to Boylers Milles Missouri. He liked this part of the country so well, he decided he would return to Cole County and sell his farm.

          He had worked very hard while on the farm and he had bought and improved more land until he owned a nice farm.

          He at this time was almost 50 years old and finally came to the decision to give up farming and get into something that would be easier for him later on in years. He sold his farm, moving his family to Versailles, Missouri in September 1, 1866.

          When the family was settled in their new home, he opened up a dry goods store in a small frame building; this was the first of its kind in Versailles.

          His oldest son John Jr. clerked and helped in the work. There were no trains in that part of country, so the only way he could get his freight from St. Louis was by water, Boonville being the nearest town on the river, the freight came by boat, then hauled in wagons by land. It was very hard as the roads were bad and took quiet a long time to go 60 miles in those days in a wagon.

          The business had increased and John Jr. was taken in as a pardoner. As the business increased they would move to larger quarters.

          About 1885, they had made such a success that they were occupying three large brick buildings, as they had added a nice grocery store also a men’s clothing and shoe store.

          At that time it was one of the largest and most prosperous stores in that part of the country. On the side they also bought wool as Morgan County was a great sheep raising country, so they handled all the wool in that country for miles around.

          John Sr. retired in 1890 after 24 years of successful business, also he and son had accumulated a small fortune. He sold his interest in the business to his son John Jr., his oldest son. John carried on the business for several years, then selling it to the Enloc Brothers on account of poor health.

          But the business was still known as the “Lumpee’s Stores”. John Sr. died February 8, 1897 at the age of 80; he lived a very active life and had been a hard working man, after coming to this country. But he was satisfied as he felt he had made a success of his life in the business work he had undertaken. He helped to build and improve the town in which he had lived as a citizen 31 years; he was liked by all that knew him in private as well as in business life.

          He was buried by his wife in the Versailles cemetery. She died two years before in the fall.

          At his death his seven children were all living and 18 grand children.

Theresa     married Charlie Spaunhaust of Fulton, Missouri

John Jr.      married Maggie Preston of Ohio

Louisa        married Harry Spaunhaust of Fulton, Missouri

Annie        married Louis Baker of Tipton, Missouri,

Susan        married Carl Biersock of Tipton, Missouri

Lewis        married Nannie Leah Spurlock of Versailles, Missouri

Nannie      married Dr. Henry Penebaker of Colorado

I believe the history of John Sr. Lumpee was also written by his son in 1913, but it could have been written by Lellia. Lellia grew up in Versailles and would have known John fairly well before he died.

Comments by Stephen Lewis Lumpee Gunn, April 2007

                      Lewis Lumpee Sr.

          Lewis was born February 2, 1852 in Cole county Missouri on a farm a few miles out of Jefferson City. I 1866 he moved with his parents to Versailles, Missouri at that time he was 14 years old.

          In the fall of 1875 Lewis and eight of his friends decided to make a overland trip to Texas to see the country, they bought three wagons, six mules and a good saddle horse.

          At that time Texas was a very wild country and they had to go through Indian Territory and it wasn’t really safe, unless there was a crowd along for protection against Indians and out-laws. The out-laws were more dangerous than the Indians.

          Out of Baxter Springs, Texas you would see wagons and families along the road side, where teams had been taken, and they would have to stay there until someone would help them out.

          They were gone several months on this pleasure trip. When they were tired and ready to come home, they sold their wagons, teams and saddle horse at a good profit, in fact they doubled the amount for which they paid for them.

          Six of them returned home on the train, except two, which had decided to stay and locate.

          On this trip Lewis had a fine bird dog with him, they stopped at a place for dinner and he wanted to buy some scraps for his dog, the owner refused to sell him any, said he would have to pay for a meal, which was a dollar. Lumpees said alright, bring it in.

          He called the dog, told him to get up in the chair. Said if he had to pay for a dinner, the dog would have to have some place to eat it. Of course the owner became very indigent, but it didn’t do him any good, as all in the room had a good laugh out of it, and even the dog seemed to enjoy it.

          Lumpee always saw the funny side of life, and seemed to get as much of enjoyment out of his life as a person could.

          After he returned from his vacation he went to work in his fathers store as a clerk. On November 27, 1877 he married Nannie Leah Spurlock, daughter of James A. Spurlock of Versailles Missouri.

          In 1890 after his father retired from the business, his brother John made him managing clerk over the Dry Goods, Clothing and shoe store, later he brought half interest in the Clothing and Shoe store, but he didn’t take charge of it until 1892.

          Lumpee was appointed Post Master by President Harrison for a term of two years, salary of eleven hundred a year. This was the first appointment the President made after taking office.

          In 1877 he was elected Sheriff of Morgan County for a term of two years. His health was bad and he wanted to be out of doors as much as he could. He made a good Sheriff and enjoyed the contact he made with people in all stages of life.

          During his term, there were many funny incidents that happened, that he enjoyed telling his family and friends, and he was a very clever story teller and could mimic most anyone.

          He could converse in four foreign languages, he spoke a very High German, however he never taught any of his children the language.

          After his term of two years as sheriff, his health had improved so he brought his brother John’s interest in the business and took full possession of it. He renamed it “The Famous clothing Store”. I think Lumpee was the happiest when he was helping some one in need. While in the business, he could never stand to see some one in need of clothing or shoes, so he sent a many a poor person away happy that was in need of warmer clothing to be comfortable in the cold winter time.

          Also it was a rule in his home, never turned person or tramp away that asked for something to eat, said you never knew if he was worthy or not, but better not take a chance.

          He loved music, but only the better grade; he had no time for Jazz. He was a director of a band for years, and was considered on of the best in the central part of Missouri. He played a fine cornet.

          Lumpee was also a fine shot, earlier in life he shot in the state shoots, which the best shots from all over the state would meet once a year and shoot clay birds. He only missed winning the “Gold Medal” by one clay bird.

          In 1909 he sold his stores after ten years in the business. In 1911 he was elected County Clerk for the term of four years by the Republican Party by a large majority. In the winter of 1914 he was out hunting wild turkeys, there was a very deep snow on the ground and a very cold day, his dog was tracking the turkeys and he of course followed not realizing how far he had gone. After killing his four turkeys and starting for home he soon found out he was carrying a heavy load and could go so far, before resting, of course the snow made it hard walking.

          When he reached the place where his wife was to meet him, his feet felt like they were almost frozen. But after getting home and warm, he thought nothing more of his feet, until a few days later they began to bother him so much he went to the doctor, he said for him to stay off of them for awhile, as he had a bad frost bite.

          The next fall his right foot caused him so much trouble and suffered so with it, the doctor advised him to go to St. Louis and see his brother in-law Dr. A.R. Kieffer, who was considered one of the best in the city. As soon as the doctor examined it, he saw it something very serious, so he called in some of the finest specialists in the city, others came to see the case for their selves, as it was a very peculiar case.

          After the end of tow weeks they decided it was dry gangrene, it seemed the doctors couldn’t agree, some gave him 3 months, others 6 months and the longest period was one year, and there was no chance of him living that long unless the leg and foot were removed just above the knee. Lewis wouldn’t hear of it, so finally his wife and Dr. Kieffer settled it by saying if he only had such a short time to live, why take it off. He was in a very serious condition and his suffering was intensive.

          After staying in the city for two months under the doctor’s care, he was so unhappy they brought him home, he was in bed all winter and still in danger, they stayed with him night and day. Clarence his oldest was the only one that he would let wait on him when he was awake. In the spring he began to improve so that by summer time he was able to get around again, his family still thinking he only had a few months to live, but he fooled them all as he lived several years, but never recovered entirely from the decease.

          In 1915 he and his wife decided to sell their home as it was larger than they needed, as the children were all gone, and go to Cour de Lane, Idaho and visit their only daughter Clara, if they liked the west and the climate agreed with them, they would locate there.

          He accepted a position with the Singer Sewing Company as manager but was only able to keep it two weeks, as it was too confining. The doctor told him to stay out of doors as much as he could. They were in Idaho the next two years, but his health began to fail again, he wanted to come home and spend the last days of his life in the town where he had been a citizen for fifty years.

          Lumpee and wife bought them a smaller house of five rooms and lived there until he died, but they realized to late of their mistake in selling the home where they spent their happiest hays and where their children were all born and lived until they were grown and also where their two grand children loved to come.

          He died September 17[2], 1919 of kidney trouble. Lumpee was a man four square with the world like all of the Lumpee’s, he was a jolly big hearted man free of life and good cheer, was liked by all that knew him.

          He was a man well informed and always took a deep interest in all things worthwhile. Lewis loved his home and was devoted to his wife and family; nothing was too good for them. He was buried in the Versailles Cemetery.

          After his death his wife came to Helena, Arkansas to visit her oldest son Clarence and family for several months, and then returned to St. Louis, Missouri for an operation for gall bladder trouble, her brother in-law performing the operation finding one stone as large as a hen egg. As soon as she was able to travel she went west again to live with her daughter and family.

          The doctor advised her not to go on account of her high blood pressure, but she only lived a few months as she had a stroke of apoplexy and only living a few days. She was brought back to her home town and buried by the side of her husband. She was born in Texas coming to Missouri with her parents when a small child, marring at the age of 17 years. At their death their four children and two grand children were living. The oldest child dying in infancy.

Clarence, Lloyd, Clara and Frank

Clarence              married Lellia McCann

Lloyd                   married Josie Schapper

                                      two children, Leah and Henry Lloyd

Clara                  married Roy E Stockton

Frank                 married Helen E Duncan

                                    Two children, Nancy Lou and Helen U

This account was written by Lellia McCann Lumpee

                           Clarence Lumpee

          Clarence Lumpee, son of Lewis and Nannie Leah Lumpee, was born in Versailles, Morgan County, Missouri September 17, 1880.

          He was from an old and prominent family, who came here soon after the war in 1866; he was a grandson of John Lumpee who had the first dry goods store in Versailles.

          Clarence was educated in this town, and during the summer months he clerked in the store for his Uncle John, he was a very energetic young man and always anxious to work.

          His father wanted him to go to school after finishing High School and study to be a doctor, but he wanted to follow the work that the past two generations of the Lumpee’s did. So he went to work for his father in the clothing store, and stayed with him until his father retired in 1907.

          He practically had full charge of the store later in years, as his father and mother loved out of door life, such as hunting, fishing and camping. So they would take trips for several weeks at a time, knowing that Clarence was capable of taking care of the business.

          Clarence loved fishing and hunting himself, in fact they were his favorite out door sport. When he was old enough to learn to shoot, and he became a very fine shot like his father.

          He belonged to a gun club for several years in his hometown. In 1906 the club was giving a shoot, the prize was a very pretty framed picture of a “Famous Dog” an English setter given to them by DuPont Powder Company as they used their shells, it was to the best shot.

          Doctor Hubbard, a good friend of the family, was also a good shot; he saw the picture and admired it so much that he was determined to win it for himself. The doctor knew Clarence was the only one that could best him, as they usually tied. So he thought he would play safe and hire the Negro to throw the trap wrong when time came for Lumpee to shoot.

          When Clarence got up to shoot the birds were thrown wild. They went in all directions, but as he was very quick on the trigger, he never missed a bird. He thought it strange they were thrown that way when he shot, as he hadn’t noticed them going wild for any one else, but he decided the trap was not working right. But after getting back to the store and he had his prize, the doctor came in to tell him the joke was on himself, that he had hired the negro to throw the birds wild, but after loosing it was too good to keep quite about.

          Clarence was a great lover of bird dogs and always had a fine one, and he enjoyed training them himself to do field work.

          On June 8, 1904 he married Lellia Estella McCann of Versailles, Missouri and they went to St. Louis, Missouri on their honeymoon, spending two weeks at the “World Fair” seeing the wonderful sights. After they returned home, they lived with his parents until March 4, 1905, and then they moved to their new home which had just been completed.

          His father gave them three lots and furnishing their home for them as a wedding present, but Clarence had the privilege of selecting it himself, so they went to St. Louis in October to buy furniture, rugs, curtains, shades and etc. at “Searettes and Comstock”, at that time the largest retail and wholesale furniture store in the city. It was bought through Abe Kidwell who owned a furniture store in Versailles. The house was a six room home located in “McNaire Heights”, later learning his wife’s grandfather had owned the land where the home was. As her grandfather Burns owned all of the land at one time. On August 4, 1905 their oly son was born, Lewis was named after his grandfather Lumpee, as he was the first grandchild in the family.

          Clarence loved to save old coins, in fact was rather a hobby of his, but two he prized the most was a $21/2 gold piece and a 50 Ct piece.

          The two and half ($21/2) gold piece was made in 1836 and has been in the family for a number of years, and was given to him by his father.

          There’s a little history attached to the fifty cent piece, when Johannes Lumpee, who was Clarence’s great grandfather, came to this country from Germany in 1836, he stopped in Philadelphia t have his money exchanged for American money. In 1906 one of his sons was looking over some of the things that had been brought to this country, among them was a small trunk, they began to examine it and found it had a false tray, and in it they found some money, they supposed this is where the old man kept his money and they had been forgotten, it had never been in circulation since it was exchanged in Philadelphia.

          The fifty-cent piece was made in 1785 and was given to him and it is to be kept in the family and to be handed down, just a little family relic.

          Clarence was a great lover of music, especially band and orchestra music; he played in the band for several years in the home town. I think one of the things he enjoyed most at the World Fair was the different bands from all over the world, as they were the finest.

          In 1908 he and his family moved out on the farm with his wife’s father after his mother-in-laws death renting their home furnished, then in 1912 selling it.

          He decided to go to California in 1911 and if he liked it and found a place, hw would send for his family and locate there, as he was anxious to get some place where he would have a better chance of educating his son, when he was older.

          As he realized his mistake in not doing as his father wanted him to do. But after going to different parts of the state, he didn’t like it well enough to make his home there, so he came back to Versailles Missouri.

          He decided to try farming but one year was enough for him, as he found it wasn’t in his line of work, as he knew so little about it. On January 12, 1912 he went to Helena Arkansas to visit a cousin and while there he took the examination for Civil Service. He passed with good grades, and served his six months as substitute, which was required of them at that time. But while waiting to be made a regular clerk, he and his family went back to Missouri. It was eight months before he was called; as they had to wait for a vacancy.

          In the fall of 1913 his wife and son joined him and in Helena where they made their home for the next 18 years. Clarence liked his work and no matter what he undertook; he tried to do his best. He went to work for $60 per month which at that time is all they paid for the first year. It has since changed to more than double that. He was promoted at times for his efficient work, and 1916 he was made Special Clerk, then in 1919 he was made Superintendent of the Mails of the division, which was located in Helena Arkansas. He retained this job until his death.

          Clarence joined the Baptist Church in 1925 under Preacher Plemmons, who was pastor and he enjoyed his Sunday school and Church, and attended as long as he was able to go.

          He was jolly and always saw something good in everyone. He loved his home, and never cared to go anyplace unless his wife and son could go and enjoy it with him.

          In the fall of 1924 Clarence had the flu[3] and it seemed he couldn’t get over it. The family doctor (Dr. Cox) was very sick in the hospital in Memphis Tennessee, and Clarence put off going to another doctor until spring thinking he would be all right.

          But finally he went to Dr. Ellis to wee what was the matter, as he couldn’t regain his strength. The doctor not knowing his case, advised him to go to Memphis and go through the clinic, which he did.

          It took five hours for the examination and they told him to go to bed when he got home for one month, not telling him how serious it was. But they were afraid he would never be able to go back to work, as he had a very bad case of “Valve Heart” trouble one valve of the heart was entirely gone. He stayed in bed for a month, not putting his feet to the floor, and at the end of a month he was improved so in every way that the doctor let him go back to his work. As his work wasn’t very hard as it was mostly desk work and it would help him to forget his condition.

          He worried more about his son not returning to school in the fall, than over his own trouble, but it was the doctor’s request, as they were afraid he wouldn’t live but for a few months. Clarence was always cheerful and never spoke of his trouble. Of course he had to give up working or any exercise that would tire him. So he rode back and forth to his work in the car, but he wasn’t allowed to drive, and took his rest each day.

          He was able to go fishing and fist from the boat, but he gave up hunting. The first two years of his sickness he would go to bed twice a year for a rest of a month or six weeks, then he would get up feeling fine, he of course had to take medicine for his heart all of the time.

          But the last year and half of his life, he would have to go to bed more often and he also had spells with his heart so that he suffered intensely.

          At that time D.F. Wines was Post Master and was very considerate of him, knowing his condition.

          The clerks were always anxious to save him extra steps and helping to make his work lighter if they could, although he was a person never to try to shrink any work, if they were busy or short of help, he would pitch in and work as hard or as long as anyone. He had nine clerks and nine carriers under him, and they all liked and respected him, as they showed it in so many ways.

          There were still a few old clerks in the office, that were there when he went in as a clerk, but most of them he had trained to the work, and was assigned to work best suited to them.

          The last spell he was in bed for two months, he of course thought he would be able to go to work again, so he sent in his resignation as Superintend of Mail, as he was very conscientious about being out so much, he would rather go back as a clerk and let the next highest man have his place as Superintend. But the Post Master wouldn’t accept it. Clarence was never able to get up, as he grew worse, but I don’t think he realized it until a week before he died. But even then he was always jolly and had a good joke for his friends and neighbors, when they came in to see him, until two days before he died. Then he was suffering so.

          Clarence had lots of friends where ever he lived, the public liked him as they knew they could depend on him, as he was anxious to please and do the right thing. In his last hours he suffered, but never complained.

          He died March 27, 1930 at one O’clock Saturday morning.

          Preacher Jordon of the Baptist Church asked to have prayers and a short service for his friends and neighbors Sunday night at 8 O’clock P.M. Then the remains were shipped back to Versailles to his old home town, where he had spent his happy boyhood days.

The pall bearers in Helena were;

D.C. Wines                             Post Master

James Heighton                      Assistant Post Master

Edger Miles                           Special Clerk

R.A. White                            Clerk

W.E. Pugsley                        Clerk

E. Sanford

          The nine carriers were all Negro, but they asked if they could come in a body to the services.

          Services were held in the Baptist Church in Versailles at 2:30 P.M. and he was buried on April 1st leaving a wife and son.

                          “Little Things Lewis Said When Small”

          Lewis was 3 ½ years old, and was living on the farm. It was one hot Sunday afternoon when Lewis couldn’t be found, his mother called and called and no answer. So the family was afraid he had wandered off with his pet goat and dog. After half an hour hunting him they began to be worried. When his grandfather said he heard a noise under the house. So they looked, there he was with the dog. They had crawled through a hole in the foundation.

          After they got him out his mother said “Lewis why didn’t you answer when we called?” Lewis answered “I answered you each time, I said, who just as low as I could”.

          Another time he had a habit of running off and going to his Aunt Sarah’s without asking and staying for dinner. So his mother told him that if he did it any more she would have to come and get him and punish him, his Aunt happened to hear it. So one morning he ran off without asking. So at dinner time his Aunt said “Lewis, you had better run home so you will not be punished”, Lewis replied “Oh well, I will just stay for dinner and take my whipping”. It happened she had something to eat that Lewis wanted very badly.

                            Lewis – A Great Tease When a Child

          One night when John Moore cane to see his Aunt, Lewis stood around a long time waiting, as John was in the habit of always bringing candy. And he knew better than to come out and ask for it. So he was tired of waiting and he finally said, “Well if you brought Aunt Bernice candy why don’t you hurry and pass it so I can go to bed.

          When Lewis was three years old, his parents took him to see a woman make a high dive off a 40 ft ladder in a tank of water at a carnival. That impressed Lewis. The next day his mother heard him repeating what the woman said, “I hate to do it but I need the money”. So she slipped in to see and he would climb up on the head of the bed – then he would say “I hate to do it but I needs the money” – and jump back on the bed.

          Lewis would hear a new word, you would hear him sue it for awhile, but if you would listen he would be behind some door, saying it over to himself until he felt he had it right the he would say it.

                                          Lewis Lumpee Jr.

          Lewis was the only child of Clarence and Lellia Lumpee; he was born in Versailles, Missouri, Morgan County on Friday at 4 O’clock A.M. on August 4, 1905.

          Lewis lived his first three years in their home where he was born, in McNair Heights. On account of the sudden death of his grandmother McCann his parents rented their home and moved to the farm with his grandfather, which was ½ mile from town.

          He was named after his grandfather Lumpee as he was the first grandchild in the family. His grandparents on both sides of the family were very proud of him, and would have spoiled him, but he wasn’t of that disposition. But he had a way that he usually got what he would from his relatives.

          Lewis was rather a peculiar child, he cared very little about playing with other children, although he liked to be around older people, but he loved his pets, which consisted of cat, dog and angora goat. When he was about 8 months old his father bought him a very fine registered bird pup and raised him right with Lewis so they would understand each other. The dog’s name was Fritz, he grew up knowing he was to watch over Lewis and guard him. And he never let him out of his site when they were alone – he would follow after Lewis gathering up his toys, then lie down by the side of them and guard him until someone would take them away, and no one had better touch Lewis or the toys, unless it was someone he knew.

THIS IS A PAGE GRANDMOTHER HAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NARRATIVE AND I HAVE LEFT IT IN PLACE

Great Great Grandfather Johannes Lumpee

Born – 1779[4]             Died – 1854

Great Great Grandmother (Mardorf) Lumpee

            Married – 1800         Born –   ?      Died – 1887

Great Grandfather John Lumpee

            Born – 1817 Died – 1897

Great Grandmother Rosina M. (Suchard) Lumpee

            Married – December 20, 1838       Born – 1820 Died – Feb 8, 1897

Grandfather Lewis Lumpee

            Born – February 2, 1852     Died – September 24, 1920 3 PM

Grandmother Nannie Leah (Spurlock) Lumpee

            Married – November 27, 1877       Born – 1861 Died – 1920

Father Clarence Lumpee

            Born – September 17, 1880           Died – March 27, 1930 1 AM

Mother Lellia Estella (McCann) Lumpee

            Married – June 8, 1904       Born – 1882 Died – 1939

Grandmother Lumpee was a Spurlock

            Great Grandfather Spurlock was born in 1825 and died in 1895

            Great Grandmother Spurlock was born in 1830 and died in 1884

Grandmother was a Burns

            Great Grandfather Burns was born in 1818 and died in 1890

            Great Grandmother Burns was born in 1821 and died in 1858

Mother was a McCann

            Great Grandfather McCann was born in 1825 and died in 1888

            Great Grandmother McCann was born in 1827 and died in 1878

            Grandfather McCann was born in 1847 and died in 1930

            Grandmother McCann was born in 1843 and died in 1909

          Lewis never knew what a stranger was; he was always a friendly child and was ready to make friendsAt the age of six he started to school in Versailles and the first teacher was Miss. Annie Clifton, several of the teachers enjoyed having Lewis talk during recess, they thought he talked more like an older child, and always reasoned things out for himself before answering, which amused them.

          When he was small he had real light hair (golden), very fair and large blue eyes, he wore his hair in a “Buster Brown” bob which was the style then, also the little “Buster Brown” suits, in fact a great many people called him “Buster”.

          Lewis was only seven when his parents moved to Helena, Arkansas, and in the fall he started to school, his teacher was Miss. Fanny Lindsey, the next was Miss. Cage, he continued going to school in Helena until he graduated in June, 1923, he was 18 years old.

          His favorite subject was math and made splendid grades in it, also the four year of science. During the four last grades of school, English was rather hard for him, Miss. Brown was the teacher, but when she got through with you, you felt it was well worth the struggle.

          While in High School he joined the Delta Sig fraternity, he also belonged to the H.Y., which was a school organization. At the end of school they gave a play. He and Roby Harrington took the leading parts; they were very good.

          Lewis played football in his 2nd and 3rd year, but during last game of the season of his junior year he was hurt, tearing the ligaments from his knee, so it ended his playing football, but he was made manager of the team in his senior year. We, in fact were uneasy, afraid he would be a cripple, but in the summer he went to H.Y. camp and while there, he was taken sick with the Typhoid fever and was in bed for eight weeks, so it gave his knee time to heal and become stronger. But he wore a brace for a year until he felt safe to go without it.

          Lewis was a great reader when a boy and would rather read or work in his work shop than play with the boys. When he was thirteen years old he worked during the summer months for Mrs. Charles Buttericks in a news stand in the hotel lobby. They sold it when he was 16 years old and he went to work for two young men that came to Helena and went into business, Sam Dillard and Rufus tompson and worked for them during the holidays, summer and after school until he graduated from high school, they were more like older brothers to him. When Dillard was married he was one of the ushers at the wedding.

          In the fall of 1924 he went to the University of Arkansas where he studied Chemical and Electrical Engineering. While in school he joined the Sigma Nu fraternity and stayed at their home. In July when he came home he took the Civil Service examination and carried mail during the summer months of that year.

          Before time for Lewis to go back to school, his fathers health began to fail so fast, and the doctor advised him to stay at home, afraid he wouldn’t live through the winter. So he got a place in the First National Bank but he didn’t care for the work, so he quit and got a place to work at Pekins, which made the wooden parts for the Chrylar machine. It was new work for him as he started at the bottom, to learn the business. He liked the work and worked up to a good job soon. But in the summer there were always a crowd of visiting boys and girls and Lewis couldn’t resist going to parties and dances and his parents were away. So of course he couldn’t go all night and work the next day. So when time came for his vacation, he was let out. Rather a dear lesson, but it had to come sooner or later.

          He then went to work at Woods Parts, then he was offered more to come back to Pekins and he worked there until December 1930, when the mill closed down for several months, due to depression.

          In the mean time his father died March 27, 1930 and so he came back to Missouri with his mother. Lewis can always look back and have no regrets of not doing or saying things to his father that he was sorry for in later years. He would do as his father wanted in the last few weeks, if he had a date he would gladly break it if father wanted him to stay home.

          Lewis and his mother stayed two months in Missouri, visiting relatives and he decided he didn’t care to go back to Helena if he could find anything to do, as things were so unsettled in the South. So he went to Kansas City to look for work and his father’s cousin President of the West Port Bank, Will Dryer got him a job with Vos Box Lunch Company. As the company did their banking there and Dryer had a lot if influence with them.

          The Company sent him to Cincinnati Ohio to learn the business. After a few months, sending him to Baltimore Maryland and after a short time they made him a manager of the plant.

          He did fine until the fall when his mother had to have a very serious operation in Missouri, so he came back to be with her, until she was out of danger. The company gave him two weeks in Sedalia, Missouri so he could be with her, then going to Kansas City plant staying there so he could be close. But in the mean time there was trouble at the plant in the Oklahoma City plant, so he was sent there to take charge of the plant and straighten things our.

          As the Company was very much satisfied with his work and the plant in Tulsa Oklahoma was loosing money, he was sent there to see what was wrong. So he managed that plant until January and as the depression worsened and business conditions were so bad, they decided to close the plant there.

          Lewis then came back to the Missouri plant and was sent on to Newark, New Jersey, as the head plant was located there. After staying there a month he was sent to Cambridge to start manage a plant there. He was making quiet a success until times got so bad, the Company decided to close all loosing plants and try to keep a few that were breaking even open. So Lewis and his mother came to Newark in July, 1933 driving through and he went to work there. He was in charge of the work room.

But after the NRA went into effect it hurt the business, as the hours were made shorter, so business was so bad they closed all plants, in hopes they could save the main plant.

          In January, 1934 Vos Box Lunch doors were closed and they declared bankruptcy. After four hard and long years it all ended.

          In the spring of 1931 the company reorganized and sold $40,000 worth of stock, and Will Dyer got several thousand dollars worth, so he let Lewis have $1,500 worth, wasn’t so much, but if times could of gotten better and they had a year like 1929 his stock would have been worth something, as in good times it was a great money making business, but alas, it all went up in smoke.

          As H.J. Whittier and wife also were heavy losers in the Vos Box Lunch Company, they decided to move to East Orange and start a “Baby Wash”[5] as it was something new and very successful in the cities where it had been tried out.

          So he got Lewis to invest a few hundred and go in with him – so on February 23, 1934 he and his mother moved out to East Orange with the Whittier’s and they started planning their plant.

          They started running in April and it was very slow work as it was something new and people had to be educated to it. Is located on Central street, a good location and they have on of the richest territories around here.

          It is now coming along nicely, but they still have times when it is rather discouraging to them –TO BE FINISHED. (But it never was) Steve

                    Lewis Lumpee Jr.

               Sketch of Spurlock History

Lewis’ Great Great Grandfather             Druery Spurlock

Lewis’ Great Grandfather                        Josiah Spurlock

Lewis’ Grandfather                                   James A. Spurlock

These are on his Grandmother Lumpee’s side of the family

History of James Aquila Spurlock

Also a Sketch of His Father and Grandfather Spurlock’s Life

Father of James A. Spurlock

          Josiah Spurlock was born in Kentucky; he was an extensive planter and cattle dealer, which he followed until his death in 1854 at the age of 68 years. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving under General Jackson, he also served under General Jackson in the Indian War, and at one time he was one of General Jackson’s body guards. His wife was born in Virginia and died in 1858 in Tennessee.

Grandfather of James A. Spurlock

          Druery Spurlock was born in Virginia and was a Revolutionary War solider under General Morgan and served the entire war.

James Aquila Spurlock was born in Cannon County Tennessee. He was born on November 20, 1827 – he was the son of Colonel Josiah and Leah (Mannier) Spurlock.

          James A. Spurlock, the gentleman whose name and history heads the list. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common school of Cannon County Tennessee. Afterwards he graduated from a higher institution of learning, the Buell Academy in Warren County Tennessee.

          After conducting a school for some time, he read law at Minaville. In November, 1845 he entered the office of Judge Marsh Band and Chancellor Ridley as a law student and was admitted to the bar in 1845.

          He then engaged in practicing his profession at Gainsborough, Tennessee, remaining there until 1858 when he moved to

Marshfield, Missouri. In 1866 he came to Versailles, Missouri where he was a successful lawyer, one of the first college graduates in Missouri, he practiced law until his death.

          In 1802 he married Clarenida (Clarinda?) Talbot, born in Gainsbough, Tennessee. To this marriage there were eleven children born, one dying in infancy; Martha, Haywood, Josiah, Belle, Nancy, Sidney, James B, Gabriella, Paul and Susan A.

          James A. was a Republican in politics and served as County Treasure while in Morgan County, Missouri.

          The last two years of his life he wrote a religious book, entitled “The Gospel of God” which attracted favorable comments from theologians; he was the author of a number of legal and religious books.

          He was one of earth’s noblemen, he was known far and wide for his open hearted hospitality and his latch string was always found on the side of his door, no one knew him except to respect him. Many a young lawyer that got despondent, struggling with adversity has been renewed by his kind help and council.

          He died and was buried in Versailles, Missouri, his wife dying in April 26, 1884 at the age of 54 years.

          Clarinda (Talbot) Spurlock’s father was Haywood Talbot and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and served with Francis Morison in the Carolinas, he also was a soldier in the war of 1812.

          She was born in March, 1830 and a daughter of Haywood John and Nancy Talbot.

          She met her husband James A. while attending school in Gainsborough and they were married April 20, 1852, they came to Missouri in 1858. At the time of his death there were ten children living and 17 grandchildren.

Children and Who They Married

Martha                 C.B. Dyer of Benton County, a farmer

Haywood            Naomi

Belle                    Dr. A.B. Kieffer

Josiah                 Was never married

Nancy                  Lewis Lumpee, a merchant

Sidney                 Kate

James B.             Was never married

Gabbailla            Was never married

Paul                     Eugenia Salmon – Clinton Missouri

Susan                  Professor W.S. Dade

Lewis’s

Great Grandfather McCann

Grandfather McCann

On His Mother’s side

James McCann

          He was born in Kentucky on February 6, 1825 and was married to Marry Ann Duvall. She was born August 18, 1827.

          To this union there were two children born, Joseph William and Elisabeth Ann. The McCann’s were of Irish decent. They were plantation owners in Kentucky; tobacco raising was the principal thing.

          McCann and family moved to the northern part of Missouri (in 1855) and farmed. When the Civil War started they moved back to Kentucky so that his family would be with relatives, also he wanted to join the army in his state, that is if he had to go. But at the close of the war he and his family moved back to Missouri, coming through in wagons. Later he bought farming land, and farmed until his death.

          His wife was killed by a Jersey bull, which horned her to death on June 22, 1878.

          A few years afterwards he married Maria Forvler, and two children were born; James and Laura. James is a Doctor in Springfield (Missouri) and Laura is living in California.

          McCann was a great lover of good and fast horses, and a great hunter. He always had a pack of good hounds, but he never believed in killing more game than could be used at the time, at that time game was very plentiful.

          He was killed June 5, 1888 by his team running away with him, throwing him off the wagon and dragging him quiet a distance. They later found him by the roadside.

          He had been to Russellville (Missouri) for lumber and one of the horses was young, so they supposed the lumber popping and making such a noise they became frightened and he lost control of them.

          He was buried in the family cemetery on the farm. McCann was liked by all that knew him. McCann had three brothers, Tom, Levi and Sam (probably not right).

The Duvall’s were

John                    married Bettie Whitehead

Tom                     was never married

Sam                     Vandering (sp)

Elisabeth             married J.T, McCann

Mary Ann            married James McCann

Sofia                    married Edward Scott

                   Joseph William McCann

          Joe was born in Kentucky, June 3, 1847 to James and Mary Ann McCann. In 1855 with his parents they moved to Clinton Missouri. At that time he was seven years old, they came through in wagons.

          They lived in Missouri until the beginning of the Civil War, then they moved back to Kentucky so that his family could be with relatives if his father had to go to war, and he wanted to join the army in his home state. In 1865 his family moved back to Missouri. Joe at that time was 18 years old.

          His father brought a farm and later he bought an interest in it and they engaged in farming for several years. His mother was killed by a Jersey bull. She was killed on June 22, 1978. Her name was Mary Ann Duvall. She came from a prominent family in Kentucky. Her parents were large plantation owners (tobacco).

          On April 10, 1872 Joe married Nancy Wray of Cole County Missouri. To this union there were two children born – Sallie Wray and Mary Malinda. His wife died in 1878.

          On January 27, 1881 he married Mary Burns of Versailles, Missouri. There were six girls born to them, three dieing in infancy. Lellia Estella, Nettie Agnes and Bernice Burns were the ones that lived. The ones that died were Tatie Ross, Ida and Edna Merle.

          After his second marriage he lived in Cole County. He owned a saw mill as at that time there was so much fine walnut timber around here. He also had a store, and charge of the Missouri Pacific railroad water tank at that station. McCann was a great friend of all the railroad people from the owner to the brakeman.

Years later after he moved from there the railroad company built a new bridge across the Moreau and named it “McCann Bridge”.

          McCann and family moved to Olean Missouri in the spring of 1885 and built a home there. He still owned his saw mill and tanker, later buying a grocery store.

          He was a great lover of outdoor life and loved to go camping, fishing and hunting. He had a complete camping outfit and often would take his family for a week or the days.

          Joe also loved good horses and dogs. There were six men that were great friends and each fall would go on a hunting trip for deer and game. I have forgotten how many deer he has killed, but quite a number. One fall when the party was ready to go on their annual deer hunt, Joe became sick and he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to go, but the morning they were to leave they cam by for Mc (as he was called). They had the bottom of the wagon bed full of straw, and then they put a mattress on the straw and then carried Mc out and put him on it. They wouldn’t go off and leave him as he was the jolly one of the crowd. When the came back Joe was wee and had enjoyed the trip as much as any of them.

          In fact I think they were the happiest days of his life. He outlived all of his six friends. In those days they had state shoots and all of the good shots in the state would enter. They would shoot clay pigeons. I have forgotten the exact date but I think it was in 1889 that they had a big state shoot and gave a gold metal to the best shot in the state and Joe won it. The second best was Lewis Lumpee Sr. At this time they were not acquainted with each other, but in later years the two became Lewis Juniors two grandfathers.

          In the fall of 1895 he sold their home in Olean and with his family moved to Versailles Missouri building a home on the farm ½ mile from town[6] that was given to his wife from her father’s estate. McCann never liked farming himself as he was a merchant, but would rent the land out.

          His second wife died very suddenly with a stroke[7] at noon March 31, 1909 and she was 51 years old. He and his two younger daughters lived there until they were married. He then rented the farm but always kept two rooms for himself, as he felt he could always come home and be with his friends when he got tired of visiting his five daughters and relatives.

          In December 1911 he went back to Kentucky to his old home to visit, as he had one uncle living. He was past 90 years of age but remembered him. He was still living on his tobacco plantation with his son. He also saw some of the Negro’s who had been slaves before the war still living on the plantation.

          McCann was like his father, he loved to drive fast horses, and he liked to drive his car as fast. He had several accidents but always escaped injury. He had one accident that was quite a joke. He had is car parked in front of a store one night. And when he put his foot on the pedal to back up he made the mistake and used the one to start. He shot ahead into a $300 plate glass window, breaking it all to pieces, but he was a little more careful afterwards in which pedal he used. But he drove his car until a few days before he died.

          He thought nothing of driving a hundred miles; he was 83 years old when he died.

          Joe was a very active man for his age, he was known all over the central part of the state, he was a friend t all that knew him. He was known to the older people as Joe or Mc and to the younger ones he was Uncle Joe. He belonged to the Baptist Church, joining when a boy and as a usual thing, he was seen each Sunday morning at church.

          McCann went to visit his oldest daughter in Union Missouri and was taken sick two days after he got there, and only lived a few days, he was missed by his many friends. He died January ??, 1930.

By His First Wife

Sallie Wray                                Married Ernest Weineke of California, MO

Minnie or Mary Maduida            Married J.O. Strutz of Boonville Missouri

By His Second Wife

Lellia Estella                          Married Clarence Lumpee of Versailles, MO

Nettie Agnes                          Married W.O. Krog of Washington, MO

Bernice Burns                        Married G.W. Sombart of Boonville,MO

At his death he had twelve grand children and 8 great grand children.

Joseph William McCann

          Joe was born in Kentucky, June 3, 1847 to James and Mary Ann McCann. In 1855 with his parents they moved to Clinton, Missouri. At that time he was seven years old, they came through in wagons.

          They lived in Missouri until the beginning of the Civil War, then they moved back to Kentucky so that his family could be with relatives if his father had to go to war, and he wanted to join the army in his home state. In 1865 his family moved back to Missouri. Joe at that time was 18 years old.

          His father brought a farm and later he brought an interest in it and they engaged in farming for several years. His mother was killed by a Jersey bull. She was killed June 22, 1878. Her name was Mary Ann Duvall. She came from a prominent family in Kentucky. Her parents were large plantation owners (tobacco).

          April 10, 1872 Joe married Nancy Wray of Cole County Missouri. To this union there were two children born – Sallie Wray and Mary Malinda. His wife died in 1878.

          January 27, 1881 he married Mary Burns of Versailles, Missouri. There were six girls born to them, three dying in infancy. Lellia Estella – Nettie Agnes and Bernice Burns were the ones that lived. The ones that died while babies Katie Ross, Ida and Edna Merle.

          After his second marriage he lived in Cole County. He owned a saw mill at that time there was so much fine walnut timber around here. He also had a store, and charge of a Missouri pacific Railroad water tank at that station. McCann was a great friend of all the railroad people, from the owner to the brakeman.

          Years later after he moved from there, the railroad built a new bridge across the Moreau and named it the “McCann Bridge”.

          McCann and family moved to Olean Missouri in the spring of 1885 and built a home there. He still owned his saw mill and thrasher, later buying a grocery store.

          He was a great lover of outdoor life and loved to go camping and to fish and hunt. He had a complete camping outfit and often would take his family for a week or the days.

          Joe also loved good horses and dogs. There were six men that were great friends and each fall would go on a hunting trip for deer and game. I have forgotten how many deer he has killed, but it was quite a number. One fall when the party was ready to go on their annual deer hunt, Joe became sick and he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to go – but the morning they were to leave, they came for Mac (as he was called). They had the bottom of the wagon bed full of straw, then they put a mattress on the straw, then carried Mac out and put him on it. They couldn’t go off and leave him as he was the jolly one of the crowd. When they came back Joe was well and had enjoyed the trip as much as any of them.

          In fact I think they were the happiest days of his life, he outlived all of his six friends. In those days they had state shooting matches and all of the good shots in the state would enter. They would shoot clay pigeons.

          I have forgotten the exact year, but I think it was in 1889 that they had a big state shoot and gave a gold medal to the vest shot in the state – and Joe won it. The second best was Lewis Lumpee. At this time they weren’t acquainted with each other, but in later years the two became

                    Lewis Jr. (Steve’s father) two grandfathers.

          The fall of 1895 he sold their home in Olean and with his family moved to Versailles, Missouri, building a home on the farm ½ mile from town that was given to his wife from her father’s estate.   McCann never liked farming himself, as he was a merchant, but would rent the land out.

          His second wife died very suddenly[8] with a stroke[9]. She died at noon on March 31, 1909 and was 51 years old. He and his two younger daughters lived there until they were married, he rented out the farm but always kept two rooms for himself, as he felt he could always come home and be with his friends when he got tired of visiting his five daughters and relatives.

          In December of 1911 he went back to Kentucky to his old home to visit as he had one uncle living. He was past 90 years of age, but remembered him; he was still living on his tobacco plantation with his son. He also saw some of the Negro’s that were slaves before the war on the plantation.

          Mac was like his father he loved to drive fast horses and he liked to drive his car fast. He had several accidents, but always escaped uninjured. He had one accident that was quit a joke. He had parked his car in front of a store one night and when he put his foot on the pedal to back up he made the mistake and used the one to start. He shot ahead into a $300 plate glass window, breaking it all to pieces, but he was a little more careful afterwards in which pedal he used. But he drove his car until a few days before he died.

          He thought nothing driving a hundred miles; he was 83 years old when he died.

          Joe was a very active man for his age, he was known all over the central part of the state. He was a friend to all that knew him. He was known to the older people as Joe or Mac and to the younger ones he was Uncle Joe. He belonged to the Baptist Church, joining when a boy and as a usual thing he was seen each Sunday morning at church.

          McCann went to visit his oldest daughter in Union Missouri and was taken sick two days after he got there. He only lived a few more days. He was missed by his many friends. He died in January of 1930.

By his first wife:

Sallie Wray                       married Ernest Weineke of California Missouri

Minnie or Mary Malinda      married JW Strutz of Boonville Missouri

By his second wife:

Lellia Estella                    married Clarence Lumpee of Versailles Missouri

Nettie Agnes                    married WO Krog of Washington Missouri

Bernice Burns                  married GW Sombart of Boonville Missouri

At his death he had twelve grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Lewis Lumpee’s

Great Grandfather Burns

On his mother’s side of the family

Peter Ross Burns

          Burns was born in Salem Ohio, Columbia County on July 28, 1818 to John and Elisabeth (South) Burns. He was the youngest son of ten children. His father was of Scotch decent an lived to be an old man, dying in 1834.

          Burns served an apprenticeship to a cabinet maker and after completing his four years, he worked there at joining. He married Elisabeth Elliot (of Wellsburg, Virginia) in 1841. After his marriage they moved to Florence, Missouri in 1843. To this union one son was born, James A.

          After coming to Missouri he worked some at his training, but devoted most of his time to farming. Just eight months after leaving Ohio, his wife died.

          In 1850 he married Catherine Evans of Versailles, to this union were seven children born; William A, George Ross, Daniel, Peter R, Benjamin, twin girls, Mary and Elisabeth, Elisabeth dying in infancy.

          Burns moved to Versailles in 1852, buying 40 acres of land an living on this place, 1 mile east of town until 1864. His second wife died on October 14, 1858, she was born on May 21, 1821 and at her death she was only 37 years old.

          In 1862 he married a sister of his second wife, Margret Evans, to this union there were five children born; Alfred, Sarah Ann, Robert, Myria and John H. Burns and his family moved to town in 1864 and lived there for a year. He then bought a home and 100 acres of land from a man by the name of McCoy which was ¾ miles from town. The house was built in 1860. He kept buying land until he owned 400 acres on this farm and most of it was improved land which he kept until he died. Burns at one time was the largest tax payer in Morgan County. He enjoyed buying land although he never farmed it his self. He owned over 1500 acres around his farm and another 1500 acres of timber land on the Gravois.

         His third wife died in 1873. Burns was the father of 13 children, but only nine lived to be of any age, James A, by his first wife, 4 by his second and 4 by his third wife, the others dying while small. The nine children outlived their father; he died May 6, 1890 at the age of 72 with heart trouble.

          Burns was past the age limit to serve in the Civil War, but he had a little experience with it. When Prices Army came through they camped close to his home, taking of coarse what they wanted of the cattle, hog and the best horses. At that time people used gold money more than silver, what money he had on hand he put in tin cans throwing them loosely under the currants bushes.

          So after the war he kept some of the money and after his death it was divided up so that each child would have some. They were 1, 2½ and five dollar pieces.

          Before the soldiers came through Versailles a man came by and told Burns and a few others who were past the age to serve that they had better leave home as they were on a list to be picked out to be killed. Not wanting to leave his family, he hid in the woods for days only coming home when he knew it was safe. The soldiers thought he was hidden some place, so they put two armed men in the house, thinking he would come home in the night and they would surprise him. His children remember seeing the two armed men sitting one on each side of the fire place.

            Burns was Assessor of Morgan County in 1850, Sheriff in 1853 and sent to the Legislator in 1856. In 1862 he was appointed County Clerk serving until 1866. Later he was financial agent for Morgan County setting up indebtedness of the County.

          In politics he was organically a Benton Democrat until 1861when he united with and became an active worker in the Republican Party. At his death he was Chairman of the Republican Central Committee for Morgan County. He filled all the offices to the satisfaction of the people.

          He was a member of the Mason Lodge (No. 117) of this city and went as high as he could go in the organization of this country.

           Peter R. was one of Morgan County pioneers, also a prominent farmer[10] known all over the country for his honorable deeds and always a friend to the poor and any one in need of help. His name wasn’t forgotten for years after his death for the charity and good he did. He shared conspicuous honors and received the respect of hundreds.

           Burns oldest son James A. served the full time in the Civil War. He joined the army at the age of 18 serving with the Union Army.

           There is little doubt but what he was a descendent of the “Robert Burns”[11] as his grandparents came from the same part of Scotland and the name Robert has been a family name in each generation. In 1931 his granddaughter Nettie McCann Krog found a pair of pants belonging to him in the closet.

          In the pocket she found 4 quarters and a five cent piece. They had been in his pocket since he died. One was given to his granddaughter Lellia McCann Lumpee[12]. It was made in 1875.

His Children

By his first wife;

James A.

By his second wife;

William – died when he was 17 years old

George – was never married, died 1931

Daniel – was never married, died 1907

Peter R – died in infancy in 1854

Benjamin

Mary – married J.W. McCann, died 1909

Elisabeth – Mary’s twin died in infancy

By his third wife;

Alfred – married Nettie Moore, died 1916

Sarah Ann – never married[13], died August 1929

John H – never married[14], died 1959.

Myrta – died when small.

          Daniel Burns went to Cripple Creek Colorado during the gold rush and he had three wide heavy gold band rings made with the first fold he found. He kept one ring for himself and gave one to each of his sisters, Mary and Sarah Ann. The rings are still in the family, Mary Burns McCann’s ring going to her oldest daughter Lellia McCann Lumpee[15].

          Peter Ross’s father name was John and he died in 1834. The brother’s names were Robert, Andrew, William, John, Hugh, David, Hezsisk, and George.

[1] All other documents list both husband and wife as German.[2] I believe my grandmother made a mistake here. The Death Certificate signed by my adopted grandfather, A.J. Gunn listed the date of his death as September 24. I believe she confused this with her husband’s birthday, September 17.[3] I would guess that he had rheumatic fever based on the later diagnosis of heart valve damage. This means that our current family high blood pressure comes only from the McCann’s.   Comment by Stephen Lewis Lumpee Gunn on 28 April 2007.[4] Lellia said 1781 and 1805, Lewis Sr. said 1779 and 1854, I will use Johannes grandson’s dates.[5] Diaper Service[6] This land where JW built his house was the residence of William and Nettie Krog was reunited with the original Burns farm when my step-father Dr. Jack Gunn (owner of the original Burns farm) purchased it from Nettie McCann Krog. The remaining land was left to me by my father Lewis Lumpee[7] The same cause of death as her grandson (my father) who died on 1943 at the age of 38.[8] It is very strange to see Lellia refer to her mother’s death in such a manner.   She also fails to mention that upon her mother’s death, she and Clarence sold their home and moved back in with JW to help take care of things. I think she always regretted selling their first home. (Steve comment June 2008)[9] This is the start of three generations dying at an early age from a stroke (my dad in 1943, my grandmother Lellia in 1939 and my great grandmother in 1909.[10] Lellia contradicts herself as she had earlier stated that he liked owning land but did not farm it. I detect a special kinship with Peter R although Lellia was only 8 years old when her grandfather died.[11] Robert Burns (the poet) father spelled his name Burnes and I doubt that we are related as Burns is a common name taken from a river and Burnes was a unique group from one area of Scotland.[12] This did not make it down to me, the sole descendent. I would guess it was mixed with other artifacts at Aunt Nettie’s.[13] Sarah spent her entire life taking care of the family. She remained on the home place taking care of John until her death. She had the unlucky lot of being the last girl born to a large family and the care of Uncle John became her responsibility.[14] John Burns (known as Uncle John to me) suffered mental retardation. His mental equivalent was probably a six year old from most aspects, but he was mechanically adept. For more information on Uncle John see Stan Osborn’s “Uncle John” story at the end of his biography. I spent the first five years of my life living with Uncle John.[15] As with all other family heirlooms mentioned, this one did not make it to her grandson (me).