This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Kerns, Leftwich, Stroud/Strowd Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/zJB.2ACE/1996.2 Message Board Post: Taken from History of Buchanan County, MO 1881 GEORGE M. KERNS, farmer and stock raiser, section 4, post office Easton, was born August 31, 1844, in Clinton County, Missouri, and Was principally reared as a farmer, and there received his education. During the late war, he displayed his patriotism by enlisting in the State Militia, serving for eighteen months, and took part in several small skirmishes. At the close of the war he again turned his attention to farming. In January, 1870, he settled on the place which he now occupies, and since that time has been a resident of this county. His landed estate consists of 100 acres, where he resides, and 8o acres in DeKalb County, all improved. He has always shown a commendable spirit in forwarding the interests of the county. December 23, 1874, he was married to Miss Keziah Strowd, a native of Indiana, born in ‘845. They have had four children Florence B., David F., Helen and Alice. Mrs. K. is a member of the Presbyterian Church. JESSE T. LEFTWICH, farmer and stock raiser, section I, post office Easton, was born August 11, 1811, in Bedford County, Virginia, and when about twelve years of age he moved with his parents to Pittsylvania County, where he spent his -boyhood days on a farm and received his education. Upon becoming of age he commenced the manufacture of tobacco, and after following the business for ten years he turned his attention to farming, and continued therein some twenty years. He again engaged in the tobacco business and was so occupied until the war broke out, when he lost heavily. He had three sons in the Confederate army under General Lee, two of them taking part in twenty-two general engagements, besides many minor engagements. At the close of the war Mr. L. emigrated west and settled in this county. He moved to the place where he now resides in 1872, and now owns a fine farm of eighty acres, improved. At one time he fixed up proper facilities for the tobacco business, but the climate was too cold t! o make it a success. Mr. L. was married in 1837 to Miss Letitia Shelton, a native of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, born October i4, 1820. They have had eleven children, ten of whom are living, Taswell B., George W., Mary A. (now Mrs. Joseph Robinson, of Easton), James B., Augustin J.. William L., Nancy J. (now Mrs. George Marker, of Easton), John B., Victoria L. (now Mrs. John Kerns), and Thomas J. Mrs. L. is a member of the Christian church. - ALLEN STROUD, -farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Easton, was born October 14, 1810, in Dearborn County, Indiana, and Was reared as a farmer until twenty-one years of age, there receiving his education. He moved to Vanderburg County, Indiana, in 1831, and resided there for thirty-four years, engaged in farming and stock raising. From that place he came to Buchanan County, Missouri, in 1865. He owns 140 acres of land well improved and stocked. Mr. S. made what he owns by honesty, industry and fair dealing. He has been twice married, first on the 4th of July, 1833, to Miss Jane Smith, a native of Rochester, New Jersey. She died on the 9th of January, 188o, leaving a family of seven children, three of whom are still living: Helen E., (now Mrs. D. L. Hawkins) Kizia, (now Mrs. Monroe Kerns) and Joshua. He was married again January 11, 1881, to Mrs. Ellen McClain, a native of this state. They are members of the Free Baptist Church. His son-in-law, D. L. Hawkins, resides with him. The following is a list of the secret orders in Buchanan County: MARTON TOWNSHIP. Under a dispensation of April 28, i858, granted by Bro. and Rev. William N. Irish, Dist. D. G. M., who was present and organized Easton Lodge, No. 101, A. F. and A. M., in their halt in the town of Easton, Buchanan County, Missouri, by appointing Bros. Daniel Conway, W. M.; Hugh McClintock, Sen. W.; Absalom Kerns, Jun. W.; Jordan J. Pullins, Treas.; John Long, Secy; Silas H. Kerns, Sen D.; L. D. Dowell, Jun. D.; Adam Kerns, Tyler, duly installing them as such. On the 28th day of May, 1858, a charter was granted or issued to said lodge, and on August 11th following, the following named officers were duly installed under their charter: Daniel Conway, W. M.; Absalom Kerns, Sen. W.; Joab Shultz, Jun. W.; J. J. Pullins, Treas.; John Long, Secy; Silas Kerns, Sen. D.; L. D. Dowell, Jun. D.; Adam Kerns, Secy and Treas. Daniel Conway, Hugh McClintock and Absalom Kerns were charter officers. The following named have been W. Masters of this lodge: Daniel Conway, Absalom Kerns, Isham S. Talbot, John L. Stoneman, W. F. Forbis, Joseph Robinson, C. W. Benight, George W. Leftwich, George T. Black. The following named persons have been secretaries: John Long, Elijah McCrary, C.W. Benight, Joseph Evans, Joseph Robinson, Chesley Wyatt, W. F. Forbis, James B. Leftwich. Present officers: George T. Black, W. M.; George W. Leftwich, Sen. W.; Elan Rice, Jun. W.; I. S. Talbot, Treas.; C. W. Benight, Secy.; Henry McCrary, Sen. D.; Wm. R. Evans, Jun. D.; Wm. M. Vassar, Tiler. Number of present membership, 23, as per last Grand Lodge report.