By request, Source: 1881 Grundy Co., Missouri history book. William McCammon, p. 586 WILLIAM M GAMMON Was born in Clay County, Kentucky, January 4, 1811, where he resided until grown, and attended school a short time, but received most of his education since he came to Missouri. He used to study at night by the light of the fireplace, after he had done a hard days' work. He married Miss Rosanna Oxford, March 13, 1834. In 1837 he moved to Grundy County, Missouri, then called Livingston County, where he still lives on the farm he first settled on. Their post-office then was Spring Hill, about twenty miles distant. His father and mother were members of the M. E. Church, but he took a dislike to the church when he was a boy, for in those days they had what were called circuit riders, and they used to ride up to his father's house and call him, "here, William, you take my horse and take good care of him, feed, water and clean him off." Then when he would go to the house, if it happened to be cold weather, they would order him to bring in some dry wood and build up a fire, and William you do this and that, when they were great big strapping fellows and did nothing but eat and drink. Every quarter they would ride up to his father's and say, " Brother McCammon, we want so much money today, as your part towards paying us for preaching"; and his father and mother would scrape up every cent they could find, and they denied themselves a good many necessaries of life to pay those men, who were better able to work than his father. Such things as these disgusted him, and he said that if ever he preached he would never charge people anything as long as he was able to work. He joined the Baptist Church, was ordained elder in that society in September, 1843; when the Union Church on Cook Creek was built in 1844, was called to take charge of it, which position he has held ever since, except one year. The church then continue to hold as long as he lives. The elder has never received but $7.50 Cash for his services since he took charge of the church. His church members offered to pay him something for preaching, but he told them that they were as poor as he was, and he could work on his farm and make a living for himself and family, and if they had anything to give, to give it to the widows and orphans who needed it, as he did hot want any pay for doing his Master's work. The elder used to hunt up neighborhoods where there were no appointments, and would send them word that he would be there on Sunday to preach to them, and they would all turn out to hear the word of God, as it was seldom they got a chance in those days to listen to a preacher. He has organized several churches in this and adjoining counties, and has been a self-appointed missionary, doing good where he could without pay, often riding on horseback fifteen miles on Saturday morning and preaching twice on that day and the same on Sunday, then return home and go to plowing on Monday morning. The elder had a good business woman for a wife who looked after his farm when he was away; was very saving and would not let anything go to waste, and he attributes his success in this world, peculiarly, to his wife's management. She was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina, August 6,1811. She was as good as she was saving, and never saw any one suffer for want of anything she had to give, but gave it freely. She reared a large family of children; namely, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Locky, William Henry, Rosanne, Sarah, Cornelia and Minerva Frances. The first two were born in Kentucky, and the rest were born on this farm, married here, and live within a radius of ten miles. William Henry and Cornelia are dead. Mrs. McCammon died August 14, 1874. In 1880 the elder made a division of his property among his children, so they all have good homes; he gave up all work at that time thinking that as he was-getting old he would do no labor the rest of his days, but his church insisted he should continue to preach for them. This he has consented to do, and will as long as he is able. He lives with his youngest daughter and husband, who have the old homestead.