STEPHEN PRESTON HEATH (1812-1888), m1.1840 Mary KAYSE (d.1848), m2.1848 Martha Jane (MOORE) FOSTER (d.1916). He was 28 at the time of his 1st marriage. He was born in Cabell Co. VA on March 2 1812 and died 29 August 1888 at the age of 76.. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1826 while in Cabell Co VA. He received his license as a local pracher in 1833 and was admitted to the Ohio Conference in 1834. He was ordained a Deacon in 1836 and an Elder in 1853. Along with other members of his extended Heath family and members of the Moses McComas family from Cabell Co. VA he moved to MO. 1839-1840. Mary was a daughter of William KAYSE. He and first wife Mary were married in Benton Co. MO. On 1 Oct 1845 at age 33, Stephen Preston Heath recorded the purchase of 40 acres in Benton Co. MO. (This land was adjacent to the 107 acres purchased the year before by his brother Richard B Heath). Upon the death of his firt wife in 1848 he married second Martha Jane (Moore) Foster on 29 June 1848 in Platte Co. MO. She was born in IN, a daughter of Elijah MOORE. After his first marriage, Stephen lived in Andrew Co. MO, then moved to Platte Co. MO. He joined the Missouri (Methodist) Conference in 1853. He was admitted to the Kansas Conference in 1867 at age 55, but a fall from a buggy in 1872 when he was 60, resulted in his complete disability three years later. His motto was to “live a Christian life, do good and go to heaven.” He died in Leavenworth KS just across the river from Platte Co MO where other family members lived. He is buried in the Retired Minister Cemetery in Leavenworth KS. First marriage children: William B. HEATH (1841-1895), m.1865 Annie E. SMITH. He was born in MO and owned a store at Waldron, Platte Co. MO for many years, then sold out and moved to Kansas City. He is believed to have been buried in Kansas City. Annie Smith was a daughter of Washington Smith. Their child: Holmes HEATH b. 1869 Jonas G. HEATH (b.1843). Never married. Elizabeth Jane HEATH (1845-1898), m.1863 Thomas Hubbard SHACKELFORD (1844-1916). They were both born in MO, married in Platte Co. MO. He was son of Richard T Shackelford. Thomas served in the Civil War in Company A, 4th Reg., Misouri S.M. Cavalry. They lived in Hardin Twp., Clinton Co. MO. They are buried in Goss Cemetery, Clay Co. MO. Thomas m.2. 1898 Mary Jane Lanham in Clinton Co. MO. The children of Elizabeth and Thomas: William Preston SHACKELFORD (1865/7-1932) M. 1902 Barbara Ellen TULL (1885- 1969). Laura SHACKELFORD (1871-1963) M. 1894 William E. CARRINGTON (1866- 1942) Mary B. ‘Molly’ SHACKELFORD (1874-1957) m. Lewis A. MISNER Stephen SHACKELFORD (1879-1955) m. 1918/19 Lenora ‘Nora’ (JUSTICE) CARPTNER (1872-1936) Myrtle SHACKELFORD (1885-1965) M. 1902 Willie YOUNG John R. HEATH (b.1846), m.1865 Margaret BABCOCK. James F. HEATH (b.1848). Obituary for Stephen Preston Heath Stephen Preston Heath died at his home in Leavenworth, Kansas August 29, 1888. He had been sustaining a superannuated relation to the Kansas Methodist Conference since 1875. He was born in Cabell Co. VA March 2, 1812, was thoroughly converted, as he said, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1826. He received the license of a local preacher in 1833, was admitted into the Ohio Methodist Conference in 1834; relocated in 1838 because of failure in his health; joined the Missouri Methodist Conference in 1850; relocated again in 1852, again entered the Missouri Methodist Conference in in 1853 at the suggestion of Bishop Morris; relocated the third time in 1856/57; was employed by the Presiding Elder for much of the time of his local relation to the ministry. He was admitted to the Kansas Methodist Conference in 1867, but a fall from a buggy in 1872 resulted in his complete disabiity three years later. He was ordained a Deacon by Bishop Soule in 1836 and an Elder by Bishop Morris in 1853. He was married and has left a very worthy widow. He died as triumphantly as he lived. “All is well” he said. He was ready. His ruling motive had been to live a Christian, do good, and go to heaven. His path had been one of progress. God had blessed his labors, his faith was unwavering. His dying declaration was “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses me from all unrighteousness.” Well done, toiling, suffering minister of God, thy warfare is over now. (in Annual Minutes of the Kansas Methodist Conference, 1889, pg 45)