JOHN J. SEARCY John J. Searcy resided here three forths of a century. He is a native of Tenn., born in Bedford Co. July 30, 1827. His parents Orvil and Mary Searcy were among the first settlers in Ray Co. immigrated here in 1829 when our subject was a small child. They made the trip overland, crossing the Missouri River at Lexington, November 8, 1829 and located on a farm northeast of Richmond. He has made his home there since 1829. He was married on September 1854 to Miss Lizzie Ford, in Clay Co., Mo. To them 4 children have been born two of them O.A. and Miss Lizzie Searcy, both of this city are living. Richmond Conservator, June 19, 1902, (photo of John J. Searcy was included with the article.) Contributed by a Friend of Ray County. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ROBERT SEVIER Robert Sevier, eldest son of Valentine Sevier, Esq., was born October 13, 1807, in Greenville, Tennessee. His grandfather, Robert Sevier, with several brothers, left his home in Tennessee to join the American army of the Revolution, and served with distinction in North Carolina against Cornwallis. The elder Robert Sevier held a commission as colonel of volunteers, and held this command at the battle of King's Mountain, where he received wounds of which he soon afterwards died. These brothers were also held in high estimation in civil life; one of them, John Sevier, was governor of Tennessee, after the war. Robert Sevier, the subject of our sketch, was entered a cadet at West Point, in 1824, and was graduated in 1828, brevet second lieutenant, and July 1, 1828, second lieutenant sixth infantry, joining his regiment at Jefferson barracks, Missouri. He served with the expedition on the upper Arkansas in 1829; Ft. Leavenworth, in 1832 - 34; Jefferson barracks in 1834 - 36; Camp Sabine and Ft. Jessup, Louisiana, in 1836. Adjutant sixth infantry, from August 1, 1836, to October 31, 1837; in Florida war~ in 1837; resigned, October 31, 1837. After his resignation, he remained two years in Tennessee. He spent the winter of 1839 - 40 in Liberty, Clay county, Missouri, seeking a location for business. In 1840 he entered into the mercantile business in Richmond, Missouri, where his remaining years were passed. In 1845, he was elected clerk of the circuit court and ex-officio recorder of deeds of Ray county, which office he retained for twenty years. In 1865 the constitutional convention of Missouri removed such officers then in commission as refused to take and subscribe the oath of loyalty. Major Sevier was removed, and thereafter persistently remained in private life, although often solicited to occupy positions of trust, living on his farm. In 1851 he married Miss Ann H. Sibley, who died January 20, 1852. The issue of this marriage is Charles Sevier, a very worthy gentleman, occupying the paternal home at this time, with an interesting family; and a daughter, Isabel, who died at the age of nine. His second marriage was with Mrs. Maria Embree, a sister of ex-Governor Austin A. King, of Missouri. This lady survives him. Inheriting the talents and disposition of such an ancestry, his aspirations, even in boyhood, could be only of a high character. Having a vigorous mind, and using wisely his fine advantages in the acquisition of an education, his manhood was matured in the highest meaning of the word. Many graduates will readily remember their associations with him; his genial disposition; his amusing stories; his soldierly bearing - and these reminiscences must needs be very pleasant. During his term of military service, the army was small, and promotion slow; opportunities for gaining distinction were seldom found, and many young officers, who had families, retired to civil life. Major Sevier was in many respects well suited for military duty; he was remarkably intelligent, patient, brave, and uncomplaining. He retired from the service amidst the regrets of his army associates, and was welcomed into civil life by a large circle of friends. The evidences of the value of one's education are not to be sought for in military history alone. In the peaceful pursuits of private life, the man who acts well his part, educating his children in the fear and love of God; disciplining them to pass through the trials of life bravely and honestly; manifesting by every foot-fall in the pathway of life a true and determined integrity and usefulness, is by no means to be placed in low estimation. Such men build up and strengthen the free institutions of our country; adding to her wealth and honor, her usefulness to mankind, her reputation for good among the people of every land. It is difficult to find a better reputation than established by Major Sevier during his life-time. Every tongue is ready in his praise. The history of his honest, cheerful manhood, so gracious to his fellow-citizens, seems well written in every heart; and his disposition to kindness made any business intercourse with him very pleasant. The business and professional men of Richmond, Missouri, are widely known as gentlemen of the highest standing, and the great esteem in which they held Major Sevier, speaks loudly in his praise. He was never at loss for an agreeable subject of conversation; an interview with him never failed to please, as well as to instruct. He was a most sincere believer in the truth of the revealed religion of our Lord Jesus Christ, and an honest professor thereof. He was not ashamed to own his allegiance to his God; he was, however, very unostentatious and unobtrusive. His profession of religion was made in 1851, and steadfastly maintained until death. For many years, he was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church. The internal evidences of the truth of Christianity sank deeply into his mind, and his faith, strengthened from year to year by careful study and reflection, only added to the strength of his convictions. "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return," with him is fully realized. He died May 16, 1879, at Richmond, Missouri, aged seventy-one years. 1881 Ray County, Missouri History ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ JOHN W. SHOTWELL The subject of this sketch was born July 4, 1828, in Mason county, Kentucky. His father was Judge Jabez Shotwell, who was born in Kentucky in 1791, and died in Ray county, Missouri, in 1871. He was for many years judge of the ray county court; a highly honorable and useful citizen, who will long be kindly remembered by all who knew him, living. His mother was likewise a native of Kentucky, born in 1797, and died in 1852. In the fall of 1833 Mr. Shotwell moved with his parents to Lexington, Missouri, and in the fall of 1835, to Richmond, Ray county, where he now resides. Early in 1855 he began reading law, with Messrs. Oliver & Conrow, of Richmond, as his preceptors. He was admitted to the bar June 1, 1856. He is a successful lawyer, familiar with the different departments of his profession, and has been a close student. He enjoys an excellent reputation both as a lawyer and as a gentleman. In 1877 he associated with him in the practice, J.E. Ball, Esq.; the partners have a lucrative practice, as well as the confidence of the public. Mr. Shotwell was elected one of the directors of the Ray County Savings Bank, at its organization, and has been connected with it ever since. In February, 1880, he was elected its vice president, a position he still retains. In the year last mentioned he, in connection with W. P. Hubbell and L. D. Priest, sunk a coal shaft near the railroad depot in the western part of the city, to the depth of one hundred feet. They employ, in operating this mine, about twenty men. The coal is of superior quality, the vein exhaustless, and the business exceedingly profitable. Mr. Shotwell accompanied General Price, as a soldier in the state guards, in Col. Reaves' regiment, to Camp Cowskin Prairie, and took part in the battles of Carthage and Wilson's Creek. February 14, 1861, he was married to Miss Julia E. Devlin, a native of Michigan. They have seven children living, five boys and two girls: Anna, John W., Joseph, Lizzie D., William M., Benjamin E. and Horace. Mr. Shotwell is a member of the Baptist Church, while his wife is a member of the M. E. Church South. They are exemplary Christians, and respected by the entire community in which they live. Mr. Shotwell is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Knights of Honor. Ray County History 1881