My Genealogy Hound

George W. Howery, now living on Section 25, Union Township, is one of the old settlers of Benton County, Mo., having come here as early as 1848, and was born in Virginia April 3, 1825. He is the son of Jacob and Polly (Huff) Howery, and is the eighth in a family of twelve children, who are named as follows: James (deceased); Samuel, now in Virginia; Jacob, Eleanor (deceased), Maria (deceased); Daniel, now in Kansas; John B., in Benton County; George W.; David, in Virginia; Lucinda (deceased); William Lewis, now in Virginia, and Nancy, now in Ohio. George W. Howery left home when but thirteen years of age, and went about sixty miles down the river in Virginia, there remaining for one year. He then went to Scott County, Va., remained about three years, and then moved to Missouri, in 1844, locating in Cole County, where he operated a tan-yard, until he came to Benton County, in 1848. Mr. Howery says he landed in Jefferson City with just 25 cents in his pocket, and loaned that to a fellow to buy a gallon of spiritus fermentare. He then hired out at 40 cents a day to cover corn, and later made a contract with Hiram Messersmith to exhume an old tan-yard that was buried up. He then went to work and tanned all the hides that Mr. Messersmith could gather up, on shares. He remained there about four years, and was there united in marriage to Miss Virginia Bell, April 11, 1847. She was a daughter of William and Nancy Bell, and a native of Virginia, born April 12, 1827. Her father came to Missouri when she was in her fourth year. She was one of twelve children born to her parents, viz.: Betsy (deceased); Eleanor, now in Cole County; Gordon, now in the Choctaw Nation; Virginia; Maria, now in Bates County, Mo.; Washington, now in Benton County; J. M., now in Washington Territory; William (deceased); Robert, now in Pulaski County; Payton J., now in Jasper County, Mo.: Thomas B., now in Jasper County, Mo.; and Nancy M. (deceased). When Mr. Howery first came to Benton County he settled on 160 acres of land, which he has since increased to 200 acres—160 here, and 40 in timber. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, having about 20 head of cattle, 12 horses, and usually about 60 or 70 hogs. Mr. Howery is a Democrat politically. By his marriage he became the father of eleven children—William L., now in Saline County, Mo.; James H.; Eleanor, wife of Charles Campbell, now living in Sedalia; Nancy M., wife of Jack Arnold, now in Anthony, Kan.; Emma (deceased) was born February 18, 1856, and died October 27, 1880; George W., now in Saline County, Mo.; Rose B., wife of James Treadway, now living in Henry County; Louisa, at home; Thomas B., at home; Anna, wife of George Hanam, now in Morgan County, Mo.; and Frances, now teaching school, and makes her home with her parents. Mr. Howery is a public-spirited, enterprising citizen, and is a liberal contributor to church and school funds. September 14, 1863, he enlisted in Company K, Eighth Cavalry Regiment of the Missouri State Militia, and was in service until the close of the war. He was on the Shelby and also on the Price raids.