My Genealogy Hound

Major Silas Headrick, proprietor of Salem Hotel, of Salem, Mo., and son of Cristopher C. and Margaret (Billings) Headrick, was born in Davidson County, N. C., in 1831. His parents were natives of Davidson County, N. C., born in 1799 and 1801, respectively. Christopher C. Headrick moved to Haywood County, Tenn., in 1834, and the following year moved to Dent County, Mo., and located in Watkins Township, the farm now being owned by his son Silas. He died here in 1868. His wife died in 1873. They were the parents of four children, three now living: James, Franklin and Silas. The last named was but four years of age when his parents came to Dent County, Mo., they being among the first white settlers of the county, which was full of Indians and wild animals. Silas assisted his father on the farm until thirty-eight years of age, and in 1861 he enlisted in Capt. Frank’s regiment, Missouri State Militia, and in the spring of 1862 he enlisted in the regular service under Col. Coleman. After his regiment was disorganized he joined Col. Pindall’s battalion of sharp-shooters, and was in service until in 1865, when he surrendered at Shreveport, La. He was in the battles of Wilson’s Creek, Lexington, Pleasant Hill, La., and Jenkins’ Ferry, Ark. He was captured at West Plains and retained one month, and was the first prisoner exchanged during the war. He enlisted as a private, was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, and later to major of his regiment. After the war he returned to Dent County, where in 1866 he married Mrs. Nancy Plank, nee Plank, daughter of Benedict Plank, and a native of Tennessee, born in 1837. To Mr. and Mrs. Headrick were born seven children: Frederick, May, wife of Alex. Putman; James, Jeremiah, Riley, Annie and Myrtle. Mrs. Headrick had one child by her former marriage, who was named America, and who became the wife of Isaac Dunham. Mr. Headrick followed agricultural pursuits until 1874, when he was elected collector of Dent County, and was re-elected in 1876. For the past five years he has been merchandising in various places in the county, and in the fall of 1888 he sold his stock of goods at Victor Mills, and leased the Salem Hotel at Salem, taking possession December 3, 1888. He keeps a first-class house in every respect, and looks well after the comfort of his guests. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of A. O. U. W., Select Knights of same, and his wife is a member of the Baptist Church.