My Genealogy Hound

John Gabriel, a farmer and stock-raiser of Moniteau County, Mo., is a native of the “Buckeye State,” and was born in Athens County, October 26, 1835. His paternal and maternal ancestors came from Maryland, and settled in Athens County, Ohio, where the father and mother of our subject, Henry and Elizabeth (Penrod) Gabriel, were born. The father was a farmer, and after the death of his first wife married again, and in 1866 came to the State of Missouri, and made his home with his sons until his death, in 1881. He was the father of two sons and four daughters, who grew to maturity and became the heads of families, only three of whom are now living: John, William and Dorcas. John Gabriel remained with his father until twenty years of age, then began fighting the battle of life for himself, and in 1855 went to Wisconsin, and worked in the pineries of that State for one year. He then returned to Ohio, where he was married on June 22, 1856, to Miss Minerva Goodrich, who was also born, reared and educated in Athens County of that State. Soon after their union they moved to Illinois, and were engaged in farming in Knox County for two years, when they took up their abode in Putnam County, Mo., being engaged in farming near Unionville for five years. From 1861 to 1867 they resided in Ohio, and at the latter date returned to Missouri, locating in Moniteau County. In February, 1870, he purchased a farm with slight improvements, and has added to his original purchase until he now owns 400 acres, all in one body, with the exception of forty acres. His land is all under fence, and is mostly in meadow, pasture and plow-land. He has an excellent orchard, and a good residence and barns. He and wife have reared a family of thirteen children, whose names are as follows: Charles, married and living near home; Henry, in Oregon; William H., at home; Margaret J., wife of Dr. John Hayes, of Idaho; Oren, Earl, Amzy, Alonzo, John F., Harriet, Hannibal, James B. and Arthur.