My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE GRESHAM. Perhaps one of the oldest settlers of Preston township is the subject of this sketch. He settled on his present farm in 1856, and was there until the war broke out, and then moved to Kansas, and after the war returned to Preston township. He was born Feb. 14, 1828, in Caldwell county, Ky., and came to Jasper county, Mo., in 1844, locating in Jasper township. There were no schools and Mr. Gresham has a limited education. He staid at home until twenty-five years of age. At twenty-one he worked out by the month, in the winter, and took his pay in calves, and in summer farmed for part of the crop on his father’s place. He was married Dec. 9, 1872, to Elizabeth, daughter of Seth and Amelia Shoemaker, who came to Jasper county in 1840. Mr. Gresham has seven children living, named John S., Theodocia Lee, Douglas, Martha A., Robert E., Andrew F., and Freddy R. When Mr. Gresham bought his farm everything was wild woods and prairie. He now has 400 acres, all improved, 160 under the plow, 100 acres of timber; has two orchards, and raises all kinds of fruit common to this country. He also has some fine stock, a good many hogs, and is a very successful farmer. He is well liked by all his friends and neighbors; has always been honest, and has made what he has got by hard work.