My Genealogy Hound

Reuben Poland, son of Jacob and Sarah (Crouch) Poland, was born in Washington County, Tenn., on Christmas day, in the year 1818. The parents were natives of Tennessee, and were of German and English descent, respectively. John Poland, grandfather of Reuben, was from some one of the New England States, and was an early settler of Tennessee. Grandfather Crouch was from Virginia, and was also one of the early settlers of Tennessee. Jacob Poland attained his majority in East Tennessee; was there married to Sarah Crouch, and became the father of eleven children. He moved to Kentucky in 1829, and another child was born in this State. On account of his wife’s health Mr. Poland did not enlist in the War of 1812, but furnished a substitute. He died in 1859 and his wife in 1876. Their children are named as follows: Mary, Jessie, John, Elijah, Joseph, Reuben, Elizabeth, Julia Ann, Jacob, William, Isaac and Sarah. Elijah, John, Joseph and Sarah are deceased, John living to be twenty-two years of age, the other three to over fifty years of age, and had families. Reuben attained his majority in Kentucky, and was but eleven years old when his parents moved to that State. He was educated in the subscription schools, and at the age of twenty-two he commenced teaching school, which occupation he followed for about three and a half years. He then abandoned this for a while and engaged in farming in Fulton County, Ky., for some time. While there, in connection with his farming interest, he taught several terms of school. They remained here until 1856, when they came West to Missouri and located where he now lives. He had been here in 1855, and had purchased land, put up a house, where he and his family finally settled in July 1856. Previous to this, October 31, 1844, he married Miss Martha S. Shepherd who was born in Shelby County, Ky., in 1828, and was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Tinsley) Shepherd, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, but whose ancestors were from Virginia. Mrs. Poland was left an orphan at an early age, and was reared by an elder sister. There were seven children in the family, three of whom are deceased. William died at the age of about four years; Sarah and Elizabeth lived to be over fifty-five years of age, and had families. Those living are Mary J., John S., James C. and Martha S. all having families. By her marriage with Mr. Poland Martha S. became the mother of six children, two now living, the eldest and youngest: Sarah E. wife of Robert K. Taylor, and Joseph, who was married March 27, 1887, to Mary E. Buckner, of Greene County, Mo., and is living at home with his father. The names of the children deceased are as follows: William, Robert E., Mary F. and Malissa. Mary F. was twice married, Elijah Knotts, of Indiana, being her first husband, and William Stephenson, of Missouri, her second; she died leaving a family of three children, only one, Ruth Stephenson, now living. Malissa was married to James H. Bailey, of Ohio, and died leaving two children, only one, Euva Balley, now living. During the late Civil War, on account of his poor health, Mr. Poland remained at home with his family. He joined the Baptist Church in his fifteenth year, and his wife in her seventeenth. They have maintained a good Christian character, and are both excellent citizens. Their ancestors were of the Baptist faith.