LETTER TO SHELBINA TORCHLIGHT

28 December 1901

Bacon Chapel Neighborhood.

WILLIAM O. LOWMAN

This old and respected citizen was born in Old Virginia in 1815, where he remained till in 1856 when he came to Missouri, settling in Lewis county. Several years after this he settled on a tract of land one half mile west of Duncan Chapel, where he lived for many years. Mr. Lowman was a tanner by trade but spent the greater part of his life farming. He was a member of Bacon Chapel church and assistant superintendent of Bacon Chapel Sunday School when I was a boy and a member of the school. He was a zealous and devoted Christian man and held many offices in the church. Mr. Lowman was a strong Democrat, honorable and upright in all his dealings with his fellowmen, and exemplified his profession by his daily walk and conversation. He lived to a ripe old age, dying some three years ago.

SAMPSON B. LOWMAN

This gentleman is a son of W. O. Lowman, and was born in Old Virginia, where he remained till his father came to Missouri, emigrating with him and settling on the above described land till after his marriage, when he improved a farm a little north of the old homestead. Mr. Lowman worked in his father’s tan yard when a boy, but since his majority as lived on a farm, except three or four years he lived in Shelbyville. He is a lifelong Democrat, and was honored by his party with the office of County Surveyor three terms. Mr. Lowman filled this office with honor and credit. He made a profession of religion in early life, joined Bacon Chapel church, and has ever since been an honor to the church. He is now living on his fine farm, enjoying the respect and esteem of the people of Shelby county.

WILLIAM BOYD

Mr. Boyd came from Monroe county to Shelby sometime in the fifties and settled on a tract of land joining Mr. W. O. Lowman’s land on the west. Mr. Boyd was blacksmith by trade and worked at his trade in Old Clinton, Monroe county (now known as North Fork) in forty-nine and fifty. Mr. Boyd was a German and I think born in Pennsylvania. He was a Democrat in politics, a good neighbor and an honest, upright gentleman. Mr. Boyd died several years ago.

JACOB BOYD

Was a son of William Boyd and grew to manhood on his father’s farm. Jake, as he was called, assisted his father on the farm and attended school in the winter, which was a common district school known as Duncan’s school house, situated on the southwest corner of a farm, known as the George Coard farm which lays on the west of Duncan Chapel. After Jake reached his majority he married and settled on a tract of land joining his father’s on the west where he improved a farm and lived for several years. He professed religion in early manhood and joined Bacon Chapel church, and lived a consistent Christian. His piety and zeal attracted the attention and respect of his brethren and they honored him by licensing him to exhort. Jake moved to the far West many years ago, settling in Colorado where he engaged in prospecting and mining. He was one of the directors and incorporators of the Big Indian silver mine and was president of the company at one time. Several Shelby county men remember this company (your humble servant being one of them) owning stock in the Big Indian. On account of lack of means to develop the mine it was abandoned; no blame being attached to any of the boys who managed it. Jacob Boyd died several years ago. His untimely death being regretted by his neighbors and all who knew him.

WILLIAM B. HAYNES

Better known as Bird Haynes was raised by William Boyd and with Jacob Boyd worked on the farm and attended the same school. Bird made a profession of religion early in life, joined Bacon Chapel church and lived a consistent life. Having a mechanical turn of mind he learned the brick mason’s trade. Some years after he arrived at manhood he settled in Hannibal, Mo. where he married and continued to follow his trade, becoming one of the leading contractors and builders of the adopted city. His untimely death occurred some eighteen months ago. William B. Haynes was a quiet, good-natured, honorable man, worthy of the esteem in which he was held by his many friends of Bacon Chapel neighborhood and the city of Hannibal.

J. H. Pollard