Student's Task

A native to Callaway county, Davis Knox grew up on a farm, and at the age of eighteen got a job at a store in Danville, where he gained much experience and popularity as "one of the best and most popular clerks in Danville". In 1860, he opened his own store in Danville, and was very successful until October 1864, when the notorious bushwhacker Bill Anderson terrorized the town and burned his shop - and everything inside - to the ground. However, Knox refused to let this tragedy ruin his spirits. He worked hard and in 1867 opened a new store which immediately proved successful. Knox held several offices in Montgomery County, including in 1870, when he was nominated and elected county treasurer. Knox returned to Callaway County in 1876 to run the Portland store and lived in respect and happiness.

NOTE: Auxvasse Township is in the southeast corner of the county, not to be confused with the city of Auxvasse in north central Callaway.

James D. Branch was a gallant soldier of the Union Army, during the late war. Being raised on his father's farm, Branch would have access to a fair education in the county. During the beginning stages of the war, Branch took no active part either way, although his sympathies were strongly with the North. Branch would be brought into an active part in the war, however. Branch was shot by a squad of Bushwackers, commanded by Jim Brooks, who had left him for dead. After recovering from his wounds, Branch enlisted in the 5th Iowa Cavalry, Company C, commanded by Captain Charles A. B. Langdon. Branch would take part in all battles in the Atlanta campaign, Sherman's march, and Wilson's raid. After his service, he returned to his farm.

Absalom Hughes was a gallant old soldier of the Mexican-American War, and a farmer with a large plot of land. Originally from Virginia, Hughes moved with his family to Missouri in 1839, where he settled in Callaway County. Like in Virginia, Hughes took up the profession of farming and would come to own 400 acres of land. In 1846, Hughes entered Colonel Doniphan's command of Missouri soldiers for the Mexican-American War, and was in the 1st Regiment Missouri Artillery Volunteers. Hughes was wounded by a cannonball, at the Battle of Sacramento, and was honorably discharged after the expiration of his term of service at New Orleans. Hughes would return to his homestead in Callaway County, and drew a pension during the war.

Born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, Jefferson F. Jones would grow up to become a legend and a founder of the Kingdom of Callaway. Jones was educated in Fulton, Missouri, and began to practice law in the town. When Jones caught wind of a Union invasion of the county, he immediately rushed to gather troops to defend the county (See the Callaway County Before, During, and After the American Civil War under The Birth of a Kingdom for more information). His efforts proved successful, and a truce was arranged. Unfortunately, no physical treaty has been preserved, but in doing so the Union had in effect negotiated with sovereign power. Thus, the term "Kingdom of Callaway" was born. Jones would later be held prisoner, and then banished from the county (this banishment lasted only a week). Jones eventually returned to the county, where he took up farming until his death.

Thomas J. Gibbs was born in Kentucky and his family moved to Missouri when he was two years old. Gibbs fought in both the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and the American Civil War (1861-1865). His page linked below details the epic of his service. Gibbs was twenty years old when the Mexican-American War broke out and joined St. Louis Light Legion, Company A, Colonel Williams' Regiment of Scott's division. He participated in four notable American victories. At the conclusion of the war Gibbs learned the trade of carpentry. He became a Lieutenant Colonel when he enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861. Gibbs lived a life of adventure and bravery and returned to Callaway as the leading carpenter in his region of the county.