Polk Township
James J Clark
12 Apr 1853 – 16 Apr 1902
James Clark, a native of New York, moved to Adair County with his parents, Thomas & Catherine, at about age 16. He was primarily a farmer but, according to reports, had held numerous other positions including that of railroad agent and retail store clerk. He and his wife, Anna Ely, had only been married about five years at the time of his death. [Census; Democrat & KDE obits]
Benjamin Marsh Dowdy
24 Mar 1838 – 15 Apr 1903
Marsh Dawdy, who was born in Knox County, IL, came to Missouri for the first time in 1859, staying for only a couple of years before returning home. He married Dorinda J Davidson in 1861 and the couple, with their children, Warren, Austin & Theresa, moved back to Adair County in 1869 to settle permanently on a stock farm near Illinois Bend. A few years after Dorinda’s death in 1893, Marsh married Mrs Mary Virden with whom he spent the rest of his life. [Goodspeed; Home Press obit]
Peter O Paulson
Sept 1845 –
Peter Paulson immigrated to the United States in 1871 and settled in Adair County, MO around 1880. He purchased a farm near Greentop in the northern part of the county and several years later bought another place southwest of Kirksville. [Atlases; 1900 Census]