Catherine Carroll was the daughter of Daniel Carroll. She married William Temple Thomson Mason Jr.. Catherine died.

     Euphan Mason was the son of William Temple Thomson Mason and Ann Eliza Carroll.

     Elizabeth Ann Hirst was the daughter of John Thomson Hirst and Nancy Eleanor Hitch. Elizabeth died.

Truman Thomson Hirst
b. circa 1834, d. 24 June 1862

     Truman Thomson Hirst was born circa 1834 at Fauquier Co., Va.. He was the son of John Thomson Hirst and Nancy Eleanor Hitch. Truman Thomson Hirst began military service on 1 January 1862 at Springfield, Mo..¹ Truman died on 24 June 1862 at Saltillo, Ms..¹

Albert Augustine Hirst
b. 26 May 1830

     He married an unknown person . Albert died. Albert was born on 26 May 1830. He was the son of John Thomson Hirst and Nancy Eleanor Hitch.

William Alpheus Hirst
b. 29 September 1836, d. 15 March 1871

     He married Anne Murphy. He married Bettie Levens Yancey. William was born at Fauquier Co., Va., on 29 September 1836. He was the son of John Thomson Hirst and Nancy Eleanor Hitch. William Alpheus Hirst began military service on 1 January 1862 at Springfield, Mo..¹ He died on 15 March 1871 at Cooper Co., Mo., at age 34.²

     She married William Alpheus Hirst. Anne died.

Bettie Levens Yancey
b. 3 July 1837, d. 26 November 1920

     She married William Alpheus Hirst. Bettie was born on 3 July 1837. Bettie died on 26 November 1920 at age 83.

Eleanor Hirst
b. 2 September 1867, d. 14 February 1935

     Eleanor was born on 2 September 1867. She was the daughter of William Alpheus Hirst and Bettie Levens Yancey. She married George McClelland Sutton in 1888. Eleanor died on 14 February 1935 at age 67.

George McClelland Sutton
b. 2 December 1865, d. 1925

     George was born on 2 December 1865. He married Eleanor Hirst in 1888. George died in 1925.

Thomson Mason Hirst
b. 29 September 1841

     He married an unknown person . Thomson was born on 29 September 1841. He was the son of John Thomson Hirst and Nancy Eleanor Hitch.

John Thomson Hirst Jr.
b. 6 December 1843, d. 12 August 1928

     John was born on 6 December 1843. He was the son of John Thomson Hirst and Nancy Eleanor Hitch. He married Sallie Elizabeth Harness on 6 April 1870. John died on 12 August 1928 at age 84.

Sallie Elizabeth Harness
b. 1851, d. 1914

     Sallie Elizabeth Harness was born in 1851. She married John Thomson Hirst Jr. on 6 April 1870. Sallie Elizabeth Harness died in 1914.

     Cumberland Calvin Hirst was the son of Albert Stevens Hirst and Elizabeth Payne. Cumberland died. He married an unknown person .

Robert David Hirst
b. circa 1838

     Robert died. He was born circa 1838 at Fauquier Co., Va; Enlistment records give his age as 24 in 1862; his discharge that same year list his age as 28.¹ He was the son of Albert Stevens Hirst and Elizabeth Payne. Robert David Hirst began military service on 1 January 1862 at Missouri, 2nd Cavalry (Confederate), Springfield, Mo..¹ He ended military service on 13 July 1862; Private, Company A. Discharged from disability.¹

     Lucius Westwood Hirst was the son of Albert Stevens Hirst and Elizabeth Payne.

Armistead Mason Nelson
b. 19 November 1829, d. 3 August 1922

     Armistead was born at Facquier Co., Va., on 19 November 1829. He was the son of James O'Bannon Nelson and Mary Elizabeth Hirst. He married Marie L. Tucker on 9 January 1868. Armistead died on 3 August 1922 at Boonville, Mo., at age 92. He was buried after 3 August 1922 at Masonic Cemetery, Tipton, Mo..

     Marie died. She married Armistead Mason Nelson on 9 January 1868.

Enrico Decatur Nelson
b. 12 December 1831, d. 10 November 1903

     His common name was Decatur. Enrico was born at Fauquier Co., Va., on 12 December 1831. He was the son of James O'Bannon Nelson and Mary Elizabeth Hirst. He married Isabella Hannah Stephens at Cooper Co., Mo., on 17 December 1852. Enrico Decatur Nelson married Elizabeth Anna Hill on 5 November 1885. Enrico died on 10 November 1903 at Tipton, Mo., at age 71.¹

Isabella Hannah Stephens
b. 3 September 1834, d. 4 October 1884

     Isabella was born at Bunceton, Cooper Co., Mo., on 3 September 1834. She married Enrico Decatur Nelson at Cooper Co., Mo., on 17 December 1852. Isabella died on 4 October 1884 at Bunceton, Cooper Co., Mo., at age 50.

Joseph Obanion Nelson
b. 6 August 1867, d. 30 April 1947

     Joseph O. Nelson
(Transcribed by James F. Thoma)

Joseph O. Nelson, a progressive citizen and well known farmer of Kelly Township, was born in Texas, Aug. 6, 1867. He is a son of Decatur and Isabella (Stephens) Nelson. Decatur Nelson was born in Virginia, Dec. 12, 1831, and died in Cooper County, Nov. 10, 1903. He came to Cooper County with his parents when he was nine years of age. When the Civil War broke out he went to Texas and entered the Confederate Army there, and served nearly four years until the war closed. Isabella (Stephens) Nelson was a member of a Cooper County pioneer family. She was born on the site of the present town of Bunceton long before Bunceton was thought of. She was a daughter of Joseph Stephens, Sr., a native of Wythe County, Va., who settled in the locality where Bunceton now stands in November 1817. Isabella (Stephens) Nelson died in 1886. She was one of 24 children born of two unions who all lived to man and womanhood, except three, who died in infancy. Her mother being Miss Catherine Dickenson; nine children belong to that union. To Decatur and Isabella (Stephens) Nelson were born two children: Mrs. Mollie C. Francis, who now resides in Texas and Joseph 0., the subject of this sketch.

Joseph O. Nelson was educated in the public schools at Glen Dale, Clarksburg College, and Otterville College, and since leaving school has been engaged in farming. He has lived on the place which he now owns in Kelly Township for 30 years. He first purchased 42 1/4 acres and later added 90 acres more. His farm is located five miles south of Bunceton. It is well improved, with a good residence, new barn and other improvements of a high order. The water supply for the place is obtained from a well 110 feet deep, and is pumped by a gas engine.

Mr. Nelson was first married in April 1887, to Miss Ids May Tilton, a daughter of Samuel Tilton, of Tipton, Mo. One son was born to this union, Newton, who lives at Tipton. Mrs. Nelson died in 1888. April 22, 1890, Mr. Nelson was married to Alice C. Kelly, a daughter of John and Nancy Kelly. John Kelly who was a native of Ireland was a railroad man and worked on the construction of the Missouri Pacific railroad through Tipton and also M. K. & T. through Clifton City. He died in Kansas City, July 9, 1906. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Jones, died in 1872, when Mrs. Nelson was about two years of age. Mrs. Nelson was reared by her grandparents Samuel and Susan Jones, who resided near Otterville. Samuel Jones was a native of Kentucky, born Nov. 3, 1826, and came to Missouri about 1835, settling near Otterville where he kept the post office which was Elkton in the forties before Otterville was founded. His wife was born in Page County, Va., in 1832, and died in July, 1893. Mrs. Nelson was educated in the public schools of Cooper County, Otterville College and the Pilot Grove College. She was a student at the latter institution in 1883 when W. F. Johnson, the editor of this work, was a teacher there.

To Joseph O. Nelson and wife have been born five children as follows: Isabella, born March 1, 1891, was educated in Bunceton High School, Missouri State University, The Gem City Business College, Quincy, Ill., and is now a teacher at the Laura Speed Elliot High School, Boonville; Richard Truman, born Nov. 27, 1897, resides at home; Ernest Decatur, born March 3, 1900; Edgar Eurico, born Feb. 6, 1902; Armstead Mason, born Aug. 26, 1910.

The Nelsons are one of the well known and representative families of Cooper County and Mr. Nelson is a progressive and public spirited citizen. He is a cousin of Hon. W. L. Nelson, United States Congressman from the Eighth Missouri District and of Lady Maxwell of England.¹


Joseph was born at Denton Co., Tx., on 6 August 1867. He was the son of Enrico Decatur Nelson and Isabella Hannah Stephens. He married Ida Mae Tilton on 2 May 1888. He married Alice Catherine Kelly at Cooper Co., Mo., on 22 April 1890. Joseph Obanion Nelson died on 30 April 1947 at Otterville, Cooper Co., Mo., at age 79.

Ida Mae Tilton
d. 28 April 1889

     She married Joseph Obanion Nelson on 2 May 1888. Ida died on 28 April 1889.

Alice Catherine Kelly
b. 3 August 1870, d. 11 October 1962

     Alice was born at Otterville, Cooper Co., Mo., on 3 August 1870. She married Joseph Obanion Nelson at Cooper Co., Mo., on 22 April 1890. As of 30 April 1890,her married name was Nelson. Alice died on 11 October 1962 at Tipton, Moniteau Co., Mo., at age 92.

     Charles Ernest Francis married Mary Catherine Nelson, daughter of Enrico Decatur Nelson and Isabella Hannah Stephens, on 1 June 1880.

Henrietta Ann Nelson
b. 6 February 1834, d. 9 October 1840

     Henrietta was born on 6 February 1834. She was the daughter of James O'Bannon Nelson and Mary Elizabeth Hirst. Henrietta died on 9 October 1840 at age 6.

Marietta Elizabeth Nelson
b. 9 July 1836, d. 1 September 1848

     Marietta was born on 9 July 1836. She was the daughter of James O'Bannon Nelson and Mary Elizabeth Hirst. Marietta died on 1 September 1848 at age 12.

Cynthia Armistead Nelson
b. 21 October 1838, d. 1 December 1904

     Cynthia was born on 21 October 1838. She was the daughter of James O'Bannon Nelson and Mary Elizabeth Hirst. She married Thomas H. Benton Stephens on 3 October 1853. Cynthia died on 1 December 1904 at Bunceton, Mo., at age 66.

     He married Cynthia Armistead Nelson on 3 October 1853.

Maria Virginia Nelson
b. 28 October 1840, d. 19 November 1840

     Maria was born on 28 October 1840. She was the daughter of James O'Bannon Nelson and Mary Elizabeth Hirst. Maria died on 19 November 1840 at age 0.

Roberta Adelaide Nelson
b. 9 March 1842, d. 13 December 1862

     Her common name was Addie. Roberta was born on 9 March 1842. She was the daughter of James O'Bannon Nelson and Mary Elizabeth Hirst. Roberta died on 13 December 1862 at age 20.

Rebecca Eleanor Nelson
b. 29 July 1844, d. 2 March 1900

     Her common name was Nollie. Rebecca was born on 29 July 1844. She was the daughter of James O'Bannon Nelson and Mary Elizabeth Hirst. She married Andrew J. Reaves on 17 October 1882. Rebecca died on 2 March 1900 at age 55.

     He married Rebecca Eleanor Nelson on 17 October 1882.

Thomas Alpheus Nelson
b. 23 August 1848, d. 21 March 1921

     Listed in Bible record as Alpheus T. Nelson. Thomas Alpheus Nelson
(Transcribed by Jim Thoma)

Thomas Alpheus Nelson, is one of the oldest of the native born pioneers of Cooper County, now living, retired, in Bunceton, Mo., and owner of "Eminence Stock Farm," situated a few miles northeast of Bunceton. Mr. Nelson was born Aug. 23, 1848, on a farm four miles northeast of Bunceton, and resided for 70 years within sight of his birthplace. He is a son of James 0. Nelson, one of the early pioneers of this section of Missouri.

James 0. Nelson was born in Virginia in 1802 and died in Cooper County, Mo., in 1861. He immigrated to Cooper County in about 1833, entered government land and improved a farm, upon which he reared his family of 11 children, as follows: A. M. Nelson, Boonville, Mo; E. D., deceased; Mrs. T. B. Stephens, deceased; Mrs. Nora Reavis, deceased; John Albert, and T. A. Nelson, twins, the former deceased; Addie died at the age of 21 years; two children, Henrietta and Maryetta, died young; James 0. Nelson resides in Bunceton. The mother of these children was Mary E. (Hirst) Nelson, who was born in 1809 and departed this life Dec. 25, 1891.



In the beginning there were seven Nelson brothers who located in Cooper County in pioneer days. Of these, Thomas W. Nelson became a merchant in Boonville. James 0. and John B. Nelson were farmers, the former becoming a large land owner. Henry and Addison Nelson were bachelors. Alexander Nelson located in California, Mo., and George Nelson.



Thomas A. Nelson was married Dec. 24, 1868, to Sarah A. Tucker, who bare him children as follows: Walter died in infancy; Louis 0. Nelson lives in Bunceton, Mo; W. L. Nelson is the present member of Congress from this district and resides in Columbia, Mo; Albert J. and Alpheus J. are farmers in Cooper County; Edgar C, editor and publisher of the Bunceton Eagle; Clyde T. Nelson is managing "Eminence Stock Farm.



The mother of the foregoing children was born in Cooper County, April 6, 1849, within sight of "Eminence Stock Farm." She is a daughter of Thomas and Mary B. (Taliaferro) Tucker, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. Mrs. Mary B. Tucker was a daughter of William and Nancy Taliaferro, who came From Kentucky to Cooper County, Mo.,



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in 1834. Thomas Tucker was a son of Josephus and Sarah Tucker. He was born in 1812 and died in 1893. He came to Cooper County in 1841, was married in 1847 and built up a splendid farm. He was father of the following children: Mrs. Sarah A. Nelson, of this review; W. J. Tucker of Kansas City, Mo; John R. Tucker of Oklahoma City, Okla; Mrs. Mary Bohling, Medford, Ore. William and Nancy Taliaferro were parents of six children: James, Robert, Johnson, Lucy, wife of James H. Baker, and Elizabeth, who attained the great age of 90 years. Thomas Tucker was one of the best known of the pioneer citizens of Cooper county.



When Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Nelson began their wedded life, they purchased a tract of undeveloped prairie land which adjoined the old Tucker homestead. In order to fence this tract, Mr. Nelson hauled rails with ox teams from Moniteau. Every tree, shrub, vine, and plant which now adorns the grounds of their fine estate was planted by Mr. and Mrs. Nelson. "Eminence Stock Farm" consisted of 364 acres, well improved with a large, handsome residence, good farm buildings, and is devoted to the breeding and raising of fine live stock. Mr. Nelson has always been an extensive feeder and producer of live stock. In 1882, Mrs. Nelson began breeding and raising fine poultry, mostly Barred Rocks and other varieties. She was the first woman to make a specialty of producing poultry of the better breeds and of pure strain. Mr. Nelson achieved a great reputation as a breeder of Duroc Jersey swine.

Dec. 24, 1918, Thomas A, and Sarah A. Nelson celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. When Mr. Nelson was purchasing live stock for the State Institutions same years ago, Mrs. Nelson managed the farm during his frequent periods of absence and weighed the corn and did a man's work on the place. They are bath members of the Baptist Church, as are all of their children. Mr. Nelson has been a deacon in the Baptist Church for 40 years and his son Louis 0. Nelson is also a deacon. They are among the most highly respected and best loved pioneer couples in Cooper County, and Mrs. Nelson is the source of authority in her neighborhood for facts concerning family history and is the last recourse for information concerning the early history of the Bunceton neighborhood. In September of 1918, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson made their first move in a half century. They came to Bunceton, after turning over the home farm to their son, Clyde Nelson, who is now managing it. Now, in the eventide of a long and useful life, they are enjoying well earned repose, serene in the consciousness that theirs has been a life well spent.¹
Thomas was born on 23 August 1848. He was the son of James O'Bannon Nelson and Mary Elizabeth Hirst. He married Sarah Ann Tucker on 24 December 1864. Thomas died on 21 March 1921 at Bunceton, Mo., at age 72.

Sarah Ann Tucker
b. 6 April 1849, d. 6 June 1932

     Sarah Ann Tucker was born on 6 April 1849. She was the daughter of Thomas Tucker and Mary B. Taliaferro. She married Thomas Alpheus Nelson on 24 December 1864. Sarah died on 6 June 1932 at age 83.

William Lester Nelson
b. 4 August 1875, d. 31 December 1946

     NELSON, William Lester, a Representative from Missouri; born on a farm near Bunceton, Cooper County, Mo., August 4, 1875; attended the country schools in his native county, Hooper Institute, William Jewell College at Liberty, Mo., and the Missouri College of Agriculture at Columbia; taught school for five years; subsequently entered the newspaper business at Bunceton, Mo; member of the State house of representatives 1901-1903 and 1905-1907; moved to Columbia, Mo., to become assistant secretary of the State board of agriculture and served from 1908 to 1918; member of the editorial staff of the Iowa Homestead and other Pierce publications 1921-1924; also engaged in agricultural pursuits; author of various agricultural publications; elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1919-March 3, 1921); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1920 to the Sixty-seventh Congress; resumed journalistic pursuits in Columbia, Mo; elected to the Sixty-ninth and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1925-March 3, 1933); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1932; elected to the Seventy-fourth and to the three succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1935-January 3, 1943); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1942 to the Seventy-eighth Congress; served as assistant to War Food Administrator Marvin Jones in 1943; returned to Columbia, Mo; died in Columbia, Mo., December 31, 1946; interment in Columbia Cemetery.¹
William was born at Cooper Co., Mo., on 4 August 1875. He was the son of Thomas Alpheus Nelson and Sarah Ann Tucker. He married Stella C. Boschert on 9 June 1909. William died on 31 December 1946 at Columbia, Mo., at age 71.

Stella C. Boschert
b. 22 January 1883, d. 13 January 1954

     Stella was born at Carroll Co., Mo., on 22 January 1883. She married William Lester Nelson on 9 June 1909. Stella died on 13 January 1954 at Columbia, Mo., at age 70.

John A. Nelson
b. 23 August 1848, d. 17 August 1876

     John was born on 23 August 1848. He was the son of James O'Bannon Nelson and Mary Elizabeth Hirst. John died on 17 August 1876 at age 27.

James O'Bannon Nelson
b. 12 June 1851, d. 4 August 1938

     James was born on 12 June 1851. He was the son of James O'Bannon Nelson and Mary Elizabeth Hirst. He married an unknown person on 17 June 1880. James O'Bannon Nelson married Minnie Martin Ramsey on 17 June 1880. James O'Bannon Nelson married Mrs. Sallie E. Meeker on 3 December 1901. James died on 4 August 1938 at Bunceton, Mo., at age 87.

     As of 17 June 1880,her married name was Nelson. Minnie Martin Ramsey married James O'Bannon Nelson, son of James O'Bannon Nelson and Mary Elizabeth Hirst, on 17 June 1880.

Ethel Pearl Howard
b. 28 August 1877, d. 28 August 1951

     Ethel was born on 28 August 1877. She married Thomson Mason Hirst II in 1911. Ethel died on 28 August 1951 at age 74. She was buried after 28 August 1951 at United Methodist Cemetery, Annandale, Va..¹

Amelia Catherine Hirst
b. 3 June 1849, d. 26 March 1934

     She married Robert Bruce Templeman. Amelia was born on 3 June 1849. She was the daughter of Thomas Alpheus Hirst and Lucy Mildred Payne. Amelia died on 26 March 1934 at age 84.

Robert Bruce Templeman
b. 31 March 1837, d. 5 October 1926

     He married Amelia Catherine Hirst. Robert was born on 31 March 1837. Robert died on 5 October 1926 at age 89.

     Mary Nelson Hirst was the daughter of Thomas Alpheus Hirst and Lucy Mildred Payne. She married Lewellyn L. Anderson.

     He married Mary Nelson Hirst.

Edmund Alpheus Hirst
b. 14 March 1876, d. 28 November 1904

     Edmund Alpheus Hirst was born on 14 March 1876. He was the son of Thomson Mason Hirst II and Emily Hirst Allen. Edmund died on 28 November 1904 at age 28.¹

     Edith Gertrude Hirst was the daughter of Thomson Mason Hirst II and Emily Hirst Allen. Edith died.

     Mary Mason Hirst was the daughter of Thomson Mason Hirst II and Emily Hirst Allen. She married Walter Winnard Caton.

     He married Mary Mason Hirst.

Clarence Marshall Hirst
b. 13 March 1884, d. 9 November 1951

     He married Linda May Mankin. Clarence Marshall Hirst was born on 13 March 1884 at Gainsville, Prince William Co., Va.. He was the son of Thomson Mason Hirst II and Emily Hirst Allen. Clarence died on 9 November 1951 at Fairfax Co., Va., at age 67. He was buried after 9 November 1951 at Oakwood Cemetery, Falls Church, Va..