My Genealogy Hound

A. R. Vanderford was born in Ross County, Ohio, on the 30th of March, 1818, and since the fall of 1838 has been a resident of Dallas County, Mo. The father, Eli Vanderford, was born in Maryland, and at a very early day immigrated to Ohio, where he was married to Susannah Ratcliff, a native of North Carolina. They moved to Missouri at the above mentioned date, coming through in covered wagons, and reached Dallas County one month after starting out. They purchased the farm now owned by the Coffer family, on which they erected a little log cabin, and lived in this for a number of years, until they were able to make better improvements. At the land sale in January, 1839, he purchased 160 acres of land for himself, and 160 acres for his son, A. R. Vanderford, whose name heads this sketch. He then entered several tracts of land nearby, and at one time was an extensive real estate owner, but divided his property among his children. He and wife were among the first settlers of the county, and here spent their remaining days. Their son, A. R. Vanderford, was about twenty years of age when he came to Dallas County, and after his father purchased him his farm he bent all his energies to clearing it and getting it in a tillable condition. He has lived on this farm ever since he came to the county, and now owns 300 acres of land, with about 200 acres under fence and in cultivation, and with good improvements. In 1840 he was married to Malinda Gordon, a daughter of Noah and Nancy (Bartlett) Gordon, who came to Missouri in 1835, and located in Polk County. Here the mother died, but the father’s death occurred in Pulaski County. Mr. and Mrs. Vanderford are the parents of nine children, five now living: Monroe, John C., Jasper N., Marion F. and James B.; those deceased are Julia A., Nancy P., Almira and an infant. Mr. Vanderford cast his first vote for Gen. Harrison, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. Jasper N. Vanderford, their son, is the presiding judge of the Dallas County Court, and was born in the county on the 2d of August, 1849. His early days were spent in attending school and assisting his father on the farm, and he now has a valuable farm of 120 acres, on which are some valuable improvements. His present office, to which he was elected in 1886, expires in 1890. He has always taken a deep interest in religious matters, as well as other enterprises for the public weal, and might well be considered a valuable acquisition to any community. December 8, 1869, he wedded Miss Jane Van Horn, by whom he has the following children: William M., Laura B., Ida M., Joseph A., Charles N., Annie, Dora E., Minnie J. and Pearl. Mr. and Mrs. Vanderford are worthy members of the Christian Church.