My Genealogy Hound

STEPHEN M. HOOD, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Sarcoxie, was born in Monroe county, Tenn., March 2, 1833. His parents, Norris and Melinda (Bond) Hood, were natives respectively of South Carolina and Virginia. His father’s family consisted of nine children: Stephen Mr. David C., Joel P., Martha R., Lucy L., Thomas C., Elizabeth, Amanda, and Esther. Our subject grew to manhood in his native state, engaged in agricultural pursuits and attending school. He came west with his parents in Nov., 1852, locating in this county, where he now resides. He completed his education after coming to this state in the Newtonia College, Newtonia, Mo. In June, 1868, he enlisted in Company C, Seventh Provisional State Troops, and one year thereafter re-enlisted in Company C, Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. Mr. Hood was married in Jasper county, Mo., March 10, 1859, to Miss Miriam, daughter of Josiah and Jane Boyd, of this county. From this union there were seven children: Norris B., born Aug. 3, 1860; Melinda J., born March 22, 1862; J. G,, born April 10, 1864; Kate, born May 10, 1866; Lucy, born April 8, 1869; Charles C., born Sept. 2, 1871; and Edward C., born July 11, 1873, died Feb. 11, 1875. Mrs. Boyd died April 15, 1877. She was, and for years had been, a devoted member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hood was again married September 6, 1879, to Elizabeth McGonagal, of this county, but formerly of Ohio. They have one child, Wesley E., born Jan. 19, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Hood have a very comfortable home situated about three miles west of Sarcoxie. The farm consists of 360 acres of choice land, mostly lying on Center Creek, the most fertile land in the Southwest; good residence and out-buildings, orchard, etc. Mr. Hood is a man of public spirit, taking an active part in matters of common as well as of individual interest. He possesses an extraordinary memory, and having been one of the earliest settlers in the county, his reminiscences are truly entertaining. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Masonic order.