My Genealogy Hound

Major Stoddard, dealer in furniture and undertaking goods at Olean, Mo., was born in Plymouth County, Ohio, in 1835, and was the youngest in a family of eight children born to William and Polly (Putnam) Stoddard, who were born in the “Green Mountain State,” and were there reared and married. After the consummation of the latter event they moved to the “Buckeye State,” where they resided for some time, and then moved to Dade County, Mo. After residing there two years, in 1850 they located in Morgan County, where the father was engaged in farming until his death, in 1850, followed by his wife four years later, the latter’s death being caused by cholera. Her grandfather was Gen. Israel Putnam, of Revolutionary fame. The paternal grandparents were also natives of New Hampshire. Major Stoddard was educated in the district schools of Ohio, and from early boyhood has been familiar with the details of farm life. He was married in Miller County, in 1859, to Miss Maria Atkinson, daughter of Obey and Mary (Lovell) Atkinson, of Kentucky, who were early residents of Miller County, Mo. The father died on his farm near Olean, in 1876. His widow is still living. After his marriage Mr. Stoddard was engaged in milling about a year, and in 1860 moved to his present farm near Olean, which comprises 100 acres with seventy-five under cultivation, all of which he has earned by industry and frugality. He has been engaged in his present business in Olean since 1884. During the late war he served on detached and garrison duty in the State Militia for some time. He is a Democrat, a member of the A. F. & A. M. at Pleasant Mount, and has held a number of offices in the lodge. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and are the parents of the following children: Sophronia; Lewis T., who is married and resides in Miller County; Charley and Major. One child died in infancy.