My Genealogy Hound

W. T. Pitchford, a successful agriculturist and one of the prominent stock-raisers of Saline Township, was born in Kentucky in 1855. He is the ninth in a family of ten children born to Fleming and Susan (Russell) Pitchford, natives of Kentucky. The father was a farmer, and came in the fall of 1855 to settle in Cole County, where he purchased some land partly improved. He continued to improve the farm, but later sold and purchased another farm. Both parents are now living, and are residents of Cole County. W. T. Pitchford assisted his father on the farm in Cole County, and received his education in that county. He commenced working for himself at the age of twenty, and was married in Miller County, in 1875, to Miss Matilda Starling, daughter of R. C. and Rebecca (Vernon) Starling, natives of Tennessee, who came to this county at an early date, and were among the first settlers. They are still living, and are residents of Miller County. After marriage Mr. Pitchford settled in Cole County, remained there one year, and then, in 1876, came to Miller County, Mo. Here he purchased a farm in Saline Township, and engaged extensively in agricultural pursuits. He lost his excellent wife in 1878, in Saline Township. By this union one child, Nora, was born. Mr. Pitchford was married in Cole County, in 1880, to Miss Sarah Pitkins, daughter of J. N. and Matilda (Stark) Pitkins, natives of Tennessee. They were pioneers of Cole County, and now reside in that county. One child was born to Mr. Pitchford’s second marriage, Nellie Ann. Mr. Pitchford was married in Miller County, in 1885, to Miss Mary L. Clay, a native of Miller County, and the daughter of W. A. and Charity (Miller) Clay, who were natives of Tennessee. The father came to Missouri at a very early day, settling in Saline Township, entered land, which he improved, and is now living. The mother is also living. Mr. Pitchford, after marriage, settled where he now resides, on ninety acres of partly improved land, and to this he has since added ninety acres more. He has 160 acres under cultivation. He handles a great deal of stock, and fed 100 head of hogs and thirty head of cattle during the winter of 1888-89. In his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is at present justice of the peace in Saline Township, and is a member of Mount Pleasant Lodge No. 95, I. O. O. F., having been N. G. in that order. Mrs. Pitchford is a member of the United Brethren Church. They are the parents of two children, Mellie F. and Walter O.