The Corder Families of Lafayette County, Missouri

GEORGE W. CORDER.

Mr. Corder is a native of Rappahannock county, Va., born March 5, 1828. His parents moved to Lafayette county in the spring of 1839. Mr. C. has since been a resident of this county, obtaining his education principally in Lexington, Mo. Has always lived upon and operated the farm which his father entered in 1839. In 1861, he enlisted in the Missouri State Guards, under Shelby, He served six months in the M. S. G. and then enlisted in the regular service, joining company C, Col. Gordon's regiment. Was engaged at the battles of Lexington, Pea Ridge, and quite a number of others of less note. Was honorably discharged at Shreveport, in June, 1865. He went through the service without receiving a scratch, although having several bullet holes in his coat, and also having several horses shot under him. In 1853, he married Miss Elizabeth Wall, of Henry county. Mo. Six children were born to them, as follows: Wm. M., Nathan, Rovella A., Robertie Lee, Bettie and George. In 1878, Mr. Corder platted and laid out the town of Corder, which the railroad company named in his honor. Is a member of the A. F. and A. M., Higginsville Lodge, No. 364; also a member of the P. of H., Corder Lodge. Is also a member of the M. E. church, south, of Dover. Postoffice, Corder.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES S. CORDER.

In writing a work of the magnitude here intended it is but fair to note the life and character of a man who has been faced many times by grave obstacles and who, be it said to his credit, has surmounted them, one by one, having been compelled to hew his own way through trials and difficulties of various kinds. He has demonstrated beyond doubt what one can do who has a well defined purpose, energy, persistency, and who does not admit the word "fail" to his category,

James S. Corder, well-known farmer of the vicinity of Corder, Lafayette county, is a native of the Lone Star state, his birth having occurred in Rockwell county, Texas, June 13, 1862, and he is the son of Arthur and Harriet (Shepherd) Corder, both being natives of Virginia. The father came to Missouri in 1837 with his parents, Rev. Martin and Nancy (Ellis) Corder, who located in section 8, township 24, range 49. The elder Corder was a prominent citizen here in his day and he became a very extensive and successful farmer, owning at one time two thousand acres of land. He was a minister in the Baptist church and did a great deal of good in various ways. His death occurred in this neighborhood in 187 1. His wife, Nancy ElHs Corder, died in 1865 in Lewis county, Missouri. Harriet Shepherd came to Lafayette county, Missouri, from the Old Dominion with her father about 1847. moved on to California as a result of the gold excitement, and died in that country about 185 1. During their sojourn here Harriet Shepherd married Arthur Corder, and she and her husband moved to Texas before the breaking out of the Civil war. Sympathizing with the South, Mr. Corder enlisted in the Confederate army under Colonel Gano in Texas, and he served very faithfully through the war.

In 1868 the Corder family returned to Lafayette county, Missouri, locating on the farm on which James S. Corder, of this review, now resides, and here the father died in 1874, his widow surviving until 1892. Their farm consisted of one hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Corder was a member of the Masonic order and was buried by the local lodge at Waverly, one of the oldest in the county. Mrs. Corder was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church South. They were the parents of seven children.

James S. Corder was educated in the rural schools of his home community and was reared on the farm and has since made it his home, successfully engaged in general farming. He has kept the place well improved, and three years ago he erected a beautiful, substantial and modern dwelling, after having been burned out three times. He has one of the best farms in this township, which consists of one hundred and eighty-five acres, which he devotes to general farming.

Mr. Corder was married in 1892 to Phoebe Charlton, who was born in Illinois, and who was brought to Missouri by her parents and settled in Jackson county when nine years old. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Corder: Mary, Florence and James Owen.

Mr. Corder is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church South, and fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Blue Lodge No. 167, at Corder. Following the example of his antecedents, who were Democrats as far back as record goes, Mr. Corder supports that ticket and takes much more than a passing interest in local affairs.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN E. CORDER, farmer and merchant, and senior member of the firm of Corder & Redd, leading merchants of Waverly. Mr. Corder is a native of Rappahanock county, Virginia, and was born Aug 1, 1836, the third son of a family of eight children of Eliza and Sarah (Jefires) Corder, who were natives of the same state. He spent his early life with his parents in Virginia, where he received his education. When at the age of twenty years he came west and located in Lafayette county. Mo. In the fall of 1856 he went to Kansas, and during her troubles was body guard for John M. Reid. When relieved he then returned to Lafayette county, and was employed by Corder & Co. In 1860 he was married; then left his 'bride for the field of battle. Was in Gen. Shelby's command, and fought in the battle of Newtonia, Prairie Grove, Helena, Prairie de Ann, Little Rock, Westport, Marshall, Springfield, Jenkins Ferry, and with Shelby in all his raids. After the war he returned to his wife, who was Rebecca Heaton daughter of Col. D. Hpaton, a soldier of the war of 1812. He now became engaged in the cultivation of the soil, which he followed in connection with his mercantile business. Mr. Corder is a very enterprising man and is the possessor of about 1,000 acres of extra good land. His marriage was blessed with three children: Katie E., Leslie, and Frank Gordon. Mr. Corder holds the office of Justice of the peace of his township, also mayor of his town. These offices he holds with satisfaction to the people and credit to himself.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

J. POLK CORDER, postoffice Alma, Mo. Was born in Rappahanock Co., Va., April 1, 1843. His father, Elias Corder, and his mother, Sarah (Jeffries) Corder, were also natives of Virginia, his father holding the office of justice of the peace for a number of years, and died in 1879. His mother still lives in Virginia. The subject of this sketch was raised and educated in his native county, and lived there until the beginning of the war. Two days after the battle of Bull Run he enlisted in Co. G, 49th Va. Inft., and served under Gen. Lee until the close of the war, and was in the battles of Seven Pines, Fair Oaks — where he was wounded and captured and was in prison four months at Fort Delaware; was then exchanged, and was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Wilderness, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor — where he was again wounded in the leg and arm both. When able for duty he again joined his regiment, and was at the seine of Petersburg, and was with Gen. Early's brigade at the time of the surrender at Appomattox. After the war he came to Missouri and settled in this county, where he now lives, owning J.60 acres of land. He was married April 17, 1870, to Miss Sarah F. Corder, daughter of John Corder, a native of Virginia, who came to this county in 1838. They have three children — Willie J., Mary L,. and Blanche.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.