NICHOLAS BENTON GREEN (1838 – 1913)
1883 History of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg. 1146:
GREEN, Nicholas B. --- NICHOLAS B. GREEN was born in Lafayette County, Missouri, March 29, 1838, and was a son of Joseph and Jane G. Green, natives of Tennessee. In 1851 his parents moved to St. Clair County, Missouri. He was reared upon his father's farm and received an education in the common schools of Missouri. Mr. G. is now one of the leading farmers in his township and owns a farm containing 605 acres, well improved. Two hundred acres are under fence and in a high state of cultivation. He is at present feeding eighty-two head of cattle. He received a wound at the battle of Lone Jack during the war. May 2, 1861, Mr. Green was married to Miss Elizabeth Browning, a native of Virginia. They have six children: Susan, Permela, Isabelle, Joseph H., Robert L., and Bessie. They have lost five children. He is a member of the Grange.
St. Clair County Courier, 29 April 1976:
The Benton Green Farm
Roy Smith, a fourth generation owner of the Benton Green farm located on Highway E midway between Roscoe and Monegaw Springs, recently registered 125 acres of the original 605 acres in the Bicentennial Farm recognition.
Historically the land was homesteaded in 1838 by Mr. Huffman, a ferry boat operator on the Osage River at Roscoe, Missouri. The small settlement was then located on the bluff of the river.
In 1851 Joseph Henry Green purchased the land for a dollar and a half an acre. He brought his wife Jane and their ten children from Lafayette County where he had operated a store. He came to the area seeking the medicinal qualities of the sulpher water found in Monegaw springs and in Mud Lake Springs located on his own farm.
A state-county receipt written on a piece of tablet paper shows Mr. Green paid two dollars in taxes in 1851. A bill of sale lists various yard goods purchased by Jane Green at the Weidemeyer General Store in Roscoe. An order for a marble tomb stone carved with an open Bible and a Scripture verse and embellished with roses and lilies cost 34 dollars. It was delivered by Benwell’s Marble Works in Boonville, Missouri, for Joseph Green when he died in 1855 at age 60.
A massive walnut four-poster Cannon Ball bed with four by four railings pegged to fasten the rope underpinnings is a treasured family heirloom. It was made in Tennessee and brought to Missouri when the family migrated in the early 1800s.
Joseph’s youngest son, Nicholas Benton Green born in 1838, was 13 when he came to St. Clair County. He lived on the family farm until his death in 1913. He and his wife Elizabeth had 11 children. Their youngest daughter, Bessie, married to Frank Smith, lived on the farm until her death in 1940.
In 1861 young Benton sat on a rail fence and watched the Bushwackers steal and ride away with all his horses leaving him a broken down mule. They also took his boots. At another time one of his neighbors concealed himself among the lily pads growing in Mud Lake while the Bushwackers searched for him.
Later Benton joined the Confederate Army and fought in the Battle of Lone Jack where he was severely wounded. His wife Elizabeth, along with a neighbor woman whose husband had also been wounded, traveled in a covered wagon to the battlefield where they stayed six weeks and nursed their husbands back to health and then brought them home. The muzzle-loader gun carried by Benton Green during the war is another prized family possession. Made in 1849 and bearing the government stamp, the gun is in excellent condition.
In 1872 Benton built the present two-story house near the site of his parents’ log cabin. Receipts for 1876 show he paid $29.08 for state and county taxes and he gave one horse valued at $11.00 in payment for his township taxes. The History of St. Clair County says, “Nicholas Benton Green is one of the leading farmers in his township feeding 82 head of cattle on a well-improved farm in a state of high cultivation.”
Trapping wild turkeys was a resourceful sideline. A covered rail pen built around a hole filled with shelled corn spelled the doom of the turkeys as they lowered their heads and ate their way into the trap. The birds were hauled to Sedalia twice a year and traded for flour, lumber, boots, square nails, and other necessities.
Benton Green Cemetery, located on the farm, dates from 1854 when James Carlyle, a son-in-law of Joseph Green, was buried there. He was struck by lightening.
A stone marks the grave of Joseph H. Green, who died October 16, 1855. His was the second grave in the Benton Green Cemetery.
Benton Green School, adjoining the Green farm, was located on land donated by Theodoric Snuffer, remembered for his role in the great battle of the Younger outlaws. He declined the honor of having the school named for him. In time it became known as the Benton Green School.
The Greens knew the James and Younger boys who often visited in the area. Their motto – “Rob the rich and give to the poor” – was once demonstrated when Benton’s wife found a twenty dollar gold piece under the pillow that a Younger guest had slept on.
After the death of Bessie Smith, the homestead passed to her only son Roy. He and his wife Wretha Pasley Smith kept the farm, living there part of the time, until their daughter Dorsha and her husband Paul Hooper moved there in 1961.
The home of the Roy Smiths of near Roscoe was built in 1872 and, except for the addition of other rooms, remains as it was originally. The fireplace was installed when the house was built and is still in use.
The Hoopers have three sons, Greg, Danny and Alan, making six generations who have lived on the Benton Green farm since 1851.
International Genealogical Index:
Nicholas B. GREEN and Elizabeth F. Browning married 02 MAY 1861, St Clair, Missouri.
Batch #M515161
Susan Green, born 6 February 1867 St. Clair Co., MO; died 17 August 1902. Daughter of Nicholas Benton & Elizabeth F. (Browning) Green; married George Freeman 21 February 1886 St. Clair Co., Mo.
Permelia “Millie” Green, born 27 May 1869 St. Clair Co., MO; died 7 September 1971. Married William Royse 25 February 1894 Benton Green Cemetery, St. Clair Co., MO
Isabella Green, born 24 May 1872 Osceola, St. Clair Co., MO; died 7 November 1952; married John Brabson Hays on 7 June 1896 Osceola, St. Clair Co., MO.
1850 Lafayette Co., MO Census – District No. 46 Being:
Line 29, 10 November
779/779 James H. Greene, age 56, married, farmer, $1200 real estate, born TN
Jane, age 50, female, born TN
Ruth A., age 21, female, born TN
Joseph H., age 16, male, born TN
Permela, age 14, female, born MO
Malinda, age 13, female, born MO
Nicholas, age 12, male, born MO
1860 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Monegaw Township:
Page 129, 4 September, Line 1, Osceola & Monegaw Township
902/864 Jane Green, age 62, female, farmer, $3000 real estate, $1800 personal estate, born TN, cannot read or write
Mary J. Carlisle, age 34, female, $2000 real estate, $100 personal estate, born TN, cannot read or write
Malinda Green, age 22, female, born MO
Benton, age 22, male, laborer, born MO
William A. Mauzey, age 15, male, born MO, attended school
David W. Carlisle, age 6, male, born MO, attended school
1880 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Chalk Level Township:
Dist. 6, ED 230, Page 3, 2 June
26/31 Green, Benton, white male, age 42, married, farming, born MO, both parents born TN
Elizabeth, white female, age 39, wife, married, keeping house, born TN, both parents born TN
Susan, white female, age 13, daughter, single, at home, attended school, born MO, father born MO, mother born TN
Permelia, white female, age 11, daughter, single, at home, attended school, born MO, father born MO, mother born TN
Isebella, white female, age 8, daughter, single, at home, attended school, born MO, father born MO, mother born TN
Joseph, white male, age 5, son, single, at home, cannot read or write, born MO, father born MO, mother born TN
Robert, white male, age 3, son, single, at home, cannot read or write, born MO, father born MO, mother born TN
Elizabeth, white female, age 1, daughter, single, at home, cannot read or write, born MO, father born MO, mother born TN
Browning, Mary, white female, age 69, mother-in-law, widowed, at home, born TN, both parents born VA
1890 Veteran’s Schedule:
Dist. 6, ED 177, Page 1, Line 7
Chalk Level, St. Clair Co., MO, June 1890
Nicholes B. Green, Monegaw Springs, MO, wounded right hip, Confederate Soldier
1900 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Center Township:
Dist. 6, ED 139, Page 12A, Line 6, 28 June
206/206 Green, Nicholas B., head, white male, born March 1839, age 62, widowed, born MO, both parents born TN, farmer, can read & write, speaks English, owned farm free, farm # 74
Henry J., son, white male, born November 1874, age 25, single, born MO, father born MO, mother born TN, farm laborer, can read & write, speaks English
Smith, Franklin, son-in-law, white male, born November 1868, age 31, married 3 years, born IN, both parents born OH, farmer, can read & write, owned farm free, farm # 75
Bessie, daughter, white female, born October 1878, age 21, married 3 years, 2 children, 1 living, born MO, father born MO, mother born TN, can read & write, speaks English
1900 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Roscoe Township:
Dist. 6, ED 151, Page 16A, Line 28, 25 June
327/327 Freeman, George B., head, white male, born May 1863, age 37, married 14 years, born MO, both parents born TN, farmer, unemployed 0 months, can read & write, speaks English, renting farm # 257
Susan J., wife, white female, born February 1867, age 33, married 14 years, 4 children, 3 living, born MO, father born MO, mother born TN, can read & write, speaks English
Birdie, daughter, white female, born January 1887, age 13, single, born MO, both parents born MO, attended school 7 months, can read & write, speaks English
Lucy, daughter, white female, born October 1888, age 11, single, born MO, both parents born MO, attended school 7 months, can read & write, speaks English
Thomas, son, white male, born March 1892, age 8, single, born MO, both parents born MO, attended school 7 months, can read & write, speaks English
1900 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Roscoe Township:
Dist. 6, ED 151, Page 16A, Line 33, 25 June
328/328 Royse, William M., head, white male, born September 1864, age 25, married 6 years, born OH, both parents born OH, farmer, can read & write, speaks English, renting farm, farm # 258
Millie, wife, white female, born May 1870, married, 1 child, 0 living, born MO, father born MO, mother born TN, can read & write, speaks English
1910 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Roscoe Township:
Dist. 138, Line 52, 4 February
278/287 Freeman, George B., head, white male, age 46, married, 2nd marriage, married 2 years, born MO, both parents born US, speaks English, farmer, general farm, can read & write, owned mortgaged farm, farm #247
Ellen T., wife, white female, age 27, married, 1st marriage, married 2 years, 1 child, 0 living, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, no occupation, can read & write
Thomas B., son, white male, age 18, single, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, farm laborer, working out, unemployed 0 months, can read & write, not attending school
1910 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Center Township:
Dist. 6, ED 127, Page 1B, Line 67, 15 April
13/14 Smyth, Frank, head, white male, age 42, married, 1st marriage, married 12 years, born IN, father born IN, mother born OH, speaks English, farmer, general farm, can read & write, owned farm free, farm # 1
Bessie, wife, white female, age 32, married, 1st marriage, married 12 years, 6 children, 5 living, born MO, father born MO, mother born TN, speaks English, no occupation, can read & write
Myrtle, daughter, white female, age 10, single, born MO, father born IN, mother born MO, speaks English, no occupation, can read & write, attended school
Mollie, daughter, white female, age 8, single, born MO, father born IN, mother born MO, no occupation, attended school
Leroy, son, white male, age 8, single, born MO, father born IN, mother born MO, no occupation, attended school
Lillian G., daughter, white female, age 3, single, born MO, father born IN, mother born MO, no occupation
Birdie, daughter, white female, age 10/12, single, born MO, father born IN, mother born MO, no occupation
Green, Nicholas B., father-in-law, white male, age 72, widowed, born MO, both parents born TN, speaks English, Own Income, Survivor of Civil War
1910 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Roscoe Township:
ED 138, Line 55, 4 February
(Living next door to George Freeman)
278/287 Hays, Jno. B., head, white male, age 38, married, 1st marriage, married 12 years, born TN, both parents born TN, speaks English, farmer, general farm, can read & write, owned farm free, far # 248
Belle, wife, white female, age 37, married, 1st marriage, married 13 years, 4 children, 4 living, born MO, father born MO, mother born TN, speaks English, no occupation, can read & write
Florena, daughter, white female, age 11, single, born MO, father born TN, mother born MO, speaks English, no occupation, can read & write, attends school
Mildred F., daughter, white female, age 8, single, born IA, father born TN, mother born MO, no occupation, attends school
Vesta F., daughter, white female, age 7, single, born IA, father born TN, mother born MO, no occupation, attends school
Rosa J., daughter, white female, age 5, single, born MO, father born TN, mother born MO, no occupation, not attending school
1920 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Roscoe Township:
Dist. 6, ED 148, Page 6B, Line 28, 27 January, living on County Highway
134/135 Royse, William M., head, owned farm free, white male, age 56, married, can read & write, born KY, father born KY, mother born OH, speaks English, farmer, general farm, farm # 121
Perlina, wife, white female, age 50, married, can read & write, born MO, father born MO, mother born TN, speaks English, no occupation
Lois, daughter, white female, age 17, single, attended school, can read & write, born MO, father born KY, mother born MO, speaks English, no occupation
1920 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Roscoe Township:
Dist. 6, ED 148, Page 6B, Line 91, 27 January, living on County Highway
136/137 Hays, Isabelle, head, owned farm free, white female, age 47, widowed, can read & write, born MO, father born MO, mother born TN, speaks English, farmer, general farm
Mildred F., daughter, white female, age 18, single, not attending school, can read & write, born IA, father born TN, mother born MO, speaks English, no occupation
Vesta F., daughter, white female, age 17, single, attends school, can read & write, born IA, father born TN, mother born MO, speaks English, no occupation
Zora, daughter, white female, age 15, single, attends school, can read & write, born IA, father born TN, mother born MO, speaks English, no occupation
Obituary:
MILLIE P. ROYSE
Millie P. Royse, St. Clair Pioneer, Dies at 102
(1971 written in pencil)
Mrs. Millie P. Royse died at the Community Nursing Home in El Dorado Springs at the age of 102 years, three months, and 10 days.
Born May 27, 1869, she was the second daughter of Elizabeth Frances and Nicholas Benton Green.
In 1894 she was married to William Royse. Two children were born to them. A son died in infancy, and a daughter, Lois, died in 1969.
Aunt Millie as she was always called, joined the Baptist church at an early age. She was baptized by the Rev. Shackleford of the Roscoe community where she was reared, and where she spent most of her life. In her earlier life she taught school in St. Clair county for several years, getting her teachers training at the Weaubleau Institute.
After passing of her husband in 1942, she sold their farm and moved to Appleton City where she lived until she took abode in first the Powell rest home in Appleton City, and then at the Community Nursing home in El Dorado Springs.
Funeral services were conducted in the Eckhoff funeral home in Appleton City Sept. 8 at 2 p.m., by the Rev. Mike McKenzie of the Appleton City Baptist church. Burial was in the Benton Green cemetery near Roscoe. Survivors include seven nieces, two nephews, other relatives and friends.
Gann family file can be found at:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~eastozarka/gann/gang15.htm
Descendants of Joshua Green can be found at:
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~jennings/manuscript/jgreene.htm
Benton Green Cemetery Records, St. Clair Co., MO:
Green, Nicholas Benton, 29 March 1838 - 25 February 1913
Green, Elizabeth Frances, 07 March 1840 – 08 February 1898
St. Clair County, MO Cemetery Records:
Nicholas Benton Green and his family took care of the Benton Green cemetery which was located on his farm. He, his wife and all of their eleven children are buried there.
Freeman, Susie Perlina (Green), 6 February 1867 – 18 April 1943
Freeman, George Barry, 15 May 1863 – 18 April 1943
Freeman, Louis, infant, son of G.B. & S., 16 August 1899 – 6 April 1900
Freeman, Tabitha Ellen, 25 September 1875 – 24 March 1955
Freeman, Infant daughter of G.B. & T.E., 12 October 1908 – 14 October 1908
Green, Elizabeth Frances (Browning), 7 October 1840 – 8 February 1898
Green, Henry, son of N.B. & E.F., 25 November 1874 – 18 August 1904
Green, Infant daughter of J.H. & S.P., died 1 March 1860, age 3 weeks
Green, Infant Male Twin, son of N.B. & E.F., 16 September 1862 – 16 September 1862
Green, Infant Male Twin, son of N.B. & E.F., 16 September 1862 – 16 September 1862
Green, Jane (Gann), 13 March 1798 – 31 January 1871
Green, Joseph Henry, 16 August 1832 – 28 July 1860
Green, Joseph Henry, 19 May 1794 – 16 October 1855
Green, Josephine, daughter of N.B. & E.F., 23 October 1850 – 2 January 1874
Green, Nicholas Benton, 29 March 1838 – 25 February 1913
Green, Robert Luther, son of N.B. & E.F., 18 December 1876 – 21 December 1884
Green, William Louis, son of N.B. & E.F., 24 March 1865 – 14 December 1873
Hays, Isabelle (Green), 29 November 1872 – 7 November 1952
Hays, John Ben, 29 November 1871 – 27 October 1911
Hays, Mildred Phyrne, 15 August 1901 – 24 October 1927
Hays, Zora belle, 9 October 1905 – 14 September 1922
Royse, Infant of W.M. & P., 23 July 1899 – 23 July 1899
Royse, Lois M., 24 June 1902 – 29 June 1969
Royse, Permelia “Millie” (Green), 27 May 1869 – 7 September 1971
Royse, William M., 20 September 1863 – 27 February 1942
