Early Bronaugh Residents

Ream Family

This family was in Bronaugh very early and were featured in the 1887 History of Vernon County. We hope to learn more about them.

Joseph Ream

Thanks to John Yelding-Sloan for sharing this scan.

From History of Vernon County, Missouri. 1887, p. 805. 

JOSEPH REAM

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 22, Post-office, Bronaugh).

One of the more recent acquisitions to the substantial residents of Vernon County is Joseph Ream, who came here in 1883 and has since been numbered among the most extensive property holders of this section. Some 2,000 acres are included in his estate and this represents considerable means, for besides being valuable land when he purchased it, it has greatly increased in value and is as productive as any in the county. Mr. Ream was born in Fairfield county, 0., June 25, 1830, the son of George and Catharine (Ludwig) Ream, the former of whom was also an Ohioan by nativity. Young Joseph was brought tip in the State of his birth and in youth learned the trade of harness making, an occupation to which he gave his attention for a number of years. Removing to Logan County, Ill., in 1850, he there identified himself with the agricultural interests of the county; and during his residence in that locality he was chosen as a suitable candidate for the position of county treasurer. In this capacity he served for many years, finally declined to longer discharge the duties of the position on account of having made preparation to locate at his present place of residence. Subsequently, as stated, he became permanently located here, and since the time mentioned has devoted himself to the improvement of his large farm. The buildings which he has erected upon this place are of a commodious, convenient and substantial character, and reflect credit upon one of the best improved townships of Vernon County. The stock which he is raising is all of superior grade, and particularly worthy of mention are his Berkshire hogs, the breeding of which he is making a specialty. One reason of the success which he has had in his operations is due, perhaps, to the fact that he attends to his own business individually, keeping thoroughly posted in all of its details and being conversant with its various branches. In November, 1851, Mr. Ream married Miss Susan Baucher, also originally from the Buckeye State. Four children have blessed their marriage Catharine, now Mrs. Miles P. Manning; Susan W., Calvin B. and Frank C.

To the left are the grave markers for Joseph and Susan Ream in Welborn Cemetery at Moundville. Joseph died in 1901. Susan had died in 1896. After Susan's death, Joseph had married Mary Terpening of Moundville.

Mrs. Susan Ream died on Sunday, January 26, 1896. She was 66 years old and was survived by her husband, Joseph, and four married children. They were C. B. and Frank Ream and Mrs. Dr. Jewell and Mrs. M. P. Manon. Both daughters were Nevada residents. Funeral services were held the next day at the family residence. The Rev. A. E. Rogers went from Nevada to preach the funeral. A large funeral procession then went to Welborn Cemetery, northwest of Moundville, for the burial.

Left: Frank C. Ream.

In September 1896, Mrs. Frank Ream went to Lyndon, Kansas to visit relatives. She took her infant daughter with her. While there, the infant became ill and died. On September 28, Mrs. Ream arrived back at Moundville. The body of the infant was taken to the Welborn Cemetery for burial.

Mrs. Frank Ream who lived one mile east of Bronaugh died in early August 1897. She was only 23 years old and died of consumption. Her husband was her only survivor as their baby had died recently. The funeral was held at Moundville Cemetery with Rev. McBride presiding. It was noted that Mrs. Ream was a sister-in-law of M. P. Manon and Dr. H. E. Jewell, both of Nevada. They and their families traveled to Moundville for the.funeral.

After, the first wife's death, Frank married Birdie Norfleet.

Thanks to John Yelding-Sloan for sharing this scan.

The Joseph Ream home was 2 miles east of Bronaugh on a large tract of land. The home was quite modern for the time. It even featured a dumb-waiter to move food up and down. The house was damaged by a tornado in the 1930's and torn down in 2006.

Thanks to John Yelding-Sloan for sharing this scan.

The Ream farm had a nice barn. To the left of the barn are hog pens. The Ream's raised fine Berkshire hogs.

At the 1886 Vernon County Fair Ream and Manon entered eleven sheep. Their Southdown sheep were expected to give strong competition to those of Will Terrill, who had just purchased a ram from Kentucky who had wool "as fine as a Merino." Ream and Manon also won most of the prizes offered on their Black Berkshire hogs.

Thanks to John Yelding-Sloan for sharing this scan.

Frank C. Ream had a store in Butler. It was called "Norfleet and Ream".

Thanks to John Yelding-Sloan for sharing this scan.

Interior of the store including left, J. D. and J. K. Norfleet and right, Bill Graves, Byrl Ream and F. C. Ream

Thanks to John Yelding-Sloan for sharing this scan.

John Mutch wrote that one of his hobbies is collecting trade tokens and tracking down the issuing locations for those that don't state where they are from. He shared this scan of a token from the Norfleet & Ream Bakery. He found it listed in a manuscript index of MO tokens as being from Butler. The token is brass and 23mm in diameter. It is of the style collectors call "St. Louis part-incuse". There were numerous token suppliers in St. Louis and they all seemed to use the method of manufacturing tokens where part of the legend was incused into the token. In this case, Norfleet & Ream and Bakery is incuse and the lettering on the Good For 1 Loaf is raised. Quite often these manufacturers put their name on the back, but this one is blank on the back.

Thanks to John Mutch for sharing this scan and the information about it.

This is Dicy Ream, daughter of Calvin Ream when she was a flower girl at a wedding.

Be sure and look at the Train Wreck Site. Calvin Ream and Dicy were victims of the 1904 tragedy.

Thanks to John Yelding-Sloan for sharing this scan.

For those of you who use GPS, the coordinates for the Ream graves at Worsley Cemetery are N 37° 40.800 W 094° 29.595

Contact us if you know more about this family or have any photo scans that we can add.

Go back to Bronaugh.

This page is designed and maintained by Lyndon Irwin.