Notes:
Data source is Frances S. Schooler, 2618 Audrain Road #457, Laddonia, MO 63352. Email address is: schooler@cr6.net
In 1892, RUBE BROWN moved to the West Lick area, in Audrain Co., Laddonia, MO. The story goes that he and his two brothers had "a very fast racing mule" and with their winning money and sale of the racing mule, they bought their first farm in Audrain Co. Having been raised in near poverty, Rube was a work-alocis and drove all other labor available to help feed cattle. He prospered and bought more land. Rube was known to eat his noontime meal on the run while walking behind a team of horses.
In 1896, Rube married Alice MOOMAW in a double wedding on Thanksgiving Day at her parents home. "The high contracting parties were Mr. Reuben Brown and Miss ALICE MOOMAW, and Mr. JASPER MOOMAW and Miss Mary Brown. As the names would indicate it was a case of exchanging sisters." MEXICO LEDGER, NOV.26, 1996.... NEWS...100 YEARS AGO....
In 1897, RUBE and Alice built a beautiful large 2 story home with 6 bedrooms upstairs and both of their parents came to live with them, and 2 of his unmarried sisters.
Rube was a very religious man and good churchman. Next to hard work, Mr. Rube never missed services at the Littleby Baptist Church; although he fell asleep as soon as the services began. One time the Pastor is reported to have asked Brother Rube to pronounce the benedication. Mr. Rube stood up, after being aroused by someone sitting by him. He said "I've got 300 head of cattle on feed and not a bushel of corn left." Littleby Baptist Church Record Book states he was a good Churchman and Deacon.
In 1915 they had built the largest barn in Audrain County which included three lofts and two enclosed silos. The barn contained five railroad carloads of cypress lumber and one railroad carload of nails and it is standing straight in 1999. (Picture to follow.)
THURSDAY, NOV.6, 1913, THE PERRY ENTERPRISE STOCK NOTES column printed Rube Brown, of near Laddonia, recently sold 163 cattle on the St.Louis market. Three cars sold at $8.75 and the balance at $8.50, and he topped the market price for the day. There is a framed 20 x 20 photo of him standing in the St. Louis stockyards with his cattle and commission men.
Other times, Mr. Brown drove the cattle to Rush Hill to be put on the train for the Chicago market. Mr. Rube accompanied the cattle for free transportation and bragged it cost him nothing to take these trips caring
for his cattle because "Alice always sends me enough food to last me until I get home." Such frugality, considering the thousands of dollars worth of cattle he had sold.
Sources:
(1) Re: MEXICO LEDGER, NOV.26, 1996.... NEWS...100 YEARS AGO
"Thursday, On Thanksgiving evening...a double wedding took place at the residence of JOEL MOOMAW, near Wesley Chapel, Audrain Co. The high contracting parties were Mr. Reuben Brown and Miss ALICE MOOMAW, and Mr. JASPER MOOMAW and Miss Mary Brown. As the names would indicate it was a case of exchanging sisters."
(2) In 1915, RE: big white barn, in AUDRAIN COUNTY HISTORICAL BOOK. This big white barn is located a mile from my backdoor,and I can see it across the soybean fields. The 6 bedroom BROWN home has been vacant & not maintained since 1970. The farm was sold in 1954 and is not family owned.