"William David was one of the older boys, and made a "hand" in the field at an early age. The father taught his boys to work, hunt and swim at an early age. It has been said that the father gave his son the first swimming lesson at the early age of four by tossing him into the "old swimming hole," then instructing the little tot from the edge of the water how to swim.

"William David worked on his parent's farm until twenty years of age, then cultivated portions of the family farm on a crop-share basis. After two years farming as a renter, he acquired a small unimproved farm on Woods Fork Creek, and began the arduous task of removing trees and brush from the land, building a house, fencing and seeding the land to productive crops.

"On February 26, 1894, William David married Salinda Abigal Shumate, the daughter of Armsted and Rebecca Shumate of Wright County, Missouri. To this union was born seven children, all born within an eight year period. The parents taught their children the advantages of a good education. They provided loving care, moral support and inspiration for their children to achieve a worthy goal in life, and attain the best education within their abilities. The parents attended Sunday School and church regularly with their children, and took and active part in the social functions of the community. They raised a family of teachers.

"William David and Salinda Abigal, commonly known as Lenna, devoted about ten years improving the small farm, and accumulating funds to build a building for a country store at a country cross roads in 1908, and stocking the shelves with merchandise. Prior to the opening of the store, called New Grove, the farmers in the vicinity traveled by horse and wagon to Duncan for their mail. They usually perchased supplies when they picked up their mail weekly. It was a custom in the area for the merchant to extend credit to customers until they sold their wool, pigs, turkeys, or some livestock. He nover refused credit, and after fifteen years less than $15.00 of uncollectable accounts were on the books.

"There were no Government rural mail delivery, and in some instances farmers had to travel several miles for their mail. Soon after the opening of the store, a petition was circulated and mailed to the Federal Government requesting a post office at New Grove. The main office in Marshfield, Missouri was on the railroad, and a sub post office in Duncan, some fourteen miles south. Another sub post office was authorized at New Grove, and William David Cantrell was appointed postmaster. Rent and labor to operate a post office was determined by the amount of postal cancellation. The Government employed a mail carrier to pick up mail at the railroad, and deliver to the post office. After serving a few years as postmaster, country merchant and farmer, funds were available to purchase a larger farm. The increased acreage of productive land provided feed and pasture for fifty head of feeder steers in addition to a few dairy cows and other livestock.

"The cattle men in the county recognised his special ability in selecting feeder steers that would attain maximum gain, and bring the highest price on the market. Usually during August, he carefully selected and purchased good quality thin steers, weighing around 500 pounds, that would attain a substantial gain during the fall. He contended that cattle should be fed in the barn, when raining and during blustery weather, and have access to shelter at night. He fed the cattle hay in the field four times daily during moderate weather. Neighbors often remarked that he kept the cattle eating, and never fed more than required for maximum gain. He fed the cattle two pounds of ground corn in addition to good quality hay for about sixty days before grazing time. During September the cattle were grass fat, then fed grain for ninety days, and marketed as corn fed at a premium price.

"After the children left home, William David sold the store, and devoted his time to farming. At seventy eight years of age, he enjoyed excellent health, and was exceptionally well preserved for a man of his age. He milked nine fresh cows by hand, and fed forty head of steers, thirty head of sheep and three horses.

"Salinda Abigal passed away on January 30, 1952, and William David on February 27, 1952. They were buried on February 1st and March 1st in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, near the family farm." (CANTRELL-CANTRILL by Horace Elbert Cantrell, 1972, pages 62, 440-442.)


Husband of Lenna