Springfield Leader - 5 Jan 1926 - pg. 1 - Mrs. Mary McKerall, Pioneer of Greene County, Passes Away - Daughter of Colonel Finley Danforth, Who Settled Greene County in 1830, Grieved Over Death of Mrs Campbell Owen - Lived in Home 88 Years. Mrs. Mary H. McKerall, 88 years old, the oldest native citizen of Greene County and widow of the late Judge William McKerall, died at 7:30 o'clock, last night at the Okino farm, nine miles east of Springfield. She spent her entire life on the farm, known since long before the Civil War as the "Danforth Estate". Mrs. McKerall was active about the place until two weeks ago when her siister-in-law, Mrs. Sarah Rush Campbell died. Attending physicians say grief was the immediate cause of death. Mrs. McKerall was born February 22, 1828 and was the daughter of Col. and Mrs. Findley Danforth (Gale's note: Should be Josiah Findley Danforth). Her father was one of the earliest settlers in Greene County, coming into the region when the county took in the greater part of Southwest Missouri. The Danforth Estate was established in 1831. Mrs. McKerall received her education in Visiitation convent in St. Louis, marrying John Campbell, who was killed in action during the Civil War while serving in the ranks of the Confederate forces. To this union was born five children; Louisa, Argyle and John Campbell, all deceased and Findley Campbell of Tulare, Cal. and Mrs. Mary Schaffer of Los Angeles, Cal. In 1868, Mrs. McKerall was married to Judge McKerall, who was born in Orange County, North Carolina, in 1821. Her second husband was a graduate of West Point, being in the same class with Winfield S. Hancock, the "hero of Gettysburg." Judge McKerall, who attained the the rank of captain during his career, served with the Confederates during the war and was prominent as an attorney and judge in civil life. To the last union was born four children: J. D. McKerall, who resides east of Springfield, J. W. McKerall of Oraia, Cal., Mrs. Jei Okino of the Danforth estate and Mrs. Fannie Bennett, also of the home address. The Danforth estate is one of the landmarks of Greene county, being one of the oldest homes in the region. It was built in the year 1849 and of the old colonial type. Mrs. McKerall lived in the Danforth mansion all her life with the exception of a short period during the civil war. As her husband was in the service of the Confederate army, Mrs. McKerall fled to Mississippi for the duration of the war. Funeral arrangements are incomplete, pending word from distant relatives, but services will be held in Sacred Heart church, with burial under the direction of the Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral home.

Contributor: Gale Cottrell (47855496)