Montgomery County – Its Early Officers and Citizens

By A. H. H. Rountree, in the Anti-Monopolist , April 29, 1874

Francis H. HEREFORD was born in Prince William County, Virginia and there raised.  He came of a large and influential family of Virginia of large wealth and high tone.  In 1824 he married Miss Catherine FOOTE of Fauquier County, a sister of General Henry FOOTE, ex-governor of Mississippi, ex-congressman, etc. who we believe now resides in Washington City.

Mr. HEREFORD moved soon after his married to Dover, Tennessee, and there commenced the manufacture of iron.  In 1835 HEREFORD in company with Mr. KERCHEVAL came to Hillsboro and as partners engaged in merchandise, when they closed their partnership in the crash of 1837, and Mr. KERSHEVAL and his large family removed to Missouri.  Mr. HEREFORD remained in trade still longer and became a partner for a time with Judge BREWER.  Mr. HEREFORD having studied law engaged in its practice and was from time to time postmaster of Hillsboro.  He was one of the early members of the Methodist Church, a trustee of the Academy.  He had a family of seven: Frank, Henry, Benjamin, Richard, Alfred, Jane and John.

Frank was mainly educated at the Hillsboro Academy and afterwards went to McKendree College, where he graduated, and soon after having taken “the California fever” we believe in 1848 crossed the plains and was one of the early successful pioneers of the land of gold; studied law, became one of the early attorneys of California.  He then married in 1857 to Miss R. R. PEARIS, who afterwards died in Virginia City, Nevada in 1865.  Whether she left any children or not we do not know.  He afterwards removed to West Virginia where he again married in 1872 to Miss Alice COPERTON of W. Va.  He has represented, and still does his district in Congress.  He has by his wife one son, named Francis Gaston.

Henry Foote HEREFORD, the second son, was one of the finest declaimers and orators.  After graduating from McKendree College he studied medicine and commenced practice in Missouri where he married Miss Garth and now lives at Westport and has two children.  We believe he frequently served in the Missouri Legislature. 

Benjamin, after wandering around a great deal, through the western wilds, New Mexico, etc, has been twice married and now lives at Pioche, Nevada and has one son Francis.  He is a practicing lawyer.

Richard HEREFORD is married and has four children and lives at Easton, Missouri where he is a practicing physician. 

Alfred lives at Central City, Colorado.  He married a Miss POWELL of Missouri and has two children; he is a lawyer.

Jane Catherine, who was born in Hillsboro, married in 1862 in California a Mr. TUTTLE and now lives in Virginia City, Nevada and has four children.

John B. Was the baby boy when they left Hillsboro, is not married, and is a lawyer and resides at Virginia City, Nevada. 

Mr. HEREFORD having inherited some negros removed to Missouri and settled at Independence, where he died in 1851 of cholera.  Mrs. HEREFORD with her daughter lived with Frank in California and with him removed to Virginia City, Nevada where she died in 1865.