Source: A Reminiscent History of the Ozark Region

By Goodspeed Publishing Co.

Richard Piles

Richard was born in Reynolds County, MO., on October 10, 1850 to Thomas and Louise J. (O'Dell) Piles, natives of Illinois and Tennessee. The grandfather, Richard Piles, was one of the first white men to locate to Illinois, going there with the Government Surveyors and hunting and cooking for them. He located with the Indians, but when game became scarce, he came to Missouri, where he could follow his favorite pass time of hunting. He made the trip to Missouri by wagon in 1830. He settles on a farm and lived there many years, then moved to Dry Valley where he died in 1861. He was noted as a great hunter. IN politics he was democrat. He reared a large family, but Thomas Piles, father of said subject, was the only son. Thomas was around five or six when the family came to Missouri. He had no schooling and delighted in hunting, like his father. In Reynolds County, he was united with Miss Louise J. O'Dell, daughter of Jobe O'Dell, who came to this county from Tennessee and here passed the remainder of his life. Nine children were born to him; Richard the said subject here; Jobe (deceased), J.B. a farmer on Dry Creek; T.C. graduated at the Missouri Medical College in St. Louis and is now practicing his profession in Oregon County, Rassall, wife of Charles M. Southupp of Dry Valley and others who died young. The Piles resided on a farm until the death of Mr. Piles in 1893. Since then the mother has made her home with her children. Mr Piles was a democrat in politics and held the office of County Assessor in 1848. He was also a Mason and member of the Barnesville Lodge #455. The life of Richard Piles from the time of his birth up to his twenty first year was spent in his native county assisting in the usual duties of farm life and in getting a liberal education. He then branched out as an agriculturist and later married Miss Jennie A. Wood, daughter of John B. Wood of this county, but an early pioneer of Texas County. After marriage Mr. And Mrs. Barnes located in Dry Valley where he tilled the soil. He now owns 220 acres and in connection with farming is a successful stock raiser. Like his father and grandfather he is a democrat in politics. In 1888 he was elected county Sheriff which he held for four years. In 1892 he was elected as County Collector. He is also a Mason and member of the Barnesville Lodge and the Centerville I.O.O.F. Eleven children were born to his marriage with eight surviving; Napoleon B.,Othie M., Lula M., Parlee, William C., and Louise E.,(twins), Otto O., Corre C., Richard I., and Cora E. The last three are deceased.