Millard Fillmore Stipes was born at the old Cruzen home in Saline County. Grew up on his father's little farm, attended the district school near by excepting for a year or so during the Civil War. Was a student in the Miami Male and Female Institute, a private school conducted by John C. Hamner, A.M., of Virginia, during 1867 and 1868. In the spring of 1869, he went with his parents to new home in Carroll County. Worked on the farm and as a surveyor, which calling he had learned under the instruction of Prof. Hamner. Was deputy county surveyor for two years. In January 1870 he began teaching, which occupation he followed for the next fifteen winters and about half the intervening summers. Was a student in the Kirksville Normal during the spring and summer of 1873 and again in 1874. Taught in country districts in Carroll and Saline Counties and was at the head of the graded schools of Norborne for three years (1880 to 1883), at Jamesport the following year, and at Jameson the next, all in Missouri. On January 1, 1885, he took charge of the Jameson Reporter, which he published until September 1, 1886, when he purchased the Jamesport Gazette, which he has edited and published continuously to the preseat, July, 1913.

While not a professional politician, for a number of years he has taken an active interest in such matters. In 1892 he represented his county in the Democratic state convention at Sedalia, and again at Kansas City in 1894. Has often been called upon to preside over Democratic county and local conventions. By appointment of Governor Folk, served for four years (February 1,1907, to February 1, 1911), as a member of the Board of Control of the State Industrial Home for Girls, at Chillicothe, Missouri, and was the treasurer of the institution during these years.

Served for 21 years on the school board at Jamesport, during all the time as president or secretary. On December 28, 1881, he married Emma Lee Kieffer, at the home of her parents, near Miami. She died April 22, 1891. Married second Amy Louise Ried, June 6, 1893 at home of her parents at Kirkwood, Missouri.

One child by first marriage:

Opal Regina Stipes born May 18, 1884, she was married to Charles Lowe Arnold, February 10, 1903, a member of the grocery firm of Arnold Brothers, in Jamesport; youngest child of John S. and Hannah Strickler Arnold, now of Lissie, Texas. Charles was born August 25, 1875, in Carroll County, Illinois. Their children are:

Virginia Christine, born August 15, 1906

Dorothy Mundell, born October 2, 1913

By second marriage:

Ruth Ried, born September 22, 1895

Irving Maclaren, born January 1, 1897; died March 20, 1904

Florence Hannah, born June 17, 1899