Sarah Patterson Benton (1823-1918) of Vergennes, Vt., first came to Hannibal, Mo., in the autumn of 1849, in order to teach French to students of the Rev. F.B. McElroy’s school,
Two now-demolished houses in the 100 block of South Maple Avenue in Hannibal, Mo., are pictured in the background during a construction project at McCooey School. The house at right is believed to be the historic home of W.D. Anderson and later his son, Morris Anderson, both Hannibal attorneys. The house at left is believed to be that of Mrs. Eliza Rogers and her family. Mrs. Rogers was the widow of Col. John B. Rogers, who headed the Second Missouri State Militia Cavalry at Cape Girardeau during the later part of the Civil War.Â
CHARLES DOTY PHOTO/STEVE CHOU COLLECTION