Birthday of pioneering Ann Hawkins Gentry of Columbia. Wife of soldier and adventurer, Richard Gentry, mother of thirteen children, widowed in war, and only the second woman in American history to serve as a postmistress (which she did for twenty-seven years in Columbia).

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.