Nevins, alternate spelling Nivens, is a common early name in the area just north of Guthrie over to Cedar Creek on the west in Callaway County. I suspect that this Provost Marshal action might have something to do with your search. http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/provost/results.asp?txtName=Nivens&radSearch=BEG&txtKeyword=&selCounty=All