^;;,<;.,'!5^';-?»;',: BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF NODAWAY AND ATCHISON COUNTIES MISSOURI COMPENDIUM OF NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY ILLUSTRATED CHICAGO THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1901 Biography is the only true Ihstory. — /tp/frson. A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anythin.tr worthy to be remembered with pride b\' remote generations.-- J/<2 Hawthorne, Nathaniel 136 Hayes, Rutherford Birchard.. . 167 Hendricks, Thomas Andrew. . 212 Henry, Joseph 106 Henr'v, Patrick 83 Hill, David Bennett 90 Hobart, Garrett A 213 Holmes, Oliver Wendell 206 Hooker, Joseph 62 Howe, Elias 130 Howclls, William Dean 104 PAGE Houston, Sam 120 Hughes, Archbishop John 167 Hughitt, Marvin 159 Hull, Isaac 169 Huntington, CoUis Potter 94 Ingalls, John James.. . . 114 Ingersoll, Robert G 85 Irving, Washington 33 Jackson, Andrew 71 Jackson, " Stonewall " 67 Jackson, Thomas Jonathan 67 Jay, John 39 Jefferson, Joseph 47 Jefferson, Thomas 34 Johnson, Andrew 145 Johnson, Eastman 202 Johnston, Joseph Eccleston... . 86 Jones, James K 171 Jones. John Paul 97 Jones, Samuel Porter 115 Kane, Elisha Kent 126 Kearney, I'hilip 210 Kenton, Simon 188 Knox, John Jay 134 Lamar, Lucius Q. C 201 Landon, Melville D 109 Lee, Robert Edward 38 Lewis, Charles B 193 Lincoln, Abraham 135 Livermore, Mary Ashton 131 Locke, David Ross 172 Logan, John .-V 26 Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth 37 Longstreet, James 56 Lowell, lames Russell 104 Mackay, John William 148 Madison, James 42 Marshall, John 166 Mather, Cotton 164 Mather, Increase 163 Maxim, Hiram S 194 McClellan, George Brinton.... 47 McCormick, Cyrus Hall 172 McDonough, Com. Thomas.. . 167 McKinley, William 217 Meade, George Gordon 75 Medill, Joseph 159 Miles, Nelson A 176 Miller, Cincinnatus Heine 218 Miller, Joaquin 218 Mills, Roger Quarles 211 .Monroe, James 54 Moody, Dwight L 207 Moran, Thomas 98 Morgan, John Pierpont 208 Morgan, John T 216 Morris, Robert 166 Morse, Samuel F. B 124 Morton, Levi P 142 Morton, Oliver Perry 215 Motley, John Lathrop 130 "Nye, Bill" 69 Nye, Edgar Wilson 69 PAGE OConor, Charles 187 Olney, Richard 133 Paine, Thomas 147 Palmer, John M 196 Parkhurst, Charles Henry 160 "Partington, Mrs." 202 Peabodv, George 170 Peck, George W 187 Peffer, Wilham A 164 Perkins, Eli.. 109 Perry, Oliver Hazard 97 Phillips, Wendell 30 Pierce, Franklm 122 Pingree, Hazen S 212 Plant, Henry B 192 Poe, Edgar Allen 69 Polk, James Knox 102 Porter, David Dixon 68 Porter, Noah 93 Prentice, George Denison.. . . 119 Prescott, William Hickling. ... 96 Pullman, George Mortimer.... 121 Quad, M 193 Quay Matthew S 171 Randolph, Edmund 136 Read, Thomas Buchanan 132 Reed, Thomas Bracket! 208 Reid, Whitelaw 149 Roach, John 190 Rockefeller, John Davison.... 196 Root, (jeorge Frederick 218 Rothermel, Peter F 113 Rutledge, John 57 Sage, Russell 211 Schofield, John McAllister 199 Schurz, Carl 201 Scott, Thomas Alexander 204 Scott, Winfield 79 Seward, William Henry .... 44 Sharon, William 165 Shaw, Henry W 166 Sheridan, Phillip Henry 40 Sherman, Charles R 87 Sherman, John 86 Shillaher, Benjamin Penhallow 202 Sherman, William Tecumseh.. 30 Smith, Edmund Kirby 114 Sousa, John Philip 60 .Spreckels, Claus 159 Stanford, Leland 101 Stanton, Edwin McMasters... 179 Stanton, Elizabeth Cady 126 Stephens, .-Mexander Hamilton 32 Stephenson, Adlai Ewing... . 141 Stewart, Alexander T 68 Stewart, William Morris 213 Stowe, Harriet Elizabeth Beecher 66 Stuart, James E. B 122 Sumner, Charles 34 I Talmage, Thomas DeWitt. ... 60 Taney, Roger Brooke 129 Tavlor. /acharv 108 Teller, Ilenrv \\ 127 TABLE OF CONTEXTS— PART 1. PAGE Tesla, Nikola 193 Thomas, George H 73 Thomas, Theodore 172 Thurman. Allen G 90 Thurston, John M 166 Tilden, Samuel J 48 Tillman, Henjannn Ryan 119 Toombs, Robert.. '20."> "Twain, Mark" 8(1 Tyler, John 93 Van Buren, iVIartm 78 \'anderbilt, Cornelius 35 Vail, Alfred 154 \"est, George Graham 214 PAGE Vilas, William Freeman 140 Voorhees, Daniel VVolsey 95 Waite, Morrison Remich 125 Wallace, Lewis 199 Wallack, Lester 121 Wallack, John Lester 121 Wanamaker, John 89 Ward, " Artenius " 91 Washburne, Ehhu Benjamin. . 189 Washington, George 17 Watson, Thomas E 178 Watterson, Henry 76 Weaver, lames B 123 Webster, Daniel 19 PAGE Webster, Noah 4!» Weed, Thurlow 91 West, Benjamin 115 Whipple, Henrv Benjamin. . . . 161 White, .Stephen \' 162 Whitetield, George 150 Whitman, Walt 107 Whitney, Eli 120 Whitney, William Collins 92 Whittier, John Greenleaf 67 Wiilard, Frances V. 133 Wilson, William L 180 Winchell, Alexander 175 Windoni, William 13S PORTRAITS OF NATIONAL CELEBRITIES. PAGI-'. Alirer, Russell A 16 Allison, William B 99 Anthony, Susan B 63 .Armour, Philip 1) 151 Arthur, Chester A 81 Harnum, Phineas T 117 Beecher, Henry Ward 27 Blaine, James G 151 Booth, Edwin 63 Bryan, Wm. J 63 Bryant, William CuUen 185 Buchanan, James 81 Buckner, Simon B 16 Butler Benjamin F 151 Carlisle, John G 151 Chase, Salmon P 16 Childs, George W 99 Clay, Henry 81 Cleveland, Grover 45 Cooper, Peter 99 Dana, Charles A 151 Depew, Chauncey M 117 Douglass, Fred 63 Emerson, Ralph Waldo 27 Evans, William M 99 Farragut, Com. D. G 185 Field, Cyrus W 63 PAf;E Field, Marshall 117 Franklin, Benjamin 63 Fremont, Gen. John C K") Gage, Lyman J 151 Garfield, James A 45 Garrison, William Lloyd 63 George, Henry 117 Gould, lay 99 Grant, Gen. U. S 185 Greeley, Horace 81 Hampton, Wade 16 Hancock, Gen. Winfield S 185 Hanna, MarkA 117 Harrison, Benjamin 81 Haye.s, R. B 45 Hendricks, Thomas A 81 Holmes, Oliver W 151 Hooker, Gen. Joseph 16 Ingersoll, Robert G 117 Irving, Washington 27 Jackson, Andrew 45 Jefferson, Thomas 45 Johnston, Gen. J. E 16 Lee, Gen. Robert E 185 Lincoln, Abraham 81 Logan, Gen. John A 16 Longfellow, Henry W 185 PAGIC Longstrert, Gen. James 16 Lowell, James Russell 27 McKinley, William 45 Morse, S. F. B 185 Philiijjs, Wendell 27 Porter, Com. D. D 185 Pullman, George M 117 Quay, .M. S. 99 Reed, Thomas B 151 Sage, Russell 117 Scott, Gen. Winfield 185 Seward, William H 45 Sherman, John. 99 Sherman, Gen. W. T 151 Stanton, Elizabeth Cady 27 .Stowe, Harriet Beecher 27 Sumner, Charles 45 Talmage, T. DeWitt 63 Teller, Henry M 99 Thurman, Allen G 81 Tilden, Samuel J 117 \'an Buren, Martin 81 \'anderbilt, Commodore 99 Webster, Daniel 27 Whittier, John G 21 Washington, George 45 Watterson, Henry 63 FART II. Biographical Compendium of Nodaway and Atchison Counties. Abbott. J. S., 514. Alexander. Ossiaii E., 582. Allen, A. B.. 281.. Anderson. John M., 492. Andrews. Warren H., 485. Ansclni, Father, 393. Bailey, Doctor F., 591. Bailey, Elijah M., 292. Bailey, Hamlin C, 321. Bailey, John G., 341. Bailey. Thomas M.. 368. Bailey, William H., 289. Bainuni. George P., 354. Ball. Isaac S., 266. Banta, !Moses T., 605. Barger, Isaac . 320. Barker. Daniel L., 584. Barmann. Frank. 458. Barrett, John. '411. Barrett. Reuben, ,306. Barry, William, 616. Bayha, Gnstave. 441. Bender, E. J.. 443. Bickett. James A.. 532. Bilby, John S., 234. Bird. Daniel E.. 286. Blackford. William M., 424. Bower, Henry W.. 570. Bowman. Francis M., 489. Brown. Daniel. 356. Brown, J. Vallance. 226. Brown. Lanville .-\., 405. Brnmback. James K.. 624. Bnllcrdick, Herirv. 38?. Campbell. (lilbert M.. 376. Garden. Joseph S.. 338. Carpenter. Mrs. George P.. 246. "Carr. Charles E.. 311. Chambers, WilUajU ,. 6iv Christian. John L.. 265. Clark. Heman. 259. Clester. William H.. 245. Cliser. James M.. 552, Coffin. Z. W.. 579. ■■ Cole. Frank W.. _i,2y. Collins. Anibrous. 5,4. Colter. William. 328." Colvin. Don A., 461. Colwell. Floyd B.. 464. Conipton, F'rank M., 511. Cook, Bartlett L., 468. Cook, Fayette, 228. Coulter. H. T., 470. Craig. Gallatin. 267. Crane, .\llred B., 317. D Daniel. George W.. 309. Davis. Jesse H.. 279. Dawson, John M., 416. Dodd, Hugh, 361. Donncll, John C, 460. Dopf. John ]).. 351. Downing, Washington, 396. Dnnlap. David R.. 491. Dunlap. William S.. 516. Dunn. Mrs. William, 560. Ellis. Albert T.. 527. Ellis, Charles A., 297. Ellis, Thomas C, 414. Erwin. William R.. 455. Eversole, Daniel R.. 371. Falkner. Jacob. 402. Fargo. Sheldoti B., 313. Fellows. Ed B.. 303, Fellows. John H., 550. Filson. James H,. 419. Fink. (Jeorge W., 302. Ford. James A.. 250. Francis, Milton W'., 237. Eraser. Elmer. 271. Frayne. William S.. 440. Frazce. John P.. 339. Friend. James A.. ■545. Fullinwider. John il." 544. G Gaunt, Thiima'5 W.. 408. Gex. Robert B., 357. Gill, Thomas B., 507. Gilluni. .Ambrose N.. 542. Gladman. JMilton H.. 394. GofT. Eiiiah II.. :;iS. Goff. John .\. t.. S20. GofT. Theodore L.." 614. Goodson, Benjamin F.. 425. Gordon, A. B., 295. Gordon, David, 290. Graham, Mary J.. 236. Graves, John, 407. Graxes. John W.. 546. Gray. William T.. 594. Green. .Solomon R.. 283. Grems. John G., 260. Guthrie. Perry. 583. H Hagey. Abraham. 368, Hagey. John. 251. Hainey, P. J„ 418. Hamilton. James A.. 274. Handin. (leorge N.. 268. Hammond. L. F.. 350. Harman. Henry M.. 450. Harmon. M. B. W.. 446. Harris. C. P.. 410. Harris. Virgil B.. sf:?- Hart. Edward L.. 359. Hayes. John J. L.. 294. Hedrick. AViihani N.. 392. Henderson, Stephen (J., 610. Hepburn.. James L.. 432. Hindman. William H.. 314. Hitchcock. David. 600. Hockcr. Charles D.. 473. Holt, .\ndrew ].. 45 V Holt. J. M.. d6o. Honaker. Benjamin. 504. Hopkins. .Ahuyron C. 444. Horten. George R., 340. Hoshor. Washington. 318. Hubbell. Thomas R.. 479. Hudgens. William W.. 609. Hudson. William H.. ,^83. Huff. Milton. 505. Hull. Cornelius. 2^2. Hum. John. 430. Ihunphrcy. D. W.. 620. Humiihrev. Thomas. 578. Hunt. John C. 4.?3. Hunter. James A.. 298. Hurst. Ilenrv P.. .^6|. Hyslop. Chas.. 380. I Incichen. .\nselm. ,393. ./>i Ingerson. George M.. 569. Irvin. James [•"... 476. 14 TABLE OF CONTEXTS— PART II. J Jackson, Joseph. 534. Johnson, Adamatner, 628. Johnson, Warren L., 225. Jolinston, Edward E.. 379. Johnston, Ephraim, 363. ,Jones, Bltiford J., 513. Jones, Fletclier, 397. Jones. Horace, 474. Jones, James. 398. Jones. J. B.. 627. K Karr. J. T.. 269. Kelley, T. N,. 593. Kemp, Stephen H.. 5.39. Kinic. James .A.. bi\. Kinder. Baley H.. 538. Kirkpatrick. Lewis. 454. Kuchs, Paul R.. 508. Kuenster, tiottlieb, 465. Lakin. .Arad S.. 263. Lamaster. James L.. 525. Lane. John G.. 616. Large. Stephen D.. 249. La Rue. W. H.. 385. LatighHn, .Alexander C. 589. Lemon, James H.. 531. ■ Lecper. William. 572. Linebaugh. Jacob, 284. Lippman, Adolph, 490. Littell, VV. R., S09. Litts, Ben P.. 566. Livengood, Jacob S., 326.' Logan, James F., 482. Logan, John A., 403. Lott. G. W.. 588. Lfiwe. John. 576. M AL'icrander. John. 280. Martin. B. Raleigh. 364. McBridc. Robert B. A., yjo. McColl. Daniel A.. .?6o. " McCommon. Lennfi.x H.. 612. McDonald. James ^L. 617. McElroy, John. 493. McKillop. Malcolm. 495. McKenzie. Peter. 420. McKnight. Joseph. 618. McMichacl. David. 4?/. McMillan. W. J.. 272." Merrill. .Abraham, 404. Miles. Lewis J.. ,304. Million. George R.. .soo Missom-i Mnlital Insurance Co. Morehouse. Edwin \'.. 12},. Morgan. Everett L.. 501. Moss. Harvey E.. 391. Mumford. Josiah, 242. Murray, George W., 329. N Nash. George .A., 428. Neal, Charles S.. 324. Nesbitt, Eli P.. 286. Nicoll. Andrew. 548. Niemann. Henry F., 386, Null, George \V., 366. O - Orear, Ellas D., 287. Otis, George \V.. 629. Pearce, Peter, ^96. Peck, E. E.. 37^. Peck, J. W., 296. Pistole. Henry T-. 506. Prather. Ben V., 435. Pride, William, 335. R Raines, John W., 262. Ralston, Ephraim H.. T,y2. Ramsay, Lysander D.. 592. Rankin David, 621. Rankin, Ed F., 510. Rankin. George .\.. 275. Rasco. Sanders H.. 545. Ray. Lewis C. .346. Reak>-ecker. Isaac. 3.36. Reese. James. 618. Rhoades. Marcus iL. .308. Richards. Emnictt E.. ^24. Riffe. J. L.. --»■■.. Ripley. J. N.. 602. Roberts, ^richaol W.. 488. Rohey. .Arthur S.. 412. Robinson, Hamline E., .iS6. Robinson, James B., 522. Robinson. William. w8. Rolf. Christian R.. 316. Rover. B. F.. X72. Rvan. F. M.. 344- Sawyer. William. 427. Sayler. Joseph H.. 400. Scarlett. James, 529. Scott. William E.. 321. Seymour. Wilson B.. 521. Shell. Solomon. 463. Shellenberger Brothers. 299. Shrock. George R.. 322. Sis^on. Xatlianicl, 2^2. Skidmorc, Jo-c.'h. M^.- Smith, James W., 347. Smith. J. Woodson. 422. Smith, William F., 388. Spence, John C, 334. Spurlock, John E., 608. Stafford, Richard, 580. Stapel, Henry F.. 556. Staples, .Almond A., 484. Staples, R. R., Sr.. ii2. Stephenson. James M.. 353. Stevens. Ed Boucher. 471. Stevens. Robert, 429. Stitt, Austin F., 276. Swinford, William S.. 575. Tansing. H. H.. .387. Tarkio College. 564. Taylor. Samuel C. 374. Thompson. Joseph A,. 565. Thornhill. John G.. 241. . Thrasher. James ^L. 479. i Todd. James. 244. Todd. Robert. 499. Toel. Henry. 377. Townsend. Samuel H.. 247. V Vinsonhaler. Edwin .\.. 258. W Wade. * -ulrew T.. 547. Wnlkinsbaw. John .\.. 507. Walknp. Lydia -S.. 457. ^\'ard, Thoma>; .390. Weat'^ermon. Thomas NT. S. VVVndle. Tohn. 481. White. Edward H.. 540. Wn»v. J.nmes A.. 497. Wilflev. George L.. 278. \\^'11rox. ^rororan B . 2,;9 W'lliams. Jefferson N.. 331. wnisie. He^ev H.. 300. ^A'il^nn. T. T.. .38-7. \\'nhlford. Jonathan. 230. Wolfe. ilHprt A.. ='6. Wood. Walter S,. 381. Woodnrd. David. 378. Woodhoii'e, Redick C ''104. \\?oods. Willi.nm. 44S. Woodworth. Georpe F.. .'Oi. Workman. James H.. 536. Workman. John. 613. Workman, J. Thomas, 604. Workman. William, 348. WrinJit. W. H.. 4.=;fi- >'arnell. Tames .A.. 231. Vates, Philli" 498. Veisley, David, ^26. Young, Joseph D., 452. PF^EI-^AOK L 1 of the depths nf his mature wisdom Carlyle wrote, History is tlie essence of innumerable l)iographies." iieheving" this to be the fact, tliere is no necessity nf ad- \ UKuig any further reason for the conijjihition of sucli a woik as this, if rehalile history is to lie the ultimate hiect. The section ot Miss uri comprised within the limits of this volume has sustained within its confines men who have been prominent in the history of the State, and even the nation, for half a century. The annals teem with the records of strong and noble manhootl, and, as Sumner has said, "the true grand- eur of nations is in those i|ualities which constitute the greatness of the indix'id- ual." The final causes which shape the fortunes of individuals and the destinies of States are often the same. They are usually remote and obscure, and their inrtuence scarcely jierceived until manifestly declared by results. That nation is the greatest which ])r(Mhices the greatest and most manly men and faithful women; and the intrinsic safetx- of a community depends not so much upon methods as upon that true and normal (le\elopment from the deep resources of which proceeds all that is precious and permanent in life. But such a result may not conscioush- be cimtemplated liv the actors in the great social drama. Pursuing each bis jiersonal good by exalted means, they work out as a logical result. The elements of success in life consist in lioth innate capacity and deter- mination to excel. \\'here either is wanting, failure is almost certain in the outcome. The study of a successful life, therefore, serves both as a source of information and as a stimulus and encouragement to those who have the capacity. As an important lesson in this connection we may appropriately quote Longfellow, who said : "We judge ourselves by what we feel capal)le of doiil^, while we judge others by what they have already done." A faithful personal history is an illustration of the truth of this observation. 16 PREFACE. In this biograpliical history tlie editorial staff, as well as the piiljlishers, have fully realized the mag-nitude of the task. In the collection of the material there has been a constant aim to discriminate carefully in regard to the selec- tion of subjects. Those who have been prominent factors in the public, social and industrial de\elopment of the counties have been given due recognition as far as has beer, possible to secure the re(|uisite data. Names worthy of perpetuation here, it is true, have in several instances been omitted, either on account of the ajiatby of those concerned i>r the inabilit}- nf the compilers to secure the information necessary f(jr a symmetrical sketch, but even more pains have been taken to secure accuracy than were promised in the prospectus. Works of thi.s nature, therefore, are more reliable and comjjlete than are the "standard" histories of a country. THE PUBLLSHERS. i^!^M^^^,SI^ COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY Celebrated Americans '^'^i^^i^'^ -^m "^^ 4i yi ^^ |EORGE WASHINGTOX, ^1 t^ -^ I the first prisident of the Unit- fll ^^" I ed States, called the "Father ^/|WMvjii^^*f of his Country," was one of the most celebrated characters ^fst in history. He was born Feb- * ruary 22, 1732, in Washing- ton Parish, Westmoreland county, Virginia. His father, Augustine Washington, first married Jane Butler, who bcre him four children, and March 6, 1730, he married Mary Ball. Of six children by his second marriage, George was the eldest. Little is known of the early years of Washington, beyond the fact that the house in which he was born was burned during his early childhood, and that his father there- upon moved to another farm, inherited from his paternal ancestors, situated in Stafford county, on the north bank of the Rappahan- nock, and died there in 1743. From earliest childhood George developed a noble charac- ter. His education was somewhat defective, being confined to the elementary branches taught him by his mother and at a neighbor- ing school. On leaving school he resided some time at Mount Vernon with his half brother, Lawrence, who acted as his guar dian. George's inclinations were for a sea- faring career, and a midshipman's warrant was procured for him; but through the oppo- sition of his mother the project was aban- doned, and at the age of sixteen he was appointed surveyor to the immense estates of the eccentric Lord Fairfa.x. Three years were passed by Washington in a rough fron- tier life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very esie'itial to him. In 175 1, when the Virginia militia were put under training with a view to active service against France, Washington, though only nineteen years of age, was appointed adjutant, with the rank of major. In 1752 Lawrence Washington died, leaving his large property to an infant daughter. In his will George was named one of the executors and as an eventual heir to Mount Vernon, and by the death of the infant niece, soon succeeded to that estate. Iti 1753 George was commis- sioned adjutant-general of the Virginia militia, and performed important work at the outbreak of the French and Indian war, was rapidly promoted, and at the close of that war we find him commander-i»i-chief of 18 COMPEXDIi'M OF BlOGRAI'Iir. all the forces raised in Vir;^iiiia. A cessation of Indian hostilities on the frontier having followed the expulsion of the I-^rench from the Ohio, he resigned his commission as coinmander-in-chief of the Virginia forces, and then proceeded to Williamsburg to take his seat in the Virginia Assembly, of which he had been elected a member. January 17. 1759, Washington married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Curtis, a young and beautiful widow of great wealth, and devoted himself for the ensuing fifteen years to the quiet pursuits of agriculture, inter- rupted only by the annual attendance in winter upon the colonial legislature at AVilliamsburg, until sunnnoned by his coun- try to enter upon that other arena in which liis fame was to become world-wide. The war for independence called Washington into service again, and he was made com- mander-in-cl.ii f of the colonial forces, and \\ as the most gallant and conspicuous figure in that bloody struggle, serving until Eng- land acknowledged the independence of each of the thirteen States, and negotiated with them jointly, as separate sovereignties. December 4, 1783, the great commander took leave of his officers in most affection- ate and patriotic terms, and went to An- napolis, Maryland, where the congress of the States was in session, and to that body, when peace and order prevailed everywhere, resigned his commission and retired to Mount Vernon. It was in 1789 that Washington was called to the chief magistracy of the na- tion. The inauguration took place April 30, in the presence of an immense multi- tude which had assembled to witness the new and imposing ceremony. In the manifold de- tails of his civil administration Washington proved himself fully equal to the requirements of his position. In 1792, at the second presi- dential election, Washington was desirous to retire; but he yielded to the general wish (if the country, and was again chosen presi- (k'lit. At the third election, in 1796, he was again most urgently entreated to con- sent to remain in the executive chair. This he positively refused, and after March 4, 1797, he again retired to Mount Vernon for peace, quiet, and repose. Of the call again made on this illustrious chief to quit his repose at Mount Ver- non and take command of all the United States forces, with rank of lieutenant-gen- eral, when war was threatened with France in 1798, nothing need here be stated, ex- cept to note the fact as an unmistakable testimonial of the high regard in which he was still held by his countr^'men of all shades of political opinion. He patriotic- ally accepted this trust, but a treaty of peace put a stop to all action under it. He again retired to Mount Vernon, where he died December 14, 1799, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His remains were depos- ited in a family vault on the banks of the Potomac, at Mount Vernon, where they still lie entombed. BEXJAMIN FRANKLIN, an eminent American statesman and scientist, was born of poor parentage, January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was appren- ticed to his brother James to learn the print- er's trade to prevent his running away and going to sea, and also because of the numer- ous family his parents had to support (there being seventeen children, Benjamin being the fifteenth)^ He was a great reader, and soon developed a taste for writing, and pre- pared a number of articles and had them published in the paper without his brother s knowledge, and when the authorship be- came known it resulted in difficulty for tue COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. J9 young apprentice, although his articles had been received with favor by the public. James was afterwards thrown into prison for political reasons, and young Benjamin con- ducted the paper alone during the time. In 1823, however, he determined to endure his bonds no longer, and ran away, going to Philadelphia, vv'here he arrived with only three pence as his store of wealth. With these he purchased three rolls, and ate them as he walked along the streets. He soon found employment as a journeyman printer. Two years later he was sent to England by the governor of Pennsylvania, and was promised the public printing, but did not get it. On his return to Philadelphia he estab- lished the "Pennsylvania Gazette," and soon found himself a person of great popu- larity in the province, his ability as a writer, philosopher, and politician having reached the neighboring colonies. He rapidly grew in prominence, founded the Philadelphia Li- brary in 1842, and two years later the American Philosophical Society and the University of Pennsylvania. He was made Fellow of the Royal Society in London in 1775. His world-famous investigations in electricity and lightning began in 1746. He became postmaster-general of the colonies in 1753, having devised an inter-colonial postal system. He advocated the rights of the colonies at all times, and procured the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. He was elected to the Continental congress of 1775, and in 1776 was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, being one of the commit- tee appointed to draft that paper. He rep- resented the new nation in the courts of Europe, especially at Paris, where his simple dignity and homely wisdom won him the admiration of the court and the favor of the people. He was governor of Pennsylvania lour years; was also a member of the con- vention in 1787 that drafted the constitution of the United States. His writings upon political topics, anti- slavery, finance, and economics, stamp him as one of the greatest statesmen of his time, while his "Autobiography" and "Poor Richard's Almanac " give him precedence in the literary field. In early life he was an avowed skeptic in religious matters, but later in life his utterances on this subject were less extreme, though he never ex- pressed approval of any sect or creed. He died in Philadelphia April 17, 1790. DANIEL WEBSTER.— Of world wide reputation for statesmanship, diplo- macy, and oratory, there is perhaps no more prominent figure in the history of our coun- try in the interval between 181 5 and 1861, than Daniel Webster. He was born at Salisbury (now Franklin), New Hampshire, January 18, 1782, and was the second son of Ebenezer and Abigail (Eastman) Webster. He enjoyed but limited educational advan- tages in childhood, but spent a few months in 1797, at Phillip Exeter Academy. He completed his preparation for college in the family of Rev. Samuel Wood, at Boscawen, and entered Dartmouth College in the fall of 1797. He supported himself most of the time during these years by teaching school and graduated in 1801, having the credit of being the foremost scholar of his class. He entered the law office of Hon. Thomas W. Thompson, at Salisbury. In 1S02 he con- tinued his legal studies at Fryeburg, Maine, where he was principal of the academy and copyist in tthe office of the register of deeds. In the office of Christopher Gore, at Boston, he completed his studies in 1804-5, ^"d was admitted to the bar in the latter year, and at Boscawen and at Ports- mouth soon rose to eminence in his profes- 20 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. sion. He became known as a federalist but did not court political honors; but, at- tracting attention by his eloquence in oppos- ing the war with England, he was elected to congress in i8i2. During the special session of May, 1813, he was appointed on the committee on foreign affairs and made his maiden speech June 10, 181 3. Through- out this session (as afterwards) he showed his mastery of the great economic questions of the day. He was re-elected in 18 14. In 1 8 16 he removed to Boston and for seven years devoted himself to his profession, earning by his arguments in the celebrated "Dartmouth College Case" rank among the most distinguished jurists of the country. In 1820 Mr. Webster was chosen a member of the state convention of Massachusetts, to revise the constitution. The same jear he delivered the famous discourse on the " Pil- grim fathers," which laid the foundation for his fame as an orator. Declining a nomi- nation for United States senator, in 1822 he was elected to the lower house of congress and was re-elected in 1824 and 1826, but in 1827 was transferred to the senate. He retained his seat in the latter chamber until 1 841. During this time his voice was ever lifted in defence of the national life and honor and although politically opposed to him he gave his support to the administra- tion of President Jackson in the latter's con- test with nullification. Through all these 3'ears he was ever found upon the side of right and justice and his speeches upon all the great questions of the day have be- come household words in almost every family. In 1841 Mr. Webster was appointed secretary of state by President Harrison and was continued in the same office by President Tyler. While an incumbent of this office he showed consummate ability as a diplomat in the negotiation of the "Ash- burton treaty " of August 9, 1849, which settled many points of dispute between the United States and England. In May, 1843, he resigned his post and resumed his pro- fession, and in December, 1845, took his place again in the senate. He contributed in an unofficial way to the solution of the Oregon question with Great Britain in 1847. He was disappointed in 1848 in not receiv- ing the nomination for the presidency. He became secretary of state under President Fillmore in 1850 and in dealing with all the complicated questions of the day showed a wonderful mastery of the arts of diplomacy. Being hurt in an accident he retired to his home at Marshfield, where he died Octo- ber 24, 1852. HORACE GREELEY. —As journalist, author, statesman and political leader, there is none more widely known than the man whose name heads this article. He was born in Amherst, New Hampshire, Feb- ruary 3, 181 1, and was reared upon a farm. At an early age he evinced a remarkable intelligence and love of learning, and at the age of ten had read every book he could borrow for miles around. About 1821 the family removed to Westhaven, Vermont, and for some years young Greeley assisted in carrying on the farm. In 1826 he entered the office of a weekly newspaper at East Poultney, Vermont, where he remained about four years. On the discontinuance of this paper he followed his father's family to Erie county, Pennsylvania, whither they had moved, and for a time worked at the pr-inter's trade in that neigh- borhood. In 183 1 Horace went to New York City, and for a time found employ- ment as journej'man printer. Januarj', 1833, in partnership with Francis Story, he published the Morning Post, the first penny COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 21 paper ever printed. This proved a failure and was discontinued after three weeks. The business of job printing was carried on, however, until the death of Mr. Story in July following. In company with Jonas Winchester, March 22, 1834, Mr. Greeley commenced the publication of the Nczv Yorker, a weekly paper of a high character. For financial reasons, at the same time, Greeley wrote leaders for other papers, and, in 1838, took editorial charge of the Jcffcr- sonian, a Whig paper published at Albany. In 1840, on the discontinuance of that sheet, he devoted his energies to the Log Cabin, a campaign paper in the interests of the Whig party. In the fall of 1841 the latter paper was consolidated with the New Yorker, un- der the name of the Tribune, the first num- ber of which was issued April 10, 1 84 1. At the head of this paper Mr. Greeley remained until the day of his death. In 1848 Horace Greeley was elected to the national house of representatives to fill a vacancy, and was a member of that body until March 4, 1849. In 1851 he went to Europe and served as a juror at the World's Fair at the Crystal Palace, Lon- don. In 1855, he made a second visit to the old world. In 1859 he crossed the plains and received a public reception at San Francisco and Sacramento. He was a member of the Republican national con- vention, at Chicago in i860, and assisted in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for President. The same year he was a presi- dential elector for the state of New York, and a delegate to the Loyalist convention at Philadelphia. At the close of the war, in 1865, Mr. Greeley became a strong advocate of uni- versal amnesty and complete pacification, and in pursuance of this consented to be- come one of the bondsmen for Jefferson Davis, who was imprisoned for treason. In 1867 he was a delegate to the New York state convention for the revision of the constitution. In 1870 he was defeated for congress in the Sixth New York district. At the Liberal convention, which met in Cincinnati, in May, 1872, on the fifth ballot Horace Greeley was nominated for presi- dent and July following was nominated for the same office by the Democratic conven- tion at Baltimore. He was defeated by a large majority. The large amount of work done by him during the campaign, together with the loss of his wife about the same time, undermined his strong constitution, and he was seized with inflammation of the brain, and died November 29, 1872. In addition to his journalistic work, Mr. Greeley was the author of several meritori- ous works, among which were: "Hint? toward reform," "Glances at Europe," " History of the struggle for slavery exten sion," "Overland journey to San Francis- co," "The American conflict," and " Rec- ollections of a busy life." HENRY CLAY.— In writing of this em- inent American, Horace Greeley once said: "He was a matchless party chief, an admirable orator, a skillful legislator, wield- ing unequaled influence, not only over his friends, but even over those of his political antagonists who were subjected to the magic of his conversation and manners. " A law- yer, legislator, orator, and statesman, few men in history have wielded greater influ- ence, or occupied so prominent a place in the hearts of the generation in which they lived. Henry Clay was born near Richmond, in Hanover county, Virginia, April 12, 1777, the son of a poor Baptist preacher who died when Henry was but five years 22 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. old. The mother married again about ten years later and removed to Kentucky leav- ing Henry a clerk in a store at Richmond. Soon afterward Henry Clay secured a posi- tion as copyist in the office of the clerk of the high court of chancery, and four years later entered the law office of Robert Brooke, then attorney general and later governor of his native state. In 1797 Henry Clay was licensed as a lawyer and followed his mother to Kentucky, opening an office at Lexington and soon built up a profitable practice. Soon afterward Kentucky, in separating from Virginia, called a state convention for the purpose of framing a constitution, and Clay at that time took a prominent part, publicly urging the adoption of a clause providing for the abolitior: of slavery, but in this he was overruled, as he was fifty years later, when in the height of his fame he again ad- vised the same course when the state con- stitution was revised in 1850. Young Clay took a very active and conspicuous part in the presidential campaign in 1 800, favoring the election of Jefierson; and in 1803 was chosen to represent Fayette county in the state 'egislature. In 1806 General John Adair, then United States senator from Kentucky, resigned and Henry Clay was elected to fill the vacancy by the legislature and served through one session in which he at once assumed a prominent place. In 1807 he was again a representative in the legislature and was elected speaker of the house. At this time originated his trouble with Humphrey Marshall. Clay proposed that each member clothe himself and family wholly in American fabrics, which Marshall characterized as the " language of a dema- gogue." This led to a duel in which both parties were slightly injured. In 1809 Henry Clay was again elected to fill a va- cancy in the United States senate, and two years later elected representative intne low- er house of congress, being chosen speaker of the house. About this time war was de- clared against Great Britain, and Clay took a prominent public place during this strug- gle and was later one of the commissioners sent to Europe by President Madison to ne- gotiate peace, returning in September, 181 5, having been re-elected speaker of the house during his absence, and was re-elect- ed unanimously. He was afterward re- elected to congress and then became secre- tary of state undvjr John Quincy Adams. In 1 83 1 he was again elected senator from Kentucky and remained in the senate most of the time until his death. Henry Clay was three times a candidate for the presidency, and once very nearly elected. He was the unanimous choice of the Whig party in 1844 for the presidency, and a great effort was made to elect him but without success, his opponent, James K. Polk, carrying both Pennsylvania and New York by a very slender margin, while either of them alone would have elected Clay. Henry Clay died at Washington Juije 29, 1852. JAMES GILLESPIE BLAINE was one of the most distinguished of American statesmen and legislators. He was born January 31, 1830, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and received a thorough edu- cation, graduating at Washington College in 1847. In early life he removed to Maine and engaged in newspaper work, becoming editor of the Portland ' 'Advertiser. " While yet a young man tie gained distinction as a debater and became a conspicuous figure in political and public affairs. In 1862 he was elected to congress on the Republican ticket in Maine and was re-elected five times. In March, 1 869, he was chosen speaker of the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 23 house of representatives and was re-elected in 1871 and again in 1873. In 1876 he was a representative in the lower house of con- gress and during that year was appointed United States senator by the Governor to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Morrill, who had been appointed secretary of the treasury. Mr. Blaine served in the senate until March 5, 188 1, when President Garfield appointed him sec- retary of state, which position he resigned in December, 1881. Mr. Blaine was nom- inated for the presidency by the Republic- ans, at Chicago in June, 1884, but was de- feated by Grover Cleveland after an exciting and spirited campaign. During the later years of his life Mr. Blaine devoted most of his time to the completion of his work "Twenty Years in Congress," which had a remarkably large sale throughout the United States. Blaine was a man of great mental ability and force of character and during the latter part of his life was one of the most noted men of his time. He was the origina- tor of what is termed the " reciprocity idea" in tariff matters, and outlined the plan of carrying it into practical effect. In 1876 Robert G. Ingersoll in making a nominating speech placing Blaine's name as a candidate for president before the national Republican convention at Cincinnati, referred to Blaine as the " Plumed Knight " and this title clung to him during the remainder of his life. His death occurred at Washington, January 27, 1893. JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN, a dis- tinguished American statesman, was a native of South Carolina, born in Abbeville district, March 18, 1782. He was given the advantages of a thorough education, graduating at Yale College in 1804, and adopted the calling of a lawyer. A Demo- crat politically, at that time, he took a fore- most part in the councils of his party and was elected to congress in 181 1, supporting the tariff of 18 16 and the establishing of the United States Bank. In 18 17 he be- came secretary of war in President Monroe's cabinet, and in 1824 was elected vice-president of the United States, on the ticket with John Quincy Adams, and re-elected in 1 828, on the ticket with General Jackson. Shortly after this Mr. Calhoun became one of the strongest advocates of free trade and the principle of sovereignty of the states and was one of the originators of the doctrine that "any state could nullify unconstitutional laws of congress." Meanwhile Calhoun had be- come an aspirant for the presidency, and the fact that General Jackson advanced the interests of his opponent. Van Buren, led to a quarrel, and Calhoun resigned the vice- presidency in 1832 and was elected United States senator from South Carolina. It was during the same year that a convention was held in South Carolina at which the " Nul- lification ordinance " was adopted, the ob- ject of which was to test the constitution- ality of the protective tariff measures, and to prevent if possible the collection of im- port duties in that state which had been levied more for the purpose of ' ' protection " than revenue. This ordinance was to go into effect in February, 1833, and created a great deal of uneasiness throughout the country as it was feared there would be a clash between the state and federal authori- ties. It was in this serious condition of public affairs that Henry Clay came forward with the the famous "tariff compromise " of 1833, to which measure Calhoun and most of his followers gave their support and the crisis was averted. In 1843 Mr. Cal- houn was appointed secretary of state in President Tyler's cabinet, and it was under 24 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. his administration that the treaty concern- ing the annexation of Texas was negotiated. In 1 84s he was re-elected to the United States senate and continued in the senate until his death, which occurred in March, 1850. He occupied a high rank as a scholar, student and orator, and it is conceded that he was one of the greatest debaters America has produced. The famous debate between Calhoun and Webster, in 1833, is regarded as the most noted for ability and eloquence in the history of the country. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BUTLER, one of America's most brilliant and pro- found lawyers and noted public men, was a native of New England, born at Deer- field, New Hampshire, November 5, 1818. His father. Captain John Butler, was a prominent man in his day, commanded a company during the war of 181 2, and served under Jackson at New Orleans. Benjamin F. Butler was given an excellent education, graduated at Waterville College, Maine, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1840, at Lowell, Massachusetts, where he commenced the practice of his profession and gained a wide reputation for his ability at the bar, acquiring an extensive practice and a fortune. Early in life he began taking an active interest in military affairs and served in the state militia through all grades from private to brigadier-general. In 1853 he was elected to the state legisla- ture on the Democratic ticket in Lowell, and took a prominent part in the passage of legislation in the interests of labor. Dur- ing the same year he was a member of the constitutional convention, and in 1859 rep- resented his district in the Massachusetts senate. When the Civil war broke out General Butler took the field and remained at the front most of the time during that bloody struggle. Part of the time he had charge of Fortress Monroe, and in Febru- ary, 1862, took command of troops forming part of the expedition against New Orleans, and later had charge of the department of the Gulf. He was a conspicuous figure dur- ing the continuance of the war. After the close of hostilities General Butler resumed his law practice in Massachusetts and in 1866 was elected to congress from the Es- sex district. In 1882 he was elected gov- ernor of Massachusetts, and in 1884 was the nominee of the "Greenback" party for president of the United States. He con- tinued his legal practice, and maintained his place as one of the most prominent men in New England until the time of his death, which occurred January 10, 1893. JEFFERSON DAVIS, an officer, states- man and legislator of prominence in America, gained the greater part of his fame from the fact that he was president of the southern confederacy. Mr. Davis was born in Christian county. Kentucky, June 3, 1808, and his early education and surround- ings were such that his sympathies and in- clinations were wholly with the southern people. He received a thorough education, graduated at West Point in 1828, and for a number of years served in the army at west- ern posts and in frontier service, first as lieutenant and later as adjutant. In 1835 he resigned and became a cotton planter in Warren county, Mississippi, where he took an active interest in public affairs and be- came a conspicuous figure in politics. In 1844 he was a presidential elector from Mississippi and during the two following years served as congressman from his d-s- trict. He then became colonel oi a iviissis- sippi regiment in the war with Mexico ano participated in some of the most severe cat- COMPEiVDlUM OP BIOGRAr/ir lies, being seriously wounded at Buena Vista. Upon his return to private life he again took a prominent part in political af- fairs and represented his state in the United States senate from 184710 1851. He then entered President Pierce's cabinet as secre- tary of war, after which he again entered the United States senate, remaining until the outbreak of the Civil war. He then be- cinie pres dent of the southern confederacy and served as such uutil captured in May, 1S65, at Irwinville Georgia. He was held as prisoner of war at Fortress Monroe, until 1867, when he was released on bail and finally set free in 1868. His death occurred December 6, 1889. Jefferson Davis was a man of excellent abiliiies and was recognized as one of the best organizers of his day. He was a forceful and fluent speaker and a ready writer. He wrote and published the " Rise and Fall of the Southern Confederacy," a work which is considered as authority by the southern peopL' JOHN ADAMS, the second president of the United States, and one of the most conspicuous figures in the early struggles of his country for independence, was born in the present town of Quincy, then a portion of Braintree, Massachusetts, October 30, 1735. He received a thorough education, graduating at Harvard College in 1755, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1758. He was well adapted for this profes- sion and after opening an office in his native town rapidly grew in prominence and public favor and soon was regarded as one of the leading lawyers of the country. His atten- tion was called to political affairs by the passage of the Stamp Act, in 1765, and he drew up a set of resolutions on the subject which were very popular. In 1768 he re- moved to Boston and became one of the most courageous and prominent advocates of the popular cause and was chosen a member of the Colonial legislature from Boston. He was one of the delegates that represented Massachusetts in the first Con^ tinental congress, which met in September, 1774. In a letter written at this crisis he uttered the famous words: "The die is now cast; I have passed the Rubicon. Sink- or swim, live or die, survive or perish with my country, is my unalterable determination." He was a prominent figure in congress and advocated the movement for independence when a majority of the members were in- clined to temporize and to petition the King. In May, 1776, he presented a resohition in congress that the colonies should assume the duty of self-government, which was passed. In June, of the same year, a reso- lution that the United States "are, and ol right ought to be, free and independent," was moved by Richard H. Lee, seconded by Mr. Adams and adopted by a small majority. Mr. Adams was a member of the committee of five appointed June 1 1 to prepare a declaration of independence, in support of vvliich he made an eloquent speech. He was chairman of the Board of War in 1776 and in 1778 was sent as commissioner to France, but returned the following year. In 1780 he went to Europe, having been appointed as minister to negotiate a treaty of peace and commerce with Great Britain. Con- jointly with Franklin and Jay he negotiated a treaty in 1782. He was employed as a minister to the Court of St. James from 1785 to 1788, and during that period wrote his famous "Defence of the American Con- stitutions." In 1789 he became vice-presi- dent of the United States and was re-elected in 1792. In 1796 Mr. Adams was chosen presi- 26 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. dent of the United States, his competitor being Thomas Jefferson, who became vice- president. In 1800 he was the Federal candidate for president, but he was not cordially supported by Gen. Hamilton, the favorite leader of his party, and was de- feated by Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Adams then retired from public life to his large estate at Quincy, Mass., where he died July 4, 1826, on the same day that witnessed the death of Thomas Jefferson. Though his physical frame began to give way many years before his death, his mental powers retained their strength and vigor to the last. In his ninetieth year he was glad- dened by .the elevation of his son, John Quincy Adams, to the presidential office. HENRY WARD BEECHER, one of the most celebrated American preachers and authors, was born at Litchfield, Connec- ticut, June 24, 1 8 1 3. His father was Dr. Ly- man Beecher, also an eminent divine. At an early age Henry Ward Beecher had a strong predilection for a sea-faring life, and it was practically decided that he would fol- low this inclination, but about this time, in consequence of deep religious impressions which he e.xperienced during a revival, he renounced his former intention and decided to enter the ministry. After having grad- uated at Amherst College, in 1834, he stud- ied theology at Lane Seminary under the tuition of his father, who was then president of that institution. In 1847 he became pas- tor of the Plymouth Congregational church in Brooklyn, where his oratorical ability and original eloquence attracted one of the larg- est congregations in the country. He con- tinued to served this church until the time of his death, March 8, 1887. Mr. Beecher aisr, found time for a great amount of liter- ary Work- For a number of years he was editor of the "Independent" and also the "Christian Union." He also produced many works which are widely known. Among his principal productions are "Lectures to Young Men," " Star Papers, " "Life of Christ," "Life Thoughts," "Royal Truths" (a novel), "Norwood," " Evolution and Rev- olution," and " Sermons on Evolution and Religion. " Mr. Beecher was also long a prominent advocate of anti-slavery princi- ples and temperance reform, and, at a later period, of the rights of women. JOHN A. LOGAN, the illustrious states- man and general, was born in Jackson county, Illinois, February 9, 1824. In his boyhood days he received but a limited edu- cation in the schools of his native'county. On the breaking out of the war with Mexico he enlisted in the First Illinois Volunteers and became its quartermaster. At the close of hostilities he returned home and was elected clerk of the courts of Jackson county in 1849. Determining to supplement his education Logan entered the Louisville Uni- versity, from which he graduated in 1852 and taking up the study of law was admitted to the bar. He attained popularity and suc- cess in his chosen profession and was elected to the legislature in 1852, 1853, 1856 and 1857. He was prosecuting attorney from 1853 to 1857. He was elected to congress in 1858 to iill a vacancy and again in i860. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, Logan re- signed his office and entered the army, and in September, 1861, was appointed colonel of the Thirty-first Illinois Infantry, which he led in the battles of Belmont and Fort Don- elson. In the latter engagement he was wounded. In March, 1862, he was pro- moted to be brigadier-general and in the following month participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing. In November, 1862, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. 29 for gallant conduct he was made major-gen- eral. Throughout the Vicksburg campaign he was in command of a division of the Sev- enteenth Corps and was distinguished at Port Gibson, Champion Kills and in the siege and capture cf Vicksburg. In October, 1S63, he was placed in command of the Fifteenth Corps, which he led with great credit. During the terrible conflict before Atlanta, July 22, 1864, on the death of General McPherson, Logan, assuming com- mand of the Army of the Tennessee, led it on to victory, saving the day by his energy and ability. He was shortly after succeeded by General O. O. Howard and returned to the command of his corps. He remained in command until the presidential election, when, feeling that his influence was needed at home he returned thither and there re- mained until the arrival of Sherman at Sa- vannah, when General Logan rejoined his command. In May, 1865, he succeeded General Howard at the head of the Army of the Tennessee. He resigned from the army in August, the same year, and in November was appointed minister to Mexico, but de- clined the honor. He served in the lower house of the fortieth and forty-first con- gresses, and was elected United States sena- tor from his native state in 1870, 1878 and 1S85. He was nominated for the vice-presi- dency in 1884 on the ticket with Blaine, but was defeated. General Logan was the author of "The Great Conspiracy, its origin and history," published in 1885. He died at Washington, December 26, 1886. JOHN CHARLES FREMONT, the first Republican candidate for president, was born in Savannah, Georgia, January 21, 18 1 3. He graduated from Charleston Col- lege (South Carolina") in 1S30, and turned his attention to civil engineering. He was shortly 2 afterward employed in the department of government surveys on the Mississippi, and constructing maps of that region. He was made lieutenant of engineers, and laid be- fore the war department a plan for pene- trating the Rocky Mountain regions, which was accepted, and in 1S42 he set out upon his first famous exploring expedition and ex- plored the South Pass. He also planned an expedition to Oregon by a new route further south, but afterward joined his expedition with that of Wilkes in the region of the Great Salt Lake. He made a later expedi- tion which penetrated the Sierra Nevadas, and the San Joaquin and Sacramento river valleys, making maps of all regions explored. In 1845 he conducted the great expedi- tion which resulted in the acquisition of California, which it was believed the Mexi- can government was about to dispose of to England. Learning that the Mexican gov- ernor was preparing to attack tne American settlements in his dominion, Fremont deter- mined to forestall him. The settlers rallied to his camp, and in June, 1846, he defeated the Mexican forces at Sonoma Pass, and a month later completely routed the governor and his entire army. The Americans at once declared their independence of Mexico, and Fremont was elected governor of Cali- fornia. By this time Commodore Stockton had reached the coast with instructions from Washington to conquer California. Fre- mont at once joined him in that effort, which resulted in the annexation of California with its untold mineral wealth. Later Fremont became involved in a difficulty with fellow ofificers which resulted in a court martial, and the surrender of his commission. He declined to accept reinstatement. He af- terward laid out a great road from the Mis- sissippi river to San Francisco, and became the first United States senator from Califor- 30 COMPENDIU^r OF BIOGRAPIir. nia, in 1849. In 1856 he was nominated by the new Republican party as its first can- didate for president against Buchanan, and received 114 electoral votes, out of 296. In 1 86 1 he was made major-general and placed in charge of the western department. He planned the reclaiming of the entire Mississippi valley, and gathered an army of thirty thousand men, with plenty of artil- lery, and was ready to move upon the con- federate General Price, when he was de- prived of his command. He was nominated for the presidency at Cincinnati in 1864, but withdrew. He was governor of Arizona in 1878, holding the position four years. He was interested in an engineering enterprise looking toward a great southern trans-con- tinental railroad, and in his later years also practiced law in New York. He died July 1 3, WENDELL PHILLIPS, the orator and abolitionist, and a conspicuous figure in American history, was born November 29, 181 1, at Boston, Massachusetts. He received a good education at Harvard College, from which he graduated in 1831, and then entered the Cambridge Law School . After completing his course in that institu- tion, in 1833, he was admitted to the bar, in 1834, at Suffolk. He entered the arena of life at the time when the forces of lib- erty and slavery had already begun their struggle that was to culminate in the Civil war. William Lloyd Garrison, by his clear- headed, courageous declarations of the anti- slavery principles, had done much to bring about this struggle. Mr. Phillips was not a man that could stand aside and see a great struggle being carried on in the interest of humanity and look passively on. He first attracted attention as an orator in 1837, at a meeting that was called to protest against the murder of the Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy. The meeting would have ended in a few perfunctory resolutions had not Mr. Phillip.^ by his manly eloquence taken the meeting out of the hands of the few that were in- clined to temporize and avoid radical utter- ances. Having once started out in this ca- reer as an abolitionist Phillips never swerved from what he deemed his duty, and never turned back. He gave up his legal practice and launched himself heart and soul in the movement for the liberation of the slaves. He was an orator of very great ability and by his earnest efforts and eloquence he did much in arousing public sentiment in behalf of the anti-slavery cause — possibly more than any one man of his time. After the abolition of slavery Mr. Phillips was, if pos- sible, even busier than before m the literary and lecture field. Besides temperance and women's rights, he lectured often and wrote much on finance, and the relations of labor and capital, and his utterances on whatever subject always bore the stamp of having emanated from a master mind. Eminent critics have stated that it might fairly be questioned whether there has ever spoken in America an orator superior to Phillips. The death of this great man occurred Feb- ruary 4, 1884. WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN was one of the greatest generals that the world has ever produced and won im- mortal fame by that strategic and famous " march to the sea," in the war of the Re- bellion. He was born February 8, 1820, at Lancaster, Ohio,, and was reared in the family of the Hon. Thomas Ewing, as his father died when he was but nine years of age. He entered West Point in 1836, was graduated from the same in 1840, and ap- pointed a second lieutenant in the Third COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 31 Artillery. He passed through the various grades of the service and at the outbreak of the Civil war was appointed colonel of the Thirteenth Regular Infantry. A full history of General Sherman's conspicuous services would be to repeat a history of the army. He commanded a division at Shiloh, and was instrumental in the winning of that bat- tle, and was also present at the siege of Vicks- burg. On July 4, 1863, he was appointed brigadier-general of the regular army, and shared with Hooker the victory of Mission- ary Ridge. He was commander of the De- partment of the Tennessee from October 27th until the appointment of General Grant as lieutenant-general, by whom he was appointed to the command of the De- partment of the Mississippi, which he as- sumed in March, 1864. He at once began organizing the army and enlarging his com- munications preparatory to his march upon Atlanta, which he started the same time of the beginning of the Richmond campaign by Grant. He started on May 6, and was op- posed by Johnston, who had fifty thousand men, but by consummate generalship, he captured Atlanta, on September 2, after several months of hard fighting and a severe loss of men. General Sherman started on his famous march to the sea November 15, 1864, and by December 10 he was before Savannah, which he took on December 23. This campaign is a monument to the genius of General Sherman as he only lost 567 men from Atlanta to the sea. After rest- ing his army he moved northward and occu- pied the following places: Columbia, Cheraw, Fayetteville, Ayersboro, Benton- ville, Goldsboro, Raleigh, and April 18, he accepted the surrender of Johnston's army on a basis of agreement that was not re- ceived by the Government with favor, but finally accorded Johnston the same terms as Lee was given by General Grant. He was present at the grand review at Washington, and after the close of the war was appointed to the co.-nmand of the military division of the Mississippi; later was appointed lieu- tenant-general, and assigned to the military division of the Missouri. When General Grant was elected president Sherman became general, March 4, 1869, and succeeded to the command of the army. His death oc- curred February 14, 1891, at Washington. ALEXANDER HAMILTON, one of the most prominent of the early American statesmen and financiers, was born in Nevis, an island of the West Indies, January 11, 1757, his father being a Scotchman and his mother of Huguenot descent. Owing to the death of his mother and business reverses which came to his father, young Hamilton was sent to his mother's relatives in Santa Cruz; a few years later was sent to a gram- mar school at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, and in 1773 entered what is now known as Columbia College. Even at that time he began taking an active part in public affairs and his speeches, pamphlets, and newspaper articles on political affairs of the day at- tracted considerable attention. In 1776 he received a captain's commission and served in Washington's army with credit, becoming aide-de-camp to Washington with rank of lieutenant-colonel. In 1781 he resigned his commission because of a rebuke from Gen- eral Washington. He next received com- mand of a New York battalion and partici- pated in the battle of Yorktown. After this Hamilton studied law, served several terms in congress and was a member of the convention at which the Federal Constitu- tion was drawn up. His work connected with " The Federalist " at about this time attracted much attention. Mr. Hamilton 32 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. was chosen as the first secretary of the United States treasury and as such was the author of the funding system and founder of the United States Bank. In 1798 he was made inspector-general of the army with the rank of major-general and was also for a short time commander-in-chief. In 1804 Aaron Burr, then candidate for governor of New York, challenged Alexander Hamilton to fight a duel, Burr attributing his defeat to Hamilton's opposition, and Hamilton, though declaring the code as a relic of bar- barism, accepted the challenge. They met at Weehawken, New Jersey, July 11, 1804. Hamilton declined to fire at his adversary, but at Burr's first fire was fatally wounded and died July 12, 1804. ALEXANDER HAMILTON STEPH- ENS, vice-president of the southern confederacy, a former United States senator and governor of Georgia, ranks among the great men of American history. He was born February 11, 18 12, near Crawfordsville, Georgia. He was a graduate of the Uni- versity of Georgia, and admitted to the bar in 1S34. In 1837 he made his debut in political life as a member of the state house of representatives, and in 1 841 declined the nomination for the same office; but in 1842 he was chosen by the same constituency as state senator. Mr. Stephens was one of the promoters of the Western and Atlantic Railroad. In 1843 he was sent by his dis- trict to the national house of representatives, which office he held for si.xteen consec- utive years. He was a member of the house during the passing of the Compromise Bill, and was one of its ablest and most active supporters. The same year (1850) Mr. Stephens was a delegate to the state convention that framed the celebrated " Georgia Platform," and was also a dele- gate to the convention that passed the ordi- nance of secession, though he bitterly op- posed that bill by voice and vote, yet he readily acquiesced in their decision after it received the votes of the majority of the convention. He was chosen vice-president of the confederacy without opposition, and in 1865 he was the head of the commis- sion sent by the south to the Hampton Roads conference. He was arrested after the fall of the confederacy and was con- fined in Fort Warren as a prisoner of state but was released on his own parole. Mr. Stephens was elected to the forty-third, forty-fourth, forty-fifth, forty- si.xth and for- ty-seventh congresses, with hardly more than nominal opposition. He was one of the Jeffersonian school of American politics. He wrote a number of works, principal among which are: "Constitutional View of the War between the States," and a " Compendium of the History of the United States." He was inaugurated as governor of Georgia November 4th, 1882, but died March 4, 1883, before the completion of his term. ROSCOE CONKLING was one of the most noted and famous of American statesmen. He was among the most fin- ished, fluent and eloquent orators that have ever graced the halls of the American con- gress; ever ready, witty and bitter in de- bate he was at once admired and feared by his political opponents and revered by his followers. True to his friends, loyal to the last degree to those with whom his inter- ests were associated, he was unsparing lo his foes and it is said "never forgot an injury." Roscoe Conkling was born at Albany, New York, on the 30th of October, 1829, being a son of Alfred Conkling. Alfred Conkling was also a native of New York, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. m born at East Hampton, October 12, 1789, and became one of the most eminent law- yers in the Empire state; pubhshed several legal works; served a term in congress; aft- erward as United States district judge for Northern New York, and in 1852 was min- ister to Mexico. Alfred Conkling died in 1874. Roscoe Conkling, whose name heads this article, at an early age took up the study of law and soon became successful and prominent at the bar. About 1846 he re- moved to Utica and in 1858 was elected mayor of that city. He was elected repre- sentative in congress from this district and was re-elected three times. In 1867 he was elected United States senator from the state of New York and was re-elected in 1873 and 1879. In May, 1881, he resigned on account of differences with the president. In March, 1882, he was appointed and con- firmed as associate justice of the United States supreme court but declined to serve. His death occurred April 18, 1888. WASHINGTON IRVING, one of the most eminent, talented and popu- lar of American authors, was born in New York City, April 3, 17S3. His father was William Irving, a merchant and a native of Scotland, who had married an English lady and emigrated to America some twenty years prior to the birth of Washington. Two of the older sons, William and Peter, were partially occupied with newspaper work and literary pursuits, and this fact naturally inclined Washington to follow their example. Washington Irving was given the advantages afforded by the common schools until about sixteen years of age when he began studying law, but continued to acquire his literary training by diligent perusal at home of the older English writers. When nineteen he made his first literary venture by printing in the " Morning Chroni- cle," then edited by his brother. Dr. Peter Irving, a series of local sketches under the Hoin-dc-plmnc ol " Jonathan Oldstyle." In 1804 he began an extensive trip through Europe, returned in 1806, quickly com- pleted his legal studies and was admitted to the bar, but never practiced the profession. In 1807 he began the amusing serial " Sal- magundi," which had an immediate suc- cess, and not only decided his future career but long determined the charac- ter of his writings. In 1808, assisted by his brother Peter, he wrote " Knickerbock- er's History of New York," and in 18 10 an excellent biography of Campbell, the poet. After this, for some time, Irving's attention was occupied by mercantile interests, but the commercial house in which he was a partner failed in 1817. In 1814 he was editor of the Philadelphia "Analectic Maga- zine." About 1 81 8 appeared his "Sketch- Book," over the nom-de-plunie of ' 'Geoffrey Crayon," which laid the foundation of Ir- ving's fortune and permanent fame. This was soon followed by the legends of "Sleepy Hollow," and " Rip Van Winkle," which at once took high rank as literary productions, and Irving's reputation was firmly established in both the old and new worlds. After this the path of Irving was smooth, and his subsequent writings ap- peared with rapidity, including "Brace- bridge Hall," "The Tales of a Traveler," " History of the Life and Voyages of Chris- topher Columbus," "The Conquest of Granada," "The Alhambra," "Tour on the Prairies," "Astoria," "Adventures of Captain Bonneville," " Wolfert's Roost," " Mahomet and his Successors," and "Life of Washington," besides other works. Washington Irving was never married. 34 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT, He resided during the closing years of his life at Sunnyside (Tarrytown) on the Hud- son, where he died November 28, 1859. CHARLES SUMNER.— Boldly outlined on the pages of our history stands out the rugged figure of Charles Sumner, states- man, lawyer and writer. A man of unim- peachable integrity, indomitable will and with the power of tireless toil, he was a fit leader in troublous times. First in rank as an anti-slavery leader in the halls of con- gress, he has stamped his image upon the annals of his time. As an orator he took front rank and, in wealth of illustration, rhetoric and lofty tone his eloquence equals anything to be found in history. Charles Sumner was born in Boston, Massachusetts, January 6, 1811, and was the son of Charles P. and Relief J. Sumner. The family had long been prominent in that state. Charles was educated at the Boston Public Latin School; entered Harvard Col- lege in 1826, and graduated therefrom in 1830. In 1 83 1 he joined the Harvard Law School, then under charge of Judge Story, and gave himself up to the study of law with enthusiasm. His leisure was devoted to contributing to the American Jurist. Ad- mitted to the bar in 1834 he was appointed reporter to the circuit court by Judge Story. He published several works about this time, and from 1835 to 1837 and again in 1843 was lecturer in the law school. He had planned a lawyer's life, but in 1845 he gave his attention to politics, speaking and working against the admission of Te.xas to the Union and subsequently against the Mexican war. In 1848 he was defeated for congress on the Free Soil ticket. His stand on the anti- slavery question at that time alienated both friends and clients, but he never swerved from his convictions. In 185 1 he was elected to the United States senate and took his seat therein December i of that year. From this time his life became the history of the anti-slavery cause in congress. In August, 1852, he began his attacks on slavery by a masterly argument for the repeal of the fugitive slave law. On May 22, 1856, Pres- ton Brooks, nephew of Senator Butler, of South Carolina, made an attack upon Mr. Sumner, at his desk in the senate, striking him over the head with a heavy cane. The attack was quite serious in its effects and kept Mr. Sumner absent from his seat in the senate for about four years. In 1857, 1863 and 1869 he was re-elected to the office of senator, passing some twenty-three years in that position, always advocating the rights of freedom and equity. He died March 11, 1874- THOMAS JEFFERSON, the third pres- ident of the United States, was born near Charlottesville, Albemarle county, Vir- ginia, April 13, 1743, and was the son of Peter and Jane (Randolph) Jefferson. He received the elements of a good education, and in 1760 entered William, and Mary Col- lege. After remaining in that institution for two years he took up the study of law with George Wythe, of Williamsburg, Virginia, one of the foremost lawyers of his day, and was admitted to practice in 1767. He ob- tained a large and profitable practice, which he held for eight years. The conflict be- tween Great Britain and the Colonies then drew him into public life, he having for some time given his attention to the study of the sources of Jaw, the origin of liberty and equal rights. Mr. Jefferson was elected to the Virginia house of burgesses in 1769, and served in that body several years, a firm supporter of liberal measures, and, although a slave- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 35 holder himself, an opponent of slavery. With others, he was a leader among the op- position to the king. He took his place as a member of the Continental congress June 21, 1775, and after serving on several com- mittees was appointed to draught a Declara- tion of Independence, which he did, some corrections being suggested by Dr. Franklin and John Adams. This document was pre- sented to congress June 28, 1776, and after six days' debate was passed and was signed. In the following September Mr. Jefferson resumed his seat in the Virginia legislature, and gave much time to the adapting of laws of that state to the new condition of things. He drew up the law, the first ever passed by a legislature or adopted by a government, which secured perfect religious freedom. June I, 1779, he succeeded Patrick Henry as governor of Virginia, an office which, after co-operating with Washington in de- fending the country, he resigned two years later. One of his own estates was ravaged by the British, and his house at Monticello was held by Tarleton for several days, and Jefferson narrowly escaped capture. After the death of his wife, in 17S2, he accepted the position of plenipotentiary to France, which he had declined in 1776. Before leaving he served a short time in congress at Annapolis, and succeeded in carrying a bill for establishing our present decimal sys- tem of currency, one of his most useful pub- lic services. He remained in an official ca- pacity until October, 1789, and was a most active and vigilant minister. Besides the onerous duties of his office, during this time, he published "Notes on Virginia," sent to the United States seeds, shrubs and plants, forwarded literary and scientific news and gave useful advice to some of the leaders of the French Revolution. Mr. Jefferson landed in Virginia Novem- ber 18, 1789, having obtained a leave of absence from his post, and shortly after ac- cepted Washington's offer of the portfolio of the department of state in his cabinet. He entered upon the duties of his office in March, 1791, and held it until January i, 1794, when he tendered his resignation. About this time he and Alexander Hamilton became decided and aggressive political op- ponents, Jefferson being in warm sympathy with the people in the French revolution and strongly democratic in his feelings, while Hamilton took the opposite side. In 1796 Jefferson was elected vice-president of the United States. In 1800 he was elected to the presidency and was inaugurated March 4, 1801. During his administration, which lasted for eight years, he having been re-elected in 1804, he waged a successful war against the Tripolitan pirates; purchased Louisiana of Napoleon; reduced the public debt, and was the originator of many wise measures. Declining a nomination for a third term he returned to Monticello, where he died July 4, 1S26, but a few hours before the death of his friend, John Adams. Mr. Jefferson was married January i, 1772, to Mrs. Martha Skelton, a young, beautiful, and wealthy widow, who died September 6, 1782, leaving three children, three more having died previous to her demise. CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, known as "Commodore" Vanderbilt, was the founder of what constitutes the present im- mense fortune of the Vanderbilt family. He was born May 27, 1794, at Port Richmond, Staten Island, Richmond county, New York, and we find him at sixteen years run- ning a small vessel between his home and New York City. The fortifications of Sta- ten and Long Islands were just in course of 36 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. construction, and he carried the laborers from New York to the fortifications in his " perianger, " as it was called, in the day, and at night carried supplies to the fort on the Hudson. Later he removed to New York, where he added to his little fleet. At the age of twenty-three he was free from debt and was worth $9,000, and in 181 7, with a partner he built the first steamboat that was run between New York and New Brunswick, New Jersey, and became her captain at a salary of $1,000 a year. The next year he took command of a larger and better boat and by 1824 he was in complete control of the Gibbon's Line, as it was called, which he had brought up to a point where it paid $40,000 a year. Commodore Vanderbilt acquired the ferry between New York and Elizabethport, New Jersey, on a fourteen years' lease and conducted this on a paying basis. He severed his connections with Gibbons in 1829 and engaged in business alone and for twenty years he was the leading steamboat man in the country, building and operating steamboats on the Hudson River, Long Island Sound, on the Delaware River and the route to Boston, and he had the monopoly of trade on these routes. In 1850 he determined to broaden his field of operation and accordingly built the steamship Prometheus and sailed for the Isthmus of Darien, where he desired to make a personal investigation of the pros- pects of the American Atlantic and Pacific Ship Canal Company, in which he had pur- chased a controlling interest. Commodore Vanderbilt planned, as a result of this visit, a transit route from Greytown on the At- lantic coast to San Juan del Sud on the Pa- cific coast, which was a saving of 700 miles over the old route. In 185 1 he placed three steamers on the Atlantic side and four on the Pacific side to accommodate the enor- mous traffic occasioned by the discovery of gold in Cahfornia. The following year three more vessels v.'ere added to his fleet and a branch line established from New Orleans to Greytown. In 1853 the Com- modore sold out hisNicarauguaTransit Com- pany, which had netted him $1,000,000 and built the renowned steam yacht, the "North Star." He continued in the ship- ping business nine years longer and accu- mulated some $10,000,000. In 1S61 he presented to the government his magnifi- cent steamer " Vanderbilt, " which had cost him $800,000 and for which he received the thanks of congress. In 1S44 he became interested in the railroad business which he followed in later years and became one of the greatest railroad magnates of his time. He founded the Vanderbilt University at a cost of $1,000,000. He died January 4, 1877, leaving a fortune estimated at over $100,000,000 to his children. DANIEL BOONE was one of the most famous of the many American scouts, pioneers and hunters which the early settle- ment of the western states brought into prominence. Daniel Boone was born Feb- ruary II, 1735, in Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, but while yet a young man removed to North Carolina, where he was married. In 1769, with five companions, he pene- trated into the forests and wilds of Kentucky — then uninhabited by white men. He had frequent conflicts with the Indians and was captured by them but escaped and continued to hunt in and explore that region for over a year, when, in. 1 771, he returned to his home. In the summer of 1773, he removed with his own and five other families into what was then the wilderness of Kentucky, and to defend his colony against the savages, he built, in 1775, a fort at Boonesborough, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 37 on the Kentucky river. This fort was at- tacked by the Indians several times in 1777, but they were repulsed. The following year, however, Boone was surprised and captured by them. They took him to De- troit and treated him with leniency, but he soon escaped and returned to his fort which he defended with success against four hun- dred and fifty Indians in August, 1778. His son, Enoch Boone, was the first white male child born in the state of Kentucky. In 1795 Daniel Boone removed with his family to Missouri, locating about forty-five miles west of the present site of St. Louis, where he found fresh fields for his favorite pursuits — adventure, hunting, and pioneer life. His death occurred September 20, 1820. HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFEL- LOW, said to have been America's greatest "poet of the people," was born at Portland, Maine, February 27, 1807. He entered Bowdoin College at the age of four- teen, and graduated in 1825. During his college days he distinguished himself in mod- ern languages, and wrote several short poems, one of the best known of which was the " Hymn of the Moravian Nuns." After his graduation he entered the law office of his father, but the following year was offered the professorship of modern languages at Bowdoin, with the privilege of three years study in Europe to perfect himself in French, Spanish, Italian and German. After the three years were passed he returned to the United States and entered upon his profes- sorship in 1829. His first volume was a small essay on the "Moral and Devotional Poetry of Spain" in 1833. In 1835 he pub- lished some prose sketches of travel under the title of "Outre Mer, a Pilgrimage be- yond the Sea." In 1835 h^ was elected to the chair of modern languages and literature at Harvard University and spent a year ia Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland, culti- vating a knowledge of early Scandinavian literature and entered upon his professor- ship in 1836. Mr. Longfellow published in 1839 " Hyperion, a Romance," and "Voices of the Night, " and his first volume of original verse comprising the selected poems of twenty years work, procured him immediate recognition as a poet. "Ballads and other poems" appeared in 1842, the "Spanish Student" a drama in three acts, in 1843, "The Belfry of Bruges " in 1846, "Evan- geline, a Tale of Acadia," in 1847, which was considered his master piece. In 1845 he published a large volume of the "Poets and Poetry of Europe," 1849 " Kavanagh, a Tale," "The Seaside and Fireside" in 1850, "The Golden Legend " in 1851, "The Song of Hiawatha " in 1855, " The Court- ship of Miles Standish " in 1858, " Tales of a Wayside Inn " in 1863; " Flower de Luce" in 1866;" "New England Tragedies" in 1869; "The Divine Tragedy" in 1871; "Three Books of Song" in 1S72; "The Hanging of the Crane " in 1874. He also published a masterly translation of Dante in 1867-70 and the " Morituri Salutamus," a poem read at the fiftieth anniversary of his class at Bowdoin College. Prof. Long- fellow resigned his chair at Harvard Univer- sity in 1854, but continued to reside at Cam- bridge. Some of his poetical works have been translated into many languages, and their popularity rivals that of the best mod- ern English poetry. He died March 24, 1882, but has left an imperishable fame as one of the foremost of American poets. PETER COOPER was in three partic- ulars — as a capitalist and manufacturer, as an inventor, and as a philanthropist — connected intimately with some of the most 38 COMPEXDICM OF BIOGRAPHY. important and useful accessions to the in- dustrial arts of America, its progress in in- vention and the promotion of educational and benevolent institutions intended for the benefit of people at large. He was born in New York cit}% February 12, 1791. His life was one of labor and struggle, as it was with most of America's successful men. In earl)' boyhood he commenced to help his father as a manufacturer of hats. He at- tended school only for half of each day for a single year, and beyond this his acquisi- tions were all his own. When seventeen years old he was placed with John Wood- ward to learn the trade of coach-making and served his apprenticeship so satisfactorily that his master oP?red to set him up in busi- ness, but this he declined because of the debt and obligation it would involve. The foundation of Mr. Cooper's fortune was laid in the invention of an improvement in machines for shearing cloth. This was largely called into use during the war of 18 12 with England when all importations of cloth from that country were stopped. The machines lost their value, however, on the declaration of peace. Mr. Cooper then turned his shop into the manufacture of cabinet ware. He afterwards went into the grocery business in New York and finally he engaged in the manufacture of glue and isin- glass which he carried on for more than fifty years. In 1830 he erected iron works in Canton, near Baltimore. Subsequently he erected a rolling and a wire mill in the city of New York, in which he first success- fully applied anthracite to the puddling of iron. In these works, he was the first to roll wrought-iron beams for fire-proof build- ings. These works grew to be very exten- sive, including mines, blast furnaces, etc. While in Baltimore Mr. Cooper built in 1830, after his own designs, the first loco- motive engine ever constructed on this con- tinent and it was successfully operated on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He also took a great interest and invested large cap- ital in the extension of the electric telegraph, also in the laying of the first Atlantic cable; besides interesting himself largely in the New York state canals. But the most cherished object . of Mr. Cooper's life was the establishment of an institution for the instruction of the industrial classes, which he carried out on a magnificent scale in New York city, where the "Cooper Union" ranks among the most important institu- tions. In May, 1876, the Independent party nominated Mr. Cooper for president of the United States, and at the election following he received nearly 100,000 votes. His death occurred April 4, 1883. GENERAL ROBERT EDWARD LEE, one of the most conspicuous Confeder- ate generals during the Civil war, and one of the ablest military commanders of mod- ern times, was born at Stratford House, Westmoreland county, Virginia, January 19, 1807. In 1825 he entered the West Point academy and was graduated second in his class in 1829, and attached to the army as second lieutenant of engineers. For a number of years he was thus engaged in en- gineering work, aiding in establishing the boundary line between Ohio and Michigan, and superintended various river and harbor improvements, becoming captain of engi- neers in 1838. He first saw field service in the Mexican war, and under General Scott performed valuable and efficient service. In that brilliant campaign he was conspicu- ous for professional ability as well as gallant and meritorious conduct, winning in quick succession the brevets of major, lieutenant- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIIT. 39 colonel, and colonel for his part in the bat- tles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cherubusco, Chapaltepec, and in the capture of the city Mexico. At the close of that war he re- sumed his engineering work in connection with defences along the Atlantic coast, and from 1852 to 1855 was superintendent of the Military Academj', a position which he gave up to become lieutenant-colonel of the Second Cavalry. For several years there- after he served on the Texas border, but happening to be near Washington at the time of John Brown's raid, October 17 to 25, 1859, Colonel Lee was placed in com- mand of the Federal forces employed in its repression. He soon returned to his regi- ment in Texas where he remained the greater part of i860, and March 16, 1861, became colonel of his regiment by regular promotion. Three weeks later, April 25, he resigned upon the secession of Virginia, went at once to Richmond and tendered his services to the governor of that state, being by acclamation appointed commander-in- chief of its military and naval forces, with the rank of major-general. He at once set to work to organize and develop the defensive resources of his state and within a month directed the occupation in force of Manassas Junction. Meanwhile Virginia having entered the confederacy and Richmond become the capitol, Lee became one of the foremost of its military officers and was closely connected with Jefferson Davis in planning the moves of that tragic time. Lee participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the war among which were Fair Oaks, White Lake Swamps, Cold Harbor, and the Chickahominy, Ma- nassas, Cedar Run, Antietam, Fredericks- burg, Chancellorsville, Malvern Hill, Get- tysburg, the battles of the Wilderness cam- paign, all the campaigns about Richmond, Petersburg, Five Forks, and others. Lee's surrender at Appomatox brought the war to a close. It is said of General Lee that but few commanders in history have been so quick to detect the purposes of an opponent or so quick to act upon it. Never surpassed, if ever equaled, in the art of winning the passionate, personal love and admiration of his troops, he acquired and held an influ- ence over his army to the very last, founded upon a supreme trust in his judgment, pre- science and skill, coupled with his cool, stable, equable courage. A great writer has said of him: "As regards the proper meas- ure of General Lee's rank among the sol- diers of history, seeing what he wrought with such resources as he had, under all the disadvantages that ever attended his oper- ations, it is impossible to measure what he might have achieved in campaigns and bat- tles with resources at his own disposition equal to those against which he invariably contended." Left at the close of the war without es- tate or profession, he accepted the presi- dency of Washington College at Lexington, Virginia, where he died October 12, 1870. JOHN JAY, first chief-justice of the United States, was born in New York, December 12, 1745. He took up the study of law, graduated from Iving's College (Columbia College), and was admitted to the bar in 1768. He was chosen a member of the committee of New York citizens to protest against the enforcement by the British government of the Boston Port Bill, was elected to the Continental congress which met in 1774, and was author of the addresses to the people of Great Britian and of Canada adopted by that and the suc- ceeding congress. He was chosen to the provincial assembly of his own state, and 40 COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. resigned from the Continental congress to serve in that body, wrote most of its public papers, including the constitution of the new state, and was then made chief-justice. He was again chosen as a member of the Con- tinental congress in 1778, and became presi- dent of that body. He was sent to Spain as minister in 1780, and his services there resulted in substantial and moral aid for the struggling colonists. Jay, Franklin, and Adams negotiated the treaty of peace with Great Britain in 1782, and Jay was ap- pointed secretary of foreign affairs in 1784, and held the position until the adoption of the Federal constitution. During this time he had contributed strong articles to the "Federalist" in favor of the adoption of the constitution, and was largely instru- mental in securing the ratification of that instrument by his state. He was appointed by \\'ashington as first chief-justice of the United States in 1789. In this high capac- ity the great interstate and international questions that arose for immediate settle- ment came before him for treatment. In 1794, at a time when the people in gratitude for the aid that France had ex- tended to us, were clamoring for the privilege of going to the aid of that nation in her struggle with Great Britain and her own op- pressors, John Jay was sent to England as special envoy to negotiate a treaty with that power. The instrument known as "Jay's Treaty " was the result, and while in many of its features it favored our nation, yet the neutrahty clause in it so angered the masses that it was denounced throughout the entire country, and John Jay was burned in effigy in the city of New York. The treaty was finally ratified by Washington, and approved, in August, 1795. Having been elected governor of his state for three consecutive terms, he then retired from active life, declining an appointment as chief-justice of the supreme court, made by John Adams and confirmed by the senate. He died in New York in 1829. PHILLIP HENRY SHERIDAN was one of the greatest American cavalry generals. He was born March 6, 183 1, at Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, and was ap- pointed to the United States Military Acad- emy at West Point, from which he graduat- ed and was assigned to the First Infantry as brevet second lieutenant July i, 1853. After serving in Te.xas, on the Pacific coast, in Washington and Oregon territories until the fall of 1861, he was recalled to the states and assigned to the army of south- west Missouri as chief quartermaster from the duties of which he was soon relieved. After the battle of Pea Ridge, he was quar- termaster in the Corinth campaign, and on May 25 he was appointed colonel of the Second Michigan Cavalry. On July i, in command of a cavalry brigade, he defeated a superior force of the enemy and was com- missioned brigadier-general of volunteers. General Sheridan was then transferred to the army of the Ohio, and commanded a division in the battle of Perrysville and also did good service at the battle of Murfrees- boro, where he was commissioned major- general of volunteers. He fought with great gallantry at Chickamauga, after which Rosecrans was succeeded by General Grant, under whom Sheridan fought the battle of Chattanooga and won additional renown. Upon the promotion of Grant to lieutenant- general, he applied for the transfer of Gen- eral Sheridan to the east, and appointed him chief of cavalry in the army of the Potomac. During the campaign of 1864 the cavalry covered the front and flanks of the infantry until May 8, when it was wif.-* COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 41 drawn and General Sheridan started on a raid against the Confederate lines of com- munication with Richmond and on May 25 he rejoined the army, having destroyed con- siderable of the confederate stores and de- feated their cavalry under General Stuart at Yellow Tavern. The outer line of defences around Richmond were taken, but the sec- ond line was too strong to be taken by as- sault, and accordingly Sheridan crossed the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge, reaching James River May 14, and thence by White House and Hanover Court House back to the army. The cavalry occupied Cold Harbor May 31, which they held until the arrival of the infantry. On General Sheri- dan's next raid he routed Wade Hampton's cavalry, and August 7 was assigned to the command of the Middle Military division, and during the campaign of the Shenan- doah Valley he performed the unheard of feat of " destroying an entire army." He was appointed brigadier-general of the reg- ular army and for his victory at Cedar Creek he was promoted to the rank of major-gen- eral. General Sheridan started out Febru- ary 27, 1865, with ten thousand cavalry and destroyed the Virginia Central Railroad and the James River Canal and joined the army again at Petersburg March 27. He commanded at the battle of Five Forks, the decisive victory which compelled Lee to evacuate Petersburg. On April 9, Lee tried to break through Sheridan's dismounted command but when the General drew aside his cavalry and disclosed the deep lines of infantry the attempt was abandoned. Gen- eral Sheridan mounted his men and was about to charge when a white flag was flown at the head of Lee's column which betokened the surrender of the army. After the war Gen- eral Sheridan had command of the army of the southwest, of the gulf and the depart- ment of Missouri until he was appointed lieutenant-general and assigned to the di- vision of Missouri with headquarters at Chi- cago, and assumed supreme command of the army November i, 1883, which post he held until his death, August 5, 1888. PHINEAS T. BARNUM, the greatest showman the world has ever seen, was born at Danbury, Connecticut, July 5, 18 10. At the age of eighteen years he began busi- ness on his own account. He opened a re- tail fruit and confectionery house, including a barrel of ale, in one part of an old car- riage house. He spent fifty dollars in fitting up the store and the stock cost him seventy dollars. Three years later he put in a full stock, such as is generally carried in a country store, and the same year he started a Democratic newspaper, known as the "Herald of Freedom." He soon found himself in jail under a sixty days' sentence for libel. During the winter of 1834-5 he went to New York and began soliciting busi- ness for several Chatham street houses. In 1835 he embarked in the show business at Niblo's Garden, having purchased the cele- brated " Joice Heth" for one thousand dol- lars. He afterward engaged the celebrated athlete, Sig. Vivalia, and Barnum made his ' ' first appearance on any stage, " acting as a "super" to Sig. Vivalia on his opening night. He became ticket seller, secretary and treasurer of Aaron Turner's circus in 1836 and traveled with it about the country. His next venture was the purchase of a steamboat on the Mississippi, and engaged a theatrical company to show in the princi- pal towns along that river. In 1840 he opened Vaux Hall Garden, New York, with variety performances, and introduced the celebrated jig dancer, John Diamond, to the public. The next year he quit the show 42 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. business and settled down in New York as agent of Sear's Pictorial Illustration of the Bible, but a few months later again leased Vaux Hall. In September of the same year he again left the business, and became ' ' puff " writer for the Bowery Amphitheater. In December he bought the Scudder Museum, and a year later introduced the celebrated Tom Thumb to the world, taking him to England in 1844, and remaining there three years. He then returned to New York, and in 1849, through James Hall Wilson, he en- gaged the "Swedish Nightingale," Jenny Lind, to come to this country and make a tour under his management. He also had sent the Swiss Bell Ringers to America in 1844. He became owner of the Baltimore Museum and the Lyceum and Museum at Philadelphia. In 1850 he brought a dozen elephants from Ceylon to make a tourof this country, and in 1S51 sent the " Bateman Children" to London. During 1851 and 1852 he traveled as a temperance lecturer, and became president of a bank at Pequon- nock, Connecticut. In 1852 he started a weekly pictorial paper known as the " Illus- trated News." In 1865 his Museum was destroyed by fire, and he immediately leased the Winter Garden Theatre, where he played his company until he opened his own Museum. This was destroyed by fire in 1868, and he then purchased an interest in the George Wood Museum. After dipping into politics to some ex- tent, he began his career as a really great showman in 1871. Three years later he erected an immense circular building in New York, in which he produced his panoramas. He has frequently appeared as a lecturer, some times on temperance, and some times on other topics, among which were ' ' Hum- bugs of the World," "Struggles and Triumphs, " etc. He was owner of the im- mense menagerie and circus known as the "Greatest Show on Earth," and his fame extended throughout Europe and America. He died in i8qi. JAMES MADISON, the fourth president of the United States, 1809-17, was born at Port Conway, Prince George coun- ty, Virginia, March 16, 1751. He was the son of a wealthy planter, who lived on a fine estate called " Montpelier, " which was but twenty-five miles from Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Madison was the eldest of a family of seven children, all of whom attained maturity. He received his early education at home under a private tutor, and consecrated himself with unusual vigor to study. At a very early age he was a proficient scholar in Latin, Greek, French and Spanish, and in 1769 he entered Prince- ton College, New Jersey. He graduated in 1 77 1, but remained for several months after his graduation to pursue a course of study under the guidance of Dr. Witherspoon. He permanently injured his health at this time and returned to Virginia in 1772, and for two years he was immersed in the study of law, and at the same time made extend- ed researches in theology, general literature, and philosophical studies. He then directed his full attention to the impending struggle of the colonies for independence, and also took a prominent part in the religious con- troversy at that time regarding so called persecution of other religious denominations by the Church of England. Mr. Madison was elected to the Virginia assembly in 1776 and in November, 1777, he was chosen a member of the council of state. He took his seat in the continental congress in March, 1780. He was made chairman of the committee on foreign relations, and drafted an able memoranda for the use of COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 43 the American ministers to the French and Spanish governments, that established the claims of the republic to the territories be- tween the Alleghany Mountains and the Mississippi River. He acted as chairman of the ways and means committee in 1783 and as a member of the Virginia legislature in 1784-86 he rendered important services to the state. Mr. Madison represented Vir- giana in the national constitutional conven- tion at Philadelphia in 17S7, and was one of the chief framers of the constitution. He was a member of the first four congresses, 17H9-97, and gradually became identified with the anti-federalist or republican party of which he eventually became the leader. He remained in private life during the ad- ministration of John Adams, and was secre- tary of state under President Jefferson. Mr. Madison administered the affairs of that post with such great ability that he was the natural successor of the chief magistrate and was chosen president by an electoral vote of 123 to 53. He was inaugurated March 4, 1809, at that critical period in our history when the feelings of the people were embittered with those of England, and his first term was passed in diplomatic quarrels, which finally resulted in the declaration of war, June 18, 1812. In the autumn of that year President Madison was re-elected by a vote of 128 to 89, and conducted the war for three years with varying success and defeat in Canada, by glorious victories at sea, and by the battle of New Orleans that was fought after the treaty of peace had been signed at Ghent, December 24, 18 14. During this war the national capitol at Washington was burned, and many valuable papers were destroyed, but the declaration of independence was saved to the country by the bravery and courage of Mr. Madi- son's illustrious wife. A commercial treaty was negotiated with Great Britain in 181 5, and in April, 1816, a national bank was in- corporated by congress. Mr. Madison was succeeded, March 4, 181 7, by James Monroe, and retired into private life on his estate at Montpelier, where he died June 28, 1836. FREDERICK DOUGLASS, a noted American character, was a protege of the great abolitionist, William Lloyd Garri- son, by whom he was aided in gaining his education. Mr. Douglass was born in Tuck- ahoe county, Maryland, in February, 18 17, his mother being a negro woman and his father a white man. He was born in slav- ery and belonged to a man by the name of Lloyd, under which name he went until he ran away from his master and changed it to Douglass. At the age of ten years he was sent to Baltimore where he learned to read and write, and later his owner allowed hitn to hire out his own time for three dollars a week in a shipyard. In September, 1838, he fled from Baltimore and made his way to New York, and from thence went to New Bedford, Massachusetts. Here he was mar- ried and supported himself and family by working at the wharves and in various work- shops. In the summer of 1841 he attended an anti-slavery convention at Nantucket, and made a speech which was so well re- ceived that he was offered the agency of the Massachusetts Anti-slavery Society. In this capacity he traveled through the New En- gland states, and about the same time he published his first book called " Narrative of my Experience in Slavery." Mr. Doug- lass went to England in 1845 ^"^1 lectured on slavery to large and enthusiastic audi- ences in all the large towns of the country, and his friends made up a purse of seven hundred and fifty dollars and purchased his freedom in due form of law. 44 COMPEXnii/M OF BJOGRAPJir. Mr. Douglass applied himself to the de- livery of lyceum lectures after the abolition of slavery, and in 1870 he became the editor of the " New National Era " in Washington. In 1 87 1 he was appointed assistant secretary of the commission t^ San Domingo and on his return he was appointed one of the ter- ritorial council for the District of Colorado by President Grant. He was elected presi- dential elector-at-large for the state of New York and was appointed to carry the elect- oral vote to Washington. He was also United States marshal for the District of Columbia in 1876^ and later was recorder of deeds for the same, from which position he was removed by President Cleveland in 1 886. In the fall of that year he visited England to inform the friends that he had made while there, of the progress of the colored race in America, and on his return he was appointed minister to Hayti, by President Harrison in 1889. His career as a benefactor of his race was closed by his death in February, 1S95, near Washington. WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.— The ear for rhythm and the talent for graceful expression are the gifts of nature, and they were plentifully endowed on the above named poet. The principal charac- teristic of his poetry is the thoughtfulness and intellectual process by which his ideas ripened in his mind, as all his poems are bright, clear and sweet. Mr. Bryant was born November 3, 1794, at Cummington, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, and was educated at Williams College, from which he graduated, having entered it in 18 10. He took up the study of law, and in 1815 was admitted to the bar, but after practicing successfully for ten years at Plainfield and Great Barrington, he removed to New York in 1825. The following year he became the editor of the "Evening Post," which he edited until his death, and under his di- rection this paper maintained, through a long series of years, a high standing by the boldness of its protests against slavery be- fore the war, by its vigorous support of the government during the war, and by the fidelity and ability of its advocacy of the Democratic freedom in trade. Mr. Bry- ant visited Europe in 1834, 1845, 1849 and 1S57, and presented to the literary world the fruit of his travels in the series of "Let- ters of a Traveler," and "Letters from Spain and Other Countries." In the world of literature he is known chiefly as a poet, and here Mr. Bryant's name is illustrious, both at home and abroad. He contributed verses to the "Country Gazette " before he was ten years of age, and at the age of nine- teen he wrote " Thanatopsis," the most im- pressive and widely known of his poems. The later outgrowth of his genius was his translation of Homer's "Iliad" in 1870 and the "Odyssey" in 1871. He also made several speeches and addresses which have been collected in a comprehensive vol- ume called " Orations and Addresses." He was honored in many wajs by his fellow citizens, who delighted to pay tributes of respect to his literary eminence, the breadth of his public spirit, the faithfulness of his service, and the worth of his private char- acter. Mr. Bryant died in New York City June 12, 1878. WILLIAM HENRY SEWARD, the secretary of state during one of the most critical times in the history of our country, and the right hand man of Presi- dent Lincoln, ranks among the greatest statesmen America has produced. Mr. Seward was born May 16, 1 801, at Florida, Orange county, New York, and with such COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHl^. 47 facilities as the place afforded he fitted him- self for a college course. He attended Union College at Schenectady, New York, at the age of fifteen, and took his degree in the regular course, with signs of promise in 1820, after which he diligently addressed himself to the study of law under competent instructors, and started in the practice of his profession in 1823. Mr. Seward entered the political arena and in 1828 we find him presiding over a convention in New York, its purpose being the nomination of John Quincy Adams for a second term. He was married in 1824 and in 1830 was elected to the state senate. From 1838 to 1842 he was governor of the state of New York. Mr. Seward's next im- portant position was that of United States senator from New York. W. H. Seward was chosen by President Lincoln to fill the important office of the secretary of state, and by his firmness and diplomacy in the face of difficulties, he aided in piloting the Union through that period of strife, and won an everlasting fame. This great statesman died at Auburn, New York, October 10, 1872, in the seventy-second year of his eventful life. JOSEPH JEFFERSON, a name as dear as it is familiar to the theater-going world in America, suggests first of all a fun- loving, drink-loving, mellow voiced, good- natured Dutchman, and the name of "Rip Van Winkle " suggests the pleasant features of Joe Jefferson, so intimately are play and player associated in the minds of those who have had the good fortune to shed tears of laughter and sympathy as a tribute to the greatness of his art. Joseph Jefferson was born in Philadelphia, February 20, 1829. His genius was an inheritance, if there be such, as his great-grandfather, Thomas Jefferson, was a manager and actor in Eng- land. His grandfather, Joseph Jefferson, was the most popular comedian of the New York stage in his time, and his father, Jos- eph Jefferson, the second, was a good actor also, but the third Joseph Jefferson out- shone them all. At the age of three years Joseph Jeffer- son came on the stage as the child in "Pi- zarro," and his training was upon the stage from childhood. Later on he lived and acted in Chicago, Mobile, and Texas. After repeated misfortunes he returned to New Orleans from Texas, and his brother-in-law, Charles Burke, gave him money to reach Philadelphia, where he joined the Burton theater company. Here his genius soon as- serted itself, and his future became promis- ing and brilliant. His engagements through- out the United States and Australia were generally successful, and when he went to England in 1865 Mr. Boucicault consented to make some important changes in his dramatization of Irving's story of Rip Van Winkle, and Mr. Jefferson at once placed it in the front rank as a comedy. He made a fortune out of it, and played nothing else for many years. In later years, however, Mr. Jefferson acquitted himself of the charge of being a one-part actor, and the parts of "Bob Acres," "Caleb Plummer" and "Golightly " all testify to the versatility of his genius. GEORGE BRINTON McCLELLAN, a noted American general, was born in Philadelphia, December 3, 1826. He graduated from the University of Pennsyl- vania, and in 1846 from West Point, and was breveted second lieutenant of engineers. He was with Scott in the Mexican war, taking part in all the engagements from Vera Cruz to the final capture of the Mexi- 48 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. can capital, and was breveted first lieuten- ant and captain for gallantry displayed on various occasions. In 1857 he resigned his commission and accepted the position of chief engineer in the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad, and became presi- dent of the St. Louis & Cincinnati Railroad Company. He was commissioned major- general by the state of Ohio in 1861, placed in command of the department of the Ohio, and organized the first volunteers called for from that state. In May he was appointed major-general in the United States army, and ordered to disperse the confederates overrunning West Virginia. He accomplished this task promptly, and received the thanks of congress. After the first disaster at Bull Run he was placed in command of the department of Wash- ington, and a few weeks later of the Army of the Potomac. Upon retirement of General Scott the command of the en- tire United States army devolved upon Mc- Clellan, but he was relieved of it within a few months. In March, 1862, after elabor- ate preparation, he moved upon Manassas, only to find it deserted by the Confederate army, which had been withdrawn to im- pregnable defenses prepared nearer Rich- mond. He then embarked his armies for Fortress Monroe and after a long delay at Yorktown, began the disastrous Peninsular campaign, which resulted in the Army of the Potomac being cooped up on the James River below Richmond. His forces were then called to the support of General Pope, near Washington, and he was left without an army. After Pope's defeat McClellan was placed in command of the troops for the de- fense of the capital, and after a thorough or- ganization he followed Lee into Maryland and the battles of Antietam and South Moun- tain ensued. The delay which followed caused general dissatisfaction, and he was re- lieved of his command, and retired from active service. In 1864 McClellan was nominated for the presidency by the Democrats, and over- whelmingly defeated by Lincoln, three states only casting their electoral votes for McClellan. On election day he resigned his commission and a few months later went to Europe where he spent several years. He wrote a number of military text- books and reports. His death occurred October 29, 1885. SAMUEL J. TILDEN.— Among the great statesmen whose names adorn the pages of American history may be found that of the subject of this sketch. Known as a lawyer of highest ability, his greatest claim to immortality will ever lie in his successful battle against the corrupt rings of his native state and the elevation of the standard of official life. Samuel J. Tilden was born in New Leb- anon, New York, February 9, 18 14. He pursued his academic studies at Yale Col- lege and the University of New York, tak- ing the course of law at the latter. He was admitted to the bar in 1841. His rare ability as a thinker and writer upon public topics attracted the attention of President Van Buren, of whose policy and adminis- tration he became an active and efficient champion. He made for himself a high place in his profession and amassed quite a fortune as the result of his industry and judgment. During the days of his greatest professional labor he was ever one of the leaders and trusted counsellors of the Demo- cratic party. He was a member of the conventions to revise the state constitution, both in 1846 and 1867, and served two terms in the lower branch of the state leg- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 49 islature. He was one of the controlling spirits in the overthrow of the notorious " Tweed ring " and the reformation of the government of the city of New York. In 1 8/4 he was elected governor of the state of New York. While in this position he assailed corruption in high places, success- fully battling with the iniquitous "canal ring " and crushed its sway over all depart- ments of the government. Recognizing his character and executive ability Mr. Tilden was nominated for president by the na- tional Democratic convention in 1876. At the election he received a much larger popu- lar vote than his opponent, and 184 uncon- tested electoral votes. There being some electoral votes contested, a commission ap- pointed by congress decided in favor of the Republican electors and J\lr. Hayes, the can- didate of that party was declared elected. In 1880, the Democratic party, feeling that Mr. Tilden had been lawfully elected to the presidency tendered the nomination for the same office to Mr. Tilden, but he declined, retiring from all public functions, owing to failing health. He died August 4, 1886. By will he bequeathed several millions of dollars toward the founding of public libra- ries in New York City, Yonkers, etc. NOAH WEBSTER.— As a scholar, law- yer, author and journalist, there is no one who stands on a higher plane, or whose reputation is better established than the honored gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was a native of West Hartford, Connecticut, and was born October 17, 1758. He came of an old New England family, his mother being a descendant of Governor William Bradford, of the Ply- mouth colony. After acquiring a solid edu- cation in early life Dr. Webster entered Yale College, from which he graduated in 1778. For a while he taught school in Hartford, at the same time studying law, and was admitted to the bar in 178 1. He taught a classical school at Goshen, Orange county. New York, in 1782-83, and while there prepared his spelling book, grammar and reader, which was issued under the title of "A Grammatical Institute of the English Language," in three parts, — so successful a work that up to 1876 something like forty million of the spelling books had been sold. In 1786 he delivered a course of lec- tures on the English language in the seaboard cities and the following year taught an academy at Philadelphia. From December 17, 1787, until November, 1788, he edited the "American Magazine," a periodical that proved unsuccessful. In 1789-93 he prac- ticed law in Hartford having in the former year married the daughter of William Green- leaf, of Boston. He returned to New York and November, 1793, founded a daily paper, the "Minerva," to which was soon added a semi-weekly edition under the name of the " Herald." The former is still in existence under the name of the "Commercial Adver- tiser." In this paper, over the signature of "Curtius," he published a lengthy and schol- arly defense of "John Jay's treaty." In 1798, Dr. Webster moved to New Haven and in 1807 commenced the prepar- ation of his great work, the "American Dic- tionary of the English Language , " which was not completed and published until 1828. He made his home in Amherst, Massachu- setts, for the ten years succeeding 18 12, and was instrumental in the establishment of Amherst College, of which institution he was the first president of the board of trustees. During 1824-5 he resided in Europe, pursu- ing his philological studies in Paris. He completed his dictionary from the libraries of Cambridge University in 1825, and de- 60 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAniY. voted his leisure for the remainder of his life to the revision of that and his school books. Dr. Webster was a member of the legis- latures of both Connecticut and Massachu- setts, was judge of one of the courts of the former state and was identified with nearly all the literary and scientific societies in the neighborhood of Amherst College. He died in New Haven, May 28, 1843. Among the more prominent works ema- nating from the fecund pen of Dr. Noah Webster besides those mentioned above are the following: "Sketches of American Policy," " Winthrop's Journal," " A Brief History of Epidemics," "Rights of Neutral Nations in time of War," " A Philosophical and Practical Grammar of the English Lan- guage," "Dissertations on the English Language," "A Collection of Essays," "The Revolution in France," "Political Progress of Britain," "Origin, History, and Connection of the Languages of Western Asia and of Europe ," and many others. WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON, the great anti-slavery pioneer and leader, was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, December 12, 1804. He was apprenticed to the printing business, and in 1S28 was in- duced to take charge of the "Journal of the Times" at Bennington, Vermont. While supportmg John Quincy Adams for the presi- dency he took occasion in that paper to give expression of his views on slavery. These articles attracted notice, and a Quaker named Lundy, editor of the "Genius of Emancipation," published in Baltimore, in- duced him to enter a partnership with him for the conduct of his paper. It soon transpired that the views of the partners were not in harmony, Lundy favoring grad- ual emancipation, while Garrison favored immediate freedom. In 1850 Mr. Garrison was thrown into prison for libel, not being able to pay a fine of fifty dollars and costs. In his cell he wrote a number of poems which stirred the entire north, and a mer- chant, Mr. Tappan, of New York, paid his fine and liberated him, after seven weeks of confinement. He at once began a lecture tour of the northern cities, denouncing slavery as a sin before God, and demanding its immediate abolition in the name of re- ligion and humanity. He opposed the col- onization scheme of President Monroe and other leaders, and declared the right of every slave to immediate freedom. In 1 83 1 he formed a partnership with Isaac Knapp, and began the publication of the "Liberator" at Boston. The "imme- diate abolition " idea began to gather power in the north, while the south became alarmed at the bold utterance of this jour- nal. The mayor of Boston was besought by southern influence to interfere, and upon investigation, reported upon the insignifi- cance, obscurity, and poverty of the editor and his staff, which report was widely published throughout the country. Re- wards were offered by the southern states for his arrest and conviction. Later Garri- son brought from England, where an eman- cipation measure had just been passed, some of the great advocates to work for the cause in this country. In 1835 a mob broke into his office, broke up a meeting of women, dragged Garrison through the street with a rope around his body, and his life was saved only by the interference of the police, who lodged him in jail. Garrison declined to sit in the World's Anti-Slavery convention at London in 1S40, because that body had refused women representa- tion. He opposed the formation of a po- litical party with emancipation as its basis. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRArilT. 51 He favored a dissolution of the union, and declared the constitution which bound the free states to the slave states " A covenant with death and an agreement with hell." In 1843 he became president of the Amer- ican Anti-Slavery society, which position he held until 1865, when slavery was no more. During all this time the " Liberator " had continued to promulgate anti-slavery doc- trines, but in 1865 Garrison resigned his position, and declared his work was com- pleted. He died May 24, 1879. JOHN BROWN ("Brown of Ossawato- mie"), a noted character in American history, wasbornatTorrington, Connecticut, May 9, 1800. In his childhood he removed to Ohio, where he learned the tanner's trade. He married there, and in 1855 set- tled in Kansas. He lived at the village of Ossawatomie in that state, and there began his fight against slavery. He advocated im- mediate emancipation, and held that the negroes of the slave states merely waited for a leader in an insurrection that would re- sult in their freedom. He attended the convention called at Chatham, Canada, in 1859, and was the leading spirit in organiz- ing a raid upon the United States arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. His plans were well laid, and carried out in great secrecy. He rented a farm house near Harper's Ferry in the summer of 1859, and on October 1 6th of that year, with about twenty follow- ers, he surprised and captured the United States arsenal, with all its supplies and arms. To his surprise, the negroes did not come to his support, and the next day he was attacked by the Virginia state militia, wounded and captured. He was tried in the courts of the state, convicted, and was hanged at Charlestown, December 2, 1859. The raid and its results had a tremendous effect, and hastened the culmination of the troubles between the north and south. The south had the advantage in discussing this event, claiming that the sentiment which inspired this act of violence was shared by the anti-slavery element of the country. EDWIN BOOTH had no peer upon the American stage during his long career as a star actor. He was the son of a famous actor, Junius Brutus Booth, and was born in 1833 at his father's home at Belair, neaf Baltimore. At the age of sixteen he made his first appearance on the stage, at the Boston Museum, in a minor part in " Richard III." It was while playing in California in 1851 that an eminent critic called general atten- tion to the young actor's unusual talent. However, it was not until 1863, at the great Shakspearian revival at the Winter Garden Theatre, New York, that the brilliancy oi his career began. His Hamlet held the boards for 100 nights in succession, and from that time forth Booth's reputation was established. In 1868 he opened his own theatre (Booth's Theater) in New York. Mr. Booth never succeeded as a manager, however, but as an actor he was undoubted- ly the most popular man on the American stage, and perhaps the most eminent one in the world. In England he also won the greatest applause. Mr. Booth's work was confined mostly to Shakspearean roles, and his art ' was characterized by intellectual acuteness, fervor, and poetic feeling. His Hamlet, Richard II, Richard III, and Richelieu gave play to his greatest powers. In 1865, when his brother, John Wilkes Booth, enacted his great crime, Edwin Booth re- solved to retire from the stage, but was pur- suaded to reconsider that decision. The odium did not in any way attach to the 52 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHi: great actor, and his popularity was not affected. In all his work Mr. Booth clung closely to the legitimate and the traditional in drama, making no experiments, and offer- ing little encouragement to new dramatic authors. His death occurred in New York, June 7, 1894. JOSEPH HOOKER, a noted American officer, was born at Hadley, Massachu- setts, November 13, 18 14. He graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1837, and was appointed lieutenant of artillery. He served in Florida in the Seminole war, and in garrison until the outbreak of the Mexican war. During the latter he saw service as a staff officer and was breveted captain, major and lieutenant-colonel for gallantry at Monterey, National Bridge and Chapultepec. Resigning his commission in 1833 he took up farming in California, which he followed until 1861. During this time he acted as superintendent of military roads in Oregon. At the outbreak of the Rebel- lion Hooker tendered his services to the government, and, May 17, 1861, was ap- pointed brigadier-general of volunteers. He served in the defence of Washington and on the lower Potomac until his appointment to the command of a division in the Third Corps, in March, 1862. For gallant con- duct at the siege of Yorktown and in the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Fra- zier's Farm and Malvern Hill he was made major-general. At the head of his division he participated in the battles of Manassas and Chantilly. September 6, 1862, he was placed at the head of the First Corps, and in the battles of South Mountain and An- tietam acted with his usual gallantry, being wounded in the latter engagement. On re- joining the army in November he was made brigadier-general in the regular army. On General Burnside attaining the command of the Army of the Potomac General Hooker was placed in command of the center grand division, consisting of the Second and Fifth Corps. At the head of these gallant men he participated in the battle of Fred- ericksburg, December 13, 1862. In Janu- ary, 1863, General Hooker assumed com- mand of the Army of the Potomac, and in May following fought the battle of Chan- cellorsville. At the time of the invasion of Pennsylvania, owing to a dispute with Gen- eral Halleck, Hooker requested to be re- lieved of his command, and June 28 was succeeded by George G. Meade. In Sep- tember, 1S63, General Hooker was. given command of the Twentieth Corps and trans- ferred to the Army of the Cumberland, and distinguished himself at the battles of Look- out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Ring- gold. In the Atlanta campaign he saw almost daily service and merited his well- known nickname of "Fighting Joe." July 30, 1864, at his own request, he was re- lieved of his command. He subsequently was in command of several military depart- ments in the north, and in October, 1868, was retired with the full rank of major-gen- eral. He died October 31, 1879. JAY GOULD, one of the greatest finan- ciers that the world has ever produced, was born May 27, 1836, at Roxbury, Dela- ware county. New York. He spent his early years on his father's farm and at the age of fourteen entered Hobart Academy, New York, and kept books for the village black- smith. He acquired a taste for mathematics and surveying and on leaving school found employment in making the surveyor's map of Ulster county. He surveyed very exten- sively in the state and accumulated five thou- sand dollars as the fruits of his labor. He COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 53 was then stricken with typhoid fever but re- covered and made the acquaintance of one Zadock Pratt, who sent him into the west- ern part of the state to locate a site for a tannery. He chose a fine hemlock grove, built a sawmill and blacksmith shop and was soon doing a large lumber business with Mr. Pratt. Mr. Gould soon secured control of the entire plant, which he sold out just before the panic of 1857 and in this year he became the largest stockholderintheStrouds- burg, Pennsylvania, bank. Shortly after the crisis he bought the bonds of the Rutland & Washington Railroad at ten cents on the dollar, and put all his money into railroad securities. For a long time he conducted this road which he consolidated with the Rensselaer & Saratoga Railroad. In 1859 he removed to New York and became a heavy investor in Erie Railroad stocks, en- tered that company and was president until its reorganization in 1872. In December, 1880, Mr. Gould was in control of ten thou- sand miles of railroad. In 1SS7 he pur- chased the controlling interest in the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Co., and was a joint owner with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Co. of the western portion of the Southern Pacific line. Other lines soon came under his control, aggregat- ing thousand of miles, and he soon was rec- ognized as one of the world's greatest rail- road magnates. He continued to hold his place as one of the master financiers of the century until the time of his death which occurred December 2, 1892. THOMAS HART BENTON, a very prominent United States senator and statesman, was born at Hillsborough, North Carolina, March 14, 1782. He removed to Tennessee in early life, studied law, and be- gan to practice at Nashville about 18 10. During the war of 1812-1815 he served as colonel of a Tennessee regiment under Gen- eral Andrew Jackson. In 181 5 he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, and in 1820 was chosen United States senator for that state. Having been re-elected in 1826, he sup- ported President Jackson in his opposition to the United States bank and advocated a gold and silver currency, thus gaining the name of " Old Bullion," by which he was familiarly known. For many years he was the most prominent man in Missouri, and took rank among the greatest statesmen of his day. He was a member of the senate for thirty years and opposed the extreme states' rights policy of John C. Calhoun. In 1852 he was elected to the house of rep- resentatives in which he opposed the repeal of the Missouri compromise. He was op^ posed by a powerful party of States' Rights Democrats in Missouri, who defeated him as a candidate for governor of that state in 1856. Colonel Benton published a considerable work in two volumes in 1854-56, entitled " Thirty Years' View, or a History of the Working of the American Government for Thirty Years, 1820-50." He died April 10, 1858. STEPHEN ARNOLD DOUGLAS.— One of the most prominent figures in politic- al circles during the intensely exciting days that preceded the war, and a leader of the Union branch of the Democratic party was the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born at Brandon, Rutland coun- ty, Vermont, April 23, 181 3, of poor but respectable parentage. His father, a prac- ticing physician, died while our subject was but an infant, and his mother, with two small children and but small means, could give him but the rudiments of an education. 54 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY At the age of fifteen young Douglas engaged at work in the cabinet making business to raise funds to carry him through college. After a few years of labor he was enabled to pursue an academical course, first at Bran- don, and later at Canandaigua, New York. In the latter place he remained until 1833, taking up the study of law. Before he was twenty, however, his funds running low, he abandoned all further attempts at educa- tion, determining to enter at once the battle of life. After some wanderings through the western states he took up his residence at Jacksonville, Illinois, where, after teaching school for three months, he was admitted to the bar, and opened an office in 1834. Within a year from that time, so rapidly had he risen in his profession, he was chosen attorney general of the state, and warmly espoused the principles of the Democratic party. He soon became one of the most popular orators in Illinois. It was at this time he gained the name of the "Little Giant." In 1835 he resigned the position of attorney general having been elected to the legislature. In 1841 he was chosen judge of the supreme .court of Illinois which he resigned two years later to take a seat in congress. It was during this period of his life, while a member of the lower house, that he established his reputation and took the side of those who contended that con- gress had no constitutional right to restrict the extension of slavery further than the agreement between the states made in 1820. This, in spite of his being opposed to slav- ery, and only on grounds which he believed to be right, favored what was called the Missouri compromise. In 1847 Mr. Doug- las was chosen United States senator for six years, and greatly distinguished himself. In 1852 he was re-elected to the same office. During this latter term, under his leader- ship, the " Kansas-Nebraska bill " was car- ried in the senate. In 1858, nothwith- standing the fierce contest made by his able competitor for the position, Abraham Lin- coln, and with the administration of Bu- chanan arrayed against him, Mr. Douglas was re-elected senator. After the trouble in the Charleston convention, when by the withdrawal of several state delegates with- out a nomination, the Union Democrats, in convention at Baltimore, in i860, nomi- nated Mr. Douglas as their candidate for presidency. The results of this election are well known and the great events of i86i coming on, Mr. Douglas was spared their full development, dying at Chicago, Illinois, June 3, 1861, after a short illness. His last words to his children were, ' ' to obey the laws and support the constitution of the United States." JAMES MONROE, fifth president of the United States, was born in Westmore- land county, Virginia, April 28, 1758.- At the age of sixteen he entered William and Mary College, but two years later the Declaration of Independence having been adopted, he left college and hastened to New York where he joined Washington's army as a military cadet. At the battle of Trenton Monroe per- formed gallant service and received a wound in the shoulder, and was promoted to a captaincy. He acted as aide to Lord Ster- ling at the battles of Brandywine, German- town and Monmouth. Washington then sent him to Virginia to raise a new regiment of which he was to be colonel. The ex- hausted condition of Virginia made this im- possible, but he received his commission. He next entered the law office of Thomas Jefferson to study law, as there was no open- ing for him as an officer in the army, in COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRArilT 55 1782 he was elected to the Virginia assem- bly, and the next year he was elected to the Continental congress. Realizing the inade- quacy of the old articles of confederation, he advocated the calling of a convention to consider their revision, and introduced in congress a resolution empowering congress to regulate trade, lay import duties, etc. This resolution was referred to a committee, of which he was chairman, and the report led to the Annapolis convention, which called a general convention to meet at Phila- delphia in 1787, when the constitution was drafted. Mr. Monroe began the practice of law at Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was soon after elected to the legislature, and ap- pointed as one of the committee to pass upon the adoption of the constitution. He opposed it, as giving too much power to the central government. He was elected to the United States senate in 1789, where he allied himself with the Anti-Federalists or "Republicans," as they were sometimes called. Although his views as to neutrality between France and England were directly opposed to those of the president, yet Wash- ington appointed him minister to France. His popularity in France was so great that the antagonism of England and her friends in this country brought about his recall. He then became governor of Virginia. He was sent as envoy to France in 1802; minister to England in 1803; and envoy to Spain in 1805. The next year he returned to his estate in Virginia, and with an ample in- heritance enjoyed a few years of repose. He was again called to be governor of Virginia, and was then appointed secretary of state by President Madison. The war with Eng- land soon resulted, and when the capital was burned by the British, Mr. Monroe be- came secretary of war also, and planned the measures for the defense of New Orleans. The treasury being exhausted and credit gone, he pledged his own estate, and thereby- made possible the victory of Jackson at New Orleans. In 1 817 Mr. Monroe became president of the United States, having been a candi- date of the "Republican" party, which at that time had begun to be called the ' ' Demo- cratic " party. In I S20 he was re-elected, having two hundred and thirty-one electoral votes out of two hundred and thirty-two. His administration is known as the "Era of good-feeling," and party lines were almost wiped out. The slavery question began to assume importance at this time, and the Missouri Compromise was passed. The famous ' ' Monroe Doctrine " originated in a great state paper of President Monroe upon the rumored interference of the Holy Alli- ance to prevent the formation of free repub- lics in South America. President Monroe acknowledged their independence, and pro- mulgated his great "Doctrine," which has been held in reverence since. Mr. Monroe's death occurred in New York on July 4, 1831. THOMAS ALVA EDISON, the master wizard of electrical science and whose name is synonymous with the subjugation of electricity to the service of man, was born in 1847 at Milan, Ohio, and it was at Port Huron, Michigan, whither his parents had moved in 1854, that his self-education began — for he never attended school for more than two months. He eagerly de- voured every book he could lay his hands on and is said to have read through an encyclo- pedia without missing a word. At thirteen he began his working life as a trainboy upon the Grand Trunk Railway between Port Huron and Detroit. Much of his time was now spent in Detroit, where he found increased facilities for reading at the public libraries. 56 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. He was not content to be a newsboy, so he got together three hundred pounds of type and started the issue of the " Grand Trunk Herald." It was only a small amateur weekly, printed on one side, the impression being made from the type by hand. Chemi- cal research was his next undertaking and a laboratory was added to his movable pub- lishing house, which, by the way, was an Did freight car. One day, however, as he was experimenting with some phosphorus, it ignited and the irate conductor threw the young seeker after the truth, chemicals and all, from the train. His office and laboratory were then removed to the cellar of his fa- ther's house. As he grew to manhood he decided to become an operator. He won his opportunity by saving the life of a child, whose father was an old operator, and out of gratitude he gave Mr. Edison lessons in teleg- raphy. Five months later he was compe- tent to fill a position in the railroad office at Port Huron. Hence he peregrinated to Stratford, Ontario, and thence successively to Adrian, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Cin- cmnati, Memphis, Louisville and Boston, gradually becoming an expert operator and gaming experience that enabled him to evolve many ingenious ideas for the im- provement of telegraphic appliances. At Memphis he constructed an automatic re- peater, which enabled Louisville and New Orleans to communicate direct, and received nothing more than the .thanks of his em- ployers. Mr. Edison came to New York in 1870 in search of an opening more suitable to his capabilities and ambitions. He hap- pened to be in the office of the Laws Gold Reporting Company when one of the in- struments got out of order, and even the inventor of the system could not make it work. Edison requested to be allowed to attempt the task, and in a few minutes he had overcome the difficulty and secured an advantageous engagement. For several years he had a contract with the Western Union and the Gold Stock companies, whereby he received a large salar}', besides a special price for all telegraphic improve- ments he could suggest. Later, as the head of the Edison General Electric com- pany, with its numerous subordinate organ- izations and connections all over the civil- ized world, he became several times a millionaire. Mr. Edison invented the pho- nograph and kinetograph which bear his name, the carbon telephone, the tasimeter, and the duplex and quadruplex systems of telegraphy. JAMES LONGSTREET, one of the most conspicuous of the Confederate generals during the Civil war, was born in 1820, in South Carolina, but was early taken by his parents to Alabama where he grew to man- hood and received his early education. He graduated at the United States military academy in 1842, entering the army as lieutenant and spent a few years in the fron- tier service. When the Mexican war broke out he was called to the front and partici- pated in all the principal battles of that war up to the storming of Chapultepec, where he received severe wounds. For gallant conduct at Contreras, Cherubusco, and Mo- lino del Rey he received the brevets of cap- tain and major. After the close of the Mexican war Longstreet served as adjutant and captain on frontier service in Texas un- til 1858 when he was transferred to the staff as paymaster with rank of major. In June, 1 8$ I, he resigned to join the Confederacy and immediately went to the front, com- manding a brigade at Bull Run the follow- ing month. Promoted to be major-general in 1862 he thereafter bore a conspicuous COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 5V part and rendered valuable service to the Confederate cause. He participated in many of the most severe battles of the Civil war including Bull Run (first and second), Seven Pines, Gainsi' Mill, Fraziers Farm, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Frederickburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, the Wilderness, Petersburg and most of the fighting about Richmond. When the war closed General Long- street accepted the result, renewed his alle- giance to the government, and thereafter labored earnestly to obliterate all traces of war and promote an era of good feeling be- tween all sections of the country. He took up his residence in New Orleans, and took an active interest and prominent part in public affairs, served as surveyor of that port for several years; was commissioner of engineers for Louisiana, served four years as school commissioner, etc. In 1875 he was appointed supervisor of internal revenue and settled in Georgia. After that time he served four years as United States minister to Turkey, and also for a number of years was United States marshal of Georgia, be- sides having held other important official positions. JOHN RUTLEDGE, the second chief- justice of the United States, was born at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1739. He was a son of John Rutledge, who had left Ireland for America about five years prior to the birth of our subject, and a brother of Edward Rutledge, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. John Rut- ledge received his legal education at the Temple, London, after which he returned to Charleston and soon won distinction at the bar. He was elected to the old Colonial congress in 1765 to protest against the " Stamp Act," and was a member of the South Carolina convention of 1774, and of the Continental congress of that and the succeeding year. In 1776 he was chairman of the committee that draughted the con- stitution of his state, and was president of the congress of that state. He was not pleased with the state constitution, how- ever, and resigned. In 1779 he was again chosen governor of the state, and granted extraordinary powers, and he at once took the field to repel the British. He joined the army of General Gates in 1782, and the same year was elected to congress. He was a member of the constitutional con- vention which framed our present constitu- tion. In 1789 he was appointed an associate justice of the first supreme court of the United States. He resigned to accept the position of chief-justice of his own state. Upon the resignation of Judge Jay^ he was appointed chief-justice of the United States in 1795. The appointment was never con- firmed, for, after presiding at one session, his mind became deranged, and he was suc- ceeded by Judge Ellsworth. He died at Charleston, July 23, 1800. RALPH WALDO EMERSON was one of the most noted literary men of his time. He was born in Boston, Massachu- setts, May 25, 1803. Hehada minister for an ancestor, either on the paternal or ma- ternal side, in every generation for eight generations back. His father. Rev. Will- iam Emerson, was a native of Concord, Massachusetts, born May 6, 1769, graduated at Harvard, in 1789, became a Unitarian minister; was a fine writer and one of the best orators of his day; died in 18 1 1. Ralph Waldo Emerson was fitted for college at the public schools of Boston, and graduated at Harvard College in 1821, win- ning about this time several prizes for es- 58 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY says. For five years he taught school in Boston; in 1826 was licensed to preach, and in 1829 was ordained as a colleague to Rev. Henry Ware of the Second Unitarian church in Boston. In 1832 he resigned, making the announcement in a sermon of his un- ivillingness longer to administer the rite of -he Lord's Supper, after which he spent about a year in Europe. Upon his return he began his career as a lecturer before the Boston Mechanics Institute, his subject be- ing "Water." His early lectures on " Italy" and "Relation of Man to the Globe" also attracted considerable attention; as did also his biographical lectures on Michael Angelo, Milton, Luther, George Fox, and Edmund Burke. After that time he gave many courses of lectures in Boston and became one of the best known lecturers in America. But very few men have rendered such con- tinued service in this field. He lectured for forty successive seasons before the Salem, Massachusetts, Lyceum and also made re- peated lecturing tours in this country and in England. In 1835 Mr. Emerson took up his residence at Concord, Massachusetts, where he continued to make his home until his death which occurred April 27, 1882. Mr. Emerson's literary work covered a wide scope. He wrote and published many works, essays and poems, which rank high among the works of American literary men. A few of the many which he produced are the following: "Nature;" "The Method ofNature;" " Man Thinking;" "The Dial;" "Essays;" "Poems;" "English Traits;" "The Conduct of Life;" "May-Day and other Poems " and " Society and Solitude;" besides many others. He was a prominent member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, of the American Philosophical Society, the Massachusetts Historical Society and other kindred associations. ALEXANDER T. STEWART, one of the famous merchant princes of New York, was born near the city of Belfast, Ire- land, in 1803, and before he was eight years of age was left an orphan without any near relatives, save an aged grandfather. The grandfather being a pious Methodist wanted to make a minister of young Stewart, and accordingly put him in a school with that en I773> the son of Governor Benjamin Harrison. He took a course in Hampden- Sidney College with a view to the practice of medicine, and then went to Philadelphia to study under Dr. Rush, but in 1791 he entered the army, and obtained the commis- sion of ensign, was soon promoted to the lieutenancy, and was with General Wayne in his war against the' Indians. For his valuable service he was promoted to the rank of captain and given command of Fort Washington, now Cincinnati. He was ap- pointed secretary of the Northwest Territory in 1797, and in 1799 became its representa- tive in congress. In 1801 he was appointed governor of Indiana Territory, and held the position for twelve years, during which time he negotiated important treaties with the In- dians, causing them to relinquish millions of acres of land, and also won the battle of Tippecanoe in 181 1. He succeeded in obtaining a change in the law which did not permit purchase of public lands in less tracts than four thousand acres, reducing the limit to three hundred and twenty acres. He became major-general of Kentucky militia and brigadier-general in the United States army in 1812, and won great renown in the defense of Fort Meigs, and his victory over the British and Indians under Proctor and Tecumseh at the Thames river, October 5, 1813- In 1 8 16 General Harrison was elected to congress from Ohio, and during the canvass was accused of corrupt methods in regard to the commissariat of the army. He demanded an investigation after the election and was exonerated. In 18 19 he was elected to the Ohio state senate, and in 1824 he gave his vote as a presidential elector to Henry Clay. He became a member of the United States senate the same year. During the last year of Adams' administration he was sent as minister to Colombia, but was re- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. called by President Jackson the following year. He then retired to his estate at North Bend, Ohio, a few miles below Cincinnati. In 1836 he was a candidate for the presidency, but as there were three other candidates the votes were divided, he receiving seventy- three electoral votes, a majority going to Mr. Van Buren, the Democratic candidate. Four years later General Harrison was again nominated by the Whigs, and elected by a tremendous majority. The campaign was noted for its novel features, many of which have found a permanent place in subsequent campaigns. Those peculiar to that cam- paign, however, were the ' ' log-cabin " and " hard cider" watchwords, which produced great enthusiasm among his followers. One month after his inauguration he died from an attack of pleurisy, April 4, 1841. CHARLES A. DANA, the well-known and widely-read journalist of New York City, a native of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, was born August 8, 18 19. He received the elements of a good education in his youth and studied for two years at Harvard University. Owing to some disease of the eyes he was unable to complete his course and graduate, but was granted the degree of A. M. notwithstanding. For some time he was editor of the " Harbinger," and was a regular contributor to the Boston " Chrono- type." In 1847 he became connected with the New York "Tribune, "and continued on the staff of that journal until 1858. In the latter year he edited and compiled "The Household Book of Poetry," and later, in connection with George Ripley, edited the "New American Cyclopaedia." Mr. Dana, on severing his connection with the " Tribune " in 1867, became editor of the New York "Sun," a paper with which he was identified for many years, and which he made one of the leaders of thought in the eastern part of the United States. He wielded a forceful pen and fearlessly attacked whatever was corrupt and unworthy in politics, state or national. The same year, 1867, Mr. Dana organized the New York " Sun " Company. During the troublous days of the war, when the fate of the Nation depended upon the armies in the field, Mr. Dana accepted the arduous and responsible position of assistant secretary of war, and held the position during the greater part of 1863 and 1864. He died October 17, 1897. ASA GRAY was recognized throughout the scientific world as one of the ablest and most eminent of botanists. He was born at Paris, Oneida county. New York, November 18, 1810. He received his medi- cal degree at the Fairfield College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, in Herkimer county. New York, and studied botany with the late Professor Torrey, of New York. He was appointed botanist to the Wilkes expedition in 1834, but declined the offer and became professor of natural history in Harvard Uni- versity in 1842. He retired from the active duties of this post in 1873, and in 1874 he was the regent of the Smithsonian Institu- tion at Washington, District of Columbia. Dr. Gray wrote several books on the sub- ject of the many sciences of which he was master. In 1836 he published his "Ele- ments of Botany," "Manual of Botany" in 1848; the unfinished "Flora of North America," by himself and Dr. Torrey, the publication of which commenced in 1838. There is another of his unfinished works called "Genera Boreali-Americana, " pub- lished in 1848, and the "Botany of the United States Pacific Exploring Expedition in 1854." He wrote many elaborate papers COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. on the botany of the west and southwest that were published in the Smithsonian Con- tributions, Memoirs, etc., of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, of which in- stitution he was president for ten years. He was also the author of many of the government reports. ' ' How Plants Grow, " " Lessons in Botany," " Structural and Sys- tematic Botany," are also works from his ready pen. Dr. Gray published in 1861 his "Free Examination of Darwin's Treatise " and his " Darwiniana," in 1876. Mr. Gray was elected July 29, 1878, to a membership in the Institute of France, Academy of Sciences. His death occurred at Cambridge, Massa- chusetts, January 30, 1889. WILLIAM MAXWELL EVARTS was one of the greatest leaders of the American bar. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, February 6, 18 18, and grad- uated from Yale College in 1837. He took up the study of law, which he practiced in the city of New York and won great renown as an orator and advocate. He affiliated with the Republican party, which he joined soon after its organization. He was the leading counsel employed for the defense of President Johnson in his trial for impeach- ment before the senate in April and May of 1868. In July, 1868, Mr. Evarts was appointed attorney-general of the United States, and served until March 4, 1869. He was one of the three lawyers who were selected by President Grant in 1871 to defend the inter- ests of the citizens of the United States be- fore the tribunal of arbitration which met at Geneva in Switzerland to settle the con- troversy over the " Alabama Claims." He was one of the most eloquent advo- cates in the United States, and many of his public addresses have been preserved and published. He was appointed secretary of state March 7, 1877, by President Hayes, and served during the Hayes administration. He was elected senator from the state of New York January 21, 1885, and at once took rank among the ablest statesmen in Congress, and the prominent part he took in the discussion of public questions gave him a national reputation. JOHN WANAMAKER.— The life of this erintendent of construction of the Chicago custom house. He was made adjutant-genecal, with the rank of colonel, of Illinois militia, and was colonel of Illinois volunteers raised for the Utah expedition, but was not mustered into service. In i860 he removed to Kentucky, where he settled on a farm near Louisville and became inspector-general in command of the Kentucky Home Guards. At the opening of the Civil war he joined the Con- federate army, and was given command at Bowling Green, Kentucky, which he was compelled to abandon after the capture of Fort Henry. He then retired to Fort Don- elson, and was there captured with sixteen thousand men, and an immense store of pro- visions, by General Grant, in February, 1862. He was held as a prisoner of war at Fort Warren until August of that year. He commanded a division of Hardee's corps in Bragg's Army of the Tennessee, and was afterward assigned to the third division and participated in the battles of Chickamauga, and Murfreesboro. He was with Kirby Smith when that general surrendered his army to General Canby in May, 1865. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the vice- presidency on the Gold Democratic ticket with Senator John M. Palmer in 1896. SIMON KENTON, one of the famous pio- neers and scouts whose names fill the pages of the early history of our country, was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, April 3, 1755. In consequence of an affray, at the age of eighteen, yoimg Kenton went to Kentucky, then the "Dark and Bloody Ground," and became associated with Dan- iel Boone and other pioneers of that region. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 189 For a short time he acted as a scout and spy for Lord Dunmore, the British governor of Virginia, but afterward taking the side of the struggling colonists, participated in the war for independence west of the Alle- ghanies. In 1784 he returned to Virginia, but did not remain there long, going back with his family to Kentucky. From that time until 1793 he participated in all the combats and battles of that time, and until "Mad Anthony" Wayne swept the Valley of the Ohio, and settled the suprem- acy of the whites in that region. Kenton laid claim to large tracts of land in the new country he had helped to open up, but through ignorance of law, and the growing value of the land, lost it all and was reduced to poverty. During the war with England in 1812-15, Kenton took part in the inva- sion of Canada with the Kentucky troops and participated in the battle of the Thames. He finally had land granted him by the legislature of I\entucky, and received a pen- sion from the United States government. He died in Logan county, Ohio, April 29, 1836. ELIHU BENJAMIN WASHBURNE, an American statesman of eminence, was born in Livermore, Maine, September 23, 1 8 16. He learned the trade of printer, but abandoned that calling at the age of eight- een and entered the Kent's Hill Academy at Reading, Maine, and then took up the study of law, reading in Hallowell, Boston, and at the Harvard Law School. He began prac- tice at Galena, Illinois, in 1840. He was elected to congress in 1852, and represented his district in that body continuously until March, 1869, and at the time of his retire- ment he had served a greater number of consecutive terms than any other member of the house. In 1873 President Grant ap- pointed him secretary of state, which posi- tion he resigned to accept that of minister to France. During the Franco-Prussian war, including the siege of Paris and the reign of the Commune, Mr. Washburne re- mained at his post, protecting the lives and property of his countrymen, as well as that of other foreign residents in Paris, while the ministers of all other powers abandoned their posts at a time when they were most needed. As far as possible he extended protection to unfortunate German residents, who were the particular objects of hatred of the populace, and his firmness and the suc- cess which attended his efforts won the ad- miration of all Europe. Mr. Washburne died at Chicago, Illinois, October 22, 1887. WILLIAM CRAMP, one of the most extensive shipbuilders of this coun- try, was born in Kensington, then a suburb, now a part of Philadelphia, in 1806. He received a thorough English education, and when he left school was associated with Samuel Grice, one of the most eminent naval architects of his day. In 1830, hav- ing mastered all the details of shipbuilding, Mr. Cramp engaged in business on his own account. By reason of ability and excel- lent work he prospered from the start, until now, in the hands of his sons, under the name of William Cramp & Sons' Ship and Engine Building Company, it has become the most complete shipbuilding plant and naval arsenal in the western hemisphere, and fully equal to any in the world. As Mr. Cramp's sons attained manhood they learned their father's profession, and were admitted to a partnership. In 1872 the firm was incor- porated under the title given above. Until i860 wood was used in building vessels, al- though pace was kept with all advances in the art of shipbuilding. At the opening of 190 COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. the war came an unexpected demand for war vessels, which they promptly met. The sea-going ironclad "New Ironsides" was built by them in 1862, followed by a num- ber of formidable ironclads and the cruiser "Chattanooga." They subsequently built several war vessels for the Russian and other governments which added to their reputation. When the American steamship line was established in 1870, the Cramps were commissioned to build for it four first- class iron steamships, the " Pennsylvania," "Ohio," "Indiana" and "Illinois," which they turned out in rapid order, some of the finest specimens of the naval architecture of their day. William Cramp remained at the head of the great company he had founded until his death, which occurred January 6, 1879. Charles H. Cramp, the successor of his father as head of the William Cramp & Sons' Ship and Engine Building Company, was born in Philadelphia May 9, 1829, and received an excellent education in his native city, which he sedulously sought to sup- plement by close study until he became an authority on general subjects and the best naval architect on the western hemis- phere. Many of the best vessels of our new navy were built by this immense con- cern. W.\SHINGTON ALLSTON, probably the greatest American painter, was born in South Carolina in 1779. He was sent to school at the age of seven years at Newport, Rhode Island, where he met Ed- ward Malbone, two years his senior, and who later became a pamter of note. The friendship that sprang up between them un- doubtedly influenced young AUston in the choice of a profession. He graduated from Harvard in 1800, and went to England the following year, after pursuing his studies for a year under his friend Malbone at his home in South Carolina. He became a student at the Royal Academy where the great American, Benjamin West, presided, and who became his intimate friend. Allston later went to Paris, and then to Italy, where four years were spent, mostly at Rome. In 1809 he returned to America, but soon after returned to London, having married in the meantime a sister of Dr. Channing. In a short time his first great work appeared, "The Dead Man Restored to Life by the Bones of Elisha," which took the British Association prize and firmly established his reputation. Other paintings followed in quick succession, the greatest among which were "Uriel in the Center of the Sun," "Saint Peter Liberated by the Angel," and "Jacob's Dream," supplemented by many smaller pieces. Hard work, and grief at the death of his wife began to tell upon his health, and he left London in 18 18 for America. The same year he was elected an associate of the Royal Academy. During the next few years he painted "Jeremiah," "Witch ofEndor," and "Beatrice." In 1830 Alls- ton married a daughter of Judge Dana, and went to Cambridge, which was his home until his death. Here he produced the "Vision of the Bloody Hand," "Rosalie," and many less noted pieces, and had given one week of labor to his unfinished master- piece, "Belshazzar's Feast," when death ended his career July 9, 1843. JOHN ROACH, ship builder and manu- facturer, whose career was a marvel of industrial labor, and who impressed his in- dividuality and genius upon the times in which he lived more, perhaps, than any other manufacturer in America. He was born at Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ire- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 191 land, December 25, 181 5, the son of a wealthy merchant. He attended school until he was thirteen, when his father be- came financially embarrassed and failed and shortly after died; John determined to come to America and carve out a fortune for himself. He landed in New York at the age of sixteen, and soon obtained employ- ment at the Howell Iron Works in New Jer- sey, at twenty-five cents a day. He soon made himself a place in the world, and at the end of three years had saved some twelve hundred dollars, which he lost by the failure of his employer, in whose hands it was left. Returning to New York he began to learn how to make castings for marine engines and ship work. Having again accumulated one thousand dollars, in company with three fellow workmen, he purchased a small foundry in New York, but soon became sole proprietor. At the end of four years he had saved thirty thou- sand dollars, besides enlarging his works. In 1856 his works were destroyed by a boiler explosion, and being unable to collect the insurance, was left, after paying his debts, without a dollar. However, his credit and reputation for integrity was good, and he built the Etna Iron Works, giving it capacity to construct larger marine engines than any previously built in this country. Here he turned out immense engines for the steam ram Dunderberg, for the war ves- sels Winooski and Neshaning, and other large vessels. To accommodate his increas- ing business, Mr. Roach, in 1869, pur- chased the Morgan Iron Works, one of the largest in New York, and shortly after sev- eral others. In 1871 he bought the Ches- ter ship yards, which he added to largely, erecting a rolling mill and blast furnace, and providing every facility for building a ship out of the ore and timber. This immense plant covered a large area, was valued at several millions of dollars, and was known as the Delaware River Iron Shipbuilding and Engine Works, of which Mr. Roach was the principal owner. He built a large percentage of the iron vessels now flying the American flag, the bulk of his business being for private parties. In 1875 he built the sectional dry docks at Pensacola. He, about this time, drew the attention of the government to the use of compound marine engines, and thus was the means of im- proving the speed and economy of the ves- sels of our new navy. In 18S3 Mr. Roach commenced work on the three cruisers for the government, the "Chicago," "Boston" and "Atlanta," and the dispatch boat " Dolphin." For some cause the secretary of the navy refused to receive the latter and decided that Mr. Roach's contract would not hold. This embarrassed Mr. Roach, as a large amount of his capital was in- volved in these contracts, and for the pro- tection of bondsmen and creditors, July 18, 1885, he made an assignment, but the financial trouble broke down his strong con- stitution, and January 10, 1S87, he died. His son, John B. Roach, succeeded to the shipbuilding interests, while Stephen W. Roach inherited the Morgan Iron Works at New York. JOHN SINGLETON COPLEY, one of the two great painters who laid the foundation of true American art, was born in Boston in 1737, one year earlier than his great contemporary, Benjamin West. His education was limited to the common schools of that time, and his training in art he ob- tained by his own observation and experi- ments solely. When he was about seven- teen years old he had mapped out his future, however, by choosing painting as his pro- 192 COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. fession. If he ever studied under any teacher in his early efforts, we have no au- thentic account of it, and tradition credits the young artist's wonderful success en- tirely to his own talent and untiring effort. It is almost incredible that at the age of twenty-three years his income from his works aggregated fifteen hundred dollars per annum, a very great sum in those days. In 1774 he went to Europe in search of ma- terial for study, which was so rare in his native land. After some timespent in Italy he finally took up his permanent residence in England. In 1783 he was made a mem- ber ot the Royal Academy, and later his son had the high honor of becoming lord chancellor of England and Lord Lyndhurst. Many specimens of Copley's work are to be found in the Memorial Hall at Harvard and in the Boston Museum, as well as a few of the works upon which he modeled his style. Copley was essentially a portrait painter, though his historical paintings at- tained great celebrity, his masterpiece being his ' ' Death of Major Pierson, " though that distinction has by some been given to his "Death of Chatham." It is said that he never saw a good picture until he was thirty-five years old, yet his portraits prior to that period are regarded as rare speci- mens. He died in 181 5. HENRY B. PLANT, one of the greatest railroad men of the country, became famous as president of the Plant system of railway and steamer lines, and also the Southern & Te.xas E.xpress Co. He was born in October, 18 19, at Branford, Connecticut, and entered the railroad serv- ice in 1844, serving as express messenger on the Hartford & New Haven Railroad until 1853, during which time he had entire charge of the €xpr<'.s9 business of that road. He went south in 1853 2i"d established ex- press lines on various southern railways, and in 1 861 organized the Southern Express Co., and became its president. In 1879 he purchased, with others, the Atlantic & Gulf Railroad of Georgia, and later reorganized the Savannah, Florida & Western Railroad, of which he became president. He pur- chased and rebuilt, in 1880, the Savannah & Charleston Railroad, now Charleston & Savannah. Not long after this he organ- ized the Plant Investment Co., to control these railroads and advance their interests generally, and later established a steamboat line on the St. John's river, in Florida. From 1853 until i860 he was general superintendent of the southern division of the Adams E.xpress Co., and in 1867 be- came president of the Texas Express Co. The "Plant system" of railway, steamer and steamship lines is one of the greatest business corporations of the southern states. WADE HAMPTON, a noted Confeder- ate officer, was born at Columbia, South Carolina, in 18 18. He graduated from the South Carolina College, took an active part in politics, and was twice elected to the legislature of his state. In 1861 he joined the Confederate army, and command- ed the " Hampton Legion" at the first bat- tle of Bull Run, in July, 1861. He did meritorious service, was wounded, and pro- moted to brigadier-general. He command- ed a brigade at Seven Pines, in 1862, and was again wounded. He was engaged in the battle of Antietam in September of the same year, and participated in the raid into Pennsylvania in October. In 1863 he was with Lee at Gettysburg, where he was wounded for the third time. He was pro- moted to the rank of lieutenant-general, and commanded a troop of cavalry in Lee's COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 193 army during 1864, and was in numerous en- gagements. In 1865 he was in South Car- olina, and commanded the cavalry rear guard of the Confederate army in its stub- born retreat before General Sherman on his advance toward Richmond. After the war Hampton took an active part in politics, and was a prominent figure at the Democratic national convention in 1868, which nominated Seymour and Blair for president and vice-president. He was governor of South Carolina, and took his seat in the United States senate in 1879, where he became a conspicuous figure in national affairs. NII\OLA TESLA, one of the most cele- brated electricians America has known, was born in 1857, at Smiljau, Lika, Servia. He descended from an old and representative family of that country. His father was a a minister of the Greek church, of high rank, while his mother was a woman of remarka- ble skill in the construction of looms, churns and the machinery required in a rural home. Nikola received early education in the public schools of Gospich, when he was sent to the higher "Real Schule" at Karl- stadt, where, after a three years' course, he graduated in 1873. He devoted him- self to experiments in electricity and magnetism, to the chagrin of his father, who had destined him for the ministry, but giving way to the boy's evident genius he was allowed to continue his studies in the polytechnic school at Grat2. He in- herited a wonderful intuition which enabled him to see through the intricacies of ma- chinery, and despite his instructor's demon- stration that a dynamo could not be oper- ated without commutators or brushes, began experiments which finally resulted in his rotating field motors. After the study of languages at Prague and Buda-Pesth, he became associated with M. Puskas, who had introduced the telephone into Hungary. He invented several improvements, but being unable to reap the necessary benefit from them, he, in search of a wider field, went to Paris, where he found employment with one of the electric lighting companies as electrical engineer. Soon he set his face westward, and coming to the United States for a time found congenial employment wrth Thomas A. Edison. Finding it impossible, overshadowed as he was, to carry out his own ideas he left the Edison works to join a company formed to place his own inven- tions on the market. He perfected his rotary field principle, adapting it to circuits then in operation. It is said of him that some of his proved theories will change the entire electrical science. It would, in an article of this length, be impossible to ex- plain all that Tesla accomplished for the practical side of electrical engineering. His discoveries formed the basis of the at- tempt to utilize the water power of Niagara Falls. His work ranges far beyond the vast department of polyphase currents and high potential lighting and includes many inventions in arc lighting, transformers, pyro and thermo-magnetic motors, new forms of incandescent lamps, unipolar dyna- mos and many others. CHARLES B. LEWIS won fame as an American humorist under the name of "M. Quad." It is said he owes his celebrity originally to the fact that he was once mixed up in a boiler explosion on the Ohio river, and the impressions he received from the event he set up from his case when he was in the composing room of an ob- scure Michigan paper. His style possesses a peculiar quaintness, and there runs through 194 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPI/r. it a vein of philosophy. Mr. Lewis was born in 1S44, near a town called Liverpool, Ohio. He was, however, raised in Lansing, Michigan, where he spent a year in an agri- cultural college, going from there to the composing room of the "Lansing Demo- crat." At the outbreak of the war he en- listed in the service, remained during the entire war, and then returned to Lansing. The explosion of the boiler that "blew him into fame, " took place two years later, while he w'as on his way south. When he re- covered physically, he brought suit for dam- ages against the steamboat company, which he gained, and was awarded a verdict of twelve thousand dollars for injuries re- ceived. It was while he was employed by the "Jacksonian" of Pontiac, Mich., that he set up his account of how he felt while being blown up. He says that he signed it "M Quad," because "a bourgeoise em quad is useless except in its own line — it won't justify with any other type." Soon after, because of the celebrity he attained by this screed, Mr. Lewis secured a place on the staff of the " Detroit Free Press," and made for that paper a wide reputation. His sketches of the "Lime Kiln Club" and " Brudder Gardner " are perhaps the best known of his humorous writings. HIRAM S. MAXIM, the famous inventor, was born in Sangersville, Maine, February 5, 1840, the son of Isaac W. and Harriet B. Maxim. The town of his birth was but a small place, in the woods, on the confines of civilization, and the family endured many hardships. They were without means and entirely dependent on themselves to make out of raw materials all they needed. The mother was an expert spinner, weaver, dyer and seamstress and the father a trapper, tanner, miller, blacksmith, carpenter, mason and farmer. Amid such surroundings young Maxim gave early promise of remarkable aptitude. With the universal Yankee jack- knife the products of his skill excited the wonder and interest of the locality. His parents did not encourage his latent genius but apprenticed him to a coach builder. Four years he labored at this uncongenial trade but at the end of that time he forsook it and entered a machine shop at Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Soon mastering the details of that business and that of mechanical drawing, he went to Boston as the foreman of the philosophical instrument manufactory. From thence he went to New York and with the Novelty Iron Works Shipbuilding Co. he gained experience in those trades. His inventions up to this time consisted of improvements in steam engines, and an automatic gas machine, which came into general use. In 1877 he turned his attention to electricity, and in 1878 produced an incandescent lamp, that would burn 1,000 hours. He was the first to design a process for flashing electric carbons, and the first to "standardize" carbons for electric light- ing. In 1880 he visited Europe and exhibit- ing, at the Paris Exposition of 1881, a self- regulating machine, was decorated with the Legion of Honor. In 1883 he returned to London as the European representative of the United States Electric Light Co. An incident of his boyhood, in which the recoil of a rifle was noticed by him, and the apparent loss of power shown, in 188 1-2 prompted the invention of a gun which utilizes the recoil to automatically load and fire seven hundred and seventy shots per minute. The Maxim- Nordenfelt Gun Co., with a capital of nine million dollars, grew from this. In 1883 he patented his electric training gear for large guns. And later turned his attention to fly- COMPENDIUM OF BJOGRAPHT. 195 ing machines, which he claimed were not an impossibility. He took out over one hundred patents for smokeless gunpowder, and for pe- troleum and other motors and autocycles. JOHN DAVISON ROCKEFELLER, one of America's very greatest financiers and philanthropists, was born in Richford, Tioga county, New York, July 8, 1839. He received a common-school education in his native place, and in 1853, when his parents removed to Cleveland, Ohio, he entered the high school of that city. After a two-years' course of diligent work, he entered the com- mission and forwarding house of Hewitt & Tuttle, of Cleveland, remaining with the firm some years, and then began business for himself, forming a partnership with Morris B. Clark. Mr. Rockefeller was then but nineteen years of age, and during the year i860, in connection with others, they started the oil refining business, under the firm name of Andrews, Clark & Co. Mr. Rockefeller and Mr. Andrews purchased the interest of their associates, and, after taking William Rockefeller into the firm, established offices in Cleveland under the name of William Rockefeller & Co. Shortly after this the house of Rockefeller & Co. was es- tablished in New York for the purpose of finding a market for their products, -and two years later all the refining companies were consolidated under the firm name of Rocke- feller, Andrews & Flagler. This firm was succeeded in 1870 by the Standard Oil Company of Ohio, said to be the most gigantic business corporation of modern times. John D. Rockefeller's fortune has been variously estimated at from one hun- dred million to two hundred million dollars. Mr. Rockefeller's philanthropy mani- fested itself principally through the American Baptist Educational Society. He donated the building for the Spelman Institute at Atlanta, Georgia, a school for the instruction of negroes. His other gifts were to the University of Rochester, Cook Academy, Peddie Institute, and Vassar College, be- sides smaller gifts to many institutions throughout the country. His princely do- nations, however, were to the University of Chicago. His first gift to this institution was a conditional offer of six hundred thou- sand dollars in 1889, and when this amount was paid he added one million more. Dur- ing 1892 he made it two gifts of one million each, and all told, his donations to this one institution aggregated between seven and eight millions of dollars. JOHN M. PALMER.— For over a third of a century this gentleman occupied a prominent place in the political world, both in the state of Illinois and on the broader platform of national issues. Mr. Palmer was born at Eagle Creek, Scott county, Kentucky, September 13, 1 8 17. The family subsequently removed to Christian county, in the same state, where he acquired a common-school education, and made his home until 1831. His father was •opposed to slavery, and in the latter year removed to Illinois and settled near Alton. In 1834 John entered Alton College, or- ganized on the manual-labor plan, but his funds failing, abandoned it and entered a cooper shop. He subsequently was en- gaged in peddling, and teaching a district school near Canton. In 1838 he began the study of law, and the following year re- moved to Carlinville, where, in December of that year, he was admitted to the bar. He was shortly after defeated for county clerk. In 1843 he was elected probate judge. In the constitutional convention of 1847, Mr. Palmer was a delegate, and from 1849 to 196 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 185 1 he was county judge. In 1852 he be- came a member of the state senate, but not being with his party on the slavery question he resigned that office in 1854. In 1856 Mr. Palmer was chairman of the first Re- publican state convention held in Illinois, and the same year was a delegate to the national convention. In i860 he was an elector on the Lincoln ticket, and on the breaking out of the war entered the service as colonel of the Fourteenth Illinois Infan- try, but was shortly after brevetted brigadier- general. In August, 1862, he organized the One Hundred and Twenty-second Illi- nois Infantry, but in September he was placed in command of the first division of the Army of the Mississippi, afterward was promoted to the rank of major-general. In 1865 he was assigned to the military ad- ministration in Kentucky. In 1867 General Pplmer was elected governor of Illinois and s«"rved four years. In 1872 he went with the Liberal Republicans, who supported Horace Greeley, after which time he was identified with the Democratic party. In 1890 he was elected United States senator from Illinois, and served as such for six years. In 1896, on the adoption of the sil- ver plank in the platform of the Democratic party, General Palmer consented to lead, as presidential candidate, the National Dem- ocrats, or Gold Democracy. WILLIAM H. BEARD, the humorist among American painters, was born at Painesville, Ohio, in 1821. His father, James H. Beard, was also a painter of na- tional reputation. William H. Beard be- gan his career as a traveling portrait painter. He pursued his studies in New York, and later removed to Buffalo, where he achieved reputation. He then went to Italy and after a short stay returned to New York and opened a studio. One of his earliest paintings was a small picture called "Cat and Kittens, " which was placed in the National Academy on exhibition. Among his best productions are "Raining Cats and Dogs," "The Dance of Silenus, " "Bears on a Bender," "Bulls and Bears," " Whoo!" " Grimalkin's Dream," " Little Red Riding Hood," "The Guardian of the Flag." His animal pictures convey the most ludicrous and satirical ideas, and the intelligent, human expression in their faces is most comical. Some artists and critics have re- fused to give Mr. Beard a place among the first circles in art, solely on account of the class of subjects he has chosen. WW. CORCORAN, the noted philan- throphist, was born at Georgetown, District of Columbia; December 27, 1798. At the age of twenty-five he entered the banking business in Washington, and in time became very wealthy. He was noted for his magnificent donations to char- ity. Oak Hill cemetery was donated to Georgetown in 1847, and ten years later the Corcoran Art Gallery, Temple of Art, was presented to the city of Washington. The uncompleted building was utilized by the government as quartermaster's headquar- ters during the war. The building was completed after the war at a cost of a mil- lion and a half dollars, all the gift of Mr. Corcoran. The Louise Home for Women is another noble charity to his credit. Its object is the care of women of gentle breed- ing who in declining years are without means of support. In addition to this he gave liberally to many worthy institutions of learning and charity. He died at Wash- ington February 24, 1888. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 197 ALBERT BIERSTADT, the noted paint- er of American landscape, was born in Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1829, and was brought to America by his parents at the age of two years. He received his early education here, but returned to Dusseldorf to study painting, and also went to Rome. ■On his return to America he accompanied l^ander's expedition across the continent, in 1858, and soon after produced his most popular work, "The Rocky Mountains — Lander's Peak. " Its boldness and grandeur were so unusual that it made him famous. The picture sold for twenty-five thousand dollars. In 1867 Mr. Bierstadt went to Europe, with a government commission, and gathered materials for his great historic- al work, "Discovery of the North River by Hendrik Hudson." Others of his great works were "Storm in the Rocky Mount- ains," " Valley of the Yosemite," "North Fork of the Platte," "Diamond Pool," "Mount Hood," "Mount Rosalie," and "The Sierra Nevada Mountains." His "Estes Park" sold for fifteen thousand dollars, and "Mount Rosalie" brought thirty-five thousand dollars. His smaller Rocky mountain scenes, however, are vast- ly superior to his larger works in execution and coloring. ADDISON CAMMACK, a famous mill- ionaire Wall street speculator, was born in Kentucky. When sixteen years old he ran away from home and went to New Orleans, where he went to work in a ship- ping house. He outlived and outworked all the partners, and became the head of the firm before tne opening of the war. At that time he fitted out small vessels and en- gaged in running the blockade of southern ports and carrying ammunition, merchan- dise, etc., to the southern people. This made him a fortune. At the close of the war he quit business and went to New York. For two years he did not enter any active business, but seemed to be simply an on-looker in the great speculative center of America. He was observing keenly the methods and financial machinery, however, and when, in 1867, he formed a partnership with the popular Charles J. Osborne, the firm began to prosper. He never had an office on the street, but wandered into the various brokers' offices and placed his orders as he saw fit. In 1873 he dissolved his partnership with Osborne and operated alone. He joined a band of speculative conspirators known as the "Twenty-third party," and was the ruling spirit in that or- ganization for the control of the stock mar- ket. He was always on the ' ' bear " side and the only serious obstacle he ever encoun- tered was the persistent boom in industrial stocks, particularly sugar, engineered by James R. Keane. Mr. Cammack fought Keane for two years, and during the time is said to have lost no less than two million dollars before he abandoned the fisrht. WALT. WHITMAN.— Foremost among the lesser poets of the latter part of the nineteenth century, the gentleman whose name adorns the head of this article takes a conspicuous place. Whitman was born at West Hills, Long Island, New York, May 13, 1809. In the schools of Brooklyn he laid the foundation of his education, and early in life learned the printer's trade. For a time he taught coun- try schools in his native state. In 1846-7 he was editor of the " Brooklyn Eagle, " but in 1848-9 was on the editorial staff of the "Crescent," of New Orleans. He made an extended tour throughout the United States and Canada, and returned to 198 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHl'. Brooklyn, where, in 1850, he published the "Freeman. " For some years succeeding this he was engaged as carpenter and builder. During the Civil war. Whitman acted as a volunteer nurse in the hospitals at Washington and vicinity and from the close of hostilities until 1873 he was employed in various clerkships in the government offices in the nation's capital. In the latter year he was stricken with paralysis as a result of his labors in the hospital, it is said, and being partially disabled lived for many years at Camden, New Jersey. The first edition of the work which was to bring him fame, "Leaves of Grass," was published in 1855 and was but a small volume of about ninety-four pages. Seven or eight editions of "Leaves of Grass" have been issued, each enlarged and enr-iched with new poems. "Drum Taps," at first a separate publication, has been incorporated with the others. This volume and one prose writing entitled " Specimen Days and Collect," constituted his whole work. Walt. Whitman died at Camden, New Jersey, March 26, 1892. HENRY DUPONT, who became cele- brated as America's greatest manufact- urer of gunpowder, was a native of Dela- ware, born August 8, 18 12. He received his education in its higher branches at the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated and entered the army as second lieutenant of artillery in 1833. In 1834 he resigned and became proprietor of the extensive gunpowder manufacturing plant that bears his name, near Wilmington, Delaware. His large business interests interfered with his tak- ing any active participation in political life, although for many years he served as adjutant-general of his native state, and during the war as major-general command- ing the Home Guards. He died August S, 1889. His son, Henry A. Dupont, also was a native of Delaware, and was born July 30, 1838. After graduating from West Point in 1 86 1, he entered the army as second lieutenant of engineers. Shortly after he was transferred to the Fifth Artillery as first lieutenant. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1864, serving in camp and garrison most of the time. He was in com- mand of a battery in the campaign of 1863-4. As chief of artillery of the army of West Virginia, he figured until the close of the war, being in the battles of Opequan, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, besides many minor engagements. He afterward acted as instructor in the artillery school at Fortress Monroe, and on special duty at West Point. He resigned from the army March i, 1875. WILLIAM DEERING, one of the fa- mous manufacturers of America, and also a philanthropist and patron of educa- tion, was born in Maine in 1826. His an- cestors were English, having settled in New England in 1634. Early in life it was Will- iam's intention to become a phjsician, and after completing his common-school educa- tion, when about eighteen years of age, he began an apprenticeship with a physician. A short time later, however, at the request of his father, he took charge of his father's business interests, which included a woolen mill, retail store and grist mill, after which he became agent for a dry goods commission house in Portland, where he was married. Later he became partner in the firm, and removed to New York. The business pros- pered, and after a number of years, on ac- count of failing health, Mr. Deering sold his interest to his partner, a Mr. Milner. The COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 199 business has since made Mr. Milner a mill- ionaire many times over. A few years later Mr. Deering located in Chicago. His beginning in the manufacture of reapers, which has since made his name famous, was somewhat of an accident. He had loaned money to a man in that business, and in 1878 was compelled to buy out the business to protect his interests. The busi- ness developed rapidly and grew to immense proportions. The factories now cover sixty- two acres of ground and employ many thou- sands of men. TOHN McAllister schofield, an eld many positions of honor and trust, and w as found ecpal to any emergency, discharg- ing all his obligations with the utmost fidel- ity. He was a man of sterling qualities, and It is safe to say that no one in the county had more friends. He was one of the early county judges, being first elected in 1S58, and he also served as probate judge one term, being elected to that office in 1874; and was justice of the peace a number oi vears. His children were Alljcrt 1'., I'ran- cis, ^^'ellington, Stephen, Ahina. .\un. Roi- ly and Rose Belle. Hon. Albert P. Morehouse, our subject'.^ 224 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. father, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, July II, 1835, and was reared as a farmer boy, though his educational advantages were better than the average. At the age of eight- een years he began teaching school in his native county, and after coming to this state with his parents, in 1856, continued to fol- low that profession for a time. During his leisure hours he studied law and in i860 was admitted to the bar, after which he was engaged in the practice of his profession in Alontgomery county, Iowa, for some years. In 1861 he was commissioned first lieutenant in Colonel Kimball's regiment of enrolled militia, and held that office six months. He commencern in Mi^rrow countv. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 2-29 Ohio, July 20, 1829, a son of John and Abi- gail (Waffort) Cook, who were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania. The former was of Eng-lish, the latter of Hol- land Dutch extraction. In 181 1 the father went on a prospecting tour to Ohio, where he Ijought land and also entered a tract, and he located thereon the following year. To the improvement and cultivation of his farm lie devoted the remainder of his life, dying there in 1844. He was one of the prominent Democrats of his community, and was hon- ored with a number of county and town- ship offices, including that of justice of the l^eace, which he held for many years. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the Baptist church, and were highly respected and esteemed by all who knew them. She survived him many years, dying on the old homestead in 1869. To them were born nine children besides our subject, as follows : Joseph, who was accidentally killed at the age of twelve years; Cynthia, the wife of T. Phillips; Rachel, the wife of J. Dakin; Mc- Arthur, who died in Ohio, leaving a good estate to his family; John, a resident of Burlington Junction, Missouri; Miriam, the wile of J. Walker, of Noble county, Indiana; Perry, a resident of the state of Washing- ton; Fayette, our subject; Sarah, the wife of M. C. McClucken; and Mary, the wife of G. Corwin. The mother of Mrs. Cook was Keziah Baughart and died in Ohio at about eighty-five years of age. Our subject received his education in the common schools of his native state, and re- mained with his mother in charge of the home farm until seventeen years of age. In 1852 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Cyphers, who was born in Warren county. New Jersey, October 25, 1832, a daughter of James Cyphers, a native of Xew Jersey and a blacksmith by trade, who died in Ohio. She is the second in order of birth in a family of thirteen children, the others being Sarah, Elizabeth, James, Will- iam, Hannah, Melville, Marion, Eugene, Clinton, and three who died in infancy. The parents were Ijnth nicnil)crs of the Bap- tist chlnxh, to which Mrs. Cook also be- longs, as also did her husband. They had six children, namely: Samantha, the wife of J Baugher, a farmer; Miles; Allen, who was murdered in Oklahoma in 1896; James, who was formerly a farmer but is now a grain and stock dealer of Skidmore ; John, a druggist of that place; and jMay Belle, the wife of John Giles, of Denver, Colorado. In 1869 Mr. Cook left Ohio and came to Missouri. Long before the land in Noda- way county came into market his father had niatle a prospecting tour through the west, and was so favorably impressed with this region that in framing his will he enabled the administrator and executor of the same to purchase a sufficient quantity of land to give each of his children one hundred and sixty acres. His wish was carrietl out and the land entered in this county as soon as it came on the market. On coming to iSIis- souri our subject took possession of his tract and added to it until he had four hun- dred and forty acres. He devoted many years to the arduous task of improving and cultivating his land, and made of it a valu- able farm. He always gave considerable attention to the raising of cattle and hogs, and fed most of the products of his farm to his stock. Industrious, energetic and per- severing, his well directed efforts were crowned with success, and he became one of the most prosperous men of his com- munity. He greatly assisted all of his chil- dren financially, wliile still retaining a hand- 230 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY some property. In 1898 he and a son erect- ed a large brick block in Skidmore, and un- der the state law opened a i)rivate bank with a capital of five thousand dollars, but after- ward he purchased his son's interest and pursued a general banking business alone. He occupied one store room in the building erected by him, and his son conducted a drug store in the other, while the hall above was used as an opera house. After 1898 Mr. Cook made his home in town, and began erecting a commodious residence there with all modern improvements. Politically he was always affiliated with the Democratic party, and gave his support to every enterprise which he believed calcu- lated to advance the moral, social and ma- terial welfare of iiis adopted county. He died September 19, 1900, and is buried at Skidmore. JOXATMAX W'OllLFORD. Jonathan W'ohltord, a prominent and representative farmer of Nodaway county and one of the old settlers of that county, is one of the best farmers in that section of the state. A son of George and Lydia (Danghenbaugh) Wohlford, he was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1834. Philip Wohlford, the grand fatlicr of our subject, was a pioneer of Kentucky, coming from Germany. From Kentucky he moved to Center county, Pennsylvania, where he conducted a mill and a farm. He was very well and favorably known in the county, where he served as justice of the peace for many years. He died on the old homestead, and left the following chitilren : Jacol); John; Philip, Jr.; George, father of our subject; Henry, David, Susanna, Mary and Cather- ine. George Wohlford was reared and edu- cated in Pennsylvania, where he assisted his father in farming and running the mill. Besides being a millwright, he was also a wea\-er by trade, lit 1847 lie settled in Stephenson county, Illinois, where he bought two hundred acres of land and gave his at- tention to farming. .\t his death, in 1869, he left a good estate. His wife died at the age of seventy-one. Their children were : Jonathan, the subject of this sketch; Susan- na, the wife of D. L. Bear; Aaron, of Illi- nois; George, killed in the Civil war; Sarah, the wife of P. Bear; Emanuel, of Minne- sota; and Christian, of Illinois. The par- ents attended the Lutheran church. Jonathan \\'ohlford, whose name heads this brief biography, was educated in the German and English schools of his native county. In 1856 he decided to "'go west and grow up with the country," so accord- ingly set out for Kansas. Being a Republi- can, lie was invited by slave-state voters to move on, which he did, tracing his way back to Missouri, where he remained in St. Jo- seph a short time. He then went farther north in the state, and, in Andrew county, worked out at fifty cents per da}-. After the winter was over, Mr. Wohlford went to Iowa, but remained only until fall, returning to Missouri, where lie bought a claim of eighty acres inXodaway county. He returned to Andrew county in 1858, and married, after which he got together a pioneer cabin and settled on his own land in Nodaway county. Being a thorough and conscien- tious worker, it was not long until affairs began to shape themselves according to his plans, and his land was under a good state of cultivation. He has been very successful and is now the owner of four hundred and fiftv acres of l)i'antifn11v ruliiv.Ucil l.nul. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 281 He lias also handled and raised stock, in addition to the tilling- of the soil. Mr. Wohlford married Sarah E. Jobe, April 6, 1858. She was born in Sangamon county, ininois, a daughter of Ira B. Jobe, ^vho was a native of day county, Missouri. Mr. Jobe was reared in Illinois, and in 1857 moved to Missouri, settling in Andrew coun- ty, where he carried on general farming. He sold his farm there in 1865 and moved ,to Nodaway county, where he continued to live to the time of his deatii, which occurred in July, 1898. His wife, who is in her eighty-fifth year, is still living, with her daughter. Tiiey were the i)arents of eight children, namely: William; Sarah, the wife of our subject; Caroline, who married D. \\'ilson ; A. \V. ; Caleb, served in the Federal army; Thomas, of Kansas; Melis.sa, the wife of M. Baker; and Lucy, who married S. ]\Iatthews. Mrs. Jobe is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Wohlford have been blessed with six children: Samuel, a farmer; Mary, the wife of J. Perkins; William D., a farmer ; George, who also is a farmer ; Lenora, who married IM. Ankrum; and Ira E., who is fanning on the old homestead. Mr. Wohlford is a firm believer in the Re- publican party, always taking an active in- terest in politics. He has been assessor, and has filled minor offices. He was a school director for a number of years. His wife is a member of the Latter Day Saints' church. JAMES A. YARN ELL. Among the agriculturists of Nodaway county who have attained success from a financial point of view is the gentleman wliose name introduces this sketcli. He has accumulated a handsome competence and is now alile to lav aside all business cares and enjoy a well earned rest. He was an ener- getic and progressive farmer and stock raiser and a com])lete master of the calling which he followed. Air. ^'arnell was born in \'erniilioii c>iun- ty, Illinois, ]\Iay 28, 1841, a son of Thomas and Dorcas T. (Hildrcth) ^'arnell. On the paternal side he is of English de-ccnt. The first of the family to cross the .\tl;ii;tic came to America with one of William Penn's colonies and settled in Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Society of Friends. Later members of the family drifted to Kentucky. Our subject's father was born and reared in Cynthiana, that state, and was the older of two children of the family. His sister, Airs. Rebecca Matkin, died in Illinois, at the age of eighty-eight years. He was first married in his native state and then mo\-ed to Grand Prairie, Vermilion county, Illinois, where he improved a farm and where his first wife died, leaving three children : Joseph ; Elizabeth, who died un- married; and Sanniel, a retired farmer of Ravenwood, Xodaway count)', Alissouri. For his second wife Mr. Yarnell married Dorcas T. Hildreth, a native of Paris, Ken- tucky, in which state her father died, after which her mother took her family to Illi- nois, where with' the aid of grown sons she impr(ncd a farm. 1 ler children were Alviu K., John, Harvey, Mrs. Angeline Howe, William, Mrs. Mary .McDowell, .Mrs. Horcas T. Yarnell and llirani. With the e.xceptiou of Mrs. Yarnell, who was a Methodist, the family held membership in the Presl-jyterian church. The father of our subject died near Danville, Illinois, in 1842, and in 185,^ the mother sold the farm and moved to Xoda- way county, Alissouri, the iiopulalion of 2'.V2 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. wliich at tliat time was mostly Indians, and tlie countiy was all wild and unimproved. She entered a large tract of land, on which she and her family made their home until after the children were married, when she sold the property and moved to Maryville, residing there until called from this life August 25, 1886, at the age of seventy-seven years. She was a good financier and pos- sessed more than ordinary business ability. As a mother she was devoted to her family and deprived herself for their l)cnefit. Her ciiildren were Thomas, who died unmarried; ]\Iary E., the wife of G. Stingley; James A., our subject; and Leona, the wife of P. MmSCT. James A. YarncU was only twelve years old when he came to this county, and re- mained with his mother until the Civil war broke out, being educated in the country schouls near the home farm. In September, 1 86 1, he enlisted in Colonel Kimble's regi nient for si.x months' service in central Mis- souri, and was honorably discharged in March, 1862. Later he re-enlisted in Com- ])any C, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, which wa? assigned to the western army, and was in many hard-fought engagements with t\vi guerrillas and Trice's men, but was fortu- nately never wounded or taken prisoner, lie was mustered out at W'arrensburg, Mis- souri, and discharged and- paid off at St. ],ouis. Returning to his home in this county -\Ir. Varnell was married, in November, 1865, to Miss Samantlia Scott, a native of Clinton county, Missouri, and a daughter of jnhn Scott, who was born in Ohio and was a farmer by occu])ation. She is the second in order of birth in a family of four children, the others being Sarah A., the wife of William Simmons; Rion G., a stock man; and John W., professor of a Colorado school. To Mr. and Mrs. Yarnell were born the following children : Frisby A., a resident of Colorado; Dorcas L. ; Mary A.; Donella. who died young; James A., a resident of San I'-rancisco, California; Florence R., who has engaged in teaching school and is now attending college in Salt Lake City; Belva C. ; Alfred, of San Francisco; Eugene H. and Byrdie. The wife and mother is now with .some of her children in San Francisco. After his marriage jNIr. Yarnell located ujion his farm, and to its cultivation and improvement he devoted his energies for some years. He raised considerable stock and also bought and sold cattle and hogs which business he found profitable. Suc- cess has attended his well directed efforts, and he has accumulated a handsome prop- erty. At one time he owned seven hundred acres of rich and arable land. In 1887 he left the farm and moved to Maryville, where he engaged in merchandising one year, but is now living a retired life, looking after his interests only. Though reared a Democrat, he cast his first presidential vote for Abra- ham Lincoln, and has remained a stanch supporter of the Republican party. .He is a i consistent member of the Presbyterian , church, and is highly respected and esteemed bv the entire comnumitv in which he lives. CORNELIUS HULL. The subject of this sketch, now a re- tired farmer and highly respected citizen of ^L^ryvilIe, Missouri, was born in Dela- ware county, Ohio, November 7, 1826, and was reared on a farm, being educated in the comiuon and subscription schools of the neighborhood. His parents, Samuel and Cherissa (Wilcox) Hull, were also natives BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 183 of Ohio, while his paternal grandfather, Ezekiel Hull, was born in Virginia, and as early as 1805 moved to Ross county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days. His children were Piatt, David D., Ezekiel, Cornelius, Nathaniel, Daniel, Luff, Samuel, James, Martha and Mary. In early life the father of our subject served as captain, major and later as colonel in the Ohio militia, and on the Whig ticket was elected to several civil offices in his township. He followed farming in his native state until 1S70, when he came to Maryville, Missouri, and lived a retired life until his death, dy- ing there January 12, i8yj, at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. His wife had died previously. She was a daughter of Hira Wilcox, a native of Connecticut and a farmer by occupation, who died in Ohio. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and his father, Jehial ^V'ilcox, was the captain of a company in the Revolutionary war. The former had live children, namely : Herman ; Elmore ;Cherissa, the mother of our subject ; Sylva A., the wife of M. R. Paine; and Clarissa, the wife of D. S. Drake. The par- ents of these children were members of the P'reewill Baptist church, while the Hull fam- ily were members of the Missionary Baptist church. Our subject is the oldest of a fam- ily of thirteen children, the others being Hira; Clarissa, the wife of E. M. Conklin; Herman W. ; Lydia A., the wife of J. Miller; J\Iary, the wife of J. W. Hoff; Martha, the wife of W. Ferguson; William; Samuel; George; Joseph; Harriet J., the wife of M. Carpenter; and Daniel. Cornelius Hull remaineil under the pa- rental roof until he was married, in 1847, to Miss Jane A. ^^'yatt, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Samuel D. Wyatt, a farmer and Freewill Baptist preacher, who died in that state in 1845. His children were Editha, Cyrus, David, John, Jane A., Eliza, Clarissa, Ruth and James. Mrs. Hull, who was a consistent and faithful member of the ^lissionary Baptist church, died Oc- tober 30, 1877, leaving children named Ann E., John, Herman, S. W., Frank, Flora J., Clara, David and Abe. Only the last named was Ijorn in Missouri, the others in Ohio. Mrs, Hull's grandmother was the first white woman of northern Ohio. In 1878 our subject was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mattie A. Martin, a daughter uf J. P. Flarris, of Mis- souri. The only child born to them died young, and the wife died January 5, 18S2. She, too, was a member of the JSIissiijuary Baptist church. In 1882 Mr. Hull married Mrs. Emaline Wells, and on the nth of March, 1890, he married his present wife, Mrs. Caroline Wareham, a native of Frank- lin county, Indiana, of which state her fa- ther, J. P. ^\''illiams, was an honored pio- neer. Her mother was a sister of Go\"ernor Rae, of Indiana, and her brother was a noted chancellor and circuit judge of Wapel- lo, Iowa, who became very prominent and wealth)' and died in Ottumwa, same state. Mrs. Hull was first married in Indiana and then moved to Iowa, where she lost by death tl>ree husbands, our subject being her fourth, as v.ell as .■^i.'e his fourtli wife. Mr. Hull eng.igvd in farming in Ohio until the Civil war broke out, when he en- listed, in 1861, fur three years as a mem- ber of Company D, Twentieth Oliiu Vol- unteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Vi'estern army. He participated in the bat- tles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and be- ing injured in the latter engagement he was honorably discharged, in August, 1862. In 1864 he re-enlisted, in the one-hundred-day >34 BIOGR.IPII/C.IL HISTORV. ser\icc, and was commissioned first lieuten- ant of Company C, One Hundred and Forty- fifth Ohio National Guards. He participat- ed in a number of battles and skirmishes during his first service, but later did prin- cipally guard duty. After being discharged he returned to his family in Ohio. In No- vember, 1865, he came to Nodawaj' county, ^Missouri, and purchased a farm of one hun- dred acres in Union township, to the im- provement and cultivation of which he de- voted his energies until 1882, when he bought five acres of land adjoining Alary- ville, which is now within the corporation limits and which has since been his home. During Iiis active business life he suc- cessfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, but is now living retired, en- joying a well earned rest. Politically he is a Republican, and religiously both he and his estimable wife are earnest members of the ^Missionary Baptist church. He belongs to a family noted for its morality and in- tegrity, and he has in no way injured the reputation established by his ancestors, his upright, lionorable life commanding the re- spect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact either in business or social life. JOHN S. BILBV. The portions of tlie west devoted to stock-raising have many so called "cattle barons" and "cattle kings." For the most ])art they come and go, rising to promi- nence quickly and subsiding to obscurity suddenly, "as the result," Mr. Bilby says, "caused more generally by a vicious financial or gold standard form of currency forced upon the unsuspecting and confiding coun- tryman." The successful stock man and land ownerwhose name is mentioned above makes no claim to great distinction in his business, Init it is a fact that he has achieved high rank and permanently established himself in it by methods at once enterjjrising and con- servative, which would have made a man of his ability successful in any other field of eiulea\i)r. Juhn S. Bilby, the largest capitalist and most extensive land owner in Nodaway county, Missouri, was born in Washington to\vnship, Morris county, New Jersey, Jan- uary 19, 1832, a son of John Bilby, a grand- son of Jonathan Bilby and a great-great- grandson, in the maternal line, of one of those patriot ofiicers who fought in the strug- gle for American independence under Gen- eral Washington. Indeed, the family of Bilbys, in New Jersey, has an unbroken record for patriotism and good business ability, and in all periods of the history of that state down to the present time Bilbys have been among her most useful and prom- inent citizens. Jonathan Bilbj^ was born at Bordentown, New Jersey, and married a daughter of Colonel Daniel Sweazey, of Revolutionary fame, a member of another family long conspicuous in New Jersey af- fairs. John Bilby, his son and the father of John S. Bilby, married Delilah Sliker, a daughter of John Sliker, of Hunterdon c(junty. New Jersey, and of German de- scent ; she bore him eight sons and seven daughters. Mrs. Bilby died in November, 1900, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Her husband died at the age of fifty- six. He was a man of fine abilities, a good business man and prominent farmer, a Democrat and a member of the Methodist h'piscopal church. BIOGRAPHICAL lllSTOKY. rdb John S. Bilby was reared on his father's farm in New Jersey and was taught to do all kinds of farm work and learned the trade of carpenter and millwright. He was given as good an education as was to be had in the ])uhlic schools of the time and place. Incidentally, having a natural liking for business, he engaged in various transactions which afforded him a helpful business ex- perience. He was married, at twenty-three, to a daughter of jNIoses and Margaret (Mes- singer) Appleget, a member of an old and worthy New Jersey family. In 1855 he came west and located in Fulton county, Illinois, near Canton, where he found work at his trade. In i860 he remo\ed to McDonough county, same state, and engaged in stock- raising near Bushnell, where he acquired one thousand acres of land, by successful cultivation and good business management, and remained until 1875, when he founded his present home in Nodaway county. He was discerning enough to see that, with its productive soil and blue-grass pastures, this was naturally a good stock country, and he invested and labored with that idea in view, and results have demonstrated the wisdom of his opinion. His tirst land purchase was moderate, but he has made many since and now owns twenty-two thousand acres in Nodaway, Atchison and Holt counties, in- cluding blue-grass pastures that ri\al those of Kentucky, tiinothy and clo\cr land that surpasses . the Illinois meadows, and corn- lields that yield vast crops. He has, also, lifteen thousand acres in Stainit(jn county, Neljraska, and large tracts in other states i'.nd territories. On these large possessions he feeds from two to ten thousand head of cattle each year and about an equal num- ber of hogs. Throughout all the great stock-raising territory of the west. Mr. Bilby is regarded as one of the very best judges of cattle and cattle values, and in his man- agement of landed and stock-raising inter- ests he is probably without a peer. ■Mr. Bilby's sons ha\e been brought up to the cattle business and under his able di- rection have naturally become experts in judging stock. J. E. Bilby, the eldest, was born in Illinois, November (j, 1864, and was educated in the public schools near his home and at college in Iowa. He married Miss Josephine Albright, who was born, reared and educated in Nodaway county, and they have four children, named Stocker, Will- iam, Nellie and ]\Iurray. He is a Demo- crat and a member of the ^^lasonic order. Russell I., Mr. Bilby's second son, was born in Illinois, and was educated in that state arid at College Springs, Iowa. His wife was Miss Maggie Miller, a daughter of Alex- ander Miller, of Atchison county, Missouri. They have four children : Margaret, John S., Jr., Ralph and Farrell. N. \ ., Mr. Bilby's youngest son, was born in Illinois and educated there and in Nodawa}- county, Alissouri. He married Miss Bird IMcMackin and has two children — Mary and an infant son. Mr. Bilby has one daughter, Frances E., now the wife of R. R. Smith, of Seattle. In 1887, in the death of his wife, Mr. Bilby was stricken by the one great sorrow of h'js life. Mrs. Bilby had proven herself a lov- ing and helpful wife and a wise anil gentle niiither, and her loss to her family was one which can never be repaired. Mr. Bilby was concerned in the estab- lishment of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank at Quitman, Nodaway county, which was founded in 1885. William A. Johnston was the cashier until 1887, and was suc- ceeded by J. E. Bilby. In 1890 N. \'. Bilby became the cashier and continued as such 23G BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. until i8(>S. wlien tlie 1)ank was sold to Dr. Rutus H. Smith, and later it was bought by J. S. Uilby & Sons. The Bilby bank is one of the solid rinancial institutions of north- west Missouri and has had no small part in. the development of agricultural, mer- cantile and manufacturing interests in and about Quitman. H. C. Bailey is the pres- ent cashier. , The Bank Block, in which the institution is located, is a modern two-story building, one of the attractive architectural features of the town. Partially retired from the acti\e man- agement of some of his varied and im£ort- ant interests, Mr. Bilby yet keeps all his affairs closely in mind and firmly in hand. .Though now sixty-eight years old, he ap- pears much younger, is active and hearty, rides a horse with ease and preserves a wonderful capacity for business, rolitically he is a Democrat, influential in party coun- cils, but has never had any political am- bition, and the last thing that he would care to be is a practical politician. MRS. MARY J. GRAHAM. This well known and h(inorc;37 Lis s}-nip;ilhics lieinj;- with llie snutli, wiiile the ci unity was on the side of the i'nion. ( )n its drganizatiim he was a])i)ointe(l clei"l<; oi the cnurts and ex-otiici» recorder and was the lirst post master of Maryville. Being a well educated and a hiti'lily intellectual man, he was well htted for any position he was called upon to till, and discharged his official duties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. l'^"a- ternally he was a memher of the i^Iasonic order. He was familiarly known as Colonel Crahani. as he held that rank in the old state militia. As a man he was kind-hearted and charitahle, always having a kind word for e\ery one, and he was highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He died September 14, 1865, at the age of forty- nine years, and in liis death the community realized that it had lost one of its most \alual)le and useful citizens, a man of un- (juestioned honcir and integrity. Mrs. (iraham still survives her husband, and is surrounded by a large circle of friends ar.d acquaintances w ho have for her the high- est regard. Their only child, Charles C. tiraham, was born June 5. 1843, and was reared and educated in this state. At the opening of the Civil war, when ^Missouri v.as greatly agitated over the question of secession, lie took sides with the Confederacy and entered the ser\-ice. Later he returned home but was obliged to lea\'e the state and .s(; went to Illinois. On again returning home he entered the Union army and was stationed at Fort Garland for a time, but in 1865, at the time of his father's last illness and death, he secured his release and joined his parents. While in Illinois he became acquainted \\\i\\ the lady who afterward became his wife. In 1806 he married Miss Donna Littlefield, who was liorn in Hancock coun- ty, Illinois, August 19, 1843, ^""^ ^^'''^ '^'i^ only child of Lyman O. and Olive (An- drews) Littlefield, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively. Her mother was twice married, her first liusbannic fraternity and was a man of much prominence in his com- munity. MILTON W. FRANCIS. ]\Iilton W. Francis is one of the intel- ligent, wide-aw^ake and honored citizens of Lincoln township, Atchison county, and since 1869 has resided tipon the section where he )-et makes his home. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, September 28, 1851, and is a son of Samuel Francis, one of the honored pioneers of the county who came to North- western Missouri when the country was new and wild, the greater part of the land being still in its primitive condition, giving little promise of speedy development or improve- ment. He now resides in Burlington Junc- tion, ^Missijuri. He was born in Ross coun- ty, Ohio, in 1828, and his father, John Fran- 238 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. cis, was a native of North Carolina, of French lineage, his ancestors having located in tiie Carolinas at an early period of the col- onial development. Representatives of the family served in the early wars and were prominent in shaping public affairs in the l)ic meer epoch. Samuel Francis, the father of our subject, was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads of the period and after arriving at man's estate he chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey ^liss Mary Stretch, who belonged to a highl}- respected family. She, too, was born in Ross county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Stretch of that county. In 1853 the parents of our subject left Ross county and emigrated west- ward, taking up their abode in Shelby coun- ty, Illinois, being among its first settlers. After twelve years, in 1865, they took up their abode near Toulon, Stark county, same state, and four years later, in 1869, started across the country for northwestern Mis- souri, making the journey in wagons drawn by two teams. Arriving in Xodaway coun- ty, Missouri, near Burlington, the 2d of Oc- tober they remained there one month and then located on the section of land where n( >w reside his two sons. With characteris- tic energy he began the development of the farm, continuing the work of improvement and cultivating the fields until the place was very productive and the farm was one of the best in the neighborhood. His labors were energetically prosecuted and as time passed he was enabled to add to his home all the comforts and conveniences known to the older east. His good wife, one of the hon- ored pioneer women, who had been a faith- ful companion and helpmate to him on life's j< )urney, was called to her final rest January 4. 1896. To her family she was most de- voted, counting no sacrifice too great that would promote the happiness and comfort of her husband and children. She was also a kind and helpful neighbor and was loved by all who knew her. Since her death the father has left the farm and is now spending the evening of life in Burlington Junction. This worthy couple were the par- ents of four children, namely: Mrs. Jane Wilson, who is living in Fort Scott, Kan- sas; Milton W'., of this review; Drusilla, the wife of Thomas Scott, of Lincoln township, Atchison county; and Thomas, who is liv- ing on the home farm. The parents were members of the Christian church, to wiiich the father still belongs. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs, in which he has met with creditable success. ^lilton W. Francis spent his boyhood and 30uth upon a farm in Illinois and Mis- souri and was early trained to habits of in- dustry and economy there. He was also taught the value of honesty in the affairs of life and his intellectual training was re- ceived in the public schools, his knowledge having later been supplemented by his read- ing and the e.xijerience gained in the busi- ness world. To his father he gave the ben- efit of his services until he was twenty-two years of age, remaining at home throughout that ijeriod. He then started out in life for himself and completed iiis arrangements for a home by his marriage to Miss Nancy Jane Clark, a daughter of Isaac Clark, of Lincoln township, who came to Missouri from Ross county, Ohio. Her mother bore the maiden name of Eleanor Graves and was also a native of Ross county. Both she and her husband are dead. Mrs. Francis was born in Ross countv, Ohio, but was ed- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 239 iicated ill Illiiiciis. By lier marriage she lias hccnme the mother of four children, namely : Kev. Emmett Francis, who is ]>reachiiig the gospel as a minister of the Christian church, heing' now located in Can- ton, ^Missouri; El])a Allen, a farmer; Will- iam Austin and ^Minnie Bell. The mother of the.se children died June 7, 1895. and her loss was deeply mourned by her fam- ily and many friends, for her many excel- lencies of character endeared her to all who knew her. In 1896 'Slv. Francis was again married, his second union being with Mag- gie Cleminons. who was liorn in Texas and was reared and educated in Davenport, L>wa, her parents being George H. and Louisa Clemmons. Her father was killed in tlie St. Louis cyclone in 1896, but her mother is living in Xodaway county, Mis- souri. He was a farmer and mechanic and was a de\-()ted member of the Christian church. His death occurred when he was fifty years of age. His children were ^lag- gie, Alva. Jesse, Myrtle, Miles and Louis. The second marriage of Mr. and !Mrs. Fran- cis lias been blessed with two children, name- ly : Benjamin Louis and Estella May. Our subject is to-day (jne of the enter- juMsing and prosperous farmers of his adopted county, owning a valuablle tract of land of one hundred and twelve acres which is placed under a high state of culti- \ation, and liaving added to it all the modern improN-ements and accessories. He has here a good house and barn, a bearing orchard and rich fields of grain, and his labors are crowned with a desirable and gratifying suc- cess. In politics he is a Populist and sup- ported Bryan for the presidency. He holds membership in the Christian church, in which he has served as an elder for fifteen \ears. Pie takes an active part in church and Sunday-school wprk and is a friend of ed'ucation and temperance; in fact he hear- tilv co-operates in every movement calcu- lated to uphold and benefit humanity. In manner he is cordial and kindly and his inan\- sterling characteristics have made him a popular citizen. HEMAN CLARK. Heman Clark is one of the most ex- tensive land-owners and stock-raisers of Atchison county. He has a pleasant home on section 27, Colfax township, where he has resided since 1872, in which year he became the possessor of three hundred and twenty acres of wild land. As years passed he transformed this into a very valuable tract and as his financial resources increased he added to the property until he now owais seven hundred and sixty acres, constituting one of the finest farms in the county. He has a model home, commodious and con- \'enientl_v arranged, and standing upon a natural building site in the midst of a beau- tiful gro\e, in which fox squirrels may be seen at play. The grove comprises twelve acres and upon the farm there is also a large orchard which yields its fruits in season. The outbuildings are modern and conven- ient, including a barn 60x44 feet, with sheds 26x44 feet. There are good pastures and meadows, a windmill and all modern ma- chinery, and the fertility of the soil is kept up through the rotation of crops. In con- nection with general farming Mr. Clark is successfully engaged in feeding and ship- ping stock, both branches of his business bringing to him an excellent income. This successful and enterprising" farmer is well known in Atchison county and he certainly 240 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY deserxes honorable mention in tlie history of north western Missouri. A native of Oliio, he was born May lO. 1832, in Bloomfield, Trumbull county. His father. Almon Clark. \yas a prominent and well known citizen of Trumbull coun- t\-, wlu're he conducted a hotel, dealt in stock and carried on other lines of business. He was bi.rn in Burtmi. Geauga county, Ohio, in the year 1800. His grand- father, Isaac Clark, was a native of Con necticut and of Scotch ancestry. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, loyally de- fending the American interests. By trade he was a wheelwright and was sent by a Connecticut colony to build a log gristmill on the Cuyahoga river, in Geauga county, thus becoming one of the first settlers of that portion of the state. He married Miss Susan Gates, also a native of Connecticut and of the same family to which belongs John W. Gates, the president of the Ameri- can Steel Works. Isaac Clark and his wife both died in Trumbull county, Ohio. There Almon Clark was reared, and after arriving at years of maturity he married Delama Bowers, a daughter of Japhet Bowers, of a Pennsylvania Dutch family. Nine children were burn of this marriagd, eight of whom reached mature years, while seven are still living, as follows : Heman ; Almon, who died in Bloomfield, Ohio; Mrs. Martha M. Laird, who died in Farmington. Ohio; Al.mon H., the second of the name, now living in Famiington ; Mrs. Roxanna Hart, of Warren. Ohio; Ausla J., nf Soutli Omaha, Xeliraska; Isaac \'., of Colfax township; A. C. Weir, of South Omaha. Nebraska; and Mrs. Belle Johnson, of War- ren, Ohio. The father died in Farmington, Ohio,' at the age of seventy-six years. He liad been an enterprising business man whose unflagging industry and perseverance se- cured to him a comfortable competence. His political .support was given to the Re- publican party. His wife passed away in Farmington. at the age of seventy-three years, and, like her husband, enjoyed the warm regard of many friends. Heman Clark, whose name introduces this record, was reared on a farm in Trum- bull county and in his youth aided in driv- ing stock o\er the mountains to market in Orange county, Xew York. His early con- nection with the stock-raising business made him an excellent judge of cattle, and when he was eighteen years of age his opinions concerning live stock were largely received as authority throughout the community in which he li\ cd. The common schools afford- etl him liis educational privileges and ex- perience in business added to his practical .knowledge. In 1853 he drove cattle to Iowa, receiving twelve dollars per month, and later he purchased sheep in Ohio, driving them across the country to Cleveland, Ohio, where he loaded them on cars and shipped them to Chicago, whence he drove them to Inwa, where he si'Ul his sheep and purchased cattle. His financial resources increasing as the result of his capably conducted business affairs, he made investments in land in Jones county, Iowa, near Anamosa. For nine years he was located in Lisbon, Iowa, where he was engaged in the stock business, and in 187J he came to Atchison county, Missouri, where he has since made his home. In 1S71 Mr. Clark was married, in Lis- bon. Iowa, to Miss Iimma Shaum, who has proved t<:> him a faithful companion and help- meet on life's journey. She was born in Xorthampton county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John and Rebecca Shaum, also BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 241 of tlie Keystone state. Iler lather died in 'J'arkio. Missonri, l)ut her mother is still livinpf in that place. Three children have heen hurn unto 'Sir. and ]^Irs. Clark: Au- gusta, who is now li\ing' in South Omaha; I'red II., at home; and a daughter, Anna B.. who died at the age of seventeen years. 'Sir. Clark is of Scotch and German line- age and the sterling characteristics of those two peoples are manifest in his career. He has the conservative and industrious Cjuali- tics of the German race and the thrift and perse\-erance of the Scotchmen. His labors have been diligently prosecuted, indolence and idleness forming' no element in his dis- position. His life exemplifies the truth of the saying that success is not a matter of genius, but the outcome of honest and per- sistent labor. Although he is now sixty- nine years of age he manifests the vigor of mind and body of a man many years his junior. His political support has long been ,gi\-en to the men and measures of the Repub- lican jjarty. His home is noted for its hos- ]jitalit_\-. His frank ami genial disposition cause all who know him to esteem him high- ly and his geiuiine worth is recognized by all. His example should serve to encourage others, who, like himself, are forced to en- ter business life emi)ty-handed and are de- pendent upon their own exertions for ad- vancement. JOHN G. THORNHILL. The subject of this review is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres of land near ]\Iaryville, upon which he is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He is a native of Kansas, born in Barber county, July 22, i8vS, and is a son of Achilles and Xancv (Groves) Thornhill, the former born in Grant county. Kentucky, of Scotch descent, the latter in Indianapolis, Indiana, of Ger- man lineage. She was one of a family of three children, the others being John and Cynthia. Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Illinois. The parents of our suljject were married in Spring'field, that state, where the father engaged in farm- ing until 1848, when they moved to Texas. During the gold excitement in California they started overland for the Pacific slope, but being disappointed in their arrange- ments they stopped in Kansas, where he bought a farm ami resided for several years. In 1 86 1 he came to Xodaway count}', INIis- souri, and remained here until 1875, when lie returned to Te.xas. He died near Sher- man, that state, three years later, and his family subsequently returned to this county, where the mother died in 1888. He was a successful farmer and left his family in com- fortable circumstances. Religiously both were memljers of the Christian church. Their children were Calista, the wife of L. Dawson; IMelissa, the wife of W. D. Stal- lard ; Josie. the wife of C. C. Caldwell; Thomas, a resident of Kansas; and John G.. our subject. Only the first and last named now reside in Maryville. John G. Thornhill accompanied his par- ents on their various removals, and after the death of his father finall}- came with liis mother to Xodaway count}', Missouri, where he has since made his home. In 1882 lie was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth ^\'(>rkman. wlm was hdi'ii in this county, JNIay 7, i860. Her parents, W'illiam and Margaret (Weaver) ^Vorkman, were botii natives of Alonroe county, Indiana, and early settlers of this county, where they located in 1859. The father first i)urchased 242 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. a small tract of land, but as he prospered in his farming operations he added to it from time to time until he now has fourteen Inmdred acres of valuable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. In connection with general farming he en- gages extensively in stock raising, and is to-day one of the most prominent agricult- urists of the county. Religiously he is a member of the Adventist church, and so- cially is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Thornhill i.-; his only child. Our subject and his wife have three children : Xellie, born April 6. 1883; Ola, born April 30. 1888; and Willie, born November 2j, 1890. After his marriage ^Ir. Thorniiill locat- ed on his present farm near Maryville, and has since devoted his energies to its culti- vation and improvement with most grati- fying results. His specialty is stock raising, and he now feeds all the products of his farm to his stock. He removed to Maryville in August, 1898, and in the spring of 1900 was elected to the city council from the first ward. He is a wide-awake, enterpris- ing business man, of known reliability, and. the success that has attended his efforts is certainly well deserved. As a Democrat he ti.kes an active interest in public affairs. Socially he is a Royal Arch Mason, and re- ligiously both he and his wife are members of the Christian church. JOSIAH .ML.MFORD. For twenty-one years Josiah Mumford has been a resident of .\tchison county and makes his home in Lincoln t(3wnship. His record is a creditable one, embracing loyal service in the Civil war, while in days of peace he has e\er been found faithful to the duties of citizenshii) and true to all re- lations of public and private life. He is therefore a representative citizen and well dtserves mention in tlie history of nrjrth- \\e>tern Missouri. Mr. Mumford was born in Worcester county. ^laryland, January 22. 1836, and belongs to one of the old and respected tamilies of that state. His father. James ^vlumford, was a native of the same county and was a son of John E. Mumford. who was born of Scotch parentage and served as a soldier in the war of 181 2. Reared in liis native state, James Mumford afterward removed to Ohio and subsequently to Illi- nois. He was married in Marylaml, at the age of twenty-four years, to Miss Martiia Fox, who was born in that state, of English parentage, a ilaughter oi Joseph and Anna Fox, who emigrated westward to Iowa, spending their last days in the home of their daughter, Mrs. James Mumford, in Lucas county. In 1849 the parents of our sub- ject left Maryland and took up their abode in Franklin county, Ohio, near Columbus, where they remained until 1853, \\hich was the year of their arrival in Woodford county, Illinois. They made the journey \»estwartl by team, for that was before the era of railroads. Again by team and wagon tl.ey started westward, tlieir destination be- ing Lucas county, Iowa, where they cast their lot with the pioneer settlers. The en- tire regit)n was wild ami unimproved and their first home was a log cabin erected on laml wliich they obtained from the govern- ment. W'itii characteristic energy Mr. Mumford began the development of his farm and .sotm transformed the wild trac\ into richly developeil fields, which yielded to him a good return for the care and labor bestowed upon ihcni. On the old home- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. •J43 stead in Lucas county he remained until his deatli, wliicli occurred \vhen lie was sev- enty-four years of age. Tln^ougliout his en- tire life lie followed farming and thereby won a comfortable competence. In politics he was formerly a \\'hig", but on the disso- lution of that party he joined the Republi- can ranks, in which lie was found through- out his remaining days. Both he and his wife were consistent and faithful members of'tlie Methodist Episcopal church, in which lie served as class leader for a number of years. His wife passed awa}' at the age of sixty-eight. !o\-ed and esteemed by all who knew her. In their family were seven chil- dren, namely: Jusiah: James M.. of Lucas count}-. Iowa ; Mrs. Anna IMcClurg. who died in Montana: Mrs. Ellen Needles, of Warren CDunty. Iowa: Mrs. Elizabeth Tay- lor, of Chariton, Iowa; George, who died in childhiiocl: and Zeddock, of Thomas county, Kansas. Josiah Mumford was only two years of age when the parents removed fnun ]\Iary- land to Ohio and was a small boy when they came ti_i Iowa. He was reared upon the frontier and experienced all the hard- shi])s and trials whicii fall to the lot of the pioneer settlers, attempting to establish homes in an unimproved region. He pursued his education in a log school house and re- ceived ample training at farm work. He was also taught lessons of honesty and in- dustry, which through his entire career made him a successful business m;m. When the cnuntry was inxolved in civil war he offered his scrxices to the govern- ment, enlisting in Company C, of the Fourth Iowa Infantry, imder the command of Captain W. Campbell, Lieutenant-Colonel W. W'illiam.son and O.lonel B. F. Dodge. He participated in the battle of I'erryx'ille, and with his command followed General Price for about two months through the .southwest, taking part in the battles of Helena and .Vrkansas Post. He also aided in the attack of \"icksburg and participated ill the siege of thai city until its surrender. Later he was in the battles of Jackson and Lookout I\Iouiitain. Ixith in Tennessee, and went with ( leneral .Sherman from Atlanta to Saxannah, liaxing participated in the bat- tles of Bentonville and the entire Carolina campaign. Then the army proceeded to Richmond and thence to Washington. D. C, taking part in the grand review, il.e iiKJst celebrated military pageant e\'er -.een in the western hemisphere. At Louisville, Kentucky, ]\Ir. INlumford was luinoralily tlischarged and witli the other troops was paid of? at Daveiipurt, Iowa. At all times our subject had been found loyal to the cause which he espoused and had faithfully jier- fornied his duty on many a southern battle field ; but when the war was over and the countr}' no longer needed his services lie gladly returned to his home and familx'. He was married in Lucas county, Iowa, at the age of twenty-one, in the _\ear 1856, ti' Miss Lvdia }\lalnne. a natixe nf Hend- ricks county, Indiana, and daughter of John and Mrs. (Knave) ]\Ialone, also natives of Indiana. L'nto 'Slv. and Mrs. Mumford have been born sex-en children: Emma, the xvife of J. G. Lane, w have ,1 family of fi\e children, namely : Alabel, I.uUi, James C. Walter S. and Helen, tlie oldest nineteen, the youngest ten years of age. Hugh C. and Estella died young., In 1893 ^i'"- Todd was appointed post- master by President Cleveland, but resigned the oflice two years later, upon becoming convinced that he could not perform his edi- torial duties coii\-enieiitly and to his own .satisfaction while attending to the onerous re(|iiireiiients of a ixistmastership. b'or sev- eral terms he has been a member of the board of education, and was one of the direc- tors of the Maryville Seminary three years. In these capacities and at bis daily employ- ment he has been the same modest and unas- suming- "gentleman of the okl school." en- joying the high respect of the community. His ]iopularity is equaled only by his ])ro- fcssional reputation. As a speaker upon ed- ucational and jiatriotic subjects be is in much demand, .\part from his iiewspajier work and attendance at conventions he does not obtrude his jjolitical opinions. While JAMES TODD BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 245 an active Democrat and firm in tliat faitli,- he carefully avoids making himself person- ally offensive to even the most opinionated of ojjponents. For the past year he has held the position of state Democratic committee- man from the fourth con"-ressional district. WILLIAAI H. CLESTER. ( )hi(i, the ohjecti\'e point and tarrying place of the pioneer emigrants to the old "west" has sent its quota of adventurers to the new "west" and they have proven by their lives and their prosperity that the nucleus of civilization planted there and transijlanted in a more distant locality has lost none of its vitality and is productive of all that makes for good citizenship. One of the many sons of Ohio who have found homes in Missouri and done their full share toward its development, is William H. Clester, some account of whose busy and Avorthy life it will be attempted now to give, William H. Clester, Xodoway township, Xodaway county ( postoffice Burlington Junction), Alissouri, is a ]jrogressive and well-ti)-(l(.) citizen, who came to the countv in 1872. lie was born near Zanesville, i\Iuskingum county, Ohio, December 8, 185 1, a son of Joseph and Margaret (Grace j Clester. His father, of German ancestry, ■was born in Union county, Pennsylvania. His mother, a daughter of Thomas Grace, was also a native of the Keystone state. The children of Jo.seph and ^Margaret (Grace) Clester were six in number, named as fol- lows: Thomas (dead); Daniel, of Blanch- ard, liiwa; George, deceased, who served his country in the war of the Rebellion; Will- iam 11., the immediate subject of this .sketch ; Rev. Samuel, of the Free Methodist church, a resident of Nodawa\- cmmtv; and IV-ter, of Athens county, Ohio. Joseph Clester was a good farmer and a Democrat, who died at the age of thirty-five years. His widow married Thomas Kennan and is living at Berlin, Ohio, aged fifty-eight. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. William H. Clester was reared in his early home in Ohio and there educated in the public schools. He was taught to be honest, industrious and saving. He ac- cjuired a knowledge of farming and took up the trade of blacksmith and wagon-maker and pursued it until he was able to build a wagon, iron and paint it and turn it out complete, a strong, well made, good-looking \'ehicle, adequate for long and hard service. \Miile yet a young man he emigrated to Illi- nois and located mi a farm in Tazewell conn- t}', near Pekin, where he li\-ed, until in T87J. as has been stated, he took up his residence in Nodaway county, Missouri. He began farming here on one hundred and twenty acres and has increased his holdings until he now owns two hundred and thirty acres of fine prairie and bottom land, well im- pr()\-ed and cqui])ped with good antl ample buildings. He has plow land, well fenced pastures, meadows and rich blue-grass jias- ture land good as any within the limits of the famous "Blue Grass" state. He feeds much stock and each year markets a goodly cjuantity of farm produce. October 7, 1876, Mr. Clester married Ida Hoffman, and their children are: Carrie, who married Charles Drain anil has one child and who li\-es on the Clester home- stead ; and Jessie. Joseph, Xellie and ICtta — all members of their father's Innisehold. Still in the prime of life. Mr. Clester i,5 in the full enjoyment of the fruits of his foresight and industry, a strong, influential Democrrit, a ])atriotic and public-spirited 246 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY citizen, a firm friend and good neighbor in the best sense of those terms. It goes with- out saying that such a man is popular with his fellow citizens and that his counsel is sought and followed in many matters of the first importance. MRS. GEORGE P. C.VRPEXTER. ^Irs. George P. Carpenter has a wide acquaintance in Xodaway county and her circle of friends is very extensive. Since her husliand's death she has managed the prnperty which he left her, displaying there- in excellent business and executive ability, and strong force of character, added to her true womanly and gentle ciualities. Her husband. George P. Carpenter, was one of the leading and influential men of the com- munity and belonged to a prominent family. His father became one of the pioneer set- tlers of Xodaway county and was actively identified with the work and improvements that led to its upbuilding and substantial development. He was born in Kentucky, Xovember 30, 181 3, and there spent his boy- hood days, becoming familiar with the work of the farm. Throughout his life he car- ried on agricultural pursuits, and though he came to Xodaway county with little cap- ital his energ}% diligence and ])erseverance had there secured to him a comfortable com- petence. He left his home in 1834 and after vis- iting \arious places in the state returned to Iiuliana, in 1837. For nineteen years he was a resident of that state and thence came to Xodaway county, Missouri. This district was then largely unimproved and he bore an imfxirtant part in reclaiming the v.iUl land in supporting many measures which contrilnited to the oublic good. In 1856 he went to Kansas, but soon returned to X'odaway county, entering three hundred and twenty acres from the government, which he transformed into highly productive fields: and this now has been the family homestead for forty-four years. He was married April 17, 1839, in Indiana, to Miss Xancy Guillams, a native of that state, who died there, leaving to her hu-sband's care their four small children. Only one of this number is now living, Mrs. B. L. ]\Ioore. At length, after long and active connection with agricultural interests in Xodaway county, Mr. Carpenter retired to private life and spent his last years in the enjoyment of a well earneil rest. He served as school director of Clearmont district for several years and at all times was faithful to his duties of citizenship. He passed away at tile age of seventy, respected by all who knew him. George P. Carpenter was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, on the 14th of December, 1847, and was therefore a youth of nine years when the father came with liis family to Missouri. Here he was reared amid the wild scenes oi frontier life, at a period when improvements were scant and witlely scattered and when villages were un- founded and railroads had not yet lieen built. Altb.ough his advantages in this pioneer region were few his training at farm labor was not meager, and thus he was well quali- fied for the occupation which he matle his life work. He possessed keen discrimina- tion in business affairs, sound judgment and unflagging energy, and those qualities enabled him to gain a place in the ranks of the substantial citizens of the community. He became the owner of five hundred and thirteen acres of valuable land, much of which he placed under cultivation, other por- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 2Vi tions of tlie land l)eing" used lor pasturage; and in liis stuck raising interests he was very successful. He lived upon the home farm until the time oi the Ci\'il war, when he enlisted in Company C, of the h'ourth Tvlissouri State Cavalry. On the 1 2th of Sc])tem]icr. iSOj. '\\v. Carijenter was wedded to Miss Jennctte Rinq'tjold. who was Iiorn in Scott county. Indiana, a da.ughter of ( ieorge and Eliza- beth (McCullough ) Ringgold. Her father was horn in Kentucky, came to .Missouri in 1861 and died in Xo(hiway count\'. at the age of seventy-si.x \-ears. His wifi' was a native of South Carolina and reached the I'salmist's span of three-score years and ten. She became the mother of tweb'e children, of whom seven are now living. Mr. and I\Irs. Carpenter luue had se\en chililrcn, six of whom sur\-i\'e. namcl\- : W'illard (i., Ullie X.. Alma E., .Ab.Ily .M., Addic S. and El- \ira M. The children have been provided with good educational privileges, thus add- ir^g- mental culture to their innate disposition to retinement. In matters of public importance ]\Ir. Carpenter took an acti\e interest, and in his community was recognized as a leader. He scr\ed as a school director of his district and was also road overseer, discharging his duties with promptness and lidelity. The Car])enters were Wdiigs in ante-bellum days arid afterward became Jvepublicans. Eik(; the others of the fannl_\-, (ie48 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY at Mai"y\ille, ^lissouri. He was horn in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, February lo. 1840, a son of H. S. and Anna (Carver) Toumit send, who were natives of Xew '^'ork, Ijut were married in Indiana. His paternal grandfather. Samuel Townsend. was also born in Xew York, and at an early day mo\ed to Jo Da\iess county, Illinois, where he died at the age of eighty-five years. He was a soldier of the war nf 1812 and a farmer by occupation. In his political views l.e was a Whig. His children were George, who died at the age of eighty-eight years; H. S., the father of our subject; Elijah; and Elmira. Our subject's great-grandfa- ther Tnwnsend \vas burn in Juigland. :md served as a captain in the Colonial army during the Revolutionary war. Hon. H. S. Townsend, father of our subject, was sixteen years of age when the family m(_i\'ed tn Illinois, where he still con- tinues to make his home. He is a farmer and speculator and is a man of prominence in the community \\here he resides. .\s a Republican he h;is taken an acli\e interest in public affairs, has held many local offices and has represented his county in the state legislature three terms. He is broad-minded and intellectual and commands the confi- dence and respect of those with whom he comes in contact. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Masonic order. His wife died in 1893, leaving the following children: R. K.. a resident of Oklahoma; E. E. and Samuel FL, both of Nodaway county, Missouri; j\Irs. Matilda Hooker; Mrs. Sarah S. Man- ley; John M., of Illinois; Mrs. Cynthia Campbell ; and Mrs. Delia Oshorn. Reared on a farm, Samuel H. Townsend was educated in the connnon schools of the neighborhood and Mount Morris Semin- ary, and remained with his parents in Illi- nois until after the Civil war broke out. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Forty* fifth Illinois A'olunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and was commissioned second lieutenant of his company. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing and Shi loll, and saw some hard service. Al- though he was never wounded he was com- pelled to resign on account of sickness and returned home in the latter part of 1863. He was ill for a year and then went to Idaho, where he remained for four years. At tha end of that time he returned to Illinois, and in 1869 came to Nodaway county, Missouri, w here he has since made his home. He pmxhased a tract of unbroken prairie land, which he transformed into a good farm of two hundred and eighty acres, and success- fully engageil in its operation until 1888, since which time he has practically lived a letired life in Maryville. though he still manages his place. He has always given considerable attention to stock as a dealer and raiser, and has found that branch of his I business (juite profitable. By his ballot Iiq I supports the men antl measures of the Re- I publican party, and he takes a deep and 1 commendable interest in public affairs, though he has never been an aspirant for pK)litical honors. Mr. Townsend has been twice married. In 1871 he wedded Miss Catherine Hess, a nati^•e of Pennsylvania and a daughter of John Hess, a business man and hotel-keeper, who spent his last days in Milan, Sullivan county, Missouri. She was the third in or- der of birth in his family of four children, the others being Belle, the wife of G. W'erst; Mrs. Margaret Baldridge; and Mrs. Fanny Tatterdale. Mrs. Townsend died Septem- ber 23, 1898, leaving one daughter, Delia, BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. U follow to success. Tie acquired a fairly good luiglish and business education at Mar}\ille, and at the age of twenty engaged in his first business venture in this town. It was in the retail grocery, line, and Clark Andrews was his partner. His capital was so small that it may be said to have consisted chiefly in his ability to make friends and secure their patronage. After two years ]Mr. Ford relincjuished his grocery business and became a li\eryman. His business in this line grew into a thriv- ing trade in horses and mules and he soon be- came one of the most extensive shippers of such stock in northwest J^Iissouri. Dur- ing the past sixteen years his energies have been directed entirely to building up at ;\Iaryville a market for farm stock of this character, and the fact that in a single year recently he handled four thousand head of stock indicates the extent to which he has succeeded in developing a conspicu- ( us business at home along lines of his own choosing and by methods the wisdom of which is attested by their efficiency. He is also a partner in the Union Bus Line of I\Iar_\ville, a large. business which is the onl}- one of its kind in the city. ^Ir. Ford married Miss Ollie Maujjin, in Nodaway county, in July, 1885. She was born in Harrisonville, ]\Iissonri, and reared at St. Joseph. Her father, Robert Maupin, came originall}- from Kentucky. Her only brother, Howard Maupin, is a United States railway mail clerk, whose route is over the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. James A. and Ollie (Maupin) Ford have three children: Hazel, fourteen A'ears old; Harold, twelve years old; and Helen, five. ^Ir. Ford is personally \ery popular and has a large accjuaintance throughout all the territory tributary to Maryville. He is an enthusiastic Mason, a member of blue lodge Xo. 470, Free & Accepted Masons, of Mary-; ville: Owens Chapter, Xo. 96. Royal Arch- Masons, of ^laryviile; Commaiulery Xo. 40, Knights Templar, of St. Joseph: and Mt)ilah Consistory, Nobles of the ^klystic Shrine, of St. Joseph. JOHX HAGEY. In the border states between the extreme n(_irth and si')Uth, more than in any cither part of our country, it is e\ident that the people of the two sections have jomed hands over the "bloody chasm" that long separated them, and united in a true brother- hood of Americans, knowing no section and solicitous for the advancement of the nation in its broadest sense. Such a state is Mis- souri, and there the men who wore the blue and the men who wore the gray are neigh- bors and friends, pushing forward shoulder to shoulder in the march of material and so- cial improvement. The man whose name heads this article is one of those who risked their lives and saw their kindred die for that historic "lost cause" which to the okl soldier is now but a saddening memor}-. John Hagey, a well-known old resident of Green to\\'nsIiip, Noilaway count}' ( post- ofiice Burlington Junction), has been a citi- zen of the county for nearly half a century. He was born in Harrison cmint}'. Ohio. July 18, 1843, "i son of Abraham and Mary Hagey. His father was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock and a native of Franklin county, that state. Mr. and ]\Irs. Hagey emigrated from PennsyKaiiia to Harrison coun- ty. Ohio, making the trip UK^stiy by water. They continued th.eir journe}' in the same wav in i8tJ. and entered Missouri bv 252 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. \\ay of St. Josepli. On reacliing Xodaway county tliey settled for a time in Lincoln township, whence they removed to Green township, where they lived out their days, each dying at ninety. They had five children, as follows : ^laria. who married Henry Bow- man and lives at Burlington Junction; Isaac, a soldier in the Confederate service, who was killed at Corinth in September, 1863; Jacob, also in the Confederate army, who was killed at Champion Hills; John, the subject of this sketch ; and Abraham. John Hagey was nine years old when the family came to Xodaway county. The succeeding nine years he spent as a pioneer boy and youth. If his lot was such as to be judged by any one as in any sense a hard one, it was to grow harder. The war of the Rebellion came on and he espoused the cause of the south and took part during the next few- years in the determined but tmavailing fight for southern independence. As a member of Captain McKiddy's com- pany, of Samuels' Ijattalion, he participated in the battles of Blue Mills, Lexington, Pea Ridge, Elkhorn Station, ^lemphis, luka, Corinth, Champion J fills and Vicksburg. After the fall of \"icksburg he was made a prisoner and was kept at Dcmopolis, Ala- bama, four months. Later he saw service on the Confederate ran.i Tennessee, Cap- tain Buchmar, operating against Cnion vessels under the command of Admiral Far- ragut. He was captured by the Federals /md taken to New Orleans, whence he was transferred to Elmira, New York, where he was held until the end of the war. He was given his liberty May 28, 1865. and returned without delay to Missouri. -After the war Mr. Hagey resumed farm- ing. He cultivated rented land until 1867. then secured a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he improved as rapidly as possible until it was under a good state ot cultivation, provided with adequate build- ings and machinery and in all ways amply equipped for practical farming. In 1866 lie married Miss S. M. Odell, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Van Vickie) Odell, l;oth of whom are dead. Miss Odell came of a good famil}-, is a woman of high pur- pose and good ability and has been to Mr. Hagey a noble and helpful wife. They have seven children, named as follows : James E., Horatio M., Abraham C, Cora S. (Mrs. Seals, of Wilcox, Nodaway county), Ber- tha (:\Irs. AlcClay, of Nebraska), Etta and Zulu. Mr. Hagey is a public-spirited man. who if ever ready to do his full share in the ad- vancement of the best interests of the com- munit}-. From the fact of his ser\ice on th.e Confederate side of the war of the re- liellion, he is not identified with the (irand Army of the Republic, yet he counts among his best and truest friends many old fighters who were oppo.sed to him in 1861-65. He is an Odd Fellow. N.\TH.\NIEL SISSON. The subject of this sketch, the senior member of the real-estate, loan and abstract firm of N. Sisson & Son, is one of the three remaining active business men of Maryville who occupy the same business rooms, occu- pied continuously for the past quarter of a centur}-. He came into the county August 6, 1866, and has witnessed the transforma- tit)n of a vast prairie dotted here and there with the cabins of a few settlers into the present pt)pulous and ]irosperous county of Nodaway. Mr. Sisson was born May 25, 1845, in NATHANIEL SISSON. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 255 a typical early settler's log cabin on a farm in Meigs county. Ohio, a son of Nathaniel Potter Sisson. wlm was horn in the adjoining county of tjallia. in the \'ear 1817, heing the same year the paternal grandparents settled in that cnuiity. Authentic history of this hranch of the Sisson family begins in Ot- sego county, Xew York state. Family tradi- tion. ho\ve\'er, begins with "three brothers," emigrants from the old country, supposed to be Scotland, and settled in what is now Rhode Island, about the time of the early settlements at or near the city of Providence. l-"rom this point one remox'ed to Virginia; one settled in the eastern part of Xew York state, and (.me. the great-great-grandfather, iri the western part of the same state, near Rochester, subsequently removing to Ot- sego county, where he died. He had three sons — Samuel, Arnold and John. The latter, the great-grandfather, occupied a h(jmestead near Wells' bridge, which is still in the possession of members of the family. The family of John Sisson, the great- grandfather, consisted of nine boys and four girls, of whom John, Benjamin and Amos settled in Indiana, and Jiles, Wilson, Aaron and Simeon settled in Ohio. There is no record as to what became of the other two sons, Wright and . Of the daughters, Elizabeth married Benjamin Saunders; Edith, a Mr. Gardiner; Rebecca, a Mr. Wil- ber,and Sarah married AlvinPeck. of Berlin, Rensselaer county. Xew York. Grandfather Simeon Sisson, whose wife's maiilen nama was Potter, removed to a point near Pitts- burg, Pennsyhania, remaining but a few- years, and thence liy raft (the tlien common mode of travel) down the Ohio ri\er, land- ing at Gallipolis, Gallia county, as before stated, in the year 1817. His family — Elisha, Sarah ( who married Orvil Farmer), Xathaniel P., William and Lewis, who are all now deceased except Lewis — settled in ^leigs county. Ohio, (irandfather Simeon and grandmother arc burictl in the cemetery at Middleport, same county, they having both died (of cholera) in middle age, leaving a family of young children. Xathaniel P., the father, being a Ixiy of tender years, was apprenticed to his uncle Wilson to learn carpentering. Becoming dissatisfied, he departed from his emjiloyer without leave, drifting down the river in a pig trough, for want of a better boat! This early experience determined his calling; for years he followed boating on the Ohio. Subsequently learning the trade of stone- cutter, gaining a competence, he bought and improved several farms, the last one being in Rutland township, Meigs count}-, which is still in the possession of a member of the famil}-. He was married twice — first to Rebecca ]\IcKinster. One child was born to this marriage, John M.. the mother dying while he was an infant; he now occupies the old homestead. His second marriage was- to Sarah Harrington Canode, nee Green, the- widow of David Canode, w-ho died leaving two small children, George W. and Mary. Sarah Harrington Green was the daughter and oldest child of William Green and^ Mary Green, nee Earhart, whose chil- dren were Sarah Harrington, Catha- rine. Harriett, Samuel, Mary, Josephine, Joanna I\I., William and Eliza. The grandparents of said Sarah Harrington Green, were Andrew Green and Mary Green, nee Harrington, whose children were, Sam- uel, William, Deborah, James, John and An- drew (twins), Polly, George W., Jonathan H. and Alafare. The Green family was formerly from Hagerstown, Maryland. (Grandfather (Jreen was among the first set- 254 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. tiers and made tlie first "clearing" where the town of McArthur, \'inton county, Ohio, now stands. His child Sarah, being the first child horn in the village (3ilarch lO, 1816), was by the proprietor of the town presented with a town lot in recognition of the fact. She is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Though seventy years have passed since she removed from McArthur she still remembers names of the first set- tlers and recounts the thrilling incidents of those early times when wolves and wild In- dians were the dread of the pioneers. The children of Nathaniel P. Sisson and Sarah H. Sisson, brothers and sisters of the Subject of this sketch, named in the order of their ages, are : Dr. David Sisson, of Meigs county, Ohio; Nathaniel, this subject; Fran- cis M., of Yuma county, Colorado; Eleanor Rebecca, deceased ; Ann Eliza, the wife of L. ^I. Harvey, of Meigs county, Ohio; Sarah Jane, deceased ; and Charles, also deceased. The deceased children all died in infancy and are buried with their father in the fam- ily's private burying-ground on a very high hill near the middle of the old home farm in Rutland township, the father, Nathaniel P., having died at his home in ]^Iiddleport, Feb- ruary 18, 1894. In religion the Sisson ancestors inclined to the Quaker order; the Greens were ]\Ieth- odists : th.e parents of this subject were mem- bers of the iMiddleport congregation of the Christian church, in which faith the family was reared. From infancy enjoying the quiet, steady-going home life of the well-to- do farmers of southeastern Ohio, the boys worked on the farm in summer, and all, boys and girls, big and little, attended in winter time the district school, of which Ohio at tl:at time could lx)ast the best. Our subject at the breaking out of the Civil war was a boy of sixteen. Fired with the patriotism of the hour in support of the Union, he enlisted, August 9, 1862, in Com- pany C, Ninety-second Ohio \'olunteer In- fantry. A month later he was rejected by the mustering ofiicer and sent home because of his youth. Octoljer loth following he crossed the Ohio river and enlisted as a re- cruit in Company A, Second ^^'est Virginia Volunteer Cavalry, of which company his brother David was then a member, that reei- ment, with others of General Lightburn's command. .at that time being camped at Point Pleasant. \"irginia. Entering immediately upon active duty, he was constantly with his command in the field until July 4, 1865. he received an honorable discharge from the ser- vice of the United States, at Wheeling. West \'irginia, having gained four inches in stat- ure and one-fourth his original weight dur- ing his service. Except for a few months his company was body guard for General Scammon at Charleston. Scouting, chasing guerrillas and bushwhackers, doing outpost and picket duty in the mountains of West BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 255 \irginia, with an occasional "brusli" with a regiment or two, occupied his regiment until the "raid" upon Lynchburg under General Hunter in the spring of 1864, after which the \'irginia brigade, consisting of the First, Second and Third cavalry regiments, was sent to the Shenandoah \-alley, where it be- came a part of Sheridan's cavalry. The bat- tle of Winchester, of July 24th, Opequan September 19th, Fisher's Hill September 22<\. and Cedar Creek, of "Sheridan's Ride" celebrity, October 19th, in all of which with many minor engagements he participated, closed the campaign of 1864. Wintering in log huts at Camp Averel, near Winchester. February 27, 1865. found Sheridan's cavalry in the saddle scattering the last remnant of Early's command at Waynesboro March 3d, raiding the rear of Richmond, then returning to the federal lines at Whitehouse Landing, thence around by way of City Point to the extreme left of Grant's army, then investing Petersburg. An extensi^■e cavalry raid was planned in that direction and actually begun which termin- ated unexpectedly with the victorious battle of Five Forks April i, 1865, which decided tlie fall of Richmond, the city being evac- uated the next day. Sheridan immediately fell upon the rear and flanks of Lee's re- treaing army, the cavalry skirmishing and fighting every day, our subject as bugler for General Capehart. He and the General both had their horses killed under them by a vol- ley from the enemy at Deep creek. Sheridan threw his command in front directly across his line of march, when, April 9th, Lee found all hope of further retreat cut off. The place was Appomattox. Bugler Sissons' personal recollections of these matters were well re- lated by the ^laryville corres])ondent nf the St. Louis Globe-Democrat of March 13, 1897: "a bit of war history. "The Last Hostile Bugle Command Before Lee's Surrender. "A bugler who blew the last "charge' of the Civil war lives in this cit}'. He talks interestingly of that final rush at Appomat- tox and the truce that speedily followed. His hardened lips sounded the inspiriting cavalry command that practically ended the bloody conflicts of four years and resulted in ultimate peace and the perpetuity of the L^nion. "When the war broke out Xathaniel Sis- son enlisted in the Second West ^^irginia Cavalry. He rode under the flag of that gallant regiment through many a perilous struggle, and the year 1865 found him, un- der Custer's command, in that part of the field where hostilities were formally ended. " 'We had been pursuing Lee's retreat- ing army all day on the 8th of April. '65,' said Mr. Sisson to the Globe-Democrat cor- respondent. 'On that day we had captured a train of cars bearing supplies for Lee, and sent out from Richmond. We also made quick work of a belated wagon train, and, tired after so vigorous a day of foraging, went into camp. " 'After lying on our arms all night, we were called early, and before daylight were in the saddle, ready for the extents of the most glorious day of the war. The trouble began at an early hour. We ad- vanced and met the enemy's skirmish line, brushing them before us easily. In a short time we were advancing, apparently, on Lee's wagon tr.iin, Init, instead, we soon 'ine BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. found ourselves lieaded through Lee's army. Tlieu the last bugle command of a hostile nature was blown and we were charg- ing at them. As we rushed on two of Gen- eral Gordon's aids rode out, carrying a flag of truce. That practically ended the war.' "This liistoric flag of truce, mentioned by Mr. Sisson, was the dirty towel so humor- ously referred to by General Gordon in his lecture on "The Last Days of tlie Confed- eracy.' ■' ".V federal olVicer rode out to meet the truce-bearers,' continued Mr. Sisson. "Mean- while Custer rode at the head of his charg- ing column, entirely ignorant of the prof- fered truce. The aids spurred their horses and overtook Custer, who ordered the col- umn to halt. The moving line stopped and the dashing Custer rode back to General Gordon's headquarters. While terms of surrender were being discussed a scjuad of Confederate cavalry dashed into the front of th.e L'nion ranks. Gordon hastened to send them command to cease hostilities, but found himself without an 'aid. He dis- jiatched a willing federal soldier, who bore Gordon's order to end the attack. This was the gallant southern general's last official direction of the war, and it was executed by a soldier from the opposing ranks. " 'Custer came back from Gordon's tent alone. As he passed we heard him tell Gen- eral Capehart, uncovering his head the while, that General Lee was treating for capitula- tion. Those of us who heard it. set up a cheer. It was carried down the line and across the valleys until the very hills shook with the shouts of joy from the throats of thousands of the lx)ys in blue, who realized that the war was over." "Bueler Sisson does not claim that he j blew the last order of the war; but his regi- ! mental historian gives him the credit for it. and facts bear out the statement. The bugler I who sounded the final charge before Lee's I surrender is a well-to-do citizen, and was formerly a partner of ex-Governor More- ' house in the real-estate and loan business. "^ Having recei\ed the flag of truce in rec- ognition of his gallantry. General Custer was given the post of honor, the right of the line, in the grand review of Grant's and Sher- ;' man's armies May J4th in Washington city. ■ General Custer and staff were the first to j pass, then General Capehart and staff, with [ which was Bugler Sisson. All the cavalry, infantry and artillery of both armies made up the most imposing: military i)ageant e\er witnessed on this continent. Returning after almost three years of continuous service, still a minor, Mr. Sisson exhausted his small army savings in further- ing his education. On July 31st, alone, with all his worldly belongings i)acked in a small grip, he started, like many boys of the time, to seek his fortune in the great unsettled west, arriving, without incident, in ^lary- ville, as liefore related. School-teacher, cabinet-maker, county road and bridge commissioner, studying sur- veying and engineering the while, in 1871 he engaged as engineer with a firm in St. Joseph, and for two years suiierintended the building of bridges, his masterpiece being a wagon bridge for a toll-bridge company built over the Brazos river near Calvert, Texas, with stone abutments, and wooden superstructure spanning the entire stream with one span, of two hundred and sixty- six feet — two hundred feet being considered bv engineers the limit of safetv for wooden BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 157 ■superstructures. This bridge stood and an- swered all requirements for over twenty years and was crushed down only by the on-rusli ■of line hnnih-eil and Hfty liead of wild Texas cattle. April 13, 1875, with H. C. Fisher, the cashier of the Farmers' Bank, and Albert P. Morehouse, he entered upon the real- estate and abstract business, under tlie firm name of Morehouse, Sisson & Company. During- the partnership the firm published tile first litliogra])hic map of the county, the ■original draft of which was prepared by Mr. Sisson. At the end of al.Kjut three years Fisher retired, and the firm became More- house & Sisson. After fourteen years of partnership he bought the interest of the late Goyernor Morehouse and conducted the busi- ness alone till 1896, when his son. arri\ing at his majority, was taken as a partner, un- der the present firm name. In 1877 Mr. Sis- son prepared and bad cupyrighted an origi- nal s)-stem of abstract books known as the American system, which the firm uses. October 14, 1874, 'Mr. Sisson was mar- ried, at Lexington, Mi,ssouri, to Miss Mary S. Hughes, of that city, a daughter of George E. Hughes and Anna Hughes, nee Groves. Her father, going with the great rush of gold-seekers in 1850 to California across the plains with ox teams, prospered for a time and was lost — whether liy sickness or otherwise was ne\er known. Her mother ■was a daughter of Thomas Groves, who moved from near Nashville. Tenne.s.see. to Monroe count}'. Missouri, where he died, leaving a ((uite numerous family, several of ■whom later settled in Xodaway county. ]\Irs. Hughes remained a widow and reared her children. James T.. Georgian and Marv S.. when she died, at the latter's home. Feb- ruary in, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Sisson have two children : Nathaniel Paul, a mem1)er of the firm of N. Sisson & Son. who served as the first lieu- tenant of Company E. Fourth Missouri Regiment, in active service in the Spanish- American war of 1898-9, and at this time is the captain in command of said company; and Donna, a liright school girl of thirteen summers. In politics Mr. Sisson early took an act- ive interest, as a member of the IMaryville Tanner Cluli. composed of two hundred of Mar}'\-ille's good citizens. He was elected its captain in 1868. and that year cast his first vote for his old commander. General U. S. Grant. Mr. Sisson has never held any \ery important office. He was city clerk, alderman for six years, member of the Mary- \ille schodl bnard and for three ^•ears its l)resident : he aided in securing the three \Aard school buildings. .\s the successi.ir of Hon. Nicholas Ford, who was nominated by the Greenback party and endorsed and elected by the aid of the Republicans to congress twice in succession, Mr. Sisson was nominated and made the race for congress from the Fourth Missouri district in 1882; the Republican convention failing to en- dorse him as they had Ford, he was in the ensuing election defeated. In 1892 he was the candid.'Ue of the Republican jjarty of Nodaway cnunt}- for representative to the general assenibh-, but was defeated by a small plurality. In religion Mr. Sisson is lilieral. While not a member of any, he is a patron of all churches. He is a member of Sedgwick Post. No. 21, (J. A. R., and he is its pres- ent ciimniander. In the order of A. F. & .\. M. he is a member of Mary\ille Lodge, No. 165 ; of Owens R. A. C, No. 96, and Mary- ville Commandery, No. 40, K. T. ; and he '258 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. is also a member of Moila Temple, St. Jobcph. The Sisson residence occupies a beautiful ten-acre plat west of and adjoining Mary- viiie. emlx)\vered in evergreens, shrubs and flowers, an ideal home. HON. EDWIX A. \I.\SOXHALER. Hon. Edwin A. X'insonhaler, an attor- ney at law of Maryville, is distinctively American ; so were his ancestors, both lineal and collateral, for several generations. He is a tlirect descendant of the pioneer Vinson- halers of Ohio, being a great-grandson of George X'insonhaler, who went into the Buckeye state with Massie. who was sur- \e}ing and locating land warrants in Ross county. George Vinsonhaler was a survey- or by profession and resided in the vicinity of Martinsburg, XVest Virginia, wliich was the original American home of the family. He left that state and became an active fac- tor in the development of Ohio anil died in Chillicothe. One of his cliildren was Ja- cob X'insonhaler, the grandfather of our sub ject. He left Ohio in 1841 and settled in the Platte purchase in Missouri, and then located land in what is now Hughes township, Nod- away county, where Jacob Vinsonhaler died, jn 1869, when seventy years of age. In H's early life he was a teacher, and he was also connected with the administration of Gov- ernor Mac Arthur, one of the early chief executives of Ohio, for whom he acted as private secretary. He was married at the old home of the governor to Miss Nancy McDonald, who died in Andrew county, ^lissouri. in 1878. Of their si.x children, George X'insonha- ler, the father of our subject, was tlie second in order of birth. He is a resident of Marv- ville and was identitied with the farming: interests of Hughes township until 1882. when he removed to the city, where he has since maintained his residence. He married Miss Sarah Rea, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who emigrated west- ward in early womanhood and became a teacher, also acting as assistant to her uncle., the Rev. Samuel Irvin, who had charge of the Sac and Fo.x Indian mission, in the northeastern part of Doniphan county, Kan- sas; and Re\'. lr\in was in charge of it from 1837. Emni Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, he shipped part of the lumber which was- used in the erection of the mission buildings, and for many years he devoted his energies, to the work among the red men tiiere. Out of the mission which he establislied grew Highland University. His niece taught the white children of the agency until she gave her hand in marriage to George X'insonhaler^ the wedding ceremony being performed by I.er uncle, who thirty years later performed a like ceremony for our subject. Her mar- riage was blessed with four sons, namely : Dr. Frank X'insonhaler, of Little Rock, Ar- kansas; Duncan ^L, of Omaha, Nebraska; Harry, of St. Louis: and Edwin A., of this- review. Fortimate is the man who has back of hmi an ancestry honorable and distinguished and happy is he if his lines of life are cast in harmony therewith. Mr. X'insonhaler of lliis review has ileveloped the powers with which nature endowed him and to-day he occupies a distinctively representative jx)- sition at the bar of northwestern Missouri. He pur.sued iiis education in the common schools of Nodaway county, in the academy at Graham, Mis.souri, and in Highland L'ni- versity. After attaining his eighteenth vear he engasred in teaching school for a BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 259 few terms, but. desiring to enter upon the practice of law, he began reading in the of- hce and under the direction of the well known law firm of Johnston & Jackson, of ^laryville. He was born October lo, 1854, and was therefore twenty-three years of age when admitted to the bar before Judge Kel- ley in 1877. During the year following he was apiiointed justice of the peace for an unexpired term of one }'e:u" and his time was devoted to the duties of his office and to tha regular practice of law. In the fall of 1878 lie became a candidate to the office of pro- bate judge, and, though defeated, he carried his townshijj by a large majority, showing he had the confidence anil support of those among whom he lived and who knew him best. During the two succeeding years he served as deputy county clerk in tlie office of John S. Miller, and on the expiration of that period was elected county tax. collector, fill- ing the ]3ositiun for one }-ear. .\t the next election he was chosen liy jiopuk.r ballot as probate judge for a term of four years. In 1887 he entered upon the regular practice of law. In 1892 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the county and for four years ?cr\'ed as city attorney of Mary\-ille. He has been connected with many pr(;minent civil cases, some of which have became prece- dents, involving" poinds not lie fore deter- mined. In 1879 Mr. \^insonhaler was united in marriage to Aliss Helen W'yman, who died in 1 88 1, and in 1884 he wedded ]Miss Cora E. Bayless, a daughter of \\'. H. Bayless, of Highland, Kansas. Their children are Louise, Ikiyless, Sarah and Elizabeth. Mr. \'insonhaler and his fannily are well known in Xoda\N;'.\' C(junty and are cordially wel- comed in mrniy of the best homes. The name of N'insonhaler has been inseiiarably iiiterwoven with the history, pr(.igress and ad\ancement of this community. Through the period of its entire development a sub- stantial advancement has been promoted in many ways by those who iiave borne the family name. The subject of this review is one who has brought his keen discrimination and thorough wisdom to bear not akme in pro- fessional paths but al>o for the benefit of the citv which has so long been his home and with whose interests lie has been so thor- oughlv identified. MORGAN I!. W'lLLCOX. This honored and respected citizen of Lincoln township, Xodav/ay county, INIis- S(,>uri, and gallant soldier of the Civil war, is a native of Greene county, Pennsyh'ania, born May 18. 1843. He is a son of Samuel antl Luzina (Phillips) W'illcox, lioth na- tives of P'ennsylvania. His grandfather was Solomon \\ illcox, who was also a na- t;\-e of Pennsyhania. 'Slv. and Mrs. Sam- uel W'illcox were the parents of several chil- dren, who are : Moses, who was killed at Fair Oaks, Virginia, during the Ci\il war; Luttica. Reliccca. Nancy, Charlotte ;md Morgan B. The mother's death occurred February 28, 1859. ]\Ir. W'illcox's death' occurred in i'>>'/'/, at Canton, Illinois, aged seventy year^. At Lincoln's call for three hundred thou- sand men, Mr. W'illcox went into service, becoming a member of the Fourteenth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, Sep- tember 22, 1862. Colon.el James Sch.oon- maker had command of the regiment, and our subject ser\ed in Captain A. 1". Dun- can's compan_\' for three years. He was urjder Generals Kellev. Hunter and Sheri- -260 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORV. dan at different times. He was in the battle at Harper's Ferry, Hattonville. \\'est ^'ir- ginia. Morefield, \\inchester, Martinsburg. and Dartsville. West \'irginia. At Shenan- doah \'alley they were under fire almost every day for two or three months, during the battles of Winchester. Fisher Hill and Cedar Creek. On General Averill's raid to Salem. West \'irginia, Mr. Willco.x was kicked in the side by a horse, after which he received an honorable discharge r.t Alexan- dria. \"irginia, whence he went to Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, Ir.ter to Fulton county, Illi- nois, where his parents had located during the- war. ^Ir. Willcox was reared on his father's farm, where he was taught all the different branches of farming, and received a good common-school education in the village i;chools. In 1865 he wer.t to Fulton county, but in 1877 located in Xodaway county; Missouri, where he has lived ever since. He is living on a farm of forty acres, well-im- pro\ei.l by good buildings and trees, making him a very pleasant home. He has been a very successful farn.ier and is highly es- teemed in his uiighborhood. Mr. Willco.x was united in marriage, in 1867. to Mary Jane Kreider. of Fulton county, Illinois. She was born in Guern- sey county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Rebecca ( Walgamott ) Kreider. Mr.^. Kreider died in Xodaway county June 5. 1895, and her husband, who was a native of I'ennsylvania. resides in Tarkio. Missouri. They were the parents of nine children, who are: Mary Jane, the wife of our subject; George W., Alex. Ellen. Joseph. John. Will- iam. Hiram and Anna. Politically the father was a Democrat. The family have been followers of the Methodist church for many vears. Mr. and Mrs. Willcox have hatl twelve children, nine of whom are living, \ namely: John Elmer; Ida May. the wife of '< A. D. George, of North Dakota; Ada Belle, deceased ; Joseph Budd ; lona Delia, who dieil at the age of fourteen years : Effie Jane ; Iva Rebecca, the wife of Tom Tumbull. of this county ; Jessie Selton. William Arthur, Elgpe ^'ictor. Calvin Leslie and one child who died at birth. Mr. Willcox is a member of the Republican party and a member of Post X^o. 260. G. .-\..- R.. at Blanchard. Iowa. The fa'.rilv are inembers of the Methodist church. COLONEL JOHN G. GREMS. In the i^erusal of the biographical notice which follows the reader is assured of some- thing more than the facts and dates common to ordinary lives. "Sir. Grems's military record is an enviable one. and his experience in war on the plains and on the battle-fields of the south was an interesting one, and its recital recalls many events important in our history, his recollections of which have given I vivid color to this all too brief personal I sketch. ] John G. Grems. the postmaster of Mary- ' ville. Missouri, has l>een for more than a 1 third of a century identified with Maryville and Nodaway county. He is a son of Dan- iel Grems. a farmer, and was boni in Jeffer- I son county. New Vnrk. February 25. 1843. ! His father was bt^rn in Herkimer coimty. j New York, in 1817. He spent the years of 1847-49 in Wisconsin and the following three years in Lewis county. New York. In 1852 he took his family into Lafayette county, Wisconsin, and four years later re- moved to Dodge county. Minnesota, where he has since lived. He married Rachel Pool, a daughter of John Pool, of Jefferson coun- tv. New York. She died in Minnesota in COL. JOHN G. GREMS BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 261 1857. Tlie cliildren of Daniel and Racliel ■(Pool) (irems were: Milton,- of Dodge county. Minnesota; Esther, the wife of An- drew Curtis, of the same county; John G. ; Theodore, of Arapahoe county, Colorado ; Ella, who married John Snyder and lives in Xew Mexico. John G. Grems was educated in the com- mon schools of his day and locality, and when just entering his 'teens went into the then new state of Minnesota. He was only eighteen when the Civil war began, and only nineteen when, in i86j, he enlisted and was made sergeant in Company B, Tenth Regi- ment. Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He served under General H. H. Sibley through the campaign of 1862-3 against the Sioux Indians, was in th.e battles at Woodlake and Xew Ulni in 1862, and was stationed at the ^^'innebago agency during the winter of 1862-3. He was with his company, which formed a part of the guard at the execution •of the thirty-eight Sioux Indians at Man- kato. Minnesota, December 25, 1862, and was with the force under General Sibley that drove the Indians out of Minnesota and across the Dakota plains, in 1863. and took part in the engagements at Big Mound, July 24, 1863; Buffalo Lake, July 26, 1863; and Stone Lake, July 28, 1863. On the date last mentioned the Tenth Minnesota, which was to have the advance, moved out of camp at three n'clock in the morning and was hardly formcil and in the ])osition it was to occupy in the inarch before al^out two thousand mounted Indians made their ajipearance in front with the evident intention of surpris- ing and capturing the supply train, and, ut- tering hideous yells, made desperate charges against the line. During the day there were four to five thousand savages engaged, but in a running figlit. which lasted all day, thev were repulsed and driven back across the Missouri river, near the present site of Bismarck. North Dakota. After returning from this expedition the regiment wAs sent south and was attached to the First Brigade, First Division. Sixteenth Army Corps, un- der General A. J. Smith, and served in Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas and }iIissouri, and participated in the battles at Xashville and Tupelo (two days in each), and in the engagements at ' Fort Blakely, Fort Fisher and Mobile. Mr. Grems was mustered out of the service in August, 1865, at St. Paul, ^Minnesota. His army service having materially im- paired his health and unfitted him for farm labor, to which he had been reared, Mr. Grems secured a position as clerk in a h<')tel at Owatonna, Minnesota, and. in 1867, re- moved from there to Maryville, Xoda\\-ay county, Alissouri. Not long after his arri- val he engaged in the hotel business, in which he continued two years. In 1872 he was ap- pointed local agent for the Lnited States Express Company, a position which he held until, in 1897. '^^ was appointed postmaster at ]\Iaryville by President [McKinley. Dur- ing- these twenty-five years he was at times identified with merchandising ventures in ]\Iaryville. and he was one of the organizers and is the president of the ^Maryville Home- stead tS: Loan Association. Republican politics of Nodaway county, Missouri, has for many years claimed Mr. Grems's attenion. He has frequently been elected to important oftices in Maryville, having been for thirteen years a member of the board of aldermen of the city, for eight years a member of the board of education, and for two terms filled the mayor's chair. 262 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY WhWt at the Iiead of the city government lie aided materially in the establishment of the light, water and sewage systems. Mr. Grems has been a faithful and valuable aid to Repfiblican success in the county and state. He served six years on the Republican state central committee, and was the chairman of the Republican central committee of Nod- away county twelve years, chairman of the judicial district committee six years, and chairman of the first senatorial district com- mittee four \ears. He was an original Mc- Kinley man, and was a delegate to the na- tional Republican convention at St. Louis in 1896, and at the inaugural ceremonies of President McKinley he was attached to the staff of Chief Marshal General Porter, as aid-de-camj), with the rank of colonel. Mr. Grems has been an Odd Fellow since 1868, and a Mason since 1872. To secure the benefits of the insurance features of those orders, he lias a membership in the \\'ood- nien of the World, the National Union and the Home Forum. He has served as the commander of the lucal jiost of the Grand Army of the Republic three terms, and has attended several of its national encampments as well as several grand lodge meetings of the Masons of the state. He was married in July. 1867. to Miss Emma Sanborn, of Owatonna, Minnesota, and they have four children, named Delia, Louis M., Charles C. and Luella. As postmaster Mr. (jrcnis has been enter- prising and progressive, and has performed the duties of the office conscientiously and with dwi regard to making the service effi- cient and comprehensive. L'nder his admin- istration free delivery has been established in Maryville and rural delivery over four routes radiating from the town. The suc- cess of til's impro\emeiit of the service is acknowledged by all classes of citizens, who recognize the public spirit which led Mr. Grems to advocate and hasten it as well as the ability with which he administers his office. JOHN W. RAIXES. John ^\'. Raines, ex-treasurer of .\tch"- soii county, and abstracter of titles, was borit at Lancaster. Wisconsin. January 3. 1840. His father, who died in 1840. wa.J reared and educated in the vicinity of ^.'e\\lJern. Pulaski county. Virginia, and was there married to Miss !^Iary Miller, by wlioni he had the following children : William, of Lancaster, Wisconsin; Mary E., the wife of Edward Pollock, the editor of the Lancaster Teller: and John W., the subject of tliis sketch, .\fter the death of her husliand Mrs. Raines married .Mbert Burks, by whom she had two children, viz. : Samuel Burks, of Leadville, Colorado; and Laura M., who married William AL Hess and with her hus- band resides in Chicago. Mrs. Burks died at about seventy years of age. A considerable portion of the yout'.i oi' John W. Raines was passed on a farm near Lancaster, already mentioned. During the winter season he attended the district school, and liy the time the war of the Re- bellion liroke out he had ac(iuired a good common-school education. On June 11, 1 861, he enlisted in Company C, Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, the first company raised at Lancaster, and on the same day was mustered into .service at the capital of the state. From Camp Randall, at iMadison, the regiment was ordered to Washington, 1). C, and there became a part of McClellan's "great plan," ])articipating ii' the first liattle of the war, that of Bull BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. >263- Run. or. as it is otherwise known, the Ijattle of ^Manassas. The followino- winter was passed at Arhngtiin. \'irginia. and the next spring, wiien the arm\' was again put in operation, the regiment to whicii Mr. Raines belonged went with General Pope into Vir- ginia. In the retreat of this general the battle of Gainesville was fouglit and in this battle Mr. Raines was struck in the left hip by a musket l)all and was thereby rendered ui'.ht for further service at the front. The bullet with which he was wounded was not removed until it worked itself to the surface arid became visible. Mr. Raines remained in the hospital until December 31. 18C12. and was sent home discharged. On June 19. 1863, he entered the pro\-ost marshal's office at Prairie du Chien. Wisconsin, as a clerk, retaining this position until the spring of 1865, when he was a])pointed first lieutenant by Colonel John C. Clark: Init on account of the condition of his wound the govern- ment refused to muster him into the service. On July 16. 1866, Mr. Raines became con- nected with the Freedmen's bureau as a clerk, remaining in this ser\'ice two years and be- ing located at Huntsville, Alabama. Then he entered the internal-re\-enue service at the same city, as the chief clerk of the office. Later on he was made a deput}- in the United States marshal's office, and was still in this position when Grover Cleveland was first elected president of the Urnted States, and ]\Ir. Raines, being of course an "ofYen- sive partisan," was remo\-ed and his position given to a Democrat. Upon thus retiring from the service of the go\ernment in 1885. Mr. Raines' ac- quaintance with John D. Dopf led him to visit Rockport. January 16, 1886, where he purchased an interest in the business of ab- stracting with Mr. Dopf, and since that time be has been exclusi\-ely connected with Atchison county. So great had become his popularity that in 1894 be was nominated jjy the Republicans of the county for treas- urer and was triumphantly elected, and was again nominated in 1896, but this year he was defeated liy the fusion of the opjjosing elements. In 1898 he was nominated for the office of county recorder. l)ut again the fu- sicju elements in the county were too strong for him and he was defeated. Rut to his credit it should lie stated that each nomina- tion he recei\'ed was given him by his p;ul\ entirely without solicitation on his part, and liis defeat reflected no discredit upon him. On January 16, T870, Mr. Raines was married, in Huntsville, Alabama, to Miss Mary M. Lakin. a daughter of Rew Arad S. Lakin. one of the most intelligent men of the country, who \vas especially well known for his strength of character :vu\ .e- ligious zeal, in the southern states after the war. Rev. Mr. Lakin having once Ijeo.i a resident of Atchison county, it would appear particularly appropriate in this connection to present a brief biograpliical sketch of this remarkable man. Arad S. Lakin was born in Delaware county, Xew York, in the year 18 10. His father, Jonas Lakin. remo\ed from Mary- land to the Emjjire state in early pimieer days. He was Ijorn in 1760 and died in 1846. He was one of those prominent figures in the community in which he lived tliat are occasionally found, — being an ex- tensi\-e farmer, the merchant of his com- munity, officiated as magistrate, and in other public capacities. One of his peculiarly strik- ing characteristics was his opposition to 01;- thodox}'-, and when his son, Arad S. Lakin, permitted himself to be converted at a Meth- (idist revi\'al. he disinherited him. He mar- 264 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY ried Prudence Parks, a daughter of that Mr. Parks that carried the news of the ap- proach of the Indians when tliey were plan- ning the massacre of the Wyoming settlers, and who made the journey, forty miles, through an unhroken wilderness. Arad S. Lakin was one of seven children that grew to mature years and by his own efforts acquired the rudiments of an educa- tion. He never attended a college. While he remained at home he aided his father in tlie work of the farm. He was intellectual, determined in his purpose and was a natural leader of men, tiius partaking in a most strik- ing manner of the leading characteristics •of his father. When converted to Chris- tianity, as mentioned alxn=e, he was eight- een years of age, and he was immediately sought out by the leading members of the ■church to take an active part in the work of the same. With the assistance of local teachers he pre[)ared himself for the work he felt hinisflt called \\\)im tn do. and was soon a pronounced success in this, to him new field. So remarkable were his gifts that he was styled by his admirers the "Del- aware prodigy." His mental strength, his comprehensive grasp of great religious and moral questions, and his courage to dare and to do what seemed to him right, were his most remarkable characteristics. The work he performed was that of an organizer in the pastorate, and his fame soon spread far and wide. The third call he received, to become a pastor in Xew York city, was accepted by him; but in 1854 he left the ■east, taking up his residence in Indianapolis. In this far western state he soon became equally prominent in church work as he had l)een in the east, and he was acquainted, in .both the east and west, with many of the ablest divines and public men of his time. He was held in high regard by Governor Morton, the "war governor" of the state; and when troops were needed to suppress the greatest rebellion of history, his patriotic words induced many young men in Indiana to join the Union army. He himself enlisted as a private soldier in the regiment which he assisted to raise; but the parents of the boys insisted upon his being made chaplain of the regiment, in order that he might the more readily and easily look after the welfare of their sons. At first this regiment was the Thirty-ninth Indiana \'olunteer Infantry, but later it was changed to the Eighth Cav- alry ; and although it was not the province of the chaplain to carry a gun, yet Mr. La- kin carried one, which he carried to the fir- ing line, and thus inspired by his example all the boys to greater efforts and greater deeds of bravery than perhaps they would otherwise ha\e felt called upon to perform. He was conspicuously fearless, saying fre- quently that "man is immortal till his work is done." On one occasion General Thomas called for ^-olunteers to carry a dispatch through and between the lines of the enemy amidst a shower of bullets to a federal of- ficer beyond, and as there seemed to be no one willing to take the risk Rev. Mr. Lakin rode up, saluted and said: "General, I'll take it." Being reluctantly permitted to carry the message, he went safely through the enemy's lines and returned from the delivery of the dispatch as safely as he went. At one time he was recalled to Indiana to recruit for the depleted regiments at the front, and his eft'orts had much to do with saving north Indiana from the grasp of the "Copperhead" Democracy. At Atlanta, just as Sherman was starting on his march to the sea, Rev. Mr. Lakin was discharged from the service; but at his retjuest to be permitted to accom- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 2(55 pahy the army at liis own expense, in order that he might continue to be of service to the men of tiie regiment, lie was permitted if go. From Savannali he made his way to Xew York and thence tn Indianapohs. After the close of the war, wiien affairs ir. the southern states were settling down to something Hke their normal condition, the Methodist church needed a man to take charge of its work in those states. As no man that could be found seemed so well equipped for this work as Rev. Mr. Lakin., he was chosen by the Cincinnati conference to enter upon this lalwr. His especial mission into the southern slates was tii re-organize the ^lethodist Episcopal church, which had not seceded or fa\-ored secession ; and he found at Huntsville, .Mabama, the former church practically without members. After being in the south twenty years, so effective had been his work that there were then two large conferences, white and black, with. thousands of mem])ers, and the Methodist Episcopal church is still in a flourishing- condition in those states. At the request of his daughter. Rev. La- kin returned to the north in 1885, to pass the remaining years of his life with her. At that time he was seventy-five years of age, and had the health to warrant his friends' belief that he would reach his one hundredth year, ^^'hen his mother died she was past one hundred and seven, and his father died at the age of eighty-six. And these friends still believe that had some duty called into daily activity his powers of mind his life would certainly have been prolonged beyond the year 1890, when he died, at the age of eighty years. His wife died in Huntsville, and the two lie side by side in the cemetery near tliat place. Mrs. Raines is the only child of Rev. and Mrs. Achsah La Bar (Newton) Lakin. She was born in Delaware county. Xew York, June _'i, iS,VJ- ^lie and her husband, the subject of this sketch, are the parents of the following children: Mary Edith, a teacher in the high schiml of St. Josei)h, Missouri, having graduated at the high school at Rockport. then the Tarkio College and finally \\'ellesley College, taking honors in all three institutions; Herbert L.. a jeweler of Tar- kio; Earle ^L with the First National Bank of Tarkio, and Laura T.. a graduate of Tarkio College and now a teacher in tha Rockport schools. Men, like children, are to a greater or less extent, imitative in their lives. They are in numerous cases led to accomplish re- sults by the reflections that those gone be- fore ha\-e done good and worthy deeds; and ii is this reason, in part, that makes bio- graphical sketches, like the one now drawing to a close, of such value to young readers, awakening in them, as they do. the ambition to "go and do likewise," the result being more herioc lives than oth.erwise would be led. It is a great pleasure to the publishers to be permitted to place in enduring form the record of the deeds of such men as Mr. Raines and his father-in-law, Re\-. j\lr. La- kin, the latter of whom was certainly one of the most patriotic and brave of men. ;\lr. Raines is still living; still greater praise for him will be appropriate after he shall have been ""-athered to his fathers." JOHN L. CHRLSTIAN. The Atchison County World is the lead- ing organ of the Democratic party of Atchi- son county, Missouri, and is ably managed and edited by John L. Christian, the subject of this sketch. This gentleman was l>orn in ^66 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY tliis county December 28, 1855, a son of L. C. and Sarah E. (Golden) Christian, the former being one of the oldest and best known of the pioneers of tlie county, who came here in 1850. At that time this part of ihe state was yet tilled with Indians and wild beasts. The grandfather of our subject, who had been a soldier in the Mexican war, •came to Atchison county with nine sons and two daughters, and his death occurred at this plajce. L. C. Christian, the father of our subject, has held many of the important lo- cal offices, being elected county clerk in 1868. and is now the president of the asylum board. For thirty years he has been con- nected with the ^lasonic order. The family of ilr. and Mrs. L. C. Chris- tian consisted of ten children, of whom, John L.. W. B., J. T., C. AI. and two sisters, Laura and Allie, are the survivors. Our subject was reared and educated in Rockport, Missouri, and at the age of twenty he settled at Lost Grove, in this county, and engaged in the stock business, where he re- mained until 1888, when he came to Tar- kio and began to buy and sell cattle for com- mission houses in St. Joseph and Kansas City, in the live stock business. He is consid- ered an expert in judging stock. His em- ployers, the Seigle & Saunders Stock Com- pany, of Kansas City and St. Joseph, con- sider that he is second to none, in his line. This is a large firm, having a capital of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Christian was married, in 1876, to j\liss Martha HafFner, a daughter of L. M. Haft'ncr, of this county, who resided here on a farm until the time of his death in 1888. Five children have been born to Mr. and !Mrs. Christian, — Floyd, Hattie, Eveline, Minnie and Mary. The esteem in which Mr. Christian is held by his party may be indicated by his popularity as a buyer of cattle and success of his paper, and he fully comes up to their expectations. He is a Democrat who takes an active interest in every issue by which his party may benefit, and wields a wide in- fiuence. Aside from politics, the Atchison County World is also a bright and accept- able paper, and is one which may be admitted to the family circle with profit to all readers. For the past five years Mr. Christian has been the representative of his section in county and state conventions. Socially he is collected with the K. of P. and Modern W'oodmen, and possesses a heart as w'arm as his physical frame is large, and is one of the popular citizens of this part of Atchison county. He gives to charity with an unstint- ed hand, and no one ever asked alms of him in vain, for out of his bountiful income he di\'ides with the poor. ISAAC S. BALL. Isaac S. Ball, the county clerk of Atchi- son county, w-as born in Clark township, of this county, March 11, 1869. His father, Joseph L. Ball, settled in that portion of the county in 1852, and died in 1869. He was born in what is now West Virginia, emi- grated thence to Kentucky, and was there married to Miss Hannah E. Krusor, who still survives, and resides where she and her husband settled upon coming to Atchison county. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children : James W., of Atchison county; Lizzie, the wife of D. L. Williams, of Milton, Missouri; John T., of Idaho; Tacy E., now Mrs. W. J. Graves, of Milton, Missouri ; Joseph L., E. P. and Ulysses G., also of Milton; R. C, assistant cashier of the bank at Craig, this state; Mollie A., the BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 207 wife of E. E. Taylor, of Eairfax, Missouri, and Isaac S.. the sul)ject of this sketch. Isaac S. Ball passed his early youth upon the farm. In childhood he wag permanent- ly crippled, anil thus incapacitated for farm lahor. Obtaining a good comm(;n-school education he completed it in Tarkio College, I'.aving in view the life of a merchant as a means of support. For a year prior to enter- ing actively the politics of his county he con- ducted a grocery store at Milton, and in the summer of 1894 was nominated by the Republicans of the county for the position of county clerk, being elected in the following November by a majority of three hundred and nine. After serving most efficiently for four years he was nominated as his own successor, and defeated a strong man on the fusion ticket, though by the narrow margin of only ten votes. Mr. Ball's greatest con- cern for the county is its welfare, as it may be affected through his office, and his re-elec- tion is the strongest endorsement the people could give him of his successful administra- tion of its aft'airs, so far as they are under his control. Mr. Ball was married in Rockport, No- vember 29, 1896, to Mrs. Vena Wannschaff, the widow of Alfred A. J. Wannschaff. j\lrs. Ball's two children by her former marriage are Hermie and Bessie, the former of whom is Mr. Ball's deputy clerk. From the above brief recital it is evident to every reader that Mr. Ball stands high in the estimation of his fellow men, and he in fact has the regard and esteem of all that know him. GALLATIN CRAIG. (iallatin Craig, the judge of the circuit court of northwestern Missouri and one of the most eminent jurists of his section of the state, has risen by his own efforts to his pres- ent high position. In the law more than in any other profession is one's career open to talent. The reason is evident : It is a pro- fession in which eminence cannot be obtained except by indomitable energy, persever- ance and patience, and though its prizes are numerous and splendid, they cannot be won except by arduous and prolonged eft'ort. It is this that has brought success to Judge Craig and made him known as one of the ablest representatives of the bar in this sec- tion of the state. The Judge was born in Gallatin county, Kentucky, on the 20th of "Shiy, 1853, and back of him is an ancestry honorable and distinguished. The Craig famil}', of Scot- tish ancestry, was founded in Virginia in 1650 and its representatives were prominent in connection with events of the Revolution- ary war, while in the religious enthusiasm of the colonies their influence was strongly felt for the Baptist cause. Joshua Morris, the great-grandfather of the Judge, was the first pastor of the First Baptist church of Richmond, Virginia, and Robert Morris, a great-granduncle, was a noted patriot of Pennsylvania and became one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, exer- cising an influence that told strongly on the cause of liberty. George Walton, an uncle of the Judge's father, was also one of the signers of the immortal instrument declaring allegiance of the colonies to the mother country was forever se\-ered. The Judge is a son of Albert G. and Virginia (Brook- ing) Craig, and his mother's people were no less prominent than his ancestry on the pa- ternal side. His grandmother belonged to the Throckmorton family, one of the most distinguished and honored early pioneer families of the Old Dominion, and his 208 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. great-grandfather, Vivian Brooking, served as a colonel under General Washington. Early in the nineteenth centurj- representa- ti\es of the Craig family emigrated to Ken- tucky and became prominent in the develop- ment and upbuilding of that state. It is \\ell remembered by the descendants of pio- neers that nine of the sixteen women who went to Bryant Station when that post was besieged by the Indians were Craigs. The father of the Judge is a farmer and for many years he occupied the bench of the county court of Gallatin county. Ken- tucky, and thus from boyhood his son was more or less familiar with the workings of the courtroom. In the common schools of his native county he acquired his preliminary education, which was supplemented by a course in Ghent College, in Carroll county, that state. With the determination to make the practice of law his life work he matric- ulated as a law student in the University of \'irginia and was numbered among its graduates on the completion of the regular course. In the year 1877 he was admitted to practice at Warsaw, Kentucky, and in 1878 he came to Hilary ville, where he has since been numbered among the representa- tives of the bar. Here he was first asso- ciated in practice with Judge C. A. Anthony, the connection being maintained for some years, or until the latter was elected to the bench. Judee Craig was afterward acco- ciated with James J. Johnson, and this pro- fessional relation continued until he was elected prosecuting attorney. In 1889 he had been chosen by popular vote for the office of city attorney of Maryville and served for two years. In 1890 he was elected prose- cuting attorney of the county, and at the November election of 1898 he was chosen circuit judge, succeeding his old law part- ner, Hon. C. A. Anthony. He had taken a leading part in some of the important litiga- tion of northwestern Missouri, having a large and representative clientele. On the bench he has won an enviable position among the jurists of the state. His decisions are the highest type of the justice that knows ho bias and are based entirely upon the evidence and the law applicable to it. In November, 1882, Judge Craig was I'nited in marriage, in Maryville, to Miss Chloe L. Lieber, a daughter of John Lieber, a prominent retired merchant of this city. They now have two children, — Albert Lee Gallatin and Laura Lieber. The family oc- cup)' a prominent position in cultured so- ciety circles and the Judge is also a recog- nized leader in political circles. He sup- ports the Democracy and has been the chair- man of the county central committee of his party. On the bench, however, he never allows personal prejudice to interfere with l.is just and impartial discharge of duty. A man of unimpeachable character and natural intellectual endowments, with a thorough understanding of the law, patience, urbanity and industry, he took to the bench the very liighest qualifications for this responsible of- fice, and his record as a judge has been in harmony with his record as a man and law- yer, distinguished by unswerving integrity and a masterful grasp of every problem thai has presented itself for solution. GEORGE N. HAMLIN. This gentleman, who is one of the rep- resentative farmers of Nodaway county, was born in Hartford county, Connecticut, Septemljer 8, 1830, and is a son of Linus and Abigail (Kent) Hamlin, also natives of that state, wliere the faniilv have resided for GEORGE N. HAMLIN. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 2«9 main- j^'eneratiniis. !Must of its representa- tives lia\'e been tillers of the soil. His pa- ternal u-reat - grandfather. John Hamlin, served as a lieutenant in the Rex'olntionary v.ar. Tlie grandfather, Luke Hamlin, was a farmer by occupation and a lifelong resi- dent of Connecticut, where he died in 1839. His children were Haniel, Augustus, l^inns and Abigail. John Kent, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a shoe- maker of Connecticut and the father of nine children, naniel}- ; llcnjaniin. wIki niuxed to \ irginia ; Ira, a resilient of Connecticut; Abigail, Ralph, John, Lovisa, Nelson, Mary and Susan. In 1838 our subject's parents moved til Wayne county, Pennsylvania, where the father died on his farm in i860, the miiiher a year later. Their children were George X., Mrs. ^^largaret Roney and Mrs. Jane Scull. (ieorge X. Hamlin passctl his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm and at- tended the common schools of the neighbor- hood. He remained with his jiarents until their death and in early life followed the carpenter's trade. In i85(S was celebrated his marriage to Miss L^'dia Hambly, a na- ti\e <.if l'enns\-l\-ania and a daughter of Richartl Hambl}', who was of English de- scent and a farmer b}' uccupation. She has twii Ijrothers — Richard and William. To .Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin were burn three chil- dren : Edwin; Ida, the w ife of William Adle, of Maryville; and Richard. Mr. Ilamlin cunlinued tn reside mi the old homestead in Pennsylvania until 1870, \> hen he came to Xndawa}- county and \m\-- chased one hundred and t\\ent_\' acres uf his present I'.irni, jjut at that time only se\'en acres had been broken and there were no fences or buildings upon the place, .\fter erecting a small Imuse he began the im- proNcment of the pl;ice, and has since added til it until he nnw has twn hundred and eighty acres under a high state of cultiva- tion and pleasantly located two miles north- westof Maryville. He has set out an orchard, built a comfortable and commodious resi- dence, a large barn and other outbuildings, and nciw has one nf the best improved farms of the locality. In connection with general farming he carries on stLick raising, and is -^ meeting with well deserxed success in his hiliors. .\lthough seventy years of age Mr. I lamlin is still quite vigorous. and looks after the details of farm work, while his sons carry on the farm. Throughout life he has ex- hibited the energy and thrift characteristic of New Englanders, and being a good finan- cier and progressive business mau; has be- come line of the substantial citizens of his communit}-. In his piilitical \'iews he is a Democrat. He and his wife are well pre- served, and are held in high regard by a large circle of friends and acquaintances will) appreciate their sterling worth and manv excellencies of character. J. T. KARR. Among the loyal defenders of the Union tlnring the dark days of the Civil war was the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He was burn in McLean county, Illinois, December 2};,. 1S40, and is a son of James and Margaret (Martin) Karr, natives of Ohio. Soon after their marriage the parents mnxed to Illinois antl the father en- tered land in McLean county. In his new hnme be met with success and became the owner of a large and valuable farm, up:n which he engaged in general farming and 270 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. stock-raising until his death, in the wmter of 1869. Politically he was a Democrat, and reiigionsly was a member of the Christian church, while his wife was a Presbyterian in religious belief. She died when our sub- ject was only nine years old, leaving three ciiildren, of whom he is the oldest, the others being Nancy, the wife of J. Rogers; and George M.. a resident of Missouri. For his second wife the father married Louisa Trofater, by whom he had six chil- dren, namely: John W., Emily, Ora, \\'alter, Edward and Mina. The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed upon the home farm, and he was educated in the common schools of his na- tive county. On the 20th of August, 1861, he joined the '"boys in blue" of Company C, Thirty-third Illinois \'olunteer Infan- try, and was mustered out at Indianola, Texas, December 31, 1863, but the same day he re-enlisted in the same regiment, and re- mained in the service until hostilities ceased. As a member of the Vicksburg department he was mustered out at Greenville, Mississ- ippi, November 24. 1865, and was honorably discharged and paid off at Springfield, Illi- nois. He was always found at his post of duty, gallantly defending the old flag and the cause it represented. Among the eui gagements in which he participated were the battles of Fredericktown, Missouri, in October, 1861 ; Cache Bayou, Arkansas, July, 1862; Bolivar, Mississippi, Septem- ber, 1862; Port Gibson, ^lississippi. May, 1863; Champion Hills and Black River Bridge, the same month ; the siege of Vicks- burg; the capture of Jackson, Mississippi, in July, 1863; and the siege and capture of Fort Esperanza, Tex^s, in November. 1863. After the war Mr. Karr resumed farming i;i McLean cjuntv, Illinois, and there he was married, February 2j, 1867, to Miss Susan Davis, who was born in Ohio, October 2},. 1846. Her parents, Lewis F. and Melissa (Morrow) Davis, were natives of New Jer- sey and Ohio, respectively, and were mar- ried in the latter state, where the father fol- lowed the tanner's- trade until i860, when he moved to [Marion count)% Illinois. Four years later he located in McLean county, and after cultivating a rented farm there for three years he came to ilissouri, in 1866, and bought land in Nodaway count}-, on ^^•hich he spent the remainder of his life, dj'ing here in September, 1899. He was a Republican in ix)litics, but voted for Will- iam J. Bryan, the Democratic candidate for president, in 1896. His wife died in 1892. They had four children, namely : Susan, the wife of our subject; Arthur W., who died at the age of twenty years ; Lydia, the wife of E. Morrow ; and Woodroe, who lives on the homestead. In the fall of 1868 Mr. Karr came to this county, and for two years rented a farm in White Cloud township. In 1870 he pur- chased eighty acres of wild prairie land, and to its improvement and cultivation devoted his energies unil 1892, when he moved to the farm belonging to his wife's father and cul- tivated it for five years. He now rents his farm, and since 1897 has lived a retired life in Barnard, where he has a commodious and pleasant residence. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Demo- cratic party, has been a delegate to numer- ous conventions, and is now chairman of the Democratic committee of Grant township. He has been honored with a number of of- ficial positions, including that of justice of the peace, which he held for seven years, and assessor for four years. His official duties have alwavs been discharged witii a BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 271 promiitness and fidelit}- wunhy of the liigliest commendation. Botli lie and his wife are active memhers of the Christian church, and are lield in liig"h retjard liy ;dl who know them. ELMER ERASER. Elmer Eraser is one of the younger rep- resentatives of the business interests of IMaryville, and now holds the iinportant po- sition of cashier in the Maryville National Bank. His ability, executve power and keen discrimination render him peculiarly fitted for the responsible duties which de- vol\-e upon him and he is now well known in business circles, being held in the highest regard by reason of his fidelity and integ- rity. Although he is a young man, he has been a resident of Maryville for thirty years. The Erasers arrived in Nodaway county in iS/O. James, the father of our subject was born in Scotland about 1832, and there Jcarned the carpenter's trade. When seven- teen years of age he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and followed his chosen \(>cation in various places in the east. He finally located in Indiana and from Du Bcis county, that state, removed to Maryville, in 1870. Here he engaged in the stock busi- ness and in farming, and to some extent gives his attention to those branches of labor at the present day, although he is now large- ly' living retired. He married Samantha Lavender, and unto them were born four sons — Elmer, Alexander, James and Bard, — all of whom are residents of Nodaway ■ county. Elmer was a lad of eight summers when he arrived in Maryville. He mastered the branches of Ensjlish learnin"- that formed the curricuhun of the common schools here, and after putting aside his text-books he en- gaged in herding cattle for his father for two years. Later he accepted a postion in the grocery house of Grimes & Doole}', and on severing that conection he became a bookkeeper in the banking house of Baker, Saunders & Company, in Maryville. While thus engaged he mastered many of the principles of the banking business. He en- tered that institution in 1881, and in 1890, upon the incorporation of the Maryville National Bank, he was promoted to the po- sition of assistant cashier, in which capacity he ser\ed until 1896, when he was elected cashier to succeed Mr. Wilfley. At the same time he became a director of the bank. He is an excellent judge of men, has a thor- ough knowledge of the banking business and his efYorts and popularity have contributed in no small degree to the success of the in- stitution. He is also the owner of a good farm near Maryville, which is operated under his supervision and stocked with a high grade of cattle ; but this is not the limit of his enterprise, for he is connected with other business affairs of importance. Li January, 1890, Mr. Eraser was united in marriage to Miss Alice Ham, a daughter of the pioneer merchant, John Ham, who at one time served as the sheriff of Nodaway county. Two children have been born of their union, — Paul G. and Alice Jean. Mr. Eraser certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished in life. He started upon his business career depending upon no outside aid or influence for advancement, and through his personal merit he has arisen to a position of distinction in connection with the financial interests of Nodaway county. Integrity in all the affairs of life have gained him the confidence of the public, and his so- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. cial and cordial nature has won him tht good will and friendship of many with whom lie is associated. W. J. McMlLLAX. W. J. McMillan is one of the early set tiers of Lincoln township, Atchison cour.ty. He came to northwestern Missouri during the era of its pioneer development and has witnessed most of its entire growth, having seen its wild lands reclaimed for purposes of civilization. Churches and schools have heen built, indicating the advance of prog- ress : towns and villages have sprung up, and the community lias become settled by an inteligent and enterprising class of people. In the work of improvement Mr. McMillan h.as ever borne his part and is known as a loyal citizen. He is of Scotch-Irish descent and manifests in his career the sterling characteristics of those people, having the versatility of the latter and the steadfast thrift and reliability of the fiirmer. Mr. JMcMillan was born in Ireland, on the 1 6th of September, 1848, and is a son of William ^McMillan, also a native of the green isle of Erin and of Scotch lineage. He married ^largaret Jackson, a representative of a good family of county .\ntrim and a daughter of John Jackson, who also was a native of that county. Her mother belonged to the Bruce family, of the same county, her ancestors having been driven from Scotlar.d at a period of persecution for a religious 1)elief. To William and Margaret (Jack- son) McMillan were born the following named : \\'. J., of this review ; Mrs. Martha Ferguson, of Beaver l*"alls, I'ennsyhania ; !Mrs. Eliza Gait, of Des Moines county, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Smith and John, who also are residents of Des Moines countv ; Mrs. Nannie Hensleigh, of Clarinda. Iowa, the wife of the present auditor of Page county; Mrs. Rose Stahl, of Monmouth, Illinois: ]\Iaggie, who died a young woman; and Joseph, who died at the age of eighteen years. During his infancy Mr. McMillan, the sul)ject nf this sketch, was brought Iw his parents to .\merica. The family left Ire- land in 1849. ^'I'l after spending six months in Xew "S'ork city removed to Maysville. Kentucky, and in 1S56 became residents of Des r^Ioines, Iowa, lix'ing at Kossuth. They were among the early settlers there and were acti\'el_\' identified with the pioneer development of the county. In that locality \\'. J. McMillan of this review was reare;l ui)on a farm. He assisted in the arduous task of developing wild land and transform- ing it into richly cultivated fields, and with the family bore the hardships and experi- ences which usually fall to the lot of the pio- neer. He attendeil the schools of the neigh- borhood, although the adx'antages of that time were rather ])riniili\e, the sessions be- ing held in a log cabin. However, reading and e.xperience in later \ears ha\e added greatly to his knowledge and he is now a well informed man. The first e\ent which varied the monotony of his farm life came with the opening of the Civil war. He was a young lioy in his "teens when he enlisted for service as a member of the Xinth Illi- nois Cavalry, a regiment which made a brill- iant record for gallantry. He served un- der the command of Captain C. G. Dack, Colonel Mock and General Thomas. His regiment was in some of the most hotly contested fights of the war, and in connec- tion with the Second Iowa C"avalry met five tliousand Confederate troo])s under General Forrest, at Shoal creek, where the brilliant BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. :73 lig'lniiit;- of tlic I'ninn ln>(i])s won tlic high- est aihiiiratiini. Mr. McMillan also i)artici- pated in Uie battle of I-'ranklin. Tennessee, und of Xashville, and witli his command followed General Hood's army to Alabama. He was in active service in the \-icinity of ^Mobile, and when honoralily discharg'ed was but sexenteen _\ears of age. He is numbered anion^' the soldier boys whose \alor and 1)ravery u])on the field of battle were e(|ual to that of the time-tried \-eterans. He went through all the experiences which fall to the lot of a soldier and was e\-er foiuid at biis post of (lilt}-, whether upon the I'lring line or upon tented fields. \\ hen the war was o\'er and the conn- try no longer needed his services, Mr. Mc- IMillan returned to his father's farm and as- sisted in its culti\'ation for a time. His fa- ther is now dece.ased, ha\'ing' departed this life in Des Aloines county, Iowa, at the age ■of seventy-four, while the mother is living, .at the age of sevent\--h\e. In politics lie was a Democrat ami in his religious belief a I'resbyterian. They were widely known as earnest Christian people, as devoted parents, as kind neighbors and \'a!ued citizens. EntL'ring upon an indei)endent Inisiness career. W. J. McMillan of this rex'iew be- o-an working as a farm hand and was thus emplo_\ed until he had ac(]nired five Inm- dred dollars. He then inxested his capital in a team and wagon, came to Missouri and Ijurchased forty acres of land, ui)on which he built a log cabin, I4.n:i4 feet. From that time success has attended his efftjrs. He worked from early morn until exening in ini])roving and cultivating his fields, and in course of time abundant harvests rewarded his efi'orts. At different times, as his finan- cial resources increased, he addet whom lived and died in Ohio, where 276 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. tliey had lived worthy Hves and were de- ser\ing ineniljcrs of the Cliristian church. They reared a large miinber of estimable children, named as follows: Thomas J., Henry. Hamilton. Mrs. Julia Smally, Mrs. Rebecca Mehaitee. Franklin. William, Mrs. Rankin and Mrs. Xaomi (Irimes. All those living have remained in Ohii), except the wife of oiu- subject. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin are well and fa- vorably known in Atchison county, both in the Methodist church, of which they are valued members, and through the country, where Air. Rankin is known as a just man and she as a helpful neighbor and friend. Politically Air. Rankin is a Republican and takes an intelligent interest in the afifairs ui the nation. AUSTIX F. STITT. The unostentatious routine of [irivate life although of vast importance to the welfare of the community, has not figured to any great extent in the pages of history. But the names of men who have distinguished themselves l)v the possession of those quali- ties of character which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability, and who have enjoyed the respect and confidence of those around them, should not be permitted to perish. Their example is more valuable to the majority of readers than that of heroes, statesmen and writers, as they furinsh means of subsistence for the nudtitude whom thc_\- in their useful careers have employed. Such are the thoughts which involuntarily come to our minds when we consider the life of him whose name initiates this sketch, who is now the honored mayor of Burlington Junction, a position which by the gift of the people he has filled for three terms. His re- elections indicate unmistakably his personal popularity and the confidence rejjosed in him. -Vustin Fallis Stitt was born in Hamil- ton county, Indiana. September 28, 1838. His father, Obadiah W. Stitt. was a native of Hamilton county. Ohio, and on the 30th of June. 1856, he came to Xodaway county, Missouri, locating near the village of Bur- lington Junction, where he pre-empted a claim, entering the land from the govern- ment. He became the owner of four hun- dred and ninety acres here and continued its cultivation until the 9th of .\pril. 1860. when he removed to Lawrence. Kansas. In that locality he also jiurchased a farm and made it his home until the fall of 1870. In the fn]- lowing spring he returned to Kansas and sub- sequently went to Bates county, Missouri, where he purchased fifteen hundred acres of land. He carried on farming on an exten- sive scale and was very successful in his oper- ations, possessing e.xcellent business and ex- ecutixe ability. He had only nineteen dol- lars at the time of his marriage, but through his well directed efforts he added constantly to his capital and at his death left to his fam- ily a comfortable estate. He wene time he and his captain were detailed for re- cruiting service, hut the captain was kicked l\v a hiirse and all the work devohcd upon our suhject. He was offered a commission as sergeant maior of his regiment, but he refused this in order to stay with his corn- pan}-, for he was a great fa\iirite with the men. who lo\ed and respected him. Going to Raleigh. Missouri, the company became part of the Forty-eighth Regiment, and on the 8th of December. 1864, proceeded to St. Louis and thence to Columbia. Tennessee. y\v. Stitt remaining at the front until hon- oraI)h' discharged. In June. ]8f)5, he was (ince more sent to St. Louis and there inus- tcred out. returning to his home with an honorable military record. He engaged in the business of Intying cattle in connection with Captain Grigsby. his old commander, and the business connec- tion between them was maintained until the fall of \SC^(). In that autinnn he was mar- ried, and dinnng the succeefling winter he boarded with his old partner, but in the si)ring he and his wife removed t(j their farm in CJreen township. Xodaway county, there residing until 1886. when they took up their abode in Burlington Junction. In the mean- time he had bought and sold land, his invest- ments pro\-ing profitable \-entures. and at the time of his retirement he owned a very valuable farm of three hundred acres, which is still in his possession. In Burlington Junction he erected a comfortable residence, and. surrounded by all the necessities and many of the luxuries of life, he is here re- siding in retirement from acti\c lousiness tares, save lis official duties, having been called to office by the vote of his fellow townsmen. On the 6th of Xoveml)er, 1866, Mr. Stitt w as united in marriage to ]\Iiss Caroline E. McClellan. who was born in Indiana. They have never had any children of their own. but prompted by a great kindness of heart they have reared twelve or thirteen children — no- ble souls who have done honor to their foster p>arents. sume of them being now prominent men and women of Xodaway county. They have been gi\-en excellent educational pri\-il- eges. thus being well fitted for the duties of life. In public office Mr. Stitt has manifested I his fidelity to duty, serving as postmaster ! during President Grant's first administration. j He was appointed to the office Xoxemlier 14. ' 1869. and served in that ca]jacit}- until 1879, when he resigned. He is now serving for the third term as the mayor of Burlington Junction, having been elected to the ot^ce by his fellow townsmen without regard to po- litical affiliations. His administration is pro- j gressive and business like. He has studied closely the needs of the town and exercises his ofiicial prerogative in support of all meas- ures which he believes will contribute to the ])ul)lic good. In politics he has been a stal- wart Republican since casting his first presi- dential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. while serving in the army. He has frecpient- ly been a delegate to party con\entions and his counsel carries weight among the mem- bers of the organization. He took the L nit- ed -States census in Xodaway comity in 1890 and again in 1900. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. the Masonic fraternity and the Graml .\rmy of the Republic, and of all is a valued repre- sentative. He and wife are leading mem- 278 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. bers of the Cliristian church, of which he has been an elder since 1867; and he takes an active part in all the affairs of the church. In fact, he makes the church first and other things secondary. The social standing- of himself and wife is high and they are active in all good work looking to the mate- rial and substantial benefit of the community. As a business man he has been conspicuous among his associates not only for his success but for his probity, fairness and honorable methods. In everything he has been emi- nently practical, and this has been not only manifest in his business undertakings but also in political, private and social life. Such is the record of one who has worked his way upward to a position of eminence in the community in which he has long resided. GEORGE L. WTLFLEY. In business circles George L. Wilfley is widely known, and the safe, conservative business policy which he follows has gained him the public confidence in an unqualified degree and made the Maryville National Bank, of which he is the president, one of the leading institutions of the kind in this section of the state. He is a representative of one of the early families of Nodaway county. His father, Redmond Wilfley, was a native of Buchanan county, Missouri, born in 1825, and the grandfather was orig- inally from the state of \\'est \^irginia. Having arrived at years of maturity, Red- mond Wilfley married Maria Baker, a daughter of Charles Baker, one of the pio- neers of Nodaway county and a sister of George S. Baker, a leading banker and very ])rominent and influential citizen of this state. Mr. Wilfley came to Nodaway coun- ty at a very early period in its development and was engaged in merchandising and irt other business lines in this place, his labors contributing in a large measure to the com- inercial activity of the city. About the time of the close of the Civil war he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where he was engaged in the manufacture of lumber for a time and later went to Pettis county, this state, passing the last years of an active and honorable life there. His wife died in 1894. In their family were the following named : Mrs. Walter Bales, of Sheridan, Wyoming;. Mrs. Sarah Eaton, of Kansas City, Mis- souri; Charles B., also of that place; and George L., of this review. George L. Wilfley spent the greater part of his boyhood and youth in Kansas City and acquired his education in the public schools there. He entered upon his busi- ness career as a clerk in a grocery store in Sedalia, Missouri, and after three years' ex- perience in that line became connected witlv the banking business in a clerical capacity in the Missouri Valley Bank, at Kansas City. His training there well fitted him for his later independent career as a banker. After he had spent three years in the Mis- souri \'alley Bank he came to Maryville and secured a jxjsition in the employ of the firm of Baker, Saunders & Company, with whom he remained for four years. He then pur- chased an interest in the Bolckow Savings Bank, at Bolckow, Missouri, and was active in the management of that institution until 1887, when he returned to Maryville and became a partner in the banking business of Baker, Saunders & Company. Jn Feb- ruary, 1890, immediately after the death of Mr. Saunders, Mr. \\'ilfley organized the Maryville National Bank, which was cap- italized at fifty thousand dollars. Its offi- cers were George S. Baker, president; BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ■270 George L. Wilfley, cashier ; and George S. Eaker, J. S. Frank, E. D. Orear, John Lieber and Patrick McNellis, as members of the board of directors. In i8g6 Mr. Eaker retired from tlie presidency of the bank and Mr. ^^'ilfley became his successor, witli Elmer Eraser as the cashier. Tlie Ijoard of (Hrectors now comprises ^^'. R. \\ens, A. M. Howendobler, Patrick Mc- Nellis, Elmer Eraser and George L. Wil- fley. The bank's surplus is nineteen thou- sand dollars and the amount of its deposits are one hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars. In 1881 Mr. W'illley married Miss Jennie Saunders, a daughter of J. H. Saunders, a retired pioneer merchant of Maryville, who came to this city when it was yet a part of Andrew county. The year of his arrival was 1844 and in 1845 he opened one of the first stores in the village. With the excep- tion of a few months spent in California during- the gold excitement and a brief period in Atchison county, Missouri, he was constantly in business here until 1896. Mr. and Mrs. W'ilfley have four children — Clifford R., Ray S., Marjorie and Geneva. In the conduct of his business enterprise Mr. Wilfley has ever • displayed marked ability and executive power. Although he entered business life in a humble clerical capacity he is to-day one of the foremost representa- tives of financial interests in Nodaway coun- ty, and throughout his career has sustained an unassailable reputation for commendable business methods and integrity. JESSE H. DAVIS. Jesse H. Davis, one of the leading busi- ness men .of Rockport, Missouri, and the president of the Northwest Missouri Tele- phone Company, knows no home but Atchi- son county. In 1858, when his father lo cated in the sparsely settled region armmd Phelps City, Jesse H. was but a prattling babe, and it was in that vicinity that he grew to manhood and received his early mental training. Hugh L. Davis, the father of the sub- ject, in the year above named, located two- and a half miles northeast of the village of Phelps City. The trip from his former home in Greene county, Tennessee, he made overland with a team, one hundred and fifty dollars and a vigorous constitution. Being; of an industrious disposition and having a determination to succeed, it is not surpris- ing that his career as a citizen nf Missouri was satisfactory tn him and his family. Hugh L. Davis was born in Greene county, Tennessee, was a planter's son, and his an- cestors were among the early settlers in east Tennessee. He was a son of John Davis, who was burn in \'irginia. Hugh L. was born in 1836, and, on account of the comparative lack of educational advantages of that part of the country at that time, re- ceived only an inade(iuate education, it be- ing limited to reading", writing and a little arithmetic. About the time of attaining his- majority he married Rebecca R. Kidwell, a daughter of Elijah Kidwell, and by her became the father of the following children :. John E. Davis, of Atchison county; Jesse H., the subject of this sketch, who was born. September 10, 1857; ^lary A., who died in infancy; and Charles F., now residing at Pacific Junction, Iowa. Hugh L. Davis personally conducted his farm near Phelps for thirty-four }-ears, and was so successful in the management of his affairs that a fair if not large profit was the result. The area of his possessions in- 280 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. creased, liis credit became stroncr^ and his jjopularity extended and strcii,t;tiieiied with tlie lapse of tiiiie. in iSgj, haxiii!;' by his iiichistry, ecunomy and slrait;lu forward ])usi- ness methods aci|uircd a compiteucy sutTi- cient to satisfy liis jicrsMual and fanrly ne- cessities f;' with no one in the unimpeded exercise of the same rii^ht. As a i)rinciple of gmernment he has sup- jxirted Democracy, ch^avini; to the ancient and honorable wins;- of the party of 1890. During- the first thirty years of his life Jesse H. Davis labored with his father on the farm. The independence of his family and the continued ad\ancement and progress of tile age in educational, .-is in other mat- ters, rendered it comparati\ely easy for him to acquire a good education and thus eipiip I'.imself for intellectual railier than manual labors. At the age of nineteen he became a student in the Nebraska State Normal School, and in 18SS he remoNed to Rock- jxirt, in which city he lirst engaged in the livery business, his business here for elexen years being the leading one in the city and county. Davis Brothers being well known in that line and also in the buggy ami carriage business. In 1899 he disposeil of his livery iriterest and has since de\-oted himself to the buggy and carriage business. In other lines Mr. Davis has also dem- onstrated bib htness to manage large concern.-, and also his progressive sjjirit and insight into the future and as a jiromoter oi one of the most prominent enterprises of his county. S(jme years ago there appeared to be a de- n-iandfor more complete telephone connection throughout his part of the state, and in Au- gust. 1895. the .Xorthw est MissouriTelephone Company was organized, with Mr. Davis as its presitlent. This company has an ex- change in Rockport and another in Tarlrio, and connects with Hamburg, Iowa, St. Jo- seph, Mi.ssouri. and South Omaha, Ne- braska, as well as with n-iany farmer lines throughout this section oi Missouri. In all business relations Mr. Da\'is is well known fm- his pron-iptness, for his fair dealing and his honorable methods and in- tentions. His judgment as to the merits or demerits of a proposition rarely leads him astray, and when he consents to a deal or gives his aid or encouragement to ai> en- terprise, he is always the last to take a back- ward step. Jn exery way Mr. Davis is one of the leading and most progressive citizens of his county, and is highly esteemed in ev- ery direction. Mr. Da\ is was married November 27, 1 89 J. to Miss Leonora Baker, a daughter of Henry C. Baker, and to this marriage there has been born one child, Jesse Ciene. joux MAckAxni-:R. This well-known pioneer and honored citizen of Lincoln township has been identi- fied with the agricultural interests of Atchi- son county for many years, and has been a resident of Missouri since i860. He comes from across the sea. his birth having oc- curred in I'russia, Germany. October 0. 1819 — the same year in which Oueen \'ic- toria was Ixirn. His father. John Macrander, spent his entire life in Prussia, following the trade of a dresser or tanner of fine skins. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. '2X1 His wife, who In ire the maiden name of Catherine Kramer, was a native nf the same prminee, and iHed at tlie a.^e ni sex'enty- tDiir years, while his death uceurred wheri he was ei.i;ht_\-f(Hir years of age. Tliey were lioth consistent members of tlie Lu- theran eliurch and reared their cliildreu in that faith. Tlieir family consisted of four sons and one daugiiter, but tlie latter died young'. The sons were Jacob, John, George and Christian. Attending school until fourteen years of age, the subject of this review ac(|uired a good practical education, and with his fa- ther he learned the trade of skin dresser. Bidtling his parents a sad farewell, he left his old home in Prussia at the age of twenty years, and after a \'oyage of si.\ty-nine days on a sailing vessel landed in I'.altimore, ^lar_\land. He spent one year at I'lederick- town, that state, dressing deer skins, and in 1841 went to Roanoke county, Virginia, where he continueil to follow his trade f(jr six years. We ne.xt tintl him in Metamora, Woodford county, Illinois, where in con- nection with work at his trade he also en- gaged in fanuing until 1859, when he re- moved to Buchanan county, Missouri. The lollowing year he took up his residence in Atchison county and purchased eighty acres of wild laml in Lincoln townshi]), which lie has since comerted into a line farm that he now rents. His tirst home here was a log house, which has long since been replaced with a good frame residence, and every- thing about the place denotes the thrift and enterprise of a progressive owner. In 1854, in Woodford county, Illinois, Mr. Macrander married Miss Sarah Frances Arthur, a native (jf Bedford county, \'ir~ ginia, and a daughter of \iV\ Arthur, who also was born in the Old Dominion. She was reared and eihieateil in that stale and Illinois, ller p.-ireiils both died in Missouri. ;tl the age of sixty years. Her mother bore the maiden name of b" ranees \\'est. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur were both faithful and consis- tent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were highly respected and es- teemed l)v all who knew them. Their children were .\ni,iziab. Jane, b'.meline, Sarah V.. and Josepbus and William Jordan, twins. .Mr. and .Mrs. .Macrander are the jiarents of four children, namely: Mary, the wife of Thomas Ward, of Lincoln townshi]); William, who is successfidly engaged in farming on a farm of eighty acres in the same township; David, who owns and wurks a farm of ninety-four acres in Lincoln township ; and George, who has a fine place of eight>' acres in the same townshi]). The last named mar- ried Miss Ida Wilson, a daughter of C. C. Wilson, of Tarkio. who served as a soldier of Com])any II, First b)wa Cavalry, dur- ing the Ci\il war. lly this union has Ijeen born one child. Zerali Todd. rolitieallv .Mr. .Macrander is identilied with' the Republican party, and religiously l;oth he and his wife are earnest members- of the Christian church. They have reared their children with results of which they may be justly ])roU(l, and they occu])y .a i)o- sition of ])rominence in the comnumity where thev reside. .\. V,. .\LL1':X, -M. 1). Connected with the jjractice of the heal- ing art in .Maryville. Dr. .Mien has atlained a positii.m of distinction as a representative of the medical fraternity. He has devot- ed his life to the calling wherein advance- ment must ilei)end ui)on individual merit, ujjon strong mentality, close ai)i)licalion an,l :28i BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. a sympathetic interest in one's fellow men. In none of these requirements is Dr. Allen lacking, and therefore he has long since left the ranks of the many and stands among the successful few. A native of Warren county, Illinois, he was born on the I2th of February, 1850. His father, Dr. A. A. Allen, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1818, and is a descendant of the O'Allens, of Ireland. He prepared himself for his chosen pro- fession in the old Cincinnati educational in- stitution of regulars, and located in War- ren county, Illinois, at an early day. He was prominently before the people of that locality in his professional capacities for many years and his active connection with the medical fraternity covers half a cen- tury. He is now located in Steele, North Dakota. He married iliss Nancy ilaley, whose people removed from West Virginia into Warren county, Illinois, at a very early period, there securing claims of government land. Unto Dr. Allen and his wife were born the following children: Arminda, who became the wife of John Wooderson and •died in Harrison county, Missouri, leaving two daughters — Carrie and Virgie, the former a graduate of De Pauw University ^nd of the Boston School of Oratory, and is the wife of F. T. Lamb, of \\'ashington, D. C, who formerly served as sergeant-at- arms in the United States senate : Virgie re- sides in Harrison county, Missouri ; Will- iam R. Allen, the second member of the family, is engaged in the hotel business at Kingman, Kansas; Josie is the wife of Al ]\Ieredith, of Sioux City, Iowa; Alfred is now deceased ; Carrie married C. H. Ennis, •of Rockport, Missouri ; Celia is the wife of •C. A. Hurd, of Steele, North Dakota ; Flora is the wife of James Lyon, of Pittsburg; and H. B. is now living in Steele, North Dakota, and is auditor of the county. Dr. A. B. Allen, of this review, spent his youth and early manhood upon his fa- ther's farm. At the age of twenty he be- gan to earn his own livelihood at school teaching, also spending a part of the time as a student in the school room. He regu- larly began the study of medicine at Bed- ford, Iowa, although he had read at inter- vals under the direction of his father prior to this. ' He spent four years in the Keokuk Medical College and added to his knowledge by a post-graduate course in the Chicago Pol3'clinic. In 1877 he located in Nodaway county, opening an office in Barnard, where his efficiency soon became apparent and he was not long in acquiring a liberal practice. He continued his professional labors among the people at the south end of the county until 1896. when he sought a more extensive field of labor by his removal to Maryville, v. here he became associated with Dr. George Nash, another eminent physician of north- western Missouri, and the firm of Nash & Allen at once took precedence in the medical fraternity. The partnership was maintained until the ist of September, 1899, when Dr. Allen retired to his beautifully furnished offices in the Michau block. He has done everything in his power to attain perfection in his chosen calling and his knowledge is comprehensive, exact and reliable. He is very careful in diagnosing a case and his conclusions are almost infallibly correct. He now has a large and lucrative patronage from among the best class of citizens of Maryville and splendid professional and fi- nancial success has attended his eflforts. Dr. Allen was married in Barnard, Mis- souri, October 24, 1878, to Miss Sally Mc- Farland, a daughter of John McFarland, BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 283 A\'h() emigrated fn.im CiishDCton, Ohio, to Xodaway county, in 1866. Tlieir marriage has been blessed with two children: Fay, A^•ho for two years has been a medical student in the Emsworth Medical College, of St. Joseph ; and Mabel. The Doctor is a Royal Arch Mason, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows fraternities. Of the Missouri Valley Medical Society he is a member, and while he takes a deep and active interest in many affairs calculated to be of benefit to his community, his time and attention are chiefly given to his profession, in which he has attained enviable distinc- tion. SOLOMON R. GREEX. Solomon R. Green, a member of one of the pioneer families of Atchison county and a well known farmer of this count)', is a nati\-e of Randolph county, Indiana, and was born October 15, 1840. He was a son of James and Amelia (Vernard) Green. \\'illiam Vernard, the maternal grandfather, was a native of Ohio and served in the war of the Revolution. He was a farmer by occupation, continuing at this until his death, which occurred at an advanced age at his home in Indiana. He was a promi- nent man and filled several offices with dig- nity and credit. He had two children^ Amelia, the mother of our subject; and Mariah, who married J. Wade. James Green, the father of our subject, married when comparatively young and settled in Randolph county, Indiana, where lie began farming. In 1841 he started west and spent the following winter in Illinois. In 1842 he reached Atchison county, Mis- souri, where he exchanged his ox team and wagon for a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. There were no improx-ements on the claim save a rude log cabin, but after set- tling on the place he began farming. Hav- ing considerable money in Indiana, which he received for his farm, that he had sold, and wishing to obtain the mone}-, he ac- cordingly set out on foot to reach his old home. At that time there was no other w^ay of returning to Indiana save Ijy boat, and after making the trip he bought another farm, which he improved and then sold. He always retained the original homestead, and it was there he passed his last days, \ihere he was honored and respected by all. He had undergone all the hardships of pio- neer life, and was at all times a faithful and willing worker. Up to the time he had settled in Missouri he had been of the Oitaker faith; but at one of the meetings of the Cumberland Presbyterian church held in his home he was converted to their faith, and continued a member of that church to the end of his days. His death occurred in 1879, and his wife died in 1865. Their children were : Nancy A. ; William, who served in Price's army for a short time; Solomon R., the subject of this sketch; and ]\Iartin, who also served in Price's army, but as soon as he was able went to Kansas, where he entered the federal service, and finally was killed in battle; and Sarah, now Mrs. Combs. Solomon R. Green, the subject of this sketch, remaiped with his parents until grown, and he, too, saw much privation and many hardships during those early days. He was very fond of hunting, and tells many interesting stories of his experiences with the gun. In 1867 he located where he now lives and where lie had bought an cightv- acre tract of land, and began his struggles 284 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY in life in earnest. He has been very suc- cessful, and it has only been through hard work and ])erse\erance that he has succeedetl. f )n settling in tliis locality there were but three neighbors, and nothing but a vast prairie for miles around. The grass was good for grazing, and .Mr. Green took up stock raising in connection with farming. He has gradually added more to his pos- sessions each year, and is at present the owner of several hundred acres of land, be- sides his homestead. He is a Democrat in politics, though he has never Jispired to po- litical preferment. Air. Green married Xancy I\l. Wright, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of Robert and Jane Wright. Robert Wright was originally from Pennsylvania, but for many }ears lived in Fremont county, Iowa. In 1850 he took the gold fever and went to California, where he engaged in mining. He was in possession ui a very \aluable claim, but was obliged to leave, on receiving word that his wife was at the point of death. He returned in 1850 and never went again to California. He carried on farming until his death, which occurred in 1890. His wife died in 1885. He left a large estate. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: John, of Colorado; George, of California; Airs. Klma Bascoe; Emily; Xancy, the wife of our subject; Ida; \'ada; and Robert, of Xebraska. -Mr. and Airs. Wright have been blessed with nine children, whose names are : Ida. who married J. Pearce; Alartin; Jane, the wife of E. Proud; Randolph, a school teacher ; .Arthur ; George ; Ethel ; Dora, the wife of B. F. Sharj); and Solomon. The family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Two of the sons are members of the Alasonic fraternitv. J.VCOB LIXEBAUGH. One (if the most extensive land-owners- of Xotlawa}- county is Jacoli Einebaugh, who is now living a retired life. He be- longs to that class of representative .Ameri- can citizens who owe their success to their own efforts, whose labors have been dili- gently prosecuted and whose energies have been directed along well defined lines of labor. In this manner he has continued in- creasing his capital and to-day he stands among the most affluent residents of th.at communitv and is now enjoying a well earned rest.. Air. Einebaugh was born Januar}- 13, 1829, in Tennessee, his birth having oc- curred in Greene county. He is a son of John and Sarah (Tucker) Einebaugh, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, John Einebaugh, Sr., removed from the Keystone state to In- diana, becoming one of the honored pioneers of the locality in which he located. The father t)f our subject removed with his fam iiy to Indiana, where the mother dieil. At an early period in the development of Iowa he became a resident of Page count)-, that state, where his death occurred, at the ag« of sixty-three years. Throughout his en- tire life he carried on agricultural pursuits and in that way provided for his family. He had six children, but only two are now liv- ing — Abram and Jacob. The latter was but five years of age when his parents removed with their chil- dren to Fountain county, Indiana, where he v.as reared to manhood. He was early trained to habits of industry and economy upon the home farm and from an early age assisted in the cultivation of the fields. In 1850, two years after the arrival of his father MR. AND MRS. JACOB LINEBAUGH BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. •285 in Iowa, he emigrated to tliat state, locating in Page county before it was organized. He there secured a tract of wild land and when it came into market entcrctl his claim. In the work of reclaiming the section fur pur- poses of civilization he bore an acti\t' part and became (uie of the founders of the county. He aided in its organization and in other ways was active in promoting its in- terests, there residing until about 1860, when he removed to Xodaway county, Missouri. He was married on the 6th of January, 1853, to Miss Mary A. Gray, who was born in Tennessee, a daughter of Mar- tin and Xancy (Langtry) Gray. Her father was a nati\-e of North Carolina and was a son of William JNIartin. His death oc- curred in Nodaway county, at the ripe old age of nearly eighty-six }-ears, and his widow is now li\ing with our sulijcct, at the age of eighty-nine. Mrs. Linebaugh's great-grandfather was one of the Revolu- tionary heroes who valiantly fought for the independence of the nation, and in the strug- gle was wounded. Her people ha\e all been farmers, li\-ing (juiet, industrious and hon- orable lives. She was one of twelve chil- den. I)ut only six are now living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Linebaugh ha\'e Ijeen born seven children, four of whom survive: W'illiam Jefferson is married and has one child. Sarah J., their eldest child, is mar- ried and has seven children. Julia A., is the next of the family. Marietta is married and has two children and has lost one. Francis M., their eldest son, was married and at his death left a wife and one child. He was one of the young representative farmers of the community, active and enterprising in busi- ness and honorable in all life's relations. He commanded the respect of all who knew him for his upright life and in his death Noda- way county lost one of its valued citizens. He was taken in the prime of life, but he left to the family an untarnished name. The others who have passed away are Martha Ella and Martin E. For many years Mr. Linebaugh was ac- ti\ely connecteil with the farming interests of Nodaway count}'. From time to time he added to his original purchase until he be- came the owner of sixteen hundred acres of land, which made him one of the extensive realty holders in this community. He placed much of it under a high state of cultivation and the well-tilled fields brought to him a good income. He carried on general farm- ing and everything about his place denoted his careful supervision and care as well as his progressive and practical methods. Of recent years, however, he has lived retired. Formerly he raised stock and grain on an extensive scale, but with a handsome com- petence to supph' him with all of the neces- sities and comforts of life he put aside busi- ness cares, leaving to younger shoulder:* the burdens which he had long borne. In. business matters he showed keen discrimin- ation and soiuid jutlgment, and these Cjuali- ties, combined with his unfaltering energy,, led to his success. He cast his first presi- dential vote for J. K. l\ilk and is now an. earnest stipporter of the Democratic i)arty. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and nearly all of the fam- ily are identified with that religious organ- ization. Jacol) Linebaugh and his wife arc well known in nf our snl)- iect, was (ine of the first settlers and [)riini- iricnt land hohlers of Xodaway county. John L. Bird was born in Kentucky, but Avas for man\- years a resilient of Blinois, ^■raduating at Lombard Uiii\'ersity. He came from Peoria county to Nodaway coun- ty, where he has been engaged in clerking and general merchandise business. Po- litically Mr. Bird is an ardent Democrat. He and his wife were raised under the old Presbyterian creed. Rosanna ]\Iurph}- Bird, the mother of our subject, was born in Schuylkill county, Penn.sylvania, a daughter of Daniel Murphy, who was of Irish ex- traction. Mrs. Bird was reared and edu- ■cated in her native state and removed to Xodaway county, Missouri, in 1868. She was the mother of eight children, four sons and four daughters, our subject being the third child of the family. D. E. Bird, in early life, began to at- tend the schools of Xodaway county, and later became a student at the Maryville Seminar)'. He is now an under-graduate of the University of Columbia, Missouri, which he attended in 1897 and 1898. At the age of nineteen years he began teaching school, and has been engaged in this work ever since, also giving much time to the study of law. Professor Bird has followed in his father's belief, and is an active worker of the Democratic party, having been a delegate to county, senatorial and state conventions. He was an active and zealous worker even before attaining his majority. Pie is one of the best informed and greatest workers of the I. O. O. F. lodge, having held schools of instruction, and is recognized as author- ity on (|uestions of law and the secret work of the I. O. O. F. He is a past grand cjf Comet Lodge, No, 284, of Quitman, being the youngest man in his district at that time to recei\'e that degree. Professor Bird, by his close application to study, his untiring energy and efiforts in the educational line, has won for himself a name which an\' older man might be glad to attain, and, as he is a young man has the prospects of a very rich and fruitful career. ELI.VS D. OREAR. Elias D. Orear is now living a retired life in jMary\'ille. where he is recognized as one of the most prominent, influential and representative citizens. He belongs to an early family of X'odaway county, and no man in Maryville has been more actively or honorably connected with the upbuilding and progress of the city than his father, William C. Orear. The latter was born in Hem-y cotmty, \'irg'inia, September 20, 1816, and died on the 1st of July, 1898. No adequate memo- rial of William C. Orear can be written un- til many of the useful enterprises with which he was connected have completed their full measure of gO(jd in the world. He spent his youth and early manhood upon a farm; his time being largely occupied with the duties and labors of the fields to the exclusion of opportunities for securing an education. His father, John Orear, was a man in moderate circumstances, and on leaving the Old Dominion removed to Randolph county, Missouri, where his children were reared. When William C. Orear left home he made his way to eastern Iowa and was employed in the lead mines in this section of the state. During his resilience there he wedded Mary Wilcox, whose parents were from Roches- ter, New York. 288 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. After liis marriage he returned tu Car- roll ciiunty. Missouri, and as a result of his fariiiiuq; ()])erations tliere accumulated a small capital, which he in\ested in a mer- cantile Inisines.-, in Mary\ille. in 1856. The year previous lie took up his abode on a farm just east of the city, but determining to enter commercial life he severed his connection with agricultural pursuits antl purchased a small general stock of goods. He had no ex- perience behind the counter. ha\-ing been reared upon the farm, where he also accumu- lated his capital. Entering into partnership with Mr. Jester they conducted business for a short time, when by nunual consent the partnership was dissohetl, Mr. Orear re- maining as the proprietor of the store. Sonic years later he formed another partnership, becoming a member of the firm of Jenkins, Torrance it Orear. From 1856 until 1870 the father of our subject was one of the leading representati\es of commercial inter- ests in this city and controlled a constantly increasing trade, his lilieral patronage be- ing accorded him as a result of liis well di- rected etYorts, his uniform courtesy to his patrons and his honorable dealing. In the latter year, however, he sold his stock and spent his remaining days in honored retire- ment from Inisiness cares. lie was one of the Iniilders of the Ar- lington, now Ream Motel, the first good hotel erected in Maryville, and erected in- dividually the business block at Nos. 105-6 north of the square. He owned much prop- erty in Maryville, and the contn>l of his real estate made sufficient demand ui)on his time and energies during the latter years eulah. Like liis fatlier, Mr. Orear has never taken an actixe interest in jxihticai affairs, Imt is a lca(Hn^- worker and faithful nienilicr uf the Methodist Episcopal -church, South, of which he is serving as a trustee. He is also a past strand of the Odd Fellows lodge. It is but just and merited ])raise to say that as a business man he ranks \\ith the ablest : as a citizen he is honorable. ])ronii)t and true to every engagement; and iis a man he is honored and esteemed by all classes of jieople. WILIJAM H. P.AILKV. William H. Bailey, senior member of the firm of Bailey & George, hardware mer- chants of Hopkins, has resided in Nodaway county for a com])aratively short time, the year of his arri\al being 1S94, but during his residence here he has gained a place among the most substantial citizens and his worth is well known. r^lr. Bailey was born in Knox county, Tennessee, January 29, 1855. His father, IMiles Bailey, was born in the eastern por- tion of the same state and died in 1861, at the age of forty-eight years. His wife, who Ixire the maiden name of Nancy Ewing. was also a native of eastern Tennessee and died in 1886, at the age of .seventy-six, her birth haxMiig occurred in 18 ro. TJttle is known of the ancestral history of the famil)-, save that the paternal grandfather of our sub- ject was a Virginian. iVliles l'>aile\- was a farmer and spent the greater i)art of his life in Iowa. He reared a small family, of whom two are yet living. His children who reared families are as follows: Elizabeth, who be- came the wife of Baxter Wooldridge, of Hopkins, who is the proprietor of the lead- ing clothing and dry-goods house of the town and is one of the most prominent Dem- ocrats of Nodaway county. His two sons, Ed and Fred Wooldridge, are associated with their father in the conduct of his mer- cantile interests. The former married Miss Ella Torrance and they have two children — Dan and Mary. Mrs. Laura Law, the de- ceased wife of Dr. Law, was the second child of the family of Miles Bailey. She died in Liberty Center, leaving three chil- dren — Lora, the wife of Charles l"ry. of Hopkins; Eugene, of St. Louis; and Louella, the deceased wife of Charles K. Allen, who was at one time a leading merchant of Hop- kins. William H. Bailey was the youngest member of the family who reached maturity. He entered upon his business career in Unionville, Iowa, where his father had lo- cated in 1857. That town and Moulton provided the schools in which he acquired his education. When he approached the age of business preparation he made clu)ice of the tinner's trade as a means of livelihood and learned that business under the direction of S. C. Sloss. Completing bis four years' apprenticeship he afterward spent six months with the firm of Scott & Bliss, jobbers in the same town. Returning to L'nion\-illi he was married, in 1877, and was elected constable, filling that office and the position of deputy sheriff for two years. During the following year and a half he engaged in b.uying stock near Hopkins. A desire to see the northwest led to his removal to Deadwood, Dakota, where ho became wagon boss of a freighting outfit ;'.»o BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. running between that city and Pierre, South Dakota, a distance of two hundred miles. The outfit consisted of thirty-one wagons and ninety head of cattle. The three years spent in the latter place proved a profitable period in the life of Mr. Bailey. On aban- doning his position he spent a year and a half in Huron. Soutli Dakota, where he returned , to his trade, being employed in the tin shop i of Brown & Stiver. Subsequently he lo- ] cated in Arlington, South Dakota, where he i became a leading man in the employ of A. D. Maxwell, a hardware merchant, with whom he was associated for eight years, on the expiration of which time he entered into partnership with Mr. Mullins, forming the firm of Mullins & Bailey, and together they j conducted a hardware business in Headland, South Dakota, for eighteen months. Mr. Bailey then disposed of his interests in that town and journeyed to the Pacific coast, lo- ' eating in Portland, Oregon. In that city he. was employed by \arious firms as a tinner, and while traversing his path eastward he ' was located for a time in Elmore and Am- | boy, Minnesota, having charge of a shop at ' the latter point. On again reaching Iowa he took up his abode at Creston, where he entered upon the management of the tin shop of Thomas & Daugherty, remaming with that firm until 1894, when he located in Hopkins. Here he conducted a repair ! shop for four years and later established his I hardware store, subsequently adding a stock of furniture and implements. In January, i 1899, James X. George was admitted to a , partnership and the firm of Bailey & George has since carried on business, with gratify- ing success. Mr. Bailey has been twice married. On i the 26th of April, 1877, he married Miss Mamie Xash, and unto them were born two children. Georgie and Fred. For his sec- ond wife he chose Miss Annie Onstead. a daughter of Andrew Onstead. of Sioux Falls, Dakota. Their marriage occurred February 4. 1883. and has been blessed with seven children, namely : Oates, May, Min- nie, Frankie, Lou, Milo and Clemi. Pleny and William are deceased. In politics Mr. Bailey is a Democrat. His forefathers were all Republicans but a friendly interest in the white metal and a desire for its reinstatement as primary money led him into the Democratic party. He has traveled extensively throughout th» north and west, but is now permanently lo- cated in Hopkins, where his well-directed efforts in business affairs are bringing to him a well-merited success. DA\TD GORDON. David Gordon has been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well, being now the possessor of a hand- some competence. He is numbered among the pioneers of both Iowa and Missouri and for more than a third of a century his name has been inseparably interwoven with the history and advancement of this section oi his adopted state. He was born in West Union, .\dams county. Ohio, March 31, 1832, and is a son of David Gordon, Sr., whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania. His grandfather. Bazleah Gordon, was bom in Pennsylvania and served as a soldier in the Revolution and the war of 181 2. His great- grandfather was a native of Scotland, born in the highlands and was a representative of a family that long resided in the land of hills and heather. Among his ancestors were some of the celebrated chiefs of the highlands. David Gordon, Sr.. was reared in the BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 291 Keystone state and in Adam> ci'inity. Ohio, married Miss Christina \\'ashlmrn. daughter of Joseph Washburn, who served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and was a representative of a very prominent Ohio family descended from English ancestors. David and Chris- tina Cordon became the parents of thirteen children, namely: Bazleah : John Br}-ce; James, who served in the Ci\'il war and now resides in Marshall county. Kansas: Da\-id ; Joseph: Martin \:m Buren: lieorge \\'., who was also one of the ""boys in blue" and is now living' in Xodaway county, Missouri : Eleanor, of \'illisca, Iowa; Rebecca; Jane; Mary Ann ; ilatilda, of ]\Iarshall county, Kansas: and Elizabeth, of Mar}-vi]le, [Mis- souri. The father died in Adams county. Ohio, at the age of hfty-six years. He had folliiwcd farming as his life work, thereby I)ro\i(ling for his family. His political sup- port was given to the Democracy. His wife, long surviving him, passed away at the age of eighty-seven years, having spent her last days in the home of our subject. She re- tained her vigor up to the last and a short tune before her death could walk four miles and back. She held membership in the ]\lethodist Episcopal Church and was an earnest Christian woman \vhose children rose up and called her blessed. David Gordcju lived the quiet life of the farmer boy who assists in the cultivation of the fields and the work of the meadows, and pursued his education in the district schools. In 1856 he became a resident of Adams county. Iow;i. li\-ing on the Xudaway river among the earl_\- settlers of that portion of of the country. The Indians were still in the wild western district and here the lover of the chase liad rimple o])portu;iily t.i indulge his taste, for deer were often seen and the wolves frequently made the night hideous with their howling. The work r)f improve- ment and ])rogress seemed scarcely begun and the settlers living in the log cabins en- dured many of the hardships and trials which are common to life on the frontier. ^Ir. Gordon remained in Adams county for ten years and then came to Atchison county, locating near Phelps City, where he aitled in opening up a farm at Center (irove for the l')artlett Brothers in 1876. He is to- day one of the most extensive land-owners ill the county. He first became the owner of a tract of wild prairie, and to this he has added until his farm in Lincoln town- ship now comprises four hundred and h\e acres of rich land, making him one of the most extensive realty holders in this por- tion of the state. His residence is favorably located and is a commodious and convenient home. In the rear stand a big barn, sheds and other necessary outbuildings, and a v.indmill is the motive power for the water supply. Pastures, meadows and plowed lands are all in good shape and indicate the careful supervision of the progressi\e owner whose methods are practical. [Mr. Gordon was married in Atlams county. Ohio, to Miss Lydia Ann Ellis, a native of that county, and a daughter of Clayborn and Betsey (White) Ellis. The marriage i-)f our subject and his wife was blessed with seven children, of whom five are yet living, namely; A. B., a prominent citizen of Colfax township, Atchison comity ; Xelson Clay, who spends his time in Cali- fornia and Alaska; Thirza Letitia, the wife of Holland Coddle, of Lincoln township; Ann [Marie, the wife of George C. Ward, of Nebraska; Elsie Irene, the wife of Wheeler Donahue, who is living on the old homestead farm; and Jessie and Ida. who are deceased. Mrs. Gordon was a faithful 292 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. aijd devoted wife and mother, a kind neigh- bor and a consistent friend, and her many excellencies of character endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. In 1872, after her decease. Mr. (inrdon was again married, his second uninn heing with Miss I'lvelina Bryan, a lady n{ intelligence and cul- ture, born in Adams county. Ohio, and a daughter of Colo!iel George Bryan, who was an officer in the war of 1812. He was born in Pennsylvaaia and married !Miss Sarah Porter, a native of Maryland. He died at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife ])assed away at the age of seventy-five. Both ■were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. No cmldren were Lorn of Mr. Go*- erations he has met with marked success, lieing now the owner of two hundred acres of as rich land as can be found anywhere in the state. He has a good residence, substantial barns and outbuildings, and all of the conveniences and accessories of a model farm are there found. There is a good orchard and a grove of iorest trees uixm the place, and the land is divided into pastures, meadows and plowed fields by well kept fences. Mr. Gordon married Miss Amanda Ram- sey, who ijelongs to a good family of Lincoln township, being a daughter of Rial and Hes- ter Ramsey. She lost her mother when eighteen years of age and her father at twen- ty-eight years of age. She is a native of Xodaway county. Missouri, and one of the pioneer settlers of this county. Of the four children born to our subject and his wife only two are now living : Alva X., aged four- teen years; and \'ina Sybil, aged eight. Those deceased were Naomi, who died at the age of one year, and Jessie at the age of itwo. The Republican party has always found ir. Mr. Gordon a stanch sup}X)rter of its principles, and he has lalxired untiringly for its success. He is connected with the Far- mers' Mutual Insurance Company, and his wife is a faithful and consistent memljer of the Cumberland Presbyteriarr church. In business affairs he has met with well merited success, and his career has ever been such as to gain for him the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens in a marked degree. He is popular socially and his friends are many throughout the countv. T. \\". PECK. One of the most prominent citizens of W'estboro. Missouri, who occupies the re- resiKinsible position of cashier of the \\ est- boro bank, is J. W. Peck, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Middlesex county, Canada, a son of E. E. and Hannah (Wood- hull ) Peck, both of whom were residents of. Canada. E. E. Peck grew up and was edu- cated in Montreal, and his child|-en are : J. \\'.. who is our subject: Mrs. Eliza Ware, v.ho lives in St. Louis. Missouri; Mrs. Emma Ottvits, who resides in this county; Frank, who resides in Iowa; Ross, who re- sides in Fremont, Nebraska; Carrie, who married W". S. Gordon and resides in W'est- boro; and George, who resides in Lincoln township. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and was early taught habits of hon- esty and industry. He attended the com- mon schools, receiving his higher education at the Wisconsin State University, later en- tering the St. Louis Law School, at which he graduated with honor in the class of 1881. Mr. Peck then located at Rockport, where ht entered into the practice of his profession in connection with Mr. McKillop. a well- known attorney of Rockjx)rt, Missouri. In 1883 our subject embarked in the banking business, his associates then lieing BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 297 J. L. Carson, who was president, now de- ceased ; M. McKillop. wlio was vice-presi- dent, now deceased, and our subject was the casliier. Since the re-organization of the bank. D. M. McColl is tlie president. E. E. Peck is the \-ice-i)resident and our subject is the cashier. This liank is one of the sohd institutions of the county, has tiie entire con- fidence of the public and does an immense business. In 1883, our suliject married Miss Anna Lynn, of Tarkio, a lady of culture and re- finement. She is a daughter of Robert and Flora Lynn, and the fiillnwing children have been born to ^li'. and INIrs. Peck: Nellie G., Flora F., E\'eh-ne. Lizzie. ^largaret. Mary, and one son, deceased. Our subject has taken a deep interest in tlie public affairs of the county e\-er since he was twenty-one years old, Ijut his taste has not been for public life. Socially he is an active member of the blue lod^e, council and chapter in the ^lasonic fraternity, and both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist church of \\ estlioro where they are highly esteemed. ^Ir. Peck has lately built one of the hand- somest residences in Westboro, at a cost of thirty-fi\e hundred dollars. It is of modern structure and fitted up with all the latest de- vices for convenience and comfort. Person- ally our subject is popular, possessing the courteous manner that always wins friends. Pie is an imjxjrtant factor in both public and social life in W'estlx.iro and may Ije consid- ered a representati\e citizen. CHARLES A. ELLIS, M. D. The profession of medicine in its practice in fiourishing country towns, is not usually unpleasant or unprofitable. The successful practitioner in such environments has ample opportunity to know his patients and their families thoroughly and to inform himself as to pre\ious diseases, even pre-natal in- fluences which ha\-e affected the health of any patient. In the case of Dr. Charles A. Elli.s, the ph}'sician has the still further advantage of having grown up among his patrons, and of adding to his knowledge of therapeutics a thorough knowledge of drugs and medi- cines acquired by many years' experience in the drug trade. Charles A. Ellis. M. D.. of Maryville, a representati\'e of one of the early families of Nodaway county, was l)orn in Maryville, August 4, 1862. He is a son of Leander T. Ellis, a pioneer teacher, politician and local preacher, who died in ^Iar}-\ille in 1869. That citizen so prominent in his day was born in North Carolina in 1797, and was reared and married in Kentucky. He came into Alissouri and settled upon the Platte Purchase when a young man and was one of the conspicuous characters of Nodaway county from 1848, the date of his arrival, to the date of his death. \\'hen not holding some ptiblic ofiice he was engaged in teach- ing. He held the office of school commis- sioner, which corresponded to the present of- fice of county superintendent of schools, and was the judge of the county court. He was a man of much religious zeal and enthu- siasm, preaching and exhorting and doing other labor for the ad\ancement of the cause of Christianity, for many years, and with- out charge. Flis first wife was a Miss Hum- ber and those of their children who grew tc manhood and womanhood are : Dr. T. C. Ellis, of Barnard, ^lissouri; Mary A., who married James A. Key and lives in Nodaway county; Amanda, who became Mrs. Ditte- more and lives in California; Lizzie, now 298 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ]Mrs. Hender&on. living in California; Han- nah, the wife of John Grant, of Lexington, Missouri; L. G., of California; N. D., living in southern Messouri ; William C, of California; Patia, Mrs. Blackman, of Okla- homa; Sarah J., who lives in California, and is the wife of John Ferguson; and the late Albert T. Ellis, of Maryville. His second wife was Mrs. Elizabeth (Carr)- Cross, whose acquaintance he made and whom he married in Nodaway county. They had three children: Alexander C, deceased; Dr. Charles A. ; and Alvah C. of Leadville, Colorado. Mrs. Elizabeth Ellis was the wilow of Asa Cross and three of her chil- dren l)y her first marriage lived to maturit}-. Almira married E. L. Cook and died in Idaho; Aldello was a soldier in tlie Cnion army in the Civil war and died not long after the close of the war as the result of disabil- ities contracted in the service ; Diedrick was accidentally killed in Xodaway county. Dr. Charles A. Ellis, the immediate sub- ject of this sketch, was educated in the city of Maryville. His first entrance to business was as a clerk for his brother in the drug trade. He remained with that once prominent concern for fifteen years, and, while so con- nected, was elected the mayor of Maryville and was, perhaps, the most youthful chief executive the city ever had. W'hile he was a Democratic candidate, the young Republi- cans flocked to his aid to such an extent as to make him mayor of a Republican city. He made a canvass for nomination as county re- corder and was defeated only in a close con- test. The strength he showed in that cam- paign made him the leading candidate for r.omination at the next convention and four years later, in 1894, he was nominated, but that year was an off year for the Missouri Democracy, the state went Republican for the first time in its history, and Doctor Ellis suffered defeat with the other nominees on liis ticket. Dr. Ellis is a Mason and a mem- ber of both orders of Woodmen and of Lin- coln Legion of Honor, of Maryville. He married, December 16, 1883, Miss Lulu ^L Anderson, a daughter of E. M. Anderson, of Maryville. Dr. Ellis's career as a druggist and licensed pharmacist prepared the way for an early entry upon the practice of med- icine, after his retirement from the drug bus- iness. He took the prescribed lecture course in the Kentucky school of medicine at Louis- ville, and was graduated at that institution June 29, 1898. Clinic and hospital work formed an important feature of his course and he received a diploma also from the Louisville City Hospital. JAMES A. HUNTER, M. D. Dr. James A. Hunter, a public-spirited citizen and prominent physician of Atchison county, ilissouri, is a descendant of one of the honored pioneer families of that county. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Mc- Kay) Hunter, and was born in Atchison county, August 16, 1850, Robert Hunter, the grandfather of our subject, was a na- tive of Scotland, but for many years lived in Nova Scotia. His children were : William, who died in Atchison county; John, who died in Nevada; James, the father of our subject; and Janet, who was Mrs. Casey, and died in Atchison county in 1894. James Hunter, the father of our subject, was born in Scotland, but moved with his parents to Nova Scotia, where he lived until after three of his children were born. He then moved to Atchison county, Missouri, in 1847, where he carried on farming until tlii time of his death, which occurred in October, BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. .'99 1S85. He was a prominent Republican, ard served as county judge for twelve years. A man of sterling integrity, and of upright character, he won many friends all through life and his death was much regretted by all \vho knew him. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and also a Alason. He married Elizabeth McKay, who was a native of Nova Scotia, but of Scotch descent. Her death occurred April 2, 1875. Air. and Mrs. Hunter had eight children, all of whom are now living. They are : Robert, of Rockport ; Mrs. Isabelle Bush, of Wyoming; William, a farmer of this county; James A., the subject of this sketch ; Jennie K. Campbell ; George T., a live-stock commissioner of St. Joseph, Mis- souri ; John W., in the stock business' in W'yoming; and Una, the wife of J. Bailey. Dr. James A. Hunter was reared and educated in this county. He began his edu- cation in the common schools of his native town and attended McGee College, in Ma- con county, Missouri, for three years. He then taught school one year, and in 1872 be- gan reading medicine with Dr. J. L. Tracy, of Rockport, Missouri, as his preceptor. In 1872-5 he attended lectures at the St. Louis Medical College, and was graduated in the spring- of 1875. Dr. Hunter was a thorough student and started in practice well equipped in the knowledge necessary in the practice of his profession. After practicing six years in Milton, Missouri, he took a course at Bellevue Hospital, New York, graduat- ing there in 1881. He then located in Fair- fax, buying the first lot sold in the town. His practice is large and lucrative, and he has uiany patients throughout the county, where Ijv his kind and courteous manner he has v\on a host of warm friends. He is now engaged with the Elliot Hunter Drug Com- pany, where all modern medical appliances may be ol)tained. Dr. Hunter has a -line residence and office, and l)esides this i_iwns considerable property at I'^airfax. He is^ a loyal and upright citizen, always lending his assistance in anything which tends to develop the town in which he li\es. Po- litically the Doctor is a firm Republican, but has never aspired to ofiice. February 29, 1876, Dr. Hunter was united in marriage with Amanda Graves, a daughter of J. P. Graves, formerly of Kentuck}-, but for many years a prominent farmer of Atchison county. J. P. Graves had nine children, who are as follows : Will- iam J.; Sarah, who was Airs. J. R. Treat; Dav'id; Mary, the wife of J. Galliway ; Eliza- beth, deceased; John H. ; Amanda, the wife of our subject; Julia; and Emma, who mar- ried \\. W. Scarlett. Dr. Hunter and his wile are the par- ents of five children: Owen A., born Jan- uary 5, 1877, a practicing physician of Corning, Missouri; Zita, born August 21, 1879; J. Don, born June 13, 1881 ; Beulah, born November 9, 1887; and Basil, born April 2y, 1889. The parents are members of the Cumberland Presbx'terian church ; and Dr. Hunter is a member of the Alasonic fraternity and the Alissouri \'alley Aledical Society. SHELLENBERGER BROTHERS. Prominent among the business men of Atchison county, Alissouri, are W. H. and H. L. Shellenberger, of the v.ell-known firm of Shellenberger Brothers, of Westboro, where they do an extensive business as dealers in general merchandise. They occupy a brick block 45x105 feet in dimensions, and have a complete modern department store which 30IJ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY will compare favorably with those of many large cities. They carr}- a fine line of drj- goods, groceries, clothing, boots and shoes, their stock being valued at twentj- thousand dollars. They have been in business in W'estboro about six years and have built up an excellent trade, which is constantly increasing. They are western men by birth and training and possess the energ}.- which characterizes the men of the Mississippi valley. Their father. Joseph Shellenberger, is a prominent and wealthy citizen of Mound City, Missouri, who is of German descent, and was bom, reared and educated in Penn- sylvania. Coming to Missouri in 1865 he located in Andrew county, and in the de- velopment of a large farm gave his sons plenty of opportunity to work, their educa- tion being principally of a practical kind. One son, £. D., is now a prominent business man of Mound C\x\, his business amount- ing to over one himdred and thirty-two thousand dollars per annum. W. H. and H. L. Shellenberger were bom and reared on the old home fami in Andrew countj-, early becoming familiar with honest toil. W. H. clerked in a store in tliat county for some time and then went to Ran- som, Xess count}-, Kansas, where he en- gaged in business on his own account for five years. He was married in his native county, in 1890, at the age of twenty-six years, to Miss Eva Liggett, a lady of culture and refinement and a daughter of John Liggett, of Andrew county. By that union were bom two children. Hazel and Clare. In 1890 H. L. Shellenberger was united in marriage with Miss Mollie Livingston, by whom he has three daughters — Ruby, Xell and Helen. The brothers and their families are ac- tive workers in the Metho- progressive and en- terprising, and by their untiring industn.- and sound judgment have won a merited success in their undertakings. They have the entire confidence and respect of their fel- low citizens and are well worthy the high, regard in which they are held. HOX. HER\"EV H. WILLSIE. The citizens of Atchison county, Mis- souri, have in the Hon. Her\ey H. W'illsie, familiarly known as "Hub" \\ illsie, a rep- resentative in the state legislature to whom they may safely entrust their best interests, for Mr. W'illsie. w1k> is a prominent citizen of Tarkio, is not only a plain, common citizen, as all his ancestors have been before him, but has in ever)- relation of life demonstrat- ed that confidence may be reposed in him to the fullest extent. Mr. W'illsie's great-grandfathers were among the Knickerbockers in New York and he possesses the same sturdy, upright character that distinguished them. He was bom at Burr Oak, Winneshiek countj', Iowa, June 24, 1856, a son of William H. and C>-nthia (Harden) W'illsie. His fa- ther was bom and reared near Lake Cham- plain, and his mother, who was bom in Canada, came from an English family. They located early in Iowa, where Mr. W'ill- sie was in business as a hardware merchant, at Oskaloosa, for a number of years. From Iowa the family removed to Missouri, in 1867, since which time Mr. W'illsie has been a resident of the state. William H. and C}-nthia (Harden) W'illsie, who lived out BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 301 their days in j\Iissouri, had sex'en daughters and tliree sons, of whom nine are living. One of these, ^lathilda Sage, hves in Davis, South Dakota. ]\Irs. Lou Beatty lives at JNlishawaka, St. Joseph county, Indiana. Mrs. Helen Leggett lives at Rogers, Ar- kansas. McClelland W'illsie is a well-known lawyer at Des Moines, Iowa. Lucinda Willsie lives at Evanston, 1 Hindis. I. G. Willsie lives at Parker, South Dakota; and Mary is the wife of Ed E. Rankin, of Atchison county, Missouri. Tlie father of these children, who died at the age of si.xty- five years, became prominent as a farmer and stockman in Missouri and was known as a man of enterprise and integrity and was highly respected by all who knew him. During the latter part of his life lie was a member of the Greenback party. Hervey H. W'illsie was brought up on the farm and taught that all good and necessary things may be won 1j}- hard work. His educational advantages were not great, but by reading and observation he became a well informed man. Political questions have commanded his attention since he was a mere youth. He came to Atchison county thirty-three years ago and has since that time been actively engaged in the pursuit of farming. He owns a fine farm of four hundred acres, with ample buildings and plenty of good stock, and is one of the most progressive and successful farmers in the county and is associated in business enter- prises with Ed F. Rankin. Politically he is a member of the Populist party, for the success of wdiich he is a zealous and active worker and in the councils of " whicli he is very influential. He was the judge of the north district in 1896-98, and no man ever occupied that position with more fair- ness or more ability. In 1900 he was elect- ed, by a fusion of the Democrats and Popu- lists, to represent Atchison county in the state legislature and those who know him best say tliat he will l)e a representative of the whole people and that every vote cast for him was cast in the interest of the com- mon people of Atchison county. He is a splendid type of the stalwart farmer and a safe leader in all public affairs, with a happy faculty of making and retaining friends, and is abundantly able to discharge the im- portant duties devolving upon him. In October, 1884, Mr. Willsie married jliss Jennie W'ishard, of Atchison county, a woman of much intelligence and educa- tion, who was born at Canton, Illinois, a daughter of Edward and Amanda (Smith) W'ishard, now of Stanton, Stanton coun- ty, Xeljraska, who was reared and edu- cated at Bushnell, Illinois. He is a mem- l)er of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. Since he grew to manhood he lias had the welfare of Atchison coun- t}' near his heart and has most de- votedly done everything in his power to advance its most important interests. He regards the people of the county as his peo- ple and has never lost an opportunity to aid their progress and prosperity. He is a genial, whole-souled man who invites the apjjroacli of every one whom he can serve and his integrity has been so many times tried and proven good that the trite saying "his word is as good as his bond" applies to iiim as fully and as exactly as to any man in the world. His ability is such tiiat he has been found ade(|uate to ail demands upon him, and should his fellow citizens call him to ])]aces (jf still higher responsi- bilit}' those who know him best believe that he will fill ihcm manfully and patriotically and with an eye single to the public weal. 302 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. GEORGE WILLIAM FINK. Tlie hotel business is one of the chief in- terests of a city and one in which the com- forts and conveniences of the traveling pub- lic can be so attended to nr so neglected as to make or mar the reputation of a city for hospitality. The hotels of Maryville, Nod- away county, Missouri, have not always been in good hands, and the business men of the place were more than glad when George \V. Fink, the proprietor of the Linville and Ream hotels, practically took the business of public entertainment in Maryville into his own hands and put himself at the head of one of the city's essential and in some ways most important enterprises. In July, 1894, Mr. Fink leased the Linville hotel and ap- plied his methods to its conduct with the result that its reputation has been so fully recovered and built up that it has become one of the popular and first-class houses in northwestern Missouri. In 1897 he secured control of the old .Arlington hotel, now the Ream hotel, and conducts it as a "dollar- a-day" house. These two properties give Mr. Fink possession and practical control of the best business in his line and afford the city of ]\Iaryville two good houses for the entertainment of her guests. Air. Fink was born at Bremen, Indiana. July 9, 1864. His father, r^Iartin Fink, was from Pennsylvania and was for a time a mer- chant, but for the most part a farmer. He emigrated to Marshall county. Indiana, be- fore the war and died at Bremen in Octo- ber, 1888. His wife, who was Polly \\'ea\er. died at Bremen in ]\Iay, 1893, Their children were: Lewis, of Bloomfield, Missouri; Mary, the wife of Michael Wahl, of Bremen, Indiana; Morgan, of Bremen; Eli, deceased; Ellen, now Mrs. Solomon Huff, of Argos, Indiana ; Charles and Larin- da, deceased ; Nettie, living at the Ream hotel, Maryville; Eliza, the wife of Oscar Hans, of South Bend, Indiana; and George \Y., our subject. George W. Fink passed his childhood and boyhood in the schools of Bremen until, at the age of seventeen, he became a grocery clerk in his father's grocery store in that village. Then, when his first two years' business experience was acquired, he left his home and his native town at nineteen and sought the opportunities of the west. He located at Hastings, Nebraska, and secured a night clerkship in the Lepin hotel there. He served in that position nearly two years and left it to take the management of the Commercial hotel in the same city. He re- mained with this house a little less than three years and left it to go into business for him- self at Fairbury, Nebraska, where he leased the Commercial hotel and operated it suc- cessfully for si.x years. A\'ith his eleven years' experience in looking after the wants and comforts of the "knights of the grip" and with his natural adaptability to the work — for he is a born landlord — he transferred his energies to Maryville with the result that the hotel business there has been greatly improved and popularized. His connection with the hotel business and his untiring efforts in behalf of the commercial men have not been alone for the glory and the name. He has so managed liis affairs as to have ample reward for his services, as such reward comes in country places. He left his Indiana home with one hundred dollars in cash and from that sum Ins progress in financial matters must be compared and estimated. He has bought two farms in Nodaway county, aggregating two hundred and forty acres, one of which BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 303 he has stocked and manages personally. This gives him an outing (hiring eacli fine day during the warm seasDU. changes liis oc- cupation and hrings liim rest and recreation Avhen it is needed. Mr. Fink married, at Hastings. Nebras- ka, December 8, 1886, Miss Agnes, a daugh- ter of John ^^'esley Blodgett, of Three Rivers. Michigan. Her mother was Mary Bridgeman. Mrs. Fink is one of six chil- dren. Mr. Fink is the past chancellor of Tancred Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of ^laryville, and is a devoted and well-ad- vanced Mason, belonging to lodge, chapter and Maryville Commandery, No. 40. He is a friendly and genial man, very popular with his fellow townsmen and the traveling public. ED B. FELLOWS. Ed B. Fellows, who carries on farming and stock raising in Atchison county, was Ijorn in Dodge count}', Wisconsin, November 10, 1846. his parents being Isaac and Mar- garet (Elmore) Fellows. Tiie father was a nati\e of New Hampshire and was of English lineage. In New York he was mar- ried, the lady of his choice Ijeing a native of Canada, born at Quebec, of Scotch par- entage. After their marriage they removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and in 1849 took up tlieir abode in Waukesha county, near Milwaukee, locating in the midst of the forest, the father clearing some of the land upon which the city of Milwaukee has since Ixen built. At that early day he sold wood to steamboats on the lake. All the surround- ing country was a dense forest and coal was little used for fuel, but wood could be ob- tained in almost limitless quantities. The forest was so dense tiiat lie was at one time lost for four and a half days in the woods, but eventually made his way back to the Clearing. At different times he cleared and im)5roved various Wisconsin farms and in 1865 he came to Missouri, purchasing a large tract of land in Andrew county, where he spent his remaining days, his death oc- curring in 1886, while his wife passed away in 1 87 J. He was six feet in height, large and strong, and was an indefatigable worker in his earlier days. As a result of his un- tiring energy and his irreproachable honesty he accumulated a good estate. He was a worthy and consistent memljer of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged, and in politics he was a stal- wart Republican. In his family were ten children, namely : William, who served dur- ing the war of the Rel:>ellion in the First Wisconsin Cavalry and died in Savannah, Missouri ; Mary, a resident of Nebraska ; JNIaria, who is living in Denver, Colorado ; Lewis, who joined the Twenty-fourth Wis- consin Infantry and died in the service, at the age of eighteen years ; Edward B. ; George, deceased ; John H. ; Charles, a rail- road employe ; and O. R. and Newton, de- ceased. Mr. Fellows, whose name introduces this review, was reared to honest toil on the home farm ant! ac(|uired his education in the dis- trict and graded schools. He came with his parents to Missouri in 1865 and assisted the father in the cultivation of the home farm until his marriage, on the 23d of March, 1 87 1. He then began farming on his own account and two years later he removed to Green townsliip, Nodaway county, where, in connection with agricultural pursuits, he began handling stock. After four years he came to Atcliison county, in 1877, settling- near Fairfax, in Clark township, where he 304 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. purcliased eighty acres of land, to the im- pro\enient of which he long devoted his en- ergies. As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his place by atlditional purchase until he now owns three hundred and sixty acres of rich land, much of which is under a high state of cultiva- tion. He annually feeds about one hundred and sixty head of cattle and his business is extensive and profitable. He has been very successful and now owns a fine farm, on which are seen handsome and substantial improvements, including a commodious two- story frame residence, large barns and all necessary outbuildings. His home is sur- rounded by a beautiful grove of forest trees of his own planting, and on the place is a good bearing orchard. The home is pleas- antly and conveniently located two miles northeast of Fairfax, and the owner is re- garded as one of the substantial citizens and reliable business men of his community. The lady who bore the name of Mrs. Fellows was in her maidenhood Miss Louise Miller. She was born in Andrew county, Missouri, April lO, 1849. ''nd represents one of the honored pioneer families there, her parents being Allen D. and Mary Miller. Unto Mr. and ]\Irs. Fellows were born nine children, of whom seven are yet living: Alma, now Mrs. Mann, of Spokane, Wash- ington; Allen D. and Ed, who are. engaged ir. the stock business at Hyannis, Nebras- ka; Maggie, at home; Pearl, who died in 1899, at the age of eighteen years; Ethel; Flood ; and James. The mother of these children was called to her final rest April 8, 1896, leaving many friends as well as her husband and children to mourn her loss. She was a consistent member of the Chris- tian church, and In that chiKch Mr. Fel- lows also holds membership. He is now serving as one o'f its deacons and is dt)ing all in his power to promote church work. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a broad-minded, en- terprising and public-spirited citizen, who is charitable to the poor and needy, withhold- ing not his aid from those wlio need help. In politics he is an uncomprom'ising Re- publican. unswer\ ing in his advocacy of the principles of the party. He has ever main- tained in his business career a high standing. Although he had little capital when he start- ed out in life for himself, his labors have been diligently prosecuted through many years and he is to-day the owner of one of the finest farms in the county, the place standing as a monument to his thrift and enterprise. LEWIS J. :\IILES. Lewis J. Miles, an eminent attorney and advocate of Rockpurt, Missouri, in 1872 first established himself in the practice of law at Watson, this state. But the necessity of being at the seat of government of the coun- ty, soon perceived by him, for the more suc- cessful and satisfactory conduct of his legal practice, led him in 1873 to remove to Rock- port. When Mr. ]\Iiles first located in 'north- west Missouri he was yet a young man, and he was in search of a location which prom- ised him a liberal return for honest and able efforts in the line of some profession. Mr. Miles had come from the mountains of east Tennessee, where he was born, April 17, 1852, the county of his nativity being War- ren, then Jefferson. There he obtained a good common-school education, such as was afforded by his native state at the time of his early youth. Mr. Miles inherits a love BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 305 for study, his father liaving heen one of the prominent ante-belhini echicators of the state, Professor S. D. Miles, principal of the Mor- ristown and of the Knoxviile Institute. He 4ied in 1859, wlu'le in charge of tlie latter ir.stitution. Professor S. D. Miles was born in 181 1. near Raleigh, North Carolina, received his education in Rogersville College, east Ten- nessee, and de\-oted his life to the education and training of the young. He was a prom- inent Mason and a Baptist, from which facts it is natural to infer, which was the fact, that he had a personal acquaintance with many of the most prominent men of his state. Among his best and warmest friends was the noted "Parson Brownlow," through whose efforts east Tennessee was saved to the Union, notwithstanding the state seceded. The ancestors of Professor Miles were Scotch people, who settled in North Cai^o- lina during the early days of the history of the American colonies and who contributed of their strength to the establishment of the new civilization in what is now the United States of America. Professor Miles mar- ried ]\Iiss Nancy fh-own, a native lif Ten- nessee, by whom he had the following chil- dren: Luc ]\Iiles, of Lyndon. Kansas; I,ewis J., the subject of this sketch; Robert ]\Iiles, ]\L D., of Lyndon, Kansas; and Frank Aliles, a druggist of the same place. "Boss Miles," as the subject of this sketch is called, resided in his h(^me county iri east Tennessee until he was twenty years of age. Having completed his education and being ambitious to see the great west, with the view of being a factor in the develop- ment of that part of the country, he left his r.ative state of Tennessee when just coming of age and spent his first year or two on a farm working by the month. Thi.s proving too much of a plodding life to suit his taste and temperament, he determined to qualify himself for a profession which would bring him into contact with the business of the country and \\'ith its leading men, and at the same time furnish him an opportunity to compete for the intellectual mastery of his' country. \\"\i\\ this object in view he read law. with Hon. John P. Lewis for his pre- ceptor, one of the most eminent practitioners before the Atchison county bar, and was ad- mitted to the bar by Judge Kelley in 1875. In the early years of his practice he dis- covered a tendency toward criminal law. V. hich he has since pursued and is regarded as one of the best of the criminal lawyers in northwest Missouri. H'is most important cases have been trials for murder, and embrace the Blake and Harris cases, which he prosecuted, se- curing conviction in each instance. The Coon Franklin case he defended and secured an acquittal. He also secured the acquittal of Lee Dillon at Nebraska City, and of John Alorrow, in .\tchison county, both of whom were charged with murder in the first de- gree. He defended Albert Sons, and prose- cuted Grounds in Holt county, the latter of whom was convicted and sent to the peni- tentiary for ten years. He also prosecuted George Ray, who was likewise convicted and sentenced for the same length of time. In liis civil practice he managed the Hunter & \\'}'att suit, defending the mortgagees and securing a verdict for his clients. The equity suit of the Beck heirs was under his super-' vision, their claim was established and judg- ment rendered accordingly, through the ef- forts of Mr. Miles. Politically Mr. Miles is one of the lead- ing Democrats of his congressional district. So effective is he as a speaker that he ha.s 306 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. been prominently mentioned as a candidate for congress, and liis campaign work has been unusually effective. So well were his abilities thought of by his fellow citizens that in 1880 he was elected prosecuting attor- ney of his county, and he was re-elected in 1882. In 1886 he made the race for the state senate, but was defeated. "Boss Miles'" cannot be properly meas- ured and understood witiiout a knowledge of his personality, as he possesses points of interest and ability which are not made mani- fest under the ordinary circumstances. While he is mit what may properly be called a great student, yet he is well versed in the law and has a wonderful memory of what- ever there is in law and evidence. As a trial lawyer he is a master, handling testimony with a remarkable accuracy and deftness, and making playthings of jurors. One of the leaders at the bar has said: "If I had the worst murder charge against me that it is ix)ssible to conceive of, I wouldn't want anybody but that little high-cheek-boned Boss Miles to handle my case." Mr. Miles was married December 25, 1881, to Miss Ada Thompson, whose father, Mariim Thompson, was a Phelps City mer- chant. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Miles are named Hallie and Ray. Mr. Miles is an Odd Fellow, having received both the subordinate and encampment degrees. REUBEX BARRETT. This age is not wholly utilitarian. On all sides we see some earnest souls laboring devotedly to bring about a recognition of some higher principle in life than selfish greed, and stimulating in the hearts of others a desire for spiritual progress. The friends of Reuben Barrett will see in his vears of faithful work in all forms of religious en- deavor, a source of present good to the com- munity, and long after he has entered into liis final rest his influence will contiiuie in everlasting circles. i\Ir. Barrett was lx)rn in \\'arren county- Pennsylvania, September 15, 1844. a son of Edmond and Matilda ( Fryar) Barrett, natives of England. His paternal grand- father, John Barrett, was a farmer and gar- dener of Lincolnshire, where he spent his. entire life. His children were John, Roljert. William. Eli. Michael, James. Edmond, and Susan, the wife of T. Watts. Of these Eli, ^lichael, Edmond and Ann came to America. The mother of our subject was married to ^Michael Barrett, a brother of our subject's father who died soon after coming to the I'nited States, and she sub- sequently married Edmond Barrett. By the first marriage she had four children : Reuben, who died at the age of nine years : Mary, the wife of H. Marsh : William, a resi- dent of Pennsylvania: and Rhoda. the wife of John Howells. The children of the sec- ond union were Ellen, the widow of A. D. Russell, and Sarah, the widow of R. Rus- sell, both residents of this county: Reuben, our subject: John, James E., Henry T. and Robert, all farmers of this county; Rose, the wife of E. Abbott, of Pennsylvania: and Charles \\'., a farmer of this county. In 1832 the father emigrated to America, and for the first year was employed in a hotel in L'tica, Xew York. Soon after hi.s marriage he located in Warren county. Pennsyhania. where he ])urchased a tract of heavily timliered land and improved a farm. 1 k- rrccted thereon a commodious house and three large liarns. and made of the place one of the finest homesteads in the localitw 1 lere his famih- were reared to BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 807 habits (if industi'}' and Iicjiiesty under the strict influence uf the churcii. l^'or many years the parents were active and faitliful members of the Methodist cliurch, in which the father ser\'ed as a class-leader, and they were widely and favorably known through- out Warren county. The mother died on the old homestead, October lo, 1889, at the age of seventy-nine years, and six of her sons acted as pall-bearers at the funeral, tenderly and carefully bearing her body to its last resting place. After the death of his devoted companion and helpmeet Mr. Barrett sold the farm, and about 1892 came to Missouri to make his home with his chil- dren, where he died February 26, 1896. The Barrett family has been a valuable ac- quisition to Nodaway county and have be- come leaders in its moral and physical development. The first to locate here was James E., and within three years eight members of the family were numliered among its residents. Reuben Barrett was reared on the home farm and educated in the common schools of the neighborhood. In June, 1862, at the age of seventeen years he enlisted in Com- pany M, Twenty-first Pennsylvania Cavalry, as a corporal, and the following year re-en- listed in Company G, Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He carried the brigade flag and remained in the service until the war ended. He took part in the Peterslnirg campaign, was present at the surrender of Lee to Grant at Ai>po- mattox, and participated in the grand re- view at W'ashington, D. C. At Pittsburg, t'ennsylvania, he was mustered out and hon- orably discharged in June, i8ri3. Returning home. Mr. Barrett resumed work on the farm, and in 1866 went to \Mne- land, Xew lersev, where he was eniiilnved as a gardener and small-fruit raiser. Later he worked in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, and for two years was engaged in the Xxn- zine business. Subsequently he was in tlie employ of a lumber coni])any and ran an en.gine, and in 1874 rafted lumber down the river to Louisville. Kentucky. In May of that year he came to Marysxille, Missouri, and purchased eighty acres of wild prairie land, bought a team and commenced to break liis land. In September he returned to Pennsylvania for his wife and child, and brought them io their new home in this coun- ty. He bought his first land on credit, and after paying for it purchased a forty-acre tract and later eighty acres more, making a farm of two hundred acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. While in the oil regions of Pennsylvania Mr. Barrett was married, in 1869, to Miss Margaret AI. (iregg, who also was Ixirn in Warren county, that state. February 22, 1844, a daughter of Robert and Harriet Gregg, nati\'es of England and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal churcli. tier father was highly educated and was a successful merchant of Sugar Grove, Penn- sylvania. His children were Elizabeth, James H., Robert, Mary Jane, Eleanor. Margaret M., Emily, Sarah, Ruth and Will- iam. To Mr. and Mrs. Barrett were burn six children, namely: (rertrude L., who died young; Mabel R., now Mrs. Manxille Carothers; James H., a graduate of the high school of Skidmore; Bessie R., who dieil January 12. 1897; Floyd R. and h'rederick M., both at home. In early life Mrs. Ikirrett was a success- ful teacher and commanded the highest posi- tions, following tli.it ])rofession si.xteen terms. The family arc all connected with the Methodist l'J)iscoi)rd churcli ami take an ac- 308 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY tive part in its work. In 1888 Mr. Barrett vas licensed to e.xhort: in i8yo to preach; and in 1896 was ordained a rcg;ular minister. Altliongh he has taken no rejjiilar charge, lie fills appointments \\here\xT desired, has preached many fnncral serninns and united many couples in the lu'ly l)(in<]s nf matri- mony. His life is exemplary in all respects, and he has e\er supported those interests \ihich are calculated to 1)enefit and uplift luunanity. In politics he is independent. MARCUS M. RHO.VDES, M. D. Dr. Marcus M. Khoades, a prominent phwsician and surgeon of (ii-aliani, was born in Saline county, Missouri, June 11, 1840, and is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of this state. Flis paternal grandfather, William Rhoades, was a farm- er and slave owner of Virginia, where he spent his entire life. Mis children were Catlett, Benjamin, William, .Susan and Gei irge. George Rhoades, the Doctor's father, was horn in 1803 and reared in Virginia, and in i8j6 caiue to i\iissouri, locating in Saline county, where he entered land and improved a farm with the assistance of the slaves he brought with him from Virginia. He was one of the prominent Democrats of his community, and was calkxl upon to fill the office of justice of the jieace, and was the count}' judge for four terms. Though modest and unassuming, he was \'ery popular and had many friends. He was' twice married, his first wife being a Miss Hawkins, of Saline county, by whom he had five children. One died young, and the others were Littleton, Felix, Richard M. and Sarah. For his second wife he married Miss Jane Hall, a native of Maryland and a daughter of Richard Hall, a pioneer of Missouri and a prominent farmer and slave owner, in whose family were four children, namely: Mordecai, John, Jane and Mrs. Re- becca Huff. The Doctor is the oldest of the nine children born of the second marriage, the others being Henrietta, the widow of H. Gilliam; George, a farmer of Saline county ; Miriam, deceased ; John T., a farmer and stock raiser of Marshall, Missouri; Mary, the wife of C. Mead; Rufus W., a druggist; Ethelbert, a farmer; and Ann H., the widow of a Mr. Ely. The parents were both Baptists. Reared on a farm. Dr. Rhoades obtained his education in the common schools of the neighborhood, and later attended )iIount Pleasant College, Missouri. In 18C1 he en- tered the Confederate army as a member of the Ninth Missouri Infantry under Generals Parsons and John B. Clark, and saw some hard serxice. He was in the battle of Lex- ington and the Black \\'ater campaign, where he was taken prisoner and carried to St. Louis. Two months later he was sent to Alton, Illinois, where he remained nine months. There six hundred i)risoners were incarcerated, some of whom were reprieved by taking the oath of allegiance to the gov- ernment ; many died of measles and only sixty were left to be exchanged. These were taken to Vicksburg and from there to Horse Head Lake, above Little Rock, where they formed the Ninth Missouri Infantry, and were in a number of hotly contested engage- ments in Arkansas and Louisiana, including the battles of Little Rock, Mansfield, Pleas- ant Hill and Jenkins' Ferry. The Doctor was with (Jenerals Buckner and Price when they surrendered to General Canby; the Ninth Missouri Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Gaines, the Doctor being ?U. ?U, ^i^..^^c^c^, ?c^Cr<^ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 309 the adjutant, having been detailed to take charge of all supplies at Shreveport until the arrival of the federal troops from Baton Rouge : after which, with other Confed- erates, he was sent on transports to St. Louis. He made his wa}' home without a dollar in mciney, with no clothing, excei-t his uniform, and health so impaired as to require a six-months vacation to recuperate. Dr. Rhoades commenced the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. A. M. Powell, of Collinsville, Illinois, where in partnership with that gentleman he also conducted a drug store. In 1866 he attend- ed lectures at the St. Louis Aledical Col- lege, where he was graduated, in 1868, and for a year engaged in practice at his old home in Saline county. In 1870 he moved to Bigelow, and a year later came to Gra- ham, where he has since successfully en- gaged in practice, his skill and ability soon winning him recognition and a liberal share of the public patronage. In 1891 the Doctor helped to organize the People's Bank of Graham, of which he was president three and a half years; but, the business proving too hard for him, he sold out and has since given his entire attention to his professional duties. In 1897 l^e opened a lumber yard and placed his son in charge of the same. Besides his city property he owns a well-im- proved farm in this county, ha\ing met with success financially as well as professionally. Politically he is identified with the Demo- cratic party, and religiously is an active member of a Baptist church, taking an acti\e interest in all church work and serving as moderator for the association in Nodaway> Atchison, Holt and a part of Andrew coun- ties, llis wife is a Methodist in religious belief. In 1872 Dr. RhcKides was united in mar- riage with Miss >^ary T. Bond, a lady of culture and refinement, who was born ii? Missouri, July i, 1854. Her parents, Uriah and Louisa (Fentress) Bond, moved from North Carolina to Clay county, this state, at an early day, and later came to Nodaway county. The mother is now dcceasefl, and the father, who throughout his active busi- ness life followed the blacksmith's trade, now finds a home with the Doctor and his wife. He is seventy-nine years of age. Religious- ly he is a Methodist, to which church his' wife also belonged. To them were born nine children, namely: Sarah, the wife of J. Har- land : Thomas, a farmer of Kansas; John, who \\as killed while ser\-ing in the Union army during the Civil war ; \\"illiam, de- ceased ; Louisa J., the widow of J. F. Brown ; Mary T., the wife of our subject; Martin, a resident of Graham ; Alice, the wife of Rev. ^\^ B. Cristie; and Lulu H., the wife of William H. Battie. The Doc- tor and his wife ha\'e had six children, namely: (iu_\-, who died at the age of three years and a half; Ralph, who is now en- gaged in the lumber business in Graham; Karl, who dietl young; Pierre, who is at- tending the Chicago University; \'erne, also in. college ; and Wayne, at home. GEORGE W. DANIEL. One of the prominent residents of Atch- ison county, Missouri, a reprcsentati\'e of an old and honored pioneer family, is George W. Daniel, the subject of this review. He was born at the old homestead where he now resides, June 10, 1857, and was reared among the jjioneers. He was a son nf Will- iam Daniel, a native of Alabama, who re- moved to Missouri and entered a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, living in. 310 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. a little slianty and being almost totally isolat- td from the world. The men \\ho made the great state of Missouri were the tillers of the simself with hay for winter use, he would mow at night, after having used a scythe all day, working for others at sixty- two and a half cents jKr acre. When the first tax on his two hundred acres was due he found that he had no money. It was al- most impossible to raise the money, as there was no cash market for his corn and wheat. He took a load to Mafyville, where he could have exchanged it for goods, but this time he needed the ready money and started to return home with his load. Meeting a man who needed the grain for bread, he sold him the corn for twelve and a half cents per bushel, and the wheat for twenty-live. His load brought him onh- a few cents o\er what was required to pay his taxes. A man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, he has jjrospered in all his un- dertakings, and has accumulateas called to a public office of importance because of liis ])opularity and recognized worth. Mr. Scott was appointed postmaster at Elmo, Nodaway county, Mis.souri, in I'ebruary, 1899. Fie has been a resident of this cmm- tv since 1881. 322 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Born in Lee county, Iowa. May 20, 1861. llr. Scott is a son of James and ^Margaret (Finley) Scott. James Scott was born near A\'ashington, the seat of justice of Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, and, when a mere boy Avas taken to Marion county. Indiana, where lie grew to manhood. He learned the trade of blacksmith, but in early man- hood removed to Iowa and was an early set- tler in Lee county, where he l:)ecame a far- mer. There he met his future wife, whose father was a pioneer in the same locality. He lived out his days there and died at the age of sixty-two in 1X86. His widow is living near their S(jn William E., at Elmo. Mr. Scott was a Republican and a man of force- ful character and considerable local influence. This worthy couple, lifelong Baptists and ardent believers in the tenets of their church, had three children : Elizabeth, who married Byr(;n C. Mitchell and lives at Topeka, Kansas; William E., the immediate subject of this sketch, and John, deceased. William E. Scott passed the years of his childhood and boyhood on a farm and was duly initiated, by the usual hard and tire- some process, into all the mysteries of agri- cultural activity. Having actjuired a fair education in the public schools and by study at odd times, and having a natural bent for business, he early embraced a commercial career and soon became a general merchant, a calling which for years has demanded his best abilities and has yielded him fairly sue- cesful returns for the devotion to it. The postoffice having been located in his store for some years before his appointment as post- master, he had gained a practical knowledge of tiie details of the office by acting as deputy postmaster. In 1883 Mr. Scott married Henrietta La Mar, a daughter of John M. La Mar, (a prominent citizen of Elmo), an estimable and cultivated woman who was educated at the female seminary at Lexington, Missouri. William E. and Henrietta (La Mar) Scott have four children, named as follows in the order of their birth : John Ernest. Stella. Ethel and Lowell La Mar. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are active memliers and Mr. Scott is a. trustee and steward of the IMethodist Epis copal church of Elmo. ^Ir. Scott is a mem- ber and for three years the worshipful master of Elmo Lodge, Xo. 329, Free and .Acceptetl Masons, and has an extensive acquaintance among Masons in northwest }iIissouri. GEORCE R. SHROCK. There are numerous fine farms in Noda- way count)^ which will compare favorably with any others in the state, and many of these are owned by men who started out in life in limited circumstances and have had to o\ercome manv hardships and difficulties but have come out conquerers in the end. A worthy representati\e of tliis class is George R. Shrock, wlio owns and operates a good farm of two hundre Mary Coy, who w;is born in Indiana county, in 1844, a daughter of Atlam and Rachel L3'dia Coy, also natives of Pennsyhania, where the father engaged in farming ;ind conducted a b.otel for n-.any years, lli'i- maternal ancestors were among the Puritans who came to this country in the Mayflower. In 1870 her ]);u-ents moved to Worth coun- tv. Missouri, where the father followed farm- ing for some years, but spent his last days 324 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. h\ retirement from active labor at Sheridan, \vliere Iie died in December. 1899. at the age of eiglity-tliree years. His wife survived him only ten days. In rchgious Ijelief they were Lutlierans. For fifty-eiglit years they had traveled life's journey together, and their union was blessed by two children : Jonathan, who still resides upon the home- stead in Worth county: and Mary, the wife of our .subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Shrock were born the following children: Idona, the wife of E. Ruth, a farmer of Colorado; Herbert, a farmer of Xodaway county; Ear! \\'.. a dentist of Pueblo. Ct)lorado; and ^Miranda, Essa, Goal and Rolland. all at home. The wife and mother, who was a consistent member of the Baptist clnn-ch.died April 22, 1894. After his marriage Mr. Shrock engaged in farming in Harrison county for a time, and then sold his place and purchased another in Worth county, where he made his home si.x years. He then sold out and went on a prospecting tour to Oregon. On liis re^ turn to Missouri, he bought a farm in Xoda- way county, which he disposed of six ^^ears later on his removal to southern Kansas. He remained in that state but one year, though he owned his farm there nine years. At the end of a year he returned to this county, where lie has since made his home, and now owns a valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres two miles north of Maryville, which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. In May, 1890, his buildings were all destroyed by a cyclone, some of his stock was killed, and members of his family were severely injured, though they e^caped death. He was unconscious twenty k.ours and prostrate for some time. His loss was heavy, as he carried but little insurance, but with characteristic cnergv he at once re- placed his buildings, and now has a well improved place. He raises and also buys and feeds stock for market, and in all his undertakings is meeting with good success, being a man of more than ordinary business ability and sound judgment. Politically he if an uncompromising Republican, and re- ligiously is an active member of the Baptist church. CHARLES S. XEAL. Among the honored early settlers of Xod- away county none stands higher in public es- teem than Charles S. X'eal, a prosperous farmer living near Maryville. He was born in Perr}- township, Gallia county, Ohio, October i, 1825, and was there reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. His father, Henry Xeal, was born in Mon- roe county, Virginia, a son of Charles Xeal, who at an early day removed from that state to Gallia county, Ohio, where he died at the advanced age of nearly one hundred years. By occupation he was a farmer and in religious belief both he and his wife were Methodists. Their children were Will- iam; Henry; John; Charles; Jacob; Mrs. Betsy Armstrong: Mrs. Xancy Maddy; Mrs. Patsy Colter ; Mrs. Rebecca Xull ; Mrs. Sally Stewart ; Eliza, who died unmarried ; and Mrs. Mary Smith. In the county of his natixity Henry Xeal grew to manhood and married Sally Maddy, who was born in the same place. Her fa- ther, John Maddy, also a native of Virginia, engaged in the manufacture of powder for the Continental army during the Revolu- tionary war and hauled it to the front. He died in his native state. Mrs. X'eal was the oldest of his children, the others being Mrs. MR. AND MRS. CHARLES S. NEAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 325 Ellen Ilinton, Mrs. Ann IMcXeal, James, Jacob, Jcilm and Charles, In i8jo Henry Xeal moved to Ohio and purchased a farm in GalHa county, where he made his home imtil coming to Xodaway county. A[issouri, in 1853, the remaiuder of his life being si)ent near where our sub- ject now li\-es. Together they bought a farm and later entered some land, which was operated by the sons. Being a well educated man, he successfully engaged in school-teaching during the greater part oi his life, and devoted considerable attention to the business of a ci\'il engineer, surx'ey- ing this county and platting a portion of Alary ville, besides the towns of Quitman and Xeuia. He sur\e\ed many jjublic roads and took an active and prominent part in the development of the county. In early days he served as a colonel in the state militia of Ohio, and as a Democrat took quite an influential part in public affairs, serving as justice of the i>eace both in that state and i\Iissouri, and county judge of Xodaway count}-. He died in 1867, honored and re- spected by all who knew him. The nn.ither of our subject, who was an earnest member of the Methodist church, died in this county, in 1858. Her children were Enos, a resi- dent of Kansas; Charles S. ; Martha, who died unmarried; Mrs. Elizabeth Jones; Mrs. Jane Hanna; Mrs. Amanda Pistote, and John M., who owns and operates a part of tlie old liomestead. For his second wife the father married Mrs, Charlotte Campbell, who is still living, and they had five chil- dren, of whom James L., William A., Joshua L. and Henry are lix'ing. Charles S. Xeal accompanied his par- ents on tlieir removal to Missouri, and en- gaged in farming with his father in Noda- way county until he was married, in i860. to Miss Sarah E. Hawkins. She was born iii Peoria county, Illinois, in 1838, a daugh- ter of John and Eliza (Bush) Hawkins, who were natix'es of X^orth Carolina and New York, respectively, and were married in Illinois, where the father served as a soldier of the Black Hawk war. In 1856 he brought his family to Missouri and bought a large tract of land in Xodaway county, where he improved a fine farm, be- coming one of its stibstantial agriculturists^ Politically he was first a ^^'hig and later a Democrat, and religiously both he and his wife were members of the Cumberland I'resbyterian church. He died on his home- stead in 1866, and she departed this life*in 1888. Their children were Sarah E., the wife of our suliject; ?^Irs. Frances Howard; -Andrew, who 6 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. from a mill or market. He has watched with interest the wonderful advancement made in this section, and has ever borne his part in the work of development and prog- ress. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and both he and his estimable wife hold membership ii: the Methodist church South. JACOB S. LR-EXGOOD. Jacob S. Livengood, a veteran of the Ci\il war, is a prosperous farmer of Lincoln township, Nodaway county. He is one of the pioneers of the county, having come here when a boy in 1854. Mr. Livengood was born in Fountain count}-. Indiana, near the Wabash, IMarch 28, 1844, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Stearns) Livengood. His father was born and reared in North Carolina and in 1854 moved west to Missouri with ox teams and V agons. After a long and tedious journey, in which they experienced many hardships and privations, they arrived at their destination, locating in Lincoln township. Nodaway county. Here Mrs. Li\engood died at the age of forty-five years, and her husband at the age of fift)'-four years. They were par- ents of the following children, of whom five sons served in the Civil war. Their names are as follows : Levi, who served in the Civil war, being a member of the Second Regi- ment, Nebraska Cavalry, now lives' near Quitman, Green township; Henry; .Vndrew J., deceased, who served in the Second Regi- ment, Nebraska Cavalry, and resided at Burlington Junction, Missouri ; George W., who was a memljer of the Second Nebraska Cavalry and later a member of the Forty- eighth Missouri \'olunteer Lifantry, lives at Elmo, Missouri ; Jacob S. ; Catherine Foster, of Oklahoma; Solomon, who served ill the Fifty-first Regiment, Missouri Vol- unteer Infantry; Sarah Sloan, Thomas and Marion. Mr. Livengood was a farmer by occupation, and in politics was a Douglas Democrat. Religiously, his wife was a mem- l.ier of the Lutheran, church. Jacob .S. Livengood was a boy of ten years when his parents moved to Missouri, and he walked the entire distance, as the wagons were all heavily loaded with house- h.old goods and the women and small chil- dren in the party. Here he was reared and attended .school in the little old country school house. He was a very industrious and amliitious yoiuh and from an early date worked ujjon his father's farm. In 1864 lit enlisted in Company H, Fifty-first Mis- souri Volunteer Infantry, and was in active ser\ice until the close of the war, being hon- orably discharged at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, ^ilissouri, where he was stationed most of the time, also at Girard, this state. He then returned home, where he has since been engaged in general farming. He works a fine rented farm of eighty acres in Lincoln township, which he keeps in as good condi- tion as any farm in the community. He is a successful manager and his luitiring ef- forts have brought forth good results. He is a man of unimpeachable character and he stands high in the community in which he lives. Mr. Li\-engood was iniited in marriage, at the age of twenty-si.x years, with Miss ]\Iiranda W'oodaril, of Lincoln township, a daughter of David W'oodard. a record of whose life is to he found elsewhere in this work. Three children were born in this this union, as follows: I'-valine, the widow of S. C. Brownfieid. who lived in Lincoln township; Adelnia, who is living at home; BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 3-27 and Leonard, who also makes his lionie with his parents. PoHtically, our suljject is' a stanch supporter of the Populist party. He is a mem1)er of MarshaU Post, Xo. 162, G. A. R., of Ehno, Missouri. FRANK \\'. COLE. One does not need to seek for the self- made man in the ranks of the pmfessions or in the busy marts of trade. The self-made man is more in evidence in farming commun- ities than almost anywhere else, and in such environments he is of a (juality about which there can be no questinn. An intimation that a successful lawyer or l)usiness man has not always been honest in his prnsperit}- can Iianlly be refuted off band ; but the daily work and the daily life, all the hopes, fears, obstacles and successes of the farmer's' ca- reer, are known to his neighbors. Nodaway county has its full quota of worthy farm- ers who are self-made men, and (jue of them held in si^ecial regard by \\\> fellow citizens is Frank \\'. Cole. This weil-known resident of Nodaway township and county, ]\Iissouri, whose post- office address is Burlington Junction, was born near Circleville, in Pickaway county, Ohio, September 20, 1855, a son of Shad- rach and Mary (Franklin) Cole. Shadrach Cole, who was a son of Dimmet Cole, was also born in Pickaway county, Ohio. Dim- met Cole was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock and was born in that state. He died in Cass county, Nebraska. Shadrach (Jole's wife, nee Mary Franklin, was also born in Pick- away county, where she and her husband grew up, were educated and married. They had three children : (ieorge Cole, of Denver, Colorado, Frank W., and another son who died young. Mary (Franklin) Cole died in 1859, when her son Frank W. was four years old, and after a time Shadrach (^>le married IMary West fall, who liore him two children : Maud, who married Clem .\ley, of Nebraska, and Clarence, who died when thirteen vears old. The father of these chil- dren died at the rather early age of thirty- eight vears. He was a farmer, a Republi- can, a ]\Iethodist, and a good citizen who commanded the respect of all who knew him. Frank W. Cole was thirteen years old when his father died. He grew up on the home farm in Nodaway, gained a practical education in the jjublic schools and ;is oc- casion offered olitained instructive business experience. He liegan farming for himself in i88r, and now has one hundred and forty acres of productive land, all under ad- vanced improvement, a large. and comfort- able residence and ample barn and stable ac- commodations. He has plow land, pasture land, meadow land, good and plentiful water, adequate outbuildings — everything requisite to make bis farm one of the goor", ones in his neighborhood. He was married in 1 88 1, to Miss Alice Timmons, a daughter of Samuel and Anna (Co.x) Timmons. Mr. and Mrs. Timmons were both liorn in Koss county, Ohio. The latter died No\ember 25, 1895, after having borne her husl>and seven sons and si.x daughters. Two of their sons, Frank and Stephen, were soldiers in the federal army in the war of the rebellion. Samuel Timmons, who was a practical farm- er, was a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Cole have eight children, named as follows : Maggie May, Clarence Wilbur, Clara Etta, Edwin M., Jessie Frances, Marshall Hal- dana, Cyrus Bethel and Ada Gertrude. Mr. Cole is' a progressive and substantial 328 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. fanner, a popular and influential Republi- can and a public-spirited and useful citizen. j\lrs. Cole is a communicant of the Chris- tian church, and it may be added that the entire family are lil)eral and helpful toward that institution. Mr. Cole especially so. He is ever ready t(3 assist any measure m- mo\e- ment having fnr its object the benefit of the countv or township, and \otcs. as he acts in all relations of lite, from |)rincii)le. WILLIAM COLTF.U. Among the representatixe farmers of I\oda\vay county is the subject of this bi- ographv, whose home is four and a half miles north of Mar_\\ille. He is a self-made man. having attaine. leaving seven children, name- ly: Erasmus and \\'illiam H., farmers of Iowa; Susan J., the wife of W. Doherty. a farmer of this county ; George, also of Iowa ; Miranda, the wife of Joseph Watson, a farm- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 329 er of tin's county; ^Fary, tlie wife of Ed- ward Horn, also a farmer ni ilii^ count}': and Xannie, at liome. yiv. Colter was again married, in March, 1890, his second union heing- with Mrs. Sarah E. Atherton, the widnw of George Atherti.>n, who ilied January j, 1S87, leav- ing" ftmr children, tn win an our subject gave the same ad\'antages as his own chil li>ng as his health permitted. When he came out of the army at the close of the Civil war, it was as the victim of a combination of diseases contracted in the service, from which he has vainly sought relief and which have partially incapacitated liim for long continued manual lal)or. Mr. Williams' military record is an in- terestitig one. He was' a member of Com- pany D, Fourth Regiment. Missouri Cav- alry, commanded by Captains i'ritchard and Hamilton, and saw three years' ser\';ce with that organization. Mr. Williams saw a year's .service, also, in the Fifty-first Mis- souri \'olunteer Infantry, and at the end of the war was honorably discharged, having seen all kinds of service, in which he had ac(|uitted himself gallantly and won a record of whicii any s<-ildier might Ijl' proutl. R. R. ST.VPLES. Sk. R. R. Staples is the proprietor of Grand X'iew Farm, of Colfax township, .Atchison county, and is one of the leading rc;)re- sentriti\'es of the agricultural interots in r.orthwestern Missouri. In political circles he is also prominent, his opinions carrying weight at the councils of the Republican party. Almost a (juarter of a century has passed since he arrived in this locality, and as the vears ha\e gone by he has been known as a ])romoter of all interests calcuhited to benefit the commonwealth. Air. Staples was Ijorn near .'^jiarta, Alonroe county, Wisconsin, Decemlier 23, 1854. His grandfather. Job Sta])lc<. was a native of ^'ermont and nian\- }-ears sailed on the salt waters, visiting various foreign ports. He was of Scotch lineage, his an- cestors Ijeing n(.)ted for their l)ra\'ery and business (lualifications. .Xbi.'d .sta]ik-s. the father of oin- subject, was ;i n:iti\e of Orange count\', X'ermnnt. and married Miss Abagail Ward, wlm was born in Xew I l.-imj)- shire, and was ;i nbject removed westward, locating in the Badger state among the early settlers of JefTerson .^/^ y^' BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOR ] '. 333 cnunty and afterward took up tlieir abode in Monroe connt}'. In 1X56, with ox teams and waoons, tiie\- made an overland trip to {'.entry cijunt\-. Missouri, and in 1862 came to Nodaway county, locating in Atchi- son township, near the present site of the town of Clearmont, being among the first settlers there. The father resided there un- til 1876, when he located on the farm which is now th.e home of our subject, residing" there until his death in 1879, when he was sixty-seven years of age. He was a Re- pul)lican in his political faith and held mem- bership in the Christian church, which in- dicated his religious preference. His wife was also a member of the same church and departed this life in 1883, at the age of sixty-seven years. They were people of the highest respectability, enjiiying the warm regard of many friends. They carefully reared their children, instilling into their minds the lessons of industrv, economy and honesty. Four of their si.x children are vet living, namely: Alarcus Staples, a leading- stock dealer of Belle\-ille, Kansas ; Almond Abial, a prominent dealer in stock in Colfax township; M3Ton ^^'illiam,' who is exten- sively engaged in dealing in stock in Noda- way and Atchison counties, and resides at Burlington Junction; and Rodolph Rich- mond, of this review. Two died in child- hood. Mr. Staples, whose name introduces this record, was a little lad of three summers when the family removed from Wisconsin to Gentr}- county, Missouri, and was a youth of nine years when they went to Nodaway county, where he was reared on the home farm. His father was extensively engagei! in raising and dealing in cattle and became- an excellent judge of stock when he was }et a boy in his 'teens. He began his educa- tion in a log cabin in Gentry county and later attended the public schools of Nodaway county, his knowleilge having since been supplemented by his reading and experience in business afYairs. At home he was taught to work, to be honest and just, and those qualifications have been numbered among his characteristics throughout his life. In 1876 he and his father located on what is now his present homestead farm, wdiere he has five hundred and sixty acres, constituting one of the best farming ])roperties in the townshi]-). His beautiful home is known as Grand A'iew The house stands on an elevation, thus com- manding a splendid view of the surrounding country. Other improvements are seen there, including large barns, sheds, cattle yards, feed pens, modern windmills and the latest improved machinery. Rich pastures, meadows and cultiwited fields are among the features of the homestead, and his corn crops yield him from fifty to sixty-fi\-e bushels to the acre. He is also one of the most suc- cessful cattle dealers in the county, having large herds, which enable him annually ta make extensive shipments to the markets. On the 9th of April, 1876, Mr. Staples was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Isabel Fine, a lady of intelligence and good family, and to her husband has been a capable helpmate on life's journey. She was born in Fountain county, Indiana, near the \\'al)ash, and is a daughter of Harrison and Elizabeth (Emerick) Fine, the former a na- tive of the Floosier state, while the latter was born in Ohio. In 1859 her parents removed to Taylor county, Iowa, where the father still carries on agricultural pursuits. He is a Democrat in his ]xditical faith antl he and his wife are Lutherans in their religious belief. They have eight children, namely: Mrs. Clara Cunningham, Mrs. Hannah I. su BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORV. — r?. Mrs. Alice Fentiman, Mrs. Etta -. Frank E.. Martin L-, Mrs. Emma reii and Mal\-ina M. Unto Mr. and Staples have been bom fonr children: .■\r\-illa L, who is a proficient teacher of music: Weltha J., who is a singer of con- siderable reputation, now a member of the Methodist choir in Taikio; Lester O., who is a student in Tarido College ; and Rodolph R.. Jr., who is pursuing his studies in the iv.^ rbools of Taikio. The daughters -ted in Tarido College, with the .7. and are now successful teach- ers m Xodaway o>unty. In his political atfJiations Mr. Staples is a Republican, unswer\-ing in his advocacy of the principles of the party. He is rect^- nized as one of the kxal leaders and has exerted a strong influence in molding pub- lic thought and opinion. He has delivered campaign addresses, speaking in be- f Republican principles in various iOrts of the county. He has been a delegate to osuniy, state and congressional conven- tions and was a candidate for county judge in 18SS. at which time he succeeded in re- ducing the Donocratic and Populist ma- j riry frc^n eight hundred to nine votes. In :>■>■> he was nominated by his partj- for the •; rr.oe of oountj- recorder, but there was a tuii n of the Democratic and Populist par- ties and the combined strength was too great for him to overcome. The large vote he has polled indicates his personal popu- larit\- and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. In Masonic circles Mr. Staples is promi- nent. h<:>lding membership in the lodge, chap- ter • and council of Rodqwrt, Maryville Commandery Xo. 40. K. T., and Moilah Temple of the Mystic Shrine in St. Jo- seph. His wife and two daughters hold membership in the order of the Eastern Star. while the daughters are als<:> menbers of the Order of the Daughters of Isis. which order confers htgiier degrees in ilasonic wort Both Mr. and Mrs. Staples are mem- bers of the United Brethren church. He is a gentleman of tine pers-Mal appearance, v.-eighing two hundred and fort>- pounds, is frank and genial in manner, reliable in busi- ness, faithful in friendship and loyal to every duty of citizenship. These qualities have gained for him the warm r^ard of all with whom he has come in contact. In his busi- ness he has met with creditable success, which has come to him as a merit of reward of his own lal»r. He certainly deser\-es mention among the representative men of .\ichison OMmty and it is with pleasure that we present his record to the readers of this volume. JOHN C. SPEXCE. John Cal\-in Spence, a highly respected citizen of Xodaway count>'. and a soldier in the Civil war. is a native of Miami coun- ty, Ohio, bom September 3. 1838. He is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and his grand- father, John Spence. was a Re\-olutionary soldier. James L. Spence, the father of John C, was a Virginian, bom in 180 1. In . Ohio he became acquainted with and mar- ' ried Ddilah So>tt, a native of that state, and both anained an ad\-anced age. Mr. Spence, whose death occurred in Palmyra, Iowa, reached the age of eighty-four years, and his wife died in Wa\-ne county, Iowa, I at the age of eighty-seven years. TTiey ; were the parents of eight diildren: Belle; .\llen T. : -\bram L.. a soldier in the Ci\-il I war, serving in Company E, Fourth Iowa Infontiy. now resides in Iowa: Maria J.; BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 335 Jolin C, our subject; X'aucy; Absalom, de- ceased, who was a menil)er of Company B, Tenth Iowa Infantry; and Robert O. John C. Spence, tlie subject of this Iji- ography, was reared and educated in Peoria county, Illinois, near Farmington. For a lunnber of years he followed the trade of l^lastering, but June 2, 1861, he enlisted for service, at the first call frmu President Lincoln for three hunilred thousand men. He was a member of Company G, Eiglith Volunteer Infantry of Miss(3uri, under Col^ onel Morgan L. Smith and Captain D. A. Crier, of Peoria, Illinois. The Eighth Mis- souri Regiment, or ".\nierican Zoua\-es," were first ordereil to St. Louis. The first battle in which Mr. Spence was engaged occurred at Fort Donelson, hY-hruary iCi, 1862. He received a se\ere wnund, being shut in the face, the bullet coming out from behind the ear. The right jaw was l)roken, and when the wound was dressed thirteen pieces of bone were removed. He was in the hospital at Mound City, Illinois, for one week, when he was gi\en a leave of absence for thirty davs, during which time he went to Jiis home. August 10, 1862, he re-entered the army at Memphis, Tennessee, being un- der General Sherman. The company of which Mr. Spence was a member went to the \icinity of Vicksburg. in the Yazoo .swamps, where they helped e.xcavate the canal to surround Vicksburg. Arkansas Post was taken with the assistance of this company, and on July 3d and 4th Vicksburg was surrounded, taken, and the stars and stripes were placed over anotiier city in the south. Engagements which followed were at Champion Hills, Black River, tiie siege iigainst General Joe Johnston's troops, the company going from Memphis to Chat- tanooga, Tennessee, and crossing the Chat- tanooga river, where the pickets of General Bragg were captured; Missionary Ridge, Buzzards' Roost, the sieges of Atlanta and Savannah and the battle at Bentonville. While at Goldslioro, South Carolina, Mr. Spence received a veteran's furlough, and on the 251)1 of .\ugust, 1865, received an hon- orable discharge, at Little Rock, Arkansas. His career had l)een one of great courage and bravery, and his life as a private citizen has been one of honesty and loyalty to his fellow citizens and country. In 1870 Mr. Spence located in Nodaway county, Missouri, and here he first met and was united in marriage with Mary Rutledge, of Greene cninUy, Indiana, a daughter of Thomas and Julia .\nn ( Swalb) Rutledge. She was one of si.K children, two brothers having fought in the Ci\il war. John Rut- ledge, a member of an Indiana regiment, died in the army, being wounded at Big Shant}', Georgia; and Samuel M., of the Eighteenth IMissouri Regiment, now a resi- dent of Greene county, Indiana. Her father died in New Market, Taylor county, Iowa. Air. and Airs. S])ence have two children: Charles, living in Lincoln township, Noda- way count}- ; and Xancy Emeline. They lost one child, James !•"., at the age of three years. Mrs. Spence is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her husband is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the (irand Army of the Republic. Politicall\- he is a Republican. WILLI.VM PRIDE. The subject of this sketch, who has been prominently identified with the agricultural and political interests of Nodaway countj', ?\Iissouri, for almost a quarter of a century, was born in Monongalia county. West Vir- 330 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY ginia. January 24, 1829. a son of Burton and Xancy (Sutton) Priile, who as farm- ing people spent their entire Hves there. The maternal grandfather, Joseph Sutton, also a farmer l)y occupation, was born in !Mary- land and died in Virginia. His children were Xancy, Asa, John, Elizabeth, Mar- garet, Hannah and two who died young. Tlie father of our subject was the third in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being Jesse, Henry, Sally and \\illiam. To Burton and Xancy (Sutton) Pride were born nine children, namely : Mrs. ;Mary A. Haines, of Pennsylvania; William, our subject; Elizabeth, who died unmarried; IMalinda, the wife of S. H. Rose; Josiah, deceased; Xancy, wife of B. Renner; Re- becca J., the wife of L. Barrickman; Mar- garet, wife of J. Mathews; and James V. Our subject was the only one of the family to come west. On a farm in his native state William Pride passed his boyhood and youth, pursu- ing. his studies in the common schools. In Greene county, Pennsylvania, he was mar- ried, March 10, 1857, to Miss Ehzabeth Stevens, a native of that county and a daugh • ter of Job and Edith (Renner) Stevens, who were also born in that state, where the lather followed farming throughout life. After his death, the. mother married a rela- tive, Xed Stevens, and in 1856 moved to Mercer county, Illinois, where he died, but she is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. By her first marriage she had two children : Elizabeth, the wife of our subject : and Edward J. ; and there were also two children born of the second union, namelv : Mrs. Emma C. Guthrie and James, both residents of Illinois. Mrs. Pride, wh^< was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, died January 9, 1885, leaving four children: James B. and A. H., who are engaged in farming on the home- stead ; Malinda H., the wife of H. Shrock. a farmer; and Xancy A., at home. After his marriage Mr. Pride followed farming in West Virginia until 1864, when he moved to Illinois and first located in \'ermilion county, but later went to Mercer county, where, after operating rented land for a few years, he purchased a farm. In 1877 he traded that place for his present farm in Xodaway county, Missouri, six miles northeast of Maryville. He has since added to it until he now owns three hundred and twenty-seven acres of land, a part of which is covered with timber, but the greater por- tion is under excellent cultivation and well improved bottom land. In connection witli general farming he followed stock raising during his active business life, but is now practically living" retired on his homestead, enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life, while he rents the land to his sons. As a Democrat Mr. Pride has taken a prominent and influential part in political affairs, has been a delegate to numerous con- ventions, and has been honored with local offices of trust and responsibility, including that of justice of the peace, the duties of which he has most capably and satisfactorily performed. In religious faith he is a Meth- odist. His success in life is due to his own well directed and energetic efforts, and for the same he deserves great credit. ISA.\C REAKSECKER. Among the re|)resentative agriculturists of Xodaway county, ^Missouri, is Isaac Reaksecker, who was born in Monroe coun- ty, Oliio, October 9, 1849, ^"<1 ^^'^s reared and educated in mucii the usual manner of BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 337 farmer boys of liis day. Tlis father, Fred- erick Reaksecker, was Ixirn in canton Berne. Switzerland. January i6. iSiTi. and in 1S19 was l^rought to America liy liis parents, Cln-ist and Barbara ( Moser) Reaksecker, natives of the same place — tlie former born in 1778, the latter in 1780. The family land- ed at Baltimore. Maryland, and proceeded at once to Ohio, where as squatters they took up land and later entered it from the government. Christ Reaksecker died in IMonroe county, that state, in iS^f'i, his wife in 1854. They were fanning- [jcople and earnest members of the I.utheran church. ]ii their family were eight children, namely: Christ, John, Peter, Samuel, Frederick, Le\i, Barbara and Mrs. Ruse .\. Case. Frederick Reaksecker grew to manhood in Ohio, and there married Christina King, ■who was born in Greene county, Pennsyl- xania, July 20, 1826, a daughter of John ;nid Christina (Yeager) King, also natives of Pennsylvania. Her father, who was of Fnglish and Irish extractinn. was born in August. 1781. and died in December, 1S63. Avhile her mother was bnrn in .Vugust, 1782, and died in Mason county, \\'est Virginia, in 1878. Frederick Reaksecker made a trip to Xew Orleans on a coal boat, and in this ■\\ ay earned the money with which to enter fort}- acres of land in Monroe county, Ohio, to which he subsequent!}- added until he had over two hundred acres of in-iproved land. Selling out in the spring of 1856, he moved to Harrison county, ]\Iissouri, where he boug"ht a large tract of wild land, and to its improvement and cultivation devoted his en- ergies for many years. A skillful farmer iind a man of good business ability, he n-iet \vith excellent success in his labors and be- came "well-to-do, " acctnnulating a fine es- tate. He was a member of the Sweden- borgian church and as a local preacher took an active part in its work. Politically he was first a Whig and later a Republican. During the Rebellion he was a strong Union n-ian and several times went out with scout- ing parties. Fie died in Harrison coui-ity, November 16, 1884. honored and respected by all who knew him. His estimable wife is still living and continues to reside on the homestead in that county. The children born to them were Emily, the wife of C. Midler, of Phoenix, Arizona ; Eliza, the deceased wife of O. T. Nei¥; An-ianda. the wife of E. O. Neff, of Harrison county ; Isaac, our subject; Benjan-iin F.. a resident of Arizona; James \\'., of Oklahoma; and Peter K., of Harrison count}-, this state. Isaac Reaksecker accomp'anied hi^ par- ents on their removal to this state, and re- mained with them until twenty-two years of age, when he took charge of one hundred acres of wild prairie land given him Ijy his father. He built a small house and lived alone for a luniiber of years. He fenced his land and ])laced it under cultivation and has since added to the tract until he now has six hundred and eighty acres in one body, all under cultivation and well iniproved. This fine farm is one of the most desirable of its size in Nodaway county. Since 1875 ]Mr. Reaksecker has given consideralile at- tention to the raising and feeding of stock, and in this undertaking has also niet with success'. On the loth of June. 1886. :\Ir. Reak- secker was united in n-iarriage with ^Nliss Eva Vancuren. who was born in Belmont count V, Ohio, November 18, i860, and they have become the parents of four children, whose names and dates of birth are as fol- lows ; Lester, April 24, 1887; Warren, Sep- tember 12, 1888; Neva, March 19, 1890; 338 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. and Xoble, ^lay 12. 1892. Since the age of sixteen j-ears Mrs. Reatcsecker has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal churcli, and both she and her husband are held in high regard by all who know them. Mrs. Reaksecker's parents, Wilson and Eunice (Humphrey) ^^ancuren, were born, reared and married in Ohio, where they con- tinued to make their home tliroughout life, the former dying there September 15, 1896, the latter December 4, 1874. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Cliristian church, while his wife was a Bap- tist in religious belief. The children born to them were John, Eva, Miner, Melissa, Staunton, Ora, Thomas, Charles and Robert. Ora and Charles are now living in Missouri. For his second wife the father married Hat- tie Carpenter, who is still living, and to them were born six children, namely: David, Buella, Maggie, Wilson, Paul and Talmage. Mrs. Reaksecker's paternal grandfather, John Vancuren, was a nati\e of Germany, a farmer by occupation and an early settler of Ohio. His children were David, Wilson, Ann, Vance, Andrew, Shannon, George and Margaret. The maternal grandfather, Will- iam Humphrey, was born in Virginia, of Irish ancestry, and also became a farmer of Ohio, where his death occurred. He had ten children, namely : Eunice, Sarah, ]\Iiner, Naomi, William, Elizabeth, Esther, Mar- cus, Sanford and ^largaret. JOSEPH S. CARDEX. Joseph S. Garden, the assessor of Green township, Nodaway county, elected in 1899, is one of the most popular antl best known citizens of the county. He was horn .April 5. 1868, on the old homestead farm of his father, J. W. Garden, a prominent and pop- ular citizen, one of the oldest of the pioneer settlers of the count}-, and now the mayor of Quitman. His wife was Anna Holt, a daugh- of \\'illiam Holt, who was among the pio- neers of the county and of a proitlinent and highly respectable family. J. S. Garden was the fourth son and sixth child of a family of seven children born to his parents, and spent his youthful days on the farm, where he was taught industrious habits and hon- est methods in all his transactions. The labor performed on the fann gave him a sound body and great strength, fitting him for the harder labor and more severe trials cl life that belong more especially to man- hood's lot. His education was secured in the public schools and in the State Uni- versity, and he also took a commercial course, which he finds of great use to hini in his daily business transactions. Remaining at home on the farm until he was twenty-six j-ears of age, Joseph S. Car- den began life on his own account, pur- chasing one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, but still remaining at home until he v/as married. His farm, the "Blue Grass \'alley Farm," is one of the finest in the country, and his home one of the finest in his township. His entire one hundred and sixty acres are well fenced ofif into fields, for grain, pasture, etc., his blue-grass pastures and meadows rivaling those in the famous blue-grass regions of Kentucky. He has one of the finest barns in the county, and liis residence is a model of modern style, with bay windows and porches. The en- fre home exiiibits evidences of taste, culture aiid refinement, having a beautiful yard, neatly kept lawn, fiowers and shrubs. The house he erected in 1896. Mr. Garden is en- .gaged in general farming and the stock l.usiness, ami is one of the successful men BIOGRAnilCAL HISTORY. 339 of the county. Ke was marrie^l, Xovember 4. 1896, to Miss Lida Ware, a woman of intelligence and good family, well educated and a teacher hefore her marriage from the time she was fifteen years nf age. She is a daughter of H. H. Ware, deceased, who was a prominent and well known citizen. He was liorn in Ross C'juiU\'. Ohio, and moved tlience ti:> Xodawa\' count}-, Mis- souri. He was a brave soldier during the war of the Rebellion, serving as the ad- jutant of the Forty-fourth ^Missouri Vol- unteer Infantry and afterward as a mem- ber of the Grand Army of tlie Republic. His wife. !Miss !Milly Xeedles. was a native of Missouri, and bv her he had six children, viz. : John E.. ]\Irs. Lida Garden. Sanuiel F., H.A.. Glen D. and Allen E. Joseph Garden is a member of the ]\Ia- sonic and Odd Felii:>w lodges of Quitman. Mrs. Garden is a member of the ^letliodist Episcopal church, and stands high in tlie estimation not only of her sister members of the church but also among all the people of the community in which she lives. Mr. Garden may be properly classed among the self-made men, as be had Inn little assistance from his family or friends, and wiiat he has accomplished has been mainly through his own unaided efforts. JOHX P. FRAZEE. The natural ad^•antages of northwest Missouri attracted at an early day a superior class of settlers, thrifty, industrious, pro- gressive and law-abiding, whose influence lias given permanent direction to the de- velopment of the lixality. Among the worthy pioneers of X'odaway county John P. Frazce occupies a prominent place. He was Ixirn in Richland county. Ohio, .\pril 16, 1832, was reared on a farm and edu- cated in the common schools. His parents, Joshua and Anna (Pitt- man) Frazee, were born in Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish descent, and were married in Ohio. Her father, Elias Pittnian, moved from Ohio to Andrew county, ^Missouri, in 1838, where he entered land and iInpro^•ed a farm, and in 1833 c;une to Xiidawa\- ci un- ty. Two years later he went to live with his children, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frazee, in 1861. By occu- pation he was a farmer. His wife held membership in the Ghristian church. Their children were Thomas, who remained in Ohio I Cenjamin, Andrew and Richard, all residents of IMissouri ; Anna, the mother of our subject ; Mrs. Sarah Brombaugh ; ^^Irs. Alelissa Duke; ]\Irs. Eliza Duke; and Mrs. jNIary Myers. Our subject's ])aternal grand- father died in Pennsylvania, and liis wife and ch'.ldren afterward moved to Ohio, where Joshua grew to manhood. He followed farming there until 1839. when with his familv he dri:i\e across the countr\- to \n- drew county, Missouri. On reaching his destination he found that he had only a dime in his pocket. He soon found employment, but his wages were small. X^eeding corn for bread and feed for his stock, he dro\e to G'lav county, a distance of orn near Wheeling. West \iv- ginia. March 11, 1822. and died in Missouri, Deccnilicr 29. 1898. He was oae of a family o' nine children, the others being Joseph, Elizabeth. Michael. Stephen, I-'rank, Sarah, Eliza, and Martha, the wife of J. West. Mrs. Frazee's maternal grandfather. Sam- uel Lee, was a prominent citizen of Ohio, in whose family were four children, — James, Cornelius, Mrs. Jane Luton and Sarah. After his death the m itlier married James Hughes, by whom she had one child, ]\lrs. Angel :ne Bonus. Mrs. Frazee is the oldest in a family of se\-en children, and in order of birth the others were as fnllows: Mary, the wife of William Frazee; Jo.seph. a farm- er; William, deceased; Mrs. Alice .Mbright; Algernon, a farmer; and Mrs. Ida Roelf- son. The parents of these children were members of the Cbrist'an church, to which our suljject and his wife alsn belong. They have four children, namely: Rosella, at l-.ome; Lawrence, who is married and en- gaged in farming on the homestead ; Chester and Alpha, also at home. Since his marriage ^Ir. Frazee has re- sided upon his present farm near Mar)- ville, and so successfully has he been that he has been able to add to his landed posses- sions until he now has three hundred and twenty acres of fine valley land, all under a high state of cultivation and well improved with good buildings. He is interested in both general farming and stock raising. During the Civil war he was a member of the Home Guards, but on account of his health was unaljle to enter the regular serv- ice. He affiliated with the Democratic party until i860, when he voted for Lincoln, but since then has supported the Democratic and Populist parties. His career has ever been such as to commend him to the confidence and high regard of those with whom he has come in contact, and these whn know him best are numbered among iiis warmest friends. GEORGE R. HORTIC.V. G. R. Horten, dealer in hardware and agricultural implements of all kinds and a prominent and solid business man of Quit- man, carries a full line of shelf and hea\_v hardware and all kinds of farming im- plements needed on any farm. Since lo- cating in Quitman he has built up a large and profitable business, which for some time previously had been carried on by W. L. Holt, a man well known to all living in Nodaway county. ^Ir. Horten also handles a general line of wagons, buggies and car- riages of e\cry make and sl_\de, and the goods sold b\- him gi\e the most general GEORGE R. HORTEN AND FAMILY BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 341 satisfaction. His leaders are the Bain wagon and tlie Bnrlington (Pioneer) linggy, than which no lielter \vag(_Mis and huggies are made in the United States. INIr. Horten was born near Springfield, Sangamon county, Illinois, February 27, 1869, and is a son of Joseph and Mary E. (Tracey) Horten, both of whom were from Illinois. ]\Ir. Horten was a babe in his mother's arms when his parents removed from Illinois to Nodaway county, Missouri, they settling in the northern part of the ciiunt}', in Atchison township, where they li\ed for a good many years. Ji jscph I lov- ten was a farmer by occupation, a suldier iri the war of the Rebellion, and in politics a Republican. He was a man of strength of character, and was well knnwn to many of the citizens of the county as a man of integrity and honest methods in business and a good neighbor. He died in Kansas at the age of sixty-eight, and his wife died at the age of fifty-one. Tiie_\' were the [jar- euts of four children, viz. : William, of Eurlington Junction, ^Missouri; Sarah King", deceased ; Anna, of Nebraska, and George R., the suliject of this sketch. George R. Horten was reared on the farm, on which he performed iiis full share of work, de\'eloping his muscle and gaining bodily strength which he could hax'e gained ill no other way. His education was obtained in the common schools, and he has always been a successful business man, noted for his straightforward methods of doing busi- ness and for his industry and integrity. He was married September 14, 1890, to Miss Clara Kelle)', a daughter of Newton Kelley, deceased, and his wife, Martha I'L To this marriage there has been born one child, Nelly. Mr. Horten is a regular Democrat, and a member of the Masonic lodge of (jnit- niaii, and also of the Odd Fellows lodge. He is of powerful physique, and weighs two hundred and tliirty ])Ounds. Mrs. Horten is a member of the Cliristian church. Both are highly respected i)eople, because of their many excellent traits of character and disposition. JOHN G. BAILEY. There are nian_\- reasons why J(jhn G. Bailey should be mentioned among the lead- ing citizens of Atchison county. First, be- cause he is one of her native sons; secondly, because he has so long been actively con- nected with the development and growth of this portion of the state; and, thirdly, be- cause he manifested a very brave and val- orous spirit at the time of the Civil war. Few men have longer witnessed the uplniild- ing of this county than Mr. Bailey, who has seen its transformation from a wild and thinly po]iulated district until it has become the scene of great actix'ity in all departments of business life, its progress ha\'ing been carried forward along lines that have con- tributed in large measure to the prosperity of its citizens. Mr. Bailey was born October 2^. 1S45, his parents being James and Nancy (Wil- son) Bailey, the former a native of Tennes- see and the latter of Kentucky. They were married in Kentucky and came to Missouri, spending the winter in Kay county, whence they came to Atcliison county and located near the present site of the town of Tarkio. Much of the land was still in the ]):)Ssession of the government, which offered it at a low price to the settlers who would reclaim it for purposes of civilization. The father of our subject entered two hundred and forty acres and developed and improved a good 342 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. farm, upon which he spent his remaining da vs. He came to the county as did most of the pioneers, with limited means, having all to make and nothing to lose. He found an undeveloped region with good soil and excellent natural advantages, although there were many hardships and trials to undergo, such as are incident to pioneer life. Many rough bands of Indians still visited the ncighV)Orhocd and deer and other wild game was to be found in the county, togeth.er with v. ild animals that preyed upon the stock pens. 'Sir. Bailey was particularly fond of bunting and therefore had ample oppsirtunity to indulge in that sport. The neighbors lived miles apart and all were farming peo- ple who developed their land and cultivated their fields according to the primitive man- ner of the times. Mr. Bailey was broad- minded, charitable and hospitable, and al- ways enjoyed the visits of his neighbors and his house became a place <>f entertain- ment for the wayfaring men who visited the neighborhood. He became widely and favorably known and commanded the re- spect of all who knew him as a man of sterling integrity and honor. Early in life he became a member of the Primitive Bap- tist church, but later he uitited with the I\Iethodist Episcopal church and continued his identification therewith until his death. His vote supported the Democratic men and measures. In 1855 his first wife died and he afterward married again. His first union was with Xancy Wilson, a daughter of Eli \\'ilson, of Kentucky. He became one of the early settlers of Missouri, spend- ing his last days in the home of his daugh- ter, Mrs. Bailey. His wife survived him and afterward returned to Ray "county, Missouri, where she died, at the very ad- vanced age of ninety-six years. Unto the parents of our suliject were born eleven children: Catherine, the wife of A. Ripley; Mrs. Jane Cooley; iMartha, the wife of D. James; Mrs. Mar^^ Caudle; Sarah: Anna, the wife of S. Ballard: Eli. of Tarkio; Louis, James and Ezekiel, all deceased: and John G., whose name intro- duces this review. The mother of our sub- ject belonged to the Baptist church in early life, but afterward became united with the iXIethodist denomination. In his parents' home John G. Bailey spent his boyhood, taking his place in the field as soon as he was old enough to man- age a plow. There he worked from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the autumn, and in the winter season he entered the pul)lic schools and there continued his education for some years. In 1862 his patriotic spirit was so aroused by the attempt of the south to over- throw the Union that he enlisted with Com- pany F of the Fifth iMissouri Cavalry. His regiment was consigned to the western de- partment of the army and he saw some hard service while pursuing Ouantrell. The regiment hail many encounters with the guerrillas, and in addition to the shirmishes he was in the hotly contested battle of Glas- gow, where Mr. Bailey had his left instep broken. His services were confined to iMis- souri and he traveled all over the state and was discharged, in 1863, on account of the injury he sustained, and his discharge was Iionorable, on account of the fidelity of his services. Mr. Bailey immediately returned to his home and when able engaged in farming. In 1866 he was married, and located on his farm near the present site of Tarkio. where he remained four years, when he sold that propertx' and removed to Page county, Iowa, BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 343 where lie continued for ten years. On the expiration of tliat period lie purchased his present farm of one iiundreil and seven acres, to which he lias since atliled eighty acres. When it came into his possession it was a tract of unbroken -prairie, on whicli he erected a house and then began the work of developing his land. The ])rairie had to be broken and prepared fur the plow, for hitherto it was uncultivated. .As the years passed, however, he placetl acre after acre under cultivation and now has a splendidly developed farm, the well tilled fields yield- ing to him an excellent tribute in return for his care and cultivation, lie also has a good orchard on the place, substantial barns and outbuildings and a commodious residence. He raises stock, whereby his income is ma- teriallv increased, and his business efforts have been so discerningly directed along well defiined lines of labor that he has come into the possession of a comfortable com- petence. In iHfjf') occurred the marriage of Mr. Bailey and Miss Mar\- E. Daniel, who was born in 1851 on the old family homestead in this county. Her parents were William and Margaret (Mulkey) Daniel, honored pioneer iieojjle, the former a native of Ala- bama and the latter of Louisville, Kentucky. In that city they were married and soon afterward came to Missouri, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Atchison count}'. Thev located in Lincoln township and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land. A mile from their home was the on!}- settler who lived in this portion of the county. A small log cabin affortled them shelter in the pioneer days and Mr. Daniel began plying his ax and following the plow, thus continuing the work of improving the farm upon which he spent many years. He also added to his property and became the owner of large tracts of land, being known as one of the most successful, prominent and influential farmers in the county. He carried on the cultivation of his fields, to- gether with raising and feeding cattle and hogs for the market, and his carefully di- rected business affairs made him f)ne of the well-to-do men of his community. On coming to Missouri he found many Indians, but they were always friendly to him, for he had had experience in dealing v,ith them in Alaliama and Florida and knew how to treat them. He always won their tiust and friendship. He secured his first ICcim from the Indians and never found them di.sagreealile or revengeful, as m;my of the settlers did. All kinds of game were plentiful in the forests and wild animals roamed all over the country, and the Indians supplied him with veni.son and all the game of other kinds that he wished for. His po- litical support was given to the Repulilican partv, but oflice had no attraction for him. He had a high standard of integrity and lionor. He was broad-minded, intelligent, and a very hospitable man, — the latchstring of his cabin door always hanging out. He became thoroughly acquainted with the country, and thus proved of great assistance to emigrants in settling up this section of the state. He deserves honor for his charity and kindliness, and all who knew him re- sijected him for his sterhng characteristics. .\liout iSijO h; retired from his homestead farm to Westljoro, where his wife died De- cember 25, 1S94, while his death occurred on the 25111 of .\pril, 1900. Both were de- voted members of the Methodist lq)iscopal church. Early in life Mr. Daniel served through the Seminole war in I-'lorida and for this service he received a pension. During su BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. tlie Civil war, althougli lie was reared in the south, he sympathized strongly with the Union and was a memher of home guards. After the close of hostilities and during the period of reconstruction he had no difficulties with the rehels. The children horn unto Mr. and Mrs. Daniel are as follows: \^■ill- iani A., of Kansas; Mrs. Jane Sawyer; James a farmer; Mary E., now 'Sirs. Bailey: Mrs. Belle Litle; Andrew J., of Salem, Ore- gon : George W., who owns the old home- stead ; Ahsalom, who died and left two chil- dren ; and ^Irs. Margaret Bowers. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bailey were hi)rn three children, hut the first two died in in- f.'incv. The surviving son, \\'illiam W., was born April 3. 1871, and now 'resides in \\'estboro. He is married and has one son, Crant. Of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ^Ir. Bailey is a memher and has filled all the chairs. He belongs to Gettys- burg Post, No. 24, G. A. R., of Xorthboro, Iowa, and he has the esteem and confidence of his brethren in thes^ fraternities. His entire life has been passed in the community where he still makes his home, and that many of his friends are numbered among thdaway county, and who has chiklren named Xellie, Olio and William Workman Thjirnhill. Mr. Wiirkman is an enterprising and public-spirited man, a representative Demo- crat and a useful and progressive citizen, prominent in rdl public afifairs of his town- ship and county. 350 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. L. F. HA.M^[OXD. This practical and enterprising agricult- urist of Monroe township owns and culti- vates four hundred and eighty acres of land on section 7, constituting one of the most valua1)le and highly improved farms of the locality. His possessions have licen acquired through his own efforts, and as the result of his persevering endeavor he has won a place among the substantial citizens of Nodaway county. Mr. Hammond was Ixirn in Perr)^ coun- ty, Ohio, June 22. 1844, and is a son of William and Mary (Hatcher) Hammond, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio, where their marriage was celebrated. The paternal grandfather, George Hamnmnd, who was of Iri.sh and English descent and a farmer by occupa- tion, died in Maryland. He served as a private in the Rc\n\-eyance was an ox team. Politically the first husliand was a strong Democrat. .\fter his death his widow married (ieorge Elsworth, now deceased; but she is still liv- ing, at the age of seventy-four years. All her ehilflren were b}' the first marriage and were as follows: Howard, who died in Kansas; James M., our subject; Rose Ann, the wife of J. Allen; Mary J., the wife of E. Co.)k; William, wlm died in this coun- ty; Elizabeth, the wife of John Allen; Ed- ward, a resident of Colorado; Celia. the wife of James Jamison; antl Stejihen I)., a resident of Indian Territory. The subject of this sketch was only eight ^•ears old when brought by his parents to this county, and in its common schools he acf|uired his educatiminently identified with the agricultural ir.terests of tliis county and met with well deserved success. He was horn in Rock Castle county, Kentucky. June 10. 1833. and is a son of Stephen and Barbara (Miller) Brown, the former also a native of that state, the latter of Xorth Carolina. Stephen Brown was the second in order of birth in a family of ten children, the others being John. Jotham, Wilson, Jane, Jonas, William, I'oily. Xancy and Betsey. The jjarents of cur subject were married in Kentucky, ar. 1 to them were born the fol- lowing children: Mrs. Loui,'^a Debord ; John M., a resident of Kentucky: Daniel, our subject: James L., of Kentucky; Mrs. Arminta Thompson, whose second hus- band was a Mr. McMullen : Jonas, of Ken- tucky, who served three ye;irs in the Con- federate army during the Civil war; W'ill- i;uii T., a farmer of tiiis county: Henry W. and Masfm M., both of Kentuckv; and Mary C, the wife of J. Hare, of Missouri. The father spent his entire life as a farmer in his native state, living peacefully and quietl}' and caring nothing for public no- toriety. Both he and his wife are now de- ceased. The early education acquired by Daniel Brown was mostly of a practical kind, and he remained under the parental ro<_)f un- til twenty-three years of age, when he mar- ried Miss Ruth Watson, also a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Thornton and Martha Watson, who always made their home in that state. The father, who fol- lowed farming and also conducted a country store, died at about middle age, and the mother in 1874. In religious belief they v.ere Baptists. Mr. Brown engaged in farming in Ken- tucky until 1865, when he removed to I'e- oria county, Blinois. where he operated rented land for four \ear^. In i8()i> he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and purchased eighty acres of wild land, to v.hich he subsequently added unt 1 he had four hundred and forty acres, three miles northwest of Skidmore, which he conxerted into a well improved and valuable farm. He engaged in general farming and stock raising with marked success unt 1 1899. when he sold the ]ilace to his four sons for fifty dollars i)er acre and bought a hand- some residence in Skidmore, where he is now living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of former toil. ]Mr. Brown has been called upon to moiuMi the loss of his estimable wife, who died .\pril 1. 189(1. •'^'le was a faithful member of the Christian church, to which he also Ijelongs. To them were born ten chil dren, namely: Rhoda .\., the wife of J. Collins; George M. and Jonas V., both MR. AND MRS. DANIEL BROWN BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 357 fanners of this county; Airs. Alartha Gil- lilian; Mrs. Betty J. Singleton: Ciiarles W.. also a farmer of this- county: Haltie Ai.. the wife of B. Bender: Carrie C. the wife of T. Alartin: Ji)lni F.. a farmer of this ■county; and Xettie B.. wIkj is now Iceeping house for lier father. "Uncle Daniel," as lie is familiarly known, is a stanch supporter nf the Demo- cratic party. He has always been a hard- working man, attending strictly to his own affairs, and heing a man <>f gmid business abilit}- and snund judgment he has accumu- lated a handsome competence, whicli now eruibles him to s])end his declining years in ease and retirement. He is noted fur his sterling worth and strict integrity, and he enjoys the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in con- tact, either in business or social life. ROBERT B. GEX. .\m(.ing Xiidawav county's most prosper- ous and snlistantial agriculturists is Robert Brooking (_ie\, who owns and operates a valuable farm on section 32, Hughes town- ship. He was Ixirn in Gallatin county, Ken- tucky, Octolier 26, 1850, a son of John A. and Henrietta R. ( Brooking) Ge.x, also na- tives of Kentucky, where they still continue to reside. His paternal grandparents were Anthony and C_\rena (iex. the former a na- tive of Switzerlantl. the latter of Kentucky, in which state both died. In early life An- thony Gex followed merchandising. Init later engaged in farming and also operated large ^•ineyards in the Oiiio river valley in Ken- tucky. He was cpiite a prominent farmer and slave-owner of tli;u locality. His chil- dren were JNIary C, the wife of Dr. Hamil- ton; Sarah L., the wife of Dr. Pegs; Lillie, the wife of J. Freeman ; Caroline, the wife of B. Craig; John A., Lewis, Silas, Luke and Lucian. When a young man John A. Gex also en- gaged in mercantile business and in flatboat- ing to New Orleans, ])ut after his marriage located on his present farm and has since given his attention to agricultural pursuits. He is a large land-owner and has one of the best farms in Kentucky. Prior to the Civil war he owned many slaves, but was a strong L^nion man and took no part in the struggle. In connection with general farming he is engaged in stock-raising, and has a fine herd of shorthorn cattle. He conducts his farm on scientific [jrinciples. and has made it one of the model places of the state. As a busi- ness man he has met with excellent success, and besides the property already mentioned he has considerable money in the bank and invested in stocks and government bonds. Politically he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and religiously is a consistent member of the Christian church. For ster- ling worth and strict integrity he commands the confidence and respect of all with wdiom he comes in contact either in business or social life. He has always been one of the most prominent and influential citizens of his commtmity and during the dark days of the Civil war was never molested by the southern sympathizers, being one of the few Kentuckians able to buy fire-;irms and ammu- nition in either Cincimiati or Louisx'ille with- otit cpiestion. .Scmie of his sla\es were drafted and he ])aid for their substitutes. Though they remained w itli him and worked to repay him, he paid tlieni their time in full after the war ended. He was a true type of the hospitable southern gentleman, and now in his old age is surrounded by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was born 358 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Febriiai'}- 15, 1818, and now at the age of eighty-two years can look l)ack over a long and well spent life knowing that lie has ever discharged his duty to his fellow men. His estimable wife, who was horn in iSjC). is a daughter of Edward and JNIary ( Robinson) Brooking, natives of England and Ken- tucky, respectively. ller father was a wealthy and jirominent shne-owner and farmer of Kentucky, and ga\e to Airs. Cie.x a number of slaves. He was twice married, and by the first wife had fnnr clitlilren: Ed- ward, Mary, Virginia and Laura. By the second union there were Henrietta, the mother of our subject : Rebecca, the wife of W. H. Spencer; and Ivjger, whd was a sol- dier of the Mexican war and is nnw a resi- dent of Texas. The nmther of thc^e chil- dren was a member of the Christian church. Our subject is the second in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being Anthony, who died at the age of four years; Miriam R., the deceased wifehn, a farmer of this county ; Fannie, the wife of J. M. Wilson; William, Miriam, Ellen. T,ewis E., Florian C, Robert, Mar- gorv and llettie, — all at home, while Bessie, the sixth in order of birth, died at the age of two years. Bettie, the youngest, was born March 17, 1S99. After his marriage Air. Gex located upon his farm, and has since given his time and attention to general farming and stock-rais- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 35& ing. in wliich he has met with remarkable success. He is to-day one of the extensive land owners of the county, and is also a stockholder and tlirector in th.e Citizens' Bank of Graham. He has given much at- tention to the education of his children, and is a supporter of all enterprises which he be- lieves calculated to prove of public benefit. Politically he is a Democrat, and socially is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Christian church, and the family is one of prominence in the community where they reside. EDWARD L. HART. Edward L. Hart, the secretary and treas- virer of the Hanamo Telephone Company, of Maryville, Nodaway county, IMissouri, an in- stitution that has had much to do with the development of northwest Missouri and con- tiguous territory, and of which its promoters and proprietors are justly proud, was born in Whig Valley, Holt county. Missouri. No- vember 24, 1858. a son ijf the late Rev. David Hart, a pioneer Alethodist minister in Ne- braska, chapla'n of the First Regiment of Nebraska troops durin.g the Civil war and chaplain of the territorial legislature. Rev. David Hart was the pastor of all the leading Methodist churches of eastern Nebraska and was as prominently connected with the earl\- history of Methodism in that state as any other ])reacher. He came west as early as 1855 and for more than twenty 3-ears was acti\e in the work of his denomina- tion. He w ;is horn in ^^)rkshire, England, and dieil at American Fork Canyon, Utah, in 1878. at the age of fifty-eight. He was twice married, first in England, and his two surviving children bv that marriage are: Frank Hart, a prominent stockman, living near Jacksonville, Illinois, and Mrs. John Breckan, of Central City, Nebraska. INIartha Higley, of \\'hig Valley, Holt county, Mis- souri, became Mr. Hart's second wife. She is a daughter of the first settler of Whig Valley, Theodore Higley, a stanch Whig,. whose name came to be applied to the valley. Mr. Higley came from North Carolina into Missouri in the early '40s. Martha Higley was born in 1816, and lives with her only child, Edward L. Hart, at Maryville. While growing to manhood, the suljject of this notice lived in nearly every important town in eastern Nebraska. He acquired a liberal education, having been a student in the state normal school and having taken a four-years course in the State Universitx' of Nebraska. After teaching country schools for one year he secured a position as a book- keeper -for a firm of coal dealers in Lincoln, Nebraska, and held this position until the construction of the Chica.go, Burlington & Quincy Railroad through Holt county and the establishment of the town of Maitland, when he became a bookkeeper for the Howell Brothers' Lumber Company, of that jilace. At the end of a year he saw an opportunity to build up a real-estate business at Maitland and relinquished his position and opened an office. While devoting his attention to that enterprise, he took up a systematic reading of law, in his spare moments, and was admit- ted to the bar before Judge Henry S. Kelley in 1884. He immediately afterward began ])ractice and soon made for himself a good reputation as a lawyer and was for several years city attorney of Maitland. About 1885 he bought the Maitland Herald, and was its editor at times for a con- siderable period thereafter. He was enabled to conduct such an enterprise successfully^ ^60 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. for lie liad mastered tlie mysteries of printing in tlie office of the Beatrice Express, wiien a hoy. and had hecome proficient in tiie art of composition, one of the branches in the cur- ricnlnm of the nnixersitw lie was one of tlie organizers f)f the Xodaway \'aliey Fair Association and was its assistant manager, and for eight vears its secretary, and during his residence at Maitland he was one of the leachng, active spirits in its successful opera- tion. He was one of the organizers of the People's Bank, of Maitlaml. ami is one of its stock-holders. In iSycj he lecame interested in telephone enterprise, and the jiresident of the llanamo Telephone Company induced him to invest heavily in the stock of that corporation and he was electeil its secretary and treasurer. The Hanamo Telephone Companv was promoted by Henry E. Ralston, its superin- tendent and general manager, who secured the incorporation of the com])anv with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars, in the summer of 1896. In the fall of that year an exchange was installed at Alary ville and the concern began local business, with sixtv phones, March 10. 1897. in June, 1898. the capital was increased to thirtv thousand dollars, and in January, 1899. when Captain Hyslop was elected president. Edward L. Hart, secretary and treasurer, and H. E. Ralston, superintendent and manager, the enterprise had grown so phenunenallv that more demands were made for new connec- tions tiian the company could supply. Three hundred phones are now in use. One hun- dred miles of toll lines are operated and with the company's connections i)oints in Ne- braska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri are brought into connection with Maryville and each other. .Mthougli the Hanamo company has, in the Bell peojile. had strong and intol- erant competitors, the business has prospered and paid dividends from the beginning. At the outset it was thouglu that if the Hanamo I'eople could i)ut in one hundred phones that mmiber with its outside connections would be the extent of its achievement, but the cheap- ness and efficiency of its service brought the comi)any immediate popularity and opened the way for the building up of a large enter- prise. Mr. Hart was married, in I'airbury, Xe- braska, in 1883. to Miss Fannie McDowell, whose father, Hon. J. B. McDowell., was once a member of the legislature of Nebraska and was land commissioner in that stiite. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have two children: Ethel, and Ed. L.. Jr., familiarly known as Ted. Mr. Hart is truly the architect of his own fi>rtune. No financial aid from home ever encouraged liis early and struggling days and he has received no prize of position or busi- ness achie\ement \\hich was not the result of his own merit and personal management. A man of keen business foresight, great en- terprise rnid full confidence in the wisdom of anv course he decides to adopt, he goes straightforward to success with whatever he undertakes. His ])ersonal (|ualities have made him friends who rejoice with h'm because of his success in life, and his attitude toward movements promising to advance the inter- ests of the people marks him as a man of un- usual public spirit. DANIEL A. McCOEI.. A \ery prominent and well-known citizen of Lincoln township. Atchison county. Mis- souri, is Daniel A. iMcColl, who was born in Johnstown, Fulton county. .\e\\ N'ork. No- \ember 13. 1845. '^ ^'>" *^^ Hugh and Annie ( McLeish) McColl. both of whom belonged BIOGRA PIHCAL HIS TOR \ '. :?01 to (listinguislied families in Scotland. Our subject liad one sister and one Ijrother : Mrs. Margaret Glass, of GladI)rook, Iowa: and James H., wlio was a soldier in the Gi\il war and clied in ]S(>4. Our subject had the great mi^hirtune to lose his father when he was but three years of age, but he posse.ssed a nidthcr of whom he cannot speak in terms of ti^o much praise. Through trials innumerable she reared her three children to habits of honesty, industry and strict integrity. She has sur\ivcd her husband for fifty-two years and is miw, in her ninety-first year, residing wiih her daughter at Gladbrook. Our subject was reared mi the old farm, where he remained until his twent\-lirst year and then went to (Jrundy county, hnva. en- gaging in farming there until iSjj. when he settled near Tarkio and entered upmi the improvement of a farm of two hundred and eiglity acres, remaining on that place for eighteen years. He was the choice of the Republican party for county clerk, the duties of which office he filled tn the satisfaction of all concerned for four )ears. In 1894 Mr. McColl rented his farming lands and engaged in the lumber business, which he is successfully conducting at the present time. He is also the president of the I'armers' Bank at W'estboro, Missouri. On December 12, 1871. .Mr. McColl was married, in Marshalltown. Inwa. to Miss Jane Pye, who was Ixirn in St. Lawrence county, New York. They ha\e an adnjjted son, Clarke, who is now a student at the Tar- kio College. Our suljject is a Republican in politics and a member of the 1. O. O. F, since 1862, having taken all ni the degrees of the order. Mrs. McColl is an estiiuable woman, a member of the Methodist church of W'est- boro and a lady known far and wide for her charities. Mr. McColl is of a genial, social disposition, which makes him \ery puijular with friends and neighbors, while the prin- ciples instilled into him bv bis excellent mother ha\e been applied to his business life and have gained him the apiinibation and confidence of the public. HUGH DODD. Hugh Dodd, of Hopkins, Nodaway coun- ty, one of the most prominent citizens of the cmmty, Avas born in Defiance county, Ohio, May 14. 1833, a .sou of Peter M. Dodd, one of the early printers of that part of the state of Ohio, and for .some time editor of the Defiance Democrat. The latter was horn in the state of Delaware in the year 1809, taught schotjl in early life, learned the print- er's trade and located in Athens county, Ohio. He married Eliza Donley, who bore him eleven children, their names, etc., being as follows: Jacoli, who died in 1852; Cin- derella, who married Matthias Sayler. anil is now deceased; Mrs. Lavina Hawk, of Bryan, Ohio; JMrs. Jane Siuith, deceased; Hugh, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Eliza A. McGuire, deceased ; Mrs. Harriet Meeks, of Defiance, Ohio; Catharine, deceased; Aiuos, who spent three years in the Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and now resides at Los Angeles, California; George, de- ceased; and Isaliel. of Toledo, Ohio. The luother of these children tiled in 1854, anil the father in 18/6. Hugh Dodd was without very great ad- vantages in his youth for obtaining ;ui educa- tion, and after leaving school went into the country and worked for three years as a farm hand, his wages ranging from eight to ten dollars per month. Leaving Ohio in Decem- 3H2 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Ler, 1855, he drifted westward, landing in Grundy county, Illinois, where he remained- three years as a renter, and consequently his •domicile was not so permanent as it otherwise would have been, but changed as circum- stances seemed to render advantageous. In 1858 he removed to Knox county, Illinois, and during the twelve months he spent there he became enamored of the prospects for finding a fortune in the gold fields of Colo- rado, as the story of their richness circulated through the east and middle western states. Accordingly, in company with a little band of similar spirits, he started across the plains to Colorado, driving a team, over the old Russell & Majors route, to Pike's Peak, in the vicinity of which he was engaged in prospecting and mining tiie greater part of a year. Not having made the amount of ■money he expected to make, he recrossed the plains, this time by the Platte river route, and crossed the Missouri river at Nebraska City. Returning to Illinois he re-engaged in farming in the vicinity of Monmouth. Pros- pering reasonably well, he became the owner of a farm, which he later disposed of to ad- vantage in 1883, and decided then to remove to Missouri, because in this state he could buy land for much less money than in Illi- nois, securing about three acres in Nodaway county for the price of one acre in Illinois. Therefore he purchased a farm in this coun- ty, and later another in Sumner count\% Kansas. In this western country Mr. Dodd has made a success of his life, while in Illi- nois and in the Pike's Peak region such suc- cess was far more difficult to attain. Mr. Dodd was married, in December, 1855, and in Ohio, to Miss Mary A. Stockman. They have no children. Politically Mr. Dodd was reared a Dem- ocrat, but upon coming of age his maturer judgment induced him to unite with the Re- publican party, his first presidential vote be- ing cast for John C. Fremont in 1856. At that time he was residing in Grundy county, Illinois, and when Joshua R. Giddings came to Morris, the county seat, to make a speech in advocacy of the claims of the Republican party, then recently organized, he was denied a hall, and was thus compelled to speak from a lumber i)ile, and in the open air. In Felix township, Grundy county, at the election held in November, 1856, Mr. Dodd's was one of three votes cast for the Republican ticket. Mr. Dodd's adhesion to the Democratic party was diverted by its attitude on the slavery f[uestion, that party being strongly in favor of that provision of the national constitution v/hich provides that in the enumeration of the people for the purposes of representation in congress, "three-fifths of all other per- sons," were to be added to the number of white persons. Mr. Dodd held that negroes were either people, men. or they were not ; and if they were classed as persons to be counted at all, they should all be counted, and if they were not ])ersons, they should none of them be counted. Mr. Dodd there- fore was induced to change his politics by reason of the existence, in the constitution of the United States, of a manifestly unjust provision. Mr. Dodd has traveled extensively in the United States, having made four trips to California, the first in 1879, when he was on a tour of investigation, and visited San I'rancisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Sac- ramento and other noted points in that state. During the "Midwinter Fair" he went out again, and this time spent much time in the principal cities of California, in Portland, Oregon, in Spokane. Washington, and in Salt Lake City, Utah. In two other trips BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 363 ■he covered much of tlie same territory and visited several new points, so that he is now famihar with the resources and possibiHties of the states of the Pacific coast. In the councils of his party Mr. Dodd has been prominent far many years, having been a delegate to county and other conventions, — among them the state conventions held at Sedalia and St. Louis, — and he has served in the city council of Hopkins. In all rela- tions of life Mr. Dodd has striven to perform his duty as becomes an upright, high-minded and honorable man, and is consequently held in the highest esteem bv all that know him. EPHRAni JOHNSTON. The pioneer has pecuh'ar interest for the reader of history, and the patriot who takes up arms in defense of his home has an im- perishable memory. The prominent citizen whose name is above has ably and faithfully performed the work of the pioneer and the soldier, and is descended from pioneers and patriots whose history runs through several generations and whose good works have aided in the planting and perpetuation of American liberty and American develop- ment and prosperity in different parts of our country. Ephraim Johnston, of Green township, Nodaway county (postoffice, Burlington Junction), is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The first of his family and its founder in America came over from Great Britain in 1752, and some of his forefathers fought gallantly for American freedom in the Revolutionary war. His grandfather, John Johnston, was a resi- dent of Virginia, and in that state his fa- ther, George Johnston, was born. From the Old Dominion George Johnston emigrated in 1800 to Ohio, and became one of the first settlers in Ross county, where he fomid a wilderness home. He had married Miss Nancy Johnson, a daughter of Thomas John- son and a native of Pennsylvania, and they made their journey from Virginia on horse- back, bringing along pack-horses to trans- port their few portable goods and chattels. It will lie noticed that in the .paternal line Mr. Johnstiin is descended from the Johns- tons, and in the maternal line from tlie John- sons, and it may be added that these par- ticular families of Johnstons and Johnsons were never related as far as is known. They settled dt)wn in the midst of a wild, wooded country to live in a log cabin, redeem the land from the forest, make the first rude essay at farming and defend their lives and their lielongings against wild beasts and sa\-ages no less wild and at tlnies even more lawless. But they had km.iwn what they had to encounter and against what they must contend, for 'Sh: Johnston had come on some time before and "spied out the land." George and Nancy (Johnson) Johnston had fourteen children, eleven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, — ^John, Mary, Jesse, Rachel, Elizabeth, George. James, William, Joseph, Ephraim and Wilson. The three others died in childhood. George Johnston, the father of these children, was a large, strong man, a "six-footer." He was of the stuff of which pioneers were made and right well did he perform his part in every relation of life. In politics he was a Whig, in religious aftiliation a Methodist. He died at the age of seventy-one, his wife at the age of seventy-three. They were no more full of years than full nf honor, and they were long regarded by their neighbors who came into the country later as living links connecting the new order of things w ith the old. Their son Ephraim grew up on 3(U BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY tlie farm, helped clear land and put it under cultivation and perforce learned all about the hardships of farming when and where farm- ing was hard. \\'hcn he arrived at man's estate he was strong, vigonjus, enterprising, hopeful and determined. He was educated in the public schools and at Delaware Col- lege, Ohio, of which his father was one of the early supporters. In 1846 he married Rebecca Jones, a daughter of Henry and Rachel (Corken) Jones, of a good old Ohio family, "Methodists with a tincture of Qua- ker." Miss Jones was liorn in Ross county, Oh'o. Her father died in Ohio and her mother survived him, and at her death, at the age of ninety-six, was one of the oldest women in her vicinity. She bore her hus- band four sons and three daughters, named Simpson, Nelson, Henry, ]\Iilti>n, Elizabeth, Reliecca and Rachel. The children born to E])Iiraim and Rebec- ca (Jones) Johnston were: .\ugust. nnw in business at Quitman. ]\liss(iuri: .\(laline, the wife of J. \\'. Smith, of Cireen township; Rachel, the wife of David \\'oods, of Nod- away county; Milton, of Cireen township; Howard, in business at Cameron, Missouri; Edward, residing at Quitman: Clarence, who died aged forty-three; and Henry W., also deceased. 'J he last named became a minister of the ^^'eslyan Methodist church and for a considerable period was well known as a missionary in the African field. He died in Indiana, not long after his retirement from foreign work, and a widow and three chil- dren survive him. I Ic was at that time a member of the W'esleyan Methodist confer- ence of Indiana. Mr. Johnston removed with his family from Ohio to Missouri in 1862, and soon after enlisted in Compan\- 1, I'orly-eighth Missoin^i X'oliuitccrs. under the command of Captain Grigsby. He was mustered into the service at St. Joseph, and saw much active and dangerous experience of war, and was mustered out at Benton Barracks, at the end of his time of enlistment. He has since lived the peaceful, but not easv, life of "the hus- bandman and the shepherd," and is growing old almost imperceptibly; indeed, with his six feet of stature, his two hundred pounds healthy weight and his vigorous look and elastic step, he appears ten years younger than he is. He is a Republican in politics, an aih'i icate of universal freedom, education and temperance, ar.d he and his wife are consistent and helpful members of tlie Aleth- odist EpiscoiKil church. B. R.\LKl(iH M.VRTIX. Americans who can trace their lineage to men who. in the war of the Revolution, risked their lives in defense of .\merican independence, ha\'e just reason for "pride of ancestry." which places them intinitely above .\ngio-mani;ics who boast of their de- scent from some (pf America's oppressors. The genealogy of the family of Martins, of which the prominent citizen of Maryville, Missouri, abo\e mentioned, is a worthy rep- resentative, reveals his descent from some of the prominent Revolutionary stock of \'irginia. His great-great-grandfathers, James Martin and William Morris, were soldiers in oiu^ N\ar for independence. The former was born in Halifax comity, \'ir- ginia, in 1740. One of his sons, the great- grandfather of our subject, was born June 16, 1801, and went with his wife and chiUl to Kentucky in 1823, settling in Mercer county. His outfit consisted solely of a two-year-old filly, upon which his wife rode and carried the baby and a feather bed, and oJU^a^ /Tl'Ci^fMlZ^ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 365 a few cooking utensils which he carried as lie led the way on foot. Dr. Martin's ma- ternal grandfather was Dickson Kirk, \\-ho was six weeks old when, in 1790, his father (a Scotchman, and a Revolutionary pa- triot) crossed the mountains from \^irginia to Kentucky and settled where Lehanon now is. Jesse Martin, Dr. Martin's father, was horn in Mercer county, Kentucky, April 8, 1824, and in 1845 ^vent with his family to I\lcDonough count}-, Illinois, where his wife died July 4, 185 1, and where he died June 8, 1864. Jesse Martin was a Jackson and later xi Douglas Democrat. He recruited soldiers for the Union arm)- during the Civil war and served his township as su- pervisor. He married Paulina ("oe Kirk, the youngest daughter of Dickson and Nancy (Hodskin) Kirk. Their children are: Dr. F. M. Martin; John C, of West Liberty, Iowa; Mary E., the wife of John H. Richeson, of Grand Island, Nebraska ; Rachel P., the wife of P. H. Carlile, of Mc- Donough county, Illinois; James D., of Orleans, Nebraska; \A'illiani F. and Jo- seph E., of McDonough county, Illinois; Lucy A., the wife of Rev. George W. Shad- wick, of Fidelity, Illinois; and Henry and Miss Susan A. Martin, on the old family homestead in Illinois. Dr. F. M. Martin, of JMaryville, was born at Macomb, Illinois, November 6, 1S50, and was a farmer and a country school teacher until he was twenty-three )'ears of age. He was educated in the Ma comb (Illinois) normal school and was principal of the Colchester (Illinois) grad- ed scliools three years. He read medicine with Dr. B. R. \\'estfall as his preceptor, the noted homeopathist of McDonough coun- ty, and a graduate of Hahnemann College, Chicago. At this prominent institution Dr. Martin also took his degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1877, and soon afterward locat- ed at La Harpe, Illinois. He practiced there ten years and then located in Maryville, Mis- souri. He is a member of the American and Missouri Institutes of Homeopathy and of the Missouri \'alley Homeopathic Medical Association. He is the sole representative of his school in Maryville and enjoys a large and profitable practice. He is a well known Democrat and has served two terms as county coroner and three terms as the count}' physician of Nodaway county. He married August 24, 1S71, Salome S., a daughter of Dr. \\'estfall, his medical pre- ccptiir. Their children are : B. Raleigh :\lartin; Maliel P.; Charles V., now a stu- dent at Hahnemann Medical College, Chi- cago; and Alice A. Martin. B. Raleigh Martin was born in McDon- ough county, Illinois, July 6, 1872, and at the age of fourteen accompanied his parents to Nodaway county. He received his pri- mary education in the public schools of La Harpe, Illinois, and iSIaryville, Missouri, and was graduated at the Maryville Acad- emy in 1892. He had selected the law for his profession early in his youth and had read law some years before his graduation. He entered Judge Ramsey's office to pre- [jare himself for passing the examination, and was admitted to the bar one year later before Judge C. A. Anthony. He opened an office at Hopkins and practiced there un- til his removal to Maryville to enter upon his duties as prosecuting attorney. He v/as nominated for this office by the fusion convention of Nodaway county in 1898 and elected by a majority of six hundred and eighty-five votes. Prior to his offi.cial con- ucctitm with the pro.secutor's office he was retained in some of the leading criminal 366 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. cases tried in the circuit courts of Nodaway county, ^lissouri, and Taylor county, Iowa, notably in the case of the state of Missouri vs. Ulmer and Rasco, and the state of Iowa vs. Friend. Beabout and Pope, tried at Bed- ford. Since his incumbency of the prose- cutor's office Mr. Martin has prosecuted, for murder, Jesse for the killing of Griffin, and Ida Evving- for the murder of her sister-in- law, both noted cases. Mr. ]\Iartin is recog- nized as one of the finest orators in nortli- west Missouri, and for his age has not a peer in the state. His eloquence has won liim a wide reputation and he has many de- mands from other states for lectures and public addresses. He is powerful before a jury and has before him a great future in his profession. Mr. Martin married, in Jackson cnunt\-, in 1893, Mis.s Mabel Thruston. He is a Mason and Knight of Pvtbias. GEORGE W. NULL. This lu)nored veteran of the Civil war and well known agriculturist of Nodaway ciiunty, Missouri, was born in Gallia coun- ty, Ohio, September 17, 1842, a son of George W. and Helen (Wiseman) Null, also natives of that county, where the father spent his entire life as a farmer, dying there in 1842, when our subject was onfy nine days old. He was the third in order of birth in a family of seven children, the others being I\Iathew, Jane, David, Hannah, Mary and \\'illiani. Their father, \\'ilhani Null, also a farmer, was born in Pennsyhania and died in Gallia county. Samuel Wiseman, our sul)ject's maternal grandfather, was born in Virginia, of Ger- man ancestry, and followed farming as a life work. He was a prominent and active member of the Methodist church, and filled most of the church offices, including those of class-leader and exhorter. He was a great Bible student and a fluent talker on Bil)le subjects. While a resident of Ohio he or- ganized the first Sabbath-school in his sec- tion, and after coming to Missouri, in 1851, organized the first in the neighborhood where he located. Enterprising and public-spirited, he proved a useful man in a new country. During the Civil war he was a strong Union man, but the high position he held in the community protected him from the southern sympathizers. He purchased land and also entered a tract in Nodaway county, which he transformed into a good farm, and in connection with its operation he conducted two sawmills, but he finally sold his prop- erty and nioxed to Maryville, where he spent his last days in retirement from active la- bor. His death occurred during the war. His children were Allen, a resident of Ohio; Johnson, who died in California: Whit; Franklin; Susan, who first married a Mr. Powell and secondly a Mr. Demsey; Mary, the wife of William Neal ; Helen, the mother of our subject: and Sarah, the wife of A. Graham. The mother of our subject was twice married, her second husband Ijeing Thomas Kelly. In 1852 they came to Mis- souri and settled on a farm in Nodaway county, but six years later sold their prop- erty here and moved to Kansas. In 1830 they returned to Ohio, and in 1863 again came to this county, where they purchased a farm. Here the mother, who was a con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, died in 1865. By her first marriage she had two sons: David A., who died in 1861, leaving a widow; and George W., our subject. Bv the second union there were BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 3(;7 eiglit children, namely : Mrs. Margaret Harmon; John W.. a resident of California; F". L., of Oklahoma; Samuel, who was killed in an Indian fight on the plains in 1864; William, a resident of Iowa ; Xewton and Henry, both farmers of this county ; and Pascal B., a resident of San Francisco, Cali- fornia. During his boyhood George W. Xull at- tended the common schools and made his home with his mother and stepfather. He accompanied the family on their removal to Kansas and remained there until i860, when he again came to this county. During the dark days of the Rebellion he enlisted, at Maryville, Missouri, in Company I, First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, which was re- organized as a cavalry regiment after three years' service. Mr. Null was mustered in at Omaha, and before the expiratii)n of his term re-enlisted. He first served under F'remont in Missouri, but in 1862 was transferred to Grant's army, joining the command at Fort Donelson. As a part of Lew Wallace's di- \-ision, the regiment took part in. the battle at that place and at Shiloh, reaching the bat- tle-field Sunday in time to take part in the second day's fight. They next went to Mem- phis, and from there to Helena, Arkansas, and under command of General Davidson re- turned to Pilot Knob, Missouri. They took part in the engagement at Cape Girardeau, April 26, 1863, built a fort at Pilot Knob, and then went to St. Louis, where they were reorganized as a cavalry regiment. They next went to Batesville, Arkansas, and in March, 1864, proceeded to Jacksonport and Duvall's Bluff. They were granted a thirty- days furlough after their re-enlistment and sent out on the plains to Fort Kearney. Mr. jSTull was then engaged in patrol and scout duty during the troubles with the Indians, and remained in the service until January 1 1 , 1866, when he was discharged on account of disability and paid off at Fort Leaven- worth. He was slightly wounded by a ball on the head, but was more severely injured by his horse falhng with him. While on a furlough in 1864, Mr. Null married Miss Lydia J. Ware, who was born in Andrew county, Missouri, August 10, 1845. Her father, Jahn Ware, was burn in New Jersey, but reared in Ohio, and in In- diana married Mary Terhune, a native of Kentucky, who was reared in Indiana. In 1840 they moved to Andrew county, Mis- souri, and later came to Nodaway, where the father improved two farms, becoming one of the substantial agriculturists of his community. He was an acti\e churcli wi irker and a highly respected man. His deatii oc- curred December 18, 1891, but his wife is still living on the old homestead. In relig- ious faith they were Methodists. Their chil- dren were Joseph L., a harness and saddle- maker; Lydia J., wife of our subject; Adam, deceased ; Isaac S. ; J. W. ; Mary E., the wife of William Miller; and Charles E., a resi- dent of Colorado. To Mr. and Mrs. Null have been born nine children : Mary, the wife of J. L. Partridge; Orlin G., a farmer; \\'ilhur, a professor at Cameron College; Laura, the wife of A. Wiley; Charles, a Methodi.st minister of Colorado; Sarah, the wife of K. Corken; Anna, Hubert and Ama, all at home. ■ After receiving his discharge from the army Mr. Null returned to his wife in Mis- souri, and has since devoted his energies to agricultural, ])ursuits, owning at dii^'erent times four farms. In 1874 he purchased the place near ^laryvillc, where he now resides, anid has since added to it until he has two hundred acres, which he has placed under a 3G8 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY high state of cultivation. He raises and feeds stock for market, and is successfully engaged in general farming. By his ballot and influence Mr. Null supports the men and measures of the Republican party, has been a delegate to various conventions, and has most creditably and acceptabl}- filled the of- fice of justice of the peace. He has also been, a member of th; township board, and has done all in his power to advance the interests of the community where he resides. He is a representative American citizen, loyal to his country and its interests, and well merits the esteem in which he is held. AL'.RAH.\M HAGEY. Abraham Hagev. a justice of the peace and a prominent farmer of Lincoln town- ship, Ncdaway county, is a native of Carroll county, Ohio, and was born July 4, 1833, a son of Abraham and Susannah (Harnor) Hagey, who were descendants of Pennsyl- vania Dutch ancestry. They moved to Nod- away count)- in 1852, where they both lived until th.e age of ninety years. Five children were the result of this union, namely : Mrs. INIaria Bowman, of Burlington Junction; a son who was a soldier in the Confederate army, was killed at Corinth, in September, 1863 ; Jacob, killed at Champion Hills, in the Confederate service; John Hagey, of Green township, who was in the Confederate serv- ice; and Abraham, the subject of this sketch. For three years during the Civil war Mr. Hagey resided in Iowa, when he re- moved to X'odaway county and settled on a farm a mile and a half west of the present site of Dawson. In 1886 he was given the farm on which he lived until November, 1900, when he removed to Burlington Junc- tion. He now owns three hundred and twen- ty acres of land in Lincoln township. The farms are all well improved by substantial buildings and conveniences; and while he has devoted much time to farming he has given much attention to carpentry and wagonmak- ing. He cast his first vote for James Bu- chanan in 1856, and has adhered to the Dem- ocratic party ever since. Before moving to Iowa from his home in Ohio he held the po- sition of justice of peace, and, after nearly forty years, he was elected to the same of- fice in Nodaway county, having occupied that office for the past eight years, filling it with lionor and to the welfare of the public. He has also taken much interest in educational lines, having been a school director for fif- teen years. He is now living retired, in the village of Burlington Junction. At the age of twenty-five years he was united in marriage with Sarah Ann Van Sickle, a native of Ohio. Twelve children blessed this union, eight of whom are living. ]Mr. and Mrs. Hagey are the grandparents of eighteen children. The family are faith- ful followers of the Christian church, and r.re recognized among the leading citizens of the communitv. THOMAS M. BAILEY. Thomas M. Bailey, the postmaster of Rockport, Missouri, and a member of the law firm of Hunt & Bailey, settled within the limits of Atchison county after the e.K- piration of what may be called pioneer days. When he located in the county the lawless- ness and disorder resulting from the Civil war had ceased, and peace and quiet had been re-established. He united with a community of intelligent and prosperous citizens, being from the fir.-;t not only with them but also of them. While he was well qualified upon BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 369 locating in Atchison county t fantry, under Captain William Strickland and Colonel Reynolds. He fought at Shiloh, Corinth, Nashville, and was in the Third Brigade, Second Division), at Fort Pillow; was in the service from the time of enlist- ment until May 26, 1865, and was with General Sherman at Vicksburg, and under General A. J. Smith for a time; and was in Price's Raid, and at Blakely, Alabama, in Arkansas and Alissouri. He enlisted for a second term of service and was honorably discharged Alay 26, 1865. After the close of the war he continueit to reside in Indiana until 1866, and lived in Illinois from 1866 to 1872, when he came to Nodaway c<-)unty, Alissouri. He pur- chased wild and undeveloped land in Atchi- son ti^wnshi]), which he has worked into ex- cellent farming land, having a tract of eighty acres. He is a man of high character, honest and upright in all his dealings, and enjoys the respect of all with whom he is acquainted. Gilbert M. Campbell was united in mar- riage, in Iroquois county, Illinois, Decem- ber 25, 1867, with Airs. Amy Campbell, the relict of David O. Campbell, a soldier of the Civil war who died six weeks after his marriage. He was a member of ths Seventy- seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infan- tr}^ and died of fever at Peoria, Illinois. Airs. Campliell is a daughter of Abraham and Eliza (Girrard) Ditmars. Her father died in Ohio in the sixty-seventh year of his age, and his wife died Alarcli 14. 1891. They had three children : Amy, the wife of our subject; Elihu; and Alary Symes, de- ceased. Three children were born to Gilbert AT Campbell and his wife, who grew to ma- turity and are now living: Maud, the wife of Elmer Derrickson, of Taylor county, Iowa; Alary B., who lives at home; and Ina E., who also lives at home. Two children are deceased : Frank and Lily B. Polit- ically the subject of this sketch is a Repub- lican. He is a meml.)cr of the Grand Army of the Republic. HENRY TOLL. The best stepping-stone to public favor is duty well done. This fact has been ex- cmplilied in tbe successful career of the man 87.S BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. wliose name is the title of this notice. De- votion to duty, hmvever hard and exacting, has been Mr. Toel's most distinguisliing ciiaracteristic, and his fellow citizens have come to regard him with the highest ap- probation, and, as one of the most prominent of these has asserted, "there is no man in Xodaway county more deserving than Mr. Toel of a record in any work devoted to local biograpliy." Henry Toel, ex-slieritY and ex-recorder of Xodaway cou.ity, Missouri, was born in the Grand Dukedom of Oldenburg, Ger- many, February 19, 1828. His father. Rev. Henry Toel, was a Lutheran minister of whose five children Henry was the eldest. The men of the family depended on farm work for a livelihood, and when Henry Toel started life it was as a farmer. He married, in his native ]anul)lic schools of Nodaway county, and in the ^[ar}-\-ille high school, and entered upon the study of medicine in 1892, under the pie- ceptorshij) of Dr. S. W. Aiken, of Oregon. Missouri, and was graduated at Marion Sims Medical College at St. Louis, ^Missouri, in 1896, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, standing third in line of honors in a class of sevent} -six. He at once entered upon what soon de\e]o])ed into a large and suc- cessful practice, including a fine patronage at Elmo and the sin-rounding coiuitry. He is BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 383 a diligent student and an enthusiastic med- ical scholar, and hy constant study and read- ing keeps abreast of the continuous advance in iMxitessional knowledge. He is a Mason, being a member of Kennedy Lodge, Xo. 329, A. F. & A. M. ; a member of Elmo Lodge, A'o. 6, of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and is a past grand of his lodge of the order last mentioned. He is a man of fine personal appearance, six feet and four inches in height, well proportioned, of dignified bearing, and yet genial and friendly. He is widely recognized as a leading citizen whose public spirit has prompted him to co-operate in many movements for the good of the .conimunitw HEXRY BULLERDIEK. A prominent ( ierman-American citizen and public official of \\'estboro, Atchison county, Missouri, is Henr}- Bullerdiek. the subject of this sketch, who has been the pop- ular and efficient postmaster of the town since 1897. He was l)orn in Hanoxcr, CJer- man}-. I'ebruary 2/. i8^)r. a sject; Gerry, who lives at Rockport, this county, and Engel Elisa and Adam, who remain in Germany. Oursubject was reared on the farm where he was taught that honest work brings its own reward. He received a \ery gciod edu- catidii in the German language, remaining in school until he was fourteen, foljowini^ this by four years of work as a shoemaker. In 1883 Mr. Bullerdiek came to .\nierica. landing at Xew York, later going to Wash- ington county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming at Kewaskum, and spent six months in Milwaukee working at his trade, then coming to Atchison county, in 1885. Since coming to this county he has been engaged in the farm implement business, and bv honest dealing has built up a fine trade, and is well worth}- of it. For many years he has been acti\e in the ranks of the Republican party and his apptjintment was but a just reward for his untiring services. Our subject has filled many of the local offices very efficiently and for some time was a justice of the ])eace. Socially he is con- nected with the 1. O. O. F., No. 262. and Wootlmen of the WUrld. and his religions connection is with the Lutheran churcli, in which he was reared. Mr. Bullertliek is one of the most ])opular citizens of that town- ship where he is well-knijwn and highly es- teemed not onh' in his business lint as a public cjfficial. Mr. Bullerdiek was married at Rockport, Missouri, to Miss Louisa \'ohl, who was the daughter of Ciodfre_\' \'ohl. a farmer of Clay township. Three children hax'e been born of this miion : Lulu T.. who was born March 7, 1889: llarr\- \\ . 1'".. who was born ^^lay 17, 1891: and lula M., who was born July 18, i8(>3. (.)ne thuighter. Myrtle, was born Jannar}- 4, 1893. but died March 31, of the same vear. W'll.l.lA.M 11. IIL'DSOX. Some (lav clf to write a more complete bislor\' of tlic public "siinare" of that enterprising city than is likely e\er to be written bv an\- one who was not there at the beginning and has not been in a ])osi- lion to chronicle changes and events since. o84 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. If sucli a liistorv is ever written it will m a measure be a history nf the town and of the county, reacliin,^- out ami enihracniL^- many events far beyond the "siiuare." eitiier in in- ception or climax, InU with wliieh the "s(|uare"' has been in some wa}- identified. Il has been suggested that the subject of this n(itice could write such a history, but possibly he would consider such work out of his line. WilHam Henry Hudson, of the firm of J. E. and W. H. Hudson, leading hardware merchants of Maryville, was a pioneer, whose business career in that city has extend- ed over a jjeriod of more than thirty years, and he is one of the trio of men well known to the citizenship of Xodaway county and prominent each in his line: Hudson, the hardware man; Sisson. the abstracter; and Jackson, the banker. Air. Hudson was born in Cleveland. Ohio. January 17, 184-'. His father, the late (ieorge Hudson, of that city, was one of its pioneer business, men. luuing settled tliere about 1837, and became well known in the bakery, grocer)- and ])ro\ision trade. He was born in England, and there married Lyd- ia Eliaway. He was a sort, Missouri, and fol- ]n and fi.ir humanit\'. Such a well e(|uip])ed, enthusiastic and successful physician is Har\'ey E. Moss, M. D., of Mary\-il!e. Xodaway county, Missouri. Dr. Moss was bdrn in Mar\\-i]lc. Mis- souri, May 30, 187J, a son of the late Ed AL Moss, a pioneer in jMaryville and one of the successful business men of the town. Ed AL Moss was born at Moore's Hill, Lidiana, in 1S43, ^ son of liar\ey E. Mdss, a nati\c of Massachusetts, who settled in Indiana early in life and later went to Muscatine, Ljwa, where he died, in 1872. In 1862. at Aluscatine, Iowa, at the age of nineteen, Fd M. .Moss enlisted in the Thirly-hfth Regiment of Iowa \'olunteer Infantry, with which he ser\-ed until the end of the war. In 1869, with a team ank a course at the Chicago Polyclinic, there doing special work in surgery, gynecolo- gy and dermatology. Jn 1900 he took a special course at the Chicago Eye,' Ear, Xose and Thnjat College, and is now giving his attention to these branches of the jiractice. He located at \\'ilcox. Missouri, lor ])ractice, and later lucated temporarily at S])ringficld, Missouri. In 1894 he re- turned U) Maryxille and was the countv physician from 1895 to 1897, and in 1895 he engaged in the drug business, in which he cnntinued until January, 1900. Dr. iNIoss is a Republican, and takes an active part in politics. He has represented the local Pythian lodge in the grand lodge at its sessions during the past four vears. He is an Odd Fellow. M. W. A.. W. (). W. and K. of P., and is medical e.\amincr for the \\'oodmen of the \\'nrl(l and Modern W'dndmen of America, and also for the Kansas Mutual Life Insur.ance Cnmpany and of the L'ninu .Mutu;d Life Insurance^ Company of Portland. .Maine. M^y 2',. 1897, Dr. Muss married, in St. Joseph, Missouri, Emma J. McMuri'w a daughter of Peter MclNlurry. of .\ndrcw ciiunty. Missouri, and a teacher in the Mary- \ille jjuhlic schools. Their Child, lulward I\lcMurry Moss, was JKirn .\pril A, i89(;. WILLIAM \. IILDRICK. William .\. lledrick. nne <>\ the old set- tlers of Atchison cnunty and cine i>f the most prosperous farmers in that scctinn of the -State, was born in West \'irginia. May 30. 1835, 'I son of Abraham and Sarah ( Xew- ton) Hedrick, lioth natives of \'irginia. l-'rederick Hedrick, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Germany and came to America, settling in West \''irginia, where he was cjue of the representative farm- ers of Greenbrier county. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist church, being one of the best workers of that church. His chil- dren were Moses, Abraham, David, John, Joseph, Esther, Rebecca, Catherine and Elizabeth. Abraliam Hedrick. the father of our subject, was reared and educated in his nati\e state, and became a plain, honest farmer. He married Sarah Xewton, also of West \ irginia, and they both lived to a ripe old age. ]\lr. Hedrick died March 2. 1884, and Mrs. Hedrick died in April, 1896. Their children were: Louisa: Fred- erick, a farmer living in Iowa; W, X., the subject of this sketch: Mary, the wife of J. Fry; Isabclle. Avlm married a Mr, Lewis; Daniel, a Methodist minister; Ruth, the wife of R. E. Irw in ; and Da\id, who, on entering a steamboat at Galli]iolis, Ohio, lest his footing and was drowned. William X'. Hedrick, whose name heads this personal biography, remained on the old homestead in (ireenbrier county. West \'ir- ginia. until 185^), when he went to b>wa, where he engaged as a farm hand. In 1859, liis health being impaired, he retiu'ned to his home in West \'irginia. where he re- niaincd until January. ]8f)_>. He then went to Iowa, where he remained luitil the follow- ing year, after which he settled in Missouri. The first year spent in this state he rented a farm, and the next year he was em])loyed as a hand to drive stock to the market at Omaha. In this way he learned much about cattle, which was of great hell) to him in BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ;-i93 after \-ears. He sold some stuck wliich lie owned, ami linught one humlred acres of land, which he began to cultivate. He then built a frame house and began to raise stock. Gradually he added to his possessions until he was the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres of valuable land and a great many liead of cattle. He gave several acres of land t(^ his children, ])ut is yet in possession (rf eight lumdred and sixty acres, besides a sec- tion of land which he owns in Oklahoma. He l^egan life in Missouri with but little money, lint liy hard work and careful man- agement the soil f that portion of the state. He soon began work- ing (ill a farm, at which he continued some time, and then removed to Nodaway county, about 1850. which county he thereafter made his permanent home. In this county he began to improve a farm, and made ag- ricultural pursuits and the raising of stock his principal business. At that time the country was very thinly settled and the nearest postoffice was eighteen miles away. During the war of the Rebellion iMr. Downing served about three months in tha enrolled ^Missouri militia, and endured many hardships. Previous to coming to Hopkins he was engaged one year in mer- cantile business at Nenia, and ujjon remov- ing to Hopkins, ^Missouri, which place was then in its infancy, he began dealing in grain and stock, continuing in these lines until he became interested in the banking business, in July, 1877. In 1878 he was made the president of the Bank of Hopkins, which position he held for several years. In the later '80s, he purchased a one-half interest in the Hopkins roller mill, his partner in this business being the late Prof. D. L. Chaney, and the firm name being Downing & Chaney. This firm was dissolved in the spring of 189J, Prof. Chaney retiring, and later in the same year ]Mr. Downing sold the mill propertv, retiring from active busi- ness himself ;it that time on account of ill health. He was always numbered among the most successful ;uul enterprising citi- zens of Nodaway county, and was always held in high esteem by his neighbors and WASHINGTON DOWNING. m MARTHA ANN DOWNING BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 397 friends: but he never enjoyed good health, as he suffered from a serious ilhiess wlien eighteen years of age, tl:e effects of which were e\-er present witli him until the day of his death. Air. L)(i\\nin,!4' \\as married in June, 1849, t(i Miss INIartha A. liroyles, a native of middle Tennessee, who still survives. They reared two of Mrs. Downing's nieces, Mrs. Samuel Chaney and Mrs. Abram Mc- Masters. Mr. Downing was always a faith- ful and consistent member of the Mission- ar\' liaptist church and ga\'e much of his means to the supi^ort nf the gospel and for the relief cif the sick anil suffering of his communit}'. He was a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. ¥. & A. ]\I., and died at his home in Ho])kins, Missouri, February 9, 1897, after an illness of nine days, being at the time nearl}- se\enty-two years of age. Mr. Downing was a Republican in poli- tics and worked hard for the benefit of the public schiiols of Hopkins, serving manv years as a member of the Ixjard of education of that place. He is well remembered as an excellent and useful citizen in all respects. FLETCHER JOXES. Fletcher Jones has passed the seventieth milestone of life's journey and receives the veneration anunty anil purchased a fine tract of land in Lincoln township. This farm was one of great value and Mr. Jones took much pleasure in developing and improving it, re- ceiving much in the way of production, as if. is one of the most fertile in the county. He died in the fall of 1879, at the age of fifty-six, leaving behind him the record oi a well spent life. He was intelligent and a man of sterling integrity, and his memor}- is respected throughout the county. His po- litical opinions were those of the Demo- cratic i)arty, but he was broad-minded and of a quiet and peaceful disposition, being particularly noted for his neightorliness and social qualities. The maiden name of the mnther of our subject was Susan Hammer. She was born in Pike county, Missouri, Februar}' 19, 1825, a daughter of Jacob and Polly Ham- mer, the former a nati\-e of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. From Ohio the Hammer family came as pioneers to Pike county, to- gether with five other families, the little colony prospering together in the new home; but in 1 841 Mr, Hammer decided to again become a pioneer and removed to Jasper county, where he improved a farm that is now \-ery \-aluable, and there he spent his life. His famih' of children all be- came well known in the state and were as follows: Sally, William, lietsey, ]\lahala, Susan, the mother of our subject, David, George and John. ]\Irs. Jones is still liv- ing, bearing her seventy-three years with ease. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jones were Mrs. Sally Gentry, John D,, Joseph G., George, Mrs. Martha Anderson, Adeline, Bluford, Warren P, and our subject, and all of them are living and well represent the best citizens of Atchison county. Our subject was reareil and educated while making his home under the parental roof, where he remained until he was twen- t}-three }-ears old. He bought his i)resent farm Ijcfore marriage, settling upon it in 1889, since which time he has conducted a general farming business and has also raised a great deal of stock and cattle. Like his forefathers, Mr. Jones has been a stanch Democrat and his value to his ])arty was recognized in 1896 by his election to the office of sheriff of Atchison comit}', his ma- jority being the largest ever given one man, and in 1898 his efficiency was re-affirmed by his re-election. He has filled the difficult office with entire satisfaction to the county at large. Mr. Jones was married to Miss Carrie Sutton, a nati\-e of this count}', where she was born in 1875, daughter of John G. Sutton, one of the pioneer settlers of .\t- chi.son county. He is a prominent and suc- cessful minister of the Christian church and was among the first to commence the moral development of the county. His children 400 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. were: Mrs. Mary Cristy; Ervin, a physician living in Xel)raska: Carrie, who is Mrs. Jones; Hattie. McGregor. Mrs. Sarah Mc- Mahon, Richard, who is a ph_\sician of Kan- sas City, Delia. Girta, and Piatt. Both :\Ir. and Mrs. Sutton are enjoying a comfortable old age. The family born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones are as follows: James A., deceased; Hattie, Susan, Flossie, Samuel and Louise. Mrs. Jones is a most estimable lady, a con- sistent member of the Christian church and is high!}- respected b}' all who have her ac- quaintance. Mr. Jones i^ a ver\- popular man both personall}- and politicall}'. He is socially connected with the I. O. O. F. and the Modern Woodmen, where he has taken ac- tive interest in matters pertaining to the orders. JOSEPH H. SAYLER. Joseph H. Sayler, lawyer and ex-county officer of ]Mary\'ille, whose residence in Nod- away county dates from the year 1881, was born at I'armington, Illinois, October 9, 1846. His father, the venerable Jeremiah Sayler, of Hopkins, Missouri, was born on the Western Reserve in Ohio, in 1824, where his father, John Sayler, settled upon his re- n;uval from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, early in the history of Ohio. The German ancestors of this numerous family settled in the state, it is believed, during the colonial ])eriod and among their descendants are men of prominence in many walks of life, two of them having been members of the national house of representatives. Jeremiah Sayler married Priscilla Mason, a daughter of Jeremiah Mason, also a pio- neer on the W'esern Reser\e. Jeremiah Mason married a woman of the old Pennsvl- vania family of Kirkendahl. Jeremiah and Priscilla ( Alason) Sayler had children as follows: Kate, the wife of Rev. G. E. Drew, of Savannah, Missouri; Joseph H.; William G., of Burlington Junction, Missouri; Ange- line, the wife of David H. Michael, of Liber- ty, Missouri ; Ida J., who married \V. A. Holton, of Oakland, California; Jeremiah v., of Nodaway county; and Alma, Mrs. E. A. Clark, of Butler, Colorado. Joseph H. Sayler spent his early life on the farm. In Januarv, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, Eightv-third Regiment, Illi- nois Volunteer Infantr}-, and was soon trans- ferred to the Sixt_\'-first Regiment. lie ser\-ed in the department of the Cumberland and his regiment was stationed at times at Fort Donelson, Clarksville, Nashville and Chattanooga and marched through Georgia and Alabama, doing scout and guard duty as circumstances required. The command was rendezvoused at P'ranklin, Tennessee,, when the news of the surrender of Lee elec- trified the north, ilr. Sa}'ler was mustered out of the army in Octoljer, 1SO5, still a schot)l bo_\'. During the next two years he was a student at Abingdon College, Abingdon, Illi- nois, where he prepared himself for teach- ing. He taught country schools in winter and tilled the soil in the summer for some- years, being in the main a farmer. In 1881 he emigrated from Illinois and settled in Hopkins, Nodaway county, Missouri. He was elected to the office t)f justice of the peace of his townshi]) and while serving in that capacity conceived the idea of reading and preparing himself for the law. He was admitted to the liar in Maryville before Judge Kelle\-, in 1882, and his first case be- fore a iur}- was oone county. Missom-i. Septeml)er i. 1844, a son of Jolm B. Logan. His father was born in Henry county. Kentucky and was a son of John Logan. The" Logans are of the Scotch- Irish ancestry, who. since the earliest history of the United States, have been noted for their industry and intelligence, making use- ful citizens in time of ]:eace and true ])at- ri(.)ts in time of war. John L>. Logan was reared in Henry county. Kentucky, and li\e(l there imtil his removal to Misonri. .\rriving at the age of manhood, he was married to Miss Anna Hulen, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Taylor Hulen. who also \vas of a Ken- tucky family. John P.. and Anna L(tgan were the parents of twehe children. ele\-en of whom, six sons and five daughters, grew to manhood and womanhood. The first born. JMarv. died in infancy. The names of the others are: William I'..: Larinda: l-'lizabetli. deceased, who was the wife of I>. L. Holt and came to this count)- with her Inrsband forty years ago and resided here and w;is well and favoralilv kmiwn until her death: James R.; Millie; John .\., suliject of tins sketch; Hiram. Margaret, Martha. Richard and Joe. The father died at the age of fifty- four \cars, while on a business trip in Ken- tuckv. of cholera, wliich was then ,-ui epi- demic in that state. The mother is living in Green township, now at the age of eighty- four years. The father \\;is jiolitically a Whig, during the palmy days of that ])artv, and an ardent adnnrer of I lenrv Clav. In 4Ui BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. relis'ion lie was attaclied to the Christian cliurcli. John .\. Lnjran caiiic tn \'ii(hi\\a\- cnuiuv when a Ijoy, with his brother-in-law, B. L. Holt, and grew- to manhood among the prim- itive surroundings of early days here, work- ii^g on the farm an' rest and about three bites of corn liread. ]~)uring' the next twent\--four hours they were attain upoy the marcli without food, and then went iiito camp, where they recei\ed some corn meal, ground coli and all. Later they were put on a train and sent to Libhy ])rison. Richmond, Virginia, where, on account of illness and bad treatment, ;\lr. Merrill's hearing became imjjaired, and so remains. Subsequently the privates were paroled and sent to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, hut the officers were still retained. At the end of about a month spent in St. Louis, INIr. Aler- rill went with his command to IMurfrees- boro, where he did guard duty nine months, and was then legally exchanged. His com- mand joined Sherman's army at Chatta- nooga and participated in the Atlanta ■campaign and the march to the sea and through the Carolinas. After the surrender of Lee and Johnston, the\' proceeded to \\'ashington and took part in the grand re- view in that city. Air. Merrill was then nnistered out and discharged at Milwaukee, June 12, 1865. Returning to his Wisconsin home, he worked in tiie woods by the month one win- ter, and in 1867 came to Nodaway ccnuity, Missouri, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of nnimpro\ed ])rairie land. Two years later he married Aliss Sarah Seamans, who was born in Kane count}-, illinois, March 1, 185 1, a daughter of CloN'is and Mary ( \\'alters ) Seam;uis, na- tix'es of New ^'ol•k and New Jersew re- spectively. Jler ])alernal grand fatlier, Clav- ton Seamans, was a merchant and farmer of New York. Her parents were married in Illinois, and in 1867 came to Missouri, lo- cating upon land which the father i)ur- chased in Nodaway county, where he died in 1875. In early life he followed school- teaching, hut during the greater part of his career engaged in farming. His wife still snr\i\"es him and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Merrill. She is a member of the Methodist church, to which her husband also belonged. Their chiUlren were Sarah, the wife of our subject: Roxana, the wife of L. C. Powell, a Methodist minister, who was located at Colorado City, Colorado, four years; and U'illiam C, a farmer of Kentucky. Air. and Mrs. Merrill have six children: Alice, the wife of J. R. Carmi- chael : Carrie, the wife of H. S. Cochrane; Cora, the wife of D. Hubbard; Charles N., a farmer of this county: and Alabel and George, both at home. For three years after his marriage Mr. Merrill contiinied to work for others and then located upon his farm, where he erect- ed a small house, which has since been re- placed by a good two-story frame residence. A barn and other outbuildings ha\-e also been erected, an orchard set out. and the land placed under excellent cultivation. Air. Alerrill raises some stock. 1\\ his ballot and influence he supix)rts the Republican party, but has never cared for ofificial honors. He receives a small pension in compensation for his arduous service in the Civil war, and is to-da}' an honored member of the Crand Army ])ost at Maryville. LANMLLE A. BROWN. Through many centuries the history of countries were largely records of wars waged for preser\-ation or for conquests, but with advancing civilization change has come in the public records and now histor}' is formed by the account of business activity 406 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. and Ijy tlie prowess of men in commercial, agricultural and professional life. Those who are most prominent in a cinimunitv are they who contribute to the general ui)l)uild- ing by promoting business affairs and thus making possible a higher civilization. Class- ified with the leading merchants and reliable residents of Maryville is Lan\"ille A. Brown, a member of the firm ^>{ lirnun llrothers. (iealers in furniture. He has resided in this cit_\- only three years. Init is already well kn(.)\\n, having the public Ci mtidence, ihn >ugh his correct business methods and his fidelity to upright principles in trade. Mr. Brown was horn in Shelby county, Kentucky, November iS, 1867. His father. Archie Brown, is niiw a retired resident of Maryville. The Brown famiK was founded in America by ancestrv who left the north of Ireland and settled in Snutli Carolina, in 1797. Archie Brown is a grandsun of a Mr. Huddleson. one ni the hemes of the Kevolution. The grandfather nf nur sub- ject, Lanville A. Brown. Sr.. was born in Edgefield district of South Carolina, in 1801, and at an early period in the dexelopment of Kentucky remo\-ed to that state, where oc- curred the birth of his miu Archie, who is a nati\'e of Nicholas Cdunty, burn in 1839. The latter resided for a time in Bath cnu.vty, Ken- tucky, and was identified with agricultural pursuits in that community. In the upris- ing of the citizens that took place at the time of the Civil war he enlisted with the federal forces and served under (ieneral Nelson. He married Martha Hall, a daughter of J. W. Hall, a farmer of Shelby ccmnty, and they became the parents uf the fnllowing children: Lanville .\. ; Cliarles A.; Minnie, the wife nf W. S. IJaskett, of Daviess county, MissMuri ; Alice: Ann;i. the wife of (',. W. CJromer, of Daxiess ci unity: b^seph I-"., wlu) is a meml)er of the firm of Brown Brothers; W. E., a resilient of Centrx' county, this state ; and Lela. Lanville A. Brown, whose name intro- duces this record, spent his boyhood •ii\)on his father's farm and worked in the fields through the sunny days of summer, follow- ing the plow as it turned the furrows prepar- atory to the spring planting. However, he preferred cnmmercial life and began business on his own account at McFall, Missouri, in 1888, as a dealer in furniture. He left Ken- tucky with a small capital and invested it in a stock of furniture and undertaking goods. For nine \ears he carried on operations there, but saw a l)roader field of labor in 1897, choosing Alaryville as the scene of his efforts. Coming to this cit\', he entered into liartnership with his bmther, they becoming successors nf the well-known tirm of Brink & Frank, furniture dealers. Tliev now con- trol a large and well selectetl stock which en- ables them to command an e.xcellent trade, antl their faithful adherence to correct bus- iness princii)les has insured them the conti- dence of the jHiblic and wdii for them ;in en- x'iabie reputation. In I'ebruary, 1894. in lulwardsville. Illi- nois. Mr. IJrown was united in marriage to Eva M. Rockwell. ;i daughter of (i. W. Rockwell, a farmer of .St. Clair county, that state. The\' have one child, l.anxille Rock- well. In .Mary\ille they ha\e alreadv gained a wide circle of friends and the hospitality of many of the best homes is extended to them. Mr. Ilriiwii is identified with the Knights of Pythias fraternit}- and is past chancellor of his lodge. He holds membershii) in the Presbyterian church, and in i)olitic;il circles his Republicanism is well known. He sup- ported Harrison and Mcl\inle\' and has taken BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 407 an acti\e interest in tlie wnrk of liis party since eighteen years nf age. In tlie spring of 1900 he was nominated im the Repuhli- can ticket for alderman of tiie second ward of Maryville, and. although the Democrats carried the election generally, he received majority of the votes, being the unly Repub- lican! alderman elected. This fact is certain- ly an indication of his popularity as a citi- zen and of the trust reposed in him bv his fellow townsmen. His ijublic spirit is wide- ly recognized and his de\-otion to the public good is above ciuestion. He does all in his power to promote the welfare of the commu- nity along social, material, uitellectual ami moral lines. He is loyal and patriotic, and while he is in thoroug-h sympathy with Re- publican principles be places country before party and public good before self-aggran- dizement. As his circle of accpiaintances has extended his circle of friends has corres- pondingly increased. JOHN GR.W'ES. It is ai\\a}'s l)oth pleasing and edifx'ing to read the record of the life of a successful self-made man, and such a record cannot but be a smirce of encouragement to young men just entering upon the real battle of life. There is much in the career of Mr. (iraves to give hope to such, — \ery much in the ^ub stantial reward of his industry, integritv and perseverance. — to pro\e the wisdoiu of the principles by which he has been go\erned in the struggle for success which be has made so manfully and so victoriousl)-. John Graves was born in Vinton county. Ohio, March 4, 1841. a son of Edmund and Amy (Clark) (Iraves. Edmund (Ira\es was a son of James and Sarah (lra\es. [ames Ciraves was descended from iMiglish ances- tors and was a native of \'irginia. His wife also was born in the Old Dominion. They located early in that part of Jackson county, Ohio, now included in \'inton county, and there lived their alloted days and passed away, and there also Edmund Graves grew up and married a daughter of James Clark,, one of the earlier settlers in what is now \'inton count\". lulmund and Amv (Clark) (ira\es had four children; Sarah, the wife of \\ illiam Dickson, of Davis county, Iowa; Jane, who married Warren Chaffee, and li\es in I'l ittawatoniie count\', Kansas; John, anil Albert, who is deceased. The mother, who was a model woman of goodness and a de- vout ^letbodist, died in X'inton countyv Ohio, when scarcel\- jxtst middle age. The father married again ^nd l)y his second mar- riage had three children: Eunice, who li\es in Eort WUrth, Te.xas ; Belle, who married J. W. Hall anil also lives in the Done Star State: and Charles, a well-known resident of Xodaway count\-, Missouri. Edmund, Graves died in Missouri, at the age of sixty- nine years. I'nlitically he was a Democrat. He was a de\iiut and consistent member of the Alethodist church, a good neighbor and a useful citizen. lulmund Gra\-es was a pioneer in Stark county, Illinois, where he located with his family, in 1N34. Julin passed his childhood \v \'inton countw ( Miio. and was thirteen \'e;irs old when lie was taken to Illinois,, where he hnished his education in the public sclioiils and learned to do all kinds of farm work. 1 le has \i\i(l recollections of trips to Peoria, thirty miles ;iway. where the grain raised on the .Stark county farm was taken to market, and he also sold dressed ])ork there ;u two dollars a hundred weight. He was. married July 4. \H()_[. [n Rebecca Hum. a 408 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. young woman of intelligence and companion- able qualities, who made him a worthy help- meet. Mrs. Graves was horn at ^lartins- l)urg. Bedford county, Pensnylvania, Jan- uar\- 15, 1845. She was three years old when her mother, iicc Mary Rhodes, died, in Knox Cdunty. Illinois, where the family had re- moved in 1847 from Pennsyh-ania, and she \ias taken to Stark county, Illinois, and ad(i]>te(l by Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Trickle, then a young couple, who treated her in all things as their own child and ga\e her a good home until her marriage. Henry Hum, her father, in 1854. went overland to California and there engaged in mining. He made the journey across the plains, then infested by Indians and wild l)easts, with an ox team and was mme than six months en route. He and has party were obliged to ford streams and make their way tlirough tortuous mnuntain passes, and killed buffalo and other game by the way, for subsistance. Not meeting with success as a miner, he eventually turned soldier and fought Indians in the far west until the out- break of the Civil war, when he enlisted in a California regiment and ser\ed three years on the frontier. After the war (in 1865) Mr. Hum went to Illinois to see his children, but soon emigrated to Kansas and >ettled in Doniphan county, where he took u]) the •career of a farmer. He died there, at the age -of seventy-six. Mr. Hum was of (ierman ancestry ami was born in I'ennsyKania. His f;,tlier. John Hum. spelled the familv nam; Ilamm. Mrs. ('>ra\es" brother, John Hum, served his country in the Ci\il war as a sol- dier, and he is now a resident of iiurlington Junction, Nodaway countw where lie has a good home. (See sketch elsewhere.) Her brother, Michael Hum, bxcs at Timb.-iwa, Oklahoma territorx. Her sister .Mar\. is the wife of Robert Finley. of Hiawatha, Kansas. Five children have been born to John and Rebecca (Hum) Graves. Their oldest son, Jefferson T.. married Margaret Ferguson and they live on a farm adjoining the home farm of Mr. Graves; Edith mar- ried W. P. Neft, of Nodaway township; Mary married Samuel Jones, of Green town- ship, and Emma B. and Hattie are success- ful teachers in the public schools of Noda- way county, and liefore her marriage Mrs. Neft made an enviable record as an educator in the county schools. Mr. (ira\-es farmed in .Stark ci:>unty, Illi- nois, until 1885. when he sold his farm there and came to Nodaway township, Nodaway count}-, where he bought the farm of F. Bai- num. one of the most valuable thereabout. He now owns three hundred and forty-four acres, including plow land, meadow and pas- ture land, with hue buildings for all pur- poses, well fenced and hedged and produc- tive of the usual farm cro])s as well as small fruits. He gives much attention to stock. .\ Democrat in political faith, he is one of the s(jlid men of his part of the county and one of the most public spirited and influen- tial. Mr. and j\lrs. Graves are members of the C hristian church, always helpful to all its interests and zealous for its .growth and prosperity. THOMAS W. G.\L"\ r. Thomas W . Gaunt, the pioneer nursery- man of northwestern Missouri, lias estab- lished a business that has ])ro\ed of great benefit to the community, at the same time advancing his individual prosperity until he is known as one of the afiluent men of his portion of the slate. He was born in Staf- i'ordsliire. luigland. .\pril 4. 1830. His father. Thomas (iaunt. was a gardener .and BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 409' also carried on farming" on a limited scale. He worked at the tailor's trade, and later, through his son's connection with the same business, became connected with a small fruit and nursery business. He married Catherine \\'oolIy and had five children, the eldest being Thomas \V. Gaunt. The subject nf this re\'iew pursued his education in the Episcopal day schools of his native county. Manifesting a special fond- ness for music, he studied its principles and when a boy possessed superior vocal powers. He was also especially fond of books and read eagerly everything bearing upon the United States, and this inspired in him a love of the Republic, and long before he found it possible of accomplishment he had deter- mined to become one day a resident of the United States. As he grew older he formed his plans for severing his connection with England, and in 1853 took passage on a sail- ing vessel bound for New York, anchor be- ing dropped after five weeks and three days in the harbor of the metropolis. In the spring of 1854 he joined some friends in Macoml), Illinois. He associated himself with Mr. Franklin in the nursery business and removed to Andrew county, Missouri, where he planted his first seeds as soon as the ground could be prepared for their reception. He soon discovered, how- ever, that the soil in that locality was too wet for the business and he begun to search for a more favorable location. This he found in Nodaway county, for the land at Maryville and \-icinity was high and rich, and in 1856 he came hither, planting a small tract where the Licber greenhouse now stands. The following year he located on his present farm, to which he soon trans- ferred all of his business interests. His initiatory preparation consisted in ditching. tiling, plowing and building, and when the tract was considered properly drained it was found that he had six car loads of tile in the ground. His first actual work upon the farm was the hauling of rock witli an ox team, the stone being used to wall a well and to furnish a base for his bachelor shanty. In the s]jring of 1859 his first trees were placed upon the market and since that time his nursery has been a leading enterprise in the business affairs of Maryville. The principles which he has followed have been such as commend him to the con- fidence and support of all. Early in his ca- reer he recognized honesty as the best policy and has made that adage one of the rules of his life. He has never allowed damaged or imperfect stock to leave his premises, and the quality of the trees that he has sent out has secured a liberal and cur subject and is still cared for In- him as he has lost his mind. Mrs. Ellis was a daughter of Overton and Lucinda (Reed) Gentry, representati\-es of two of the largest and most prominent families of Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri. Her father, who was a prominent farmer and slave-owner, died in Kentucky. .After residing on the old homestead for a numljer of years the mother sold the place and di- vided the property among the heirs, retain- ing her portion. She then came to live •with the Doctor and his wife in Missouri, remaining with them a number of years, but her last days were spent with a daugh- ter in Dade county, where she died in 1886. Both she and her husband were members of the Christian church. Of their children, Frank was a ca]3tain in the Confederate army and is now a resident of Mississippi ; Eskridge is deceased; Ann is the wife of John McRoberts; Jane H. was the wife of our subject; Overton died young; Thomas served under General Forrest in the Con- federate army and is a resident of Missis- sippi; Joseph lives in St. Joseph, Alissouri; and Bell is the wife of R. Raney, of Dade county. By his second marriage Dr. Ellis had two sons: Leander E., who married Lucy Montgomery and followed farming until accidentally killed, leaving a son, Thomas ]\L, now a school-boy; and 0\-erton C, a prominent attorney of Tacoma, \\'ash- ington. The wife and mother died INIay 4, 1885. ' In 1886 Dr. Ellis was united in marriage with Mrs. Patience J. Impey, the widow of Dr. Impey and the daughter of William L. and Permelia (Evans) Dysart, of Kentucky. On coming to this state her father brought a number of slaves and entered a large tract of land in .\ndrew county, wliich. with their assistance, he transformed into a fine farm. He was also extensively engaged in the cattle business. Politically he was first a Whig and later a Democrat, and as a pub- lic-spirited and progressive citizen he took a deep interest in public affairs, though he never cared for official honors. He died nn his homestead in 1885, honored and re- spected by all who knew him. His wife was a member of the Christian church. TJieir children were Patience J., the wife of our .subject; Samuel, who was a soldier of the Confederate army and is now 410 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. deceased ; John, aljso deceased ; William, a resident of this count)' ; Harrison, who died in Andrew counity, Missouri; An- drew, a resident of Kansas City, Kan- sas; Ellen, the deceased wife of \\'. W'ood ; and James L., who lives on the old homestead in Andrew county. By his last marriage the Doctor has no children. but is raising William Knollt Ell.is. who was born in Germany, July 13. 1885. and was brought to America by his parents. The family located in Xew York, where the fa- ther died when \Villiam was only a year old, and the mother four years later. He was then taken in charge by the Children's Aid Society of Xew York, and with others was brought to ^lissouri. He is a bright l)oy who is now being reared and educated by the Doctor, and will undoubtetlly become a useful man. After his first marriage Dr. Ellis en- gaged in school teaching for some years, and in the meantime bought and borrowed medical books, which he peru.senage along the \-arious lines of industrial and commercial acti\ity with which he has been connected. Mr. Smith is a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Cooper county, in Decenilier. 1H44. His father, S. D. Smith, was a farmer near Syracuse, that count}'. He was born, iiowever, in Louisa county, Virginia, in 1807, and died in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1882. The Smiths were of English lineage and the family was founded in Virginia at a very eaady period in its col- onization. Also a lineal descendant of the Dandridges of \'irginia. S. D. Smith was a third cousin of Martha Washington, whose maiden name was Dandridge. He wedded ^Mar^- Thomson, who died in St. Joseph. Missouri, in 1897, at the age of eighty-se\-en years. Their children are : Mrs. Thomas V. Ellis, of Clinton, Missouri; Alfred T., who was connected with the wholesale shoe house of Kimball & Company, of Kansas City, Missouri; Charles O., of !Mary\ille; J. Woodson; George C, of the Smith-]^IcCord Dry Goods Company, of Kansas City: and ^Irs. X. R. Pittman. of Clinton, Missouri. Mr. Smith, who is the suljject proper of this review, was educated in private schools and entered upon his business career as a salesman for H. S. Mills, a prominent dry- goods merchant at Arrcnv Rock. Saline county, Missouri. His close ap])lication to business, his fidelity and sound judgment won him the confidence of his employer and he was made bead clerk, remaining w'th Mr. IMills for five years. A decision to en- gage in business for himself led to the organ- ization of the firm of Smith Brothers, which carried on business at Arrow Rock for- three years. Maryville was then selected as a more promising point for this energetic firm, its members being men of laudable ambition and determineil purpose, who could not content themselves with mediocrity, de- siring broader fields for their labors. For a quarter of a century Mr. Smith has been regarded as one of the nVist enterprising BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 423 business men nf ]\]arv\illc. In ^farch, 1875, in connectii-tn with his lirother, he opened a dry-goods store at tlie southwest corner of the square under the firm name of Smith Brothers. Tiieir capital at that time was a modest one of ten thousand dollars, but they had a large reserve fund of expe- rience, adaptability and resolute purpose, which opened the way for their immediate success. Their business constantly grew -in volume and importance, until, at the expira- tion of twenty years, they sold a stock three and a half times as great as the original, to the firm of Donnell, Frazer & Company. Mr. Smith is a most progressive and pub- lic-spirited citizen, beliex'ing most firmly in the present and the future of Maryville. He has therefore not hesitated in making in- vestments here, and time has shown the wis- dom of his decision. The growth of his mercantile interests made necessary and justified the erection of the Smith Block, a three-story brick structure, the front part of which was Iniilt in 1880, while in 1895 it v/as extended to the alley. This is one of the leading stores and office buildings in Maryville, and is an indication of the sub- stantial growth of the city. The efforts of Mr. Smith, however, have by no means been confined to his mercantile and building inter- ests. He is a man of resourceful ability, whose energies have extended to other fields of labor that have not only achanced his individual prosperity, Ixit ha\e also contrib- uted to the general welfare. As the city approached metropolitan re- quirements in the line of puljlic utilities, Mr, Smith Ijecame interested in their establish- ment and' is to-day a stockholder, direct(jr and the ex-president of the flananio Tele- phone Company. Since 1894 he has also been the president of the Maryville Electric Light & Power Company, his capable administra- tion of its eft'orts leading to its splendid success. The' company was organized in 1890 and a plant constructed at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. The first power house was erected by the side of the Wabash Railroad tracks, but the capacity of the plant was found to be insufiicient to insure the best service, and in 1896 its re- construction Avas accomplished, at an addi- tional cost of twenty thousand dollars. The original plant was constructed by its president, William A. Ross, and the work of remodeling and enlarging was accomj)lished under the super\-ision of his successor. Mr. Smith. Our subject has also been the administra- tor of the Ellis and Prather and the A. T. Ellis estates, two very large and important estates, whose affairs he capably controlled discharging his duties in a maner most ac- ceptable to all concerned. He is a man of the utmost reliability in business affairs, and among those who know him his word is as good as any bond that was e\er sulemn- ized by signature or seal. In Saline county, Missouri, Air. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hu- ston, who died in 1879, leaving two children, namely: Charles Leon, who is connected with the firm of Smith & AlcCord, of Kansas City; and Mary, the wife of George M. Spur- lock, of Plattsniouth, Nebraska. In i8(S6 Mr. Smith married Miss ^Nlamie Ejlis, nf Mary- ville, a daughter of the late .\. T. Ellis, a leading druggist of the city and a represen- tative of one of the pioneer families nf Xod- away county. In the whole sphere of his activity. Mr. Smith has had no desire to enter ])olitical life, nor has he contested with his fellow men for ])olitical, religious or fratcni;il pre- 424 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ft-niient. In manner lie is conlial and kiiullv. and is extreme!}- just in all life's rela- tions. For t\venty-fi\'e years he has par- ticipated in the business life of Mary\ille. and during that time he has so conducted all his afYairs as to merit the confidence and esteem of the entire community, and no word of censure has ever been uttered against his actions. WILLIAM M. BLACKFORD. Among the prominent and influential citizens of Atchison township, Xoclaway county, Missouri, none stand higher in pub- lic esteem than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in (ireen county, Wisconsin. May 28, 1854, and is the only child of Thomas and Rachel (Lewis) Blackford, natives of Pennsylvania and K'en- tucky, respectively. The father was twice married and by the first wife had cme son, who is still living. In the fall i>f iSOo. with his wife and tw'o sons, Thomas Blackford moved to Page county, Iowa, where the mother of our subject died at the age of twenty-nine years. For twenty vears he en- gaged in business as a merchant in P.raddy- \\\\t, that county, and then came tn Mis- siiuri and located near our subject, where he (lied at the age of sixty-nine. 1 lis father was William Blackford, of Pennsyl- vania, while the maternal grandfather of our subject was Martin Lewis, of Kentucky. The early life of our subject was mostly passed upon a farm, where he early olitained an excellent knowledge of agricultui'e. while liis literary training was obtained in the dis- trict schools of the neighborhood. He re- mained at home until he was married, at the age of twenty-one years, to Miss Alice .\ich- cilas. also a native of Green count\'. W'iscon- sin. and to them ha\e been born five children: Maud, John T., (Irace F., James .\. and Lloy.l. .After his marriage Mr. Blackford en- gaged in farming upon rented land in Page county, Iowa, for two years, and then bought eighty acres of wild prairie land, to which he moved a small house, making it his home for seven years, while devoting his energies to the cultivation of his land. He then left the farm and moved to Braddyville, where he engaged in the livery liusiness for six years. He bought his present place of one hundred and sixty acres in Atchison town- ship, Nodaway county, Missouri, twelve years ago, which he has since converted into one of the best farms of that locality and which he now successfully manages. Since casting his first jjresidential \ote, for S. J. Tilden in 1876, he has always sup- ported the Democratic party, with one ex- ception. He has always taken an active and prominent part in public affairs: has been an efiicient member of the school board for some time ; and was one of the organizers of the Harvest Home Association, of which he has been a director ever since : and a direc- tor of the Xodaway County Mutual Fire iK: Life Insurance Company se\en years, of which he was also one of the organizers. He and his famii\- are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and he has subscribed liberall}' toward the building of his own and several other churches. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of .Amer- ica, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Brotherhood, and at one time was also connected with the Crange, of which his father was one of the tirst mem- bers. Mr. Blackford is one of the most in- telligent and influential men of this commun- ity and his ad\ice is often sought on (|ues- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 425 tions of public interest as well as private con- cern. In business affairs he is upright and lionorable, and is highly respected and es- teemed for his sterling worth and strict in- tegrity. His family is one of considera- ble prominence in their community. BENJAMIN F. GOODSON, M. D. No compendium such as the province of this work defines in its essential limitations will serve to offer fit memorial to the life and accomplishments of the honored subject of this sketch — a man remarkable in the breadth of his wisdom, in his indomitable perse\-erance, his strong individuality : and yet one whose entire life has not one esoteric phase, being as an open scroll, inviting the closest scrutiny. True, his were "massive deeds and great" in one sense, and yet his entire accumplishment but represented the result of the fit utilization of the innate talent which was his, and the directing of his efforts along those lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination lead the way. There was in Dr. Goodson a weight of character, a native sagacity, a far-seeing judgment and a fidelity of purpose that com- manded the respect of all. A man of inde- fatigable enterprise and fertility of resource, he carved his name deeply on the records of Nodaway county. In preparing the life history of a man one must always take cognizance of his an- cestr}-, for his inherited tendencies have much to do with shaping his career. His fa- ther, Ozias Goodson, was an agriculturist and followed farming in Ohio until 1877, when he emigrated to Missouri, locating in Lewis count)'. He was one of nine chil- dren that attained their majority, namely: Madison and El wood, who reside in Raven- wood, ^Missouri ; J. N.. a practicing physi- cian of Maryville; B. F., whose name in- troduces this record ; Addison ; Abner, who resides in Lewis county, Missouri ; James, who maintains his residence in Knox county, Missouri; Mrs. Mary Newlon, of Lewis county, this state: and Lily, who is li\ing in California. Dr. Goodson, whose name introduces this record, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, September 27, 1851. He pursued his education in the covmtry schools, in the seminary at Monticello,. Missouri, and iui the Missouri State Normal. School. His childhood and youth were passed upon a farm and he followed the plow as it turned the furrow for the spring planting for many a season. He did not wish, howe\'er, to make farming his life work and determined to enter professional life, to which end he began the study of medicine, at the age ijf twenty-two. His college work was drme in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk, Iowa, where he was graduated in 1877. He opened an office in Pickering, Missouri, and at once began practice, but he remained there only a short period. He was located for a short time at Gaynor City, and from 1880 until his tleath resided in Hopkins. The Doctor's ability, natural and ac- quired, gave him high rank as a representa- tive of the medical fraternity. His thor- ough understanding of the materia niedica and his unfailing accuracy in therapeutics led him to immediate success, and his prac- tice early became extensive and remunera- tive. To his professional ability was added an attractive personality, and just recogni- tion of his own powers drew jjeople to him, and with this rare combination it is not re- markable that he should become the central 426 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. figure in his community. He not onlv won success along professional lines, Ijut his in- Jluence was felt throughout Xuclaway county and even beyond its confines in mat- ters of public welfare. His fitness for lead- ership was soon recognized and lie was never seen to better advantage than when he was earnestly upholding some principle or advocating the cause of a friend. He was very popular, and yet he had some en- emies, for no man in public life, especially those entering the political field, escape enimity, but those who opposed him did so more from a jealous spirit than because they believed in his inconstancy. Men ha\e possessed greater ability than did he. and there have been men who could count fewer enemies perhaps, but one who knew him well said : "His warm heart, his geniality and unfailing good nature, his gratitude, his love and loyalty to his friends, all combined v.-ith acknowledged ability and spotless in- tegrity, rendered him perhaps the most uni- versally popular man in his county." Extracts from personal tributes from his townsmen whose confidence he possessed without reserve tend better to measure tlie character of Dr. (ioodson than tributes from any other source. The Hi.m. Calvin Pierce, presidential elector for !\Iissouri in 1900, and one of his most intimate friends, said : "He was a man of strong convictions, -a lover of truth, of right, of justice and a hater of hypocrisy and sham ; a helper of the weak and unfortunate, and his manly heart responded to every appeal for charity." B. Raleigh Martin remarked: "The en\-enomed chalice of deceit never touched his lips. He wore before his face no mask of hypocrisy or cant. His firm and self-reliant character was his anchor in life and he scorned the leering blandishments of the parasite." Baxter \A'oldridge, in speaking of the Doc- tor, gave utterance to the following: "He was always ready and willing to identify himself with every movement to advance the interests of Hopkins and her people. As a citizen he was industrious and ener- getic, and, when elected a member of the 'board of education, Ijecame one of the most active members in bringing our schools up to their jjresent high standard, and for which he was richly rewarded by the gradua- tion of his oldest son and daughter from the high school." M. H. Gladman said: "He had a good heart filled with sunshine. His daily greeting had a gleam of wariiii ■ that dispelled gloomy thoughts and lifted burdens from a saddened heart. He was frank, sincere, outspoken and sensitive. His conscience was his continual guide and its decree the rule and tribunal from which there was no appeal." The Doctor was the first president of the Xodawax' County Medical Society and was a meml)er of the Hopkins board of educa- tion. To his efforts more than to any other ])erson was due the development of public o])inion which finally ilemanded and .secured the new school building on the hill, of which ilic town of Hopkins has every reason to be proud. As the president of the board he labored untiringly to raise the standard of the schools that they might rank with the best in the state. He was an outspoken Re- publican, and by his party was nominated in 1S04 to the position of county coroner, to which he was elected, serving for two vears. He was then renominated, ])ut the entire Republican ticket was defeated in 1896. On the 14th of July, 1S75, was celebrat- ed the marriage of Dr. Goodson and Miss Alvina \'ernon, of Morgan county, Ohio. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 427 Their marriage was blessed with tlie fol- lowing- children: Ethelliert X., who was born January 4. 1877, and was graduated in the high school at I lopkins when seven- teen .years of age, afterward engaged in teaching school, then read medicine with his father for two years, and in 1896 entered the Barnes Medical College in St. Louis, where he graduated on the 12th of April, 1899. He is a worthy successor of his father both in the professional and social life, and in his political attitude. Lulu, the second child, is also a graduate of the Hopkins high school and is now serving" as assistant postmaster. Clifford, Benjamin F. and Galen are all with their mother. On the 28th of Janu- ary, 1899, Dr. Goo(Is<:in departed this life. In his last moments he realized the inevitable trend of his disease and expressed an abid- ing faith in the existence of a creator, an omnipresent spiritual guide and a belief in his ability to purify the sons of men. Throughout his long and acti\-e career he ever commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he was associated by his trustworthiness in business and his fidelity in all the relations of life. He left to his family an untarnished name, and while life remains to those who knew him lie will he held in loving remembrance by all with whom he was associated. WILLIAM SAWYER. .\ prominent and well-known citizen of Lincoln township, Atchison county, Mis- souri, is William Sawyer, the subject of this sketch, who has lived in this countv for forty years. He was born in Alorgan countv, In- diana, June 15, 1843, having the same liirth- day as President McKinley. The father of ^\'illiam Sawyer was descended from an old' New England family, grew up on the farm in Indiana, and there married Miss Elizabeth Roberts, a most estimable young lady. She was the daughter of William Roberts, of Indiana. Nathan and Elizabeth (Roberts) Saw- yer, the parents of our subject, had the fol- lowing children : William, who is our sub- ject; Eli, who resides in St. Joseph, Mis- souri ; Jemima, who resides in Indiana ; and Wesley, who resides in Page county, Iowa. The father died in Indiana in 1855, the mother dying in 1853, both of whom were members of the Christian church, prominent in religious work, and beloved and honored by all who knew them. Our subject was reared on the farm and received his education in the schools of the township and learned lessons of industry and honesty in the home circle. He came to the county in 1859. In 1863 he was mar- ried to Hannah Jane Daniels, a daughter of William Daniels, who was a native of Ala- bama, where he died, in December, 1899, 'it the age of eighty-five, the mother of Mrs. Sawyer dying in 1896, in her seventieth year. After marriage our subject engaged in the mercantile Inisiness, which he con- ducted successfully for sixteen years, asso- ciating with it a lumber and drug business. He has proven to be a fine business man, possessing an accommodating spirit and en- deavoring to please all customers by treating every one with due consideration, his busi- ness being conducted under the firm name of IMcColl & Sawyer. The family born to Mr. and Mrs. Saw- yer were: William, who conducts a hardware business in this town; Annie, who married J. M. Arnold, who is ex-county_treasurer of Ness county, Kansas; Charley, who is con- 428 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. nected witli liis father in the lumber busi- iness here. He married Lucy Teaman, and has three children, — Donald, Arnold, and Eva; and Arnold, who died November ii, 1900. Socjally ^Ir. Sawyer is connected witli the I. O. O. F., Loge 262, and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Sawyer is a member of the Methodist church, where slie is sincerely admired and beloved. ]\Ir. Saw- yer is popular throughout the township, with which he has so long been identified in a business way and in which he has promoted so many interests looking to its benefit. His genial, pleasant countenance is welcomed in every circle and he possesses the esteem and good will of the whole community. GEORGE A. X.VSll. M. 1), George Allen Xash, M. D., of Mary- ville. is one of the leading surgeons in Mis- souri ; one of the founders and tiie surgeon of St. Joseph's hospital, of the same city, is a member of the Missouri State Medical Society, the Missouri Valley Medical So- ciety of Northwest Missouri and the In- ternational Railway Surgeons' Association. Dr. Nash was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, February i, 1850, a son of George Brown and Elizabeth (Daniel) Nash. George Brown Nash was born in Kentucky, in 1809, a son of Thomas and Hannah (Brown) Nash. His mutlier was a daughter of George and Mary (Ball) Brown. Mary Ball was a daughter of Wil- liam Ball, who left an estate in Philadel- phia, a legal contest for the possession of w'hich has been in progress for years. George Brown Nash took part in the Black- hawk war, in 1832, and was married March 3, the following year. In 1858 he emigrat- ed from Indiana to Missouri with his fam- ily, and settled on a farm in De Kalb county. The pending outbreak of the Civil war and the secession sentiment which dominated De Kalb county influenced him, in i860, to abandon his farm and move back east as far as Prairie City, Illinois, where the future physician spent the remaining years of his l;oyhoai)tist preacher. His father removed to Kentucky froni South Carolina during the very early years of the nineteciith century. Other sons of this Kentuckv farmer became useful and prominent men. Rew William iiuut was a pioneer circuit rider of Indiana and (_)bio; Dr. Basil Hunt was a successful medical BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 435 practitioner of Randolph county, Indiana: and Lewis Hunt was a prospernus merchant of Jay county of tiie same state. Judge Hunt, of the supreme court of tlic L'nited States, was a cousin of Hon. Miles Hunt, as was also the Hon. George H. Pendleton, of Ohio. The poet, Leigh Hunt, and the great- great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, were lirothers and Englishmen. John Corwin Hunt received an excellent primary education in the public schools, and afterward he spent five years in Lee's Aca- emy at Loxa, Illinois, graduating under Principal T. J. Lee, a West Point man. The following year he passed in tlie law office of his brother in Douglas county, Illinois, and then taught school and read law for two and a half years. Bishop & McKinley, of Edgar county, Illinois, being his preceptors a por- tion of tlie time. In 1876 he entered Alichi- gan University and there tonk a course in the law department, graduating in the class of 1878. After making a tnur nf explora- tion in search of a suitable location for oi;en- ing an office of his own, which tour included a portion of Texas, he finally selected Atchi- son county, ]\Iissouri, as the place to his mind most desirable. His first work in Dale township was the teaching of the school there during the winter, and at the suceeding fall election he was elected prosecuting attor- ney of the county. In this ofiice he served two years, which were followed by four years' ser- vice in the office of city attorney of Rockport, these six years constituting the aggregate of his public service. In the practice of the law his first prominent case was the defense of Harris, charged with murder in the first degree, and of Blake, who was jointly indict- ed with Harris. Both of these defendants were conx'icted, but broke jail and are still at large. 2^1 r. Hunt assisted in the defense of Sons and Bales, charged with murder in the first degree, and cleared them. He pros- ecuted Morrow for murder and secured his conviction of manslaughter in the fourth de- gree, the onl)' conviction of the kind report- ed in Missouri for such an off^ense. He de- fended a man for highway robberv, wlio ac- tually held up his victim, forced him to sign a check and sent it to the bank to ha\e it cashed, clearing him on a technicalit}'. Much of the important ci\il business transacted in the county, and also some of tlie same kind of business outside of the county, has been handled by Mr. Hunt or by the firm of which he is a member. Mr. Hunt was married in Atchison coun- ty, in 1 88 1, to Miss Emma M. Lane, by whom he lias had the folowing children: A son, Henry !'>. Hunt; and a daughter, ATargaret M. Hunt, who did! at si.x years of BEN V. PRATHER. The late James l5asil Prather, of Mary- ville, w'hose life was passed chiefiy within the limints of 'Nodaway county and whose acts and deeds are most worthy of memory and emulation, was born in Mercer cmnty, Ken- tucky, April 6, 1834, and died in Mary\ille, February 23, 1891. Mr. Prather was a son of Colonel I. N. Prather, who founded tlic first Prather home in Nodaway countw in White Cloud township, in 1841. Colonel Prather was born in 1802. James B. Pra- ther was his eldest son. Colonel Prather was an influential citizen and Democrat, and the first meeting of the Nodaway county court W"as held at his residence, lie was a large farmer for his time and died possessed of a modest fortune. James 1>. l'rather"s youth was passed on his father's homestcatl and in 436 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. near-l)y public scliools, wliere lie acquired a sufficient knowledge of affairs and of the common branches of learning to enable him to embark in Inisiness. His fondness for study led him. during the course of his long and active business life, to read systematical- 1\' until his education can be saiil to have been thorough and complete. One who knew him most intimateh' says: "He was a ripe scholar, a close student and a deep thinker." He possessed some knowledge of the dead languages, was a thorough mathematician, and reached his conclusions by logical rea- soning and careful analysis. That he early de\eloped marked ability is attested l)v the fact that in 1856, when he was but twenty- two years old. he was elected sheriff of Nod- away county. He served three years in that capacity and was then elected clerk of the circuit court, in both of which offices he ac- quitted himself with credit and won the en- tire confidence of his constituency. .\s a business man Mr. Prather was the l)eer of any man in Marysille. His ability to handle large affairs seemed innate, and as he acquired experience his capacity for af- fairs of increased magnitude and' reipiirinf^ greater foresight broadened and extended. He entered the drug trade in partnership with the late Albert T. Ellis in 1866. This jjartnership existed and prospered for twen- ty-six years and was dissolved only by his death. In 1869, in company with Cjeorge S. Baker, E. S. Stephenson. J. E. Alexander and W. C. Orear, he organized a bank at Maryville, under the name of (.leorge .S. Ba- ker & Company, which concern was succeed- ed by the Nodaway Valley Bank, at which time Mr. Prather became its presitlent and Theodore H. Robinson its cashier. Of this institution Mr. Prather was \ery proud. He gave to it more than twentv vears' active service in the best years of his life, and brought to it a rare judgment born of fine natural endowment and large and continued success in business. The financial standing and the upright character of its owners greatly aided the institution's growth and prosperity, and it has always maintained its reputation as one of the safest banks in northern Missouri. In the early '70s, Mr. Prather became interested in thoroughbred horses and conceived the idea of establishing a farm for the breeding of them. His large farm, known as the Faustiana, was adequate- ly equipped with that object in view, and the business was carried on till his death, with great success and profit. Its renown spread beyond the limits of the state and to the horse markets of the large cities where an- nual yearling sales were conducted. This was one of his pet schemes and the profits it yielded and the records of Jim Gray and Galen and other products of his farm were sufficient achievements to gratify his am- bition. Mr. Prather was the architect of his own fortune and enjoyed it quietly and without ostentation. He gave alms and dispensed charit)' in strict accord with the words of Christ. He did not take much stock. in the preaching of the modern clergy and was in)t fully convinced that Christ was anything more than a good man and a reformer among the Jews; yet he had a clear and firm lielief in a supreme being. His reading was along the line of popular authors and occasionally he cpioted from them readily and accurately. He knew by heart Lochiel's Warning and Rienzi's Address to the Romans, and Mil- ton's Paradise Lost was a work which he greatly admired. His cordial manner and tender emotion endeared him to all wlio rec- ognized the beauty of his character. Envy BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 437 found no place in Iiis bosom, he had a word of g'ood cheer for all and was one of the first to aid the suffering and distressed. He loved and was devoted to his family and his sis- ters. In political affiliations he was a Dem- ocrat, but in later life and while absorbed in business he let other men manipulate pol- itics. He was a Knight Templar ]\Iason and was the first master of Maryville lodge. He was a man of fine apearance, five feet ten and a half inches in height, and weighed two hundred and fifteen pounds. Mr. Prather married Emma F., a daugh- ter of W. R. and Sarali ( \\'arren) Holt, Novem1)er i6, i^J^. and their children are: Ben \'. Prather. born July 17. 1875. and Elizabeth and Hilary Prather. Ben \'. Pra- ther is the acti\e manager of the estate of his father and his personal interests and those of his mother are matters to which he devotes his time exclusively. He was grad- uated in the public schools of JMaryville and later studied a year at De Pauw University, Greencastle, Indiana. He was married, Sep- tember 2, 1896, in Co\ington, Kentucky, to Bessie Guerin, a daughter of the late Rev. Lawrence Guerin, the rector uf the Episco- pal church at Lake Pro\-idence, Louisiana. Following in the path of his worthy father, ]\Ir. Prather joined the Masonic fraternity young and belongs to the local lodge, chap- ter and commandery, and to the shrine and consistory at Kansas City, Missouri. DAVID ^IcMICHAEL. This well-known and honored citizen of Nodaway count}' is now living a retired life X)n his fine farm one mile west of Graham and one mile east of Maitland. .\ native of Lancaster county, Penns}'lvania, he was born November 3, 1822, and is a son of James and Sarah (Smitii) McMichael. His father was born in Ireland and when young was brought by his parents to America, lo- cating in Philadelphia, where his father en- gaged in the manufacture of bricks and where both parents died. In religious faith they were Catholics. Their children were James, the father of our subject; Cornelius, a wagonmaker; John and David, both black- smiths; and Eliza. James jMcMichael grew to manhood in Philadelphia and began his business career as a farm hand. After his marriage he en- gaged in farming on rented land in Lancas- ter county, Pennsylvania, until 1832, when he moved to Cincinnati, and later to Butler county, Ohio, where he was first employed at teaming antl subsequently engaged in farming on rented land. In 1837 he went to Blackford county, Indiana, and entered one hundred and twenty acres of heavil}' tim- bered land, which he converted into a good farm. Being a good judge of horses and well versed in the treatment of their dis- eases, he became a local veterinary surgeon and also dealt in horses, which he sold to eastern firms. He met with success in his labors and left his family in comfortable circumstances. His patriotism led him to enlist during the Civil war, although well advanced in years, and he received fmni Governor Morton the appointment of wagon "boss" in the LTnited States army, but he died very suddenly at Camp Jo Holt, at Jef- fersduvillc, Indiana, and his remains were taken tn his nld Imme for interment. His wife died on the homestead in 1876. .She was a native of Maryland and the only child of her parents. Her father, who was a far- mer by occupation, was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, while her mother was of Eng- lish lineage. The latter was married twice. 438 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. her first liusband being Mr. Smitli. Tlie subject of this sketch is the oldest in a fam- ily of six children, the others being Ann, the wife of A. Conley, of Indiana; Eliza J., the wife of B. Hart; Sarah, the wife of J. Cunningham; James, a resident of Iowa; and Isaiah, of Delaware county, Indiana. The parents were menil)ers of the Catholic church. David McMichael was reared to habits of industry, and was educated in the com- mon schools. He accompanied his parents on their various removals and remained a resident of Blackford county, Indiana, un- til reaching manhood. Subse(|uently he was employed as a farm hand in Butler county, Ohio, and while there was married in 1846 to Miss Mary A. Huls, of that county. Her father, Anthony Huls, a farmer 1i\- Mccupa- tion, was born in New "S'nrk. and died in Preble county, Ohio. \\h children were Sylvanus, Joel, William, David. Jdlin. George, Harriette, Charlotte, Olive, Direxa, Mary A. and ^Margaret, all nf win mi lived to be married. The children burn tu Mr. and Mrs. 3*IcMichael were Sarah J., the wife of Corydon Bird, mentioned further mi ; and James S.. a resident nf (iraham. The mother of these children died in Wapelln. Iowa, in 1858, and the Inllnwing year Mr. McMichael married Miss [•"ranees A. Daw- son, who was born, reared and educated in Virginia, and with a brother went to bnva as a school-teacher. There the brother died and she was left alone. She died in this county, June 3. 1896. leaxing one daughter, Mary E.. the wife of J. Perkins, a farmer of Ra\'enwood. .\fter his first marriage Mr. McMichael worked a rented farm in Treble county, Ohio, until 1850, when he mo\ed to Ecjuisa. county, Iowa, and bought a farm, making it his home until coming to Nodaway county. Missouri, in 1876. He first purchased :', farm east of ]\Iaryville, but fi\e years later sold that place and spent ten years in the city lending money and speculating in real estate and cattle. In 1891 he bought his present farm of two hundred and twentv- seven acres of well-improved land, which his son-in-law, Mr. Bird, now manages, while he lives a retired life in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He is entirely a self-made man. being the architect and build- er of his own fortune. \\'ben first married he gave the onlv five dollars he had to his wife to buy dishes; but by hard work, per- severance and good management he has be- come a well-to-do man, and can look back with pride over his past struggles, knowing that all that he has he has come b)- honest- ly. While in Wapello. Iowa, he ran a grist- mill and carrietl on other business in con- nection with farming. Politically Mr. McMichael was original- ly a ^^'hig, casting his first vote for Henry Clay, and since the dissolution of that party has been a stanch Repulilican. He filled several offices in Iowa and ^lissouri, and has always been one of the enterprising and ])ublic-s])iritc(l men of his conuuunity. In early life he was a Presbyterian, and he is now connected with the Independent ( )rder of Odd Eellows, in which he has tilled all the chairs, besides rei)rescnting his lodge in the grand lodge of Iowa twice. Corydon Bird, a son-in-law of Mr. Mc- Michael, was born in Beaver count}', Penn- sylvania, January 30, 1848, and was reared on a farm. During bis boyhood the Civil war broke out, and he lirsl enlisted in the state militia, but afterwanl joined the One Htuidred and Se\enth Pennsyhania X'olun- tecr Infantry, which was assigned to the BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 43V) Army of the Potomac. He remained in the service until Lee's surrender and participated in the grand review at \Vashingt()n. I). C, where he was honorably discharged, being paid off at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was never wounded or taken prisoner. In the fall of 1865 he went to Iowa, where he niarried Miss Sarah J. ]\Ic]\Iichael, and to them have been born nine children, namely: Frank and Harry, both at home ; William, who is married, and engaged in mining in Quitman, Missouri ; and Mary, Phineas, Corydon, George, Morton and Goldie, all at home. For a number of years Mr. Bird was engaged in mining in Colorado, but is now successfully operating Mr. McMichael's farm in Xodaway county, Missouri. Politi- cally he is identified with the Republican party, and socially affiliates with the Grand Army of the Republic and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. TOHN HUM. In the citizen named al)o\e, Xodaway county has another self-made man who has during late years done his part toward the advancement of its material interests, and who, when the integrity of our country was in peril, risking his life for three long years in its defense and came near yielding it up on the altar of patriotism, for he received a shell wound on the head and e.scaped death by the merest chance. He is a man of in dependent spirit, who has always worked and voted acording to his political convictions, but has never permitted himself to be blinded by the claims of any political faction. John Hum, of Nodaway township-) (post- ofifice Burlington Junction), Nodaway coun- ty, Missouri, one of the prominent farmers and stockmen of the count\', an influential citizen and a veteran of the Civil war. was born near Martinsbnrg, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1840, a son of Henr_y Hum (or Hamm). and is of German line- age. Henry Hum was born in Bedford county, Pennsyhania, also, and grew to manhood there and married ]\Iary Rhodes, also a native of Bedford county, who died young, in Knox county, Illinois, where the family had emigrated in 1847, froth the York and Scottish rites up to and including the thirty-second degree. He became a member of the order on the 20th of March. 1868, was afterward made a companion of the chajiter and a Knight Templar in the commandery and was advanced through the grades and orders of the Scottish rite until he was proclaimed sublime prince of the royal secret in the consistory. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.. He is a worthy exem- plar of the fraternity, his life .standing in evidence of its beneficent and ennobling principles. Since casting his first presiden- tial vote for General Grant the Judge has exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and, keeping well informed on the is- sues of the day, has been enabled to support his position by intelligent argument. He was elected judge of the county court in 1892, re-elected in 1894, and during his terms of office was a terr(ir to all e\'il-doers, exercising his official prerogative in con- demnation of the contractors and men who illegally took advantage of trusts reposed in them. This was evidenced by his honorable and manly fight for the people and justice in the great bridge gang case. He has ever stood on the side of right, has upheld the cause of the weak against the strong, his sup]K)rt has been generouslv gix'en to charity and church wnrk ;m(l the cause le and successful man whose name appears above. This prominent a/nd highly regarded citi- zen of Green township, Nodaway county ( postoffice, Wilco.x), Missovu-i, in the prime of vigorous life, is in appearance only well started on what promises to be a long and must successful career. Mr. Tlolt is a son of J. M. Holt, of (Juitman, a well known man who came to Nodaway county aniDUg the pioneers and has l)een a leader among the men of his time in every period of the county's subsequent history. Mr. Holt was early taught how to farm and given practical lessons in industry and hionesty. He cannot remember when he did not like st^ck and take pleasure in caring fi>r and handling it. He gained a public- schoijl education and began the work of the world on his own account as soon as he attained his maji.irity, on his father's home farm, giving his attention largely to stock of the value of which he had become an exceptionally good judge. Later he gave some years to the agricultural 'implement business, with headquarters at Maryville, and met with much success. He also con- tinned to handle horses and cattle largely, and with satisfactory results. In 189S he sold out his business in im- plements and purchased the old homestead farm, known as Shell Grove, but which he named Walnut Dell. He bought it of Judge Solomon Shell, whose daughter, Miss Sarah Shell, he had married at the age of twenty- one, Judge Shell having removed to Effing- ham, Atchison count}', Kansas, and having frequently expressed a desire to place the homestead under Mr. Holt's able personal management and control. W^alnut Dell is one of the most \-aluaI>le and most beautiful farms in Nodaway county, comprising three lumdred and ninety acres of fine, rich land, in plow fields, meadows, blue-grass pastur- age of the best grade and timber land cov- ered with beautiful walnuts and elms. Mr. Holt owns a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, making his aggregate landed possessions seven hundred and ten acres. He feeds two hundred head of cattle and a large number of Poland China hogs, and his farm- ing operations are prosecuted on a large scale and under a well devised and well administered system that brings the very best results. Mrs. Holt v\as born and married in 454 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Green township and educated there and at Maryville. There are two interesting chil- dren in the family, named Clarence E. and Blanche E., and aged seventeen and fifteen years, respectively. Mr. Holt is a member of the Modern Woodmen, and is always identi- fied with all measures tending to advance tlie important interests of his township and county. Though his life has been a busy one, time has dealt gently with him and he presents an appearance surprisingly youthful considering the importance of his enterprises and the success with which his excellent management has crowned them. LEWIS KIRKPATRICK. One of the reliable and intelligent citi- zens of Dale township, Atchison county, Missouri, who has resided here since 1880, is Lewis Kirkpatrick, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Blackford county, Lidiana, in January, 1848. and is descended from a fine uld family wlmse ancestors as- sisted in the Re\(ilutinnar\- war. and one of them distinguished iiimself under (General Washington. The name has been prominent in every war that the L'nited States has been engaged in. The parents uf our subject were Francis and Polly ( .Mbin ) Kirkpatrick, the father of the latter being a Revolutionary hero wlio endured the privations of the American army at Valley Forge. She came of good old Dutch stock, the father's fam- ily being of Scotch ancestrx-. The paternal grandfather, Da\id Kirkpatrick. was also a Revolutionary soldier. .So tlie subject of this sketch enjoys a distinction not common to men of his age. — that of lia\ing had two grandfathers in service dm'ing tlie Revo- lution. The children born to I-'rancis and Polly Kirkpatrick were : John, who was a soldier in the Civil war : Allen, who is dead ; Mrs. Nancy Wilman : Mrs. Rachel Fordnay; David, who is dead ; Thomas, who was a member of an Indiana regiment and died during the Civil war : Henry ; Lewis, who is our subject.— these being the names of a family which has been respected wherever known. The parents died on the old home- stead, having celel^rated tlieir golden wed- ding some years before. Our subject was reared a farmer l)oy and received a good common-school educa- tion, whicli he lias since supplemented with much reading, thus fitting himself for the profession of teaching. This he has since followed, teaching through the winters, for fifteen years, until 1880. when he began farming, where he now lives. Mr. Kirk- patrick removed to Holt county. Missouri, in 1873, settling near Oregon, and in 1879 bought the fertile farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Dale township where he li\-es. Tiiis is a \erv attracti\-e place, our subject haxing impro\cd it with excellent buildings of all kinds and set out orchards and shade trees, making an ideal country home. Our subject was married, in drant coun- ty. Indiana, to Miss Rachel Oren, an intel- ligent and accomplished lady, a daughter of Jesse Oren, of Indiana. She had been a .suc- cessful teacher in that state and formed the acciuaintance of our subject while he was following the same jjrofession there. One son. Oren. has liecn horn of this union. Mr. Kirkpatrick has lieen calletl upon to mourn tlie demise of his lieloved wife, her death occurring in i88(). .She was a good and worthy Christian woman, who was belox'ed by al.1 who knew her. He was married a second time, in 1893. to Elizabeth Boden- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 455 liaminer. wlio lived only seven months long- er, dying in June. 1894. In politics Air. Kirkpatrick is a stanch Republican and is one of the zealous workers for his party and friends. He was made justice of the peace in 1898. and was a very popular ofificei^ Socially he is connected with the I. O. O. F.. where he is highly es- teemed. Throughout Dale township he is well known. WILLIAM R. ERWIX. William R. Erwin. the county recorder Of Atchison county, is one of the jxjpular and \alued residents of northwestern Mis- souri. He has resided in this county only since 189J, hut he has already attained a prominent place in public affairs, and that he enjoys in a high degree the public confidence is indicated by his election to the office which he is now filling and of w'hich he has been the incumbent since 1898. Mr. Erwin was torn in Monroe county, West \'irginia. March 28, 1871, and is a son of C. P. Erwin. who resided in Monroe county and was a niillwright by trade. He represented one of the old families of Vir- ginia, founded during the pioneer period of the development of the colony. The repre- sentatives of the family have ever been' in- dustrious and honorable citizens, whose worth to the communities with which they have been connected has been widely rec- ognized. James, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a farmer by occupation and spent his entire life in Monroe county. West \'irginia. He was born and reared in the south and his sympathies were with that section of the country during the war of the Reljellion. C. P. Erwin, the father, was united in marriage to Miss Delilah Van Staver. a daughter of a leading merchant of Monroe county. West Virginia, and a de- scendant of the early Belgian ancestors who came to America. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Erwin. of whom our sub- ject is the eldest and the only one not liv- ing with his parents. The others are Mary, Robert, Benjamin. John, Hubert and Ewell. William R. Erwin spent his boyhood days in his native village of Second Creek, West Virginia, where he attended the dis- trict schools. He entered upon his business career as a clerk in the store of his grand- father. B. Ban Staver. with whom he re- mained until his twenty-first birthday. alsi> acting as a clerk in the postoffice of the \il- lage. his grandfather holding the position of postmaster. After attaining his majority he accepted a position, at an increased salary, in the general store of C. L. Morris, of Pick- away. West Virginia, where he continued un- til December, 1892, when he came to the v.est, locating in Fairfax, Missouri. Here he became interested in conducting a barber shop in connection with Mr. Ottman. carry- ing on that enterprise until 1894. when he was appointed deputy postmaster of the town, ser\'ing in that capacity until the change in the administration caused his su- perior to be removed. During the succeed- ing three months he occup'ed the pos'tion of salesman with the Doggett Dry Goods Coni- panyt. On 'the ist of January, 1898, he opened the "racket" store in Fairfax, which he managed until his election to the office of county recorder on the Fusion ticket. On the 1 6th of May, 1894. Mr. Erwin was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Beal, vv'hose parents were from .\lbemarle county, \'irginia. He is a young man ^'( marked individuality and strong force of character, who in public office has demonstrated his 45C BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. fidelity to duty, showing that the confidence and trust reposed in him have not heen mis- placed. He has a wide ac(|uaintance in Atchison county and is held in the highest regard by all who kn^w him. W. H. WRIGHT. \\'. H. Wright, well known as a stock- raiser and farmer of Atchison county, Mis- souri, is a native of Randolph county. In- diana, and was born August i6, 1840. a sun of luijpson and Rachael (Ruble) Wright. Empson W^right was burn in A'irginia. Init rcmmed to Indiana, where he was a success- ful farmer. Politicallx' he was a A\'hig and filled the ofiice of county commissioner for sc>eral years. His parents died in Indiana, leaving three children^ — Amos, David and Samuel. Rachael Ruble was one of four chil- { his ciimpany. Alter receiving his dis- charge Mr. Wright returned to Randolph county, Indiana, where he resumed his trade of carpentering and farming. iMr. Wright remained in Randolph coun- t\- until 1S69, when he moved to Mis.souri, spending one year in Holt county. He then bought a tract of land in Atchison county, on which he built a house, and after break- ing the ground began farming. He first bought one hundred and twenty acres, forty of \,hich he sf)ld soon after buying, and by hard work and careful management he was gradually able to add more each year, until now he has a farm of two hundred and twen- ty-eight acres, all of which is in a good state of cultivation. The house is one of modern impro\-ements, the orchard yields a fine amount of fruit each year, and Mr. ^^'right has reason to be proud of his well earned success. He also owns another farm, of BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 457 one hundred and twenty acres, wliicli he rents. He lias raised and handled stuck fur many years, and still holds a stock lease on his farms. In 1884 he houglit his present home in Fairfax, where he has since resided, having retired from active business life. He is a stockholder in two of the banks in Fair- fax, where he is considered one of the solid business men of the county. Mr. Wright has always been a member of the Republican party, and in 1894 was elected county judge, serving in that capacity for f(.)ur years. In 1898 he was again elected to the office, which he still continues to hold, filling the posi- tion with dignity and honor and with credit to himself and the community. In 1865 Mr. Wright was married, in Randolph county. Indiana, to Letitia Mer- cer, a daughter of John and Mary Mercer. John Mercer was born in Ireland and was a cooper by trade. He died in Randolph coun- ty at the age of sixty. His wife survives him, making her home with a daughter in Indiana. ]\Ir. and ]\Irs. INIercer were the parents of the following children : Mrs. Hester Howell ; Margaret, now Mrs. W. T. Hubbard, of Atchison county; Letitia, de- ceased, who was the wife of our subject; James, of Ohio; William, of Indiana; Mrs. Clara Moore ; Mrs. Rebecca McClellan ; Mrs. Emma Williams; and Mrs. Florence Cable, with whom the mother resides. Mr. and Mrs. Wright were the parents of five chil- dren, who are: Edna, the wife of J. W. Laird, of Oklahoma; Fmman, the wife of J. R. Wolkup, of Atchison county; Bertha, the wife of J. R. Dewall, of Oklahoma; Clyde, the bookkeeper and assistant cashier of the Farmers' Bank of Fairfax ; and Olive. Mrs. Wright died in ^March, 1885. She was a constant attendant of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, where she was an active worker. Mr. Wright remarried, in 1898, this time choosing .Mrs. Daisy E. Grav, a widow with two sons. She was a daughter of Mr. Taller, of Kentucky. She has one brother, John Taber, a miner living in Will- iams, Arizona. Mr. ^^'right has no children h\ this secijnd union. MRS. LVDIA S. WALKUP. Mrs. Lydia Sanders Walkup, the sul)ject of this sketch, now residing at Dale, Atchi- S(jn county, Missouri, is the' widow of the late James Walkup, who was one of the first settlers of Dale township and an honored and respected citizen. He was born in Boone county, Missouri, in 1822, and was a son of Robert and ^Mary (Laughlin) Walkup, both of whom were nati\'es of Kentucky. The \\'alkup family came to ^Missouri and in 1818 settled in Boone county, at which place the mother died, and later the father went to Texas, where he passed away in his sev- entieth year. James Walkup was reared in Boone ccunty and assisted his father to improve and cultivate his land. Enlisting in the Mexican war, he served till its close. His marriage was in Platte county, Alissouri, to Lydia S. Woodhouse, a woman of superior intelli- gence and agreealiie ])ersonality. She made a happy home for her husband for many years and is devoted to his memory. The birthplace of Mrs. ^^'alkup was in North Carolina, she being a daughter of Hadley and Abagail ( Hunnings) Woodhouse, of that state. Mrs. \\'alkup was but five years old wheiT the family moved to Montgomery county, Indiana, in 1838, and accompanied her parents to Jasper county, Missouri, and later to Platte county, where her parents died, both of them having been wortln- mem- 458 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 1>ers of tlie Methodist church and beloved and resi)ected by all who knew them. The children' born Id Mr. and Mrs. U'oodhouse were : Mrs. W'alkup, whn is our subject; Jonathan, of Platte county: Will- iam, of Platte county ; Sarah Chesnut : Dor- cas, deceased; R. C, the postmaster of Dotham; and Louisa, deceased. After his marriage James W'alkup set- tled in Holt county, where he remained for twelve years, and came to Atchison county ir. i860. A tract of land in this county v.as named Walkup Grove, in his honor. About this time Mr. W'alkup bought eighty acres near Craig and remained there five years in order to give his children educa- tional advantages, but returned to the farm in 1878, at which time he built the present comfortable and commodious residence in which his widow now lives. These children were born to Mr. and Mrs. W'alkup : Tliom- as, of this townshfp: George, wlm resides in Clark township: .\lbert R., of Rockport; ]\Iary Lawrence, who is deceased : Sarah Kelly, who married Dan Kelly: Eliza, who married George Carter, of this township; Martha Bryan, of Fairfax; Caroline, who died at the age of fifteen : and James, who is at the homestead. James W'alkup, Sr., passed out of life on November 26, 1898, at the age of seven- ty-six. He had been a very successful busi- ness man, ov.-ning a farm of five hundred acres, which had been improved until it was one of the most attractive in the township. ^Ir. W'alkup was a remarkably fine-appear- ing man, lacing fully six leet in height and weighing two hundred pounds. In manner he was genial and pleasant and it was al- v.ays a delight to him to welcome his friends under his hospitable roof. Throughout Dale township Mr. Walkup was honored, re- spected and beloved for his many fine traits of character. Socially he belonged to the Masonic anuri. Jn his early business career D. A. Col- vui found employment at Hemme's Land- ing, Holt county, ^lissouri, where he served as a salesman in a mercantile establishment until 1861. The excitement of the time and the sectional differences culminated in the outbreak of the Civil war in that year, and everywhere men were taking a stand for or against the flag. Mr. Colvin loved the L'nion and determined to give his energy for its preservation. He enlisted in the Missouri state militia at once, and when his six months" term of service had expired he aided in recruiting Company C, of the Fifth Mis- souri Volunteers. Being commissioned first lieutenant of his company, he went to the front and was on the field of action for eighteen months, his regiment being then mustereil out. He was then selected as one of the recruiting officers of a company for the Twelfth Regiment of Missouri, and suc- ceeded in filjing the quota, but about this time his father died and Mr. Colvin found it necessary to resign his position and pro- vide for the support of the family at Rock- jjort. In the hope of securing a greater re- ward for his lalxirs he crossed the plains in 1864 and engaged in various enterprises in the mountains of Montana. He soon estab- lished public confidence and in the summer i>f the following year was elected the first cciunt}- rec, "There will he war and yy occu- pation he was a farmer. In his family were three .sons: Adam, the father nf mir subject; Samuel, who died in Oliio; and Jdhn P., who died in Missoiu'i. There were also two daughters, who died in Virginia. Adam Coulter was a native of ^blnroe county, Virginia. He accompanied the fam- ily on their removal to Ohio, where he made his home for many years, being engaged in farming and steamboating. For se\eral years he was a captain of boats on the Ohio and Mississippi ri\ers, and l)ecame well known in river towns. In the spring of 1866 he and his family moved to this county, lo- cating near Arkoe, where he bought a farm and devoted the remainder of his life to its cultivation, dying in May, 1889. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Xeal, who died in Ohio, leaving four chil- dren, namely: Mrs. Emily Miller; William, who died at Cairo. Illinois; John Pascal, a steamboat captain on the Willamette ri\er^ Oregon; and ]\Irs. Naomi Miller, nf Law- rence countv. Ohio. For his second wife the father married Rebecca Wiseman, also a native of Monroe county. \'irginia. and a daughter of Isaac Wiseman, who was born in the same state and died in Ohio. He followed farming as a life wcirk and was a pillar in the Methodist church. His chil- dren were Rebecca, the mother of our sub- ject; Andrew, a resident of Wiscorisin : Mrs. Mary Wray : Abncr. who died in lllimiis; Samuel and George, both farmers: and Mrs. Lettie Ervin, of Illinois. By his second marriage Mr. Coulter had seven children : H. T., our subject; Ellen and Lydia. who died unmarried ; George, who is living on the homestead with his mother; Mrs. Harriet Kelly, a resilient of Oklahoma; Charles, who li\-es im a purtinn of the home farm, and Minnie, who died innnarried. The mother is a consi.stent member of the IMethodist church and a most estimable lady. On leaving home at the age of twenty BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 47 r years our subject became an engineer's ap- prentice and followed steaniboating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers fur fnur years. He was married, in Ohio, in 1S72. to Miss Sarah B. ]\Iiller. who was born in that state, in 1850. Her father, Robert Miller, was a farmer of Ohio and a very intelligent, well- posted man and an earnest advocate of the Republican party and its princi])les. He Vv'as also an active church worker. He v.'edded Mary Laffoon, and both died in Ohio. Their children were Andrew, a res- ident of that state ; Warren, a farmer of Illi- nois; Samuel, who was a captain of a com- pany in the Civil war and was killed in the service; Abram, a lieutenant, and Kinton, a private, who were both killed in the same struggle; Sarah B., the wife of our subject; and ]\lary, the wife of R. Eaton, Mrs. Coulter is the only one of the family living in Missouri. Our subject and his wife had seven children, namely ; Harr}', who is mar- ried and engaged in farming on his own ac- count; Myrtie A., the wife of E. J. Dobbins; P'earl, the wife of J. Dobbins; May, at home; George R., who died at the age of two years ; and Thomas W'. and Mary, both at home. After his marriage Mr. Coulter came to Notlawav county, Missouri, and purchased a farm of forty acres, to which he subse- quently added another fort_\--acre tract, mak- ing it his home for three years, at the end of which time he traded it for a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres near Picker- ing. Six years later he sold that place and built a house in Maryville, where he con- ducted a wood yard for three years. He became tlie owner of three pieces of i)rop- erty in that city, which at the end of that time he exchanged for his ])resent farm of two hundred and seventy-six acres of fine vallev land, lie has since remodeled tlie residence, built a large barn, and made other \'aluable improvements upon the place. In 1889 he rented it and embarked in general merchandising in Arkoe, where he bought a store building and erected a residence, car- rying on business there for eight years with- good success. He returned to his farm in 1898, but in October, 1900, he rented his farm for five years and again engaged in the merchandise business in Arkoe. where he now resides. "He still owns property in Maryville. His life record is well worthy of emula- tion and contains many lessons of incentive, showing the possibilities that are open to young men who wish to improve ever\- o]3- portunity for advancement. S< cially Mr. Coulter is a member of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, and religiously his wife is a member of the Methodist church. ED BOUCHER STEVEXS. The value of the local newspaper in the upbuilding of the best interests of an\- com- munity is universally conceded. The rule is that good papers are found in good towns, interior journals in towns of stunted growth and uncertain future. It is not so nuich a matter of size as of excellence and of adapt- ability to the needs of its locality. These conditions given, in an appreciative and pro- gressive community, the size of the paper will take care of itself in a way mutuall}- sat- isfactory to publishers and patrons. This has been proven in Quitman. The Quitman Rec- ord was established June 17. 18S7. by W. T. Graves and afterward published successive- ly by C. D. Morris. 11. M. Knowles. the firm of Null & Roberds and X. \". Bilby. The present ])ublishcr bought the Record on the 1st of June. 1898, and that he has since con- 472 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. tinueil its publication witli profit to himself iiml to tlie satisfaction of liis patrons is sliown li_\' an increased circulation and an enlaroed athertising patronage. Mr. Stevens was born at Kingston. Mis- souri, May 25, 1869, his parents being E. W. and Clara (Boucher) Stevens. The latter resides at Cameron, Missouri, and the for- mer died November i, 1900, having been for thirty-five years engaged in dental sur- gery. In 1887, when eighteen years of age, Mr. Stevens of this rex'iew began to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Cam- eri;in Observer, and when nineteen years of age was editor of the Birmingham Locomo- tive at Birmingham, Missouri. He worked eight months in Topeka, Kansas, and for three years in Kansas City, ^Missouri. He ■was well qualified for his journalistic work by a good education, ha\ing been graduated at the Cameron high school with the class of 1888. ■ After devoting some time to news- paper work he thought to enter the minis- try and attended the Westminster College at Fulton, Missouri, in 1893, as a ministerial student under the care of the Platte presby- tery. In 1894 he entered Tarkio College, at Tarkio, Missouri, and in company with James F. Gore, a classmate, published in 1895 a small book called College Deliriums. In 1896 he left college and abandoned the idea of entering the ministry and followed the journalistic profession. 1 le has since de- voted his energies to editing and publishing the Quitman Record and he made it a very interesting country paper, devoted to the wel- fare and upbuilding of the community as •well as to the circulation of local, general ;uid foreign news. On the 2 1 St of I'ebruary, 1900, in Mary- viJle. Missouri, Mr. Stevens was united in marriage to Miss Patti L. O'Connor, of Maryville, born October 4. 1879. Their friends in Quitman are many, the circle be- ing almost co-extensive with the number of their accjuaintances. ^Ir. Stevens is a mem- l)er of the International Typographical Cnion. the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, and several minor organizations. As a citizen he is public-spirited and pro- gressive, being deeply interested in every- thing pertaining to the promotion of his county's welfare along material, social, in- tellectual and moral lines. DR. B. F. ROYER. Among the prominent and highly suc- cessful physicians of Clearmont, Missouri, is the gentleman whose name appears above. Although he has practiced medicine but a few }-ears, he is classed with the best ph\'si- cians of the city, and is esteemed and re- spected as one of the best citizens of Clear- mont. Dr. Royer was born Januar\- 5. 1871, near Bellevue, Seneca county, Ohio, and is a son of John and Barbara (Bunn) Royer. The grandfather of our subject was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and was of I'rench and Holland extraction. The family were early settlers of New England. John Royer, the father of the Doctor, is at present li\ing in Sterling. Rice county, Kansas, ha\ing been engaged in farming until a few years ago, w'hen he retired from business life. His wife has been dead some years. Thirteen children were born in their family. B. F. Royer, the subject of this sketch, received his primary education in the public schools, and later entered the State Indus- trial College at Manhattan, Kansas, where he remained until his graduation in 1895. At the age of eighteen he began teaching. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 473 liis first schoeil lieing in Rice county. Ka:sas, wliere he remained twn school terms. Later he accepted a position as a membei of the faculty of Dr. Mathes' school at St. Jo- seph, Missouri. After teaching a few years, Dr. Royer began the study of medicine and finished the course of study in the Ensworth Aledical College, at St. Joseph. His first practice was in Holt county, Missouri, where he remained until locating in Clearmi:)nt. He is an energetic man, of a studious turn of mind, and keeps thoroughly abreast of the times in all the latest advancements of med- ical science. Dr. Royer was married to Callie Han- ners, of St. Joseph, Missouri. Alarch 22,, 1899. Mrs. Royer was reared in Kansas City, and before her marriage was engaged in teaching for several }ears. She is a lady of culture and refinement, and she and her husband move in the best circles in Clear- mont. Dr. Royer is a Democrat in politics, and religiously he is an attendant of the Presbyterian church. CHARLES D. HOCKER. Charles D. Hocker, the president of the Guilford Bank and for many years one of the prosperous and well known farmers and stock-raisers of Nodaway county, Missouri, is a self-made man in every sense of the word. He had but very little education of the text-lx)ok kind, though he was a mem- ber of a prominent southern family ; but at that time the children of even the well-to-do people were not made to attend school long. The schools of the south were not very good at that time. Mr. Hocker was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, October 2y, 1840, a son of Philip S. and Amanda L. (Duncan) Hocker. The Hocker family were of German descent, but nothing def- inite more than this is known of their his- tory. Mr. Hocker was one of six children, the names of the others being John, Joseph, Samuel, Nancy and Polly. Philip Hocker, the father of our subject, was born in Maryland, but moved to Ken- tucky, where he was one of the early set- tlers of the county in which he lived. He was a true southern gentleman, with courtly manners • and family pritle. He owned many sla\-es, and was well known in the state. He was a Whig in politics, but never sought ixalitical office. He died in Febru- ary, 1857, and his death was greatly re- gretted by all. His wife lived until 1876. Her brothers were John O., Charles, Henry, Lee and \\'illiam. Henry and his son were killed during the Civil war by bushwhack- ers who made an effort to rob his store, and wdiich he in turn so bravely defended, losing his life thereby. Philip Hocker and his wife had six children, namely: Henry, of Montgomery county, Missouri; William, deceased; C. D., the subject of this sketch; Tillman, deceased: Joseph L., of California; and Susan E., the wife of A. J. Hulett. Both parents are deceased. C. D. Hocker, whose name heads this sketch, lived with his mother on the old homestead until he was of age. In iSOo she sold the farm and moved to Missouri, locating in Montgomery county, where she bought a farm. After the family scattered she retired to ]\Iiddletown, where she lived until her death, which occurred in 1876. Mr. Hocker returned to Kentucky after serving in the militia one year, looking for Inish- whackers and guarding property. After his return to Kentucky he was employed as a farm hand, this being his first experience at working out. In 1866 he married and re- 474 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. mcived to Holt county. Missouri, wliere lie rented a farm, on which he li\e(l three \ears. After saving enough to invest in some land, he moved to Nodaway county, where he hought forty acres of land, near his pres- ent farm. This was in i86g. There was a small house on the land, and the ground was but rudely broken. He went to work w ith a determination to succeed, and it was not long until he made great progress in that line. He ga\e all of his attention to the raising of stock, hogs and farm products, and gradually increased his propert\- until he was the owner of six hundred and eighty acres. After selling some of this land and giving some to his children, he yet owns four hundred acres, all of which is well im- proved and cultivated. When the liank at Guilford was reorganizetl in 1894, Mr. Hocker was elected its president. He is also a director and a stockholder. His son Jeffer- son is the cashier of the hank, and he also is one of the stockholders. The Ijank has a ■capital of ten thousand dollars and a sur- plus of eight hundred. Everything is in a flourishing condition, and the bank is reli- able in every sense of the word. Mr. Hocker married Martha L. ^NIc* Kinney, a lady of much intelligence, who was born October 2^, 1837, in Kentucky, a •daughter of Jefferson and Jennie (Givens) I\IcKinney. Her parents were natives of Kentucky and of Irish descent, and came from prominent families. They were the parents of seven children, namely: .\rchi- bald ; Samuel ; Thomas; Nancy J., the wife of H. Clark; Ann, the wife of J. Utt; Martha, the wife of our subject; and Parmelia, who married G. Schakleford. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Kinney moved to Missouri in 1852, and dur- ing the war returned to Kentucky, where Mrs. McKinney died. Mr. McKinney then retiu-ned to Holt county, Missouri, where he died in 1871. Mr. Hocker was the parent of live children by his wife, Martha ^McKin- ney. They are : Jefferson, the cashier of the Bank oi Guilford; Joseph L., a hardware dealer in Guilford; Charles: Amanda J., the wife of J. Rimel, a farmer of this county ; and Ida. Mr. Hocker is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and politically is a strong Democrat. HORACE JONES. Horace Jones, the most extensive and successful farmer in Nodawa}' county, east of Maryville, whose postoffice is Parnell, Missouri, was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, February 18, 1847. He is a son of Gustavus Jones, who was born in 1821, was deprix'td in youth of most of the advantages of educational facilities, but nevertheless was reasonably successful in business, and in poli- tics always a Republican. His ancestors were Virginians. He married Miss Char- lotte Rouse, who died in Missouri, at the age of sixty-eight years. To this marriage there were born four children, as follows : Sarah, the wife of David C. Hurley, of Oklahoma, Horace, the subject of this sketch; .Vnianda. the wife of Daniel ^vIcKay, of \\'a[)e'lo. Iowa; and Mattie C, who married Will- iam Baker, and is now deceased. Mr. Jones removed from Ohio to Indiana, where he car- rieil on farming, near La Fayette, and from this point he removed to Iowa, Ijecoming a pioneer in the state and becoming a well known merchant at Wapello, Louisa county. After a brief absence from the state he re- turned thereto in 1850, established himself in mercantile business at Wapello, and re- mained thus engaged imtil his death, whicii occurred in 1896. BIOGRAPHICAL HI STORY. 475 Horace Jones was a youth of much more than ordinary ambition. Tlie elementary principles of learning he acquired in the pub- lic schools, and he was found around his fa- ther's store more or less until he was six- teen years of age. At this time an opportu- nity arose which, seized upon, furnished hiui with a great deal of experience and a!s>) tended to the early development of that in- dependence of character and self-reliance which so markedly characterized hin\ in his mature years. He joined the Tiltons, a Xew York firm doing a freighting business across the plains, driving teams for them from Omaha to Denver. As a wage-earner he remained in the west for about three years, covering territory in Colorado, Wyoming and Xew Mexico. One of his employers was ex-Governor Eaton, of Greeley, whose friendship he won and merited, and whose hfe-work for more than a third of a century has been intimately connected with Colorado and her people. ^Ir. Jones, having completed his western wanderings and having re-crossed the "Great American Desert" to his Iowa home, found himself but little richer for having traversed the vast plain seven times, and for having rendered valuable service for many months at good wages. Upon returning to civilization in 1865 Mr. Jones engaged in trading and buying stock for a Burlington packer, and in buying grain and farming. At each of these different occupations he worked at different times, according to the season of the year, and in these ways sup- ported himself for four years. In 1869 he decided to settle down on the farm and to engage primarily in farm work, with more and greater earnestness than he had ever done, but also to continue his grain and stock buving; and it is a matter of fact that his career as a successful business man and far- mer began that year. He owned a span of nniles and one horse, but the county clerk loaned him a horse to complete his second team, and with these two teams he made his first money, pursuing agricfiltureon a rent- ed farm. One of his frien.ds ad\-ised him at tliat time that if he would save his money he could be worth five thousand dollars in ten years, as times were then good and everything sold at a high price. Cattle were particularly high and the industry was most attract! N-e to Mr. Jones. In order to secure funds with which to buy his first lot of calves he w(irked on the county ditch and grade of the "Q" railway, in its construction, and laid out all his earnings in the manner mentioned. When his first three years had passed he sold his stock, for more than four thousand dollars, and removed to Worth county, Missouri, where he purchased a farm, the first he ever owned. Upon that farm he resided three years and then mo\'ed over into Xodaway county, where he purchasel a farm of two hundred and six acres, giving a mortgage thereon for one thousand dollars, the balance of the purchase money. This being his first mortgage, and in fact his only one, he felt so restless under its burden that he paid it off during his first year on the farm. His advancement from 1875 has been most re- markable, of rapid strides, of great successes and few reverses. Little else than cattle and the farm have attracted his attention, and as the years have passed he has added acres to his farm, and numbers to his herds. At the present time his farm contains four thousand, three hundred and forty acres, and a thousand head of cattle and hogs are fed and marketed annually by him. When Mr. Jones settled o\\ his present 476 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. homestead his nearest postoffice was Defi- ■ ance, seven miles away. At that time there was but Httle pretense to improvement in the country round aljout. but in 1887 the Great Western engineers located their line and the station of Parnell on Mr. Jones' land. Being thus made one of the founders of the town he has ever since been one of its chief promoters and supporters, and has done much in the way of building up tlie place. He erected some of the best buildings in tlie town, donated lots to each of the churches, aided them in the erection of their houses of worship, and in many other ways has shown his appreciation for Parnell and his determinati se\'erance to a good i)osition in the business world. James E. Irvin, the manager and agent for the Standard Oil Company, at Tarkio, Atchison county, Missouri, is of an old Tennessee family, who inherited cour- age and a disposition to industry and hon+ esty from many generations of Scotch an- cestors. Mr. Ir\-in was born in Anderson county, Tennessee, June 14, 1845, ^ son of John and Rachel (Coy) Irvin, both of whom were natives of that county. James E., was little more than a child when his father died, in uiiddle life. In 1852 the family removed to Page county. Iowa, where they were among pioneers, as for some time afterward there was not a mile of railroad in the state. There Mrs. lr\in died, lea\'ing her son fully orphaned. The boy obtained some educa- tion from teachers who wielded "the hick-* ory" in log school-houses and grew up a strong, healthy young man, well informed as to all the mysteries of farming in that part of the country. July 4, 1861, he enlisted for three years' ser\ice in the Civil war, in the Twenty-third Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, com- manded by Colonel Dewey, until that officer's death in 1863, and after that by Colonel Kinsman, until he was killed at Black River bridge and succeeded by Colonel S. L. Glass- JAMES E. IRVIN BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 477 cow. Tlie first captain of his company was C G. George and he was succeeded by Cap- tain J. H. Walker, whose successor was Cap i tain Rawlings, who is now Hving in Page county, Iowa. The regiment made a highly creditable record at the siege of ^''icksburg, in Banks"s Red ri\er campaign and in Texas. J\lr. Irvin was a victim of sunstroke, which caused his confinement in hospital for sonic time. He was honorably discharged fron) the ser\ice July 6, 1865, a boy of twenty years, with more than four years' exper- ience as a soldier. For some time after the war Mr. Irvin was engaged in farming and stock-raising in Page county, Iowa, whence he removed in 1885 to Sherman county, Kansas, where he was a farmer and stock-raiser until in 1890, when he took up his residence at Tar- kio, Atchison county, Missouri, where for the past six years he has been the local man- ager and agent for the Standard Oil Com- pany, his territor}' including Tarkio, Alis- souri, and Blanchard and Hamburg, Iowa, and intermediate points. Some idea of the extent of his business will be afforded by the statement that he handles two hundred and forty thousand gallons of oil per an- num. His upright character and good busi- ness methods have commended him to the good opinion of the people of his district, who hold him in the highest esteem. He is exceptionally well informed in a political way antl is an ardent Republi- can and an active worker for the success of his party; and, though he is not an aspirant for office, he has served the people of his ward for four years, with much credit and honor, as a member of the board of aldermen of the city of Tarkio. In religius affiliation he is a Methodist and he keeps ali\e memor- ies and associations of the Civil war by mem-! bership in the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Ir\in was married, in Page county, Iowa, April 19, 1866, when he was twenty- one years old, to Alletha J. Chesshire, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Whit- ten) Chesshire. Her mother died April 15, 1900, while her father is now a resi- dent of Tarkio. Mrs. Ir\in was born in Tennessee and reared and educated in Iowa, and is a woman of many graces and accom- plishments. Mr. and Mrs. Irvin had four daughters and four sons, and three oi tlie'U children died in infancy and childhood. Their son Charles C. Irvin is the agent for the Standard Oil Company, at Beloit, Kan- sas, and is making a splendid record as a business man. He is married. Nettie is the wife of S. B. Francis. Ida Belle is a member of her father's household. Tenitia E. married T. C. Charlsworth and died in 1900, leaving a son. T. M. S. WEATHERMOX. Thomas M. S. Weathermon, identified with the growth, settlement and development of Nodaway county, being one of the promi- nent influential farmers, w'as born June 29, 1838, in Surr}-, now Yadkin, county, North Carolina. He was a son of Christopher and Martha (V'estel) \\'eathennon, both natives of North Carolina. Christopher Weathermon was of Irish descent, his father being a native of Ireland, and his mother was a native of Germany. They had five children, as follows: Corne- lius; \\'illiam: Samuel; Christopher, the fa- ther of our subject; and Elizabeth. Christo- pher Weathermon was reared in North Car- olina, where he farmed until 1843, \vhen he 478 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. moved with his family to Andrew county, Missouri. He remained there two years, and then entered some land in Nodaway county, where he built a log house, and later a frame dwelling, and began farming. He made many improvements on the place, and raised stock and farm products. At his death, which occurred in ]^larch, 1890, he left a good estate. He was a ^^ hig in early life, and later a Republican, exerting his influence with telling effect. He was a member of the Methodist church. He married Martha Ves- tel, the daughter of a Xorth Carolina minis- ter, who had one other child, Xancy. They were the parents of the following children : Isaac, who died and left seven children; Je- rusha, who married H. Elliott; William, deceased, who left four children; James W., deceased, who left seven children; John V., a farmer of this county Jesse, a soldier of Company G, Fourth ^lissouri Cavalry, for the Union, and was killed; Thomas M. S., the subject of this sketch; Harriet; Miles, deceased, who left five children; Solomon, of Montana; and Nathan, of Colorado. Thomas M. S. Wethermon, the subject of this ketch, was educated in the common schools of his native county, and in 1861 en- listed in the state militia, where he had some rough experience looking after bushwhack- ers and property. He continued in service during the war, and has not yet received his discharge. In 1864 he married, but did not get settled until after the close of the war, when he went to live at old Guilford. He then bought sixty-two acres. of farm land and twenty acres of timber, and has since added to this until he now owns three hun- dred acres. He built a two-story house, a large barn and several other outbuildings, put out an orchard, and beautified the place in general, until he now has one of the most attractive farms in the county. When he first settled on his farm in Missouri, his near- est neighbor was two miles away, and the prairie was open, the grass fine and game of all kinds in abundance. Mr. Wethermon was an artist before he married, taking pic- tures for several j'ears. He is a Republican. Mr. Weathermon married Anna Reece, a daughter of Jonathan Reece, a well known farmer of Indiana who moved to Andrew county, Missouri, where he died. His chil- dren were: James; Anna, the wife of our subject; and Wesley. After Mr. Recce's death the mother married William Camp- bell, by whom she had two children, Jt)se- phine and Frank. Mrs. Campbell died in No- daway county. She was one of six children : Adam; John; "William; Carlisle; Rebecca; and Elizabeth. Mr. \\'eathermon had five children by his first marriage, namely: Laura, the wife of C. E. Calkins, of Mon- tana; James, of Montana; Grant, at Nome. Alaska, in the mines; Frank, of Montana; and Minnie, the wife of E. Nash. Mrs. \\'eathermon died in April. 1875. Mr. Weathermon married Caroline Bell in 1876. She was born in Andrew county, Missouri, June 13, 1853, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Colburn) Bell. Thomas Bell was a Kentucky farmer, and moved to Doniphan county, Kansas, when Kansas was a territory. He served in the first legislature of the territory, and as a compensation re- ceived two lots in Topeka. Being a free- state man, it re(|uired all his ability and exer- tion to keep his farm, as everything was done to get him out of tlie county. During the Civil war he went to Illinois, after which he returned to Andrew county, Missouri, where he died. His wife survived him. and she was the mother of two children by a previous marriage. — D. L.. and Richard BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 479 Houston. The Bell children were : Caro- luie, the wife of our subject; Eliza, the wife of I. Jackson; Elizabeth; John; and Fanny, who married C. Holland, of Xebraska. ^Ir. \\"eathermon and his wife have eight ■children, namely; Albert, Eva, George C, Cora, Roy V., Grace J., Carl R. and Delia. Mr. Weathermon is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge Xo. 219. JAMES M. THRASHER. James Madison Thrasher, a prominent and successful farmer of Nodaway county, Missouri, and a loyal and honest citizen of the town of Barnard, is a native of Monroe county, Indiana, born August 7, 1858. He is a son' of Joel and Orlena (Carroll) Thrasher, both natives of Pennsylvania. Joel Thrasher settled in Monroe county, In- diana, in early life, where he was an honest, quiet farmer. He died on the homestead and his wife remained at home until 1877, when she went to Missouri and made her home with her son James, the subject of this sketch. She died there in 1895. Both she and her husband were members of the Christian church, in which they were active workers. Their ^children were; Mary, deceased, who married Mr. Campbell; John, who died in Oklahoma, July 4, 1900, leaving a wife and six children; Mrs. Christa Worley, deceased; ]\Irs. Kate Hazelwood; Jason N.. who lives in Indiana; IMrs. Sallie Blair; James, the father of our subject; and RoUa, who is a grocer at Barnard, James M. Thrasher, whose name heads this brief sketch, was educated in the com- mon schools of his county, where he re- mained until he reached the age of fifteen years. He then mo\-ed to Illini)is, where he v;as employed as a farm hand fur twn years. arid in 1875 'ic went to Missouri, where he was employed as a farm hand for one year. He then rented a farm of forty acres, which he afterward bought, and gradually increased until he had a farm of two hundred acres, his present possession. It is in a high state of cultivation, and is one of the neat and attractive farms so often seen in that section of the country. Mr. Thrasher also raises considerable stock. He married Kate Al- kire, who was born in Illinois, July 8, 1864, a daughter of David and Ann Alkire. David Alkire settled in White Cloud township in 1877, where he remained a num- ber of years. He then moved to Maryville. He lost his first wife in Illinois. His chil- dren are; Charles', deceased; Benjamin; Lydia, the wife of E. H. GofT; Chance; Will- iam, of Maryville; Kate, the wife of our subject, and Timothy. His wife was a member of the Christian church. He reared the following children by his second wife : Mrs. Cally Campbell; John, of California; Nancy; Lily, the wife of J. Gofif; Milem, of Stanberrj^; and Elizabeth, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Thrasher are both members of the Christian church. Our subject, James ]M. Thrasher, has been blessed with eight children, namely ; Edna, born May 9, 1884; Christa, May 24, 1886; Allie, September 29, 1888; David R., December 14, 1889; Joel R,, December 14, 18889; Jimnie E., May 19, 1892; Elmar R., January 29, 1896; and Irene, December 4, 1898, The parents attend the Christian church. THOMAS R. HUBBELL. Thomas R. Hubbell, a pioneer settler and prominent farmer of Nodaway county, Missouri, has been identified with the growth 480 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. and settlement of this county. A native of Henry county, Indiana, he was born Octo- l)ei- 13. 1824. a son of Samuel and Mary (Rumley) Hu1)bell. Two uf the Hubbell brothers came from England in the early colonial days, serving in the war of the Revolution. John Hub- bell, the grandfather of our subject, was liody guard to (leorge Washington for six- months. He settletl in Ohio, where he mar- ried a Miss Robinson, of New Jersey. He was a farmer by occupation. Politically, he was a Democrat. He attended the Xew Light church, and his death nccurred in Hen- rv county, Indiana. The children born to this couple were: John; Isaac; Daniel; Ehigh; Sally; Anna; and Samuel, the father of our subject. Samuel Hubbell was born in Ohio in 1799. and there grew to manhood. He moved to Indiana, where he bought some timber land and later sold this farm to his father, and moved to Michigan, where he entered land and improved a farm near Pot- tawatomy, an bulian reservation, near Xiles. In 1839, he sold this farm and returned to Indiana, spending the winter in Henry coun- ty. He then bought a farm in Jnhnson coun- ty, remaining there three or four years, after which he sold out and again went to Michi- gan. Later he returned to Johnson county, where he bought a farm and remained sev- eral years. Then his wife died. He then bought a home in N'igo county, where he moved, and re-marred. He was a fairly sucessful farmer, and his death occurred in 1882. Politically he was a Whig, and later a Republican. He married Mary Rumley, a daughter of Thomas Rumley. Thomas Rumley was a native of North Carolina and one of the early settlers of Indiana. He was a tanner and shoemaker by trade. He moved to Kosciusko coiuity. Indiana, where he died .some years later. His children were : Mary A., the mother of our subject; J'lhn; Habicook ; Betsy ; and Louisa. Samuel Hub- bell and his wife were the parents of seven children, namely: Thomas R., whose name heads this sketch; Tabitha, the wife of R. Ross; Rachael, the wife of J. Eastburn : Sa- rah, deceased ; Samuel S., of Iowa ; and Will- iam, who died at the age of nineteen years. Thomas R. Hubbell, the subject of this personal biography, made manv moves with his father in his boyhood days, and after growing to maniiood, he married and settled in Indiana, where he bought a farm in John- son county. He remained there a numlier of years, and then went to \'igo county, living there until 1856. He then sold his farm and returned to Johnson county, where he renteil a farm for four years, after which time he mox'ed to Iowa in i860, remaining one year in that state. He then bought the land in Nodawa)' county on which he now lix'es, and in 1861 mox'ed' with his family to lliis farm. It was but a farm with forty acres rudely broken, and with no buildings, sa\e a small cabin. ]Mr. Hul)bell made man)- permanent improxe- ments, and now has one of the most attrac- tive little farms in the county. There is a large house, several substantial outbuildings, and an orchard, while the land is in a splen- did state of cultivation. During his early days in Missouri the war was raging, and often times Mr. Hubbell was in danger of his life, as he was a Unon man and a mem- ber of the state militia. He helped elect many good men to the township offices, and was a firm and strong Republican. He never cared to serve in office, and was at one time elect- ed justice of the peace, but refused to serve. Mr. Hubbell married Perlina Kinnick, who was born in North Carolina, Eebruarv BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 481 14. 1826. Slie was a (laugliter of Jolin and Peggy (Eckles) Kinnick. The Kinnick family were prominent in Xorth Carolina, but John moved to Indiana in 1836, settling in Johnson county, where he bought some tmiher land, which he improx-ed and there carried on farming. He was the father of the following children : lilliza ; Xancy : Will- iam; Henry: ^Nlinerva; f^erlina. the wife of our subject: Emily; Mary; James. The pa- rents were both Methodists. 'Slv. and Mrs. Hubbell have been blessed with nine children, namely: Mary E., who married J. Somer; Sarah I., the wife of A. Roberts: Martha A., wife of ]\I. Peterson: Charlotte, who married H. Atkinson : John. a farmer; Samuel, of Indian Territory: In- dustry, the wife of George Thompson: James, a farmer; and Albert, at home. Albert is the only unmarried one in the family. Mar- tha A. was a natural artist, and many of her paintings adorn the walls of Mrs. Hubbell's home. Martha died in 1892. leaving two sons. Our subject and his wife are well known in the county and in Carwood. where thev have manv friends. JOHX WEXDLE. John \\'endle, who is one of the well known farmers residing in Grant township, Nodaway county, Missouri, and one of the early settlers of that county, was Ijorn in Shenandoah county, Virginia, February 17, 1833. He was the son of William and Mary (Critzinger) Wendle, botli of Virginia. George \\'endle, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of Germany and a wagon- maker by trade. He married Sally Bording, of Virginia, and they were the parents of the following children : William, the father of our subject ; Samuel B. ; Margai^et, now Mrs. Dull: Amos; Richard: Beant ; George; Elizabeth ; Joseph, who lives in Virginia. The family attended the Lutheran church. William Wendle was reared and edu- cated in Virginia. He married Mary Critzinger, who died in 1875. She was one of a large number of children, the others Ijeing: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Taman : Michela, now Mrs. Wiseman; Lydia Hammond; Peggv Hatter; Rachel, now Mrs. Orndorf; Dilita. John, Joseph, Samuel, George, Lewis. Isaac. Samuel and Isaac, — the two last mentioned being mrnisters. William \\'endle moved to Illinois in 1855. where he rented a farm, and later bought land, on which he followed agriculture the remainder of his life. He died in 1879. and his death was deeply felt in the community, as he had been a loyal and faithful citizen and had won many friends during his residence in that county. In politics he was a strong Democrat, and religiously a member of the Lutheran church. His children were : John, the subject of this sketch; Cornelius, of Iowa: Lydia. now Mrs. C. Baker; Margaret, now Mrs. Kemp: George, of Illinois; Will- iam, of X'ebraska; Jo.sepli. of Xebraska ; Washington, of Illinois; Jackson, of Ne- braska; and Isaiah, of Cameron, Missouri. John Wendle, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in Virginia. In 1855 he moved to Illinois, locating in Ogle county, where he worked out as a farm hand. Later his father settled in this coun- tv, whom he assisted in farming. Mr. Wendle returned to A'irginia in 1858. where he was united in marriage with Mar}- Copp, a native of that state. He did nut return west until after the rebellion, but enliste.I in the Confederate service, serving as a substitute for six months, under Stonewall Jackson. He was in reality in sympathy with 482 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. the Union men, but was compelled to join the Confederate service. He was in several skirmishes but in no regular battles. He re- mained in Virgimia until 1864, when with his family he returned to Illinois. He bought a farm in that state, but sold out in 1878 and moved to Missouri, locating in Nodaway county, remaining here two years. He then bought a farm north of Maryville, and after living on it for four years sold it and moved to Kansas. In 1884 he returned to Nodaway county, wliere he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he has greatly improved and remodeled. It yields a splendid crop each year, and is one of the finest farms in the county. He also gives much time and work to stock-raising, in which he has been very successful. Mr. Wendle's wife. Mary Copp Wendle, was born May 17, 18.^3, in Virginia, and was a member of one of the old and respect- ed families of the Shenandoah Valley. Her father, Samuel Copp, was a prominent farm- er in his county, and attained a ripe old age. He and his wife were the parents of five chil- dren, namely : Rebecca ; Eliza ; Mary, the wife of our subject; Philip and Lydia. Our subject and his wife are the parents of seven children: Laura, boiin November 21, 1859, now the wife of F. Beaver; Caroline E., born February 5, 1862, now the wife of C. Hayward; Mary .\.. born March 13, 1865, now the wife of H. Wamsley; Martha, born November 12. 1866, now the wife of a Mr. Snively; Ada M.. born Deccmlier 15, 1868, niiw the wife of 1). Snodgrass: William, born June 23. 1871 ; ;iind Lee, born Xovcmber 19, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Wendle are raising an orphan, Cirace Xewcomljc, wlmse mother died when she was but two years njd. Our sulijcct and his wife lia\e many warm friends in the community, and are higlily respected by all who know them. Mr. Wendle is an ardent Democrat. ja:\ies f. logax. James F. Logan is one of the prominent and representative citizens of Tarkio, .\tchi- son county, and has been a resident of this locality since 1872. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, near the city of West- chester, on tlic Ti(] of September. 1850, an the work of the farm and early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He owns three hun- dred and twenty acres of rich land, and in connection with his brother has fi\-e hundred and sixty acres in Colfax township. His barn is the largest in the county, its dimen- sions being sixty-four by fifty-eight feet. All the modern accessories and improvements are found unon the place, and there are ex- cellent facilities for carrying on stock-rais- ing. He feeds about five hundred head of cattle. He and his brother George also ha\-e a large cattle ranch in .Vance couiitx', Xe- 488 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. braska. where tliey have large herds. These are sliipped to tlie city markets, where they command good prices. At the age of twenty-tliree 'Sir. Andrews ^\ as-united in marriage to Miss Emma Col- well, a representative of one of the well knuwn and esteemed families of the county. Se\en children grace this union, namely: Minnie. Frank, Charles. Roscoe. Inez. Xel- son and ]\Iabel. In his social relations Mr. Andrews is a Knight of Pythias and also belongs to the Modern W'oodmen of Amer- ica. He is widely recognized as one of the enterprising business men of the community. He possesses a strong determination, re- liable judgment and keen discrimination in business matters. He is an excellent judge of stock and this has proved an important element in his successful career. He has a wide aci|uaintance throughout this portion of the country and is recognized as one of the leading stock n a farm near Indianapolis, In- diana, and on reaching manhood married Elizabeth Kime, who was born in North Carolina, but spent her early lite in the Hoosier state. Her father. Daxid Kime. was a native of Germany. In 1844 Mr. Roberts and his wife re- moved from Indiana to Missouri by teams, and were among the first to locate in Atchi- son county. .\t that time the Indians were far more numerous here than the white set- tlers, while woh'es, deer and other wild game were plentiful. ^Ir. Roberts built a log cabin at Center Grove and began the impro\'ement of a farm. During the Mex- ican war he entered the service, but while at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, hostilities ceased and he returned home. In 1849 'i^ crossed the plains to California with ox teams, being four months upon the road, and was engaged in mining in that state for some time, re- turning home by way of the isthmus of Pan- ama, New Orleans and the Mississippi river. He then followed farming uninterrupted- ly until after the Civil war broke out. when he enlisted and remained in the service until his death, which occurred at Louisville. Ken- tucky, in January, 1865. Two of his broth- ers were also in the army, these being Cap- tain Newton Roberts, who belonged to a Missouri regiment and dieil in St. Jiseph thirty years ago; and Captain John Roberts, who belonged to an Indiana regiment and died in 1867, in that state. Two of !iis sons also were numbered among the boys in blue, and one, like the father, was called upon to lay down his life on the altar of h's country. The father was fifty-two years of age at the time of his death, and was a nian of good physique, being si.x feet high and weighing one hundred and eighty-five pounds. He was courageous, brave and strong, making an excellent pioneer and sol- dier. Politicallv he was a Democrat, but supported Lincoln for the ])residency. being a strong Union man. His wife survived BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 489 him thirty-one years, dying on the old home farm in this county, in 1896, at the age of eighty-three years. She was an earnest member of the Christian chiuxh and a most estimable woman. In the family of this worthy couple were eight children, namely : Nancy A., the wife of David West; David, who was a soldier of the Civil war and died while home on a furlough : Mrs. Je- mima Hough, deceased ; William, who also was in the Civil war and is now a resident of Lincoln county, Nebraska ; Elizabeth, who married John Shepherdson, and both are now deceased; James, Jr., who died at Cen- ter Grove in 1897; Michael W., our subject; and Jessie L., a resident of southern Mis- souri. During his boyhood and youth Michael W. Roberts pursued^ his studies in a log- school house at Center Grove, and early be- came familiar with the work of field and meadow, remaining at his parental home until twenty-three years of age. In 1884 he was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Jacks, of Platte county, Missouri, a daugh- ter of Richard and Victoria Jacks. By this union were born two children, — James and Carrie. The wife and mother died February 3, 1890, and in August, 1892, Mr. Roberts was again married, his second union being with Miss Estella Laden, a native of Indiana and a daughter of James and Elizabeth Laden, members of the Society of Friends. Her father is now a resident of Anderson, Indiana, but her mother died, in that state, n-. 1885. Mrs. Roberts, also a faithful mem- ber of the Society of Friends, is the mother of four children : Frederick. Pearl, Alfred and David Ralph. Like his father, ^^Ir. Roberts also is a large man, being six feet high and weighing two hundred pounds. In his political affilia- tions he is a Popuhst. A man of the strictest integrity and honor, he has won the respect and confidence of those with whom he has come in contact, and justly merits the high regard in which lie is held by his fellow citizens. FRANCIS M. BOWMAN. Francis Marion Bowman, who served in the Confederate army during the Civil war, is an industrious farmer of Lincoln town- ship, Nodaway countv. Missouri, where he owns about one hundred and sixty acres of land. He is one of the early settlers of this county, haxing come here when a boy. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war he became al- lied with the Confederacy, becoming a mem- ber of Company B, under Captain T. J. ^Ic- Quitta. He saw very acti\e ser\-ice and fought with valor throughout the war. He was at the liattle of Blue Mills, of Lexing- ton, Missouri, in the three-days fight when Colonel Mulligan surrendered, was a guard for General Price's commissary trains. Pea Ridge, Corinth and luka. Mississippi, and numerous other engagements. On ]May 16, 1863. at Champion Hills, he was wounded in the right leg bv a bullet and was left lying on the battle-field for some time. He was taken captive by the federals, and the Con- federate surgeons came under a flag of truce and amputated his leg. He was returned to the Confederates, who took care of him and sent him to the hospital at Raymond, Missis- sippi, where he remained for four weeks, and was then taken to the hospital at Lauder- dale, on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, where he remained until he was able to walk with crutches. 'There he met an old friend, A. P. Cra\-ens, who induced him to go to his old home in kandnlph county. North Caro- 4i)0 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. lina. After remaining tliere for a time he Avent to Richmond, Virginia, and tlien on to Cieneral Lee's army on the Rappahannock river for a time. He next went south to L'niontown, Perry county. Alaljama. wliere lie served as foreman or superintendent of a large plantation until 1865, after wliich he returned to Nodaway county, Missouri. For several years he was on tlie plains as drover, ■driving large herds of cattle north from Texas. In 1873 he acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land in Lincoln township, Nodaway county, which he has greatly im- proved. He has an excellent house, well- furnished and suitably located, good barns and outbuildings and a good orchard and groves. The premises are well supplied with water, which is pumped by a windmill, and the entire farm is in excellent condition. In 1873 Mr. Bowman ^vas united in mar- riage with Georgia Graham, a daughter of M. W. and Emily (House) Graham, and they became the parents of the following chil- dren : Elsie, wife of Alvin Abbott, of Lin- coln township; Marion W., who lives on one of our subject's farms in Atchison coun- ty ; and Francis E., Cora Emily and Charles E., who are also living at home. Politically Mr. Bowman is a Democrat of the Jacksonian type, and has held nu- merous township offices, such as assessor, clerk and meml^er of the township board. He is upright and honest, well informed on all subjects of general interest, and stands high in the community in which he lives. ADOLPH LI PPM AX. The value of doing efficiently and cheer- fully what the hands find to do and of seiz- ing opix)rtunities as they appear has been well illustrated in the career of Adolph Lipp- man. a man well known at Maryville, Mis- souri. He has passed a quarter of a century within the borders of Nodaway county and has established a reputation for fairness and integrity which contributes in no small de- gree to his prosperity and popularity. Mr. Lippman was born in Osnabruck, Hanover, Germany, February 27, 1855. His father, George Lippman. was actively en- gaged in business at the above named city for nearly fifty years, retiring about 1890, and died there in 1900, at the age of eighty- four years. His children are Mrs. William Minzlaff, of Bremen, Germany ; Mrs. Ber- nard Hull, of Osnabruck, Germany ; Charles Lippman, of Maryville; ^Irs. Fred Bock, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Adolph Lippman, of Mary- ville ; Mrs. Gustave Fisher, of Ohrbeck, Ger- many; August Lippman, of Brineville, Ore- gon. Adolph Lippman arrived in Cincinnati when about twelve years of age and his earliest employment was on the boats on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers as knife and fork shiner, in which capacity he aided the cook in many ways and performed menial service of different kinds. He was so employed for two years and made many trips from Par- kersburg and Wheeling to Cairo and on south to New Orleans. He then learned the trade of wood-carver and cabinetmaker in the employ of the Mitchell & Remmelsberg Furniture Company, of Cincinnati, and was with that concern three years. From Cin- cinnati he went to New Orleans and worked there at his trade for several years. He followed that employment in a tour of the south, stopping to work and "see the sights," then going on to the next place to do the same things. In that way he saw much of Texas and the southwest and earned good wages all the time. He came to Maryville BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 491 from Austin, Texas, and went to work with Stephan Brothers, furniture dealers and man- ufacturers. His last employment as a me- <;hanic was in the service of Stephan & Lipp- man, his brother Charles heing the junior member of the firm. In 1880 he opened a small resort on North Main street. He decided, on enter- ing- the business, to maintain a quiet and orderly resort and have surrounding it all the elements of respectability. This he has accomplished, and as a result his establish- ment has been the popular place of the city and "The Oak" a profitable in\estment for its proprietor. In 1893 he was interested in the construction of "The New Oak," one of the handsome brick buildings of the city. He is connected also with the agricultural and stock interests of the county. He owns a large farm in Jackson tnwnship, upon Avhich he feeds some ten car-loads of cattle annually. ]\Ir. Lippman is a Democrat. In 1886 he was appointed a government inspector of customs aboard one of the Alaskan steamers, and during a two-years absence from Mary- A-ille made nineteen trips to that frozen coun- i\\. In November, 1894, he married Emma Deutsche], a daughter of Michael Deutschel, Avho was bom in Brooklyn, New York, April 5, 1862. DAVID R. DUNLAP. Among the representative business men of Atchison county is the subject of this re- view, who is now successfully conducting a general store in W'estboro. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Dunlap was born in Huntingdon county June 7, 1837, and be- longs to a family of Scotch descent which is noted for industry and honesty. His fa- ther, James Dunlap, was also a Pennsyl- vanian by birth, and by occupation was a mechanic, working in both wood and iron. He married Nancy Chaney, a native of the Keystone state and a representative of an old Pennsylvanian family of German origin. In 1849 they came A\-est by team and located near Fairfield, Jefferson county, Iowa, being among its early settlers. There the father followed his trade, and both he and his wife died near Fairfield, at the age of sixty-five years. In their family w^ere twelve children, — seven sons and five daughters, — namely : \\'ashington, a resident of Pennsylvania ; Levi, of Crawford county, Kansas; John \V., of Ketchum, Idaho; David R., our subject; Joshua B., of Wilcox, Missouri; James, who was a soldier of the Civil war and died in the south; Lewis, of California; Mrs. Lovina Bailey, deceased ; Mrs. Delilah Whistler, of Ransom, Ness county, Kansas ; Mrs. Nancy Monson, who died in Jefiferson county, Iowa ; Rose x\nn, the widow of Dudley Kelley; and Joseph Henry, who died at Rome, low.a, in 1895. Politically the father was a Dem- ocrat, and religiously was a member of the United Brethren church. The early education of David R. Dunlap was acquired in an old log school house and has been supplemented by extensive experi- ence in business. He was reared upon the old home farm, and in his father's shop gained a good knowledge of the blacksmith's trade. In 1862 he made an overland trip with ox teams to Oregon, by way of Omaha, North Platte, Fort Bridger and Salt Lake City, being four months uix)n the way. He spent three years in prospecting and mining, camping out most of the time. In 1865 he returned to Iowa, on horseback all of the way, being in the saddle seventy-four days. In 1868 Mr. Dunlap was united in mar- 492 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. riage to Miss Caroline Snyder, a native of Columbus, Ohio, and a daughter of John Snyder, who died in Westboro, Missouri. By this union four children were born, namely: Lena Perl, deceased; Ada Anna, now the wife of Daniel Snyder, depot agent at Westboro; John Franklin, a resident of Atchison county ; and Chester Arthur. The wife and mother, who was a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, died in 1894, and in 1898 Mr. Dunlap married Mrs. Lizzie (Clement) Cradit, a daughter of M. B. Clement, of Westboro. By this marriage has been born a son, David R., Jr., a bright boy, now fifteen months old. Coming to Westboro in the fall of 1880, Mr. Dunlap purchased a corner lot and erected a large store building, where he has since carried on business as a general mer- chant. His stock of goods is large and well selected, and bv fair and hnnnral)le dealing he has built up an e.xcellenl trade. Keen dis- crimination, untlagging industry and reso- lute purpose are numbered among his salient characteristics and tlius he has won that prosperity which is the merited reward of honest effort. In his ijolitical affiliations he ir, a Democrat. JOHX M. ANDERSON. That sturdy, honest Scotch ancestry which has leavened our American citizen- ship in nearly all parts of the country pro- duced the suljject of this .sketch, John M. Anderson, of Rockport, Missouri, who was elected county treasurer of Atchison county ill November, 1900, and whose personal pop- ularity was attested by the fact that as a Republican he iiad a majority of twenty-nine votes over a Democratic-Populist fusion ticket of a majority of one hundred and sev- enty-one, all except U\X) of the candidates on which were elected. Air. Anderson was born August 26, 1853, in Brown county, Ohio, near Gretna Green, a favorite resort of marriageable peo- ple from Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Will- iam Ander.son, his father, also a native of Brown county, Ohii), did three years gallant service as a soldier in the Civil war in Com- pany F. Seventieth Regiment, Ohio \'olun- teer Infantry. He married Miss Alhertine iJragoo, who was born, reared and educated in Ohio and is descended from an old and honorable family from that state. In 1865 they removed with their family to Atchison county. Missouri, and the\' are still living near Fairfa.x, successful in life and respected by all who knew them. Their S(in, John M., was educated to some extent in the pub- lic schools, but may be said to have acquired his education chiefly in the school of experi- ence, fur he has always been a devoted reader and a close obser\er of men and measures. Two \aluable lessons were taught him by his parents, and they were that he should work and be honest, and they have been in- fluential upon his success in life. He was during his early years a farmer, but found his real business success as a druggist at Phelps City, where his geniality and fair dealing won him many friends and perma- nent patrons. i\s a Re])ulilican Mr. .\nderson has long taken an interest in political affairs, and he has been one of the most active, faithful and zealous workers for the success of his party in Atchison county, in all parts of which he is well known and popular. He has served as a delegate to state and county conventions and has always wielded an ap- preciable influence in local Republican pol- itics. In 1894 and 1895 he served the county BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 493 with mucli abilit)' and credit in the office of assessor, and in 1900, when candidates were needed whose personal popularity made it possible for them to win over great opposi- tion, he was nominated on the Republican ticket for the office of treasurer of Atchi- son ciiunty, a responsible position which those who know him best, whether they are Republicans, Democrats or Populists, believe he will fill to the entire satisfaction of the great mass of his fellow citizens without re- regard to political affiliation. He was elect- ed hjr a majority of twenty-nine, while the county gave a majority of one hundred and seventy-one on the state and national Dem- ocratic ticket. ]\Ir. Anderson has been a resident of Atchison county for thirty-six years and lo- cated at Phelps City in 1896, since which time he has been prominent in business cir- cles there. He has long been well known as a Knight of Pythias and is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married, in 1S80, to i\Iiss Nancy Robinson, who was of a good family and possessed many virtues and accomplishments, and who died in 1882. His present wife, whom he married in 1890, was Miss Sarah Cheesman, of Atchison county, a daughter of M. E. Cheesman, a representative of an old and honorable family. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have an adopted daughter, Mrs. Anderson's niece, a bright girl, known as Fay Cheesman Anderson. JOHN Mcelroy. As long as memory remains to the Amer- ican people and the Republic stands as one of tiie great powers of the world, the nation will ever feel a debt of gratitude to those 30 wflio preserved the Uni«in at the time when its stabilit}- was threatened by rebellion in the south. Among the loyal sons who "wore the blue" is numbered John McElroy, whose ]3atri()tic spirit pronijjted his enlistment, and at the seat df war he won for himself an h'on(irat)le military record. He is now well known as a \alued and honorable citizen of Atchison county, where he located in 1870. He was born in Lee county, Virginia, April II, 1829, and is a representative of one of the good families of that state. His father was George McElroy, a native of the same county, and his grandfather was Archibald McElroy. The latter was of Scotch parent- age and the family was founded in Lee county, Virginia, at an early day. Having arrived at years of maturity the grandfather married a Miss Smith, also of Lee county, and upon a farm they made their home and reared their large family. They were Baptist people in religious belief and their lives were in harmony with their professions. Both died in Virginia, the grandfather when seven- ty years of age, the grandmother at the age of eighty 3'eaTs. Residing in the south, their descendants became supporters of southern principles, and the family was represented b} many members in the Confederate army. George McElroy was reared in Lee county, Virginia, spending his youth uiwn the old family homestead. He wedded Miss Polly Noe, a representative of a re- spected family of the Old Dominion, and a daughter of Charles Noe, who was of Dutch descent. The parents of our subject had four children who reached mature years, nameh' : Archibald, who died in Lee county, \'irginia; Ximrod, now living in Lincoln township, Atchison county, Missouri, at the age of seventy-five; Betsey, who died in Indiana; and Emily, who died in early life. 494 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Ill 1 83 1 the parents left their home in the Old Dominion and by team traveled to Washington county, Indiana. In 1832 the father went south to seek a location. He was on a steamer when taken ill. his sick- ness terminating his life. This left the widow and children alone in a new country and with little to provide for their support. The mother. howe\-er. long survived him and passed away in Burlington, Coffey county, Kansas, in 1859. at the age of fifty-six years. She had carefully reared her chil- dren, keeping them together and providing for them to the best of her ability. After the death of her first husband she was again married, becoming the wife of Joseph Dur- nil. and had three children, of whom one is now living, James, a resident of Illi- nois. The father of our subject was a Whig in his early political affiliations, and though reared in the south he became an Abolition- ist. He held membership in the Reformed church and lived an upright and consistent life, John McElroy was reared' on the old homestead farm in Washington county, In- the close of the Revolutionary war. 2\Ir. ^'ates was burn in .Staffi>rilsliire, England, December 20, iHjj. and is a son of Jarvis and Sarah C. ( I'nx ) \'ates. His par- ents came to Canail;i in 11^45. and located in Burford, lirock district, now Brant coun- ty, tile district being named after General Binick. The father died at the age of eigh- ty-fi\e years and the mother at the age of seventy, lie was a farmer liy occupati7, and belongs to a family of Welsh origin which was founded in this country iri colonial days. Among -bis ancestors were some who served iir both the Revo- hitionary war and the war of 1812. John B. Morgan, the Doctor's grand fa- th.er. was born in Kentucky. September 20, 1 79 1, antl in that state married Elizabeth McDonald, who was born there August 17, 1796, their marriage being celebrated No- vember 7, 1820. In early life he followed the brick and stone mason's trade, but aft- er connng to Missouri, in 1841. entered land four miles southwest of ]\Iaryville, and turned his attention to farming. He finally sold his farm and spent his last days at Graham in retirement from active labor. There he died September 2, 1865, and his wife passed away September 5, 1866. They had eleven children, all of whom were born in Shelby county, Indiana, namely : John Mc, born September 8, 1821, died June 2y, 1842; Amaziah, born July 9. 1823, was killed by lightning, April 1 1, 1863, leaving a wife and two children; Adonijah, born July 9, 1825, died unmarried December 31, 1891; Mar- garet J., born January 5, 1827, and died De- . cember 18, 1890, was the wife of N. Swaren- gin ; Effa, born February 1 1, 1829, died June 5. 1829; Lewis, born March 11, 1830, w^as a retired farmer of Graham, where he died No- vember 17, 1899: Catherine E., born Sep- tember 30, 1831, is the wife of \\'illiam Jen- kins; James \\'., the father of our subject, was next in order of birth; William \\'., born September 19, 1836, 'followed farming and died August 28, 1890; Paulina, born No- vember 5, 183^, is unmarried; and Ruth A., born January 3, 1841. married James Deck- er and both are now deceased, her death oc- curring March I, 1900. Dr. James W. Morgan, the father of our subject, was born in Shelby county. Indiana, March 12, 1834, and was seven years old when the family came to Nodaway county, Missouri, where he was reared and educated. He was married August 3, 1856, to ]\Iiss Laura F. Scott, a daughter of Ebenezer and 502 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Hulda Scott, the former a cousin of General \\'infield Scott. She was born September 30, 1835. and by her marriage became the n^other of the following children : Arthur McDonald, born May 14. 1857. died on the 2d of October of the same year ; Roberta Austin, born February 12. 1862, died on the 25tli of the same month : and Laura F., born February 16, 1864, died on the 31st of July of that year. When a young man Dr. James W. Morgan read medicine with Drs. J. V. A. \\'oods and B. G. Ford, of Maryville. for his preceptors, for about four years, and then engaged in practice in Graham until driven away by tlie Confederates during the Civil war, when he went to Dodley's. He was then a member of the home guards until the pro\'isional government of ^Missouri was formed, and in September. 1861, at the call of Governor Gamble for troops, he enlisted for six nidnlhs. lieing cnniniissiimed first lieutenant of Company H. Kimble's regi- ment. In Xovember he was detached from the company and placed in charge of the Hax House hospital, where he remained un- til discharged. In March. 1862. he enlisted in what was known as tlie Fourth Cavalry Regiment of Missouri State X'olunteer Mili- tia. United States Army, under the command of Colonel George II. I!;ill. .\t that time no vokuiteers had been called for. but through his solicitation jiermrssion was given Governor Gamble to raise ten regiments of cavalry for scouting purposes, which did duty in Missouri, .\rkansas, and Indian Ter- ritory. The Doctor was elected and commis- sioned first lieutenant of Company K, said regiment. May 14, 1862, and was on duty at St. Joseph for a time. Later he was again detached and placed in command of the pro- vost guard, with which he was connected un- til sent home on sick leave for an indefinite time. He reformed the command at Marsh- field, Missouri, in July, 1862, and was placed on detached duty as assistant provost mar- shal of the southwestern district of the state by Brigadier General E. B. Brown. During existing orders he was permanently dixurced from his company, as such officers became staff officers of the commander general. It was his duty to organize the state militia into companies and try and dispose of Confeder- ate sympathizers by requiring them u > take oath of loyalty and gi\e bonds for the faith- ful discharge of the duties enjoined. Dr. Morgan deemed it necessary in e\ery case when other punishment was not indicated for them to give bonds from five hundred to ten thousand dollars. His wife and little daughter joined him there and remained with him until illness compelled him to resign. On December 15, 1862, he was ordered to report to Colonel Mills, of Springfield, Missouri, where he was i)laced in charge of the exchange de])artment. preparing rolls for prisoners subject tci exchange as prisoners of war, and the trial and disposition of citi- zen prisoners, who had committed only small offenses. He faithfully discharged any duly required of him. He was placed in charge of a district, including southwestern ISIissouri, northeastern Kansas and northwestern .\r- kansas and Indian Territory to examine the vouchers and order j)avment tn lnval citi- zens. The Doctor ])articipated in the last battle at Springfield. January 8. 1863. as aid to General Brown : was active in all duties imposed upon him and was a proficient of^ ficer. The last of August. 1863, he reported to General Thomas Ewing, of Kansas City, and was again jilaced on detaciiecl duty as judge aihricate of military commissions. In BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 503 September he offered his resignation on a surgeon's certificate, wiiich was accepted and in December of the same year he returned to Graham taking up his abode in tlie house from which lie had been forced t(_) flee two years and a half previously. He forwarded his certificate and in April, 1864, was com- missioned assistant surgeon of the Foity- third Regiment of Colored Troops, and or- dered for duty to Camp William Penn, near Philadelphia. At that time, however, his wife was suffering from quick consumption, and on the 12th of May, 1864. died, leaving two little daughters. This caused him to de- cline his commission and end his military ca- reer, the remainder of his life lieing devoted to the practice of his profession in Graham, where he died April 13, 1886. He was also engaged in the drug business at that place from 1873 to 1876, ami was an associate editor of the Nodaway \'alley Spy and the Graham Headlight. In 1868. when the Democrats talked of resisting the disfran- chising clause of the constitution, he was commissioned by Governor T. C. Fletcher as captain of Morgan's Nodaway County Guards. For many years he was a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and in his death the commu- nity realized that it had lost one of its most valuable and useful citizens. Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He filled all the chairs in the local lodge and en- campment, and was a member of the grand Jodge and grand encampment of Missouri. Near Burlington Junction, this county, Dr. Morgan was again married. January 19, 1865, to Miss Sophia F. Bradford, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, October 17, 1845, and is still living. Her parents, James R. and Civiller F. Bradford, were also natives of Ohio and Methodists in relig- ious belief. Her father is still a prominent man of Holt county, Missouri, where he has served as township trustee and county judge. In politics he is a Republican. His children are Sophia F., Sarah E., Julia A., J. E., James B. and Mary. Mrs. Morgan's pater- nal grandfather, Thomas Bradford, was a descendant of the nld colonial governor of Massachusetts w ho bore that name. He was born October 9. 1793, and died December 9. 1845. He married. the widow of James Russell and daughter of Artemus and I'ar- menter Russell. The six children born to Dr. and Mrs. Morgan are: James W.. born February 8, 1866, died October 24, 1866; Everett L.. our subject, is the next in order of birth; Charles A. was born June 7, 1870; Edwin .\., born February 10, 1873; Elsie F. was born May 9. 1876; and James Woods was born July 25, 1886. Dr. Everett L. Morgan was reared in his native town and educated in its common schools. In early life he often accompanied his father on \isits to hij5 patients, and almut 1890 commenced the study of medicine un-" der the direction of Dr. P. J. Barren. Later he attended medical lectures at St. Louis. and was graduated at the Central Medical College at St. Joseph, in March, 1895, since which time he has engaged in practice in Graham. He has met with marked success in his chosen profession, and has already suc- ceeded in building up a large and lucr;itive practice. He is also a registered druggist. Politically the Doctor is a Republican, but has never asiiired t(T office, and sociall\' is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America, being camp physician of the last two orders. Dr. E. A. Morgan, like his brother Ever- 504 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ett L. Morgan, accjuired tlie greater part of his education in tlie public schools and in 1893 began the study of dentistry under the supervision of Dr. C. S. Grant, of St. Jo- seph, Missouri. He was graduated in tlie Kansas City Dental College. March 31, 1896, in the class of 1896, receiving the gold medal for the best workmanship of the class. After graduation he located temporarily in his home town — Graham, Missouri — but on the 23d of November of that year went to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he entered the employ of*Ross Brothers, on a salary. On the 28th of July, 1897. in Kansas City, ^lissouri, Edwin A. Morgan was united in marriage to Miss Josephine E. Ed- wards, who was bnrn in Adams county, Illi- nois, Novemlier 20, 1871. and was one of a family of ten children. Her mother died when the daughter w-as but twelve years of age. Her father, Joseph Edwards, however, long survived her and passed away January 5. 1901, at Barry, P'ike county, Illinois. In August, 1897, Dr. Morgan resigned his po- sition with Ross Brothers and with his wife removed to Pawnee City. Xeliraska. where he had the promise of a better position, but failing to make a satisfactory contract, thev returned to Graham on the'2311 of August of that year, and Dr. Morgan continued to prac- tice alone, declining an offer of a position with his previous employers, the Ross Brothers, at an advanced salary. He there continued to practice until March i, 1898, when, through the aid of his grandfather, James R. Bradford, he obtained the office and location of Dr. J. G. Algire, of Maitland, Holt county, Missouri, two miles from Gra- ham. He removed there in the early spring and has succeeded in building up a very sat- isfactorv and rai)i(lh' incrcasiuLr i)ractice. BEN'JAMIX HOX.VKER. Benjamin Honaker, an old soldier who served in the Civil war and a ])rominent farmer of Lincoln township. Xodawav coun- ty, was a member of Company H, Fourth Ohio Wilunteer Infantry. He entered the army in April. 1861, enlisting in Colonel Goodman's regiment, at the call of Lincoln for ninety day men. His company was commanded by Captain Olmstead, and he saw active service for four months, at the end of which time he received an honorable discharge and a record for bravery in service. Mr. Honaker was born in Pulaski coun- ty. West \'irginia. August 28. 1836. of German descent and the son of Jacob and Jane (Bradshaw) Honaker. Jacob Honaker was born in Virginia, and his wife was born in West Virginia. The former was a machinist, gunsmith, blacksmith and coffin- maker and had lived to be fifty-fi\e years old. His wife also died at that age. They had eight children, namely: James. Jesse, Ben, Sarah, Martha, ^^■illianl. Xancv anil Jacob. Je.s.se, James and Ben were soldiers, the latter two dying from wounds received in liatlle. The parents were members of the Methodist church. They were buried in the old Price cemetery in Marion county, Ohio. Benjamin, the subject of this sketch, went with his parents to Marion county when he was four years old, and there he was taught farming and finished his school- ing. In 1870 he mined to Xodawa_\- coun- ty, Mi.ssouri. where he carried on farming, and in 1890 he bought the old .\mbrose Calvin farm, which is one of the prettiest fanus in the county. On this place are a large house, which was built in 1850. a line BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 505 orchard, good groves, pastures and fields, and everything" on the premises is in first- class condition. Mr. Honaker is a good manager and thrifty farmer. He has given all of his time to farming and stock-raising. Deceanber 31, 1863, Mr. Honaker mar- ried Louisa Abbott, of Marion county, Ohio, a woman of intelligence and of good fai'nily. She was liorn in Licking county, Ohio, a daughter of Reuben and Leah (Fowler) Abbott. Mr. Abbott was born in Virginia and his wife was born near Boston, Massachusetts. He died at the age of sev- enty-five, his wife departing this life at the early age of thirty-six. They are buried in Atchison county, Missouri. Their chil- dren were : John ; ]\Iary ; (jideon, a soldier in an Ohio regiment, who died in Union county, Ohio ; George : James ; Elizabeth ; Lydia; Louisa, the wife of our suljject, and Flora. Mr. Abbott was a Baptist and his wife a Methodist. Mr. and Mrs. Honaker, our subject and his wife, have been blessed with eleven chil- dren, namely: Elliott; Elizabeth, the wife of Alexander Horn ; Mary, the wife of John Streets, a farmer; Frederick; James; Vera ; Claria ; Houston ; and they lost three children, namely: William, John and Reuben. They had se\-eral grandchildren, as follows : Blanche, Lether, Otis (de- ceased), George, Ruth, Ralph, Viola, Bere- nice, Edith, Harley, Grace and Willie. Mr. Honaker is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist church. MILTOX HUFF. Milton Huff, an ex-soldier and one of the representative farmers of Xodaway county, is a native of Washington county, Indiana, and was born March 26, 1843, ^ son of Gabriel and P^olly ( \'o}-les ) Ifuff. (jabriel Huff was a \'irginian by ])irth. l)ut li\'ed for many years in Washington county, Indiana, where he 'met a.nd married i'oUy Voyles, who was a daughter of Tom \'oyles, of North Carolina. Thirteen sons and one daughter were the honor of this union, \iz'. ; Harbin; Park; Hiatt; Dickson; Mason, a soldier serving in the Eighteenth Indiana Regiment, who died at Warsaw Missouri; Milton, Anthony, Martin, Andrew, Craw- ford, George, William, Harvey, Mary Al- vina. Four of the sons were soldiers : Hiatt, of the Thirty-first Infantry, Indiana \'ol- unteers, who now lives in Washington coun- ty, Indiana; Dickson, a memlier of the Eight- eenth Infantry, Indiana \'olunteers. who now li\-es in Illinois; Mason, who died in Missouri several years ago; and Milton, the si;bject of this sketch, who also belonged to the Thirty-first Infantry, Indiana Volun- teers. The father and mother died in Wash- ington county, Indiana, after reaching the age of sixty years. I^jjitically, Mr. Huff was a Republican. Milton Huff, the subject of this personal sketch, received his education in the common schools of his nati\'e county, and his prac- tical experience was gained on his father's farm. In 1863 he was enrolled in Colonel HolwelTs regiment, under Captain George Noble, of the Thirty-first Infantry, of the Indiana Volunteers. He was in several minor skirmishes, and in the battle at Xasluille, Tennessee, anLiryville, Mis- souri: :\Ia.x, of Cleveland. Ohio; William, of Cleveland. Oiiio; and Elizabeth, the wife of John Iloltzer, of Xiobrara, Nebraska. Paul Richard Kuchs was eighteen years old when he came with his parents and others of their family to the L'nited States. He had learncHl the trade of wood-turner and his first employment in America w-as in a chandelier factory in New York. From that city he soon came west to Doniphan, Kansas, where for a short time he was em- ployed at farm work until he took up his trade again at .\tchison, Kansas. Not long afterward, however, he returned east as far as Cleveland, and for some five years worked in tlie chair factory of W. D. Toiler iS; Son, of that city. Desiring to see and know more of the far west, he took a trip to Cali- fornia, and \isited all the larger cities of that state, remaining on the Pacific coast nearl}' two years. Upon his return to the Mississipi)i valley he traveled for a while as salesman for Adam Breimer, the famous wine-maker of Doniphan, Kansas. In 1882, with a capital approximating sixteen hun- dred dollars, he formed a partnership with Peter Ouast and they rented the building where the ISIaryville Bottling A\'orks now stand and engaged in the bottling business. The prosperity of the business of Quast & Kuchs was a source of gratification, not only to its founders but also to their fellow towns- men as well, for in their many years' resi- dence at ]\laryville they made themselves PAUL R. KUCHS. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 509 known as men endowed with the spirit of progress and enterprise. Mr. Ouast died in 1899 and the Marj'ville Botthng \\'orks was incorporated, and his heirs hold a por- tion of the stock of the concern; and the people of the town have come to regard the enterprise so ably managed hy ]\Ii. Kuclis as one of the permanent local interests. ]Mr. Kuchs has shown his faith in Mary- ville as" a progressive city by investing his accumulations here. His enterprise has im- pelled him to do his share in the building up of the town and he owns five residences, one of which is his present home; and he also owns a half interest in the two-story brick building known as the "New Oak," on Main street, and two other residences in partnership with Adulph Lippman. He is a stockholder of the Maryville National Bank and in the Maryville Electric Light & Power Company. In 1883 Mr. Kuchs married Helena Kraus, a daughter of George Kraus, well known as a restaurant man of Maryville, and has children named -Mbert, Paul, Cath- erine and Richard. He is also a chapter, commander}- and shrine Alason, a Knight of Pythias and a Democrat. He does not participate actively in politics or take any special interest in matters not directly con- nected with his business. W. R. LITTELL. One of the most prominent citizens of Tarkio, Atchison county, Missouri, is the rising young lawyer who is prosecuting at- torney for the county. W. R. Littell, the subject of this sketch, was born in Mason county, Illinois, September 30, 1864, a son of George W. and Amanda (Robinson) Littell, the former of whom was a promi- nent and well-known citizen who lived in this county for a number of years. He was born in New Jersey, and became one of the earliest settlers of Nodaway and Atchison counties, investing in land extensively, which he purchased for five and eight dollars per acre, later adding until he owned twelve hundred acres. He was of French descent, while the mother of our suliject, who was born in Manchester, Ohio, was of a Pennsyl- vania family whose ancestors came from Germany. The children born to the parents of our subect were : Aaron, who is the captain of a coast steamer and resides in Florida; ilrs. ]\Iartha Smith, who resides in this county; W. R., who ib the subject of this sketch ; Car- rie, who resides in Florida; Fannie H., who resides in Fairfax, Missouri; W. B., who re- sides in Florida, engaged in the fishing and sponge business; C. P., who also resides in Florida; and Catherine, Essie and Louisa, who are living at home. George W. Littell was a soldier in the Ci\il war, belonging to the Second Illinois Cavalry, enlisting in 1861 and proving him- self a gallant soldier. In politics he was a stanch Republican, later becoming a member of the Populist party, and is an esteemed comrade in the G. A. R. Our subject was reared in Mason county, Illinois, until he was eight years old and ac- companied the family in their emigration to northwest Missouri. The exercise he ob- tained in helping to develop the farm and in caring for stock over so many miles, de- veloped him physically, but did not dwarf him mentally, his education being carefully looked after. After securing an elementary education he was a student in the college at Tarkio, at which he graduated in the class of 1887, with much credit. Mr. Littell is 51U BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ver\' popular among liis associates and takes great interest in athletic sports of every kind. He is the captain of Company A, I'ourth Regiment, National Guard of Mis- souri. For a number of years our suijject has been active in the political field in iiiis county, and in 1896 received tl>e election to the office of prosecuting attorney on the Populist ticket, and was re-elected in 1898. In 1898 he was elected at St. Louis, as the chairman of the Populist state committee of Missouri, in which convention- his judg- ment and sound comprehension of the issues made him an admirable member. Mr. Littell was married in Tarkio, in November, 1898, to Miss Mina J. Shaum, a daughter of a well known business man of this town. Socially our subject is con- nected with the I. O. O. I*"., also with the Masonic order, in both of which organiza- tions he is deservedly popular. Mr. Littell is a man of wide experience, calm judgment and earnest thought, realizing the dift'erence between right and wrong, and is one whom his fellow citizens could trust in any office* within their gift. JUDGE ED F. RAXKIX. This well known citizen of Atchison county is one of the largest stock-dealers in northwestern Missouri and has been in- strumental in improving to a considerable degree the stock raised in the state. His efforts have therefore been a public benefit, for the improvement of the stock adds to its market value, and the wealth of the agricult- ural class is therefore augmented. The rich pasture lands in this locality prov?de e.x'- cellcnt opiwrtunities to the stock-raiser and this industry has become a very iniiwrtant one in the commercial interests of Missouri. Mr. Rankin deals in cattle, horses and mules, and his business affairs have been so ably conducted that he is now one of the most prosperous citizens of Atchison count \-, where he has made his home since 1876. .V native cf Illinois. i\lr. Rankin was born in HendersDn county, Februarv 27, 1854, and is a son of Alexander Rankin, now deceased. The grandfather of our subject was William Rankin, who was of Scotch ancestry and removed from Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, to Indiana in an earlv day. 'I he family was noted for in- dustry, honesty and excellent business quali- fications. Many of its representatives have been expert judges of cattle and have been largely interested in improving the stock- raising interests of the localities in which they have resided. iVlexander Rankin, the father of our subject, was l»rn in Sullivan county, Indiana, and for years was a a ery prominent business man and stock-dealer in \\'arren county, Illinois, where he resided during the greater part of his acti\e busi- ness career. He became extensively inter- ested in land investments in Atchison coun- ty, purchasing several hundred acres in Col- fax township in 1875. He was uiiited in marriage to Miss Jane Struthers. who proved to Iiim a faithful oMnpaniim and helpmate on life's journey. She was born in. Ohio, a daughter of Thomas Struthers, who was of Scotch parentage, and resided in Illinois for many years, being one of the prominent agriculturists of the western sec- tion of that state up to the time of his death. Alexan.der Rankin died in 1871. He was a very honorable Inisiness man, straightforward in all his dealing's and won the confidence and good will of all with whom he came in contact. His widow still BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 511 sur\ives him and is now a resident of Tar- kio. In their religious belief they were of the United Presbyterian churcli. In their family were four sons: Ed F.. of this re- \iew ; D. C. an enterprising farmer of Col- fax township ; Thomas B. and John A., also well known residents of the same township. Ed F. Rankin was reared in \\'arren •county, Illini)is, and has been familiar with the cattle industry since his boyhood and ac- •customed to the saddle and the care of the stuck. He acquired his educatiin in War- ren county, and reading and l)usincss ex- perience ha\e added greatly to his prac- tical knowledge. In company with 1). C. Rankin he came to Atchison county, in 1876. .and began farming where he now liyes. To- •day he owns fiye hundred and si.xty acres of rich land weh. improyed, haying a good resi- lience which stands on a natural building- site. On the place is a beautiful gnne, a bearing orchanl, large barns, sheds and cribs, feed lots, a modern windmill for pump- ing water. The green pastures, rich mead- ows and fertile corn fields, and e\er\thing about the place are kept in first-class contli- tiun. He has some fine herds of cattle, jacks and coach horses. His stock being of su- perior grades, second to none in this part of Missouri. He feeds three or four hundred head of cattle annually, and this branch of his business brings to him an excellent in- come. He has inherited the family char- .acteristic of being an excellent judge of stock, including both cattle and mules. He not only feeds but also buys and ships stock, ar.d in connection with Rep. H. Wilsie he has four hundred mules ready for the mar- ket. He has recently built a large nude- feeding barn upon his farm. He is a yery busy man, usually found in the saddle or in Jiis buggy, thus passing from one part uf his farm to the other in order to superin- tend his extensiye business interests. He b.as also trayeled extensively oyer Nebraska and Montana, in the interest of his busi- ness, purchasing stock in various places and making profitable sales. Mr. Rankin was united in marriage, in Colfax township, Atchison county, to Miss jNlary Willsie, a representative of one of the lionored families of the community. She v.as born in Des Aloines, Iowa, and was reared and educated in that state. Her fa- therj Henry Willsie, was a prominent citi- zen and early settler of Atchison county. By her marriage she has become the mother of fi\-e children: Bessie Kate, who is a student in Mishawaka. St. Joseph county, Indiana ; Alexander, who is sixteen years of age and is now a student of Tarkio College ; Edith, who is a student in the University of \'ermillion, South Dakota; and Ruth and Donald Grant, who are at home. In his political affiliations Mr. Rankin is a Democrat, and in igoo was elected coun- ty judge by a grnid majority. He is a rec- ognized leader in the ranks of the Democ- racy and is' a popular resident of the county, his social disposition having gained him many warm friends. In business his word is as good as his bond, and he has the con- fidence of all who know him. A persistency of purpose is one of the salient features of his success, and. combined with homirahle dealing and careful management, has liTought to him a gratifx'ing degree of pros- perit}'. FRANK M. COMPTOX. Prominent among the energetic, far-see- ing and successful business men of Missouri is the subject of this .sketch. His life his- 612 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. tory most happily illustrates what may be attaineil hy faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest jiuriiose. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success, and his connection with various business enterjjrises and industries have been a decided advantage to his section of Alissouri, promoting its matcr-al welfare in no uncertain manner. Frank Marion Conipton was burn in Warren county. Indiana. October 24. iy:dly enilowed. BLUFORD J. JONES. Among the old and respected farmers and successful stock-raisers of Atchison Cduntv, Missouri, is Bluford J. Jones, the subject of this sketch. He was born May JO, 1858, a son of James G. and Susan (Hammer) Jones. James G. Jones was born in Tennessee, February 4, 18^3. Init was reared in Jasper county, Missouri. He was a son of John Jones, one of the pion- eer settlers of Jasper county, where lie be- came a large farmer and conducted bt)th a distillery and gristmill. He was a very prominent man, owned slaves at that time, filled all the local offices and was leader in the councils of the Democratic party. James G. Jones, the father of our subject, served through the Civil war, doing duty as a teamster in the Confederate service. He married in Jasper coinUy. where he settled upon a farm, and there bis children were born. In 1865 he removed to Nebraska, where he remained for twelve years, then sold that farm and came luick to Missouri, where he bought a farm in Lincoln township and there spent the remainder of his life, dying at an advanced age in 1880. He never aspired to office, although lie was all 5U BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. his life an active worker for tlie Democratic party. The mother of our subject was before marriage Susan Hammer, born in Pike coun- ty, Missouri, Februar}' 9, 1825, a daughter of Jacob and Polly Hammer, her parents be- ing one of the five families which came to- gether from Ohio and settled in Missouri. In 1 84 1 Mr. Hammer moved to Jasper county, where his life ended. He had been engaged in farming all his life, was a stanch Democrat ill his political opinions, and one of the con- stant and consistent supporters of the Bap- tist church. His children were Betsey, Sal- ly, William, Mehala, Eliza, Mrs. Jones, Da- vid, George and John. Those of Mr. and Mrs. James Jones were: Sally, now Mrs. Gentry, John D.. Jose]3h (j.. George, Martha, who is niiw Mrs. Anderson, Adeline, our subject, Warren P. and James. The relig- ious convictions of the excellent parents caused them to be consistent members of the Baptist church, and in this belief their chil- dren were reared. Bluford J. Jones was reared and educated in the common schools of his native coun- ty, remaining under his father's roof until he became of age. He then purchased the inter- est of the (jther heirs, and now resides up- on the old homestead, engaged in cultivating the fine farm of three hundred and forty acres included there. He has made many improvements, until it is one of the finest farms in this locality. With him resides his honored and aged mniher. The marriage of Mr. Jones tnok place July 3, 1899, to Miss Lavina Dunham, an j intelligent young lady, the daughter of John > P. and .\nn (Mullis) Dunham. Mr. Dun- ham, a native of Ohio. an\ nur srJjject. was a nati\'e of \ irginia. where he owned considerable land and many sla\'es. He was of Scotch extraction while his wife was of German descent. ^Mr. Dnnlaj) ilied before the Rebellion. His children were as follows: Robert; Tames; William 'Preston; Alexander, the father of our subject; Wini- fred who married Mr. Whitlock; and Polly p]^iston. The family attended the Pre.sl)y- terian church. Alexander Dunlap, the fa- ther of our subject, was born in \'irginia in 1808. After his marriage he l)egan the pur- suit of agriculture on his father's farm, and in 1836 removed to Clay county, Missouri, and later to Caldwell, where he bought a farm, which he improved in general. He afterward sold his farm and moved back to Cla\- county and thence to Clinton coun- ty. In the fall of 1852 he moved to Xoda- way county, where he Ijought a farm in Washington township. There was nothing but a cal)in on the rudely broken tract of one hundred and sixty acres, but here Mr. Dun- lap remained until his death, which occiu'red October 18, 1877. His wife died in 1889. ]Mr. Dunlap was a \\diig in early life and later a Democrat. Pie served as justice of the peace for a number of years. His wife v.as born in 1812 and was a mem])er of a CJerman family who were prominent farmers of \"irginia. She was one of four children, the others being John, Isaac and Purcilla. Her parents were Baptists, .\lexander Dun- lap and his wife were the parents of five chii- er; Harvey I*;.. l)orn January 20, 1839. is a farmer of Xodaway county; ^\'illiam. born March 9, 1842. is a farmer of .\ndrew count}-, Mis- soiu'i : John .\. is the next in order of birth; Isaac T., born September 14. 1847, died leax'ing a faniil}-; James A., liorn June 3, 1830, is a resident of Decatur, Illinois; Idijali H., born March 22. 1853. is a resi- dent of this county; Marv S., l)<)rn .\ugust 3. 1855, died at the age of ten years; !^Iilton C. born September 16, 1857, is a resident of this county: and Charles C, Ijorn November -■3. 1861, died in Oklahoma. For his sec- ond \vife the father married a ]\Iiss Eng- land, who died in 1898, leaving no children. John -\. C. Goff assisted his f;itlier on the home farm until the Ci\"il war broke out. when he enlisted, in 1864, at the age of eighteen years, in Company I, One Hun- dred and Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. He was in the one iiundred days' serxice and died guard duty at Rock Island, Illinois, until discharged. Rcturiiing home he worked as a farm hand for some time. In 1871 Mr. Goff was united in marriage v,itli Miss Rebecca J. Wilson, who was horn in Guernsey county, Ohio, .\ugust 29, 1S46, a daughter of '1 homas and Amelia ( Che.s- .-^er ) Wilson, also natives of Ohio and farm- ing i)eoi)le. Both ])arents died in Illinois. The father was a Methodist in religious be- lief, the mother a Bai)tist, Their children were Sarah, the deceased wife of G. \\'. Smith, of Illinois; Margaret, the wife of F. Smith, of the same state; Belle, the wife of John Smith, of Illinois; William, who died in that state; Rebecca J., the wife of our subject; Mary, the wife of S, Wilson, of BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. h-ll Illinois; Minerva, who died at the age of sixteen years; Dyson, a resident of Omaha, Nebraska; Samuel, nf Illinois; Savilla. who died young;: Elizabeth, the wife of W. Ogles- by; Ada. tlie wife of M. Cioti': and Ida, the wife of C. GolT. Our subject and his wife had six children, of whom the second and fifth died young. The others are Charles E., born September 15, 1872 ; James T,, Feb- ruary 29, 1876; Ida .\., April 20, 1879; and Edith, May 7, 1885, Ida A. is now the wife of E. Thompson, a school teacher of Bar- nard. For four years after his marriage ^Ir. Goff engaged in farming upon rented land in his nati\'e state, and then spent toiu" years in Kansas, after wliich he returned to lUi- noi'S and bought a farm, making it his home seven years. In 1887 he sold out and came to Missouri, locating in Nodaway county. His first purchase here consisted of an im- proved farm of eighty acres; but a \ear later he sold that place and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Hughes township. After living there for a year he disposed of the farm and purchased two hundred and twen- ty acres of his present farm, to which he has added until he now has three hundred and forty acres under a high state of cultivation and well improved. His success in life is due entirely to his own unaided efforts, for he received no assistance f r< mi any si mrce on starting out for himself. Being industrious, enterprising and energetic, he has succeeded in accumulating a comfortable ]iroperty and is n-mour, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Germany, but on coming to this country located in New York state and later moved to Massachusetts and to Ohio, in which latter state he died. He was a prominent ]>h\sician and well known m.an of his day. John. Jr.. the grandfather of our subject, moved with his father to ^lassachusetts. and later to Ohio, but upon the death of his father he was -sent back to Massachusetts, where he was bound out to learn the wa.gon-making trade. After learn- ing this trade he married and settled in Ohio, near the Pennsylvania line, where he lived until 1837. He then moved to Greene coun- ty, Indiana, remaining four years, and later to Ray count\-, Missouri, where he lived until 1845. His next move was to Holt county, and afterward to Atchison, where he bought land and followed farming, also working at his trade. In 1845 '^^ <.\^Q'~\. find was buried on his farm. His wife, snrvivin.g him. at length was married to John Smelser. both of whom died a few years afterward. John Sevmour and his wife had three boys, — Le- ander, John and George. Leander Seymour, the t'ather of the sub- ject of this sketch, moved with bis father from Erie county. Tetuisylvania, to Irish Grove, ^Missouri, antl helped put the farm 522 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. iiitii culti\at!i)n. He was fourteen r.t the lime .of liis father's death, after whicli lie hegan working for himself. He found em- ployment in the service of the government. ert L. : Ida G., the wife of R. G. Seymour : John ; Cora, deceased; and Elislia, railroad agent at Corning. Mr. and Airs. Seymour are the parents of six children, namely: Royal R., born November 11. 1884; Ralph. August 17, 1886; Lizzie. March 11, 1888; Harley, March 7, 1891 ; \'erna, December 2, 1893; and Hallie, November 25, 1897. Our sub- ject is a member of the Democratic party. JAMES B. ROBINSON. The fact that this is. more remarkably than any that has preceded it. the age of the young man's pre-eminence in the business world, finds verification anew when the suc- cessful career of the gentleman whose name is alxjve is considered. In his early 'teens he was a clerk in a leading financial institu- tion : at thirty he was its ])resident, and dur- ing the si.x years that ha\-o followed he has proven himself not only "'the wiirthy succes- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. •23 sor of a worthy sire" but a!s i a man of affairs of signal ability and discretion. James B. Robinson, the president of the Nodaway Valley Bank, of Maryville, is a dis- tinguished representative of the hanking in- terests of Nodaway county and a member of one of the old and substantial families of the state of Missouri. He was born in Noda- way county November 24. 1864, and is a sun of the late financier and man of affairs, Tlieodore L. Robinson. The latter was born in Callaway county, Missouri. February 8, 1833, and was a son of Daniel Rob'nson, one of the pioneer merchants of that county. Theodore L. Robinson was the only member of his father's family who lived to maturity. His business exijerience from his youth was in the mercantile line, and when he located at Maryville, in 1857. it was hut natural that he should ha\e cast aljout for opportunities to advance his fortune as a merchant. His means were small and his stock necessarily limited, but his business thrived, and after some years he sold it to advantage and entered upon a trade in hard- ware and lumber, which was likewise profit- able. His entry into the banking business succeeded his retirement from the lumber trade. The Nodaway A'aJley Bank came into existence in 1873, as the successor to the private bank of George S. Baker & Company, the first banking concern in Maryville. The new institution began business with a cash capital of fifty thousand dollars, with Theo- dore L. Robinson as the cashier and James B. Prather as the president. Upon the death of ]\Ir. Prather Mr. Robinson became the president and the institution was recn-ganized as a private bank, Theodore L. Robinson and James B. Robin.son being the sole owners of the Nodaway Vallc}' Bank. This institution has alwa\-s done a remarkablv safe and suc- cessful business from its inception, but un- der the guidance and direction of Theodore Ivobinson its affairs were especially well managed. The result of his labors for the concern were to improve the character of business and to extend and enlarge its pop- ularit}'. While actively engaged in banking Mr. Robinson entered other lines of business, which yielded his estate large returns and acquired valuable lands and city property. If Mr. Robinson was not scholarly fnim the standpoint of collegians, he was thor- oughly self-educated and practical and pro- gressive in other things. His interest in public education was abiding and helpful. For twenty years he was an active member of the board of education of Maryville, and he served the city aljly as a member of its board of aldermen. October 9, 1859, ]\Ir. Robinson married Rebecca J. Ray, a daugh- ter of the late James Ray, from Nelson county, Kentucky, who was an early settler in Nodaway ctnuity; and she sur\-i\-es him and lives in Maryville with her three ch.il- dren. The eldest, James B. Robinson, be- came the president of the Nodaway Valley Bank June 6, 1894, a successor to his worthy father; the second is Fred P. Robinson, the cashier of the Nodaway \'alley Bank, who married Mary Miller, and they have two children, — Mildred and Virginia; and the third is Miss Jennie Robinson. James B. Robinson is distinctly a product of Maryville, not simply for the reason of his nativity there but also because he was echicated there and taught the principles and practice of important and successful business and has risen to a position at the head of one of Maryville's leading financial institu- tions. It must not Ije overlooked that he rose to this place bv virtue of bis own per- sonal merit and ahilitv, ha\ing begun at 524 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. eighteen as a clerk in tlie Nodaway Valley Bank and been promoted from time to time until at his father's death he was in every way and for every reason eligible for the position Theodore L. Robinson had so ably filled. Shortly before the death of Theodore L. Robinson the bank was incorporated and its capital stock was increased to one hun- dred thousand dollars. In February, 1900, the bank had a capital of one hundred thou- sand dollars and surplus and undi\-ided profit aggregating fourteen thousand, eight hun- dred and eleven dollars, and its deposits amounted to two hundred and sixty-one thousand, one hundred and three dollars. Its president is James B. Robinson and its cash- ier Fred P. Robinson, and those gentlemen, with John T. Welch and \\'illiam C. Ellison, constitute the board (if directors. To accept the management of nich a large estate as was left iiy Theodore L. Rob- inson and to as.sume the oificial direction of an institution of the importance of the Nod- away Valley Bank, was to assume a respon- sibility not lightly to be considered. To have demonstrated an ability to bear this re- sponsibility and to have established an unre- served public confidence at as early an age as thirty was to win specially high honors. At that age James B. Robinson became the president of the bank and the actual head of all the Robinson interests. Mr. Robinson was married, in JNIary- ville, October 3, 1894, to Maggie, a daugh- ter of Dr. I. B. Garrison, of Albany, Mis- souri. Two children are the result of this union: Theodore G. and James B., Jr. EMMETT E. RICHARDS, M. D. A prominent member of the medical pro- fession, located in Tarkio, Atchison coun- ty, Missouri, is E. E. Richards, the subject of this sketch, a graduate of Washington Univer.sity, at St. Louis, in the class of 1898. He was born in Atchison county, Missouri, December 11, 1870, a son of Judge John and I-llizabeth (Hays) Rich- ards, the former of whom was a prominent and well known pioneer of this county, who was liorn in Wax-ne county, Ohio. Five sons and \\xii (lau,i;iUers were born to the parents of our subjecl, F-. E. being the eldest son. E. E. Richards received his academic education at Dixon, Illinois, where he grad- uated in the scientific and l)usiness courses, later entering Washington University, at St. Louis, at which great institution he grad- uated in 1S9S, \\ilh various class honors, and later took a course in hospital work in that city. Dr. Richards was married, June 28, 1899, near Linden, in this county, to Miss Bessie Cari)enter, an educated and cultivat- ' ed young lady, a daugiiter of C. H. Car- penter, a well-known citizen of Buchanan township. Both the Doctor and his ac- complished wife are members of the Chris- tian church and have a beautiful home oiii College avenue. Dr. Richards' business of- ■ fice is pleasantly located and furnished with modern equii)ments, instruments and medical appliances. He is a great student and takes pride in his lilirary, already comprising many x'aluable \olunics, to which he adds e\ery book of merit upon his profession as soon as it appears, keeping thus in touch with all recent discoveries. May i, 1900, he located for the practice of his profession in Tarkio, Missouri. He is a member of the ^Modern Woodmen of America, of the City Hospital Alumni, of St. Louis, and also of the ^Missouri Valley Medical So- ciety, of the Missouri Valley. EMMETT E. RICHARDS BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 525 JAMES L. LAMASTER. James L. Laniaster, a descendant of an honored pioneer family and one of tlie lead- ing farmers of Nodaway count}', was born January 30, 1843, '" Morgan county, Ken- tucky. He was a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth ( W'yerman ) Lamaster, hoth of Kentucky when married. Elijah Lamaster, the grandfather of our subject, was of French descent and was one of the early settlers of Kentucky. He was a very prominent man and was well liked by all who knew him. His children were : Ben- jamin, the father of our siibject; Ambrose; William; Isaac; and Lewis, who moved to Missouri and then to California. Benjamin Lamaster was reared in Kentucky, where he remained until after his marriage. After the fall of 1859 he settled in Andrew county, MissoiU'i. where he rented a farm for two years. He then bought a farm, which he sold a few years later and moved to St. Jo- seph, Missouri, where he ran au express wagon -until his death, which occurred in 1889. In ]3oIitics he was a Republican. Lie married Elizabeth \A"yerman, a daughter of Jacob \\'yerman, a miller and farmer by oc- cupation. Jacob Wyerman died at the age of one hundred years and left as his chil- dren John, Elizal>eth, Polly, Benjamin, Mar- garet, Jemima, Bunyon, William, James, Nancy. Jacksort and Sarah. Mr. Lamaster and his wife had eight children, namely: John, of Oklahoma ; J. L., the subject of this sketch; Jemima, the wife of R. McMakin; Elizal)eth, who married H. Edwards; Nancy J., the wife of John McCoy; Elijah, of Okla- homa; Melvina, the wife of F. Hanks; and William, of St. Joseph. Mr. Lamaster was seventy-one yeai's old at the time of his death, and his wife died at the age of sev- entv-thrce. J. L. Lamaster, whose name heads this sketch, was educated in the common schools of his native ])lace. He moved from Ken- tucky to Missoiu-i with his parents when fif- teen years old and grew up on the Platte purchase. He remained under the parental roof until he was of age, and in 1861 enlisted in Kimball's regiment of the state militia, serving six months. In August, 1864, he en- listed in the Forty-third Regiment, Missouri X'olunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the western department. He did good serv- ice looking after go\-ernment pri)])ertv and bushwhackers. A portion of his regiment was captured at the battle of Glasgow, but the comjiany which ]\Ir.. Lamaster was in was nut cajitured. He received an honorable dis- charge at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, and also his pay, June 30, 1865. Returning t9 ^ijxjlis. He is interested in the llaiianio Tel- ephone Company, of Maryville. Mr. Ellis died March 31, 1890. He was tall in stature and when in health weighed iiliout one hundred and fifty pounds. He possessed unfailing good nature and a very genial manner, and was fond uf a practical joke. Some one said of him, "Everybody liked Al EUis, and when he was gone he \\as sincerely missed." When twenty-one years of age he joined the Masonic fraternity and became a Knight Templar. As a citi- zen he was very popular. He identified him- self with no questionable and unworthy en- terprises or movements, and his patriotic in- terest in the town and county was sincere and permanent. He gave to every interest <:alculated to prove of pulilic benefit his earn- est .-support and co-operation. I le was reared in the faith of the Democracy and of that ])artv was an earnest supporter, but never Avas an aspirant for public office. With him friendshi]) was inviolable, and his greatest liappiness was found in the midst of his fam- il\- at his own fireside. Such in brief was the life histor_\- of Al- bert T. Ellis. The character of the man has been shadowed forth between the lines of this review, and in the summary of his ■career we note only a few of the salient points, — his activity and soun, 1842, and comes of a family noted for sobriety, indus- try, honesty and i)atriotism. He is a son of Elisha and Phebe (Hartnian ) Lemon and ii descended, in the paternal line, from Scotch and Quaker ancestry. His father v.as a farmer and served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812. His maternal grandfather, Michael Hartman. was of that s.urdy Pennsyhania Dutch stock whicli ha> produced men and women of ability through many successive generations. His parents were both born near the place of his own nativitv. They bad six cliildr-ii, naiued as follows : James 1 1. : Clara, deceased ; .Vman- da, a resident of Illinois: E. IE. living in California; and Alartha S. and Charles \\'., of Good'hope, Illinois. The father of these children died at Cloodhoi)e, Illinois, at the r.ge of forty-five years. He was a farmer b\- occupation and in politics a stanch Dem- ocrat. Elis widow survives, at the advanced age of eighty years. The family moved out from Pennsyl- vania to lllinnis when James was a mere lad, and there he was brought up at farm work and given such education as was avail- al)le to him. time and place considered. .\fter leaving the publ'c school at Prairie Citv he taught country schools some time, with good success, lb >w long he might have pursued this career will never be known; for the Civil war began and advanced to startling- proportions, with no pro.spect of early ter- mination. The country needed soldiers and President Lincoln called for "three hui^.dred thousand more," and young Lemo:i, then twentv years old, was one of those who re- sponded. August 13, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, One Huiidred a-id Xinclcenth Regiment, Illinois \'olunteer Infantry, and served three years, taking part in the fight- ing at Nashville, ]\lol)ile and Pleasant Hill, accompanying Banks' Red river expedition, and participated in the warfare at Tupelo and Yellow Bayou. He was hononibly dis- charged from the service as sergeant ot the provost guard. Eirst Pirigade. Third Di- vision, Sixteenth .\rmy Corps, and with a 532 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. record so excellent that any snjdier might \vcll he pnaul of it. Returning to lllinMis. he engaged in farming in McDonough county. He mar- ried, in 1S69. Emily Kautz, a daughter of Jacoh and Mary A. (Walker) Kautz, a woman of much ahility and culture, who had been horn in Indiana and reared and edu- cated in Illinois and had done much good work as a teacher. Jacob and Mary A. (Walker) Kautz had .six sons and three daughters, and one of their sons, George, had been a soldier in the war of the Rebel- lion in Mr. Lemon's regiment. Bof^ died at Kingston, Missouri, at the age of eighty- one years. INIr. Kautz was a farmer, a man of fine character, who was respected by all who knew him, and ?ilrs. Kautz was beloved during her long and useful life by many who had found in her such "a friend in need" as is truly "a friend indeed." Mr. and Mrs. Lemon have six children, named as follows in sec|ueiTce of birth: William I'.. Chrndes W., Sadie K., L. .\my, Xellie J. and llervey Allan. Mr. Lemon came, with his fanrih-, to Missouri in 1875 and located in Xodaway township. He began farming in a moderate way on tme hundred acres and now owns si.x farms aggregating one thousand and forty acres of rich and ])roducti\c land, adapted to all the pui'poscs and demands of farming in this par. of the country ar.d well eciuipped with Iniildings of all kinds common to farms, including windmills for drawing \\atcr and all other appliances and machinery essential to successful cultivation. He farms and raises stock on a goodlv scale and by modern methods, and his management of his affairs is such that he has been always and increasingly successful. Mr. Lemon is a stanch Republican, fully in sympathy with the most advanced prin- ciples of his party. He has, since young manhood, been an influential worker in the local iwHtical field, having often been a del- egate to important party conventions, and in 1898 the nominee of his party to represent his district in the state legislature, meeting defeat, however, by a strong combined Dem- ocratic-Populist vote. He has kept his old army associations alive so far as has been ])ossible by membership in the Grand Army of the Repul)lic. of which he is an ardent supporter in all its aims anil interests. As a justice of the peace he has served his fel- low citizens well and faithfully and won reputation for the justice and fairness of his decisions. He is a de\oted friend of edu- cation, a believer in tem])erance in all things and in all ways a ])ublic-spirite(l and helpful citizen. Standing a good six feet in height and well and strongly bu'lt, he lioks ex'ery inch a sildier. Mr. and Mrs. Lemon are members of the ]\Iethodist lipiscopal church. j.\MLS A. BICKRTT, M. D. Foremost among the representati\'e phy- sicians and surgeons of Nodaway county, Missouri, stands the gentleman whose name a])])ears at the opening of this sketch. Well e(|uipped. Isoth mentally and phys;call_\-, to battle with the trials i)ecul.iar to his profes- sion, he has managed to gain a practice, uhich in itself speaks for his siiler.did al)ility and untiring energy. Dr. I'lickctt was born in Marion coun- ty. Kentucky, on b^ebruary 8, 1838, a son of llieromy J. and Cynthia ( McBey) Bick- ett. both natives of Kentucky. He can trace his ancestry back to Manfred, who went to ICngland with William the Conc|ueror. His great-grandfather, .\nthonv Bickett, who -^^^^ g^' udzC ^Hl ,^ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 533 came tn .Vnierica in the cnlmiial (la_\"s, served in tlie war of the I\e\i)luti(jn. Dr. Bickett has the silver buckles which his great-grand- father wure during the battle of Yorktown. After the war he settled in Maryland, wliere lie died some years later. Anthony Bickett. our subject's grandfather, was united in marriage with iNIiss Ann Knott in Kentucky, in tlie year 1813. In the Knott family was J. Proctor Knott, once go\-ernor of Ken- tucky and a cousin of our subject. Ann Knott was the oldest daughter of Thomas and Frances (Kay) Knott, who were mar- ried in 1790. Thomas Knott, the father of Thomas, was born in England and came to America in 1765. locating in Maryland. In 1768 he was married to Miss Jane Hart, the elder sister of Lord Percy, who died in 1871, s.t his country seat, \\'interton Castle, leav- ing an estate valued at eleven million i^ounds. Anthony and Ann (Knott) Bickett were the parents of a large number of children, as follows: Hieromy J., the father of the subject of this sketch, Thomas. E\aline, Pur- cilla. Joseph. ^\'. Anthony, Fanny, Sarah and Nancy A. Fannv and Xancy are yet living, and reside in Mary\ille. 'Jdie Bickett family have always been members of the Catholic church. The Knott family were Presbyterians. Flieromy J. Bickett. the father of our subject, became a school teacher in early life and taught for thirty-si.N; }eai-s. He was a highly educated man, being a grad- uate of St. ]\Iary's College, in Kentucky. He iiK.'ved to Illinois and in 1858 to Missouri, V here he began farming. Later he sokl his farm and began gathering evidence that he ■\vas the heir to the estate left by Lord Percy, whose will read that the estate was to go to the oldest heir. While in pursuit of this evi- dence Mr. Bickett died at the home of his son in Kansas, October 18, 1884. at the age of se\ent\-nne years. His wife had passed away from this life in 1863. Politically Mr. Bickett was a Democrat, but he never as- ])ired to oflice. Our subject. James A. Bickett, being the last heir to the Lord Percy estate, is confident that in a few years he will be in possession of the estate. Dr. James A. Bickett moved with hfs parents to Illinois, and later to Missouri, and, arriving at the age of twenty-one, be- gan reading medicine. In tlnise days it was the practice of all students of medicine to thoroughly master the science of medicine and surgery, and Dr. Bickett gave his time and attention tij the study- for over sex'en years. Early in 1861 he joined the militia, his uncle being colonel, and after six months' service became a member of tlie Thirteenth Regiment of the Missouri Volunteer Infan- try. This company was assigned to the western department and their first battle oc- curred at Lexington, Missouri, where ?klul- ligan's command was captured. Within two da}-s all were paroled and left for their re- spective homes. Dr. Bickett returned to Maryville. During the winter of i8()i the company reorganized and took the name of the Twenty-fifth Regiment of the Missouri \'olunteer Infantry, and were assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. Dr. Bickett was in the battle of Sliilob, which continued for two days, their com|)any being the first to be fired upon. AMiile acting as riding or- derly for the brigade he was taken ill and sent to the hospital at St. Louis, where he remained for twelve months, after which he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home in -MaryN-illc. Missouri. In Maryville he resumed his studies and also began practicing. In 1865 he began with Dr. Dunn, and after receiving his cer- 634 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. tificate of registration went to Hamburg, where lie opened an office. For tlie next few years lie made several changes, moving from Hamburg to Rockport, where he remained one 3'ear, thence to Braddyville, Iowa, where also he remained a year, then back to I\Iary- ville for a few months, next to Bridgewater for two years, and in 1872 he located in Conception, Nodaway county, but only re- mained one year when he returned to Mary- ville. hut afterward again came to Concep- tion, where he has successfully practiced ever since. He has a large and lucrative practice and has won the confidence of all in the community. In 1865 Dr. Bickett was uKirried to Miss Isabelle Dunn, a daughter of J^ulge Dunn, of Iroquois county, Illinois, but formerly of Tennessee. Judge Dunn was a prominent Democrat and held many ofiices for that party while residing in Ir()(|uius county. His death occurred there in 1S50 a. d h; was mourned by all who knew him. His wife moved to Nodaway counts- and ni:ide her home with her son, Dr. S. Al. Dunn, of Maryville. It was there ?he dii-d in 1870. Her children were: Josejjh. M. D. ; Eliza- beth: S. M., M. D. : T. J., M. D, ; l.ucinda, now Mrs. Buford : David W., M. 1).; Jane; ]\Iartin V., M. D. ; IVlary. n^.w :Mrs. Wool- sey, M. D. : and Isabella, who is the wife of oin- subject. She is a cousin nf John Mor- gan, of Confederate fame, rnid a niece of Brigadier (ieneral Walker. Dr. Bickett and liis wife have been blessed with six children: Mary H., who is Mrs. J. L. Kinsela ; Maud, now Mrs. William Helpley; David P., at home; George F.. who married Catherine Simonieg and is now in business at New Conception, ^Missouri; blorencc, who died in I'ebruarv, iSgf), at the age of sixteen; and J. h'r.'uiklin, who i:. at home. Dr. Bickett is a member of Post No. 473. C A. R.. department of ^Missouri. He has residetl in Ncjdaway county for furty xc^irs and is one of the most upright and loyal citizens in the town in which he makes his home. He is well, known throughout the county and is highly respected by both the young and old. JOSEPH JACKSON. The life of any honest anil successful man is interesting to the pe')ple of the community in which he li\es. The life of a patriotic man is doubly so. The writer comes now to the consideration of the career of one who has not only proven himself an honest of- ficial and a successful man of affairs, but has risked his life and been i)ru"tia]ly shot awaj' for l()\-e of the stars and stripes and the liuman libert_\- which they mean to all who h.iok upon them. The recital of the letuling incidents of his useful career may serve to bring to the mind of the reader of this gen- eration something of the kintlly and helpful admiration which the loyal peo])le of the north felt for the disabled or invalid sol- dier after the war of th.e Rebellion, and in- volves a reference to an act of disinterest .'d friendship which might be made the text of a lesson in Ijrotberly love and kindness. Joseiih Jackson was born i.i Jefferson county, Ohio, September 20, 1842, a son of i\v: late John Jackson, who in October, 1843, located in Nodaway county, Missouri, a mile and a half north of the site of Maryville. As Mr. Jackson was brought to Nodaway coun- tv an infant in arms and has had an unin- terrupteil residence at and near Maryville of lifty-sexen years, he is re.garded as practic- ally, if not really, a snn of the soil. The well remembered and venerable pimieer, John BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 535 Jackson, who was horn in Jefferson county, Oliio, Octolier lo, 1810. lived nut his days wliere he settled in 184^^, dyin"- January 27, 1875. His father, also named John, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry and went into Ohio from Greenbrier county, Virginia, at a time when Ohio was a frontier state, and many of the inconveniences of liis youth were en- countered again by John Jackson during the early j-ears of his residence in Missouri. He v»-as a poor man, able only to buv a claim, which he entered later, and ])r()\-i(led for his family while gaining a fnntlmld as a farmer in his new home. His earlv experiences helped him to meet the trials and emergencies as they came, and he possessed a faculty for inventing a way of doing things in which he had ni)t had previous experience and which could not lie accomplished by means at hand in a manner cretlitable, if crude and |)rimitive, and he liad a great force which lay in his physical strength and a strong men- tality. Had he had the advantage of educa- tion and the opportunities of a later day he woukl ha\e been a man of more than or- dinary ability. He was a Democrat and the first treasurer of Nodawa)^ county. His wife was Harriet Dunn, a daughter of Joseph Dunn, of Jefferson county, Ohio, who died aged seventy-three years, in July, 1892. The children of John and Harriet (Dunn) Jack- son were: Sarah, the wife of I.ogan Holt, of j\Iary\-i],le, Missouri; Jose])li ; Louisa, the v/ife of William E. Trueblood, of Mar},'ville, Missouri: Rachel, now 'Mrs. James H. Bent- Icy, of Osceola, Missouri: lienton, of N^el- son, Nebraska; Phrona, the wife of W. H. Hawkins, of Maryville. Missouri ; .\da, who married Charles Manning and resides at Hermitage, Missouri; and Oliver, of Olney, Colorado. Jo.seph Jackson was purelv a country youth prior to tlie outbreak of the Civil war. He acquired little knowledge of books that he did not get from the country schools, but possessed an active mind and a perfect physical organization, just the equipment re- quired for a good and efficient soldier. In 1861 he joined Kemble's regiment of ^[is- souri troops for six months, and served his entire time of enlistment in the state. lie re-enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Missouri state militia, and in October, 1863, entered the volunteer service of the United States by enlistment in the Twelfth Regi- ment of Missouri Ca\alrv. wliich was at- tached to Hatch's brigade in the Sixteenth Army Corps, and in 1864 was in the com- mand of General James H. Wilson, imder General Ge(jrge ]1. Thomas, at Gra\-el Springs, Alabama. Mr. Jackson was in the battles of Franklin and Xashville, and in the last mentioned famous engagement he was twice wounded while charging a Confederate battery at Spring Hill, receiving a shot in the right arm and losing his right leg. He was sent to the F"rankljn hospital and re- moved, when occasion was prese.ited, to- Nashville, Tennessee, to Louisville, Ken- tucky, and to Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, in turn. From the last named place he was furloughed and [jermitted to go home to regain his health if possijjle. He reported at the hosi)ital again for dutv in May, 1865, and was discharged from the service as orderly sergeant of Company F, Twelfth Regiment, Missouri Volunteer In- fantry, July 3, following, and mustered out with that rank. Upon his return home Mr. Jackson's dis- ability incapacitated him from the work to which he was reared, and he was for a short time without employment. As an act of friendship for him Dr. (j. B. b'ord, the conn- 530 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ty clerk of Xf its stabililv and a iusti- fication of the uni\-ersal cnntidencc in it. Its deposits have increased in a ratio commen- surate with the business of the ountv and anmunt in three hundrcil and sixty thousand dollars, while its sin-plus is twenty thousand dnllars. Mr. Jackson was married, in Nodaway cnuniy, .\pTil 29, 1866, to Amanda, a daugh- ter of William and Sarah (Murphy) I'rovles. formerlv of Tennessee. The chil- dren of this union are: Lola, the wife of James !•". Colby, of Maryville; Mary, who married Paul Ream, of Maryville; Laura, now Mrs. Miles G. Saunders, of Pueblo, Colorado: Miss Nellie Jackson and Joseph F. Jackson. The Civil war had much to do with shap- ing the politics of Mr. Jackson. He learned something of Democracy from his father, but the events of later years convinced him tb.at the party of Fremont was the one be should espouse. He cast his first vi ite for the Republican ticket and has remained steadfast to the Republican faith. Since bis retire- ment from the office of county c]eid< he has had no acti\-e connection with ])iilitics. His time is devoted to his bank and its affairs, and no other interests command his atten- tion. J.\MFS II. WORKM.\X. There is no man in Nodaway county more deserving of a place in such a record as this, than the prominent citizen whose name is above, an account of whose career will be read with interest and profit. He is one of the most progressive and enterprising of the farmers and stockmen of Nodaway town- ship, bis postoffice being Maryville. Mr. Workman was born in the Iloosier state, forty-eight \-ears ago, a son nf b'b'i Workman, who came to Nodaway cmmty more than forty years ago. John Workman was born in North Carolina, December 12. 181 5, a son of Philip Workman, who also was born in North Carolina and had a brother in the Revolutionary war. Their grandfather was born in Germany, of Ger- man stock. John Workman was reared in North Carolina ;it farm work ;is t'ound on a North Carcilina farm, .-md was taught the BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 537 capital value of honesty and industry. He was married September 21, 1834. to El za- beth jNIotley, a woman oi o(iod famil\-. She was a good wife and helpmeet to him fur over half a century. She was burn and reared in Xorth Carolina and died at the age of seventy-se\'en years. Soon after his marriage, John Workman removed to Lee county, Virginia, where he lived for a year, then went to iMonroe coun- ty, Indiana. There he engaged in farming until 1859, when, with teams' and covered wagons, he removed his wife, children, household goods and stock to X'odaway county, iMissouri, and settled on the farm where he now li\es. The children of John and Elizabeth ( Whitley ) \\"orkman were : William, of Xi)da\\a_\- tnwnship: John, of Bates CDunt}', iMissouri; Ii)avid. of Noda- way county; James H., the subject of this sketch; George, of Xodawa_\' township; Francis, of Nodaway count}-, and Joseph Thomas, of i\Iary\ille. Their daughters who ha\e died were; Nancy 01i])hant, who died in Indiana and left two children, — Sa- rah Montague and Parthenia (Jriffin, — the latter having a home with her i)aternal grandfather, John \\'orkinan ; iMrs. iMar- garet Burcli. whij died in this t(_)wnsliip and left three children; and Mrs. Celia Carmich- ael, who died in Union township and left ten children. James H. \\'orkman was only six years old when he was brought by his parents from Monroe county, Indiana, to the Work- man homestead in Nodaway county. There he was brought up to manhood, plowing and seeding and cultivating and harvesting and caring for stock. ?Ie seems to have been a born stockman, for he cannot remember when he did not like stock and enjoy attend- ing to it. This liking has been a source of much profit to him in his maturer years. Educational advantages in Nodaway coun- ty were very limited in the pioneer days. iNlr. Workman attended school as he coulil find time from work, in an old log schoolhouse with a stone fire-place and stick chimney and slab benclTes. The teachers were scarcely more creditable than the building, judged by n:o(leni standards, yet they were well meaning and faithful and did much good in their day and generation. iNlr. Workman's education, obtained under such disadvan- tages, was' necessarily limited, but he has found it very useful and has added to it by practical experience and by reading and ob- servation tmtil he is a very well informed man. He continued with his father until he was twenty-two }-ears old and tlien torik up the work of im].)ro\-ing the farm on which he now li\'es. It is located near a stream and presents the di\crsified features of l.iot- tom land and upland, timber land aiid prairie land, and it includes fields well adapted to raising grain of all kinds and blue grass and other pasture land ; it is provided with good buildings and all necessary appliances for profitable operation, and is, altogether, a valuable jiroperty, of which Mr. ^^'orkman has reason to lie proud when he remembers that he redeemed it from a state of nature. Besides raising and marketing, at top prices, about every kind of produce usually grown in this vicinity, he keeps a large number of horses, cattle and hogs and makes a marked success of that branch of his enterprise. On the 6th of July, 18S1, Air, Workman was married to Miss .\melia Griflith by Rev. H. C. Bolen, a minister of the ?*Iethodist Episcopal church well known to the old fam- ilies of Nodaway county. Mrs. Workman's father, Washington H. Griftith. was a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky, who made a 538 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. liome in Missouri and tliere married Miss Betlilimite Kine, a native of Xirth Caro- lina, wlio was reared in Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith had seven children : Amanda. AustraHa, Baxter, Bascom. George \V., Thomas J. and \\'arren M. ;\Irs. Griffith died when Mrs. Workman was a girl of fourteen, iind Mr. Griffith survived until 1899. dying ac the ripe old age of eighty-three. He was a farmer, a Methodist and a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Workman have two sons : Charles O., horn June 16, 1885. and Eugene, born February 11, 1888. Mrs. Workman is a member of the Methotlist church. Mr. Workman is a Democrat, influential in local politics and devoted to the principles of his party. He is public-spirited to an unubual degree and is no less useful as a citizen than successful as a man of affairs. BALEY H. KIXDER. Baley H. Kinder, who owns two hun- dred and twenty acres of \aluable farm land in Atchison township, Xodaway county, is one of the most highly resi)ected residents of that portion of the state. He is a public- spirited citizen, well informed on the topics of current interest and lends his active sup- port to all worthy objects having in view the development of his country. Mr. Kinder was born in Wayne county, Kentucky, June 17, 1837, and is a son of James F. and Kittie A. ( Hudgens) Kinder. The father was of Gemian descent, but was reared in Kentucky and resided in that state until after his marriage, when, with an ox team, he traveled to Missouri. For three years he was a resident of Johnson county, being one of the first settlers in that portion of the state, locating there wh.en wild ani- mals were numerous and the huntsman had ample opportunit}' of indulging his love in the sport of the chase. Subsequently Mr. Kinder removed to the Platte purchase in Andrew county, where he remained until 1865, when he became a resident of X'^oda- way county, here spending his remaining days, his death occurring when he was sev- enty-two years of age. In his political affil- iations he was a Whig. His widow survived him until March 30, 1892, and she passed away at the ripe old age of eightj'-'.hre.; years. They were the parents of three chil- dren, as follows : Letitia, who married D. B. Ferguson, of X'odaway county; Talitha, the wife of Robert Patterson, of Holt coun- ty, Missouri; and Baley H., of this review. Mr. Kinder, whose name introduces this record, came with his parents to Missouri in 1837, and his early life was a highly inter- esting one. When he was not herding cattle he spent his time hunting and fishing and in roaming through the woods or over the prairies. He acquired his education in the primitive schools of that day and by home reading. He was a very industrious and ambitious young lad, and at the age of six- teen he was placed in charge of a herd of sheep and cattle. He lived for a number of years with his brother-in-law, and in 1861 he entered the Confederate army, under the command of Sterling Price, remaining with the southern troops until the war was ended. He saw much hard fighting, being engaged in the battles of Blue Mills, Lexington, Hel- ena, Cane Hill, Little Rock, Pleasant Hill, Pea Ridge and Shreveport. After leaving the service he returned to his home and has has since resided in Nodaway county. Hav- ing not always enjoyed good health, he has spent much of his time in traveling over Ar- kansas, Kansas, the Indian Territory, Okla- homa and Texas. All his acreage is well BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 539 improved and in excellent condition. It is devoted to general farming, and in his Ijusi- ness affairs Mr. Kinder has pruspered. In 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Gra}', a lady of intellect and good family, who was born July 31, 1848, in Noble county, Ohio, and is a daughter of James Gray. Her father was a well known citizen of that county. His birth occurred in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Jan- uary 11,1819, "^"J lis married ]"iachel Haines, who was born in Ohio. ^\\\ and Mrs. Gray were the parents of the following children: ]\Irs. Sarah J. Johnson, Mrs. Isabelle Kinder, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Slianklin, Mrs. Louisa Shaw, Jdhn \\'., INIrs. ]Mary Patterson, David, Clark, Charles M., Mrs. Rachel Mor- rell, ^Irs. Dora E. Snoderly and Mrs. Ida Pollock. ^Irs. Gray died at the age of for- ty-one years, but Mr. Griiy is still li\'ing, a member of the ^Methodist church. His grantlparents, Robert and Ann Murdock, re- sided in Pennsylvania at the time of the Rev- olutionary war, and on horseback his grand- mother swam the ^Monongahela river with two of her children, one in her lap and one behind her, in order to get away from the Indians. She reached the block-house in safety and there aided in running bullets for the nien who were engaged in protecting the fort. Unto ]\Ir. and Mrs. Kinder ha\-e been born seven children: Cora \., who was born November 30, 1868, and is the wife of D. Garrett; Emma L., who was born March 22, 1870, and is the wife of George McDer- mott; James P., who was born December 2, 1871, and is now decea.sed ; Kitty M., who was liorn August 3, 1877, and is the deceased wife of W'illiam Ross; an infant who was born December 3, 1881, and has also passed away: Mabel, born June 30, 1884; and Oakley E., born June 24, 1886. The living children are all residents of Atch- ison township, Nodaway county. There is but one grandchild, Everett N. Garrett, who is now four years of age. Mrs. Kinder is a member of the Christian church. In his political affiliations Mr, Kinder is a Demo- crat and is a very popular man in Atch- ison township. STEPHEN H. KEMP. In the business circles of ^laryville Stephen H. Kemp occupies a position of prominence, being the cashier of the First National Bank. His father, Matthew Kemp, was a jDioneer of Keokuk, Iowa, removing to that state from Clayton, Adams county, Illinois'. He spent the remainder of his davs in Iowa, following the occu])ati()n of farm- ing up to the time of his death, which oc- curred in 1871. He was twice married^ his second union being with Mrs. Rhoda (Ham) Smith, and b}^ their luiion were l)orn the following named: Elizabeth, the wife of Plarvey jMiller, of Maryville; and Stephen H. Kemp, of this review. The children of the first marriage were David, who is living in Hancock county, Illinois; Samuel, of Hutch- inson, Kansas; and Mrs. Ella Carter, of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Stephen IT. Kemp was born at Clayton, Illinois, on the 20th of June, i860, but spent liis' boyhood days on an Iowa farm. In the springtime he took his place in the fields arid aided in the plowing. When crops were ripe he assisted in the harvest fields and thus his time passed through the summer months, while in the winter season he pursued' his ed- ucation in the public schools. His business experience aside from the farm was begun at Camp Point, Illinois, where he served as 540 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY a salesman in the store of George \V. Cyrus. Subsequently he accepted a clerkship for the firm of Pratt & Blood in tiie dry-sjuods busi- ness at Camp Point, remaining with that house until the year 1884, wlien he came to Nodaway county. He had a brother-in-law- living here and this induced him to seek a home in northwestern Missouri. He en- gaged in farming southwest of Maryville, entering into partnership with O. E. Ross, for his financial resources were limited, and this enabled him to gain the necessar\- ma- chinery and other equipments for the farm. His lal)ors, however, brought him some cap- ital and he purchased a team and eventu- ally became the owner of a farm, for which he paid on the installment plan, lie con- tinued his farming operations there for three years and then decided to aband.)n the business, locating in Mar\\ille. where he was first employed in ll-.e Ixn.k store of Fred Hastings, acting as clerk there for a year. On the expiration uf that period he was of- fered the position of lionkkeeijer in the First National Bank, and on the ist of July. 1893. he was promoted as cashier of the institution, as successor to Horace Richmond, and early in 1894 became a member of the board of directors. He is a pojiular bank official and his efiforts ha\'e contriljuted in no small de- gree to the prosperity of the institution. He is very careful and reliable in the conduct of the business intrusted to him as cashier. and his safe, conservati\e ])olicy has com- mended him to the confidence and good will of all with whom he is associated. Mr. Kemp has been twice married. In Carthage, Illinois, on the 2d of September, 1882, he wedded Miss Anna Ross, who died July 27, 1888, leaving a daughter, Jean. On Christmas day of 1890, he was again married, his second union being with Lillian, a daughter of George R. E]jperson, of Gra- ham, Missouri. Five children grace this union, namely : Larue, George, Ilene, Greta and Joseph. In his political views Mr. Kemp is a Republican and has .served for one term in the city council of Maryville, but has never been an aspirant for public office, his business affairs claiming his entire attention. EDWARD M. WHITE. This gentleman. largel_\- interested in and identified with several branches of business, is considered the leading busine.s,s man of Atchison county. A prominent merchant, banker, farmer and stock raiser, he has be- come known throughout the county as a man of great keenness of perception and business ability. He was born in Henry county. Illinois, October 22, 1848, a son of Abraham and Alartha (Hubbard) White. Isaac White, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a nati\"e of New York. He mar- ried a lady of the same state and it was there they passed all of their lives. They were the ])arents of the following children, namely: William; Ellen: Eunice, first mar- ried to Mr. Rpula- tion are found representative families who have figured as pioneers and as leaders in the work of emancipation, enlightenment and development in all periods of our na- tional history. This fact has been brought to the mind of the writer, perhaps for the hundredth time, by a consideration of the genealogy of the |ironiinent citizen of Daw- son. Xodaway county. Mis.souri. whose name supplies the title to this article. John Houston Fullinwic'.er conies of an old Kentucky family, prominent in peace and in war. always patriotic, always high in the public confidence. He was born in a log cabin at Crawfordsville. Indiana, in 1830, a son of Dr. Sam FuUinwider. a native of Shelby county. Kentucky. 1 inec brothers, the first of his family and name in .\merica, fled from Europe on account of the religious l)€rsecution. and the family, always liberty- loving, was represented in the patriot army during the struggle for American inde- pendence. Mr. Fullinwitler"s father. Jacob FuUinwider. removed from Washington county. Peimsylvania. to Shelby county, Kentucky, where he became a warm personal friend of Daniel Boone, the pioneer and In- dian fighter of the "dark and bloody ground." One of his daughters was gener- ally conceded to be the most beautiful woman in her day in Kentucky. She married into the Mount family and was the mother of CJovernor Mount, of Indiana. Dr. Sam FuUinwider received a good English and classical education, .studied med- icine and married Jane Houston, a cousin of Cieneral Sam Houston, the liberator of Texas, and hail six children : Miriam : John Houston, the subject of this sketch : Xar- cissa X'irginia. Xancy Jane. Catherine and Samuel. Mrs. FuUinwider died in 1845. Dr. Sam lived to cast his vote for McKinley in 18^6. and died at Creston, Iowa, at his tlaughter's. Mrs. Judge Medill's. He re- moved to Burlington, Iowa, in 1836. when his son, John Houston, was six years old', and was a pioneer physician and long a prominent citizen of that town, which he saw develo|) from a mere hamlet <^if log cabins. John Houston I'ullinwider. who jiassed the years of his infancy and early childhood a; his birthplace in Indiana, has a vivid recol- lection of the journey of the family to Iowa. There he was etlucated and grew to man- hood. He was married at Kossuth, Iowa, in 1851. to Harriet E. Harper, a daughter of John and Delilah ( Hughes) Harper. Mrs. Fullinwider's grandfather in the maternal line was Judge Hughes, a man of prominence in his day ami generation. She was reared and educated in Ohio and Iowa, finishing her studies at Mount Pleasant, in the latter state. She was one of teti children, of whom but one other is living, Eliza. Her mother died when alxnit fifty years old. her father at the age of fifty-eight years. Mr. FulUnwider served his country as a soldier for two years during the Civil war. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 545 as a member of Compain^ K, Fourteenth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry. His regiment was in General Banks' Red river expedition and later was under the command of General A. J. Smith. He participated in ' the operations between the Red river and Mempliis and was in the fight at Holly Springs and saw other active service in Mis- sissippi and Arkansas. He returned to Iowa and was mustered out of the service at Dav- enport, with an exceptionally good record as a soldier. In 1865 he removed from Iowa to Nodaway county, Missouri, and located in Lincoln township, where he has since operat- ed different farms, successfully. He is a prominent Republican and a member of Elmo Post, No. 162, G. A. R., and has ac- ceptably filled the office of postmaster at Dawson. ]\lr. and Airs. Fullinwider lia\-e liad seven children : Neander, who died aged ten years and eleven months ; Edward T. ; Charles H. ; Laura E., now Mrs. McBride, of Piatt coun- ty. Illinois; John H., of Lincoln township, Nodaway county; Mattie ^'., the widow of Grant Metcalf, of Colorado; and William P. They are rearing four grandchildren, cliil- dren of W. P., named Joseph W., Lavenia H.. ]\Iyra G. and Jessie May. They have also raised another grandson to manhood, — Pearl Harper, a son of Charles Fullinwider. SANDERS H. RASCO. Sanders H. Rasco, a member of one of the pioneer families of Nodaway county, Missouri, and for many years one of the leading farmers in this section of the state, is a native of Taswell county, North Caro- lina, and was born February 24, 1822. He is a son of Arthur and Polly (Widen) Rasco, of North Carolina. John Rasco was one of the pioneer settlers of that state, and followed the occupation of a farmer all his life. His children are as follows: William; Arthur, the father of our subject ; and John and Rachael. John Rasco died at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and sixteen years. Arthur Rasco, the father of our subject, began farming after his marriage, and lived in the same house the remainder of his life. He was a farmer and cotton-raiser and a man of great integrity. Of a sociable na- ture he made many friends, and was well known in the community. Fle held some prominent positions for the Democratic party. His death occurred in 1870. His children were: Irason, Nellie, Smith, Sand- ers (the subject of this sketch), \'inson, William. Henry, Mary A. and John. None but Sanders settled in ^^lissouri, and but four of the children are now living. Sanders Rasco attended school but ninety davs, and the education he has received has been from observation and from communica- tion with educated people. After his mar- riage he rented a farm, where he lived a short time. He then mo\ed to Missouri, where he has resided ever since. His funds at first were very low, and success could be ob- tained only by hard work and perseverance. He settled in Ray county in 1855, where he followed agriculture for eight years. He sold the land and moved to Buchanan county, residing in St. Joseph for eighteen months, where he worked at anything he could find to do. June 6, 1854, his wife died; but he continued farming in Buchanan county, and June 14, 1857, remarried. In 1861 Mr. Rasco moved to Nodaway county, settlin-;- near Hopkins, where he rented a farm. Nodaway county was but sparsely settled at 546 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. that time, and the farm on wliich he moved was but little improved. He lived there one year and then moved west of Barnard, where he rented a farm for five years. The farm on which he next moved and has since lived, proved to be a valuable piece of land, and Mr. Rasco was very successful in raising' good stock and crops. He is an honest, up- right man, and lias the confidence of all in tlie community. He is considered one of the most prosperous men in the county, and his success in life lias been of his own making. Mr. Rasco married Sarah A. Thomas, wlio was Ijorn in Xorth Carolina, June 5. 1820, a daugliter of Henry Thomas, of that state. She had the following brothers and sisters : Daniel, Henry, Isariah, John, James, Salh% Mary and Eiizaljeth. Mrs. Rasco died at St. Joseph, ^Missouri, June 6, 1854. She had three children : James H., born June 2, 1843; Logan, born Aoril i, 1845; and Mary, born April 7, 1850, and died April 6, i860. Mr. Rasco remarried a few years later, this time choosing Melissa Martin, a native of DeKalb county, Missouri, born February 18, 1835. She was a daughter of Christopher and Parmelia (Jobe) Martin. Christopher ]\Iartin was a native of Ken- ti'-ck)"- and mo\-ed to ^'lissouri when very young. He settled in Saline county, where he carried on farming and later moved to DeKalb county, and then to Buchanan comi- ty, where he entered land and lived for a number of years. He then sold out and moved to Iowa, where he died in i860, a plain, honest farmer. His wife, who was a native of Tennessee, lived on the old home- stead in Iowa until her death, which oc- curred in January, 1891. They were mem- bers of the Christian church. They left the following children : Andrew ; Sarah, the wife of J. Bass; Morina; Eda; Melissa, the wife of our subject ; Susan, Benjamin F., Purcilla,. James, Samuel, and Betty, deceased. Mr. Rasco has the following children by his second wife: Eda, born May i, 1858; William, born September 15, i860; Sarah F., born March 7, 1862; John, born Decem- ber 23, 1863; Maggie E., born March 14^ 1866; Arthur M., born January 30. 1868; Ibra, born June 19. 1870; George S., born August 20, 1873; Xetta, born April 28, 1876. Mr. Rasco hqd two sons who served in the federal army during the war in the south. He himself was a Union man and a member of tlie state militia. Politically he is a Democrat. The family attend the Meth- odist church. JOHX \V. GRAVES. John W. Graves, a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Atchison county and one of the well-known farmers and stock- raisers in that vicinity, is one of the public-spirited men of the county and is highly respected liy all who know him. He is a man of splendid business ability and has been very successful in a financial way. He is a native of Atchison county, having been born June 27, 1847. This country was in a very crude state of cultivation at the time and but thinly inhabited, and Mr. Graves has experienced all the hardships of pioneer life. Sanuiel Gra\es, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Kentucky. He served in the war of 1812 and died in Ken- tucky some years later. He had three sons — E. H., J. P. and \\. E., our subject's fa- ther. W. E. Graves grew to manhood in Kentucky and theii moved to Missouri, spending some months in Buchanan county, before settling' in Atchison countv. He en- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 547 tered some land, which lie improved a.id then sold, next buyjig' a farm where the town of Milton now stands. Mr. (jraves was a slave owner, and although a Union man he was in sympathy with the south. He was at one time the captain of the Paw Paw militia and saw some active service, though for only a short time. He underwent all the hardships of pioneer life, but at the time of his death was the owner of a fine, well stocked farm and was considered one of the well-to-do farmers in that section. He filled the office of justice of the peace for some time, and for a time was the postmaster at Irish Grove. Religiously he was a ^lethodisL and was an active worker in the church. He married Edna Saunders, of Kentucky, and this union w^as blessed with five children, as follows: J. W., the subject of this sketch; Robert, of Milton, Missouri; R. S., of St. Joseph, Mis- souri, wdiere he is secretary of the police board; W. E.. of Craig; and Elizabeth, the W'ife of W. H. Hineman. Jack Saunders, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was one of the early settlers of Buchanan county, Missouri, and was a large slave-owner. He built the first house in Maryville, JMissouri, and also built the Saunders Hotel, of St. Joseph. He owned considerable land in Nodaway county and was a heavy specula- tor, spending the most of his time in St. Joseph. His children were : James, Mary- ville; Robert, of Oklahoma; Edna, the moth- er of our subject; Michaw, of St. Joseph; and Betta, now Mrs. Jester, of Saline county, this state. J. W. Graves, whose name heads this sketch, remained at home until he had reached his twenty-second year. His father gave him forty acres of land on which to make a beginning in life, and on this he built a house and started to cope with life's struggles in earnest. A thorough, consci- entious worker, it was not long until he was fairly on the way to success. He began stock-raising and the tilling of the soil, and his present farm of three hundred and ten acres, on wdiich there is a large house and several outbuildings, speaks for his thrift and labor. He also has a good orchard, wdiich yields much fine fruit each year. Mr. Graves married, May 20, 1869, Re- becca Angel, who was born in Clay county, Missouri. Deceml)er 10, 1849. Her father, Thomas Angel, was an early settler of Clay county, who mu\-ed to Atchison county in 1859, where he was a prominent farmer. He served a shi)rt time in the Confederate army and died in this county in 1888. He was a member of the Baptist church. His cliildren were: Alfred; Thomas; J. B. ; ?*Irs. Nancy McDaniel; Ella, the wife of J Gray; Florida, the wife of H. Anderson; Rebecca, the wife of our subject; Adda, the v.ife of R. L. Gross; Birda Moore; May, now ]\Irs. Shala; and Jane, the wife of J. F. Browning. Mr. and Mrs. Graves are the parents of the following children, namely: Carrie, who married A. Smith; Ora, the wife of N. Moore; Guy, Bessie, Samuel, Ivan JM. and I\Iarie. They also have three grandchildren. Mr. Graves is a member of the Masonic fra- ternitv and the Knights of Pythias. ANDRE\\' J. W'.VDE. Andrew Jackson Wade, a well knnwn farmer and stock-raiser of Atchison county, i\Iissouri, was bom May 2, 1854, a son of Jefferson and Maria (\'ineyard) Wade. Jefferson Wade was a native of Ohio and moved to Iowa in 1844, settling on a striji of territorv which was then under dispute, both 548 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Iowa and Missouri claiming the land. This land, or a portion of it, is now known as Fi"e- mont county, Iowa, where our subject v.as born. At that time the country was' but sparsely inhabited, the Indians lieing ^Ir. ^^'ade"s nearest neighbors. They were very friendly, and all the farmers were on equal footing, there being but little wealth in the community. Mr. .\\'ade owned considerable lantl, and was an honest, thrifty farmer, commantling the respect of all in the commu- nity. Me died at the age of &e\'enty-seven 3-ears, in 1S92. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He married Maria Vineyard, and the following children were born to them: Sanford, now living in Okla- homa: William, in the west; Aaron, of Okla- homa; Mahala Jordan, of Iowa; Mrs. Mary Doty, of Wyoming; A. J., the subject of this sketch; and Franklin, of Iowa. A. J. Wade receive 1 his education in the schools of his nati\e count}-, — Fremont county, Iowa. in 1876 he bought land where he now lives, and one year later began improving it, buikling a small house and cultivating the soil. He bought a cattle ranch in northwest Nebraska in 1886, but after losing some stock he became dissatis- fied and sold the ranch. His present farm is seven miles southeast of Tarkio and six miles northeast of Fairfax. It is well im- proved in every way, having a large num- ber of forest trees and a splendid orchard, besitles a modern hnuse and commodious out- buiklings. The country was nothing but prairie when Mr. Wade located here, and his present home and farm is an example of the care and management given to the farms in this section of the countrj-. Mr. \\'ade is a Democrat in politics, but he has never cared to accept pubhc ofifice. In 188^ Mr. A\'ade was united in mar- riage to Isabelle Green, a daughter of Will- iam and Isabelle (Moore) Green. She was torn in Moniteau county, Missouri, April 19, 1841. ^\'illiam Green was' born in Ran- dolph county, Indiana, May 11, 1836, a son of James and Milla (Vernard) Green, both of Randolph county. James Green and his wife settled in Atchison county in 1842, where Mr. Green's was one of the pioneer families of the county. In 1857 William Green married Isabelle !Moore, a daughter of James and Sarah (McKay) Moore, who lived in Missouri. James Moore went to California during the gold fever, and died on the ocean when returning east. His wife and family moved to Sullivan county, Mis- souri, and later to Atchison county, where the wife and mother died some years later. She was the mother of the following chil- dren : Joseph, George W., James B. F., Will- iam A., Isabelle and Margaret. William Green and his wife were blessed with the following children : Amelia D., now Mrs. Fox; Isabelle, the wife of our subject; Ber- tha, the wife of J. Thornton; Sarah, the wife of A. Strickland; William 1'.; Jerry, de- ceased; and Mary, deceased. Mrs. ^\'ade has borne three children : Leta, born January 13, 1884; Cecil, born January 5, 1887; and Walter, born June 16, 1889. She is a consistent member of the Baptist church. Air. Wade is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. AXl)KhA\' XICOLL. Occupying the highest position within the gift of the i)eople cjf Tarkio, Andrew Xicoll, as mayor of the city, is controlling its affairs in a business-like manner, and he exercises his official i)rerogatives in support of everv measure which he believes will con- ANDREW NICOLL. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 549 tribute to the puljlic gooi\. Scotland lias furnished many wortliy and prominent citi- zens to the United States. aner is the subject of this rexiew. who was li(irn in Perthshire, on tlie 24th of July, 183 J, a representati\-e of an old family of that county. His father. Andrew Xicoll, Sr., was a farmer, noted fur industry, hon- esty and fair dealing. Tlie grandfather, William N^icoll, also carried on agricultural pursuits. He belonged to a lowland family, and throughout his entire life devoted his energies to the cultivation of the soil. On the old homestead the father of our subject A\as reared, and when he had attained adult age he chose as a companion on life's jour- ney ]\Iiss J\Iargaret George, who was born in Perthshire and was a neighbor of An- drew Carnegie, the great steel king of Amer- ica. Her father, James George, was also ii native of that locality ami was the pro- prietor of a tavern or inn of that town. Thinking to improve bis financial condition and better provid.e for the wants of bis family, Andrew Xicoll, Sr., crossed the At- h'Utic in 1839, emigrating from Glasgow, on a sailing vessel, which reached Xew York harbor after a voyage of seven weeks and two days. He then proceeded to Dela- ware county, X'^ew York, where he resided for the remainder of his life. Pie was the father of nine children, who reached mature years — three sons and six daughters — name- ly : ]\Irs. Elizabeth Beckwith, who died in the Kmi)ire state; William, of Delaware, New ^'ork- ; Andrew, of this re\-iew; Mrs. Mar- garet Russell, of Delaware county, X^ew "^^irk ; Anna, of Cedar county, Iowa ; Chris- tina E., a widow living in Red Oak, Iowa; David, a United Brethren minkster, of Ida county, Iowa, who has several times repre- sented his countv in the state legislature, and was a soldier in the war of the rebellion; Mrs. Jane Emery, of Napa Valley, Califor- nia: and ]\Irs. Janet Boyd, of Red Oak, Iowa. The father of these children followed farming as a means of livelihood, and died in Delaware county, Xew York, at the age of seventy-three years, honored and respect- ed by all who knew him. He was kind and considerate to his family, was a good citizen and a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. His wife remained a widow for twenty years and was called to her final rest at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. In taking uj) the personal history of An- i drew Xicoll, we present to our readers the life record of (jne who has a wide and favor- able acfjuaintance in Atchison county, whose business career has been honorable and straightforward, bringing to him a com- fortable competence, and whose fidelity to the duties of citizenship has won him official honors in his adopted town. He was a little lad of seven summers when he came with his parents to the United States, and upon a farm in Delaware county, New York, he was reared to manhood, lessons of industry and economy being early instilled into his mind, his life also becoming imbued with princi- ples of honesty that have ever since char- acterized his dealings with those with whom he has come in contact. To the public-school system of the Empire state be is indebted for the educational i)rivileges which he en- joyed. In 1857 he went to Ogle county, Illinois, where he engaged at farm work until 1863, when he removed to Cedar coun- ty, Iowa, and there purchased eighty acres of land, for which he paid the government price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. Later he sold that farm and purchased other land, having faith in Iowa and her future. Subsequent purchases extended his posses- 550 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. sions until he liad five hundred acres, but afterward sold a portion of this, and at the present time he has three hundred and twenty acres of the rich land of the Hawkeye state. His home adjoined the town of Clarence for a number of years, but in 1893 he came to Tarkio in order to provide better educa- tional facilities for his children. ^Ir. Nicoll has been twice married. In the spring of 1863, in Delaware county, Xew York, lie wedded Isabella McGregor, a native of that county and a daughter of John and ^lary ( Kenned}- ) McGregor. Her father was Ixirn in Scotlaml, and her parents both died in Delaware county. By the marriage of Mr. and INIrs. Xicoll three children were born, namely: John A., a resi- dent of Cedar county, Iowa ; David, a physi- cian of Clinton, Iowa: and Mrs. ^largaret N. Wliitncll. who is li\-ing in Delaware county, Iowa. The mother, who was a con- sistent member of the Presbyterian church, died in 1870, her loss being dee[)Iy felt by her fatuily and many friends. In November, 1872, Mr. Nicoll was again married, his sec- ond union being with Nancy Claney, who was born in Holmes county. Ohio, a daugh- ter of David and Nancy Claney. both of "whom departed this life in the Buckeye state. The children of the second marriage are: \\'illiani, tlie eldest, who served with the Fifty-lirst Iowa Infantry in the I'hilip- jiines, is a [xipular and well educated young ir.an. He was a graduate of Tarkio Ci William Graf, of Cin- cinnati, Ohii 1 : .\nna, who is living in Indian- apolis: Rosa, now the wife of John Munich, of Cincinnati ; William, whose home is in Indianapolis: and Ernest H., the general agent and assistant adjuster of the Mutual Insurance Companies. Henry I-". Stajiel may truly be called a self-made man. He is the architect of his own fortune and has i)uilded wisely and well. \\'hen onl\- fnurteen years of age he started out in life to provide for his own mainte- nance, and, leaving home, made his way to West Union, Iowa, where he worked on a farm and at herding cattle, receiving four- teen dollars pernionlh in compensation for his services. In 1875 he removed to Atchi- son county, Missouri, where he entered the .service of William Hunter, who paid him at first liftecn doll;irs per month, later in- creasing his salary to eighteen dollars per month. He was employed in that way for MR. AND MRS. H. F. STAPEL. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 557 a lialf year, wlien, actuated witli a desire to olitain a liettcr educatiiui than lie then l^ossessed and tliereby gain a lixehliood l)y other tlian manual labor, he entered the State Normal School, at Peru, Nebraska, in that year — 1875. His capital was nut suffi- cient to meet the expenses nf an uninter- rupted course in that institution, but he jiossessed a strong determination and be- lieved that a way wnnld be open whereby he might earn the amount necessary tn de- fray his expenses. He spent three years in the normal school and was graduated in the class of 1878. He then came to Rock- port, making the journey on foot, and on reaching his destination he had but three cents in his pocket. During the summer of tliat year he worked in the har\-est fields and in the autumn he began teaching school, a profession which he foUoweil through the succeeding three 3-ears. Desiring to still further perfect his education he then entered the University of Michigan, with a view^ of qualifying himself for the profession of the law, and pursued the literary and law course, lieing graduated in the law department of the university in 1884, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Mr. Stapel then returned tij Atchison county, Missouri, and entered ujjon his l:)usi- ness career here in connection with iournal- istic work. He wished to connect him.self with a calling in which he might exercise a due amount of intluence. desiring in en- ter a sphere of usefulness whereby he might be in close touch with the great problems of the day and at the same time secure a good living. lie believed that Rockport offered an e.xcellent field fnr a first-class and up-to-date Demncralic paper. Accnrdingly he purchased the Atchison County Mail and began its publication on the ist of January, 34 1885. About this time he received the ap- pointment frcjm President Cleveland to the office of postmaster of Rockport, by which his financial independence was established and he was thus enabled to inaugurate a ])olicy in connection with the Atchison County Mail, which brought it into immedi- ate popularity. This journal is the (ildest Democratic paper in the county. When it uas pnrchaseil by Mr. .Stapel it had a circu- lation (.)f about three hundred copies and was then a fi\'e-column cpiarto, one boy doing the work of the office. Under the wise policy inaugurated by Mr. Stapel the paper has accpiired a circulation of three thousand weekly, and has been enlarged to a six- column (juarto and furnishes employment to a force of about twenty people. When he assumed the management the business was located in Buckham's Hall, a building which would be in striking contrast with the jour- nal's present handsome quarters in the Insur- ance building. The J\Iail is the official paper of Atchison county and is also the official or- gan of the Missouri ]\Iutual Insurance Com- panies. Through the columns of his jour- nal ]\lr. .St:q)el has largely promoted the wel- fare of his adopted count}'. He has ever been on the side of progress, reform and impro\-ement, and his editorials ha\-e car- ried weight in influencing puljlic opinion. His labors, ho\\e\'er, have not been lim- ited to one line, a work of still greater ben- efit and importance being that whicli he has performed as the founder of the Missouri Mutual Insurance Coni])anies. The idea was conceived by Mr. Stapel in 1880. lie held the opinion that the old insurance com- l)anies were robbing the public by charging excessi\e rates, and he resoh'cd that with the assi.stance of the legislature of the state lie would himself engage in the insurance busi- 558 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ness on the mutual plan. High salaries would therefore not have to be paid to officials and the insured would share the profits. But it reciuired seven years to secure the passage of a law inider which lie could work, and it was not until 1889 that he wrote the first policy for the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company of Atchison county, the parent company of them all. He had blanks prepared and made other necessary arrangements to engage in the work as soon as the bill was passed in the legislature. His first business in this line was transacted on a table which cost fifty cents and stood in the office of the Mail. The first regular soliciting was done by the secretary of the company, and so immediately l)opular was the idea of mutual insurance that his first day's horseback ride into the country secured for him one hundred thou- sand dollars' worth of business. The com- pany has had a most wonderful and healthy growth until a mammoth business is now being conducted in the one hundred and four- teen counties of the state of ^Missouri. At the present time, after eleven years of work, with very few exceptions every land-owner in Atchison county carries a policy in the jMutual Insurance Companies. Insurance in some of the companies, under the manage- ment of this central company at Rockport, is carried at less than one-fourth of the cost of insurance in eastern companies. The fifficers have just reason to mention this fact with pride, for it represents thousands jbi dollars annually saved to the insuring ' i)ublic. Each year the companies are gain- ing the confidence of a greater number of ])eople, as the fact is demonstrated that mu- tual insurance is no longer an untried ven- ture, but lias been proved to be a most glowing success, even though it has met with very severe and uncalled for opposi- tion from line companies and their agents. The promoters of mutual insurance may also be proud of the fact that from a very insig- nificant beginning in putting into practical application the principles of mutual insurance in Missouri in 1889 this mo\-e has inspired other states to introduce this method of in- surance, which is now found in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas and many other states of the Union, which are benefitted by the organization and success of the plan. .\lthough capital and effort opposed the mu- tual plan and its beginning was small, the officers of the company continued their work until their business has now assumed mag- nificent proportions. They have over fif- teen million dollars of assessable capital and the confidence of a ver}' large per cent of the people not influenced by line insurance agents. In 1889, the year in which the first company was organized, two other companies were also established to engage in the mutual insurance business, namely : The Globe Lodge of the Farmers and La- borers' Mutual Protection Life and Accident Insurance Company and the Missouri Farm- ers' Tornado, Cyclone and \^'ind-Stornl In- surance Conlpan3^ The cost of the latter to the people has been less than the interest on the old line rate, there having been but five assessments during the last ten years, ending in 1900. .\fter the passage of a bill permitting farmers to organize for the purpose of in- suring against hail, the Farmers' ^^lutual Hail Insurance Company of Missouri was organized. This made but one assessment in three 3'ears, at a cost of one per cent. The same year, 1897, the legislature enacted a law authorizing the chartering of plate- glass insurance by mutual companies, and ^^^■^nH %jm^. 1 5 ^ iJIBki^ Business Office at Headquarters of ttie Missouri Mutual Insurance Companies, Rockport, Mo. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. under tliis law the Missouri Town Mutual Plate-Glass Insurance Company was author- ized to transact business. The business ac- cumulated so rapidly that in 1897 it was found that the quarters of the company were becoming inadequate for the demand for space, and Mr. Stapel devised a plan for the erection of a new building, one which should be equal to the demands upon it made by the business for which it was designed. He interested about two hundred people in the scheme, and the result was the erection of a fine two-story pressed-brick and stone building, the dimensions of which were twenty-six by one hundred and twenty feet. The building, fixtures, cases, application and policy files, boxes and furniture cost over fifteen thousand dollars, and it is said to be the most attractive building west of Chicago. ■■ - ,; m^^^^k^^f^,^ ^M_- F^^^P — ■'^^'^Y"^""^ ' jg* ^- '-r— ^^ fli^BfHfDril n'lllSlSHifflnnHp^^^^^T^'M^^^'flnn ^^:- ^..^^^'^^^^ ^^ It is supplied with water-works, electric lights and telephone and is also in direct tel- egraphic communication with all the world. This is the first riiutual-insurance building in Missouri or the United States. From it are directed the operations of hundreds of agents, who in all parts of the state take applications and collect premiums for the fire, tornado, life, hail, plate-glass and acci- dent departments of the Rockport companies. These companies have paitl in the past eleven years for losses, deaths, accidents, etc., over one thousand claims, aggregating more than one hundred thousand dollars. The fine building is named in honor of its promoter, the Stapel Mutual Insurance Building. It has a steel vault, with steel boxes, containing twenty-two million dollars' worth of insur- ance. As fast as the above mentioned com- panies were organized Mr. Stapel became their secretary, and has ever since continued to serve each company in that capacity. The success of his insurance enterprise is always uppermost in his mind, and, while it is yet in its infancy, it is one of the strongest and safest financial institutions of the state, do- ing business in nearly every county and with branch institutions in Arkansas and Texas. In addition to Mr. Stapel the companies are under the management of John Knirim, president; and A. E. Lane, W. M. Bressler, John Cooper, Joseph Durfee, A. E. Wyatt, D. A. Quick, M. T. Buckham, W. H. Hind- man, C. E. V'olkmann, E. H. Stapel and C. R. Rolf. Besides the postoffice, to which he was appointed by President Cleveland, Mr. Sta- pel has held no public position. He main- tains a membership in many of the popular insurance companies and is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, a Modern \\^oodman, a Woodman of the World, a member of the A. O. U. W., of the Iowa Traveling Men's Association, the Odd Fel- lows" Annuity Association, and the Safety Fund Insurance Society. Mr. Stapel was first married in 1887, to Lilly Sly, a daughter of Judge John F. Sly, of Fairfax, Missouri. Mrs. Stapel died, leaving a son, John. In 1895, while touring in Europe, Mr. Stapel met, at Mu- nich, Germany, Miss Anna Neidlein, and the same year they were married, in London, SCO BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. England. After ^U: and Mrs. Stapel's marriage they continued tlieir travels in Holland, Germany, France, Belgium and England. Mr. and Mrs. Stapel have a daughter, named Friedc. In July, 1900, Mr. Stapel, together with his family, sailed for the Paris E.xposition and afterward completed a tour of Euro])e. returning to the United States in the autumn. They are members of the German Lutheran church. In 1886 Mrs. Stajjel entered the Con- servatory of Music, at Munich, Germany, where she studietl piano and voice culture and where she was graduated in 1893, and in this country she is well known for her musical attainments. }*IRS. WILLIAM DUNN. Mrs. William Dunn is one of the well known residents of Linculn township. Her husband, the late William Dunn, died Au- gust 16, 1895, and the community lost one of its valuable citizens. He was numbered among the early settlers of Lincoln town- ship and was a man of sterling worth, who aided in the promotion of every interest cal- culated to prove of public good to his town or county. A native of \\'estmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He was born October 13, 1834, a son of Thomas and Sarah (Barber) Dunn, the former a native of the Keystone state, while the latter was born in the north of Ireland. By their marriage they became the parents of fi\'e sons who reached mature j-ears, namely : John, Thomas G., William, Matthew and James. The last named was a soldier in the Civil war and is now living in Greeley, Colorado. The daughters of the family are : Jane, who died in childhood; Elizabeth, who died in Louisa county, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah Dougherty, who died in the same county; Catherine G., who died at the age of live years; and Mrs. Lydia Dill, who departed this life in Eskridge. Kansas. The father of these children died in Winchester, Kansas, at the advanced age of eighty-two. He was a l)lacksmith by trade and during the greater part of his life followed that pur- suit. He held membership in the Reformed Presbyterian church and his life was in har- mony with his professions. His wife, a mem- ber of the same church, died at the age of seventy years. The children were reared in that religious faith and upon their minds were early impressed the lessons tending toward the development of an honorable manhood and wtmianhood. William Dunn spent his boyhood days in the Keystone state, and in his father's shop learned the blacksmith's trade, working at the forge for some time. He became an ex- pert in the methods of handling iron and steel, and his mechanical genius enabled him to keep e\erything about his farm in good condition. The educational privileges which he enjoyed were afforded by the common schools of the neighborhood. When the country became involved in civil war he espoused the cause of the Union, entering the federal service as a member of the Seventy- sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, with which he remained for two years. He participated in the battle of Petersburg and lost the index finger of his right hand, which was shot off in an engagement. I Ic was also in sexcrai other battles and skirmishes as a member ot the Army of the Potomac in Virginia. Ke then received an honorable discharge anc' re- turned to liis home. At the age of twenty-five Mr. Dunn had married Miss Rachel McClellan, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania. They had five children, three of whom are now de- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 561 ceased, one liaving- died while Mr. Dunn was serving his country as a soldier. Mrs'. Su- san E. Stewart has also passed away, dying in Clay Center, Kansas, and John M. died in Louisa county, Iowa, April 4, 1877. In 1866 Mr. Dunn removed the family to Louisa county,^ Iowa, where he resided until 1879, working at his trade and following agricul- tural pursuits, llis first wife died in that county, and was sur\-i\-e(l hy the following children: Sarah J., the wife of John Walker, of Page county, Iowa; John M.: Susan E., who has since died, the wife of Matthew SteW'art, of Clay Center, Kansas ; and Nancy, the wife of Rohert Peck, of Xorthboro, Iowa. 'Sh. Dunn was again married, his second wedding taking place in Page coun- ty, Iowa, Sarah A. Glasgow ])ecoming his wife. She indeed proved to him a faithful companion and helpmeet on life's journey. She was born in Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, near Pittsburg, a daughter of Alex- ander and Sarah (Taggart) Glasgow, the former a native of the Keystone state, while the latter was born in the north of Ireland. Mrs. Dunn was a maiden of eleven summers when the family emigrated to the western part of Des Moines county, Iowa. Her fa- ther died in 1857, leaving to the mother the care of the following children: Elias Thomas; John Calvin; Mrs. Sarah Dunn; Donald C. ; Elizabeth, the wife of II, W'alk- inshaw, who served in the Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteers; William; Aviary Agnes, who died in infancy; and Andrew Wilson and Robert Hamilton, both deceased. Two of the sons were soldiers in the Ci\il war, John Calvin being a mem])er of Company C, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, and is now a resident of Page county; while Donald C, a resident of Clarinda, Iowa, serveil also witli the Eleventh Regiment of Iowa Volunteer^. The mother died in Page county, Iowa, at the age of eighty-one years, in the faith of the Reformed Presbyterian church, of which she was a consistent member. Unto William and Sarah Dunn were born three children : Bertha Mary, who is a grad- uate of the high school of Westboro and is now a successful and popular teacher of Lin- coln township; W. T. G., wdio is eighteen years of age; and John Oliver, who is now sexen.teen years of age. Their home is a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which was purcliased by Mr. Dunn on his removal to Lincoln township. On the farm are a good residence, commodious barns and outbuildings, a windmill and the latest im- proved machinery. Mr. Dunn was a very progressive agriculturist who carefully con- ducted his Inisiness afifairs and won success thereby. He was six feet in height and weighed one hundred and sixty-five pounds; his manner was genial and courteous; his treatment of others was considerate, antl in his family he was a devoted husbantl and father. He held membership in the Re- formed Presbyterian church and enjoyed the warm regard of all who knew him. Mrs. Dunn, since her husband's death, has care- fully managed her business interests and cared for her children and has displayed con- siderable business and executive ability in the control of the farm. She, too, has many friends and is widely known in her adopted county. HENRY P. HCRST. Henry P. Hurst, a prominent and repre- sentative farmer and stock-rai.ser of Atchi- son county, was born in h'ayette cnunly, Ohio, Alav 13. 1843. li'^ parents being Will- iam and Charlotte (Duvall) Hurst, both of whom were nati\'es of Ohio, in which state 562 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. they were married. The fatlier was a son of James Hurst, also a native of Oliio, to which state the family remoxed from ^Maryland, when James Hurst was a young man. He was a brick masuia and also operated a farm in the Buckeye state. He became one of the pioneers of Missouri, locating near St. Jo- seph in 1850, but subsequently he came to Atchison county. His last days were spent in the home of his children. An earnest Christian gentleman, he long held member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church and took an active part in its work, laboring earnestly for its promotion and for the adop- tion of its principles. A man of sterling integrity and honor, he enjoyed the high re- gard of all who knew him. In his family were twelve children, namely : William, Hooper, Caroline, Sarah, Thomas, Elliott, Ezra, Charles, Joseph, ]Mary J., Harriet and C_\-nthia. William Hurst, the father uf our subject, was reared to manhi;()d and married in Ohio, where he began the struggle of life. In 1855, believing that h.e might better his finan- ciay condition and supply his family with more comfort and pri\ileges in the west, he he came to Missouri, establishing a home in the fertile region of Atchison county. They there endured all the hardships and trials of pioneer life, but ultimately their labors were rewarded. The father purchased a tract of school land and transformed it into an ex- cellent farm, the rich and fertile soil becom- ing fields of productiveness. He also carried on stock-raising and met with a fair degree of success for that day. He was widely and favorably known, his sterling integrity and honor ccmnnanding the cnntidence and es- teem of all who knew him. I'olitically he was a Whig and later a Republican. For a number of years he tilled the office of jus- tice of the peace and he was a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist church. He died in August, 1887, and his wife sur- vived him about twelve years, passing away in 1899, ^t the ripe old age of eighty years. Their children were : Mareen, a farmer of Nebraska; Thomas, of Atchison county;. Henr\' P., of this review; B. \V., an attor- ney at law at Oilman City, Missouri ; Mrs. Alice Smelser, in Kansas ; Hannah, Florence and Lienoir. Three are deceased. Henry P. Hurst, whose name introduces- this record, was reared on the home farm and as a boy he followed the plow, turning the furrow in many a field that was under- going preparation for the spring planting. He was educated in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majoritJ^ He has been a resident of Missouri since he was thirteen years of age. His first business \enture was the purchase of a calf, which he raised and sold. In later years he and his brother rent- ed a farm together and afterward bought property, continuing its cultivation for five years, when ]Mr. Hurst of this review was married and their business interests were dissolved, our subject selling his share in the farm. He then bought eight}' acres of land, upon which he yet lives, and as the years passed and his financial resomxes increased he extended the boundaries of his fields un- til the homestead farm now comprises five hundred and sixty acres, in addition to which he has seventy acres in another part of the county and eighty acres in Iowa. Throughout the years lie has engaged in dealing in calves and has been a very suc- cessful stock-dealer for almost a quarter of a century. His business interests have been so carefully conducted that he is now one of the substantial residents of the community. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 563 anil in addition to liis farming investments lie is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Tarkio, and has property in that place which is rented. His home farm is un- tier a very high state of cultivation, divided into grain fields, meadows and grazing pas- tin-es. There are a commodious, two-story frame dwelling, nicely located on a natural building site, a large barn and substantial outbuildings. There are also a fine grove and an excellent orchard upon the place, to- gether with all modern accessories and con- veniences which go to luake up a mr.del farm of the twentieth century. In i86j Mr. Hurst took the place of his brother, who was serving in the Fifth ^Missouri Ca\alr_\- in the federal army at the time of the Civil war and had been wounded, in consequence of \\hich he was incapacitated for duty. Our subject served in his stead for four months and was stationed at Kansas Cit}' and Inde- pendence. Previous tn this time he had been serving in the state guards and was sworn into tile state ser\-ice. April lo, 1870, I\Ir. Hurst was united in marriage to Miss Angeline Hindman, a lady of intelligence, born in Holt county, I\Iis- souri, and a representative of an honored pioneer family, her parents being John and Nancy J. (Stephenson) Hindman. \\'illiam Hindman, her grandfather, was a native of Kentucky, but m(i\-ed to Missouri at an early day, settling in Holt county. Here he be- came a well known fanner. His cliildren were : Thomas, ^Marion, William and John M. John Hindman was reared to manhood in Clay county, Missouri, and later entered the INIexican war, where he saw active service and many hardships. He received from the United States government a land warrant, which was laid out in I lull county. This he greatly improved and afterward sold, mov- ing to Atchison county, where he carried on farming for several years, and at the time of his death left considerable property. He was born in October, 1825, and his death occurred June 18, 1858. He married Nancy J. Stephenson, who was born February 10, 1830, in Parke county, Indiana. She was a daughter of William and Margaret (Front- man) Stephenson. JNIargaret Frontman was a daughter of Peter Frontman, who was of German descent. The Stephenson family v.-ere the first white settlers in Holt county, Missouri, where they assisted in the growth and development of the place, ^\'illiam Stephenson, ^Irs. Hurst's maternal grand- father, was born in Culpeper county, A ir- ginia, in March, 1789. His father was a native of Ireland, ami his mother was born in France. He was married in Virginia in. 1813, to Margaret Frontman, and then moved to Bond county, Illinois, where sev- eral of his children were born. He then moved to Parke county, Indiana, where he remained until June, 1840, when he took up his final residence in Holt county, Missouri, where two of his sons resided. He died ii^ 1842, and his wife lived for several years afterward. Their children were as follows': Mrs. Theresa Baldwin, Blank S., Peter, Mrs. George Baxter, William, John F., Alexan- dria, Margaret, the wife of J. Hindman, Nancy J., James, Michael A., Elnia, 2\lrs. Rebecca Collins, I\Irs. Sarah Ilnlton and Mrs. Rachel Rice. John jM. and Nancy (Stephenson) Hind- man were the i)arenls of four children: \\ . H. ; Angeline, the wife of our sul)ject : Sarah, the wife of L. Mooney; and Robert, of .\r- kansas. January 18, 1859, Mrs. Hindman married John Sly. of Pickaway count v, Ohio. He was born l>'ebruary 22, 182S, a son of Henry and .\nn ( McColli^ter) Sly. hQi BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Henry Sly was a native <>t Xirginia and his wife was a native of Maryland. John Sly engaged in shipping cattle in his native state, and in 1S57 located in Clark town- ship. Atchison county. ^lissouri. where he innxhased a large tract of laiul, on which he built a large brick house and se\-eral fine out- l)nildings. He served several years as coun- ty judge and was well known in tlie commu- nity. Mr. and Mrs. Sly were the parents of lour children: H. O., a prominent farmer; Lillian, th.e wife of H. F. Staple; Senoma, the wife of George Hunter; and ^fary. the wife of H. E. U'yatt. ^Ir. Sly was a Dem- ocrat in politics. His wife died December 25. 1882. He is still living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hurst have been born twelve children, as follows : Bertha, now the Avifeof W. Cavner; William, who died at the age of two years; Oscar, who is working the homestead farm; Clarence, an agricultur- ist ( n two liundrcd and eighty acres in Lin- coln township; Irena, the wife of G. Peck; Pearl, Zilpha, Carl, Nina, 3ilyrtle, Blanche and Benjamin. The younger members of the family are all at home and are stduents in school. In his jjolitical affiliations i\Ir. Hurst is a Republican and kee])s well in- formed on the issues of the clay, hut has never been an a.spirant for nfiice. His has been a busy, active and useful career, and to liis diligence and perse\erance he owes his success. His business methods have been straightforward and honorable, and he has ever shown himself worthy of the high re- gard of those with whom he has had an\- dealings. TARKIO COLLLGK. Tarkio College is located in Tarkio. a town of two thousand inhabitants, on the Tarkio X'allev branch of the Kansas Citv, St. Jo.seph & Council Bluffs Railnjad, and in the center of Atchison, the northwestern county of Missouri. A ])rivate institution was organized in Tarkio under the name of the Tarkio Valley College and Xomial In- -stitute, on August 30, 1883. This became Tarkio College by a charter obtained on Oc- tober 8, 1884. The trustees of the new col- lege were chosen "by the synod of Kansas and by the presbytery of College Springs of the L'nited Presbyterian church, with the exception of three local trustees provided for by the laws of ^lissouri and elected by the board itself. Its first president was Rev. Samuel C. ^larshall, D. D. He re- mained in office until June, 1887, and died at his residence in Tarkio, .\ugust 31, 1888, His successor in the presidency was Rev. J. A. Thompson, the present incumbent. Li September, 1886, the synod of Iowa was substituted for the presbytery of Col- lege Springs in the administration of the college. The synod of Nebraska agreed to share its management in Sei)tember, 1887, and the .synod of Kan.sas, having established an institution within its own bounds, withdrew from control of Tarkio College in October, 1889. The management of tlie college is vested in a lx)ard of directors, thirteen in number, of whom four are elected by the synod of Nebraska, six by the synod of Iowa, and the remaining three by the board itself. These synods include the congregations of the United Presbyterian church located in Iowa. Nebraska and Col- orado, and some of those located in Mis- souri. The college was organized by men who knew the \alue of a Christian education. It was and is their purpose to make the school effective tor all the purposes of education, intellectual. i)bysical, spiritual, and to ad- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 565 vance the interests of the individual, keep- ing- in mind the l^est interests of society and alioxe aU the s:Io they went to Howard county, Missouri, where the father became a prominent farmer, owner of slaves and a representative citizen of his neighborhood. In his family were the fol- lowing named: Mrs. Fliza .\tterbery, Thomas B., Rachel Jackson, Hardin, Cer- elda, Ezekiel, ("laybourne, Margaret and Mrs. Polly Thompson. The father died in May, 1876, at the age of eighty-four years, and the mother passed away in iS7_', both dying on the anniversary of their birth. Nero Thompson, the maternal grand fa- tb.er of our subject, was a native of South Carolina, and on attaining his majority came to Missouri, where he afterward married Miss Elizabeth Williams. She was liorn in North Carolina, but in an early day accom- panied her parents to Missouri. After their marriage Mr. Thompson entered land near Fayette, Missouri, and successfully carried on farming until his death, which occurred in 1867. He owned a number of slaves, whose labors weve utilized in impro\-ing and culti\'ating his farm. He was lo\-ed b)- all vvho knew him. His devotion to his family was most marked. He counted no personal sacrifice too great that would enhance the happiness and promote the welfare of his wife and children, and it seemed that he could take no pleasure in anything if it was not also enjoyed by them. He was a lifelong Democrat, but never aspired to public office. His sympathy was with the south at the time of the Civil war, but when hostilities were inaugurated lie was [do old to enter the ser- vice. He (lid rdl in his power, howe\-er. to aid the southern cau.se, permitting his boys to go to the front to battle for what he be- lieved to be right. His wife was a consist- ent and valued member of the old-school Baptist church, and her religion was not something to be donned on Sund:iy but formed a part of her every-day life. Chris- tian principles permeating her actions and her treatment of all with whom she came in contact. Her death occurred about 1865. 568 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thumpson were Ixjrn seven children, — Mrs. Mary Jones, William, ]Mrs. ^largaret Harris, Uriali, ililton, John and W'iiloughby. Most of the children fol- lowed the example of the mother in her Christian life. The Harris and Thompson families were united through the marriage of Thomas B. Harris and Margaret Thompson. The for- mer was born May 2, 181S, near Gettysburg, in Grayson county, Kentucky, and when only two years of age was taken by his parents to Howard county, Missouri, where he was reared. At the age of twenty-six he married Margaret Thompson, who was born Decem- ber 12, 1828. The wedding was celebrated on the i6th of January, 1845, '^"d soon after- ward they took up their abode upon a farm near Fayette, Missouri, where they con- tinued to reside until the death of the wife and mother, November it,, 1888. She was an earnest Christian woman, liolding mem- bership in the Presbyterian church. Mr Harris also belongs to the same church, and for many years has been a faithful follower of its teachings. He served for two years in the Confederate army during the Civil war and in his political at^liations has always been a Democrat, but would never accept public office. Long one of the extensive and prosperous farmers of Howard county, he is numbered among its substantial and A\orthy citizens. In his familv were four- teen children, ten of whom were married and had families of their own. namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, William T.. Mrs. Olivia Cross, Millard P., Jerome W'., X'irgil B., Mrs. Artemisha Staiger, Mrs. Martha Spotts, Mrs. Belle Jacobs and Mrs. Price Markland. A'irgil Harris was reared and educated in Howard county, Missouri, and afterward re- moved to Platte county, where he was mar- ried in 1885. He had managed the home- stead farm for his father until he was twen- ty-nine years of age, but at the time of his marriage he took up his abode upon a farm in Howard county, where he resided for eight years. On the expiration of that pe- riod he came to Atchison county, in 1892, and purchased the farm upon which he yet resides. He has erected a commodious res- idence and has made many substantial im- provements, including the planting of or- chard and shade trees. His property will now compare fa\'orably with any farm in the township. He is living a contented and happy life uiwn his place, his time being oc- cupied with the care, supervision and im- l)rovement of his land. A marriage ceremony performed in 1885 united the destinies of Mr. Harris and Miss Mary F. Lott, a daughter of Fountain Pitt and Elizabeth (Newman) Lott. Her father was born in Kentucky and was a son of Will- iam Lott, one of the pioneer settlers of the state. Jle married Elizabeth Newman, in Platte county, Missouri, and resided there for sixteen years, engaged in farming. In 1877 lie came to Atchison comity and pur- chased one of the best tracts of land in this portion of the state, but sold the property to his son. W. R. Lott, in i88_'. His political opinions ha\e always been in accord with those of the Democratic party, but he has li\'ed to a good old age and has never desired political preferment. Both he and his wife were valued members of the Missionary Bap- tist church. During the Civil war his sym- ])athies were with the south and he did all in his ])ower to promote its cause. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lott were born the following. Robert. Mrs. Ellen Petty, George \\'.. Mrs. \'. B. Harris an and other animals are of the linest stock. The land is in an e.xcelient state of cuitivation, and the buildings are large, modern anil commo- dious. In 1S7J he married Mary I"., Thomp- son, who \\as born in .Xodaway county, Missouri, January jH. iSoo. She was tiie daughter of John and I'olly ( .\dams) Thompson, both natives of Indiana. John Thompson moved to Iowa and later to Mis- souri, settling in Xodaway county in 1858. where he bought a farm. He sold this farm the same year, and continued to buy and sell farms for some time. He was a firm Republican and served in the state militia ■ during the Civil war. By his first wife he was the father of eight children, namely: John; Benjamin; Samuel; James; Scjuire; Laura, who married William Best; Rebecca, the wife of A. Nelson: and Mary E., tlie wife of our subject. iMrs. Thompson died in 1862. ]\Ir. Tiiompson then married Sarah Smith, a daughter of John (iraves, one of the earliest pioneers of the county, who went to California in 1849, '^"^ never returned. By this second marriage Mr. Thompsou was the i)arent of George, X(jah, Cynthia and Dell. Mr. Swinford and his wife ha\e been l>iessed with five children, namely; Owight L., born October 15. 1878; Carrie, bom August 3, 1880, now the wife of Sylvester Shrader; William A., born January 10, 1885 : (den D.. born December 12. 1888; and George M., born July 2^. 1892. Mrs. Swinford is a member of the Christian church, and her Inisljand attends the Sev- enth Day Advent church. The family is well known in the ci.uumunit}- and hax'e a host of friends, who speak of them onl\- in the highest terms. JOHXLOWE. John Lowe, for many years a railroad man and at present a retired farmer living on his estate near Barnartl, Xodawa\- county, i.; a man of consideralde means and is e\'er ready to lend a helping hand to those in dis- tress. He was born in county .Armagh, Ire- land, June 24, 1829. where he was reared and educated in the common schools. John Lowe, his jjaternal grandfather, was a wea\cr by trade, and never came to this country. His children were: Stephen, who came to America; Margaret, who also BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 577 came to this country; Patrick, of Ireland; and John, the father of our subject. John Lowe, our stibject's fatlier, married Mar- garet, a daughter of Micliael O. Houghy, a farmer of Ireland. ]Michael Houghy had seven children, namely: James, wln) came to America ; Patrick, who died in Ireland ; and Bridget, Ann, Elizabeth and Mary, all of whom died in Ireland ; Rose, who came to America; and Margaret, the mother of ciur subject. John Lowe came to America ir. 1830, bringing his \\ife antl one child with him. His wife died and afterward he went to Pennsylvania, working at contract- ing on the railroads. After saving enough money to buy a farm he went to Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he farmetl. his daughter keeping house for him. In 1842 he sent for his sons whom he had left in Ireland, and they lived with him on the farm until h!s death, which occurred in J84C). He left a good estate and was fairl)- suc- cessful in life. He was a Democrat in pol- itics, but never aspired to office. His chil- dren were; Patrick, who was a locomoti\e engineer for thirty years and died in Phila- delphia, leaving a wife and nine children : John, the subject of this sketch; and Ann, the wife of J. Park Molder, of Philadelphia. The parents were Catholics. John Lowe, the subject of this sketch, was fourteen years old when his fatlier sent for him to come to America. He learned farming and also engineering, and at the age of twenty took charge oi an engine on the Philadelphia & Reading road. He worked on this road or its branches for many years and also ran an engine for the Lehigh & Northern Pennsylvania Railroad. After moving west lie spent about five years on the St. Joseph & St. Louis Railroad. During the battle of Gettysburg lie was de- tailed to run a sui)i)ly train, for three days, to this town, and was under army regula- tions. In all his forty years' of railroading he had no accidents, which is very remarka- ble, considering railroading in those days. In 1869 he abandoned the work and went to JJissouri, where he bought a farm. Except for a brief time spent as engineer on the St. Joseph & St. Louis road, he has continued at farming. His farm contains two hundred and fifty-five acres of highly cultivated land, and in the past few }-ears he has been feeding cattle and hogs. The barns, houses and outliuildings are in tirst- class condition and si)eak well for the thrift of the owner. There is also a fine orchard on the place. ]\Ir. Lowe married ]\largaret Boylan. a native of Ireland. They were married at Philadelphia. ]\Irs. Lowe was a daughter of James and Mary Boylan, both natives of Ireland. Air. Boylan came to America in 1833, settling in Re'ading, Pennsylvania, w here he worked in the car shops of tha Reading Railroad Company. He and his wife were Catholics. The children were ; Margaret, the wife of our subject ; and Mary. James, Kate, Ella and Susie. — all residing in Reading with the e.xception of Susie, who died in Chicago, November 18. 1900. Mr. Lowe and his wife are the parents of tho following children, namely : Margaret, a sis-, ter of charity at L^tica, New York; Mary; Joseph, of Omaha; James, farming on the homestead; Ella; Thomas, who died Jan- uary II, 1899; John, who died young; and Frank, an engineer, who when last heard of was at Port Arthur. Mrs. Lowe died June 26, 1 88 1, and her huslDand, who has letired from active business life, is enj(iying his declining years to the best of his ability, on the old farm, surrounded by his chil- 578 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. dren. He is a constant attendant of the Catholic church, of which his family have always been members. He is widely known in the county and is highly respected by all. THOilAS HUMPHREY. •The plain story of a simple life of hon- est endeavor and legitimate success is always interesting, and it cannot biU be instructive and encouraging to those who are bravely and h(jnorably waging the warfare of life. The biographical sketch which follows is not only such a record of human endeavor; it is more, a narrative of patriotism which, in the time of our nation's need, impelled ita subject twice to enlist as a soldier and many times risk his life for humanity. Thomas Humphrey was born near Har- lansburg, Butler county, Pennsylvania, Jan- uary 8, 1840, a soij of Harvey Humphrey and a grandson of Thomas Humphrey. Thomas Humphrey, the grandfather, wari born in Ireland, and soon after he came to America locating in the state of Pennsylva- nia, while his wife was from Xew Jersey. There Harvey Humphrey was born and reared' and learned the trade of carpenter. He married Elsie Duglas, of Scotch descent but a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Andrew Duglas. In 1854, gathering together his movable prop- erty and his young family, Harvey Hum- phrey emigrated to Jackson county, Iowa, and settled near Maquoketa. There tho family remained until 1S70, during a period of twenty-si.x years, when they removed to Nodaway county, Missouri, and located in Lincoln towjiship. There Harvej' Hum- phrey died, aged seventy-seven, and his wife at the age of eighty years. This worthy couple had six children, three of whom are- living: Emily, who married Joseph Book,, of Jackson county, Iowa; ^lary, who mar- ried Michael B. Kirby, of Lincoln township, Nodaway county; Thomas, the subject of this sketch; Andrew, who died in his thir- teenth year; Ruth Ellen, who died at about twenty-two years of age; and James, who died at Clearmont, Nodaway county, and left a family. Thomas Humphrey was reared on a farni in Jackson county, Iowa, and attended the public schools near his home. He had only just passed his majority when the war of the rebellion broke out. In August, 1862, responding to President Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand volunteers, he en- listed in Company F, Thirty-first Iowa \'ol- unteer Infantry, under the command of Col- onel \Vood. He was in the battles and skir- mishes at Walnut Ridge, X'icksburg, Arkan- sas Post and Little Rock. He participated in the fighting on the march back to Vicks- burg along the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers. He was discharged from the service on account of disability at St. Louis in 1863 and returned to Jackson county. Iowa. Later he re-enlisted and served continuously until the close of the war. Returning home again in 1865, he was, in 1866, married to Miss Martha Gilmore, a daughter of James and Margaret (Roderick) Gilmore and a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. James Gil- more, also a native of Pennsylvania, re- moved with his family to Jackson county, Iowa, when his daughter was a mere child: there she was reared and educated. Mrs. Humphrey was a worthy and helpful wifd until the end of her life. Her death, in 1885, at the age of forty-two, was the one great sorrow of Mr. Humphrey's life and her re- moval was a loss to her childre:i which noth- ir.g could ever repair. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 579 In 1883 Mr. Huniplirey took up liis res- idence in Lincoln townsliip. Xodaway coun- ty, }iIissouri, and secured a small farm witli only a few acres under cultixation. which has since grown gradually into a \aluable farm of two hundred and twenty acres, with a good house, barns, outbuildings and essen- tial equipments of every kind. The children are Otis B., Edgar A., Eugene, Adella, Min- nie, Fred and Lucy, now Mrs. Dallas Hearst. The family are members of the Christian church. Mr. Humphrey is a Democrat. In all Ijublic afifairs he takes a deep and abiding in- terest and his zeal for his party never flag:i and his solicitude for the success of its prin- ciples ig always keen. In all matters of business he is a model of hunesty and promptitude, and his neighbors often remark that "his word is as good as his bond." Z. W. COFFLN. Z. W. Coflin is a \-eteran of the Ci\il war .and one of the early settlers and [jmrninent farmers of Atchison township, Xodaway county. He manifested his loyalty to tht) government during the Civil war by three years' service upon the battlefields uf the south, and since that time he has been aa faithful to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the stars and stripes in response to the president's call for aid to preserve the Union. Mr. Coffin was born in Hancock county, Indiana, June 11, 1842, and the ancestry of the family may be traced back through many generations not only in this country but also in Europe. The father of our sub- ject was John Coffin, a son of Zacharias Coffin, and the ancestr_\' is traced ou back it, direct line to William, the S(jn of Samuel, the son of John, the son of Tristram Coffin. The last named was one of a company oi nine v>ho in 1C60 purchased the island of Nan- tucket from the Indians, the deed being signed by two chiefs, — W'enackmamack and Neckanoose. Beyond' Tristram CofPn the line is unbroken back to Sr. Richard Coffin, who went to England from Normandy witU William the Conqueror, and still back of Sr. Richard it can he. traced to tlie time of the arrival of Danits in Denmark in the second century. From the si.xth to the tenth cen- tr.ry the Coffins bore an active part in all of the conquests of the old Viking kings and rox'ers who terrorized western Europe for many centuries. John Coffin, the father of our subject, was born in North Carolina, where he was united in marriage to Miss Matilda \\'alker. Her death occurred in 1870, when her youngest son, H. G. Coffin, was ten years of age. The father passeil away in 1898, in his eighty-lifth year, leav- ing two sons and five daughters, of whom Z. W. Coffin is the eldest. He has ona brother and four sisters who are yet living in Indiana, and one sister, who is a resident of Colorado. Elisha, who served as a soldiei' in the Thirty-third Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, is now deceased; Edwanl also was a soldier in an Indiana regiment; and H. G. died in Charlottesville, Indiana, ill 1881. The other meml)ers of the famil)i ;n"e Mariah, b'rancis and Namni. Mr. C\)ffin, whose name intnuhices this record, was reared and educated in llaiicnck county, Indiana, where he became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall t^ llij lot of the agriculturist. In 1873 he came to Mis.souri, where he has since resided, de- voting his time and attention to farming and stock-raising. He now has a farm of one hundred and twentv acres under a high state 580 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. of cultivation and is deri\ing a good income from his labors. Before he came to Mis- souri, however, he had aided in the defense of the Union on southern battlefields tor three years, enlisting as a member of Com- pany F, Nineteenth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the first battle of Bull Run, in iSC)!. and was in the battle of Gettysburg, wliere he was wounded in the thigh by a sliell. -Vfter receiving that wound he went to the hospital in Philadelphia where he re- mained for three months, being then granted a x'eteran's furlough. Returning to liis home, he remained' until the expiration of his leave of absence, when he rejoined his regiment and took part in the battle of the wilderness, sustaining a wound in the right arm. On account of this he was sent to the hospital in Alexandria. Virginia, and at Indianapolis he received an honorable discharge, return- ing to his home with a creditable record for bra\ery and gallantry. In 1870 Mr. Coffin was united in mar- riage with Miss Josephine Mew, a daughter of Foster and Elizabeth (Miller) New. Unto them have been born ten children, namely: Austin M., Tillie E., Orville G., Ursie S., Nora B., Mable F., Ernest, lone, Editii and Nellie. Mrs. Coffin is a member of the Methodist church and' is a most esti- mable lady. Mr. Coffin is a frank. jo\ial gen- tiemen and is one of the best bnsines men in Xodaway county, where he has made his home for twcntv-seven years, gaining in that time manv warm friends. RICH.VRD STAFFORD. During many years Richard Stafford was one of the most prominent and respected citizens of Atchison county, and no liistory of this communit)' would I)e complete with- out a record of his career. He did much to advance the business interests of the com- munity, withholding his support from no movement which he believed would pro\e of public good. He was known for his ster- ling worth in every walk of life, being true to each duty, whether public or private. In business he commanded the confidence of his fellow men and in social circles he had strict regard for the obligations of friend- ship and a high enjoyment of its privileges. Mr. Stafford was a native of county Ca- van, Ireland, born in 1835, and was a repre- sentati\'e of an old and prominent English family on the paternal side. His grand- father. General John Stafford, was an officer in the British army and took an active part in some of the wars of the Emerald Isle, winning distinction for his gallantry and valor on the field of battle. He lived to the very advanced age of one hundred and nine j^ears. His son, the Rev. John Stafford, the father of our subject, was born in England, became a minister of the gospel and was a zealous and faithful worker in the cause of the Master. He married Miss .\nna For- s}the, a native of Ireland, who was connected with a distingnislied family of the Green Isle. He died at the age of sixty-six years, but his memory remained as an unalloyed benediction to all who knew him. By precept and example he led many to enter the better life and his influence was marked upon all with whom he came in contact. By his marriage he became the father of the fol- lowing named children: John, wIk; is living on the old homestead in Ireland; Mary, a resident of Liverpool, England; Richard; Samuel, of Knox county, Illinois ; I'rank, who makes his home in Liverpool, England ; and Thomas, of Galesburg, Illinois. In the land of his nativitv Richard Staf- /^ 7c^^^<^^^ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 581 ford spent the ilax's of liis youth and in the pulilic sclioiils (if Ireland accjuired his edu- cation. When eighteen years of age he de- termined to seek his home in America, be- lieving that better opportunities were fur- nished to young men in the new world. He first located in Sangamon count}-, Illinois, where he resided until 1858, when he re- moved to Bourbon county, Kansas, taking up his abode near Alapleton. He was married in Shiloh, Bourbon county, to Miss Elizabeth Wilson, a nati\'e of Knox county, Ohi(j, and a daughter of Colonel Thomas Wilson, a former railroad president and oflicial, and an honored and prominent man of Missouri. He was one of the pioneer railroad promoters and contractors in this state and one of the leading builders of the old Tebo and Neosho Railroad, of which he became the president, acting in that capacity for some time. He was a nati\e of Xew Jersey and a son of Charles \\ ilsoii, who was born in Ireland and came to the United States at the age i,)f nineteen years. His wife bore the maiden name of Anna Logan. He died in Fitchville, Huron county, Ohio, and she at Binning- liam, Erie county. Thomas Wilson was mar- ried in Knox county, that state, to Miss Mary McCoy, also a native of New Jersey, and a daughter of Archibald McCoy, a soldier of the war of i8ij. He was born in Scotland and married Miss Catherine Hendershot, who was of Holland parentage. He died in Knox county. Oliio, at the age of eighty- four, and his wife passed away in Kansas Cit\', Missouri, when eighty-two years of age. In 1859 Colonel Thomas Wilson and his wife removed to Vernon county, Mis- souri, where they remained until 1861, when the\- were driven by the bushwackers from their home and took refuge in the state of Kansas, w here the father died at the age of se\■ent^■-six vears. He was a surveyor and ci\il engineer and carried on contracting along those lines. He was a man of superior business ability, his name being prominent- ly interwoven with the early railroad his- tory of this state. He died in 1895, at the age of seventy-nine years, honored and re- spected by all who knew him. He was in- terested in the construction of many of the railroad lines of ^lissouri and Kansas and thus he did much to promote the growth and development of the state, for no other agency does more in this direction than the railroads. He took the contract for construct- ing a portion of the Joplin branch of the Mis- souri, Kansas & Texas, and a portion of the Sedalia and Fort Scott lines. He aided great- ly in the upbuilding of the country, being an important factor in the work and progress made in southern Missouri and southeastern Kansas. He served as a colonel in the state militia, thus winning the title by which he was widely known. Of the Methodist Epis- copal church he was an acti\'e and consistent member. Colonel Wilson had si.x children, namely: Elizabeth E. Stafford, who died at the age of twenty-three years, leaving two children, namely : Mary, the wife of D. W. Airy, who is connected with the banking business in Watson, Missouri; and one child now deceased; Anna, who died in 1873, at the age of nine years; Charles, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas; Phebe A., the wife of Richard Stafford; Marvin, who died at the age of seven years ; and Myra, who l)ecanie the wife of James Montgomery and died at the age of twenty years, lea\ing one son. The mother of these children now makes her home with Mrs. Stafford, and although eighty-four years of age retains her mental and physical faculties unimpaired. Mrs. Stafford was born in Birmingham, Ohio, but 582 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. was reared and educated in Missouri and in Bourbon county, Kansas. In 1865 she gave her hand in marriage to Richard Stafford and they resided in Bourbon county for a time, subsequently removing to \'ernon county, ^Missouri, where they remained until 1871, when they came to Atchison county. Here Mr. Stafford became the owner of six hvmdred and forty acres of land, to which he afterward added by subsequent purchases until his landed possessions aggregated four- teen hundred acres of very valuable proper- ty. This was improved with a fine brick residence, modern in all its appointments and equipments. Shade and ornamental trees added to the attractiveness of the place, while an orchard, good barns and other outbuild- ings increased the value of the property. Good streams of water and rich pasture lands made stock-raising a profitable business. The meadows gave him a rich yield of hay and the fields returned to him a golden trib- ute for the care and labor which he bestowed upon them. The Staft'ord place became widely known as one of the most beautiful country homes in this portion of Missouri. Mr. Stafford had five children, one by h.is first wife, namely, Mary E., who has been previously mentioned. By the second mar- riage the children are : Ida C, the wife of Dr. George F. Burton, of Los Angeles, Cal- ifornia; Thomas C, a well known stock dealer of Atchison county: Jdhn 1\., a news- paper man; and Frank \\'., also a successful stock dealer of Colfax township. For some years Mr. Stafford gave his po- political support to the Democracy and after- ward became allied with the Populist party. He was very faithful to the political princi- ples in which he believed and frequently served as a delegate to county, congressional and state conventions. He was made a Ma- son at Possum Walk, Lamar Station, in Xodaway county, Missouri, and afterward held membership in Rockport Ledge. He died August 17, 1899, in Los Angeles, California, whither he went in the hope of improving his health. He was a man of strict honor and integrity, his word being as good as any bond that was ever solemnized by a signature or seal. To his family he was a kind, affectionate husband and father, was a faithful friend, a loyal citizen and a popular man who enjoyed the respect and regard of all with whom he was brought in contact. His qualities were such as to commend him to the confidence and esteem of all and his example in many respects is well worthy of emulation. He started out in business without capital, yet worked his way steadily upward through determined effort and unfaltering diligence, thereby gaining a comfortable competence, and also left to his family the priceless heritage of a good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches. OSSIAX E. ALEXANDER. Prominent among the well known farm- ers and ex-soldiers of Xodaway county, MiS" souri, is the gentleman whose name appears at the opening of this sketch. He was born in Jefferson county, Xew York, December 7 1845, ^ ^o" of Harry and Phebe (Bullock) Alexander. Rob Alexander, the grand- father of our subject, was a native of Ver- mont, and a member of the Vermont state militia. Harry .\lexander, our subject's father, was born in Jefferson county, Xew York, and was a farmer by occupation. P(3- litically he was a member of the Republican party. His death occurred in his native place, at the age of fifty years. His wife. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 58a Phebe Bullock, was born in Jefferson county New York, and was a daughter of Elkany Bullock. She died at the age of sixty. The following children were the result of this union: Emily; Harrison, deceased; Clarin- da; Lydia A., deceased; Ossian E., our sub- ject; Harry and Alice. The family attended the Universalist church. Ossian E. Alexander was reared on a farm and received his education in the com- mon schools of his native place. In August, 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-sixth New York Infantry, Company B, and served under Captain J. D. McWane for ten months. They were stationed on the James ri\'er in front of Petersburg, and on April 2, 1865, that city was taken by the federal army. Mr. -\lexander received an honorable discharge at Alexandria, at the close of the war. In 1878 he went west and for one year lived in Boone county, Illinois. He then went to Minnesota, locat- ing" in Lincoln county, in the western part of the state. He spent six years in that locality, when, after selling his farm, he pur- chased eighty acres of land in Xodaway county, Missouri. The farm is well im- proved, and the buildings are cunifortaljle, with all modern conveniences. Mr. Alex ander is an enterprising, thrifty man, and, has won the respect of the entire community for his honest and upright dealings with his fellow citizens. On the 22(1 of September, 1869, Mr. Ale.xander was united in marriage to Phebe Fillmore, a native of Jeft'erson county. New York. She was the daughter of Joseph Fill- more, a distant relative of President Fill- more. Her mother was Phebe ]Madison, who died at the age of fifty-two years. Jo- seph Fillmore was a farmer by occupation, and attained the age of sixty-two years. He was a Republican in politics. The chil- dren which resulted from this union were as follows: Lucinda; Malissa; Luther; Le- roy, deceased ; \\'^illard, deceased ; Phebe ; Alexander ; Angelia, deceased ; Edmond ; Carrie, deceased; and Daniel. Our subject has one son and five daugh- ters, namely: Flora Honaker; Edna Cnlter, Phebe Horn, Carrie Jones, Arthur and Ellen. — the two last mentioned still at home. Mr. Alexander and his wife are the grandparent; of the following named children : Blanch Honaker, Maud, Zetta, Lizzie and Jane Col- ter, and Roy, Leslie Eaton and Clarence Ed- gar Horn. The family are members of the Baptist church. Politically ^Ir. Alexander is a Democrat. PERRY GUTHRIE. One of the lealmg agriculturists of Lin- coln township, Nodaway county. Mi.ssouri, is Perry Guthrie, whose farm is pleasantly located two and one-half miles southwest of Braddyville, Iowa. He was born on that place, March 16, i860, and is a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Osborne) Guthrie. The father was born in Pike county, Ohio, March 5, 181 1, and in 1827 removed to \'er- milion county, Indiana, where he resided for eighteen months. He then located in Ver- milion county, Illinois, at Danville, and, af- ter making his home there until 1854, he v.ent to Wayne county, Iowa, but the follow- ing year removed to a farm in Notlaway county, Missouri. When in Illinois he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for ten years, but much of his life has been devoted to farming. During the Black Hawk war he served for about two months, aiding in suii- jjressing the uprising of the Indians, who- menaced the life" and property of the frontier 584 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY settlers. He was married' in Illinois, on the 3d of November, 1836, to Miss Elizabeth Osborne, wlio was born in Adams county. Ohio, October 20, 1819. When a maiden of ten summers she accompanied her parents on their removal to Kentucky, and after a 3ear they became residents of \ermilion county, Indiana, whence they went ti:) Illi- nois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Guthrie were born twelve children. The father died Au- gust 21, 1890, at the age of se\enty-nine years, and his wife passed away October 22, 1892, at the age of seventy-three years. Perry Guthrie was reared on the home farm, and after attending the schools for some years he spent one term in college. He was married in Xod'away county, ^lissouri, August 13, 1882, to Miss Ocea W illey . Her parents, Calvin and Christiana (Blake) Willey. were natives of New Hampshire, and from that state moved to \\'isconsin, but about twenty-eight years ago came to Missouri, making their hiune ever since on a farm in Xodaway county. Mr. and Mrs. Guthrie have six children, four sons and two daughters, namely: C. Carlisle, A. Garland, M. liable, C. Edith. Lee Caroll and \'ernon Cecil. After his marriage Mr. Guthrie set- tled on the old home place, where he has since resided with the exception of four years sjient on another farm one mile west. At the death of his father he ])urchased the place. At first the father bnught only a small tract, hut kei)t adding to it. mostly wild land, until he had a good-sized farm. Mr. Guthrie usually supports the Demo- cratic party and cast iiis first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland in 1884. He and liis family attend the Seventh Day Adven- tist church, at Clearmont, and are held i higli regard l)y their neighbors and man friends. D.WIEL L. BARKER. Daniel Lewis Barker, an industrious far- mer of Lincoln township, Xodaway coun- ty, Missouri, is one of tlie progressive and well known residents of the county. He was linrn in Xorth Carolina, July 10, 1832, a son of James and Anna (Lewis) Barker. The ancestors of James Barker came to Amer- ica before the Revolutionary war, when three Barker brothers settled on Long Island. From then on, different members of this family served in the Revolutionary war, In- dian war, Mexican war and the Civil war. James Barker married Anna Lewis, a na- tive of Germany. Her parents settled in Xorth Carolina. James and his wife had children, namely : Martin, Rebecca, Mary, Daniel, Jasper, Emiline, Xewtin, Joshua and Henry Clay. The last named died when an infant. They moved to Hendricks county, Indiana, where the)' lived eleven years. Mr. Darker died in 1847, t'l^ widow moved to Wapello county, Iowa, in 1853, and died near Ottumwa, Iowa, at the age of seventy- one. She was a member of the Baptist church. Daniel Barker was nine years old when his parent.s moved to Indiana. He remained on the farm until he went to Wapello county, Iowa, in 1853 and lived there until 1862. In 1862 President Lincoln called for three hundred thousand men, and Mr. Bar- ker decided to enter the army, .\ccordingly he enlisted in Company G. Twenty-ninth Regiment, Iowa \'olunteer Infantry, under the command of Colonel Benton, and Com- pany G being under the command of Captain Huggins. Mr. Barker was under fire at Co- lumbus, Kentucky, at the siege of \'icksburg, Red River, Arkansas Post, Steel Mound, Tallahatchee river, and Helena, Arkansas. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 585 He was in the hospital for some time, under- going a severe illness. He received an hon- orable discharge from the arm\-, with a Xo. I record as a soldier, at Da\en])ort. Iowa, May i8. 1865. Mr. Barker then returned to fami life in Iowa. In 1871 he located in Nodawa}- count}'. Alissouri, where he has a farm of eighty acres, all in a good state of culti\ation. His house ar.d barn are large and commodious, the orchard yields' a fine abundance of fruit each year, and' the fields .and meadows are in good shape. Mr. Barker married Martha Magers in 1853. She was born in White county, Illi- nois, a daughter of James and Emily (Braddy) jNIagers, who were natives of Tennessee. This union was honored by the birth of five children, of whom two are now- deceased'. The names of all are : Rebecca, the wife of William Guthrie, of Oklahoma; Albert C, who married Rose Abby, and they live at Cripple Creek, Colorado ; Emma, the wife of Robert Calvin, residing in this town- ship; and James and Alvina died when in- fants. 'W.v. Barker is a member of the Republi- can party, and of the Masonic order and G. A. R., Marshall Post, of Elmo, ^Missouri. He is a man of sounti judgment and of great, honor, and his friends in the count}- are le- gion. J. L. RIFFE. Men of strong purpose and determined character are continually working their way upward and passing many who start out on the highway of life, perhaps before them. Persistency of purpose is one of the strong- est elements of success and will be found as a salient feature in the life i-ecord of every prosperous citizen. It has certainly formed an important element in the history of Mr. Riffe, who is engaged' in general merchan- dising in Quitman, where he is recognized as one of the most prominent and popular rcpresentati\'es of the business interests of the town. Ah". Rifte is a nati\e of West \'irginia, his birth lia\ing occurred in that state in 1861. His father, W. D. Riffe, was a native of the Old Dominion, a representative of one of the ancient families of Virginia. He mar- ried ^liss Harriet Bogus, who belonged to a well known famil\- of West \'irginia. They became the parents of eight children, — six sons and two daughters. J. L. Riffe ac(|uired his education in the public schools and at the age of se\enteen years he removed to the west, locating at first at Rockport, in .Vtchison county, ^Missouri, where he waa employed' as a salesman in a store for some time. In that way he mastered all the prin- ciples of the mercantile business and became well qualified to carry on an enterprise of his own. Going to Tarkio in 1S81, he accepted a i)0sition as a salesman with the firm of Emmert & Xeal. general merchants, in whose employ he continued for si.x years. Xe.xt he engaged in the general merchandise business in Tarkio. the style of the firm being Hurst Brothers & Riffe, and this relation continued for two years, attended with a good and prof-i itable trade, and' then Mr. Riffe sold his in-' terest to the Hurst Brothers. For two years thereafter he was in business with his l)rotber, under the lirni name of Riffe Brothers in clothing ;nul furnishing goods, and on the expiration of that period his part- ner sold his interest to IX W . .\ir}'. and the firm of Riffe & .\ir}- was established and the store continucil for another two years. On the expiration of that period, in 1893, Mr. Riffe removed' to Craig, Holt county, 586 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. I\Iissoiiri, wliere he remained for three years, devoting his attention during the greater part of the time to farming and the raising and feeding of stock. He was recognized as a rehable and enterprising business man of that place and continued his residence there until 1898, when he came to Quitman and established his general merchandise store. The building which he occupies is large and well arranged into departments for the better display of his goods. It has a frontage of fifty feet and is one of the extensive stores of the town. !Mr. Riffe carries a full line of dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, furni- ture and other lines found in a first-class es- tablishment of the kind. He is fair and hon- orable in his dealings and earnestly desires to please his customers, and' v.ell merits the liberal patronage which is extended to him. In 1889 J\Ir. Riffe was married in Glen- wood, Iowa, to Miss Mollie Medis, a lady of a good' family, fine education and most excel- lent character, being a daughter of Abraham ]Medis. She was educated in Clarinda, Iowa. ^Ir. and' Mrs. Riffe have one son, D. Carl, a bright little boy of four years. They are members of the J^Iethodist Episcopal church and have always given an earnest co-opera- tion in religious' and educational work as necessary to the best interests of society and good government. Starting in business life as a salesman, Mr. Riffe has steadih^ ad- vanced until his standing in the business world is assured, his enterprise and capable management bringing to him success. HAMLIXE E. ROBIXSOX. The press has not only recorded' the his- tory of advancement but has also been the leader in the work of progress and impr«:i\e- m.ent, — the vanguard of civilization. The philosopher of some centuries ago proclaimed the truth that the pen is mightier than the sword, and the statement is being continually verified in the affairs of life. In moulding public opinion the power of the newspaper cannot be estimated, but at all events its in- fluence is greater than any other single agency. In the history of Nodaway county, therefore, an account of the Maryville Re- publican and its editor, Hamline E. Robin- son, should form an important factor. I\Ir. Robinson was born April 22, 1845, in Brattleborough, Vermont, and traces his ancestry back to George Robinson, who set- tled in Needham, ]\Iassachusetts, in 1656. He is a representative of the eighth genera- tion of the descendants of the founder of the family in the new world. In 1720 the fam- ily removed to Webster, Massachusetts, whence some of its members went to ^Vind- ham county, Connecticut, where many of the name yet reside, in East Thompson. In the latter part of the eighteenth century Elijah Robinson and his immediate family took up his abode in Windham county, Vermont, where many of his descendants j^et reside. He was the great-grandfather of the subject of tliis sketch. Elijah Robinson, the father of our subject, was born in Jamaica, W'ind- ham county, Vermont, and was educated for the ministry. He preached as a representa- tive of the Methodist Episcopal faith in the Green Mountain state from 1843 ""^^'1 i^SS. and was then a member of the W'isconsin conference from 1856 until his death in 1887. His wife bore the maiden name of Ellen Brown. She, too, was a native of Jamaica, \'ermont, and her death occurred in Evans- ville, Wisconsin, in 1881. A rather remark- able fact is found in connection with the fam- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 587 ily history, which is that IMr. Roljinson liad four great-grand fatliers in the Revohition- ary war. EHjah Robinson and John Patch on the paternal side and Nathaniel Cheney and James Brown on the maternal side. In taking up the personal history of Hamline E. Robinson we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Xodaway county. He pursued his education in the common schools of X'ermont and Wisconsin and was also a student in the Evansville Seminary in the latter state. He was prqjaring for col- lege when he enlisted in the war of the Re- bellion. I'rompted by a spirit of patriotism, he offered his services to the government, joining Company F of the Sixteenth Wis- consin Infantry on Christmas day of 1863. He thus served until June 18, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home. After the war ^iv. Robinson studied den- tistry in Boston, Massachusetts, from 1867 until 1870, and practiced also to some ex- tent during that period. In March of the latter year he came to Maryville and opened an office for the practice of dentistry, but in 1 87 1 purchased the Maryville Republican, which he conducted until 1875, when he re- sumed' work along professional lines, again engaged in dental practice until 1886. In that year he once more entered the journal- istic field and in 1888 again became proprie- tor of the Republican, -which he has since conducted. In early life he had a taste for writing and when _\et _\oung contributed many articles for the country newspapers. The Republican was established in 1866 and h the largest and oldest paper of Nodaway county. Through its columns he labors earnestly to promote the welfare of the com- munity, to secure needed reforms and to pro- mote substantial advancement along many lines of improvement and progress. He has always been a great lover of literature and' scientific and historical works ;ind through fifty years he has probably read tlnxe hun- dred' volumes each year. As he assimilates what he reads he is now recognized as a man of broad general information and schol- arly attainments and can write and talk in- telligently upon almost any subject. He has' several times been called to public office, hav- ing served as census enumerator in 1880 and as city collector of Maryville in 1881. In 1872-3 he was the chairman and secretary of the Republican committee of Nodaway county and has l)een a delegate to various district and state conventions of his party and has taken an actlxe part in campaign work. On Christmas day of 1871, in ^laryville, Missouri, Mr. Robinson was married to Miss Florence Annetta Donaldson, a native of Schoharie county. New Vnrk. They now have three children: Ellen Aimetta, i)orn September 23, 1872; Charles Lamb, burn October 19, 1873: and Florence, born Janu- ary 16, 1884. j\lrs. Robinson had a grand- father, John Rice, who served in the Revo- lutionary war, so that the children of the family can boast of five Revolutionary sol- diers among their ancestors. In civic socie- ties Mr. Robinson is prominent. He became a charter member of Ivanhoe Lodge, K. of P., of Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1868. In 1883 he became a charter member and the first chancellor commander of Tancred Lodge, K. of P., of Maryville, and ten years later aided in the organization and became one of the charter members of Vesta Lodge, K. of P., of Maryville, of which he was also the first chancellor commander. In 1868 he became a member of Abraham Lincoln 588 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Post. G. A. R., of Charlestown, Massachu- sfctts. and now belongs to Sedgwick Post. G. A. R.. of Maryville, of whicli lie is a past commander. He was a delegate from Mis- souri to the national encampment held in 1893. 1895, 1896, 1897. 1898. and 1900, and was aid-de-camp on the staff of Department Commander Peterson in 1898, and aid on the staff of National Commander Shaw in 1900. In the line of his chosen profession he has been connected with the Missouri Editorial Association from 1872, was its preseident in 1895-6, antl has been a delegate to the Na- tional Editorial Association from 1892 until the present time. He was a charter mem- ber of the Northwest Missouri Press Asso- ciation, and has been elected historian of that organization for three terms of five years each, still occupying the position. He is a member of the Missouri Slate Board of Charities, his term of appoint- ment extending from 1896 until 1905. He is recognized as a leader in public affairs along many lines, and at all times his hearty co-operation is given to every movement which he believes will contribute to the pul)lic good. G. W. LOTT, M. D. One of the most exacting of all the higher lines of occupation to which a man may lend liis energies is that of the physician. A most scrupulous preliminary training is demanded and a nicety of judgment little understood by the laity. Then, again, the profession brings one of its devotees into almost con- slant association v.-ith the sadder side of life. — that of pain and suffering, — so that a mind capable of great self-control and a b.eart responsive and sympathetic are essen- tial attributes of him who would essay the practice of the healing art. Thus when pro- fessional success is attained in any instance it may be taken as certain that such measures of success have been thoroughly merited. Dr. Lott is unr|uestionably the leading physician in his town and is one of the prominent mem- bers of the profession in the territory covered by northwestern Missouri and southwestern Iowa. He is numbered among the native sons of this slate, his birth having occiuTed in Clinton county, on the 4th of July, 1858. His father. Fountain Pitt Loir, was liorn near Frankfort, Kentucky. March 25. 1828, and was of \\'elsh, Irish and Scotch lineage, his ancestors having come to America in colonial days and taken up their abode in Kentucky at an early period in the development of that commonwealth. Fountain P. Lott was united in marriage to Elizabeth New- man, also a member of a prominent Ken- tucky family. She was the daughter of William Newman, and when three years of age was brnuglil to Missouri, where she grew to womanhood and acquired her education. Her death occurred October 3, 1878, and the Doctor's father is still living and enjoying good health. In the family were five chil- dren : \\'. R., a farmer of Dale township, Atchison couiU\'; Ellen, who was the wife of Rev. J. E. Petty and died in 1888; G. W., of this review; Mary, the wife of Y. B. Har- ris, of Tarkio, Missouri : and W. B., a teach- er in Blanchard, Iowa. Dr. Lott spent the 'days of his boyhood and youth in the county of his nativity and in the public schools acquired his primary education, which was supplemented by study in the Northwestern Missouri State Normal. at Kirksville. Later he matriculated in the Slate University at Columbia. ^Missouri, and progressed so rapidly in his studies that BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 589 at the age of eighteen he was engaged in teaching, a profession which he successfully followed in Atchison county for nineteen terms. At length he determined to devote his time and energies to the practice of med- icine and began study in Fairfax, Missouri, in 1 88 1, in the office and under the direction of Drs. Hunter and Butler, with whom he remained until his admission to the medical department of the State University of Iowa, in the fall of 1882. He was graduated in that institution in 1889 and since that time has continuously devoted his energies to the practice of the healing art. He is' very care- ful and exact in diagnosing disease, never exaggerating its importance, and is very ac- curate in foretelling complications and re- sults. He keeps thoroughly in touch with the progress that is being made by the medical fraternity, and no new discovery in medical science is allowed to escap.e his attention. His labors have been attended' with a high degree of success, both from a professional and financial standpoint, and the fraternity as well as the public accord him prestige as a medical practitioner. He has been made United States pension examiner and effi- ciently performs' the duties of that office. In 1886 Dr. Lott was united in marriage to JNIiss Loah Biggerstaff, the accomplished daughter of R. J. and Jennie (Wilson) Big- gerstaff, the former a well known merchant of Blanchard, Iowa, and the latter connected \\'ith a ])roniinent family of Clinton county, Missouri. INIrs. Lott was born December 13, 1861, and is a graduate of an Iowa col- lege. Their marriage has been blessed with one child, Georgia Loah, whose birth oc- curred' March 22, 1896. The Doctor and his wife have many warm friends in the com- munity and enjoy the hospitality of many of the best homes in this section of the state. 36 In his political views the Doctor is an ar- dent Republican and works untiringly for the interests of his party. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, taking an active part in its work and doing all in their power for its growth and promotion. He enjoys the confidence and good will of the residents of this entire section of the country, both as a citizen and as an able physician and sur- geon, and is spoken of as one of the most prominent and representative men in the communitv- ALEXANDER C. LAUGHLIX. Alexander C. Laughlin, one of tlie early settlers of Nodaway county and a prominent citizen of Washington township, is a native of Jefferson county, Iowa, and was' born February 12, 1844. He is a son of David and Deborah (Wilson) Laughlin, who were of Scotch-Irish descent. They were born and reared in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. David Laughlin's brothers and sisters were Isabel, Hugh, Rebecca, and J\Iary. Da\id was reared in Pennsylvania, liut when a young man went to Iowa, and in 1842, after his marriage, entered some land, which he began to cultivate. He was a plain, honest farmer and' was well known in the commu- nity. Politically he was a member of the Republican part}', but never sought office. He died Decenlber 17, 1883, in JefYerson county, Iowa. His wife still survives him, living on the old liomcstcad. She was a daughter of Alexander and Margaret Wil- son, who in 1840 went from Pennsylvania to Iowa, where he died in 1865, at the age of ninety years; and Margaret died January 18, 1880, aged ninety-six years and sixteen 590 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. days. He was a Democrat and later a Re- publican and represented his county in the legislature. His children were Mary, Caro- line, Alexander, Hugh, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Deborah, the mother of our suJjject. David Laughlin and his wife had six children, namely; Margaret A.: Alex. C. the subject of this sketch; John T., living on the old homestead; Sarah E., the wife of A. R. Beale; Mary C, wife of William D. Wilson; and Hugh ~Sl., of Van Buren county, Iowa. /\.lex. C. Laughlin, whose name appears at the opening of this biograph}', was' ed'u- acted' in the common schools of his native county. He remained at home until Jan- uary 4, 1864, when he enlisted in Company F, Third Regiment, Iowa Cavalry. John W. Noble was in command and the cavalry was consigned to the western department. He was on the raid after General Price in southern Missouri and took part in many liotly contested fights in Arkansas, Kansas, Indian Teritory, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ala- bama and Mississippi. He luckily escaped injury of any kind. He was at the surren- der, of Macon, Georgia, antl from there was sent to Augusta, that state, thence to Atlan-^ ta antl at last to Davenport, Iowa, where he was nuistcred out and rcccix-cd an Imndrable discharge. On the 19th of August, 1865, Mr. Laughlin returned to Iowa, where he worked on his father's farm until i86g. In that year, after his marriage, he nio\-ed to Missouri, kicating in Xodaway county. The country was then wild prairie and there were feu- settlers. He bought one hundred and twenty acres of lanti four miles from the nearest neighborhood on the north, and after build- ing a small hou,se he began a life of farming. He gave his entire attention to the raising of farm products and feeding hogs and cat- tie, of which he had a large number. He now has two hundred and forty acres of highly cultivated land, on which there is a large house and commodious outbuildings. He has always made enough money to keep his family in comfort and is conceded to be one of the prosperous farmers of the county. Po- litically Mr. Laughlin is a Republican. He served four years as assessor and as justice of the peace for fourteen years. On the 30th of January, 1868, ]\Ir. Laughlin married Sarah E. Pearson, who was born in Allen county, Indiana, i\Iay 26, 185 1, a daughter of Sampson Pearson. The latter was a native of Ohio but moved to Indiana and then to Ii>\va, where he carried on farming. After his family scattered he made his home with his son in Gentry county, Missouri, where he died, January 5, 1898, aged eighty-eight years. His c'hildren were : Mary E., the wife of A. Taylor; Silas; Young S. ; Henry; Rachel; John; Sarah E., the wife of our subject; and Anna. Mr. Laughlin had six children by his first wife: Ada E., the eldest, was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, January 30, .1868, and is now the wife of J. W. Barkley, their home being in St. Joseph, Missouri; Mary E., born in Xodaway county. May 15, 1871, is the wife of W. F. Shaw ; Alexander P., born in Xoda- way county, September 12, 1875, is the next of the family; John D. was born in X^od'a- way county, January 2, 1878; Eli W. was born July 12, 1880, in the same county; aiid Albert \X., born in Xodaway county, Jan- uary II, 1884, is now in Colorado. Mr.'?. Laughlin, their mother, was a consistent Methodist and died in the faith of that church ]\lay 26, 1887. Mr. Laughlin was again married, March i, 1891, his second union being with Miss Gillie I. Shepherd. She was born in Missouri, May 18, 1858, a BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 591 daughter of Nimrod Shepherd, a native of ^'irginia, wlio settled in Nodaway county, ]\Iissouri, in early life. He also lived some time in Andrew county. He entered the Con- federate army in 1861 and died while in ser- vice. His children were : William E., a Mis- souri blacksmith; Martha; Mary; Gillie, the wife of our subject; Cordelia Ann, the wife of James P. Green; Frank, a farmer; and Clayburn, a farmer. Mrs. Shepherd married A. R. Bowles, a capenter and farmer, who died in this state. She died September 8, 1 89 1. She had one child by the second union, Ada F., who married J. M. Hall, a farmer and teacher of Gentry county, Mis- souri. j\lr. Laughlin is a member of the I. 00. F., and of Alarion Post, No. 119, G. A. R,, ol Stanberry, Missouri. He and his ^v!fe ha\'e five children : Harvey W., bom Decem- ber 20, 1891 ; \'irgil F., November 20, 1893; Russell C, July 10, 1895; Getha I., June 18, 1897; and Marvin E., October 29, 189S, DOCTOR F. BAILEY. Doctor Franklin Bailc}-, the assessor and township clerk of Lincoln township, Nuda- way county, and one of the well known, pi;ip- ular and reliable men of the county, was born in Buchanan county, this state, Octo- ber 22,, 1859, a son of James and Mary A. (, Cravens) Bailey. Joel Bailey, the grand- father of our sul)ject, was born in North Carolina, where he married Nancy Curley, a daughter of Larkin Gurley, who was a Tory during the Revolutionar}- war. Joel and Nancy Bailey had ten children, — seven sons and three daughters. Three of the children died young. Mrs. Bailey died in Andrew county, Missouri, at the age of fifty- six years, and her husband died in Leaven- worth county, Kansas, at the advanced age of eiglity years. James M. Bailey, the lather of our subject, was born m McDowell county, North Carolina, April i, 1837. He was a farmer by occupaticm, and came to Koclaway county in 1850. He enlisted on the Union side, in Company K, Thirty-sixth Missouri Volunteer Lifantry, under Captain John Grigsby, and saw much hard service for six years. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Nodaway county, where he engaged in farming. He \\-as mar- ried, in 1858, to Mary A. Cravens, a native of Missouri. They had seven children, namely: D. F., the subject of this sketch; Nancy Caroline; Jerry S., of Sterling, Ne- braska; Elisha K. ; William T., who enlisted at Fort Omaha, Nebraska, September 14, 1883, in Company H, Fourth United States Infantry, and served continuously in that Company until February 22, 1898, re-enlist- ing Alarch 18, 1898, in Company K, Sixth United States Infantry, and was a member of that company at the time of his death, which occurred in a hospital in Manila, Phil- ippine Islands', June 14, 1900, having an army record of nearly seventeen years; Eli- jah T. and Mary J., of Cameron, Nebraska. I\Irs. Bailey died in 1873, and Mr. Bailey afterward' married Matilda Jones, of Leaven- worth county, Kansas, and they were the parents of six children, namely : Larkin, Ida, Edward, Ora, Sally and Benjamin. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Republican party, and of lilmo Post, No. 162, G. .\.. R. D. F. Bailey, whose name heads this sketch, has lived in Buchanan, Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri, and also in Leavenworth county, Kansas. He learned farming and received his education in these places. His father taught him two things to be followed through life, honesty and in- 592 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. dustry, and lie has followed these teachings throughout his whole career. His practi- cal business education was increased by read- ing and' observation. In 1883 he married Medora E. Spencer, who was born and reared in Nodaway county. She was a daughter of Thomas Spencer, a soldier in the Civil war, who was killed at Blue ]Mills. He left a wife and two children, — our sub- ject's wife, and her sister Elizabeth, who married John Bailey of this township. Mrs. Margaret Spencer, the widow, was a daughter of Joseph Hudson, one of the first settlers of Kentucky, who came to this coun- t}' in 1847, and' she married for her second husband a Air. Ramsey, of this township. Mr. Bailey and his wife had two children, namely : E. Lowis and James Thomas. Mrs. Bailey died' November 11, 1899, ^"^ ^^^^ death caused much regret in the community, as she was a kind and loving woman who had many friends. Mr. Bailey has a good farm of eighty acres, which he keeps in excellent condition. He votes with the Republican party and has been a delegate to several of the county con- ventions. He has also served as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Sons of \'eterans, and also of the Pyra- n:ids Order of \\'oodmen, Nebraska. Mr. Bailey has won many friends by his frank, genial manner. LVS.\NDER D. R.\MSAY. Whatever else may be said of the legal fraternity, it cannot be denied that members of the bar have been more pniminent actors in public affairs than any other class of the American people. This is but the natural re- sult of causes which are manifest and require no explanation. The ability and training which qualify one to practice law also qualify him in many respects for duties which lie out- side the sphere of his profession and which touch the general interest of society. The subject of this record is a man who has brought his keen discrimination and thor- ough wisdom to bear not alone in profession- al paths but also to the benefit of the city which has so long been his home and with whose interests he has been thoroughly iden- tified. He holds and merits a place among the representative legal practitioners and cit- izens of Atchison county; and the story of his life, while not filled with dramatic epi- sodes, is such a one as offers typical example of that alert American spirit which has ena- bled many an individual torisefromobscurity to a position of influence and renown solely through native talent, indomitable persever- ance and singleness of purpose. In mak- ing the record of such a life contemporary biography exercises its most consistent and important function. Lysander Davis Ramsay was born in Andrew county, Missouri, April 4, 1846. His father, Lockwood L. Ramsay, was a na- tive of St. Louis, Missouri, and died on Lake Tahoe, in Eldorado county, California, in 1872. His mother bore the maiden name of Jane Fenton and was born in Boone county, Missouri, while her death occurred in Indian Territory, in 1867. Their sur- viving children are: Mrs. Martha \V. Elledge; Mrs. Susan F. Cox, of W'akeeney, Kansas; Anthony W., of Bijou, California; L. D., of this review; John L., of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado; and Judge W. \V. Ramsay, of Maryville, Missouri, who has been the judge of the Kansas City court of appeals, state committeeman of the Democratic cen- tral committee and a member of the St. Jo- seph Asylum Board. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 593 Lysander D. Ramsay spent his youth in his parents' home, and between the years 1865 and 1870 was a resident either of Ne- braska City, Nebraska, or of Hamlmrg, Iowa. In the latter year he located in Noda- ^vay county. Missouri, and for ten years was identified with its educational interests as a teacher in the public schools. Having ac- qiu'retl a liberal eilucation he decided to enter upon professional life and chose the law as best suited to his tastes and ability. While teaching he carefully read many of the text- books on law and thus prepared himself for the bar. He was admitted by Judge Kelly in 1874, and at once began practice. He has been prominently connected with much of the civil and criminal litigation (if the county. He has defended sixteen men charged with murder of the first degree and secured the acquittal of fifteen of them, while the other escaped from jail, pending liis bail. He prosecuted two men for mur- der in the first degree, convicted both and both broke jail. One made good his escape, while the other was killed when the oflicers were attempting to recapture him. For twenty years Mr. Ramsay was a law part- ner of the Hon. John P. Lewis, of Rockport, and a stronger cir more successful law firm never entered a case in the Atchison county courts. The relation that was maintained between them throughout the years of their connection was most amialjle and productive of the strongest attachment each for the and his energetic efforts', guided by careful management, have resulted in bringing to him creditable success. He was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, July ii, 1855, a son of William and Susan (Maxwell) Robinson, both of whom v.'ere nali\-es of the green isle of Erin. They were married, however, in Canada, and tliere the father died. After his marriage he be- gan farming in the British province and con- tinued the cultivation of his land throughout his remaining days. He was' a son of Rob- ert Robinson, who also became a resident of Canada and there followed farming. His children were : Mary A. ; Elizabeth ; Will- iam; and James, who died in Ireland. The other children, however, Ijecame residents of the new world. Their parents were mem- bers of the Presliyterian church. \\'illiam Robinson and his wife reared eleven chil- dren : John, who is living in Canada ; Mrs. Mary .V. McKinzie; Robert, of California; Eliza J., niiw ilrs. Porter, of New Hamp- shire ; James, of Kansas ; William, of this review; Airs. Sarah G. (hll ; Thomas; Ed- ward and David, who are living in Canada; and Rohena, of Xew Hampsliire. The father passed away in 1895, while liis wife died at the age of forty-si.x. William Robinson, wliose name intro- duces this record, spent the days of his child- hood and' youth in his native county, and at the age of seventeen left home and worked in a sawmill in New Hampshire. On tlie expiration of four years he returned to his Canadian hume, wliere lie remained until 1878. when he came to Missnm-i, locating in X'odaway county. Here he rented land and continued farming, in 1883 he was married and located on liis property, consist- ing of a tract of wild' prairie land of two hundred and forty acres. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place. He erected a cheap house and when he was established in his new home earnestly began clearing and developing his land and transforming it into rich fields. He has made many substantial improvements upon his place, in due time beginning the erection of a commodious residence, large barns and outbuildings. He also lias a windmill upon the place, a tine bearing or- chard and all modern accessories, while his land is under a high state of cultivation and yields to him a good return for the hd)or which lie has bestowed' upon the fields. He carries on general farming, and in addition follows stock-raising, having been numbered among the successful stock feeders and deal- ers of this portion of the county for fifteen years. His life has been one of indefatigable energy, which, comljincd with his honorable dealing, has gained for him a place among the substantial residents of the county. He is also numbered among its most reliable citizens, for in trade circles his honesty is proverbial. In 1883 2\Ir. Robinson was united in mar- riage to Mrs. Susan A. McKee, who was born in Nodaway county, Missouri. Xo\-eni- ber 10, 1853, a ladv of cuUure and intelli- gence, belonging to one of the early pioneer families of Nodaway county. Her parents were Matthew ^V. and Emily (House) Gra- liam, liotli of whom were natives of Ken- tucky, in which state they were married, and afterward came to Nodaway county, casting in their lot with its early settlers in 1851. He entered land from the government and ini])ro\-ed a large farm, u])on which lu- still resides, having become one of the ])rosperous agriculturists of his community. He served' throughout the Mexican war and received an honorable discharge when hostilities had 6(J(> BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ended and his aid was no longer needed. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat, but has never aspired to office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs. He and his wife have traveled life's journey together for nearly half a century and' are now enjoying the reward of well spent lives, being now in their declining days surrounded l)y all the comforts of life. They are con- sistent members of the Baptist church, true to its teachings and its principles. Their children are: Georgia A., the wife of "Sir. Bowman; Susan A., the honored wife of yiv. Robinson; Marian; Andrew and Ed- ward, who are operating the old homestead farm. ]\Irs. Robinson's iirst husband was William ]\IcKee, who was born in Scotland, came to .-Vmerica with his jjarents when four years old and three years later became a resident of Missouri, where he grew to man- hex ul. The familv first located in Andrew count}', subsequently removed to Nodaway county, where Mr. McKee attained man's estate and was married. He then followed farming until his death. He left to his wiiii.iw the care (if fnur young children, \\hiim .Mr. ivil)insnn has reared and edu- cated, capabl}- filling the place of their own father. These children are: Irwin, at home; 'J'almnn and William E.. who are living in Den\er, Colorado; and Margaret, who is now a student ui the conservatory of music in Cincinnati, Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. RiibinsiiH ha\c been ])orn f(jur children: Fred, Emily, John and Robert, all at their parental home. 'Slv. R(Vl)inson is an uncompromising Re- pul>lican, takes an acti\e interest in public affairs and keeps well informecV on the is- sues of the day, but with the e.Kceptiou of some minor positions has never sought or held public office. He is a farmer, giving his life entirely to the development and im- provement of his land, and his fine farm is a moinuncnt to his enterprise. DA\'ID HITCHCOCK. For thirty years this gentleman has been prominently identified with the agricultural iriterests of Nodaway county, and has aided materially in its development and improve- ment. -V native of Indiana, he was born in Hendricks county, Januar}' 20, 1832, and is a son of Barnabus and Polly (Richardson) Hitchcock, who were married in that state, though the father was a native of North Carolina, the mother of Tennessee. The pa- ternal grandfather, William Hitchcock, was also born in North Carolina and was an early settler of Washington county, Indiana. His wife's father, Mr. Coffin, had entered a large tract of land in that state, a portion of which he gave to each of his children, and they made from the heavily timbered tract good farms. There William Hitchcock and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. They were members of the Society of Friends and most estimable people, in whose family were eight children, namely : Joshua ; Barna- bus; Mathew ; William; Patsy, the wife of B. Stanley; Lydia, the wife of A. Stanley; Amy, now Mrs. Crow; and Priscilla, now ]\Irs. Thompson. Barnabus Hitchcock was reared in a Quaker settlement in Washington county, Indiana, where he continued to make his home for some years after his marriage and then mo\ed to Hendricks county, the same state, where he entered land and made some improvements thereon. Afterward he re- turned to \\'ashington county, whre he died in 1842. By occupation he was a Ijrick man- ufacturer and mason. He left a wife and BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. GOl five children, whom slie kept together until they were old enough to care for them- selves. Suhsequently she married' Robert Denny and moved to Indianapolis, of which city he became a successful attorney, real- estate and pension agent. There he died, Mrs. Denny's death occurring in 1889. By her last marriage she had one daughter, Ade- line. The children of the first imion were Alfred, who died in Hendricks county, In- diana; David, our subject; William J., who died at Atlanta, Georgia, while on the march to the sea during the Civil war ; Miles J., who was killed in the battle of Chickamauga ; and Martha E. All of the sons and their stepfather were in the Union army at the same time. David Hitchcock was reared on a farm by his widowed mother, and as soon as old enough to be of any assistance to the family commenced work. His education therefore was rather limited, being mostly of a prac- tical kind. At the age of fifteen he began learning the tanner's trade, at which he worked for seven years. In the meantime he married Miss Elizabeth Johnson, who was born in Washington county, Indiana, in No- vember, 1833, and is a representative of an honored ]jioneer family of that ciiuntv- Her father, Archibald Johnson, was a native of North Carolina, and in boyhood became a resident of Indiana, where he followed farm- ing throughout life. He was a man of un- questioned integrity and a minister of the Primitive Baptist church. His children were Jacob; Malinda; William; Mary; Elizabeth, the wife of our subject; Nancy and David. Nancy married J. Weston and in 1870 be- came a resident of Holt county, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock are the parents of eight children, all born in Indiana, where two died young. The others, were Milton, now a resident of the state of Washington; William, a farmer of this county; David, who died at the age of twelve years ; Lincoln, who is engaged in farming on tlie home- stead; Archibald, a druggist of Skidmore; and Barney, a farmer of Kansas. For a few years after his marriage, ^Ir. Hitchcock engaged in farming on rented land' in his native state, and later bought and sold two or three farms, at a small profit. In October, 1861, he enlisted for three years or during the war, in Company B, Forty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was as- signed to the Army of the Tennessee. He took part in all the important battles in which that department engaged, was in the siege of Vicksburg and the campaign in Arkansas and Texas, and assisted in opening the Miss- issippi river country. W'hile under the com- mand of General Banks at New Orleans, his term of enlistment expired, and with his reg- iment was sent by water to New York, and from there to Indianapolis', where he was mustered out and honorably discharged. For- tunately he was never wounded nor taken prisoner. In the fall of 1869. with two good teams and wagons, Mv. Hitchcock came to the new Eldorado, locating on a i>artia]ly improved farm in Holt county, Missouri. A year later he sold that place and came to Nodaway county and bought one hundred and thirty acres of wild land, on which he built a small house. He suon broke the land and placed it under cultivation, and from time to time added to his landed possessions. Though he lias since given his children some of the property he still owns three hundred acres of well improved and valuable land. In 1897 he rented the homestead to his son and built a comfortaljle residence on a forty-acre tract, where he now makes his home. In connec- €02 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. tion with general farming he has' engaged in stock-raising, and has met with excellent success in his undertakings. The Republican party finds in Mr. Hitchcock a stanch sup- porter of its principles, but he has never cared for political preferment, desiring rather to ar, in Nodaway county. Since that date he has been engaged actively in the practice of his profession. For a time he had a law, real-estate and collection of- fice at Burlington Junction. In 1898 he was appointed land agent for the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad lands in Nebras- ka, and has since maintained an office at Has- tings, in that state, at the same time retaining his practice and office at Maryville, of which town he fills the responsible ofiice of mayor. Possessing a thorough knowledge of the law and of municipal needs and the best means of supplying- them, as well as a com- prehensive knowledge of real-estate values, and being a thorough man of affairs, alert, painstaking, efiicient and successful, he is especially well equipped for the performance of the exacting duties which devolve upon him, and in every relation of life, private or oificial, he acquits himself in such a manner as to win the approbation not only of persons most intimately concerned btit of the general public as well. September 7, 1880, Mr. Banta married Miss Georgia T. Deacon, a daughter vi F. H. Deacon, a well known ciitzen of Andrew county, and has two children, named Myrtle and Walter Abraham. He is an active and influential Democrat, deeplj- interested in the success of of his part\-. JOSEPH SKIDMORE. This honored and highly respected far- mier residing in Nodaway county, ^Missouri, near the town of Guilford, was born in Lin- coln county, Kentucky, February 28, 1841. He is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Car- men) Skidmore, who were married in Ken- tucky. Joseph Skidmore, the father of Dan- iel, and our subject's grandfather, was a native of Virginia, who moved to Kentucky BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 607 earlv in lite. At tliat time the Indians were vei'}- liostile and he was oliliged to carry his gun with him at all times of day and while a: work in the iields. He served in the army during the Revolutionary war, and was l^resent at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. He died at his home in Kentucky. His' chil- dren were : James, who died in North Car- olina; Joseph, the father of our subject; and Parmelia, who was twice married, first to J\Ir. Rennolds and secondly to Mr. Elling- ton. She spent her last days with her father. Daniel Skidmore was reared among the pioneers of Kentucky, and after his mar- riage became a farmer and' slave-owner. In the fall of i860, he sold his farm and negroes' and moved to ^Missouri, where he bought a large farm near Guilford and whei'e he spent the remainder of his life, dying March 9, 1886, at the age of eighty-eight years. He was a true southern gentleman, hospitable and charitable, always ready to assist any who were in need. He was a conscientious farmer and was' very successful. He mar- ried Elizabeth Carmen, a daughter of John Carmen, of North Carolina and an early set- tler of Kentucky. He was a prominent far- mer but never owned slaves. He lived to be one hundred and two years of age, after having gone through the hardships of pio- neer life, and also serving in the Civil war. His children were: Elizabeth, the mother of our subject; Isham, who died on the old liomestead in Kentucky; and Benjamin, of Springfield', Illinois. The family were Pres- byterians. Daniel and Elizabeth (Carmen) Skidmore were the parents of the following children: Mary A., deceased; Catherine, the wife of F. M. \\'a]]s: Josei)h, the subject of this sketch; and Sarah J., the wife of A. Floyd. By his second wife, who was a Miss Calwell, of Kentucky, Mr. Skidmore had one son, by name Hugh. Religiously the family were memljers of the Methodist church. Joseph Skidmore received his education hi the common schools of his native place. He assisted his father on the farm until he was twenty years old, when he entered the slate militia. He served until 1863, when he enlisted in the Forty-third Regiment, Mis- souri Volunteer Infantry, which was as- signed to the western department, and did service in Missouri at the battle of Glasgow. The regiment was captured, with the excep- tion of four companies, the company in which Mr. Skidmore served, escaping. Four of the companies were stationed at St. Jo- speh, where they had charge of a military prison, and later were sent to Lexington and St. Louis. At the close of the war they were mustered out, and Mr. Skidmore re- ceived an honorable discharge. In 1869 Mr. Skidmore settled on the old hoinestead, where he was occupied with general farming. He bought a farm of Judge Shelton, which he impro\ed in gen- eral. He has two hundred acres, on which he lives, besides another farm of the same ex- tent. During 1879-S0 he was the tax col- lector for Nodaway county, this t)ffice be- ing given him without his solicitation. He has always taken an active interest in poli- tics, being a member of the Democratic party. Mr. Skidmore married Mary A. Thompson, who was born in Buchanan coun- ty. [Missouri, in 1847, ^ daughter of Joseph and Letitia ( Lowry) Thompson. Joseph Thompson was a Tennessee farmer, who in i860 located in Xodaway county, where he li\-ed tlie remainder nf his life, an honest, well-to-do farmer. He was a' Democrat in piilitics. The children born to this cnupic were: William; Mary, the wife of our sub- ject; Alexander; Jnhn; Joseph; Jacob; Cor- 608 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. i;elius; Margaret, the wife of Dr. W. Cleaves; and Emeline, the wife of J. Hahn. IMr. and Mrs. Skidmore are the parents of nine children, namely : Charles ; Daniel ; John ; Joseph ; Lawrence ; James ; Florence ; Gro- ver and Jacob. Mrs. Skidmore is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Skidmore is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, having filled all offices in that lodge. He has many friends thn_iughi.>ut the county. JOHN E. SPURLOCK. Men of strong determination may go down temporarily in the world'b great bat- tle, apparently meeting defeat ; yet they will never give up the fight and are certain to overcome all obstacles and win the victory sooner or later. Of such a class Mr. Spur- lock is a representative. He is to-day num- bered among the substantial citizens of Rock- port, Atchison county. He owes his position entirely to his own well directed efforts', for he started out in life empty-handed, possess- ing only a laudable ambition and resolute will wherewith to work his way upward. The Spurlocks are of an old Virginian family that was planted on American soil in Wayne county of that state. Wesley Spur- lock, the father of uur subject, was born in that county in 1813, and like his father, he followed the occupation of farming. After arriving at adult age he wedded Miss Mary Eooton, whose father was Circle Booton, a Virginia farmer. Their marriage was cele- brated in Wayne county and about 1840 they made their way to the prairies of Iowa, be- coming residents of \\'apello county, where John E. Spurlock, their sixth child was born. The other surviving members of the family are : Burwell, who is now living in York, Ne- braska; Xancy. of Xebraska City; Stephen, who makes his home in Michigan ; W. H. H., of Sidney, Iowa; I\lary, the wife of Joseph Gillman, of Falls City, Xebraska; John E. ; Wesley W., a resident of Salem, Xebraska; and Irene, the wife of C. W. Sherfly, of Xe- braska City. The father received a common- school education and was reared' to farm life. At the time of the Civil war he \vas a resident of Nebraska and became a strong Union sympathizer. His jwlitical support was given to the Republican part)-, and in relig- ious sentiment he was a Methodist. His last years were passed in Xebraska City and he died in 1893. His wife is still living, her home being spent in Xebraska City. John E. Spurlock spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the west, residing in Iowa and' X'ebraska, as his parents removed from one place to another. About 1854 he became a resident of Cass county, in the lat- ter state, and afterward located in Xebraska City. During his early boyhood he attended the district schools and in his youth he began learning the harness-maker's trade in Xe- braska City, afterward following that pur- suit in Hamburg, Iowa, in 1868-9. Believ- irig that he might better his condition by a change of business, in the latter year he ac- cepted a clerkship in the drug house of Har- ris & Mann, at Hamburg. In 1871 he came to Rockport, where he entered' into business as the proprietor of a drug store, which he has since conducted, maintaining one of the leading establishments in his line in Atchi- son county. He carries a large and well se- lected stock and is now enjoying a liberal patronage. On the 31st of May, 1873, Mr. Spur- lock was married to Miss Louisa Pherson. Her father, John Plierson, was one of the pioneers of Topeka, Kansas, removing to that state from Illinois. By occupation he BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 609 ■was a miller. He became the father of three children, including Mrs. Spurlock, who was born in Topeka, September .20, 1855. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children, Nannie and Lorenzo, the for- mer born in 1876 and the latter in 1879. Mr. Spurlock is identified' with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and has taken a very active part in political af- fairs. In 1880 he was nominated and elected 1j\^ the Republicans as the county treasurer and after filling that position for two years, lie retired from office as he had entered it, — with the confidence and goocV will of all con- cerned'. WILLIA^I W. HUDGENS. The compounding of medicines and' the kO)MMOX. This well known citizen of .\tcliison township, Xodaway county, Missouri, who is now practically lixing a retired life, was born in Cumberland count}', I'ennsxhania, in November, 1833, a son of James and Nan- cy Ann (Corman) McCommon, also natives of Pennsylvania and farming people. The father died when our subject was only eleven years old and the mother departed this life six years later. They had eight children, of whom four are now living. On starting" out in life for himself Air. McCcimmon worked for his board and clothes from the age of eleven to sixteen years, and then was employed by the day and month until he attained his majority. In December, 1854, he went to Illinois and located near Monmouth, where in the fall of 1863 he bought his first farm. There lie was' married, October 8, 1857, to Miss Nancy Ann Creswell, a native of Ohio, and a daugh- ter of John and Deborah (Mages) Creswell. They also were born in Ohio, and in early life the mother liad the reputation of being the prettiest girl in the central part of the state. There .She died, leaving fi\e children, of whom Mrs. McCommon is the only sui- vi\'or. For his second wife Air. AlcConi- mon married a most noble woman. He died in Van Buren county, Iowa, at the age of seventy-three years. Mrs. McCommon's paternal grandparents were Samuel and Sarah (Creightonj Creswell, early .settlers of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. McCommon have one daughter, Alary J., now the wife of Marion Curry and the mother of five children. After their marriage our subject and his wife con- tinued to reside in Henderson county, Illi- nois, until 1882, which year witnessed their arrival in Missouri, They first located near Quitman, X'odaway county, where they made their "home until the spring of 1899, when Mr. McCommon purchased his present farm in .Atchison township, about three miles north of Clearmcjnt. I'hroughout his active busines life he successfully engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, but now rents his farm and is practically living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of former toil. In connection with BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 613 general farming he is engaged in stock-rais- ing, and still owns' some fine horses. Politically Mr. McCommon is a stanch Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for James Bnchanan, in 1856. He and his family attend the Christian church, though his wife is a member of the United Presby- terian church, and they are highly respected and esteemed by all who ha\-e the pleasure of their acquaintance. WILLIAAI CHAMBERS. This prominent and well known farmer of Xodaway county is a descendant of Erin's green isle, being born in county Armagh, July 19, 1844. He was a son of James and Margaret (Ballance) Chamlaers, both nati\'es of that county. James Chambers died when iiur subject was a small boy, and his wife kept the family together until they were grown. James has a sister living in New York state. ^Ir. Chambers, the sul)ject of this sketch, came to America in 1868, and spent a few years in Philadelphia and the eastern states, where he followetl his trade, that of weaver. He then worked in a blast furnace for a time, and in 1873 returned' to Irelantl. where he married; and after remaining there one year, he returned to America, where he en- gaged in work, in a packing-house in Des ]\Ioines. low a. After sa\'ing money enough he went to Detroit, Michigan, where he held a like position for two years, and then moved to Ottumwa. Iowa. He was a great favorite of the superintendent of the packing house there, who took him tu Sioux City, where he was engaged in the same business. In 1884 Mr. Chamljers moved to Nodaway county, wdiere he bought one hundred and twenty acres of poorly improved land. He remod- eled the house and set to work with a will and determination to succeed. There he carried on farming and stock-raising, and by hard work and perseverance has made a suc- cess of farming. jMr. Chambers married Lucind'a Jeft'ress, who was born in Ireland in 1848'. She was a daughter of John and .\nna (Wilson) Jef- fress. both natives of Ireland. They were Presbyterians. Their children were David, Sarah, Thomas, James, Samuel, Isaac, -Vnn, Lucinda, Margaret, Elizabeth and John. Mr. Chambers and his w-ife are the parents of six children, namely : Elizabeth, born September 21, 1877; Margaret, June 6, 1880; Lucinda, December 28, 1882; William, October 7, 1884; George, January 17, 1887; and Sam- uel, February 18, 189 1. The family attend the Presbyterian church. Mr. Chambers was a Republican until 1896, when he voted' for Brvan. He and his wife have been faithful workers, and have deserved the success which attended them. JOHN WORKMAX. Peculiar interest attaclies to the life of the pioneer. He is the link that binds the old order of things and the new together. He has been a factor in development and mater- ial progress and is a living witness of the steps that have led from the primitive condi- tions to those of the present day. Nodaway county duly honors its surviving pioneers and none more sincerely and heartily than the \-cnerablc and vigorous citizen whose familiar name constitutes the title of this sketch. John Workman, of Xodaway township, Nodaway county, ^Missouri (postoftice ad- dress', Pickering), one of the pioneers of the county and in all its history one of its prom- 614 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. inent citizens, was born in North Carolina. December 12, 181 5, a son of Philip Work- man, and is descended from German stock, his grandfather, born in the fatherland, hav- ing located early in the state mentioned. One of the name and family saw service in behalf of the colonies in the Revolutionary war. John was reared in his native state and early put at full work on the farm and made acquainted with all the details of its success- ful operation. He was married September 21, 1834. when not yet twenty years old', to Miss Elizabeth ]\b:>tley. born in Xorth Carolina, of one of the good old families. Soon after their marriage the young couple emigrated to Lee county, ^'irginia. Later they went to Monroe county, Indiana, whence they removed to Nodaway county, Missouri, in 1859. They made the journey with teams, Mr. Workman bringing his wife and children, sexeral negroes, horses, cattle and other stock and such portable personal property as they deemed necessary for the establishment of a pioneer home in a new country. They located on the farm where Mr. \\'orkman now lives and which has come to be known as the John Workman home- stead. Mrs. Workman, w Im was a model wife and mother and a kind and charitable neighljdr, lived to the old age of seventy- seven, and was then called home to receive the reward of a life well spent. Her most distinguishing characteristics were frugality, kindness of heart and a genial goodness, the manifestations of an unselfish love for hu- manity, which caused her to be beloved by all will I knew her. She was a member of the Christian church. She became the mother of several children, most of whom she reared to useful manhood and womanhood: Will- iam, of Xodaway township, Xodaway coun- ty, whose biographical sketch is gi\'en in this work; John, of Bates county, Missouri; Da- vid, of Xodaway county; James, of Noda- way township; Francis, of Nodaway county; Joseph, of Nodaway township; Nancy, who married a Mr. Oliphant and died in Lidiana, leaving two children, — Sarah Alontague and' Parthenia (Mrs. Grififin), who is a member of the household of her grandfather; 'SI'av- garet, who married John Burch and died in Nodaway township, leaving three children; Celia, who married a Mr. Carmichael, of Union townsliip, and died lea\ing ten children. Mr. Workman's farm comprises twelve hundred acres well improved, well eciuipped and well cultivated, embracing every kind of land necessary to sucessful farming and' stock-raising. During all his life in Xoda- way county since the ])ioneer days, he has; been a leader in ])rogressive enterprises. .\ strong and unswerving Democrat, he has alwa\'s adhered to the faith of his party and reared his sons in it. He has now reached the advanced age of eighty-five years, but is well preserved, hale and' hearty, and seeming- ly has a reasonable e.xpectation of a goodly period of future usefulness. He inherited a good constitution and has seldom been ill, and was in his prime a very strong and ac- tive man. His disposition is genial, friend- 1\-. and hospitable, and his sunny tempera- ment has doubtless done much to enable him to withstand so well the inroads of advanc- mo' vears. THEODORE L. GOFF. This prominent and successful farmer and stock-raiser of .Xodaway county is a native of Menard county, Illinois, and was born Xovember _'i, 1847. He was a son of William and Marv (Westfall) Gofif. The BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 615 mother of our subject was a native of New \ork state, and was of Pennsylvania-Dutch extraction. Her father died in New York, after whicli her mother re-marriecl and nioved to Iowa, and later to Illinois. She was one of five children, the others being Frederick, Daniel, Nancy and Jane. William Goff, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, and at the age of four he moved with his parents to Illinois. Soon after reaching that state his father died, leax'ing his wife with a small piece of land, and no money. By hard work, oftentimes out of doors in the field, she managed' to earn enough to maintain her small family, and when her sons were old emaigh they assisted her in the farm work. He remained at home until his marriage to Mary West- fall, at which time he started out with noth- ing but willing hands to aid him. He was a hard-worker, careful manager and good financier, and after accumulating enough money he bought a farm, where he carried on general farming and stock-raising. Po- litically he was an ardent Democrat, and while he never aspired to office he was a conscientious and energetic worker in that party, and his influence was great in the county. He is now seventy-eight years old, and while not in actixe life he manages to keep up with the times, and is an honored and respected citizen in the community in which he resides. He is a member of ihe Missionary Baptist church. His children are: Theodore L., the sul)ject of this sketch; Percy, a well known farmer of Noda way- county ;Mrs. Louisa B. Cantrell. residing in Illinois; Leonard, who lives in Illinois; Fred, who is farming on the homestead; Murrah, of Denver, Colorado; j\lrs. Fry, of Te.xas; and Delia, now Mrs. McNeal. Theodore L. Gnff, wlmse name appears at the opening of this personal sketch, re- mained at his paternal home until he was twenty-two years old, where he was em- ployed as' a farm hand. In 1872 he mo\-ed to Missouri and leased' some land, on which he followed farming for three years. He then bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on time payment, but the grasshoppers ruined his crops that year and he was obliged to give up the place, losing all that he had put into it. His next farm was one nf forty acres, which he afterward sold U> a church for the parsonage. He then l^onght eighty acres of land and later eighty acres more, on which he was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits for six years. This land he exchanged for a place of three hundred and sixty acres, on which he now lives and which is one of the best kept farms in the state. Here he has carried on general farm- ing and stock-raising with great success, and is known throughout the county as an au- thority on agricultural matters. Mr. Goff was united in marriage with Eliza Frick, in 1875. She was born in Indi- ana, in 1852, a daughter of John Frick. He located in Missouri in i860, where he is nt)W living on his farm. He is a member of the Methodist church, and politically is a Repuli- lican. His children are as follows: Eman- uel, of Hopkins, Missouri; Sarah, at home; Susan, now Mrs. Gentry; Isaac, of Kansas; Joseph, at home; Jacob, who lives in the west; and Eliza, the mother of our subject. Our subject and his wife have two sons, — Frederick \\'illiam. and Emmet C., — both living at home. ^Ir. and ^Irs. Goff are raising an orphan child, Susie Rine, of New York state. She is now ten years of age and is attending school. In his political principles ]^Ir. Goft' is in s_\mpathy with the Democratic party. 616 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. WILLIAM BARRY. \\'illiara Barry, the owner of the Barry farm in Green township, Xodaway county, is a member of one of tlie pioneer families of this' county. He is considered one of the best farmers in the county, and is a man of sterling integrity. He was born in Polo, Ogle county, Illinois, May i8, 1862, a son of ^liciiael and' Margaret (Vaughn) Barry. ?klichael Barry was born in county Clare, Ireland, and when a boy of sixteen came to America, settling in Ogle county, Illinois. He received his education in Ireland and in Illinois, and learned to be a farmer. He married Margaret Vaughn, who was born in Ireland and came with her father, Dr. James Vaughn, to Canada, where she was reared and educated. The Barry family mo\ed to Missouri in 1866, and Mr. Barry was well known as a contractor of railroads, helping to build many prominent roads in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kan- sas and Dakota. He in\ested his money in a farm, buying the Charles Rogers place, where he lived until his death, which oc- curred when he liad arrived at the age of sixty-nine, in March, 1899. He was a Re- publican and' a firm suporter of the Catholic church, in which his wife and family were reared. Their children were : William, our subject: Ellen, of l'uel)lo, Colorado ; May Flynn, of St. Joseph, Missouri; Julia; Maggie; Kate, of Puel)lo, Colorado; and two children deceased, John and Honore, who both died at the age of t\\ent}'-seven. l^Irs. Barry died in 1895, at the age of fifty- seven years. William Barry grew up in Illinois and' Atchison county, Missouri, where he re- ceived an education, mostly, however, from practical experience and observation. He gradually acquired a farm of about three lumdred and eighty-seven acres, all of which is highly cultivated and is considered one of the finest in the county. It is known as the Barry farm, and there ^Ir. Barry raises the finest farm products, as well as live stock. He is in the prime of life, and' is content in the thought of a future spent in comfort. JOHN G. LAXE. Imbued with the typical progressive spirit of the west, John G. Lane has become the owner of one of the fine farms of Atch- ison county, owning a valuable tract of three hundred and ten acres. A native of Iowa, he w'as born in Richmond, \\'ashington county, on the 22(1 of September, 1855, and is a son of Henry W. Lane, who was one of the first settlers of that county. The father was a native of Ohio and a son of Reynolds Lane, who remo\-ed from the Buckeye state to Indiana, locating near Terre Haute. In that locality Henry W. Lane spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon a farm, and when twenty years of age he made his way to the wilds of Iowa, settling at Richmond, \\'ashington county. His father also came to this state and died in Madison county, at the age of eighty-two. His wife passed away in Indiana, ^^'hen the Hawkeye^state was upon the wild western frontier Henry W. Lane liecame identified with its interests. Indians stalked in motley garb through the forest and deer and wolves were frecpiently killed. He married Miss hLliza (iuinn, a lady of intelligence and refinement, belonging to one of the old southern families. She was born in Burlington. Iowa, and was a daughter of Richard Guinn. a prominent resident and one BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 617 of the early settlers of the Hawkeye state. He died in JMontgoiiiery, Kansas, at the age eighty-two, and his wife passed away at the age of eighty years. At the time of the Civil war, "Sir. Lane, the father of our sub- ject, responded to the country's call for troops and aided in the preser\atiou of the Union. He was a farmer by occupation, and for many years followed that pursuit in Lucas county, Iowa, where he died in 1883, at the age of fifty-five years. In politics he was a stalwart Republican, and socially he v.as connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. At the time when he "wore the blue" on southern battlefields he sustained a gunshot wound which ultimately caused his demise. His widow married E. T. Wil- lis and now resides in Wilson county, Kansas. John G. Lane, the only child of his pa- rents, was reared on the old home farm in Iowa and from an early age was employed at work in the fields, assisting in the plowing, planting and harvesting. The public schools of the neighborhod afforded him his educa- tional privileges, and his boyhood days were quietly passed on the home farm. At the age of twenty-two he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Munford', a lady of good family, who was born, reared and educated in Lucas county, Iowa, and was a daughter of Josiah Munford. Her father was one of the pioneers of the Hawke_\-e state, and was one of the veterans of the Ci\-il war. Mr. and Mrs. Lane remained in Iowa until 1882, when they came to Atchison county, and for five years thereafter our sub- ject cultivated rented land. With the cap- ital he had then acquired through his in- dustry and energy he purchased a fine farm in 1887, the tract comprising three hun- dred and ten acres of good land. His is one of the desirable and attractive farms of the county, everything about the place being in e.xcellent condition. A substantial resi- dence stands upon a natural building site and is surnmnded Ijy ornamental trees. There is likewise a house for a tenant upon the place, and the facilities for raising stock are ample. J^Ir. Lane now feeds about one hundred head of cattle each year, besides a like number of hogs. He has four children, namely : Tempa, the wife of Ed Flock; Zella, Lloyd and Rex; and he has also lost two children, who died in early life. jMr. Lane gives his political support t(j the men and measures of the Re- publican party. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He pos- sesses a cordial nature that wins friends, a social disposition that enables him to keep them, and as a citizen has gained a reputation for sterling worth that is indeed enviable. JAMES M. McDOXALD. James ^I. McDonald, an old soldier of the Civil war and an early settler of Noda- way count}-, is a well known and industrious farmer of Lincoln township. He was born in Mason count}-, Kentucky, a county famed for its brave men, beautiful women, fine horses and good servants. He was a son of Hugh McDonakl, who married May Web- er, of Mason county, Kentucky. Hugh McDonald was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1806. He died in 1878, at the age of seventy-two. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, namely: William; Jane; Sybil; May, deceased; John; Nancy; James, the subject of this sketch; and Thomas, deceased. Mr. ^IcDonald settled in Nodaway county in 1853. James M. McDonald, the subject of this 618 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. jjersonal biograpliy, was reared on his fa- ther's farm in Kentucky, where he received his education in the pubHc schools of his na- tive county. He was married in 1873 to Nancy Simons, a lady of advanced' intelli- gence and of good family. She was a daughter of Colby Simons, of DeKalb coun- ty, Missouri. Mr. McDonald and his wife have had several children, namely : May Smith, Hugh D., Charles Thomas, James, Joseph, Nelly, Clarence, Earl and Alma. Effie died at the age of tliree and one half years. \\'illiam, the brother of our subject, who served four years in the Civil war, makes his home with Mr. McDonald. Mr. :Mc- Donald has a good farm of one hundred and thirty acres, which is well improved. He is a Democrat and a zealous upholder of William Jennings Bryan. He is well known in the county where he is respected by all as a good, loval citizen. JOSEPH McKXIGHT. This well known and representative cit- izen of Lincoln township, Xodawaj' county, jMissouri, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1833, and is a son of Sam- uel and Eliza (McKee) McKnight, natives of the north of Ireland, who came to Amer- ica when young and died in Pennsylvania. By ocupation the father was a farmer. Our subject was educated in the district schools near his boyhood home. On leaving tlie parental roof at the age of twenty-two years, he went to Davenport, Iowa, where he worked at the stonemason's trade and also engaged in farming. Later he followed the same pursuits in Monroe county, Iowa, and gave some attention to merchandising. On disp(')sing of his interests there he came to Missouri, thuugh he is still a partner in a store in Blanchard, Iowa. In 1880 he pur- chased a tract of unimproved prairie land in Xodawa}' county, which he has converted into a well improved and valuable farm. Here he owns one hundred and sixty acres, and also has a tract of forty acres in Atch- ison county, all of which has been acquired through his own exertions, and God's help. In 1855 Mr. IMcKnight was married, in Davenport, Iowa, to ^liss Mary Copeland, and to them were born eight children, five of whom are still living, namely. Samuel C. McKnight, Joseph D. McKnight, Will- iam J. McKnight, John C. McKnight, and Edward L., the youngest, who is a remarka- bly bright and promising young man, being educated for the ministry at Allegheny, Pennsyivania. Some time ago a cyclone destroyed Mr. ;\JcKnight's home and all the farm l)uikl- ings, causing a heavy loss. He takes no active part in political affairs. He is a professing Christian, who believes that Christ is the king of the universe and that all nations should be obedient to Him. as he is "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." He is an active member of the "Covenanter" church, and has alwa3's con- tributed liberally to its support, and has tak- en part in all church work. He assisted in building two churches in Blanchard, Iowa, and' he has tried to live a consistent Chris- tian life. His worthy wife is also a member of the same ciiurch and a consistent Chris- tian wiiman. JAMES REESE. On the 9th of February, 1899, at his home in Nodaway county, Missouri, oc- curred the death of James Reese, who was BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 619 for many years one of its honored and liighly respected citizens. He was born on the Mo- liawk Flats, in Herkimer count}^, New York, December i, 1834, and was a son of John and Evaline (Beatman) Reese, also natives of that state, his ancestors having come from Germany and settled in the Mohawk Valley, at an early day, becoming prominent far- mers and dairymen of that region. Re])- resentatives of the family were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. The father of our subject spent his last days in St. Lawrence county, New York, where his death occurred. Like his ancestors, he was a man of sterling V\orth and strict integrity, and was a very acti\e and influential member of the Presby- terian church. His children were Eliza C, the wife of Rufus Smith, a Lutheran minis- ter, who spent many years in this county; Stephen, who died in New York : Dorothea, the wife of R. Griffin; Alar}-, the wife of M. Snyder; and James, our subject. James Reese was reared to the honest toil of a farmer and educated in the public schools of his native state. He remained at Itome, caring for his parents until their deaths, and b_\' his father's will came into possession of the old family homestead, where he contin- ued to reside for a number of years after his marriage. iNIeeting with success in his farm- ing operations, he bought another place, but in 1870 sold his property in New York and came to Nodaway county, Missouri, where he spent the remainder of his life. Here he purchased two hundred and forty acres of wild prairie land, and to its improvement and cultivation at once turned his attention. He carried on stock-raising in connection with general farming, and so successful was he that he was able to add' to his property until he had four hundred and ninety acres of valuable land at the time of his death. As a business man he was energetic and pro- gressive, and usually carried forward to suc- cessful completion whatever he undertook. Politically he was an ardent Democrat and did all in his power to advance the interests of his party. At his death he left a large circle of friends and acquaintances to mourn his loss, for he was wide and favorably known. In 1855 Mr. Reese married Aliss Char- lotte Gordon, who was born in St. Lawrence county. New York, June 16, 1835, a daugh- ter of Enos and Emily (Simons) Gordon, life-long residents of that county. Her pa- ternal grandfather, Reuben Gordon, wa^ born in New York, of Welsh ancestry, and was a farmer b}- occupation. He married Miss Pruella Scott. They had eight chil- ,dren, namely : Griffin, Ezra, Pulla, .\nua, Betsy, Enos, William and Obid. Her ma- ternal grandfather, Benjamin Simons, was born in Connecticut and was a dairyman of New York. He married Miss Fannie Beck- with, of Connecticut, Their famil)^ com- prised six children, namely : Lydia, Emily, Catherine, Lucy A., Hubbard and Clarissa. Mrs. Reese's parents were consistent and faithful members of the Presbyterian church, in which her father served as a deacon for many years. Their children were: Lydia, Charlotte, Jane, Caroline and Gilbert. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Roe^e we note : Lawson J. was born in St. Law- rence county, November 26, 185C, and died in Colorado, December 13, 1896. He mar- ried Miss Mary Jones', of Iowa, ana' left a wife and four children. .Mice died in in- fancy. Charles, a farmer, was born in St. Lawrence county, February 2, 1862, and married Miss Lydia Bolick, of Iowa. Eya- line died in infancy. Rhugene, a farmer of Oklahoma, was born in St. Lawrence coun- 620 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ty, in 1865. He maried Miss Fannie Whitehead, of Nodaway county. Wilburt was born in St. Lawrence county, March 25, 1869. He was a farmer and married Miss Rachel BoHck, of Iowa, \\illis was born in Missouri, Septeml)er 17, 1872. Le- ona was born in Missouri, June 20, 1877. As Mr. Reese left no will, his wife and son Willis administered the estate, and the latter has since carried on the work inaugurated by his father, and has spent his entire life on the homestead engaged in agricultural pur- suits. The familjr is one of considerable prominence in the comunity where they re- side. D. W. HUMPHREY, M. D. Dr. Humphrey is the pioneer physician of Parnell, having for many years been ac- tively identified with his profession in this l>ortion of the state. The well established physician obtains an inlluence in any com- munity which is more far-reaching than that of any citizen sustaining other relations to the public. The reasons for this are obvious and require no mention here. Dr. D. W. Humphrey is to the people of Parnell and vicinity a widely known family doctor and he is the eldest physician and surgeon in the place. He cast his lot with the citizens of the town in 1883, just after the Great Western Railroad openetl up the Platte val- ley and located a station here, and from that time to the present he has practiced his pro- fession in Parnell and its tributary territory, showing also a healthful interest in every movement tending to the greatest good to his towns-people. The Doctor was born February 4, 1857, eight miles west of Bellefontaine, Ohio, in which locality his father, C. C. Humphrey, was a well known and prominent citizen. The latter was liorn in Logan county, Ohio, was educated there and became one of the pioneer families of the state. During the war he was an enthusiastic and' outspoken ad- vocate of the Union and was appointed by Governor Brough, one of his old pupils, to care for the sick and wounded Ohio soldiers. Suljsequently he removed to Kosciusko county, Lidiana, in the latter part of 1865. The Doctor died in 1897, at the age of eighty-three years. He married Miss Han- nah Smitli, whose death occurred in 1896, when she had attained the age of seventy- seven years. Th.eir children were: John E., a resident of Careyville, Ohio; Robert D., of Franklin, Nebraska; William C., of Pierceton, Lidiana; James, who is living at Logansport, Lidiana ; D. W., of this review ; Molly, the wife of ,E. E. Lambkins, of War- saw, Lidiana; Mrs. R. E. Robinson, of Mar)-\-ille, ^lissouri; and Emma, tlie wife of J. C. Neal. of Peru, Lidiana. The Hum- phrey family is of Scotch lineage. The fathef, Robert Humphrey, was a farmer and died in 1870, at the age of ninety-two, leav- ing four sons, namely : Robert, Cyrus, John and James. The Doctor s])ent the days of his youth in PiercctMU. Indiana. He acquired a lib- eral education, and' at the age of twenty en- tered upon the stiuly of medicine in the office and under the direction of Dr. E. H. Makem- son. Lie went from that office to the Eclec- tic Medical Institute, at Cincinnati, Ohio, v.liere he was graduated on June 5, 1883. Among his classmates were Dr, W. H. Win- termite, now one of the faculty of tiie Eclec- tic Medical Institute; Dr. Pitts E. Howes, of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, the secretary of the State Board of Health; and Dr. B. F. Wilson, now the city phj-sician of Bolivar, BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 621 Missouri. During his college days Dr. John M. Scudder, the noted medical author, was the dean of the faculty and Professor John M. King was the president of the college. Dr. Humphrey first located for practice in Orrsburg, Nodaway county, where he re- mained until the Great \Vestern Railway opened up the Platte valley and established a station at Parnell, when he became a resi- dent of this place. Aside from his regular duties as a practitioner he has done much work in the line of examinations for mutual and other insurance companies, including the examination of seventy-seven applicants for insurance in the Bankers' Life Insurance Comi^any at Des Moines, making all these examinations in six weeks. The Doctor was married October 2, 1883, in Vinton, Iowa, to Miss Adda H. Brookins, a daughter of G. E. Brookins, of Wabash county, Indiana. Unto them have been born three children : Bessie D., Daniel W., and Buel H. The hospitality of many of the best homes in Parnell and the surrounding dis- trict is cordially extended to the Doctor and his wife, whose circle of friends is quite ex- tensive. In his' fraternal relations he is a Mason, and in politics he is a stalwart Re- publican, unswerving in his advocacy of the principles of the party. His attention, how- ever, is given to his practice, which is con- stantly growing in \olume and importance. DAVID RANKIN. It is most appropriate that a place in this volume should be devoted to a brief resume of the life of the gentleman whose name ap- pears above, as it is an excellent example how a man may overcome all obstacles if he have peserverance and determination enough, and how in the end his efforts may b^ crowned with success. He is now numbered among the worthy residents of northwestern Mis- souri, and his splendid prosperity is the mer- ited' reward of his own labor. Mr. Rankin was born May ^8, 1825, in Sullivan county, Indiana, and is of Scotch lineage. Hi&' father, however, was a native of Ohio and his mother of North Carolina. When he was six years of age the family re- moved' to Parke county, Indiana, and two years later to \'ermilion county, whence after three years they removed to \Varren county, Illinois, now known as Henderson. Mr. Rankin was reared to manhood on the home farm and acquired a common-school education. His indefatigable industry, which has ever been one of the strong points in his character, was early manifest. He got his first start in life as tlie owner of a colt given him by his father. Through his youth and early manhood' he labored untir- ingly and finally possessed capital sufficient to purchase an eighty-acre farm near Biggs- ville, Illinois, where he carried on agricul- tural pursuits and stock-raising until 1885. There he was well known in connection with public affairs, being elected to the state legis- lature in 1872 and again in 1874. In 1885 Mr. Rankin came to Tarkio, Missouri, one of the richest parts of the Mis- souri valley, and. has since devoted his' un- divided attention to his large farming in- terests in this portion of the state. He is an excelleut judge of land, quick to note its rich properties, and thus his investments were judiciously made. As opportunity has' offered he has purchased large and small tracts of land, often buying at a low price land that has rapidly increased in value. He does not believe in selling, and remarked that he never sold' a piece of land in his life 622 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. on which he did not lose money in the opera- tion. At one time he purchased two thou- sand acres of bottom land near Riverton. in Fremont county, Iowa, paying from ten to twenty dollars per acre. He conceived the idea that by constructing a dike along the Nishnabotna river, which flows through his hmd, it could be reclaimed and used to the greatest advantage both for grazing and farming purposes. He at once went to work with a large force of men and continued his labors until midwinter, constructing a dyke seven miles long and of varying width. In one place it is fourteen feet high and forty feet wide, ana the total cost was not far from twenty thousand dollars. The floods have severely tested it and it is considered by all to be a great success. ^Ir. Rankin has accu- mulated not far from twenty-one thousand acres of choice farming land in Atchison county, Missouri, and Fremont county, Iowa, worth at a low average forty dollars per acre. He has in his pastures seven thousand' head of cattle, from eight to ten thousand head of hogs and probably fi\e hundred head of horses and colts. It will natural!}- be supposed that a man who has won such great success in farming will be identified with other lines of busi- ness; and such is the case with Mr. Rankin, who is the president and the principal share- holder in the First National Bank of Tarkio, Missouri, president of the Rankin Water Company, the Rankin Electric Light and Power Company and the Rankin Auditorium Company, all of which companies together have invested probably one hundred thousand dollars in Tarkio enterprises. Nor has he been forgetful of the interests of education. He has long l)een a fast friend of the Tarkio College, that has exerted a potent influence in molding and shaping the intellectual and moral character of the people of Missouri and adjoining states. The management of his farm and stock- raising interests is under a perfect system. The land is divided into fourteen ranches, varying in size from six hundred and forty tc thirty-one hundred acres. Each ranch has an experienced foreman, who is paid a good salary, and a superintendent is also employed who has the oversight of all the ranches and manages the farming, stock, shipping and other interests. Mr. Rankin conducts a regular office, where he keeps a secretary constantly employed, having charge of the correspondence, bookkeeping and other clerical work. The foreman of each ranch is required to send each month to the office a full report of the men employed during the month, the cattle, hogs, farming implements and grain on hand and all changes and shipments that have been made. These reports are filed for reference and assist very materially in the management of a business of such magnitude. Like a great many men in his section. Mr. Rankin is a heavy cattle-feeder. The number of cattle aniuially fed varies from six thousand to ten thousand, and, while the yield of grain from his own land is very heavy, in some in- stances amounting to a half million bushels of corn in adition to other grain, he is com- pelled, in order to carry on his feeding oper- ations', to buy from fifty to one hundred thou- sand bushels of corn each year. This fur- nishes a home market for a large amount of the grain raised in this section, thus helping to solve the great problem of condensing freights. He makes his purchases of cattle in large quantities', buying in Texas, Colo- rado, Iowa and Missouri, and he conducts some of the largest trade transactions in cat- tit known in the counrtrv. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 6-23 yir. Rankin js an earnest and active sup- porter of tlie United Presbyterian church, is strictly fair in all his business dealings and is a citizen of worth, having due regard for the duties that devolve upon hit" in that re- lation. His success in life is largely due to the fact that he is a man of high integrity of character and of great capacity for business, and his example should be a source of inspi- ration to young men everywhere, for. though they cannot attain the great sucess which has come to him, they can approximate it liy using the same industrv and sagacit\". JAMES A. KLAIE. Among" the prominent agriculturists of Atchison county, Missouri, is James A. Kime, the subject of this sketch, who well represents an old and honored pioneer fam- ily of this section. He was born on the homestead farm where he now resides, March 17, 1867, and is a son of Michael and Catherine (Hull) Kime. who were na- tives of North Carolina and Ohio, respec- tively. The paternal grandfather was Da- vid Kime, who moved from North Carolina to Indiana, where he entered some land which he improxed and where he spent the remain- der of his life. He left the following chil- dren : Alfred. Betsey, Michael, the father of our subject, and Rebecca, b}' his second marriage, Mary and Nancy being daughters of a previous one. Michael Kime remoxcd with his father to Indiana, where he remained until 1847, when he came to Missouri, making his first home at Irish Grove. He was possessed of but limited means, two suits of clothes and fifty cents representing his worldly wealth; but his wants were few and work was soon obtained upon a farm. In 1850 he was seized with the desire to go to California, and actually paid three hundred dollars to l)e permitted to walk with a train, reaching the country of gold in good health, but not \ery rich in purse. Engaging in mining, Mr. Kime soon found reward, and in three years was able to return and invest twenty-four hundred dollars in land, thus becoming the owner of a large tract. When he married in i860, he contentedly settled down in his two- room cabin and began the improvement and development of his farm. He subsequently disposed of a portion of his land and gave farms to is sons, retaining for himself a good homestead; but in 1900 he sold this to our subject. He is now living in comfort in the town of Blanchard, Iowa, his advancing years made happy because of the life of hon- est work that has preceded them. Mr. Kime is a specimen of that worthy typt of pioneer v.ho honestly earned every foot of his land, and whose aim in life was to do his whole duty and preserve a spotless integrity. Although retired from agricultural life, Mr. Kime still takes a deep interest in the affairs of his old home. He has been an un- compromising Republican and has been called upon to fill many public ofifices, being for, two terms county judge, and was made the candidate of his party for state represen- tative. Both he and his excellent wife are consistent members of the Christian church and command the esteem of a large circle of friends. The mother of our sul)ject was a daughter of James Hull, a pioneer settler of western Iowa, where he combined the professions of law and medicine. He was a stanch Democrat, but never desired or ac- cepted ofifice. They belonged to the United Presbyterian church, where they were much lamented at the time of their death. They left six children, the youngest of whom was 624 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Mrs. Michael Kime. The children of the parents of our subject were William, Leora, David, James A., the subject of this sketch, Mrs. Adelia Holliday and Mrs. Lillian Mor- row, the latter being twins. James A. Kime took advantage of such means for education as were afforded by the district schools and remained with his father until he had attained his majority. At that time he decided to see something of the world for himself, going to Oklahoma and to western Kansas: but this flight only resulted in his return to the old home, firm in the conviction that Atchison county held just as good opportunities for a ytnmg man as any other section and' no more fertile land could be found further west. He engaged in farming on the homestead, in July, 1896, was married, and in 1900 bought the fine homestead farm where he now resides. Mr. Kime is following in his father's footsteps in the improvement of the farm, which shows the attention that has made the wild prairie land of pioneer days change into tlie highly productive and" cultixated tract of the present. Mr. Kime married Miss Koxanna Clark,, \\ho was born in \'ern<)n county, Missouri, August 30, 1876, and was the daughter of Carlos and Louisea ( Hill ) Clark, who were married in Ohio and removed to Missouri in the early part of 1876, where they engaged in farming and where Mr. Clark died Oc- tober I, 1890. lie served in the Civil war in the Union army and suffered a long im- prisonment in Libby prison. The govern- ment awarded him a pension for his faith- ful service. Mrs. Clark subsequently mar- ried Albert Mitts and now resides in Schell City, Missouri. Her children are: Roxanna, the wife of our subject; James, who lives al the Clark homestead: and two children that died in infancy. Mr. Clark had been a valued member of the Methodist church, while the mother of Mrs. Kime is a strict adherent of the Christian church. The chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Kime are the fol-' fowing: Klenlen, who was born July 14, 1897, and Leora, who was born November 26, 1898, — both interesting, beautiful chil- dren. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kime are highly regarded in the Christian church, where they are consistent members, and the family is one much respected' in the neighborhood. The family was one of the first to make a home in the wilderness of Atchison count}- and will be remembered in every record made of its progress. ja:\ies k. brumback. AccorcMng to Rupp's "Pennsylvania Families," Johan Henrich Brumback ar- rived in Philadelphia September 30, 1754, on the ship Neptune, which it is thought sailed from Holland. \\'ith his widowed mother and four sisters he made his way from the Tulpehocken region in Pennsyl- vania to the valley of \'irginia and settled on the south branch of the Shenandoah river, just above Bixler's ferry and three miles northwest of Luray. He was born Febru- ary 4, 1739, and called the "First Henry." He was twice married, his first wife being Anna Kauffman, a daughter of IMartin Kauffman, to whom he was married Sep- tember 18, 1761. The following children were born unto them: Barbara in 1762; Johannas, in 1764; Anna, in 1766; Henry, March 5, 1769; Elizabeth, in 1771 ; David, in 1774; and Susan, July 3. 1776. On the 22(1 of September, 1778, the wife and mother, Anna Kauffman Brumback, died, and' on the 17th of .\pril, 1779. Henry Brumback was BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. (V25 again married, his second union being with Anna Stickler. The following children were born unto them : Joseph, February 1 1 , 1 780 ; Maria, December 19, 1782; Jacob, February 2, 1785; Samuel. November 17, 1786; and David, in January, 1789. They had three other sons — Christian, Tobias and Mathias — whose names are not on the old record. Christian removed to Mississippi and John once owned the Spring farm near Luray, \'irginia, but afterward removed' to Ohio, as did also Daniel and Tobias. Henry Brumback, a member of this fam- ily and the grandfather of our subject, was born in \'irginia, made farming his life work and for a long period carried on that occupation in the Old Dominion, where his death occurred. He w'edd'ed Mary Grove, a daughter of Marcus Grove, of Virginia, who was married twice. His first wife was a daughter of John Rhoades, who with some of his family was killed b}' the Indians in 1765 on a farm three miles northwest of Luray, Virginia, where George Bauserman now resides. Two children were born un- to them, — David and Barbara. After the death of the wife and mother the little daughter Barbara was sent to live with her mother's people, the Rhoades family, until lier father married again. When she had reached womanhood she became the wife of Chrisley Bumgardner and was the mother of Joseph Bumgardner, who died several years ago, at the very advanced age of ninety- four. After the death of his first wife Mar- cus Grove went to Pennsylvania, where he met Mary Grove, whom he soon afterward married. Several children were born unto them, among whom were Martin, John and Samuel, who removed to Ohio. One daugh- ter, Mary, became the wife of Henry Brum- back, and they were the grandparents of our subject. She was two or three years his' senior. They were married May 27, 1794, and their children were as follows: John, born October 29, 1795; Susanna, March 23, 1797; Anna, December 19, 1798; Barbara, May 15, 1800; Samuel, July 22, 1802; Daniel, December 26, 1804; Elizabeth, April 19, 1807; Jacob, in 1809; Joseph, October 4. 1810; Polly, August 12, 181 2; Francis, in 1813; and Henry, November. 4, 1816. Samuel Brumback, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Virginia, July 22, 1802, and was there reared to manhood. He wedded Catherine Grove, also a native of the same state. He was a prominent farm- er and slave-owner and operated quite an ex- tensive plantation. In business affairs he was a man of sterling integrity and honor who carefully conducted his farming inter- ests, winning an untarnished name as the re- suit of his fidelity to manly principles. Both he and his wife were members of the Primiti\e Baptist church, and at their death they left a comfortable estate to their chil- dren. He died January 5, 1850, but his wife survived him some time, passing away in 1 89 1, at a very advanced age. They became the parents of eight children: William H., who is yet living in Virginia; ^lary S., who died at the age of twenty-two years; Isaac N., who was killed in the Confederate serv- ice; Barbara A., the wife of J. \\'. Deal; Joseph, who served throughout the Civil war in the Confederate army and is now li\-ing in Virginia; Samuel, who tlied at the age of three and a half years; James K., of this review; and George, a mechanic in St. Joseph, Missouri. James K. Brumback pursued his edu- cation in the common schools and continued an inmate of his parental home, remaining with his widowed mother until 1864, when. 626 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. at tlie age of eighteen years lie entered the Confederate service, true to his loved south- land and to the principles which had been instilled in him from early boyhood. The company to which he belonged was attached to Bird's battalion, R. E. Lee's army. He served through the first winter on picket duty and' the following spring the war closed. He then returned to his mother's home, continuing upon the old homestead until twenty-three years of age, for by the war the servants had all been liberated and his mother needed his service in the cultivation of her land. In 1870. however, he deter- mined to try his fortune in the west and first located in Cass county, Missouri, where he was employed as a farm iiand. He also sold nursery stock, but the same year left Cass county and removed to Hancock county, Illinios, where he engaged in farming for two years. Subsequently he went to Ne- vada, where he was emploj-ed as a farm hand until the fall of 1873, when he took up his abode in Atchison county, having since been numbered among its reliable citizens. For a year he was located near Phelps City and then took up his abode north of Tarkio. where he rented a farm for a year. With the capital he had then acquired through his own efforts he purchased forty acres of land, improved it througli the succeeding season and then exchanged it for a fruit farm one mile north of Hamburg. Iowa, oc- cupying that place until 1878, when he pur- chased' his present property near Tarkio, in Atchison county. Of this eighty acres was fenced and a small house had been erected on the place. He has since erected a commo- dious residence, built all necessary outbuild- ings and has also built many rods of fencing, whereby the i)lace is divided into fields of con\enient size for cultivation. He planted an orchard, set out groves of ornamental and forest trees and has a beautiful home and good farm that in all its accessories and conveniences is modern in equipment and attractive in appearance. His fields are well tilled and he raises stock of good grade, and his farm work has brought to him an excellent financial result. In 1876 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brumback and Miss Ella R. Bunn. a lady of intelligence and culture, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, Febru- ary 26, 1858, her parents being E. R. and Dorcas (Crumrine) Bunn, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The former was born November 2^. 1817, the latter on May 12, 1823, and their marriage was celebrated March i, 1849, in Ohio, where their chil- dren were born. The father was a son oi Raymond Bunn, of Pennsylvania, who was of German lineage. He was a carpenter by trade and with his family removed to Mus- kingum county, Ohio, where he followed the building business and also purchased and conducted a farm. In the Methodist church he held membership. Both he and his wife died in Ohio. In their family were three children, — Reed, Elizabeth and E. R., — the last named being the father of Mrs. Brum- back. E. R. Bunn spent the days of his boy- hood and youth in the Buckeye state, where he followed carpentering, which he learned under his father's direction. Subsequently he mame of the early members of the family in Amer- ica took part in the war of the Revolution. The mother of our subject was a daughter of one of the most prominent families of Tennessee. The parents of Dr. Jones had six children, but the survivors are : Newton, who is a merchant at Centralia, Washington; a si-^tcr of our subject, who lives m Fuiler- tcn, Nebraska; and J. B., wh(j is our sub- ject. Dr. Jones received a gootl education in the schools of his locality, and engaged in teaching for some time, with marked suc- cess. His natural inclination being in tlie di- rection of medical science, he early began to read e\'ery tiling bearing upon his favorite 628 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. stiuly, later enterin_e;' the office of a well- known physician of Greenville, Texas, where he remained two and a half years, following this with a course in general study, at a med- ical college, in Greenville. This was sup- plemented by another year of reading, under Dr. Cm-entry, of that town, at which time he returned to Tennessee, where he engaged in the practice of his profession. For nine months Dr. Jones was located at Cumberland Gap, as post surgeon. He came to Atchison county, Missouri, ii. 1S67, settling near the towns of W'atson and Le- nora, he being one of the first physicians located in this neighbo-"] ood. For the tliircy- two succeeding years he has resided in his present home, and has a wide and lucrative practice. His marriage to ]\Iiss Drusilla S. Hill took jilace in this county, the lady being the estimable daughter of the well-known Her- vey and Charlotte Hill, old settlers of the county, who come from Tennessee. One son has been born of this union, Bernard, now a young man of eighteen. In politics Dr. Jones votes with the Dem- ocratic part}', and for forty years has been a consistent member df the Cumberland I'resbyterian church, in which he is an elder. Since 1863 he has been a citizen of Atchison county, in all these years giving his in- fluence in the direction of education and tem- perance. He has been called upon to render U'edical attention in many grave cases, where only skill and ciim])rchensi\-e knowledge preser\'e(l the patient. AD.VMATXER JOHXSOX. The able and honorable family physician is perha])s' in closer touch with his fellow Citizens than anv man in anv other walk of life. To most families the time of serious illness is "the hour of trouble," and in such trouble they turn to the general medical practitioner who has long been their neigh- boring friend with a degree of confidence that makes the relations between the physician and his patrons more intimate and delicate than those which exist between other men and those upon whom they depend for the business out of which they make their liv- ing; and thus it is that the family ph\'sician in a country town is not simply a doctor of medicine but a guide and counselor in many important affairs. To be such, however, he must be not only a skillful physician but a man sympathetic, honorable and trust- worthy. Such an ideal family physician is Dr. Adamatner Johnson, of \\'atson, Atchi- son county, Missouri. , Dr. Johnson was born at Brunswick, Chariton county, Missouri, January 21, 1 85 1, a son of Adamatner and Rebecca (Ca- bell) Johnson. His father, who was a son of Major Mathew and Elizabeth (Jones) John- son, was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, and was during the war engaged heavily in the tobacco business at St. Louis, Missouri. Later he was for many years a banker and general business man, but is now living in retirement. Major Mathew Johnson, the grandfather of the subect of this sketch, was long one of the most jirominent men in Lin- coln county, Kentucky. Dr. Johnson's mother, Rebecca Cabell, was a daughter of E. B. and Harriet (Monroe) Cabell, and her father was for thirty-two years the coun- ty clerk of Chariton county, Missouri. She died at the age of fifty-one and is remem- bered as a loving wife and' indulgent mother and as a neighbor whose .sympathetic char- ity endeared her to the whole community in which she lived. Mr. Tohnson is now sev- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 629 enty-seven years old. They had five sons and three daughters, and three of their sons, Adamatner, Jr., of Watson, INIissouri, and E. C. and R. F., of De Queen, Arkansas, be- came physicians. Dr. Adamatner Johnson received a good English and classical education, and after finishing his studies at the Brunswick univer- sity, studied medicine under the preceptor- ship of Dr. Julian Bates, of St. Louis, and Dr. W. M. Johnson, of Rothville, Missouri. He was graduated with honor at the St. Louis jMedical College, with the class of 1874. He practiced his profession in Char- iton and' Grundy counties, Missouri, at Dub- lin, Erath county, Texas, and after that in Burleson county, that state, until 1881, when he came to Watson, Atchison county, Mis- souri, where he arrived June 17, and where he has since practiced successfully. He has acquired membership in different medical societies and is the author of papers which have won the commendation of leading members of his profession. While giving his attention to general medical practice he has given special attention to surgery and is frequently called for consultation and in surgical cases to distant points. Li 1 87 1 Dr. Johnson was' married, at Rothville, Missouri, to Nannie Maria An- derson, wdio was born at Lynchburg, Vir- ginia, a daughter of Thomas O. Anderson. She died in Grundy county, Missouri, in 1875, leaving a son and daughter, John Ca- bell Johnson, of Maryville, Missouri, who is in railroad business, and jNIattie Maud, who is her father's housekeeper. Subse- quently Dr. Johnson married Miss Delia Jane Brainard, a daughter of Jesse Brainard, of Grundy county, Missouri, who died May 3, 1883, leaving a son, Brainerd Johnson, who was burn June 14, 1873. r(jlitically Dr. Johnson is a Democrat, and, though not a practical politician or an ofifice-seeker, he exerts a recognized influence in his party. He is a member of theTnci'e- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and ^x^pular in social circles. GEORGE W. OTIS. The horologe of time has marked of¥ many years since George W. Otis first cane to Nodaway county, and' thirty-five years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since his arrival in this section of the state. He is numbered among the esteemed and valued citizens of L'nion township, and as one of the leading representatives of the agricultural interests of Missouri he well de- serves mention in this volume. His home is five miles south of Hopkins, and there he is successfully conducting the operation of his farm and raising cattle for the market, his well directed efforts bringing to him a handsome financial return. Mr. Otis is a native of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the loth of September, 1856. The ancestry of the family can be traced back in Germany to 1129. The fam- ily name was originally Otho, but eventually assumed the Latinized form of Otis. Rep- resentatives of the name removed to Eng- land in 1 195, and the first American ancestor came from the Merrie Isle to this country in 1664, settling at Hingham, Massachusetts. His son returned to England' to educate lus children, but his eldest son, Robert, again came to America, at the age of fifteen years. He was' eighty years of age at the time the Revolutionary war was inaugurated, but not- wilhstaiuling his adx'anced age he joined the / 630 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. army and served in various capacities until the independence of tlie nation was achie/eci. He died at the extremely old age of one hundred and fifteen years. His son, John Otis, also entered the army and dried of small-pox during the war. The latter's son, Edward Otis, became a member of the Colo- nial array when sixteen years of age and was wounded and discharged. His papers of discharge, as well as pension papers, are novv in the iX)ssession of H. W. Otis, of Red Oak, Iowa. Edward Otis died in La Porte county, Indiana, in 1852, at the age of eighty-sex'en. His son Ezekiel enlisted for service in the war of 1812 and was with Commodore Perry at the time of the bril- liant naval victory on Lake Erie, in 18 13. His death occurred in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. There have been many distinguish.ed representatives of the Otis family, includirg James Otis, Major Stephen Otis, Mersey Warren ami many others prominent in the history of the early day>. -Colonel Stephen Elwell Otis, who won fame in Manila and was one of the most gallant and distin- guished officers in the American army, was also of the same family. Alerrill Otis, a son of Ezekiel Otis and the father of our subject, was a native of Ohio, and' became a resident of Nodaway county, Missouri, about 1864, his death oc- curring here about 1890, on the old family homestead. He married Miss Tamer Myers, of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and two of their sons, Edward and Jasper Xewton, are yet residents of Nodaway county, while Reisin Otis resides in the Black Hills near Custer City, South Dakota. Another son is Absalom Otis, of Rapid City, South Da- kota. There were also two daughters in the faniilv. George \V. Otis accompanied his parents on their removal to Missouri in his early boyhood. They located near Maryville prior to the Civil war, and during the period of hostilities between the north and the south maintained their residence in Iowa; but when the trouble was over they returned to Mis- souri, locating on the farm which is now oc- cupied by ;Mr. Otis' of this review. Through- out his life he has been identified with ag- ricultural pursuits. He early became fa- miliar witii the work of the fields and garden and his practical experience has so enabled hnn to prosecute his labors that he has won substantial and gratifying success. Prior to his marriage he spent some time in the Black Hills, Dakota, prospecting and min- ing, and he still owns some promising claims in that rich country. After his mar- riage he engaged in the li\-ery business in I\Iaryville for a short time and then disposed of that enterprise, returning to the old home farm in Union township. Here he carries on general farming and is also engaged in the raising and sale of cattle. In 1895, while on a visit to Indiana, Mr. Otis was united in marriage to Miss j\Iary E. Raichart, and to them have been born three interesting little children, Charles E., Labell Marrie and Flossie. Their pleas- ant home is celebrated for its generous hos- pitality, which is freely extended to and greatly enjoyed by their large circle of friends. Mr. Otis is widely and favorably known in Xoclaway county. His interest in every ti:tng which affects the welfare of the people along industrial, intellectual and mor- al lines is deep and abiding, and as a citizen he is respected by all who have knowledge of his straightforward methods and upright- ness of character.