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Full text of "History of Randolph County, Missouri"

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HISTORY 






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OF 



Randolph County 



MISSOURI 



ALEXANDER H. WALLER 



ILLUSTRATED 



HISTORICAL publishing company, 

TOPEKA CLEVELAND 

1920 




%V0AT10»» 



.♦ 



PREFACE 



Histoiy is a record of human events, the personal element ever being- 
present. Men perform their allotted work upon this earth and then depart. 
Others follow to take up the work left unfinished by those who have pre- 
ceded them. It was ordained by an omnipotent and omniscient Providence 
that it should be the task of His creatures here below to go forth into, 
subdue, and people the waste places of the earth, the forests, and the 
plains ; to change the wide spaces of land into fertile areas so as to pro- 
vide sustenance for mankind. The vanguard were the pioneers, men and 
women accustomed to simple methods of living, inured to hardships, bred 
to a life which required that they wrest a livelihood from the soil, and 
imbued with the spirit of generations of pioneers. They accomplished 
their self-imposed task and subdued the lands of what is now known as 
Randolph county. They paved the pathway for others who followed to 
resume the task of making a happy and prosperous community. Their 
work was well and faithfully done and this volume of Randolph county 
history might fittingly be dedicated to the memory of those brave men 
and women. 

Lest we forget, lest the children of today and of the tomorrows know 
not the deeds of their progenitors, this history has been written and pub- 
lished — affording an authentic and readable record for all time to come, 
the story of the settlement and upbuilding of Randolph county. 

History has been and is now being made. The great task of founding 
and creating an important sub-division of the great commonwealth of 
Missouri has been accomplished. The future will bring forth still greater 
development. That this is possible is due to the bravery and hardihood of 
that noble race who have preceded the present generation and who lie 
sleeping peacefully beneath the sod they loved so well. 

The following pages present a history of Randolph county, based upon 
personal narratives, research, compilation, and official records. Inasmuch 
as history in the aggregate is a record of the composite achievements of 
all the people in a community during a course of many years, it is neces- 
sary to present much personal history in a work of this kind. 



True history is based upon personal achievement. True history, then, 
in its wider sense is but biography. The biographical department of this 
history of Randolph county, therefore, is important, as presenting a record 
of the leading families of Randolph county and recording the personal 
achievements of the men and women who have made Randolph county 
what it is today. In the publishing of this important department which 
is destined for the enlightenment of the present and future generations as 
to the best information available, concerning their forbears, and no effort 
has been spared to insure accuracy without exaggeration. 

In the preparation of this work it has been the aim of the writer to 
present the salient facts and the important events bearing upon the story 
of the settlement and early development of the county. Many events, of a 
seemingly remote character, had an influence in shaping the destiny and 
moulding the future of Randolph county, and it is hoped that the present 
and future generations may derive some benefit from the effort that has 
been put forth here in the way of a modest contribution to the annals of 
this splendid county. 

ALEXANDER H. WALLER. 

Moberly, Mo., August 1, 192C. 



INDEX 



Adams, Carson L. 755 

Adams, Samuel B. 751 

Adams, Simon F. 525 

Agee, W. E. 444 

Alexander, John D. 6S9 

Alexander, John W. 487 

Allen, John P. 678 

Allen, B. M. 283 

Arline. A. A. 797 

Asbell, Alguin S. 600 

Ash, David P. 052 

Ash. OttiS O. 225 

Ashcom, Benjamin II. 581 

Bagby, James H. 514 

Bagby, Thomas J. 699 

Bailey. Harry P. 530 

Baird, Edward T. ,__ 310 

Baird, William II. 778 

Baker, David F., Jr 825 

Balzar, J. W. 410 

Bank of Moberly 255 

Barclay. Christopher C. 826 

Barlow, Alfred 780 

Barr, Warren L. 704 

Bassett, Church A. 771 

Bassett, Homer 509 

Bassett, Robert H. 507 

Baugh, Willis 324 

Bazan, L. A. 305 

Bazan, Theodore B. 306 

Bell Brothers 342 

Bennett, Charles B. 396 

Bennett, George 690 

Bennett, James 690 

Benton, David S. 566 

Benton. John H. 810 

Bierman, Morris 321 

Blake, Charles D. 765 

Bledsoe, John A. 464 

Blood, E. O. 389 

Blood, G. N. 389 

Bobbitt, William A 692 

Boland, John M. 833 

Boney, A. T. 377 



Boney, James T. 375 

Boucher, Orion V. 769 

Bowers, Jacob S. 322 

Bowers, William S. 323 

Braddick, G. F. 631 

Bradley, Dudley. T. 576 

Bradley, Joseph W. 834 

Bragg, General Grant 586 

Brawley. William R. 842 

Brooks, James R. 666 

Brooks, Obediah 812 

Brown, Charles C. 597 

Brown, S. B. 669 

Buchanan, Walter C. 337 

Bundridge, J. W. 234 

Bundridge, V. E. 235 

Burckhartt, G. Dorsey 743 

Burckhartt, George H. 744 

Burke. Edmund 568 

Burke, M. W. 750 

Bnrkbalter, Charles F. 483 

Burkley, Andrew J. 531 

Burklund, Leslie G. 302 

Burton, Ambrose C. 809 

Burton, Asa T. 789 

Burton, Henry t>84 

Burton, Henry M. 659 

Burton, Medley 498 

Busch, Theodore Fred 312 

Butler, W. R. 327 

Bye, George E. 667 

Byrd, William F. 767 

Cairo, Bank of 378 

Campbell, John R. 715 

Campbell, Richard R. 687 

Campbell, Winfield S. 624 

Camplin,Robert T. 548 

Caplinger, Thomas A. 338 

Capp, A. A. 307 

Carney, P. J. 376 

Carrell, Richmond R. 811 

Carter, Joseph C. *05 

Carter, Joseph F. 580 

Carter, M. A. 653 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 



Carter, Richard D. Jr 823 

Carter, Richard L., Sr 638 

Caulkins, M. E. i 668 

Cavanattgh, Henry B. 620 

Cave, Willard P. 226 

Chaniici-. Arthur B. 453 

Chapman. William T. 672 

Chilton, Z. T. 501 

Christ, Charles F. 722 

Christian. William Paul 757 

Clapp, Chambers B. 275 

Cleveland, Charles B. 648 

Clifford. William C. 384 

Clifton Hill Banking Company 590 

Clifton. William D. 509 

Coates, John IT. 319 

Cogley, Edward c. 636 

Cottingham, James H. 533 

Cottingham, Guy 509 

Cottingham, Lane 736 

Cowan, Mercer B. 758 

Cox. William G. 398 

Creson, S. W. 281 

Crews, John B. 802 

Crews. Joseph S. 804 

Crisler, Charles E. 406 

Cromwell, William O. 680 

('rose, Homer 358 

Crose, L. M. 617 

• 'rose. R. K. 356 

Crose. S. P. 356 

Cross. James Thomas 296 

Crumrine, Amos L. 806 

Cubbage, Henry B. 741 

Cuppaidge, Godfrey <>. 474 

Dameron, S. M. 42:: 

Dameron, William L. •""'•"•'• | 

Dameron, William T. 553 

Daniels. Charles H. 845 

Darby, John L. 649 

Darby. William F. 528 

Davis. George M. 848 

Davis, William R. 505 

Dawkins Brothers 142 

Dawkins, William c. 731 

Dawson. Samuel P. 827 

Day, Winfred E. 759 

Denny. David R. 774 

Deskin. E. G. 633 

Deskin. George C. - 646 



Dessert, William P. 402 

Dixon, Charles IT. 462 

Dixon, Robert R. 647 

.Dodson, Charles L. 290 

Dodson, Thomas B, 679 

Doyle, Joseph A. 571 

Duffy, William E. 411 

Dnlany, James G. 557 

Dumont, John X. 70<> 

Dunn, Julius ^-M) 

Dunivent, Wade II. 421 

Dutton, Charles K. 473 

Bckard, William II. S05 

Eddings, George P. 316 

Edwards. Cyrus L. 579 

Edwards, Boy W. 239 

Edwards, William I). 490 

Egly, William 494 

Elliott, Alonzo IT. 655 

Elliott, Asher W. 655 

Elsea, Felix <;. 713 

Embree, C. B. 400 

Emerson, William Henry .'52* 

Fugle, Henry T. t>73 

Fnslen. James C. 320 

Epperly, Joshua T. 793 

Epperson, William D. 760 

Epping, Frank J. 415 

Esry, William A. 5<i2 

Estill, Frank Hartley '. 265 

Eubank, James R. 429 

Eubank, P. B. 430 

Eubanks, Harvey C. 7.'!6 

Evans, William M. ."7."! 

I'aessler. John W. 454 

Faessler, Louis F. 168 

Farmers and .Mechanic's Bank 234 

fennel, William. Sr. 280 

Ferguson, Andrew J. 582 

I'il'er. Harry M. 535 

Fifer, Walter D. 684 

Finn. John W. 783 

Fiorita, T. R. *_ 2!>1 

Fleming, Jacob C. 250 

Fleming, Thomas s. 217 

Forney. Frank B. 267 

Forney, I. B. 245 

Forster, Ed M. •""»»'.• 

Fort, Otto H. 313 

Fountain, Otis i 540 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 



Fowler, James A. 332 

Fowler, Otto S. »0S 

Frampton, David A. 711 

Fray, Oswald S. u4G 

Freeman, John 839 

Freeman, Timothy 813 

Freyslehen, Gustave 30S 

Fullington, Charles P. 630 

Galbreath, Lee 309 

Galbreath, Kay 326 

Gilflllin, Harry B. 4<;3 

Gipson, George B. 625 

Gladney, Albert C. 650 

Goddard, John M, 830 

Goodding, William W. 37'.i 

Gould, Kohin 840 

Gowan, George 839 

Graves, J. Will 595 

Greasa, Charles E. 64.'. 

Grimes, II. A. 299 

Gross, George W. olf> 

Grotjan. J. A. 661 

Gutekunst, Emil 273 

Hackley, J. S. 706 

Haden, Tucker G. 378 

Haines, Evan 564 

Haley, S. L. 4*: 

Hall, J. Ereckson 651 

Halliburton, Callie 575 

Halliburton, George I). 504 

Halliburton, Orley 692 

Halloran, Patrick 458 

Halterman, Gyrus 520 

Halterman, J. A W. :___ 686 

Hamilton, John N. 232 

Hamilton, Ira S. 513 

Hamilton, Stephen G. 537 

Hammett, Aubrey R. 331 

Hammett, Clarence J. 621 

Hammett, Francis M. 613 

Hammett, Jim L. 742 

Hammett. John H. 613 

Harbaugh. James E. 761 

Hardin, John H. 516 

Hare. David S. 4S9 

Harlan. Ira F. 314 

Harlan, Lee Smith 588 

Harmon, Henry S49 

Harris, C. J. Lumber Company 368 

Harvey, Frank B. 333 



Hatton, <>. F. 623 

Haworth. Harry H. 734 

1 la worth, Nathaniel F. 732 

Hayiies, Carl 781 

Haynes, Finis Ewing 790 

Haynes, Sidney H. 749 

Haynes, William J. 846 

Heddinghaus Frank B. 445 

Hedges, James S., Jr 654 

I lei fner. Joseph F. 601 

I lei fner. John Pressley 822 

Heifner, V. 536 

Hellensmith, William 330 

Henderson, William F. 661 

Hepple, George 705 

Hestler, August 658 

Hickerson, E. R. 277 

Hines. Abraham S. 392 

llines. Ilollie P. 524 

Hinton, Newton E. 782 

Holbrook, B. C. 456 

Holbrook, Solomon M. 329 

Holloway. John H. 363 

Holman, II. Frank 264 

Holman, Jim W. 202 

Holman, Neal 817 

Holman, William 561 

Holtsinger. F. If. 417 

lion, Charles C. 316 

Honey, James H 831 

Horner. James S. «. 386 

Hubbard, Frank T. 560 

Hubbard. James E. 526 

Hulen, C. M. 271 

Hulen, George L. 529 

Hulen. Sterling Price 532 

Hunker, Albert J. 693 

Hunter, Silas Oak 459 

Huntsman, Josiah 683 

Hurt, Eugene H. 700 

Hurt, Everett E. 598 

Hutsell, James D. 359 

Hutsell, Jerry C. 370 

Hutsell. John W. 850 

Hutsell, W. W. 346 

Irons, Thomas 408 

Irons. William A. 632 

Jackson, George H. 565 

Jackson, I. B. 585 

Jackson, John A. 682 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 



Jaeger, Gustav H. 360 

Jahnel, Peter 670 

Jefferies, Jerry M. 235 

Jennings, J. B. 228 

Johnson, (Jeorge L. 443 

Johnston, Norman C. 569 

Johnston, Mrs. E. M. 403 

Jones, A. W. 301 

Jones, W. B. 341 

Jones, William F. 515 

Jones. Winfield S. 424 

Jordan, William S. 656 

Keeley, R. F. 847 

Kehoe, James L. 460 

Kehoe, Martin J. 457 

Keiter, Ed Y. 467 

Kelliher, Daniel T. 339 

Kelloek, Thomas 413 

Kelly, Leonard W. . 539 

Kelly, William S. 660 

Kiernan, Robert E. 550 

Kingsbury Robert 364 

Klein, Louis 803 

Kynaston, John F. 344 

Lamb, Hugh 702 

Land, Hiram 497 

Landram, W. L. 393 

Larson, Charles L. 756 

Lawrence. Marvin R. 772 

Lay, (Jeorge William 611 

Lea, A. G. 435 

Lea, Elbert 1). 591 

Leonard, Edward E. 383 

Levy, Ren 790 

Levy, Henry 790 

Lilly. Major J. 231 

Littrell, James H. 506 

Uttrell, Watts 521 

Lockrldge, William D. 694 

Letter, Herman J. 447 

Lowry, John A. S21 

Lynch. Bernard E. 843 

Lynch, John E. 253 

McAdam, ('. A. 372 

McAfee. Frank C. ___J 286 

McOandless, Alexander 401 

McCormick, Frank Leslie 361 

McCoy, Alexander R. 34S 

McCoy, Hartley A. 298 

McCune, John W. 815 



McDonald, Patrick 47<f 

McDonald, Swan T. 77<; 

Me(Jinnis, Thomas 441 

McKlnney, J. Logan 677 

McKlnney, H. (Coon) 675 

McKinney, II. S'. "Harry" ^__ 471' 

McKlnney, Herbert J. 077 

McKinney, J. F. 391 

McKinney, Madison 480 

McKinney, May R. 674 

McLean, W. II. 725 

Magrudel", Samuel A. 307 

Mahan, Albert K. 252 

Mahan, E. Rell 251 

Malone, Homan H. -j37 

Malone, Lute A. ' 664 

.Mangus, William F. 324 

Manning, Charles A. 512 

Marshall. Byrd ulO 

Marshall, Claude D. 794 

Marshall, James W. 479 

Marshall, Melvin N. 283 

Marshall, Milton M. 350 

Marshall. Wiley D. oil 

Majrtin, Forrest 24:: 

Martin, Joseph Davis 261 

Martin, John R. 259 

Martin, Omar 260 

Martin, Samuel 355 

Maslen, William F. 756 

Mason, William Y. 746 

Mast, Phillip 710 

Mathews, Huston 311 

Mathias, Nicholas 639 

Mayo, James P. 608 

Mayo, Porter 593 

Meals, Marvin 325 

Meals, Orville 488 

Meals, William J. 334 

Mechanic Savings Rank l'27 

Melton, John A. 476 

Menke, Perry D. 385 

Merck, August 295 

Merrill. Kufns E. 835 

Meyers. F. H. 3<1 

Michaels. S. A. 635 

Mikel, Charles W. 663 

Milam, Ed L. 425 

Milam, John C. 427 

Miles. William N. 753 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 



Miller, Clyde 272 

Miller, Thomas \Y. ___ -Lis 

Miller, William J. 403 

Mitchell, Ralph 507 

Mitchell. Ki.ss A. __ 4S7 

Mize, John P. 718 

Moberly Wholesale Grocery Com- 
pany -. 282 

Moeller, Otto L. — 828 

Moore, William F. __ 7'.rj 

Morris, George W. . <;t>2 

Monis. John J. i;!>."> 

Morrlssy, Calvin T. 434 

Morrison, Bldridge s. :;s<i 

Motley, J. E. 7:'><> 

Monnce, A. M. 230 

Mounce, Alexander M., Jr J"-".! 

Murphy, Mark _. 4M 

Murphy, Patrick J. 4 1 r, 

Murnin, John J. 702 

Murry, Marion 77". 

Mustek, William B. 027 

Xeal, Matthew H. 522 

Nebergall, Charles C. 477 

Xebergall, John 11. 240 

Nelson. Clement II. 640 

Nice. Ilamp M. 35] 

Nice. <>. R. 344 

Nichols. George M. ."(mi 

Nichols. Roy 1 TlfJ 

Noell. John R. 071 

Noland, Moss R. 735 

Nugent, Robert A. 844 

O'Brian, James R. 297 

O'Bryan, Owen Redick 256 

• ••Conner. James T. 798 

O'Keefe, Arthur 703 

O'Keefe, John C. z88 

O'Keefe, Joseph F. 290 

O'Keefe. William P. 289 

O'Leary, John 720 

Ornburn. Benjamin F. 527 

Ornburn, Ollie 837 

Ostman, George J. 841 

Owen, James H. 851 

Owen, Henry W. 723 

Owen, Willard 490 

Owings, Willard A. 538 

Packwood, Price 764 

Palmer, Elliott 799 



Palmer, Shackel 728 

Payton, Oscar W. 422 

Peebles, James A. 414 

Perry, George O. 461 

Phillips, Duff G. 719 

Phipps, Samuel B. 578 

Pigott, R. F. 347 

Pitts, John A. 545 

Powell, Charles J. 518 

Powell, lsliaiu , 552 

Ragan, Stephen T. 291 

Ragsdale-Carter Dairy Company 405 

Ragsdale, Earl 400 

Ragsdale, Bdward W. V77 

Randolph County Trust Company 315 

Ratlin"'. George N. 448 

Ratlin", liven 629 

Rector, Joel i,. 739 

Reed, John II. t>04 

Reed, W. T. ■_ 430 

Retinoids, George R. 481 

Rentchler, Chester L. 724 

Rice. John I). 838 

Richardson, Charles II. 360 

Rlcheson, Joseph G. 791 

Richmond, Aubert B. 626 

Riegel, Jerome A. 410 

Riegel, Val 409 

Robb, John Trice 696 

Robb, Leslie 698 

Roberts. James G. 376 

Roberts, John Henry 374 

Robertson, William 820 

Robertson, Waller W. 523 

Robinson, John F. 810 

Rohloff, William F. 270 

Romans, Merritt A. 203 

Rother, Anthony J. 388 

Rowland. Marvin 832 

Rubey, A. B. 284 

Rucker Brothers 450 

Rucker, Robert M. 269 

Rupp, E. G. 294 

Rutherford, Hayden L. 555 

Ryan, II. Edwin 340 

Sandison, Charles D. 572 

Sandison, Jack M. 249 

Sandison, James '. 248 

Sandison, W. H. 551 

Sandison, William 240 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 



San ford. J. E. 270 

Scampton, William I ». 285 

Schmidt, I. J. 70s 

Scars, James T. (JHI 

Sears, Madison L. 747 

Shearer, Bert 311) 

Shiflett, Walter J. 642 

Shipp, Charous M. 665 

Short, Edward C. 317 

short. Patrick J. 317 

Short, William .7. 318 

Shumate, Clay a. 401 

Sibhitt. A. ('. 397 

Sihbitt, Glenn A. 397 

Sipple Brothers 431* 

Skinner, John C. 712 

Skinner, Oather A. 77.". 

Smith, Garfield A. • 304 

Smith, George A. 768 

Smith. William C. 587 

Snow, O. E. »29 

Sours, Fousie L. 738 

Sours, George H. 465 

Sours, John S. 49.". 

Spragg,' Robert W T . . 644 

Sphrling, Walter E. 517 

Staebler, George 71T 

Stamm. W. J. 352 

stamper. F. M. 779 

Stark. John B. 637 

Stautermann, Peter 432 

Stephens, Temple 354 

Sternitzke, John Albert 407 

Stevenson, S. C. 27S 

Stinnett. J. P. 390 

Stockton. Joseph G. 541 

Street. Frank 542 

Sutliff. Enoch P. 558 

Sutliff and Jennings 369 

Summers, James II. 610 

Summers. Lewis A. 607 

Swetnam, J. H. 543 

Swetnam, Jim W. 622 

Taylor. John X. 720 

Tedford, May J. 203 



Terrill, Henry R. 262 

Terrlll, R. G. 382 

Terry, Alfred &18 

Thackston, John W. 41!* 

Thiemann, A. 786 

Thornburg, George 544 

Towles, William K., Jr. 395 

Towles, William K.. Sr 394 

Towles, Stokley P. 469 

Truesdell, James 814 

Truesdell, John C. 400 

Tuggle, Irvin L. 707 

Turner, David 602 

Turner. Virgil 305 

Vandergrift. William P. 807 

Vasse, Percy L. 570 

Walker, Nathan E. 819 

Waller, Alexander H. 450 

Walton, Thomas II. 478 

Webb, John M. o91 

Weber. Anthony J. 016 

Weis, Phares K. 245 

Wegs, Frank B. 274 

Westfall. Allen C. 657 

Wheeler, Andy H. 740 

Wheeler, Joseph H. 496 

White. Allen C. 303 

White, Benjamin R. 336 

Whittaker, Thomas B. 801 

Wiggington, William F. 733 

Wight, James F. R. 241 

Wight, James William 237 

Wight, James Winter 236 

Wiley, John W. 519 

Wilhite, Chester S. 353 

Williams, James S. 727 

Willott, August M. 362 

Willott. Ed A. 7S7 

Winans. Francis E. 788 

Winn, James W. 485 

Wirt. J. E. 534 

Witten, Paul S. 300 

Wright. George P. 619 

Wright, Sam W. 612 

Voder and Yoder 26S 

l 



History of Randolph County 



CHAPTER I 



INTRODUCTORY. 



EARI.V EXPLORATIONS A.\'l> DISCOVERIES THE NORTHMEN — CHRISTOPHER 
COLUMBUS— SPANISH, FRENCH AND ENGLISH EXPLORERS— ST. AUGUSTINE. 
THE OLDEST TOWN IX THE UNITED STATES— SANTA FE — RESULT OF EARLY 
EXPL< (RATIONS 65-69 

CHAPTER II 



INDIANS. 



SOLITUDE OF THE WILDERNESS CHARACTERISTICS — MODE OF LIVING — FORM OF 
GOVERNMENT— RELIGION— ENDURANCE TESTS— TORTURE OF CAPTIVES— A 
CRUEL ENEMY. BUT STEADFAST FRIEND — WHAT HE TAUGHT THE WHITE 
MAN— ALLIANCES WITH EUROPEAN NATIONS — INDIAN WARS 70-73 



CHAPTER III 



EARLY EXPLORATIONS AND SETTLEMENTS. 



FIRST ENGLISH COLONY — SETTLEMENT OF MANHATTAN — THE MAYFLOWER — 
PLYMOUTH COLONY— LORD BALTIMORE— RELIGION — PENN— LAWS — CHAM- 
PLAIN— THE JESUITS — FRENCH AND ENGLISH ENMITY— FRENCH AND INDIAN 
WARS— FALL OF QUEBEC — TREATY OF PARIS — LOUISIANA TERRITORY — 
DANIEL BOOXE 74-84 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER IV 



LOUISIANA PURCHASE. 



SCOPE OF LOUISIANA TERRITORY NECESSITY OF AN OCEAN PORT— JEFFERSON'S 
NEGOTIATIONS— LIVINGSTON AND MONROE TO PARIS — PURCHASED FROM 
NAPOLEON— TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES DOUBLED — ORGANIZATION 
OF TERRITORY — COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS — POPULATION— TERRITORIAL LEG- 
ISLATURE 85-92 



CHAPTER V 



ADMISSION AND ORGANIZATION OF STATE. 



TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE CONVENED — "MISSOURI QUESTION" — STATE AD- 
MITTED UNDER CONDITION'S— COUNTIES— STATE CONSTITUTION — FIRST GOV- 
BRNOR — GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELECTED— GOVERNORS OF MISSOURI— UNITED 
STATES SENATORS FROM MISSOURI— REPRESENTATIVES FROM RANDOLPH 
COUNTY 03-101 



CHAPTER VI 



EARLY CONDITIONS. 



BOONSLICK COUNTY WITHIN RESERVATION OF SAC AND FOX INDIANS— INDIAN 
CLAIMS EXTINGUISHED — COMING OF SETTLERS— FIRST SETTLEMENTS— IM- 
MIGRATION— PIONEER FARMING— THE "RAZORBACK" — INDIAN MENACE — 
BLACK HAWK WAR— SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS 102-lOt; 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER VII 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS IN THE BOONSLICK COUNTRY. 



DANIEL BOONE'S FIRST EXPEDITION HERE— HE DISCOVERS A SALT SPUING 

BENJAMIN COOPER AND FAMILY SETTLE HERE— AN ATTRACTIVE COUNTRY 
— FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENT — A COLONY OF KENTUCKIANS COME — 
ROADS— FIRST SETTLERS IN BOONSLICK COUNTRY 107-109 



CHAPTER VIII 



CHARACTERISTICS AND CUSTOMS OF PIONEERS. 



SELF-RELIANT AND BRAVE— FREE FROM PRIDE AND VANITY — GOOD WILL BE- 
TWEEN NEIGHBORS — MANY WELL-TO-DO — SLAVE OWNERS — PRODUCTS — 
FIRST HOMES— COOKING — GAME IN ABUNDANCE— -THE PIONEER FAMILY- 
SUPPLIED THEIR OWN WANTS 110-114 



CHAPTER IX 



PIONEER SETTLERS OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. 



SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP SETTLED FIRST— WILLI AM HOLMAN FIRST SETTLER- 
SETTLERS MOSTLY FROM THE SOUTH — DR. FORT FIRST PHYSICIAN— EARLY 
SETTLERS— ORIGINAL TOWNSHIPS— PIONEERS WERE OF HIGH TYPE— OTHER 
EARLY SETTLERS 115-120 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER X 



ORGANIZATION OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. 



ORGANIZED IN 1829 — NAMED IN HONOR OP JOHN RANDOLPH OP ROANOKE — FIRST 
COUNTY COURT— COUNTY DIVIDED INTO FOUR TOWNSHIPS— OFFICERS AP- 
POINTED— SECOND SPECIAL TERM— COUNTY FINANCES— FIRST BRIDGES- 
COUNTY RECORDS — FIRST CIRCUIT COURT — FIRST GRAND JURY — ATTOR- 
NEYS—SECOND GRAND JURY 121-127 



CHAPTER XI 



EARLY WARS. 



BEFORE WAR OF 1812 — INDIANS IN WAR OF 1812 — FORTS CONSTRUCTED IN BOONS- 
LICK COUNTRY — INDIAN WARFARE— SETTLERS KILLED BY INDIANS — CAP- 
TAIN COOPER ASSASSINATED — CAPTAIN SARSHALL COOPER'S COMPANY- 
MEXICAN WAR— COMPANY ORGANIZED IN RANDOLPH COUNTY — CIVIL 
WAR 128-134 



CHAPTER XII 



PHYSICAL FEATURES AND NATURAL RESOURCES. 



LOCATION— AREA — GRAND DIVIDE— RIVERS, CREEKS AND STREAMS TIMBER- 
COAL— TOPOGRAPHY— SOILS 130-1:: 7 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XIII 



TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION. 



FOUR ORIGINAL TOWNSHIPS— LATER TOWNSHIPS— ORIGIN OP COUNTY SYSTEM- 
BEGINNING OF TOWNSHIP SYSTEM — EARLY METHODS OF TAKING UP GOV- 
ERNMENT LAND— PRESENT SYSTEM OP LAND SURVEYS— CONGRESSIONAL 
TOWNSHIP— MARKINGS 138-145 



CHAPTER XIV 



TOWNSHIPS. 



CAIRO TOWNSHIP- CAIRO VILLAGE- CLIFTON TOWNSHIP CLIFTON HILL— CHAR- 
ITON TOWNSHIP DARKSVILLE— ._ 146-154 



CHAPTER XV 



TOWNSHIPS, CONTINUED. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP— JACK Si >NVILLE — MONITEAU TOWNSHIP— H1GBEE— PRAIRIE 
TOWNSHIP— RENICK — SALT RIVER TOWNSHIP — UNION TOWNSHIP— MILTON— 
SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP — MT. AIRY — SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP 155-168 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XVI 



TOWNSHIPS, CONTINUED. 
MOBERLY. 



'CHARTER GRANTED TO RAILROAD— PLAN TO INDUCE SETTLERS TO COME HERE— 
PATRICK LYNCH FIRST SETTLER— REVIVED AFTER CIVIL WAR— RAILROAD 
ACTIVITY— TOWN PLATTED— SALE OF LOTS — HOTEL BUILT — OTHER BUILD- 
INGS—EARLY MERCHANTS — PANIC — FIRST TRUSTEES— NEGOTIATIONS WITH 
RAILROAD COMPANY TO LOCATE SHOPS HERE — LAND DONATED — BONDS 
VOTED— TOWN INCORPORATED — FIRST ELECTION — CITY OFFICERS— PUBLIC 
SCHOOLS — PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS — LIBRARY — CONTRACT WITH RAILROAD 
COMPANY— BOND— FROM MOBERLY'S FIRST NEWSPAPER 169-191 



CHAPTER XVII 



TOWNSHIPS, CONTINUED. 
HUNTSVILLE AND SALT SPRING TOWNSHIP. 



..SALT SPRING TOWNSHIP. HUNTSVILLE: LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT— NAMED 
AFTER DANIEL HUNT, ONE -OF THE DONORS— OTHER DONORS— FIRST SALE 
OF LOTS — PIONEER BUSINESSMEN — EXTRACT FROM MISSOURI GAZETTE — 
FIRST LODGES— FIRST CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOI^OPERA HOUSE— TOWN- 
INCORPORATED— FIRST MAYOR— PUBLIC SCHOOL — CITY AND SCHOOL OFFI- 
CERS— TEACHERS— MT. PLEASANT COLLEGE — OFFICERS— FIRST FAIR — 
LIBRARY— FIRST COURT HOUSE— SECOND COURT HOUSR 193-203 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XVIII 



MEDICAL PROFESSION. 



DR. WILLIAM FORT. FIRST DOCTOR EARLY CONDITIONS— EARLY DOCTORS — 
PHYSICIANS FROM 18«if. TO 1890— DOCTOR TERRILL — DOCTOR VASSE — EARLY 
DOCTORS AT HIGBEE, RENICK. CLIFTON HILL, CAIRO AND OTHER LOCALI- 
TIES — EARLY DOCTORS AT MOBERLY — PRESENT PHYSICIANS OF THE 
C< HN'TY 204-20G 



CHAPTER XIX 



BENCH AND BAR OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. 



SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT ESTABLISHED— JUDGE TODD PRESIDED OVER FIRST 
CIRCUIT COURT— FIRST LAWYERS IN ATTENDANCE— JUDGES THOMAS REY- 
NOLDS, JOHN D. LELAND. WILLIAM A HALL. GEORGE H. BURCKHARTT. JOHN 
A. HOCK ADA Y, ALEX AX HER H. WALLER AND ALLAN W. WALK I0R— EARLY 
LAWYERS— LATER MEMBERS OF THE BAR— PRESENT-DAY LAWYERS- 207-212 



CHAPTER XX 



EARLY CHURCHES. 



FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZED IN 1819— OTHER EARLY ORGAXIZATIONS— PRIMITIVE 
AND MISSIONARY BAPTISTS — MT. PLEASANT COLLEGE BUILT — PROVIDENCE 
METHODIST CHURCH — ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN CHURCH— SALEM CHRISTIAN 
CHURCH — SUGAR CREEK CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH — MT. HOPE 
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHLTRCH 213-214 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XXI 



TRANSPORTATION. 



STEAMBOAT TO HANNIBAL AND GLASGOW SUPPLIES HAULED OVERLAND— NORTH 
MISSOURI RAILROAD IN 1858— RA1 1. ROAD BUILDING SUSPENDED DURING 
CIVIL AVAR — CHICAGO & ALTON BUILT IN 1871 — WABASH RAILROAD AND ITS 
BRANCHES— THE MISSOURI, KANSAS & TEXAS— RAILROAD PROSPECTS IN 
CONTEMPLATION 215-217 



CHAPTER XXII 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



THE "RAZORKAi'K"- FROM THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF LIBERTY NOBLE— INDIAN 
SCARE OF 1829 218-224 



CHAPTER XXIII 

BIOGRAPHICAL 



INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS 



Ash. Ottis <). 225 

Bledsoe, J6hn A. and family 404 

Bledsoe's Residence, John A 465 

Bradley, -Mi', and Mrs. Dudley T r>7<; 

Burke, Edmund 568 

Burton, Henry 584 

Busch, Theodore F. 312 

Carney, P. J. 376 

Clifford, William < '. 384 

Coal .Mine Bigbee 160 

Court Eouse, Huntsville 65 

Cross. J. T. 296 

Darby, 'William C. and family 528 

Dunn, Mr. and Mrs. Julius 440 

Early Day Transportation 96 

Emerson* William II. 328 

Esry, William August 592 

Fennel, William, S'r. 280 

Halliburton, George l>. 504 

Halterman, Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus 520 

Hamilton, John X. 232 

Harris, C. J. Lumber Company ..<;s 

Heifner, V. - 536 

High School, Moberly 128 

Ilincs. Abraham S.. and family 392 

Holbrook, B. C. 456 

Holman, II. Crank 2<U 

Hubbard, John W. 560 

Irons, Thomas Jus 

Irons. William A. 632 

Jaeger, G. II. 360 

Jones, Winfleld Scott 424 

Kynaston, John C. 344 



McKinney, II. S. •■Harry" and family 47:2 

McKinney, "Mat" 480 

Mayo. James 1'. COS 

Manning, John W. 512 

Manning, Mrs. Martha I. 512 

Meals. Residence of Orville £88 

Miller. Clyde 272 

Murphy, 1'. J. -ho 

Xebergall, John X. -.— 240 

O'Bryan. Owen Rediek 256 

O'Keefe, John C. - 288 

Pioneer Home 65 

Pioneer Motor Power SO 

Postoffice, Moberly 65 

Powell, Isham ami grandson 552 

Public Library, Huntsville 192 

Public School, Higbee 160 

Public School, Huntsville 192 

ic.it lire. George x. 44.x 

Sanitarium, Randolph County SO 

Sandison, James 24N 

Smith. G. A. 304 

Stamm, William. Jr. 352 

Stamm, Mr. and Mrs. William J 352 

Street Scene. Moberly 17G 

Stautermann, Peter 432 

Thomburg, George 544 

Truesdell, John C. 4<>o 

Waller. Alex. H Frontispiece 

Weber, A. J. 610 

Wheeler, Resilience of Joseph II. 4.96 

White, B. R. 336 

Woodland Hospital 128 




RANDOLPH COUNTY COURTHOUSE. HUNTSVILLE, .MO. 




UNITED STATES POSTOEEICE, MOBERLY, MO. 



History of Randolph County 



CHAPTER I 



INTRODUCTORY. 



EARL? EXPLORATIONS AND DISCOVERIES — THE NORTHMEN — CHRISTOPHER 
COLUMBUS — SPANISH, FRENCH AND ENGLISH EXPLORERS— ST. AUGUSTINE, 
THE OLDEST TOWN IX THE UNITED STATES— SANTA FE— RESULT OF EAUUY 
EXPLORATIONS. 



This work will be essentially a history of Randolph County. But 
the history of no state, nor part of a state, of this Union would be com- 
plete if all earlier historic events are omitted. 

The first European visitors to North America were Northmen about 
the year 1000 A. D., under the leadership of Leif Ericsson, son of Eric 

the Red, an adventurous navigator and 
explorer. The place where he and his 
companions landed, and later spent one 
or more winters cannot be determined. 
They called the region Vineland be- 
cause of the abundance of wild grapes. 
This point may have been somewhere 
along the North Atlantic coast from 
Labrador to Massachusetts or Rhode 
Island. But, however interesting it may be to us to know that the North- 
men (Danes and Norwegians), visited our shores at this earlier date, still 
their discovery led to nothing. No attempt was made by the Northmen 




66 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

to colonize the country, and in course of time their descendants, less 
adventurous, had lost all remembrance of any tradition or record of that 
far off shore. If any legend survived, it had become a mere fable, im- 
potent to inspire action and obtain results. 

Nearly five hundred years later Christopher Columbus, an Italian, 
born at Genoa about the year 1436, through the generous encouragemenl 
of Queen Isabella of Spain, received from the Spanish government the 
necessary help, together with the rank of admiral, to enable him to sail 
in search of the East Indies by sailing west. No thought of a new world, 
a Western Continent, had entered the mind of Columbus or any one else. 

On Friday, August 3, 1492, half an hour before sunrise, he set sail 
from Palos, Spain, with three small vessels, and one hundred and twenty 
men. 

No one understood navigation better than Columbus ; he had a chart 
of the globe made by himself and based on the highest authorities. Next, 
he had the compass for his guide. Finally, he carried with him an im- 
proved astrolabe, or instrument for determining his position by observa- 
tion of the sun. But these were not all. He had the conviction that 
he was engaged in a providential work, and that he was certain to ac- 
complish it. There are occasions in life when such a faith is worth every- 
thing; this was one. 

Nine weeks after his embarkation, and not too soon, because the 
crews of his ships had become discouraged, almost mutinous, an event 
occurred, which led to results. On October 2nd, a flock of land birds 
was seen flying to the southwest. At the instance of Alonzo Pinzon, 
one of his captains, Columbus, who had been sailing due west, turned 
the prow of his ship and followed these winged guides. 

Five days later on Friday, October 12th, a small island, one of the 
Bahamas was sighted, and the flag of Spain hoisted thereon. 

Columbus believed the island to be a part of the East Indies, hence 
he called the native inhabitants, Indians, a name they still bear in this 
country. Columbus made three more voyages to the Western continents, 
but never found out his mistake, but died in 1506, firmly convinced that 
America was part of Asia, and that he had discovered a short and direct 
all sea westward route from Europe to the East Indies. 

On this, his first voyage, Columbus discovered Cuba, and San 
Domingo; on his second voyage, Porto Rico, Jamaica and the islands of 
the Caribbean Sea in 1493 ; on his third voyage, 1498, the island of Trin- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 67 

idad off the coast of Venezuela, and the mainland of South America at 
the mouth of the Orinoco river. On his fourth and last voyage he ex- 
plored Central America and the Isthmus of Panama. Columbus raised 
the Spanish flag and claimed the country for Spain wherever he went. 

In the spring of 1497, John Cabot of Venetia, an Italian then resid- 
ing in Bristol, England, encouraged by Henry VII, King of England, 
set sail westward and discovered the continent of North America. 

On a map drawn by his son Sebastian is found the following inscrip- 
tion : 

In the year of our Lord 1497, John Cabot and his son Sebastian, 
discovered that country which no one before his time had ventured 
to approach, on the 24th of June about five o'clock in the morning. 

Cabot planted the English flag on the coast, and took formal pos- 
session of the country for the English King. 

The next year Sebastian Cabot made a voyage and explored the 
coast from Nova Scotia to Cape Hatteras, perhaps even farther south. 
He likewise asserted the title of Henry VII to the land. 

Upon the discoveries of the Cabots the English based their claim 
to this country. 

The fact that the western hemispheie, the two Americas, north 
and south, was no part of Asia, was made known by Magellan in 1517- 
1519, sailing under the flag of Spain, who sailed around the south end 
of South America, through the straits that bear his name, thence north 
along the west coast for some distance, thence west across the Pacific 
Ocean. One of his ships sailed entirely around the world. 

Then the eyes of Europeans were opened and the truth made known. 
America was an immense continent, to them a new world. In 1509, Diego 
Columbus, son of Christopher Columbus was appointed governor of San 
Domingo, where a colony had been already established, who speedily 
thereafter conquered the Island of Cuba. 

In the spring of 1513, Ponce De Leon, an elderly Spaniard, went 
upon an exploring expedition, under the auspices of the Spanish govern- 
ment and on Easter Sunday discovered the mainland of North America. 
De Leon landed near the mouth of the St. John river, planted the cross 
and raised the Spanish flag, and named the country Florida. It was 
upon this discovery that Spain laid claim to Florida and afterward made 
this claim good. In 1565, a fort was built at St. Augustine by the 
Spaniards and a settlement effected. St. Augustine is the oldest town 



68 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

in the United States. Santa Fe, in the state of New Mexico, the second 
oldest town, was settled about 1582 by Spaniards. 

During the year 1534, Cartier, a Frenchman, discovered and named 
the St. Lawrence river and ascended the same to Mount Royal, so named 
by him, the site of the city of Montreal, raised the French flag - and 
claimed this territory for France. 

In the spring of 1539 Hernando De Soto with a force of six hundred 
picked men, two hundred horses, three hundred hogs for meat, sailed 
from Cuba, landed at Tampa Bay, and began his march of exploration 
and violence toward the natives. For two years this march went on. 
During that time De Soto and his men traveled upward of fifteen hun- 
dred miles through the now states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama and 
Mississippi. Their quest was for gold and they found little. In the 
spring of 1541, they came to the Mississippi river at a point in the north- 
west corner of the state of Mississippi and there they crossed over into 
the then wilderness, now the state of Arkansas, and resumed their march. 
How far, and whence they journeyed, is of little consequence now. In 
May, 1542, they came back to the great river, at the mouth of Red River. 
This was the end of De Soto's career. There he died and was secretely 
buried at midnight in the muddy waters of the Mississippi. Only about 
half of those who had landed in Florida were alive, a miserable remnant 
of a once proud array, half naked, half starved, the survivors at length 
reached the Spanish settlements in Mexico. De Soto and his followers 
were the first white men to stand on the banks of the Mississippi river. 

As late as the year 1600, there seemed small promise that this coun- 
try would ever be settled and governed by the English-speaking race. 
Look at the situation. More than a hundred years had passed since 
Columbus landed ; yet the only white inhabitants of the territory now 
embraced in the United States were a few hundred Spaniards in St. Augus- 
tine, Florida, and perhaps a few hundred more in Santa Fe, New Mexico, 
the second oldest town. Over the rest of the country, embracing more 
than three millions of square miles, the Indians ruled supreme. France 
had tried to get a foothold on the Atlantic coast and had failed ; England 
had tried and failed, likewise. Spain alone succeeded. In 1600, it cer- 
tainly looked as though her flag was destined to wave over the whole 
land from sea to sea. 

Confining ourselves to the territory now included in the United States, 
let u<s see what the explorers of that, and also of a later age, found 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 69 

America to be. In great measure it seemed to them Europe repeated. 
It had practically the same climate and the same soil. It produced, or 
was capable of producing, the same trees, the same fruits, the same crops, 
with the valuable addition of cotton, sugar, and rice. In all ways it 
was equally favorable to human health and life. 

But this is not all. In two important respects America is superior 
to Europe. That continent commands the Atlantic only; this commands 
two oceans, the Atlantic and the Pacific. Ships can be sent direct to 
Europe and Africa from our eastern coast and direct to Asia and Australia 
from our western. That is the first advantage. The second is that 
though America icpeats the natural features of Europe in its lakes, moun- 
tains, plains, rivers, and foiests, yet it repeats them on a far grander 
scale. Europe has nothing to compare with the Sierras and the Rockies, 
the Great Lakes, the Mississippi, Niagara, the Canyon of the Colorado, 
Yellowstone Park, or the western prairies. "America," says a distin- 
guished English statesman "has a natural base for the greatest continu- 
ous empire ever established by man." Such was the land spread out 
before the explorers. It seemed to offer to all who were disappointed with 
the Old World an opportunity to try what tiiey could make of life under 
new and broader conditions. 



CHAPTER II 



INDIANS. 



SOLITUDE OF THE WILDERNESS— CHARACTERISTICS— MODE OF LIVING— FORM OF 
GOVERNMENT— RELIGION— ENDURANCE TESTS— TORTURE OF CAPTIVES— A 
CRUEL ENEMY. BUT STEADFAST FRIEND — WHAT HE TAUGHT THE WHITE 
MAN— ALLIANCES WITH EUROPEAN NATIONS — INDIAN WARS. 

One strange fact about the country was, that east of the Mississippi 
the whole vast area was well nigh a solitude. Where today fifty millions 
of white men live, there were then only two or three hundred thousand 
Indians. In going through the forests, the explorers would sometimes 
travel for days without meeting a human being. The truth is, that the 
Indians cannot be said to have occupied the land; they simply possessed 
it. To them it was mainly a hunting-ground to roam over or a battle- 
field to fight on. 

Columbus called the natives Indians, but they called themselves simply 
"Men," or "Real Men"; "Real Men" they certainly often proved them- 
selves to be. The most numerous body of Indians in the east was the 
Algonquins; the ablest and most ferocious was the Iroquois. They were 
a tall, well-made race, with a color usually resembling that of old copper. 
Their hair was like a horse's mane, coarse, black and straight. Their 
eyes were small, black and deep set. They had high cheek bones and 
a prominent nose. 

The women let their hair grow long. The men cut theirs off close 
to the head with the exception of a ridge or lock in the middle. That 
was left as a point of honor. It was called the "scalp-lock." Its object 
was to give an adversary — if he could get it — a fair grip in fight, and 
also to enable him to pull his enemy's scalp off as a trophy of the battle. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 71 

That lock was the Indian's flag of defiance. It waved above his head 
as the colors do over a fort, as if to say, "Take me if you can I" 

The Indians were savages, but seldom degraded savages. They 
lived by hunting, fishing and agriculture. Their farming, however, was 
of the rudest kind. For weapons they had bows and arrows, hatchets 
made of flint and heavy clubs. 

The Indian believed in a strict division of duties. He did the hunt- 
ing, the fighting, and the scalping; his wife did the work. She built the 
wigwam or hut of bark. She planted and hoed the corn and tobacco. 
She made deerskin clothes for the family. When they moved, she car- 
ried the furniture on her back. Her housekeeping was simple. She 
kindled a fire on the ground by rubbing two dry sticks rapidly together; 
then she roasted the meat on the coals, or boiled it in an earthen pot. 
There was always plenty of smoke and dirt ; but no one complained. 
House-cleaning was unknown. 

The most ingenious work of the Indians was seen in the moccasin, 
the snow-shoe, and the birch-bark canoe. The moccasin was a shoe made 
of buckskin, durable, soft, plain and noiseless. It was the best covering 
for a hunter's foot that human skill ever contrived. The snow-shoe was 
a light frame of wood, covered with a net work of strings of hide, and 
having such a broad surface that the wearer could walk on top of the 
snow in pursuit of game Without it the Indian might have starved in a 
severe winter, since only by its use could he run down the deer at that 
season. 

The birch-bark canoe was light, strong, and easily propelled. It made 
the Indian master of every lake, river and stream. Wherever there were 
waterways he could travel quickly, silently and with little effort. If he 
liked he could go in his own private conveyance from the source of the 
Ohio to the Gulf of Mexico or from the mouth of the St. Lawrence to the 
Falls of Niagara. 

Politically the Indian was free. Each tribe had a chief, but the 
chief had little real power. All important matters were settled by coun- 
cils. Socially, the Indian had less liberty than the white man. He was 
bound by customs handed down from his forefathers. He could not marry 
outside his tribe. He could not sit in whatever seat he chose at a council. 
He could not even paint his face any color he fancied; for a young man 
who had won no honors in battle would no more have dared to decorate 
himself like a veteran warrior, than a private soldier in the United States 



72 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

army would venture to appear at parade in the uniform of a major-general. 

The Indian usually believed in a Great Spirit-all-powerful wise and 
good; but he also believed in many inferior spirits, some good, and some 
evil. 

Often he worshipped the evil spirits most. He reasoned in this way : 
The Great Spirit will not hurt me, even if I do not pray to him, for he is 
good ; but if I neglect the evil spirits, they may do me mischief. 

Beyond this life the Indian looked for another. There the brave war- 
rior who had taken many scalps would enter the happy hunting-grounds ; 
there demons would flog the coward to never-ending task. 

It has sometimes been said that "the only good Indian is a dead 
Indian," but judged by his own standard of right and wrong, the red man 
was conscientious. He would not steal from his tribe, he would not lie 
to his friends, he did not become a drunkard till the white man taught him. 

The Indian rarely expressed his feeling in words, but he frequently 
painted them on his face. You could tell by his color whether he- meant 
peace or war, whether he had heard good news or bad. He sometimes 
laughed and shouted, he seldom if ever wept. From childhood he was 
taught to despise pain. A row of little Indian boys would sometimes put 
live coals under their naked arms, and then press them close to their 
bodies. The game was to see which one would first raise his arms and 
drop the coal. The one that held out longest became the leader. If an 
Indian lad had met with an accident and was mortally wounded, he scorned 
to complain ; he sang his "death-song" and died like a veteran v/arrior. 

Generally speaking, the Indians tortured their captives. They wanted 
to see how much agony they could bear without crying out. The surest 
way for a prisoner to save his life was to show that he was not afraid 
to lose it. The redman never failed to show his respect for courage. An 
instance is found in the case of General Stark of New Hampshire. He 
was taken prisoner by the Indians in 1752, and condemned to run the 
gauntlet. Two long rows of stalwart young warriors were formed. Each 
man had a club or stick to strike Stark as he passed. But Stark was equal 
to the occasion. Just as he started on the terrible race for life he snatched 
a club out of the hands of the nearest Indian, and knocking down the 
astonished savages right and left, he escaped almost unhurt. The old 
men of the tribe, who stood near, roared with laughter to see the spruce 
young warriors sprawling in the dust. Instead of torturing Stark, they 
treated him as a hero. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 73 

The Indian was a treacherous and cruel enemy, but a steadfast friend. 
He thought at first that the white man was a celestial being who had 
come from heaven to visit him. He soon found out his mistake, and acted 
accordingly. The Indian could return good for good, but he knew nothing 
of returning good for evil ; on the contrary, he always paid bad treatment 
by bad treatment, and never forgot to add some interest. If he made a 
treaty, he kept it sacredly; it is said that in no instance can it be proved 
that he was first to break such an agreement. Those of the early white 
settlers who made friends with the redman had no cause to regret it. 

The Indian's school was the woods. Whatever the woods can teach 
that is useful — and they can teach much — that he learned. He knew the 
properties of every plant, and the habits of every animal. The natives 
taught the white man many of these things, but the most useful of all the 
lessons the American barbarians gave the civilized Europeans was how 
to raise corn in the forest without first clearing the land. 

They showed them how to kill the trees by burning or girding them. 
Then, when the leaves no longer grew, the sun would shine on the soil 
and ripen the corn. There were times in the history of the early settle- 
ments of white men when that knowledge saved them from starvation, for 
often they had neither time nor strength to clear the soil for planting. 

But the results of contact between the two races did not end here. 
The alliances formed between the Indians and the English on the one hand, 
or the Indians and French, who were rivals and enemies of the English, 
on the other, had important historical results. The hostility of the Iro- 
quois Nation, five tribes, of New York to the French in Canada, prevented 
the French from getting possession of the Hudson river, and so separating 
the English colonies of New England from those of Virginia and Pennsyl- 
vania. This was a decided advantage to the English settlers, who thus got 
a firm foothold on the Atlantic coast. 

Finally, the Indian wars prevented the English from scattering over 
the country. These contests forced them to stand by each other, and thus 
trained them for union and for independence. 



CHAPTER III 



EARLY EXPLORATIONS AND SETTLEMENTS. 



FIRST ENGLISH COLONY — SETTLEMENT OF MANHATTAN — THE MAYFLOWER — 
PLYMOUTH COLONY— LORD BALTIMORE — RELIGION — PENN— LAWS — CHAM- 
PLAIN— THE JESUITS— FRENCH AND ENGLISH ENMITY— FRENCH AND [NDIAN 
WARS — FALL OF QUEBEC — TREATY OF PARIS — LOUISIANA TERRITORY — 
DANIEL BOONE. 

The first English colony that endured was sent out by the London 
Company on New Year's Day, 1607. It consisted of 105 persons, all men. 
They sailed up a river of Virginia which they named the James river 
about the middle of May and settled at Jamestown. Fortunately there 
was a young man of decided ability among these colonists. This was 
Captain John Smith. His energy and courage saved the settlers from 
starvation and in the end perpetuated the settlement. The start was 
discouraging, but the colony lived to lay the foundation of a prosperous, 
powerful and independent state. 

In 1609, Captain Henry Hudson, an Englishman then in the employ 
of Holland, crossed the ocean and entered what is now New York Bay and 
was the first Englishman who sailed up the river that today bears his 
name. 

In 1626, the Dutch West India Company sent out a colony and landed 
on Manhattan Island. The governor bought from the Indians the entire 
island and established a settlement thereon. Later the English King, 
Charles II, claimed the whole country on the ground that the Cabots had 
discovered the coast and planted the English flag on it in 1497. Suddenly 
one day in 1664 a British fleet appeared off New Amsterdam, as the set- 
tlement was called, and demanded its surrender, promising at the same time 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 75 

full protection of life and liberty, freedom of trade, religious liberty and 
a representative government. In consequence the Dutch flag was hauled 
down, the English colors were run up, and the name changed to New York. 

Thus was the first colony planted in the state of New York, and the 
city of New York founded. 

On a morning late in November, 1620, the Mayflower, bearing the Pil- 
grim fathers, 102 in number, all told, sighted Cape Cod, and cast anchor 
m what is now Province Harbor. While the Mayflower was at anchor 
Captain Myles Standish, who was with them, but not of them, with a 
boat load of men went out to explore. A few days later the Mayflower 
sailed into Plymouth Rock Harbor, and the pilgrims went ashore on the 
mainland of the now state of Massachusetts. They immediately erected 
cabins and went into winter quarters, but such was the hardships they 
had to bear that by spring just one-half of the colony were in their graves. 
But when the Mayflower went back, not one of the Pilgrims returned ; they 
had come to stay. 

The colony increased but slowly. Even at the end of ten years there 
were only 300 people in Plymouth. Massachusetts Colony, founded in 
1630, overshadowed and finally absorbed it. 

In 1628, John Endicott assisted in planting a colony at Salem, Massa- 
chusetts. Endicott was a Puritan and his purpose was to establish a place 
of refuge for the oppressed people of his own faith, and of his own faith 
only. But great immigration to New England began in 1630 when John 
Winthrop, a wealthy English Puritan decided to emigrate. 

He came with a fleet of eleven vessels, bringing a colony of over 
seven hundred persons, with horses, cattle, and all things necessary for 
establishing a thriving settlement. John Winthrop was appointed Gov- 
ernor, and thus became the first sole and resident Governor. From the 
outset all public matters were settled in town meetings. When the colony 
grew too large, the towns sent representatives. Church members only 
were allowed to vote. 

In 1635 provision was made for the establishment of a public school in 
Boston. In the course of a few years free instruction was provided for 
every white child in Massachusetts. This was the beginning of the com- 
mon school system of the United States. In 1636, money was voted by 
the General Court to found a college. Two years later the Rev. John 
Harvard left his library and half of his estate of about 750 pounds to 
the college. Such was the origin of Harvard University, the first English 
college in America. 



76 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

During the years 1634-1635 the rich lands of the valley of the Connec- 
ticut attracted settlers from Massachusetts, and several towns were 
founded. In 1639 the people of these several towns met at Hartford 
and drew up the first constitution, or form of government ''known in 
history." 

This compact made no mention either of the King of England or 
of the English company which held a royal grant of the Connecticut 
lands. It was in reality the constitution of a republic. 

One reason why the Connecticut emigrants had left Massachusetts 
was that they did not believe in the principle of limiting the right of 
voting to church members. The Hartford constitution imposed no such 
restriction. Every citizen was politically equal with every other, and 
was at liberty to take part in making the laws. 

Today the United States and every state of the Union has a written 
constitution, and the right of suffrage is general as to every citizen. 

In the year 1634 a company of Catholic pilgrims came to America 
that they, too, might build up a state where they could worship God 
without molestation. This colony consisted of about 300 persons led 
by Governor Leonard Calvert, a younger brother of the second Lord 
Baltimore, landed on the northern bank of the Potomac near its mouth 
and founded the town of St. Marys. Prior to this time Charles I had 
granted to Lord Baltimore that part of northern Virginia, north of 
the Potomac river, and named it Maryland in honor of his queen, who 
was herself a Catholic. A part of these colonists were gentlemen of 
wealth and standing and probably Catholics. The rest of the emigrants 
were laborers and seem to have been chiefly Protestants. 

Father White, a priest who accompanied the expedition, had no 
sooner landed than he got permission from an Indian chief to convert 
his wigwam into a chapel. This hut was the first English Catholic 
church in America. Virginia would not have permitted that church 
to stand, New England would not. It was only in the wilderness of 
Maryland, in that mixed population of Catholics and Protestants that it 
was safe. 

From the beginning all the colonists took part in making the laws, 
and in a few years Lord Baltimore granted them the power of originat- 
ing those laws. In religion, absolute freedom of worship was given to 
all Christians, but to Christians only. No other colony in this country 
the nen joyed such liberty, and it was wholly unknown in Europe. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 77 

In 1636 Roger Williams, an exiled minister, from Massachusetts with 
others established a colony at Providence, Rhode Island. Other colonists 
soon followed and founded Portsmouth and Newport. From the beginn- 
ing entire freedom of conscience was given to every settler, "soul liberty" 
Williams called it. Maryland had granted such liberty to all Chris- 
tians, but the colony of Providence did not limit it, not Protestants and 
Catholics only, but Jews and unbelievers were protected. Roger Wil- 
liams laid down and put into actual practice what we may call the 
"American principle," that is, that government has nothing to do with 
the control of religious belief. This idea so new, strange and startling 
at the time, steadily grew and spread until in time it became a part 
of the constitution of the United States, where it now appears in the 
language following: 

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of reli- 
gion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." 

And again, "No religious test shall ever be required as a qualifica- 
tion to any office or public trust under the United States." 

The first permanent settlement in New Hampshire was about 1627, 
four years later, in 1631, Portsmouth was settled. The first permanent 
settlement on the mainland of Maine was effected in 1625. Saco and 
Biddeford were founded in 1630, and Portland in 1632. 

In 1663 Charles II of England granted an immense tract of land 
south of Virginia to a company composed of Lord Clarendon and seven 
associates. This territory was called Carolina. On the coast it embraced 
the entire region now included in the states of North and South Carolina, 
Georgia, and a part of Florida; westward it extended to the Pacific. 

At the time this grant was made there were a few farmers in the 
northern part who had moved in from Virginia. These settlers were 
formed into a colony in 1663 called Albemarle. North and South Caro- 
lina was settled by emigrants from Virginia, by English and also by 
Huguenots, or French Protestants who came to escape persecution to 
which they were subject in their native land. General Marion, a descen- 
dent from a Huguenot family, a revolutionary patriot, won renown in 
the American cause. 

Charleston, founded in 1690, at the time of the revolution, was one 
of the chief cities of America. 

In 1861 Charles II gave to William Penn a territory of forty-eight 
thousand square miles, fronting on the Delaware river. 



78 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The first emigrants sent over by Penn arrived in 1681. The next 
year (1682) Penn himself came over, together with a hundred English 
Quakers, and took formal possession of his vast estate. The same year 
he founded Philadelphia. 

Less than two months thereafter Penn called an assembly, and he 
with the people enacted the "Great Law." 

"That constitution had a two-fold foundation, liberty of the people 
to make their own laws, and obedience to the laws they had made;" 
for, said Penn, "Liberty without obedience is confusion, and obedience 
without liberty is slavery." 

By the great law it was provided, first: That all Colonists should 
be protected in their worship of God, but that no one should be com- 
pelled to support or attend any form of worship against his will. 

Second: That all resident taxpayers should have the right to vote 
and that every member of any Christian church might hold office, and 
become a member of the legislative assembly. 

Third : That every child after reaching the age of twelve should 
be brought up to some trade or useful occupation. 

Fourth: That the death penalty should be inflicted for two crimes 
only, murder and treason, and for the first time in the history of the 
world, it was further provided, that every prison should be made a 
workshop and a place of reformation. Penn's next act was a treaty 
with the Indians. 

Penn met the Indians under the branches of a wide spreading elm 
in the outskirts of Philadelphia. There solemn promises of mutual 
friendship were made, but no oaths were taken. Each trusted the other's 
word. That treaty was never broken, and for sixty years, as long as 
the Quakers held control, the people of Pennsylvania lived in peace with 
the Indians. Voltaire, the French historian, said that it was "the only 
treaty which was never sworn to and never broken." 

In 1732 General James Oglethorp, a member of the English Parlia- 
ment, obtained a charter for settling the country between the Savannah 
and Altamaha rivers. Oglethorp was a man of high character and ability. 
His prime object in establishing this colony was benevolent. 

Imprisonment for debt obtained in England and thousands of honest 
hard working men, who through sickness or misfortune had contracted 
some debt, however trifling, that he was unable to pay, had been cast 
into prison, where many of them remained for years. These men were 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 79 

in prison, yet they had committed no crime. Oklethorp's scheme was to 
select the most deserving, discharge their debts, to furnish them and 
their families transportation to America and thus give them a chance 
to begin life anew. 

The English government and private individuals contributed money 
and the first emigrants were sent out. This first settlement was made 
on the Savannah river and the town named Savannah. Later, German 
Protestants, persecuted in their own country, and sturdy Scots for the 
Highlands made settlements in Georgia. With the settlement in Geor- 
gia effected, the entire Atlantic coast from New Brunswick to Florida 
was held by the English colonist. 

In the summer of 1608, Champlain, a French explorer, sailed up 
the St. Lawrence to Quebec and there established the first French colony 
planted in North America. Other settlements followed. In New Bruns- 
wick at Louisberg on the island of Cape Breton, at Montreal, Kingston 
and other places. 

The French, not the English, were the explorers of the West. The 
Jesuit Missionaries set out to convert the Indians, and in their zeal for 
this work, they braved all danger, and every hardship. They made 

friends of the Indians and sought to do them good. The fur traders, 

■ 

seeking gain, followed on the heels of the missionaries, oftimes they 
came with him. Next came the fort builders, and after the friendship of 
the Indians had been secured all came together. 

The Jesuits reached the western shore of Lake Michigan in 1669 
at Green Bay. There they established a mission. Prior thereto mis- 
sions had been established at Sault St. Marie and Mackinaw. In 1673, 
Joliet, a French explorer and fur trader, and Father Marquette set out 
from Mackinaw to find a great river which the Indians told them was 
west of Lake Michigan. Making their way to Green Bay, in birch bark 
canoes they paddled up Fox river to Portage. They carried their canoes 
across, less than two miles, and started down the Wisconsin river, and 
on a June day they floated out of the mouth of the Wisconsin onto the 
waters of the Mississippi. Down this stream they descended past the 
mouths of the Missouri and the Ohio rivers and south to the Arkansas. 
Here they turned back and laboriously paddled their way back to, and 
up the Illinois river, and thence across Lake Michigan. 

Six years later, in 1679, La Salle, the greatest of these French ex- 
plorers, set out from Montreal to complete the work of Joliet and Mar- 



80 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

quette. He sailed to Mackinaw, and from thence he and his companions 
went in canoes to the St. Joseph river, near the southeastern corner 
of Lake Michigan. From thence they crossed over to the headwaters 
of the Kankakee river, and down this stream to the Illinois river. Con- 
tinuing their descent to a point where Peoria now stands. They built 
a fort. Leaving a small garrison, La Salle, although it was winter, 
returned to Canada on foot for supplies. While he was gone, Father 
Hennepin, a priest in his expedition, set out from this fort to explore. 
After many adventures he finally reached the rapids of the Mississippi, 
where Minneapolis now stands, which he named the Falls of St. Anthony. 

The next year La Salle returned to Illinois, landing where Chicago 
now stands, he crossed over to the Illinois and going down the river, 
entered the Mississippi in February, 1782. The weather was bitter cold 
and the river full of floating ice; La Salle did not hesitate, but started 
with his company on his voyage. Nine weeks later he reached the 
Gulf of Mexico. There he set up a wooden cross on which he fastened 
a metal plate bearing the arms of France, and took possession of the 
entire territory watered by the Mississippi and its tributaries as French 
territory. He gave the name of Louisiana to this vast territory, which 
included all the valley of the Mississippi and extended from the Alle- 
glienys in the East to the Rockies in the West. In 1718 a French 
colony was established at Mobile, on the Gulf of Mexico, and in 1718 
New Orleans was founded by the French. 

We have seen that by reason of the exploration of the Cabots that 
England claimed all of the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to Florida 
and the territory westward to the Pacific ocean Several of the early 
grants made by the English sovereigns granted all this terrtiory westward 
to the Pacific. 

We have also seen that French explorers, La Salle and others, laid 
claim not only to Canada, but to the Valley of the Mississippi as well, 
and France stood ready to make good these claims by force of arms. 

In Europe the French and English had been long at enmity, and 
their rival claims to territory in America did not make them better 
friends, and eventually led to conflicts, four in number, known in the 
histories of the colonists as the "French and Indian Wars." 

The Iroquois Nation of Indians in northern New York were, through- 
out, the steadfast allies of the English during all of their wars. 




X 



1 



-> 



: 



U.WnOLI'H COUNTY SANITARIUM 







PIONEER MOTOR POWER 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 81 

The Algonquins, comprised of kindred tribes in southern Canada, 
Michigan and extending west as far as eastern Minnesota, together with 
other tribes west of the Alleghanies, were fast friends and allies of the 
French. The first war began in 1689 and lasted eight years. 

Frontenac, the French governor, sent a force of French and Indians 
to attack the English colonies along the Hudson. They secretly marched 
from Montreal in mid-winter, and at midnight fell upon the village of 
Schenectady, New York, burned it and massacred most of the inhabitants. 

Thus was the war begun, and thus was it, and the next two wars, 
in the main, prosecuted. The second war began in 1702 and lasted 
until 1713. 

After an interval of thirty years, the third one of these wars began 
in 1744, and ended in 1748. Like the preceding wars it led to a series 
of forays, destruction of outlying towns, pillage and massacre, and one, 
or more, pretentious military attempts by the English colonists, that 
in the end obtained no lasting results. 

By this time the French had got possession of the two chief rivers 
of the country, the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi. To clinch their 
hold, they had built fort after fort until they had a line of sixty, extend- 
ing from Quebec to Lake Michigan, and thence down the Illinois and 
Mississippi rivers to the gulf. The French and the English both claimed 
the valley of the Ohio river. 

Before 1749, no English settlements had been made west of the 
Alleghanies. In the year 1749 the kind of England granted to the Ohio 
Company, 600,000 acres of land in the Ohio Valley, situated in south- 
west Pennsylvania and West Virginia. 

The French determined to stop this movement and began to erect 
a new line of forts extending from Erie on Lake Erie southward to the 
juncture of the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers, where the Ohio river 
is formed. 

These movements speedily brought about results, namely the fourth 
and last French and Indian war. The struggle began in 1754 and was 
finally terminated, in fact, by a bloody battle fought under the walls 
of Quebec in the autumn of 1758, Montcalm, noble and chivalorous com- 
manded the French. General Wolf, gifted and gallant, led the English. 
The English won and Quebec surrendered. Both Montcalm, aged 40, 
and Wolf, age 34, fell in this battle; thus two loyal and intrepid spirits, 
foes in life, together passed into the land of perpetual peace. 



82 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The fall of Quebec was a turning point in the history of North 
America. On the night that Wolf and his army climbed the rocky 
heights behind Quebec, to the plains of Abraham, the whole of the 
country west to the Mississippi, and the valley of that river to New 
Orleans and the gulf belonged to France. When the sun went down the 
next day, the sun of France had already set in the new world. Her hold 
on America was lost, gone forever. But this seven year war did not 
come to an end until Spain had taken up arms in aid of France. Then, 
in 1762, England conquered Cuba and the Philippine Islands. When peace 
was made at Paris, in 1763, England gave all these islands back to Spain 
and took Florida in exchange. France to indemnify Spain for the loss 
of Florida, ceded to Spain the city of New Orleans and the territory of 
Louisiana. 

By the treaty of Paris, 1763, all of the territory, including Florida, 
New Orleans and westward to the Mississippi, all of Canada west to the 
Pacific and north to the frozen ocean, except Alaska became English 
territory. The territory of Louisiana was ceded to Spain in 1762. 

Less than seventeen years after the capture of Quebec, the Ameri- 
can revolution began and seven years later the thirteen colonies had 
gained their independence. Shortly thereafter the constitution was 
framed and adopted, the thirteen colonies became states of the Union, 
and the United States of America appeared upon the map, and took 
their place among the nations of the earth. 

In 1800, Louisiana territory was retroceded to France, but Spain 
was in actual possession until November, 1803. 

The first permanent settlements made by the French were situated 
along the eastern bank of Mississippi, five in number, in the state of 
Illinois, extending from near the mouth of the Illinois to the Kaskaskia 
river. They were Kaskaskia, settled in 1682, View Rocher, Fort Charters, 
Phillippi and Kahoki. The white population of these five posts did not 
exceed eight hundred. 

From these points exploring parties were sent forth, and one such 
party from Kaskakia having crossed the Mississippi in search of the pre- 
cious metals, found lead instead. This discovery led to the establish- 
ment of the first white settlement on the west bank of said river, 
in 1684, at St. Geniveve, in the state of Missouri. 

St. Louis was founded by Pierre Laclede Siguest, in the year of 1764 ; 
he was a native of France, and a member of a trading company to which 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 83 

a royal charter had granted an exclusive trade with Indians as far north 
as the St. Peters river. This colony grew rapidly by accessions from 
Kaskakia and other towns on the east side of the river and its trade 
correspondingly increased. The next settlement was made at Potosi, in 
Washington county, by Francis Breton, who discovered the mine nearby. 

Five years after St. Louis was founded, Blanchette, a Frenchman, 
established a ssttlement and built a fort at St. Charles, the first in north 
Missouri. Soon thereafter the old French village of Portage dis Sioux 
was located on the Mississippi, near the south of the Illinois river. 

In 1781. New Madrid was settled by French Canadians, and there- 
after, in 1801 Cote San Dessein, on the Missouri river in Callaway county 
was settled by the French. This village at that time was considered the 
outpost. 

Prior to the acquisition of Louisiana territory, a number of adven- 
turous spirits from the older states of the Union, attracted by the liberal 
proffers of land grants made by the Spanish authorities, or by the call 
of the wild, or by both, had come to Missouri. Among these was Moses 
Austin of Virginia who in 1795 received a grant of a league of land from 
the Spanish government, on condition that he would establish a lead 
mine at Potosi and work it. At this place the first shot-tower and sheet- 
lead manufactory was erected. 

Big River Mills, St. Francois County, was settled in 1796, by Andrew 
Baker, John Alley, Francis Starnator and John Andrews, each locating 
claims. The next year a settlement was effected near Farmington by 
Rev. Williams Murphy from East Tennessee. 

In 1796 settlements were made in Perry County by emigrants from 
Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Birds Point, opposite Cairo in Mississippi 
County, was settled in 1800 by John Johnson, who received a land grant 
from the Spanish authorities. Norfolk and Charleston were settled in 
1800 and 1801. Warren County was settled in 1801. 

Daniel Boone, a pioneer in Kentucky, secured a grant of land in 
St. Charles County and located thereon about 1797. He was then an 
old man, but strong and vigorous, and so remained for many years there- 
after, and hunted and trapped up and down the Mississippi river, depend- 
ing upon his traps and rifle solely for his wants. When Hunt, in his 
expedition across the continent, early in the year of 1811, touched with 
his boats at Charlotte, one of the old villages founded by the French, 
he met with Daniel Boone, who was still leading a hunter's life at the 



84 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

age of 82 years. He had but recently returned from a hunting and 
trapping expedition and had brought with him about sixty beaver skins, 
trophies of his skill. He was still erect and strong of limb and his cour- 
age unabated. Prior to 1807, Nathan and Daniel M. Boone, sons of Daniel 
Boone, had joined their father and they were living together, about 
25 miles west of St. Charles. Daniel Boone died in 1820 in his ninety- 
second year. 



CHAPTER IV 



LOUISIANA PURCHASE. 



SCOPE OF LOUISIANA TERRITORY NECESSITY OP AN OCEAN I '< >RT— JEFFERSON'S 
NEGOTIATIONS— LIVINGSTON AND MONROE TO PARIS — PURCHASED FROM 
NAPOLEON— TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES 1 '< >U B I .El >— ORGANIZATION' 
OP TERRITORY— COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS POPULATION— TERRITORIAL LEG- 
ISLATURE. 

Prior to 1803 the territory, entire, of the United States included 
Maine and extended thence south to Florida and thence westward to 
the Mississippi, thence up the Mississippi to its source, thence north 
to Canada. Immediately after the revolution immigration westward be- 
gan and settlements were effected along the Mississippi and to a greater 
extent along the Ohio and its tributaries. There were no railroads then,- 
nor steamboats. The way to the ocean, and the only way that surplus 
products could find a market, was by way of New Orleans and the mouth 
of the Mississippi; hence the fact that New Orleans and the way to 
the sea were controlled by a foreign country, caused discontent and loud 
clamor from Pittsburg, down the Ohio and Mississippi, to the last set- 
tlement on its eastern bank. So insistent and importunate were these 
settlers, citizens all, so unnecessary did it seem, that the present and 
future interest of these settlers be conserved, and so imperative, if the 
peace of the nation be maintained, that in the early part of the year 1803 
President Jefferson, assisted by Madison, framed careful instructions, 
and appointed James Monroe, envoy extraordinary, to treat with France 
for the purchase of New Orleans. Shortly before, Robert R. Livingston 
had been appointed minister to France and was sent January 11, 1803. 
Jefferson fully realized the importance of the acquisition of the mouth of 



86 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

the Mississippi, and his master mind conceived the plan to acquire, for 
the west, this outlet to the sea by purchase. 

In a letter to Monroe he wrote, "If we cannot by a purchase of the 
country, insure to ourselves a course of perpetual friendship with all 
nations, then as war cannot be far distant, it behooves us immediately 
to prepare for that course without, however, hastening it." 

When Monroe later arrived with more extensive powers, Livingston 
had already begun negotiations and was waiting to conclude terms for 
the purchase of not only New Orleans, but both upper and lower Louis- 
iana, at a price within the reach of the United States treasury. 

Napoleon was at the time on the verge of a war with England and 
he needed money, besides by reason of the supremacy of the English 
upon the sea and war inevitable, he deemed the colony of Louisiana lost 
already. The time was auspicious and the terms were speedily agreed 
upon and as speedily concluded. Napoleon urged that the business be 
closed at once lest, he said, "I shall only transmit an empty title to those 
republicans whose friendship I seek." 

At Paris, France, the treaty and the two covenants were signed in 
French on April 30, 1803. 

Four days later, after these documents had been translated into 
English, they were again signed. This was the final act and the pur- 
chase was completed. After thus completing their task an exalted senti- 
ment seemed to animate and inspire the three ministers who had nego- 
tiated this compact. As soon as they had signed they rose to their 
feet and shook hands. Livingston, in expressing the general satisfac- 
tion said : ''We have lived long, but this is the noblest act of our whole 
lives. The treaty which we have just signed has not been obtained by 
art, or dictated by force; equally advantageous to the two contracting 
parties, it will change vast solitudes into flourishing districts. From this 
day the United States take their place among the powers of the first 
rank. The instruments which we have just signed will cause no tears 
to be shed. They prepare ages of happiness for innumerable generations 
of human creatures. The Mississippi and Missouri will see them succeed 
one another and multiply, truly worthy of the regard and care of Provi- 
dence, in the bosom of equality, under just laws, freed from the error 
of superstition and the scourage of bad government." 

When Napoleon heard that the treaty had been made final he said : 
'This accession of this outlet strengthens forever the power of the United 






HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 87 

States; and I have just given to England a maritime rival that will 
sooner or later humble her pride." 

This stupendous land transaction was concluded within two months 
after Monroe had sailed from New York. This treaty so manifestly ad- 
vantageous, was not so speedily ratified. Grave doubts arose as to 
whether new territory, and up to that time foreign territory, could be 
legally annexed. 

The constitution, it was contended, was formed for the government 
of a certain known and defined territory and could not be extended to 
other territory without the consent of each of the states. President 
Jefferson himself was of the opinion that the acquisition of any addi- 
tional territory whatever, under the obligation to admit such territory 
as a state to the Union, was not warranted by the constitution. He con- 
fessed that in lending his approval he had "stretched his power till it 
cracked." These old time statesmen had the utmost respect for the 
constitution, and no doubt construed it strictly, and sought to shun the 
least infraction of this sacred covenant. 

But the people were for it, and in the end, the treaty was ratified 
by the senate on October 21, 1803, by a vote of yeas 24, and nays 7. 

The formal transfer of the possession of Lower Louisiana was made 
by the representatives of the French government, and accepted by those 
of the United States on December 20, 1803, at New Orleans, and the 
French flag was hauled down and the flag of the United States hoisted 
instead. 

Twenty-five days later, on January 12, 1804, the formal possession 
of North Louisiana was likewise transferred to this country in the city 
of St. Louis, and the stars and stripes hoisted in place of the colors of 
France. 

The acquisition of this vast territory thus obtained doubled the area 
of the United States and more than doubled its natural resources. The 
Mississippi had now become ours and its every tributary, and the right 
of way down its broad bosom to the open sea was likewise ours, beyond 
dispute. 

The magnitude of the two Louisianas can be realized only by tracing 
their boundaries. On the south it included the gulf short of Louisiana, 
west to Texas. Thence northwest with the undefined eastern boundary 
of Texas to the Red river; thence up the Red river to the 100th meridian, 
at the southwest corner of the present state of Oklahoma; thence along 



88 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

said meridian, north to the Arkansas river; thence up this river to its 
source, and on to the main crest or divide of the Rocky Mountains; 
thence northwesterly, along said divide to the Canadian line, at about the 
113th meridian, west; thence east, along said Canadian boundary about 
900 miles to a point on the south shore of the Lake of the Woods, directly 
north of the source of the Mississippi ; thence south to said source, thenc< 
down said river to the state of Louisiana, the place of beginning. 

Included within these limits there are over nine hundred thousand 
square miles of land, or six million acres ; all of which was obtained by 
this purchase for sixteen million dollars, or two and two-thirds dollars 
per acre — a good buy certainly, when we take into consideration the 
fact that Randolph County was included in this purchase. 

Ten days after the ratification of the treaty, October 21, 1803, tem- 
porary measures were taken for the government of the Louisianans, and 
Amos Stoddard was appointed Commandant of Upper Louisiana. This 
temporary provision came to an end by act of congress which went into 
effect October 1, 1804. 

This act provided that Louisiana be divided into two territories, all 
south of the thirty-third parallel being designated as the Territory of 
Orleans, and all north of that line as the District of Louisiana. The Terri- 
tory of Orleans was given its own territorial government, but the Dis- 
trict of Louisiana, for governmental purposes, was placed under the gov- 
ernment of the territory of Indiana which then embraced all the then 
Northwest Territory. The Territory of Louisiana was of the lower grade, 
and all of the officers were appointed ; the people had no voice therein. 

This governmental arrangement, however, created universal dissatis- 
faction in the district of Upper Louisiana, so much so that five days 
before it was to go into effect, the representatives of the five administra- 
tive divisions of the district, all in Missouri (St. Charles, St. Louis, St. 
Geneveve, Cape Girardeau and New Madred) joined in a petition protest- 
ing against the act, and so cogent and convincing was this petition and 
protest that on March 3, 1805, congress by an act of that date, provided 
for a separate territorial organization for Upper Louisiana, thereby creat- 
ing the Territory of Louisiana, instead of the District of Louisiana. No 
material change was made in this arrangement until 1812. By this time 
the population had doubled ; 10,000 in 1804 had grown to 20,800 in 1812, 
in consequence of an influx of settlers from the states east of the Missis- 
sippi. These hardy pioneers bought with them not only their dogs, their 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 89 

rifles and their families, but very positive convictions as to the right 
of local self-government, at the earliest date possible. In consequence 
they submitted to congress, between 1810 and 1812, fifteen petitions 
praying for a higher and better form of territorial government, 

Congress, on July 4, 1812, changed the name of Louisiana Territory 
to Missouri Territory and organized the same with a governor and gen- 
eral assembly. The governor, legislative council and the house of rep- 
resentatives exercised the legislative power of the territory, the governor's 
vetoing power being absolute. 

The legislative council was composed of nine members, whose tenure 
of office lasted five years. Eighteen citizens were nominated by the house 
of representatives to the President of the United States, from whom he 
selected, with approval of the senate, nine councillors to compose the 
legislative council. 

The house of representatives consisted of members chosen every two 
years by the people, the basis of representation being one member for 
every five hundred white males. The first house of representatives con- 
sisted of thirteen members, and, by act of congress, the whole number 
of representatives could not exceed twenty-five. 

The judicial power of the territory was vested in the superior and 
inferior courts and in the justices of the peace; the superior court hav- 
ing three judges, whose term of office continued four years, having 
original and appellate jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases. 

The territory could send one delegate to congress. Governor Clark 
issued a proclamation October 1, 1812, required by congress, reorganiz- 
ing the districts of St. Charles, St. Louis, St. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau 
and New Madrid, into five counties and fixed the second Monday in 
November following for the election of a delegate to congress and the 
members of the territorial house of representatives. 

Captain William Clark, of the expedition of Lewis and Clark, was 
the first territorial governor of Missouri Territory, appointed by the 
president, and began his duties in 1813. 

Edward Hempstead, Rufus Easton, Samuel Hammond and Matthew 
Lyon were candidates in November for delegates to congress. 

Edward Hempstead was elected, being the first territorial delegate 
to congress from Missouri. He served one term, declining a second 
term, and was instrumental in having congress pass the act of June 13, 
1812, which he introduced, confirming the title to lands which were 



90 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

claimed by the people by virtue of Spanish grants. The same act con- 
firmed to the people "for the support of schools," the title to village 
lots, out-lots or common field lots, which were held and enjoyed by 
them, at the time of the cession in 1803. 

Under the act of June 4, 1812, the first general assembly held its 
session in the house of Joseph Robidoux, in St. Louis, on the 7th of 
December, 1812. The names of the members of the house were: 

St. Charles: John Pitman and Robert Spencer. 
St. Louis: David Music, Bernard G. Farrar, William C. Carr and 
Richard Clark. 

Ste. Genevieve: George Bullet, Richard S. Thomas and Isaac Mc- 
Gready. 

Cape Girardeau: George F. Bollinger and Spencer Byrd. 

New Madrid: John Shrader and Samuel Phillips. 

John B. Lucas, one of the territorial judges, administered the oath 
of office. William C. Carr was elected speaker and Andrew Scott, clerk. 

The house of representatives proceeded to nominate eighteen per- 
sons from whom the president of the United States, with the senate, 
was to select nine for the council. From this number the president 
chose the following: 

St. Charles: James Flaugherty and Benjamin Emmons. 

St. Louis: Auguste Chouteau, Sr., and Samuel Hammond. 

Ste. Genevieve: John Scott and James Maxwell. 

Cape Girardeau: William Neeley and Joseph Cavenor. 

New Madrid: Joseph Hunter. 

The legislative council, thus chosen by the president and senate, 
was announced by Frederick Bates, secretary and acting governor of the 
territory, by proclamation, June 3, 1913, and fixing the first Monday in 
July following, as the time for the meeting of the legislature. 

In the meantime the duties of the executive office were assumed 
by William Clark. The legislature accordingly met, as required by the 
acting governor's proclamation, in July, but its proceedings were never 
officially published. Consequently but little is known in reference to the 
workings of the first territorial legislature in Missouri. 

From the imperfect account published in the Missouri Gazette of 
that day, a paper which had been in existence since 1808, it is found 
that laws were passed regulating and establishing weights and measures ; 
creating the office of sheriff, providing the manner for taking the cen- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 91 

sus, permanently fixing the seats of justices and an act to compensate 
its own members. At this sesion laws were also passed defining crimes 
and penalties, law in reference to forcible entry and detainer, establish- 
ing courts of common pleas, incorporating the Bank of St. Louis, and 
organizing a part of Ste. Genevieve County into the County of Wash- 
ington. 

The next session of the Legislature convened in St. Louis, Decem- 
ber 6, 1813. George Bullet of Ste. Genevieve County, was speaker elect, 
and Andrew Scott, clerk, and William Sullivan, doorkeeper. Since the 
adjournment of the former Legislature, several vacancies had occurred, 
and new members had been elected to fill their places. Among these 
was Isreal McCready, from the county of Washington. 

The president of the Legislative Council was Samuel Hammond. 
No journal of the council was officially published, but the proceedings 
of the house are found in the Gazette. 

At this session of the Legislature many wise and useful laws were 
passed, having reference to the temporal as well as the moral and spiritual 
welfare of the people. Laws were enacted for the suppression of vice 
and immorality on the Sabbath day ; for the improvement of public roads 
and highways; creating the offices of auditor, treasurer and county sur- 
veyor; regulating the fiscal affairs of the territory and fixing the bound- 
ary lines of New Madrid, Cape Girardeau, Washington and St. Charles 
counties. The Legislature adjourned on the 19th of January, 1914, sine 
die. 

The population of the territory as shown by the United States census 
in 1810, was 20,845. The census taken by the Legislature in 1814 gave 
the territory a population of 25,000. This enumeration shows the county 
of St. Louis contained the greatest number of inhabitants, and the new 
county of Arkansas the least, the latter having 827, and the former, 3,149. 

The candidates for delegate to Congress were Rufus Easton, Samuel 
Hammond, Alexander McNair and Thomas F. Riddick. Rufus Easton 
and Samuel Hammond had been candidates at the preceding election. In 
all the counties, excepting Arkansas, the votes aggregated 2,599, of which 
number Mr. Easton received 965, Mr. Hammond, Mr. McNair 853 and Mr. 
Riddick (who had withdrawn previously to the election) 35. Mr. Easton 
was elected. 

The census of 1814 showing a large increase in the population of the 
territory, an appointment was made increasing the number of the repre- 



92 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

sentatives in the Territorial Legislature to twenty-two. The General 
Assembly began its session in St. Louis, December 5, 1814. There were 
present on the first day twenty representatives. James Caldwell of Ste. 
Genevieve County was elected speaker, and Andrew Scott who had been 
clerk of the preceding assembly, was chosen clerk. The president of the 
council was William Neelwy, of Cape Girardeau County. 

It appeared that James Maxwell, the absent member of the Council, 
and Seth Emmons, member elect of the House of Representatives, were 
dead. The county of Lawrence was organized at this session, from the 
western part of New Madrid County, and the corporate powers of St. 
Louis were enlarged. In 1815 the Territorial Legislature again began 
its session. Only a partial report of its proceedings are given in the 
Gazette. The County of Howard was then organized by bill approved 
January 13, 1916, from St. Louis and St. Charles Counties, and included 
practically all that part of the state lying north of the Osage and south 
of the dividing ridge between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. 

The next session of the Territorial Legislature commenced its session 
in December, 1916. During the sitting of this Legislature many im- 
portant acts were passed. It was then the "Bank of Missouri" was chart- 
ered and went into operation. In the fall of 1817 the "Bank of St. Louis" 
and the "Bank of Missouri" were issuing bills. An act was passed chart- 
ering lottery companies, chartering the academy at Postosi, and incor- 
porating a board of trustees for superintending the schools in the town 
of St. Louis. Laws were also passed to encourage the "killing of wolves, 
panthers and wild-cats." 

The Territorial Legislature met again in December, 1818 and among 
other things, organized the counties of Pike, Cooper, Jefferson, Franklin, 
Wayne, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, and three counties in the southern 
part of Arkansas. In 1819 the Territory of Arkansas was formed into 
a separate government of its own. 



CHAPTER V 



ADMISSION AND ORGANIZATION OF STATE. 



TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE CONVENED- "MISSOURI QUESTION" — STATE AD- 
MITTED UNDER CONDITIONS COUNTIES -STATE CONSTITUTION— FIRST GOV- 
ERNOR—GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELECTED GOVERNORS OP MISSOURI— UNITED 
STATES SENATORS FROM MISSOURI REPRESENTATIVES FROM RANDOLPH 
COUNTY. 

The Territorial Legislature convened in December, 1818 and at this 
session which continued into 1819, application was made by this legis- 
lature that Missouri Territory be admitted into the Union as a state. 
Slavery existed generally in the territory at that time and the presenta- 
tion of this application for admission, fanned into flame the slavery ques- 
tion, not only in Congress, but throughout the states of the Union and 
for the next three years the "Missouri Question" was the bone of con- 
tention, the absorbing political theme. Finally by an act of Congress, 
concurred in by both House and Senate on February 28, 1821, Missouri 
was admitted on conditions. At a special session of the Legislature held 
at St. Charles in June following, assent was given to the conditions of 
admission and thereafter, on August 10, 1821, President Monroe by 
proclamation announced the admission of Missouri into the Union as a 
State. 

At the time Missouri was so admitted, its territory was divided into 
twenty-seven counties, and by subdividing later, we now have one hundred 
counties within the state as admitted, and six others organized within 
the Platte purchase, and added to the State in 1833, and the city of St. 
Louis which is a county, making a total of one hundred and fifteen 
counties. Any reader, curious to know, may trace the trend of the set- 



94 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 



tlement of the state by the dates of the 


organization of the count 


in the table following: 




County. 


Organized. 


Adir, 


January 29, 1841 


Andrew, 


January 29, 1841 


Atchison, 


January 14, 1845 


Audrain, 


December 17, 1836 


Barry, 


January 5, 1835 


Barton, 


December 12, 1835 


Bates, 


January 29, 1841 


Benton, 


January 3, 1835 


Bollinger, 


March 1, 1851 


Boone, 


November 16, 1820 


Buchannan, 


February 10, 1839 


Butler, 


February 27, 1849 


Caldwell, 


December 26, 1836 


Calloway, 


November 25, 1820 


Camden, 


January 29, 1841 


Cape Girardeau, 


October 1, 1812 


Carroll, 


January 3, 1833 


Carter, 


March 10, 1859 


Cass, 


September 14, 1835 


Cedar, 


February 14, 1845 


Chariton, 


November 16, 1820 


Christian, 


March 8, 1860 


Clark, 


December 15, 1818 


Clay, 


January 2, 1822 


Clinton, 


January 15, 1833 


Cole, 


November 16, 1820 


Cooper, 


December 17, 1880 


Crawford, 


January 23, 1829 


Dade, 


January 29, 1841 


Dallas, 


December 10, 1844 


Daviess, 


December 29, 1836 


De Kalb, 


February 25, 1845 


Dent, 


February 10, 1851 


Douglass, 


October 19, 1857 


Dunklin, 


February 14, 1845 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 



95 



Franklin, 

Gasconade, 

Gentry, 

Greene, 

Grundy, 

Harrison, 

Henry, 

Hickory, 

Holt, 

Howard, 

Howell, 

Iron, 

Jackson, 

Jasper, 

Jefferson, 

Johnson, 

Knox, 

Laclede, 

Lafayette, 

Lawrence, 

Lewis, 

Lincoln, 

Linn, 

Livingston, 

McDonald, 

Macon, 

Madison, 

Maries, 

Marion, 

Mercer, 

Miller, 

Mississippi, 

Moniteau, 

Monroe, 

Montgomery, 

Morgan, 

New Madrid, 

Newton, 



December 


11, 


1818 


November 


25, 


1820 


February 


12, 


1841 


January 


2, 


1833 


January 


2, 


1843 


February 


14, 


1845 


December 


13, 


1834 


February 


14, 


1845 


February 


15, 


1841 


January 


23, 


1816 


March 


2, 


1857 


February 


17, 


1857 


December 


15, 


1826 


January 


29, 


1841 


December 


8, 


1818 


December 


13, 


1834 


February 


14, 


1845 


February 


24, 


1849 


November 


16, 


1820 


February 


25, 


1845 


January 


2, 


1833 


December 


14, 


1818 


January 


7, 


1837 


January 


6, 


1837 


March 


o 
o, 


1849 


January 


6, 


1837 


December 


14, 


1818 


March 


2, 


1845 


December 


23, 


1826 


February 


14, 


1845 


February 


6, 


1837 


February 


14, 


1845 


February 


14, 


1845 


January 


6, 


1831 


December 


14, 


1818 


January 


5, 


1833 


October 


• 1, 


1812 


December 


31, 


1838 



96 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 



Nodaway, 

Oregon, 

Osage, 

Ozark, 

Peniscot, 

Perry, 

Pettis, 

Phelps, 

Pike, 

Platte, 

Polk, 

Pulaski, 

Putnam, 

Ralls, 

Randolph, 

Ray, 

Reynolds, 

Ripley, 

St. Charles, 

St. Clair, 

St. Francois, 

Ste. Genevieve, 

St. Louis, 

Saline, 

Schuyler, 

Scottland, 

Scott, 

Shannon, 

Shelby, 

Stoddard, 

Stone, 

Sullivan, 

Taney, 

Texas, 

Vernon, 

Warren, 

Washington, 

Wayne, 



February 14, 1845 

February 14, 1845 

January 29, 1841 

January 29, 1841 

February 19, 1861 

November 16, 1820 

January 26, 1833 

November 13, 1857 

December 14, 1918 

December 31, 1838 

March 13, 1835 

December 15, 

February 28, 1845 

November 16, 1820 

January 22, 1829 

November 16, 1820 

February 25, 1845 

January 29, 1841 

October 1, 1812 

January 29, 1841 

December 19, 1821 

October 1, 1812 

October 1, 1812 

November 25, 1820 

February 14, 1845 

January 29, 1841 

December 28, 1821 

January 29, 1841 

January 2, 1835 

January 2, 1835 

February 10, 1851 

February 16, 1845 

January 16, 1837 

February 14, 1835 

February 17, 1851 

January 5, 1833 

August 21, 1813 

December 11, 1818 



36 



2 




HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 97 

Webster, March 3, 1855 

Worth, February 8, 1861 

Wright, January 29, 1841 

Prior to the admission of Missouri as a state, a convention to frame a 
constitution was assembled on July 19, 1820 ; a constitution was framed 
and adopted in anticipation of admission as a state. One provision of 
this organic law proved to be distasteful to Congress, and by the terms 
of the Missouri Compromise, Missouri was to be admitted upon condition 
that this objectionable feature of its constitution be eliminated, which was 
accordingly done, as we have seen in a preceding paragraph. 

This constitution provided that an election be held on August 28, 
1820 to elect a governor, and other state officers, members of the Gen- 
eral Assembly, county officers, United States Senators and a member of 
Congress. Alexander McNair was elected governor, a total of 9,132 votes 
being cast. John Scott was elected to Congress and other state and 
county officers were voted for and elected throughout the territory. 

The General Assembly so elected in August, met on Sept. 19, 1820 
and after organizing by their votes elected David Barton and Thomas H. 
Benton to the United States Senate. Mathias McGirk, John D. Cook, and 
John R. Jones were appointed judges of the Supreme Court, each to hold 
office until he reached the age of 60 years. When the territory a year 
later finally became the State of Missouri, these state and county officers 
had already been installed in office and when Congress convened in De- 
cember, 1821, these senators and the representatives were sworn in and 
became members. 

Thus it came about that Alexander McNair became the first governor 
of Missouri, and Mathias McGirk, John D. Cook and John R. Jones the 
first judges of the Supreme Court and David Barton and Thomas H. 
Benton the first United States Senators from the State of Missouri. 

Both of these senators were men of ability, and served their State, 
and the nation as well with fidelity. David Barton served for ten years, 
and was succeeded by Alexander Buckner. Senator Benton served there- 
after continuously for thirty years, until 1850. 

Both Barton and Benton were men of ability, Benton, especially so, 
and during this long service ranked in the Senate as one of its ablest 
members. He was not possesed of the peronal charm nor persuasive 
oratory of Henry Clay, nor the overpowering eloquence of Daniel Web- 
ster, but in practical statesmanship, he was probably the superior of 
either of them. 



98 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 



GOVERNORS OF MISSOURI. 



Name. 


County. 


Elected 


• 


Alexander McNair, 


3t. Louis, 


August, 


1820 


Frederick Bates, 


St. Louis, 


August, 


1824 


Abraham J. Williams, 


Boone, 


Pres. S 


enate 


John Miller, 


Cooper, 


Dec. 8, 


1825 


John Miller, 


Cooper, 


August, 


1828 


Daniel Dunklin, 


Washington, 


August, 


1832 


Lilburn W. Boggs, 


Jackson, 


August, 


1836 


Thomas Reynolds, 


Howard, 


August, 


1840 


M. M. Marmaduke, 


Saline, 


Lieut. 


-Gov. 


John C. Edwards, 


Cole, 


August, 


1844 


Austin A. King, 


Ray, 


August, 


1848 


Sterling Price, 


Chariton, 


August, 


1852 


Trusten Polk, 


St. Louis, 


August, 


1856 


Hancock Jackson, 


Randolph, 


Lieut. 


-Gov. 


Robert M. Stewart, 


Buchanan, 


August, 


1857 


Claiborne F. Jackson, 


Saline, 


August, 


1860 


Hamilton R. Gamble, 


St. Louis, 


Appointed 


Willard P. Hall, 


Buchanan, 


Lieut. 


-Gov. 


Thomas C. Fletcher, 


St. Louis, 


November, 


1864 


Joseph W. McClurg, 


Camden, 


November, 


1868 


B. Gratz Brown, 


St. Louis, 


November, 


1870 


Silas Woodson, 


Buchanan, 


November, 


1872 


Charles H. Hardin, 


Audrain, 


November, 


1874 


John S. Phelps, 


Greene, 


November, 


1876 


Thos. T. Crittenden, 


Johnson, 


November, 


1880 


John S. Marmaduke, 


St. Louis City, 


November, 


1884 


Albert P. Moorehouse, 


Nodaway, 


Lieut 


-Gov. 


David R. Francis, 


St. Louis City, 


November, 


1888 


Wm. J. Stone, 


Vernon, 


November, 


1S92 


Lon V. Stephens, 


Cooper, 


November, 


1896 


Alexander M. Dockery, 


Daviess, 


November, 


1900 


Joseph W. Folk, 


St. Louis, 


November, 


1904 


Herbert S. Hadley, 


Jackson, 


November, 


1908 


Governor Majors was 


elected in 1912 and Governor 


Gardner in 


1916. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 



99 



UNITED STATES SENATORS FROM MISSOURI. 



When 

Elected. Name. 

1820. David Barton, 

1820. Thomas H. Benton, 

1824. David Barton, 

1826. Thomas H. Benton, 

1830. Alexander Buckner, 

1832. Thomas H. Benton, 

1834. Lewis F. Linn, 

1836. Lewis F. Linn, 

1838. Thomas II. Benton, 

1842. Lewis F. Linn, 

1843. David R. Atchison, 

1844. David R. Atchison, 
1844. Thomas H. Benton, 
1849. David R. Atchison, 
1851. Henry S. Geyer, 
1857. James S. Green, 
1857. Trusten Polk, 

1861. Waldo P. Johnson, 

1862. Robert Wilson, 

1862. John B. Henderson, 

1863. B. Gratz Brown, 
1867. Charles D. Drake, 

1869. Carl Schurz, 

1870. Daniel F. Jewett, 

1871. Francis P. Blair, 
1873. Lewis V. Bogy, 
1875. Francis M. Cockrell, 
1877. David H. Armstrong, 
1879. James Shields, 
1879. Geo. G. Vest, 

1881. Francis # M. Cockrell, 

1885. Geo. G.Vest, 

1887. Francis M. Cockrell, 

1891. Geo. G. Vest, 



Politics. 

Whig, 

Democrat, 

Whig, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Whig, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Conservative, 

Republican, 

Republican, 

Republican, 

Republican, 

Republican, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 



Residence. 

Howard 

St. Louis 

Howard 

St. Louis 

C. Girardeau 

St. Louis 

St. Genevieve 

St. Genevieve 

St. Louis 

C. Girardeau 

Platte 

Platte 

St. Louis 

Platte 

St. Louis 

Lewis 

St. Louis 

St. Clair 

Andrew 

Pike 

St. Louis 

St. Louis 

St. Louis 

St. Louis 

St. Louis 

St. Louis 

Johnson 

St. .lou is 

Carroll 

Pettis 

Johnson 

Jackson 

Johnson 

Jackson 



100 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

1893. Francis M. Cockreil, Democrat, Johnson 

1897. Geo. G. Vest, Democrat, Jackson 

1899. Francis M. Cockreil, Democrat, Johnson 

1903. William Joel Stone, Democrat, Jefferson City 

1905. William Warner, Republican, Kansas City 

1909. William Joel Stone, Democrat, Jefferson City 

1911. James A. Reed, Democrat, Kansas City 

As we have seen Randolph County was a part of Howard County 
during the territorial days from 1816 until 1820. Chariton County was 
organized in 1820 and therefore until 1829 Randolph County was a part 
of Chariton County. After Missouri was admitted as a state the first 
representative to the General Assembly from Chariton County was Hon. 
George Burckhartt, who resided about six miles and a half from Hunts- 
ville in the now county of Randolph. Mr. Burckhartt was reelected in 
1824 and again in 1826, and was afterward twice elected to the General 
Assembly from Randolph County. 

The following is a list of members of House of Representatives from 
Randolph County: 

Charles McLean, 1830 

Dr. William Fort, 1832 

Dr. William Fort, 1834 

Dr. Waller Head, 1836 

George Burckhartt, 1838 

George Burckhartt, 1840 

James B. Dameron, 1842 

Robert Wilson, 1844 

Thomas P. Ruby, 1846 

P. T. Oliver, 1848 

Dabney C. Garth, 1850 

James F. Wight, 1852 

Dabney C. Garth, 1854 

May M. Burton, 1856 

Henderson D. Wilcox, 1858 

J. F. Cunningham, 1860 

George M. Quinn, 1862 

Joseph L. Minor, 1864 

Thomas P. White, 1866 

John G. Burton, 1869 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 101 

John G. Burton, 1871 

Henry A. Newman, 1873 

William Quayle, 1875 

James F. Wight, 1877 

Franklin P. Wiley, 1879 

Franklin P. Wiley, 1881 

Walker Wright, 1883 

W. J. Hollis, 1885 

Henry A. Newman, 1887 

Willard C. Hall, 1889 

William B. McCrary, 1891 

George 0. Powell, 1893 

William A. Rothwell, 1895 

William A. Wight, 1897 

William A. Wight, 1899 

Stephen W. Creson, 1901 

Stephen W. Creson, 1903 

William T. Heathman, 1905 

William T. Heathman, 1907 

John E. Lynch, 1909 

John E. Lynch, 1911 

Rich R. Correll, 1913 

Rich R. Correll, 1915 



CHAPTER VI 



EARLY CONDITIONS. 



r.ooXSI.ICK COUNTY WITHIN RESERVATION OF SAC AND FOX [NDIANS— INDIAN 
CLAIMS EXTINGUISHED— COMING OF SETTLERS— FIRST SETTLEM I 3NTS— IM- 
MIGRATION — PIONEER I A KM IXC— THE "RAZORBACK" — INDIAN MENACE- 
BLACK HAWK WAR— SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS. 

Prior to 1808, the Bconslick country, north of the Missouri River was 
within the reservation of the Sac and Fox Indians. By the terms of the 
treaty of Paris, the French government ceded Louisiana Territory to the 
United States subject to the claims of the Indians to the land. These 
claims, our government recognized, consequently the United States could 
convey no clear title to any part of these lands until the claims of the 
Indians had been extinguished by purchase. It appears that prior to 
this time the claim of the Indians had been so extinguished in the lands 
north of the river and east of a line drawn from a point opposite the 
mouth of the Gasconade River, northerly to said river and thence down 
said stream to the Mississippi. 

The question of the ownership of the lands in the Boonlick country, 
was finally set at rest in the fall of 1818 when government land officers 
at St. Louis and Franklin opened their doors and began to sell these lanus, 
after the Indian claims had been so extinguished. With the end of the 
War of 1812, the tide of immigration which had been stayed by this war, 
again flowed westward in an ever increasing volume. 

These new settlers came as best they could. The greater number in 
covered wagons, a few horseback, and possibly some single men afoot. 
The better to do families came in two or more wagons, and sometimes 
several families in company. Those coming in wagons, frequently 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 103 

brought with them live stock, and more generally necessary tools and 
equipment such as axes, saws, hoes and other edged tools and probably 
spinning wheels and looms for weaving cloth or equipment for a loom. 
Every man or boy able to shoulder a gun brought with him a rifle or 
gun of some description. 

The earlier settlers who had gone before had blazed the way and 
marked the trail. Those who followed gradually converted these trails 
into roads. There were no bridges, nor legally established highways in 
the Boonslick country and probably none west of St. Charles, and conse- 
quently these roads, in bad weather or when the streams were swollen, 
were not always passable. But the early settler was indomitable, and in 
the end reached his destination, even if he had to hew his way through 
with his axe. Thus the first highways of Missouri were established by 
river. 

As we have seen, the first settlements were made along the Missis- 
sippi from St. Louis down the river to New Madrid, and above, at St. 
Charles on the Missouri, prior to the Louisiana purchase. Thereafter 
and prior to the War of 1812, settlements had been established up the 
Mississippi in the counties of Lincoln and Pike further north. 

Likewise immigration had crept westward from St. Charles along 
both banks of the Missouri, and settlements had been effected on both 
sides of said stream as far west as Coopers Bottom in the Boonslick 
country. j j 

This renewed tide of immigration which set in during the year 1815, 
and thereafter continued to grow steadily, came first to these earlier 
settlements there to acquire knowledge of the country and look around 
for themselves, and from thence this tide moved up the Missouri to the 
mouth of the Kaw River, where Kansas City now stands; and up the 
Mississippi to the mouth of the Des Moines River. 

In consequence of these early settlements along these streams, the 
country bordering on the river was the first organized into counties in 
north Missouri. Prior to the admission of Missouri as a state, seventeen 
counties had been organized in North Missouri, all of them being river 
counties. 

St. Charles County situated at the confluence of the Missouri and 
Mississippi Rivers and bordering on both, was as we have seen organized 
as a county in 1812. Northward, along the west bank of the Mississippi, 
the counties of Lincoln, Pike and Clark were organized in 1818 and Ralls 



104 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

County in 1820; westward of St. Charles County and north of the Mis- 
souri ; Howard County w r as organized in 1816 ; Montgomery in 1818 and 
Callaway, Boone, Chariton, and Ray in 1820. South of the Missouri, 
Cooper and Franklin counties were organized in 1818 and Gasconade, 
Cole, Saline and Lafayette in 1820. 

These early settlements in the river counties, by reason of this in- 
flux of home seekers, grew by accretion and stretched out farther and 
farther into the country away from the rivers. Other initial settlements 
further west and north were established and likewise grew away from 
the rivers. The timbered counties were the first settled. Chariton 
County to the east, and Ray and Clay counties west, were peopled, before 
Carroll County which is largely a prairie county. 

In these days the question is often asked why it was that these early 
settlers neglected the rich prairie lands, and reared their cabins in the 
forest, upon inferior lands in many instances, where they must fell the 
timber and burn the brush before they could plant, when the prairie 
stood ready for the plow. This question can be answered only by putting 
our feet in the shoes of these pioneers. 

It must be borne in mind that the greater number who came to 
north Missouri prior to 1821 were from central Kentucky, Tennessee and 
states further east, and over roads much of the way that would today 
be regarded unfit to travel. They came in wagons and they could bring 
with them only such of their belongings as were indispensable. Agri- 
cultural implements were out of the question. They could not be brought, 
hence the settler must equip himself with such implement he could get 
or construct at his journey's end. 

Good water and an abundance of fuel to warm up their open cabins 
in winter were essentials, and fence rails to inclose field and garden with 
a substantial fence, sufficiently high and strong enough to keep oui '.he 
deer and elk and his neighbors stock were indispensable. 

The timbered lands extending back from the river abounded in springs 
of cool pure water, and a cabin in the woods near a spring brought both 
of these essentials to its door. 

found adjacent to the prairie, if not too remote from a settlement, was a 
lucky find and the land thereabout was quickly taken up by some home- 
seeker. Such locations were desirable, as the settlers stock whether much 
or little had ample room to graze on the prairie and the timber as a rule 
was nearby. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 105 

But the breaking of the tough prairie sod and subjecting this land 
to cultivation was a task to be accomplished at a later date than we now 
have in view- 

The wooden plow or the plow with an iron shear and wooden mold- 
board, the only kind to be had at these times, were wholly inadequate to 
break and turn the tough prairie sod. As late as the middle of the last 
century, the prairie plow with its heavy iron shear, moldboard, coulter 
and massive beam and rods to strengthen and small wooden wheels of 
unequal sizes, set under and at right angle with the beam, one wheel to 
track in the furrow last made, and the other on the sod to steady the 
plow and prevent it from tipping, was a clumsy and cumbersome imple- 
ment. Such plow when in operation was usually drawn slowly along by 
three yoke of oxen, but it served to do the work as it had been doing 
before for a quarter of a century, or more. 

After the sod was thus turned it had to lie and rot for a season 
before it could be again plowed. The' man with a hoe could plant corn 
on this newly turned sod and grow sod corn if the spring and summer 
rainfall was ample. If a dry year the corn "burned" and yielded no grain. 

The prairie was therefore impossible to these early settlers. In the 
timber the settler could with axe, mall and iron wedge and wooden glut 
fall the timber, split his rails, and erect his fences and complete his in- 
closure. The laps of the trees thus felled would furnish him his next 
winter's wood. Then with axe he could belt, or deaden the remaining 
timber, scratch the virgin soil, by ploughing around the stumps, with 
his wooden or combination plow, and by the industrious use of hoe, and 
plow grow corn for his stock. 

His hogs, if any, great and small could provide for themselves in 
the woods when spring came and unless they strayed away and went wild, 
the settler was assured of hog and hominy when fall came. 

The hog of that period, known as "raisorback" was a rustler and 
could take care of himself in the forest without human aid, and is given 
further notice in these pages. Another reason why these new comers 
settled in the timbered country was the fear of the Indians. The first of 
these settlers came within a year after the end of the Indian War in 
the Boonslick country, and the last of them within less than six years 
thereafter, while Missouri was yet a territory. 

During all of this period the Indian was regarded as a menace. The 
settler, however courageous and fearless he might be, for the peace and 



106 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

safety of his family and live stock, preferred to settle within or near the 
outskirts of an established settlement, where aid could be had in case of 
danger. Indeed, it was not until the Sac and Fox Indians had been finally 
defeated, the Black Hawk War ended, in 1833, and these Indians were 
removed entirely out of this state, and that part of Illinois to the east, 
that all fear of danger from that source was finally removed from the 
minds of our people. During the first years that we are now dealing 
with the Indians outnumbered the whites in the Boonslick Country, and 
westward. They had no love for any white person that spoke English, 
and the settler disliked and distrusted the Indian as much or more. There 
was no further warfare in the Boonslick Country, no more scalping, but 
an armed truce instead, in time of peace that might not last. 

No surveys of the public lands of the Territory of Missouri was begun 
until December, 1816. The only lands legally surveyed prior to that time 
were the French and Spanish claims. This survey began the last of the 
year 1816, progressed slowly and it was not until August 3, 1818, that 
the first land sale by the United States government was held in St. 
Louis and on November 2, 1818, the first in the Boonslick Country at 
Franklin, Howard County. These first sales were made at public vendue 
to the highest bidder. The settlers had an understanding that they would 
not bid, the one against the other. A large number of people attended 
the land upon which he had "squatted," and to a decree mproved, we 
competition and spirited bidding for choice tracts among these visitors. 
Whether or not any settler was by this sale deprived of his cabin, and 
the land upon which he had "squatted,', and to a decree improved, we 
are not advised. 

The settlers in the Franklin land district at this time had given 
notice to the officers of the land office, claiming the land upon which each 
resided by right of preemption or that they had given notice to the land 
office that they claimed and intended to purchase some certain tract. 

In March, 1818, Congress passed an act whereby the right to pre- 
empt land was granted the settler and made legal. 



CHAPTER VII 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS IN THE BOONSLICK COUNTRY. 



DAXIE1, r.OOXKS KIIIST EXPEDITION HERE Mi: DISCOVERS A SALT SPRING — 
BENJAMIN COOPER AND FAMILY SETTLE HERE AN ATTRACTIVE COUNTRY 
—FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENT— A COLONY <>K KENTUCKIANS COME— 
ROADS FIRST SETTLERS IN BOONSLICK COUNTRY. 

Daniel Boone in some one of his hunting and trapping expeditions 
discovered a salt spring about eight miles northwest of the old town of 
Franklin in Howard County. Afterward, in 1807, Boone's sons Nathan 
and Daniel M. made salt at this spring, and it is probable that the elder 
Boone had made salt there prior to this time. This salt spring was 
given the name of Boonslick, and all the country thereabouts without 
limit was known as the Boonslick Country. 

In the spring of 1808, Benjamin Cooper and family, consisting of 
his wife and five sons, moved into the Boonslick Country, built a cabin 
and cleared some ground about two miles southwest of Boonslick. He 
had thus far progressed toward making a permanent home, when Gov- 
ernor Lews issued an order, directing him to return below the mouth of 
the Gasconade River. This order was given because trouble with the 
Indians, which soon occurred, was anticipated, and the location he had 
chosen was so far away, that the government could extend him no pro- 
tection; another reason was that Cooper was trespassing upon lands that 
belonged to the Indians. In obedience to this order he returned to Loutre 
Island, and remained there until 1810. 

This section of the Boonslick Country was not destined to be left 
long to the reign of the wild beasts and the savage Indian. It was at- 
tractive and presented advantages which those seeking homes where they 



108 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

could find the richest of lands and the most healthful of climates, could 
not, and did not fail to receive attention. Its fertile soil promised, with 
little labor, the most abundant of harvests. Its forests were filled with 
every variety of game, and its streams with all kinds of fish. It is no 
wonder that those seeking homes looked upon this section as a "promised 
land," where provisions could be found, and that they should select and 
settle the rich lands here, accommodating themselves to the scanty fare 
of the wilderness, and risking all the dangers from the wild beasts and 
the Indians who lived in great numbers nearby. 

Two years after the first settlement of Benjamin Cooper and after 
his removal to Loutre Island, the first permanent and abiding settlement 
was made in this section; this was but a forerunner of the stream of 
emigration which soon followed. 

On Feb. 20, 1810, Benjamin Cooper with several others returned to 
what is now Howard County. They came upon the north side of the Mis- 
souri from Loutre Island, and all of them, except Hannah Cole, the widow 
of William Temple Cole, and her family and Stephen Cole and his family, 
settled in Howard County, north of the Missouri River. Hannah Cole 
and Stephen Cole, together with their families, settled in what is now 
Cooper County. 

Benjamin Cooper settled in Howard County, at the same place and 
in the cabin which he had built two years before. This cabin had not been 
disturbed by the Indians, although they had occupied all the adjacent 
country and doubtless had passed it many times. 

In the year 1810 a colony of Kentuckians, consisting of from fifty 
to a hundred, families came to and settled in that part of the Boonslick 
Country, now Howard and Cooper counties. These settlers located on 
both sides of the Missouri River, the greater number on the north side, 
between Rocheport and the west end of Coopers Bottom. Many of them 
became the neighbors of Benjamin Cooper, the first settler. 

When the Coopers and the Coles came to this section, there was 
neither road nor path for them to pass through the wilderness, save here 
and there the trail of the savage or the path of the wild beast. They 
had to take care as to the course in which to travel; any opening which 
they could find in the thickets, or through the forest, that would permit 
the passage of their wagons and animals, and frequently were compelled 
to chop their way through with the axe, an essential accouterment of the 
early pioneer. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 109 

Names of first settlers in Boonslick Country and \t hence they came: 
Those who settled in the central Boonslick Country in 1810 are as 
follow: From Madison County, Ky., Lieut. Col. Benjamin Cooper, Francis 
Cooper. William Cooper, Daniel Cooper, John Cooper, Capt. Sarshall 
Cooper. Braxton Cooper, Sr., Joseph Cooper, Stephen Cooper, Braxton 
Cooper, Jr., Robert Cooper, James Hancock, Albert Hancock, William 
Berry, John Berry, Robert Irvin, Robert Brown, Joseph Wolfscale, William 
Thorpe, John Thorpe, Josiah Thorpe, James Thorpe, Gilead Rupe, James 
Jones, John Peak, William Wolfscale, Adam Woods. From Estill County, 
Ky., Amos Ashcraft, Otho Ashcraft, Jesse Ashcraft, James Alexander. 
From Tennessee, John Ferrell, Henry Ferrell, Robert Hancock. From 
Virginia, James Kile. From South Carolina, Peter Popineau. Previous 
residence unknown, John Busby, James Anderson, Middleton Anderson, 
William Anderson. From Wayne County, Ky., Hannah Jennie, Mattie, 
Dickie, Nellie, James, Holbert, Stephen, William, Samuel, Stephen, Phoebe 
(Stephen's wife), James, Rhoda, Mark, Nellie, and Polly Cole. 

Those from Wayne County, Kentucky, settled south of the river. 
The women belonging- to some of these families on the north side of the 
river did not arrive until the following July or August. There may have 
been others but the above list is all that we are able to trace. 



CHAPTER VIII 



CHARACTERISTICS AND CUSTOMS OF PIONEERS. 



SELF-RELIANT AND BRAVE— FREE FROM PRIDE AND VANITY— GOOD WILL BE- 
TWEEN NEIGHBORS— MANY WELL-TO-DO — SLAVE OWNERS — PRODUCTS — 
FIRST HOMES— COOKING! — GAME IN ABUNDANCE— THE PIONEER FAMILY- 
SUPPLIED THEIR OWN WANTS. 

During the years preceding the organization of the county, for the 
settlers it was a time of self reliance and brave, persevering toil ; of 
privations cheerfully endured in hope of a better time to come. The 
experience of one settler was just about the same as that of others. 
Most of the settlers were poor; they faced the same hardships and stood 
generally on an equal footing. They kept no record of events nor of 
the privations they were called upon to endure, nor of incidents in their 
lives nor happenings in the community that would be of interest at this 
time. They were too busily engaged in making history to preserve 
historical events. This is a matter of regret now, for it was then the 
corner stones of all the county's history and future prosperity were laid. 

If these early settlers were poor they were free from pride and vanity, 
and the anxiety that attends the position of wealth. There were no 
fashion plates in those days and they were not concerned in dress nor 
display of that kind. Other people's eyes cost them nothing. They had 
few near neighbors but they were on the best of terms with those they 
had. There was no room for jealousy or strife to creep in. A com- 
mon interest and a common sympathy bound them together. They were 
a little world to themselves, far removed from the east of the Mississippi, 
bound together by the consciousness of common hardships, attended with 
some peril and they must necessarily depend the one upon the other and 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 111 

make common cause in case of need. If disaster came to any one settler, 
if his cabin burned or was blown down, the neighbors assembled at once 
to assist the unfortunate to rebuild his home, as if they were members of 
the same family bound together by ties of blood. 

What is said here with reference to Randolph County would hold 
good throughout the other settlements of that period within the state. 
The very nature of their surroundings made it necessary for them to dwell 
together in this spirit. They were thus living before there was an officer 
of the law in the county. The only protection each had was in the good 
will and friendship of his neighbors. The ill will of his neighbors justly 
merited would ostracize him and in the end drive him out of the com- 
munity. The indignation of a pioneer community was more potent even 
than the law. 

What we have said above is specially applicable to the first comers 
who settled in Randolph County prior to the admission of the state and 
shortly thereafter. 

Every settler who came in the early days, however, was not penni- 
less. In 1820 a census was taken in the state of Missouri and the popu- 
lation all told was 70,000. Of this total population, 12,000 in round num- 
bers were negro slaves. The influx of population after the admission of 
the state brought many comparatively well-to-do men together with their 
families and oft times as many slaves as there were members in his 
family, into these river and contigious counties from Boone County to 
the then state line. This class, as a rule, bought farms improved or 
partially improved and oft times the pioneer seller would go farther back 
into the country and begin his pioneer life anew. The growing of hemp 
and tobacco with slave labor soon became a lucrative business and within 
a decade after Randolph County was organized and prior thereto in these 
river counties, comfortable houses were erected here and there, and wealth 
began to accumulate, not great fortunes such as we have today but 
competent ones that enabled the sons and daughters of the wealthier 
class to attend seminaries and colleges. 

The first cabins erected in the county were temporary and less stable 
than the log houses that shortly took their places. To erect a log house 
required help, hence the preliminary cabin that must be raised by the 
unaided efforts of the settler was necessarily a make shift and of course 
endured for a few seasons only, until a more stable structure could be 
erected. No accurate description can be given at this late date of these 
temporary structures. 



112 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

As the tide of emigration was strong after 1818, the community was 
speedily formed and log houses of one or more rooms were then erected. 
These were oft times rude enough. Some of the cabins were constructed 
of rough logs, notched and laid up one on top of the other, while others 
were constructed of hewn logs likewise notched and laid up and were gen- 
erally a story and a half high, and all cabins alike were covered with clap- 
boards, rived usually out of oak trees somewhat thicker than more than 
double the length of an ordinary shingle. Many of the chimneys were 
made of sticks covered with clay, the fireplace being lined with stones. 
Cracks between the logs were chincked and daubed with mud so as to 
keep out both wind and rain. The doors of these cabins were usually 
hung on wooden hinges and secured when closed by a wooden inside latch 
lifted by a string through a hole in the door so that the door could be 
opened from the outside, and all that was required to lock the door was 
to pull in the string. 

There were no mills in Randolph County when the first settlers came, 
neither sawmills nor gristmills, and when planks were needed or when 
they were indispensable, they were sawed by hand, two men performing 
the work. 

Cooking was done in vessels over the fire in the fire place and in sum- 
mer frequently under the shade of a nearby tree. 

The cabin erected and the shelter thus secured for the family, the 
next work for the pioneer was to start his clearing so that bread could 
be had the following season. The trees were felled, or many of them, 
and the bodies converted into rails and the laps into fire wood for winter 
use. Enclosures were erected wherein to confine what livestock the set- 
tler possessed. Trees unfit for rails were deadened by cutting through 
the bark of the tree all the way around thereby girdling it, and all the 
brush on the clearing was burned. Of course the tree put out no leaves 
the following year and cutting down and converting the same into fire 
wood was the work of a later day. After the land to be cultivated was 
cleared and fenced, the amount of work to be done and the time required 
depended upon the size of the clearing. The settler was then ready to 
plow and plant. It goes without saying that the farmer and his sons 
had worked incessantly until the planting season came. 

The family of the pioneer was seldom in want of food. The woods 
and prairies abounded in game. Elk, deer, bear, rabbits and squirrels 
innumerable could be obtained by the hunter. The pioneer was an ex- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 113 

pert rifle shot as a rule, and fresh meat could be obtained in an hour's 
hunt. Game birds also abounded. Wild geese, ducks, wild turkey and 
prairie chickens could easily be found. Fur bearing animals, the beaver, 
otter, mink, raccoon and others were abundant and many a pioneer ret 
traps in winter and secured furs which were readily sold for cash. 

The pioneer family like the neighborhood was necessarily based on 
the community plan. The pioneer must furnish the food and the ma- 
terial for clothing and shoes, while the pioneer's wife equally the head of 
the family in her department carded, spun, wove and made the clothing 
with the help of her daughters and servants, and also prepared and served 
the meals. There were times, no doubt, when the wives of the very early 
pioneers were compelled to card the wool as well as to spin and weave. 
Such carding was done by hand and just how this now seemingly im- 
possible achievement was accomplished this writer will not attempt to 
describe. Mills to grind corn and saw timber were indispensable and 
were early established. These mills were operated by water or horse 
power. The carding mill was equally indispensable and these were estab- 
lished here and there as promptly as were the sawmills. Thereafter the 
wool was taken to the carding machine, converted into rolls and the 
wives, daughters and women servants spun, wove, fashioned and made 
all the winter wear and likewise much if not all of the summer wear of 
flax or hemp. The summer wear of the family, especially the working 
clothes, was home spun, made of flax or hemp milled and was called 
"tow linen". A suit of homemade flax, skilfully milled, spun and woven 
and properly bleached, such as the farmers and their negro slaves wore 
in the antibellum days, would bring more on the market today fashion- 
ably cut, and would be much superior to the present palm beach suits 
both in durability and comfort. The wearing of homespun clothing did 
not end with the pioneer days, but continued until the Civil War and 
ended only when the slaves were freed. 

There may have been differences of opinion and some bickering be- 
tween man and wife in those days, but these old pioneers were usually 
prudent and sensible men, and having much to do themselves did what 
they were told to do, when in and about the house, by the other head ot 
the family. In any event, the early chronicles of Randolph County maKe 
no mention of a pioneer wife such as we have described deserting her 
pioneer husband and her family. The wife had too much responsibility 
to indulge in such pranks, besides, like Miss Betsy Trotwood's niece, she 
had no place to go. 



114 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The winter wear of the pioneer and his sons and servants was home- 
spun jeans, cotton warp and all wool woof woven three or four ply. 
The only difference between the coat of the colored servant and the 
master was in the shape and color. The master's coat was usually dyed 
with indigo and was called blue jeans, while the suit of the servant 
and oftimes the working clothes of the other members of the family 
was dyed with walnut bark or made of wool from the backs of black 
sheep and was therefore brown. 



CHAPTER IX 



PIONEER SETTLERS OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. 



SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP SETTLED FIRST WILLIAM ETOLMAN FIRST SETTLER- 
SETTLERS MOSTLY FROM THE SOUTH DR. FORT FIRST PHYSICIAN— EARLY 
SETTLERS— ORIGINAL TOWNSHIPS— PIONEERS WERE <>K HIGH TYPE— OTHER 
EARLY SETTLERS. 

The Missouri River at Glasgow, flowing eastward to that point, 
turns abruptly to the south and flows south for approximately twenty 
miles ; thence east to Rocheport. Howard County lies largely in this 
bend of the river, the northwest corner being about six miles north of 
Glasgow. In consequence, Randolph County, adjoining on the north, 
is nearer Glasgow than any other point on the river. As we have seen 
the first settlements were along the river and from thence grew inland. 
Silver Creek township in the southwest corner of Randolph County is 
from eight to fifteen miles from Glasgow, and it was in this part of 
the county the first settlement was made. It is conceded that William 
Holman was the first permanent settler in Randolph county. He located 
near a spring in Silver Creek township in 1818. Following close on the 
heels of William Holman, came James Holman, a brother of William, 
and James Dysart, the same or following year. 

From this beginning the settlement of Randolph County grew rapidly 
east and north. From and after the close of the war of 1812 and the 
treaty of peace with the Indians, the tide of immigration from the older 
states east of the Mississippi grew stronger year by year. Kentucky 
contributed by far the greater number of settlers and Tennessee, North 
Carolina, Virginia and Maryland each contributed large numbers. Mis- 
souri was admitted as a slave state and while the free states farther 



116 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

north contributed, the number was relatively small compared with the 
numbers coming in from the states south of the Mason and Dixon line. 

Within three years after the coming of William Holman the settle- 
ment thus begun had stretched east beyond Higbee and north beyond 
Huntsville, and probably an occasional settler had found his way to the 
neighborhood of Middle Grove and Milton and other parts of Randolph 
County. 

In the year of 1820, Dr. William Fort, the first physician to locate in 
Randolph County, settled on land about three and a half miles west of 
the site of Huntsville and he and Tolman Gorham established and oper- 
ated salt works at the Salt Spring, now known as Randolph Springs. 
These works they continued to operate for many years thereafter, fur- 
nishing salt for a wide stretch of surrounding territory. 

Among other early settlers of Silver Creek and Salt Springs town- 
ships were John Viley, Nicholas Dysart, Cornelius Vaughn, Iverson Sears, 
John Sears, Asa Kerby, Hardy Sears, David R. Denny, Younger Row- 
land, John Rowland, Archie Rowland, Samuel Humphreys, Wright Hill, 
Rev. James Barnes, Uriah Davis, Abraham Goss, Isiah Humphreys, Rev. 
S. C. Davis, James Davis, Jacob Medley, Thomas Mayo, Sr., Charles 
Mathis, Tillman Bell, James Beattie, Charles Finnell, Val. Mayo, Charles 
Baker, Sr., Jos. M. Baker, Charles M. Baker, Jr., Jer. Summers, John Whel- 
den, Wm. Elliott, Neal Murphy, Wm. Cross, Nat. Hunt, Blandermin Smith, 
George Burckhartt, John C. Reed, Capt. Robert Scones, James Goodring, 
Elijah Hammett, John J. Turner, Joseph Wilcox, James Cochran, Thomas 
Gorham, Sr., T. R. C. Gorham, Daniel Hunt, William Goggin, Rueben 
Samuel, Thomas J. Samuel, John Head, Robert Boucher, Joseph M. Ham- 
mett, Dr. W. B. McLean, Chas. McLean, F. K. Collins, Paul Christian, 
Sr., Jos. Cockrill and Robert W. Wells and Nathan Hunt. 

It will be borne in mind that these early settlers arrived and located 
prior to the organization of Randolph County and when we refer to the 
townships in this connection by name we refer to the four original town- 
ships into which the county was subdivided after its organization. Pri- 
marily, Silver Creek and Salt Spring townships embraced the entire 
western half of the county and Prairie and Sugar Creek townships the 
eastern portion of the county. Many others came before the organiza- 
tion of Randolph county, but the time of their arrival cannot be definitely 
fixed at this late date. These later arrivals, many of them, will receive 
mention in the history of the several townships as now organized. 






HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 117 

In a recent history of Missouri written by a college professor these 
pioneer settlers are referred to by the learned author as rude, uncouth, 
roistering men and not over law abiding. Evidently the author of this 
work belongs to a younger generation and was not fortunate enough 
to have become personally acquainted with any great number of these 
pioneers. The writer of this article grew up from a boy ten years of 
age among the pioneer settlers of Clay County and in the early seventies 
made the acquaintance of many of these old settlers of Randolph County 
who were then advanced in years, some of them feeble with age, others 
yet sturdy oaks in their seventies, perhaps older. The early settlers 
of Clay County, like those of Randolph, were from the same states 
and like to the early settlers of Randolph County in every respect. As 
a rule they were not college bred, yet some of them had college diplomas. 
And on the other hand some were illiterate, but not all. Prior to 1840 
Missouri was yet a young state and much of it was yet a wilderness, 
and the class of people who came were as a rule men of strong convic- 
tions and strong characters. 

The very early settlers, those who took up their abode in Ran- 
dolph County prior to its organization, were supermen. Before 1820 
no steamboats plied the Missouri River and previous to that time and 
long afterward the emigrant from east of the Mississippi came with 
his family, if he had one, in a covered wagon or wagons. It was only 
the courageous, industrious, fearless man that come to the wilderness 
in those days. He may have been deficient in book learning, but he 
had learned much in the most thorough school of all — the school of 
experience. The man who sought an easy, restful life, free from cares 
and dangers, remained in the state of his birth. No drones crossed 
the Mississippi River into the wilderness in the early days. 

It was my fortune to make the acquaintance of probably a dozen 
of the very early settlers who came to this county before the state 
was admitted into the Union and of many more before Randolph County 
was organized. They were not great scholars, many of them, but as 
a rule they were men, courageous, honest, energetic, home loving and 
hospitable, and many of them were consistent church men. So far as 
natural ability, industry, morality and right living was concerned they 
more than averaged with the men of Randolph County today. As a 
rule their word was as good as their bond. In the early days when 
they lived side by side, i. e., within a few miles of each other, facing. 



118 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

a common peril, and being largely dependent the one upon the other, 
it was no uncommon thing for a neighbor to loan a neighbor not only 
small sums of money, but sums amounting to several hundred dollars 
and decline to take a note because his neighbor's promise was good 
and his lender knew his word would be kept. 

Nor were those early settlers rude or uncouth, especially in the 
company of ladies. They were possessed of native dignity, they placed 
women upon a pedestal and were gentlemen in their presence and true 
men at all other times. As a matter of course there were some, as 
there always are in every neighborhood who didn't measure up to this 
standard, but there were as few of their class then as now. Men and 
women of today are better educated, it is true, but God makes men 
and women and endows them. The college may polish and to a degree 
enlighten and improve, but it can't make nor unmake God's handiwork. 

It is not the purpose of the writer to unduly extol these early 
settlers, but to pay them a just tribute only. It was the writer's privi- 
lege in the early seventies to become personally acquainted with a num- 
ber of these old settlers. Several of them had already passed their 
four score mile post. Others were a score or half a score of years 
younger and many of these younger ones became my personal friends. 
A number of the early settlers had moved west and south and of course 
many others had ended life's journey and were sleeping the last sleep 
in the church yards that dotted Randolph County. 

The memory of men, however, such men as were George Burck- 
hartt. Major Horner, William Holman and the older Taylors, Samuels, 
Burtons, McLeans and many other former leading citizens, does not 
die with them. There were hundreds yet living who bore testimony 
to the high character and worth of these early settlers. What I have 
written concerning them, the ones that I knew, I know to be just and 
true, and what I have written concerning those who had passed away 
is equally true because based upon the testimony of many credible men. 
The sons and daughters and later descendents of these pioneers may 
therefore take pride in the names and achievements of their pioneer 
forefathers, with few exceptions. 

Other early settlers were: James Head, Robert Wilson, James 
Wells, Archibald Shoemaker, John Peeler, Elisha McDaniel, Thomas 
Bradley, John Dysart, Abraham Goodding, Nathaniel Floyd, David Floyd, 
William Drinkard, John McCully, Benjamin Hardester, Samuel McCully, 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 119 

Terry Bradley, Thomas J. Gorham, George Shirley, Robert Gee, Phoebe 
Wheldon, Gabriel Johnson, Abraham Summers, George W. Green, Jacob 
Maggard, Samuel Eason, James Davis, John Harvey, Elijah Hammett, 
Joseph Goodding, Fielding Cockerill, Edwin T. Hickman, Nicholas S. Dy- 
sart, Benjamin F. Wood, Hancock Jackson, S. Brockman, Elias Fort, 
Aaron Fray, John Wheldon, John M. Patton, William Harris, William 
Patton, Isaac Harris, James Wells, Henry Lassiter, Mark Noble, William 
B. Tompkins, John Garshwiler, Sandy Harrison, Thomas Adams, May 
Burton, James Burton, Josiah Davis, David Proffit, Joseph Higbee, Am- 
brose Medley, Henry T. Martin, John Loe, Thoret Rose, Charles Baker, 
William Baker, John Clarkson, William Holeman, John Bagley, John Tay- 
lor, George Q. Thomson, Thomas Griffin, Thomas Prather, John Kirley, 
John Littrell, James Pipes, James Vivion, Wiley Ferguson, Robert Ash, 
Hiram Summers, Nicholas W. Tuttle, Noah Baker, Richard Wells, Phillip 
Dale, Isaac Waldon, Felix G. Cockerill Frederick Rowland, James Howard, 
Rachel Crawford, William H. Davis, Isam Rials, Anthony Head, Jesse 
Jones, Robert Cornelius, John Biswell, Luke Mathis, William Robertson, 
William H. Brooks, Adam Wilson, Benjamin Hardin, William Blue, Wyatt 
McFadden, W. M. Dameron, William Lockridge, Gideon Wright, John Ball, 
Thomas H. Benton, John D. Reed, Moses Kimbrough, Aaron Kinbrough, 
James Emerson, Edward Stephenson, Evan Wright, Stephen Scoby, James 
Vestals, John J. Rice, Waddy T. Currin, Derling Wright, William Upton, 
William Meyers, Lewis Collier, W T illiam B. Tompkins, William Oliver, 
Samuel Gash, Abijah Goodding, Martin Fletcher, Edmund Chapman, 
John Thompson, David Peeler, John Tooley, Tolancl Magoffin, James S. 
Ingram, Adam Everly, Uriel Sebree, Robert Payne, John Nanson, Jona- 
than Dale, Michael Daly, Benjamin Skinner, William Cooley, Henry Wil- 
kinson, Mark H. Kirkpatrick, John Bull, George Watts, Justin Rose, Noah 
Baker, Simpson Foster, Richard Goodding, Andrew Goodding, William 
Sears, George Dawkins, Jonathan Ratliff, Henry Schitchfield, Benjamin 
Hardin, Liberty Noble, Richard Rout, E, D. Vest, Henry Austin, William 
B. Means, Jubal Hart, John Dunn, William Lindsey, Branton Carton, Wil- 
liam Ramsey, Zepheniah Walden, Lewis S. Jacobs, William Cristal, John 
Collins, Stanton Carter, Charles Hatfield, Reynold Green, James Mitchell, 
John Rowton, Garland Crenshaw, William Smoot, Thomas Phipps, Joshua 
Phipps, Owen Singleton, Samuel T. Crews, Richard Routt, John A. Pitts, 
Tilman W. Belt, Joseph Sharon, Dabney Finley, Aaron W, Lane, Rueben 
Small, William Banks, John Parker, Henry Hines, Abner Brasfield, Lucinda 



120 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Dalton, Thomas Partin, Russell Shoemaker, Jesse Harrison, John B. Samp- 
kins, William C. Dickerson, John D. Bowen, Andrew King, Samuel Hodge, 
James Hodge, Byrd Pyle, Bright Gillstrap, David James, Tucker W. 
Lewis, William Wear, C. F. Burckhartt, Squire S. Winn, Samuel Rich- 
mond, John Kane, Gabriel Maupin, Phillip B. Hodgkin, Michael W T ate, 
Peter Culp, Sydney J. Swetnam, William Fray, James H. Bean, Ebenezer 
Enyart, Edmund Bartlett, Nathan Minter, James Hinson, Major W 7 allis, 
Robert Steele, Richard Banter, James T. Haly, Isham P. Embree, P. Samuel, 
William H. Mansfield, Lewis Bumbardner, Waller Head, Edward R. Brad- 
ley, Yancy Gray, Abner Vickry, Waitman Summers, William Eagan, 
Barnaby Eagan, Charles W. Cooper, G. W. Richey, Joseph D. Rutherford, 
Loverance Evans, Clark Banning, Levi Fawks, James Fray, John Wilks, 
Samuel Belshe, Hugh C. Dobbins, Fisher Rice, Nathan Decker, Leonard 
Dodson, Silah Phipps, Thomas Tudor, Thomas K. White, William W. 
Walker, Isaac L. Yealock, Walker Austin, Daniel Lay, John McDavitt, 
Henry Smith. 



CHAPTER X 



ORGANIZATION OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. 



ORGANIZED IN 1829- NAMED IN HONOR OF JOHN RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE— FIRST 
COUNTY COURT — COUNTY 1 >I VI I >E] > INTO FOUR TOWNSHIPS -OFFICERS AP- 
POINTED—SECOND SPECIAL TERM COUNTY FINANCES— FIRST BRIDGES— 
COUNTY RECORDS— FIRST CIRCUIT C*OURT— FIRST GRAND JURY— ATTOR- 

N I : V S— S E< '< »N I > GRAND JURY. 

Randolph County was organized in 1829 and bears the name of an 
early American orator and statesman, John Randolph of Roanoke, who was 
born in Chesterfield County, Virginia, June 2, 1773, and died in Phila- 
delphia, June -24, 1833. He was educated at Princeton and Columbia 
colleges. He was elected a representative in congress from Virginia in 
1799, and soon became conspicuous. He was described by Hildreth as "a 
singular mixture of the aristocrat and the Jacobin." He was re-elected in 
1801, and was made chairman of a committee of ways and means. In 
1803, as chairman of a committee, he reported against a memorial from 
Indiana, for permission to introduce slaves into the territory in spite 
of the prohibition of the ordinance of 1787, which he pronounced to 
be "wisely calculated to promote the happiness and prosperity of the 
northwestern country." 

In 1804 he was chief manager in the trial of Judge Samuel Chase, 
impeached before the senate. In 1806 he assailed President Jefferson 
and his supporters with great virulence. He attached Madison's admin- 
istration, and opposed the declaration of war against Great Britain in 
1812. His opposition caused his defeat at the next election. He was 
re-elected in 1814 and again in 1818, having declined to be a candidate 
in 1816. In the congress of 1819-20 he opposed the Missouri Com- 



122 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

promise, stigmatizing the northern members, by whose co-operation it 
was carried, as "doughfaces," an epithet adopted into the political vo- 
cabulary of the United States. In 1822 and again in 1824 he visited 
England. From 1825 to 1827 he was a senator of the United States, 
and during that time fought a duel with Henry Clay. He supported 
General Jackson for president in 1828. In 1829 he was a member of 
the convention to revise the constitution of Virginia, and in 1830 was 
appointed a minister to Russia, but soon after his reception by the 
Emperor Nicholas, he departed abruptly for England, where he remained 
for nearly a year, and returned home without revisiting Russia. He 
was again elected to congress, but was too ill to take his seat. 

Exhausted, with consumption, he died in a hotel at Philadelphia, 
whither he had gone on his way to take passage again across the ocean. 
During his life, his speeches were more fully reported and more gen- 
erally read than those of any other member of Congress. He was tall 
and slender, with long, skinney fingers which he was in the habit of 
pointing and shaking at those against whom he spoke. His voice was 
shrill and piping, but under perfect command, and musical in its lower 
tones. His invectives, sarcasm and sharp and wreckless wit, made him 
a terror to his opponents in the house. At the time of his death he 
owned 318 slaves, whom by his will he manumitted, bequeathing funds 
for their settlement and maintenance in a free state. His "Letters to 
a Young Relative" appeared in 1834. 

The first county court that convened in Randolph County, was held 
on the 2d day of February, 1829. The following is the record and 
proceedings of the first term of the said court: 

At a county court begun and held, for and within the county afore- 
said, at the house of Blandermin Smith, the place appointed by law 
for holding the courts of said county, James Head, William Fort, and 
Joseph M. Baker, Esquires, produced from the governor of the state 
commissions as justices of said court, who qualified on the 2d day of 
February, in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine. 
Whereupon court was opened by proclamation. 

The court appoint James Head president of the court. 

The court appoint Robert Wilson clerk pro tern of this court. 

Ordered, That all applicants for office file with the clerk pro tern, 
their applications in writing. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 123 

The court appoints Robert Wilson clerk of said court; whereupon 
he entered into bonds with satisfactory security, which is received by 
the court, and ordered to be certified to the governor. 

Ordered, That court adjourn until tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. 

WM. FORT, 
JOSEPH M. BAKER. 

Tuesday Morning, February 3d, 1829. 

The court met pursuant to adjournment. Present, Justices Head, 
Fort, and Baker. R. WILSON, Clerk, P. T. 

The court recommend to his excellency, the governor of this state, 
the following named persons to be appointed justices of the peace, viz.: 
Blandeiman Smith, James Wells, and Archibald Shoemaker, for Salt 
Spring township; John Peeler and Elisha McDaniel, for Sugar Creek 
township; Thomas Bradley, John Viley, and John Dysart, for Silver 
Creek township, and Charles McLean for Prairie township. 

The court then proceeded to divide the county into townships, as 
follows, viz.: The township of Silver Creek shall be bounded as follows: 
Beginning at the southwest corner of Howard county; thence running 
north with Randolph county line, to the township line, between town 
ships 53 and 54; thence east with said township line, to the range line, 
to the Howard county line; thence west with said line to the beginning. 

The township of Prairie shall be bounded as follows, viz.: Begin- 
ning at the Howard county line, where the range line between ranges 
14 and 15 intersects the same; thence north with said range line, to the 
line dividing townships 53 and 54; thence east with said townships to 
the line dividing Randolph and Ralls counties; thence south with said 
county line, to the Boone county line; thence west with the line, divid- 
ing Randolph and Boone, and Randolph and Howard, to the beginning. 

The township of Salt Spring shall be bounded as follows, viz.: 
Beginning where the township line, dividing townships 53 and 54 on 
the west ; thence north with said county line to the northwest corner 
of the county; thence east with the county line, to the range line be- 
tween ranges 14 and 15; thence south to the corner of Silver Creek 
township; thence west with said line to the beginning. 

Ordered, That all territory lying north be attached to and form a 
part of said township. 

The township of Sugar Creek shall be bounded as follows, viz.: 
Beginning at the range line, between ranges 14 and 15, on the north- 



124 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

ern county line; thence east to the northeast corner of the county; 
thence south with the line dividing townships 53 and 54 : thence west 
with said line to the corner of Silver Creek and Prairie townships. 

Ordered, That all the territory lying north of said township, be 
attached to and form a part thereof. 

The court appoint Thomas J. Gorham surveyor of the county of 
Randolph, whereupon he entered into bond conditioned as the law directs, 
with satisfactory surety. 

The court appoint Terry Bradley assessor for the county of Ran- 
dolph, for the year 1829, and until his successor is duly elected and quali- 
ried. Whereupon, he entered into bond conditioned as the law directs, in 
the penal sum of five hundred dollars, with Thomas Bradley and Ben- 
jamin Cockerill his securities, which was received by the court. 

The court appoint Jacob Medley collector for the county of Ran- 
dolph, for the year 1829. Whereupon, he entered into duplicate bonds, 
conditioned as the law directs, in the penal sum of two thousand dol- 
lars, with James Head and Terry Bradley as his securities, for the faith- 
ful performance of his duties in relation to state tax, which was received 
by the court, one of which was ordered to be forwarded to the auditor 
of public accounts; he also took the oath prescribed by law. 

The court appoint Nathan Hunt constable of Salt Spring township. 
Whereupon, he entered into bond in the penal sum of eight hundred 
dollars, with Daniel Hunt and Abraham Goodding as his securities, which 
was received by the court. 

The court appoint Nathan Floyd constable of Prairie township. 
\\ hereupon, he entered into bond in the penalty of eight hundred dollars, 
with David Floyd and William Drinkard as his securities, which were 
received by the court; he then took the oath prescribed by law. 

The court appoint John McCully constable of Silver Creek township. 
Whereupon, he entered into bond in the penalty of eight hundred dollars, 
conditioned as the law directs, with Benjamin Hardester and Samuel 
McCully as his securities, and took the oath prescribed by law. 

The court appoint Abraham Goodding constable of Sugar Creek 
township. Whereupon, he entered into bond in the penalty of eight hun- 
dred dollars, conditioned as the law directs, with Terry Bradley and Rob- 
ert Sconce as his securities, and took the oath prescribed by law. 

Ordered, By the court, that application be made to the clerk of 
Chariton county court, for copies of such records pertaining to the county 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 125 

of Randolph, as may be thought necessary. The court appoint Robert 
Sconce, guardian of Luzetta Wheldon, minor of John Wheldon, deceased. 
Whereupon, he entered into bond conditioned as the law directs, in the 
penalty of one thousand dollars, with John J. Turner, and Thomas J. 
Gorham as his securities, which were received by the court as sufficient. 

Ordered, that court adjourn until court in course. 

WILLIAM FORT, 
JOSEPH M. BAKER. 

At a county court begun and held for and within the county afore- 
said, by special appointment on the first day of March, 1829 ; present 
William Fort and Joseph M. Baker, justices of said court. Robert Wil- 
son, clerk, and Hancock Jackson, sheriff. 

Ordered, By the court, that the temporary seat of justice for said 
county, be fixed at the house of William Goggin in said county; and 
it is further ordered that all courts of record, hereafter to be holden 
in said county, be held at the house of the said William Goggin, and 
that a copy of this order be furnished the judge of the circuit court. 

Ordered, That court adjourn until court in course. 

WILLIAM FORT, 
JOSEPH M. BAKER. 

The above constitutes the proceedings of the first and special terms 
of the county court. The second regular term of the court was held on 
the 4th day of May following, and we note the following proceedings: 

Gabriel Johnson was recommended for justice of the peace for Sil- 
ver Creek township, and George Burckhartt and Benjamin Hardin, for 
Prairie. 

The following gentlemen were appointed road overseers: Archibald 
Shoemaker, Blandermin Smith, Thomas Bradley, John Dysart, James 
Wells, Henry Lassiter, Mark Noble, William B. Thompkins, John Garsh- 
weiler, John M. Patton and Josiah Davis. 

The first county levy was made at the June term, anil was ordered 
to be 50 per cent of the state levy, and in order to give some idea of 
the kind of salaries our old-time officers received, it should be stated 
that the county assessor, Terry Bradley, "was allowed his account of 
sixty-one dollars and fifty-six and one-fourth cents, for thirty-five days' 
service, postage, stationery," etc. Query — If such salaries as this were 
paid nowadays, would not electioneering grow small by degrees and beau- 
tifully less? 



126 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The collector made settlement of his accounts for the county revenue 
November 3, 1829; it was as follows: 

Resident list amounts to $253.60 

Delinquent returned and allowed 1.25 

Allowed by law for collecting 20.20 



$21.45 
Leaving a balance of two hundred and thirty-two dollars and fifteen 
cents in his hands, together with the sum of two dollars and ninety- 
nine cents, received by him on licenses, which is ordered to be paid to 
the county treasurer. 

In August, 1830, the county court made the following order: 
The clerk is ordered to procure a seal for the county court, with the 
emblem of the American Eagle, provided the same can be had on reason- 
able terms. 

Robert Wilson was appointed commissioner of the county seat. 
William Goggin and Nancy, his wife, and Gideon Wright and Rebecca, 
his wife, Daniel Hunt and wife, and Henry Winburn and wife all made 
deeds without compensation, conveying land to the county for the seat 
of justice. Each gave twelve and a half acres, aggregating 50 acres. 
Reuben Samuel was appointed superintendent of public buildings. 

The first guardian appointed by the county court of Randolph county 
was John Harvey, who was appointed guardian of Drucilla Wheldon, 
minor child of John Wheldon, deceased. Davis and Currin were granted 
the first license to keep a tavern ; their stand was at the house of Wil- 
liam Goggin. The license for the same cost them $10. John Taylor 
was the second tavern keeper. 

The first bridge of any importance, constructed in the county, was 
built over the east fork of the Chariton river, on the first high bank 
above Baker's ford, in 1829. The citizens paid half of the cost by sub- 
scription, and the county court subscribed the other half. Henry B. 
Owen was the contractor, and received $1.65 for building half of the 
bridge. In 1830 Nicholas Dysart was allowed the sum of $56 for assess- 
ing the county. 

The early records of the circuit court and recorder's office, espe- 
cially the record of deeds in the latter office, were destroyed by fire 
in 1882, at the time the court-house was burned; consequently we are 
forever precluded from knowing just exactly what they contained. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 127 

The first circuit court within and for the county of Randolph, was 
held at the residence of William Goggin in 1829. The Hon. David Todd, 
of Boone county, was the presiding judge; Robert Wilson was the clerk, 
Hancock Jackson, sheriff, and James Gordon, prosecuting attorney. The 
following persons composed the first grand jury: George Burckhartt, 
foreman; Peter Culp, Ambrose Medley, William Baker, Lawrence Evans, 
Terry Bradley, Edwin T. Hickman, Francis K. Collins, Levi Moore, Jere- 
miah Summers, Robert Boucher, Richard Blue, Henry Martin, Thomas 
Kimbrough, Moses Kimbrough, James Davis, John Bagby, John Dunn, 
William Upton, Robert Dysart, John Martin, William Pattin, Isaac Harris. 
They closed their labors on the second day of the term, having found 
two indictments, — one against John Moore for "assault and battery," 
and one against John Cooley, for resisting legal process. 

The following attorneys were in attendance upon this court: Robert 
W. Wells, attorney-general; John F. Ryland, Gen. John B. Clark, Joseph 
Davis, Thomas Reynolds and Samuel Moore. Each one of the above 
named attorneys, excepting Moore, afterwards occupied honorable posi- 
tions in the councils of the state. Wilson and Gen. Clark were in the 
congress of the United States, the former being a senator. 

This second grand jury was made up of John Dysart, foreman; 
James Davis, John Owens, David Turner, William Mathis, Thomas 
Prather, William Kerby, Jacob Epperly, Nicholas Tuttle, Robert Elliott, 
George W. Green, Thorett Rose, Elisha McDaniels, John D. Reed, John 
Gross, James Cooley, John McCully, Dr. William Fort, Nathaniel Floyd, 
David Floyd. 



CHAPTER X| 



EARLY WARS. 



BEFORE WAR OF 1812— INDIANS IN WAR OF 1812— FORTS CONSTRUCTED IN BOONS- 
LICK COUNTRY — INDIAN WARFARE— SETTLERS KILLED BY INDIANS— CAP- 
TAIN COOPER ASSASSINATED — CAPTAIN SARSHALL COOPER'S COMPANY- 
MEXICAN WAR — COMPANY ORGANIZED IN RANDOLPH COUNTY— CIVIL WAR. 

Doubtless before the War of 1812 began, the Missouri Indians were at 
heart hostile. They were idle, shiftless and treacherous, from the white 
man's viewpoint. In the presence of the settler, they were apparently 
frank, accommodating' and kind. Yet they knew by experience that 
the white man coveted their lands, hence was their enemy, and that 
eventually they would be dispossessed of their hunting grounds, all of 
which subsequently came to pass. 

Immediately upon the breaking out of hostilities the settlers in the 
Boonslick country began to erect forts in every neighborhood. Four 
were constructed north of the Missouri river and two south. 

The largest, Coopers fort, a stockade flanked by log houses, was 
erected in the bottom south of Glasgow and near the Missouri river. 
A common field of 250 acres lying between the fort and said river was 
worked by all of its inhabitants. Some twenty or more families and a 
number of young men took refuge therein. 

McLeans fort, or Fort Henpstead, was situated on a high hill near 
Sulphur creek, about a mile west of New Franklin. 

Fort Kincaid was near the river about a mile and a half from the 
present site of old Franklin. 

Heads fort was four miles from Rocheport on the "Big Hill" near 
the old Boonslick trail. It was the most easterly fort of the settlement. 

South of the river was Coles fort, a mile and a half east of the pres- 
ent site of Boonville. 




MICH school. MOBERLY, MO. 




WOODLAND HOSPITAL, MOBERLY, .MO. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 129 

In 1814, the Hannah Cole fort was erected on a bluJT overlooking 
the Misosuri river not far from Boonville. The settlers of these several 
neighborhoods took refuge in these forts and so remained until peace 
was declared. Thus situated, co-operation, so vitally necessary for the 
safety of all, was rendered difficult. They made common cause of their 
danger, however, and stood together and extended to each other armed 
aid. And when on one occasion the settlers in Cole's fort, south of the 
river were threatened with extermination and escaped across the river 
to Fort Kincaid, they found not only a refuge, but an indefinite right of 
hospitality. 

There were no phones in those days whereby one fort could com- 
municate with the other in safety. When danger appeared, some daring 
man or woman if need be, must take his life in hand and bear the mes- 
sage in person. 

Beside these imprisoned women and children and men as well must 
be fed and the woods was their larder. The hunter must go forth, other- 
wise a famine. The hunters went at duty's call, sometimes he did not 
return, for the Indian was a "bushwhacker," the first of the kind. 

Fair play and no favors was no part of his war creed, nor is it now 
among so-called enlightened nations, as it once was in the days of chiv- 
alry. The Indian preferred to lie in wait and slay his enemy from am- 
bush. The redmen were not cowards, but they went on the warpath to 
kill, not to be killed. A scalp counted, whether obtained by a shot from 
the bush or in open fight, and he preferred to shoot when concealed; 
it was safer. Indians were seldom reckless in battle, but if need be 
they knew no fear. Today full blood Indians who served with the Amer- 
ican forces in France in the late World War, are wearing "decorations" 
awarded them for efficient and daring service, unsurpassed by any sol- 
dier of any nationality. The Indian as a foe was cruel and vengeful, 
but what about the white race in this last great war. Waged as it was 
by enlightened nations that claim to be Christian countries as well. 
Every damnable device that inventor could design or chemist discover 
was used to cruelly and effectually destroy life and future health. Thou- 
sands of hopeless invalids may today be found in the countries engaged 
with lungs burned beyond repair by poison gas, who must suffer until 
life ends. 

Thus it has come to pass that the savage Indian of more than a 
century ago has been so far outdistanced in cold-blooded war cruelty, as 
to make the redman of that time appear comparatively humane. 



130 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

During the war of 1812 it is definitely known that the Indians took 
the lives of ten of these early settlers, two south of the river, and eight 
north, in the Boonslick country. 

In 1812. two men from Cole's fort went hunting, Smith and Savage, 
and were cut off by hostile Indians. Savage escaped, but Smith was 
slain. 

Later, in 1814, William Gregg, while feeding hogs, was shot and 
killed from ambush by Indians. This took place above Arrow Rock, and 
both these killings were south of the Missouri river. 

Early in the year 1812, Jonathan Todd and Thomas Smith, while 
looking for land upon which to settle were set upon by Indians near the 
Boone County line. They bravely resisted and killed several Indians, but 
in the end paid the forfeit with their lives. 

In July, 1812, a man named Campbell and Adam McCord went to 
Campbell's home from Fort Kincaid to do some work. Campbell was 
killed from ambush and McCord escaped. 

Braxton Cooper, Jr., was killed in September, 1813, two miles north 
of New Franklin while cutting logs to build a house. He was armed 
with a rifle and a hunting knife, and fought to the end. When his 
body, lying face downwards, was found, his gun lay by his side and in 
his clenched right hand was his knife bloody to the hilt. He was a 
young man of superior physical strength and courage and the trampled 
ground and broken bushes about bore evidence that he had fought des- 
perately. He was not scalped nor mutilated, positive evidence that the 
Indians were put to flight while he was yet capable of resistance. 

Joseph Still and Stephen Cooper, a youth of sixteen, both rangers 
from Fort Cooper, while scouting, came in contact with a band of one 
hundred Indians twenty miles from the fort. The Indians barred the 
way, so the two rangers rode full speed at the Indians' line with cocked 
rifles. Both fired with effect. Cooper killed an Indian and Still shot and 
wounded another. Still was shot from his horse at the Indian line and 
killed, while the boy Cooper went through and escaped to the fort. This 
was in October, 1813. 

About the same time, October, 1813, William McLean was killed 
near Fayette. He with several other men went to select a piece of land 
upon which someone of them desired to settle. They were attacked by 
a large party of Indians and McLean was shot in the head and fell 
dead. The others escaped to McLean's fort. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 131 

A negro named Joe, belonging to Samuel Brown, was killed by In- 
dians near Burckhartt's farm, three-quarters of a mile from Estill Sta- 
tion. Several other men belonging to Cooper's fort also lost their lives 
during the war period, but no record of their names remain. 

One of the most lamentable events of this war was the taking off 
of Captain Sarshall Cooper on the night of April 14, 1814. The night 
was exceedingly dark and a storm was raging. Captain Cooper and 
family lived in one of the angles of Fort Cooper. A single warrior crept 
up to the fort and made a hole in the clay between the logs, large enough 
to admit the muzzle of his gun. Captain Cooper was sitting before the 
fire, his youngest child in his lap. his wife nearby, was sewing. The 
Indian fired and Sarshall Cooper fell lifeless to the floor in the midst 
of his family. 

Captain Cooper was a born leader. He was five feet and ten inches 
in height, fine physique, a superb horseman and was cool, deliberate and 
courageous. Cooper County was afterward named for him. 

The musterroll of Captain Sarshall Coopers' company, dated April, 
1812, is not without interest, and gives the names of the following offi- 
cers and men : 

William McLean, first lieutenant; David McQuilty, second lieutenant; 
John Monroe, third lieutenant; Ben Cooper, ensign; John McMurray, first 
sergeant; Sam McMahan, second sergeant; Adam Woods, third ser- 
geant; David Todd, fourth sergeant; John Mathews, fifth sergeant; An- 
drew Smith, corporal; Thomas Vaugn, corporal ; James McMahan, cor- 
poral; John Busby, corporal; James Barnes, corporal. Privates Jesse 
Ashcraft, Jesse Cox, Sam Perry, Solomon Cox, Henry Ferrill, Harmon 
Gregg, Robert Cooper, William Gregg, John Wasson, Josiah Higgins, 
David Gregg, Gray Byrum, David Cooper, Abbott Hancock, William 
Thorp, William Cooper, John Cooper, Joseph Cooper, Stephen Cooper, 
William Read, Stephen Turley, Thomas McMahan, James Anderson, Wil- 
liam Anderson, Stephen Jackson, John Hancock, Robert Irvin, Francis 
Cooper, Benoni Sappington, James Cooley, Nathan Teague, James Doug- 
lass, John Sneathan, William Cresson, Joseph Cooley, William McLane, 
James Turner, Ervin M. McLane, William Baxter, Peter Creason, David 
Burns, Price Arnold, John Smith, John Stephenson, Alfred Head, Gilliard 
Roop. Daniel Durbin, James Cockrill, Jesse Tresner, Mitchell Poage, Town- 
send Brown, John Arnold, Robert Poage, Francis Berry, Lindsay Car- 
son, David Boggs, Jesse Richardson, Robert Brown, John Peak, John 



132 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Elliot, Joseph Beggs, Andrew Carson, John Colley, Reuben Fugitt, Seibert 
Hubbard, John Berry, William Brown, Francis Woods, William Allen, 
Robert Wells, Joseph Moody, Joseph Alexander, Amos Barnes, Daniel 
Hubbard, Harris Jamison, Abraham Barnes, William Riclgeway, Enoch 
Taylor, Mathee Kinkead, John Barnes, Henry Waedon, Otto Ashcraft, 
John Pursley, William Monroe, Isaac Thornton, Stephen Feils, Dan Monroe, 
Giles Williams, Henry Barnes, William Savage, Thomas Chandler, John 
Jokley, Stephen Cole, William Robertson, William Bolen, Mixe Box, Sabert 
Scott; John Savage, James Cole, Stephen Cole, Jr., John Ferrill, Delaney 
Bolen. James Savage, Joseph McMahan, Braxton Cooper, Robert Hancock. 

Every enlisted man furnished his own equipment and an order was 
promulgated so the "citizen soldiers may not be ignorant of the manner 
in which the law requires him to be equipped; he is reminded that it is 
his duty to provide himself with a good musket, with bayonet and belt 
or fusil, two spare flints and a knapsack pouch with a box thereon to 
contain not less than twenty-four cartridges, or a good rifle, knapsack, 
powder horn and pouch, with twenty balls and one-quarter of a pound of 
powder." 

It is not within the provincs of this work to go further into the details 
of this war period. They are intensely interesting, however. At that 
time the now Randolph County was a part of the Boonslick country, but 
as yet no white settler had reared his cabin within its boundaries, hence 
Randolph County had no part in this struggle. 

No doubt descendants of some of these pioneers who took an active 
part in this struggle may be found in Randolph County at this time, but 
the writer of this work cannot so state positively, nor give names. 

In July. 1846, upon the call of the president of the United States, a 
company of men was organized in Randolph County fez the Mexican 
War. The company consisted of about 100 men, and left Huntsville on 
the first Monday in August, 1846. Before leaving the company was 
presented with a beautiful silk flag, made by the ladies of Randolph 
County. This flag was carried by the men through all their long marches 
and engagements, and when they returned home, in November, 1847, 
with a list of the names of the men, stored away in the courthouse for 
safe keeping, and, unfortunately, destroyed by fire when the courthouse 
was burned. This list, being thus destroyed, we are unable to give all 
the names of the men who made up the company; the list, however, is 
as complete as we can make it: 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 133 

Hancock Jackson, captain; Clair Oxley, first lieutenant; R. G. Gil- 
man, second lieutenant ; W. R. Samuel, third lieutenant ; William Ketchum, 
first sergeant, died in the army; W. L. Fletcher, first sergeant; L. W. T. 
Allin, second sergeant, died in the army; Eldridge Cross, second sergeant; 
Vincent Barnes, fourth, died in the army; Isaac Larrick, fourth sergeant, 
died in the army; Thomas L. Gorham, first corporal; Robert C. Reed, 
third corporal; E. C. Montgomery, fourth corporal; R. M. Proffit, first 
bugler; W. C. Hoiman, second bugler; Harrigan Barnett, A. Bradigan, 
blacksmith, N. B. Briswell, W. P. Baker, John W. Burris, James H. Brown, 
Francis Condon, George R. Caton, Jeremiah Clarkston, Asa K. Collett, 
James Cole, Lewis R. Collier, William Embree, O. N. P. Flagett, David A. 
Gray, Samuel P. Gray, William N. Gist, Benjamin F. Heaton, Lewis Hag- 
gard, James Heaton, A. O. John, N. T. Johnson, F. M. Morris, John F. 
Miller, Daniel C. Moore, E. A. Matney, James N. Marshall, William Murley, 
Monroe Mullion, John F. McDavitt, died in the army, 0. P. Magee, A. 
McDonald, John O. Oxby, F. E. W. Patton, James Phillips, M. H. Parker, 
E. W. Parsels, John Roberts, H. H. Richardson, John W. Richardson, W. 
T. Redd, W. G. Riley, S. D. Richardson, Martin Riddle, P. M. Richardson, 
John W. Latta, Harvey C. Ray, James Ramy, James G. Smith, W. R. 
Slater, Paul Shirley, E. K. Wilson, G. H. Wilson, William H. Wilson, 0. 
H. P. Fizell, William Roberts and A. M. C. Donald. 

This company belonged to the Second Regiment, Missouri Mounted 
Volunteers, and was under the command of Gen. Sterling Price, and Lieut.- 
Col. D. D. Mitchell, two as brave and gallant officers as ever commanded 
a regiment in any war. 

The men were in two small engagements, one at Taos, and the other 
in the Moreau Valley, and like the American forces generally, came out 
victorious. 

The young men from Randolph County joined the army away from 
home. Their names were Clinton B. Samuel and his cousin, Edmond T. 
Taylor. The former joined Capt. 0. P. Moss' company, Doniphan's regi- 
ment, and the latter Captain Barber's company, of Linn County. They 
were true-hearted and brave; one died with the consumption (Samuel), 
and the other (Taylor) died from an attack of measles, and was buried 
far away from home and friends, on the top of a lonely mountain in New 
Mexico. 

Randolph County, as did the state of Missouri generally, suffered much 
during the Civil War. Her territory was nearly all the time occupied by 



134 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

either one or the other antagonistic elements, and her citizens were called 
upon to contribute to the support of first one side and then the other. 

Among those who commanded companies which were partially or 
entirely raised from Randolph County for the southern army were Col. 
H. T. Fort, Col. John A. Poindexter, Capt. Frank Davis, Capt. John W. 
Bagby, Capt. Benjamin E. Guthrie and Col. C. J. Perkins. Some of the 
above named officers were from adjoining counties, but recruited portions 
of their companies from Randolph county. 

Among those who raised companies for the Union army were Capts. 
T. B. Reed, C. F. Mayo, W. T. Austin, N. S. Burckhartt, W. A. Skinner, 
M. S. Durham and Alexander Denny. The number of men entering each 
army was about the same — numbering between 600 and 900. 

During the w r ar a few non-combatants were killed in the county: 
James Harris, Martin Green, James K. Carter, Andrew J. Herndon, and 
two or three colored men were shot to death at their homes or in the 
county. 



CHAPTER XII 



PHYSICAL FEATURES AND NATURAL RESOURCES. 



LOCATION— AREA GRAND DIVIDE RIVERS, CREEKS AND STREAMS— TIMBER— 
COAL— TOPOO I : \ i ■ ii \ SOILS. 

Randolph County is a north Missouri county. Its southern boundary 
is from twenty-two to twenty-five miles north of the Missouri river at 
Rocheport and at Boonville. It is approximately seventy miles south 
of the Iowa state line and is one of the central counties from east and 
west. It contains 307,677 acres. Randolph County is bounded on the 
north by Macon and Shelby Counties ; on the east by Monroe and Audrain ; 
on the south by Howard and Boone and on the west by Chariton County. 

The grand divide between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, begin- 
ning in St. Charles County, runs northwest into Randolph County, thence 
turns north through the counties of Macon, Adair and Schuyler into 
Iowa and thence northwesterly, parallelling the Des Moines river beyond 
its source, thence northwesterly to a point northwest of Big Stone Lake, 
where it joins the continental divide running east and west from the 
Atlantic to the Pacific, dividing the waters running south from those 
running into the Hudson Bay. About one-fourth of Randolph County 
is on the east slope of this divide and from this part of the county the 
water flows into the Mississippi, and on the other hand the waters from 
the west and south side of the divide flow into the Missouri. The towns 
of Clark, Renick, Moberly, Cairo and Jacksonville are situated on this 
divide, Moberly being the highest point between Hannibal and Bruns- 
wick. This divide is a prairie from the eastern part of Montgomery 
County throughout its length and is of unequal width, varying from one 
to five or six miles, and was known in the early days as the Grand Prairie. 



136 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The slopes of this divide to the east are gentle, hut as the smaller 
streams come together and form larger ones, the land along the water 
courses that flow from these slopes grow more undulating and hilly along 
the streams. From the west and southwest side of the divide flow the 
Perche, Moniteau, Silver Creek, Sweet Springs, Sugar Creek and Locust 
Creek and other smaller streams. All of these streams, except the Perche 
and Moniteau, which flow south directly to the Missouri river, empty into 
the east fork of the Chariton river. The eastern fork of the Chariton has 
its source in north Missouri and enters Randolph County from the north, 
about the center of the county, flows thence southwest until it empties into 
the Chariton river a few miles above the mouth of that stream west of 
Glasgow. Six miles east of the western line of the county the middle 
fork of the Chariton enters the county, flows south by Thomas Hill in 
Chariton township, thence southwest into Chariton County, passing Salis- 
bury east of that town and forms a junction with east fork a few miles 
north of Forest Green, and the streams so combined flow into the Chari- 
ton as we have seen. From the southeast corner of the county west, 
the land slopes gently to the south and west for several miles, becom- 
ing broken and hilly along the Perche and Moniteau for a few miles north 
of the county line. An arm of the grand prairie stretches out to the south- 
west from a point two miles south of Moberly for several miles, extend- 
ing to within a mile of Higbee when it becomes wooded, and thence ex- 
tends into the northern part of Howard County. From this divide the 
waters flow directly south from the south side, and into Silver Creek and 
Sweet Spring from the northern side. The land situated on this divide is 
first class farming and grazing land. The western part of the county was 
mostly timber land, interspersed, however, with rich prairie, and is of 
superior productive qualities. The timber was principally elm, shell-bark 
hickory, linden and burr, swamp, red, white and black oak, sycamore and 
sugar maple. There are some large bodies of very rich land in different 
portions of the county. The bottoms of the east and middle forks of the 
Chariton and Sweet Spring creeks are very flat, but have generally been 
sufficiently drained to be cultivated, and are very productive. 

There are several prairies in the county which contain very superior 
land for agricultural purposes. The creek bottoms are wonderfully rich, 
and where not too flat, or being flat have been drained, they produce 
remarkable crops of the cereals and grasses. About one-half of the coun- 
try is prairie. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 137 

Practically all of Randolph County rests upon coal beds of varying 
thickness lying in strata at different depths. 

From the edge of the prairie that crown the grand divide, westward 
a vein of coal from three and a half to four feet in thickness underlies 
the county practically to its western border. From Jacksonville west 
these coal measures extend to and beyond the county limits. In the south- 
western corner they may be somewhat curtailed. Coal mines have been 
opened and successfully operated at and south of Renick, at and on all 
sides of Higbee, and west thereof to Yates. Also at and around Hunts- 
ville to within a mile of the machine shops at Moberly and west of Jack- 
sonville. This great coal field underlies all of the rough timbered lands, 
valuable now for grazing purposes, but vastly more valuable by reason 
of their mineral wealth, when transportation for the coal that underlies 
them can be had. This coal is a soft, bituminous coal and unexcelled for 
steam purposes. As yet only a few hundred aires of this great coal field 
has been mined and this vast wealth lies safely stored underground 
to enrich a future generation. 

The eastern half of the county, generally speaking, is what we know 
as the Putnam silt loam or level prairie, although, of course, this is cut 
into by streams in many places and timber land results. This timber land 
IS mostly what we know as the Lindley loam. This soil is found princi- 
pally, however, in the belt running north and southwest of Moberly, prac- 
tically across the county and five to eight miles wide. 

West of Huntsville the land is mainly what we know as the Shelby 
loam in the northern two-thirds of the county, while in the southwest 
coiner there is some soil that is classed as the Marshall silt loam. This 
is the best land in the county outside of the bottoms. The Lindley loam 
is commonly known as the white oak ridge land and is best adapted to 
grass and timber. There are, of course, many intermediate types in the 
county, but these represent the principal soils. 



CHAPTER XIII 



TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION. 



FOUR ORIGINAL TOWXSH I PS— LATK1: TOWNSHIPS — ORIGIN OF COUNTY SYSTEM- 
BEGINNING OF TOWNSHIP SYSTEM— EARLY METHODS OF TAKING UP GOV- 
ERNMENT LAND — PRESENT SYSTEM OF LAND SURVEYS— CONGRESSIONAL 
TOWNSHIP— MARKINGS. 

Randolph County was originally divided into four townships: Silver 
Creek, Prairie, Salt River and Sugar Creek. The townships of Chariton, 
Clifton, Salt Spring, Jackson, Cairo, Union and Moniteau have since been 
added, making eleven municipal townships. Prairie is the largest, and 
occupies the southeastern portion of the county. Jackson and Union are 
the smallest. 

We deem it proper here to give some explanations of the county and 
township systems and government surveys, as much depends in business 
and civil transactions upon county limits and county organizations. 

"The county system originated with Virginia, whose early settlers 
soon became large landed proprietors, aristocratic in feeling, living apart 
in almost baronial magnificence, on their own estates, and owning the 
laboring part of the population. Thus the materials for a town were not 
at hand, the voters beng thinly distributed over a great area. 

''The county organization, where a few influential men managed the 
wholesale business of a community, retaining their places almost at their 
pleasure, scarcely responsible at all, except in name, and permitted to con- 
duct the county concerns as their ideas or wishes might direct, was more- 
over consonant with their recollections or traditions of the judicial and 
social dignities of the landed aristocracy of England, in descent from whom 
the Virginia gentlemen felt so much pride. In 1834 eight counties were 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 139 

organized in Virginia, and the system extending throughout the State, 
spread into all the Southern states and some of the Northern States; 
unless we except the nearly similar division into 'districts' in South Caro- 
lina, and that into 'parishes' in Louisiana, from the French laws. 

"Illinois, which, with its vast additional territory, became a county of 
Virginia, on its conquest by Gen. George Rogers Clark, retained the county 
organization, which was formerly extended over the State by the constitu- 
tion of 1818. and continued in exclusive use until the constitution of 1848. 
Under this system, as in other States adopting it, much local business 
was transacted by the commissioners in each county, who constituted a 
county court, with quarterly sessions. 

"During the period ending with the constitution of 1847, a large por- 
tion of the State had become filled up with a population of New England 
birth or character, daily growing more and more compact and dissatisfied 
with the comparatively arbitrary and inefficient county system. It was 
maintained by the people that the heavily populated districts would always 
control the election of the commissioners to the disadvantage of the more 
thinly populated sections — in short, that under that system 'equal and 
exact justice' to all parts of the county could not be secured. 

"The township system had its origin in Massachusetts, and dates back 
to 1635. 

"The first legal enactment concerning the system provided that, 
whereas, 'particular townships have many things which concern only them- 
selves and the ordering of their own affairs, and disposing of business in 
their own town,' therefore the 'freemen of every township, or a majority 
part of them, shall only have power to dispose of their, own lands and 
woods, with all the appurtenances of said town, to grant lots, and to make 
such orders as may concern the well ordering of their own towns, not 
repugnant to the laws and orders established by the general court.' 

"They might also," says Mr. Haines, "impose fines of not more than 
twenty shillings, and 'choose their own particular officers, as constables, 
surveyors for the highway, and the like.' 

"Evidently this enactment relieved the general court of a mass of 
municipal details without any danger to the power of that body in con- 
trolling general measures of public policy. 

"Probably, also, a demand from the freemen of the towns was felt 
for the control of their own home concerns. 



140 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

"The New England colonies were first governed by a general court 
or Legislature, composed of a Governor and a small council, which court 
consisted of the most influential inhabitants, and possessed and exercised 
both legislative and judicial powers, which were limited only by the wis- 
dom of the holders. 

"They made laws, ordered their execution by officers, tried and de- 
cided civil and criminal causes, enacted all manner of municipal regulations, 
and, in fact, did all the public business of the colony." 

Similar provisions for the incorporation of towns were made in the 
first constitution in Connecticut, adopted in 1639, and the plan of town- 
ship organization, as experience proved its remarkable economy, efficiency 
and adaptation to the requirements of a free and intelligent people, became 
universal throughout New England, and went westward with the immi- 
grants from New England, into New York, Ohio, and other Western States. 

Thus we find that the valuable system of county, township and town 
organizations had been thoroughly tried and proven long before there was 
need of adopting it in Missouri, or any of the broad region west of the 
Mississippi River. But as the new country began to be opened, and as 
Eastern people began to move westward across the mighty river, and 
formed thick settlements along its western bank, the Territory and State, 
and county and township organizations soon followed in quick succession, 
and those different systems became more or less improved, according as 
deemed necessary by the experience and judgment and demands of the 
people, until they have arrived at the present stage of advancement and 
efficiency. In the settlement of the Terirtory of Missouri, the legislature 
began by organizing counties on the Mississippi River. As each new 
county was formed, it was made to include under legal jurisdiction all the 
country bordering west of it, and required to grant to the actual settlers 
electoral privileges and an equal share of the county government with 
those who properly lived in the geographical limits of the county. 

The counties first organized along the eastern borders of the State 
were given for a short time jurisdiction over the lands and settlements 
adjoining each on the west, until these localities became sufficiently set- 
tled to support organizations of their own. 

"Previous to the formation of our present government, the eastern 
portion of North America consisted of a number of British colonies, the 
territory of which was granted in large tracts to British noblemen. By 
treaty of 1783, these grants were acknowledged as valid by the colonies. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 141 

After the Revolutionary War, when these colonies were acknowledged 
independent States, all public domain within their boundaries was acknowl- 
edged to be the property of the colony within the bounds of which said 
domain was situated. 

"Virginia claimed all the northwestern territory, including what is 
now known as Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. 
After a meeting of the representatives of the various States to form a 
Union, Virginia ceded the northwest territory to the United States govern- 
ment. This took place in 1784 ; then all this northwest territory became 
government land. It comprised all south of the lakes and east of the 
Mississippi river and north and west of the States having definite boundary 
lines. This territory had been known as New France, and had been ceded 
by France to England in L768. In the year 1803, Napoleon Bonaparte 
sold to the United Stales all territory west of the Mississippi River and 
north of Mexico, extending to the Rocky mountains. 

"While the public domain was the property of the colonies, it was 
disposed of as follows: Each individual caused the tract he desired to 
purchase to be surveyed and platted. A copy of the survey was then filed 
with the registrar of lands, when, by paying into the State or Colonial 
treasury an agreed price, the purchaser received a patent for the Jand. 
This method of disposing of public lands made law suits numerous, owing 
to different surveys often including the same ground. To avoid the diffi- 
culties and effect a general measurement of the territories, the United 
States adopted the present mode or system of land surveys, a description 
of which we give as follows: 

"In an unsurveyed region, a point of marked and changeless topo- 
graphical features is selected as an initial point. The exact latitude and 
longitude of this point is ascertained by astronomical observation, and a 
suitable monument of iron or stone, to perpetuate the position, is thus 
reared. Through this point a true north and south line is run, which is 
called a principal meridian. This principal meridian may be extended 
north and south any desired distance. Along this line are placed, at dis- 
tances of one-half mile from each other, posts of wood or stone or mounds 
of earth. These posts are said to establish the line, and are called section 
and quarter-section posts. Principal meridians are numbered in the order 
in which they are established. Through the same initial point from which 
the principal meridian was surveyed, another line is now run and estab- 
lished by mile and half-mile posts, as before, in a true east and west 



142 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

direction. This line is called the base line, and like the principal meridian, 
may be extended indefinitely in either direction. These lines form the 
basis of the survey of the country into townships and ranges. Township 
lines extend east and west, parallel with the base line, at distances of six 
miles from the base line and from each other, dividing the country into 
strips six miles wide, which strips are called townships. Range lines run 
north and south, parallel to the principal meridian, dividing the country 
into strips six miles wide, which strips are called ranges. Township strips 
are numbered from the base line, and range strips are numbered from the 
principal meridian. Townships lying north of the base line are 'townships 
north'; those on the south are 'townships south.' The strip lying next 
the base line is township one, the next one to that, two, and so on. The 
range strips are numbered in the same manner, counting from the principal 
meridian east or west, as the case may be. 

"The township and range lines thus divide the country into six-mile 
squares. Each of these squares is called a congressional township. All 
north and south lines north of the equator approach each other as they 
extend north, finally meeting at the north pole ; therefore north and south 
lines are not literally parallel. The east and west boundary lines of any 
range being six miles apart in the latitude of Missouri and Kansas, would, 
in thirty miles, approach each other at 2.9 chains, or 190 feet. If, there- 
fore, the width of the range when started from the base line is made 
exactly six miles, it would be 2.9 chains too narrow at the distance of 
thirty miles, or five townships north. To correct the width of ranges and 
keep them to the proper width, the range lines are not surveyed in a con- 
tinuous straight line, like the principal meridian, entirely across the State, 
but only across a limited number of townships, usually five, where the 
width of the range is corrected by beginning a new line on the side of the 
range most distant from the principal meridian, at such a point as will 
make the range its correct width. All range lines are corrected in the 
same manner. The east and west township lines on which these correc- 
tions are made are called correction lines, or standard parallels. The sur- 
veys of the State of Missouri were made from the fifth principal meridian, 
which runs throughout the State, and its ranges are numbered from it. 
The State of Kansas is surveyed and numbered from the sixth. Con- 
gressional townships are divided into thirty-six square miles, called sec- 
tions, and are known by numbers according to their position. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 143 

"Sections are divided into quarters, eighths and sixteenths, and are 
described by their position in the section. The full secton contains 640 
acres, the quarter 160, the eighth 80, and the sixteenth 40. 

"Congressional townships, as we have seen, are six-mile squares of 
land, made by the township and range lines, while civil or municipal town- 
ships are civil divisions, made for purposes of government, the one hav- 
ing no reference to the other, though similar in name. On the county map 
we see both kinds of townships — the congressional usually designated by 
numbers and in squares; the municipal or civil township by name and in 
various forms. 

"By the measurement thus made by the government the courses and 
distances are defined between any two points. St. Louis is in township 44 
north, range 8 east, and Independence is in township 49 north, range 32 
west; how Car. then, are Kansas City and St. Louis apart on a direct line? 
St. Louis is 40 townships east — 240 miles — and 5 townships south — 30 
miles ; the base and perpendicular of a right-angled triangle, the hypoth- 
enuse being the required distance." 

The "township," as the term is used in common phraseology, in many 
instances is widely distinguished from that of "town," though many per- 
sons persist in confounding the two. "In the United States many of the 
States are divided into townships of five, six, seven, or perhaps ten miles 
square, and the inhabitants of such townships are vested with certain 
powers for regulating their own affairs, such as repairing roads and pro- 
viding for the poor. The township is subordinate to the county." A 
"town" is simply a collection of nouses, either large or small, and opposed 
to "country." 

The most important features connected with this system of town- 
ship surveys should be thoroughly understood by every intelligent farmer 
and business man ; still there are some points connected with the under- 
standing of it, which need close and careful attention. The law which 
established this system required that the north and south lines should 
correspond exactly with the meridian passing through that point; also, 
that each township should be six miles square. To do this would be an 
utter impossibility, since the figure of the earth causes the meridians to 
converge toward the pole, making the north line to each township shorter 
than the south line of the same township. To obviate the errors which 
are, on this account, constantly occurring, correction lines are established. 
They are parallels bounding a line of townships on the north, when lying 



144 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

north of the principal base from which the surveys, as they are continued, 
are laid out anew ; the range lines again starting at correct distances from 
the principal meridian. In Michigan these correction lines are repeated 
at the end of every tenth township, but in Oregon they have been repeated 
with every fifth township. The instructions to the surveyors have been 
that each range of townships should be made as much over six miles in 
width where it closes on to the next correction line north ; and it is further 
provided that in all cases where the exterior lines of the townships shall 
exceed, or shall not extend, six miles, the excess of deficiency shall be 
specially noted, or added to or deducted from the western or northern 
sections or half sections in such township, according as the error may be 
in running the lines from east to west, or from south to north. In order 
to throw the excess of deficiencies on the north and on the west sides of 
the township, it is necessary to survey the section lines from south to 
north, on a true meridian, leaving the result in the north line of the town- 
ship to be governed by the convexity of the earth and the convergency of 
the meridians. 

Navigable rivers, lakes and islands are "meandered" or surveyed by 
the compass and chain along the banks. "The instruments employed on 
these surveys, besides the solar compass, are a surveying chain 33 feet 
long, of 50 links, and another of smaller wire, as a standard to be used 
for correcting the former as often at least as every other day, also 11 
tally pins, made of steel, telescope, targets, tape-measure and tools for 
marking the lines upon trees or stones. In surveying through woods, trees 
intercepted by the line are marked with two chips or notches, one on each 
side; these are called sight or line trees. Sometimes other trees in the 
vicinity are blazed on two sides quartering toward the line; but if some 
distance from the line, the two blazes should be near together on the side 
facing the line. These are found to be permanent marks, not wholly recog- 
nizable for many years, but carrying with them their old age by the rings 
of growth around the blaze, which may at any subsequent time be cut out 
and counted as years ; and the same are recognized in courts of law as evi- 
dence of the date of survey. They cannot be obliterated by cutting down 
the trees or otherwise without leaving evidence of the act. Corners are 
marked upon trees if found at the right spot, or else upon posts set in the 
ground, and sometimes at monument of stones is used for a township 
corner, and a single stone for a section corner; mounds of earth are made 
when there are no stones nor timber. The corners of the four adjacent 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 145 

sections are designated by distinct marks cut into a tree, one in each sec- 
tion. These trees, facing the corner, are plainly marked with the letters 
B. T. (bearing tree) cut into the wood. Notches cut upon the corner posts 
or trees indicate the number of miles to the outlines of the township, or, 
if on the boundaries of the township, to the township corners. 



CHAPTER XIV 



TOWNSHIPS. 



CAIRO TOWNSHIP — CAIRO VILLAGE— CLIFTON TOWNSHIP— CLIFTON HILL— CHAR- 
ITON TOWNSHIP— DARKSVILLE. 



CAIRO TOWNSHIP. 

Cairo township lies in the second tier of townships from the northern 
boundary of Randolph, and in the central northeast part of the county. 
It contains an area of 21,920 acres, or a fraction over 34 square miles. 
The grand divide runs in a northwesterly direction through it, separating 
it into two nearly equal parts. Its territory was formerly a part of Sugar 
Creek township. 

The soil is a rich black loam, overlaying a substratum of stiff clay 
that, when exposed to the influences of rain and sunshine, snow and frost, 
not only becomes friable and arable, but imparts a peculiar productive 
energy to the soil and is admirably adapted to the cultivation of certain 
crops. Hence, the meadows and grass fields that have been deeply stirred 
are among the best in the state, and the township is noted for the rich 
and nutritive quality of its grasses. The cereals, also, are cultivated with 
success. About two-thirds of the territory is a high rolling prairie. 

The Wabash Railroad follows the divide and runs through the town- 
ship; even the farmers who reside in the most remote parts of it are not 
more than six miles from a depot. 

The East fork of Chariton River and Walnut Creek on the west side, 
and Mud Creek, Elk fork and Flat Creek on the east, afford plenty and 
never failing water for all the operations of the farm. 

Live stock is raised extensively and the amount shipped to markets of 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 147 

cattle, sheep, hogs, horses and mules, is very large, returning a handsome 
income to the farmers. 

The average yield of farm products per acre is as follows: Corn, 30 
bushels average, extra, 60 bushels ; oats, 35 bushels average, extra, 50 
bushels ; hay, one and a half tons. 

Among the early settlers in Cairo township were Leonard Dodson, 
from Kentucky ; Andrew Goodding, from Kentucky ; Samuel Martin, from 
Kentucky ; Col. Robert Boucher, from Kentucky ; Isaac Baker, from Ken- 
tucky; Ben.i. Huntsman, from Kentucky; Daniel McKinney, from Ken- 
tucky; James Cochran, from Kentucky; William King, from Kentucky; 
James T. Boney, from North Carolina; Benjamin Dameron, from North 
Carolina; W. S. Dameron, from North Carolina; Judge Joseph Goodding, 
from Kentucky. 

Judge Joseph Goodding is said to have been the first settler in the 
township. He emigrated to Howard County, Mo., from Kentucky, in 
1818, and in 1823 located in Cairo township. He was a prominent citizen, 
and filled the office of county judge three or four terms. 

W. S. Dameron came to the township in 1841, from Huntsville, Mo., 
and has lived in Randolph County 52 years. He was born in Nirth 
Carolina, October 29, 1824. 

Cairo was located in 1860, on the North division of the Wabash, St. 
Louis and Pacific Railway, eight miles from Huntsville, and seven miles 
north of Moberly, and 152 miles nortrrwest of St. Louis. The town site 
originally comprised 40 acres, owned by W. S. Dameron, who donated five 
acres for depot purposes. The remaining 35 acres were laid out in lots. 
The new town was at first called Fairview, but there being another town 
of the same name, it was changed to Cairo, at the suggestion of Thomas 
Dameron. 

P. G. McDaniel, from Kentucky, erected the first store building in the 
town; Thomas Dameron, the first dwelling house, located east of the rail- 
road. J. C. Tedford was the pioneer physician. Abner Landram was the 
first blacksmith, and Thomas Carter was the first shoemaker. B. R. 
Boucher taught the first school. The Methodists (M. E. Church South) 
erected the first church edifice. Thomas Dameron was the first postmaster, 
and wrote the first mail matter that was sent from the town. 

CLIFTON TOWNSHIP. 

Clifton is the middle township on the western border of Randolph 
county. It is five miles in width from east to west, its greatest length 



148 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

from north to south being seven and a half miles, giving an area of about 
321/2 square miles. It is watered by the Middle and East forks of the 
Chariton, Muncus and Dark creeks, the slopes are gentle and the land lies 
in beautiful waves. Towards the southern and western parts of the town- 
ship the hills become more abrupt, and in the vicinity of East fork, on 
the south, and the Middle fork, on the west, it is broken and somewhat 
ragged. This is one of the best farming sections of the county. The soil 
is deep and rich, affording such a variety, that, with care in selection of 
position, almost any crop may be developed in perfection. About one- 
third of the township is prairie, the balance timber land. 

The Wabash Railroad passes through the southern part of the town- 
ship, and no point in it is distant more than seven miles from that road. 
This gives a convenient outlet to all the products of the farm and easy 
shipping of live stock and other farm products. 

All the field crops yield heavy harvests. Corn will yield 8 to 12 bar- 
rels or 40 to 60 bushels to the acre ; wheat, 15 to 25 bushels ; oats, 40 to 
50 bushels ; hay, 1 to 2 tons. Besides this, blue grass spontaneously, and 
clover when cultivated give rich crops. 

Kentucky is more largely represented in the early settlement of this 
township than any other state. Her sons and her daughters have ever 
been in the front ranks of civilization, and wherever they located, lived 
and died, there may be found even to this day, among the present genera- 
tion, many of the traits of character which they possed. Early settlers 
in Clifton township are as follows: 

Joseph Baker, from Kentucky ; Charles Baker, from Kentucky ; Noah 
C. Baker, from Kentucky ; David Harris, from Kentucky ; David Proffit, 
from Kentucky; Sadie Baker, from Kentucky; Wm. Titus, from Kentucky; 
Russell Shoemaker, from Kentucky; Levi Fox, from Tennessee; Samuel G. 
Johnson, from Tennessee; Joseph Harris, from Kentucky; Noah C. Harris, 
from Kentucky; James Holman, from Kentucky; Hiram Stamper, from 
Kentucky ; John C. Turner, from Kentucky ; Augustine Bradsher, from 
Kentucky ; Capt. N. G. Matlock, from Kentucky ; J. M. Summers, from Ken- 
tucky; T. J. Summers, from Kentucky; Judge D. J. Stamper, from Ken- 
tucky;. James Ferguson, from Kentucky; A. G. Rucker, from Kentucky; 
David Bozarth, from Kentucky; F. H. Hackley, from Kentucky; David 
Milan, from Kentucky; W. H. Ball, from Kentucky; W. B. Crutchfield, 
from Kentucky ; J. M. Creighton, from Kentucky ; W. B. McCreary, from 
Kentucky ; J. M. Patton, from Kentucky ; E. Greer, from Kentucky ; 
Thomas Williams, from Kentucky ; J. H. Wayland, from Kentucky. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 149 

Samuel G. Johnson, born in 1807, who was one of the first settlers in 
the township, once speaking of early events, said: "I came to the town- 
ship October 16, 1833, from Wilson County, Tennessee. We all lived in 
log cabins. My cabin had a board roof, which was weighted down with 
poles. When there was a snow storm the snow would drift through the 
roof, and after the storm was over, the snow would be almost as deep on 
the inside of the cabin as on the outside, the beds being covered like the 
floor. I have awaked many a morning with my head and neck covered 
with snow, and after making a fire had to clear away the snow from around 
the fire, so my wife and children could get up to it and warm. 

•'The floor of my cabin consisted of loose planks, sawed by hand. The 
bedsteads were made of small logs, with poles put across and boards laid 
on them." 

Such was the primitive method of living and yet there were compen- 
sations and pleasures which were experienced by these pioneers, that are 
wholly unknown to the people of today. The forests abounded with game 
and all the streams teemed with delicate varieties of fish. 

The first mill that was erected in that section of the county, was 
built by Ezekiel Richardson, in 1824, on the Middle fork of the Chariton 
River. Richardson resided in Chariton County and sold the mill to Levi 
Fox. 

The first religious services were held at Joseph Baker's house, but 
were afterwards held at Ezekiel Richardson's cabin, about the year 1828, 
where they were continued until 1834, when Mr. Johnson's cabin was used 
as a house of worship. After a period of four or five years, a small house, 
known as Johnson's school house, was erected, which served the purposes 
of a church and school. Here met these humble Christian worshipers 
until 1846, when a larger and more costly building was constructed and 
called Providence church. This edifice, although not a very stately and 
magnificent one, was something of an architectural w r onder, as it con- 
tained 12 corners. The services above mentioned were conducted by the 
Methodists, who also erected Providence church. Among the early min- 
isters of the gospel was Rev. John Shores, a Methodist. 

Clifton Hill is the only town in the township and was laid out in 1866, 
on the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 35, township 
54, range 16, and was named after David Clifton, who came from Owen 
County, Kentucky, about the year 1850, and was the owner of the town 
site. 



150 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

William Holman erected the first house that was built in the town. 
The first hotel was opened by Julius Rogers. Dr. J. J. Watts was the first 
physician to practice in the town. Dr. E. F. Wilson was the first resident 
physician. The first school was taught by Ansel Richardson, from Vir- 
ginia. William Wagner and James Maddox were the first shoemakers, 
and W. M. Roberts and Cyrus Clifton were the pioneer blacksmiths. 

The present village officials are: Mayor, George F. Christy; clerk, 
Everett Thurston; treasurer, H. C. Eubank; collector, P. D. Blake; street 
commissioner, E. E. Hurt; marshall, W. B. McDavitt. Councilmen : 
George F. Christy, Everett Thurston, H. C. Eubank, P. D. Blake, E. E. 
Hurt. 

CHARITON TOWNSHIP. 

Chariton township lies in the northwest corner of Randolph and 
borders on Macon and Chariton Counties. It was organized in 1832, and 
of territory originally belonging to Salt Spring township, and extended 
12 miles into the present limits of Macon County. By the subsequent 
organization of that county Chariton township lost two-thirds of its terri- 
tory, and was reduced to its present dimensions of 54 square miles in a 
rectangular shape, being nine miles long from east to west, by a width of 
six miles from north to south. 

The first settlement was made in about the year 1829, by a few 
families on each side of Dark's Prairie, near the present site of Darksville. 
These were followed in the spring and fall of 1830 by others, and from 
that time the country was rapidly filled up by immigrants from Virginia, 
North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee. In about three years from the 
time of its first settlement it had acquired sufficient population to justify 
its organization into a separate township, with Joseph Turner its first 
magistrate and Henry Smith its first constable. 

The soil of this township, while ranking along with the best in the 
county, is remarkable for the uniformity of its adaptability to agricultural 
and grazing purposes. There is very little waste land in the whole town- 
ship, and scarcely an acre can be found that is not valuable for growing 
grass or grain. The soil is principally a black loam of great fertility, 
and sufficiently undulating to avert disaster from the crops in extremely 
wet seasons, and yet sufficiently retentive of moisure to preserve them 
from total failure in extreme drouths. The township is about equally 
divided between timber and prairie land, the timber embracing wide mar- 
gins along the streams, and the prairie occupying the intervening space. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 151 

This natural arrangement afforded the early settlers ample scope for select- 
ing their lands with a proper division of timber and prairie, and has re- 
sulted in the establishment of some of the best organized farms for mixed 
farming in the county. The township is well watered by four principal 
streams and their tributaries, all flowing from north to south, and so 
well distributed as to furnish abundant stock water convenient to all the 
farms the year round. Along the eastern margin of the township flows 
the East fork of the Chariton, and through the central portion, at an 
average distance of two miles, are Dark creek, Muncas creek, and the 
Middle fork of the Chariton, while the western portion is watered by a 
tributary of the Chariton River, the latter of which flows from north to 
south just outside of the western boundary. Surface springs are not 
abundant, but unfailing living water is of easy access in well distributed 
localities throughout the entire township, by sinking wells to a depth of 
10 to 30 feet. Its inhabitants are engaged almost exclusively in agri- 
cultural pursuits, and the well-improved condition of their farms indicate 
their general prosperity. 

Darksville was settled in 1856, and takes its name from a creek called 
Dark creek. William Elliott was hunting in the township in 1821, and 
night overtaking him on the banks of a creek, he camped all night, and 
said that it was the darkest night he ever saw; hence the name, Dark 
creek. 

Early settlers of Chariton township before 1848 were: John Sum- 
mers, Aaron Summers, Johnson Wright, Allen Wright, Hezekiah Wright, 
Nathan Barrow, Daniel Barrow, Joshua Phipps, and James Phipps, from 
Kentucky; Robert Grimes, from Virginia; Robert Elliott, Robert Elliott, 
Jr., William Cristal, Thomas Rice, A. R. Rice, William H. Rice, George 
Shipp and Owen Singleton, from Kentucky; John W. W. Sears, from Vir- 
ginia; Philip Baxter, William Terry, Jonathan Cozac and E. H. Trimble, 
from Kentucky; John H. Hall, from Maine; William Rutherford and John 
McCully, from Kentucky; Mathias Turner, Joseph Turner and John M. 
Turner, from Tennessee; Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Mary Dawkins and Henry 
Griffith, from Kentucky; John M. Gates, Giles F. Cook and James Carter, 
from Virginia ; James Lingo, Samuel Lingo, G. W. Harland, Isaac Harland 
and James Harland, from Tennessee ; Hancock Jackson and William Sump- 
ter, from Kentucky; Burchard McCormick, John Gaines and John Head, 

from Virginia ; Thomas Robert and Chitwood. from Kentucky ; 

James Holeman, Thomas Gillstrap and Thomas White ; William Brogan and 



152 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Henry Brogan, from North Carolina; Black; Nathaniel Tuley, 

from Virginia ; James Hinton, from North Carolina ; Green Shelton and N. 
Tuttle, from Tennessee; William A. Hall and John H. Hall, from Maine; Dr. 
R. L. Grizard, from Tennessee; Dr. Stephen Richmond, from North Caro- 
lina; John Harland, Josiah Harland, Lee Harland, Josiah Smith, Henry 
Smith, John Smith, James Smith, William Beard, Josiah Taylor, from 
Tennessee ; William Redd, from Virginia ; John Richmond, Samuel Rich- 
mond, James M. Richmond, John Dameron and James Dameron, from 

North Carolina ; Pipes and William Pipes, from Kentucky ; John 

Hix, Elliott R. Thomas, Henry Thomas, Lowden Thomas, Haines, 

from Virginia; Bruce Stewart, Frances Terrell, Ned Stinson, John Wilks, 
Tyra Baker, Andrew Baker, Douglas Baker, Alfred McDaniel, Thomas 
Kirkpatrick, Ephriam Snell, Jordan Elliott, Perry Elliott, William Elliott, 
Jr., H. M. Rice, Joshua Rice, Bennett Rice, Yancey Gray, Mike McCully, 
John McCulley, Jr., Robert Turner, Elijah Turner, John Turner, Carroll 
Holman, John Godard, Samuel Turner, Bartlett Anderson, John R. Ander- 
son, Crafford Powers, Campbell, John Campbell, Thomas Camp- 
bell, William Edwards, James Lamb, Ashbury Summers, Thomas Egan, 
Benjamin Cozad, John Terrill, Caswell Smith, Grant Allan, Henry Johnson, 
George H. Hall, George W. Barnhart, and Silas Phipps. 

One of the oldest settlers in the township was Judge Joseph Turner. 
He was born in North Carolina, in 1802, moved with his parents to Tennes- 
see in 1815, was married in 1822, and moved to Missouri and entered the 

i 

land on which he now resides, near Eldad church, in 1830. He was ap- 
pointed justice of the peace before the township was organized, and had 
jurisdiction to the Iowa line. He held the office of justice of the peace 
until 1850. In 1861 he was appointed county court justice, was president 
of that body, and held the position nearly six years. When he first set- 
tled he had for neighbors Joseph Holman, George Epperly, Richard Blue 
and Asa Kirby. These were, perhaps, the first settlers on the west side 
of Dark's prairie. Richard Blue and Asa Kirby were the only heads of 
families then residing west of the Middle fork. John Richmond moved to 
Randolph County from Tennessee in 1830, and lived in Silver Creek town* 
ship until the fall of 1832, when he entered 120 acres of land where 'ne 
lived and built his cabin upon it in pioneer style. He raised a family 
of six children, four boys and two girls. When he first came to the town- 
ship, the first settlers of that neighborhood, already mentioned, had been 
increased by the addition of Yancey Gray, Mark Crabtree, Samuel Rich- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY L53 

mond, Josiah Smith, Henry Smith, James Lingo, Samuel Lingo, Isaac Har- 
lan, John Withes, Andrew Baker, Tyree Baker, Jesse Milier Thomas Kirk- 
pat rick and Greenbury Shelton. Some of these made their settlements 
about the same time with Mr. Richmond. Among those who settled in 
his neighborhood soon after him were Daniel Milam, John Gray, Jonathan 
I lay nes, Thomas Brookes, John McCully and Madison Richmond. On the 
east side of Dark's prairie, south and east of the present site of Dai"ks- 
ville, were living at that time (18:12) Johnson Wright, John Waymire, 
Joseph Summers, Hodge England, and Pleasant and Nicholas Tuttle. With 
the last named lived their father, a very aged man and a revolutionary 
soldier. 

Among the strongest minded and most imiuential men of his day in 
that township was John M. Yates. He immigrated from Kentucky to 
Randolph County about 1835 and after living a year or two in the southern 
part of the county, settled on Dark's prairie about the year 1835, and died 
on a farm adjoining the one he first settled in the year 1872. He was 
twice married and raised L5 children, 13 of his own and 2 step-daughters. 

Mr. Yates was an uncle of the celebrated Richard Yates, once Gov- 
ernor of Illinois and U. S. Senator from that state, and was himself a man 
of much more than ordinary intelligence and soundness of judgment. 

Judge William A. Hall was born and partly raised in the State of 
Maine. His lather having been appointed to a position in the U. S. armory 
at Harper's Ferry, Ya., he moved with his parents to that place, and when 
they moved to Chariton township, about the year 1839, he soon followed 
them, being then a young man nearly 25 years of age. About that time 
his father died, and he made his home with his widowed mother, although 
he kept his law office in Fayette, Mo., and for a short time edited a Demo- 
cratic paper in that place. He made regular visits to his mother's home 
in Chariton County whenever his professional duties would permit, and 
very often walked the entire distance of over thirty miles. He rapidly 
advanced to the front rank in his profession, and on the death of Judge 
Leland, which occurred about the year 1846, he was appointed by the 
Governor judge of this judicial circuit, a position to which he was con- 
tinuously re-elected until 1861, when he was elected to represent the dis- 
trict of which Randolph was a part, in the U. S. Congress. About the 
time he was first appointed judge, he was married to Miss Octavia Sebree, 
a niece and adopted daughter of Uriel Sebree, a prominent citizen of How- 
ard County. Soon after his marriage he settled on his farm in Chariton 



154 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

township, where he remained until he removed to Huntsville in 1861, and 
the following year to a farm near Huntsville. 

In the winter of 1860-61, Judge Hall was chosen, with Gen. Sterling 
Price, to represent this senatorial district, then composed of Randolph and 
Chariton Counties, in the State convention called by the Legislature to con- 
sider the relations between the State of Missouri and the general govern- 
ment, in view of the then impending crisis which threatened a disruption 
of the Union by the secession of the Southern states. In that convention 
he sided with the majority in favor of the state continuing her allegiance 
and loyalty to the Union, and during the war that followed remained a 
consistent Union man. By his conservative position and able management 
he did more to protect the Southern people of this county and State from 
military despotism and the lawless acts of an unrestrained soldiery, than 
any other man. He was twice elected to Congress during the war, and 
at its close he resumed the practice of his profession at Huntsville, in 
which he continued until about 1874, when he improved another farm in 
the northwest corner of Chariton township, where he resided in complete 
retirement from public life, in the bosom of his family and surrounded 
by his flocks and herds. 



CHAPTER XV 



TOWNSHIPS. CONTINUED. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP JACKSONVILLE -MONITEAU TOWNSHIP HIGBEE PRAIRIE 
TOWNSHIP — RENICK — SALT RIVER TOWNSHIP -UNION TOWNSHIP — MILTON — 
SILVER CREEK TOWNSHTP MT. AIRY SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 

Jackson township is the middle township on the northern border of 
the county. It is somewhat irregular in shape, and is less in size than a 
congressional township, having an area of 17,400 acres, or 271/2 square 
miles. It is watered on the west by the East fork of the Chariton and 
Walnut creek, and on the east by Hoover and Mud creeks. Almost every 
acre of the soil is susceptible of cultivation. Prairie and timber land are 
about equal. Its valuable minerals consist of coal, limestone and fire ciay. 
The farms generally are in good condition. The prairie is undulating, 
and in its wild state, produce a strong, healthy and vigorous growth of 
native grasses. In a state of cultivation it yields generously to the care 
and culture of the husbandman, all the grains, grasses, roots and fruits 
usually cultivated in this latitude. 

The early settlers in Jackson township settled generally along the 
course of the streams, and in the timber; in fact the pioneers throughout 
this Western country all sought the timber and water. The prairies were 
not settled until many years had passed. Many of the pioneers were poor, 
and did not have teams sufficient to break the prairie, as it required from 
three to four good yoke of oxen to draw the plow, and coming as they did 
from Kentucky and other States, which were originally covered with dense 
forests, they naturally located conveniently near to or in the timber. The 



156 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

old settlers now say, the prairie land has undergone a great change since 
they first came to the county; it then appeared to be of a cold, wet, and 
clammy nature, and did not possess the same productive quality that it now 
has. As the country became opened and settled, and the prairie were 
grazed and trodden by stock, their productive qualities were greatly im- 
proved until they are now considered the better farming lands. 

Jackson township is not so well watered naturally as some other town- 
ships. The streams generally vein the western and southeastern portion 
of it. Walnut creek, the East fork of the Chariton River, Hoover and 
Mud creeks, and their tributaries, all take their rise in this township, and 
all flow southwest and southeast excepting Hoover creek, which flows 
northeast. 

The early settlers included some of the following names: Henry 
Owens, from Kentucky ; Isaac Reynolds, from Kentucky ; John Coulter, 
from Kentucky ; Robert Stevens, from Kentucky ; William McCanne, from 
Kentucky ; H. J. McCanne, from Kentucky ; Thomas McCanne, from Ken- 
tucky; Nathaniel Sims, from Kentucky; Benj. Poison, from Kentucky; 
James W. Lamb, from Kentucky ; Milton Durham, from Kentucky ; Stokely 
W. Towles, from Kentucky ; Leonard Hill, from Virginia ; John Hore, from 
Virginia ; George W. Hore, from Virginia ; David McCanne, from North 
Carolina; L. C. Davis, from North Carolina; Jonathan Hunt, from Vir- 
ginia ; John Ancell, from Virginia ; Frank Ancell, from Virginia ; C. F. 
Burckhartt, from Virginia; Frank Sims, from Tennessee; William Bailey, 
from Tennessee ; John H. Penny, from Virginia. 

Among the oldest settlers were Henry Owens and James W. Lamb. 
Mr. Lamb came in November, 1837, from Casey County, Kentucky, and 
followed farming and later kept a hotel in the town of Jacksonville. In 
1837 there were no settlements on the prairie. A road ran north and south 
through the township, called the "Bee Trace," so called from the fact that 
it was the route traveled by the old pioneers who hunted wild honey, which 
was worth at that time twenty cents a gallon. 

Mr. Lamb occupied his time after his arrival in the township, cut- 
ting timber and splitting rails at thirty-seven and a half cents a hundred, 
and sawing planks with a rip saw at $1.50 per hundred feet. Tobacco was 
raised at an early date, and taken to Glasgow, where it was sold to the 
merchants and shipped to St. Louis and elsewhere, for $1.50 per hundred 
pounds. Bacon was worth $2.25 per hundred. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 157 

After remaining here a few years Mr. Lamb went back to Kentucky 
and while there, married. After his marriage he determined to return 
to Randolph County, and in 1842 he started upon his journey of nearly 
600 miles, with ouly $10 in money, his wife, a horse and buggy, and nearly 
traveling 26 days, he arrived at his new home, having spent all his money, 
excepting seventy-five cents. Deer were so numerous from 1835 to 1840 
that oftentimes 30 and 40 could be seen at one time. 

Humphrey and Brock erected the first saw mill in the township, which 
was soon destroyed by fire, and immediately rebuilt, when it was sold to 
George W. Jones, who combined it with a grist mill. Jones sold to Benja- 
min Sims. The mill was located about half a mile north of Jacksonville, 
at a spring, which furnished water during the dry seasons for many of 
the citizens of the town. 

The first church that was built in the township was also located at 
this spring by the Christian denomination in 1852, and was a union church. 

The town of Jacksonville is located on the Wabash Railway, 19 miles- 
northwest of Huntsville, and 12 miles north of Moberly. 

The town site was owned by William McCanne, Jr., John W. McCanne, 
Sr., and Henry Owen, who donated 50 acres to the railroad company, pro- 
vided they would locate a depot upon it. This was about the year 1858. 
The town was named after Hancock Jackson, who was an early settler in 
the county, and who filled besides several county offices, the position of 
Lieut.-Governor of Missouri. The first business house was erected by 
J. J. Humphrey and was occupied by him as a general store. 

Samuel Ridgeway opened the first hotel, and continued to occupy 
it until his death, which occurred in 1880. Dr. Burckhartt was the first 
physician. Thomas Demster was the pioneer shoemaker. The first 
church was erected in 1867 by the Christians. Thomas Griffey and Robert 
Skinner were the first blacksmiths. 

Masonic Lodge, No. 44 was organized in Jacksonville in June, 1866, 
with the following charter members: James A. Berry, James A. Holt, 
James M. Hannah, J. H. Pety, David Halliburton. 

MONITEAU TOWNSHIP. 

Moniteau is the middle township on the southern border of Randolph 
county. It contains a fraction over 37 square miles, and was cut off from 
the townships of Prairie and Silver Creek after the construction of the 
Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, from Hannibal to Sedalia. Soon 



158 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

after this event a depot was established in the present territory of Moni- 
teau, on lands then belonging to Edward Owens, called Higbee, and soon 
a village was laid out on lands belonging to Edward Owens and Joseph 
Burton. A post-office was also established, and the growth of the future 
town was begun. This growth was afterward accelerated by the location 
of the Chicago and Alton Railroad through its borders, crossing the Mis- 
souri, Kansas and Texas road near the center of the town. These arrange- 
ments having been completed, a petition was numerously signed by citizens 
of the vicinity, asking the county court to organize another township, to be 
called Moniteau, as it would be located on the head waters of Moniteau 
creek. 

The Moniteau, Silver and Bonne Femme creeks take their rise in the 
borders of this township. Along the borders of these streams the country 
is broken and hilly, covered with black and white oak timber. Where the 
bottoms and valleys are broad enough for cultivation, the land is found to 
be very rich and productive. Even the land that cannot be cultivated is 
covered with a heavy growth of valuable timber composed of sugar maple, 
walnut and cottonwood. As the dividing ridges of these streams are 
approached, a sightly and fruitful country is presented, now occupied by 
substantial farmers, and highly improved. For grazing purposes it seems 
in many respects, better than regions adjoining, which have a richer and 
deeper soil. Clover and timothy produce well with cultivation ; but blue 
grass, the first to come in the spring, the most nutritious while it lasts, 
and the last to be affected by the frosts, is the spontaneous production of 
this region. 

Bituminous coal underlies the surface and crops out at intervals along 
almost all the streams. The proximity of the railroads to these deposits 
of "black diamonds," makes either enterprise a safe and profitable invest- 
ment and coal mining is carried on extensively at Higbee. 

Moniteau was first settled by Virginians, Kentuckians, Tennesseeans 
and North Carolinians, among whose virtues were temperance, industry, 
probity and hospitality. Of these were James Dysart, John Dysart, Dr. 
William Walker, Rev. Jesse Terrill, Montgomery Whitmore, J. Higbee, 
George Yates, Nicholas Dysart, Christopher Dysart, M. M. Burton, Maj. 
J. B. Tymony, Joseph Burton, Edward Owens and George Quinn. Edward 
Owens was the oldest man in the township at the time of his death. 
Among other settlers were John Turner, William B. Tompkins, Lynch 
Turner, Joseph Wilcox, Jacob Maggard, Charles McLean and Thomas 
Dawkins. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 159 

John Turner erected the first mill that was put up in the township. 
It was an old-fashioned horse-mill ; was located in the northern portion of 
the township, and was running as early as 1828. 

Thomas Dawkins taught the first school about the year 1830; the 
school house, a small cabin, stood near a small stream — one of the forks 
of Silver creek. Dawkins was from Kentucky, and was much thought of 
as a teacher. 

The name of James Higbee, a worthy citizen of Moniteau, now de- 
ceased, gave the title to the station which has grown into a lively, pro- 
gressive and thriving town. Higbee is situated about three miles north 
of Howard County line, at the crossing of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas 
and the Chicago and Alton Railroads. It possesses good facilities for 
shipping second to no place in North Missouri. It stands on an open 
ridge two miles wide, between the Moniteau and Bonne Femme creeks. 

The present city officials of Higbee are: Mayor, Lee Thomason; 
clerk, Richard L. 1 lines; collector, Joseph W. Burton; assessor, Walter 
Davis; street commissioner, Oscar Fowler; health commissioner, George 
M. Nichols ; marshal, W. Isaac Williams ; fire chief, John Egly ; aldermen, 
Roy Compton, Jenkin Williams, Clarence Leland, John Little. 

PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 

Prairie township lies in the southeastern corner of Randolph County. 
It is the largest township in the county, and has an area of about 88 square 
miles. The amount of prairie and timber land is about the same. As 
the township is bounded on two sides by Monroe, Audrain, Boone and 
Howard counties, Prairie is in the front rank of townships, and is settled 
by a progressive and prosperous people. The soil is a black loam with 
substratum of clay. The land has an undulating surface, drains itself 
readily in seasons of protracted rainfall, and retains sufficient moisture 
for the sustenation of vegetation in periods of protracted drouth. 

It is watered by the tributaries of Salt River on the north and east 
sides of the "divide" and by Perche and the tributaries of Moniteau River 
on the southwest. These streams take their rise within its territory, but 
before they leave it, form large, deep creeks that contain water during the 
entire year, however dry the season. The smaller streams being numer- 
ous, supply stock water for every part of the district. Coal is abundant 
throughout the district and. several mines are worked. 



160 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

It is often the case in the east that coal lands are unfit for anything 
but coal, but such is not the case in Missouri. Land overlying coal beds 
is frequently as rich and productive as any other land in the country, and 
this is peculiarly the case in Prairie township. 

Among the old settlers of this township were John Hamilton, James 
Martin, R. P. Martin, Mrs. Chisham, William Butler, Joel Hubbard, Rice 
Alexander, Hugh C. Collins, Dr. Presley T. Oliver, Jackson Dickerson, 
Joseph Davis, Moses Kimbrough, Aaron Kimbrough, Thomas Kimbrough, 
A. Hendrix, Benjamin Hardin, Asa K. Hubbard, Presly Shirley, Jeremiah 
Bunnel, Thomas Stockton W. S. Christian, Granderson Brooks, Archibald 
Goin, May Burton, John Sorrell, Henry Burnham, William Croswhite, John 
Kimbrough, Bluford Robinson, Wiley Marshall, A. W. Lane, Durett Bruce, 
Reuben Samuel and Joseph Wilcox. 

Nearly all of the above named pioneers were from Kentucky and many 
of these men were great hunters, notably so were Durett Bruce, Joe Davis, 
Cy Davis, Uriah Davis, H. C. Collins, John Sorrell and James Martin. The 
latter in his early manhood was very athletic and was probably the only 
man who ever caught an unwounded deer by running after it on foot. 
Durett Bruce, who came to the township in 1837 lived to a great age. He 
was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, eight miles south of Lexington, 
March 1, 1789. His father's name was Benjamin Bruce; he was a native 
of Scotland, and a kinsman of Robert Bruce, one of the Scottish chiefs, 
whose deeds of bravery and feats of manhood have been immortalized 
by the incomparable pen of Jane Porter. 

Mr. Bruce married Miss Sarah Stephens, daughter of Col. Stephens, 
April 13, 1813. In 1834, October 10th, he came to Boone County, Missouri, 
and after raising two crops, he settled in Randolph County. Hearing that 
the wolves were numerous, and very destructive to sheep, he brought with 
him to the county 15 sheep, 18 hounds, and a cur dog, and was never 
annoyed by wolves after his arrival. He was in the War of 1812 and 
served under Gen. William H. Harrison six months and Gen. McArthur 
four months. 

In early life Mr. Bruce was apprenticed to the trade of locksmith, a 
pursuit which he followed until he was past 95 years old. In 1869 he 
located in the then new town of Moberly, where he died. 

The first mill in Prairie township was owned by Jesse Jones, and was 
located about three miles southwest of Renick. The first church edifice 
in the township was called Dover church, and was occupied by different 




PUBLIC SCHOOL, HIGBEE, MO. 




COAL MINE, HIGBEE, MO. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 161 

denominations. The first school was taught by Col. John M. Bean, a Ken- 
tuckian, at a place called Oak Point. Lynch Turner was the first officiating 
minister of the Gospel. 

Renick, the most important town in the township, was located in 
1856, after the North Missouri Railroad, now the Wabash, had become an 
established institution. It is situated on a high rolling prairie, on the 
"Grand Divide", the waters on the east side of the town flowing to the 
Mississippi and those on the west side to the Missouri. The Wabash 
Railroad passes diagonally through the town, the depot being convenient 
to the business portion of it. It lies six miles south by east of Moberly. 
Its citizens are a thorough-going and enterprising people. During the 
Civil War, nearly all the houses in the town were destroyed. 

Masonic Lodge, No. 186, was organized October 19, 1867, with the 
following charter members: G. A. Settle, A. E. Grubb, S. A. Mitchell, 
James Hardin, Benjamin Terrill, J. R. Alexander, R. Davis, T. Y. Martin, 
R. P. Martin, J. Y. Coates, S. S. Elliott, William Butler, G. R. Christian. 

Clay Thompson, who came from Kentucky about the year 1856, erected 
the first house in the town; he also opened the first business house and 
hotel. William H. Marshall was the first blacksmith, Peter Hoeman the 
first shoemaker. William B. McLean was the first physician in that region 
of country. 

SALT RIVER TOWNSHIP. 

Salt River is the northeastern township of Randolph County. About 
one-fifth of the surface is prairie, the balance is timber land. The prairie 
is generally level or gently undulating. The timber land is more uneven, 
and in the vicinity of the streams is somewhat broken and hilly. 

The territory is well provided with streams and stock water is abund- 
ant throughout the year. Mover, Mud, Flat, McKinney, Lick, and Painter 
creeks, with other less important streams, take their courses through the 
township and every farm is convenient to some stream that contains water 
the year round. Nevertheless, for greater convenience, ponds, wells and 
cisterns are dug on the farms for the use of stock. Living water is found 
at short distances below the surface, giving a permanent and inexhaustible 
supply. 

Among the early settlers of the township were H. G. Robuck, M. 
McKinney and Strother Ridgeway. The farms in this township are gen- 
erally small, averaging in size from 100 to 200 acres, and very few ex- 



162 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

ceed the latter amount. It is essentially a farming and grazing country. 
The quality of the soil is rich and productive and easily cultivated. 

The reliable staple crops are com, wheat, oats, timothy and blue 
grass. The latter is used almost entirely for grazing and is rarely mowed 
for hay. 

Coal lies a short distance below the surface in many parts of th< 
township. 

The improvements on the farms are generally good. Farmers have 
neat and comfortable farm houses to take the place of less sightly edifices 
built in the earlier history of the township. 

UNION TOWNSHIP. 

Union is the middle township on the eastern border of Randolph, 
joining Monroe County on its eastern boundary. It has an area of about 
29 square miles. Flat creek, Coy branch, Elk Fork, Sugar creek, Mud 
creek and Coon creek, branches of Salt River, penetrate its territory in 
every direction and fertilize its fields and farms. There is no district in 
the county, of the same dimensions that is better watered. 

The first settlers of the township were George Burckhartt, father of 
Judge G. H. Burckhartt, Clemen Jeeter, Dr. Burton, George Chapman, Nade 
Chapman and William Haly. These men left the impress of their toil and 
industry on the country they settled and improved. 

The lands of this township are unusually fertile and will ;ompare 
favorably with the best lands in any part of the state. The territory is 
about equally divided into prairie and timber lands. Each division is 
equally well adapted to cultivation and pasturage. The crops of every kind 
are heavy and the live stock raised is of superior quality. 

Coal is found in large beds and of very excellent quality in various 
parts of the district. Limestone, brick and potter's clay are also found. 

The yield of crops is as follows : Corn per acre, average, 40 bushels, 
extra, 70 bushels; wheat, average, 15 bushels, extra, 25 bushels; -ats, 25 
to 35 bushels per acre ; hay, average, one ton, extra, two tons. 

Rev. J. A. Holloway, Mrs. Wesley Boatman and David Myers were 
early settlers. George Burckhartt was the first settler. 

Milton, the only village in the township, is about 75 years old. Its 
trade has been of a purely local character, there being no facilities for 
shipping. It is, however, eligibly and pleasantly situated on Elk Fort. 
Until about 1878, four ministers made their homes in Milton, to-wit: Eld. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 163 

J. A. Holloway, of the Christian church, Rev. Peter Parker and Rev. W. D. 
Hutton, of the M. E. Church South, and Rev. W. L. T. Evans of the Mis- 
sionary Baptist Church. The latter, a most estimable and much beloved 
man, died about 1871). Dr. R. R. Hall was the first physician. 

SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP. 

Silver Creek is one of the four townships into which Randolph County 
was originally divided. It was made the smallest in extent if territory, 
because it embraced the most thickly settled portion of the county at the 
time of its organization. This fact, taken in connection with its location 
along the border of Howard County, which was settled first, leads us to 
inter that it is the oldest settlement in the county. Although originally 
the smallest in area, it gave up 18 square miles of its territory to the 
township of Moniteau when the latter was organized. It is situated in the 
southwest eorncr of I he county. 

While it has no railroad running directly through it, its peopie, taken 
as a whole, are as well accommodated with railroad facilities as those of 
any other township, except Sugar Creek. 

Within a mile and a half of its northern boundary are the stations of 
the Wabash Railroad at Huntsville and Clifton Hill. Not far from its 
eastern boundary the Chicago and Alton Railroad crosses the Missouri, 
Kansas and Texas, at Higbee, and on the south, at Armstrong, in Howard 
County, is another depot of the Chicago and Alton Railroad. The town- 
ship is literally surrounded by railroad stations without any railroad run- 
ning through it, a circumstance which gives to all its people a great uni- 
formity of railroad advantages. 

While Silver Creek contains less level land than the other townships, 
it may be safely asserted that the most fertile tracts in the whole county 
lie within its borders. The surface ranges from the gently undulating to 
hilly near the margins of the streams, and with the exception of a few 
white oak ridges and hickory flats in the northeast, and an occasional one 
in other parts, the soil of the entire township is of a black, rich, sandy loam, 
interspersed with limestone, which does not predominate in any locality so 
as to interfere seriously with cultivation, but is generally distributed so 
as to furnish the requisite supply of this material element of natural 
fertility. 

Here, also, is to be found one of the best watered sections in the 
whole country. The Sweet Spring, taking its name from a noted foun- 



164 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

tain on its southern margin, washes the northern boundary of the town- 
ship, and Silver creek with its tributaries flows from east to west through 
the central and southern portions. The names given to these streams, 
from the latter of which the township takes its name, are significant of 
the purity and palatable qualities of their waters and of the perennial 
fountains which dot their margins and spring spontaneous from the fertile 
hillsides in many other parts of the township. 

About one-third of the township is prairie land, lying mostly south 
of Silver creek and along the Howard county line. Of the magnificent 
forests that originally covered the remaining two-thirds of the township, 
all has given way to cultivated fields. 

Mt. Airy is located on the public road leading from Huntsville to 
Roanoke, about seven miles from the former place and twelve miles from 
Moberly. There is plenty of coal in this township. 

Among the early settlers were John Viley, who was judge of the county 
court ; Nicholas Dysart, George W. Dameron, once sheriff ; Woodson Newby, 
James Goodman, Morgan Finnell, William Burton, William Thompson, 
William R. Burch, George Ellis, Newton Bradley, Jeff. Fullington, Samuel 
Cockrell, John Minor, Paschall Troyman, Leven I. Dawkins, John E. Walden, 
William Nichols, Roderick O'Brien, William Holman, Joseph Holman, Sr., 
John Sears, Sr., Hardy Sears, Iverson Sears, Allen Mayo, William Mayo, 
Valentine Mayo, John Rowland, Younger Rowland, D. R. Denny, Samuel 
C. Davis, Isaiah Humphrey, William Fort, Asa Kirby, John Head, Ambrose 
Medley, Basil McDavitt, Sr., Roger West, James Davis, Rev. Samuel C. 
Davis, Thomas Bradley, Tolman C. B. Gorham, Tolman Gorman, Jr.. Thomas 
Gorham, Ambrose Halliburton, William Morrow and Joseph Morrow. 

Mr. William Mathis, better known as "Uncle Billy Mathis," emigrated 
from North Carolina in the year 1827 and erected his cabin, in primitive 
pioneer style, on 80 acres of land entered at government price, within five 
miles of where Mt. Airy now stands. He was married when he came to 
the state, but never had any children. He was there before the county was 
organized, and William Holman, Abraham Gross and James Dysart were 
here when he came, the first of whom was engaged in running a horse 
mill. 

Jerry Jackson came with "Uncle Billy Mathis" from North Carolina, 
and settled in the same neighborhood, but emigrated to Texas. 

About the year 1837, Capt. William Upton, another old settler, opened 
a store at his place in connection with D. C. Garth, who lived at Hunts- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 165 

ville, and had another store there. A blacksmith shop and a tobacco 
factory were soon after erected, and the place was first called Uptonsville. 
The enterprising people of the vicinity, however, were not long in obtain- 
ing a postoffice, which was christened Mt. Airy, a name which it has ever 
since borne. Captain Upton, several years before the late war, sold out 
his farm and store and moved south of the Missouri river. 

Judge Janus I had, one of Silver Creek's pioneers, a resident when 
the county was organized, and one of the judges of the first county court, 
founded Roanoke on the Howard county line in 1836. The place at first 
went by several names, as suited the fancy of the settlers, such as Head's 
Store, and Van Buren, the favorite and successful Democratic candidate 
for the presidency for that year. Bui when the postoffice was established 
there, at the suggestion of Judge Head, it was named for the residence 
of a favorite statesman of his native state — the celebrated John Randolph, 
of Roanoke. Judge Head emigrated to Randolph County, from Orange 
County, Virginia, several years before the county was organized. He was 
accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Fannie Medliy and her husband, Jacob 
.Medley, who settled near him, and was the first collector of Randolph 
County. Judge Head lived on his farm adjoining Roanoke, and carried 
on business in the town, until 1849, when he moved to Lockhart, Texas, 
where he died in 1875, at the age of 82 years. He was followed to this 
state in 1831 by his father and mother, and all his remaining brothers and 
sisters, except .Mrs. Minor Rucker, who came with her husband and family 
in 1837. They all settled in Randolph County. His father, John Head, 
and his brother, John Head, Jr., settled in Silver Creek, two miles north of 
Roanoke, the former on the farm where he resided until his death in 
1852. All the others settled in and around Huntsville. These were Dr. 
Walker Head, who was twice elected to the legislature from this county, 
and at the time of his death in 1845, he had just been elected a delegate 
to the state convention, to revise the constitution. Mrs. Emily Chiles, 
Mrs. Sarah D. Allen, Mrs. Amanda Garth, and Mrs. Harriet Rucker were 
other members of the family. Mrs. Martha Price, the youngest daughter, 
was single when she came to the state, and was married to General Sterling 
Price, at her father's residence in Silver Creek towmship, in the year 1833. 

Robert Smith', who operated a tobacco factory, half a mile east of 
Mt. Airy, was an old settler. He came to Huntsville in 1837, where he 
remained six years, and then moved to Silver Creek. 



166 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

John Osborn emigrated from Orange County, Virginia, in 1835. He 
purchased dry goods and other family supplies at Old Chariton, in Chariton 
County. Allen Mayo, Daniel McDavitt and William Ferguson were Mr. 
Osborn's earliest neighbors, having preceded him in the settlement. 

Rev. William H. Mansfield resided one mile northeast of Roanoke, on 
a farm of 200 acres which he settled in 1831, and was one of the oldest 
men in Silver Creek township at the time of his death. He was born in 
Orange County, Virginia, and resided in this county fifty years. He was 
married in 1814, in Virginia, to Miss Salina Ecldings, and they had thir- 
teen children. Mr. Mansfield was a veteran of the War of 1812, and drew 
the usual pension. He took a just pride in having participated in the 
stirring events of that great national drama, in which his valor and 
patriotism contributed to win imperishable honor for Americans and vin- 
dicated our national motto, "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights." He never 
departed from the political faith which inspired his early manhood, and 
in his old age he adhered with unwavering fidelity to the principles which 
in his youth he drew his sword to defend. He was a devoted Christian, 
and a member of the Missionary Baptist church for nearly three-quarters 
of a century. He was ordained a minister of the gospel in 1832, and for 
more than forty years valiantly carried the banner of the Cross, until 
increasing age and corpulency compelled him to abandon the active duties 
of the ministry, when, under a conscious conviction of having finished 
his appointed work, he retired to the shades of a more private life. Being 
seldom away from home he was very often called upon to perform the mar- 
riage ceremony, and was noted for his clemency towards runaway couples, 
whom he never declined to unite, unless prevented by a legal barrier. He 
was remarkable for his sociability and hospitality, and always gave his 
friends a dinner on Christmas Day, and on New Year's 1878, he celebrated 
his golden wedding. 

Mrs. Salina Mansfield, his wife, was the oldest woman in the township 
at the time of her death. She was much beloved on account of her social 
and Christian virtues, and, like her husband, was a zealous Christian and 
member of the Baptist church. 

SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 

This is one of the original municipal townships, and was organized in 
1829. Its general shape is that of an L, a strip six miles long and two 
miles wide forming the lower extension of the letter, while a strip four 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 167 

miles wide and six and a half miles long composes the upper extension. 
The township contains about thirty-six square miles. It has been much 
reduced from its original limits, other townships having been formed from 
it. The narrow strip of the township reaches to the eastern border of 
the county, while the greater body of land lies six miles west of that boun- 
dary. 

The "divide" runs through its territory in a north direction, in the 
eastern central portion of the township. The eastern part, therefore, con- 
tributes its waters to the Mississippi river, while the streams of the western 
part are tributary to the Missouri. 

Among the earliest settlers having made their homes in the county 
before it was originated were Reuben Cornelius, Benjamin Hardin, Mal- 
com Galbreath and T. N. Galbreath. The latter lived in Prairie township. 
In 1822, when he first settled there, and even at a much later period, elk, 
deer, bear, wild turkeys and grouse were abundant for game, while wolves, 
foxes, wild cats and panthers were numerous. Col. P. P. Ruby, T. P. 
White, John Hannah, Alexander Jones, John Grimes, Elijah Williams, 
Patrick Lynch. W. H. Band and Eli Owens were among the early settlers. 

Wild honey proved a profitable crop, and could be found with little 
labor. In 1823, or 1824, Mr. Whittenburg built a mill in the southeastern 
part of the county, and Mr. Goggin one within the present corporate limits 
of Huntsville. These were draught or hor.<2 mills, grinding corn alone. 
Previous to that meal was ground on hand mills or grated on graters pre- 
pared for the purpose. Little wheat flour was used, and what was con- 
sumed was brought from Old Franklin, more than forty miles distant. 

The land is diversified with prairie and timber; comparatively little of 
it is so broken as to be unfit for cultivation, and all of it is adapted to 
grazing. 

In the early settlement of the county the native grasses held possession 
of the soil, and blue grass was unknown. When the lands were "enclosed, 
and the trampling and grazing of stock had killed the native grass, blue 
grass began to make its appearance; showing that it is an indigenous 
growth in this soil, and neither cultivation nor grazing will destroy it. 

The township settled up slowly, owing, in great part, to its remote- 
ness even from local markets and the want of adequate transportation to 
foreign marts. The farmers fed their grain and grass to live stock, and 
depended upon the "drovers" to purchase their cattle, horses and hogs. 
After the construction of the North Missouri Railroad, settlements became 



168 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

more common, and after the close of the Civil War they advanced rapidly. 

The creeks in this township are numerous, but as the land lies along 
the dividing ridge of eastern and western waters, these streams are small. 

The variety of agricultural products is not surpassed by any other 
country in the world. While there are other lands that may produce one, 
two or even three crops in larger proportion, there are non that will yield 
so generous a harvest of such a great variety of productions. 



CHAPTER XVI 



TOWNSHIPS. CONTINUED. 
MOBERLY. 



CHARTER GRANTED TO RAILROAD PLAN TO INDUCE SETTLERS TO COME HERE- 
PATRICK LYNCH FIRST SETTLER REVIVED AFTER CIVIL WAR RAILROAD 
ACTIVITY — TO WW I'LATTKh SAJ.K ill' l.oTS— HOTEL BUILT— OTHER BUILD- 
INGS- EARLY MERCHANTS— PANIC!— FIRST TRUSTEES NEGOTIATIONS WITH 
RAILROAD COMPANY TO LOCATE sums HERE — LAND DONATED — BONDS 
VOTED— T< IWX I Ni ■( i K I '( ) 1 1.\ T K [ >— K I H ST ELECTION — CI T Y ( I F FICE RS — PUI SLIC 
SCHOOLS PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS — LIBRARY — CONTRACT WITH RAILROAD 
COMPANY— BOND — FROM MOBERLY'S FIRST NEWSPAPER. 

In 1858 a charter was granted to the Chariton and Randolph Railroad 
Company, with authority to construct a road from a point in Randolph 
County to Brunswick, in Chariton County. It was desirable that this 
road should tap the North Missouri road at the most convenient point for 
its construction, and what is now Moberly was fixed upon as the point 
of departure. The company laid off a town and drove up stakes marking 
the lots. The village of Allen, one mile north of where Moberly now stands, 
contained several houses, and was the shipping point for Huntsville and 
other points west. To induce the abandonment of this village, the Chari- 
ton and Randolph Company offered to all who w^ould remove their houses 
to the new site the same amount of ground they owned and occupied in 
Allen. This was in the summer of 1861. But the inhabitants of Allen 
either had no confidence in the company's ability to build the road, or 
thought their ow r n town better located, and destined in the future to beat 
its rival, which then existed only in name and on maps. From whatever 
cause, the proposition w r as rejected by the majority, and w r as accepted by 
only one person, Patrick Lynch, father of John E. Lynch, president of 



170 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

the Bank of Moberly and the present United States marshal for the eastern 
district of Missouri,. had a small, one-story frame house in Allen, and be- 
lieving the junction would one day be the better point, he placed his domicile 
on rollers, took a yoke of oxen, and drew it down to what were then and 
still are lots 11 and 12 in block 12, fronting on Clark street, opposite to 
the Merchants Hotel, and running east with Reed street to the alley 
between Clark and Sturgeon. 

This was the beginning of Moberly. The land around was a prairie, 
without fence or enclosure of any kind, and here 'Tat" Lynch lived with 
his family, solitary and alone. The Allenites laughed at him, but he stuck 
to his contract and stayed. The Civil War put a temporary embargo upon 
town building, and Mr. Lynch concluded to profit by his lonely position. 
He plowed up the stakes set to mark the lots, and cultivated the land on 
the west side of the railroad, where the business houses of Moberly now 
stand. Nothing was done toward the further sale of lots by the Chariton 
and Randolph Railroad Company, and Lynch continued to occupy the place 
and "hold the fort" during the continuance of the war, unmolested by 
soldiers. 

When business began to revive after the war, the franchises and prop- 
erty of the Chariton and Randolph Railroad Company passed into the 
hands of the North Missouri Railroad Company, and the project of building 
the road and extending it to Kansas City was renewed. At the head of 
that company was Isaac M, Sturgeon, of St. Louis, a practical business 
man of eminent ability. 

Having determined to complete the extension to Kansas City, it seemed 
to be certain that a large town would grow up somewhere about midway 
between the eastern and western termini of the road. The junction of 
the north end with the western branch seemed to offer a good opportunity 
to lay out and establish such a place. Moberly was, therefore, resurveyed, 
and a sale of lots was advertised to take place on the grounds September 
27, 1866. In the first map of the place, issued by the auctioneers, Messrs. 
Barlow, Valle & Bush, of St. Louis, machine shop grounds were indicated. 
The terms of sale were one-third cash when the deed was ready, one- 
third in one year and one-third in two years, with interest at the rate of 
six per cent on deferred payments — $10 on each lot to be paid at the time 
of bidding. The sale was pretty largely attended and lots sold at fair 
prices. The lot on which the Merchants' Hotel now stands was sold for 
$150, and some other lots brought prices ranging from $85 to $125. The 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 171 

The original plat of the town embraced four blocks north of Franklin 
average price of lots at this sale was between $45 and $50. Before the 
sale began, Mr. "Sturgeon ordered that lots 11 and 12, in block 12, be 
marked off to Patrick Lynch and a deed to them be made, he to pay $1 
as recorder's fee. This, as Mr. Sturgeon said, was in consideration of 
the fact that Lynch had "held the city during the war without the loss 
of a life or a house." Among the purchasers at that sale were William 
H. Robinson, 0. F. Chandler, Dr. C. J. Tannehill, Elijah Williams, John 
Grimes, Ernest Miller, C. Otto, J. G. Zahn and Patrick Lynch. 

Immediately after the sale S. P. Tate began the construction of a 
hotel on the southwest corner of Clark and Reed streets. The structure 
was a two-story frame. John Grimes also began the building of a hotel 
on Sturgeon street, which, being completed before Tate's, is the first 
house ever built in Moberly. Messrs. Chandler, Otto, Robinson, Miller, 
McDaniel and other parties followed in rapid succession, and the noise of 
hammer and saw was heard everywhere along Clark, Reed, Sturgeon and 
Coates streets. 

Adam Given owned a horse mill and sawed the lumber for the first 
house erected in Moberly. The house is still standing, 
street and bounded on the north by the lands of the railroad company; 
five blocks and five half blocks on the west side of the railroad, from 
Wightman street on the south to the railroad lands on the north, and from 
Sturgeon street on the east to the alley between Clark and Williams streets 
on the west ; and also fourteen blocks on the east side of the railroad from 
Sturgeon to Morley, and from Wightman street to the township road on 
the north. At the first sale no lots on the east side of the railroad were dis- 
posed of, and the new buildings were erected on the west side. The first 
brick house built in Moberly was a dwelling on the southwest corner of 
Coates and Williams streets, erected by Perry McDonald. In the fall of 1867, 
another sale took place, at which a large number of lots on the east 
side were sold, and the work of extending the area of the city began. 
This sale also attracted many bidders, as live men had begun to appreciate 
the value of the location as a business point. 

Since then many additions have been made, and the territory of the 
city has been vastly extended, the old limits being gradually filled with 
business houses and dwellings, the population steadily advancing, and 
the permanency of the location becoming every year more and more as- 
sured. The wooden structures at first built gave way to more substantial 



172 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

brick edifices, the frame hotels and wooden store rooms were superseded 
by commodious and solid walls, and the small one-roomed dwellings were 
moved to the rear to make room for larger and more imposing buildings. 

As a matter of history we record the names of the first dealers in 
the leading lines of trade : Dry goods, Tate & Bennett ; drugs, 0. F. 
Chandler ; groceries, — Lampton, who was immediately succeeded by Martin 
Howlett ; hardware, William Seelen ; furniture, H. H. Forcht, and imme- 
diately after, J. G. Zahn, both houses being owned by E. H. Petering; 
lumber, sash, doors and blinds, H. H. Forcht for E. H. Petering; jewelry, 
John H. Kring ; livery, White Bros. ; clothing, Levy & Krailsheimer ; boots 
and shoes, L. Brandt ; butcher, Henry Overberg ; barber, 0. N. Kaare. 

The first officers of the town were: Trustees, A. T. Franklin, pres- 
ident; Charles Tisue, L. Brandt, Asa Bennett and William Seelen; mar- 
shal, Martin Howlett; justice of the peace, E. Sidner; constable, Charles 
Featherston; notary public, W. E. Grimes; postmaster, Charles Tisue, 
who was also agent of the Merchants' Union Express Company. 

Up to 1873, the year of the great panic, the amount of building and 
the increase of business were sufficient to justify the assumption of the 
now popular sobriquet of the "Magic City." Mining and oil districts have 
sometimes gathered larger populations in shorter time, but they have 
not carried with them the evidences of solidity and stability that marked 
the growth of Moberly. But the panic placed a temporary check upon 
the spirit of speculation and enterprise. It checked, but did not stay the 
progress of the town. Even under the most discouraging circumstances the 
work of extension was continued, and if there were fewer buildings erected 
than in previous years, still the citizens and property holders had unfalter- 
ing faith in the future of Moberly, and continued to build as the wants of 
the place demanded. Meantime Moberly had grown from a place on paper 
to a smart village, from a village to a town, from a town to a city. 

On the 6th of June, 1868, the first board of trustees met, chose A. T. 
Franklin chairman, and appointed the chairman and C. Tisue to draft by- 
laws and ordinances. At a meeting of the board June 14, 1869, a resolu- 
tion was passed offering one of three tracts of land to the North Missouri 
Railroad as a site for the location of the machine shops, the ground and 
its appurtenances to be exempt from city taxes so long as they wer3 used 
for that purpose. These tracts were the Concannton farm, 67 acres, 
northwest of town; a portion (60 acres) of the farms of Grimes and 
Meals, north of town; a portion (60 acres) of the Hunt and Godfrey farm 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 173 

south of town. J. D. Werden was appointed agent of the town to confer 
with the directors of the railroad. 

On the 20th of August the purchasing committee reported that James 
Meals offered to sell "near six acres along the West Branch Railroad at 
$200 per acre, and the remaining portion north of said strip and mcluding 
the ground his house is on, extending north to the north line of the land 
known as the reservoir land, at $500 per acre." No action was taken by 
the board on this liberal proposition, but an election was ordered for 
August 31, 1869, to take the sense of the voters as to whether a tract of 
100 acres, to cost not exceeding $12,000, should be bought for machine shop 
purposes. At this election T. B. Porter, B. Y. N. Clarkson and Josiah 
Harlan were judges. At a meeting on the 4th of September, A. F. Bunker 
was appointed a committee of one to close the contract with the railroad 
company for the location of the machine shops. 

On the 27th of June, 1870, another vote was taken to determine 
whether the town would purchase a tract of 104 acres of ground lying 
north and west of town for the machine shops. The result of this elec- 
tion is not recorded, but it was held to have been unlawful, having been 
held on Monday. A new election was ordered for August 2, 1870. The 
election showed perfect unanimity on the subject of the purchase, as there 
was not a dissenting voice ; and at a meeting of the board of trustees on 
the 4th of August, twenty bonds of the denomination of $1,000 each were 
ordered to be printed. 

At a meeting held August 19, 1870, William Seelen was required in 
addition to his duties as vice-president of the board, to "hear and try all 
cases for the violation of the city ordinances," and on the 7th of October 
he was appointed to purchase six street lamps. The bond of the town 
collector was fixed at $4,000; but in 1871 it was raised to $10,000, show- 
ing a hundred and fifty per cent increase in the revenue within two years. 
On the 24th of August, 1871, the president of the board was authorized 
to borrow "such a sum of money as he may be able to obtain at 15 per 
cent interest for the longest time he can get said money, for the improve- 
ment of the streets of Moberly," for which the bonds of the town were to 
be issued. On the 13th of November, 1871, the proposition to donate money 
to the North Missouri Railroad Company for machine shops was renewed. 
On the 21st of March, 1871, the board of trustees accepted the proposi- 
tion of Dr. C. J. Tannehill to donate the block which is known as Tanne- 
hill Park and on which the public school building now stands, as a public 
park. 



171 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

On the 25th of March, an election was held to determine whether the 
city should purchase and donate to the St. Louis, Kansas City and North- 
ern Railroad Company 200 acres of land lying between the west branch 
and the main line, for the erection of machine shops. The election resulted 
favorably, the board of trustees proposed to donate this land, also 618 
acres one and a half miles west of that tract, and exempt the -.vhole 
for twenty years from all city taxes. Another inducement held out was 
that the land thus given contained an inexhaustible bed of coal. Hon. 
William A. Hall was appointed the agent of the town to present the oppo- 
sition. The contract was subsequently made and was ratified by the trus- 
tees of Moberly April 2, 1872. 

At a meeting of the board on the 3d of April, 1872, W. F. Barrows 
was appointed to contract for the lithographing of seventy bonds of the 
denominations of $500 each, bearing 10 per cent interest, and amounting 
in the aggregate to $35,000, payable in ten years. He was also empowered 
to sell these bonds without limitation as to price. At the same time a 
special election was ordered to take place May 10, 1872, to determine 
whether the town would purchase 818 acres of land for the car ohops. 
The election resulted in favor of the purchase by a vote of 299 for, to 
4 against it, and bonds to the amount of $27,000 were ordered to be issued. 
On the 26th of August, same year, right of way was granted to the Mis- 
souri, Kansas and Texas Railway Company to construct their road the 
entire length of Moulton street, and across "any other street in said 
town." 

An election was held February 1, 1873, to ascertain "whether a ma- 
jority of the citizens of the town are in favor of having the town of 
Moberly incorporated under a special charter by act of the legislature," 
J. T. Young, J. H. Burkholder, H. M. Porter, B. Y. N. Clarkson and T. P. 
White having been appointed in the preceding December to draft the char- 
ter. This election resulted in favor of the charter, and T. P. White was 
appointed to go to Jefferson City in the interest of the town. On the 5th 
of March, a legislative delegation visited Moberly and a supper was given 
them by the city, which cost $272. 

The first election under the charter granted by the legislature was 
held April 8, 1873, and resulted as follows: T. P. White, mayor; council- 
man at large, C. P. Apgar; councilman: First ward, H. C. Moss; second 
ward, William Seelen ; third ward, D. H. Fitch and B. R. White. Clerk, 
C. B. Rodes. At that election, also, it was decided to fund the debt of the 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 175 

town, under the general law, by a vote of 509 to 4. The bonds of the city 
were ordered by the first council to be of the denomination of $500 each, 
to be issued to W. F. Barrows or bearer, payable ten years after date, 
redeemable at option of the city after five years, with ten per cent interest 
payable semi-annually. The bonds authorized to be issued amounted to 
$30,000. 

The following is a list of officers of Moberly from the founding of the 
town in 1869 until its incorporation in 1873: 1868 — Board of trustees, A. 
T. Franklin, chairman; Charles Tisue, Asa Bennett, Louis Brandt, Wil- 
liam Seelin ; marshal, S. L. Austin, E. Sidner, Martin Howlett; clerk, J. 
W. Dorser; treasurer, W. E. Grimes; assessor, William Williams, W. S. 
Tompkins ; collector, Martin Howlett. 

1869 — Board of trustees, A. T. Franklin, chairman; Charles Tisue, 
William Seelen, James True, Elijah Williams; marshal, Martin Howlett; 
clerk, I. B. Porter; treasurer, W. E. Grimes, C. J. Tannehill; assessor, 

B. Y. N. Clarkson ; collector, Martin Howlett ; street commissioner, M. 
Howlett; assistant marshal, Isaac Jacobs. 

1870 — Board of trustees, A. T. Bunker, chairman ; D. W. Brinkernoff , 
I. B. Porter, W. Seelen, A. T. Franklin; marshal, Martin Howlett, I. W. 
Boucher, George W. Dulaney; clerk, Ben T. Porter; attorney, Ben T. 
Porter ; treasurer, C. J. Tannehill ; assessor, James B. Dameron ; col- 
lector, Isaac Boucher. 

1871 — Board of trustees, B. Y. N. Clarkson, chairman; H. M. Por- 
ter, James M. S. Berry, D. S. Forney, James R. True, J. H. Burkholder, 
J. M. McQuaid, J. W. Haynes ; marshal, George W. Dulaney ; clerk, J. 
W. Dorser; attorney, Ben Porter; treasurer, Charles Tisue;, assessor, 
E. Sidener; collector, William W. Porter. 

1872 — Board of trustees, J. B. Freeman, chairman : J. H. Burk- 
holder, H. M. Porter, Peter Fox, J. Grimes, E. T. Tuckert, D. B. White, 
J. B. Damerson, W. D. Pegram ; marshal, J. W. Ragsdale ; clerk, J. W. 
Dorser; attorney, Ben T. Porter; treasurer, T. P. White; assessor, D. 
S. Forney; collector, William W. Porter. 

The following is a list of officers of the city of Moberly since its 
incorporation in 1873 : 

1873 — Mayor, T. P. White; councilmen, C. P. Apgar, at large; H. 

C. Moss, J. T. Kimbrough, William Seelen, H. Morgan, B. R. White, 

D. H. Fitch; marshal, J. W. Ragsdale; clerk, C. B. Rodes; attorney, 
B. T. Porter ; assessor, J. H. Phillips ; collector, J. B. Sherwood ; police 
judge, W. A. Whitney. 



176 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

1874 — Mayor, J. H. Burkholder; councilmen, W. L. Durbin, at large; 
M. R. Burns, H. C. Moss, Terence Clark, H. Morgan, T. B. Patton, G. F. 
Eothwell; marshall, J. V. Baker; clerk, C. W. Oak; attorney, S. S. Mc- 
Nouyhton; treasurer, E. H. Miller; assessor, W. T. O'Rear; a -Hector, 
J. B. Sherwood; police judge, J. B. Dameron. 

1875 — Mayor, W. L. Durbin; councilmen, C. S. Buck, at large; J. A. 
Scott, W. R. Mealer, William Seelen, Terence Clark, W. T. McCanne, 
T. B. Patton; marshall, J. V. Howard; clerk, C. W. Oak: attorney, H. S. 
Priest; treasurer, E. H. Miller; assessor, W. T. O'Rear; collector, J. B. 
Sherwood; police judge, J. B. Dameron. 
Dameron. 

1876 — Mayor, J. C. Hickerson; councilmen, Terence Clark, W. L. 
McCart, at large; J. Campbell, J. A. Scott, Paul Roche, William Seelen, 
W. A. Rothwell, W. T. McCanne; marshall, J. W. Howard; clerk, Wil- 
liam Oak ; attorney, F. P. Wiley ; treasurer, W. L. Young, J. L. Wool- 
folk ; assessor, W. T. O'Rear; collector, J. B. Sherwood; police judge, 
J. D. Werden. 

1877 — Mayor, R. R. Haynes, at large; O. T. Rouse, John Campbell, 
N. F. Haworth, Paul Roche, W. A. Rothwell, N. B. Coates, S. J. Good- 
fellow ; marshal, J. W. Howard, G. T. Galbreath ; clerk, William Oak ; 
attorney, U. S. Hall; treasurer, J. L. Woolfolk; assessor, M. T. Wil- 
liams; collector, J. B. Sherwood; police judge, I. W. Boucher. 

1878— Mayor, W. T. McCanne; councilmen, W. F. Elliott, at large; 
O. T. Rouse, Dr. Thomas Irwin, J. M. Kiely, N. F. Haworth, W. A. 
Rothwell, S. J. Goodfellow; marshall, G. T. Galbreath; clerk, Richard 
Brooks; attorney, W. J. Hollis; treasurer, A. B. Thompson; assessor, 
M. T. Williams; collector, John H. Gravely; police judge, J. S. Way land. 

1879 — Mayor, J. H. Burkholder; councilmen, C. P. Apgar, at large; 
Dr. T. Irwin, A. O'Keefe, Winslow Buck, J. M. Kiely, W. A. Rothwell, 
H. Jennings; marshal, G. T. Galbreath; clerk, C. B. Rodes; attorney, 
B. T. Hardin; treasurer, A. B. Thompson; assessor, J. D. Bailey; col- 
lector, John H. Gravely; police judge, I. W. Boucher. 

1880 — Mayor, G. L. Hassett; councilmen, P. J. Carmody, at large; 

A. O'Keefe, Wilson Robertson, Winslow Buck, J. Evans, W. A. Roth- 
well, H. Jennings; marshal, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. R. Lowell; attorney, 

B. T. Hardin; treasurer, A. B. Thompson; assessor, F. E. P. Harlan; 
collector, R. A. Wilson ; police judge, Zach Fisher. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 177 

1881 — Mayor, P. J. Carmody; councilmen, Hiram Jennings, at large; 
W. Robertson, J. D. Lipscomb, Winslow Buck, J. T. Evans, E. H. Mix, 
W. A. Rothwell, J. H. Miller; marshal, J. E. Lynch; clerk, C. T. Hunn; 
attorney, J. W. Dorser; treasurer, A. B. Thompson; assessor, W. T. 
O'Rear; collector, R. A. Wilson; police judge, Zach Fisher. 

1882 — Mayor, P. J. Carmody; councilmen, B. R. White, at large; 
J. Q. Mason, J. D. Lipscomb, E. H. Mix, M. A. Hayes, J. H. Miller, 
J. T. Williams, William Coyle; marshal, J. E. Lynch; clerk, C. T. Hunn; 
attorney, J. W. Dorser; Hiram Jennings; assessor, W. T. O'Rear; col- 
lector, J. B. Davis; police judge, Zach Fisher. 

1883 — Mayor, D. S. Forney; councilmen, A. E. Simmons, at large; 
J. Q. Mason, W. A. Chisholm, J. E. Camplin, E. H. Mix, M. A. Hayes, 
Norris Tuttle, William Coyle; marshal, George Keating; clerk, C. T. 
Hunn; attorney, W. B. Sanford; treasurer, C. P. Apgar; assessor, W. 
T. O'Rear; collector, J. B. Davis; police judge, D. A. Coates. 

1884 — Mayor, D. S. Forney; councilmen, A. E. Simmons, at large; 
W. A. Chisholm, R. C. Murray, H. R. Suppe, M. A. Hayes, Norris Tut- 
tle, A. O'Keefe; marshal, George Keating; clerk, V. M. Tedford ; attor- 
ney, W. P. Cave; treasurer, J. T. O'Neal; assessor, M. V. Greene; col- 
lector, C. T. Hunn; police judge, D. A. Coates. 

1885 — Mayor, D. S. Forney; councilmen, A. E. Simmons, at large; 
J. Tagart, R. C. Murray, H. R. Suppe, M. A. Hayes, N. Tuttle, A. O'Keefe; 
marshal, George Keating ; clerk, John Floyd ; attorney, W. B. Sanford ; 
treasurer, J. T. O'Neal ; assessor, W. S. Boulward ; collector, Jerry Shaw ; 
police judge, A. J. Featherstone. 

1886 — Mayor, A. B. Thompson; councilmen, H. R. Suppe, at large; 
J. Tagart, Robert Little, F. Haley, M. A. Hayes, N. Tuttle, Enoch Des- 
kin ; marshal, J. E. Lynch ; clerk, John Floyd ; attorney, W. B. Sanford ; 
treasurer, George W. Sparks; assessor, C. M. Berry; collector, John 
Pierce; police judge, A. J. Featherstone. 

1887 — Mayor, Theodore F. Priest; councilmen, J. Sam Hedges, at 
large; R. Little, W. A. Chisholm, W. P. Thompson, Frank Haley, Enoch 
Deskin, J. W. Ragsdale; marshal, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. F. Rucker; at- 
torney, William Morrissey, B. T. Hardin ; treasurer, George W. Sparks ; 
assessor, W. S. Boulware; collector, John Pierce, William Oak; police 
judge, A. J. Featherstone. 

1888 — Mayor, R. R. Haynes; councilmen, C. F. Campbell, at large; 
R. Little, W. A. Chisholm, W. P. Thompson, J. C. Hutton, H. P. Jennings, 



178 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

J. W. Ragsdale; marshal, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. F. Rucker; attorney, W. P. 
Cave; treasurer, V. M. Tedford; assessor, W. S. Boulware; collector, 
James W. Williams; police judge, W. W. McNich. 

1889 — Mayor, R. R. Haynes; councilmen, Tim Freeman, C. P. Wil- 
lett, A. T. Franklin, Denis Hogan. H. P. Jennings, N. F. Haworth, C. Adams, 
H. 0. Hannah, Louis Cross, J. C. Hutton, W. H. Wilson, F. E. Shuck; 
marshal, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. F. Rucker; attorney, W. P. Cave; treas- 
urer, V. M. Tedford; assessor, W. S. Boulware; collector, James M. Wil- 
liams; police judge, W. W. McNich. 

1890 — Mayor, R. R. Haynes; councilmen, Tim Freeman, J. S. Chad- 
wick. A. T. Franklin, J. W. Ragsdale, H. P. Jennings, N. F. Haworth, D. 
W. Wilson, H. 0. Hannah, Louis Cross, C. P. Apgar, W. H. Wilson, A. D. 
Terrill; marshall, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. E. Rucker; attorney, W. P. Cave; 
treasurer, V. M. Tedford; assessor, W. S. Boulware; collector, James M. 
Williams; police judge, W. W. McNich. 

1891 — Mayor J. W. Ragsdale; councilmen, Tim Freeman, J. S. Chad- 
wick, A. T. Franklin, T. 0. Afflick, T. F. Priest, N. F. Haworth, D. W. 
Wilson, G. M. Dulany, William Firth, C. P. Apgar, W. H. Wilson. George 
P. Shedd; marshall, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. F. Rucker; attorney, Will A. 
Rothwell; treasurer, V. M. Tedford; assessor, Allen D. Terrill; collector, 
James M. Williams; police judge, W. W. McNich. 

1892 — Mayor, J. W. Ragsdale; councilmen, Tim Freeman, J. S. Chad- 
wick, A. T. Franklin, T. 0. Afflick, T. F. Priest, N. F. Haworth, J. S. 
Hedges, G. M. Dulany, J. W. Walden, C. P. Apgar, W. H. Wilson ; George 
P. Shedd; marshall, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. E. Rucker, attorney. Will A. 
Rothwell; treasurer, V. M. Tedford; assessor, Allen D. Terrill; collector, 
James M. Williams; police judge, W. W. McNich. 

1893 — Mayor, J. W. Ragsdale; councilmen, A. B. McCoy, C. A. Settle, 
J. B. Hill, W. S. Jones, N. E. Walker, N. F. Haworth, J. S. Hedges, 
A. S. Hickerson, Louis Gross, C. P. Apgar, W. D. Bean, George P. Shed; 
marshal, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. F. Rucker; attorney, Will A. Rothwell; 
treasurer, V. M. Tedford; collector, M. J. Tedford; police judge. W. W. 
McNich. 

1894 — Mayor, J. H. Babcock ; councilmen, A. B. McCoy. J. A. Medley, 
J. B. Hill, W. S. Jones, N. E. Walker, N. F. Haworth, J. S. Hedges, A. S. 
Hicherson, Louis Gross, C. P. Apgar, W. D. Bean, I. C. Miller; marshal, 
J. E. Lynch, William Fox ; clerk, A. B. Little ; attorney. Will A. Rothwell ; 
treasurer, V. M. Tedford ; assessor, William Oak ; collector, M. J. Tedford ; 
police judge, W. W. McNich. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 179 

1895 — Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, A. B. McCoy, J. A. Medley, 
J. B. Hill, J. E. Camplin, N. E. Walker, N. F. Haworth, J. S. Hedges, 
J. M. Williams, Louis Gross, C. P. Apgar, W. H. Wilson, I. C. Miller: 
marshal, William Fox; clerk, A. B. Little; attorney, Alex H. Waller, J. C. 
Williams, J. W. Wight, Jr.; treasurer, John B. Jennings; assessor, F. E. 
P. Harlan; collector, M. J. Tedford; police judge, D. Proctor. 

1896— Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, A. B. McCoy, H. L. Lee, M. 
A. Arnett, J. E. Camplin, N. E. Walker, W. W. Babcock, A. S. Hickerson, 
J. M. Williams, L. Gross, E. O. Doyle, W. H. Wilson, I. C. Miller; marshal, 
shal, William Fox; clerk, A. B. Little; attorney, J. W. Wight, Jr.; treas- 
urer, John B. Jennings; assessor, F. E. P. Harlan; collector, M. J. Ted- 
ford; police judge, D. Proctor. 

1897— Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, A. B. McCoy, H. G. Lee, M. 
A. Arnett, J. E. Camplin, N. E. Walker, W. W. Babcock, A. S. Hicherson, 
J ,M. Williams, L. Gross, E. 0. Doyle, W. H. Wilson, I. C. Miller; marshal, 
William Fox; clerk, A. B. Little; attorney, J. W. Wight; treasurer, J. B. 
Jennings; assessor, F. E. P. Harlan; collector, M. J. Tedford; police judge, 
W. W. McNinch. 

1898 — Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, J. A. Tagart, C. E. Hallibur- 
ton, J. J. Jones, J. E. McQuitty, N. F. Haworth, A. C. Dingle, I. C. Miller, 
W. F. Moore; marshal, C. L. Quayle; clerk, N. E. Walker; attorney, J. W. 
Wight; treasurer, J. B. Jennings; assessor, E. P. Harlan; collector, M. 
J. Tedford; police judge, D. Proctor. 

1899 — Mayor, A. H. Waller; councilmen, J. A. Tagart, C. W. Halli- 
burton, J. J. Jones, J. E. McQuitty, N. F. Haworth, A. C. Dingle, I. C. 
Miller, W. F. Moore; marshal, C. L. Quayle; clerk, L. L. Wayland; attor- 
ney, F. T. Woods; treasurer, J. B. Jennings; assessor, F. E. P. Harlan; 
collector, William Fox; police judge, D. Proctor. 

1900 — Mayor, A. H. Waller; councilmen, L. S. Gaines, Carter Baker, 
J. E. Camplin, F. C. Jacoby, A. C. Dingle, J. M. Williams, L. Weisberg, 
I. C. Miller; marshal, C. L. Quayle; clerk, L. L. Wayland; attorney, F. T. 
Woods; treasurer, J. B. Jennings; assessor, F. E. P. Harlan; collector, 
William Fox; police judge, D. Proctor. 

1901 — Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, L. S. Gains, Carter Baker, 
J. E. Camplin, F. C. Jacoby, N. F. Haworth, A. C. Dingle, I. C. Miller, W. 
F. Moore; marshal, C. L. Quayle; clerk, A. P. Little; attorney, F. T. 
Woods; treasurer, J. B. Jennings; assessor, F. E. P. Harlan; collector, L. 
L. Wayland ; police judge, D. Proctor. 



180 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

1902 — Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, John Ward, Dr. Burk, J. E. 
Camplin, E. B. Mahan, E. W. Roberts, J. M. Williams, J. W. Faessler, 
J. E. Ball; marshal, C. L. Quayle; clerk, A. N. Little; attorney, F. T. 
Woods; treasurer, J. B. Jennings; assessor, F. E. P. Harlan; collector, 
L. L. Way land; police judge, D. Proctor. 

1903 — Mayor, A. C. Dingle; councilmen, John Ward, Dr. Burk, J. E. 
Camplin, E. B. Mahan, E. W. Roberts, J. M. Williams, J. W. Faessler, J. 
E. Ball; marshal, J. Patterson; clerk, R. R. Rothwell; attorney, Oak Hun- 
ter; treasurer, J. B. Jennings; assessor, J. C. Bounds; collector, L. L. 
Wayland; police judge, S. C. Griswold. 

1904 — Mayor, A. C. Dingle; councilmen, John Ward, Dr. Burk, J. E. 
Camplin, E. B. Mahan, E. W. Roberts, J. M. Williams, J. W. Faessler, J. E. 
Ball; marshal, J. Patterson; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, Oak Hunter; 
treasurer, J. B. Jennings; assessor, J. C. Bounds; collector, L. L. Wayland; 
police judge, S. C. Griswold. 

1905 — Mayor, A. C. Dingle; councilmen, J. M. Williams, E. B. Mahan, 
J. Gowler, W. McGrew, J. E. Ball, E. W. Roberts, Perrine, J. P. Sinnock; 
marshal, J. Patterson; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, Oak Hunter; treasurer, 
J. B. Jennings ; assessor, J. C. Bounds ; collector, S. C. Griswold ; police 
judge, B. O'Connell. 

1906 — Mayor, A. C. Dingle; councilmen, J. M. Williams, J. W. Dy- 
sart, J. Fowler, W. L. McGrew, Perrine, J. P. Sinnock, W. P. Davis, J. 
Ball ; marshal, J. Patterson ; clerk, J. F. Curry ; attorney, Oak Hunter ; 
treasurer, J. B. Jennings ; assessor, J. C. Bounds ; collector, S. C. Griswold ; 
police judge, B. O'Connell. 

1907 — Mayor, R. R. Rothwell; councilmen, L. Gross, J. P. Sinnock, 
J. Lotter, W. P. Davis, C. B. Dysart, E. A. Willott, J. E. Ball, N. Roe- 
buck ; marshal, John Hogg ; clerk, J. F. Curry ; attorney, Elmer Ball ; 
treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, B. L. Young; collector, W. E. Travis; 
police judge, B. O'Connell. 

1908 — Mayor, R. R. Rothwell; councilmen, O. R. Nise, J. P. Sinnock, 
J. H. Lotter, W. P. Davis, I. F. Harlan, E. A. Willott, N. Roebuck, H. 
Owens; marshall, John Hogg; clerk, J. E. Curry; attorney, Elmer Ball; 
treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, B. L. Young; collector, W. E. Travis; 
police judge, B. O'Connell. 

1909 — Mayor, R. R. Rothwell ; councilmen, O. R. Nise, J. J. Patrick, 
P. Packwood, W. P. Davis, I. F. Harlan, J. M. Williams, W. McGrew, 
Henry Owens; marshal, John Hogg; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney. Elmer 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 161 

Ball; treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, B. L. Young; collector, Will Short; 
police judge, B. O'Connell. 

1910 — Mayor, R. R. Rothwell; councilmen, 0. R. Nise, J. J. Patrick, 
P. Packwood, L. Hunt, I. F. Harlan, J. M. Williams, W. McGrew, J. E. 
Ball; marshal, John Hogg; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, Elmer Ball; 
treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, B. L. Young; collector, Will Short; 
police judge, B. O'Connell. 

1911 — Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, 0. R. Nise, P. B. Saterlee, C. B. 
Dysart, L. Hunt, I. F. Harlan, W. S. Turner, W. McGrew, J. E. Ball; 
marshal, Al Flemming; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, A. B. Chamier; 
treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, C. W. Hager; collector, Will Short; 
police judge, F. Tedford. 

1912— Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, F. M. Holtsinger, P. B. Sater- 
lee, C. B. Dysart, W. Biggers, 1. F. Harlan, W. S. Turner, W. Mc- 
Grew, J. E. Ball ; marshal, Al Flemming ; clerk, J. F. Curry ; attor- 
ney, A. B. Chamier; treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, C. W. Hager; 
collector, Will Short; police judge, F. Tedford. 

1913 — Mayor, R. R. Rothwell; councilmen, F. M. Holtsinger, C. Baker, 
William Biggers, J. Fowler, I. F. Harlan, W. S. Turner, W. McGrew, J. E. 
Ball; marshal, William Hinton ; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, A. B. Chamier; 
treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, H. Solomon; collector, C. W. Kelly; police 
judge, F. Tedford. 

1914— Mayor, R. R. Rothwell; councilmen, 0. R. Nise, C. Baker, 
J. Fowler, William Biggers, W. S. Turner, I. F. Harlan, W. McGrew, J. E. 
Hall; marshal, William Hinton; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, A. B. 
Chamier; treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, H. Solomon; collector, C. W. 
Kelly; police judge, F. Tedford. 

1915 — Mayor, I. F. Harlan ; councilmen, J. Tomlinson, 0. R. Nise, 
J. Fowler, W. Biggers, W. S. Turner, E. Hutchinson, W. McGrew, W. 
Butler; marshal, William Hinton; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, W. B. 
Stone; treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, H. Solomon; collector, C. W. 
Kelly; police judge, A. B. Adkisson. 

1916 — Mayor, I. F. Harlan ; councilmen, J. Tomlinson, O. R. Nise, 
J. Fowler, W. Biggers, W. S. Turner, E. Hutchinson, W. McGrew, War- 
ren Butler; marshal, William Hinton; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, W. 
B. Stone; treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, H. Solomon; collector, C. W. 
Kelly; police judge, J. B. Adkisson. 



182 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The present city officials of Moberly are: Mayor, James T. Cross; 
clerk, William H. Wilson; treasurer, Herman Lotter; collector, E. A. 
Bowman; attorney, Edmund Burke; police judge, William Haynes ; mar- 
shal, Melvin Marshall; health commissioner, Dr. Thomas L. Fleming; 
engineer, Carl Haynes ; street commissioner, James C. Green ; chief of 
police, Melvin Marshall; chief of fire department, John Crews; assessor, 
Ben L. Young ; councilmen, first ward, William Hulen, M. F. Kirtley ; 
second ward, William Biggers, W. B. Davis; third ward, E. P. Hutchin- 
son, F. M. Grimes ; fourth ward, W. R. Butler, W. P. Vandegrift. 

MOBERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

Prior to 1872 there was no regularly organized public school. Pri- 
vate schools were taught from time to time and short terms of public 
schools were held. W. Tandy O'Rear and Charles Rodes were among 
the passing teachers. 

In the year 1872 the first graded public school was organized, the 
principal being Prof. Tuck Powell. Among his assistants were N. E. 
Walker, G. N. Ratliff and Luther Terrill. 

In the summer of 1876 began the erection of "Old Central," which 
stood for years at the corner of Johnson and Rollins streets. At the 
time of the purchase of the plot of ground for this building there was 
a thoroughfare called Phipp's avenue, lying between this ground and 
Tannehill Park. This street was formally closed the next year. 

The high school was organized in 1877 by Prof. Marion Bigley, 
who took charge of the schools as the first superintendent. He reorgan- 
ized the old first ward school on the east side, introduced new methods 
and was, in fact, the founder of the present school system. 

In the fall of 1885 the frame building on East Rollins street was 
burned. It was not rebuilt. Instead the other part of the present build- 
ing was erected in what was formerly Moss Park, at a cost of $13,200. 

West Park was built in 1884, at a cost of $13,000. This building is 
located on a prominent hill in northwest Moberly, and is a commanding 
landmark. • 

In 1893 came South Park, another fine building, which cost $16,000. 

On the evening of December 5, 1894, the old Central building burned 
to the ground. An issue of bonds was at once voted by the people to 
erect a new and up-to-date building on the same ground. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 183 

The first commencement of the high school was held in the "Wig- 
wam," a big frame building erected on the corner of Reed and Fifth 
streets, in the spring of 1880 to accommodate the domocratic state con- 
vention. The "Wigwam" seated about 3,000 people and was crowded 
to its limits with those attending the exercises. 

The graduating class consisted of Will A. Rothwell and Arthur 
Grimes. Will Rothwell delivered the valedictory address and Arthur 
Grimes the salutary. During the evening Superintendent Biglow was 
presented with a handsome heavy gold-headed cane. This was the gift 
of the students of the high school, and the presentation speech was 
made by Hon. F. P. Wiley. The diplomas were presented to the two 
graduates by Dr. W. A. Rothwell, president of the board of education, 
assisted by S. C. Mason, secretary. The class of 1916 contained fifty-four 
graduates. 

The school facilities were increased in 1913 by the erection of a 
modern building in northeast Moberly and the addition of two rooms 
each to East and West Park, and later a new $15,000 school for colored 
children was erected at the corner of Franklin and Horner streets. In 
1916 a bond issue of $100,000 was voted for two additional buildings 
and improvements on the old. 

Following is a list of those who have served as superintendents: 
Marian Biglow, James A. Rice, L. E. Wolfe, W. D. Dodson, W. E. Cole- 
man, J. A. Whiteford, J. C. Lilly and E. M. Sipple. 

Those who have served as presidents of the board of education: I. 
B. Porter, W. T. McCanne, Dr. W. A. Rothwell, W. Simonds, Westley 
Humphrey, R. C. Murray, Dabney Proctor, E. R. Hickerson, W. H. Mor- 
ris, F. G. Ferris, J. S. Bowers, A. B. Little and Dr. C. B. Clapp. 

DIRECTORS OF THE MOBERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM 1871. 

Name Years of Presi- Secre- Treas- 

Service dent tary urer 

I. B. Porter 1871-1873 1871-1873 

D. B. White 1872-1874 

J . H. Burkholder 1871-1873 

J. T. Kimbrough 1872-1874 

E. H. Miller 1872 

Henry Morgan 1872-1878 1872-1878 

W. F. Barrows 1873-1874 1871-1874 



184 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

W. T. McCanne 1873-1880 1873-1880 

H. C. Moss 1873-1874 

T. P. White 1874 

A. Steed 1874-1876 

S. C. Mason 1874-1881 1874-1881 

W. H. Selby 1874-1885 

W. A. Rothwell 1875-1882 1880-1882 

W.F.Elliott 1877-1883 1878-1883 

Wm. Firth 1878-1879 

H. R. Crockett 1879-1881 

J. C. Kennedy 1879-1881 1881-1882 

W. J. Halleck 1881-1882 1883-1884 

James Shaughnessy 1881-1884 

W. Buck 1881 

W.N.Rutherford 1881 

W. J. Hollis 1881-1882 

W. Simons 1882-1887 1884-1887 

Wesley Humphrey 1882-1884 1882-1884 

R.C.Murray 1882-1893 1887-1893 

U. S. Hall 1882-1888 1882-1883 

C. B. Rhodes 1883-1885 1883 

J.R.Lowell 1883-1901 1883-1901 

C. F. Campbell 1884-1889 1884-1889 

Dabney Procter 1886-1895 1893-1895 

A. L. Bassett 1886-1899 

J. T. O'Neal 1887 1889-1901 

J. S. Bowers 1888-1915 1901-1913 

A. W. Quackenbush 1889 

E. R. Hickerson 1890-1896 1895-1896 

W. S. Wagner 1890-1894 

W. H. Morriss 1893-1897 1896-1897 

W. K. Megee .1894-1897 

E. H. Fitzhugh 1895-1896 

F. G. Ferris 1896-1902 1896-1902 

N.E.Walker 1896-1913 1901-1913 

J. Thomas Coates 1897-1913 1901-1903 

H. V. Estill 1899-1902 

Dr. G. O. Cuppaidge 1901-1904 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 185 

J. S. VanCleve 1902-1905 

W. L. Eddings 1902-1905 1903 

George Manuel 1903-1914 

George Elsea 1905-1914 

C. H. Nelson 1905-1911 

W. S. Orr 1911-1914 

A. B. Little 1913-1915 1914-1915 

J. H. Davis 1913 

J. F. McLellan 1914 

Dr. C. B. Clapp 1914 1915 1914-1915 

Forrest Martin 1914 

Robert T. Kingsbury 1915 1915 

A. B. Chamier 1916 



The present board of education is as follows: President, Dr. C. B. 
Clapp ; secretary, Robert L. Kingsbury ; superintendent of schools, P. P. 
Callaway; secretary to superintendent, Mrs. Carrie Simmons. 

PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS. 

In addition to the public schools there are two parochial schools doing 
excellent work. The oldest of these is St. Mary's Academy, which is in 
charge of Sisters of Loretto. The school was started under the pastorate 
of Father McKenny in 1877, with Sister Phillippi as the first Mother Supe- 
rior. The building is located at the corner of Ault and Farror streets. At 
present Sister Christine is the Mother Superior, and associated with her 
are Sisters Josephine, Casimer, Anunciata, Alacoupue, Elvira and Alexis. 
Sister Alacoque is the music teacher; the other branches taught are the 
eight grammar grades and one year of high school work. The building is 
a commodious brick structure, and excellent work is done. 

The school in connection with the Immaculate Conception Church was 
founded by Father Straubinger, in 1888. This school prepares its pupils 
for high school. It is well attended and has capable teachers. 

LIBRARY. 

The free public library building was the gift of Andrew Carnegie. 
It was completed in 1904 at a cost of $20,00*0, and is supported by taxation 
and kept open day and evening six days in the week. Mrs. Bessie Lee, 
librarian. 

This institution is the culmination of the efforts of the first associa- 
tion, formed in 1872, whose president was T. P. Whie; secretary, William 
Maynard. 



186 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Through varying fortunes and under different names library organi- 
zations have existed from that time to the present. The railway employes 
took a leading part. In the fall of 1900 the Wabash Railway Company, 
which had been giving its assistance, withdrew its help to give to the new 
Y. M. C. A. The Railroad Library Club then faced the problem of sup- 
port and for advice turned to G. R. Rothwell, who suggested making 
use of the new state law, permitting cities to maintain public libraries by 
taxation. This was favorably received and a committee was appointed, con- 
sisting of Messrs. Rothwell, Lowell and N. E. Walker, to manage the move- 
ment for establishing a public library. The matter was voted on April 2, 
1901, and the tax authorized. 

The first board of directors under the new law consisted of Gus 
Ginther, N. E. Walker, J. A. Whiteford, Dr. J. T. Fry, A. B. Ruby, W. D. 
Danley and F. G. Ferris. 

Of the Commercial club members who were active in working for the 
Carnegie building may be mentioned, President J. R. Lowell, Rolia Roih- 
well, Dr. C. B. Clapp, John O'Keefe, L. E. Frost, R. A. Curran, E. B. 
Mahan, G. J. Ginther and Harvey Baker. 

The present library board : President, A. B. Rubey ; secretary, George 
H. Robinson; members, P. P. Callaway, Omar Martin, Arthur O'Keefe, 
G. P. Eddings, Claude Marshall, J. C. Lilly, Dr. C. K. Dutton. Librarian, 
Bessie S. Lee. 

CONTRACT WITH RAILROAD COMPANY. 

The following is the contract entered into by and between the in- 
habitants of the town of Moberly, Missouri, and the St. Louis, Kansas 
City & Northern Railway Company, and locating their main shops at 
Moberly : 

This contract, made and entered into this day of April, 

A. D., 1872, between "The Inhabitants of the Town of Moberly, Mis- 
souri" of the first part, and the St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern 
Railway Company, of the second part, witnesseth: That said party 
of the first part, for the consideration hereinafter set forth, hereby 
binds itself to make a perfect title in fee to the party of the second 
part, to the following described lands, situate in the county of Ran- 
dolph and state of Missouri, viz.: All of the land now belonging to 
said party of the second part within the lines as marked on a plat filed 
in the office of the attorney of said party of the second part, marked 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 187 

"Exhibit A," and designated as the plat here referred to by the signa- 
ture of William A. Hall, which said land is north of said town of Moberly 
and contiguous thereto, and to the land now held by said party of the 
second part and is between the main line and the west branch of said 
railway, and also six-hundred and eighteen (618) acres on the west 
branch of said railway, as designated on said plat, about one and a 
half miles west of said land first above described, subject to a coal 
lease on two hundred acres, on the west part if said land — (the rents 
and profits of which shall enure to the said party of the second part) 
all of which appears on the said plat, and said party of the first part, 
in consideration, etc., as aforesaid, further binds itself to pay any and 
all taxes that may be levied by the authorities of said town of Moberly, 
on the property now owned, and on the property to be conveyed under 
this contract, by said party of the first part to said party of the second 
part, for the period of twenty years from and after this elate ; and 
if any other municipal corporation shall be created to cover said lands, 
the said party of the first part binds itself nevertheless to pay any and 
all town or municipal taxes that may be levied, or assessed by such 
municipal corporation so created, on the said property now owned and 
which is to be conveyed to said party of the second part, as aforesaid, 
for the period of twenty years. 

And said party of the first part further binds itself that no roads, 
streets or alleys shall be made over, through or across the said lands to 
be conveyed by them to the said party of the second part, adjoining said 
town without the consent of said company, and that said party of the 
first part will have vacated any streets or alleys which may now be 
located on said lands, and binds itself that it will forever oppose any 
extension of the corporate limits of the said town of Moberly over the 
said land to be conveyed by said party of the first to the said party of 
the second part, adjoining the said town, and further, that it, the said 
party of the first part will not accept any law authorizing any extension 
of the corporate limits of said town that will include the property referred 
to in this agreement without the consent of the said party of the sec- 
ond part, and said party of the first part further binds itself to per- 
fect the title in fee to said party of the second part, and deliver pos- 
session of the lands adjoining the town as above described in ten days, 
except so much as has belonged to a minor heir which shall be per- 
fected in forty-five days, and that it will perfect the title to the six 



188 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

hundred and eighteen acre tract subject to the coal lease in thirty 
days, and that it will have vacated the streets and alleys on said land 
adjoining town in ninety days. In consideration whereof said party 
of the second part hereby binds itself to said party of the first part 
to permanently locate their principal car and machine shops within the 
limits of the land adjoining said town of Moberly, to be conveyed by 
said party of the first part to the said party of the second part, as 
shown by the plat referred to. 

In testimony whereof, the said party of the first part has caused 
this contract to be signed by the chairman of the board of trustees of 
the town of Moberly, and the seal of said corporation to be hereunto 
affixed, and the said party of the second part has caused the same to 
be signed by its president, and its corporate seal be hereunto affixed on 
the day and year first above written. 

B. Y. N. CLARKSON, 

Chairman of Board of Trustees, of the Town of Moberly, Missouri. 
Attest: 

In Witness Whereof, I, J. W. Dorser, clerk of the board of trustees, 
of said town of Moberly, do hereby affix my name and the corporate 
seal of said town of Moberly, at office in said town, this second day 
of April, A. D., 1872. 

J. W. DORSER, 

Clerk. 
(L. S.) 
St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railway Co. 

By T. B. BLACKSTONE, President. 
(L. S.) Corporate Seal. 
Attest : 

JAMES F. HOW, Secretary. 

CITIZENS' BOND FOR THE FAITHFUL PERFORMANCE OF SHOPS 

CONTRACT. 
Know All Men By These Presents, That we, H. M. Porter, J. H. 
Burkholder, T. P. White, M. Jennings, E. H. Miller, 0. F. Chandler, 
John T. Young, D. B. White, I. B. Porter, William Firth, N. B. Coates, 
S. P. McCormick, Henry Morgan, B. Y. N. Clarkson, William Seelen, 
W. D. Pegram, John B. Freeman, Adam Given, S. Jones, B. F. Porter, 
J. T. Aldridge, C. Fiser, Erwin Gay, C. W. Dawson, C. Otto, P. H. Nise, 
George T. Goldsmith, N. B. Coates, W. F. Bowman, hereby bind our- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 189 

selves, our heirs, etc., to the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Rail- 
way Company in the sum of one hundred tfiousand dollars, upon the 
terms and conditions following, to-wit: 

Whereas, The inhabitants of the town of Moberly, in Randolph 
County, Missouri, have submitted a proposition to the said railroad com- 
pany for the purpose of inducing and assisting said company to locate 
on lands donated to said company by said town, adjoining said town 
on the north, their principal car and machine shops of said company. 
And said town also proposes to and donated to said company, six hun- 
dred and eighteen acres on the line of the west branch of said road, 
known as the Horner farm. 

And Whereas, The said company has duly accepted said proposi- 
tion of the said inhabitants of the town of Moberly; now, therefore, if 
said inhabitants of the town of Moberly shall furnish to, or cause to be 
furnished to, said company, a good and complete title in fee simple to 
all of the lands named in said proposition, subject, however, to the coal 
lease therein mentioned, then this bond to be void, otherwise to remain 
in full force and virtue. 

In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our hands and 
seals this first day of April, A. D. 1872. 

GEO. W. DULANY, M. B. PEGRAM, 

J. P. MILLER, ADAM GIVEN, 

J. W. BURKHOLDER, S. JONES, 

s. p. Mccormick, b. t. porter, 

0. F. CHANDLER, JOHN T. ALDRIDGE, 

D. B. WHITE, CHAS. TISUE, 

1. B. PORTER, ERWIN GAY, 

E. H. MILLER, C. W. DAWSON, 
H. M. PORTER, CHRISTIAN OTTO, 
B. Y. N. CLARKSON, P. H. NISE, 
WILLIAM FIRTH, GEO. T. GOLDSMITH, 
JOHN T. YOUNG, N. B. COATES, 

M. JENNINGS, W. F. BARROWS, 

W. P. WHITE, C. FISHER. 

J. B. FREEMAN, 
Filed for record July 20th, 1889, at 1:00 o'clock p. m. 

J. C. SAMUEL, 
Recorder. 
JNO. N. HAMILTON, Deputy Recorder. 



190 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

FROM MOBERLY'S FIRST NEWSPAPER. 

The Moberly Herald was Moberly's first newspaper, published on 
the first day of each month, by W. E. Grimes. The first issue appeared 
on Wednesday, March 10, 1869. The following is taken from the sec- 
ond issue: 

OFFICERS OF THE TOWN. 

Trustees: A. T. Franklin, president; Chas. L. Brandt, Asa Bennett, 
Wm. Seelen. Marshal, Martin Howlett. Justice of the peace, E. Sidner. 
Constable, Chas. Featherston. Notary public, W. E. Grimes. Post- 
master, C. Tisue. Merchants' Union Express Agent, C. Tisue. 

MOBERLY BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 
J. J. & G. W. Jones, Dry Goods, Etc., Coates Street, East of Railroad. 
T. P. White, Dry Goods, Clothing, Etc., Corner Clark and Reed Streets. 
Mrs. Foose, Milliner, South Side Reed Street. Mrs. E. Werden, Milliner, 
North Side Reed Street. Berry & Harmon, Family Groceries, Clark 
Street. E. H. Miller, Grocery and Bakery, Sturgeon Street. H. Over- 
berg, Meat Market, Reed Street. Wm. Seelen, Hardware and Cutlery, 
Reed Street. B. Y. N. Clarkson, Reapers, Mowers and Threshers, Reed 
Street. Chandler & Adams, Druggists, Corner Reed and Clark Streets. 
L. Brandt, Boots and Shoes, Corner Reed and Sturgeon Streets. W 7 m. E. 
Grimes, Real Estate, South Side Reed Street. J. D. Werden, Real Estate 
and Insurance, Reed Street. I. B. Porter, Attorney at Law, Real Estate 
and Insurance Agent, Reed Street. North Missouri Coal & Mining Com- 
pany, Sturgeon Street. J. S. Clarkson & Company, Fruit Trees, Hedge 
and Shrubbery, Reed Street. E. H. Petering, Lumber, Coates Street. 
True & Briggs, Contractors and Builders, Clark Street. Joseph Anson, 
Carpenter and Builder, Williams Street. W. K. Christian, Resident Den- 
tist, Residence, Fifth Street. Dr. J. C. Tedford, Physician, Coates Street. 
Dr. C. Adams, Physician, Corner Clark and Reed Streets. Tate's Hotel, 
S. P. Tate, Proprietor, Corner Clark and Reed Streets. W T m. Teeters, 
Restaurant, Reed Street. 0. N. Kaan, Barber and Hair Dresser, Reed 
Street. Manlin & Co., Saloon, Southwest Corner Reed and Sturgeon 
Streets. P. McLarney, Moberly Saloon, Sturgeon Street. J. D. Bailey, 
Carpenter and Builder, Williams Street. J. H. McQuaid, Lumber Dealer, 
Moulton Street, East of Railroad. 

NEW FIRM— NEW GOODS— NEW PRICES. 
T. P. White having purchased the stock of goods of Tate & Bennett, 
will continue the business at their old stand, under Tate's Hotel, Moberly, 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 191 

Missouri. He is now purchasing and will bring to this city the largest 
and most complete assortment of Dry Goods, Notions, Hats, Clothing, 
Groceries and Queensware. 

"THE WAR IS OVER AT LAST." 
I have a house and lot in Moberly, Missouri, which I would sell. 
Located on Williams street only two blocks from the depot. Lot, fifty 
foot front, running back 120 feet. Good fence, cistern, etc. House con- 
tains three good rooms, and would rent for about $15.00 per month. 
Price, $1,000. Title perfect.— J. D. Bailey. 

FOR SALE. 

Two hundred and fifty-six acres of good land, lying two and a half 
miles east of Jacksonville, ninety acres in cultivation, balance in timber. 
Improvements consist of a double log house, two stories high, stable, 
etc., never failing water, saw-mill and carding machine within one mile. 
Price $12.50 per acre. 

A farm of 105 acres in Monroe County, lying within three and a half 
miles of Middle Grove and about the same distance from Madison. Im- 
provements consist of a frame house containing four rooms, stables 
moderately good, smokehouses and other out-buildings, good water, a 
young orchard of select fruit, seventy acres of farm in cultivation, re- 
mainder in pasture and timber. Price, $22.50 per acre. 

Twenty-two acres of unimproved prairie land, lying within one-half 
mile of Moberly. Price, $40.00 per acre. 

A large and commodious hotel in the flourishing town of Renick ; 
building new, two-story frame, 30x40 feet, with fifteen rooms. Situated 
near depot, doing a good business. Price, $2,000. 

THE HANNIBAL AND MOBERLY RAILROAD. 

Mr. Mclnally, one of the gentlemanly contractors of the Hannibal 
and Moberly Railroad, informs us that at present they are working about 
one hundred hands on that part of the road that lies between this place 
and Paris, a distance of twenty-four miles, and that the whole line is 
being pushed to an early completion. So we may reasonably conclude 
that within a year the quiet citizens of Paris will be startled by the shrill 
whistle of the locomotive. The iron is already being laid down on the 
Naples and Hannibal Railroad, and when finished will fill a gap in the 
most important direct line of road across the continent. 



CHAPTER XVII 



TOWNSHIPS, CONTINUED. 
KUNTSVILLE AND SALT SPRING TOWNSHIP. 



SALT SPRING TOWNSHIP. HUNTSVILLE: LOCATION' OF COUNTY SEAT— NAMED 
AFTER DANIEL HUNT. ONE OF THE DONORS — OTHER DONORS— FIRST SALE 
OF LOTS — PIONEER BUSINESSMEN— EXTRACT FROM MISSOURI GAZETTE— ■ 
FIRST LODGES— FIRST CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL— OPERA HOUSE— TOWN 
INCORPORATED— FIRST MAYOR— PUBLIC SCHOOL— CITY AND SCHOOL OFFI- 
CERS — TEACHERS — MT. PLEASANT COLLEGE — OFFICERS — FIRST FAIR — 
LIBRARY— FIRST COURT HOUSE— SECOND COURT HOUSE. 

Salt Spring is one of the original four townships of Randolph County, 
and is one of the most wealthy, populous, and influential of the eleven 
townships into which the county is now divided. It also has the dis- 
tinction of being the capital township, Huntsville, the county seat, being 
within its limits. Geographically, Salt Spring is almost central to the 
county boundaries, and contains 31,040 acres. 

Topographically, the lands of this township are gently undulating, 
assuring fine drainage, and are of every desirable adaptation, whether 
for pasturage and the various grasses, or the more active cultivation of 
wheat, corn, rye, oats, potatoes and the several root crops. 

It can hardly be said with propriety that the township contains any 
prairie lands proper. In the matter of timber and woodlands it was 
richly provided, about one-third of its acreage being clothed with forests 
of white, red, black, burr, swamp and pin oak, hickory, walnut, maple, 
elm and sycamore. 

As will readily be conjectured, the township name, Salt Spring, has 
a local significance. It is so called from the existence within its limits, 




PUBLIC LIBRARY, HUNTSVILLE, MO. 




PUBLIC SCHOOL, HUNTSVILLE, MO. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 193 

and some three miles southwest of Huntsville, on the line of the Wabash 
Railway, of a salt spring, or well, of considerable volume, at which, in 
the early history of the county, the pioneer settlers, by primitive pro- 
cesses, manufactured their supplies of salt. The first systematized salt 
works at this place were established and operated by Dr. William Fort, 
at a very early day, who not only supplied the demand of the region im- 
mediately round about, but who also sent large supplies of salt to various 
points on the Mississippi and elsewhere equally remote. 

It is amongst the traditions of the people, that, at an early day, this 
spring, or well, served not alone the purposes mentioned, but was then, 
as it is now reputed to be, a fountain oi healing, in the use of whose 
waters health and rejuvenation came to many hapless victims to acute 
and chronic rheumatism, and other kindred physical ailments. 

This township is also well supplied with water, having the East fork 
of the Chariton River, with its several small tributaries, cutting it almost 
centrally from the northeast to the southwest, and with Sweet Spring 
creek flowing along its entire southern boundary. Of flowing springs 
there are but few, wells and cisterns being relied upon for drinking and 
general domestic purposes. 

Salt Spring township is rich in coal beyond its sister townships of 
the county ; and from this source is now, and for several years past, has 
been realizing much profit. Of well developed coal workings, there are 
several prosperous mines in the township which produce large quantities 
of coal and give employment to hundreds of men. 

The oldest coal banks were opened by J. C. Chapman and David 
Reece. G. W. Taylor, I. Cook, William Mitchell, J. A. Stewart, and 
Anderson & Co. had drift mines at an early day. 

John Sutliff operated a woolen mill here in the early days and there 
were three tobacco factories in Huntsville. Two of these were owned 
by W. T. Rutherford and E. E. Samuel, Jr., and the other by Miss Bernice 
Morrison, of St. Louis. Huntsville was the second largest leaf tobacco 
market in the State, and generally shipped from two and a half to three 
millions of pounds per annum. 

The first settlers of Salt Spring township were generally from Ken- 
tucky, as will be seen from the list of names given below: From Ken- 
tucky came Henry Lassiter, Henry Winburn, Valentine Mays, Neal Mur- 
phy, Clark Skinner, Benjamin Skinner, Joseph M. Hammett, William Fray, 
Blandermin Smith, Robert Sconce, William Baker, Charles Baker, Joseph 



194 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

M. Baker, Christly Baker, Jeremiah Summers, Archibald Rutherford, 
William Rutherford and Shelton Rutherford. John Read came from 
North Carolina. Tolman Gorham came from Tennessee, as did also 
Thomas Gorham, Sr., Thomas J. Gorham and Dr. William Fort. James 
Cochrane, John Welden, Jeremiah Summers, William Elliott, Robert 
Elliott, Joseph Holman, William Cunningham and Abraham Goodding were 
other early settlers. 

Dr. William Fort, above named, together with Tolman Gorham, 
opened and operated the salt works, which were then located at what 
is now known as the Medical Springs, in Randolph County. They began 
making salt in 1823, and continued to supply a wide scope of country, 
extending many miles in almost every direction, for many years. 

The doctor was the first physician to locate in the county, and being 
one of the oldest citizens of the county, we here insert the following 
which was published at the time of his death: 

Another of the strong and notable men of the pioneer life of Mis- 
souri has been called to his reward in the person of Dr. William Fort, 
of Randolph County, who died at the residence of his son, Henry T. Fort, 
near Huntsville, without a struggle, and from exhaustion and old age, 
on August 23, 1881, aged 88 years. 

The deceased was born in Nashville, Tennessee, October 19, 1793, 
and was a soldier in the War of 1812, under Gen. Jackson. After the 
close of the war and on March 14, 1815, he married Miss Patsy Gorham, 
who with four of their six children survive him. 

In 1817 he professed religion and united with the Baptist church. 

In 1820, a year before the state was admitted into the Union, he 
emigrated with his young family to Missouri and settled in Randolph 
County and on the farm on which he was buried. 

He was a member of the first county court of Randolph County, and 
during his life was elevated by his fellow-citizens to seats in both branches 
of the General Assembly, always discharging his official trusts, as he did 
his personal and professional obligations, with fidelity, promptness and 
great acceptance to the people, aiding in all the relations of life in laying 
the foundations of the great Commonwealth of which he was always so 
justly proud. 

He was a Democrat of the school of Jefferson and Jackson and dur- 
ing the latter years of Senator Benton's career, a leader in the state of 
the anti-Benton forces and contributed not a little by his influence in the 
final overthrow of Benton's power in Missouri. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 195 

Dr. Fort was a man of the most exemplary private life; took the 
right side of all the moral questions of the day, and being fearless as 
well as discreet in the proclamation of his opinion, left the world the 
better that he had lived in it. Decided in his convictions of public policy, 
he was conservative without being tame and tolerant of opinions differ- 
ing from his own. In short, he was a strong character and has left his 
impress on his generation. 

By profession he was a physician and for many years his practice 
was very successful and extensive. 

William Fray erected the first water mill in Salt Spring township, 
on the East fork of the Chariton River. 

HUNTSVILLE. 

Huntsville is well located upon an elevated and healthful plateau, on 
the north side of the Wabash Railroad on sections 25 and 36, just a little 
west of the center of the county. 

On the 5th of January, 1831, the first steps were taken towards 
locating the county seat at Huntsville, by the appointment of Robert Wil- 
son, commissioner. The tract or tracts which comprised the original 
town site were donated to the county by William Goggin, Gideon Wright, 
Daniel Hunt and Henry Winburn, and the county surveyor was immedi- 
ately ordered to lay off the land and make a plat thereof. Each of these 
donations consisted of 12V* acres, which formed an exact square, the 
dome of the court house being the centre. 

Daniel Hunt, one of the donors above named, was the first settler, 
locating, however, but a little while in advance of the other three. These 
men were from Kentucky. The town was called Huntsville in honor of 
Daniel Hunt, the first settler. 

The first sale of lots took place in the following April and included 
all of them with the exception of those from number 94 fo 99 inclusive, 
reserved for court house, lot 155 for jail lot, and also number 32, which 
it was then thought necessary to hold back for a market house. The 
market house lot was subsequently sold. The highest price then paid 
for lots was $115. Some of the lots sold as low as $3.25, which are very 
valuable property now. 

The original town site of Huntsville was doubtless covered with 
timber, judging from the following order which was made by the county 
court when the town was located: 



196 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Ordered : That all persons cutting timber in the streets of Hunts- 
ville are required to leave the stumps not more than one foot in height, 
and to clear all timber so cut, together with the brush. 

The pioneer business men of Hunts ville were Davis and Currin, to 
whom were issued the first tavern license, granted by the county court 
in 1829. Their place of business was at the house of William Goggin, 
Daniel G. Davis and Waddy T. Currin. The next merchants were Garth 
and Giddings, Dabney C. Gartha and Brack Giddings. These gentlemen 
were from Virginia. Garth represented the county in the Legislature. 

Then came Fielding, Clinton and Grundy Cockerill, who did a gen- 
eral merchandise business under the firm name of Cockerill & Co. Joseph 
C. Dameron commenced the mercantile business in the spring of 1835, 
and in 1842 he brought the first piano to the county, its strange and in- 
spiring notes being the first ever heard among the classic hills of Hunts- 
ville. 

Conway and Lamb were among the earliest merchants. John F. 
Riley was the first gunsmith; O. D. Carlisle was the first saddler; John 
Gray taught the first school in a log house located on the public square ; 
James C. Ferguson was the first shoemaker; Dr. Waller Head was the 
first physician to locate in the town. He was a native of Orange County, 
Virginia, and located in Huntsville in October, 1831, where he continued 
to reside until his death, which occurred in August, 1845. Dr. Joseph 
Rutherford came soon after Head and formed a partnership in the prac- 
tice of medicine with the latter. 

Ned. Goggin (colored) opened the first bakery and after accumu- 
lating quite a fortune, he moved to Putnam County, Missouri. Joseph 
Viley erected the first carding machine and cotton gin in 1834. Joseph 
C. Dameron opened the first tobacco factory. Dr. J. J. Watts kept the 
first drug store ; William Smith the first livery stable. Gen. Robert Wil- 
son was the first lawyer in the town. He was also the first county and 
circuit court clerk, and afterwards became a United States Senator from 
Missouri. Clair Oxley, from Kentucky, was the second lawyer; he after- 
wards died in Santa Fe, New Mexico. William Goggin erected the first 
mill in the town at a very early day. It was a horse mill and was oper- 
ated for nearly 35 years. 

Almost simultaneously with the founding of the new town, a few of 
the old settlers, anxious to amuse themselves, opened a race track near 
the northwestern portion of the town. Here met the sporting men and 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 197 

lovers of the turf for several years, drawn hither at stated periods to 
witness the speed of some strange or favorite horse. Among the horses 
whose popularity has come down to us were "White Stockings" and 
"Aleck" the former the property of Bart McDameron and the latter the 
property of Hancock Jackson. In 1837 Alphonso Wetmore, the compiler 
of the "Gazetteer" of Missouri, said of Huntsville at that date: 

Huntsville, the seat of justice of Randolph, is near the center of 
the county. This town is flourishing and contains a good brick court- 
house, seven stores, etc. There is no church in the place, but public 
worship by all denominations is held in the court house and in the school 
houses of the town and county. This is a fashion throughout Missouri 
and it seems rational to occupy one house for various purposes in a new 
country. While the people are building up their fortunes and erecting 
private houses at the same time there should be indulgence given until 
they shall be better able to build temples suited in magnificence to the 
great Being to whom these will be dedicated. 

The first banking enterprise in Huntsville was inaugurated about 
the year 1866 by William M. Wisdom and Courtney Hughes. It was 
a private institution and Continued until the death of Mr. Hughes, which 
occurred in 1867. The bank then did business under the name of C. 
Wisdom & Co., until December 31, 1874, when it was succeeded by the 
Huntsville Savings Bank, The bank was again changed in 1878, to the 
private bank of J. M. Hammett & Co., with the following directors and 
stockholders: F. M. Hammett, president; James W. Harnmett, vice- 
president; C. H. Hammett, cashier; B. F. Hammett, J. D. Hammett, W. R. 
Samuel, M. J. Sears, John R. Christian. 

Huntsville Lodge No. 30, A. F. and A. M. was chartered by the 
Grand Lodge of Missouri, October 8, 1840. The following are the only 
three names of the charter members that appear upon the records: Ed- 
ward Slater, Fleming Terrill, Thomas P. Coates. 

Randolph Lodge No. 23, I. 0. 0. F. was chartered April 29, 1847, 
and organized and officers installed June 10, 1847, by Grand Master Isaac 
M. Veitch, of St. Louis, assisted by Clark H. Green, D. D. G. M. 

The Huntsville Building and Loan Association was chartered Febru- 
ary 17, 1882. The first officers were William Sandison, president; T. M. 
Elmore, vice-president; C. H. Hammett, treasurer; J. C. Shaefer. secre- 
tary. 



198 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The Huntsville Missionary Baptist church was organized at the house 
of Zephaniah Walden, near Huntsville, in August, 1837, with seven con- 
stituent members: Theophilus Eddine, Zephaniah Walden and wife, Mary 
Thomas, Martha Dameron, Benjamin Terrill and James Terrill. The first 
church house in the town was erected about 1840. 

The first additions to the church were J. C. Shaefer and wife, in 
September, 1837, on letters of commendation from the Baptist church 
at Charlottesville, Va. 

The first Sunday school in the town or county was organized by 
J. C. Shaefer, in August, 1839, and has been successfully carried on with- 
out intermission to the present time. The present superintendent is W. 
R. Samuel. 

Semple's opera house was finished in February, 1884, and was the 
property of Charles Semple. 

Huntsville was incorporated March 12, 1859. March 10, 1871, the 
corporation limits were extended. 

L. S. Barrad was the first mayor and held his office in 1859. 

The public schools were partially organized in Huntsville some little 
time after the close of the war, but the organization was not completed 
until 1877, when a new school building was erected. The building and 
grounds cost about $3,500. It was a two-story frame structure and con- 
tains eight rcoms. In 1877, Prof. M. C. McMellen took charge of the 
school as principal. 

Huntsville has in recent years erected a splendid modern school 
building which is an imposing brick structure with all modern school 
appliances and equipment. 

The Board of Education is as follows: President, W. C. Smith; 
secretary, W. J. Day ; treasurer, W. L. Dameron ; superintendent of 
schools, J. A. Burnside; members, Dr. D. A. Barnhart, Callie Halliburton, 
I. B. Jackson. 

The Huntsville High School teachers are: Principal, Miss Courtney 
Jackson; teachers, Miss Sallie Pattison, Miss Frances Robinson, Miss 
Ollie Woodward, Miss Moselle Densmore. 

The grade schools teachers are: 1st grade, Miss Nora Kiernan ; 
2nd grade, Miss Geraldine Hammett; 3rd grade, Miss Karleen Singleton; 
4th grade, Mrs. Lestal Harns ; 5th grade, Miss Velva Dunivent ; 6th 
grade, Miss Esther Da vies; 7th grade, Miss Anna Pattison; 8th grade, 
Miss Sarah Rutherford. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY . 199 

In 1853 the citizens of Randolph County, impressed with the need 
of an institution of learning, and wishing to secure to themselves its 
benefits, determined to erect suitable buildings at a cost of not less than 
$10,000. Acting on the advice of Hon. William A. Hall, to put the institu- 
tion under the care and patronage of Mount Pleasant Baptist Association, 
a letter stating the above proposal, signed by William A. Hall, H. Austin 
and P. P. Ruby, in behalf of the citizens of Randolph County, was ad- 
dressed to and accepted by the Association, and the institution took the 
name of the Association. Under this arrangement the money was 
secured and the building erected. February 28, 1855, the charter was 
obtained. In 1857, the building having been completed at a cost of 
$12,500, and a school of 170 pupils under Rev. William Thompson, LL. D., 
President, and Rev. J. H. Carter, A. B., Professor of Mathematics, and 
Miss Bettie Ragland, Principal of female department, having been taught 
with gratifying results one year, the institution was formally tendered 
by the board of trustees to the Association and accepted ; the Association 
at the same time promising to endow the college remotely with $25,000, 
and within two years, with $10,000, appointed Rev. Noah Flood to pro- 
ceed at once to secure the last named amount, and pledged himself to 
maintain sufficient and efficient teachers until the $10,000 endowment was 
secured. Rev. W. R. Rothwell succeeded Dr. Thompson in the presidency 
and the college ran till 1861, filling the most sanguine expectations of its 
friends. President Rothwell gathered quite an extensive library, provided 
apparatus for chemical, philosophical and astronomical purposes, secured 
a considerable cabinet of minerals and fossils and established the char- 
acter and reputation of the college. The War of 1861 crippled the re- 
sources of the school, by cutting off students, and a deficit of $580 in 
teachers' salaries was imposed, which failing to be met by the Associa- 
tion, the trustees of the college let it to President Rothwell, who, at his 
own risk, and mainly by his own effort, carried the college through the 
clouds of war into the sunshine of 1868. The school which had hitherto 
been self-sustaining, or carried by the magnanimity of President Roth- 
well to 1866, now being cut down by the impoverished and unsettled state 
of the country, made a move for an endowment a necessity, and the call 
became imperative. The board of trustees at Mount Gilead church in 
1866. with emphasis called upon the Association to redeem her past 
pledges for endowment. 



200 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Y. R. Pitts and Wade M. Jackson were appointed solicitors to raise 
$10,000 in twelve months. The next year (1868) the Association at 
Keytesville, through Y. R. Pitts, reported as endowment: 

In notes $ 5,640.50 

In cash 200.00 

Jerry Kingsberry bequest 2,500.00 

Balance unprovided for 1,660.00 



$10,000.50 

The balance, $1,660, was raised by subscription at that sitting of 
the Association. 

In 1870, Mount Pleasant Association, wishing further to endow the 
college and learning that Macon Association was contemplating building 
a similar institution of learning at Macon City, in the adjoining county, 
and within 30 miles of Huntsville, proposed to Macon Association to 
consolidate upon Mount Pleasant College, offering them first, one-half 
of the board of trustees and second, requiring them to raise $5,000 to be 
blended with the endowment fund. W. R. Roth well, Benjamin Terrill, 
Joshua W. Terrill, W. R. Samuel and W. T. Beckelheimer were appointed 
a committee with discretionary power to confer with Macon Association. 
In 1872, Macon Association having canvassed her ability to build, and the 
proposal of Mount Pleasant Association, agreed by resolution to co- 
operate with Mount Pleasant Association in building up Mount Pleasant 
College, when the committee from Mount Pleasant Association guaranteed 
them one-half of the board of trustees except one, leaving a majority of 
the board in Mount Pleasant Association. In 1869, Rev. James W. Terrill 
succeeded President Rothwell. The war being over, confidence restored, 
and the times being prosperous and inviting, the college with other enter- 
prises, took new life. Added to this, President Terrill brought to the 
institution a combination of merit, enterprise and energy, rarely found 
in one man, and in producing a new, popular and successful method of 
teaching, carried the college to its highest point of success. The ques- 
tion of repairs, additions and betterments (for the building had been used 
for military quarters during the war) now arose, and the terms, patron- 
age and success of the school, and the earnest protestations of both 
Mount Pleasant and Macon Associations, seemed to demand and encour- 
age immediate action in this direction. The trustees concluded to make 
ample improvement and additions, and to the main building added two 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 201 

wings, running out and back of the main building, giving in rooms, halls, 
stairways and closets, a building whose size, arrangement, decoration 
and stability which would rank with any in the state. Added to this the 
patronage and liberality of the citizens of Randolph County, and especially 
the citizens of Huntsville to the institution, which had ever been marked, 
the board of trustees were induced to build a commodious and tasteful 
boarding house, three stories, besides the basement. The citizens of 
Huntsville for this purpose furnished $3,000 cash, by which with a loan on 
first mortgage, assisted by a loan of $3,500 endowment fund, secured by 
second mortgage on the building, it was completed. 

These buildings and additions were completed in 1871 and a con- 
siderable debt incurred. In 1873, the financial trouble which had been 
threatening overwhelmed the country, and a wave more damaging and 
blighting than war passed over the college. For two years longer, under 
President Terrill, it stood bravely on its feet carrying the heavy pressure. 
But the boarding-house was sold under first mortgage, and failing to 
bring the debt, the second mortgage, $3,500 endowment fund, was lost 
and the Jerry Kingsbuiy bequest, $2,500, being swept away, when the 
bank failed, and the parties failing to come to time on their notes, from 
financial embarrassments, the $10,000 endowment was never realized. 

In 1876, Rev. M. J. Breaker came to the head of the institution, 
and like his worthy predecessor, Rothwell, stood by it in a dark hour 
of peril, and by effort and sacrifice bore her on in her noble mission 
for three years longer, till March 21, 1879, when a judgment having 
been obtained against the college for debt, and booking for the execu- 
tion to be levied in June following, President Breaker resigned and 
the school closed — the second time in its existence of 23 years ; once 
before after the close of the war in 1869, under President Rothwell; 
both times at the spring term. 

Mount Pleasant College, during her 23 years of existence, had been 
presided over by Rev. William Thompson, LL. D., one year; Rev. W. R. 
Rothwell, D.D., twelve years; Rev. J. W. Terrill, seven years, and Rev. 
M. J. Breaker, three years ; it instructed hosts of youths, turned out 
109 graduates, blessed the cause of education, elevated the community, 
and demonstrated the co-education of the sexes, as the fittest and 
best. 

Rev. A. S. Worrell, D.D., succeeded Mr. Breaker, and was presi- 
dnet of the college in 1880-81. Rev. James B. Weber succeeded Dr. 



202 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Worrell, and had charge of the college as its president when the build- 
ing was destroyed by fire (July 13, 1882). At the time the college 
building was destroyed there was a debt on it of $3,000, which was 
paid by the friends of the institution. The Ferguson bequest was 
known as the (Wiley) Ferguson bequest. All other debts had been 
secured by a mortgage on the building and grounds, and in order to 
pay this, the college and grounds were sold in 1883, and were pur- 
chased by the court-house building committee. 

The board of directors and faculty at the time the college was 
burned down in 1882, was: H. T. Fort, President; T. B. Kimbrougli, 
secretary; W. R. Samuel, treasurer; J. D. Brown, Stephen Connor, 
fessor of Natural Science; Mrs. A. E. Weber, Principal Preparatory 
and Primary Departments; Mrs. M. E. Lasley, Principal of the Music 
J. F. Finks, P. T. Gentry, J. D. Humphrey, G. W. Keebaugh, R. J. 
Mansfield, W. A. Martin, W. D. Wilhite, Alfred Coulter, W. F. Elliott, 
J. T. Fort, W. J. Horsley, W. B. McCrary, S. Y. Pitts, T. T. Elliott, J. 
C. Shaefer. These trustees held the college for the Mount Pleasant 
Baptist Association. Faculty: — Rev. J. B. Weber, A. M., President, 
Professor of Greek, Moral Philosophy and English; Miss Nannie L. Ray, 
B. A., Assistant of Mathematics and Latin; J. B. Weber, Acting Pro- 
and Primary Departments ; Mfc. M. E. Lasley, Principal of the Music 
Department. 

The first fair was held at Huntsville in the fall of 1854. D. C. Garth 
was president; Wallace McCampbell, vice-president; William D. Malone, 
secretary; Robert Y. Gilman, treasurer. The directors were: Dr. W. 
T. Dameron, James M. Hammett, Col. Thomas P. Ruby, Hon. James F. 
Wright, F. M. McLean, N. B. Christian. The last fair was held in 1876. 
The officers were: H. T. Rutherford, president; J. M. Summers, first vice- 
president; F. M. Hammett, second vice-president. The directors were 
Louis Heether, W. T. Rutherford, James F. Robinson, Capt. Thomas B. 
Reed. James M. Baker, Neal Holman, G. H. Burckhartt, S. T. Morehead. 

The present city officials of Huntsville are: Mayor, Dr. Robert E. 
Kiernon ; clerk, Ad S. Heether ; treasurer, James C. Lay ; collector, Joseph 
S. Taylor; attorney, John N. Hamilton; police judge, Wallie H. Sandison ; 
marshal, Stephen W. Jones; health commissioner, Dr. John R. Mabee; 
engineer, Dallas E. Ingersoll ; street commissioner, Kiernan Minor; chief 
of fire department, Kiernan Minor. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 203 

Aldermen: G. P. Dameron, N. D. Minor, William T. Haley, H. L. 
Rutherford, Jr.; S. M. Corbin, D. C. Griffiths, William E. Mitchell, Van 
G. Sutliff. 

Huntsville has a public library second to none in a town of its size. 
The building' is attractive and is a substantial structure. The library is 
well supplied with books and is well managed. 

The present library board is as follows : President, J. L. Hammett ; 
secretary, I. B. Jackson ; treasurer, W 7 . L. Dameron ; W. C. Smith, W. J. 
Day, Roy Sutliff, J. G. Dulaney, Dr. D. A. Barnhart, W. A. Brooking, Dr. 
R. E. Kiernan. 

The contract for building the first court house was let on the 13th 
of June, 1831, and the building was completed some time in the fall of 
the next year. It was a brick structure, two stories high, built in a 
square form, one room below used as the court room and three above 
used as jury rooms. One of those small rooms was for a number of years 
used as a Masonic hall and it was there that the first Masonic meeting in 
Huntsville was held. This building cost $2,400 and it was condemned 
and torn down in the winter of '58 or the spring of '59. 

The second court house was completed in 1860 by Henry Austin, 
who was the contractor. The building was a two-story brick and cost 
$15,000. It was burned August 12, 1882. Steps were immediately taken 
to build another and a third court house was commenced during the fall 
of 1883 and finished in April, 1884. J. M. Hammett, W. T. Rutherford, 
E. P. Kerby, John N. Taylor, G. W. Taylor and R. E. Lewis were the con- 
tractors and James McGrath of St. Louis was the architect. The build- 
ing is a two-story brick, contains eleven rooms and cost about $35,000. 



CHAPTER XVIII 



MEDICAL PROFESSION. 



DR. WILLIAM FORT, FIRST DOCTOR— KARLY CONDITIONS— EARLY I rORS — 

PHYSICIANS FROM 1865 TO 1890— DOCTOR TERRILL— DOCTOR VASSE — EARLY 
DOCTORS AT HIGBEE, RENICK, CLIFTON HILL, CAIRO AND OTHER LOCALI- 
TIES — EARLY DOCTORS AT MOBERLY — PRESENT PHYSICIANS OF THE 

COUNTY. 

The first doctor to locate within the boundaries of the present county 
of Randolph was Dr. Wm. Fort, who settled on lands a few miles west 
of Huntsville in the year 1820. 

At that early period there was not a town nor village in Randolph 
County. Huntsville was laid out and made the county seat of Randolph 
County in 1831. The early villages, if they can be called such, in the 
beginning were a store, a blacksmith shop, probably a wagon shop and 
a shoemaker and little else. About a half a dozen families in all, these 
villages such as Roanoke, on the line between Howard and Randolph, 
Mt. Airry, Middle Grove, just over the line in Monroe County and Milton 
in the southeast part of the county were such. 

The pioneer doctor as a rule settled on farming lands and became a 
land owner and combined the vocations of farmer and doctor. Other 
pioneer doctors of Randolph County, as near as we can now ascertain, 
were Dr. Waller Head, who settled on lands adjoining Huntsville, Dr. 
Joseph Rutherford, who settled in the same vicinity and probably a little 
later Dr. J. J. Watts, who located in Huntsville, also Dr. Stephen Rich- 
mond, who located in the northwest part of the county. 

Among the very early doctors were Dr. C. F. Burckhartt, who located 
in the northern part of the county near where the town of Jacksonville 
now stands. In the neighborhood of Milton, the first was probably Dr. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 205 

James A. Burton, who purchased a farm almost adjoining the village of 
Milton and nearly the same time Dr. Robert R. Hall, who likewise became 
a land owner in the same vicinity, where he died a number of years ago 
at an advanced age. Dr. Burton about the beginning of the Civil War 
moved to Lafayette County and there died. 

In Prairie township in the southeast part of the county the pioneer 
doctors were Dr. Wm. B. McLean, probably the first to come and Dr. 
Presley T. Oliver. 

At Roanoke on the county line, we find no record of the pioneer doc- 
tors. Dr. William Harvey and Doctor Bagby were practicing physicians, 
however, past middle life when the Civil War closed and no doubt had 
been practicing for a number of years prior to that time. Dr. William 
Walker was probably one of the pioneer doctors of the southern part 
of the county. He settled in what is now Moniteau township and after- 
ward removed to Howard County where he died some years ago. 

Between 1865 and 1890 the physicians in active practice at Hunts- 
ville and that section of the county were Dr. John C. Oliver, Dr. Alex. L. 
Bibb, Dr. R. E. Kiernan, Dr. Wm. H. Taylor, Dr. Warren M. Dameron and 
Dr. John T. Fort. All of the above named doctors were superior men, 
skilful physicians and excellent citizens. All are now dead. 

In the neighborhood of Darksville in the northwest part of the county 
was Dr. Robert A. Terrill, who was married to a sister of Judge Wm. A. 
Hall. Dr. Terrill in the early seventies was well advanced in years and 
had been practicing in that vicinity for a long period of time. He was a 
good physician and an excellent man, who attended the rich and poor alike. 
If Doctor Terrill could have collected all the fees earned by him in treat- 
ing the poor he would have died a richer man by several thousand dol- 
lars. And what we say in this respect of Dr. Terrill is true with refer- 
ence to all the pioneer doctors of the county. 

We also find Dr. W. W. Vasse located on a farm near Thomas Hill. 
He was likewise a man of fine character and a capable physician. During 
the same period of time Dr. Paul Yates was located at Jacksonville and 
practiced his profession successfully in that vicinity until he removed to 
the southern part of the state some years later. 

In or near Higbee during this same period Dr. Wm. P. Dysart re- 
sided on a farm about two miles northwest of Higbee. Dr. Lascellus 
Dysart and Dr. L. J. Miller residing in Higbee, practiced in that vicinity 
during these same years. 



206 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

At Renick we find Dr. Thomas Hamilton and Dr. Thomas Christian, 
and somewhat later Dr. S. M. Forrest who served this part of the county 
as medical practitioners. 

In the neighborhood of Clifton Hill, Dr. J. J. Watts from Huntsville 
and probably other Huntsville physicians met the needs of that com- 
munity until the North Missouri Railroad was extended west to Kansas 
City and Clifton Hill was organized as a village. Thereafter Dr. E. F. 
Wilson and Dr. J. G. Baker located and practiced medicine in and around 
Clifton Hill. 

In the vicinity of Cairo, Doctor Boucher, Dr. J. G. Wilson, and Doc- 
tor Ridings were located and there practiced from and after the close of 
the Civil War. Dr. Boucher probably before. 

During this same period the following named doctors located and 
practiced their profession in the city of Moberly and vicinity: Dr. J. C. 
Tedford, Dr. J. C. Hickerson, Dr. Wm. A. Rothwell, Dr. John T. Cox, Dr. 
J. R. L. Clarkson, Dr. G. W. Weems, Dr. N. M. Baskett and Dr. Thos. 
Irwin. 

All of the above named except Dr. Baskett are dead. They were men 
of high attainment in the medical profession at that time and excellent 
citizens without exception. 

The active practicing physicians of Randolph County as shown by 
the record of the roster furnished us by the Secretary of the Medical 
Association of Randolph County are as follows : Moberly. — Dr. C. B. 
Clapp, Dr. C. K. Dutton, Dr. William D. Halliburton, Dr. E. R. Hickerson, 
Dr. S. T. Kelly, Dr\ Frank L. McCormick, Dr. T. D. Mangus, Dr. W. K. 
Megee, Dr. 0. K. Megee, Dr. Wm. H. Selby, Dr. E. W. Shrader, Dr. S. P. 
Towles, Dr. R. A. Mitchell, Dr. L. A. Bazan, Dr. Chas. H. Dixon, Dr. M. 
R. Noland, Dr. C. L. Doclson, Dr. G. G. Levick, Dr. Langdon, Dr. J. S. 
Paey. Dr. Thos. A. Cottingham, Dr. I. F. Harlan, Dr. 0. 0. Ash, Dr. G. 
O. Cuppaidge, Dr. S. T. Ragan, Dr. L. 0. Nichels, Lensley. 

Clark : Dr. R. A. Woods, Dr. N. K. Pope. 

Higbee: Dr. Chas. F. Burkhalter, Dr. T. H. Dinwiddie, Dr. G. M. 
Nichols, Dr. J. W. Winn. 

Darksville: Dr. Hatton. 

Cairo: Dr. J. P. Allen. 

Jacksonville: Dr. Davis. 

Clifton Hill: Dr. W. C. Alexander, Dr. A. J. Bradsher, Dr. J. A. 
Lowry. 

Huntsville: Dr. D. A. Barnhart, Dr. R. G. Epperly, Dr. J. D. Ham- 
mett, Dr. J. W. Taylor, Dr. W. P. Terrill, Dr. G. G. Bragg. 



CHAPTER XIX 



BENCH AND BAR OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. 



SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT ESTABLISHED— JUDGE TODD PRESIDED OVER FIRST 
CIRCUIT COURT— FIRST LAWYERS IX ATTENDANCE— JUDGES THOMAS REY- 
NOLDS, JOHN D. LELAND, WILLIAM A. HALL, GEORGE H. BURCKHARTT, JOHN 
A. EJOCKADAY, ALEXANDER H. WALLER AND ALLAN W. WALKER— EARLY 
LAWYERS— LATER MEMBERS OF THE BAR— PRESENT-DAY LAWYERS. 

The second judicial circuit in Missouri was established in 1821, im- 
mediately after this state was admitted into the Union. Judge David 
Todd, prior to that time Territorial Judge, was appointed judge of this 
circuit by Gov. McGirk and served from 1821 until 1837. ' This circuit 
endured until 1882 as the second circuit, when the General Assembly of 
the state renumbered the circuits and the second circuit became the ninth 
circuit. Judge Todd presided over the first circuit court that was held 
in Randolph County in 1829. He was a Kentuckian born in Fayette 
County in 1790. He came to Missouri about the year 1818 as Territorial 
Judge and located first at Old Franklin in Howard County. Afterward 
he made Columbia in Boone County his home, where he died in 1859. 
Judge Todd was regarded as an able lawyer and a just judge, impartial 
and conscientious. 

John F. Ryland, Joseph Davis, Robert Wilson, John B. Clark and 
Robert W. Wells were among the lawyers that attended this first term 
of court. Judge Ryland was an eminent lawyer who was first appointed 
Judge of the sixth judicial circuit and afterward one of the judges of 
the Supreme Court. He died in 1873. 

Joseph Davis was born in Christian County, Kentucky, in January, 
1804. He came to Howard County with his parents in 1818. He prac- 



208 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

ticed law in Fayette for several years and was an eminent lawyer in 
his day. He served in the Legislature and died at Fayette. 

Robert Wilson was born in November, 1796, in August County, Vir- 
ginia. In the spring of 1820 he located at Old Franklin in Howard 
County and afterward practiced law in Fayette. He served in the Mis- 
souri Legislature in 1845 and afterward in the State Senate. In 1862 
he served an unexpired term in the United States Senate. He died in St. 
Joseph, Missouri. 

General John B. Clark was born in Madison County, Kentucky, in 
1802, and came with his father's family to Howard County in 1818. He 
served as an officer in the Black Hawk War in 1832. In 1854 he was 
elected to Congress and served for three successive terms. In the War 
of 1861 he served as a brigadier general in the Southern army and was 
wounded at the battle of Wilson Creek. He was afterward a member of 
the Confederate Congress. General Clark was a lawyer of marked ability 
and a fluent speaker. 

Mr. Wells was the first attorney general to appear and represent the 
state in the Randolph Circuit Court. He was born at Winchester, Vir- 
ginia, in 1795. He was also a lawyer of marked ability. Mr. Wells was 
the first circuit attorney and in 1826 was appointed attorney general of 
the state in which capacity he served for a period of ten years. After- 
wards he was appointed United States District Judge for the District of 
Missouri and held this office until his death, April 2, 1863, at Bowling 
Green, Kentucky. 

Judge Todd, on retiring from the circuit bench in 1837, was succeeded 
by Judge Thomas Reynolds, who resided at Fayette, Howard County. 
Judge Reynolds was born March 12, 1796, in Bracken County, Kentucky. 
He moved to Missouri in 1829 and located at Fayette. He was regarded 
as a just judge and bore a high reputation as a jurist. In 1840 Judge 
Reynolds resigned from the bench and was elected governor of this state 
and died in office. 

Judge John D. Leland was appointed judge of the second circuit in 
1840 to fill the unexpired term of Judge Reynolds. He served until 1847 
and acquitted himself on the bench with credit and was considered a just 
judge. 

In 1847, Judge William A. Hall of Randolph County was elected judge 
of the second judicial circuit. Judge Hall was a man of great ability and 
a stern but just judge. He served until 1862 when he resigned to become 
a member of Congress. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 209 

Judge George H. Burckhartt of Randolph County was appointed to 
fill the unexpired term of Judge Hall in 1862, and was afterwards elected 
and reelected from time to time until his death in 1890. Judge Burck- 
hartt was a natural born judge. As a judge of evidence he was unsur- 
passed. He possessed a profound knowledge of human nature and of men 
and was seldom deceived by a witness on the stand. Judge Burckhartt 
was one of the kindest of men and at the same time a firm and just judge. 
As a personal friend he was steadfast and true. Judge Burckhartt's 
popularity in the counties that then constituted the second circuit, Ran- 
dolph, Howard, Boone and Callaway, was unbounded and he was elected 
and reelected and served altogether as judge twenty-eight years. Judge 
Burckhartt died in the spring of 1890. He was succeeded by Judge John 
A. Hockaday of Fulton, Callaway County. Judge Hockaday served as 
judge for thirteen years until his death. He was a man of exalted char- 
acter, a fine lawyer, a careful and just judge, painstaking and impartial. 
Among his close friends he was one of the most congenial of men. Upon 
the bench he hewed to the line and was seemingly austere, and at all 
times dignified. Judge Hockaday died in the latter part of November, 
1903. He was succeeded by Alexander H. Waller of Moberly, Randolph 
County, who served for a period of thirteen years and retired from the 
bench January 1, 1917. 

Judge Waller was succeded on the bench by Judge Allan W. Walker 
of Fayette, Howard County, an able lawyer, patient and conscientious. 
Judge Walker is the present incumbent and has given universal satis- 
faction. 

In the early days it was the custom of members of the bar to travel 
with the judge from court to court over the circuit. Hence the lawyers 
in attendance at each term of court were composed largely of lawyers of 
other counties in the circuit and of adjoining circuits. 

Among the leading lawyers of Randolph County in early days were 
Judge Wm. A. Hall, Judge George H. Burckhartt, and Abe McKinney, 
and at a somewhat later date H. M. Porter, Col. A. F. Denny, Capt. 
Thomas B. Reed, Robert Brooking, Isaac Bibb, Judge John R. Hull and 
probably others. 

After the close of the Civil War in addition to the several above 
named, Judge A. P. Terril, G. F. Rothwell, W. A. Martin, John R. Chris- 
tian, W. T. McCanne, W. N. Rutherford and Thomas B. Kimbrought were 
added to the list of active attorneys, all of whom made good as able and 



210 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

successful practitioners. In 1878 Mr. Rothwell was elected a member 
of Congress and served one term. Judge A. P. Terrill was an exception- 
ally able lawyer and a safe counsellor. 

Between 1873 and 1877, Henry S. Priest, Franklin P. Wiley, Uriel 
S. Hall, John N. Hamilton, Ben T. Hardin and A. H. Waller, all young 
men, were admitted to the bar of Randolph County. 

Waller was elected prosecuting attorney of the county in 1878, and 
served three terms. Wiley was elected to the legislature at the same 
time and was reelected in 1880 and afterward served two terms as prose- 
cuting attorney from 1892 to 1896. Mr. Wiley was an able lawyer and 
probably the most resourceful and skillful trial lawyer the county ever 
had. He was a high class man in every respect, well educated, fearless, 
a ready and forceful speaker, and a true friend. Mr. Wiley was born in 
Illinois in 1853, and died at his home in Moberly at the age of forty-five 
years, in December, 1898. 

Henry S. Priest in 1881 removed to the city of St. Louis and there 
served first as attorney for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad Company, next 
as attorney for the Wabash Railroad Company and again for the Mis- 
souri Pacific, as general counsel. While serving in this capacity in 1895 
he was appointed U. S. District Judge for the eastern district of Missouri. 
Judge Priest served in this capacity for about two years then resigned 
and the firm of Boyle, Priest and Lehmann was organized. All of the 
three lawyers who constituted this firm were exceptionally able lawyers 
and this firm became one of, if not the leading, law firm of St. Louis. 
Judge Priest is now living in the city of St. Louis and is yet practicing 
law with one or more of his sons. 

Ben T. Hardin succeeded A. H. Waller as prosecuting attorney and 
served in that capacity from January, 1885, until January, 1889. Shortly 
thereafter he removed to Kansas City and has since practiced law in 
that city, successfully and profitably, and is yet one of the leading trial 
lawyers at that bar. 

Judge Waller was elected mayor of the city of Moberly in April, 
1899, in which capacity he served a term of two years and was there- 
after appointed circuit judge, as we have already seen. 

Uriel S. Hall, one of the five above named, was endowed with great 
energy and strength, both physical and mental. He practiced law in 
Randolph County successfully until the beginning of the year 1882, when 
he removed to Kansas City, where hr practiced law about two years, 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 211 

when he retired from the law and took charge of the large fertile farm 
belonging to his father, consisting of about 700 acres, situated in the 
northwest part of Randolph County, which he operated energetically 
and successfully until he was elected to Congress in 1892. He was re- 
elected in 1894 and served altogether four years. Mr. Hall was a sound 
money Democrat as was President Cleveland, and was not again a candi- 
date for Congress. Since, Mr. Hall has been an educator and the head 
of several colleges and schools and has proved himself to be equally 
efficient as an educator as well as in other vocations. 

After 1882 Willard P. Cave, Will A. Rothwell, Forrest G. Ferries 
and William Palmer were successively within the next decade added to 
the list of lawyers of Randolph County. 

Mr. Cave is still practicing law in the city of Moberly and is regarded 
as one of the county's ablest lawyers and has a large and lucrative prac- 
tice. 

Mr. Ferries practiced law in Moberly for a number of years. He 
was studious and unassuming, but his worth and ability finally became 
manifest and he was appointed assistant to the attorney-general by At- 
torney-General Hadley. Later he was appointed assistant circuit attor- 
ney of the city of St. Louis, and afterwards became a member of the 
firm of Ferries and Rosskopf, which firm is now doing a lucrative busi- 
ness in the city of St. Louis. 

Will A. Rothwell was admitted to the bar in 1885 and began the 
active practice of Jaw in 1891, when he was elected city attorney of 
Moberly. He was a highly educated and brilliant man and rapidly grew 
into an able and successful law r yer. He was elected a member of the 
Missouri legislature in 1894 and served one term. In 1896 he was 
elected prosecuting attorney of Randolph County and served two terms. 
He proved himself to be an able and successful prosecutor. In 1892 he 
w r as made chairman of the Democratic state committee of the state of 
Missouri and successfully managed the Democrat campaign that year. 
In 1894 he was appointed member of the national Democratic committee 
and served in that capacity until his death in October, 1908, aged 46 
years. 

Mr. Palmer was born and reared in Randolph County and rapidly 
developed into a good lawyer after his admission to the bar. He 
was elected prosecuting attorney of the county and served four years. 
Within a short time after the termination of his services as prosecut- 



212 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

ing attorney he died at his home in Moberly, still a young man. Will 
Palmer had many friends and his untimely death was a cause of gen- 
eral regret throughout the county. 

John N. Hamilton is the senior member of the bar of Huntsville, 
having been admitted to the bar in the late seventies, and since that 
time has been a worthy member. He is an able lawyer, a progressive 
citizen, and has held several county offices, recorder of deeds being one 
of the several offices that he has filled with credit. 

The bar of Randolph County will rank with any bar of equal num- 
bers in this state, not only as capable lawyers, but as progressive citi- 
zens and men of high character. In the court room they contest their 
cases vigorously and efficiently, but courteously. A half a century ago 
personal strife and biting personalities were not uncommon in courts of 
record and jealousy and personal enmity among members of the bar 
was a rule, rather than the exception. Thirty years ago the bar of Ran- 
dolph County composed as it then was of right minded men as well 
as able lawyers reversed this order of things, and enmity and strife 
among the members of the bar became a thing of the past in this county. 
The bar of Randolph is now organized into a bar association and live 
together in peace each one respecting the other as he deserves, and 
are following the footsteps of the predecessors of the last generation in 
this respect. 

The following is a list of active members of the bar of Moberly, Ran- 
dolph County: William P. Cave, J. W. Wight, Jr., A. H. Waller, Major 
Lilly, E. O. Doyle, Aubrey R. Hammett, E. J. Howard, Thos. Tydings, 
A. C. Gladney, Warwick McCanne, S. 0. Hunter, Arthur Chamier, Jerry 
M. Jeffries, Frank Lofty, O. R. O'Brien, W. B. Stone, Edmund Burk, 
J. A. Walden, Wm. Morrissey, David E. Janes. 

The following members of the bar are not in active practice : J. Mor- 
ris Graves, special court reporter; Jerome Reigel, office practice only; J. 
F. Rothwell, retired; James R. Lowell, post master and editor of Moberly 
"Democrat." 

Active members of the bar at Huntsville are: Norman Johnson, 
John N. Hamilton, Madison Stringer. 



CHAPTER XX 



EARLY CHURCHES. 



FIRST CHURCH ORGAN 1 Z 10 1 > IN lM'.t— OTH JO li EARLY ORGANIZATIONS— PRIMITIVE 
AND MISSIONARY BAPTISTS BIT. PLEASANT COLLEGE BUILT PROVIDENCE 
METHODIST CHURCH A.NTIOCH CHRISTIAN CHURCH— SALEM CHRISTIAN 
CHURCH SUGAR CREEK CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN « - 1 IURCH— MT. HOPE 
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN cur ltd I. 

The first church was organized in Randolph County on the third 
Saturday in August, 1819, by the Primitive Baptists under the name of 
"Happy Zion," afterwards changed to Silver Creek. In the following 
month this church united with the Mount Pleasant Association organized 
at Mount Pleasant, Howard County. Thereafter churches were organ- 
ized at Mount Harmon, Mount Ararat, Pleasant Grove, Dover and Little 
Union, located one mile north of Huntsville, organized in 1828. These 
churches were likewise Primitive Baptist churches and all except Silver 
Creek church are not extinct. 

About 1835 the Baptist church split and organized separate congre- 
gations known as the Regular or Primitive Baptists and Missionary Bap- 
tists. 

Mount Pleasant College was erected and the building completed be- 
tween 1855 and 1857. A school of 150 pupils was established, the chapel 
of the college was used by the Missionary Baptists at Huntsville from 
and after that time until the building was burned in 1882. 

In 1858 the Mount Vernon church, Missionary Baptist, was organ- 
ized. Prior to 1868 Dark's Prairie church was organized and held its 
meetings one mile north of Clifton Hill until 1868, when the congregation 
moved into a new church structure in the village of Clifton Hill. 



214 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

In 1871, Good Hope, Missionary Baptist church, was organized and, 
no doubt, there were other Missionary Baptist churches in the county 
prior to the Civil War, but we have no data as to when these churches 
were organized. 

In 1834, Providence church, Methodist, was organized at the resi- 
dence of S. J. Johnson. In 1836 this congregation held its services 
at the Johnson school house and in 1846 they erected Old Providence 
churcli and called it the "Twelve Corners." In 1878 a new church build- 
ing was erected. 

Antioch Christian church was organized the first Sunday in June, 
1837. 

After the town of Higbee was established the church was moved 
to that place where a new church building was erected in 1880. 

Salem Christian church was organized in the summer of 1873. 

Antioch Christian church was apparently the pioneer Christian 
church of Randolph County. This church is noted in that it sent into 
the ministry several preachers of conspicuous ability, namely: Henry 
H. Haley, Thos. Haley, E. J. Lampton and Alexander Proctor. The two 
last named were eminent preachers. Neither the one nor the other 
were narrow or sectarian, but were eminently liberal with respect to 
members of other churches. Alexander Proctor, in the opinion of the 
writer of this article, was one of the great if not the greatest religious 
teacher that Missouri has ever sent forth. He was too broad and charit- 
able to question the Christianity of any other church member or its 
efficacy. For thirty-six years he was pastor in the Christian church at 
Independence, Missouri, and died there recently. 

The Sugar Creek Cumberland Presbyterian church building was 
erected by the congregation already organized in 1840. This church 
stands about two miles north of Moberly and was there standing when 
the tall prairie grass waved over the site of the present city. The 
church was organized in 1834 by the Rev. Samuel C. Davis. 

Mount Hope, Cumberland Presbyterian church, was constructed in 
1874. The congregation had been organized as a church sometime prior 
thereto. 

Since the close of the Civil War church buildings have multiplied in 
Randolph County. 



CHAPTER XXI 



TRANSPORTATION. 



STEAMBOAT TO HANNIBAL AND GLASGOW— SUPPL1 ES HAULED OVERLAND— NORTH 
MISSOURI RAILROAD IN 1858— RAILROAD BUILDING SUSPENDED DURING 
CIVIL WAR— CHICAGO & ALTON BUILT IX 1871— WABASH RAILROAD AND ITS 
BRANCHES — TH 10 .MISSOURI. KANSAS & TEX AS— RAILROAD PROSPECTS IN 
CONTEMPLATION. 

Randolph County, as we have seen, was organized in 1829. By this 
time or shortly thereafter, steamboats began to run more or less regu- 
larly on both the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Goods and groceries, 
such as sugar, tea, coffee, hardware and other necessaries, were obtained 
by the merchants of Randolph County either from Hannibal or from 
Glasgow. Glasgow, being the nearer, was the usual shipping point where 
produce was shipped and merchants received goods bought in St. Louis 
or farther east. 

The ability to obtain necessary supplies and hardware material aided 
in the improvement and development of the county. Emigrants coming 
into the state had their choice to come overland by wagon or they could 
come by boat to Hannibal or Glasgow and thence to their destination 
by land. -: 

In the year 1858, the North Missouri Railroad leading from St. Louis, 
north. west and north, was built into Randolph County, entering the county 
near its southeast corner, thence northwest to a point three miles south of 
the city of Moberly, and thence north to the town of Allen, where it 
crossed the state road leading from Huntsville to Paris. This road was 
extended the same year northward to Macon City, being completed to 
that point where it connected with the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad 
in February, 1859. The building of the North Missouri Railroad through 
the county put Randolph County on the map as a railroad county. 



216 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The war between the states known as the Civil War or War of the 
Rebellion began in April, 1861. During the four years that this unhappy 
struggle continued, railroad building, and indeed every constructive enter- 
prise, was halted. Directly after the close of the war projected lines of 
railroad so halted by the war, many of them were speedily constructed 
The projected line from Moberly westward to Kansas City was constructet 
between the years of 1865 and 1868. The projected railroad from Hanni^ 
bal to Moberly was constructed and completed between 1869 and 1872 
and shortly thereafter in the same or following year the railroad first 
known as the Tebo and Neosho, afterward the Missouri, Kansas and Texas 
Railroad, was extended south through Fayette and Boonville to Sedaiia and 
from thence south to Texas. About the same time, or shortly thereafter, 
a branch line was built northwest from Brunswick, following along the 
valley of the Grand river through the cities of Chillicothe, Gallatin and on 
to Pattonsburg, where it connected with the Omaha, Quincy and Kansas 
City Railroad. 

A number of years later the line of road extending from Brunswick to 
Omaha was purchased and became and is yet part of the Wabash System. 

In 1871 the Chicago and Alton Railroad Company constructed its line 
of railroad westward from Mexico through Randolph County and from 
thence westward to Kansas City. With the completion of these several 
roads and branch lines all constructed within the fifteen years elapsing 
between 1858 and 1873, Randolph County had probably a greater mileage 
of railroads than any inland county within the state. At the present day 
that part of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad extending from 
Moberly to Hannibal is used by both the Missouri, Kansas and Texas and 
the Wabash railroads. 

From Moberly the Wabash railroad and its branch lines extend to 
St. Louis, Hannibal, Ottumwa, Des Moines, Iowa, to Kansas City west- 
ward and to Omaha in the northwest. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas 
likewise operates its trains to and from Hannibal and from Moberly south 
to the Gulf of Mexico. The Chicago and Alton railroad enters Randolph 
County east of Clark, passes through Clark, Higbee and Yates, and from 
thence into Howard County and on to Kansas City through Glasgow. 

Prior to the entry of the United States into the World War the Santa 
Fe and Burlington systems of railroad had determined to build a line of 
railroad from Carrollton, Missouri, through Randolph County to Mexico, 
Missouri, where it would connect with the Burlingrton road extending from 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 217 

Mexico to St. Louis. It was further determined by the Burlington Rail- 
road Company that this company would build a line of railroad from or- 
near Monroe City, southwesterly through Monroe County and through the 
city of Moberly to a junction point of said roads about five miles south- 
west of Moberly and much of the right-of-way for these railroads had 
already been acquired, prior to the declaration of war by this government 
^against the German Empire. 

That these railroads will be ultimately built seems a certainty. The 
grade of these roads, established by their engineers, does not exceed three 
per centum throughout their length. 

It was further projected by the Burlington road that a like grade would 
be obtained between Monroe City and Quincy, Illinois. By this line the 
distance from Chicago to Kansas City over the Burlington road would be 
shortened thirty or thirty-five miles, and the grade so obtained would en- 
able said railroad to economically compete with any railroad now operating 
from Kansas City to Chicago, the Santa Fe included. 

When these roads are completed, as they will be, Randolph County 
will be a veritable railroad center and will have direct lines of railroad 
radiating in every direction and that too over the shortest lines. 



CHAPTER XXII 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



THE "RAZORBACK"— FROM THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF LIBERTY NOBLE— INDIAN 
SCARE OF 1829. 

THE RAZORBACK. 

With the coming of the pioneer to the Boonslick Country came the pio- 
neer hog, the "razorback." 

The "razorback" like the pioneer was no pampered child of fortune. 
He was likewise of the pioneer type, in that he was somewhat long of 
limb, gaunt, muscular, active, strong and swift of foot, when occasion 
required. He was further of the pioneer type in that he was active, cour- 
ageous and self-reliant, and frequently it was a case of "root hog or die" 
with both man and hog. 

For the purpose of rooting the "razorback" was well equipped. His 
shoulders, neck and head were large and muscular and his nose was long, 
terminating with a rooting attachment that needed no repair. This nose, 
however, was not equipped with a coulter and the tough prairie sod was 
too tough of a proposition for him as well as for the pioneer settler, hence 
they both went to the woods together where they could make an honest 
living the year around by the industrious use of hand and snout. 

The woods at that time had other inhabitants, bears, panthers, wild 
cats, and wolves in great numbers, but the razorback went forth fearlessly 
at hunger's call or just because he wanted to, that is, the full-growns did, 
and unless restrained, the younger ones followed. The "razorback" was 
armed for defense. From his lower jaw projecting upward and outward 
were strong, sharp, curved tusks, several inches in length, and set into 
the upper jaw were shorter upturned tusks that co-ordinated with the 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 219 

larger ones below. In battle the "razorback" fought by lowering his 
head and striking upward. These upper thrusts driven by the powerful 
next muscles were capable of inflecting long, deep, ragged wounds, some- 
times dangerous or deadly. 

The "razorbacks" in the woods usually herded together. When a 
member of the herd by prolonged squealing gave the signal of distress the 
grown ups of the herd, with bristles erect rushed to the rescue, and 
whether the trouble maker be man or animal the only safe way was up a 
tree or rapid flight. 

The "razorback," though homely and bristly, was invaluable to the 
early settler. He could take care of himself. He was able and willing 
to make his own living in the woods ten months in the year, if need be, 
and was therefore a cheap boarder. The "razorback" was seldom con- 
verted into bacon before he was eighteen months or two years old. Run- 
ning at large, he grew more slowly, his keep was trifling and he usually 
survived until the fall of his second year. Having grown fat on acorns 
and nuts the settler would round up his herd, separate and confine in a 
closed pen all those that he designed to butcher, feed them corn for a 
few weeks until assured that the meat and lard would be firm and of the 
best, then a day was set and the hog killing was held. Usually the near 
neighbors assisted and frequently a score or more hogs were butchered 
and cut up in a single day. 

Then the meat was salted down, the lard rendered out, and in early 
days before the advent of the sausage grinder, sausage was made by 
beating the meat into a pulp on a block with hammers. 

Aside from the labor of feeding the hogs at times, and that incident 
to butchering and curing the meat, the cost of bacon to the farmer was 
trivial compared to the cost of today, nor does the packing house bacon 
of this period of time compare in excellence with the delicious country 
cured hams, smoked with hickory wood and carved out of these mature 
hogs. 

But the "razorback," indispensable to the early settlers, could not 
endure. He had his day in north Missouri, and his decline. As the trees 
in the wooded districts fell year by year under the blows of the woods- 
man's ax, the noise of their falling beat the "razorback's" "last tattoo." 
With the going of the woods went the razorback, with improved methods 
of farming came improved breeds of hogs, cattle, sheep and horses. The 
"razorback" had served and served well — his purpose and his mission 
was ended. 



220 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

In the Ozai'ks he survived until the Civil War. The late Proctor 
Knott, for many years a Kentucky congressman, while a young man spent 
some years in the Ozarks and while there was elected to the Missouri 
legislature shortly before the Civil War. While so serving he made a 
speech in the house, boosting the Ozarks and their many resources, their 
climate, fishing, streams, fruit trees, fertile valleys, and their endless 
forests of oak that covered the hills and bore fruit and almost covered 
the ground with acorns in the fall of the year. Among other assets he 
introduced the "razorback" as a prime asset in that timbered region. 
After describing him and his characteristics of courage, industry, and 
his ability to provide for and defend himself against all comers without 
human aid, he wound up by saying "that the 'razorback' could readily 
root potatoes out of the third row through a crack in the fence." 

It seems from the following incident that the "razorback" may yet 
survive in some of the timbered regions farther south. A Pennsylvania 
breeder of fine hogs had a pen of assorted sizes on exhibition at the Rich- 
mond, Virginia, Exposition, held a half score years ago. A North Caro- 
lina farmer came along, stopped, leaned on the fence of the pen and 
leisurely scanned its inmates. They were show hogs, short legged and 
fat. Some were lying down and others were waddling around in the pen. 
The owner came around hoping to sell and said, "What do you think 
of them?" 

"I never saw such hogs before. They sure do look fine," replied the 
tar heel. 

"Don't you want a pair to take home with you?" inquired the Penn- 
sylvanian. 

"No," replied the North Carolinian slowly, "they would be of no 
account to me, stranger. No hog is worth a d — m in the country where 
I live that can't outrun a nigger." 

FPvOM THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF LIBERTY NOBLE. 

Liberty Noble was born in Casey County on November 10, 1809. He 
was the third son of Mark Noble and Rachel, his wife. In June, 1817, 
Mark Noble and his family, consisting of a wife, seven sons and three 
daughters, moved from Kentucky to Howard County, Missouri, and four 
years later, on March 8, 1821, moved to Randolph County. The follow- 
ing is an excript from his autobiography: 

"About the year 1829 we moved to near where Huntsville now 
stands and cleared off the first twelve acres of the city lots. We com- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 221 

menced nearly exactly where the court house now stands. The contract 
was let to the lowest bidder and my father secured the contract. We 
also burnt the lime for Randolph's first court house. Two weeks were 
spent in building a lime kiln. We found two trees on the hillside some 
thirty feet apart and hauled our logs and piled them upon each other 
against the two trees until we had a large pile; then we hauled rocks 
and stacking them on the long heap set fire to the logs. When the 
logs had burned away the rocks being burnt were left in a heap something 
similar to the" form in which they were placed. Then we slacked this 
burnt rock and had our lime. 

Lumber was sawed by hand in those days and I have helped to 
saw thousands of feet with the old hand rip saw. I have had the privilege 
of sawing lumber with Missouri's Ex-Governor Jackson. We found two 
trees somewhat like we did in commencing a lime kiln. These trees must 
have forks some six or eight feet from the ground. In these forks we 
placed a pole called a ridge pole. On the ridge pole we put two other 
poles with one end of each on the hill side. Then we hewed our logs 
square, rolled them on the poles, lined them on top and on the bottom 
the entire length, and with one sawyer on top and the other on the ground 
sawed out our lumber. We stuck one end of the logs as far over one 
of the poles as we could not to overbalance and then ripped all the logs 
at that end ; then slipped them endways past the pole and sawed again 
to the other pole and so on through the log. We could saw about two 
hundred feet in a day by this method. 

In the fall of the year of 1832, I with four friends went on a bee 
hunt. It was the month of September and we went to the Chariton river, 
eight or ten miles northwest of where Kirksville now stands. We camped 
over night and spent the next day in locating bee trees. We were gone 
twenty-three days and brought home 309 gallons of strained honey, one 
tub and two buckets full of honey in the comb and a good quantity of 
beeswax. 

When my father first moved to Missouri hogs were very scarce and 
he paid one dollar for a very small pig. I remember our hogs used to run 
outside, and during the summer when we were busy in our crops and 
harvesting, we would not see our hogs for sometimes three months at 
a time and they would become rather wild, so we would have to hunt their 
beds and drive them home. 



222 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The houses in which we lived were built of logs hewn out by our 
own broadaxes, and chinked with sticks, rocks and mud. They were 
almost always built with a chimney in the west side so the heat as we 
thought would be on the coldest side of the house. The chimney was 
built according to the number of children in the family, a small family 
built a small chimney and sometimes a chimney occupied nearly all the 
west end of the house. Then a log was split and legs put into it to make 
a bench for each side of the fireplace, and a long bench made for in 
front of it. Some, though not all, of the bedsteads were one-legged ones. 
A post placed from one corner of the room and poles reached from the 
post to the walls and plank put on these formed the platform on which 
our straw beds were placed and after awhile some people became rich 
enough to afford geese and they had feather beds. 

We had to go twenty or twenty-five miles to mill and then furnish 
our team to grind our grain. The mills were old fashioned sweep-mills 
and ground the corn somewhat similar to the way molasses cane is 
mashed now. There were two mills in Howard County, one was run by 
Colonel Snoddy and the other by Paddy Woods. 

Our grain was cut with a reap hook and very slow work it was. We 
caught a bunch of grain by the top with the left hand and cut it with 
a reap hook in our right hand, and when we had thus cut across a field 
we hung the reap hook on our shoulder and bound the grain we had 
cut as we came back. 

I never went to but three schools in my life and only went about 
half the time then for I had to stay at home and work. Schools were 
taught in the spring and summer just when the most work was done. 
I went to one school in 1819 in Howard County to Joseph Persinger and 
in 1823 in Randolph County to John Dysart, a brother of Rev. James 
Dysart of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. The next year, 1824, 
I went to Nic Dysart, also a brother of the preacher. Our schoolhouses 
had only dirt floors and they would get pretty dusty sometimes. At our 
writing desk a log was cut out so as to give us light and we stood and 
wrote with a split log for a desk and used ink made from indigo and 
oak berries and a goose quill for a pen. The benches were made of split 
logs with wooden pegs for the legs and were generally made of cotton- 
wood or lime so as to be soft so they would not have to be cushioned. 
Our feet dangled between the bench and floor and as we had no lazy 
backs to the benches we did not have to have our coats patched in the 
back. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 223 

The plows we used were single shovels made by a blacksmith and the 
bar-shear plow, which had a wooden mouldboard, as did the Cary plow 
which came into use a few years later. These plows were about ten inches 
wide and if a man broke two acres a day he had done something extra. 
Our harness were all homemade; the collars were made of linn bark and 
shucks. The hames were made by ourselves and had a hole bored through 
them into which the rope tug was run and with some bark and a knot 
fastened. The rope tugs were made by twisting tow and flax together. 
A notch was cut in the end of a singletree, and we made a loop in the tug 
and slipped it over the end. Very often we had no backhands to the 
harness, but occasionally some would make them out of bark and shucks. 
Old Mr. McClain, whose son lived in McClainsville, said he could not raise 
a crop without hickory bark. It was used for as many things as string 
is now. 

Our hoes were made by a blacksmith and were very heavy, some- 
times having enough iron in one for two or three hoes like we use now. 
Our axes were also home-made, and in fact nearly everything then was 
very different from what it is now. 

The girls in those days worked hard enough to raise corns on their 
hands, wore home-made dresses and sunbonnets, and besides the house 
work also helped in the field and hoed in the garden, and had to content 
themselves with such flowers as the morning glory, hollyhock, sunflower 
and pumpkin blossoms." 

INDIAN SCARE OF 1829. 

It was customary in the early days for every male over eighteen 
years of age to have a good trusty rifle and plenty of ammunition. 
Shotguns were unknown, also revolvers. These hardy men most gen- 
erally took their firearms with them wherever they went, not for the 
purpose though, be it remembered, to shoot one another, as is often done 
nowadays, but to defend themselves against the wild, untutored redman, 
who then had their wigwams so close to their borders, and occasionally 
made unexpected raids into the white settlements to take vengeance upon 
the innocent and peaceful citizen, for some outrage often committed upon 
the poor Indian by some of the few bad white men, that then had their 
homes somewhere in these western wilds. 

Most of the cruelty and butchery committed by the savages, in those 
days, no doubt, were occasioned by the fact that bad white men, either 
instigated them, or had committed great outrages upon the Indians when 



224 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

they had the advantage of them. And, they being savages, and perhaps 
knowing no better, would take vengeance upon the first pale-face man, 
woman or child that happened in their pathway. But it is true, no doubt, 
also, that these red men of the forest took great delight in shedding 
blood, and gloried in taking the scalp of the white man ; and for even 
a fancied wrong conjured up by the brain of some would-be chieftain, 
they would raise the war-whoop and sally forth, seeking whom they 
might devour. Hence, when in the year 1829, these first settlers of Ran- 
dolph County, together with others that had then made Randolph County 
their future home, heard from a messenger, fresh from the scene of the 
conflict, his fiery charger foaming, being driven by the whip and spur 
to his utmost speed, that the Indians on the northern borders had raised 
the war club and were marching rapidly to the settlements, murdering 
indiscriminately men, women and children that were then scattered along 
in isolated settlements from the Iowa line down to what is now the 
boundary line of Randolph County. 

The news was carried from cabin to cabin by swift and trusty mes- 
sengers. It was appalling, it is true, and no doubt carried great consterna- 
tion to some. But action was quickly taken and preparation made to 
send the women and children down to the big settlement in Howard 
County, under charge of the old and feeble men, not able to do military 
duty, where they knew they would be well protected and cared for cheer- 
fully. A company of about seventy men, comprising nearly all the able- 
bodied adult men in the county was organized. Robert Scounce, a highly 
respected citizen who many years afterwards died in the county, was 
elected captain, and marched at once to meet the enemy. In the mean- 
time a regiment was organized in Howard County, under command of 
Colonel, later General John B. Clark, an honored citizen of Howard 
County. 

The Indians were driven without much trouble north of the state 
boundary. Before the expiration of these troubles, two other companies, 
under command of Captain Abraham Goodring, who was also in the war 
of 1812, and a highly respected citizen of the county, and Captain Robert 
Boucher, of Randolph County. This small war was one of the incidents, it 
was said, leading to the famous Black Hawk war. 



CHAPTER XXIII 

BIOGRAPHICAL 



Ottis O. Ash, M. D. — Among the professional men of Randolph 
County none is more worthy of being represented in its annals than Dr. 
Ottis 0. Ash, a leading physician and surgeon of Moberly. For more than 
17 years he has lived within the county's borders, during which time he 
has been a prominent factor in its social, civic and professional affairs. 
Doctor Ash was born in Monroe County, Mo., March 13, 1869, the son of 
W. P. and Hester (Wilson) Ash, being the second of 12 children born to 
them. 

W. P. Ash was born in the same house in Monroe County, Mo., July 8, 
1843, and died Feb. 11, 1913. He was a son of Robert and Mary (Kess- 
inger) Ash, both born near Lexington, Ky. They came to Missouri at an 
early day locating in Howard County, later removing to Monroe County 
where the grandfather was a farmer. He died in 1875 at the advanced 
age of 80 years, being survived by his widow who lived to be nearly 100 
years old. W. P. Ash was a farmer and country merchant, who passed 
all his days in Monroe County, now being survived by his wife who was a 
native of Shelby County, Mo. She now resides at Madison, Mo. She is 
the daughter of Frank and Julia (Rappwood) Wilson, natives of Kentucky 
who were among the earliest settlers of this state as her father was one 
of the first men to erect a gristmill in this section, which was known as 
the Wilson Mill. 

Doctor Ash attended the district school near his home and while yet a 
young boy began to clerk in his father's store. In 1877 he entered the 
high school at Moberly, finished there and then took a two year course 
at the State Normal School at Warrensburg, Mo. Following this, he 
taught school one year in the district school of Salt River township, Ran- 
dolph County, but as he had determined upon a professional career, re- 
signed in the spring and early in the fall of 1890 entered Beaumont Hos- 



226 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

pital College. Two years later he was granted a degree of Doctor of 
Medicine and entered the Medical Department of Washington University, 
St. Louis, to take a higher course in his profession, graduating there in 
1894. He returned to his home and began practice at the town of Ash, 
Monroe County, which had been named after his father who started the 
postoffice of the village. Doctor Ash remained in this location for ten 
years, building up a good practice. He gained the esteem and good will 
of all the residents over a large radius of the country as he was never 
too busy or too tired to respond to the call of the suffering. His sympa- 
thetic manner, kind heart and abilities won him many life long friends. 

In 1902, Doctor Ash took a post graduate course and a year later 
came to Moberly and began practice as he desired a wider field for his 
efforts and has met with uniform success and has an extensive practice. 
He is a close student of his profession, has a fine medical library and a 
high reputation for skill and ability. 

Doctor Ash is a Democrat and served as city physician in 1904. He 
is a Royal Arch Mason. On Nov. 30, 1904, Doctor Ash married Miss Mazie 
Peterson who was born at Grand Island, Neb., and they have one daughter, 
Dorothy. 

Dr. Ash is now vice-president of the Randolph County Trust, Mob- 
erly, Mo. 

Willard P. Cave, a leading member of the Randolph County bar and 
one of the well known attorneys of this section of the state is a native 
of Missouri and a decedent of pioneers. Mr. Cave was born at Mexico, 
Mo., and is a son of Frank and Catherine (Galbreath) Cave. Frank Cave 
was born at Columbia, Mo., and was the son of William and Mary Cave, 
pioneer settlers of Boone County, Mo. William Cave was a son of Richard 
Cave who with a brother, William Cave, came from Virginia and settled in 
Boone County at a very early date. They platted the original town ot 
Smithland, which is now the city of Columbia, Mo. 

Frank Cave was reared in Boone County, attending the University of 
Missouri and was a graduate of that institution. When the Civil War 
broke out, he resided at Natchitoches Parish, La., where he enlisted in the 
Confederate Army and served throughout the war. He died in Audrain 
County, Mo., in 1880, and his wife died in 1863 and her remains are buried 
at Caddo, Parish, La. 

Willard P. Cave was educated in the public schools and in the Uni- 
versity of Missouri, as were also his father and son. Thus three genera- 
tions of the Cave family are graduates of that institution. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 227 

Willard P. Cave began the practice of law in 1883 and since that time 
has been successfully engaged in the practice in the various state and 
federal courts and has established a reputation of being one of the able, 
conscientious and fearless lawyers of this section of Missouri. 

Mr. Cave was first married to Octavia Ficklin, a daughter of Prof. 
Joseph and Penelope (Terrill) Ficklin, both of whom are now deceased. 
Octavia Ficklin Cave died in 1892 at Moberly, Mo. and her remains are 
buried at Columbia, Mo. To Willard P. and Octavia (Ficklin) Cave were 
born two children as follows: 

Catherine, married Malcolm McClelian of Jacksonville, Fla., and Helen 
married Homer Teachenor of Shelbina, Mo. Mr. Cave was married the 
second time in 1894 to Miss Fannie Lango and to this union has been born 
one son, Harold, who is a graduate of the University of Missouri and now 
taking a postgraduate course at Yale. 

Harold Cave served in the World War, first entering the service as a 
member of an ambulance unit and reached France considerably in advance 
of the regular American Expeditionary Forces. There were about 28 
members of his unit and after reaching Paris, they took a vote to decide 
what they would do and 25 of the number, including Harold Cave, voted to 
volunteer to serve with the French Army which they did. They served in 
the sector between Soissons and Rheims for the term of their enlistment: 
Later Mr. Cave enlisted in the United States navy where he was serving 
when the armistice was signed. He has received a letter of thanks and 
a medal in appreciation of his services from the French government. 

Willard P. Cave has been identified with the welfare and development 
of Moberly and Randolph County for nearly 40 years and during that 
period has contributed much of his time and talent to the betterment and 
upbuilding of this city and county. He has served four terms as mayor 
of Moberly and his administrations were successful epochs in the history 
of Moberly and marked for their progressiveness. 

The Mechanics Savings Bank of Moberly, Mo. is one of the substantia! 
financial institutions of this section of Missouri and has stood the test of 
time with a clean record throughout all the financial flurries of nearly half 
a century. This bank was organized in 1872 and began business at its 
present location, 208 Reed St. The first officers were M. N. Towner, 
president; Moses Jennings, vice-president; S. P. Griffith, cashier; and H. 
P. Jennings, assistant cashier. The bank was organized with an author- 
ized capital of $100,000. 



228 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The present officers are H. P. Jennings, president; J. B. Jennings, 
vice-president; V. W. Wilhite, cashier and W. T. Smart, assistant cashier. 
The board of directors consists of the above named gentlemen with the 
exception of W. T. Smart, and J. C. O'Keefe and lsham Powell are also 
members of the Board of Directors. The present capitol stock is $150,000 
and the surplus and profits are $150,000 with other additional reserve 
funds. The deposits are over $1,500,000. The bank is the owner of the 
Merchants Hotel block and is located in the northwest corner of that 
building. 

The changes in the personnel of the officers of this bank have been 
few since its organization in 1872, and it is regarded as one of the care- 
fully managed and conservative banking institutions of the state. Mem- 
bers of the Jennings family have been the dominant factors of this institu- 
tion since its organization. Moses Jennings, the first vice-president was 
the grandfather of J. B. Jennings, the present vice-president and the 
father of H. P. Jennings. 

The bank fixtures are modern and every convenience is provided for 
the many patrons and every safety device known in the modern banking in 
the way of mechanical contrivances is here installed. The steel vault is of 
the best material and construction that money can buy and the door of the 
vault alone weighs three and one-half tons. 

J. B. Jennings, vice-president of the Mechanics Savings Bank and one 
of the well known bankers of this section of the state was born at West 
Union, W. Va. and is the son of Hiram and Emely (Davis) Jennings, the 
former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. Mr. Jennings 
is a descendant of old Virginia stock, including the Randolph and Davis 
families. Hiram Jennings came to Missouri with his family in 1874 and 
settled at Moberly. Here he was engaged in the dry goods and grocery 
and lumber business during his active business career and met with suc- 
cess and during his time was one of the substantial business men of this 
section. He died in 1898 and his wife died in 1895. Their remains are 
buried in West Union, W. Va. They were the parents of one other child 
besides J. B. Clara, who is now the widow of W. L. Irwin and resides in 
Kansas City, Mo. Three brothers are deceased: William, Howard, and 
the youngest who died in infancy. 

J. B. Jennings received his education in the high school of Moberly 
and in 1879 entered the Mechanics Savings Bank and has been connected 
with this institution continuously until the present time. Nothwithstand- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 229 

ing, Mr. Jenning's career has has been first of all that of a banker, he has 
always found time to devote a portion of his time to public and civic affairs 
and take a good citizens interest in the welfare of the community. He 
served as treasurer of the city of Moberly for 18 years and for 12 years 
was treasurer of the Moberly School Board. He has been prominently 
identified with the Missouri Banker's Association for a number of years 
and at various times has served as treasurer, vice-president and president 
of that organization. He is a member of the American Banker's Associa- 
tion and at the present time is a member of the executive council of that 
organization. 

Mr. Jennings was married in 1896 to Miss Frances W. Wight, a daugh- 
ter of James W., Sr. and Auleria (Fullenwider) Wight, of Moberly. fuither 
mention of whom is made in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Jennings have 
been born two children. The elder, Howard Wight, age 21 years, is now 
a student in the University of Colorado, at Boulder, Colo. He began mili- 
tary training at the age of 13 years and when he was 21 years of age, he 
was captain of Company I at Boulder, Colo. The younger child, Frances 
E. is at home with her parents. Mr. Jenning's home is located at 520 W. 
Rollins Street on the site of the old Jennings home which was destroyed 
by fire where his parents lived for 20 years. 

Alexander M. Mounce, Jr., bookkeeper for the D. H. Mounce Lumber 
Company, Moberly, Mo., is one of the progressive young men of Randolph 
County, who turned from the peaceful pursuits of business life when the 
United States entered the World War and served during the remainder of 
that great conflict. 

Alexander M. Mounce, Jr., was born at Bunker Hill, Kan., April 18, 
1888, and is a son of Alexander M. and Martha (Monson) Mounce, the 
latter of whom is now deceased, having departed this life in October, 1914, 
and her remains are buried in Woodland Cemetery, Moberly, Mo. The 
father resides in Moberly which has been his home for the past 30 years 
and a sketch of him appears in this volume. 

Alex. M. Mounce, Jr., received his education in the public schools of 
Moberly, Missouri State University at Columbia, Mo., and the University 
of Chicago, Chicago, 111. In 1912 he entered the employ of the D. H. 
Mounce Lumber Company at Moberly as bookkeeper and was thus em- 
ployed until Dec. 13, 1917, when he enlisted in the Aviation Corps of the 
United States Army. Shortly after enlisting, he was sent to Camp Custer 
at Battle Creek, Mich. After spending seven weeks there, he was trans- 



230 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY ■ 

ferred to Barron Field, Fort Worth, Texas, where he served with the fly- 
ing and engineering department of the aviation service until Marcn 28, 
1919, when he was honorably discharged. Mr. Mounce then returned to 
Moberly and resumed his former position with the D. H. Mounce Lumber 
Company and is now serving in that capacity. 

A. M. Mounce of the D. H. Mounce Lumber Company is one of the 
enterprising business men of Moberly. He is a native of Missouri, hav- 
ing been born at Florida, Monroe County, June 18, 1848. He is the son 
of Samuel and Elizabeth (Bryant) Mounce, the former a native of Lincoln 
County, Ky., and the latter of Virginia. Samuel Mounce came to Missouri 
and settled in Monroe County about 1820 and was there married and spent 
the remainder of his life. He was a cabinet maker and also owned and 
operated a farm in Monroe County. He died in 1864. His wife preceded 
him in death a number of years, having died in 1849. 

To Samuel and Elizabeth (Bryant) Mounce were born the following 
children: John W., who was an accountant and vice-president of the 
Bank of Hannibal, died at Hannibal, Mo., in 1917 ; Mary C, married David 
Hendricks, who is now deceased and she resides in the state of Washing- 
ton; Sarah Mariah, married Thomas Sheriman and they reside at Fresno, 
Calif. ; Lucy Ann, widow of Richard Robey, Monroe City, Mo. ; David Henry, 
senior member of the D. H. Mounce Lumber Company, and A. M., the 
subject of this sketch. 

A. M. Mounce was educated in the public schools and when about 16 
years old, in 1864, he entered the dry goods business at Shelbina, Mo., 
and for ten years was thus engaged. He then went to Hannibal, where he 
was engaged in the same business until 1885, when he went to Clarks- 
ville, Mo. and was engaged in business there and later at Louisiana and 
Mexico, Mo. He then went to Bunker Hill, Kans., where he remained 
until 1889, when he came to Moberly and since that time has been identi- 
fied with the D. H. Mounce Lumber Company and for 30 years his inter- 
ests has been with this concern. The D. H. Mounce Lumber Company is 
one of the leaders in lumber and other building supplies in this section of 
the state. The business is located on the corner of Weightman and 
Sturgeon streets. 

A. M. Mounce was married first in 1871 to Miss Mattie Monson of 
Shelbina, Mo., and to this union the following children were born: Edna, 
Washington, D. C, Mrs. Goldena Terrill, Moberly, Mo., Mrs. Margaret 
Lynch, St. Louis, Mo., Alexander M., Jr., a sketch of whom appears in 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 231 

this volume; Stella deceased, and Fay, deceased. The mother of these 
children died in 1914 and Mr. Mounce was united in marriage Sept. 25, 
1919, with Jannie Burton, of Moberly, Mo. and they reside at 600 West 
Carpenter Street, Moberly, Mo. 

Mr. Mounce is a Democrat and has always taken a commendable inter- 
est in political matters and public affairs. While a resident of Bunker 
Hill, Kan., he served as councilman and when he lived in Shelby County 
was a candidate for circuit clerk of that county. 

Major J. Lilly, a prominent member of the Randolph County bar, who 
is engaged in the practice of his profession at Moberly, is a native of 
Randolph County and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of this 
section of the state. He was born in this county March 25, 1872, and is 
the son of James Madison and Margaret (Orr) Lilly. 

James Madison Lilly was a native of Kentucky, born in Oldham 
County, Ky., in 1816. He came to Missouri in 1836 and first settled in 
Marion County, where he remained two years. In 1838 he came to Ran- 
dolph County, which has been the home of the Lilly family to the present 
time. James Madison Lilly followed blacksmithing and also worked as a 
stone mason. He was also engaged in farming for a considerable time. 
He died Aug. 8, 1900. His wife, Margaret (Orr) Lilly, was born in Wash- 
ington County, Va., Jan. 2, 1835, and died Sept. 15, 1903. 

To James Madison and Margaret (Orr) Lilly, were born the following 
children : Charles W., a farmer of Randolph County ; Joseph, who form- 
erly served as superintendent of the public schools of Moberly; Henry L., 
a farmer in Randolph County; Nora, married Omer Hendricks of Monroe 
County, Mo., and Major J., the subject of this sketch. 

Major J. Lilly was reared in Randolph County and received his edu- 
cation in the public schools and the State Normal School at Kirksville, Mo. 
He began his career as teacher in 1890. He served as school commissioner 
of Randolph County for two years, and at the same time was engaged in 
teaching in the Moberly public schools. Later he served as superintendent 
of public schools at Unionville, Mo. In 1898 Mr. Lilly was elected clerk 
of the Circuit Court in Randolph County, and in 1902 he was re-elected to 
that office, serving eight years in all. During that time he studied law 
and was admitted to the bar in 1901. At the expiration of his second term 
of office, he engaged in the practice of law and has successfully devoted 
himself to his profession in this county for the past 20 years, and is re- 
garded as one of the foremost lawyers of this section of the State. 



232 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Mr. Lilly is a Democrat and stands high in the councils of his party. 
He has served two terms as a member of the State Democratic Committee. 
In 1918 he was a candidate in the primary for judge of the Kansas City 
Court of Appeals and was the second in the list of four candidates. 

Mr. Lilly was united in marriage July 17, 1901, to Miss Irma Ragland 
of Monroe County, Mo. She is a daughter of Frank B. and Letitia (Bas- 
sett) Ragland, the former of whom is now deceased. He was identified 
with the agricultural industries of Monroe County for many years. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Lilly have been born two children: Margaret and Frank. 

Mr. Lilly is a member of the Presbyterian church and is a Knights 
Templar Mason and a representative to the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. 
He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and 
Past Exalted Ruler of Moberly Lodge No. 936. 

John N. Hamilton, a prominent member of the Randolph County bar 
and a well known attorney throughout central Missouri, has been a prom- 
inent factor in the affairs of this section for many years and has been 
successful in the many fields of endeavor to which he has given his atten- 
tion. Mr. Hamilton is a native of Randolph County and comes from a 
family of prominent pioneers of this state. He was born on a farm in 
Prairie township, April 22, 1854, and is a son of Dr. Thomas L. and 
Cynthia A. (Christian) Hamilton. 

Dr. Thomas L. Hamilton was born in Williamson County, Tenn., May 
17, 1825 and was a son of Dr. John B. Hamilton and Nancy (Campbell) 
Hamilton, natives of Kentucky who lived near the Tennessee state line, 
near Mammoth Cave. The family moved to Green, Ky. when Thomas L. 
Hamilton was a child. Dr. John B. Hamilton practiced medicine in that 
vicinity for many years and in 1846 came to Prairie township, Randolph 
County, Mo. with his family and later located in Gallatin, Mo. After the 
death of Dr. John B. Hamilton's first wife, he married Caroline Sanders. 
Dr. Thomas L. Hamilton received a good preparatory education and early 
in life began the study of medicine under the direction of his father. He 
took his first course of lectures at the McDowell Medical Institute in the 
winter of 1849-50. In 1850, he began the practice of his profession near 
Renick, Randolph County, and with the exception of about three years, 
spent at Davids and one year in St. Louis County and about a year in 
Huntsville, during the Civil War, he was engaged in the practice in that 
locality until his death in 1894. In addition to his practice he was also 
interested in the mercantile business for a number of years and conducted 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 233 

a drug and dry goods store. He took a prominent part in local affairs of 
his day and served as mayor of Renick and was president of the school 
board there. 

Dr. Thomas L. Hamilton was married Dec. 18, 1850 to Cynthia A. 
Christian, daughter of N. B. and Martha C. Christian and to that union the 
following children were born: Cora, married Rev. J. W. Terrill, president 
of Mt. Pleasant College which was located at Huntsville and they are both 
now deceased; John N., the subject of this sketch; William T., a farmer 
and merchant of ^Randolph County; Carrie E., married E. B. Pennington, of 
Birmingham, Ala. ; James P., president of the Lozier-Rowe Abstract Com- 
pany of Kansas City, Mo. ; Ollie, married Oscar Craig, who is now deceased 
and left one child, Lawrence Craig who is now a student in Drake Uni- 
versity at Des Moines, Iowa, and Ida F., who is now the widow of John 
Davin and resides in Kansas City, Mo. Dr. Hamilton was a Mason and a 
member of the Christian church. 

John N. Hamilton was reared in Randolph County and educated in the 
public schools and Mt. Pleasant College at Huntsville. He then studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in 1875. He began his professional career 
at Renick and in 1885, located at Huntsville which has since been his 
home. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Hamilton has always had a 
large law practice, he is extensively interested in other enterprises. On 
Feb. 1, 1911 he purchased the Huntsville "Herald" which is a $10,000 
corporation known as the Hamilton Publishing Company .The "Herald" 
is an influential newspaper of wide circulation. Mr. Hamilton also organ- 
ized and incorporated the Hamilton Abstract Company. This company 
was incorporated in 1909. He was also one of the promoters and in- 
corporation known as the Hamilton Publishing Company. The "Herald" 
incorporated and is president and manager of the Hamilton estate, a 
$50,000 corporation. He is the owner of considerable real estate and 
interested in other enterprises, including the Hamilton and Company In- 
surance agency. 

Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage Dec. 6, 1897 with Miss Susan 
C. Maupin, of Renick, Mo. She is a daughter of L. D. and Nannie (Moore) 
Maupin, natives of Monroe County, Mo, where the father was a carpenter 
and wagon maker. 

Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat and is prominent in the councils of his 
party. In 1890 he was elected recorder of deeds in Randolph County and 



234 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

in 1894 was reelected to that office and served two terms. He served as 
city attorney of Huntsville for four years. He is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias and the Christian church. 

The Farmers and Merchants Bank, of Moberly, Mo., is one of the sub- 
stantial financial institutions of Randolph County which has had a marked 
development and phenomenal success since its organization in 1913. The 
officers at the organization of this bank were A. Vince, president; R. A. 
Curran, vice-president; J. W. Bundridge, cashier and V. E. Bundridge, as- 
sistant cashier. The first directors were: Abe Vince, R. A. Curran, J. W. 
Bundridge, E. P. Newman, T. J. Jones, J. T. Sheahan, and V. E. Bundridge. 
The bank was organized with a capitol stock of $30,000. 

The present officers of the Farmers and Merchants Bank are: J. W. 
Bundridge, president; R. A. Curran, vice-president; V. E. Bundridge, 
cashier; J. W. Sours, assistant cashier; Abe Vince, chairman of the Board 
of Directors which is composed of the above officials of the bank and T. J. 
Jones, J. T. Sheahan and E. P. Newman. 

The capitol stock has been increased to $75,000 since the organization 
of the bank. The surplus is $25,000 and the deposits are over $700,000. 

The Farmers and Merchants Bank is a conservatively conducted bank- 
ing institution and the officers and directors are all substantial men of 
affairs whose integrity and capabilities are well known to the Moberly and 
Randolph County public. 

J. W. Bundridge, president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of 
Moberly is a well known and successful banker and has been engaged in 
the banking business since early manhood. He is a native of Missouri 
and was born in Macon County, Oct. 30, 1881. He is the son of John C. 
and Delana (Campbell) Bundridge, who now reside at Bucklin, Mo. They 
are the parents of two children, J. W., the subject of this sketch and V. 
E., a sketch of whom appears in this volume. 

J. W. Bundridge was educated in the public schools, and after attend- 
ing the Brookfield High School, he took a course in the State Normal 
School at Kirksville, Mo. and later attended the Chillicothe Business Col- 
lege. 

Mr. Bundridge began his banking career shortly after leaving the 
school at Browning, Mo. In 1905 he organized the bank at New Boston, 
Mo., and in 1910 he organized the Citizens Bank at Bucklin, Mo. In 1913, 
he disposed of his interests in the Citizens Bank and organized the Farm- 
ers and Merchants Bank of Moberly, Mo., to which he has since devoted 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 235 

his attention and which is now one of the successful financial institutions 
of Randolph County. 

Mr. Bundridge was married in May, 1905 to Miss Sylvia D. Burns of 
Green City, Mo. She is a daughter of George S. Burns, who is now de- 
ceased as is also his wife. To Mr. and Mrs. Bundbridge has been born one 
son, Eldon. 

Mr. Bundridge is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and 
the Benevolent and Protective Elks. Mr. Bundridge is essentially a banker 
and has made an unqualified success in his chosen field of endeavor. 

V. E. Bundridge, cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Mob- 
erly was born in Linn County, Mo., July 28, 1890 and is the son of J. C. 
and Delana (Campbell) Bundridge, now residents of Bucklin, Mo. 

V. E. Bundridge received his education in the public schools, including 
a course in the Brogkfield High School. Later he took a course in the 
Chillicothe Business College and was graduated from that institution in 
1908. 

Since leaving school Mr. Bundridge has been engaged in the banking 
business. He was first connected with the Citizens Bank of Bucklin, Mo. 
He was also identified with banks of Browning and Brookfield, Mo. In 
1913 he assisted in the organization of the Farmers and Merchants Bank 
at Moberly and at the organization of this institution he became assistant 
cashier and on Dec. 1, 1919 he became cashier of the bank and has cap- 
ably filled that position to the present time. Although a young man, Mr. 
Bundridge has had an extensive experience in the banking business and is 
well qualified for the responsible position which he holds. 

Mr. Bundridge was married April 8, 1916 to Miss Mary Cecil Ingram, 
of Moberly, Mo. She is a daughter of J. W. and Martha (Enslen) Ingram, 
of Moberly, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Bundridge has been born one daughter, 
Martha Delana. 

Mr. Bundridge is a member of the Moberly Lodge, Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks and is the present treasurer of the Moberly 
Board of Education. 

Jerry M. Jefferies, a well known and successful attorney of Moberly, 
is a native of Missouri and a descendant of one of the early pioneer families 
of this state. He is the son of William M. and Sarah E. (Smallwood) 
Jefferies, the former a native of Lewis County, Mo., which is the same 
county in which Jerry M. Jefferies, the subject of this sketch, was born. 
The mother is a native of Indiana. Jerry Meridith, grandfather of the 



236 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

subject of this sketch, was a native of Faquier County, Va., and a pioneer 
settler of Lewis County, Mo. When he settled in that county, he entered 
government land and spent the remainder of his life there. 

Jerry M. Jefferies received his preliminary education in the public 
schools of Lewis County and the La Grange Baptist College. He then 
entered the St. Louis Law School and was graduated from that institution 
in 1899. In 1900, he engaged in the practice of his profession at Can- 
ton, Mo. and was thus engaged until 1910. He then came to Moberly and 
took up the practice of law here and was successful from the start. Dur- 
ing the ten years that he has been a resident of Randolph County, he has 
built up a large practice, acquired an extensive acquaintance and stands 
high with the members of the legal profession and the citizens of Randolph 
County. Two years after coming to this county, Mr. Jefferies was elected 
prosecuting attorney and at the expiration of his first term was re-elected 
to succeed himself, serving in that important office from 1913 to 1917. 

James Winter Wight, a prominent attorney of Moberly who has been 
successfully engaged in the practice of law for the past 26 years is recog- 
nized as one of the able lawyers of central Missouri. He is and has been 
identified with the interests of Randolph County in many ways and bears 
the distinction of having served as prosecuting attorney of Randolph 
County longer than any other man that ever held that office. 

Mr. Wight is a native son of Randolph County and is a member of 
one of its old and distinguished pioneer families, members of which played 
a conspicuous part in the early settlement and development of Missouri 
which is more fully set forth in the biographical sketch of James Frances 
Ratcliff Wight, grandfather of James Winter Wight which will be found 
elsewhere in this volume. James Winter Wight was born at Wightland in 
Randolph County, July 1, 1869. He is the only son born to James William 
and Aurelia T. (Fullinwider) Wight, now residents of the city of Moberly 
and of whom more extensive mention is made in this volume. 

James W. Wight was reared in Randolph County and received a good 
preliminary education in the public schools of this county. He then 
entered Central College at Fayette, Mo., where he took a course, after 
which he attended Washington University in St. Louis and then attended 
the University of Missouri at Columbia where he was graduated from the 
law department. While a student at the latter institution he was awarded 
the Stephens medal for oratory. After completing his law course he was 
admitted to practice at Moberly and since that time has been actively 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 237 

engaged in the practice and numbers among his clients some of the leading 
men of affairs and business institutions of this county. He is a close 
student of the law and a capable trial lawyer. 

Mr. Wight is a Democrat and has ever taken a keen interest and 
active part in matters pertaining to politics of a local, state and national 
character. He first served as prosecuting attorney of Randolph County 
by appointment from Gov. Joseph Folk to fill out the unexpired term of 
the late Harry LaMotte. After serving that term he was elected to that 
office for two terms in succession. He was again elected to the office of 
prosecuting attorney in 1916, serving one term and thus he has served 
nearly four full terms in the office of prosecuting attorney which is the 
record for long service in that office in Randolph County. He made a good 
record for all the years that he was prosecuting attorney and he was 
always fair, as well as fearless, in the matter of law enforcement. While 
Mr. Wight has had a busy professional career he has also been interested 
in other fields of endeavor and among other things he has been interested 
in the management of the old homestead of the Wight family in Randolph 
County, known as Wightland. This is a splendid estate consisting of 500 
acres of valuable land. 

Mr. Wight was united in marriage Dec. 1, 1892 with Miss Elma Smith, 
of Palmyra, Mo., a daughter of John A. and Ellen (Gardner) Smith. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Wight have been born three children: Florence Loraine, 
married Paul Stephenson of Moberly, Mo. ; James Augustine, who is now a 
student in Central College at Fayette, Mo. and Francis Mildred, resides at 
home with her parents in Moberly. 

During the World War, Mr. Wight served in the capacity of Govern- 
ment Appeal Agent. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks, and he and Mrs. Wight are members of the Methodist 
Church, South. 

James William Wight, a prominent citizen of Randolph County, now 
living retired at Moberly, is a native of this county and is the only son 
born to James Francis Ratcliff Wight and Frances and Burton Wight. A 
sketch of James Francis Ratcliff Wight appears in this volume. James 
William Wight was born in Randolph County, June 13, 1842, and has spent 
practically all his life in his native county. He was given more than 
ordinary educational advantages. He attended Mount Pleasant College in 
Randolph County, graduating with the highest honors of the class and 
being chosen by the president of the school from among the entire list to 



238 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

deliver the valedictory address. Subsequently he was again chosen to de- 
liver an address about two years later, at which time he was awarded 
the degree of Master of Arts. Mr. Wight's career as an active business 
man was largely devoted to the beautiful old country estate of Wightland 
in Randolph County. 

An influential Democrat, he was elected and served for eight years as 
clerk of the Randolph County Court. Mr. Wight is one of the prominent 
laymen of the Southern Methodist Church of the county, having served as 
recording steward, church treasurer, steward, district steward, Sunday 
school, superintendent, member of the board of trustees of church prop- 
erty, chairman of said board of the church in Moberly. He holds the office 
of chairman of the board of trustees at the present time. His only fra- 
ternal or social relation is with the Order of Good Templars. 

On May 12, 1868, Mr. Wight was married in Shelby County, Kentucky 
to Aurelia Tevis Fullinwider. She was educated at Science Hall, Shelby- 
ville, Ky. Her parents were Henry Winter and Jane Amanda (Shipman) 
Fullinwider. Her grandfather Jacob Fullinwider was born at Hagerstown, 
Md., in 1767, moved with his father to Kentucky in 1783 and on the fron- 
tier of Kentucky became noted as one of the great Indian fighters. Later 
he served in the last campaign of "Mad" Anthony Wayne against the 
Indians of the Northwest. Rev. Peter Fullinwider, father of Jacob and 
great grandfather of Mrs. Wight, settled at Hagerstown, Md., in 1852. 
He was a Reformed Presbyterian minister, and one of the great desires 
of his life was to preach the gospel to the Indians. It was on this mission 
that he sought the bordering countries in the same year that peace was 
declared between Great Britian and the colonies and only a short time 
after George Rogers Clarke and his Virginia soldiers had conquered the 
Ohio valley and made a permanent part of the colonial possessions. Rev. 
Peter Fullinwider was a great power for good during his generation, and 
one of the most noted of the early ministers of the gospel in the west. 
He died in Shelby County in 1799 and was buried under the house, safe 
from Indian scalp-hunters. 

The old bible which is now in possession of one of the great grand- 
daughters was brought from Switzerland in 1752, and was carried by him 
in all his wanderings, wrapped in a buckskin, taking part in many pic- 
turesque incidents in his remarkable career. To him it was the cherished 
treasure of his heart. Although it weighed 30 pounds, it was carried on 
horseback all over the country and from its pages the little congregations, 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 239 

of Wights, Rice's and many of the other forts were taught the gospel. 
Many were the Indians that listened to his translation from this book, for 
he tried to study their language as far as possible. In old age it was for 
years his custom to sit at the table and read from this cherished volume, 
and daily he could be seen, his silvery locks falling over his shoulders, 
stooping over the book, enjoying its promises and enraptured with its 
beauties. One morning when his little grandsons were tiny boys playing 
about the room with their little sisters and cousins, the venerable grand- 
father was found to be dead with his face in the old Bible. "God hath 
taken him thus," it was said. 

There are two children of Mr. Wight and wife: James Winter Wight, 
further mention of whom is made in this volume and Frances Amanda 
Wight who was born at Wightland, Randolph County, Oct. 7, 1876. She 
received her education at Central Female College at Lexington and was 
married to John B. Jennings, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. 

Roy W. Edwards, a well known jeweler of Moberly, and a veteran of 
the World War, is a native of Nebraska. He was bom at Dubois, Neb., 
March 12, 1891, and is the son of William Henry and Julia (Downs) 
"Edwards. William Henry Edwards was a native of Newcastle, Pa. He 
went to Nebraska when he was 21 years of age, where he worked at his 
trade, which was that of a jeweler and watchmaker and spent the re- 
mainder of his life there. He died Dec. 19, 1911, and his remains was 
buried at Dubois, Neb. His wife was a native of Connecticut and they 
were married in Nebraska. She died in 1890 and is also buried at Dubois. 

Roy W. Edwards is one of the following children born to his parents ; 
Andrew W., who served in the United States navy in the Atlantic fleet, 
enlisting in 1917, and served until the close of the war, now residing at 
Lincoln, Neb.; Chole, married Robert Whithorne, and died at Vallejo, 
Cal. ; and Roy W., whose name introduces this sketch. 

Mr. Edwards was educated in the public schools of Alva, Okla. and 
the Northwestern Normal School. He learned the trade of jeweler at 
the Bradley Polytechnic at Peoria, 111., and since 1910, he has worked 
at that trade with the exception of the period spent in the United States 
Army during the World War. He enlisted at Moberly, March 17, 1918, 
in the 56th Engineers, and was sent to Washington Barracks, Washing- 
ton, D. C. for training. His unit sailed for France, July 8, 1918, and on 
July 22, 1918, he landed at Brest, France. After five weeks training, 
near Paris, they were sent to the front and spent 20 days on the front 



240 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

line. Mr. Edwards was in searchlight work and was stationed near the 
Meuse at the time the armistice was signed. He remained in France 
until March 14, 1919, when he returned to America and received his 
honorable discharge at Camp Taylor, Ky., March 27, 1919, and is now 
connected with the Burklund Jewelery Store at Moberly. 

Mr. Edwards was married July 22, 1914 to Miss Estell J. Graff, of 
Ashland, 111. She is a daughter of Frank Graff, of Ashland. 

Mr. Edwards was a charter member of Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6, 
American Legion and was the first treasurer of the local organization 
and the second commander of the Post, which position he holds at the 
present time. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Michigan 
City, Ind. and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Moberly. He is 
a progressive young man and has a wide acquaintance and many friends 
in Moberly and Randolph County. 

John H. Nebergall, one of the oldest and most popular conductors 
on the Wabash Railroad and the president of the Moberly Steam Laundry 
Company, was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 24, 1854, the son of James 
and Mary (Parker) Nebergall. They were the parents of four boys: 
James, deceased; John, the subject of this review; Adam, of Carroll 
County, Mo. ; and George Franklin of St. Louis. The father was descended 
from a long line of Pennsylvania ancestors. He was a farmer there, later 
he went to Ohio and then to Illinois, where he became prosperous as a 
farmer. Soon after the close of the Civil War he came to Missouri, locat- 
ing on a farm in Carroll County, Dec. 25, 1867. He became one of the 
recognized agriculturists of central Missouri and lived there until he re- 
tired, when he moved to Chillicothe, and died in 1886 at the age of 74 
years. Mrs. Nebergall was born near Indianapolis, Ind., and died 1868, 
aged 55 years. 

John H. Nebergall was reared on a farm and attended the district 
school. When only 18 years old, Mr. Nebergall secured a position with the 
construction company which was building one of the new lines of railroad 
through this section. He was willing to do anything to make a start and 
for a short time carried water and did anything he was called upon to do. 
With headquarters in Moberly, he early became acquainted with this city 
which since has been the scene of his financial successes. In 1873, Mr. 
Nebergall became a brakeman on the Wabash Railroad. In 1875 he was 
promoted to freight conductor and in 1884 he was promoted to passenger 
conductor and today holds one of the important passenger runs on the 




JOHN H. NRBERCiAU 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 241 

Wabash system from Moberly to Des Moines. Not confining all his 
energies to one vocation, Mr. Nebergall studied the financial situation and 
in 1890 invested in a laundry business in Moberly in association with R. J. 
Gee. This partnership was dissolved in August, 1918 and Mr. Nebergall 
in association with R. J. Gee incorporated the laundry with a capital stock 
of $40,000. The business ran the first week about $55. Under their able 
management this has been increased until it is a slack season when the 
books do not show a turn over of more than $1,000 for each week of the 
year. Today the Moberly Steam Laundry has one of the largest plants in 
central Missouri. An up-to-date dry cleaning department is one of the 
features of the business and gives excellent service. 

Mr. Nebergall operates one of the finest cattle, horse and stock 
ranches in Wallace County, Kan., which is incorporated with paid up capital 
of $50,000. In addition to this place, Mr. Nebergall owns two sections of 
valuable wheat and grazing land in Edwards County, Kan., where he raises 
grain and carries on extensive dairying operations. He is also a stock- 
holder in the Durbin Malleable Foundry Company, of St. Louis, which is 
capitalized at $500,000 and being a patriotic citizen Mr. Nebergall has not 
neglected the home industries as he is a stockholder in the Moberly Trust 
Company. He is regarded as one of the substantial financiers of central 
Missouri. 

On Dec. 7, 1876, Mr. Nebergall was married to Miss Nellie Shumate, 
Jackson County, Ohio, and to them four children have been born: Charles 
C, in partnership with his father in the Gates Half Sole Tires and a bat- 
tery service station, Moberly; Jeanette, married W. G. Price, of Des 
Moines; Bessie, who married J. W. Faessler, of Moberly, and Lewis L., a 
bookkeeper in Omaha. 

Mr. Nebergall belongs to the Masonic Lodge and the Order of Railroad 
Conductors. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church, and he 
is a Republican. 

James Francis Ratcliff Wight. — Among the notable Randolph County 
families none has been more conspicuous for three generations in this 
county since 1840 than the Wight family. 

James Francis Ratcliff Wight, the founder of the Wight family in 
Randolph County was born in Frankfort, Ky., May 26, 1819 and died 
Oct. 26, 1905. He was a son of James and Sarah (Ratcliff) Wight. 
James Wight was the founder of the Wight family in America. He was 
born at Ormiston, near Edinburgh, Scotland, Feb. 24, 1789. In 1794 he 



242 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

came to America with his parents, James and Jane (McConachee) Wight 
and settled near Richmond, Va. He subsequently removed to Fleming 
County, Ky., and then to Frankfort, in the same state, where he was 
married Nov. 15, 1815, to Sarah Ratcliff and to them were born eight 
children. While residing in Frankfort, James Wight was a cabinet work- 
man and contractor and built the statehouse or capital. In 1836 he took 
his family to Shelby County, Ky., and ever after lived as a farmer until 
his death at the home of one of his daughters at Normal, 111., April 22, 
1871. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His early education was 
obtained in the common school of the country districts. He was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church South and took much interest in church 
affairs, giving liberally of his means to the support of the church and 
benevolences. 

Sarah (Ratcliff) Wight, wife of James Wight, was born in Richmond, 
Va., May 10, 1790. She was the daughter of Francis Ratcliff. who was 
born in Chesterfield County, Va., in 1755, and the maiden name :>f her 
mother was Rebecca Bridges who was born in 1758. Frances Ratcliff 
was a corporal in Capt. William Pierce's company in the First Artillery 
Regiment of Continental troops, commanded by Col. Charles Harrison 
during the Revolutionary War. This regiment was assigned to the state 
of Virginia. The records of the land office at Richmond, Va., show that' 
Francis Ratcliff was allowed the portion of land allotted the corporal of 
the Continental line for three years service. Sarah Ratcliff received her 
education in the common schools and was also a member of the Methodist 
Church, South. 

James Francis Ratcliff Wight married Anna Burton in Oldham 
County, Ky., June 6, 1839. She died Sept. 3, 1843, leaving one child, 
James William Wight who now resides in Moberly and a sketch of whom 
appears in this volume. The second marriage of James Francis Ratcliff 
Wight was to Harriet Amanda Head, Dec. 8, 1846. No children were 
born to this marriage. Mr. Wight was a farmer and stock raiser taking 
much interest in fine horses and cattle and he was a promoter of agri- 
cultural fairs. He owned about 1,000 acres of land in Randolph County 
upon which he resided for more than 60 years and to which he had moved 
from Shelby County, Ky., in the fall of 1840. He was a Methodist and 
in politics a Whig, and as a member of that party he was elected to the 
state legislature from Randolph County, which was then about equally 
divided between Whigs and Democrats, in 1854. After the dissolution 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 243 

of the Whig party, he allied himself with the Democrats and again repre- 
sented Randolph County in the legislature in 1876, defeating after a 
spirited contest one of the most popular men of the county. During the 
Civil War he was a strong Southern sympathizer, and while he did not 
enlist as a soldier he rendered the cause much help by his counsel and 
means. During that great conflict he had many interesting experiences 
which tested the true metal of the man. While he was steadfast and 
loyal to the cause in which he believed and the principles for which he 
stood he was also fair and generous to its enemies. It has been well said 
of him: "The late Mr. Wight was a man of strict integrity, a close 
observer of men and affairs, a good judge of human nature, wise in 
council, and his advice was often sought in matters financial and judicial. 
He was very charitable, having reared six orphan children." 

Frances Ann (Burton) Wight, wife of James Frances RatclifT Wight, 
was born in Oldham County, Ky., Jan. 21, 1820 and was the daughter of 
William and Ann Burton. She came with her widowed mother and hus- 
band to Randolph County, in 1840. They made the trip in wagons, the 
party consisting of eight white people and 30 negro slaves. In coming 
through Illinois, a negro girl was kidnapped by Abolitionists which de- 
tained them several days. The mother of the kidnapped girl was frantic 
with grief because of the kidnapping and wild with joy at the rescue. 

Forrest Martin, secretary and treasurer of the Little Dick Clothing 
Company of Moberly, is a native son of Randolph County and a descendant 
of one of the very early pioneer families of this county. He was born in 
Prairie township May 8, 1877 and is the son of Bailey Martin and Martha 
Ellen (Davis) Martin. Bailey Martin was born in Prairie township, 
Randolph County, Aug. 8, 1827. He was reared to manhood in this 
county and followed farming and stock raising here all his life, and had a 
successful career. He died Dec. 24, 1908 and his remains are buried in 
the Davis Cemetery. He was the son of Henry Martin, a native of Ken- 
tucky who was a pioneer settler of Prairie township, when that town- 
ship included what is now Sugar Creek, Silver Creek and Salt Spring 
township. When he came here he entered government land, taking up 
about a section and this property is now owned by the Bailey Martin 
heirs. Henry Martin spent his entire life in Randolph County, after 
coming here and died about the age of 84 years. He was prominent in 
the early day affairs of this county and served as justice of the peace 
of Prairie township for a number of years. 



244 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Bailey Martin was united in marriage in Prairie township, Feb. 18, 
1852 with Miss Martha Ellen Davis. She was a daughter of Joseph and 
Permelia (Kirkpatrick) Davis who were also very early pioneer settlers 
in Prairie township. They were Kentuckians and drove through from 
that state to Randolph County on horseback. They both spent their lives 
in this county and their remains are buried in Davis Cemetery. Mrs. 
Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin is now 82 years of age and resides on the 
home place in Prairie township. 

To Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin were born 13 children, 
all of whom are living as follow: Mollie, married Lee Shirley, now de- 
ceased and she resides in Colorado; Ida, married T. S. Hines who is now 
deceased and she resides in Texas; Ella, widow of the late T. T. Patton, 
Moberly; Laura, married Noah Burkhead and lives in Prairie township; 
Prof. W. H. Kansas City, Mo.; J. R., president of the Little Dick Cloth- 
ing Company, Moberly; Hannah, married J. J. Christian, Moberly; Mattie, 
resides at home with her mother; J. D., with the Little Dick Clothing 
Company; Luther, agent for the Wabash Railroad Company at DeWitt, 
Mo. ; Florence resides at home with her mother ; Omar, manager of the 
Wolff-Berger Company, Moberly and Forrest, the subject of Jiis sketch. 

Forrest Martin was reared on the home farm and received his edu- 
cation in the public schools. He began his career as a clerk in Moberly 
and in 1907 he was elected county clerk of Randolph County and served 
in that capacity in a capable and efficient manner until 1911 when he 
bought a half interest in the Little Dick Clothing Company which nad 
been established by his brother J. R., in 1897 and since that time he nas 
devoted himself to this business. 

Mr. Martin was married July 1, 1900 to Miss Sallie G. Perkins, of 
Moberly, Mo., the marriage ceremony being performed at the home of 
the bride's grandmother, Mrs. Sallie Peeler at Rocheport, Mo. Mrs. Mar- 
tin is a daughter of Rev. G. A. Perkins, a minister of the Christian denom- 
ination. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin have been born two children: Martha 
Maurine a student in Linwood College, and Doris Margaret, at home with 
her parents. 

Mr. Martin is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose and Modern Woodmen of America. He 
is a substantial citizen and one of Moberly's most progressive business 
men. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 245 

Phares K. Weis, who is successfully engaged in the general insurance 
business at Moberly, is one of the progressive and enterprising younger 
business men of this city. He is a native of Kentucky, born at Louisa, 
Lawrence County, Ky., Jan. 7, 1885. He is the son of Dr. Francis W. 
and Josephine (Evans) Weis. The father was born in Maysville, Ky., 
in 1852, and the mother is a native of Missouri, born at Armstrong, 
Howard County in 1861. His parents were among the early settlers of 
that section of the state. 

Phares K. Weis and his brothers LeRoy D. who now resides at Chi- 
cago, 111. and Rolla L. who died in infancy, were the only children born 
to their parents. Phares K. Weis was educated in the public schools of 
Kentucky, West Virginia and Moberly. In early life he began the 
printer's trade on the Ashland Daily News, Ashland, Ky. Later he 
worked on the Armstrong Herald, Armstrong, Mo., and in 1896 he came to 
Moberly, and was employed on the Weekly Headlight for two years. He 
then entered the employ of the Moberly Democrat and remained with that 
paper for eight years and at the time of his resignation he was city 
editor. He then worked on the Monitor for four years. He was a 
charter member of the Moberly Printer's Union when he was sixteen 
years old. 

Mr. Weis began writing insurance in 1911 and since that time has 
gradually added some of the best companies to his agency, until he now 
represents a number of the best insurance companies of the country. 
He represents practically every branch of insurance underwriting and 
has built up an extensive business. His offices are located in the Moberly 
Trust Building. 

Mr. Weis was married in 1912 to Miss Harriet Turley of Moberly,, 
Mo. She is a daughter of Thomas and Marie Turley. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Weis have been born two children: Mary Loraine and Phares K., Jr. 

Mr. Weis takes an active part in all matters pertaining to the better- 
ment and upbuilding of the community and for a time during the year 
of 1919, he was acting secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, an organ- 
ization in which he has taken a keen interest. 

I. B. Forney, proprietor of the I. B. Forney Ladies Ready to Wear 
Clothing Store is one of the successful merchants of Moberly and con- 
ducts one of the leading establishments of this section, dealing exclu- 
sively in ladies' ready to wear garments. Mr. Forney has been engaged 
in the mercantile business in Moberly for over 40 years, and during that 



246 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

time has built up a reputation which extends over a large scope of terri- 
tory and the name, Forney, means the last word in style and quality. 

I. B. Forney was born at West Liberty, Ohio County, Va., March 14, 
1861. He is a son of D. S. Forney and Henrietta (Beatty) Forney. The 
mother was born in Cambridge, Ohio, in 1836 and died in Moberly, Mo., 
in 1872. D. S. Forney was a native of Virginia, born in 1834. He came 
to Moberly in 1867; prior to that time he was a wool buyer in this section. 
Here he engaged in the dry goods business which he conducted for a 
number of years. He was one of the successful pioneer merchants of 
Moberly and at the time of his death in 1912, he was the oldest merchant 
in this city. He lived to the age of 78 years and his remains rest by the 
side of his wife in Oakland Cemetery. 

D. S. Forney was a son of Dr. D. S. Forney, Sr., who was born in 
Reistertown, Maryland, and died in Burlington, la. He was a highly 
educated man and a graduate of Yale, having received his degree when 
he was 21 years of age. He practiced medicine for 70 years. His first 
wife bore the maiden name of Buchanan and she was a niece of President 
James Buchanan. Their marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. 
Alexander Campbell, founder of the Christian church. 

D. S. Forney, father of I. B. Forney, was not only a successful 
merchant, but took an active part in the civic affairs of Moberly. He 
served three terms as mayor of this city and during that period much 
public improvement was made, including a sewer system and water 
works, as well as other improvements. 

I. B. Forney is one of the following children born to his parents: 
May Miller, deceased; I. B., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Etta Ditty, 
deceased; and Frank B. a merchant of Moberly. 

I. B. Forney was educated in the public schools of Moberly and was 
brought up in the mercantile business. He engaged in the dry goods 
business for himself at Moberly in 1894, at his present location. Here 
he continued in the general drygoods business until about 1913, when 
he began to specialize in ladies' ready to wear clothing and abandoned the 
general drygoods business and has buit up an extensive business in this 
particular line. He is a discriminating buyer and makes regular trips 
to the eastern markets and manufacturers to purchase his stock and study 
the styles and the I. B. Forney store can always be depended upon to 
stand in the forefront in style as well as quality. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 247 

The store is located at 400 Reed Street and is equipped with the most 
modern fixtures. Mr. Forney is the owner of the building, the first floor 
of which is occupied by his business and the upper floors is rented for 
office purposes. 

Mr. Forney was united in marriage Jan. 1, 1895 with Miss Ida Trede- 
man of St. Louis, Mo., and two daughters have been born to this union: 
Henrietta and Irene, both graduates of the Moberly High School. 

Mr. Forney is a progressive business man and stands high in the 
community. 

Dr. Thomas S. Fleming, a well known and successful physician of 
Moberly, is a native of Randolph County. He was born at Elliott, May 30, 
1887, and is a son of Jacob C. and Nettie (McClure) Fleming, further 
mention of whom is made in this volume. 

Dr. Fleming received his preliminary education in the public schools 
of Moberly, and was graduated from the Moberly High School in the class 
of 1907. He then entered Missouri University at Columbia, Mo., where 
he was graduated in 1911 ; he then attended St. Louis Medical University, 
and was graduated with a degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1913. After 
serving two years as an intern in the city hospital at St. Louis, Mo., he 
began the practice of his profession at Moberly, Jan. 1, 1915. Here he 
w r as successfully engaged in the practice of his profession until the United 
States entered the World War, when on June 2, 1917, he applied for a 
commission in the medical corps of the United States army, and was com- 
missioned as first lieutenant, and sent to Fort Riley, Kan., where he was- 
stationed until Jan. 1, 1918. He was then attached to the 65th Coast Ar- 
tillery at San Francisco, Calif. In March, 1918, he set sail from San 
Francisco with his unit for France, by way of the Panama Canal, and 
arrived there with the 65th Coast Artillery, April 8, 1918. From that time 
on he was with his command at the front, until the armistice was signed. 
He returned to the United States in Jan., 1919,- and shortly afterwards 
resumed the practice of his profession at Moberly, where he has an exten- 
sive and well established practice. 

Dr. Fleming was united in marriage Oct. 3, 1917, with Eilleen Trenble, 
daughter of M. J. and Alma (Valendegham) Trenble, of Plattsburg, Mo. 
To Dr. and Mrs. Fleming have been born one daughter, Shirley, who 
was born June 27, 1919. 

Dr. Fleming is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 
and holds membership in the County, State and American Medical Asso- 
ciation. 



248 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

James Sandison, a pioneer of Moberly who for many years was en- 
gaged in contracting, is now living retired at his comfortable and pleasant 
home at 902 West Gilman street, Moberly, Mo. Mr. Sandison was born at 
New Mills of Keith, Scotland, Dec. 29, 1843. He is a son of William and 
Jean (Dasson) Sandison, both natives of Scotland, the former being born 
near the New Mills of Keith and the latter on the River Donn. The father 
was a stone mason. The mother came to America when she was 52 years 
of age and settled near Huntsville, Mo. She spent the remainder of her 
life in Randolph County and died at the age of 92 years and her remains 
are buried at Huntsville. 

The following children were born to William and Jean (Dasson) 
Sandison : William, died at Huntsville, Mo. ; Mrs. Annie Simpson, Hunts- 
ville, Mo.; James, the subject of this sketch; Arthur, deceased; Charles, 
deceased; Mrs. Mary Murray, Paducah, Ky. ; Christena Bohn, Huntsville; 
Jean, deceased; and two of the family, Jack and Helen, remained in Scot- 
land. 

Since coming to Randolph County, James Sandison has seen this sec- 
tion of the country developed almost from the beginning. When he came 
to Randolph County there were only three houses on the present site of 
the city of Moberly. Since early manhood, Mr. Sandison has been engaged 
in construction work and similar industrial enterprises and was a success- 
ful contractor during his active career. He began constructing railroad 
bridges for the Hannibal, Moberly and Central Railroad Company which 
is now the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad. His last contract work 
was for the Wabash Railroad Company at St. Louis where he did some 
bridge work, built a roundhouse and constructed additional trackage to 
accommodate the World's Fair traffic. For several years Mr. Sandison 
was also engaged in the manufacture of brick at Moberly and did an ex- 
tensive business in this line and at the same time carried on his general 
contracting business. He frequently employed as many as 80 or 90 men 
and kept his plant in operation continually. He was an extensive employer 
of labor and never had any trouble with his employees. He sold his brick 
plant in 1906 to the Metropolitan Paving and Brick Company of Canton, 
Ohio, and that company still operates it. Mr. Sandison then retired. 

In 1872, Mr. Sandison returned to Scotland and was married to Miss 
Mary Morrison and brought his bride to Moberly. Mrs. Sandison's mother, 
Margaret Morrison, now resides with Mr. and Mrs. Sandison. She came 
to Moberly in 1881. She was born in Scotland Dec. 24, 1827 and although 



HISTOBY 01 RANDOLPH ( 01 Ml Y 249 

►3rd year as keen and active on many 

. | • ts up ' mornii iix o'clock and durinj 

World War she di of knitting for the Red Croi i . She I 

. tiad th in the World War. Th< 

John, Herbert and & . all of whom • J the 

from Arizona. 

To Mr. and Ml bom the foil' children: 

Jam< George, William, • nd Arthur. 

Mr. Sandison ha raveler during th< 

and has made 13 trips aero.-.-; the Atlantic Ocean. He iva in 
land v. hen the World War broke out. H< >UT times on 

ill fated Lusitania and mad< eturn trip on the Aquitai 

For the last few years he and Mi a trip nortl im- 

mer, includ. nada and Ala.-ka. He if a Randolph County citizen oi 

real worth and eld in the higl m. 

Jack .M. Sandison, a member of Hie firm oi Robuck-Sandison Whole- 

of Moberly, ell known and pr< 

Man of this city. H< on of Randolph County am 

bom in Moberly July 30, L879. He is the son of Ja id Mai Mor- 

rison) Sandison, a sk( map:- tl volun* 

Jack M. Sand rublic schools of Moberly and 

the Ohi' rity at Columb Ohio. Aft ooi 

he learned the the art of clay v He tl 

nth hi.-; father in the manufa of brick at Moberly for 

a number of year.-. Jn 1915 hi engaged in tl 

in partne ir. Rob ■ that time 

fully in that bun.: 

M a Republican and tal part in politu 

affair- ; he has ate for state 1 and 

count ,r. He is a Kr..:- I Templar 

William Sandison, of the firm of Robn 
of Mobe. born at Huntsville, Mo., Dec. $, 1874 lie is tin 

Jar andison, a b of 

- educated in the public schools of Moberly, including a i 
in the Moberly Higrh -'• Later he took a ne - eg< 

and for 17 yearn he was manager and su] of th< Pav- 

g Brick r - mpany. He continued with that company foi 



250 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

after the local plant was purchased and operated by the Metropolitan Pav- 
ing Brick Company. He resigned his position with that company in 1916 
and in February, 1917, he became associated with the Robuck-Sandison 
Company. 

Mr. Sandison was married to Miss Olive Chamblin of Paducah, Ky. 
She is a daughter of C. H. Chamblin who now resides at Carthage, Mo. 
and whose wife is deceased. She bore the maiden name of Byers. To 
Mr. and Mrs Sandison have been born three children as follow : James C, 
at Harvard University ; Allie Janette and Gordon. 

Mr. Sandison is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons 
and is a Knights Templar. 

Jacob C. Fleming, president of the Moberly Foundry and Machine 
Company, is one of the substantial business men of Moberly, and is at 
the head of one of the important industrial enterprises of this city. He 
was born at Kewanee, 111., April 27, 1860, and is a son of Thomas and 
Janet (Simpson) Fleming, the former a native of England and the latter 
of Scotland. They were the parents of the following children: Jennie, 
now the widow of R. S. Crammer, and resides at Nevada, Mo. ; Mary, mar- 
ried Thomas W. Vandivier, Nevada, Mo.; Jacob C, the subject of this 
sketch; Ira M., Kansas City, Mo.; Cora I., widow of E. K. Atkinson, 
Nevada, Mo.; Emma L., married A. L. Davis, Joplin, Mo.; Elizabeth A., 
married David Cravens, Lincoln, Neb. 

Thomas Fleming came to America about 1854, and first settled at 
McKeesport, Pa., where he was engaged in coal mining. About 1858 he 
went to Kewanee, 111., where he was living when the Civil War broke out. 
He enlisted in 1862 in the Union Army and served until the 1 close of the 
war. He took part in a number of important engagements and was with 
Sherman on his march to the sea and participated in the Grand Review 
at Washington at the close of the war. After receiving his honorable 
discharge from the army, he returned to Kewanee, where he operated 
coal mines for a few years and in 1872 went to Fort Dodge, la. He was 
engaged as superintendent of mines there for a time and in 1876 he went 
to Chetopa, Kan. Here he continued his interest in the coal mining busi- 
ness and had charge of coal mines in Missouri, Kansas and Indian Terri- 
tory for the Osage Coal and Mining Company. About 1879, he removed 
to Clinton, Mo. continuing with the same company and later went to 
Nevada, Mo., where he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1895 
and his wife departed this life in 1916 and their remains are buried at 
Nevada, Mo. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 251 

Jacob C. Fleming was educated in the public schools of Illinois, Iowa 
and Kansas, and when he was 17 years of age, began life as a telegraph 
operator in the employ of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway Com- 
pany. In 1884, he took charge of the Osage Coal and Mining Company's 
store at Elliott, Randolph County, Mo. and later had charge of the opera- 
tion of their coal mine there. In 1890, his father bought the coal mine 
property there and Jacob C. had charge of the operation until 1905, when 
practically all of the coal mines of Randolph County, were absorbed by 
the Randolph-Macon Coal Company. 

In 1906, Mr. Fleming came to Moberly when he and the other heirs 
of the Thomas Fleming estate organized the Moberly Foundry and Ma- 
chine Company. This company continued to do business as a partner- 
ship until 1915, when it was incorporated with a capital stock of $21,000. 
In 1917, the Thomas Fleming estate was settled and Jacob C. Fleming 
continued the business. This company has been successfully operated 
from the start and does an extensive business, their principal product 
being railway castings and their entire product, practically, is bought by 
the Wabash Railway Company. They do a general machine shop business 
in addition to manufacturing heavy castings; they also manufacture coal 
mine equipment and machinery, and employe about 18 men. The shop 
is located at the corner of East Reed and Moulton streets. 

Jacob C. Fleming was married in 1886 to Miss Nettie McClure of 
Clinton, Mo. She is a daughter of William J. and Narcissa (Fike) Mc- 
Clure, the former of whom is deceased, and Mrs. McClure makes her home 
with her daughter, Mrs. Fleming. To Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have been 
born the following children: Dr. Thomas S., Moberly, a sketch of whom 
appears in this volume; Jacob William, who is associated with his father; 
Janet Elliott Fleming, in the employ of the Government at Washington, 
D. C. 

Mr. Fleming is a member of the Knights Templar Commandery of 
Moberly. He has an extensive acquaintance in Moberly and Randolph 
County and is one of the enterprising and substantial citizens of this 
section. 

E. Bell Mahan, of the well known firm of Mahan and Son, funeral 
directors of Moberly, Mo., is a native of this state and belongs to one of 
the early pioneer families. He was born in Audrain County, about 15 
miles southeast of Moberly, March 23, 1864, and is a son of John T. and 
Elizabeth (Owings) Mahan. John T. Mahan was born in Boone County, 



252 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Mo., Feb. 2, 1828 and died near Paris, Mo., Aug. 8, 1914, and his remains 
are buried at Moberly. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served 
in the Union Army. His wife was a native of Kentucky and preceded 
her husband in death several years. They were the parents of the fol- 
lowing children: Mrs. Levina Crosswhite Monroe County, Mo.; B. D., 
a contractor, Annaconda, Mont.; James A., died at Ft. Worth, Texas, 
about 1914, at the age of 58. years; Walter, Anaconda, Mont.; Charles F., 
a farmer near Paris, Mo.; E. Bell, the subject of this sketch; Samuel L., 
Anaconda, Mont.; Mrs. Emma Hobson, Kansas City, Mo.; Florence, died 
in infancy; Cyrus, died in 1890, age 16 years. 

E. Bell Mahan was educated in the public schools and engaged in 
business at his present location in Moberly, Sept. 16, 1892. This firm was 
also engaged in furniture business until Sept. 1, 1918 and since that time 
they have been devoted exclusively to the undertaking business and are 
recognized as one of the leading firms of funeral directors in this section 
of the state. The firm was originally, Van Cleave, Martin and Mahan 
and on Jan. 1, 1910, Mr. Vancleave sold his interest to the other partners 
and since April 1, 1920, the business has been conducted by Mr. Mahan 
and Son at 211 North Clark street. 

Mr. Mahan was married March 18, 1890, to Miss Francis King, a 
daughter of Francis and Mary (Bunger) King, both natives of Kentucky 
and now deceased. The father was killed shortly after the close of the 
Civil War and the mother died in 1895 and their remains are buried 
in Meade, Kentucky. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Mahan have been born the following children : 
Verna, married H. H. Stampes, Moberly, Missouri; Albert, a sketch of 
whom follows this article; Eugenia, resides at home with her parents, 
at 527 Logan Terrace. 

Mr. Mahan is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks; Knights of Pythias; National Union; Knights and Ladies of Se- 
curity and the Mystic Workers of the World. Mr. Mahan is progressive 
and public spirited and takes a commendable interest in public affairs; he 
has served as a member of the Moberly City Council. 

Albert K. Mahan of Moberly, who is associated with his father, was 
born in Moberly, July 11, 1894, and was reared and educated in the public 
school of this city and graduated from the Moberly high school in the 
class of 1913. After leaving school he was employed by the firm of Mar- 
tin and Mahan until after the United States entered the World War. On 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 253 

May 25, 1918, he enlisted in the United States army and was sent to 
Camp Dodge, Iowa. Later he was transferred to Camp Upton, New York, 
and in Aug., 1918, he embarked for overseas, a member of Company M, 
349th United States Infantry, and first landed on the other side at South- 
ampton, England, and from there sailed to LeHarve, France, and after a 
period of training was sent to sector Hute, Alsace, France, Oct. 17th, and 
when the armistice was signed he was with his command about twenty 
miles from Metz. After the signing of the armistice, he remained in 
France for several months and reached the United States on May 30, 
1919. He was then sent to Camp Zacharay Taylor, Ky., where he received 
his honorable discharge June 12, 1919. He then returned to Moberly 
and resumed his former position and became a partner with his father. 

Albert Mahan is a member of the American Legion and is adjutant 
of Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6, Moberly, Mo. He is also a member of the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 

John E. Lynch, president of the Bank of Moberly, and United States 
marshal for the Eastern District of Missouri, has had an unusual and 
successful career. Mr. Lynch was born in Randolph County, just north 
of Huntsville, Jan. 11, 1858, and is a son of Patrick and Amanda (Stevens) 
Lynch. 

Patrick Lynch was a native of County Carlow, Ireland, and was 
born in 1818. He came to America in 1848, and the same year settled 
in Randolph County, near Roanoke, and a few years later, he removed 
to a farm north of Huntsville. Here he resided until 1860, when he 
came to the vicinity of what is now the city of Moberly, and during 
the Civil War he cultivated a portion of the present site of Moberly, 
and lived at what was known as old Allen, and after the war when 
the railroad was being built the railroad company offered Mr. Lynch 
and others an amount of land in Moberly equal to that which they owned 
at old Allen. Mr. Lynch was the first to accept the proposition and 
moved his residence to Moberly. The original town site of Moberly con- 
sisted of 40 acres of land, and was bounded on the east by Morley 
street, on the south by Wightman street, on the west by the alley be- 
tween Clark and Williams street, and on the north by Union avenue. 
Mr. Lynch's house was located on block No. 12, and his barn was 
located on block No. 7, where the Merchants Hotel now stands. After 
the Wabaash shops were built, Patrick Lynch was employed by 
that company, and spent the remainder of his life in Moberly. He died 



254 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

in 1883. Amanda (Stevens) Lynch, wife of Patrick Lynch was a na- 
tive of Virginia. She died at the age of 68 years, and her remains and 
those of her husband are buried in St. Johns cemetery. 

The children born to Patrick Lynch and wife are as follow: Thomas 
Allen, was an engineer on the Southern Pacific Railroad, and was killed 
in a wreck at Centralia, Wash. ; Richard Moberly, died in infancy ; John 
E., the subject of this sketch, and James C, Omaha, Neb. 

John E. Lynch bears the distinction of being the oldest living resi- 
dent of the city of Moberly from the standpoint of continuous residence 
here. He came here with his parents when a child, and here grew 
to manhood, and since that time he has been closely identified with 
the growth and development of this city in many ways. He received 
his education in such public schools as the town afforded in the early 
days of its existence. When a boy his first work was driving team at 
the construction of the Wabash shops here. He received $5.00 per week 
for his labor. After that, he worked in the shops for three years, and 
then was a fireman for three years. In 1880, he was elected chief 
of police of Moberly and served in that capacity for three years. This 
was an early day in the history of Moberly, and like other new towns 
of that epoch, the limited police force found itself confronted frequently 
by duties that were difficult to perform. Mr. Lynch met all these con- 
ditions and by his courage and capabilities always succeeded in main- 
taining law and order. After having served three years as chief of 
police, he was engaged by the city to run the city fire engine for two 
years, when he was re-elected to the office of chief of police and held 
this position until 1894. He was then appointed United States marshal 
for the Eastern District of Missouri by President Cleveland, and capa- 
bly discharged the duties of that office for a period of four years. At 
the expiration of that time Mr. Lynch began operating as a construc- 
tion contractor, and specialized in paving and sewer construction, and 
was successfully engaged in this line of work until Aug. 15, 1914, when 
he was appointed United States marshal for the Eastern District of 
Missouri by President Wilson, and at the expiration of his four years' 
term in that office, he was reappointed and holds that position at the 
present time. 

Mr. Lynch was elected president of the Bank of Moberly in Febru- 
ary, 1916, and since that time has held that position, and in the capacity 
of chief executive officer of this well known and substantial financial 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 255 

institution, Mr. Lynch has evinced the same keen foresight and clear 
judgment that has characterized his successful career in other fields 
of endeavor. 

My Lynch was united in marriage in 1882 with Miss Mary A. Hall 
of Truesdale, Warren County, Mo. She is a daughter of Denny and 
Elizabeth Hall of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Lynch have been born 
the following children: George, chief deputy United States marshal, 
St. Louis, Mo.; John E., Jr., of the Lynch-McDonald Construction Com- 
pany, of Moberly; Nellie, Grace, Frank, Lucille and James Robert. The 
latter served in the United States navy during the World War. 

Mr. Lynch is a Democrat and for years has been active in the coun- 
cils of his party in Randolph County and Missouri. He has served two 
terms as a member of the state legislature. He was a delegate to Demo- 
cratic National Convention at Baltimore, which nominated Woodrow Wil- 
son for president, and is recognized as one of the leading Democrats 
of the state. He has an extensive acquaintance and many friends, not 
only in Randolph County, but throughout the state and country. 

The Bank of Moberly is one of the strong financial institutions of 
central Missouri. This bank was organized May 11, 1895, by John H. 
Babcock, and is therefore a quarter of a century old, and has to its 
credit 25 years of successful business, and each year of this period has 
shown a substantial growth in the volume of business of this institution. 

The first stockholders of the Bank of Moberly were George Hassett, 
W. T. Richmond, W. P. Palmer, J. T. Lamb, Gus J. Ginther, W. E. Mc- 
Kinney, G. R. Reynolds, A. B. Thompson, William Firth, W. P. Cave, 
B. F. Harvey, D. S. Forney, J. H. Babcock, P. J. O'Leary, H. M. Jordan, 
J. H. Lotter and F. B. Forney. 

The present officers are John E. Lynch, president; J. H. Lamb, vice- 
president; F. B. Harvey, cashier; P. J. O'Leary, teller, and A. E. Brown, 
teller, and R. E. Lynch, teller. The other members of the board of 
directors are Dr. C. B. Clapp, George H. Sours, Gus J. Ginther and George 
Reynolds. 

The following is the official statement of the bank at the close of 
business December 30, 1919. Resources: Loans and discounts, $801,- 
335.68; overdrafts, none; real estate (banking house), $15,000.00; fur- 
niture and fixtures, $15,000.00; demand loans, $327,781.49; bonds, $85,- 
850.00; War Savings Stamps, $1,684.00; cash and sight exchange, $255,- 
642.61; total, $1,502,293.78. Liabilities: Capital stock, $100,000.00; sur- 



256 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

plus and undivided profits (earned), $64,165.28; deposits, $1,338,128.50. 
Total, $1,502,293.78. 

Owen Reclick O'Bryan, a well known and successful attorney of Mob- 
erly and a veteran of the World War, is a native of Randolph County and 
a member of one of the pioneer families of this section of Missouri. Mr. 
O'Bryan was born in a one room log cabin, three miles southwest of Hunts- 
ville, Mo., on the old O'Bryan homestead in Salt Spring township. He is 
the son of James T. and Jennie Lee (Bagby) O'Bryan. 

James T. O'Bryan was born in Chariton County, Mo. in 1860 and re- 
moved to Randolph County with his parents who settled in Salt Spring 
township when he was three years old. He was a son of Redick O'Bryan 
who was born in Kentucky in 1820. Redick O'Bryan was prominent in 
the early day affairs of Randolph County and served as justice of the 
peace of Salt Spring township for many years. He was a deacon in the 
Mt. Salem Baptist church. He died Dec. 25, 1893 and his remains are 
buried in the O'Bryan cemetery which is located on the old O'Bryan place. 

James T. O'Bryan was well educated, having graduated from Mt. 
Pleasant College in the class of 1881. He followed farming in Silver Creek 
township from 1892 until 1902, and for six years of the time was justice 
of the peace of that township. He was solicitor for the Farmers Mutual 
Insurance Company and after moving to Huntsville in 1902, devoted him- 
self to the interest of that company. In 1906, he was a candidate for 
nomination for the office of probate judge of Randolph County but was 
defeated by the narrow margin of 28 votes. lie stood high in the com- 
munity and had a wide acquaintance in Randolph County. He died Nov. 
15, 1907, and his remains are buried in the Huntsville cemetery. James 
T. O'Bryan was married to Jennie Lee Bagby, Dec. 29, 1887. She wa« 
born in Moniteau township, Randolph County, above five miles northwest 
of Higbee, and was a daughter of Owen H. and Maria (Yager) Bagby who 
were pioneer settlers of Silver Creek township. Jennie Lee (Bagby) 
O'Bryan was one of ten children born to her parents, the others being as 
follow: Thomas J., William H., deceased; Zebulon P., Mrs. Mary Jackson, 
deceased; Mrs. Korine Shipp, deceased; James W., Warsaw, Mo.; Benjamin 
F. and Walter H. The Bagby family was one of the very early pioneer 
families of central Missouri. Owen H. Bagby was born in Kentucky and 
came to Missouri with his parents who settled near Roanoke, Silver Creek 
township in 1827. He was a son of John Bagby. Maria (Yager) Bagby, 
wife of Owen H. Bagby, was born at Hampton Roads, Va. and came here 




OWEN REDICK O'BRYAX 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 257 

with her parents at an early day and settled on the place where Thomas J. 
Bagby now lives. To John T. O'Bryan and wife were born the following 
children : Owen Redick, the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Mary Lee O'Con- 
ner, Huntsville, Mo. and Zebulon D., known as "Jack" of Huntsville, Mo. 

Redick O'Bryan, grandfather of Owen Redick O'Bryan, of this review, 
was three times married and to his first marriage were born the follow- 
ing children: Rev. William F., deceased; Mrs. Flora Bradley, Yates, Mo., 
and Mrs. Adaline Randecker, of Booneville, Mo. After the death of his 
first wife, he married Mary Dennis who was the seventh of 19 children 
of Harrison Dennis and the following children were born to that marriage : 
Cornelia O'Bryan, deceased; James T. O'Bryan, deceased and Matie 
O'Bryan, deceased. To Redick O'Bryan's third marriage with Mrs. Eliza 
Dameron who was the mother of two children by her former marriage, 
William H. Dameron, deceased and Mrs. Julia D. Minor of St. Louis, were 
born the following children: John, deceased; Minnie, married Hon. Wil- 
liam T. Heathman, a former representative from Randolph County ; Milton 
S. O'Bryan, manager of the Harlan Tobacco Store, Moberly. 

Owen Redick O'Bryan, the subject of this sketch was born June 12, 
1890 and attended the White school district in Silver Creek township until 
he was 12 years old when he entered the Huntsville grade school and was 
graduated. Later, he took a course in the Moberly Commercial College 
and was graduated in 1908. He then entered the employ of the Wabash 
Railroad Company and the Express Company and one year later entered 
the Kansas City School of Law and also served a clerkship in Kansas City 
law offices and was admitted to the bar to practice in the state courts June 
2, 1913, and admitted to the Federal courts May 19, 1914. Shortly after- 
wards, he made the race for the nomination for prosecuting attorney of 
Randolph County against Jerry M. Jeffries and F. E. Murrell. He carried 
every township in the county outside of Moberly, except Cairo, and was 
defeated by eight votes. In 1916, he made a second race for the nomina- 
tion of prosecuting attorney and during that campaign he made the promise 
that if the United States should become involved in the World War he 
would enlist. He had an opportunity to make his word good and he did, 
enlisting at Sedalia, Mo., May 13, 1917 and resigned his position as claim 
agent for the M. K. and T. railroad in order to enlist. After enlisting, he 
was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri and assigned to the 16th Infantry 
and from there entrained to El Paso, Texas, but was ordered overseas be- 
fore reaching his destination. He was reassigned to Company A, 34th 



258 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Infantry and after a brief period of training at Port Bliss he was detailed 
to district headquarters in July, 1917. Later he was given a furlough and 
returned home and on Oct. 4, 1917 he addressed the Old Settlers Reunion 
and on October 7th he argued a case in the Kansas Court of Appeals, being 
the first lawyer to appear before that court in uniform. December 13th 
he was transferred as battalion sergeant to headquarters of third division 
Camp Greene, Charlotte, N. C. He left Charlotte, March 7, 1918 and 
arrived at Camp Merritt the next day and embarked at Hoboken, N. J. on 
an old Austrian steamer which had been renamed "Martha Washington". 
He was then regimental sergeant major and commander of the guard every 
other day. At 12 o'clock on April 4th in the Bay of Biscay the convoy 
was attacked by German submarines and a running fight between the sub- 
marines and the United States chasers and convoys took place until the 
submarines were destroyed. The American fleet landed at Bordeaux, 
France, on April 4th. The 'third division then went into training quarters 
at Chateau Villian, 16 miles south of Chaumont, the A. E. F. Headquarters. 
On May 27th, the division was entrained under secret orders for the front 
lines and arrived at the Marne where they occupied 22 kilometers of front 
line to Ballou Woods on the left and extending to Charteves Sector which 
was being pressed by a minor German offensive which extended from 
Soissons to Reims. On July 14th the Germans launched their last 
offensive which continued for four days and gained an entrance south of 
the river. On July 20th the United States army started an offensive and 
drove the Germans back to the Vesle River. The third division was re- 
lieved August 14th and transferred to a recoupment area. This division 
lost 60 per cent of their men in the above engagement. Later they were 
ordered to the St. Mihiel salient, Sept. 5, 1918, and arrived in support of 
the 89th division. Sept. 13, Mr. O'Bryan was transferred to the 89th 
division headquarters which was relieved Oct. 6th and on Oct. 11th took 
a position in the Argonne Forest. After 30 days of hard fighting they 
were on the Meuse River, Nov. 11th when the armistice was signed. They 
then crossed Belgium and Luxemburg on the heels of the retreating Ger- 
man army. They remained there until May 13, 1918 when they entrained 
at Erodorf, Germany, for Brest, France and embarked for America by way 
of Plymouth, England and reached port at New York. Mr. O'Bryan was 
discharged at Camp Funston, Kan. June 13, 1919. 

Mr. O'Bryan engaged in the practice of his profession after return- 
ing to Moberly and has a good practice. He is a capable young attorney 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 259 

and has a wide acquaintance in Moberly and Randolph County and stands 
high in the community. In addition to his general practice he is also 
assistant prosecuting attorney of Randolph County. 

Mr. O'Bryan is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and holds 
membership in the first Baptist church at El Paso, Texas. 

John R. Martin, better known as "Little Dick," president and founder 
of the Little Dick Clothing Company, which gets its title from Mr. Mar- 
tin's nickname, is one of Moberly's enterprising and successful business 
men and a descendant of one of Randolph County's honored pioneer 
families. 

Mr. Martin has had a varied and successful career in the mercantile 
business. After obtaining a good education in the public schools of Ran- 
dolph County, he began as a clerk in the employ of Mitchell and Moppin, 
of Renick, Mo. Later he clerked for Clack and Parrish, Nevada, Mo. He 
was next employed by Donihue Brothers, Kirksville, Mo. He was then in 
the employ of 0. J. Townsend, Unionville, Mo., for a time when he re- 
turned to Kirksville and took charge of the clothing department of the 
Sam Fickler Store. From there he came to Moberly and engaged in busi- 
ness, becoming the junior member of the firm of Burkholder and Sol 
Martin. Shortly afterwards he sold his interest in that firm and entered 
the employ of Frank B. Forney and later was employed by Henry Levy 
and Company. In 1897 he engaged in the clothing business under the 
firm name of the Little Dick Clothing Company and was the sole owner 
and proprietor of that business until 1911 when he sold a half interest 
to his brother, Forrest Martin, and since that time they have conducted 
the business under the original firm name and have met with success, 
and rank as one of the leading mercantile establishments of Moberly and 
Randolph County. They carry a. full line of men's and boy's clothing and 
furnishings and in the range of quality and price they rank with the 
leading retailers of the country. They carry a large stock and in the 
matter of style they are ready to meet the demands of their customers 
from the conservative to the most fastidious. 

Mr. Martin was married November 9, 1893, to Miss Josie Jamison, 
of Kirksville, Mo. She is a daughter of Joseph G. Jamison, who is now 
deceased. 

John R. Martin is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose. 



260 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The Martin family is one of the pioneer families of Randolph County. 
John It., the subject of this sketch was born in Prairie township and is 
the son of Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin, both natives of Ran- 
dolph County, the former of whom is now deceased and the latter resides 
on the old Martin homestead in Prairie township. A more extensive his- 
tory of this pioneer Randolph County family and its various members ap- 
pears in connection with the sketch of Forrest Martin in this volume. 

John R. Martin has in his possession an interesting volume which 
is devoted to the history of the Martin family which was written by his 
brother, Prof. W. H. Martin, on the occasion of the golden wedding anni- 
versary of their parents. This event took place Feb. 18, 1902. Professor 
Martin presents the story of the Martin family and pays tribute to the 
worthy parents of this large family of thirteen children in a most able 
manner, which was read at the wedding anniversary. In this article he 
narrates the various characteristics of the thirteen children of Bailey 
Martin and in which he evinces unusually keen observation and a clear 
understanding of the individual traits of each member of the family. 

The Martin family is one of the interesting pioneer families of Ran- 
dolph County and every member is a worthy descendant of worthy an- 
cestors. 

Omar Martin, manager of the shoe department of the Wolff-Berger 
Company, has been identified with the commercial life of Moberly for the 
past 25 years and has an extensive acquaintance throughout Randolph 
County from his many years of dealing with the public. 

Mr. Martin is a native son of this county and was born in Prairie 
township. He is a son of Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin. The 
Martin family is one of the prominent pioneer families of Randolph 
County, a more complete history of which will be found in connection with 
the biographical sketches of John R. Martin and Forrest Martin, which 
appears in this volume. 

Omar Martin was reared on the old Martin homestead in Prairie town- 
ship and attended the public schools of Prairie township and the Moberly 
High School. After leaving school he entered the employ of the Felden- 
heimer Dry Goods Company of Moberly and for 23 years was in the 
employ of that firm. In 1917 the Feldenheimer Dry Goods Company was 
succeeded by the Wolff-Berger Company and since that time Mr. Martin 
has been manager of the shoe department. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 261 

Mr. Martin was united in marriage Sept. 11, 1900, with Miss Lucre- 
tia Grimes, of Moberly. She is a daughter of Washington and Virginia 
Grimes, pioneer settlers of Moberly, both of whom are now deceased. 
Washington Grimes settled here about the time that the town of Moberly 
was founded and spent the remainder of his life in this city. Mr. and 
Mrs. Martin now reside in the old Martin home at 319 Union avenue, where 
the Grimes family lived for many years and where Mrs. Martin was born. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Omar Martin have been born two children: Bailey, 
who was named after his paternal grandfather, is now a student in the 
Moberly High School and Virginia, who bears the name of her maternal 
grandmother, is at home with her parents. 

Mr. Martin is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks. 

Jossph Davis Martin, of the Little Dick Clothing Company, Moberly, 
Mo., is a native of Randolph County. He was born in Prairie township, 
Feb. 23, 1868, and is the son of Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin. 
A more detailed history of the Martin family appears in the sketches of 
John R. Martin and Forrest Martin, which will be found in this volume. 

Joseph Davis Martin was reared to manhood on the Martin home 
farm in Prairie township and received his education in the public schools. 
He remained on the home farm, engaged in farming and stock raising until 
1905, when he came to Moberly and since that time has been identified 
with the Little Dick Clothing Company. 

Mr. Martin was united in marriage June 6, 1899, with Eureth J. 
Wirt, a daughter of James and Sallie (Hendrex) Wirt, of Prairie town- 
ship. James Wirt and his wife were pioneer settlers of Randolph County. 
Mr. Wirt was an early day plainsman, crossing the plains with ox teams 
in 1854. He kept in his possession during his lifetime a souvenir, a hunt- 
ing horn, which he made from a horn -of one of the oxen which he drove 
on his trip to California. It is artistically designed and upon it is carved 
the figure of a dog. This heirloom is in Mr. Martin's possession and is 
prized very highly. James Wirt and his wife are both deceased. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Martin have been born two children: 
Laura Loretta and Sallie Janice. 

Mr. Martin is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is 
a Randolph County citizen of real worth. The Martin family home is 
at 900 Williams street, Moberly. 



262 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Henry R. Terrill, of the firm of Terrill Brothers, which is composed of 
Henry R. and Vincent C. Terrill, is one of the well known and reliable retail 
shoe establishments in the city of Moberly and has an extensive patron- 
age. The Terrill Brothers have been engaged in business here for a 
number of years. 

The Terrill family is one of the old substantial pioneer families of 
Randolph County and the various members of this family have been 
identified with the growth and development of this county for considerably 
more than half a century. 

Henry R. Terrill, the senior member of the firm of Terrill Brothers, 
is a native of Randolph County and was born in Sugar Creek township, 
Dec. 3, 1869. He is a son of John R. and Ann (Roberts) Terrill. John 
R. Terrill came to Randolph County about 1854 when he was 18 years of 
age, and entered government land about two miles south of the present 
city of Moberly and this land is still owned by his descendants. Two 
of his brothers, James and Robert Green, served in the Confederate army 
and both were killed. James Terrill served with General Price and was 
killed and Robert Green was serving with General Morgan's command in 
Kentucky when he was killed. 

John R. Terrill was a son of William Terrill, who came to Randolph 
County at the same time that his son, John R., came and owned an 
adjoining farm. He was a native of Kentucky and was in that state on 
a visit at the time of his death. His remains were brought back to 
Randolph County and buried in Oakland cemetery. John R. Terrill, father 
of Henry R., lived on the same farm in Randolph County for 50 years. 
He died in 1907. His wife preceded him in death several years, having 
died in 1875. Their remains are both interred in Oakland cemetery. 

Henry R. Terrill was educated in the public schools and was grad- 
uated from the Moberly High School in 1890. He then entered the Mis- 
souri University at Columbia and was a student in that institution for 
three years, after which he was engaged in farming about one year. 
He then, in partnership with Joe W. Mullen, purchased the shoe business 
of Victor and Given in Moberly. Later he sold his interest to Mr. Mullen 
and engaged in farming for about four years. The present firm of 
Terrill Brothers was organized and they engaged in the retail shoe busi- 
ness which they have since continued and this firm is now one of the 
mercantile landmarks of Moberly. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 263 

Henry R. Ten-ill was married in 1896 to Golclena Mounce, a daughter 
of A. M. and Martha (Morrison) Mounce of Moberly. A history of the 
Mounce family appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Terrill have 
been born the following children: John M., a graduate of the Moberly 
High School and now an employe in the Terrill Brothers' store; Mar- 
garet Ruth, also a graduate of the Moberly High School, is bookkeeper 
for Terrill Brothers' store; Mary Emma, a student in the Missouri Uni- 
versity; Robert, Dorothy and Martha. 

John M. Terrill, the eldest son of Henry R., was a student in the 
University of Missouri when the United States entered the World War, 
and in 1917 he enlisted in the Officers' Training School at Camp Han- 
cock, Ga., and was attached to the 15th Company, 3rd Battalion, and 
was stationed at Camp Hancock until the armistice was signed. After 
receiving his training he was retained at Camp Hancock as a military 
instructor and was in the service about one year. He is a member of 
the Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6. 

Merritt A. Romans, of the bridge construction department of the 
Lynch-McDonald Construction Company, of Moberly, is one of the best 
practical bridge men in the state. He is a native of Missouri and was 
born in Callaway County, Oct. 14, 1873, a son of H. P. 0. and Sarah 
Bell (Wilson) Romans. The father was also a native of Callaway County 
and was born in 1844. He died at Greely, Colo., in 1916, and the mother 
now resides at Salida, Colo., and is 68 years old. They were the parents 
of the following children: Charles Edwards, Kersey, Colo.; Merritt A., 
the subject of this sketch; Albert H. Loveland, Colo.; James P. Kersey, 
Colo. ; Samuel A., Boise, Idaho ; W. F., lives in Colorado, and Virginia E., 
married Alfred Owen, and they reside at Salida, Colo. 

Merritt A. Romans was educated in the public schools and since he 
was 16 years of age has made his way in the world. He has had an 
extensive experience in bridge construction, first entering this line of 
work with the Wabash Railroad Company and for eight years was in the 
v employ of that company, and for the last fifteen years has been with the 
Pan American Bridge Company. He travels and manages the construc- 
tion of the bridge department of the Lynch-McDonald Construction Com- 
pany. 

Mr. Romans was married in October, 1900, to Miss Elizabeth Bu- 
chanan, of Trenton, Mo. She is a daughter of A. H. and Nannie (Hale) 
Buchanan, who now reside at Moberly. To Mr. and Mrs. Romans have 



264 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

been born two daughters: Elizabeth E. and Virginia M., both of whom 
are students in the Moberly High School. Mr. Roman is a member of the 
Knights and Ladies of Security and stands high in Moberly and Randolph 
County. The family residence is at 514 South Fourth street. 

H. Frank Holman, public administrator of Randolph County, senior 
partner in the Peoples Steam Laundry and vice-president of the Moberly 
Chamber of Commerce is one of the well known and progressive citizens 
of Randolph County. Mr. Holman is a native of Randolph County and a 
descendant of one of the early prominent pioneer families of this part 
of the state. He was born in Chariton township, Randolph County, Feb. 
12, 1861 and is a son of James M. and Margaret L. (Harlan) Holman. 

James M. Holman was also a native of Randolph County, born in 
Chariton township, March 20, 1831. He was a son of Joseph Holman, 
who was a native of Kentucky and a pioneer of Chariton township, Ran- 
dolph County, where he settled at a very early date. James M. Holman 
died Nov. 18, 1907 and his remains are buried in Mt. Carmel cemetery. 
He spent his life in this county and was one of its successful citizens. 
He was a progressive farmer and stockman and influential in the county. 
Margaret L. (Harlan) Holman, his wife preceeded her husband in death 
a number of years. She died in 1887 and her remains are also buried in 
Mt. Carmel cemetery. They were the parents of seven children of whom 
H. Frank is the only one living. The others are Mrs. Martha J. Cobb, 
Mrs. Mary Foster, George I., Mrs. Sarah Thomas and tw r o died in infancy. 
After the death of his first wife James M. Holman married Mrs. Bettie 
(Hurt) Powell and one son was born to this union, Payton Y. Holman, 
who lives in Chariton township. 

H. Frank Holman was reared on his father's farm and educated in the 
public schools and for ten years was engaged in farming and stock rais- 
ing. In 1892 he came to Moberly and engaged in the real estate and in- 
surance business. Later he disposed of his business and went west on 
account of his wife's health and upon his return to Moberly in 1899 he 
engaged in the laundry business which he purchased from J. C. Irvin. 
This was a small concern at that time and had been staited by S. S. San- 
ford who sold it to J. J. Stephens before J. C. Irvin owned it. This was 
the beginning of the Peoples Steam Laundry which has developed to its 
present proportions since Mr. Holman purchased it. The laundry was 
formerly operated in a building 25x75 feet and now occupies a building 
100x120 feet, located on the corner of North Williams and Rollins streets 




H. FRANK HOl.MVN 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 265 

in what is known as the Holman building. This is one of the best 
equipped laundries in the country and does an extensive business. H. 
Frank Holman's son, James W., is a partner in the laundry business and 
is the superintendent. 

For the past nine years H. Frank Holman has been engaged in road 
work. He is president of the Moberly Special Road District and has 
charge of the Moberly Road District. He is president of the North Mis- 
souri Cross State Highway from St. Louis to Kansas City via Moberly. 
The work so far has been confined largely to grading and bridge building. 
Mr. Holman has made a careful study of road improvement work and is 
working out some of the problems of this difficult question very satis- 
factorily and making splendid progress. He is now serving his third 
term as public administrator of Randolph County. 

Mr. Holman has been twice married. His first wife, Miss Linda S. 
Vasse to whom he was married in 1887, died Nov. 23, 1898. Two chil- 
dren were born to this union, J. W., who is his father's partner in the 
Peoples Steam Laundry and Percey F., who was a railway brakeman and 
killed in an accident at Walsenburg, Colo. Mr. Holman was married the 
second time to Miss Minnie Guy. of Moberly, Mo., in 1908, and one child 
has been born to this union, Raymond G., who is nine years of age. 

Mr. Holman is a member of the Presbyterian church and the Knights 
of Pythias Lodge. He is vice-president of the Moberly Chamber of Com- 
merce. He is one of the widely known progressive and enterprising 
citizens of Randolph County who stands ever ready to do his part to pro- 
mote the betterment and upbuilding of his native county and its institu- 
tions. 

Frank Hartley Estill.— The Estill Floral Company of Moberly of which 
Frank Hartley Estill is the owner and manager, is one of the impor- 
tant industrial enterprises of this city. It was founded in 1906 by 
Mrs. Rebecca S. Estill, mother of Frank H. Estill. The greenhouses, of 
which there are seven, are located at 707 Gilman street. Seven of 
these houses are 16x90 feet and one of them is 30x100 feet. The com- 
pany has its own water system and the greenhouses occupy five acres 
of ground between Carpenter and Gilman streets and Fort street and 
the city limits. There is employed here a regular force of five men 
and during the summer season several more. This company does an 
extensive business in flowers, floral designs and plants and 90 per cent, 
of the business done by this concern is outside of the city of Moberly. 



266 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Orders are filled from various towns and cities over a broad scope of 
territory. 

Frank Hartley Estill is a veteran of the World War. He was 
reared in Moberly, educated in the public schools and was graduated 
from the Moberly High School in the class of 1910. Afterwards he 
attended the University of Missouri for two terms and since that time, 
except the time spent in the army during the World War, he has de- 
voted himself to the management of the Estill Floral Company. 

Frank H. Estill is a son of H. V. and Rebecca S. (Hendricks) Estill. 
The father was born in Charleston, W. Va., Feb. 2, 1856, and died at 
Moberly Dec. 4, 1919. H. V. Estill came to Moberly from his native 
state about 1884. He was a civil engineer and for some time was in the 
employ of the Wabash Railroad Company. He installed the city water 
works of Moberly and for 20 years was superintendent of that depart- 
ment and resigned from that position in order to devote his attention 
to the floral business in which he was engaged for a number of years. 
Rebecca S. (Hendricks) Estill was bora in old Milton, Randolph County, 
and was a descendant of one of the very early pioneer families of this 
county. She was a daughter of Capt. Stephen M. Hendricks, a Con- 
federate veteran who enlisted in Randolph County and served under 
General Sterling Price until the time of his death. He was killed at 
the battle of Corinth, Miss. John Dameron, great grandfather of Frank 
Hartley Estill, on the maternal side, was a pioneer merchant of Milton, 
Randolph County. He spent his life here and is buried in Oakland ceme- 
tery. Mrs. Estill died April 4, 1916, aged 54 years, and is buried in 
Oakland cemetery. 

July 24, 1918, Frank H. Estill enlisted in the United States army 
at Moberly and was sent to Camp Funston for training and after three 
months there he was transferred to Camp Mills, N. Y., and about Nov. 
1, 1918, he embarked for France, a member of Brigade Headquarters, 
10th Field Artillery, with the rank of corporal. He then was stationed 
at Camp DeSouge, near Bordeaux, where he was trained for service as 
a wireless telegraph operator. After the armistice was signed he re- 
mained in France until March, 1919, when he was returned to the United 
States and received his honorable discharge at Camp Grant, 111., March 
31, 1919. 

Mr. Estill is a member of the American Legion, Theodore Bazan 
Post, and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Moberly Lodge No. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 267 

344. He also holds membership in the Moberly Chamber of Commerce 
and the Retail Merchants' Association. He is one of the progressive 
and enterprising young men of Moberly and has a wide business ac- 
quaintance and many friends. 

Judge Frank B. Forney, manager of the Forney Clothing Company, 
and a member of the Board of County Judges of Randolph County. He 
is a native of this county and was born on a farm six miles from Mober- 
ly, and when he was two years of age his parents moved to Moberly. 
He is the son of D. S. and Henrietta (Batty) Forney, the former a 
native of Virginia, and the latter of Ohio. A more extensive review 
of the Forney family history will be found in connection with the biogra- 
phical sketch of I. B. Forney, a brother of Frank B., which appears in 
this volume. 

Frank B. Forney was educated in the public schools of Moberly, 
and began his mercantile career in his father's store in Moberly, his 
father being one of the pioneer merchants of this city, and was engaged 
in business here for many years. 

Frank B. Forney remained in his father's store until 1890, when he 
engaged in the clothing business at Moberly, and has continuously been 
in that business to the present time, and the Forney Clothing Company 
of today is the outgrowth of this humble beginning thirty years ago. 

The Forney Clothing Company is one of the extensive commercial 
enterprises of its kind in central Missouri. They deal in men's and boys' 
ready to wear clothing and furnishing goods, and few cities of the 
size of Moberly have the advantage of such an extensive mercantile 
establishment, which offers such a wide range in style and quality as 
does the Forney Clothing Company. The business is located at 318-320 
West Reed street. The building is owned by the company and has a 
frontage of 30 feet and is 110 feet deep. There are two stories, the 
upper one of which is used for storing the surplus stock. The com- 
pany employs eight clerks, most of whom have been with the company 
for several years. George Sours has been with the Forney Clothing 
Company for 29 years; Arthur McCully, 14 years; Herbert Lamb, 11 
years; Buckner Nave, 8 years; Arthur Grimes, 23 years; Ernest Ellin- 
ger, 7 years; Paul Eurton, 2 years; and Lowel Sours, who died in 1919, 
had been with the company for 24 years. 

Frank B. Forney was married in June, 1893, to Miss Myrtle Tucker, 
of Mexico, Mo. She is a daughter of J. D. Tucker, who was a pioneer 



268 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

merchant and capitalist of Mexico, Mo., and is now deceased. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Forney have been born the following children: Francis, a 
student in the Moberly High School; Daniel, also a student in the Mob- 
erly High School; Dorothy and Betty, students in the ward school. 

Mr. Forney is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the 
Mystic Shrine, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. 
Forney is one of the substantial business men of Moberly, whose career 
has been a successful one. He has an extensive acquaintance through- 
out Randolph County, and Missouri. 

In the spring of 1920, Mr. Forney was appointed to the office of 
county judge by Governor Gardner to fill out an unexpired term, and 
he is giving the same careful attention to the public affairs of Ran- 
dolph County that he has to his private affairs. Judge Forney is a 
member of Governor Gardner's staff. 

Yoder and Yoder. This firm consists of Dr. Samuel J. Yoder and 
his wife, Dr. Delia Yoder, well-known chiropractors of Moberly, who 
have been engaged in the practice here since 1917. Dr. Samuel J. 
Yoder was born in McLean County, 111., Aug. 26, 1866. He is a son 
of Jonathan and Catherine (Balliman) Yoder, who now resides at Car- 
lock, 111. The father is 80 years of age and the mother is 75 years old. 
Jonathan Yoder is a son of Samuel Yoder, who was a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and a pioneer in Ohio and Illinois. 

The children born to Jonathan and Catherine (Balliman) Yoder are 
as follow: Milo F., Gibson City, 111.; John W., Danvers, 111.; J. E., Dan- 
vers, 111. ; Judson, Danvers, 111. ; Carey, Danvers, 111. ; Chester L.. Ver- 
non, 111. ; Minnie, married Albert Frey, Carlock, 111. ; Alice, married Fred 
Spencer, Danvers, 111. ; Eura, married Herman Sthaly, Aurora, Neb., and 
Dr. Samuel J., who was the second in order of birth. 

Dr. Samuel J. Yoder received a good education in the public schools 
of Illinois and then the Palmer School at Davenport, Iowa, where he took 
a chiropractic course. Doctor Yoder was married to Miss Delia S. Wil- 
hite, a native of Woodford County, 111. She is a daughter of James C. 
and Eliza J. (Sawyers) Wilhite, both of whom are deceased; the mother 
died at the age of 37 at Summer, 111., in 1876, and the father died in St. 
Louis in March, 1918, at the age of 80 years. They were the parents 
of the following children: Theodore S., Decatur, 111.; Leander C, Wich- 
ita, Kan.; John A., Wichita, Kan., and James Edwin, O'Fallon, 111. After 
the death of the mother of the above children, the father was married 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 269 

again, and to that union were born the following children: Scott Wil- 
hite, a county judge at Mt. Carmel, 111.; Alice, married William Fulbright, 
St. Louis, Mo. ; Emma S., married Bert Brown, of St. Francisville, 111. 
The following children of James C. Wilhite are deceased, Hattie S. died 
at the age of ten years ; Rosander C, died in infancy ; Lillie N., died at 
the age of 16 years and Laura B., died at the age of six. 

Doctor Yoder and his wife began practice in Davenport, Iowa, and 
in 1917 began the practice of their profession at Moberly and since estab- 
lishing themselves here they have built up an extensive practice. Doctor 
Yoder says that chiropractics has to its credit from 85 to 90 per cent, of 
recoveries of cases, a majority of which are of the so-called chronic na- 
ture. He says according to statistics taken during the flu epidemic that 
only one case out of 861 was lost; that these statistics cover the entire 
United States and were obtained from chiropractors throughout the coun- 
try by Doctor B. J. Palmer, president of the Palmer School at Davenport, 
Iowa, who sent out 10,000 cards to practicing chiropractors, and the sta- 
tistics was compiled from these cards. 

In connection with the Palmer School at Davenport, Iowa, a free 
clinic is being conducted daily where from 1,200 to 1,500 patients are 
being adjusted, and by this method the students obtain a knowledge of 
giving spinal adjustments. 

Since coming to Moberly Doctor Yoder and his wife have made many 
friends and stand high in the community. 

Robert M. Rucker, of the firm of Rucker Brothers, leading drug- 
gists of Moberly, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Sturgeon, Mo., 
in 1881, and is the son of R. D. and Lula (Dusenbury) Rucker. R. D'. 
Rucker was born at Lynchburg, Va., and for the past 35 years he has 
been engaged in the lumber business at Sturgeon, Mo. He came to 
Boone County just after the close of the Civil War and was engaged in 
farming and stock raising until he engaged in the lumber business at 
Sturgeon. He is now 73 years of age and still active in business. Lula 
(Dusenbury) Rucker was bom in St. Louis and was a daughter of the 
late Judge Dusenbury of that city. She died in May, 1911, and her 
remains are buried at Sturgeon. 

To R. D. and Lula (Dusenbury) Rucker were born the following 
children: Edward L., a member of the firm of Rucker Brothers, of 
Moberly; F. M., Sturgeon, Mo.; Robert M., the subject of this sketch; 
W. H., who died at the age of 27 years; and E. F., a traveling salesman, 
who resides at Sturgeon, Mo. 



270 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Robert M. Rucker was educated in the public schools of Sturgeon, 
Mo., and then took a course in the St. Louis School of Pharmacy. He 
then engaged in the drug business at Sturgeon and later was at Higbee 
two years and at Huntsville six years. For the past eight years he has 
been in Moberly and in all has had 23 years experience in the drug 
business. 

In 1911 Robert M. and his brother, Edward L. Rucker, succeeded 
Doctor Harlan, who formerly conducted the drug store at 401 West 
Reed street, Moberly, Mo. This is one of the well established and high- 
class drug stores of Moberly, and the Rucker Brothers are doing an 
extensive business which has ever increased in volume since they engaged 
in business here nine years ago. Their prescription department is com- 
plete, reliable and efficient. They carry a complete line of drugs and 
druggist's sundries and have a well equipped soda fountain in connection. 
The Rucker Brothers are both progressive and enterprising citizens and 
rank among Moberly's leading business men. 

Robert M. Rucker is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the 
Mystic Shrine, Order of the Eastern Star and the Benevolent and Pro- 
tective Order of Elks. 

J. E. Sanford, proprietor of the New York Store, of Moberly, Mo., 
is one of the progressive and enterprising business men of Moberly and 
Randolph County. 

The New York Store was founded in 1915 by J. E. Sanford and C. 0. 
Selders. In 1920, Mr. Sanford purchased his partner's interest and is 
now the sole owner and proprietor. The New York Store is located at 
309-311 West Reed street and occupies a frontage of 60 feet. This store 
carries a full line of dry goods, shoes, men's furnishings, rugs and no- 
tions. Mr. Sanford aims to carry a popular price line of merchandise 
which is appreciated by the buying public, and he has built up an exten- 
sive mercantile business in comparatively a brief period. 

J. E. Sanford is a native Missourian ; he was born in Monroe County 
in 1886, and is a son of Jack and Sallie (Barker) Sanford. The former 
is now deceased, and mother resides at Columbia, Mo. After the death 
of her first husband she married Henry Jackson. 

J. E. Sanford is one of a family of three born to his parents, the 
other two being Mrs. Nellie Man-, who now resides in Bismark, N. D., 
and Mrs. Pollie Shanklin, of Fairfax, Okla. 

Mr. Sanford married Miss Mae Hill, of Rocheport, Mo. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 271 

Before engaging in the merchantile business and after completing 
school, Mr. Sanford was engaged in teaching and followed that profession 
for four years; he taught school at Branham, Monroe County, and later 
at Granville, which was his last school. He was a successful teacher, but 
the future possibilities of teaching as a profession did not appeal to 
him, and he accordingly turned to mercantile pursuits. His first mer- 
cantile venture was at Centralia, Mo., which he later sold and came 
to Moberly, where he and Mr. Selders founded the New York Store as 
stated in a preceding paragraph. 

Mr. Sanford is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 
and is one of the substantial business men of Moberly. 

C. M. Hulen, clerk of the circuit court of Randolph County, bears 
the distinction of being the youngest circuit clerk in the state of Mis- 
souri. He is a native son of Randolph County, and was born at Clark, 
Nov. 25, 1894. He is the son of S. P. and Ella (Early) Hulen, both na- 
tives of Missouri and descendants of pioneer families of this state. 

S. P. Hulen was born near Hallsville, Boone County, Missouri, in 
1863. He came to Randolph County when he was 17 years of age, and 
soon afterwards engaged in the mercantile business at Clark, where he 
successfully carried on business for six years. He then engaged in the 
banking business, and for the past 28 years has been cashier of hte Clark 
Exchange Bank. Ella (Early) Hulen was born near Centralia in Boone 
County, and is a daughter of S. W. and Ruth Early, pioneers of Boone 
County. The Early family came from Kentucky to Missouri in the pio- 
neer days of this state. See sketch of S. P. Hulen on another page in this 
volume. 

To S. P. and Ella (Early) Hulen have been born the following chil- 
dren ; V. E., who is engaged in the oil business at ElDorado, Kan. ; C. M., 
the subject of this sketch; R. P., chief teller in the Mechanics Saving 
Bank at Moberly, and Mary Elizabeth, resides at home with her parents. 

C. M. Hulen was educated in the public schools of Randolph County, 
and the Missouri University at Columbia. When he left school he became 
assistant cashier of the Exchange Bank of Clark, Mo., and served in 
that capacity for five years. When he was 23 years old, in 1917, Mr. 
Hulen was elected clerk of the circuit court of Randolph County, and so 
far as known is the youngest man in the state holding a similar posi- 
tion. He is capable and obliging and has many friends and extensive 
acquaintance throughout Randolph County. 



272 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Mr. Hulen was married Nov. 25, 1915, to Miss Minnie Mae Wright, 
daughter of William and Ersie (Fray) Wright, of Clark, Mo., where 
Mrs. Hulen was born. 

Mr. Hulen is a member of the Modern Woodman of America, the 
Loyal Order of Moose, and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. 

Clyde Miller, proprietor of the Jefferson Cigar Store at 207 Reed 
street is one of the progressive and enterprising young business men of 
Moberly. He is a native of West Virginia, born in Wheeling, March 13, 
1887. He is a son of George and May (Forney) Miller. The mother was 
a daughter of D. S. Fornay, a pioneer merchant of Moberly, further men- 
tion of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. She died in January, 
1889 and is buried at Wellsburg, W. Va. 

George Miller, father of Clyde Miller, is now engaged in the grain 

'business at Erie, Pa. His father, the grandfather of Clyde Miller, was a 

soldier in the Revolutionary War and George Miller served in the Civil 

War and he had a brother, William Miller, who also served in the Civil 

War as a captain. Both enlisted in West Virginia. 

Clyde Miller is one of the following children born to his parents: 
Mrs. C. F. McCord, Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. William Wright, Wheeling, W. 
Va. ; Mrs. H. H. Phillips, Dunkirk, Ind. ; George, Los Angeles, Calif., and 
Clyde, the subject of this sketch. 

Clyde Miller attended the public schools in Wheeling, W. Va., and 
the Moberly High School and since he was ten years old has made his 
own way in the world. He is a wide awake business man of the pro- 
gressive type and has built up an extensive business. He is courteous 
and obliging and has made many friends during the course of his busi- 
ness career in Moberly. He engaged in his present business at 207 
West Reed, Oct. 4, 1914. He carries a full line of cigars, tobacco and 
smokers' accessories and also candies. In connection with his other 
business he conducts the Illinois Coal Company, which is incorporated at 
$10,000, and Mr. Miller is secretary of this company. His billiard room 
is well equipped and conducted on a high-class plane and is one of the 
popular amusement places of Moberly. 

Mr. Miller was married Oct. 4, 1919, to Miss Ruth Marie Durham 
of Kansas City. She is a daughter of Marshal S. and Effie (Hubbard) 
Durham. The mother died when Mrs. Miller was an infant and the 
father now resides at Clark, Mo. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 273 

Mr. Miller is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks, the Country Club and Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6, the American 
Legion, of which he is a charter member. He is a Knights Templar 
Mason and a member of the Shrine. 

During the World War, Clyde Miller enlisted at Columbia, Mo., June 
5, 1918. After taking a special course of instruction at the gas engine 
school at Columbia, he was made an instructor and from there was sent 
to Camp Grant, 111., to the officers' training school, and had just about 
completed his course when the armistice was signed. He was discharged 
Jan. 18, 1919, after having served about nine months with the rank of 
sergeant. 

Emil Gutekunst, a prominent member of the Randolph County bar, 
and one of the leading lawyers of Moberly, is a native of this county. 
He was born in Moberly, Oct. 15, 1878, and is a son of George and 
Emilie (Walz) Gutekunst, early settlers of Randolph County, who came 
here in 1872. For many years the father was engaged in the mercantile 
business here and is now living retired at 201 South Clark street. 

George and Emilie (Walz) Gutekunst are the parents of the follow- 
ing children: George, Jr., lives in Montana; Emil F., the subject of 
this sketch ; Arthur, chief clerk in the Moberly postoffice ; Fred, a grocer 
in Moberly, and Carl, a teacher in the Kansas City High School. Dur- 
ing the World War he was instructor of French in the officers' training 
school at Fort Riley. He was a teacher in the Moberly High School 
prior to the war and enlisted from here. 

Emil F. Gutekunst was reared in Moberly and educated in the pub- 
lic schools. After obtaining a good education, he read law and was 
admitted to the bar in 1904 and began the practice of his profession in 
Moberly, where he has continued until the present time. He has a well 
equipped office and library at 208 North Williams street and has an ex- 
tensive practice. While his practice is of a general nature he gives spe- 
cial attention to probate court practice and the settlement of estates. 

Mr. Gutekunst was married in 1907 to Miss Dola L. Kaufman, of 
Moberly. She is a daughter of George W. and Olive (Lindsay) Kauf- 
man of Moberly. Mr. Kaufman came from Illinois to Missouri and is 
now engaged in the grocery business here. To Mr. and Mrs. Gutekunst 
have been born one daughter, Olive Emilie. 

Mr. Gutekunst is a member of the Presbyterian Church and has 
served as elder for the past fifteen years and for ten years was superin- 



274 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

tendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Gutekunst has an extensive acquaint- 
ance in Moberly and Randolph County and stands high among his fel- 
low members of the bar as well as among his friends and neighbors. 

Frank B. Wegs, owner and proprietor of the Moberly Cornice Works, 
is one of the leading sheet metal workers and tinners and probably the old- 
est in the business in Moberly. He is a native of Illinois and was born 
in Brown County, 111., May 16, 1872. His parents were John B. and 
Catherine (Stark) Wegs, both of whom are deceased. The mother died 
at Quincy, 111., 1907, and the father died in 1903, and their remains are 
buried in St. Francis cemetery, Quincy, 111. They were the parents of 
the following children: Mrs. Louise Newman, deceased; Mrs. Gertrude 
Rupp, Moberly, Mo.; Frank B., the subject of this sketch; Henry, Quincy, 
111., and William, Quincy, 111. The mother of these children was twice 
married, her first husband being a Mr. Karsteiner and three children 
were born to that union: John and Barney, of Quincy, 111., and Mrs. Liz- 
zie Wegs, Mt. Sterling, 111. 

Frank B. Wegs was educated in the parochial schools at Mt. Sterling, 
111., and he also attended the district schools. He has made his own 
way in the world since he was 12 years of age. At the age of 15, he 
began working at the tinner's trade at Quincy, 111., and 18 months 
later he went to Monroe City, Mo., where he remained about a year. 
In 1886 he came to Moberly and worked at the sheet-metal and tinner's 
trade for Ben Kanstnier for eleven years, after which he was engaged 
in farming for eight years and in 1908 he bought Mr. Kanstnier's business 
and since that time has been engaged" in business for himself at Moberly. 
He does all kinds of sheet metal and warm air heating work. He owns 
his own building which is located at 111 West Coates street and is 
unusually well equipped to handle his line of work. His building was 
destroyed by fire Jan. 18, 1911, when the O'Keef building burned. Mr. 
Wegs immediately rebuilt and on the 3rd of the following March, about 
40 days from the date of the fire, he had rebuilt and his building was 
ready for occupancy. 

Mr. Wegs was married May 30, 1894, to Miss Mary Stinkamp, a 
daughter of Herman Stinkamp, of Moberly. He is now deceased and 
his widow lives in Moberly. To Mr. and Mrs. Wegs have been born eight 
children as follows: Loretta, married Frank Davit, Moberly; Hilda, mar- 
ried Earnest Wingfield, Moberly; Clarence, Mabel, Emil, Helen, Marie 
and Regina, all residing at home with their parents. They have two 
grandchildren, William Davit and James Wingfield. 

Mr. Wegs is one of Moberly's substantial business men. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 275 

* 

Dr. Chambers B. Clapp, chief surgeon of the Wabash Hospital at 
Moberly, who also owns and conducts the Woodland Hospital in this 
city, is one of the skilled and widely known physicians and surgeons 
of the state. Doctor Glapp is a native of Illinois. He was born in Dan- 
ville, 111., Nov. 21, 1858. His parents were George A. and Catherine 
(Brown) Clapp. George A. Clapp was a native of North Carolina and 
a pioneer settler of Vermillion County, 111. He was a farmer by occu- 
pation and when the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the 125th Regi- 
ment, Illinois Infantry, and served in the Union army for three and one- 
half years. He enlisted as a private and was promoted from time to 
time during the course of his military career until he became a first 
lieutenant and held that rank when he received his honorable discharge 
and was mustered out of the service at the close of the war. 

Doctor Clapp's mother died when she was- 21 years of age, leaving 
three motherless children: Dr. Chambers B., the subject of this sketch, 
and Isaac D., twins, the latter of whom is a farmer in Florida, and Mrs. 
O. J. Matthews, of Minatare, Neb. After the death of his first wife the 
father was again married and moved his family to Nebraska, where 
he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1916 at the age of 78 
years. 

Doctor Clapp received his preliminary education in the district schools 
of Vermillion County, 111., and Nebraska. Later he attended the State 
Normal School of Nebraska, after which he was engaged in the drug 
business for a time at Brock, Neb. He then went to Philadelphia and 
took a course in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and was graduated 
in 1882. He then returned to Danville, 111., where he was in the drug 
business for four years when he went to Chicago and was engaged in the 
same business for two years. He read medicine under private preceptors 
and entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, where he was graduated 
with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the class of 1889. 

After receiving his degree, Doctor Clapp again returned to Dan- 
ville, 111., where he was engaged in the practice of his profession about 
one year when he received the appointment of local surgeon for the 
Wabash Railway Company at Moberly, Mo., and immediately came here. 
The Wabash Hospital was completed the same year and ready for occu- 
pancy in 1891 and since that time Doctor Clapp has had charge of that 
institution. During this long period of thirty years he has made a 
record of which any surgeon may be justly proud and times without 



276 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

number he has demonstrated his great skill as a physician and surgeon 
and the work that he has done during his career in the Wabash Hospital 
could not be told in any mere biography. 

Doctor Clapp's life is a busy one and in addition to his work in the 
Wabash Hospital he built Woodland Hospital, which he also conducts. 
He bought the property where this hospital stands in 1909 and used a 
portion of the building which stood thereon as a part of the splendid 
modern hospital which he erected. Woodland Hospital has a capacity for 
50 patients and is equipped with all modern hospital fixtures and con- 
veniences. The grounds upon which the hospital stands has a frontage 
of 170 feet and is 400 feet deep. The building is well designed and the 
grounds are neat and well kept and Woodland Hospital is recognized as 
one of the beauty spots of Moberly. It would cost $100,000 to build this 
hospital at the present time. 

In 1883 Dr. Chambers B. Clapp was united in marriage with Miss 
Laura D. Lockhart, a native of Danville, 111. She is a daughter of 
John R. and Mary Lockhart, both natives of Vermillion County, 111. The 
father is now in his 84th year and the mother is 77 years of age. 

In addition to his professional career, Doctor Clapp takes a keen 
interest in local affairs of a public nature and has stood ever ready to 
do his part for the betterment and upbuilding of Moberly and its insti- 
tutions. He is president of the Moberly Chamber of Commerce and also 
president of the board of education and during the World War he served 
on the Medical Advisory Board. He is a director in the Bank of Moberly. 
He is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Shrine. He also 
holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks. 

William F. RohlofF, superintendent of the Brown Shoe Company, fac- 
tory No. 6, is at the head of one of the important manufacturing indus- 
tries that is making of Moberly a recognized manufacturing center. This 
plant has upon its pay roll 450 employees and is one of twelve factories 
operated by the Brown Shoe Company in various cities of the middle 
west and has been in operation here since 1906. At this writing the 
daily output of branch No. 6 is about 2,700 pairs of shoes and from 
200 to 300 pairs of boots daily and during the war there were manufac- 
tured here over a half million pairs of canvas leggings for the gov- 
ernment besides a vast number of service boots and shoes, the retail 
price of which ranged from $4.50 to $25.00 per pair, and during the 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 277 

war the company employed here about 500 persons. The present pay 
roll is about $8,000 per week. 

Mr. Rohloff, whose name introduces this review, is a practical shoe 
man who has had a vast amount of experience in the manufacture of 
shoes in various sections of the country. He is a native of Germany 
and is a son of Frederick and Augusta (Matzdorf) Rohloff. The father 
is now deceased and the mother resides at Shawano, Wis. W. F. Rohloff 
received a good education in the public schools of Wisconsin and after- 
wards took a course in law at the La Salle Institute of Chicago. He 
began his career in shoe manufacturing when he was 17 years old in 
the employ of the Shawano Boot and Shoe Company at Shawano, Wis. 
From there he went to La Crosse, Wis., and was employed by the LaCrosse 
Boot and Shoe Company for a number of years and worked in every 
department of that factory. He then went to Milwaukee where he had 
charge of a shoe factory for a time and then to Chicago and took charge 
of the Pheonix Boot and Shoe Company at West Pullman. From there 
he went to Kansas City with the Barton Brothers Shoe Company. In 
1909 he entered the employ of the Brown Shoe Company and for 11 
years has been in the employ of this company as foreman of various 
factories and superintendent, having held a position of superintendent 
of the Moberly factory No, 6 for the past three years. In addition to 
knowing the art of manufacturing shoes and all the intricacies of this 
business, Mr. Rohloff is a capable executive and not only knows shoes, 
but has a keen insight into human nature and understands men. 

Mr. Rohloff was married in Indianapolis, Ind., in March, 1901, to 
Miss Margaret Hollingsworth. He is a member of the Ancient Free and 
Accepted Masons and the Chamber of Commerce. 

Dr. E. R. Hickerson, a prominent physician and surgeon of Moberly, 
has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Moberly 
and Randolph County for the past 35 years. He is a native of Missouri 
and was born in Ralls County Jan. 27, 1862. He is the son of Dr. J. C. 
and Darthula (Rodes) Hickerson, the former a native of Virginia and 
the latter from Tennessee. 

Dr. J. C. Hickerson was a pioneer physician of Moberly and was 
not only a successful physician, but he was prominent in the affairs of 
the county during the course of his active career. He came here with 
his family from Ralls County in 1870 and was engaged in the practice 
of his profession until the time of his death, April 5, 1885. He was 



278 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

one of the first physicians to locate in Mobsrly. His wife died August 
17, 1901, and their remains are buried in Oakland cemetery. They were 
the parents of the following children: Dr. E. R., the subject of this 
sketch; A. S., who resides in St. Louis; Dr. J. C, of Independence, Mo., 
and W. T., traffic manager for the Morris Packing Company, Chicago, 111. 

Dr. E. R. Hickerson received his preliminary education in the pub- 
lic schools and then entered Westminister College at Fulton, Mo. He 
then attended St. Louis Medical College, where he was graduated with 
the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1885. After receiving his degree 
from that institution he engaged in the practice of medicine at Moberly. 
He was graduated from Medical College the same year that his father 
died and thus was practically enabled to take up the work where his 
father left off. Doctor Hickerson has been continuously engaged in the 
practice here since 1885. 

January 27, 1887, Doctor Hickerson was united in marriage with 
Miss Minnie Hannah, of Moberly. She is a daughter of John F. Hannah, 
a Randolph County pioneer, who lived about two miles north of Moberly. 
He was prominent in local affairs during his time and served for two 
terms as presiding judge of the county court. He died in 1894 and his 
wife, who was a native of New York, died in 1906. Their remains are 
interred in Oakland cemetery. To Dr. E. R. Hickerson and wife have 
been born the following children: Mrs. A. H. McDonald of Moberly; 
Emilie, a teacher of Latin in the Moberly High School, and Lieut. J. C. 

Lieut. J. C. Hickerson is now a salesman for Swift and Company. 
After the United States entered the World War, he enlisted in the army 
in May, 1917, and attended the military training school at Fort Riley. 
Kan., and after he was commissioned first lieutenant he was assigned 
to Battery D, 3rd Regiment, at Camp Taylor, Ky. He was kept at Camp 
Taylor and transferred to the personnel department. He made two trips 
to France during the war as transport adjutant. After two years of 
service in the army he was honorably discharged, Sept. 16, 1919. 

Doctor Hickerson has always taken a keen interest in the welfare 
of the community and served on the Moberly board of education from 
1900 to 1906, and was president of that body from 1904 to 1906. 

S. C. Stevenson, senior member of the firm which compose the S. C. 
Stevenson Monument Works of Moberly, is one of the enterprising and 
progressive business men of Randolph County. Mr. Stevenson is a na- 
tive of Missouri. He was bom in Shelby County, December 30, 1868, and 
is a son of Samuel J. and Emily C. (Calvert) Stevenson. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 279 

Samuel J. Stevenson was born in Woodford County, Ky., July 20, 
1826. He was the son of William Stevenson and his mother's maiden 
name was Gardner. William Stevenson and his wife were both natives 
of Kentucky. Samuel J. Stevenson came to Marion County with his 
parents in 1830. He was about four years old when the family settled 
in Marion County and was /there reared to manhood. In 1850 he crossed 
the plains to California and after remaining there about two years, he 
returned to Marion County, Mo., where he remained until 1867, when 
he removed to Shelby County and was engaged in farming there until 
1880 when he retired and spent the remainder of his days in Shelbina. 
He died in 1904. His wife, Emily C. Calvert, was born in Marion County, 
Mo., in 1838, and died in 1911. She was a daughter of Ziba Calvert, 
whose wife bore the maiden name of Ferguson and they were natives of 
Virginia. 

S. C. Stevenson is the fifth in order of birth in a family of eight 
children born to his parents. He was educated in the public schools and 
learned the marble and granite cutter's trade at Shelbina, Mo., and 
for six years was engaged in that business at Shelbina. In 1895 Mr. 
Stevenson came to Moberly and succeeded the English Brothers and con- 
ducted the business alone until 1912. His son Paul then became a part- 
ner .in the business, which has since been conducted under the firm 
name of S. C. Stevenson Monument Works. Their place of business is 
located at 514 Reed street, and they employ three men to assist in the 
work. They do an extensive business, and have a well equipped plant. 
Their display room is 23x70 feet, and granite which is the product of the 
best quarries throughout the United States is here displayed. 

S. C. Stevenson was married to Miss Irene Martin, of Shelby County. 
She was born Dec. 19, 1870, and is a daughter of W. P. and Martha 
(McClintic) Martin. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Steven- 
son, Paul, who was born at Shelbina, Mo., Jan. 19, 1894. He was edu- 
cated in the public schools and graduated from the Moberly High School 
in the class of 1912, and since that time has been engaged in the monu- 
ment business with his father, with whom he learned the trade. He 
was married in 1915 to Miss Florence Wight, a daughter of J. W. Wight, 
a prominent attorney of Moberly, a sketch of whom appears in this 
volume. 

Paul Stevenson is secretary-treasurer of the Missouri Retail Monu- 
ment Association, of which he was a charter member, he was elected 
secretary-treasurer in 1917. This association now has 75 members. 



280 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

S. C. Stevenson is a member of the Moberly Chamber of Commerce, 
and holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
Paul Stevenson is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. 

William Fennel, Sr., now living retired at Moberly, has been a well- 
known resident and prominent business man of Randolph County for 
nearly half a century, has given up the actual management of his financia 
affairs and is able to enjoy the comfortable fortune which he has accu- 
mulated by hard work and business ability. 

William Fennel was born in the Province of Hessia, Germany, Sept. 
5, 1849, the son of Conrad and Anna (Koch) Fennel, and was the young- 
est of eight children born to them. The parents spent their lives in the 
old country. William Fennel was reared on his father's farm, received 
excellent education in the public schools of his native land. He immi- 
grated to the United States and came west to St. Louis. He at once 
began to work as an apprentice at the blacksmith's trade, completed the 
years of his service and remained there five years before coming to 
Moberly, in the spring of 1872. Here he became associated with his 
brother, Warner, in manufacturing wagons and soon became an expert 
in that business. 

In 1875, Mr. Fennel purchased his brother's interest in the plant, 
who went to Oregon, where he still resides. Mr. Fennel assumed the sole 
management of the shop, and his reputation as a careful skilled work- 
man grew and his trade increased. For nearly a half century he was 
engaged in the same business. In 1886, Mr. Fennel located at the site, 
where he still lives, then purchased the property at the corner of Coates 
and Clark streets, where he erected a modern factory which became 
one of the landmarks of the town and where William Fennel, Jr., now 
conducts the Fennel Carriage and Automobile Works, which is one of 
the largest concerns of its kind in central Missouri. All repair work is 
done, as well as manufacturing of carriages, wagons and automobile parts 
and painting. 

In the spring of 1919, Mr. Fennel retired from commercial activities, 
though not from life, as so many men do. He still takes an interested and 
an active part in the life of the city for he has been a progressive man, 
both in his business, and civic affairs and is one of the men who have 
helped make Randolph County. Mr. Fennel is a Republican, and belongs 
to the Lutheran church. 




WTLLIAM FENNEL 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 281 

On Aug. 26, 1876, Mr. Fennel was married to Miss Mary A. Adler, 
a native of Fayette County, Mo., the daughter of John and Ida (Muller) 
Adler, natives of Germany and Switzerland, respectively. Eight chil- 
dren have been born to this union: Ida, the wife of Powell Kroggei, of 
Moberly; Rose, who married Henry Eienhauer, of Moberly; Henry C, 
who operates the carriage factory; John, also in the factory; Mary, at 
home ; Viola, deceased ; William, Jr., in the Fennel factory, and Vera, 
the wife of L. Acker, of Omaha. 

S. W. Creson, president of the Moberly Wholesale Grocery Company, 
is one of the substantial business men of Moberly. He is a native of 
Missouri and was born in Howard County, Jan. 27, 1853. He is a son 
of Thomas H. and Caroline (Collier) Creson. Thomas H. Creson was 
born in Surrey County, N. C, in 1823, and came to Missouri with his 
parents when he was 14 years of age, in 1837. He was the son of 
George Creson, who upon coming to Missouri, settled in the northern 
part of Howard County, in Burton township, where he improved a farm 
and spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1881. Thomas H. Creson, 
like his father, was also a tiller of the soil. He bought and improved a 
farm in Howard County and was engaged in farming and stock raising 
throughout his active career, except during the period that he served in 
the Civil War. During the course of that conflict he enlisted in the 
Confederate army, under the standard of Gen. Sterling Price, and was 
with Price's command at Baton Rouge, La., when the war closed. He 
then returned to St. Louis by steamboat and to Howard County, where 
he resumed the peaceful pursuit of farming until the time of his death, 
in 1885. His wife, Caroline (Collier) Creson, was born in St. Clair 
County, 111., in 1828, and died Oct. 17, 1859. They were the parents of 
the following children: Mary L., Higbee, Mo.; S. W., the subject of this 
sketch; James M., Higbee, Mo.; Eunice A., deceased; Mrs. Josephine 
Bartee, deceased, and Rebecca L., deceased. 

S. W. Creson was reared on the home farm in Howard County and 
attended the public schools and in 1875-76 attended the States Normal 
School at Kirksville. In early life he was engaged in teaching and for 
nine years taught school in Howard and Randolph counties and was one 
of the successful teachers of this time. He was also engaged in farm- 
ing in Howard County while he was teaching. He then engaged as clerk 
in the Grange Store at Yates, Mo., and after clerking there for three 
years he purchased that business and successfully conducted a general 



282 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

mercantile grocery business at Moberly, as is set forth elsewhere in this 
volume. 

May 27, 1877, S. VV. Creson was united in marriage with Miss Susan 
E. Robb, of Howard County, Mo. She is a daughter of Samuel and 
Sarah E. (Lesley) Robb. Samuel Robb and his wife were pioneer set- 
tlers of Howard County. He died March 10, 1876, at the age of 45 years 
and his wife lived to the advanced age of 84 years and died in March, 
1919. His remains are buried in the cemetery at Log Chapel in Howard 
County, and she is buried in the Sharon church cemetery in Howard 
County. To Mr. and Mrs. George Creson have been born one daughter, 
Bertha A., who married R. M. Allen, secretary of the Moberly Wholesale 
Grocery Company, a sketch of whom apepars in" this volume. 

Mr. Creson has not only been successful and active in a business 
way, but during the course of his career he has always given public 
affairs thoughtful consideration and a good citizen's attention. He has 
served two terms in the State Legislature, including the session of 1901 
and 1903, and never missed a roll call. He is a member of the Masonic 
Lodge. 

Mr. Creson was one of the organizers of the Yates Savings Bank, 
Yates, Mo., and was president of that bank until 1913, when he sold 
his interests. He is the owner of 340 acres of valuable land just north 
of Yates, Mo. 

Moberly Wholesale Grocery Company is one of the important com- 
mercial institutions of the city of Moberly. This company is composed 
of S. W. Creson, R. M. Allen and T. M. Bartee. Mr. Creson is president 
of the company; Mr. Allen, the manager, and Mr. Bartee, treasurer. The 
business is the outgrowth of the general mercantile business which was 
conducted by Creson and Allen at Yate, Mo., from 1899 to 1912. Prior 
to that time Mr. Creson had conducted a store at Yates since 1884. The 
wholesale grocery business was started at Moberly in 1912 and since 
that time the volume of business has gradually increased from year to 
year and in 1919 the business of this concern amounted to about three- 
fourths of a million dollars. 

The business of the Moberly Wholesale Grocery Company extends 
over a radius of 75 miles from Moberly and the trade is looked after by 
four traveling salesmen. The business is located on the corner of Coates 
and Clark streets, Moberly, and occupies a building which has a frontage 
of 120 feet on Coates street and 130 feet on Clark street, and occupies two 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 283 

floors. This is one of the business enterprises of which Moberly is justly 
proud and which adds no small amount of prestage to Moberly as a whole- 
sale center. 

R. M. Allen, manager of the Moberly Wholesale Grocery Company, 
is a native of Illinois. He was born in Opdyke, Jefferson County, and 
is the son of Joshua P. and Alice M. (Jones) Allen. The father was a 
native of Illinois and died March 24, 1911. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion. The mother now resides in Muskogee, Okla. They were the par- 
ents of the following children: R. M., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. 
Delila Littlepage, Sillsbee, Texas ; Jonathan P. Seminole, Okla. ; Mrs. Eva 
E. Jones, Muskogee, Okla. ; E. J., Muskogee, Okla., and Nettie, married 
W. G. Wilkinson, who is now a government auditor in the service at 
Fort Niagara, N. Y. 

R. M. Allen attended the public schools in Illinois and after coming 
to Missouri took a course in the Robinson Business College, at Sedalia, 
Mo., and was graduated from that institution in 1895. He then entered 
the employ of the Chicago and Alton Railroad Company as telegrapher at 
Higginsville, Mo. He served in that capacity until 1899. He then joined 
Mr. Creson in the general mercantile business at Yates, Mo., and later 
in 1912 they abandoned the retail business and engaged in the whole- 
sale grocery business at Moberly, a more complete history of which is 
given elsewhere in this volume. 

Mr. Allen was married May 17, 1899, to Miss Bertha A. Creson, of 
Yates, Mo. She is a daughter of S. W. and Susan E. (Robb) Creson. 
A sketch of S. W. Creson appears in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Allen 
reside at 419 South Fourth street, Moberly. 

Melvin N. Marshall, chief of police of the city of Moberly, has been 
a member of the police force of Moberly for the past ten years and 
since 1917 has been chief of police. He is a fearless officer with a splen- 
did record to his credit. Chief Marshall is a native of Randolph County 
and a descendant of one of the honored pioneer families of Missouri. 
He was born in Prairie township, Randolph County, March 30, 1877, and 
is a son of Rice and Kate (Harris) Marshall. 

Rice Marshall was born in Monroe County, Mo., in 1840. He was 
a farmer and blacksmith and for a number of years conducted a black- 
smith shop at Renick, Mo. He was a Civil War veteran, having served in 
the Conferedate army under Gen. Sterling Price about three years and 
was with his command in Louisiana when the war closed. He died in 



284 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

1895 and his remains are buried in the Anderson cemetery in Prairie 
township. Rice Marshall was a son of Wiley Marshall, a Virginian who 
came to Missouri at a very early date and settled in Monroe County. 
He spent his latter years in Randolph County with his son and died in 
Prairie township, where* his remains are buried. Kate (Harris) Marshall, 
mother of Melvin N. Marshall, was born at Renick, Randolph County, in 
1850, and now resides on South Williams street, Moberly. She is also 
a descendant of a pioneer family of Randolph County. To Rice and 
Kate (Harris) Marshall were born the following children: Wiley, who 
occupies the old home place in Prairie township ; Claude, principal of 
West Park school, Moberly; Etha, married Henry Owens, Huntsville; 
Melvin N., the subject of this sketch and Fannie, married E. Noel, of 
Oklahoma City, Okla. 

Melvin N. Marshall was reared on the home place of Randolph County 
and received his early education in the public schools of the county and 
attended the Moberly High School for three years. He then entered the 
employ of the Wabash Railroad Company and in 1910 was appointed a 
member of the Moberly police force and in 1917 was elected chief of 
police, and has since capably served in that capacity. 

Mr. Marshall was married in 1903 to Miss Anna McGinnis, of 
Moberly. She is a daughter of Patrick and Martha (Haley) McGinnis. 
Mrs. McGinnis died in 1915 and her remains are buried in Oakland ceme- 
tery and Mr. McGinnis now resides in Moberly. 

Chief Marshall is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, Modern Woodmen of America, Knights and Ladies of Security and 
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a capable and effi- 
cient officer and a citizen of Moberly and Randolph County of high 
standing. 

A. B. Rubey, assistant manager for the J. S. Bowers & Son Dry 
Goods and Clothing Company, has for many years been identified with 
the mercantile interest of Moberly and has had a life long experience 
in the mercantile world. He is a native of Ohio and a son of Dr. James 
and Hannah (Hamilton) Rubey, who moved from Ohio to Union City, 
Ind., when A. B. Rubey was a boy. His father was a physician and 
died at the age of 64 years. 

A. B. Rubey was educated in the public schools of Union City, Ind., 
and attended the high school there. He began his career as clerk at an 
early age, clerking at Union City from 1879 to 1886. He then came to 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 285 

Moberly and began clerking in the store of J. S. Bowers. In fact, he 
had clerked for Mr. Bowers in Indiana. Since coming to Moberly, he has 
been in the employ of J. S. Bowers and Son. 

Mr. Rubey was married in 1890 to Miss Alva Walden, of Moberly. ' 
She is a daughter of Z. and Elizabeth (Frazier) Walden. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Rubey have been born one son, William W., who is a graduate of 
the Missouri University at Columbia with the degree of A. B. He is 
a graduate of the Moberly High School. During the World War, he en- 
listed in the Aviation Corps of the United States army at St. Louis and 
was at home under orders waiting a call to the service when the armistice 
was signed. 

Mr. Rubey is one of the public spirited citizens of Moberly and for 
the past 25 years he has been one of the prime movers in promoting the 
public library of this city and is now the president of the library board. 
He was a member of that board when the library building was erected 
and has always been an untiring worker in behalf of the public library. 
He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Modern Woodmen 
of America, the National Union and is one of the progressive citizens of 
Moberly. Mr. Rubey is a member of the Masonic Lodge. 

William D. Scamp ton, secretary and treasurer of the Milbank-Scamp- 
ton Milling Company, is at the head of one of Moberly's important in- 
dustrial concerns. This company has been doing business here for over 
20 years, and from 1899 until 1904 it was conducted by Milbank and 
Scampton as a partnership and in 1904 was incorporated. The plant 
is located at 318 North Clark street, the site having been purchased 
from F. D. Crow. The mill building is 40x60 feet with an engine room 
30x40. The building has two stories and a basement and there is also 
a large warehouse, 50x50 feet, adjoining. The daily capacity is about 
100 barrels of flour and 200 barrels of meal and is operated on a mer- 
chant milling basis, scarcely any custom grinding being done. 

William D. Scampton was born in Madison, Wis., in Dec. 12, 1863, 
and is a son of D. J. and Anna E. (Hart) Scampton. The father died 
in Madison, Wis., at the age of 63 years, after having spent his life 
in that state. He served in the Union army during the Civil War, hav- 
ing enlisted at Madison in Company E., 47th Regiment, Wisconsin Volun- 
teer Infantry. Upon the organization of his company he was first lieu- 
tenant and during the course of his military career was promoted to cap- 
tain and was serving in that capacity when the war closed. He served 
about three years. 



286 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

William D. Scampton was reared in Madison, Wis., and after receiv- 
ing a good preliminary education in the public schools, he attended the 
University of Wisconsin at Madison for two years. Shortly after leaving 
the university he engaged in railroading, entering the employ of the 
Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, and was thus employed until 
1898. During the last ten years of his railroad experience he was a 
locomotive engineer. In 1899, he engaged in the milling business at 
Moberly in partnership with George Milbank and this partnership con- 
tinued until the death of Mr. Milbank in 1904, when the business was 
incorporated and since when has been operated as an incorporated com- 
pany. 

Mr Scampton was married Sept. 17, 1896, to Miss Lucy Milbank, of 
Chillicothe, Mo. She is a daughter of George and Nellie Milbank, the 
former a native of Essex, England, and the latter of Virginia. George 
Milbank was the partner of Mr. Scampton in the milling business until 
the time of his death. To George and Nellie Milbank were born the fol- 
lowing children: J. T., Chillicothe; C. R., Kirksville; H. H., Wichita, 
Kan.; Mrs. W. E. Crellin, Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. T. F. Fulkerson, Kan- 
sas City, Mo., and Mrs. William D. Scampton, of this review. 

Mr. Scampton is a member of the Moberly Chamber of Commerce, 
the T. P. A., and he is a Knights Templar Mason. He is one of the suc- 
cessful business men of Moberly who has made substantial progress in 
the business world. 

Frank Q. McAfee. — The McAfee Mill and Commission Company of 
Moberly of which Frank C. McAfee is owner and proprietor, began busi- 
ness in this city in 1896 and has been at its present location, the corner 
of Clark and Rollins streets since 1908. There are ten men employed 
in connection with this business which consists of dealing in grain and 
grinding wheat, com and feed cereals and also the manufacture of patent 
stock foods. The mill has a capacity of about 25 barrels of flour and 100 
barrels of meal daily. Besides the grinding and manufacturing a gen- 
eral wholesale business is also carried on in flour, feed, hay and grain. 

Frank C. McAfee, proprietor of the McAfee Mill and Commission 
Company, was born in Lafayette County, April 11, 1875. He is the son 
of George L. and Julia A. (Smith) McAfee, both of whom are now de- 
ceased. George L. McAfee was born in Mercer County, Ky., in 1852 
and came to Missouri in 1872, locating near Holliday, Monroe County. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 287 

There he was married to Julia A. Smith and moved to Lafayette County 
when he returned to Monroe County where he died and is buried at 
Paris. After his death his wife married Thomas E. Crow of Monroe 
County and later came to Mobeiiy where she died in 1917 and her remains 
are buried in Oakland Cemetery. The children born to her second mar- 
riage are William B. and Thomas E. junior both of whom are connected 
with the McAfee Mill and Commission Company; Nellie E. married Ray 
Coons of Houston, Texas and Isabell married Roy Prather of Kansas 
City, who is with the Fidelity Trust Company of Kansas City. 

Frank C. McAfee was educated in the public schools and the Moberly 
High School and in 1896 organized the McAfee Mill and Commission Com- 
pany and has conducted that business till the present time. This busi- 
ness has expanded under his management until there are now eight 
branches of the business located in various sections of the state. One 
at Brunswick has an elevator capacity of 30,000 bushels. Their elevator 
at Huntsville, which was completed in the fall of 1919, is strictly modern 
and one of the best in the country, has a capacity of 10,000 bushels. The 
Randolph Milling Company, a corporation owned by the McAfee family 
has a daily capacity of 50 barrels of flour. The Holliday elevator was 
completed in 1919 and has a capacity of 6,000 bushels. Frank C. McAfee's 
father, George L. McAfee, began farming in Monroe County years ago, 
within a 100 yards of where this elevator now stands. The City Feed 
Store of Paris, Mo., is a branch of the McAfee business and they also have 
a store at Madison, Mo. and one at Jacksonville. F. C. McAfee also con- 
ducts an automobile sales agency at 112 Rollins street, Moberly and 
handles the Studebaker, Cadillac and Brisco automobiles and also trucks 
and tractors. This business was started in 1917 and in 1919, 63 cars 
were sold. Mr. McAfee also owns valuable real estate interests in 
Moberly and vicinity. 

Mr. McAfee was maried April 21, 1898 to Miss Letha G. Smothers, 
of Randolph County, a daughter of Daniel Smothers who is now deceased 
and his widow resides in Moberly. To Mr. and Mrs. McAfee have been 
born two children: Louise and Gertrude who reside at home with their 
parents. 

Mr. McAfee and his family are members of the Central Christian 
church. 



288 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

John C. O'Keefe, president of the O'Keefe Brothers' Grocery Com- 
pany, of Moberly, is one of the progressive and enterprising business 
men of Moberly and Randolph County. He was born in Susquehanna 
County, Pa., Aug. 7, 1859, and is a son of William and Margaret 
(O'Connel) O'Keefe, early settlers of Randolph County, who are now 
deceased and further mention of whom is made in connection with the 
sketch of Arthur O'Keefe in this volume. 

John C. O'Keefe came to Randolph County with his parents in 1862, 
when he was about 3 years of age. The family first settled in Renick 
and here John C. O'Keefe attended school during the winter terms and 
worked in the stores of Renick in summer. The first school which he 
attended was held in a primitive log school house and he recalled Ben- 
jamin Ashcomb as being a first teacher, a pioneer teacher of Randolph 
County who died a few years ago and his widow now lives at Hunts- 
ville. 

The O'Keefe family moved to Moberly in 1872, where the father 
engaged in railroad work. Here Arthur O'Keefe engaged in retail gro- 
cery business in 1879 and was joined by John C. later. The business 
at first was conducted as a retail grocery, but later developed into a 
wholesale grocery house. John C. was secretary and treasurer of the 
company for a time and afterwards became president and has occupied 
that position to the present time. The O'Keefe Brothers Grocery Com- 
pany does an extensive business in this section of the state, their busi- 
ness extending over eight counties, north of the Missouri River, in which 
they are represented by six traveling salesmen. In 1919 their business 
exceeded $800,000. 

John C. O'Keefe was married June 16, 1897, to Miss Margaret G. 
Haggerty, a daughter of Frank and Mary (Cunningham) Haggerty, of 
Moberly. Frank Haggerty was one of the early settlers of Moberly and 
one of the pioneer merchants of this city. He was born in Ireland in 
1849 and came to America about 1867, first locating at Memphis, Tenn. 
In 1872, he came to Moberly and engaged in the grocery business. He 
was successful in business, public spirited and had much to do with the 
development and upbuilding of Moberly. He built the Haggerty Opera 
House which was the only opera house in Moberly for many years. It is 
now known as the Lyric Hall. Mr. Haggerty was engaged in business 
here until about 1910, and in 1914 went to California and now resides 
in Los Angeles. His wife died in 1883 and her remains were buried in 
St. Mary's Cemetery Moberly. 




JOHN C. O'KEEFE 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 289 

To Mr. and Mrs. John C. O'Keefe have been born the following- 
children: Mary Margaret, a student of Marymount College; John C, 
Jr., a student in Georgetown University ; Helen, a student in Loretta 
'College, St. Louis, Mo.; Frank and Arthur, at home. 

Mr. O'Keefe takes an active interest in local progressive movement 
for the improvement and upbuilding of Moberly and was one of the 
leading factors in the organization of the Moberly Commercial Club, 
which later developed into the Chamber of Commerce. While he has 
been interested and active in local affairs of a public nature, he has per- 
sistently refused to become a candidate for city office of any kind, al- 
though frequently urged to do so. He is a member of the Benevolent 
and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Country 
Club, and the Chamber of Commerce. 

William P. O'Keefe, of the O'Keefe Brothers Wholesale Grocery Com- 
pany of Moberly, Mo. was born in Susquehanna County, Pa., Dec. 27, 1865 
and is a son of William and Margaret (O'Connell) O'Keefe, early settlers 
of Randolph County both of whom are now deceased. A more extensive 
history of the O'Keefe family appears in connection with the sketches of 
Arthur O'Keefe and John C. O'Keefe in this volume. 

William P. O'Keefe came to Randolph County with his parents when 
he was a child and attended the public schools in the vicinity of Renick 
where the family first settled, and later in Moberly. He also took a com- 
mercial course in S. M. Crawford's Business College at Moberly. He 
then learned the blacksmith trade in the Wabash railroad shops and in 
1892 became identified with the O'Keefe Brothers Grocery Company and 
since that time has been actively associated with that company. 

Mr. O'Keefe was married in 1901 to Miss Eliza McKinna of St. Louis, 
Mo. She is a daughter of John and Catherine McKinna, the former of 
whom is now deceased and the latter resides in St. Louis. The McKinnas 
belong to some of the pioneer families of that city. To Mr. and Mrs. 
O'Keefe have been born four children as follows: Catherine, William, 
Mary and Eleanor. 

Mr. O'Keefe is a Democrat and takes a keen interest and an active 
part in political matters. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus 
and the Chamber of Commerce, and is recognized as one of Moberly's 
substantial and enterprising business men. The O'Keefe home is located 
at 615 S. Fifth street. 



290 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Joseph F. O'Keefe, secretary of the O'Keefe Brothers Wholesale 
Grocery Company, of Moberly, is one of the progressive business men of 
Moberly and Randolph County. He was born at Davenport, Iowa, in. 
1864 and is the son of William and Margaret (O'Connell) O'Keefe, a more 
extensive history of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. 

Joseph F. O'Keefe was educated in the public schools of Randolph 
County and has spent his life in the grocery business in one capacity or 
another. He began his experience in that business driving a delivery 
wagon for the O'Keefe Brothers grocery, back in the days when this firm 
conducted a retail grocery business. He now divides his time between 
the office and outside as salesman. 

Mr. O'Keefe is unmarried and resides with his sisters at 605 South 
Fifth street, Moberly, Mo. He is a member of the Benevolent and Pro- 
tective Order of Elks. He is a live business man and has an extensive 
acquaintance throughout central Missouri. 

Dr. Charles L. Dodson, a well known and successful physician and 
surgeon of Moberly, Mo., is a native of this state. Doctor Dodson was 
born in Adair County, Mo., July 26, 1878, and is the son of Perry M. and 
Rose Ann (Stukey) Dodson. Perry M. Dodson was also born in Adair 
County, Mo., and during the early part of his life he was engaged in 
farming pursuits. In 1898 he engaged in the real estate and loan busi- 
ness at Kirksville, Mo. and followed that vocation until the time of his 
death in 1917 ; he was 64 years old. His wife died at the age of 47 years 
and their remains are buried at Millard, Mo. They were the parents of 
two children : Dr. Charles L., the subject of this review, and Lena Pearl 
who married Albert B. Fish, of Sapulpa, Okla. 

Dr. Charles L. Dodson received a good preliminary education in the 
public schools and then took a course in the State Normal School at Kirks- 
ville, Mo., and was graduated from that institution in 1899. He then 
entered the American School of Osteopathy and was graduated from that 
institution with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathy in the class of 1901. 
Later, Dr. Dodson entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at St. 
Louis, Mo., where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medi- 
cine. He engaged in the practice at Huntsville at first, and in 1905 came 
to Moberly which has since been the scene of his professional activity. 
He is a capable physician and with his knowledge of both the science of 
osteopathy and medicine as well as surgery he is well equipped for the 
wide field which his general practice embraces. Since coming to Moberly, 
he has built up a large practice and stands high in the community. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 291 

Dr. Dodson was married Dec. 15, 1901, to Miss Cordelia Beall. She 
is a daughter of Lee J. and Hannah (Armstrong) Beall. Lee J. Beall 
was a native of Ohio and served in the Union Army during the Civil War. 
He and his wife are both deceased. To Dr. and Mrs. Dodson have been 
born one child, Mary, who is now a student in the Moberly High School. 

Dr. Dodson is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. 

T. R. Fiorita, of Moberly, has had a successful business career and is 
an example of what can be accomplished by thrift and industry, coupled 
with the determination to succeed. He is a native of the Island of Sicily 
and was born July 24, 1877. He is the son of Charles Fiorita who lived 
for a time at Des Moines, Iowa, and was engaged in the wholesale fruit 
business. He lived in Kansas City, Mo., where he died in 1916 and his 
widow resides in that city. 

T. R. Fiorita came to America with his parents who first located at 
Des Moines, Iowa. He came to Moberly in June, 1899 and at that time, 
just 21 years ago, his entire capital consisted of $71.00 He first engaged 
in the fruit business and a short time afterwards added candies and ice 
cream to his business, making his own candy and ice cream. About ten 
years later he bought a saloon which he conducted until July 1, 1919. 
During the course of his business career Mr. Fiorita worked hard and 
saved his money which he invested carefully. He became prosperous 
and today is an extensive land owner, besides the owner of valuable 
property in the city of Moberly, including his residence and a business 
block at 118 Reed street. He is the owner of about 1,200 acres of land, 
685 acres at Clapper, 252 in Audrain County, near Mexico, and 240 acres 
near Higbee, Randolph County. He leases two of his farms and has a 
tenant on the other 685 acre place which he operates under his own 
supervision. This place is well stocked and he is extensively engaged 
in breeding registered Duroc Jersey hogs and registered Jersey cattle 
and also conducts a dairy there. 

Mr. Fiorita was united in marriage at Atlantic, Iowa, to Miss Ida M. 
Sanford, a native of that place. To Mr. and Mrs. Fiorita have been born 
two children : Nina, a student in Linwood College at St. Charles, Mo., and 
Charles, who is at home with his parents. 

Mr. Fiorita is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks and the Knights of Columbus. 

Dr. Stephen T. Ragan, a prominent physician, who is successfully 
engaged in the practice of his profession at Moberly, Mo., is a native of 



292 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

this state, and is a member of a pioneer Missouri family. Dr. Ragan was 
born in Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 24, 1888, and is a son of Dr. Stephen and 
Luvena (Duncan) Ragan. The mother died in 1911 and the father is 
engaged in the practice of medicine, in Kansas City. He was born in 
Gracon County, Texas, in 1864. He is a graduate of the Kansas City 
Medical College, and for 27 years has been engaged in the practice of 
his profession in that city. During the World War, he enlisted for 
service and did volunteer work for the government in Kansas City, until 
1918 when he was transferred to Fort Leavenworth, Kan. and was in the 
\ ice until the close of the war. He is a son of Stephen C. Ragan and 
Josephine (Chiles) Ragan. Stephen T. Ragan was a very early pioneer 
of Jackson County, Mo., and served as county marshal there and Josephine 
(Chiles) Ragan, was a member of one of the pioneer families of that 
county, several members of which are now prominent in the affairs of 
Jackson County. 

Dr. Stephen T. Ragan, the subject of this sketch, has one brother, 
Dr. Walter H. Ragan, who is a practicing dentist in Kansas City, Mo. 
During the World War, he served with the Dental Corps, having enlisted 
in 1917, he was stationed at Fort Douglas, Arizona. 

Dr. Stephen T. Ragan received a good education in the public schools 
at Kansas City and then entered the University Medical College of Kan- 
sas City, where he was graduated in the class of 1911. He then practiced 
medicine in Macon County until 1915. He then served an internship in a 
Kansas City hospital and then took post graduate course in Chicago and 
engaged in the practice at Moberly, Mo., in August, 1916, and when the 
United States entered the World War, he volunteered his services in 
April, 1917, and was called into service Aug. 1 ; 1917, and sent to London, 
England, where he was attached to the British Army. He served one 
year in London and four months in Belgium. He then was taken sick 
with trench fever and after being confined to a hospital for two months, 
he returned to duty and served for five months at St. Albans, England. 
He was overseas for 22 months and was one of the first three men to go 
overseas from Randolph County. He was mustered out of service at 
Camp Dix, New Jersey, in May, 1919. 

After his discharge from the army, Dr. Ragan resumed his practice 
at Moberly and is one of the successful physicians of Randolph Couir 

Jim W. Holman, of the Peoples Steam Laundiy, is one of the enter- 
prising and successful citizens of Moberly and the Peoples Steam Laundry 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 293 

occupies a position among the leading industrial institutions of this char- 
acter in the state. The plant is located at 100 North Williams street and 
is equipped with all modern machinery and appliances for handling a 
general laundry business on a large scale. They employ 35 people and 
have an extensive business. The Peoples Laundry has won a well merited 
reputation for promptness and excellency of workmanship. 

Jim W. Holman is a native of Moberly and a son of H. Frank and 
Linda (St. Clair) Holman of Moberly. H. Frank Holman is also a native 
of Randolph County and is the senior partner of the Peoples Laundry 
Company and founded the business in 1898. A sketch of him appears in 
this volume. 

Jim W. Holman was educated in the public schools of Moberly and at- 
tended the Moberly High School. He later attended the Pritchett Col- 
lege which was conducted by U. S. Hall, at Glasgow and afterwards at- 
tended Westminster College at Fulton, Mo. After completing school in 
1909 he entered the laundry business at Moberly in partnership with his 
father and since that time has devoted his attention to that business. 

Mr. Holman was united in marriage Sept. 30, 1915 with Miss Pearle 
M. Wilhite of Blytheville, Ark. She is a daughter of John F. and Laura 
Wilhite, the latter of whom is deceased and the father resides at Blythe- 
ville, Ark. 

Mr. and Mis. Holman reside at Urbandale, a suburb adjoining 
Moberly, where Mr. Holman is also interested quite extensively in poultry 
raising. For the past three years he has been a successful breeder of 
single comb Rhode Island Red chickens, of the standard bred variety. 
He now has about 135 hens, the breed of which is of the highest strain 
obtainable. He is also a breeder of pure bred Pointer dogs which bring 
a good price. He has sold dogs in all parts of the country. 

Mr. Holman is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks and has a wide acquaintance in Randolph County where he stands 
high. 

May J. Tedford, a well known and successful insurance man of 
Moberly is a native of Randolph County and a descendant of some of the 
very early pioneers of this section of the state. He was born in Sugar 
Creek township, Feb. 22, 1869 and is a son of Frank and Mary Virginia 
(Baird) Tedford. 

J. Frank Tedford, was also born in Sugar Creek township March 28, 
1843, a son of pioneer parents. During the Civil War he enlisted in the 



294 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Confederate army and served with General Price. Randolph County has 
been his home practically all his life. He furnished ties for the Wabash 
railroad when it was being constructed in this vicinity. He now resides 
at 112 Kirby street, Moberly. His mother. Catherine Hannah Tedford, 
was a native of Tennessee and came to Randolph with her parents about 
1807. They settled in what later became Sugar Creek township and 
were among the very first settlers of this part of the state. They were 
the organizers of Sugar Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the first 
meeting being held in the home of Andrew Hannah, the father of Cath- 
erine (Hannah) Tedford. Andrew Hannah and his wife spent the re- 
mainder of their lives in Randolph County, after coming here, and their 
remains are buried in Sugar Creek Cemetery which perhaps is the oldest 
regularly established cemetery in Randolph County. 

Mary Virginia Baird, mother of May J. Tedford of this review, was 
born in Pennsylvania in 1850 and came to Randolph County with her 
parents, J. C. and Almina Baird who settled in Sugar Creek township 
shortly after the close of the Civil War. To J. Frank and Mary Virginia 
(Baird) Tedford were born the following children: May J., the subject 
of this sketch; Fred H., who is engaged in the hotel business at Kansas 
City; Allie, married N. C. Figley, of Los Angeles, Cal. 

May J. Tedford received his education in the district schools of Sugar 
Creek township and the Moberly public schools. In 1893 he was elected 
collector of the city of Moberly and reelected in 1895 and in 1897, serving 
six years in that office. He was then engaged in farming and stock rais- 
ing for four years when he engaged in the insurance business in Moberly 
and since that time has successfully devoted himself to that field of 
endeavor. 

Mr. Tedford was married in 1899 to Mrs. Ida L. (Elsea) Last, of 
Moberly, Mo. They have one son, John Elsea, a student in the Moberly 
High School. 

E. G. Rupp, a well known citizen of Moberly, who is an extensive 
dealer in coal, wood, sand, crushed stone and junk is a native of Illinois. 
He was born at Quincy, 111. and is the son of F. J. and Hannah Rupp. The 
mother died at Moberly in 1900, and the father now resides in this city. 
They were the parents of the following children: William, Moberly, 
Mo.; Mary Hannah, Pawhauska, Okla. ; Clara, Tulsa, Okla. ; Helen, and 
Agnes married Elsworth Warner of Moberly, Mo. and E. G., the subject 
of this sketch. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 295 

F. J. Rupp came to Moberly with his family and about a year later 
began to deal in junk and shortly afterwards engaged in the poultry busi- 
ness, handling poultry in carload lots. After a time he sold his poultry 
business and engaged in the grocery business which after a time he sold. 
However, he continued to handle junk after first engaging in that business. 

E. G. Rupp was educated in the Loretta Academy at Moberly and 
was reared to a practical knowledge of his father's business, beginning 
work with his father when he was 12 years. In 1911, he bought his 
father out, and since that time he has conducted the business which has 
developed into large proportions. He has several branches and handles 
over 150 carloads annually of junk, alone, which is a large business in 
itself, to say nothing of the other commodities in which he deals. 

Mr. Rupp is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks and the Knights of Columbus. He is a progressive citizen and one 
of the substantial citizens of Moberly and Randolph Comity. 

August Merck, now living retired at his home in Moberly, is one of 
the pioneer business men of Randolph County and for many years was 
successfully engaged in the bakery business at Moberly. He is a native 
of Illinois and was born at Bellville, 111., Feb. 23, 1851, and is a son of 
Charles and Louise (Knoell) Merck, very early pioneer settlers of Bell- 
ville, 111., who are both now deceased. The mother died in 1852 and the 
father departed this life in 1881 and their remains are buried at Bell- 
ville. They emigrated to America in 1833 from Kreuznath, Germany, 
both coming on the same sailing vessel and were married some time after 
reaching America. The voyage across the ocean required three months, 
which was about the average time that it took a sailing vessel to make 
the trip in those days. Charles Merck was a son of Carl Merck, who was 
a forest overseer under the Napoleon the First. 

After reaching this country, Charles Merck was married and settled 
at Bellville, 111. He had learned the baker's trade in his native land and 
established a bakery at Belleville, which he conducted throughout the re- 
mainder of his life and this business is still being carried on by the 
widow of his son, Charles, Jr. It was established over 87 years ago. 
Charles Merck, the father of August Merck, lived at Bellville during the 
Civil War, and was a strong supporter of the Union, although he was 
always a Democrat and an enthusiastic supporter of Stephen A. Douglas. 

August Merck was one of seven children born to his parents and is 
the only one now living. He was reared in Bellville, 111. and educated 



296 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

in the public schools there. In early life, he learned the baker's trade 
with his partner. In 1878, he came to Moberly and bought out the bakery 
here which was owned by William Radell, who was one of the first bakers 
of Moberly ; this bakery was located in the 200 block on North Clark 
street. It was afterwards moved to Williams street and later to Reed 
street, where Mr. Merck conducted the bakery business until 1898. 

August Merck was united in marriage Feb. 11, 1880 to Miss Mary 
Kaufman of Illinois, a daughter of John Kaufman. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Merck have been born four children as follow: John, a barber living in 
Moberly ; Arthur, an employe of the Cotton Belt Railroad Company, Little 
Rock, Ark.; Edwin, a tailor, Moberly, Mo.; August, Jr. chief clerk for 
Superintendent Greenland of the Wabash Railroad Company. 

Mr. Merck is a member of the Court of Honor and one of the highly 
respected and substantial pioneer citizens of Randolph County. 

James Thomas Cross, of the J. T. Cross Lumber Company, is the 
present mayor of the city of Moberly and a representative progressive 
business man of Randolph County. He is a native of Randolph County 
and a descendant of a pioneer family of this state. Mr. Cross was born 
on a farm adjoining the town site of Clark, Mo., Aug. 6, 1856, and is a 
son of William B. and Mary (Shores) Cross, both natives of Howard 
County, Mo. William B. Cross was a son of John Cross, a Kentuckian, 
who came to Missouri and settled in Howard County at a very early 
clay and spent the remainder of his life there. His remains are buried 
in a private cemetery on the old Cross homestead near Armstrong, Mo. 
William B. Cross grew to manhood in Howard County, and after his mar- 
riage, settled on a farm in Randolph County near Clark, and he and 
his wife spent the remainder of their lives in this county and their 
remains are buried in Chapel Grove Cemetery. 

William B. and Mary (Shores) Cross were the parents of the follow- 
ing children: J. N., Modesto, Calif.; Mrs. Susan Martin, died at Clark, 
Mo.; James Thomas, the subject of this sketch; Anna, died at age of 7 
years; Clay, resides at Clark, Mo.; Mrs. Cornelia Trailkill, Clark, Mo.; 
Mollie, married Dr. R. A. Wood, Clark, Mo. ; Samuel, Clark, Mo. ; Marvin, 
Clark. Mo. ; and Charles, died at the age of 16 years. 

James T. Cross attended the public schools of his neighborhood and 
then entered the Missouri University at Columbia, where he was grad- 
uated in the class of 1881. He devoted a number of years to teaching 
in early life and was recognized as one of the successful educators in 




J T CROSS 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 297 

central Missouri. During this course of his career as teacher, he was 
principal of the public schools at Renick, Sturgeon and Brunswick, Mo. 
He then accepted the position as manager for the Flagg Lumber Com- 
pany at Clark and New Franklin and was thus engaged until 1907. He 
then came to Moberly and purchased the Eberhardt Lumber Yard, which 
was located on North William street. Shortly afterwards, he bought 
property on North Clark street and organized the J. T. Cross Lumber Com- 
pany in partnership with R. L. Kingsbury, and they have conducted 
the business to the present time and have met with unqualified success. 
The J. T. Cross Lumber Company is one of the substantial business insti- 
tutions of Randolph County and does an extensive business. Their offices 
and lumber yard are located at 311 to 323 North Clark street. They 
carry a large stock of lumber and various building materials, including 
almost everything ordinarily required in the building trades. 

May 28, 1893, James T. Cross was united in marriage with Miss 
Cora Woods of Boone County, Mo. She is a daughter of Robert and 
Elizabeth Woods, the former of whom is now deceased and the mother 
resides at Sturgeon, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Cross were born two children, 
Harold and Hildah, twins, who died at the age of six months. 

Mr. Cross has ever taken a commendable interest in public affairs 
and while a resident of New Franklin he served as president of the school 
board; also president of the building and loan association. In 1919, he 
was elected mayor of Moberly. He is giving Moberly a good, clean busi- 
ness administration — a business administration by a business man — 
which is a refreshing condition in this age of a multitude of untried 
theories and isms in municipal government. 

Mr. Cross has a wide acquaintance in this section of the state and 
ranks high. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge. 

James R. O'Brian, truckman at the Wabash shops, Moberly, Mo., was 
born at Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Va., Sept. 20, 1870 and is a 
son of Hugh and Mary E. (Kilby) O'Brian. 

Hugh O'Brian came to Missouri with his family in 1878 when James 
R. of this review was only eight years old. They settled in Howard 
County where the father bought a farm from Thomas Ray and here 
he was engaged in farming and stock raising and met with success. He 
and his wife both spent the remainder of their lives in Howard County. 
His remains are buried in the Gilliard Church Cemetery and his wife is 
buried at Bethel Church. They were the parents of the following chil- 



298 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

dren: James R., the subject of this sketch; William, Houston, Texas; 
Emmet, Fort Worth, Texas; Earnest and Ed H., twins, the former of 
whom resides at Fort Worth, Texas and the latter on the home farm in 
Howard County; and Mrs. Letita Shaw, of Montrose, Ark. 

James R. O'Brian was reared on the home farm in Howard County 
and attended the Hocker School in Howard County and also studied under 
Professor Cockrell at Fayette, Mo. He followed farming until Feb. 14, 
1901 when he entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company and 
for the past 12 years has been truck foreman in the shops of this com- 
pany at Moberly and has under his charge from six to ten men. In 1919, 
he was returned to truckman and is not foreman. Mr. O'Brian is an 
efficient employee and a substantial representative citizen of Moberly. 
He owns a comfortable modern home at 546 Johnson street where he and 
his family reside. 

Mr. O'Brian was married Dec. 19, 1893 to Miss Mattie Doherty of 
Howard County, Mo. She is the daughter of Robert and Martha (Ball) 
Doherty, who reside on their farm of 263 acres in Howard County. They 
are the parents of the following children: Mrs. Mae Graps; Mrs. Eula 
Roberts; Mrs. Olde O'Brian, all of whom reside in Howard County; Mrs. 
James R. O'Brian of this review and Richard Doherty who died in Sep- 
tember, 1905 and is buried at New Hope Church. 

To Mr. and Mrs. James R. O'Brian have been born the following 
children : Ethel, married Earnest Myers of Fall City, Neb. ; Orvil O'Brian 
who is connected with the Exchange Bank of Kansas City, Mo. ; and Mary 
Bell at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brian are members of 
the Knights and Ladies of Security and the Court of Honor and she is a 
member of the Knights of the Maccabees and Mr. O'Brian holds member- 
ship in the B. R. C. of America. 

Hartley A. McCoy, chief clerk to the master mechanic of the Wabash 
Railroad at Moberly, Mo., is one of the well known and substantial citizens 
of Randolph County. Mr. McCoy was born at Ottumwa, Iowa, Nov. 8, 
1875, and is the son of Alexander Brown and Jennie Elizabeth (Thomp- 
son) McCoy, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Tennessee. 
The mother was accidentally killed at the Coates street railroad crossing 
in Moberly in 1903 and her remains rest in Oakland Cemetery and the 
father of whom a sketch appears in this volume resides in Moberly. He 
is now county judge of Randolph County from the western district. To 
Alexander Brown and Jennie Elizabeth (Thompson) McCoy were born 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 299 

the following children: Hartley A., the subject of this sketch, and Bertha 
who married William Stephens, Sedalia, Mo. 

Hartley A. McCoy came to Moberly with his parents and was edu- 
cated in the public schools here. He has made his own way since he was 
16 years old, beginning as an office boy in the general foreman's office of 
the Wabash machine shops at Moberly. He then served three years 
apprenticeship as a pattern maker and then entered the master cal" 
builder's office at Moberly in a clerical capacity and on Jan. 1, 1913, he 
became chief clerk to the master mechanic and has since served in that 
capacity. Mr. McCoy has had a vast amount of experience and is one of 
the valued and trusted employees of the Wabash Railroad Company, hav- 
ing been steadily in the employ of this company since 1891. 

Mr. McCoy is a member of the National Union, Modem Woodmen of 
America and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. McCoy and 
his daughter, Louise, who is a graduate of the Moberly High School, re- 
side with Mr. McCoy's father at 320 Burkhart street, Moberly, Mo. 

H. A. Grimes, payroll clerk of the Wabash Railroad Company, is one 
of the well and favorably known citizens of Moberly and a member of 
one of the prominent pioneer families of Randolph County. He was born 
just east of Moberly near the city limits Nov. 12, 1861 and is the son of 
W. G. and Virginia F. (Terrill) Grimes both of whom are deceased. 

W. G. Grimes was a native of Virginia and came to Missouri with 
his parents who settled in Randolph County, east of Moberly where he 
and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. W. G. Grimes was reared 
to farm life and followed farming and the dairy business and also worked 
at the carpenter trade. Later he conducted a grocery store in Moberly. 
He died at the age of 77 years and lis wife died at the age of 72 years. 
They were the parents of the following children: H. A., the subject of 
this sketch; Minta Grimes, who resides in Moberly; Mrs. Annie Garrett 
lives in Monroe County, Mo.; Henrietta, died in infancy; James was a 
locomotive engineer and died at Moberly at the age of 40 years; Mrs. 
Lena L. Thackston, Moberly, Mo.; Lucretia, married Omar Martin. 

H. A. Grimes was reared in Randolph County and educated in the 
public schools and graduated from the Moberly High School in 1880. 
He and W. A. Rothwell who is now deceased were the first two graduates 
from the Moberly High School. Mr. Rothwell was later prominent in 
the affairs of Randolph County and a leading Democrat of the state. He 
served as chairman of the State Democratic Committee. At one time 
he was a law partner of Alex H. Waller the editor of this history. 



300 . HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

After completing school Mr. Grimes became a clerk in the clothing 
store of A. B. Thompson and Company of Moberly and was in the employ 
of that concern for 12 years. He then was employed by the Martin Cloth- 
ing Company for a time and for two years clerked in a grocery store. 
He then served as constable and deputy sheriff for four years. In April, 
1904, he entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company as clerk 
and timekeeper and in March, 1913, he was promoted to payroll clerk and 
has held that position to the present time. Mr. Grimes is capable and 
efficient and a conscientious employee. 

Mr. Grimes was married in 1885 to Miss Betty Barnes of Moberly 
who departed this life in February, 1913 and her remains are buried in 
Oakland Cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Grimes were born two children: 
Lena, married J. J. Dameron, of Kansas City, Mo., and they have one 
child, Elizabeth Dameron ; and Opal married I. E. McCabe, of Moberly, 
Mo. 

Mr. Grimes is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and 
one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Randolph County. 

Paul S. Wit ten, a veteran of the World War and the first commander 
of Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6, American Legion, of which he is a charter 
member, is a descendant of a prominent pioneer family of Missouri. He 
was born in Moberly, Jan. 21, 1891, the son of Thomas R. and Laura E. 
(Nichols) Witten. 

Thomas R. Witten was born in Grundy County, Mo. and was killed 
in a railroad accident at Benton City, Mo., Dec. 24, 1905, at the age of 44 
years. He was a son of Samuel Witten, a Kentuckian, who came to Mis- 
souri at a very early date and settled in Grundy County, where he entered 
government land. 

Laura E. (Nichols) Witten, mother of Paul S. W T itten now resides 
in Moberly. She is a descendant of one of the very early pioneer families 
of Missouri. Her father served in the Mexican War under Colonel 
Donaphin, having volunteered with the Missouri troops which were com- 
manded by Donaphin. He was the standard bearer and the flag which 
he carried in the Mexican War is now in possession of his descendants. 
He was one of the first graduates of the University of Missouri. He 
was a farmer and merchant and after the Civil War he was engaged in 
business at Edinburgh, Mo. 

Paul S. Witten is one of two sons born to his parents. The other 
son, Guy, died at the age of 29 years and his remains and also the 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 301 

father's are buried in the Perry Cemetery at Trenton, Mo. Paul S. Wit- 
ten was educated in the public schools and graduated from the Moberly 
High School in 1909. He then entered the employ of Doctor Harlan, a 
druggist of Moberly, and later was in the employ of W. 0. Baker, of 
Centralia, Mo., and at the death of his brother he returned to Moberly 
and was in the employ of John F. Curry for three years when be became 
a partner in the business and had been thus interested for two years 
when the United States entered the World War. Mr. W T itten then sold 
his interest in the business and on Dec. 14, 1917 he enlisted in the United 
States Army and the Medical Corps at St. Louis, Mo. He was with the 
Medical Supply Depot at St. Louis for a time when he was sent to New- 
port News and after one months training was sent to France with Field 
Medical Supply Company No. 9, arriving in France, Oct. 10, 1918. He 
was stationed on the front at St. Mazaire, France, and then sent to Tours, 
the S. 0. S. headquarters and from there to Gieviers and was stationed 
at the latter place until May, 1919, when he was returned to the United 
States and received his honorable discharge after being in the service 
about 18 months. He returned to Moberly and shortly afterwards entered 
the employ of the Taylor Music Company. 

Mr. Witten is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks, the American Legion and is a Knights Templar Mason and a mem- 
ber of the Shrine. He is one of the progressive and enterprising men of 
Randolph County. 

A. W. Jones, of the firm of Jones and Hale Grocery Company, has 
been a resident of Moberly for 37 years and since 1919 has been in the 
grocery business with Mrs. Nellie B. Hale, his sister-in-law. 

A. W. Jones was born in Howard County, Mo., Jan. 2, 1868 and was 
the only child born to Dr. George W T . and Nancy (Lynch) Jones. Dr. 
George W. Jones, the father, was a native of Salem County, N. J., and his 
wife was born in Macon County, Mo. Doctor Jones came to Missouri in 
1866, and settled near Bunker Hill, Howard County, where he lived until 
1874, when he removed to Saline County, Mo. Seven years later he went 
to Cunningham, Chariton County and in 1883 the family settled in 
Moberly. 

A. W. Jones was educated in the public schools of this state and in 
early life worked at his trade as coach painter for the Wabash Railroad 
Company for 13 years. He lost his eyesight in 1905 and shortly after- 
wards engaged in the grocery business. Notwithstanding the great 



302 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

handicap under which Mr. Jones labored he has been unusually successful 
in business and the firm is one of the prosperous and well conducted 
retail establishments of this city. The store is located at 1120 Myra 
street. Mr. Jones is assisted in the store by his wife and sister-in-law 
and Mrs. Hale and they handle a large volume of business. The store 
building is 20x75 feet and a barn 22x32 in the rear is utilized as a storage 
warehouse and the Jones residence is located next to the store. The 
Jones residence is one of the comfortable and well arranged homes of 
the city. It is equipped with all modern improvements and was built in 
1915. 

A. W. Jones was married Nov. 23, 1897, to Miss Rosa M. Neth of 
Moberly. She is a daughter of John and Mary (Gingrich) Neth, the 
former a native of Germany who came to America when he was 13 years 
of age and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. They were married in 
Hannibal, Mo., Nov. 28, 1869, and came to Moberly in 1871 and now 
reside in this city. John Neth was one of the first cigar manufacturers 
in Moberly. He engaged in manufacturing cigars here March 7, 1871 
and during his active career did an extensive business. He made the 
famous "Moss Agate" cigar. 

Joseph M. Gingrich, grandfather of Mrs. Jones, was also a pioneer 
settler of this city. He came here April 8, 1868 and was foreman of the 
first railroad repair shop here. The shop was located on the present site 
of the Young Mens Christian Association building. He bought the first 
musical instrument in Moberly. It was a melodeon and is now in the 
possession of his daughter, Mrs. John Neth. Mr. Gingrich died June 
15, 1916. 

Mrs. Rosa M. (Neth) Jones is one of the following children born to 
her parents: Rosa M., wife of A. W. Jones, of this review; Mrs. C. A. 
Woodington, Moberly; Mrs. W. P. Vandergrift, Moberly, Mo.; Mrs. G. G. 
Levick; Mrs. H. B. Hale; Mrs. Charles Kelly; John Neth; Mrs. James 
Sincoe and Mrs. Paul Hackett, all of whom reside in Moberly. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Jones have been born two children: Alline N. and Rosanna. 

Leslie G. Burklund, a leading jeweler of Moberly who is proprietor 
of one of Moberly's best jewelry stores located at 314 West Reed street 
has been engaged in business at this location since May 4, 1916. Mr. 
Burklund was born at Osage City, Kan., April 27, 1887 and is the son of 
Gus Burklund and Elizabeth (Robbins) Burklund, both of whom are now 
deceased. The father was a pioneer of Rock Island, 111., and was a jeweler 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 303 

by trade. He died at Osage City, Kan., in 1903. His wife who was a 
native of Jacksonville, 111., died at Osage City, Kan., in 1893 and their 
remains are buried at Moline, 111. They were the parents of two children : 
Leslie G., whose name introduces this review and Almeda Burklund who 
resides at Boise, Idaho. 

Leslie G. Burklund received his education in the public schools of 
Osage City, Kan., and in 1903 began an apprenticeship at the jewelers 
and watchmakers trade at Moline, 111., and afterwards worked at his 
trade in Chicago and Kansas City, Mo., and in 1916 engaged in business 
in Moberly and since coming here has met with satisfactory success and 
built up a large trade. He carries a very complete line of high grade 
watches and jewelry and kindred articles usually found in a first class 
jewelry store. He also handles Edison phonographs and records and 
has built up an extensive trade in that line. 

Mr. Burklund was married Jan. 6, 1909 to Miss Helen Walsh of Kan- 
sas City, Mo., a daughter of William Walsh who now resides in that city. 
Mrs. Burklund's mother is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Burklund have 
been born one child, Betty. 

Mr. Burklund is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elks and since coming to Moberly he has acquired an extensive ac- 
quaintance and ranks as one of the substantial and reliable business men 
of this city. 

Allen C. White, of the firm of Goddard- White & Company, wholesale 
automobile accessory dealers in Moberly, is a veteran of the World War, 
having served as sergeant. He is a son of Benjamin It. and Katie V. 
(Corbett) White, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. He was born 
in Moberly, July 22, 1890 and was reared in Moberly. After receiving a 
good preliminary education he took a course in the Military Academy at 
Columbia and later attended the University of Missouri, at Columbia, 
Mo. He then engaged in the automobile business at Moberly, later at 
Springfield, 111. and was thus occupied when the United States entered 
the World War. 

On May 23, 1917, Allen C. White enlisted at Moberly in the 4th Regi- 
ment, Missouri National Guard and shortly afterwards was sent to 
Nevada with his command when the Missouri National Guard was 
mobilized for service. From Nevada he went to Fort Sill, Okla. with the 
Missouri troops which was organized into the 35th Division. After about 
nine months training at Ft. Sill, on May 10, 1918, Mr. White went with 



304 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

the 110th Engineers overseas. They first operated with the British Army 
at Amiens and later with the French Army and were with the Division 
Engineers at the front. Mr. White participated in the battles of St. 
Mihiel and the Argonne Forest and saw some of the heaviest fighting of 
the war. On Sept. 29th, in the battle of the Meuse-Argonne Forest he 
was wounded, having been struck by a piece of an exploding shell. 
Although wounded and unable for service for ten days he remained with 
his command. He served as sergeant with his company and was mustered 
out May 3, 1919, after having served nearly two years, during which time 
he saw a great deal of severe fighting. 

After his discharge from the army, Mr. White returned to Moberly 
and formed a partnership with Mr. W. F. Goddard under the firm name of 
Goddard-White & Company. They deal in automobile supplies and ac- 
cessories and carry a very complete line and have built up an extensive 
business. They are located at 107 North Williams street and have a floor 
space of 80x100 feet. Mr. White spends most of his time on the road 
in the interest of the business and they employ three other salesmen. 

Mr. White is a member of the Masonic Lodge and a charter member 
of Theodore Bazan Post No. 6, American Legion. He is one of the 
progressive young business men of Moberly. 

Garfield A. Smith, of Moberly, is one of the widely known and suc- 
cessful automobile dealers of the state. He handles the Maxwell, Chal- 
mers, Oakland, Hupmobile cars, Sampson tractors, trucks, and has an 
automobile repair business, service station and deals in accessories of 
all kinds and also tires. Mr. Smith also represents the Almo Farm Power 
and Lighting System. His office and garage is located at 523-525 West 
Reed street. Moberly, with branches at Fayette, New Franklin and Hunts- 
ville. 

Garfield A. Smith was born in Macon County, Mo., Oct. 8, 1880. 
His parents were George R. and Sarah M. (Ballenger) Smith, to whom 
but two children were born, Garfield A., the subject of this sketch, and 
Zelva, who married E. D. Houston, of Kansas City, Mo. The father also 
was born in Macon County in 1857 and his parents were Kentuckians 
and early settlers of this state. George R. Smith was a farmer and now 
lives in retirement at Macon, Mo. Garfield A. Smith was reared on his 
father's farm and attended the district school in the winter time and 
helped on the home farm in the summers. After finishing the public 




A SMTTTT 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 305 

schools of Macon County, he entered the State Normal School at Kirks- 
ville, where he was graduated from the four year course in 1901. He 
then taught school in the Macon County schools until 19,03, when he 
entered the mail service at Bevier, Mo. As this work did not take up 
all his time, Mr. Smith accepted a position in a mercantile establishment 
there until 1912. He then came to Moberly and engaged in the automo- 
bile business. When he started out in life he had $34.00; his father 
gave him a horse and this he sold for $35, which was his start. His 
stock is now rated, conservatively, at $75,000. 

On April 17, 1917, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Elgia L. Stokes, 
a native of Cairo, Randolph County. She is. a daughter of Thomas W. 
and Janara (Brown) Stokes, natives of Missouri, now living in Moberly. 
Mr. Stokes for many years was one of the successful farmers and stock 
raisers of this section who has retired from active business. 

Mr. Smith is a Democrat and he and Mrs. Smith are members of 
the Christian church, and Mr. Smith is a member of the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Smith is a progressive and public spirited 
citizen of Moberly and is recognized as one of the substantial business 
men of Randolph County. 

Dr. L. A. Bazan, a well known physician and surgeon of Moberly is 
a native of Austria and was born May 12, 1862. He is the son of Thomas 
and Nellie (Tutaj) Bazan who now reside at St. Joseph, Mo. His father 
is in his 84th year and the mother is 77 years of age. 

Doctor Bazan received an excellent education in his native land> 
where he also read medicine. In 1881 he came to America and after 
being here for the brief period of six months, he had mastered the Eng- 
lish language so thoroughly that he was able to accept a position as an 
instructor in a business college. Doctor Bazan is not only a thorough 
scholar but he is especially skilled in languages and is capable of speak- 
ing and writing nine different languages. In 1886 he was a traveling 
salesman for the C. S. Goldsmith Shoe Company of Chicago. In 1889 
he engaged in the practice of medicine in Chicago. Later he located in 
St. Joseph, Mo., where he was engaged in the practice until 1898. After 
which he practiced in Saline County four years and Chariton County four 
years and in 1906 he went to Renick then to Clark. In 1912 he came to 
Moberly where he has since been engaged in the practice of his pro- 
fession. 

Doctor Bazan was married at Chicago, 111., July 1, 1886, to Miss 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 305 

schools of Macon County, he entered the State Normal School at Kirks- 
ville, where he was graduated from the four year course in 1901. He 
then taught school in the Macon County schools until 19,03, when he 
entered the mail service at Bevier, Mo. As this work did not take up 
all his time, Mr. Smith accepted a position in a mercantile establishment 
there until 1912. He then came to Moberly and engaged in the automo- 
bile business. When he started out in life he had $34.00; his father 
gave him a horse and this he sold for $35, which was his start. His 
stock is now rated, conservatively, at $75,000. 

On April 17, 1917, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Elgia L. Stokes, 
a native of Cairo, Randolph County. She is. a daughter of Thomas W. 
and Janara (Brown) Stokes, natives of Missouri, now living in Moberly. 
Mr. Stokes for many years was one of the successful farmers and stock 
raisers of this section who has retired from active business. 

Mr. Smith is a Democrat and he and Mrs. Smith are members of 
the Christian church, and Mr. Smith is a member of the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Smith is a progressive and public spirited 
citizen of Moberly and is recognized as one of the substantial business 
men of Randolph County. 

Dr. L. A. Bazan, a well known physician and surgeon of Moberly is 
a native of Austria and was born May 12, 1862. He is the son of Thomas 
and Nellie (Tutaj) Bazan who now reside at St. Joseph, Mo. His father 
is in his 84th year and the mother is 77 years of age. 

Doctor Bazan received an excellent education in his native land 
where he also read medicine. In 1881 he came to America and after 
being here for the brief period of six months, he had mastered the Eng- 
lish language so thoroughly that he was able to accept a position as an 
instructor in a business college. Doctor Bazan is not only a thorough 
scholar but he is especially skilled in languages and is capable of speak- 
ing and writing nine different languages. In 1886 he was a traveling 
salesman for the C. S. Goldsmith Shoe Company of Chicago. In 1889 
he engaged in the practice of medicine in Chicago. Later he located in 
St. Joseph, Mo., where he was engaged in the practice until 1898. After 
which he practiced in Saline County four years and Chariton County four 
years and in 1906 he went to Renick then to Clark. In 1912 he came to 
Moberly where he has since been engaged in the practice of his pro- 
fession. 

Doctor Bazan was married at Chicago, 111., July 1, 1886, to Miss 



306 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Pauline Kazik of St. Joseph, Mo. and to this union have been born the 
following children: Thomas, born in Chicago, 111., Nov. 22, 1888, now 
manager for Block Brother's Department Store, St. Joseph, Mo.; Helen, 
bora Sept. 30, 1890 and died May 13, 1904; Genevieve, born Jan. 10, 
1893, a trained nurse, at Moberly, Mo.; Theodore B., who died on the 
field of battle in France and further mention of whom is made in this 
volume; L. Marion, born Jan. 1, 1898, married Robert Caldwell, a foreman 
in the Brown Company's Shoe Factory at Moberly; Francis A., born April 
9, 1901, a bookkeeper in the Brown Shoe Factory at Moberly and Margie 
J., born Nov. 19, 1903, a member of the senior class of the Moberly High 
School. Dr. Bazan has a wide acquaintance in Moberly and vicinity and 
the Bazan family stands high in the community. 

Theodore B. Bazan, in whose honor the American Legion, Post No. 6, 
of Moberly, was named will long be remembered as one who gave his life 
to his country and died a heroic and self sacrificing death. He was born 
at St. Joseph, Mo., July 29, 1895, and attended the parochial school there 
for five years. After the family removed to Saline County he also at- 
tended the parochial there and later at Salisbury, Mo. He then attended 
the public schools of Clark and Moberly, graduating from the high school 
at Moberly. He then entered the State University at Columbia, Mo., 
where he took the medical course for two years and when the United 
States entered the World War he entered the Officer's Training School at 
Ft. Riley, Kan., in May, 1917, and after a period of training, he was com- 
missioned a second lieutenant in August of the same year and assigned 
for the 138th Infantry and on April 20, 1918, he was promoted to first 
lieutenant. In May, 1918, he went to France with his command and was 
stationed in Vosges Mountains, and also participated in the engagement 
at Verdun. He also participated in the great drive in the Aigonne Forest 
and as that great battle raged on September 27th, he was mortally 
wounded during the evening between six and ten o'clock. His death was 
due to the explosion of a high power shell, which tore away the right 
side of his abdomen. As he lay mortally wounded, a detail of soldiers 
came to care for him, and he, knowing that he was mortally wounded, 
and that he could not live long, requested the detail to not give him any 
attention, but ordered them to direct their attention to others, less 
severely wounded, that their lives might be saved, and while waiting 
there, he died and was buried on the field of honor. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 307 

Samuel A. Magruder, a former sheriff of Randolph County, who has 
been a capable and efficient member of the Moberly police force, is a 
native of Missouri. He was born in Shelby County, Aug. 23, 1862 and is 
a son of S. A. and Virginia (Jacobs) Magruder, both natives of Culpeper, 
Va. They came to Missouri with their respective parents and grew up 
and were married in Shelby County and came to Moberly in 1887. They 
are both now deceased and their remains are buried in Oakland Cemetery. 

Samuel A. Magruder was educated in the public schools and came 
to Moberly with his parents in 1887. He was employed in the freight 
department of the Wabash railroad for about 14 years. In 1913, Mr. 
Magruder was elected sheriff of Randolph County. He was a member of 
the Moberly police force about eight years and has to his credit a splendid 
record of faithful and efficient service, lie resigning April 21, 1920. His 
term of sheriff was characterized by the same high class service and 
unswerving devotion to duty as he had given the police department of 
Moberly. 

Mr. Magruder was married in Monroe County in 1902 to Miss Noel 
Glasscock, a daughter of Henry Glasscock, who is now deceased, as is 
also his wife. To Mr. and Mrs. Magruder has been born one child, Naomi, 
who resides at home with her parents. 

Mr. Magruder is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective. 
Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose. He takes a prominent part 
in political affairs and is one of the progressive citizens of Randolph 
County. He has a wide acquaintance and by his courteous manner and 
obliging methods has made many friends. 

A. A. Capp, manager of the men's clothing and furnishing depart- 
ment of the J. S. Bowers and Son Department Store of Moberly has had 
a long experience in the mercantile business and' has been in the employ 
of this company for over 32 years. He is a native of Missouri, born in 
Monroe County and is the son of M. P. and Margaret J. (Wood) Capp, 
both now deceased. M. P. Capp was a native of Pennsylvania and was a 
Randolph County pioneer. He came to Cairo at an early date and was 
engaged in farming and the mercantile business and for a time was en- 
gaged in business at Leverick's Mill, later at Leesburg and then at Wood- 
laun, Monroe County and later Cairo, and spent the latter part of his 
life in this county. He and his wife were buried in the Pleasant View 
Church Cemetery which is located east of Cairo. They were the parents 
of ten children, nine of whom grew to maturity : John W., was a farmer 
and died at Cairo at the age of 25 years; Mrs. Jane Gibson, resides at 



308 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Cairo, Mo.; A. A., the subject of this sketch; Rev. E. M., a minister of the 
Methodist denomination, Milan, Mo.; Mrs. Ella Walker, died at Cairo, 
Mo.; Mrs. Emma Newton, died at Moberly, Mo.; Mrs. Alice Baker re- 
sides at Cairo, Mo.; J. C, a coal dealer, Moberly, Mo.; and William, who 
was accidently killed when 13 years of age. The eldest of the family, 
Elisha, died in infancy. 

A. A. Capp received a good public school education in the schools 
of the early days in Monroe County, receiving a part of his education in 
a typical old pioneer log school house. He began his mercantile career 
with his father at an early date and for six years was at Cairo. He came 
to Moberly in 1887 and entered the employ of Bowers and Reese Company 
which later became J. S. Bowers and Son and since Sept. 1, 1887 has been 
identified with this company and is now manager of the men's clothing 
and furnishing department. 

Mr. Capp was first married in 1877 to Miss Fannie Cochran of Cairo, 
Randolph County, who died in 1881 leaving one daughter, Era, who is now 
the wife of W. H. Eslen, Moberly, Mo. Mr. Capp's present wife bore 
the maiden name of Emma Belle Nagley, and she was born in Ohio and 
came to Monroe County, Mo., with her parents where she was reared and 
educated. Mr. Capp has three grandchildren, Emma Leta, William 
Augusta and Richard Capp Ensen. 

Mr. Capp is one of the progressive citizens of Moberly and takes 
an active part in any movement, the object of which is for the better- 
ment of the community and the building up of Randolph County. He has 
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 50 years and been 
trustee and a member of the board of stewards of his church at Moberly 
for 30 years. He is a member of the National Union. 

Gustave Freysleben, who is successfully engaged in the meat busi- 
ness at 209 Reed street is one of the well known and progressive business 
men of Moberly. Mr. Freysleben began business in this city in 1902. 
He came here from San Diego, Calif., where he had spent 32 years. He 
came to Moberly an absolute stranger and by his straightforward methods 
and fair dealings, it was not long until he had permanently established 
himself in the business affairs of this city and had acquired an extensive 
acquaintance. 

Mr. Freysleben is a native of Illinois and a son of Gustave Freys- 
leben, who in the prime of manhood, enlisted for service in the Union 
Army during the Civil War, becoming a member of the 44th Illinois Volun- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 309 

teer Infantry. He enlisted as a private and in the course of his military 
career rose to the rank of major. During the last few months of the 
war, he was severely wounded and returned to his home in Chicago where 
he died shortly afterwards from the effect of his wounds. His wife died 
about a year prior to the death of her husband. Gustave Freysleben, the 
subject of this sketch, and three other children were left orphans. The 
other three children were Fred, Louis and Elizabeth, whose present 
whereabouts are unknown. Mr. Freysleben has made every effort in 
years past to locate his brothers and sister through newspaper advertis- 
ing and other efforts without avail. 

Mr. Freysleben was about seven years old when his parents died 
and when he was about ten years of age, he began work in a butcher shop 
in Chicago at the corner of 12th street and Central avenue. He learned 
the butcher business by hard work and close application to the business. 
Life came to him as a stern reality at an early age and he obtained a 
good practical business education in the hard school of experience and 
there laid the foundation for his subsequent successful career. 

Mr. Freysleben was united in marriage at San Diego, Calif, in 1901 
to Miss Katherine Held. She is a native of Moberly and a daughter of 
the late John Held who was a well known prioeer citizen of Moberly and 
Randolph County. 

Mr. Freysleben has a pleasant home at 807 West Reed street. He 
is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks. He is one of Moberly's substantial citizens. 

Lee Galbreath, a leading druggist of Moberly, located at 109 East 
Coates street is one of the progressive business men of Randolph County. 
Mr. Galbreath is a native of this county, born in Prairie township, Nov. 
19, 1867. He is a son of Robert P. and Sarah Agnes (Dulaney) Gal- 
breath. 

Robert P. Galbreath is also a native of Randolph County and was 
born Nov. 19, 1844. He was a son of James Galbreath, a native of Vir- 
ginia, who was among the very first settlers of Randolph County and 
entered land in Prairie township where Robert P. was reared. He was 
here long before Moberly was even thought of and was in attendance at 
the first sale of city lots held in Moberly. Robert P. Galbreath served 
in the Confederate Army during the Civil War for two years. His wife, 
who bore the maiden name, Sarah Agnes Dulaney, was born in Audrain 
County of pioneer parents. Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Galbreath reside at 



;}10 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

218 S. Morley street, Moberly. They are the parents of the following 
children: Lee, the subject of this sketch; Agnes, who died in infancy; 
Lillian, married Alvin Walkup, Oklahoma City, Okla. ; Lenos, Oklahoma 
City, Okla. and Addie married W. B. Blaine, Moberly. 

Lee Galbreath was reared on the home farm in Prairie township and 
attended the public schools. He followed farming until 1900, when he 
entered the drug business at Clark, Mo., and for 15 years successfully con- 
ducted a drug store at that place. In 1915 he sold his Clark store to W. 
G. Cleeton of Higbee. He then came to Moberly and purchased the J. B. 
Hubbard Drug Store and since that time has conducted the store at the 
old stand, 109 East Coates street. He carries a complete line of drugs 
and druggist's sundries usually found in a first class drug store. 

Mr. Galbreath was married Dec. 24, 1890 to Miss Mirian A. wings 
of Audrain County. She is a daughter of Richard and Joann Owings. 
The mother is deceased and Mr. Owings resides at Clark, Mo. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Galbreath has been born one son, Ray, who is 29 years old. 
He married Nadine Marshal and they reside in Moberly. 

Mr. Galbreath. has always taken a commendable interest in local 
institutions and public affairs and while a resident of Clark he served on 
the city council and was also a member of the school board. In 1914, he 
was a candidate for nomination for the office of probate judge and was 
defeated by the narrow margin of 13 votes. 

Edward T. Baird, who is engaged in the second-hand clothing busi- 
ness at 529 Reed street, is a descendant of a pioneer Missouri family. 
He was born in Adair County, July 8, 1877, and is a son of John and 
Susan (Redding) Baird. John Baird was also a native of Adair County 
and was a son of William Baird. 

William Baird was among the first settlers of Adair County. He 
served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and is now at the 
National Soldiers' Home at Leavenworth, Kan., and is in his 97th year. 
He was born in Kentucky and upon locating in Adair County, Mo., much 
of the land in that section, or nearly all, was government land, and he 
entered a farm from the government, and for a number of years, fol- 
lowed farming. John Baird, father of Edward T. Baird, died in 1880, 
and his remains are buried at Winchester, Kan. His wife survived him 
for a number of years and died in 1902. They were the parents of two 
children ; Mrs. Jennie Williams, who died at Trenton, Mo. : and Edward 
T. the subject of this sketch. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 311 

Edward T. Baird was educated in the public school at Humphrey, 
Mo. and for a number of years was engaged in the restaurant and hotel 
business in Nebraska and South Dakota, and for a time conducted a hotel 
at Novinger. Mo., and later the depot restaurant there. For a number 
of years, he has made a specialty of buying and selling hotels and restau- 
rants and carried this line of business on in a way which proved very 
profitable. He bought the Purity Candy Shop and Restaurant at Moberly, 
which he owned a short time and sold it in March, 1919. He came to Mo- 
berly September, 1918, and engaged in his present business. 

Mr. Baird was married in 1900 to Grace Vaul of Kirksville, Mo., and 
two children have been born to this union ; Ray C, a student in the Mob- 
erly Business College; and Estella V., Kirksville, Mo. 

Mr. Baird is a progressive business man, who has had a varied experi- 
ence and has met with uniform success. 

Houston Mathews, now living retired at Moberly, is a native of Ran- 
dolph County, and a member of one of the historic old pioneer families 
of Missouri. He was born six miles east of Moberly in 1846, and is a son 
of Peter H. and Etline (Calloway) Mathews. Etline Calloway belonged 
to the Calloway family who settled at Old Franklin, Mo., with the Boones, 
Bryants and Flanders family who were the first settlers in that locality. 
When she was a child, Etline Calloway lived in the old fort which was 
built at Old Franklin for protection against hostile Indians. She was 
born in 1819 and died in 1905, and her remains were buried in Oakland 
Cemetery. 

Peter H. Mathews was born near Nashville, Tenn., in 1817. He was 
a son of William Mathews, who was an officer in the War of 1812 and 
served under General Jackson as a captain at the battle of New Orleans, 
and he is buried in the same cemetery where Andrew Jackson was buried. 
William Mathew's father was a Revolutionary soldier and served under 
Washington. William Mathews, grandfather of Houston Mathews, mar- 
ried Betsey Hontas, who was a neice of Pocahontas. Dr. Tennessee 
Mathews an uncle of Houston Mathews, who was born at Dixon Springs, 
Smith County, Tenn., Oct. 12, 1810, and died Feb. 15, 1887, was a grand- 
son of the Mathews who with the Emetts and O'Connels, were the found- 
ers of the United Irishmen. His name was Alexander Mathews and he 
settled at Jefferson City, Mo. and died there. 

To Peter H. and Etline (Calloway) Mathews were born the following 
children: J. G., was bom in Tennessee and is now deceased; Ruth, died 



• ) 



12 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 



in 1842; Mrs. Fannie Irons, Decatur, 111.; Houston, the subject of this 
sketch; Mrs. Mary Weed, deceased; William, deceased; and Mrs. Mattie 
Stidger, deceased. 

Houston Mathews was reared in Randolph County and received his 
education in an old log school house of the early day primitive type which 
stood just east of Moberly for many years. When a boy Mr. Mathews 
worked on farms, mills and followed lumbering and in 1866 he came to 
Moberly. This was about the time the town was platted and the first 
sale of lots was taking place. After that Mr. Mathews went to Texas 
and in 1870 returned to Moberly. In 1875, he went to the Black Hills 
and to California, returning to Moberly the same year. He then worked 
for Woods and Allen as a bartender for a time and in 1878 bought their 
business, which he conducted until July, 1918. 

Mr. Mathews is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks. 

Theodore Fred Busch, a locomotive engineer on the W T abash Railroad, 
has been in the employ of this company since 1897, and is one of its 
trusted employees and a well known representative citizen of Moberly 
and Randolph County. Mr. Busch was born in St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 27, 
1873, and is a son of Ferdinand and Elizabeth Busch, both natives of 
Germany. The father was born in Calendhart and came to the United 
States in early life, settling in St. Louis, Mo. He was a foundryman and 
was employed with one company in St. Louis for 18 years. He died in 
city in 1894. His w 7 ife came to this countrjr when a young woman and 
they were married in St. Louis. She died in St. Louis, March 10, 1915. 
They were the parents of the following children : Mrs. Clara Roenmeyer, 
of St. Louis, Mo.; Theodore Fred, the subject of this sketch; and Joseph 
and Fred, both of whom are now living in St. Louis. 

Theodore Fred Busch was reared in the city of St. Louis and at- 
tended the parochial schools. When he was 15 years of age, he began 
work as press-boy in his uncle's factory in St. Louis and was employed 
there for a period of three years. He then entered the employ of the 
Felber Machine Company and was with that concern for three years, 
when he returned to the employ of his uncle, where he was engaged in 
making chemical engines for a time. He then went to work for the 
Meyrose Lamp Manufacturing Company, where he was employed until 
1897, when he began his railroading career. He entered the employ 
of the Wabash Railroad Company as fireman with headquarters at Mo- 




THEODORE F. BUSf'H 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 313 

berly. In 1903, he was promoted to freight engineer and has been en- 
gaged in that capacity on the Wabash railroad to the present time and 
during these years his home has been in Moberly. 

Mr. Busch was married Oct. 10, 1900, at St. Charles, Mo., to Miss 
Julia Etling, a daughter of Henry and Barbara (Kemp) Etling. Henry 
Etling was born in St. Charles County, Mo., and belonged to a pioneer 
family of that section. He was a cabinet maker and spent his life 
in his native county, where he died in 1919, at the advanced age of 80 
years. His wife was a native of Germany and came to this country 
when 13 years old. She died in St. Charles, Mo., June 30, 1909. Mrs. 
Busch is one of the following children born to her parents: John A. 
Ferguson, Mo.; Daniel E., Lima, Ohio; Mrs. Sophie Boschert, St. Charles, 
Mo.; Joseph H., St. Charles, Mo.; Mrs. Anna Schone, St. Charles, Mo.; 
Mrs. Theodore F. Busch, of this review; Josephine, St. Charles; Clara, 
St. Charles; and Lawrence, St. Charles. To Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Fred 
Busch have been born one son, Marvin H., who was born in St. Charles, 
Mo., Jan. 14, 1903, and is now a student in the Moberly High School. 

Mr. Busch is a member of the Brotherhood of the Locomotive Engi- 
neers and the Knights of Columbus. The Biisch family worship at the 
Catholic church. Mrs. Busch is a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the 
Brotherhood of the Locomotive Engineers and the Busch family is well 
and favorably known in Moberly. 

Otto H. Fort, of the Fort Grocery Company, 119-121 East Coates 
street, Moberly, was bora at Danville, Mo., and is a son of William Bart- 
lett and Jane (Welburn) Fort. The father was born in Audrain County, 
Mo., Dec. 25, 1833, and died at Danville, Mo., in 1901. The mother was 
born in Callaway County in 1839 and died at Danville, 1877. They were 
the parents of the following children : Otto H., the subject of this sketch ; 
Thaddeus S., resides in Washington state; Jesse, deceased; Fred B., lives 
in St. Louis, Mo. ; Emil, was killed in an accident at LaPlata, Mo., Aug. 
28, 1896; Mrs. Elvira Powell was the wife of Shelor F. Powell, of Dan- 
ville, Mo., and is now deceased; Annie E., married J. C. Crause, Moberly, 
Mo. 

Otto H. Fort was educated in the public schools of Danville, Mo., 
and the Robinson College. He has made his own way since he was 15 
years old, when he came to Moberly and took an office with I. B. Porter, 
and engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He remained 
with this firm until 1886, when he and J. L. Vroom bought out the firm 



• 1 



14 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 



and two years later they dissolved partnership, Mr. Fort continuing the 
business until 1892, when he disposed of his real estate business, and 
went with a Mutual Life Insurance Company. He has successfully con- 
tinued the insurance business until the present time. Oct. 20, 1919, Mr. 
Fort engaged in the grocery business, in partnership with Howard E. 
Brockman. However, he continued to carry on the insurance business. 

Mr. Fort was married April 26, 1888 to Miss Mattie R. Burkholder, 
daughter of Judge J. H. Burkholder, who was well known and prominent 
in Moberly and Randolph County and who died in Kentucky about 1911 
and his widow now resides in Tennessee. To Otto H. and Mattie R. 
(Burkholder) Fort was born one son, Harold, who was born June 3, 1890. 
' He was educated in Moberly and was graduated from the Moberly High 
School. Mr. Fort's first wife died March 13, 1903, and on Dec. 12, 1904, 
he was married to Ollie Peirce, a daughter of John H. Peirce, of Moberly, 
Mo., and to this union the following children were born: Virginia A., 
married H. E. Brockman of Moberly; Dorothy B. married John C. Goetze, 
cashier in the Fort Grocery Store ; Thelma M., married Willima E. Fennel, 
Jr. ; Leah Mae, a student in the Moberly High School, and Otto E. 

Mr. Fort is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Benevolent and Pro- 
tective Order of Elks, and Knights of Pythias. The Fort family are 
members of the Episcopal church. 

Ira F. Harlan, M. D., former owner and manager of the Harlan Cigar 
and Tobacco Company, located at 223 N. Clark street, Moberly, Mo., has 
been one of the progressive and well known business men of this city for 
over a decade and a half and during that period has earned a place of high 
standing in the community. Doctor Harlan was born at Kirksville, Mo., 
Oct. 2, 1871, the son of Ira G. and Nancy (Nicholas) Harlan, both natives 
of Adair County, Mo., where they were reared, educated and later met 
and married in 1868. Ira G. Harlan, after reaching maturity became a 
merchant and was engaged in that business in Kirksville. 

There were four children in the Harlan family : M. M., deceased ; L. 
E., working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad at Denver, Colo. ; D. R., 
Kellogg, Idaho, and Ira F., the subject of this review. The children spent 
their childhood and early youth in Kirksville and attended the public 
schools of that town and after Ira F. had completed his elementary edu- 
cation he entered the Barnes Medical College. In 1897 he was granted 
the degree of Doctor of Medicine from that institution, passed the state 
medical examination. In the fall of the year opened an office at Stan- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 315 

bury, Mo., where he began the practice. Dr. Harlan built up a good 
practice, but in 1904 he decided to come to Moberly and after locating 
in this city entered upon a business closely associated with medicine, that 
of drugs. The doctor opened a store at the corner of 4th and Reed 
streets, where he soon became recognized as one of the leading business 
men in his line. He carried an up-to-date stock, paid strict attention to 
the prescription business, catered to the present day demands of a drug- 
gist and had a satisfactory business. He sold his business to Rucker 
Brothers in 1911. He then engaged in the retail and wholesale cigar 
business. Doctor Harlan is on the road himself doing his own selling to 
the retailers of this section. He is a man of genial presence, pays strict 
attention to the business, has many good friends and is considered one 
of the best commercial men of this section of the state. Year by year 
his wholesale business grew and in 1920 he sold out and is moving to 
California. 

In 1902, Doctor Harlan married Miss Ethel G. Ross, of Stansbury, 
Mo., the daughter of John A. and Martha (Howell) Ross. The father is 
now deceased and the mother resides at Stanbury. Two children were 
born to this union: Martha Ann, at home and Ross, who died in his 14th 
year, Nov. 30, 1918. 

Dr. Harlan is one of the popular men of Moberly who supports all 
progressive movements. He is a Knights Templar Mason and a Shriner 
and belongs to the Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the 
Modern Woodmen, the Yeomen and the Travelers Protective Association. 
He served as mayor of Moberly two terms. He was elected in 1915 on 
the Democratic ticket. The present fire department was inaugurated 
under his administration and additional improvements to city water 
works made. 

Randolph County Trust Company, one of the leading banking and 
commercial institutions of central Missouri, was organized Aug. 18, 1919 
and opened its doors for business Dec. 4, 1919, with a paid up capital 
stock of $100,000 and now has a surplus of $10,000 and deposits of 
$275,000. Charles C. Hon is president, O. O. Ash, vice-president and G. 
P. Eddings, secretary and treasurer. The directors are the above officials 
and T. C. Hall, E. F. Gutekunst, Virgil Packwood and Clem Nelson. 
Charles C. Hon, T. C. Hall and G. P. Eddings were the moving spirits in 
the organization of the trust company. The trust company is housed 
in a handsome building at the corner of Williams and Reed streets. 



316 • HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Charles C. Hon, for many years identified with the banking and 
financial interests of Randolph County, is a Missourian, born near Belton, 
Cass County, Sept. 23, 1878, the son of J. V. and Emma E. (Parrott) Hon. 
The father was a native of Kentucky and setled in Cass County in 1856, 
where he bought land and later became a man of prominence. He early 
began breeding high grade Hereford cattle and in later years entered the 
realms of finance as he is a heavy stockholder and vice-president of the 
Pleasant Hill Banking. The mother is deceased. 

Charles C. Hon remained on his father's farm near Pleasant Hill 
until ten years of age. He received his elementary education in the 
Pleasant Hill school and later graduated from the high school there. 
Soon after completing his education he began his career by entering the 
bank at Pleasant Hill and later accepted a position with the Citizens 
Bank of that town. He had already entered public life by being elected 
and serving one term on the city council. In 1905, Mr. Hon was candi- 
date on the Democratic ticket for county clerk and the next year he spent 
in Oklahoma in the banking business. On his return to Missouri in 1907, 
he was made cashier of the Citizens Bank of Higbee. He bought a con- 
trolling interest in the stock of the bank and was the directing influence 
of its policies. While at Higbee, Mr. Hon served as vice-chairman of the 
Randolph County Liberty Loan Committee during the raising of the 
2nd, 3rd and 4th Liberty Loans. He also served as chairman of the 2nd 
Red Cross drive in Moniteau township and as county chairman of Ran- 
dolph County for the 5th or Victory Loan, when it was necessary to 
raise $760,000. Mr. Hon located in Moberly in November, 1919, and since 
assuming his official position with the banking house all his time and 
energies have been devoted to the various demands of his business. 

In June, 1910, Mr. Hon married Miss Carrie W. Tymony, the daugh- 
ter of James B. and Binda (Burton) Tymony. The father is a druggist 
of St. Louis, though born and reared in Randolph County, being the son 
of Francis M. Tymony, an early settler near Higbee, who was prominent 
in county and state politics and also was of a literary turn of mind as 
he wrote a poem, "Remember the Poor," which will be recalled by many 
of the pioneer settlers of this section. 

George P. Eddings, secretary and treasurer of the Randolph County 
Trust Company, has been identified with the financial and banking inter- 
ests of Randolph County for more than 15 years and during that time 
has honestly won a high place in the esteem of the residents of this sec- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 317 

tion. He is a native son of Randolph County, born on a farm four miles 
southwest of Moberly, Dec. 16, 1880. He is the son of William and 
Moline (Patton) Eddings, both in Moberly. For many years he was en- 
gaged in farming and later lived in Moberly, where he was engaged in 
the real estate business, but some ten years ago retired. Moline (Pat- 
ton) Eddings was born on the same farm as her son, George P., in 1857, 
and died in 1908 and was buried in Oakland Cemetery. She was the 
daughter of George and Lucy Ann (Melton) Patton, both of whom were 
born and spent their youth in Kentucky and after their marriage be- 
came pioneer settlers of Salt Springs township, Randolph County, spend- 
ing their lives there. Theopolis- Eddings, George Eddings, paternal grand- 
father, came to Kentucky and settled south of Huntsville on a farm at 
a very early date and lived there until his death. 

George P. Eddings received his educational advantages in the public 
schools of Moberly, graduating from the high school in 1900 and the 
next year entered the Bank of Moberly as a bookkeeper. He was rapidly 
advanced from one position of trust to another so that when he resigned 
from the bank in 1916 he was assistant cashier. For three years, follow- 
ing his resignation, Mr. Eddings was engaged in the real estate business 
here; then in association with Charles Hon, he became one of the prime 
movers in the establishment and organization of the Randolph Trust 
Company, becoming its secretary and treasurer when the company was 
organized. 

Aug. 21, 1911, Mr. Eddings married Miss Ethel Bradley, of Arm- 
strong, Mo., the daughter of George and Lillie Bradley and one child 
has been born to them, Moline Patton. The Eddings family home is at 
629 South Williams street. Mr. Eddings is a Mason. He is progressive 
and ever ready to help in the promotion of every movement that tends to 
the development and improvement of Randolph County and the city of 
Moberly. 

Edward C. Short and Patrick J. Short, who for more than 30 years 
have been well known business men of Moberly, Mo., are substantial citi- 
zens of this city. The Short brothers were born in St. Charles, Mo., 
Edward C, in 1866, and Patrick, in 1868, and are the sons of Edward and 
Ann (Walsh) Short, both natives of County Limerick, Ireland, who came 
to America in 1859. In 1879 Edward Short came to Moberly to enter 
the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company, being assigned to work 
in the shops. The mother spent most of her life in Randolph County and 



/ 



318 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

died here in 1886, being survived by her husband until 1902, when he 
too passed away and their remains were placed in St. Mary's Cemetery. 

There were nine children born to Edward Short and wife: John, de- 
ceased; Michael, an engineer on the Wabash Railroad, married Kate Burke, 
of Moberly ; Catharine, Mary and Anna all living in Moberly ; Edward and 
Patrick of this review; Thomas, of Prescott, Arizona, married Catharine 
Schnell, and William, engaged in the grocery business in Moberly, who 
married Nora O'Connell, the daughter of Judge Benjamin O'Connell and 
they have two sons, Edward and Wilbur. 

Edward and Patrick Short were reared in Moberly and attended the 
public and parochial schools and Patrick took a course in the Moberly 
Business College. In March, 1891, they engaged in the saloon business at 
320 W T est Coates street, where they became well and faborably known. 

In 1898 Patrick Short married Miss Catharine Sours, of Moberly, the 
daughter of John and Catharine Sours, both deceased. Two daughters 
were born to this union: Catharine and Frances. Edward C. Short is 
unmarried and makes his home with his sisters at 515 Logan street and 
Patrick G. Short resides at 323 Hagood street. Edward C, Patrick G. 
and William are all members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks. 

For many years the Short family has been recognized as one of the 
substantial ones of the community; its members are progressive and lib- 
eral to any laudable cause for the benefit of Moberly. 

William J. Short and Bert Shearer, leading grocers of Moberly, rank 
among the progressive and prosperous men of the city, with a store at 112 
North 4th street, where they began business July 21, 1913. 

William J. Short was born in Mexico in 1877, the son of Edward and 
Anna (Walsh) Short, both natives of Ireland. In 1879, the Short family 
located in Moberly as the father had accepted a position with the Wabash 
Railroad Company and the parents spent the rest of their lives here and 
are buried in St. Marys cemetery. 

William J. Short attended the public schools of Moberly. He then 
entered the Faessler machine shops, learned the trade of machinist and 
remained with that concern for eight years. In 1909 he was elected col- 
lector of the city of Moberly and was reelected in 1911, serving four years. 
At the expiration of his term of office, Mr. Short engaged in the groceiy 
business with Mr. Shearer and has continued in the store to the present 
time. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 319 

In 1904, Mr. Short married Miss Nora O'Connell, of Moberly. She is 
the daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Hurley) O'Connell, both natives of 
Ireland. They came to Moberly in 1875 and Mr. O'Connell has taken an 
active part in the development of this section. He helped build the first 
telegraph line from Macon to Moberly. He was then employed by the 
Wabash Railroad Company in the car department. He retired in 1918. 
Mr. O'Connell was police judge of Moberly for six years, from 1907 to 1913, 
and was a capable officer. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Short: 
Edward and Wilbur, both at home. 

Mr. Short has taken an active part in the civic life of Moberly and 
has prompted many of the progressive movements here. He is a member 
of the Court of Honor, the Yeomen, the National Union and the Machinists' 
Union, having served as financial secretary of the latter four years. 

Bert Shearer, the junior partner of the firm of Short & Shearer, was 
born at Renick, Randolph County, Jan. 11, 1884, and is a son of A. H. 
and Laura V. (Mitchell) Shearer, both now deceased. The father was 
a»native of Butler County, Pa. and died in Missouri in 1918 and the mother 
was born in Missouri and died in 1910. Both are buried in Oakland 
cemetery. A. H. Shearer came to Renick nearly a quarter of a century 
ago and was a contractor there for some years. He then worked for the 
Williams Wagon Factory until the family moved to Moberly in 1900. 
There were live children in the Shearer family: Bessie, the wife of E. L. 
Patterson, of Moberly; Bert, of this review; Lucille, the wife of B. G. 
Englen, of Moberly; Merle H., of Madison, S. D., and Reba, a teacher in 
the Moberly schools. 

Bert Shearer was reared in Renick, attended the public schools and 
later the Moberly high school. After leaving school he accepted a position 
with J. S. Bowers & Son, remaining with that concern 10 years. He then 
formed the partnership with Mr. Short in the grocery business. 

June 26, 1905, Mr. Shearer was married to Miss Anna Maud Bradley, 
a daughter of E. T. Bradley, of Sugar Creek township and one child has 
been born to them, Juanita Maud. The Shearer family have a modern 
home at 703 S. Fifth street. Mr. Shearer is a member of the Knights 
and Ladies of Security and the Modern Woodmen. 

John H. Coates, a descendant of one of the pioneer families of 
Randolph County, that played an important part in the development and 
settlement of this county and central Missouri, is a native son of Moberly. 
He was born Sept. 30, 1899 and is the son of T. D. and Eleanor (Yeager) 



320 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Coates, both of whom now live in Prairie township, Randolph County. 
The father was born in Moberly in 1855 and is the son of Tunsel Coates, 
a native of Kentucky and early settler of Sugar Creek township, this 
county, where he died in 1919. Eleanor Yeager Coates was born near 
Higbee, in 1864, was reared and educated in Randolph County and later 
met her husband here, being married in the same locality. 

John H. Coates was the only child of his parents. He attended the 
public schools and after graduating from the high school in 1918, entered 
the Student Army Training Corps of Central College, Fayette, Mo., Oct. 
2, 1918 and remained there until Dec. 11, 1918, when the corps was dis- 
banded. On his return to Moberly Mr. Coates resumed his position with 
the Cross Lumber Company, as bookkeeper, an association which has 
continued. 

He is a member of the American Legion Theodore Bazan Post, of 
Moberly. 

James C. Enslen, a well-known passenger conductor of the Wabash 
railroad, has been in the employ of this company for 30 years, and dup- 
ing that time Moberly has been his home. He was born in Audrain 
County, near Wellsville, Mo. He is the son of George W. and Mary J. 
(Clayton) Enslen. George W: Enslen was also a native of Missouri, 
born on a farm in Audrain County, where he was engaged in farming 
throughout his active career. In later life he retired and moved to Wells- 
ville, where he died. He was a descendant of very early pioneers of this 
state. During the Civil War he served in the Missouri State Militia. 
His wife, Mary J. Enslen, was born in Pike County, Mo., and was a 
daughter of F. C. Clayton. She died in Moberly in 1908. They were the 
parents of the following children: James C, the subject of this sketch; 
Mrs. J. W. Ingram, Moberly; Lillie S., deceased, and J. W., lives in 
Moberly. 

James C. Ensley was reared on the home farm in Audrain County 
and was educated in the public schools. He remained at home on the 
farm until he was 21 years of age, when on account of failing health, 
he went to California and followed ranch life for a time. In 1886, he 
went to Colorado, where he began his railroad career as a brakeman 
in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad Company. Two years later he 
went with the Denver and Rio Grande. In 1890, he returned to Missouri 
and settled in Moberly, where he entered the employ of the Wabash 
Railroad Company as brakeman. In 1892, he was promoted to freight 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 321 

conductor and in 1899 was promoted to passenger conductor, a position 
which he has held on this road for the past 21 years, and is now on 
Moberly Division. 

Mr. Enslen was married to Miss Mary E. Foster, a native of Dallas 
City, 111., born Nov. 23, 1861, and is a daughter of John W. and Alvina 
(Stewart) Foster. John W. Foster was a native of the state of New 
York. He was a Methodist minister and during the Civil War, served 
as chaplain in the Union army and died while in the service. His wife, 
Alvina (Stewart) Foster, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1840, and died 
in Colorado in 1908. They were the parents of the following children: 
Mary E., wife of James C. Enslen, the subject of this sketch; Frank, 
Emma, George, Carol, Edith, deceased; and Mrs. Lillie Sheidow, of Kan- 
sas City, Mo. Mrs. Enslen and Mrs. Sheidow are the only living mem- 
bers of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Enslen have no children. 

Mr. Enslen is a Republican and he and Mrs. Enslen are members 
of the Presbyterian church. He holds membership in the Order of Rail- 
way Conductors and is a Knights Templar Mason and belongs to the 
Shrine, Ararat Temple, at Kansas City, Mo., and Mrs. Enslen is a mem- 
ber of the Auxiliary of the Order of the Railway Conductors and the 
Order of the Eastern Star. 

Morris Bierman, one of the younger generation of business men of 
Moberly who takes an active part in the commercial life of the city as a 
leading dealer in furniture and stoves, with a store at 113 North Wil- 
liams street, which was established under the name of Hyman L. and 
Rosa Bierman, both natives of Russia, where they were born, reared and 
married. Morris Bierman was one of seven children born to his par- 
ents. The others are: Samuel, of St. Louis; Mrs. Lizzie Wexler, of St. 
Louis; Abe, also of that city; Jack, clerk of the city court of St. Louis; 
and Isaac, his twin brother, also of St. Louis. 

When Morris Bierman was six years old, his mother brought him 
with the other children to the United States, as the father had preceeded 
them some time and already had a home prepared for his family in St. 
Louis. He attended the public schools of St. Louis. When his school 
days were over he engaged in the furniture business with his father. 
The business was established in December, 1914. From the first the new 
enterprise met with success. Mr. Bierman carries a full line of furniture, 
stoves and household furnishings. His stock is clean, well kept and he is 
courteous and accommodating. He has built up a satisfactory and 



322 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

profitable business. In 1916, Morris Bierman purchased his father's 
interest in the business and is now sole owner and manager. 

Morris Bierman was married Feb. 25, 1906 to Miss Rebecca Schucart, 
of St. Louis, the daughter of Ralph Schucart who is deceased and the 
mother now resides at St. Louis. Three children have been born to this 
union: Ruth, Ralph and Goldine, all of whom live with their parents a - 
the family home 1201 W. Franklin street. 

Since first coming to Moberly, Mr. Bierman has taken an active part 
in local affairs. He is a man of progressive ideas and believes that every 
citizen should support the movements for the upbuilding and improve- 
ment of the city where he expects to make his home. He is a member of 
the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the I. 0. 
B. of St. Louis. 

The Bierman family was well represented in the World War. Two 
brothers, Abe and Isaac served in the National Army. Isaac was a mem- 
ber of the 138th Infantry, 25th Division, under Lieutenant Theodore 
Bazan and was wounded in the same engagement in which Lieutenant 
Bazan was killed. He served overseas for 18 months and after the cessa- 
tion of hostilities was honorably discharged. Abe Bierman, after enter- 
ing the service was assigned to the quartermaster's department as pur- 
chasing agent and also as interpreter of the French and Jewish languages 
while in France. He served for two and a half years, being a member 
of the forces that were at the front in France and on his return to the 
United States was honorably discharged from the army. 

Jacob S. Bowers, one of central Missouri's well known and most 
prosperous business men, who established a department store in Moberly 
nearly 40 years ago, being the senior member of Bowers & Reis, was 
born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1850 and died at Moberly in 1917. He was 
reared and educated in the East and after his school days were over 
engaged in merchandising, knowing that there were many good openings 
in the newer country to the West, Mr. Bowers determined to locate there. 
In partnership with Ira S. Reis, a company was formed which opened 
the "Trade Palace" of Moberly in 1883 at the location still occupied by 
the Bower's department store. The store has a large frontage carrying 
the street numbers of 210-214 Reed street, one of the finest locations in 
the city. From the first the new concern met with a cordial response 
from the residents of Moberly and the surrounding territory ; business 
grew, more lines were added and the Trade Palace became the center of 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 323 

the retail trade for dry goods, men and womens furnishings and child rens 
supplies of all kinds. Later carpets and drapery departments were added 
to accommodate the growing trade until today the Palace is one of the 
largest and most up-to-date department houses in the middle west. Open- 
ing with a stock valued at $30,000 the business grew in such proportions 
that today it is rated at more than $100,000. 

In 1895 Jacob Bowers purchased the Reis interest in the concern and 
since that time the business has been conducted under the firm name of 
J. S. Bowers & Son. On the death of the senior member of the firm, 
the junior member, William S. Bowers, succeeded his father as owner- 
manager of the house and continued the same successful policies inaugur- 
ated by his father. The widow of Jacob Bowers now resides at Long 
Beach, Calif. From first coming to Moberly, Jacob Bowers began to take 
an active part in the civic and communal life of the town. He was a man 
of progressive ideas in his business and believed that these same prin- 
ciples should be applied to the city administration, and did much toward 
the development of the city of Moberly. For 20 years he served as a 
member of the school board, being president and treasurer of the board 
and was an incumbent of these positions at the time of his death. He 
was an active, public spirited man, who lived up to the high standard he 
set for an American citizen, was well known among the educators of the 
state as a man who promoted all educational movements and had raised 
the standards of the Moberly schools. During his life he won for him- 
self the highest possible esteem from all who knew him, friends and 
business associates alike. With his passing, Mr. Bowers left to his son 
the example of an honorable and useful life; to his family the memory 
of his loving care as a husband and father. His remains are buried in 
Philadelphia, Pa. 

William S. Bowers, the only child of Jacob S. Bowers, was born in 
Union City, Ind., in 1882, and accompanied his parents when they came 
to Missouri a year later. He spent his boyhood and youth in Moberly 
and attended the public schools and after graduating from the high 
school entered the State University where he was graduated. After! 
leaving college, William Bowers returned to Moberly and became a part- 
ner with his father in the mercantile business. He has made a phenom- 
enal success. The store has a frontage of 75 feet, depth of 110 feet, has 
two floors devoted entirely to retail display and 30 people are employed. 

On June 24, 1903, Mr. Bowers married Miss Gertrude Rice of St. 



324 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Louis. She is the daughter of J. P. and Sophia Rice, of that city. Mr. 
Rice is now deceased and -his widow lives in St. Louis. Three children 
have been born to this union: Marion and twin sons, William and Wal- 
lace, all at home with their parents. Mr. Bowers has taken an active 
part in the life of Moberly and is progressive. He is a member of the 
Chamber of Commerce, the Country Club, is first vice-president of the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Missouri and is also district 
deputy of northern Missouri for that organization. 

Willis Baugh, one of the younger business men of Moberly who holds 
a responsible position with the Cross Lumber Company, is a native son 
of Randolph County, born in Moberly, July 6, 1894, the son of Charles C. 
and Lizzie (Hall) Baugh, who now live at 22iy.> N. Clark street. The 
father was born in Randolph County in 1873 and the mother in 1871. She 
is the daughter of B. N. and Mary E. Hall, who live at Higginsville, Mo. 
There were eight children in the Baugh family : Willis of this review ; 
Willard, of Moberly ; Ledoew, also of Moberly ; Fern, who married Earl 
Rittenhouse of Basin, Wyo. ; Earl and Murrel, twins, the former at home 
and the latter is in Mason City, la. ; Charles and Orville, also in Moberly. 

Willis Baugh spent his boyhood and youth in Moberly, was sent to 
the public schools for his educational advantages and after his school days 
were over took a position with the Cross Lumber Company. When war 
was declared against Germany, he enlisted in the army on July 24, 1918 
and was sent to Camp Funston for his training. Within a short time he 
was assigned to Headquarters Detachment, 10th Field Artillery and re- 
mained in training until after the signing of the armistice, receiving his 
honorable discharge Feb. 11, 1919, after having been in the service six 
months. On his return to Moberly, Mr. Baugh again assumed his duties 
with the Cross Lumber Company, an association which has since con- 
tinued. Willard Baugh, Willis' brother, was the second member of Com- 
pany E, 70th Infantry, to enlist. He also was sent to Camp Funston, 
having entered the army on the same day as his brother. He was dis- 
charged Jan. 29, 1919 and is now employed at the Oakland cemetery. 
Both the Baugh brothers are fine young men, patriotic and public spirited 
who are an asset to the citizenship of any community. 

William F. Mangus, one of the leading druggists of Moberly who has 
been in business here for nearly a quarter of a century and who during 
that time has done his part in the development of the city and its sur- 
rounding territory. Mr. Mangus was bom in the state of Louisiana in 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 325 

1862, the son of Wm. F. and Susan (Terry) Mangus, both natives of Ken- 
tucky, who were married in Saline County, Mo., in 1858. Soon after 
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mrs. Mangus went to Louisiana to live and 
remained in the South until after the close of the Civil War. Mr. Mangus 
enlisted in the Confederate Army and served until peace was declared. 
He served under Gen. Joseph E. Johnson and was wounded in the right 
leg by a minna ball at the Battle of Bull Run, but as soon as he was 
discharged from the hospital he reenlisted and served until hostilities 
closed. After this the family returned to Missouri, locating in Saline 
County where they lived for many years. Mr. Mangus died in 1909 at 
the age of 70 years, being survived by his wife who died in 1912 and both 
are buried at Oakland cemetery. There were 10 children in the Mangus 
family: Charles, of Florida; William F., of Moberly; Taylor D., of Mob- 
erly; Monta, of Moberly; Louise, the wife of James Crossland, of Sedalia, 
Mo. ; Mary, who married Luther Stockton, of Perry, Okla. ; Susan, now 
Mrs. Jose Johnson, of Moberly ; Ida, the widow of Mr. Boucher, of Birm- 
ingham, Ala., and Daisy, who lives with her sister at Birmingham. 

William F. Mangus was a small boy when his parents returned to 
Missouri and he attended the public schools of Saline County and Cam- 
bridge, graduating from the high school there. He then began to study 
telegraphy and became an operator for the Chicago and Alton Railroad, 
an association that continued for 11 years. Mr. Mangus was advanced 
from one position of trust to another until he held a fine position with 
the road but he desired to engage in an independent business for him- 
self and in 1891 resigned from the road and opened a drug store' at Clark, 
Mo. He built up a good trade and being made a good offer by his brother, 
sold the business to him after having lived in that city for six years. 
Mr. Mangus then located in Moberly where he has since conducted a drug 
store and has built up an extensive trade. 

On Nov. 23, 1887, Mr. Mangus was married to Miss Esther E. Hamil- 
ton, of Moberly, the daughter of James Hamilton, a pioneer of the county 
who died at the age of 74 years. The mother lives in Moberly. Two 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mangus: William Leon, who is em- 
ployed by the John Deere Plow Company of Kansas City, Mo., and Ethel 
S., the wife of B. C. Stephens of Moberly and they have two children, 
Barney, Jr., and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Mangus reside at 834 W. Reed 
street. Mr. Mangus is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elks. 



326 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Ray Galbreath, one of the younger generation of the business and 
professional men of Moberly, who owns and manages a drug store at 550 
West Coates street, is a native of Missouri, born in Audrain County, Jan. 
22, 1892, the son of Lee and Miriam (Owings) Galbreath, both of whom 
now reside in Moberly, and their biography appears in this volume. Ray 
Galbreath attended the public schools of Clark, Mo. and after graduating 
from the high school, entered the pharmacy department of the college at 
Brunswick, Mo. He completed the required college course and in 1916 
passed the examination of the State Board of Pharmacy and was ad- 
mitted to practice. He at once secured a position with the H. & H. drug 
store in Moberly and was working there when war was declared against 
Germany. 

Ray Galbreath enlisted July 3, 1917 in the medical department of the 
110th Engineers, 35th Division, and as soon as his training was over 
was sent overseas where he served in France for 30 days with the British 
forces. He then was assigned to the French army for 60 days, when he 
was transferred to the American First Army. Mr. Galbreath was doing 
first aid work with the 35th Division and on Sept. 29, 1918 the 110th 
Engineers were ordered to the front line trenches where Mr. Galbreath 
served with them. This division was under fire from the enemy from 
Sept. 26th to Oct. 2nd and saw some of the most severe fighting of the 
war. From this location in the first aid stations, he was continually 
under shell fire and was most fortunate to escape without injury and with 
his life. He was gassed on Sept. 30, 1918. He made an enviable record 
in the danger zone by bravely attending to his duties in the advanced 
lines and upon the battle field. He was at Luniville, France, when the 
armistice was signed. He returned to the United States April 4, 1919 
and was honorably discharged and mustered out of the service May 3, 
1919, after almost two years of service in a foreign land. 

Mr. Galbreath returned to Moberly and purchased the Mangus drug 
store on Coates street. This is now both owned and managed by the 
young druggist who has continued to carry on the same line of business 
as his predecessor, handling all lines of high class drugs and all the allied 
lines which the public has come to expect and demand today. Mr. Gal- 
breath is a popular business man and has an extensive trade. 

On Jan. 27, 1918, Mr. Galbreath married Miss Nadine Marshall, of 
Moberly, the daughter of M. M. and Hattie (Kimbrough) Marshall, the 
latter now deceased and the father lives in Moberlv. Mr. Galbreath is a 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 327 

charter member of Theodore Bazan Post, American Legion, of Moberly 
and also belongs to the Maccabees. 

W. R. Butler, councilman from the fourth ward of Moberly and the 
owner-manager of one of the leading grocery houses of the city, was born 
in Adams County, 111., Oct. 21, 1871. He is the son of W. J. and Eliza 
Jane (Stevens) Butler, who came to Missouri in 1878 and located in Mon- 
roe County and spent the remainder of their lives there. The mother 
died in 1885 and the father lived to be a man of advanced age. He was 
nearly 80 years old when he died. W. J. Butler enlisted in the Union 
Army at the outbreak of the Civil War and served in Company I, 84th 
Regiment throughout that memorable conflict. There were eight chil- 
dren in the Butler family: C. L., of Moberly; W. A. and W. R. of this 
review, also of Moberly; Walter and Solon also residents of this city, the 
latter being connected with the Wabash Railroad ; Jennie Carney, of St. 
Louis; Bessie Roderman, of Dallas, Tex.; and Hester Freeman, of Flat 
River, Mo. 

W. R. Butler spent his boyhood and early youth in Monroe County, 
Mo., was educated in the public schools there and after his school days 
were over learned the barber's trade, a vocation which he followed until 
he reached his 29th year. In 1915 he engaged in the grocery business. 
From first opening up his establishment here Mr. Butler met with a warm 
response from the residents. He has built up a fine trade and is one of 
the progressive and prosperous men of the city. 

On April 9, 1886, Mr. Butler married Miss Anna Messerla, a native 
of St. Louis County, Mo., the daughter of Lee and Margaret (Zimmer- 
man) Messerla. Mrs. Butler has ever been an encouragement to her 
husband in his business, takes a keen and practical interest in the grocery 
business and is his capable and able assistant in the store. 

From first locating in Moberly, Mr. Butler has taken an active and 
interested part in civic affairs. He was elected a member of the city 
council by a big majority in 1916 and was reelected in 1918 and now is 
serving his sixth year as a member of that body. At the present time 
he is chairman of the committee on parks, public buildings and also 
serves as a member of the cemetery board. Mr. Butler is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebeccas and maintains 
a residence at 410 Johnson street and owns property at 401 Johnson 
street, Moberly, Mo. 



328 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

William Henry Emerson was a well known and prosperous business 
man of Moberly for many years. He was born on a farm a half mile 
east of Huntsville, on the Moberly road, passed his life in this county, 
and died April 13, 1915, aged 70 years. 

William H. Emerson's parents were Simpson and Catharine (Owens) 
Emerson, the former born in Randolph County, the son of James Emer- 
son, who came to Missouri from Kentucky in 1827, was a pioneer set- 
tler; the mother was also from Kentucky. She was the daughter of 
Edward Owens, who located here in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson were 
but children when their families came to Randolph County. There were 
four children in the Emerson family: William H., deceased; Sarah Mar- 
tha, also deceased; Mary Elizabeth, deceased; James E. 

William H. Emerson spent his boyhood days on his mother's farm, 
near Moberly; his father died when he was 11 years old. He was given 
the educational advantages obtainable here at that period and remained 
at home until his 19th year when he enlisted in the Confederate army, 
promptly showing his convictions by being one of the first youths of 
the locality to enter the service, and remained in the army until peace 
was declared. On returning to Missouri, Mr. Emerson reached Moberly 
in time to attend the first sale of lots when the town-site of Moberly 
was plotted, Sept. 27, 1866, and he was among the first purchasers. Mr. 
Emerson had been converted at Sugar Creek Camp Meeting and joined 
the church, but later transferred his membership to the Methodist church, 
south, of which he was a faithful member all his life. He was a Mason, 
having joined the Blue Lodge in Moberly, in 1868. 

On April 23, 1874, Mr. Emerson was married to Miss Nancy Jane 
Holbrook, of Randolph County, the daughter of Colbert and Nancy (Milam) 
Holbrook, the former born in North Carolina in 1797, and the mother 
was born in Tazewell County, Va., in 1913. They were married in 1833 
and four years later came to Randolph County, where they reared their 
eight children. The father died in 1854 and the mother in 1894. Their 
daughter, Nancy Jane, was born Aug. 13, 1850, and is still living. Mrs. 
Emerson has for many years been one of the fine southern women who 
is highly esteemed and has many warm friends in Moberly. She is a 
consistent member of the Methodist church, south, as were her parents. 
Mr. and Mrs. Emerson had one daughter, Nina Catharine, born, reared 
and educated in Moberly, who in 1911 married M. H. Sullivan, one of the 
well known and prosperous business men of Moberly. He was a native 




WILLIAM H. EMERSON 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 329 

of Illinois, born and reared in Springfield and came to Moberly to engage 
in business some years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan take an active part 
in the social and civic life of Moberly. 

Solomon Milam Holbrook, deceased, was born in Tazewell County, 
Va.. Feb. 26, 1836, the son of Colbert and Nancy (Milam) Holbrook, 
the former born in North Carolina in 1797, and the latter was born in 
Tazewell County, Va., in 1813. They were married Dec. 25, 1833. Four 
years later they came to Missouri and located on a farm near Moberly, 
where their eight children were reared. Mr. Holbrook died in 1854 and 
his widow died in 1894. Both were members of the Methodist church. 
Mr. Holbrook spent his youth on his mother's farm, and attended the 
public schools. Oct. 11, 1859, he was married to Miss Lucy Jane Walden, 
of Huntsville. She was the daughter of Zephaniah Walden, a well known 
early settler of the county. Ten children were born to this union, who 
became well known farmers and business men of this locality. Mr. Hol- 
brook joined the Masonic order at Huntsville, when the Blue Lodge was 
organized at Moberly he became a charter member here, transferring 
from Huntsville. 

In 1861, Mr. Holbrook enlisted in the Confederate army, served 
under General Price, and later was transferred to Colonel Joe Shelby's 
cavalry, with which he remained until peace was declared. After return- 
ing to Missouri, Mr. Holbrook became a prosperous farmer on land situated 
just south of White House curve. He joined the Methodist church when 
a young man at Sugar Creek, until the Fourth Street Methodist church, 
south, was organized at Moberly, when he became a charter member. 
Mr. Holbrook stood high in his community for his kind heart, for he 
was ever ready to give a helping hand to the needy and also for his 
high integrity. 

In 1881, Mr. Holbrook moved to Kansas, where he purchased a 
ranch of three sections of land and resided there until his death, May 
15, 1911. Many people believed that Mr. Holbrook was particularly 
fortunate, but his success in life was due to his close application to his 
vocation, executive ability and hard work, for he was a man of indomit- 
able energy and steady industry at all times. For many years Mr. 
Holbrook took an active part in the civic life of Moberly and its en- 
virons, ever supporting every movement for the improvement and de- 
velopment of this section and he followed the same plan of life in his 
new home in Kansas. 



330 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

William Hellensmith, the well known owner and manager of the 
grocery store located at 900 Franklin street, Moberly, has during the past 
five years become well and favorably known in the city as one of its 
progressive men. Through his careful attention to his business, courtesy 
to his customers and from the high class of groceries and meats he carries 
in stock he has built up a large business. Mr. Hellensmith is a native 
Missourian, born near Prairie Hill, Chariton County. He is a son of 
Martin and Bettie (Wilkey) Hellensmith, the former a native of Illinois 
and the latter of Chariton County, Mo. She was reared and educated 
there and later met Mr. Hellensmith and they were married at her home. 
For about 10 years after his marriage, Mr. Hellensmith remained in busi- 
ness in Chariton County and came to Moberly in 1887, to take a position 
with the Wabash Railroad in the car department where he has remained 
for 33 years; he is one of the oldest employes of the shops in Moberly. 
There were eight children in the Hellensmith family: William, of this re- 
view ; Louis, Frank, Carl, Edward, Martin, all of Moberly ; Mabel, the wife 
of Clayton Smith, and Sophia who married Marvin Dunnivent, also of 
Moberly. 

William Hellensmith spent his boyhood days and early youth in 
Moberly and attended the public schools. W T hen his school days were past 
he learned the moulder's trade, a vocation in which he was employed for 
14 years then entered the car department of the Wabash Railroad, where 
he remained four years. During this time Mr. Hellensmith had saved 
money and after spending so many years working for others decided to 
engage in business for himself and in 1915 purchased his present store 
from Nelson Elkins, where he carries a full line of stock and fancy 
groceries and meats. From first entering upon this new enterprise, Mr. 
Hellensmith met with marked success, due to his care of his stock, its 
tasteful display and the courtesy with which his customers are treated 
and today he is regarded as one of the most substantial business men of 
the city. 

On June 27, 1906, Mr. Hellensmith was married to Miss Clara Voth 
of Moberly. She is the daughter of Henry and Minnie Voth ; the former 
is deceased and his widow now resides in Moberly. There were four chil- 
dren in the Voth family, of whom Mrs. Hellensmith is the youngest. She 
and her husband maintain a charming home at 1209 Bond street. Mr. 
Hellensmith is a member of the National Union, the Security Benefit 
Association, and the Missouri State Life Association. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 331 

Aubrey R. Hammett, prosecuting attorney of Randolph County and a 
former probate judge of the county, is one of the leading members of 
Randolph County bar. He is descended from pioneer families of the 
county as his ancestors came to this section when Missouri was con- 
sidered the frontier, and here they have taken a prominent part in the 
civic life of the country. 

Mr. Hammett is a native son of Randolph County, born near Hunts- 
ville ,July 24, 1873, the son of J. D. and L. Allie (Rutherford) Hammett. 
The father, also a native of this county was born on a farm three miles 
northwest of Huntsville in 1847. He was reared in Randolph County and 
after completing his elementary education studied medicine, graduating 
from a medical college at Philadelphia, Pa., and soon began his professional 
career near Huntsville, where he practiced for many years. Doctor Ham- 
mett became one of the well known and skillful physicians of the county 
and stood high in the medical fraternity of central Missouri. He also 
became extensively interested in business and commercial affairs. He 
was in partnership, with Joseph Samuel in the lumber business. Later 
he purchased a large block of stock in the Hammett Bank at Huntsville 
which his father, Joseph M. Hammett had established and became assist- 
ant cashier of the institution and later he became president of the bank. 
He still retains his stock in the bank and takes an active interest in its 
affairs, although he has now given up active business life and lives in 
Moberly, Mo. 

Aubrey R. Hammett's paternal grandfather, Joseph M. Hammett, was 
a Kentuckian who became one of the early settlers who took up govern- 
ment land near Huntsville, where he cleared 320 acres from the virgin 
forest and resided there until his death in 1883. L. Allie ( Rutherford 'l 
Hammett was born near Huntsville, a daughter of W. T. Rutherford, a 
pioneer from Kentucky who located near Huntsville at an early day and 
became a tobacco dealer, owning and managing two tobacco factories 
employing many negroes in the care of the product and for many years 
was prominent in this line of business. Subsequently he became inter- 
ested in coal mining and became a large operator in this district. He 
was a prominent man of central Missouri and Randolph County and his 
life was closely identified with the growth and development of Huntsville. 
He lived to be a man of advanced age and died in 1905 in his 91st year. 
Mrs. Hammett was a graduate of Christian College, Columbia, Mo. 



332 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Dr. J. D. Hammett and his - wife became the parents of two children : 
Mary Belle, who married Rev. L. J. Marshall, a Christian minister, is 
deceased. Her husband had charge of the Christian Church of Inde- 
pendence, Mo., for seven years and also of Wabash Avenue Christian 
Church in Kansas City, Mo., erecting fine edifices in both places during his 
incumbency as pastor. 

Aubrey R. Hammett was reared on his father's farm in Huntsville 
and attended the local schools. He graduated from Missouri Military 
Academy at Mexico, Mo., as senior captain. Then entered the State 
University at Columbia, Mo., graduating with the class of 1897 with the 
degree of Bachelor of Law. The same year he opened an office at Hunts- 
ville and became city attorney in 1897. Mr. Hammett became recog- 
nized as one of the leading men of his profession and in 1904 was elected 
probate judge of Randolph County, serving in that ofhce until 1904. In 
1914 Judge Hammett moved to Moberly and four years later, in 1918 was 
elected prosecuting attorney of the county, an office which he has since 
filled in a most able manner. 

June 11, 1897, Judge Hammett was married to Miss Oleta Wise of 
Callaway County, the daughter of James Wise, an early settler of that 
county; both he and his wife are now deceased. Four children have been 
born to Judge and Mrs. Hammett : J. W., Aubrey, Oleta and J. D. While 
in college, Judge Hammett was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity 
and is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 

James A. Fowler, a well known real estate dealer of Moberly with 
offices in the Jennings Building is a native of Randolph County. He was 
born six miles south of Moberly, Sept. 11, 1857 and is a son of Jesse and 
Sarah M. (Hamilton) Fowler. Jesse Fowler was a native of Howard 
County, born in 1828, the son of Elijah Fowler, a native of Boston, Mass., 
who came west in the early thirties and located near Burton, but shortly 
afterwards, moved to Randolph County to a homestead, a claim of gov- 
ernment land on which Oscar Fowler now lives. Jesse Fowler spent 
nearly all his life on this farm in Randolph County. He died at the ad- 
vanced age of 84 years and his remains are buried in the old Hamilton 
cemetery which was entered by John Hamilton, the grandfather of James 
A. Fowler. Jesse Fowler used to carry the corn on horseback to the 
grist mill which was located a mile east of the present site of Higbee. 
After reaching the mill the horse was used as motive power to grind the 
grain. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 333 

John Hamilton, the grandfather of James A. Fowler, came to Ran- 
dolph County in 1842. There were so few settlers at that period that 
he knew every man in the county. He was a prosperous f aimer and the 
owner of 500 acres of land at the time of his death. Sarah (Hamilton) 
Fowler was a native of Randolph County and was reared and educated 
here. She died in 1882 and her remains are buried in the Hamilton ceme- 
tery. There were six children in the Fowler family : Susan, the widow of 
W. M. Garvin; James A., the subject of this sketch; Henry T., a farmer 
near Evansville; Anna, now Mrs. Mesimer, of Moberly; J. H., also of 
Moberly; Alice, now Mrs. Hamilton, of Moberly. 

James A. Fowler was reared on the farm and attended the public 
schools and after his school days were over, was engaged in farming until 
1885 and in 1887 he engaged in the grocery business in Moberly. He 
subsequently disposed of his store and entered the real estate and loan 
business. 

Mr. Fowler was first married to Miss Mahlia J. Reed, who died in 
1885. Three children were born to this union and the only one of whom 
survives is Mrs. Lena Reynolds, of Moberly. In 1891, Mr. Fowler mar- 
ried Miss Georgia A. Hill, of Moberly. She is a daughter of F. M. and 
Elizabeth Hill, both deceased. F. M. Hill was a native of Lincoln, Mo. 
He died at the age of 83 while his wife lived to be 85 years old. Mr. 
Fowler takes an active part in local affairs and has served on the city 
council of Moberly the past 12 years. He is a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and is one of the progressive citizens of 
Moberly and Randolph County. 

Frank B. Harvey, cashier of the Bank of Moberly, is one of Randolph 
County's progressive citizens. He is a native of Randolph County, born 
about four miles south of Moberly on March 27, 1881, the son of B. F. 
and Ellen B. (Blakey) Harvey. B. F. Harvey was born in Howard 
County, near Armstrong and reared there. He came to Randolph County 
in the early 80s and organized the Randolph Bank of which he became 
president. Later the bank was reorganized as the First National Bank 
of which he was president. The First National was later reorganized as 
a state bank and Mr. Harvey served as vice-president until the time of 
his death in 1900. His remains are buried in Oakland cemetery. Mr. 
Harvey did not confine all his energies to banking alone but owned and 
operated a farm, four miles southwest of Moberly and made his home 
there during all the years he was associated with banking interests in the 



334 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

city. For many years he took an active part in the civic life of the com- 
munity and for one term served as presiding judge of the county court. 
Mrs. Harvey now lives in Moberly. There were two children in the 
Harvey family besides Frank: Mary E., deceased, and Julia, also de- 
ceased. 

Frank Harvey was reared on the family place near this city of Mob- 
erly and was given the educational advantages of the public schools here, 
graduating from the high school in 1899. The following year he spent at 
the State University at Columbia, but his college career was cut short by 
his father's death in 1900, when he returned home to assume charge of 
the farm and agricultural interests of the family. He continued as man- 
ager of the farm until 1910, when he came to Moberly and entered the 
Bank of Moberly as bookkeeper. Six years later he became cashier of 
the institution and has since capably held that position. 

In 1913 Mr. Harvey married Miss Anna Andre of Moberly, the 
daughter of Daniel and Belle Andre, the former residing now in McAlester, 
Mont., and his wife is deceased. Two children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Harvey: Frank B., Jr., and Ellen Belle, both at home with their 
parents. 

Mr. Harvey is considered one of the capable bankers of this section 
and is a man of many warm friends and business associates. He is a 
Knight Templar Mason. 

William J. Meals, a well known farmer and stockman of Sugar Creek 
township, was born near Boonsboro, Howard County, Mo., March 3, 1838 
and is a son of James Preston and Rebecca (Woodard) Meals. The 
father was one of the very earliest settlers of Howard County and in 
1840 he located in Randolph County where he entered land three miles 
east of the present site of Moberly. He paid $1.25 per acre and this land 
is still owned by members of the Meals family. The first house which 
was built on the place long before the Civil War, is still standing. The 
Meals family cemetery is located on this place and Leonidas Meals, brother 
of William J. Meals, was the first person to be buried in that cemetery. 
This was in 1840. James and Rebecca Meals are also both buried in 
this cemetery. The former died in 1880 and his wife departed this life 
ten years later. They were the parents of the following children : James, 
deceased; John, resides in Moberly; Albert, Moberly; William J., the sub- 
ject of this sketch; Mary, Cynthia, Robert and Thomas, the latter four 
of whom are deceased. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 335 

William J. Meals was reared on the home farm and attended the 
schools of that time which -were principally subscription schools. He 
engaged in farming and stock raising on his own account in early life 
and has met with well merited success. He is now the owner of 360 
acres of well improved and valuable land in Sugar Creek township. His 
son, Marvin, is the owner of 60 acres which lies just across the road from 
his father's place. Marvin Meals is well known and a successful general 
farmer and stock raiser and he has given considerable more attention to 
breeding than the average farmer, and is the owner of one of the best 
herds of registered Aberdeen Angus cattle in this section of the state. 
His herd is headed by a valuable registered male animal from the herd 
of James Cottingham, the sire of which came from the herd of Erscher 
and Ryan of Iowa. 

Dec. 16, 1858, William J. Meals was married to Miss Elizabeth Grimes, 
a native ©f Randolph County. She was born on the site of the present 
city of Moberly, March 13, 1839 and is a daughter of Henry Grimes, a 
pioneer settler in this locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Meals have been born 
the following children: Logan, a farmer and stockman of Prairie town- 
ship; Belle, widow of W. J. Engle, resides in Monroe County; Newton, 
Monroe County, Mo.; Lucy married J. P. Bennett and resides at Coweta, 
Okla., and Marvin, who resides near his father in Sugar Creek township 
and who is interested in the breeding of Aberdeen Angus cattle. 

Marvin Meals was born on the Meals homestead in Sugar Creek town- 
ship, Jan. 6, 1873. Here he spent his boyhood days and attended the 
schools in District No. 53. Since early life, he has followed farming and 
while he is the owner of a farm of 60 acres of his own in the vicinity of 
the old home place, he is also associated with his father in general farm- 
ing and stock raising and specializing in the breeding of Aberdeen Angus 
cattle. Mr. Meals is one of the best known successful breeders of this 
favorite strain of cattle in Randolph County. 

Marvin Meals was united in marriage Sept. 26, 1895 with Miss Mary 
T. Howell and they have one daughter, Ursley, who married William 
Everette, principal of the Unionville High School, Unionville, Mo. Mrs. 
Everette is a graduate of the Goeteze School of Music of Moberly and is 
now engaged in teaching in the Unionville High School where her hus- 
band is principal. She is instructor in English and is also head of the 
music department of that institution. 



336 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Marvin Meals is a member of the Randolph County Aberdeen Asso- 
ciation and through his efforts as a breeder, has largely contributed to 
raising the standard of live stock in Randolph County. 

Benjamin Reeves White, a pioneer business man of Moberly, now 
retired, has been a resident of this city for half a century. He is a 
native of Missouri and a member of one of the honored pioneer families 
of this state. Mr. White was born in Howard County, March 1, 1839, 
and is a son of David and Nancy E. (Maupin) White. David White was 
born in Virginia and came to Missouri with his parents who settled in 
Howard County before Missouri was admitted to statehood. He mar- 
ried Nancy E. Maupin, a native of Kentucky. He entered government 
land about five miles northwest of Fayette, Mo., and there he and his 
wife spent the remainder of their lives. He became well-to-do and at 
the time of his death in 1866 he was the owner of 500 acres of land. 
His wife died in 1868 and their remains are buried in the Hacktey Ceme- 
tery in Howard County. This is one of the old cemeteries of that sec- 
tion and is neatly kept. It is surrounded by a solid row of cedar trees 
about 20 feet in height which are kept neatly trimmed and present an 
attractive appearance. 

To David and Nancy E. (Maupin) White were born the following 
children: William, deceased; James, deceased; David, resides in Mo- 
berly; Mrs. Anna Hockley, who resides at Armstrong, Mo., and is 93 
years of age; Mrs. Melissa Green; Mrs. Nancy E. Bradtcer, Armstrong, 
Mo.; Benjamin R., the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Adelle Hannah, 
deceased. 

Benjamin Reeves White had good educational advantages when he 
was a boy and obtained a good education and in early life taught school 
for a number of years. In 1870, he came to Moberly and bought prop- 
erty here, where he engaged in the livery business and also conducted 
a retail coal and wood business. Before the advent of the automobile 
when the livery business was a flourishing institution, Mr. White car- 
ried on an extensive livery business and had as many as 40 horses at 
one time. He conducted one of the large livery stables of this section 
of the state and prospered. 

Mr. White was married Dec. 7, 1875, to Miss Katie V. Corbett, of 
Jersey ville, 111. She died in March, 1919, and her remains are interred 
in Oakland Cemetery. The children born to Benjamin R. White and 
wife are as follows: George E., married Miss Marie Bassett and has 




B. R. WHITE 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 337 

two children, Dan and Ben Ray; Addie C. and Edna at home with their 
father, and Allen C, who is engaged in the automobile supply business, 
a sketch of whom appears in this volume. 

Mr. White resides at 626 Fisk avenue in a large comfortable resi- 
dence which has been his home for a number of years. He is one of 
the honored pioneer residents of Randolph County and has a long record 
to his credit for reliability and fair dealing of which any man may be 
proud. 

Walter C. Buchanan, a progressive farmer and stock raiser of Sugar 
Creek township, Randolphh County, belongs to a pioneer family of the 
state. His grandfather, Colman C. Buchanan, came here from Tennessee 
in 1836 and entered the land which Walter C. Buchanan now owns, ad- 
jacent to the city of Moberly, being one of the first men to take up gov- 
ernment land on thees prairies. 

Walter C. Buchanan was born on the old homestead in Randolph 
County, Nov. 29, 1877 and is a son of Matthew and Sarah M. (W 7 isdom) 
Buchanan. The father was born on the same place in 1838 and died in 
April, 1903, and is buried in the Sugar Creek cemetery. He was a farmer 
all his life. Sarah (Wisdom) Buchanan was born in Macon County, Mo., 
in 1851 and died in December, 1919 and her remains are buried in Sugar 
Creek cemetery. Sugar Creek cemetery was established about 1835 and 
one of the Rubey family was the first to be buried there. 

Matthew Buchanan enlisted in the Confederate army during the Civil 
War and served under General Price. He was captured at Little Rock, 
Ark. and was confined in the Federal prison at Alton, 111. He was re- 
leased but before he could rejoin his regiment was again captured and 
sent to Fort Delaware. The two imprisonments totaled 22 months when 
he was exchanged. On his return to Randolph County, peace was de- 
clared. He became one of the prominent farmers and stock raisers of 
the section of the state. He was elected presiding judge of the county 
court, an office he filled efficiently for eight years. His children were 
Cyrus Earl, an inspector at the Kansas State Agricultural College, Man- 
hattan, Kansas, where he has charge of the registry division under 
Professor Fitch ; Ratie, now Mrs. M. Reagan of Tulsa, Okla. ; Onie A., of 
Moberly, who has a position in the Wabash shops ; Walter C, the subject 
of this sketch ; Claude C, of La Junta, Colo., now serving his third term 
as countv assessor. 



o« 



38 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Walter C. Buchanan was reared on the farm near Moberly and at- 
tended the district school of Sugar Creek township and then entered the 
Moberly High School, graduating in 1898. He has followed farming since 
reaching manhood. In addition to his work on the farm, Mr. Buchanan 
has for more than a year and a half had charge of one of the rural mail 
delivery routes out of Moberly. The farm is one of the well kept places 
of the county and has a fine seven room house, good barns and machinery 
sheds and 120 acres of fine arable land with the timber tract of some 
20 acres adjoining, which is all now in estate and is being sold in 1920. 

In 1906, Walter C. Buchanan was married to Miss Minnie B. Mor- 
rison, of Cairo, Mo., the daughter of E. S. and Susan Morrison, of Cairo. 
Two children have been born to this union : Morrison Young and Dorothy, 
both residing at home. 

The old Buchanan family residence which was used as a tavern in 
stage coach days, this being a station on the stage route, is owned today 
by A. M. Buchanan. It was built long before the Civil War and is an 
eight room structure. It is in a fair condition today and is one of the 
old landmarks of the country. This house stands across the road from 
the Mathews Buchanan farm residence, one mile north of Moberly. 

Thomas A. Caplinger, agent for the American Express Company, of 
Moberly, Mo., is a native of this state, born at Paris, Dec. 16, 1856. He 
is the son of Andrew and Susan Gentry (Maupin) Caplinger the former 
a native of Kentucky, born in Scott County, in 1824 and died in Moberly 
in 1893. 

Andrew Caplinger enlisted in the Union Army at the outbreak of the 
Civil War, served throughout that conflict and was mustered out of the 
service at Paris, Mo., where he had enlisted. He was a pioneer settler 
of Missouri, locating at Paris in 1842 and met and married his wife 
there. She was born in Albemarle County, Va., in 1826 and now resides 
in Moberly, a most remarkable woman, 94 years of age, and still retains 
her mental faculties and much of her physical vigor. Her son has in his 
possession a sweater knitted by her in 1918. There were 12 children in 
the family: Mrs. T. H. Hardcastle, Thomas A., Mrs. W. L. Skinner, and 
A. B., all of Moberly; Mrs. G. W. Tucker, deceased; Joseph, accidentally 
killed in 1910; Mrs. C. M. Smith, deceased; Mrs. E. W. Berry, deceased; 
George, deceased, a child that died in infancy ; Adrena, deceased and Ice- 
phena, also deceased. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 339 

Thomas A. Caplinger was reared in Paris, Mo., attended the public 
school and after his education was finished engaged in the drug business 
there, becoming prominent in that profession and continued to run his 
■re for 20 years. Disposing of it, he purchased a grocery business 
which he owned and ran two years before, coming to Moberly in 1891. 
Mr, Caplinger become associated with C. W. Tucker, the express agent 
here and continued to work with him 12 years and in 1906 was appointed 
express agent, an office he has efficiently filled to the present time. 

Mr. Caplinger has a modern residence at 731 S. Clark street, which 
he has remodeled into an attractive home. He is one of the substantial 
citizens of Mob( rly, and for more than 45 years has been a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 

Daniel T. Kelliher, senior member of the firm of Kelliher & Ryan, 
leading printers oi Moberly, is a capable newspaper man of wide experi- 
ence as well as a practical printer. He has virtually made his way up 
from the bottom of the ladder by himself and in all the lines of endeavor 
has shown the same initiative and ability that are the marked character- 
istics of his business successes in Missouri. He is a native of Missouri, 
born in Richmond Sept. 13, 1889. His parents were Cornelius and Mary 
(Tuohy) Kelliher, both of whom now reside in Moberly. The father is a 
native of Colchester, 111., born in 1857 and Mrs. Kelliher was born in 1857. 

Cornelius Kelliher came to Moberly when only 16 years of age and a 
few years later located at Richmond, where he resided some time before 
going to Renick and then came to Moberly in 1900, since which time he 
and his wife have been well known and popular residents of this city. 
At the present time he holds a position with the Wabash Railroad. There 
were two children in the Kelliher family; William of Adair County and 
Daniel T. of this review. He was a good sized boy when the family moved 
to Renick and attended school there. He then attended the normal school 
at Macomb, 111., but left that institution in his freshman year to enter the 
field of journalism. For ten years he was on the staff of the Moberly 
Daily Monitor. He resigned his position to become as he says "a cub 
reporter" on the Kansas City Post and while associated with that paper 
had many interesting experiences, one of the most interesting being the 
time when he was assigned to secure an interview with Lord Northcliffe, 
when he was touring the country, in 1917, traveling on a special train. 
Mr. Kelliher met the train at Sheffield, a Kansas City suburb, boarded it 
while running swiftly and was introduced to Lord Northcliffe, who gave 



340 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

• 

him the desired story and scored a beat on all other Kansas City papers. 
Mr. Kelliher was advanced from "cub reporter" to highest salaried man 
on the staff. After remaining' with the Kansas City Post for a year, 
Mr. Kelliher was offered a position at Parsons, Kans., as managing editor 
of the Parsons Daily Sun. He returned to Kansas City to The Post, but 
a month later went to St. Louis to take a better position with the St. Louis 
Post Dispatch where he remained until May 15, 1919, when he resigned 
and came to Moberly where he formed the partnership with Mr. Ryan and 
opened their present business, where they are equipped to do all kinds 
of job printing of a high class. 

Mr. Kelliher married Miss Beulah Cleeton of Lancaster, Mo. and they 
have two children: Cornelius Lee and Daniel C. 

H. Edwin Ryan, of the well known printing firm of Kelliher & Ryan, 
located at 211 North Williams street, Moberly, which opened up for busi- 
ness May 15 : 1919, succeeding J. E. McQuitty, who had conducted a print- 
ing and stationery business here, is a native son of Missouri, born at 
Moberly, Nov. 8, 1893. He is a son of Thomas F. and Lavonia (Robert- 
son) Ryan, the former a native of Leavenworth, Kan. and the latter of 
Sugar Creek township, Randolph County, Mo. Thomas F. Ryan was a 
painter and grainer by trade, specializing in the latter art and came to 
Moberly in the early 80's and was engaged in business here the remainder 
of his life. He died in 1912. He was laid to rest in Oakland cemetery. 
His widow now lives on West Fisk avenue, Moberly. There were four 
children in the Ryan family: L. T., Council Bluffs, la.; Helen, deceased; 
H. Edwin, of this review; Gus R., who has charge of the credit depart- 
ment of D. M. Ferry & Co., of Detroit, Mich. He enlisted for service in 
the World War in April 1918, was assigned to the electrical department 
and sent to St. Louis, and later he was transferred to Camp Jessup, Ga., 
with the motor transport corps. He was rapidly promoted to top sergeant 
of his company and was boarding the train for Hoboken, N. J., to embark 
for overseas service the day the armistice was signed. 

H. Edwin Ryan was reared here in Moberly and attended the public 
schools and when 12 years old began work in a printing office so by the 
time he had completed his studies he was a practical printer. When he 
left school Mr. Ryan entered the employ of the Democrat Publishing 
Company where he remained 12 years. From being a printer's apprentice 
he was advanced from one position to another until he was master printer 
in charge of all the finest and most difficult work in the establishment. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 341 

Then he was made foreman of the plant, a position he filled for 18 months, 
when he and Mr. Kelliher formed a partnership. In the spring of 1919, 
Mr. Ryan and Mr. Kelliher purchased their present plant. They have 
greatly increased the output and established a reputation for the excel- 
lence of their workmanship. 

Oct. 6, 1915, Mr. Ryan was married to Miss Eugenia R. Brock of 
Moberly, a native of Excello, Mo. She was a teacher for four years prior 
to her marriage. Mrs. Ryan is the daughter of William T. and Henrietta 
(Weymouth) Brock. The father was born at Excello, Mo., and the mother 
was born in Scotland, coming to the United States when she was 18 years 
old. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ryan: Elizabeth Park 
and Margaret Cathrine. 

Mr. Ryan has been secretary of the Typographical Union No. 473, 
of Moberly, since 1911. The Kelliher-Ryan Company prints everything 
in the job work line and are well known for the fine catalogue work. They 
also are locally known as the publishers of the Nation Swine Advertiser, 
a monthly publication with a circulation of 5,000 copies. 

W. B. Jones, the leading horticulturist of Randolph County and a 
prominent farmer and dairyman of this section is one of the old residents 
who has gained a high reputation for his business integrity, born in Wales 
May 27, 1843. He is the son of Benjamin and Esther Jones, both natives 
of the same country, where they spent their lives. Mr. Jones spent his 
youth in his native land and was educated in the public schools. He 
emigrated from Wales in 1868 and after reaching the United States, 
located in St. Joseph, Mo., but a year later went to Macon County, where 
he engaged in the butcher business until 1870, when he came to Moberly 
and opened a shop where he built up a fine business which he conducted 
for many years. 

In 1895, Mr. Jones decided to become a farmer and horticulturist, 
as he had always loved the country and believed there was money to be 
made in raising fruit. He purchased his present place of 80 acres, putting 
25 acres into orchard and today the apple trees he then planted are all 
bearing and have been doing so for years. In 1919, Mr. Jones had 2,000 
bushels of fine apples, his varieties being Jonathan, Blacktwig, York 
Imperial, Winesaps, Grimes Golden and a few Ben Davis, but Mammoth 
Blacktwig and Jonathan trees predominate. So that Mr. Jones' vision 
was a most substantial one and today he is the owner of the largest and 
most productive orchard in the county. In 1919 he set out 1,500 more 



342 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

trees which will bear within a short time. Mr. Jones has not confined 
his energies to his orchard alone but is considerable of a farmer and dairy- 
man. He annually raises around 200 bushels of corn which he feeds to 
his 100 head of hogs, as he specializes in Chester White hogs; he also 
milks 18 head of cows, selling the milk. All this work he does himself 
which is rather remarkable for a man of his years. In addition to the 
home farm of 80 acres, Mr. Jones owns 157 acres a mile west of his place 
and a 160 acre tract in Wichita County, Kan. 

Mr. Jones was first married to Mary Johns in Wales, who died in 
1869, leaving a son, John, who lives in Oklahoma, and Mr. Jones was 
again married on Jan. 7, 1873, to Miss Elizabeth Humes, of Randolph 
County the daughter of Philip and Amanda (McKinzey) Humes, who 
came here fromb Kentucky and settled on land just south of the present 
town site of Moberly ; both are now deceased. McKinzey street, Moberly, 
is named after James McKinzey. Mrs. Jones' grandfather, who was a 
pioneer settler here. The following children have been born to the Jones 
family: Isaac, lives in Texas; Nannie married D. J. Mandry, of Bartles- 
ville, Okla. ; Esther, deceased ; Mary and Martha, twins, died in infancy : 
Nellie, married J. W. Burton, of Bartlesville, Okla.; Willia C, now Mrs. 
W. C. Fonville, of Moberly, and Ashley, also of Bartlesville, Okla. 

Mr. Jones is a Republican and made the race for county judge and 
Avas defeated in an avowedly Democratic county by only 80 votes which 
shows his popularity in the community. 

Bell Brothers, one of the leading contracting and building firms of 
Moberly, is owned and managed by James E. and Thurman R. Bell, who 
are among the younger generation of business men of this city. 

Thurman Bell was born in Chariton County, Mo., Feb. 17, 1885. the 
son of E. N. and Columbus E. (Lepper) Bell, both of whom now reside in 
Moberly. 

Columbus E. Bell was born in Monroe County, the son of John and 
Linda (Welsh) Bell, the former a native of Virginia who came west at 
an early day and located in Missouri. His wife was of Welsh descent and 
lived to be 87 years old. John Lepper and his wife were bom in Ger- 
many and emigrated from their native land and after reaching the United 
States settled in Monroe County, Mo., and were pioneer farmers of that 
section of the state. The children of E. M. and Columbus Bell were 
James E. and Thurman R. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 343 

James E. Bell was born in Monroe County, May 18, 1877, and was 
educated in the Centralia schools and after completing his education, he 
learned the carpenter's trade.Within a short time he began to do small 
contracting jobs which led him to become a general building contractor, 
a line of business which he followed in Centralia for 10 years before 
coming to Moberly. 

On March 19, 1899, James Bell married Miss Vera Saunders, the 
daughter of Gus Saunders, a butcher of Centralia; both he and his wife 
were natives of Germany; they came to the United States when young 
and Mr. Saunders first located in St. Louis where he was married to Marie 
Wetterath in 1874, and they later came to Centralia. The father died 
there in his 64th year. Mrs. Bell was the oldest of their four children. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bell have two children: Frederick William and Dorothy 
Frances. A third child died when five years old. The family reside at 
316 South Williams street. 

James E. Bell is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen 
of Kansas City, Kans. He is a public spirited man ever ready to support 
any movement for the improvement of the city which has become his 
home. 

Thurman Bell, like his brother, spent his boyhood days in Centralia, 
was educated in the public schools of that town and after his schooling 
was over and he was large enough began to work as a carpenter. He 
mastered that trade and after a time began to contract for buildings. 
Coming to Moberly in 1905, his first work in the city was the building of 
a house for J. W. Meyer in Millers Park edition. He and his brother 
formed a partnership in the contracting business under the firm name of 
Bell Brothers, with offices at 800 South Williams street, since which time 
they have taken a leading place in the building and contracting business 
of Moberly. They have erected many fine private residences and the 
Farmers and Merchants Bank in Moberly. At the present time they 
have a number of residences and buildings under contract or construc- 
tion. They are keen business men, have won a high reputation for in- 
tegrity in carrying out their business obligations. 

Thurman R. Bell was married in 1906 to Miss Alice E. Paggett, of 
Monroe County, the daughter of John J. and Frances Paggett, the former 
now deceased and Mrs. Paggett lives in the old home. Three children 
were born to this union: Goldie Opal, Thurman R., Jr., and Mildred, all 
at home with their parents. The family has a fine home at 800 South 



344 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Williams street. Mr. Bell is a member of the Modern Woodmen ofJ 
America and the Carpenters Union. 

0. R. Nise, of the grocery firm of Nise & Company, 113 East Coates 
street, and senior member of the Nise & Glover garage, located at 549 
West Coates street, is one of the well known retail business men of Mo 
berly, who has taken an energetic part in the upbuilding and developmen 
of this city. He was born in Boone County, Mo., Aug. 24, 1871, the son 
of A. H. and Margaret (Geurin) Nise, the former a native of Germany, 
who located in Missouri prior to the Civil War and was engaged in the 
hardware business at Sturgeon before coming to Moberly, where he was 
in business the rest of his active life. His widow now resides on Union 
avenue. There were three children in the family : Ernest, of Los Angeles ; 
Fannie, of Moberly, and 0. R., of this review, by a former marriage of 
Mr. Nise had had five children, all of whom reside in Moberly. 

0. R. Nise was reared and educated in Sturgeon and graduated from 
the high school. He began to work for his father in the hardware busi- 
ness and in 1893 opened a grocery and meat market at his present loca- 
tion, being one of the first men to put modern equipment in his establish- 
ment. When automobiles began to become popular, Mr. Nise saw that 
there was a great future in the garage business and formed a partner- 
ship with F. T. Glover, opening a building for that purpose at 549 West 
Coates street, where they have built up a good business. They carry 
all automobile accessories, have a good service station and paint cars. 
For many years, Mr. Nise has taken an active part in the civic life of the 
community, and for eight years has served as a member of the city 
council. He is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, of Moberly, being 
one of the charter members. 

John F. Kynaston, now living retired in Moberly, has been a resi- 
dent of this city for the past 35 years, and for many years w r as an 
employee of the Wabash Railroad Company in this city. He has been 
a success in a financial way and has accumulated a competence and is 
one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of Randolph County. 
Mr. Kynaston was born in Earltown, England, in 1855, the son of John 
and Hannah (Pursell) Kynaston, both natives of England, and spent 
their entire lives in that country. They died at Newton LeWillows, 
Lancashire, England. The mother died at the age of 48 and the father 
at 68 years of age. John Kynaston, the father, was a prominent rail- 
road man in his native land and for many years was superintendent of 




JOHN F. KYX ASTON 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 345 

the London and Northwestern railroad and in later life was engaged 
in fine carriage building. John and Hannah (Pursell) Kynaston were 
the parents of the following children: John F., of this review; William, 
George, Samuel and Mary Ann (Brown), all of whom reside at Earls- 
town, Lancashire, England, except John F., of this review. Sarah Jane 
the youngest of the family, is deceased. 

John F. Kynaston was reared in his native land and educated in 
the public schools and also the School of Arts at Warrington, where he 
became proficient in drawing and mechanical art, passing the examina- 
tion in that course. He came to America in 1880, first locating at Jef- 
ferson, Ind., where he was in the employ of the Ohio Falls Car Com- 
pany, as car builder, for over two years. He then came to St. Louis 
and after remaining there 18 months came to Moberly in 1885. Here 
he entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company and for 28 
years was in the employ of that company, continuously, and was one 
of the skilled and trustworthy employees, being coach foreman. At his 
resignation in 1913, he received a letter from the company, expressing 
its appreciation of his faithful and long continued service and this is 
one of the highly prized documents in Mr. Kynaston's possession. After 
so many years of service it is a satisfaction to have tangible evidence 
that one's devotion to duty for a long period of years is appreciated. 
Since his resignation, seven years ago, Mr. Kynaston has devoted his 
time to looking after his investments and various rental properties in 
the city of Moberly. He rents several residences in Moberly and also 
owns 16 acres of valuable land within the city limits. 

John F. Kynaston was first married in 1878 to Miss Martha Julia 
Howcraft, who died in 1914. To that marriage was bom one daughter, 
Ethel Violet, an attorney now in the employ of the Guarantee Title and 
Abstract Company of Cleveland, Ohio, as title examiner. Miss Kynas- 
ton is an able attorney, whose preparatory education and professional 
training has been very thorough and complete. She studied extensively 
both in this country and abroad. She was educated in the University of 
Missouri, Prague University, of Prague, Bohemia, and the Conservatory 
of Music at Leipsic, Germany, and also took special instruction on the 
violin and piano in Paris, France. Altogether she studied for six years 
in Europe. Before going to Cleveland, Ohio, she was associated with 
Attorney Ben Hardin of Kansas City, Mo., for some years. 

Mr. Kynaston's second marriage was with Mrs. Lavonia A. Ryan, 



/ 



346 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

June 29, 1915. She was the widow of the late Thomas Ryan, and to 
her marriage with Mr. Ryan was born the following- children: Lloyd 
T., a railroad man of Council Bluffs, Iowa; H. Edwin, of the firm of 
Kelliher and Ryan Printing Company, Moberly, Mo., and Gus R., credit 
man for the D. M. Ferry Seed Company, Detroit, Mich. 

Mrs. Kynaston is a daughter of James R. and Margaret L. (Barkley) 
Robertson, a prominent pioneer family of Missouri. James R. Robertson 
was born in Greene County, Tenn., and settled in Sugar Creek town- 
ship, Randolph County, about 1865. He moved to Moberly in 1880, and 
died here in 1891. His wife was born in Rheatown, Tenn., and died 
here in 1915. The remains of both father and mother are interred in 
Oakland Cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: 
George Robertson, deceased, who was a prominent attorney of Mexico, 
Mo., and for many years was attorney for the Wabash railroad, and 
he also wrote a history of Audrain County ; Mrs. Laura Doran, deceased ; 
Emma, married Washington Robertson, and is now deceased; Martha, 
married J. C. Brown, St. Louis, Mo.; Jesse F. Robertson, is now pro- 
bate judge of Nodaway County, Mo.; Bertha, married W. S. Zittle, Omaha, 
Neb. ; Joseph A., now retired, living in Buffalo, Okla. ; Mrs. John F. 
Kynaston, of this review. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kynaston are extensively and favorably known in 
Moberly and Randolph County and have the confidence and high esteem 
of the entire community. 

W. W. Hutsell, one of the leading agriculturists of Randolph County 
is descended from a fine old Kentucky family whose members became 
pioneer settlers of Missouri when this state was considered to be m the 
frontier. He is a native son of Randolph County, born in Union town- 
ship, March 21, 1870, the son of John W. and Imilda Ruth (Eubanks) 
Hutsell, the former also bora in Union township. 

Bloomfield Hutsell, father of John W., came to this county in 1837 
and located on government land which he farmed for many years ; he died 
in 1884. There were three children born to Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hut- 
sell: James D., of Union township; Annie May, the wife of Sanford 
Bennett, who lives on the old homestead, and W. W., of this review. 

W. W. Hutsell was reared on his father's farm and received his edu- 
cational advantages in the schools of Cottage Grove district. He then 
engaged in the furniture business in Moberly, where he built up a fine 
trade and was recognized as one of the sound and substantial business 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 347 

men of the city. Mr. Hutsell decided to buy a farm and return to an open 
outdoor life, for he had become a good practical farmer while a boy on 
the home place and it was a business with which he was familiar. He 
purchased the farm owned by W. A. Norton, which consisted of 126 
acres. From first locating here Mr. Hutsell began to make improvements 
and buy modern farm implements with which to increase production and 
also lighten the farm work. In 1918 he built his present house of seven 
rooms, equipped with acetelyne lights, running water and now has gas 
power machines on the place. His residence is a handsome place on the 
road which runs from Moberly to Macon and is one of the show places of 
this section, neatly kept and cared for. This farm is an old place, entered 
by John G. Cochran, when land sold by the government for $1.25 an acre. 
In 1919 Mr. Hutsell rebuilt his barn 40x40 feet which is well equipped for 
stock and grain storage. There are four fine wells on the place. 

In 1897. Mr. Hutsell was married to Miss Stella Vince of Union town- 
ship, who died in 1907, and on Sept. 17, 1917, Mr. Hutsell married Miss 
Jessie Bailey, a daughter of J. 0. and Jessie (Davis) Bailey, both of whom 
now reside at Kirksville, Mo. Mrs. Hutsell was educated in the schools 
of Kirksville and the State Normal School at Columbia, Mo. and for seven 
years before her marriage taught English in the high school at Moberly. 
She is one of the highly cultured women of the county and is always 
ready to assist with time and money in any worthy movement, in which 
she is ably supported by her husband, one of the progressive and prosper- 
ous men of this part of the county. 

R. F. Pigott, owner and manager of the Pigott Coal Company of 
Moberly, was born in Quincy, 111., July 13, 1867, and is the son of Peter 
and Joannah (Cotter) Pigott, both born in Europe. They came to this 
country when young and were married at Lambertville, N. J., and came 
west, locating in Illinois, where Mr. Pigott was employed in railroad work 
for many years. He resigned and came to Missouri in 1870, buying land 
in Chariton County where he and his wife lived the rest of their lives. 
She died in 1886 and was buried at Salisbury, Mo. Mr. Pigott was a 
veteran of the Civil War as he enlisted in the Confederate army and 
served three years. He died in 1898 and was buried in Salisbury. There 
were six children in the family: Mrs. Mary Burke, of Higbee: Mrs. Susie 
Windsor, of Moberly ; Mrs. Kate Bardotte, of Salisbury, Mo. ; J. M., on the 
farm in Chariton County, Mo. ; R. F., of this review, and Peter, deceased. 

Mr. Pigott was reared near Salisbury, Mo. and attended the Salis- 



348 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

bury schools. He worked on the railroad for eight years but at the 
death of his brother returned to the home place and remained v/ith his 
parents until they died when he bought the homestead. Later Mr. Pigott 
came to Moberly and formed a partnership with W. E. Eastwood, open- 
ing a wholesale and retail coal business here. About a year later, Mr. 
Pigott disposed of his interest to his partner to take a position on the 
road for the well known Peabody Coal Company, of Chicago, and re- 
mained with that concern two years. He then opened a coal yard in 
Centralia and Paris, Mo., and now conducts three coal yards. The Pigott 
Coal Company handles in the retail department about 400 cars of coal and 
an equal number in the jobbing branch. All the yards carry the best 
grades of Illinois coal and Pennsylvania anthracite and the business has 
been successful from its inception. Mr. Pigott is a straightforward busi- 
ness man, square in his dealings and today is rated as one of the sub- 
stantial men of the community. 

Nov. 19, 1887, Mr. Pigott married Miss Laura Tillotson of Salisbury, 
the daughter of Joseph and Martha (Fennell) Tillotson, the former living 
in Salisbury, Mo., where he was born more than 84 years ago. The 
mother died in 1919. There are four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Pigott: 
H. L., assitant ticket agent for the Wabash railroad in Moberly ; Mamie 
A., the wife of Perry H. Hawes, of Moberly; Ruth, the wife of Charles 
Milham, of Moberly, and Naomi, at home. 

Mr. Pigott is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks, the Knights of Columbus and the Modern Woodmen. 

Alexander B. McCoy, judge of the eastern district of Randolph 
County, who has been a resident of Moberly for 50 years, is one of the 
well-known and prominent men of the county and city. He is a Penn- 
sylvanian, born in Mifflin County, April 5, 1850, the son of Alexander 
and Nancy (Glass) McCoy, the former born in the same county as his 
son in 1813. He came west and located in Moberly in 1876, then removed 
to Sedgwick County, Kan., where his wife died, and soon after this be- 
reavement, Mr. McCoy went to the state of Oregon, where he remained 
three years before returning to Moberly. Subsequently he entered the 
Soldiers' Home at Dayton, Ohio, as he was a veteran of the Civil War. 
He enlisted in the 48th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and sei-ved two years 
before being discharged for disability. Later he recovered his health and 
re-enlisted in the 47th Ohio Cavalry and was sent west under Colonel 
Collins to fight the Indians in Idaho and Wyoming, during the Indian 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 349 

uprising following the close of the war. Mr. McCoy died at the home 
in 1898, a man of years and honor. 

There were nine children in the McCoy family: John, died in Cali- 
fornia in 1910; William, also died there in 1908; Reed, a veteran of the 
Civil War, died at Hillsboro, Ohio, in 1865, from disease contracted in 
the army; George, died in Oklahoma in 1885; James, died in Salem, Ore., 
in 1890 ; the above five sons and their father all were veterans of the Civil 
War serving in the Union army. Alexander, of this review; Albert, died 
in Mason City, la., in 1906; Mary, who married Edward Fenner, is dead; 
and Emma, the wife of Cyrus Shafer. The McCoy family moved to Ohio 
when Alexander B. McCoy was a boy and it was in that state he was 
reared and educated. 

In 1868 Mr. McCoy came to Missouri, locating at Gallatin, Davis 
County, where he learned the carpenter's trade with A. C. Ball, and 
worked two years and nine months for $5 a month. He was in Gallatin 
when the James brothers killed the banker with the intention of rob- 
bing the bank. He was one of the posse that started after the robbers, 
as he and another man took the horses Judge McCoy was driving and 
started in pursuit. The James brothers eluded the sheriff's posse and 
taking a back trail met the judge and his companion, both sides opened 
fire, but the James men got away. 

In 1871. Alexander McCoy came to Moberly, to engage in' the car- 
penter business here, but a year and a half later accepted a position in 
the Wabash shops, where he worked until 1903. He began to learn the 
pattern maker's trade soon after coming here. He saved his money and 
invested it in a farm west of Moberly and it was while on his farm on 
a "lay off" in 1903 that his wife was killed at the Coates street crossing. 
Soon after this bereavement Judge McCoy sold his farm and for four 
years was associated with Robert Haynes in the grocery business. In 
1908 Mr. McCoy went west on a pleasure trip, visiting Arizona, Califor- 
nia and other Pacific coast states, and after his return to Moberly in 
1910, the judge built his present fine residence, located at 320 Burkhart 
street. This is one of the fine homes of Moberly. 

From first locating in this city Judge McCoy had taken an active 
interest in civic affairs and in 1914 was elected county judge of the 
eastern district. He was re-elected in 1916 and again in 1918 and is now 
serving his third term. 



Q 



50 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 



In 1874, Alexander McCoy was married to Miss Jennie Thompson 
of Moberly, who was killed in 1903, as above stated, leaving two chil- 
dren; H. A., of Moberly, whose biography appears in this volume; Bertha, 
married William Stephens, of Moberly. In 1907,. Judge McCoy married 
Miss Jennie Coffee, of Moberly, who was born in Iowa, and came here 
some years ago with her widowed mother. 

Judge McCoy has been a member of the Carpenter's Union for many 
years. He has done much for the benefit of the county as the County 
Sanatorium has been built at Huntsville since he was installed in office. 
He is a man of high moral standard and one of whom the county may 
w T ell be proud. For many years the judge has commanded the respect of 
men of all political parties for his fair dealing. 

Milton M. Marshall, one of the leading grocery merchants of Moberly, 
who is also justice of the peace, is one of the men who stand high in 
this community. He is a native son, born in Randolph County, Sept. 22, 
1866, the son of J. D. and Susan (Martin) Marshall, the former a native 
of Albermarle County, Va., and the mother was born in Kentucky. The 
father died in his 76th year and his wife died when she was 64 years 
old. J. D. Marshall was a wagon maker and blacksmith, but after set- 
tling in the west he located on a farm where he spent the remainder of 
his life. Six children were born to J. D. Marshall and wife: J. W., of 
Higbee ; John, of Monroe County ; Milton, of this review ; Aubrey, of 
Las Animos, Colo. ; Zenobia, of Moberly and Kenton, deceased. 

Milton M. Marshall was reared on his parent's farm and attended 
school at Renick, Mo., where he laid the foundation for a good prac- 
tical education, and when old enough he began to work on the railroad, 
being first employed by the Wabash, and later by the Chicago and Alton, 
and then accepting a position with the Burlington Railroad. Thus for 
sixteen years, he was associated with various departments of the rail- 
road business until he lost his right arm in an accident in 1887. This 
great handicap, however, did not discourage him and Mr. Marshall went 
ahead and made a success. This injury has caused trouble for many 
years and in 1914 it was necessary to take off all the arm and later the 
shoulder blade. After leaving the railroad, Mr. Marshall studied phar- 
macy and was engaged in the drug business for 14 years at Clark, Mo., 
where he built up a fine trade. Five years ago he sold his store in Clark 
and came to Moberly to open his present grocery business, purchasing 
the store building and residence adjoining at 300 William street. Mr. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 351 

Marshall was appointed justice of the peace to fill the unexpired term 
of Everett Hamilton, deceased, and after that was elected to office in 
1918. 

On Oct. 6, 1891, Mr. Marshall was married to Miss Hattie Kim- 
borough. She is the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Ferguson) Kim- 
borough, of Renick, Mo. Henry Kimborough is a well-known merchant 
of that town, born there in 1836, the son of John Stewart Kimborough, 
a pioneer settler of Missouri, who came here at an early day and entered 
government land, two and a half miles west of Clark. He was a veteran 
of the Black Hawk War. Two of Mr. Marshall's uncles were veterans of 
the Civil War, enlisting from Renick. Two children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Marshall: Nadine, the wife of Ray Galbreath, of Mober- 
ly, and Freda, who holds a position with the Wolff-Berger Company, of 
Moberly. She is a graduate of Mrs. Stewart's School of Music. Mr. 
Marshall's fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic Lodge and the 
Maerabees. 

Hamp M. Nise, one of Moberly's prosperous business men, is 
aged in furnace and sheet metal work with a shop at 106 East Car- 
pent<T street. He is a native son of Missouri, born at Renick, May 3, 
1870, the son of P. H. and Laura (Myrtle) Nise, the former born in Paris, 
Mo., in 1 he son of A. H. Nise. who was a native of Germany. He 

came to the United States when a young man. He was a tinner by 
trade, and after reaching this country located in Paris, Mo., where he 
was in business for many years. There were five children in his family: 
P. H.. of Moberly ; Mollie, W. T., Charles Augustus and Rosa, all of Mo- 
berly, and by a second marriage, to Margaret Gurin, there were three 
children: Fannie, Ernest and Oscar. 

When the Civil War was precipitated P. H. Nise enlisted in the Con- 
federate army from this state. He was captured after six months serv- 
ice and taken to St. Louis, confined in a prison that formerly was Mc- 
Dowell College and later he was transferred to Alton, 111. Taking the 
oath of allegiance to the United States, six months later he was released 
and in 1871 came to Moberly to open the hardware and implement busi- 
ness which he owned and managed for 40 years. In 1869, P. H. Nise 
was married to Miss Laura Myrtle of Renick, Mo., who died in 1899, leav- 
ing the following children: Hamp M., of this review; Elgie, the w r ife of 
John Curry, of Moberly, and Alma and Elma, twins, the former now de- 
ceased, the latter is the wife of Beijamin Padget, of St. Louis. 



352 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Hamp M. Nise was reared in Moberly and attended the public schools. 
He entered his father's hardware store and worked for him for about 20 
years. \\ hen the father retired from active business Hamp M. Nise 
opened his present sheet metal shop and furnace and heating establish- 
ment in 1906, and from its initiation he has been doing a good busine 
having associated with him his son, Robert, who is one of the younger 
generation of business men of the city. 

In 1895, Mr. Nise was married to Miss Blanche Morris, of Moberly, 
the daughter of George W. and Arabella (Deyoung) Morris, both now 
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Nise have had two children: Morris H., born 
in 1898, attended the local schools and graduated from the high school 
in 1914. When war was declared against Germany he enlisted at Cofl'ey- 
ville, Kan., in the 18th Balloon Company, and was sent to Fort Omaha 
for his training. He sailed for overseas duty in October of the same 
year. Being assigned to service in France, he was at the front for many 
months and was killed in an accident April 13, 1919, giving the greatest 
gift he had, his life, that the world might be made a safe place for the 
future generations. Robert D. is at home with his parents. 

W. J. Stamm, now living retired in Moberly, was for several years 
actively identified with the business interests of this city. Mr. Stamm 
was born in St Louis, Jan. 18, 1856, and is a son of William and Kath- 
rine (Shafer) Stamm, both natives of Germany. William Stamm, the 
father came to St. Louis in 1844. He served in the Union army through- 
out the Civil War. After the war he worked at his trade, which was 
that of a blacksmith. He died at Palmer, 111., at the age of 66 years, 
and his remains are buried there. His wife, survived him for a number 
of years and died Dec. 22, 1913, at Palmer, 111., and her remains are 
also buried at Palmer. William and Kathrine (Shafer) Stamm were 
the parents of the following children: William J., the subject of this 
sketch : Elizabeth, married John Logon, of Wichita, Kan. ; Henry, Mo- 
berly, Mo. ; Anna, married Earnest Stockman, Tailorville, 111. ; Carrie, 
married Irvin Doroner, Palmer, 111. ; Ed, Palmer, 111. ; and George, died 
at Sedgwick, Kan. 

William J. Stamm has made his own way in life since he was nine 
years old. In early life he worked at various jobs and received the 
sum of 25 cents per week herding cattle. In 1880, he engaged in the 
retail liquor business at Litchfield, 111., and remained in that business 
there until 1894, when he came to Moberly and bought the Anthony 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 353 

Cafe at 206 North Clark street. He conducted that place until 1907, 
when he sold it and engaged in the wholesale cigar and tobacco busi- 
ness and the manufacturing of candy in Moberly under the firm name 
Stamm and Son, in partnership with his son, William Stamm, Jr. They 
successfully conducted this business until 1910, when Mr. Stamm re- 
tired and has not been actively engaged in business since. 

In July 2, 1881, William J. Stamm was united in marriage with 
Miss Elizabeth Bergschneider, of Harvel, 111. She is a native of that 
state, born in 1857. To Mr. and Mrs. Stamm was born one son, William, 
Jr., bom at Litchfield, 111., April 4, 1882, and died in 1917, at the age 
of 36 years. He was educated in the public schools of Illinois and Mo- 
berly. He then took a four years' course in Blees' Military School, at 
Macon, Mo., and afterwards attended an electrical engineering school 
at Washington, D. C. He then entered the employ of the Wabash Rail- 
road Company, as assistant to the chief clerk at Moberly for a time, 
and then engaged in the shoe business at Kansas City, Mo. He sold 
out that business and engaged in the wholesale cigar and tobacco and 
candy business in partnership with his father at Moberly. While en- 
gaged in this business his health failed and he was forced to give up 
business. He visited various climates in the hope of regaining his health, 
but to no avail. He was an energetic and capable business man and 
made many friends in the business world. He was married to Anna 
Mann, of Alton, 111., and three children were born to this union: Mar- 
cella, Alouise and Beatrice, who are being reared by their grandparents, 
Mr. and Mrs. Stamm. 

Mr. Stamm is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elks and one of the stubstantial and highly respected citizens of 
Moberly. He is a member of the Travelers' Protective Association and 
has been a delegate to the National Convention, attended several times. 

Chester S. W T ilhite, junior member of the Nise & Company, of Mo- 
berly, was born in Howard County, in 1897, the son of W. S. and Sallie 
(Noel) Wilhite, both of whom reside in Moberly. The former was born 
in Cass County and the mother in Brown County, 111., though they were 
married in Howard County, Mo., in 1894. 

W. S. W T ilhite was in the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company as 
car inspector for 14 years at Moberly. There were four children in the 
family: Walter, a clerk for the J. C. Penny Company, of Moberly; Mary, 
now Mrs. Williams, of St. Louis; Ova May, at home, and Chester, who 



354 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

received his education in the public schools of Howard County and later 
in Moberly. When he was 12 years old he began to work for 0. R. Nise, 
as delivery boy for the grocery, and four years later he became a clerk 
in the store. He was ambitious to get ahead in the world, saved his 
money and in 1919, when Mr. Nise needed a partner for his growing busi- 
ness, purchased an interest in the grocery and meat market. They 
carry a full line of all kinds of fancy and staple groceries and good line 
of meats and have a good business. 

In Aug., 1918, Mr. Wilhite was married to Miss Emma Paulette Mil- 
ler, of Moberly, the daughter of W. E. and Caroline Miller, the former 
deceased, and his widow resides here. Mr. Wilhite enlisted on Oct. 1, 
1918, for services in the World W T ar and was sent to Camp Bowie, Tex., 
for training. He was there six months and after the armistice was signed 
was given his honorable discharge April 1, 1919, and returning home and 
resumed his business. He is a member of the American Legion, Theo- 
dore Bazan Post, Moberly, and also belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose. 
Today he is regarded as one of the best business men of the younger 
generation in the city. 

Temple Stephens, a successful grocer of Moberly, was born at Water- 
loo, Neb., Dec. 29, 1889, the son of Lewis L., who is the scion of a pio- 
neer family that came west from Kentucky at an early day. 

Lewis L. Stephens was born near Middle Grove, Mo., in 1843, the 
son of Thomas Nelson and Mary (Swindell) Stephens, the latter born in 
Virginia in 1818 and died in 1895. The father was a native of Kenton, 
County, Ky., born in 1808. He was reared and educated in his native 
state and when old enough to start life independently rode through the 
country on horseback to Missouri. He arrived in this state in 1832 and 
entered government land in Monroe County, taking up a large tract. 
His father, William Stephens, also came here about the same time and 
entered land. The patent issued to him was signed by President Andrew 
Jackson. Both William and Thomas Stephens spent the remainder of 
their lives in Monroe County, the former passing away in 1873, aged 
90 years, and the son died in his 79th year. There were the following 
children in the Stephens family: Lewis L., J. C, of Columbus, Mo.; 
James T., of Moberly ; Lena, now Mrs. Bassett ; Leonard, of Middle Grove ; 
Kent K., of Paris, and Ida, now Mrs. Noel, of Kansas City. 

Lewis L. Stephens, the father of Temple Stephens, of this review, 
was reared on his father's farm and received his educational advan- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 355 

tages in the private schools maintained in the county at that period and 
when only 18 years of age enlisted in Monroe County in a company raised 
and commanded by Captain Brace of Paris, Mo., to serve in the Con- 
federate army. Mr. Stephens was in the service throughout the war, 
was in many important skirmishes in Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia and 
Alabama. He participated in many of the important battles, including 
Lexington, Pea Ridge, Ark., Baker's Creek, Miss., Vicksburg, Kenasaw 
Mountain, Atlanta and Altoona, where he was wounded Oct. 5, 1865, and 
was paroled at Jackson, Miss. Just after the close of the war he located 
in Douglas County, Neb., not far from Omaha, and engaged in farming 
and merchandising for 30 years. In 1895 Mr. Stephens retired from the 
active management of his affairs and came to Moberly to open a store, 
which he disposed of in November, 1918, and his son now has charge as 
owner. 

Lewis L. Stephens was married in Douglas County, Neb., on Nov. 
12, 1874, to Miss Harriet Concannon, a native of Indiana, the daughter 
of the Rev. Thomas and Rhoda (Hathaway) Concannon, the former a 
minister of the Christian Church, and both natives of Miami County, 
Ohio. One son was born to this union, Temple, who was reared in child- 
hood in Nebraska, then when the family came to Moberly he attended 
the public schools here, later going to Kansas City, Mo., where he took 
special studies and voice training. Following this Mr. Stephens was en- 
gaged for concert work by the Ridpath Lyceum Bureau, as a tenor solo- 
ist and spent the time on their Chatauqua circuit. One season he spent 
with a cathedral choir of eight people, winning a high reputation for his 
skill as a musician. In 1918, when his father retired from business, Mr. 
Stephens returned to Moberly to assume charge of it and became the 
owner-manager of the store at 709 South William street. 

On April 12, 19J.6, Mr. Stephens married Miss Alma Smith, the 
daughter of John and Emily Smith, of Moberly. Mr. Stephens is one 
of the young business men of Moberly who is rapidly winning a high 
place in the commercial circles of the city, where he has taken an active 
part in civic affairs. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the 
Moberly Country Club. 

Samuel Martin, a successful farmer and stockman of Randolph 
County, was born in Pennsylvania, March 9, 1851, the son of W T illiam 
and Sarah (Thompson) Martin, who came west in 1879 and located near 
Renick on a farm, where they passed the remainder of their lives. The 



356 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

ther died in 1887 and the father in 189S. They were the parents of 
the following children: John, deceased; Richard, deceased; Samuel, of 
this review; Mrs. Jane Yontz, deceased; Anna Yontz, of Moberly; Thomas, 
who lives in Iowa, and Reed. 

Samuel Martin spent his youth in his native state, was given the 
educational advantages of the public schools there and engaged in farm- 
ing. He came west in 1880, locating first near Renick, then moved to 
Cooper County, where he lived for several years, but subsequently re- 
turned to Randolph County and purchased his present place, two miles 
east of Moberly, in 1891. It consists of a 160 acres, being part of a 
farm entered from the government by a man named Derrett, who is 
buried on the place. Later the farm was owned by J. T. Coates, whose 
heirs still own some 900 acres of land in the vicinity of Moberly. Mr. 
Martin has placed many good improvements on his land since acquiring 
it. He built his present fine home, a large barn and other outbuildings 
for farm use. The place has fine water and is underlaid by a coal vein 
which may prove valuable when opened up. Since coming here Mr. 
Martin has been engaged in general farming and raises cattle, hogs and 
mules. 

On Oct. 22, 1874, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Agnes Mont- 
gomery, the daughter of John and Catharine (Majinsey) Montgomery, 
both of whom were born in Ireland, coming to America they first set- 
tled in Pittsburg, Pa., but later moved to Butler County, Pa., where they 
spent the rest of their lives. Eleven children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Martin: W. J., of Milton, Mo.; Mrs. C. W. O'Neal, Moberly; 
J. K., accidentally killed at Muskogee, Okla. ; Mrs. H. R. Winters, of 
Moberly; Mrs. C. W. Manley. deceased; Mrs. Hubert Cowgill, of Kirks- 
ville, Mo. ; Albert, deceased, was for 14 years a clerk in the Moberly post- 
office; Herbert, of Moberly; Mrs. Henry Fennell, of Moberly; Frank, on 
the home place, and Eva, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have 17 grand- 
children. The Martins are one of the finest families of the county, 
who by their hard work have overcome difficulties and reared a family 
that is an asset to the citizenship of Randolph County and the state, 
whose worth to the country can not be estimated in dollars and cents. 

R. K. and S. P. Crose, proprietors of the Highland Dairy, are among 
the most successful dairymen of Randolph County. The Highland Dairy 
Farm is situated in Sugar Creek township, about two miles northeast 
of Moberly and is an ideal place for dairy purposes. It consists of 330 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 357 

acres, and since purchasing the place, in 1914, the Crose brothers have 
made extensive improvements. One of the first improvements was the 
erection of a large dairy barn, 30x100 feet, with a capacity suitable for 
53 cows in stanchions. They have erected a substantial brick dairy house 
and installed milking machines, bottle washers and a sterilization plant. 
The place is supplied with power by an electric motor and a Delco light- 
ing system has been installed which furnishes light in all of the dairy 
buildings as well as the residence. Everything about the place is ar- 
ranged with a view of complying with the most modern methods of sani- 
tation and efficiency. The place is supplied with an abundance of pure 
water which is such a necessary adjunct to a well conducted dairy farm. 

The Crose brothers are sons of Marion and Etta (Jones) Crose, the 
former a native of Indiana and the latter of Sugar Creek township, Ran- 
dolph County. Marion Crose came to Missouri in 1872 and settled near 
Moberly in Randolph County and was married here in 1876. Etta Jones 
Crose was a daughter of Alexander Jones, who was one of the very early 
settlers of Randolph County and spent the remainder of his life in this 
county after locating here. 

To Marion and Etta (Jones) Crose were born the following children: 
Alva, Clinton, Iowa; R. K., of this review; J.' B., resides in Kansas City; 
S. P., of this review; Susie, married A. J. Davidson, of Moberly; L. M., 
a farmer and stockman of Sugar Creek township, and H. H., also a 
farmer and stockman of Sugar Creek township. 

R. K. Crose was born in Moberly Sept. 14, 1879, and S. P. Crose was 
born in Cario township Sept. 25, 1883. They were both educated in the 
public schools and began life as farmers. In 1903 they engaged in the 
dairy business and were associated together in this enterprise with their 
two brothers, L. M. and H. H. Crose. This association continued until 
1914, when R. K. and S. P. purchased the interests of the other two 
brothers and have since continued the dairy business as above stated. 
The other two brothers are engaged in farming and stock raising and 
all are successful citizens of Randolph County. The four Crose brothers 
own, althogether in this county, over 1,000 acres of land. 

R. K. Crose was united in marriage Nov. 2, 1904, with Miss May 
Wilson, of Moberly. She is the daughter of N. J. and Annie Wilson, who 
reside in Moberly. To Mr. and Mrs. Crose have been born two children, 
Russell and Lucille. 



358 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Homer Crose, a prominent farmer and stockman of Sugar Creek 
township, Randolph County, is the owner-manager of the Hill Slope Farm, 
located two and a half miles east of Moberly on Rural Route No. 5. 
He was born Nov. 19, 1889, on what is now known as the Alexander 
Jones farm in Sugar Creek township, the son of Marion and Ettie (Jones) 
Crose, a further biography of whom appears in this volume in the 
sketches of the Crose brothers. Homer Crose was reared on the farm 
and attended the public schools. In 1903 with his three brothers he 
engaged in the dairy business which has proved successful. In 1909 
Homer Crose purchased his present farm of 160 acres from Adam Givins, 
and in 1914, when his brothers purchased the Highland Dairy, he dis- 
posed of his interest in the dairy and has since devoted his time and 
energies to the development and management of his farm. He has 
made many improvements on Hill Slope, including his beautiful stucco 
house, modern in every manner, a fine new barn and shed of the same 
size so that the equipment is the finest and most labor saving in the 
county. He has a garage for his car, separated from the other build- 
ings, and an excellent chicken house for his fine Buff Orphington chick- 
ens in which he takes great pride. Mr. Crose has 18 head of sheep, 
a good grade of hogs and high-bred Jersey and Holstein cattle. For 
some time he has also been running a dairy, but instead of selling milk 
has been making a high grade of butter for the market, which finds 
a ready demand in Moberly. The farm is supplied with fine water from 
drilled wells and cisterns. The residence is located on the Middle Grove 
road, a beautiful site, and Mr. Crose has just about completed plans for 
laying out the grounds which will make it one of the show places of 
this section of the county. 

On Jan. 18, 1913, Mr. Crose was married to Miss Lillie Bryant, the 
daughter of Isaac and Lucy Bryant, of Sugar Creek township. They 
are both natives of England, who came to this country many years 
ago and have resided in Randolph County more than 35 years, being 
old and prominent residents here. Mrs. Crose was born on their farm, 
reared here, and educated in the public schools. One child has been 
born to this union, Herbert, born Oct. 24, 1913. 

Mr. Crose is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 
Moberly and is one of the men who takes an active part in the civic 
affairs of his community, always ready to assist any movement for the 
development of the county. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 359 

James D. Hutsell, proprietor of Crystal Springs stock farm of Union 
township, situated a mile and a quarter northeast of Moberly, is a pro- 
gressive and enterprising stockman who is fortunate enough to own land 
in a particularly productive locality. By hard work, thrift and executive 
ability he has accumulated a considerable estate and enough of the 
world's goods to be considered one of the most substantial men of the 
county. He was born a mile and a quarter southeast of his present place, 
Oct. 23, 1866, the son of J. W. and Milda (Eubanks) Hutsell, the for- 
mer w r as also born in this township in 1839 and now lives on the old 
home place while his wife passed away in 1897. To J. W. and Milda 
Hutsell were born three children as follows: W. W., a farmer of Sugar 
Creek township; Annie, the wife of A. S. Bennett, living with the father, 
and James D., of this review. 

James D. Hutsell spent his boyhood days and youth on his parent's 
farm and attended the Cottage Grove school, where he laid the founda- 
tion for a good practical education to which he has ever since added 
by wide reading. Mr. Hutsell's first land was a 100-acre tract where 
his residence now stands, purchased in 1891 of Henry Overberg, of Mo- 
berly, who in turn had bought it from Thomas P. Coates. an early set- 
tler who entered this tract May 25, 1835, so that there have been but 
two transfers of this land recorded. Later Mr. Hutsell bought eighty 
acres from John Bennett and he later bought 95 acres, and his father 
gave him 35 acres. He is the proprietor of an estate of 310 acres, 125 
of which he farms, the rest being a fine blue grass pasture and meadow. 
All the improvements on the place have been made by Mr. Hutsell, as 
the land was unbroken sod when he bought it. His residence was erected 
in 1895 and remodeled in 1917. It is a fine seven-room home, modern 
in every way, with acetalyne lights and running water. He also built a 
large barn and a silo. One tenement house has been built on the place. 
For many years Mr. Hutsell has kept from 30 to 40 head of Shorthorn 
cattle, annually, with a registered male at the head of the herd; his 
hogs are the Poland China breed with a registered male for breeding; 
he has about 10 head of fine draft horses, Clydsdales and Percherons, 
of high grade. Mrs. Hutsell keeps a large flock of Barred Plymouth 
Rock chickens which most years bring in good returns. A fine spring 
supplies water on the place and there are also three wells. 

On Sept. 21, 1893, Mr. Hutsell was married to Miss Laura Lee, a 
daughter of Henry L. and Lucy A. (Mallory) Lee, the former born in 



360 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Monroe County, Mo., in 1845, and died in 1897, and the mother was a 
native of Henry County, Mo., born in 1847, and died in 1889. One son 
has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hutsell, J. Harold, a graduate of the 
Moberly High School, who spent two years in the agricultural depart- 
ment of the State University, who is assuming the charge of the home 
farm. He was married April 12, 1920, to Bernice Poison, who was bom 
near Jacksonville, Mo. The Hutsell place lies on the north side of the 
state road and is one of the best kept and finest stock farms in the 
county. Its close proximity to Moberly makes it a most desirable loca- 
tion. 

Dr. Gustav H. Jaeger, a well known and successful chiropractor 1 
located at 223 South Williams street, Moberly, is a native of Missouri, 
born on a farm in Montgomery County, July 19, 1873, the son of Fred- 
erick and Louisa (Freitag) Jaeger. 

Frederick Jaeger was bora in Missouri, and reared and educated 
in this state and after reaching manhood engaged in farming. He died 
in Warren County, in 1877, aged 55 years. The mother of the subject 
was a native of Germany, who came to this country when a girl and 
married Mr. Jaeger in this country. She died in Howard County in 
1908. Frederick Jaeger was a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted 
in the Union army at the outbreak of hostilities and after peace was 
declared returned to Missouri and again engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, which he followed all his life. There were four children in the 
family: Frederick, of St. Louis, connected with a lumber firm; Otto, 
a farmer of Howard County; Dr. Gustav H., of this review, and Emma, 
the wife of Paul Nienkamp, of Los Angeles, Calif. 

Dr. Gustav H. Jaeger received his elementary education in the pub- 
lic schools near his home and later entered the Palmer School of Chiroprac- 
tics, at Davenport, Iowa, where he graduated in 1910, and the same year 
engaged in practice in St. Louis. Later he removed to Columbia, Mo., 
and in 1912. he came to Moberly, being the first chiropractor to locate in 
this city. He has built up a good practice in Randolph County and his 
practice is not confined to its boundaries, as he has become well and 
favorably known professionally throughout the surrounding countries. 
Dr. Jaeger defines his work as follows: "Chiropractics is the knowledge 
of physiology and cause of disease; the science of knowing how and 
the art of being able to adjust it." 




DR. G. H. JAEGER 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 361 

Dr. Jaeger was married in 1894 to Miss Rieka Gruebbel, of Warren 
County, Mo., the daughter of Frederick and Henrietta Gruebbel, both 
deceasel. Two children have been born to this union: Lillie and Mar- 
tha, both at home. 

Dr. Jaeger is a man of wide reading and one of the successful 
chiropractors of the state, and since coming to Moberly has taken an 
active part in the life of the city, being a member of the Chamber of 
Commerce and also belongs to the Maccabees. 

Dr. Frank Leslie McCormick, a well known and successful physician 
and surgeon of Moberly, is a native of Missouri and a descendant of 
pioneers of this state. Doctor McCormick was born in Macon County, 
Dec. 25, 1877, a son of John S. and Cathrine (Hudson) McCormick. 
John S. McCormick was born near Winchester, Frederick County, Va., 
Aug. 2, 1836. He is a son of Bushrod McCormick, who came to Mis- 
souri from Virginia in 1837 and settled in Chariton township, Randolph 
County, and was one of the very early settlers of that section. He 
spent the remainder of his life there. He died at about 65 years of 
age and his remains are buried in the Darksville Cemetery. 

John S. McCormick came to Randolph County with his parents when 
he was about one year old. He grew to manhood in this county and 
when the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Confederate Army 
and served under Gen. Sterling Price. He is now living retired at Mo- 
berly. Susan Cathrine (Hudson) McCormick, mother of Doctor McCor- 
mick, was born in Kentucky in 1846. Her mother died when Susan 
Cathrine was an infant and when she was about five years of age she 
was brought to Randolph County by her father. To John S. and Susan 
Cathrine (Hudson) McCormick were born the following children: Mrs. 
Rosa Wheeler, deceased ; Mrs. Etta Scott lives in Shelby County, Mo. ; 
Hattie, died in infancy; Dr. Frank L., the subject of this sketch; Willie, 
who died in infancy. 

Doctor McCormick recefved his early education in the public schools 
of Randolph County and later attended school at College Mound, Macon 
County, and the State Normal School at Chillicothe, Mo. He then en- 
tered the Central Medical College at St. Joseph, Mo., where he was 
graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1904. In 1902 he 
attended Barnes Medical College in St. Louis, Mo. In about 1903 he 
took a course in the George Washington University, Washington, D. C, 
aiid afterwards took two post-graduate courses at John Hopkins Uni- 



362 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

versity, Baltimore, Md. He was then assistant surgeon at St. Joseph 
Hospital, St. Joseph, Mo. In 1904, Doctor McCormick began the prac- 
tice of his profession at Darksville, Mo., and remained in practice there 
until 1917, when he came to Moberly and engaged in the practice here. 
In September, 1918, he enlisted for service in the World War and was 
assigned to the Medical Corps with the rank of captain and sent to 
Fort Riley, Kan., where he was stationed until his discharge in Novem- 
ber, 1918, after the armistice was signed. He resumed his practice in 
Moberly in September, 1919. Doctor McCormick is an able physician 
and surgeon and is recognized as such, and in the short time that he 
has been a resident of Moberly he has built up an extensive practice. 

On Dec. 23, 1907, Doctor McCormick was united in marriage with 
Miss Hettie Mae Broddurs, of Darksville, Mo. She is a daughter of Alex 
and Bettie (Richmond) Broddurs, of Darkville. To Doctor and Mrs. 
McCormick have been born two children: Frank Leslie, Junior, and 
William Harold. 

Doctor McCormick was city health officer when he resigned to enlist 
for service in the World War. He is a member of the Ancient Free 
and Accepted Masons. He has recently purchased the Doctor Irvm resi- 
dence at the corner of Morley street and Grand avenue, which is one of 
the fine homes of Moberly. 

August M. Willott, better known as "Gus" Willott, is a native of 
Randolph County. He was born in Moberly Sept. 17, 1873, and is a 
son of Windel and Margaret (Tebo) Willott. The Willott family were 
among the early settlers of Moberly, coming here from St. Charles in 
1871, at the time when the Wabash shops were moved here from St. 
Charles, 49 years ago, and Windel Willott, the father was the first to 
locate a bakery and candy factory here. A more extensive history of 
the Willott family is given in connection with a sketch of Ed A. Willott, 
which appears in this volume. 

August M. Willott was reared in Moberly and received his educa- 
tion in the public schools. He began work at a very early age in order 
to assist his widowed mother to maintain the family, the father hav- 
ing died when August M. was four years old. His first employment was 
in the Wayland foundry and later he engaged in the barber business 
and for over 27 years was in that business in Moberly, in which he was 
associated with his brother, Ed A. Willott. In 1914, Mr. Willott purchased 
the Green Tree Buffet at 206 North Clark street, where he conducts 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 363 

a restaurant and a cafe where soft drinks are sold. This is one of 
the well known and popular refreshment places in Moberly. 

Mr. Willott was married May 17, 1894, to Miss Malissa Frances 
Henthorn, of Moberly. She is a daughter of Beverly and Elizabeth 
Henthorn. 

The old home where August M. Willott was born is still stand- 
ing. It is located at the corner of Burkhart and Fourth streets and 
has been remodeled and is now owned by Oak Hunter. Mr. Willott 
is one of the widely known and well liked men of Moberly and Ran- 
dolph County. 

John H. Holloway, a well-known merchant of Moberly, Mo., who 
conducts a grocery store and a meat market at 615 South Fourth street, 
is a native of Missouri, whose ancestors were among the very early 
pioneer settlers of this state. Mr. Holloway was born in Monroe County, 
May 7, 1864, a son of James S. and Zerelda (Hudson) Holloway. James 
S. Holloway was born in Kentucky, near Frankfort. He was a black- 
smith and upon first coming to Missouri he settled in Monroe County. 
During the fifties he came to Randolph County and located at old Mil- 
ton and later removed to Moberly, about 1895, and died here a few years 
later, and his remains are buried in Oakland Cemetery. His widow still 
survives him and resides at 314 Union avenue, Moberly. 

James S. Holloway was a son of John A. Holloway, a native of Vir- 
ginia, whose parents removed to Kentucky when he was a child and he 
was reared to manhood in that state. He came to Missouri in the early 
days and located at old Milton, which was considered to be a lively place 
in pioneer, days. It was a stage station on the stage route from Hannibal 
to Glasgow. Here John A. Holloway engaged in the mercantile business. 
John A. Holloway and his son, James S., were active in the organization 
and establishment of the Antioch Christian church at Milton. John A. 
Holloway died about 1885 in Audrain County, while there visiting his 
daughter. Edward M. Holloway, a son of John A., operated a carding 
mill and also a tobacco factory at Milton in the pioneer days, before the 
advent of the railroads at Moberly. 

To James S. and Zerelda Holloway were born the following children: 
F. D., a painter, Moberly; J. E., a blacksmith, Moberly; Coleman P., a 
carpenter, Moberly; Mrs. Maggie Jackson, of Moberly; John H., the sub- 
ject of this sketch; Marcus, died in 1910, at the age of 26 years; Mrs. 
Lora D. Coldwell, died at Monroe City, Mo.; Mrs. Emma Fint, deceased; 
Mrs. Anna T. Leach, deceased, and Maud Beatty, died at Keota, Mo. 



364 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

John H. Holloway received his education in Monroe County and 
came to Moberly in 1883. Here he was engaged in the dairy business 
for a number of years, but for the past 25 years he has been engaged 
in the grocery business. He began business at the corner of Burkholder 
and Concannan streets, but for the past three years his business has 
been located at 615 South Fourth street. In addition to a complete line 
of groceries, Mr. Holloway also conducts a meat market in connection 
with his grocery store. He learned meat cutting under William Chis- 
holm, who then conducted a shop on Clark street. Later Mr. Holloway 
went to Kansas City and was in one of the best markets there for a 
time. He is one of the best meat cutters in Moberly. 

Mr. Holloway was married April 10, 1886, to Mrs. Lillie D. Shelton, 
of Moberly, a daughter of Joseph and Libby (Starkey) Dale, both of 
whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Holloway have been born 
one son, Perry, age 14 years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Holloway are members of the Court of Honor. 

Robert Kingsbury, manager of the Cross Lumber Company, is a na- 
tive of Howard County and belongs to one of the very early pioneer 
families of Missouri, members of which settled in this state about 100 
years ago. Robert Kingsbury was born in Howard County, March 18, 
1887, and is a son of John and Beatrice (Smith) Kingsbury, now residents 
of Estill, Howard County. John Kingsbury is also a native of Howard 
County, born at Estill in 1854. He is a son of Leonard Kingsbury, who 
was also born in Howard County, on a farm which his father, Jere Kings- 
bury, had entered from the government. Jere Kingsbury settled in How- 
ard County about 1820 and located near Estill, where he entered govern- 
ment land, and some of the members of the Kingsbury family have 
maintained their residence in that vicinity to the present time. Jere 
Kingsbury spent the remainder of his life in Howard County after locat- 
ing there, and died at about 80 years of age and his son, Leonard Kings- 
bury, spent his entire life near Estill and also lived to be about 80 years 
old. Both Jere and Leonard Kingsbury are buried in Mt. Pleasant Ceme- 
tery, Howard County. 

Beatrice (Smith) Kingsbury, mother of Robert Kingsbury, is a 
daughter of Robert Smith, a native of North Carolina, who came to Mis- 
souri about 1840. He settled near Mt. Airy, Randolph County, and be- 
came an extensive land owner. He owned a large tobacco farm and shipped 
tobacco and also conducted a store at Mt. Airy. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 365 

To John and Beatrice (Smith) Kingsbury have been born two chil- 
dren, Robert, the subject of this sketch and Palmer, a daughter who re- 
sides at home with her parents. Robert Kingsbury attended the public 
schools and was graduated from the Moberly High School in 1904. He 
then entered the University of Missouri, and was graduated in the class 
of 1908. After spending about a year on the home farm in Howard 
County, he entered the employ of the Cross Lumber Company, Sept. 1, 
1909, and in 1918 became manager of this well known and successful 
industrial enterprise of Moberly. 

Mr. Kingsbury was married to Miss Mattie Buchanan, of Trenton, 
Mo. ' She is a daughter of A. H. and Nancy (Hale) Buchanan, who now 
reside at Moberly. To Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury have been born one 
daughter, Dorothy B. Mr. Kingsbury is a member of the Masonic Lodge, 
and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the 
Methodist church and takes an active interest in local and civic affairs. 
He is a member of the board of education. 

Virgil Turner, owner of the Banner Motor Company, of Moberly, 
located at 104-106 North Williams street, and one of the progressive 
business men of the city, was born in Boone County, Mo., May 24, 1878, 
the son of Samuel D. and Frances P. (Tucker) Turner, the former a na- 
tive of Boone County, who died there in 1898, aged 61 years. His widow 
now resides on the old home place near Hallsville, Mo., where she was 
married in 1879. She is now 76 years, yet retains her physical and 
mental vigor. Mrs. Turner was one of a family of 16 children, all of 
whom grew to maturity. Their father, W. W. Tucker, was a native of 
Kentucky, who became a pioneer settler of Boone County, where he 
became well known as "Squire Tucker." His wife was a member of a 
well-known family. They both died in Boone County and were laid to 
rest at Red Top Cemetery. Mr. Tucker was one of the charter mem- 
bers of the Masonic Lodge at Hallsville. There were 12 children in the 
Turner family: Lizzie, the widow of A. B. O'Rear, of Browns, Mo.; 
Ettie, the widow of W. P. Anderson, also of Browns, Mo. ; B. F., of Halls- 
ville, Mo. ; George C, also of Hallsville ; Maggie, deceased ; Nannie, at 
home with her mother; A. J., of Hallsville; R. S., of Columbia, Mo.; Vir- 
gil, of this sketch; William W., deceased; Arch B., of Oakland, Cal., and 
Gilbert, on the home farm. 

Virgil Turner was educated in the public schools of Boone County, 
as he lived on the home farm, and after his schooling was over remained 



366 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

there until he was of age. He then accepted a position as salesman in 
a clothing store in Columbia. Subsequently he was connected with the 
C. Hall Company of Columbia for four years, and then went to Centralia, 
Mo. Within a short time, Mr. Turner went into business there and in 
1908 came to Moberly, established himself in business on West Reed 
street, where he was a well-known merchant for 12 years. 

On March 1, 1920, Mr. Turner organized the Banner Motor Company, 
and opened his show rooms at his present address. He is now the agent 
for the National, Stephens, Grant and Dixie Flyer automobiles and Old 
Hickory and Grant trucks. He has a good display room, clean and con- 
venient and his business has started off well, for he is well known and 
liked in Moberly, where he has lived for more than a decade. 

Mr. Turner was married on May 24, 1903, to Miss Mary Keene, of 
Columbia, Mo., the daughter of Thomas and Georgia Ann Keene. The 
father is deceased and Mrs. Keene married for a second husband Edward 
Kimball, of Sedalia, Mo., and both of them are now chiropractors there. 
Mr. and Mrs. Turner have two sons: Hall and Samuel D. The family 
resides at 623 Fisk avenue, and Mr. Turner is a member of the Benevo- 
lent and Protective Order of Elks. 

Charles H. Richardson, a substantial citizen of Randolph County, who 
owns and manages a farm in Union township, three miles northeast of 
Moberly on the Paris road, was born in Chariton County, Mo., two miles 
south of Prairie Hill, Oct. 26, 1861. He is a son of H. H. and Elizabeth 
(Cloyd) Richardson, the former a native of Virginia, born in 1824, and 
came west in the winter of 1830-31. He drove across country in true 
pioneer style with a prairie schooner drawn by a team of oxen, reaching 
Randolph County when the snow was from five to six feet deep. 

H. H. Richardson was a veteran of the Mexican war and crossed the 
plains in 1849 to California as captain of a company of gold seekers. After 
remaining in California for a time he returned to Virginia by making 
the trip around Cape Horn in a sailing vessel. During the trip they were 
caught in a storm near Cape Horn and were shipwrecked. They were 
compelled to finish the trip by crossing some of the southern continent 
and then by boat to the United States. On this trip he lost his money 
and gold dust. Mr. Richardson died in Maryville, Mo., while on a visit 
to his son, George, but was buried in the old Richardson cemetery in 
Chariton County, located on the farm that Ancil Richardson entered from 
the government. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 367 

The four children born to H. H. Richardson and wife are: Charles H., 
of this sketch; George, of Warrensburg, Mo.; Margaret Anne, the wife 
of F. M. Stamper, of Moberly; Kate, deceased, was the wife of Dr. B. J. 
Milam, and Thomas, a merchant of Salisbury, Mo. By a former marriage, 
H. H. Richardson had two children: W. A., deceased, and Ledora E., 
the wife of J. D. Bozarth, of Keytesville, Mo. By a former marriage, 
Elizabeth Richardson had two sons: M. M. Minor, of Arkansas, and L. 
H., deceased. 

Charles H. Richardson was educated in the public schools of this 
county and after his elementary studies were finished he attended Central 
College, of Fayette, Mo. After leaving College, Mr. Richardson engaged in 
farming in Chariton County until he moved to Randolph County in 1880. 
For the first few years he rented his present farm and in 1890, purchased 
the place. It consists of 244 acres of land well watered by a good well 
and Elk Fork creek, which crosses the farm, furnishing fresh water for 
stock. There is one tenant house on the place; the main residence is a 
two-story house of seven rooms, modern and convenient. Mr. Richard- 
son has good barns, tool shed, and other buildings for farm use. In 1910, 
he built a silo of 100 tons capacity. He has followed general farming and 
dairying, having 75 head of milk cows and heifers with a registered mala 
at the head of the herd. His cows are all good grade of Jerseys. 

On Oct. 18, 1888, M. Richardson was married to Miss Blanche Wray, 
of Union township, the daughter of Joseph A. Wray, both now deceased. 
Mr. Wray was a pioneer settler of Union township, and owned a large 
tract of land. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Richardson: 
Wray, of Moberly, married Susie Ratliff in 1912; Rose, now a student at 
the University of Chicago, who for three years was one of the prominent 
teachers of the state, having been principal of the Centralia High School; 
Howard H., on the home farm, married Mary Paget in 1914; C. Horace, 
of Kansas City married Nellie Furnish, and John W., a student in the Mo- 
berly High School. 

Mr. Richardson is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Milton, Mo. 
For more than 30 years he has been engaged in farming and today is one 
of the substantial men of the community and stands high in the esteem 
of the people of Randolph County. He is a member of the Methodist 
church. He is a Democrat and has served on the school board from the 
time he came to the county until 1920. 



368 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The C. J. Harris Lumber Company, which has one of the leading 
lumber yards at Moberly, is one of the extensive industrial institutions 
of the state and has 13 lumber yards in operation, two of which are in 
Randolph County, one at Moberly and one at Higbee. This company 
was established in 1888 and was incorporated in 1905. The present 
officers are: C. J. Harris, president; George Friedmeyer, vice-president; 
W. E. Crutchfield, treasurer; E. N. Wood, secretary; D. R. Fitzroy, pur- 
chasing agent, and William F. Wigginton, sales manager. 

The C. J. Harris Lumber Company has had a remarkable growth 
and development. It began business in a humble way with about a $3,000 
stock, and during the 33 years of its existence has developed into a 
corporation with a stock amounting to more than $500,000. The marvel- 
ous growth of this company is not due to accident nor chance. They 
carry a complete line of lumber and all kinds of building material, and 
by their methods have won the conference of the buying public. The 
motto of this concern is "A satisfied customer is of more value than many 
shekels of silver." 

The Moberly branch of the Harris Lumber Company was estab- 
lished in 1906, and is one of the leading lumber yards in Randolph County. 
They take special pride, even in this age of delinquency, in filling their 
orders promptly and their delivery department is properly known as the 
''Rapid Fire Delivery," and in this department in the city of Moberly 
they use four auto trucks and one wagon. The local yard is located on the 
corner of Rollins and Sturgeon streets and occupies a space of 170x175 
feet. It is one of the well kept and neatly arranged lumber yards of the 
country. 

E. N. Wood, secretary of the C. J. Harris Lumber Company, who is 
the manager of the Moberly branch, is a native of Missouri. He was born 
in Neosho, Newton County, and has had a wide experience in the lumber 
business. He has been manager of the Moberly branch of the Harris 
Lumber Company for the past ten years. 

Mr. Wood was married in May, 1900, to Miss Maggie B. Meredith, of 
Cooper County, Mo. She is a daughter of B. H. Meredith. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Wood have been born two children, Martha Sue and John. 

Mr. Wood, during his business career in Moberly, has become well 
known and is one of the substantial business men of this section. 



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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 369 

Sutliff and Jennings, well-known breeders of pure bred registered 
Spotted Poland China hogs, and also wholesale dealers in coal, handling 
practically the entire output of the mines around Huntsville and owners 
of five farms in Randolph County. Two of the farms are near Hunts- 
ville, a third, four miles north of Moberly, the fourth, three miles 
east of Higbee on the Chicago and Alton Railroad, and the fifth 
two and a half miles south of Clifton Hill, Mo. This firm began 
breeding hogs three years ago and on Feb. 23, 1920, held a sale 
at Huntsville, where they sold over $23,000 worth of hogs, averag- 
ing $430.00 a head, to buyers from central Mississippi states, which in- 
dicates the success of the business. "Royal Spot," No. 12577, is at the 
head of this herd and was raised by Sutliff & Jennings. Three of the 
hogs sold at this sale took first, second and third prizes at the Ohio 
State Fair and first, third and fourth at the National Swine Show. The 
hogs were "Miss Thrift," No. 27834; "Miss Red Cross," No. 27838, and 
"Miss Liberty," No. 27836. 

W. N. Jennings was born at Moberly in 1892, the son of W. B. and 
Ella C. (Coffee) Jennings, the former a native of Livingston County, 
Mo., who for 35 years was division freight agent of the Wabash Rail- 
road. He and his wife died in 1910, and both were buried at Bloomfield, 
la. W. N. Jennings was reared in Moberly, received his education in the 
public schools here and then attended the state university for two years; 
he then formed the present partnership with Mr. Sutliff. 

Van G. Sutliff was born in Huntsville, Mo., and after completing his 
education engaged in the grain business there and also owned and oper- 
ated a farm, in which line he met with success. His parents were pio- 
neer settlers of Missouri and are now living. Mr. Sutliff had been a 
breeder of stock before he formed the partnership with Mr. Jennings, 
and he now has charge of the hog department and is recognized as one 
of the most successful breeders in the business. 

In December, 1917, Mr. Jennings enlisted in the army at Jefferson 
•Barracks, Mo., and was sent to Camp Custer, Mich., for two months 
training in the infantry. From there he was transferred to Barron 
Field, Tex., serving two months in the aviation corps before being sent 
to Fort Oglethorp, Ga., to the psychological department, and then was 
made examiner at Camp Bowie, Tex., remaining there until discharged 
from the service in December, 1918. Upon his return to Missouri, Mr. 
Jennings resumed his business here. He takes part in the civic life Of 



370 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

the city and belongs to the following organizations: American Legion, 
Masonic Lodge, being a 32d degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner, 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Chamber of Commerce. 

The Central Coal and Supply Company, owned by SutlifT and Jen- 
nings, with offices in the Jennings Building, was organized in 1915, with 
Van G. Sutliff, president, and W. N. Jennings, vice-president. They han- 
dle nearly all the output of the coal mined in the vicinity of Huntsville, 
doing a wholesale business only. This department is under the manage- 
ment of Mr. Jennings. In connection with their hog business the con- 
cern publishes the Spotted Poland China Journal, which has a circulation 
in 37 states and is also sent to England and South America, as it is the 
only publication in the world devoted exclusively to the Spotted Poland 
China hogs. It is issued monthly. 

Jerry C. Hutsell, a prominent farmer and stockman of Randolph 
County, who resides four miles northeast of Moberly in Union township, 
on the Paris state road, was born on the farm where he now lives, May 
16, 1864. He is a son of Bloomfield and Emily (Carver) Hutsell, who 
were early settlers of Randolph County, locating here in 1838. The father 
died in 1884 and the mother in 1907 and both are buried at Antioch. 

Mr. Hutsell's father died when he was a small lad and he was reared 
on the home place by his mother. He attended the public schools of his 
district and after his education was finished began to work on the farm, 
where he has lived all his life. Mr. Hutsell became one of the well- 
known agriculturists of this section and in time became a breeder of fine 
grade stock. The farm is watered by several ponds and there are two 
good springs on the south side which are an ever available supply, which 
with the good blue grass pasture make the Hutsell place excellent for 
raising cattle. Mr. Hutsell specializes in Poland China hogs and Short- 
horn and Jersey cattle and raises horses also. Mr. Hutsell has placed 
many and permanent improvements on the farm with the passing years; 
his present house was built in 1897, and he has two convenient, large stock 
barns and other buildings for farm use and stock. 

On Nov. 7, 1888, Mr. Hutsell was married to Miss Susie F. Hall, of 
Union township, a daughter of Dr. R. R. and Annie (Coates) Hall, the 
former a pioneer of this township, as he located here in the late 30s. Mrs. 
R. R. Hall was the daughter of Captain Coates of Union township, who 
came here in the early days and entered a large tract of land, becoming 
one of the prominent men of this section of the state. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 371 

One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hutsell, Wilbur Hall Hutsell, 
now located in Biimingham, Ala. He enlisted in the army during the 
World War and was first sent to Camp Beauregard, La., for 13 months' 
training. He was then transferred to Deming, N. M., for five months 
and sent from there to Camp Devens, Mass., where he received his com- 
mission as captain. While in the army Mr. Hutsell was a physical in- 
structor for the soldiers and is now holding a similar position in private 
life at Biimingham, Ala. He was reared on his father's farm, received his 
elementary edi i tion in the district school and then graduated from the 
Moberly High School. Following this, he entered Missouri University, at 
Columbia, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. 
On Nov. 12, 1919, he was married to Miss Corinne Southard, of Ft. Smith, 
Ark. 

The Hutsell farm is admirably located and is one of the well kept 
and prosperous farms of Randolph County, and receives mail by rural 
delivery, being on route No. 3. 

F. H. Meyers, manager of the F. M. Holtsinger Duroc Jersey hog farm, 
located six miles northeast of Moberly on the Paris road, is regarded as 
an authority on hog breeding, having specialized in this line of live stock 
for more than 15 years. 

Mr. Meyers was born at Quincy. 111., March 4, 1875, the son of H. H. 
and Mary K. (Feeler) Meyers, both now deceased. Mr. Meyers was reared 
in Illinois, and received his education there. After leaving school he en- 
gaged in farming for a number of years and then came to Randolph County 
in 1900. For a time he farmed here and also held a position in a livery 
barn until he accepted a position on the Holtsinger hog farm, where he 
has been employed for the past 15 years. At first Mr. Meyers was a helper, 
but was advanced and today is superintendent of the place and has four 
helpers under him besides a night watchman. This farm is one of the 
best equipped stock farms in Missouri, where a specialty is made of breed- 
ing Duroc Jersey hogs. There are 300 head on the place at the present 
time; 80 brood sows, all registered; 60 yearling gilts, which will be bred 
for the summer sale, which takes place July 19, 1920. The last sale from 
the Holtsinger herd, held Feb. 17, 1920, brought $67,000. 

The farrowing house is 132x22 feet, is heated with steam as is the 
sale pavilion, which is 50 feet in diameter and seats 800 people. At 
the present time this pavilion is being utilized as a farrowing house also. 
There is a stock barn 100x70 feet and a number of other smaller farm 



372 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

buildings devoted to various uses. All are fitted up for the comfort of 
the hogs, for which the farm is famous. The F. H. Holtsinger Duroc Jersey 
hogs are known throughout the United States as the best of the breed. 
When Mr. Holtsinger advertises a sale it is attended by stockmen from 
all over the country. 

Mr. Meyers is a successful breeder, gaining his present position 
through actual experience. For he has devoted his entire time and at- 
tention to the breeding and care of hogs, being, as he expresses it, "on 
the job night and day." There is no particular season at this farm as 
the work keeps up the year round and the same number of men are ' 
kept steadily. 

This year Mr. Meyers will attend the state fair at Sedalia with a 
number of show hogs. Greater Orion Sensation heads the herd and holds 
the record for the highest price sale for an untried sire in the world. 
He was a year old on Oct. 15, 1919, and now weighs over 850 pounds. 
In addition to being exhibited at Sedalia, Mr. Meyers intends to show 
him at the National Swine Show at Des Moines, la. 

C. A. McAdam, one of the oldest residents of Randolph County, who 
lives on a farm four miles northeast of Moberly, is descended from one 
of the pioneer families that settled in Missouri at an early day and be- 
came well and favorably known in this section. He was born in Chari- 
ton County, Mo., Jan. 15, 1843, the son of John P. McAdam, a Baptist 
preacher who spent his life in Missouri and died in his 75th year. The 
mother died in 1879. John McAdam was one of the early preachers of 
central Missouri. There were the following children in the family : John 
P., of Salisbury, Mo. ; Lucius, of Colorado ; Dr. J. B., of Prairie Hill ; C. A., 
of this sketch ; Eliza, deceased ; Louisa, the wife of a Mr. Harbour, is 
deceased; Sallie, who became Mrs. O'Neal, deceased, and Diana, who 
married a Mr. Cobb, is also dead. 

C. A. McAdam was reared in Chariton County and received the edu- 
cational advantages afforded at that period. His brother, John P., was 
in the Civil War; he joined the Confederate army though but a boy and 
served until peace was established. Returning to Missouri he engaged 
in farming. In 1869, C. A. McAdam came to Randolph County and lo- 
cated on the farm where he still lives. He bought his land from William 
Wallace, a pioneer settler of this section. 

On Jan. 28, 1869, Mr. McAdam married Miss Lucy Coates, the 
youngest daughter of Capt. Thomas Coates. one of the earliest and most 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 373 

« 

piominent settlers 01 the county, who entered 640 acres of government 
land. His home is now owned by Price Dixon. The captain entered into 
the life of the community and became a man of prominence and wealth 
before his death at the age of 75 years, in 1869. He was buried on the 
home place. His wife, Susan P. (Lanier) Coates, lived to be 84 years 
old and was buried on the well-known Turner fa±m, as she first married 
Synnie Turner. Her brother, J. Thomas now lives in Moberly. The other 
children in the Coates family were: Tunstall, who died in Oklahoma; 
Norbourn B., deceased, also of Moberly; David, deceased, of Moberly; 
Julia, who married a Mr. Roberts of Moberly, is deceased; Sallie, who 
married H. Roberts, died near Milton, Mo.; Anna, married Dr. Hall, 
deceased, and Belinda, who married Dr. Davis, of Moberly, is dead. Her 
son, Jefferson Davis, now runs a furniture store in Moberly. 

There were the following children born to Mr. and Mrs. McAdam: 
Erastus, who married Mattie Dawkins, lives at Lamar, Colo.; Thomas, 
deceased; Susie, the wife of William Cox, of Cairo township; Sallie, the 
wife of W. C. Dawkins, of Moberly ; Henry R., married Annie White, and 
lives at LaJunta, Colo. ; James, a machinist, of Moberly, married Dazzie 
Delaney, who is dead ; Pearl, the wife of Earl Vantrese, of Moberly, and 
Ethel, the wife of Willard Rice, a machinist of Moberly. 

On Jan. 28, 1919, Mr. and Mrs. McAdam celebrated their golden 
wedding anniversary, having all their children and grandchildren with 
them. This happy event occurred on the farm where they had lived for 
50 years. 

Mr. McAdam recalls that when he came here in 1869, Old Milton was 
a thriving town and Uncle James Dameron and William Briscoe were 
two of the merchants. Among some of his friends of that period, most 
of whom have passed away, were Irvin Gay, Captain Coates, Joe Vince, 
Joseph Wrey, William Wallace and Levi Haynes, all well known and 
prominent men in their day. Mr. McAdam says that most of the land 
north of his farm, in 1869, was open prairie; there were few settlers and 
they were far apart and he paid $18 an acre for his farm. 

Mr. and Mrs. McAdam have 15 grandchildren and one of them, Roy 
Cox, has carried out the fighting traditions of his grandfather. He 
enlisted in the United States Marines when war was declared against 
Germany, and soon after was followed by his brother. Therefore the 
family was well represented in the fighting forces of the country. 



374 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Both Mr. and Mrs. McAdam have retained practically all of their 
physical and mental vigor. The former still looks after the farm though 
he rents a large part of the land, while his wife does all her own house- 
work. Mr. McAdam has as a historical treasurer, a history of the Towles 
family, of which his mother was a member, showing that the earliest 
members in this country settled in the eastern states before the Revolu- 
tionary \\ ar and were prominent in colonial affairs. 

John Henry Roberts, a substantial farmer and stockman of Ran- 
dolph County, who lives about four miles north of Moberly in Cairo 
township, is a native of this county, born on the farm which his brother 
now owns, Sept. 17, 1868, the son of John S. and Sallie (Terrill) Roberts. 
The former came to Randolph County with his father, William Roberts, 
when only six years old. The family settled on a farm a part of which 
is now the town site of Moberly. William Roberts died there and was 
buried in the family burying ground on the home place. John S. Rob- 
erts bought the farm which James G. Roberts now owns when it was 
unbroken land. He placed many improvements on it and erected a home. 

John H. Roberts was reared on his parent's farm, early learned the 
practical side of the business while attending school at the Haynes school 
house. After he finished his education he began to farm, a vocation he 
has followed to the present day. For some years he has also raised 
stock and has been successful. His present place consists of 265 acres, 
110 of which originally belonged to his father, but the residence is on 
that part which belonged to John Hoog. After purchasing the farm, Mr. 
Roberts rebuilt the house and erected barns necessary for farm use and 
stock. Since first locating here Mr. Roberts has kept sheep and now 
has a flock of 80. Each year he feeds from 80 to 100 head of hogs and 
keeps a fine flock of Barred Plymouth Rock chickens. The land is well 
watered by springs and ponds furnishing a never failing supply for the 
stock. 

On Dec. 28, 1893, Mr. Roberts was married to Miss May Griffin 
of Cairo, and they have one son, Raymond Griffin, bom in 1896. who 
graduated from the Moberly High School and then entered Missouri Uni- 
versity at Columbia, receiving his degree in 1918, and is now at home 
with his parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are members of the Baptist church at Cairo 
and received their mail from Rural Route No. 1. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 375 

Mrs. Roberts belongs to one of the pioneer families of Missouri, 
as her father, James G. Griffin was born, reared and educated in Macon 
County, but now resides at Independence. He married Belle McKinney, 
March 21, 1872, and for 25 years they lived in Cairo, where Mr. Griffin 
was a well-known merchant. Mrs. Griffin died in 1916. Mrs. Roberts 
was the oldest of their eight children. 

James T. Boney, a well-to-do farmer of Cairo township, living five 
miles north of Moberly, with mail delivered by rural route No. 1, from 
Cairo, was born in this township, Nov. 11, 1869, the son of William J. 
and Emily (Campbell) Boney. 

James T. Boney, grandfather of James T. and A. T. Boney took up 
government land three miles northwest of Cairo- and lived there until his 
death in his 83d year. The family made the trip across half the continent 
in wagons and was accompanied by David McCann, William Boney's 
brother-in-law, who located a mile northwest of Jacksonville, where he 
spent the remainder of his life. William and Emily Campbell Boney were 
the parents of the following children, born in Cairo township: Walter G., 
of Eugene, Ore.; Arthur T., a sketch of whom appears in this volume; 
Robert M., of Merced, Calif., and James T. of this review who was reared 
on the old homestead, educated in the public schools and at Bolivar Col- 
lege, Polk County, Mo. After leaving college he returned to his native 
county to engage in farming which he has followed to the present time. 
He and his father began the breeding of registered Hereford cattle in 
1883 and met with success and became known as prosperous stockmen 
of this section. In 1915, this herd was sold. 

James T. Boney's present farm consists of 262 acres in Cairo town- 
ship, known for many years as the Kirkendall Farm; he also has a % 
interest in 405 acres of another tract; all the land is rich and has good 
pastures and is well watered. The residence on the home farm was built 
in 1879, but has been improved and modernized by Mr. Boney. He has 
built a silo and several good barns while other buildings are used for 
granaries, cattle sheds and hogs. 

On Aug. 23, 1899, Mr. Boney married Miss Margaret Tait, a daughter 
of R. J. and Jean (Gemmill) Tait, both deceased. They came to Moberly 
in 1885 and the father died in 1909 and his wife died in 1914. One child 
has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Boney, William C, born in 1900, who was 
reared on his father's farm, received his education in the local schools, 
graduated from the Moberly high school and now is attending the agri- 
cultural college of the State University at Columbia, Mo. 

Mr. Boney is a member of the Randolph County Farm Bureau. 



376 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Rev. P. J. Carney. — Father Carney, who has charge of the parish of 
St. John's Catholic church of Moberly, was born at Castlebar, Ireland, 
June 17, 1874, the son of John and Mary (Henehan) Carney, being the 
third in order of birth, of their eight children. John Carney was a farmer 
and stock raiser in Ireland, and it was in the country that Father Carney 
spent his youthful years, attending the local college. When he became 
destined for the priesthood, he entered St. Patrick's Seminary at Carlow, 
where he continued his classic studies, and at the same time read for the 
ministry. When only 23 years of age, he passed his final examinations 
and was ordained in Ireland in 1897. The parents continued to reside in 
their native land. The mother died in 1910 at the age of 62 and the 
father died in 1919 at the age of 84. 

Soon after entering the priesthood, Father Carney came to the United 
States, being assigned to duty in St. Louis until May, 1909, when he came 
to Moberly to assume charge of the parish here. Within a short time, 
Father Carney had laid plans for a new church edifice which was built 
under his direction and is a structure of which the Catholics may well 
be proud. The new modern residence has also been erected,, and the church 
is free from debt. 

In politics, Father Carney is an independent, as he believes in voting 
as his conscience dictates, but believes that in local affairs the man best 
fitted to serve the people should be elected to office. He is a member of 
the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks. 

James G. Roberts, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of Cairo 
township, living on the old home place, four and a half miles north of 
Moberly, was born where he now resides April 13, 1872, the son of John 
S. and Sallie (Terrill) Roberts, whose history appears in the sketch of 
John Henry Roberts. He was reared in this township, spent his youth on 
the farm and was educated in the public school of the district and when 
old enough began to farm, and has followed that business all his life. 
When he became owner of the old home place, Mr. Roberts began to make 
a number of improvements, as some of the buildings were old. .He im- 
proved the house built by his father many years ago, so that it is one 
of the comfortable homes of this section. Several substantial barns 
have also been built for farm use and the stock. He raised Shropshire 
sheep and Shorthorn and Angus cattle. The farm consists of 215 acres, 
well watered, and the part which he cultivates raises good crops. 




REV. P. J. CARNEY 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 377 

The Roberts family was a large and well-known one here and is 
as follows: Luzerne, William, Milton Arthur, John, whose sketch ap- 
peals in this volume; James G., of this sketch; Anna, the wife of 
John Walden, of Moberly; Sallie, deceased; Virginia Lee, wife of Bessie 
Walden, of Moberly; Minnie, the widow of Cliff Roberts, of Moberly, and 
Josephine, the wife of William Moore, of Moberly. 

A. T. Boney, one of the oldest residents and for years a prominent 
merchant of Cairo, where he owns a hardware and implement house, 
has taken a prominent part in the civic affairs of the town, having served 
as mayor and councilman for more than 20 years. His store building 
is 135x36 feet, divided into two sections, where he carries a full line 
of hardware, stoves, farm implements, furnaces and also has a tin shop 
for doing general repairing, equipped with machinery for lathe work, 
disc grinding and all kinds of sharpening. In the rear he runs a black- 
smith shop. This business was started originally as far back as 1875 
by John W. Baker, who was succeeded by James T. Boney, who ran it 
a year before disposing of his stock and good will to A. T. and W. G. 
Boney, and later W. J. Boney succeeded W. G. Boney, and remained a 
member of the firm until his death in 1914, when A. T. Boney became 
sole owner. 

A. T. Boney was born in Cairo township July 30, 1864, the son of 
W. J. and Emily (Campbell) Boney, both deceased. The father came to 
Randolph County in 1837 from Duplin County, N. C, where . he was 
born. His father, James T. Boney, took up government land in Cairo 
township and lived on the farm until in 1890. His wife died in 1889. 
Mr. Boney was reared on the pioneer farm, and received his education 
in the district schools. He then engaged in farming until he became a 
partner in the hardware business, which he has followed for 30 years. 

In 1891, Mr. Boney was married to Miss Missouri Bobbitt, of Cairo 
township, a native of Virginia, the daughter of J. E. and Sarah Bobbitt. 
Mrs. Boney died in 1895, leaving two children: Herbert L., now asso- 
ciated with his father in business. He enlisted in the United States 
army Sept. 20, 1917, was assigned to Company L, 356th Infantry, and was 
sent to Camp Funston for training. June 16, 1918, he sailed for France 
and was soon sent to the St. Mihiel sector and took part in the Battle of 
the Argonne. From the time he was sent into the front line trenches 
until the armistice was signed, Mr. Boney was not out of range of the 
enemy guns. After hostilities ceased he became a member of the Army 



378 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

of Occupation in Germany. After 21 months foreign service, Mr. Boney 
was discharged from the army as he had returned to this country in 
June, 1919. He was a corporal during his entire time of service. Herbert 
Boney was reared in Cairo, received his elementary education in the public 
schools of Cairo and Moberly ; then entered college at Liberty, Mo. After 
a period of study there he went east and entered Harvard University, re- 
maining a year. Emily, the second child, also was reared in Cairo and 
after graduating from the Moberly High School entered Hardin College, 
at Mexico, Mo., where she was graduated in music. 

In 1898. A. T. Boney married Miss Margaret Bobbitt, a sister of his 
first wife and she died in September, 1919. 

In recalling pioneer time of Randolph County, Mr. Boney says that 
there are but five people now living in the town of Cairo who were in- 
habitants 30 years ago when he came. He has seen many changes in his 
day. After the city was incorporated, Mr. Boney began to take part in 
its administration and for 20 years has served either as councilman or 
mayor. 

Bank of Cairo, one of the sound and substantial institutions of cen- 
tral Missouri, was organized in April, 1905. Tucker G. Haden was the 
leading promoter of this bank and became its first cashier, a position 
which he still holds. The first officers of the bank were: J. W. Stigall, 
president; John Halliburton, vice-president and T. G. Haden, cashier, 
while the board of directors were the above men and D. G. Day,William 
Gaines and W. P. Nichols, now deceased. The present officials are 0. A. 
Wright, president; G. D. Day, vice-president; T. G. Haden, cashier; Miss 
Gertrude Walker, assistant cashier, with E. E. Campbell and William 
Gaines directors in addition to the active officials. Miss Walker has 
been with the bank for 11 years; she was born and reared here, the 
daughter of Paul Walker of this city. The present capital stock of the 
bank is $10,000; surplus, $20,000, with undivided profits, $2,500, which 
shows what a growth the institution has made since its organization. 
The chief corresponding bank is the First National, of St. Louis. 

Tucker G. Haden was born in Shelby County, March 14, 1869, the 
son of Thomas H. and Frances (Wright) Haden. both natives of Madison 
County, Ky. The father came to Missouri and took up land which he 
farmed all his life, becoming a well known and prosperous farmer and 
stockman of his section. Mrs. Frances (Wright) Haden died at the age 
of 61 years, and her husband lived to be nearly 85. There were the fol- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 379 

lowing children in the Haden family: R. W., of Stockton, Mo., ex-judge 
and now assistant postmaster of the town; Travis, a retired farmer of 
Shelbina, Mo. ; Irwin, a farmer near Madison, Mo. ; A. C, a retired farmer 
of Clarence, Mo. ; J. D., a farmer near Holliday ; Bettie, the wife of Frank 
Carroll, of Clarence, Mo.; Fannie, the wife of Oscar Bean, of Madison, 
Mo.; Tucker G., of this review, and Monnie, the wife of T. S. Hobbs, of 
Rocky Ford, Colo. 

Tucker G. Haden was reared on his father's farm in Shelby County, 
educated in the public schools and then entered the State Normal School 
at Warrensburg. He also took a special course in the Gem City Business 
College of Quincy, 111. He then taught school in Monroe County for 13 
years before coming to Cairo to organize the bank, the success of which 
has been largely due to his foresight, executive ability and close applica- 
tion to business. 

Nov. 6, 1913, Mr. Haden was married to Miss Mary Cave of Hunts- 
ville, the daughter of W. B. and Ella (Carlisle) Cave, both now deceased. 
In 1913, Mr. Haden built a modern bungalow on East Main street, where 
the family has resided since coming to Cairo. Mrs. Haden is a member 
of the Methodist church and Mr. Haden belongs to the Christian church. 
He stands high in Randloph County and is one of its successful bankers 
and enterprising citizens. 

William W. Goodding, a representative citizen of Randolph County 
for nearly three quarters of a century, now having retired at Cairo, is one 
of the oldest residents in this section and a member of a pioneer family 
that located in this state when Missouri was considered the frontier. He 
was born in Cairo township, July 12, 1846, the son of Andrew and Mar- 
garet (Rogers) Goodding, both natives of Wayne County, Ky., where they 
were reared, educated and married. The father was born in 1801 and 
died in 1876; the mother was born in 1804 and died in 1881. Both were 
buried in the family burying ground on the Dameron farm. They came 
to Missouri and settled in Randolph County in 1829, making the trip to 
this state driving a wagon to which were hitched a yoke of oxen with a 
horse for leader. The first winter they were here was spent in a log cabin 
20x20 feet with a dirt floor and they lived there through the severest 
winter storms for that year was one of exceptional severity. Old settlers 
said that was the worst winter on record. 

Andrew Goodding entered 360 acres of land which he owned to the 
time of his death. He had six brothers: Joseph, Isaac, Nixon, Alexander 



380 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

and Samuel, all of whom came to Missouri and settled in Macon and Ran- 
dolph counties. Andrew and Margaret Goodding had the following chil- 
dren: Richard, deceased; Mrs. Bettie Phipps; George, James, Polly, 
Jemima, Fannie, all deceased. 

William Goodding, the subject of this review was reared on his par- 
ent's farm, attended the Pleasant Hill school of this township and re- 
mained at home helping his father on the farm until 1890, when he bought 
160 acres of land from Mike Capp and engaged in general farming until 
1913. Mr. Goodding was one of the well known and prosperous farmers 
of this section. When it came time for him to give up the active man- 
agement of his land he sold the property and bought an acre of land 
within the limits of Cairo where he now makes his home, one of the old 
and. honored residents. 

Dec. 21. 1883, William Goodding was married to Miss Elizabeth 
Elliott, a daughter of Robert and Nancy (Montgomery) Elliott, the 
former born in Randolph County in 1821, near Jacksonville and at the 
fair some 15 years ago, he took the prize as being the oldest resident 
citizen of the county. He died at the advanced age of 88 years. Mrs. 
Elliott died in her 63d year and both are buried in the Teter family ceme- 
tery in Chariton township. Mr. Elliott's father, William Elliott, was one 
of the first settlers in this county and was the father of nine children of 
whom Mrs. Goodding is the third. 

Mr. and Mrs. Goodding have one daughter, Ava, who married Frank 
Haynes of Moberly. She was born June 6, 1886, and married in 1906. 
Mrs. Haynes has a daughter, Nacline Elizabeth, in school. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Goodding are members of the Baptist Church of 
which they have been members many years, for Mr. Goodding will be 74 
years old July 12, 1920 and belongs to a long lived family as his cousin 
Margaret Baker, of Cairo, born in this county, is nearly 80 and they can 
tell many interesting experiences of pioneer days here. 

Eldridge S. Morrison, one of the pioneer settlers of Randolph County, 
has been a resident here for more than a half a century. He was born 
in Montgomery County, Tenn., Jam 17, 1842, the son of James P. and 
Sarah (Davis) Morrison, both of whom passed their lives in Montgomery 
County. They had the following children: Annie, deceased; Robert, was 
killed at the Battle of Gettysburg, while serving in the Confederate army, 
having enlisted at Clarksville, Tenn. ; A. P., lived at Fresno, Calif., and is 
deceased ; C. B., lives at Arbuckle, Calif. ; Emma Jordan, resides at Spring- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 381 

field, Mo. ; Letetia Davis, died in Montgomery County, Tenn. ; John Henry 
lives at Memphis, Tenn., and Eldridge S. 

Eldridge S. Morrison was reared in Tennessee, received his education 
there and when the Civil War broke out enlisted in the Confederate army 
at Clarksville, being a member of Captain Dorsey's company of infantry. 
After the capture of Fort Donelson he was transferred to a troop of 
Kentucky cavalry, commanded by Captain Williams and participated in 
the battle of Fort Donelson. Shiloh, Miss., Mumsford, Ky. ; and many im- 
portant skirmishes. After 12 months in the service, Mr. Morrison's 
health was so impaired that he was discharged for disability. 

In 1867 Mr. Morrison came to Missouri, reaching Randolph County at 
10 o'clock on the morning of Dec. 11th. He first located north of Cairo, 
where he farmed for a few years ; then in 1877 he removed to his present 
farm, two miles south of Cairo. When he came to this section of the 
township it was raw open prairie. Some settlers had located around 
here and a few farms were being cultivated, but it was a true pioneer 
settlement. There was a small house on the land Mr. Morrison purchased 
which has since been rebuilt and remodeled. He owns 340 acres of valu- 
able land with some in blue grass pasture. Three substantial large barns 
have been erected and other farm buildings. For several years Mr. Mor- 
rison operated a dairy but gave up that branch of his business 20 years 
ago to raise Aberdeen Angus cattle in which he specialized. He kept a 
registered male at the head of his herd, fed the cattle he raised and 
shipped to market what were not disposed of at private sales. For years 
he was known as one of the successful breeders. 

The Morrison farm is well improved in every way; there are six 
living wells on the place and water is pumped by three wind mills. For 
some years Mr. Morrison's son, William R., has been raising registered 
Hampshire hogs and since his father retired from the active management 
of the place has been its manager. Though 78 years old and having 
lived on this farm for 43 years, Mr. Morrison retains much of his physical 
vigor though he has given up the harder work. 

On May 2, 1869, Mr. Morrison was married to Miss Susan Caroline 
Boney, the daughter of J. T. and Elizabeth (Carr) Boney, who were born 
and reared in North Carolina and came west, settling two miles north of 
Cairo in 1835. Their history will be found on another page of this 
volume. Mrs. Morrison was born at the old homestead north of Cairo, 
was educated in the public schools of the district and taught school for 



382 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

live years before her marriage, having taught in eight schools of the 
county. There were 10 children in the Boney family all of whom were 
well and favorably known in the county. 

Mr. and Mrs. Morrison have had four children: William R., farming 
the home place; Emma, the wife of W. A. Bobbitt, of Cairo; Maud, who 
married Henry Corbin, of Corder, Mo. ; Minnie, the wife of W. C. Buchanan, 
of Moberly, the last two being twins. Four grandchildren complete the 
family circle: Robert and Mary Corbin and Morrison and Dorothy 
Buchanan. 

Mrs. Morrison tells that her parents came west so early that there 
were few railroads, so they made the trip in a wagon drawn by a team 
of oxen and their worldly goods consisted of what could be packed onto 
the wagon and $300 in money. They were Cumberland Presbyterians; 
the father and his family attended the annual camp meetings held at 
Sugar Creek church. The parents were devoted members of the church 
and did much to elevate the religious standards of the county. All their 
children but one joined the church when young. 

William R. Morrison, the son who now operates the home farm, was 
reared here, attended the district schools and when his education was 
completed began to farm with his father. In addition to breeding Aber- 
deen cattle, he has been specializing in raising Hampshire hogs, meet- 
ing with success in this line. He annually keeps about 30 head, feeding 
and marketing them. William R. Morrison is one of the farmers of the 
younger generation who has introduced modern methods into his busi- 
ness with success and today is rated as one of the practical men of the 
community. Six years of his life was spent on different railroads as a 
brakeman and conductor, from 1899 until 1905. He is a member of 
Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. 

R. G. Terrill, a well known citizen of Moberly and a native of Randolph 
County, was bor ntwo miles south of Moberly, Oct. 12, 1866. He is a 
son of John R. and Ann (Roberts) Terrill, both of whom are now de- 
ceased. John R. Terrill was born in Kentucky and came to Missouri when 
he was a young man and settled on a farm south of Moberly where he was 
successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. He died in 1913, at 
the age of 84 years, his wife having preceded him in death many years. 
She died in 1872. They were the parents of the following children: W. 
E., deceased; Lolah, deceased; Emma, deceased; Lizzie, resides in Mob- 
erly; J. M., who is farming on the old home place; R. G., the subject of 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 383 

this sketch; H. R., Mobeiiy; V. C, Moberly; and Anna, married Loyd 
Wayland, Moberly. 

R. G. Terrill was reared in Randolph County and received his edu- 
cation in the public schools. He has made farming his chief occupation 
and has met with success. He is now the owner of 110 acres of valuable 
land, south of the city of Moberly where he is carrying on general farm- 
ing and stock raising, and is recognized as one of the substantial and suc- 
cessful citizens of this vicinity. 

Mr. Terrill was married April 22, 1897, to Miss Lena Horner, a 
daughter of James S. and Louisa (Kingsbury) Horner, further mention 
of whom is made in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Terrill have been born 
two children : Louisa Ruby, a graduate of the University of Missouri, 
class of 1920; and John Vincent, a graduate of the Moberly High School 
and now a student at Central College, Fayette, Mo. 

Mr. Terrill takes a commendable interest in matters pertaining to 
the public welfare. In 1911 he was elected clerk of Randolph County and 
capably held that office for four years. He is a member of the Ancient 
Free and Accepted Masons of Huntsville and has an extensive acquaint- 
ance throughout Randolph County. 

Edward Ellsworth Leonard, a prominent contractor and builder of 
Moberly, has been a resident of this city for the past 35 years. He was 
born in Indianapolis, Ind., July 6, 1863 and is a son of Lewis B. and Susan 
(Snipes) Leonard. Lewis B. Leonard was born at Hagerstown. Md., in 
1819 and died in Indianapolis, Ind., in 1916 and is buried in that city. 
He was a Union veteran of the Civil War. He enlisted at Columbus, Ind., 
in the 7th Indiana Battery and served one year and ten months. He 
was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh, Miss. His wife died in 1912 at the 
age of 77 years and is also buried in Indianapolis. They were the parents 
of 14 children, four of whom are living: Florence Leonard, Indianapolis; 
Annette, Indianapolis; Charles F., Indianapolis and Edw r ard E., the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was the youngest of the family. The others who grew 
to maturity and are now deceased are: Mrs. Martha Overman and Henry. 

Edward E. Leonard was reared and educated in Indianapolis and 
learned his trade in that city. In 1885, he came to Moberly, Mo. and for 
two years was in the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company. He then 
engaged in contracting and building and since that time has done a vast 
amount of work in that line in Moberly and other parts of the state. He 
did the woodwork on the county jail at Huntsville and built the Radium 



384 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Hotel there and the original structure of the Huntsville school. He re- 
modeled the Moberly Bank at Moberly and erected many high class build- 
ings, too numerous to mention, in this vicinity. At this writing he em- 
ploys 23 men including five brick-layers, three hod-carriers, two plasterers, 
two painters and two granitoid workers. He is the agent for the Kewanee 
metal store fronts and also the Millmer Elevator Company of St. Louis 
and these two branches of work take in all parts of the state. 

Mr. Leonard was married in 1887 to Miss Bessie M. Dulany of Mob- 
erly. She is a daughter of George W. and Virginia Dulany, both of whom 
wer born at Middle Grove, Mo. The father died at Moberly and the 
mother now resides here at the age of 77 years. Mrs. Leonard was born 
in Moberly in 1869 and is the oldest person now living in Moberly, born 
there. To Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have been born two children: Dulany 
Ellsworth, a graduate of the Moberly High School, married Miss Clara 
Laurel of St. Louis and is now a freight claim inspector in the employ of 
the Wabash Railroad Company, attended the State University at Colum- 
bia, Mo., taking a course in law; and Mary Virginia, who was graduated 
from the Moberly High School in 1918, attended Christian College two 
years and resides at home with her parents at 515 South Williams street- 
Mr. Leonard is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and is one 
of the substantial citizens of Randolph County. 

William C. Clifford, a passenger conductor on the Wabash railroad at 
Moberly, Mo., has for 20 years served in the capacity of conductor on this 
railroad and during that time has been a resident of Moberly. Mr. Clif- 
ford was born at Tolono, 111., Oct. 26, 1868, and is a son of William and 
Sarah (Phillips) Clifford. 

William Clifford was a native of Kentucky, born at Louisville, in 
1850. He was a grain dealer and also served as justice of the peace at 
Tolono, 111., and died at Clinton, 111., in 1892. His wife was born in Vin- 
cennes, Ind., in 1846, and died at Champaign, 111., in 1918. They were the 
parents of six children as follows : Edward, deceased ; Charles V. Mar- 
shalltown, Iowa; Fannie M., Champaign, 111.; Nannie A., Little Rock, Ark.; 
William C, the subject of this sketch; and Gertie, married G. W. Simp- 
son, Champaign, 111. 

William C. Clifford attended the public schools and when 16 years 
of age began as a brakeman on the Wabash railroad at Decatur, 111., con- 
tinuing in that employment until 1887, when he went to St. Paul, Minn., 
with the intention of working for the Chicago and Great Western railroad 




WTLTJAM C. CLIFFORD 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 385 

as conductor. Shortly afterwards he went to British Columbia and was 
employed by the Canadian Pacific railroad as conductor until 1900. He 
then came to Moberly, Mo., and entered the employ of the Wabash Rail- 
road Company as freight conductor, serving in that capacity for 15 years, 
when he was promoted to passenger conductor. He now runs between 
Moberly and Omaha, on the Omaha Division. 

Mr. Clifford was married in 1900 to Miss Isabel French, a daughter of 
Wallace R. and Isabel (Emsley) French, both were natives of Wisconsin 
and the father now resides at Waterloo, Iowa. The mother was born at 
Waukesha, Wis., and is now deceased. 

Mr. Clifford is a 32nd degree Mason, Knights Templar and Shriner, a 
member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Order of 
Railway Conductors and is a Democrat, and both he and Mrs. Clifford are 
members of the Methodist church, the Order of the Eastern Star and the 
Knights and Ladies of Security. The Cliffords are well known in Moberly 
and they are highly regarded among their many friends and acquaintances. 

Perry D. Menke, a popular and widely known passenger conductor 
who has been in the service of the Wabash Railroad Company for 36 
years and during that time has been a resident of Moberly, Mo. He 
iis a native of Illinois, born at Granville, Edgar County, Sept. 4, 1857, 
and is a son of Peter L. and Margaret B. (Mitchell) Menke. Peter L. 
Menke was bom in Loudoun County, Va., July 4, 1831. He was a cabinet 
maker and carpenter and followed that line of work during the greater 
part of his life at Paris, 111. In later life he removed to Mattoon, 111., 
where he lived for five years prior to his death, Aug. 2, 1907. His wife 
was a native of Indiana. She was born at Liberty, Union County, Ind., 
Nov. 4, 1832, and they were married at Eaton, Preble County, Ohio, 
Nov. 26, 1850. She is now 87 years old and resides with her daughter, 
Mrs. C. L. Sweet at Hutchinson, Kan. 

To Peter L. and Margaret B. (Mitchell) Menke were born the follow- 
ing children: Charles H., born March 28, 1852, at Eaton, Ohio, and died 
Dec. 4, 1902 ; Mary E., was born July 20, 1854, and died Sept. 4, 1855 ; 
Perry D., the subject of this sketch ; Francis N. and Benjamin F., twins, 
born Sept. 8, 1859, and Benjamin F., died Sept. 10, 1914; George L. and 
John H., twins, born at Grandview, 111., Dec. 27, 1861, and John H., died 
May 4, 1865; Thomas D., born March 17, 1869, is an abstractor at An- 
tonito, Colo.; James Edward, born Oct. 24, 1860, was an employee for 
the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and was killed by his own train at Ottawa, 
Kan., Nov. 4, 1887; Ida N., born Jan. 1, 1870, married Frank Constant, 



386 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

and lives in Chicago; Jessie B., born March 1, 1872, married Charles 
L. Sweet, and resides in Hutchinson, Kan. 

Perry D. Menke was reared in Paris, 111., and attended the public 
schools. When he was 18 years of age, he began his railroading career 
at Paris, 111., as night baggageman and also yard and billing clerk. Later 
he entered the train service of the Indianapolis division of the I. and St. 
L. railroad, which is now the St. Louiis division of the New York Cen- 
tral railroad system, with Mattoon, 111., as his headquarters. In 1883, he 
went to Sedalia, Mo., where he was in the employ of the Missouri Pacific 
Railroad Company as conductor for one year. He then came to Moberly 
and worked for the Wabash as brakeman for a few months, when he was 
promoted to freight conductor and in 1887 became a passenger conductor 
and since 1890 has had a regular passenger run. Thus it will be seen 
that Mr. Menke has had many years experience as a practical railroad 
man and has a good record to his credit. 

July 30, 1907, Perry D. Menke was married to Miss Mildred Cevor, 
of Kansas City, Mo. She was born in Florida. Mr. and Mrs. Menke 
have no children. 

Mr. Menke is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Shrine, 
Ararat Temple, Kansas City, Mo., and the Order of Railway Conductors, 
No. 49, Moberly, Mo. He is a Republican and a member of the Presby- 
terian church. Mrs. Menke is a member of the Episcopal church. They 
are well known in Moberly and Randolph County and are highly regarded 
represented citizens of the community. 

James S. Horner, father of Mrs. R. G. Terrill of Moberly, was a 
pioneer merchant of Huntsville and prominently identified with the early 
development of Randolph County and belonged to one of the very earliest 
pioneer families of Missouri. He was born in Howard County, Oct. 7, 
1832 and was a son of Major and Keturah (Morgan) Horner. 

Major Horner was one of the prominent early settlers of this state. 
He was born in Chesterfield County, Va., Dec. 19, 1789 and was married 
in that county. Nov. 7, 1812. He came to Missouri in 1819 and settled 
in Howard County where he bought land and some negroes and in Febru- 
ary, 1839, he came to Randolph County and here owned over 600 acres of 
land northwest of the present site of Moberly. During the Civil War on 
account of condition prevailing here he removed to St. Louis and after 
the war he made his home at Columbia and died at the home of his son, 
James S. Horner, in Huntsville. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, 
serving in Capt. Wilson Bryan's Company, 19th regiment, serving with 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 387 

the Virginia troops. He served as sergeant in Capt. Benjamin Goode's 
company, Colonel Joseph Brown's regiment, Virginia Militia from Aug. 
28th to Nov. 30, 1814, after having served as private as above stated. 
After coming to Missouri he was conspicuous in military affairs in this 
state. He was made Lieut.-Colonel of the 10th Regiment, 21st Division 
of Missouri Militia in 1822 by Governor McNair, and was appointed 
colonel in 1824. In 1837 he was apointed paymaster general of the State 
Militia by Governor Boggs and after having paid the men the first time 
he had a small amount of money left which he promptly returned to the 
treasurer which up to that time was an unheard of procedure. This was 
during the Morman War. He also acted as paymaster for the Missouri 
troops during the Black Hawk War. He was prominent in the political 
affairs of Randolph County and the state. In 1850 he was elected a 
representative to the state legislature and again in 1858 and in 1860 was 
elected state senator. He was a strong Southern sympathizer and voted 
for secession at the special session of the legislature, called by Governor 
Jackson which convened at Neosho, Mo. He rode from Moberly to Neosho 
on horseback to attend that convention. He was a Methodist and a life 
long Democrat. He was a strong temperance man and a prominent mem- 
ber of the Masonic Lodge. 

James S. Horner was educated at Fayette, Mo., attending school 
there after his parents moved to Randolph County. He engaged in the 
dry goods business at Huntsville prior to the Civil War and was in part- 
nership with his brother-in-law George Dameron. He was in business 
here when the Civil War broke out and being a Southern sympathizer, his 
store was looted by the Federal troops and he shortly afterwards dis- 
posed of his business to a Northern man and went to St. Louis. After 
the war he returned to Huntsville, where he died Feb. 22, 1871. He was 
a member of the Methodist church and the Masonic Lodge. He was mar- 
ried Sept. 4, 1860 to Louisa Jane Kingsbury and to this union three chil- 
dren were born : Laura Shirley Horner who resides at Moberly, Mo. ; Lena, 
married R. G. Terrill a sketch of whom appears in this volume. After 
the death of James S. Horner his widow married Judge John R. Hull, who 
was a prominent lawyer of Randolph County. He served as prosecuting 
attorney and probate judge of this county and for a time published a 
newspaper in Huntsville. He and his wife are now both deceased. He 
died in 1892 and she departed this life in 1901. 



388 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Anthony J. Rcther, the well known merchant tailor of Moberly is 
one of the best designers and cutters to be found anywhere in the country. 
He comes from a family of high class tailors and has made extensive 
study of the science of designing and the art of cutting and tailoring. 
Mr. Rother is a native of Missouri. He was born at Washington, Mo., 
Jan. 16, 1886 and is the son of John and Ann (Boehm) Rother who were 
the parents of the following children: Anthony J., the subject of this 
sketch ; Julia Rother, Washington, Mo. and John, deceased. The mother 
died in 1890, having been accidentally burned to death on July 4th of that 
year. Her clothes caught fire from fireworks which were carelessly ex- 
ploded by some boys as she was passing along the street. 

John Rother, father of Anthony J. Rother, was born in Prussia- 
Poland or what is now known as Germany. He came to America at the 
age of ten years, in 1870, and now lives at Washington, Mo. He was 
one of the finest tailors in the state of Missouri and has one brother who 
is a high class tailor of St. Joseph, Mo. He learned the trade from his 
brother John. Two of Mrs. Rother's brothers were also high class tailors : 
Chas. Boehm, St. Louis, Mo. ; Frank Boehm, in business with John Rother 
at Washington, Mo. 

Anthony J. Rother was educated in the Notre Dame Convent and 
then attended the Franciscian Brothers Dormitory and afterwards at- 
tended the University of Missouri at Columbia. For eight years he was 
connected with G. W. Harrell and Son, merchant tailors at Columbia. 
Later he was employed by Patt Brothers, tailors of St. Joseph, 'Mo. From 
there he went to New York and completed a course in designing men and 
women's garments. After completing this course he went to Dartmouth 
College, Hanover, N. H. and had charge of the tailoring department of a 
large men's furnishing store which catered to the students and professors 
of the college. He then went to Boston where he was engaged in design- 
ing and cutting for a time when he returned to New York City. In 1915 
he came to Moberly and engaged in his present business and owing to the 
excellency of his workmanship, the style of his designing and the re- 
liability of his representation, he has built up one of the largest high class 
tailoring establishments in this section of the state. Mr. Rother follows 
the Mitchell system of which he has made a thorough study. This is a 
short standard measure of cutting and designing and is the foundation 
of all systems employed in this work. A designer who understands the 
Mitchell system thoroughly can easily handle any other system of cutting. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 389 

Mr. Rother graduated from the Mitchell School of Cutting and Designing 
of New York on Sept. 5,. 1914. 

Anthony J. Rother was married in 1916 to Miss Mary G. Noonan of 
Moberly; she is a daughter of Richard and Genevieve Noonan. Mr. and 
Mrs. Rother have two children : Jane Ann and Richard John. 

Mr. Rother is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Tailors 
and Cutters Association of America. 

E. O. and G. N. Biood, well known and prosperous stockmen and 
farmers of Caho township, Randolph County, are the sons of N. L. and 
Laura (Blood) Blood, the former a native of Wisconsin, born Jan. 5, 
1847, and the mother was born in Pennsylvania. The father was a 
farmer and moved to Iowa where he was a farmer and stockman for 
many years. He came to Randolph County in 1909, and purchased the 
Arthur Roberts farm of 160 acres in Cairo township. He died in Septem- 
ber, 1915, being survived by his wife until Dec. 9, 1918, when she too 
passed away. Both were laid to rest in Grand Prairie Cemetery. The 
following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Blood; E. 0., of this review; 
Mrs. Edna Austin of Cairo township; G. N., of this sketch, and Marcia. 

The Blood brothers were educated in the public schools of Iowa. 
They were reared on their father's farm and early began to assume many 
of the duties on the home place so that by the time their schooling was 
over they were both good practical farmers. They came to Randolph 
County in March, 1909 and bought a farm a half mile north of Cairo, 
where they were associated in business with their father until his death. 
The farm is one of the well improved places in this section of the county ; 
has two good residences on it, good barns, machine shed, poultry house, 
calf barn and many other buildings for farm uses. Since coming to Mis- 
souri the Bloods have handled pure bred stock almost entirely, owning 
10 pure bred Polled Shorthorn cows with Scottish Victor 2d, 17484-695098, 
at the head of the herd. He was bred by F. A. Murray & Son of Mason, 
111. That they have been successful in the breeding and rearing of cat- 
tle is attested by the fact that six animals which they raised were sold 
on March 23, 1920, at Kansas City, at the American Polled Shorthorn 
Breeders Association sale to other breeders. They also keep a herd of 
35 well bred Shropshire sheep with a registered male at the head of the 
flock. 

On Jan. 26, 1912, E. O. Blood was married to Miss Ora McKinney, of 
Cairo township, a daughter of J. L. and Nancy McKinney, both deceased. 



390 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Nancy Huntsman McKinney was born near Cairo and reared in Randolph 
County. Mis. Blood is a member of one of the old pioneer families of 
the section. 

G. N. Blood and his sister, Marcia, live together in one of the two 
farm houses. Miss Blood is a chicken fancier and raises the Brown Leg- 
horn variety, having met with success in this branch of farm inlustry, 
usually having about 150 hens on hand. 

Both Blood brothers are members of the Grange and considered 
progressive and practical farmers and men of industry and thrift which 
qualities are bringing them to the front of the agricultural producers of 
Randolph County, which does not lack for able farmers. 

J. P. Stinnett, owner of Fairview Stock Farm, Cairo township, is one 
of the progressive and enterprising farmers and stockmen of Randolph 
County. He is a native of Kentucky, born near Lexington, Fayette 
County, March 1*6, 1877. His parents were James P. and Sarah L. (Tay- 
lor) Stinnett, both of whom are now deceased. They were the parents 
of two children: J. P., the subject of this sketch and Scott Stinnett, of 
Fulton, Mo. The father died and after his death the mother was married 
to A. C. Duggins. She came to Missouri about 1893 and died here in 1896. 

J. P. Stinnett was reared and educated in Kentucky and came to Mis- 
souri when he was about 16 years of age. He bought 70 Vi acres, one 
and one-half miles north of Cairo which he sold in 1919 and bought his 
present place. This farm consists of 106 acres and is situated one mile 
south of Cairo and known as Fairview Stock Farm. Since purchasing 
the place Mr. Stinnett has made a number of valuable improvements, in- 
cluding an addition to the barn and after he has carried out some of his 
other plans of improvements, Fairview Stock Farm will be one of the 
conveniently arranged and attractive places of the county. Mr. Stinnett 
is a successful breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs. He 
has been engaged in breeding Duroc Jerseys for the past eight years and 
his present splendid herd of 23 hogs is headed by "Cairo Colonel," a valu- 
able registered male hog. Mr. Stinnett is meeting with success and estab- 
lishing a reputation as a breeder. 

Nov. 24, 1903, Mr. Stinnett was married to Miss Bell Boyd of Cairo. 
She is a daughter of J. M. and Mollie Boyd, both of whom are now de- 
ceased and their remains are buried in Grand Prairie cemetery. Mrs. 
Stinnett was born in Macon County, Mo. and came to Randolph County 
with her parents when she was a girl, and here she was reared and edu- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 391 

cated. To Mr. and Mrs. Stinnett have been born eight children as fol- 
low: Irene, a student in the Cairo High School; Sibert, Ida May, Ell- 
wood, Willa Maud, Charles, Stella B. and Mildred Ruth. 

Mr. Stinnett is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of 
America. The Stinnett family is well known in Cairo and vicinity and 
are among the leading citizens of that section. 

J. F. McKinney, one of the successful farmers and stockmen of Ran- 
dolph County, was born in that part of Salt River which is now Cairo 
township, Jan. 11, 1849. He is the son of Daniel and Eliza (Brown) Mc- 
Kinney, both natives of Lincoln County, Ky., further mention of whom 
is made in this volume. They were pioneer settlers of Missouri and are 
now both dead and were buried in the cemetery of Liberty church. Of 
their family the following children survive: H. S., J. F., of this review, 
and Mat. 

J. F. McKinney spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm 
and received his educational advantages in the public school of Highland 
district. John Cottingham was his first teacher and the second teacher 
under whom he received instruction was Jonathan Bailey, followed by 
Reuben Weaver, all well known educators of that early day. After his 
schooling was over the young man began to farm, first on the home place 
and then independently. More than 40 years ago, Mr. McKinney bought 
the farm where he now resides, from his father, Daniel McKinney who 
entered the land from the government. The home place consists of a 
40 acre tract which has a good farm home,, large convenient barn and 
many other good improvements. He has engaged in general farming and 
stock raising for many years and been successful in his business, due to 
his own hard work and ability. 

On Jan. 20, 1875, Mr. McKinney was married to Miss Mary E. Hunts- 
man, who died March 6, 1904. She was the daughter of George M. and 
Euphemia Huntsman. There were three children born to this marriage: 
Glenn, who married Nora Ridgway, and Pearl, who live at home with 
their father. Pearl married William Baker, who with Glenn, now man- 
ages the farm; and Euphia married William Baker and is deceased. Mr. 
McKinney has two grandchildren: Armel and Roy F. Baker, who when 
war was declared against Germany enlisted in the United States navy. 
He was sent to the Great Lakes Training School, then transferred to the 
naval base at Norfolk, Va., where he was stationed until assigned to 



392 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

service on the battleship Indiana. Later he was transferred to the re- 
cruiting ship at Bay Ridge, N. Y., but finally was sent to the U. S. S. 
Southbend, a transport, and crossed the ocean three times during the war. 
He was mustered out of the service on Sept. 5, 1919. 

Mr. J. F. McKinney is one of the substantial and progressive citizens 
of Randolph County who has done his part in stock and food production 
and aided in the development of this section for more than three-quarters 
of a century. He is now past 70 years of age, a hale, hearty man who 
retains all of his mental vigor; a man of intellect and education, who has 
been a close friend of the editor of this histoiy many years. 

Abraham S. Hines, a successful stockman and farmer and sterling 
citizen of Randolph County, was born in Culpeper County, Va., July 19, 
1853, the son of Peter S. and Fannie F. (Stover) Hines. Peter S. Hines 
was also born in Culpeper County, July 16, 1810, and died July ,7 1895. 
He was reared and educated in the east, where he lived until 1852, when 
he came west. Mr. Hines made the trip from the old home in Virginia 
to Missouri in a covered wagon, on which were loaded the necessities for 
the home to be established in the new country. He had a four horse 
team which drew the wagon and its burdens the long journey to Prairie 
township, Randolph County, where the family established a home. For 
10 years the family lived near Higbee, then moved to the farm now owned 
by Abraham Hines, where the father died. Fannie Stover Hines, also was 
born in Culpeper County, Va., Feb. 22, 1812, and died in February, 1889. 

Abraham S. Hines was reared on the pioneer farm, and was one 
of a family of ten children. He attended the public schools, When old 
enough he began farming and has followed this vocation practically all 
his life, though for 10 years he also ran a saw mill and farmed at the 
same time in Audrain County, Mo. At one time Mr. Hines bought a 
threshing outfit, which he ran, but as he expresses it, "It nearly broke 
me up," and he disposed of it. In 1892, he bought the farm of 140 acres 
from the Hines heirs, which he now owns and farmed there until 1900, 
when he sold it to good advantage, but bought it back two years later. 
Since then he has made permanent improvements on the place and has 
began breeding Shorthorn cattle in which he has been successful, and has 
made exhibits of his stock at local shows. For some time Mr. Hines has 
been improving the strain of his cattle and has a valuable herd. He and 
his sons are in business together. In 1918 they sold a cow and bull calf 
which brought $1,025 each. He also raises hogs and mules. The Hines 



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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 393 

men are today considered some of the most substantial men of Randolph 
County. 

Jan. 28, 1886, Mr. Hines was married to Miss Mary C. Ruparcl, a 
native of Kentucky, the daughter of Lewellen E. and Millie (Easter) 
Rupard, both natives of Kentucky, who came to Randolph County, in 1868, 
and engaged in farming. Both are now dead. Six children were bom 
to Mr. and Mrs. Hines: Claud, deceased; Ezra, of East St. Louis, 111.; 
Mattie M., the wife of Guy Jackson, of Prairie township; Virginia, de- 
ceased ; William Rex, and Eugene, at home. 

Mr. Hines is a Democrat and belongs to the Christian church. His 
wife is a member of the Baptist church. 

W. L. Landram, one of the honored pioneers of Missouri, who settled 
in Cairo township, Randolph County, when most of the land was raw 
unbroken prairie and has witnessed many changes that have taken place 
since he came here. Mr. Landram has contributed his share to county 
upbuilding and food production for mure than 63 years. He was born in 
Bourbon County, Ky., March 18, 1833, the son of Reuben and Nancy 
(Dingle) Landram, the former a native of Virginia, who enlisted during 
the War of 1812 from Bourbon County and served until peace was de- 
clared. He came to Missouri in 1837, locating first in Marion County and 
remained there one year before settling in Macon County, where his chil- 
dren were reared. Both the parents are deceased and were buried in 
Macon County. The following children were born to Reuben and Nancy 
(Dingle) Landram: Frances, married Buck Skinner and died on the 
way to California and the corpse was brought back to Missouri by her 
husband in a wagon; Nancy D., married John Speak and is deceased; 
James E., deceased ; W. L., the subject of this sketch ; Abner P., de- 
ceased ; Lucy, married Samuel Shaffner and is deceased ; Carter, Merced, 
Calif.; John and Alfred, both deceased. 

W. L. Landram spent his boyhood days in Macon County with his 
parents and became a practical farmer. In 1851, at the age of 18 he 
came to Randolph County and began to work by the month to earn money 
enough to attend the McGee College at College Mound, Mo. When he 
finished his course he taught school for 12 years. Mr. Landram became 
heir to 80 acres of land which then was all unbroken prairie in 1857 built 
his first home. From time to time he bought more land until he has 152 
acres in the home farm and a tract of 40 acres of timber a mile west. 
There is one piece of 25 acres on the homestead which has never been 



394 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

broken and the original blue grass remains to this day. For over 63 
years this farm and house has been the home of the Landram family and 
it is one of the best kept places in the county. The two story house is 
well painted and attractive; there are two good barns and sheds, also 
other buildings for the stock, hogs and chickens. All the home place 
is good arable land and is cultivated. Two never failing wells furnish 
excellent water for household and farm use. In 1857 Mr. Landram 
planted some locust trees, which are still living and furnish good shade; 
one is now over eight feet in circumference. 

On Sept, 11, 1856, Mr. Landram was married to Miss Betsey Jane 
Boney, the daughter of J. T. and Elizabeth (Carr) Boney. They were 
early settlers of Randolph County, coming here from North Carolina and 
bought a farm in Cairo township. Both are deceased and are buried at 
Grand Prairie. This historic old burying ground was laid out by Mr. 
Landram in 1865. The land and the church ground were given by Wil- 
liam King and the first burial was of Leela Landram, who died Dec. 31, 
1865, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Landram of this sketch. Mr. 
and Mrs. Landram have lived on this farm and in the same house for 
more than 63 years. Sept. 11, 1919, they celebrated their 63d wedding 
anniversary. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Landram: Orpha Ann, deceased; John Carr, died in California in 1901; 
James Logan, of Moberly; Leela Kate, deceased; Luella Bell, the widow 
of E. G. Kennedy, lives with her parents; William Edward, of Merced, 
Calif; Nellie, deceased; Finis Lee, of Merced, Calif.; Hugh Carter, de- 
ceased, and Oscar, deceased. 

During the later years Mr. and Mrs. Landram have enjoyed six trips 
to visit their relatives in California. They have 12 grandchildren and 
three great grandchildren. 

William K. Towles, Sr., now deceased, was a prominent citizen and 
well known stockman and farmer of Cairo township, Randolph County, 
and one of the honored pioneer settlers of this county. He was born in 
Howard County, May 29, 1843, and came to Randolph County with his 
parents that same year. They were Stokley and Mary (Ellis) Towles, 
both of whom passed the rest of their lives here and were buried on the 
home place. They had five children: William K., Sr., Port, Thomas, Mrs. 
Nannie Grady and Mary, married George Towles and all are deceased. 
William Towles, Sr., was reared in Cairo township and when his school 
days were over engaged in farming. At the outbreak of the Civil War 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 395 

he enlisted in the Confederate army and served four years, being wounded 
three times, first with a saber during a skirmish at Independence, Mo., and 
he was shot twice at the battle of Lexington, Mo. After peace was de- 
clared, Mr. Towles returned to Randolph County and resumed farming. 
On Sept. 24, 1871, he married Miss Martha Goodding and they had the 
following children: Richard, of Batesville, Ark.; William K., Jr., of this 
review; Mollie, the wife of William Sims, of Moberly; Jennie, at home, 
Jackson, at home, and Annie, the wife of A. W\ Hinton, of Moberly. 

William K. Towles, Sr., devoted his time and energies to his farm 
endeavors and became one of the prominent stockmen and feeders of this 
section of Missouri. With his sons William, Jr., and Jackson, they owned 
970 acres of land. Wm. K., Sr., Towles died March 24, 1920, and was 
buried at Oakland cemetery. He was a member of the Baptist church for 
more than 30 years, being a member at Pleasant Hill. He was a Demo- 
crat. 

William K. Towles, Jr., was reared on the home farm, received his 
education in the district schools and then with his father and brother 
Jackson, began farming on an extensive scale. For 15 years this part- 
nership continued until the death of the father and since that time the 
two brothers have continued the business. They are wide awake stock- 
men and feeders as well as progressive farmers and keep about 150 head 
of cattle each year, 30 head of horses and mules and now have 150 head 
of Shropshire sheep, and about 300 head of cattle. The place is well 
improved. One barn, 80x120 feet has a concrete foundation and is con- 
sidered one of the best barns in the county. It has a loft with a capacity 
of 100 tons of hay and a basement 100 feet long for stock. A second barn 
was built with a silo and the third, 60x80 feet, has a basement under the 
entire structure with a silo built on the inside. In addition there are 
several smaller barns on the farm and other buildings. The Towles land 
lies in three townships, Salt River, Cairo and Chariton and the brothers 
also own the John Mason farm of 125 acres. Recently the Towles brothers 
purchased a fine coach stallion, "Ulex," and they have registered males 
at the head of their herd. There are six residences on the various pieces 
of land used by the family and for tenant farmers. 

William K. Towles, Jr., has for some years taken an active part in 
the public affairs of his district. He is now township committeeman of 
the Democratic party for Cairo township. 



396 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Charles B. Bennett, one of the worthy citizens of Cairo township, 
who resides on his farm two and a half miles northeast of Cairo, is a 
native of this county and the descendant of one of the pioneer families 
that located here when this section of the state was sparsely settled. 
He was born in this township March 4, 1858, the son of Richard and Eliza- 
beth (Ridgway) Bennett. 

Richard Bennett was born near Lexington, Ky., and accompanied his 
parents to Missouri when his father, Moses Bennett, came here to take 
up a frontier farm in the late 40s. The family first settled in Grundy 
County. Richard Bennett came to Randolph County when old enough to 
leave home and entered the homestead where his son Charles B. was 
born. He died in 1903 his wife having passed away in 1885 and both 
are buried in Liberty Church cemetery. They were the parents of the 
following children: Mary, the wife of George M. Brown, of Cairo town- 
ship; Alexander, of Cairo township; Charles, of this review; John, who 
died in 1915; Fannie, the wife of Smith Riclgway of Cairo township; Izona, 
deceased; Alice, the wife of Marion Ridgway, deceased; Everett, of Good- 
well, Okla., and Emit, of West Cliffe, Colo. 

Charles B. Bennett spent his boyhood on his father's farm and at- 
tended the Sherwood school, one of the first school houses of this section 
of the township. It was located on the Sherwood farm. It was a crude 
log building furnished with split log benches and his first teacher was 
Susan Boney. He was eighht years old when entered at the frontier school. 
Mr. Bennett began to work on the farm and soon entered upon an inde- 
pendent career. With the exception of four years, when he ran a dairy 
business in Moberly, he has lived in Cairo township. The farm which he 
owned and operated for 17 years, Mr. Bennett sold to Dr. Dutton, of 
Moberly and then bought his present place which is located on one of the 
rural mail routes out of Cairo. His present farm consists of an 80 acre 
tract where he located in December, 1913 and had formerly belonged to 
Everett Campbell. He has a good farm house, a barn 56 x 56 feet, and 
another barn used for stock, as well as other farm buildings. There is a 
fine supply of water from two never failing wells, pumped by windmills. 
Mr. Bennett keeps registered Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, 
eligible to registration and has a flock of 150 Barred Plymouth Rock 
chickens. He is the first man in Cairo township to pay $100 an acre for 
his land which was the purchase price of his place but he believes the land 
worth it and has demonstrated that money can be made from property 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 397 

valued that high. He and his wife made the money which they now have 
by hard work when they were younger and now can enjoy the declining 
years in comfort. He recalls that when a boy he worked in the harvest 
fields for 50 cents a day and the day was from sun up to sun down and 
later he kept up the pace on his own land while his wife worked as hard 
and for as long or longer hours. 

On Oct. 2, 1913, Mr. Bennett was married to Miss Jannie Roberts, a 
daughter of John and Ellen (Ellis) Roberts, both deceased. One child has 
been born to them, Mary Evlyn. The family are members of Liberty 
Christian church. 

A. C. Sibbitt, the senior member of the firm of A. C. Sibbitt & Son, 
of Moberly, who are the distributors of the Oldsmobile cars, is one of the 
progressive business men of this section. Mr. Sibbitt is a native of Indi- 
ana. He was born in Carroll County of that state, Sept. 19, 1869 and is a 
son of Richard and Sarah (Tomlinson) Sibbitt. Richard Sibbitt was born 
in New Jersey and came West and settled in Carroll County, Ind. He was 
an officer in the Mexican War and died in Carroll County, Ind., at the age 
of 84 years. His remains are buried at Delphi, Ind. 

A. C. Sibbitt is the only survivor of the family of four children born 
to his parents. He was educated in the public schools of Indiana and 
DePauw University at Greencastle,' Ind. He then engaged in the mer- 
cantile business at Hoopeston, 111., and later was engaged in the real estate 
business. In 1915 he came to Missouri and located in Lincoln County 
and about a year later he came to Moberly. and since that time has had 
the sales agency for the Oldsmobile cars in partnership with his son 
Glenn A. Sibbitt, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. 

A. C. Sibbitt was married in 1891 to Miss Maude Norris of Hoopes- 
ton, 111. She is a daughter of Luther and Amanda (Lightner) Norris. 
One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sibbitt, Glenn A., a sketch of whom 
appears in this volume. 

During the few years that A. C. Sibbitt has been in Moberly he has 
become closely identified with the interest of Moberly and Randolph 
County. 

Glenn A. Sibbitt. junior member of the firm A. C. Sibbitt & Son, 107- 
109 East Coates street, Moberly, Mo., sales agent for the Oldsmobile cars, 
is a native of Illinois. He was born in Vermillion County, 111., April 16, 
1893 and is a son of A. C. and Maude (Norris) Sibbitt, a sketch of whom 
appears in this volume. 



398 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Glenn A. Sibbitt was educated in the public schools and took a three 
years course in civil engineering at Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind. 
When the United States entered the World War, he enlisted Sept. 17, 

1917 and was sent to Camp Funston, Kan., for training .becoming a mem- 
ber of L. Company, 356th Infantry and on the following April he was 
commissioned second lieutenant of field artillery. He then was assigned 
to Camp Jackson, S. C. as an instructor, first brigade F. A. R. D. School 
of Instruction. He was then sent to Fort Sill, Okla., and in November, 

1918 was sent back to Camp Jackson where he received his honorable dis- 
charge in March, 1919, after a period of 21 months of service. He then 
returned home and since that time has been engaged in the automobile 
business at Moberly as above stated. 

A. C. Sibbitt & Son are the distributors for the Oldsmobile cars in 
Missouri for the counties of Randolph, Macon, Adair and Schuyler. Dur- 
ing the three years that they have had this agency, they have built up an 
extensive business and rank among the leading automobile dealers in 
this section. 

Glenn Sibbitt is a charter member of Theodore Bazar Post, American 
Legion of Moberly and is a member of the Phi Kappa Psi college fra- 
ternity. He is one of the progressive and enterprising young business 
men of Moberly, who has earned for himself a leading place in Moberly 
and Randolph County. 

William G. Cox, one of the prominent citizens of Randolph County 
who owns a fine stock farm in Cairo township, was born in Macon County, 
Sept. 29, 1867, a son of Morgan and Sallie J. (Griffin) Cox. Morgan Cox 
was born in Kentucky and came to Missouri with his father, Levi Cox, 
who settled in Macon County at an early day on the farm where William 
G. Cox was born. Levi Cox died and was laid to rest there. 

Morgan Cox came to Randolph County about, 1875, and settled in 
Cairo township, improving a farm which lies just east of William Cox's 
farm. He passed the remainder of his days in this locality and was 
laid to rest in Oakland cemetery in 1915 at the age of 74 years. He en- 
listed in the Confederate army at the outbreak of the Civil War and 
served under Generals Price and Poindexter. When peace was estab- 
lished he returned to Missouri and engaged in farming. His widow re- 
sides on the old home farm. She is now 75 years old. There were two 
children in the Cox family: Frankie, the widow of Warren Alverson. who 
makes her home with her mother and William G., of this review, who was 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 399 

reared on his parent's farm attended the district school of Haynes dis- 
trict and when his school days were over, began to farm and raise stock, 
a vocation he has followed all his life. 

There are 290 acres in the William G. Cox farm which is one of the 
best stock farms in this vicinity and all the improvements with the ex- 
ception of the house have been made by Mr. Cox himself. He has two 
good barns, a garage, and other buildings. For the past six years has 
been raising Aberdeen Angus cattle, having 35 head with a registered 
male at the head of his herd. Mr. Cox also breeds pure blooded Duroc 
Jersey hogs; he has five brood sows, all registered and 30 pigs. His 
registered male is from the champion boar, "Pathfinder". A large flock 
of chickens, about 200, are kept on the farm, pure bred Barred Plymouth 
Rocks, and Mrs. Cox takes great pride in her bronze turkeys which she 
raises and in 1919 her male turkeys averaged 28 pounds, each for which 
she received $15. 

Feb. 11, 1891, Mr. Cox was married to Miss Susie McAdams, a 
daughter of Charles and Lucy (Coates) McAdams, pioneer settlers of 
,Union township, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Two sons 
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cox: John H., who was educated in the 
district schools and then graduated from the high school and entered the 
agricultural department of Missouri University at Columbia and after 
receiving his degree engaged in farming with his father and Roy Ray- 
mond also received his elementary education in Randolph County and 
graduated from the engineering school of Missouri University and is now 
a civil engineer engaged in professional work at Foreman, Ark. Both 
brothers enlisted in the service during the World War. John H. entered 
the aviation branch of the army, and was sent to Urbana, 111,, having en- 
listed on Jan. 31, 1918, and was mustered out Aug. 13, 1918, because of 
disability and then returned home. Roy Raymond enlisted in April, 1918, 
choosing the Marine Corps. He was sent to Paris Island for his training 
and then to Quantico, Va., where he was assigned to the mine and sapper 
division and was mustered out in January, 1919. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cox are members of Liberty Grange. Mr. Cox is a 
man of modern methods and a strong advocate of good roads and is work- 
ing for them in Cairo township. John H. Cox is Master of Liberty 
Grange No. 2119 and is deputy of Randolph County. He is a member of 
the Masonic Lodge of Cairo. 



400 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

John C. Truesdell, now deceased, was for many years one of Ran- 
dolph County's well known farmers and stock men, and a pioneer settler 
of this section. He was born ac Rising Sun, Ind., Feb. 9, 1829, and died 
leaving to his wife the care and responsibility of raising their family of 
five children of whom John C. was the only son. Subsequently Mrs. 
Truesdell married a Mr. Hamilton. After the death of her first husband, 
Mrs. Truesdell moved to Kentucky where her children were reared and 
educated. She was a native of Kentucky and when her husband died re- 
turned to that state to be near her own people. She remained there the 
rest of her life. 

John C. Truesdell remained in Kentucky until he was 19 years old, 
when he came to Monroe County, Mo. and entering land there in 1848. 
Later he moved to Audrain and Boone counties where he engaged in 
farming until the spring of 1861 when he came to Randolph County and 
bought 80 acres of land in Prairie township. He at once began making 
improvements on the place and when his capital permitted bought more 
land and that at the time of his death he was the owner of 400 acres of 
valuable land, which was divided among his heirs. 

Mr. Truesdell's first wife was Miss Alma Crews, a native of Ran- 
dolph County and the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Maupin) Crews. 
She died Dec. 10, 1874, leaving eight children, of whom three sons are 
now living. Mr. Truesdell was married on Jan. 10, 1878 to Miss Rebecca 
Stiles, who was born in Randolph County, Oct. 22, 1852, the daughter of 
Simeon and Ann Hannah Stiles, natives of Massachusetts and Virginia, 
respectively, and five children were born to this union: Simeon, who lives 
on the home farm with his mother ; Jerry, of Prairie township ; Elizabeth, 
the wife of Clyde Carr, of Boone County; Samuel, of Prairie township, 
and one child died in infancy. 

John C. Truesdell was a Democrat and with his wife belonged to the 
Baptist church. His was an honorable and useful life and with his pass- 
ing, he left the memory of a loving husband and father. 

C. B. Embree, who conducts an up-to-date shoe repair shop at 117 
East Coates street, Moberly, Mo., is one of the enterprising and pro- 
gressive citizens of Moberly. He is a native of Randolph County and 
belongs to one of the pioneer families of this section of the state. Mr. 
Embree was born in Salt River township, Sept. 6, 1881 and is a son of 
Philetus and Maggie (Parker) Embm . 




JOHX C. TRUESDELL 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 401 

Philetus Embree is one of the real old settlers of Randolph County 
and a native Missourian. He was born in Monroe County in 1855, a son 
of Milton Jackson Embree who was a native of Kentucky and a pioneer 
settler in Monroe County, Mo. He died at Evansville, Monroe County, 
and his remains are buried there. Maggie (Parker) Embree, mother of 
C. B. Embree was born at Granvel, Monroe County, in 1858. She is a 
daughter of Peter Parker. Philetus Embree was engaged in farming in 
Salt River township for a number of years and he and his wife now re- 
sides in Moberly. C. B. Embrees' maternal grandfather, Parker, was a 
native of Virginia and a pioneer of Ralls County, Mo. and afterwards was 
an early settler in Salt River township, Randolph County, where he fol- 
lowed farming for a great many years. He died at Hannibal, Mo. 

C. B. Embree was the only child born to Philetus and Maggie 
(Parker) Embree. He was reared in Salt River township and attended 
the district schools. For a number of years he was employed in the 
Wabash railroad shops at Moberly as a coach painter. He then entered 
the employ of the Brown Shoe Company and worked in their Moberly fac- 
tory until Jan. 1, 1£17, when he engaged in the shoe repair business for 
himself. He opened a shop at 117 East Coates street, where he is still 
located. He immediately equipped his shop with all modern machinery, 
installing a finishing machine, jack outfit, repair machine and a sole 
stitcher and shortly afterwards he installed a nailer. He has one of 
the best equipped shoe repair shops in the city and by fair dealing and 
the best of workmanship he has built up a large patronage. In the spring 
of 1920, Robert H. Roberts became a partner in the business. 

C. B. Embree was married April 25, 1906 to Miss Hattie A. Hulen, a 
daughter of W. M. and Elizabeth (Roberts) Hulen of Moberly. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Embree have been born three sons: Hulen, Chester and C. B., 
Jr. The Embree family are members of the First Christian Church of 
Moberly. 

Alexander McCandless, a Civil War veteran and a retired merchant 
of Moberly is a Randolph County pioneer and one of the first merchants to 
engage in business at Moberly, 50 years ago. Mr. McCandless was born 
in Guernsey County, Ohio, Jan. 20, 1844, and is a son of James and Mary 
(Charles) McCandless. The McCandless family went to Iowa in 1850 
where the father was engaged in farming during the remainder of his 
active career. He died at the age of 73 years and his remains are buried 
at Allertown, la. His wife died in Covinia, „ Calif., at the age of 89 years 



402 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

and her remains are buried there. They were the parents of the fol- 
lowing children: Isaac, Allertown, la.; John, Kansas City, Mo.; Josie, 
the widow of Frank Crane, Covinia, Calif.; Alexander, the subject of this 
sketch ; Charles died at the age of 80 years in Honolulu, Hawaii ; William, 
died at the age of 80 years at Honolulu (William went in 1868, to join 
his brother Charles who had gone to Honolulu) and there Charles joined 
a whaling vessel which landed at Honolulu where he located permanently 
and remained there until his death; Samuel died at Hutchinson, Kan. at 
the age of 50 years ; Elizabeth, married John C. Heasty and died at May- 
field, Kan. and left 61 descendants, including her children, grandchildren 
and great-grandchildren. 

Alexander McCandless received his education in the public schools of 
Hamilton, 111., and in the state of Iowa. He had just about finished at- 
tending school when on Aug. 14, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, 78th 
Illinois Infantry and first went to Louisville, Ky., with his regiment and 
from there to Nashville, Tenn. and took part in the Tallohoma Campaign, 
the Chattanooga Campaign and he participated in the Battle of Chicka- 
mauga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. He was also in the 
Atlanta Campaign and with Sherman on his March to the Sea and through 
the Carolinas when Johnson surrendered at Raleigh, N. C in 1865. Mr. 
McCandless then marched to Washington, D. C. and took part in the 
Grand Review in the national capitol in May, 1865. He then returned 
to Chicago where he received his honorable discharge and was mustered 
out of service after having served three years, lacking 60 days. 

In 1868. Mr. McCandless came to Missouri and located in Louisiana 
where he remained for two years. In June, 1870, he came to Moberly. 
Here, in what was then the little village of Moberly, he built a small 
house on the east side of town. He had $60 in cash, which he paid the 
carpenter for the work and went in debt for the lot, material and plas- 
tering. After coming here, Mr. McCandless engaged in the shoe business, 
which he followed for 20 years, when he engaged in the jewelry busi- 
ness and for 30 years was engaged in that line. He has prospered in 
his undertakings and since he has retired from active mercantile life. 
he has devoted himself to looking after his various interests. He is the 
owner of five residence properties in Moberly, besides various other 
interests. 

Mr. McCandless is truly a pioneer of Moberly. When he came here 
the town was barely started. He can only recall a few people who were 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 403 

here when he came in 1870. Among those are Henry Miller, a retired 
groceiyman, Ben and David White came here shortly after Mr. McCand- 
less did and John E. Lynch was then a boy. His father, Pat Lynch, lived 
here, having moved his frame residence from Old Allen to Moberly. 

Mi. McCandless has been twice married. He was married at Ham- 
ilton, 111., to Anna L. Law, who died at Moberly in 1885, leaving one son, 
Frank C, who now resides at Covina, Calif. He married Frances Lincoln 
Prentis, of Fountain Green, 111. She is a daughter of Daniel and Nancy 
(Hughes) Prentis. Daniel Prentis was born in Weathersfield, Vt., Jan. 
31, 1799, and died at Fountain Green, 111., in December, 1884. He was 
a son of Thomas Prentis, who served in the Revolutionary War with the 
Connecticut tioops. Nancy (Huges) Prentis was borii in Clark County, 
Ind., March 3, 1818, and died at Fountain Green, 111., in 1892, and she 
and her husband are buried in the Fountain Green Cemetery. They 
were the parents of the following children besides Mrs. McCandless: 
Laura, widow of E. B. Sawyer, Camp Point, Tours, 111.; George Prentis, 
who served in the Union army during the Civil War and died near Hous- 
ton, Tex. ; William R. Prentis, died at Lordsburg, Ariz., at the age of 
38 years, and Silas Wright Prentis, of Carthage, 111. He served in the 
Union army during the Civil W 7 ar with the 64th Regiment, Illinois Sharp- 
shooters. He is 78 years old. Mrs. McCandless is a cousin of the late 
Noble L. Prentis and the well-known writer of Kansas. 

Although in his 77th year, Mr. McCandless is active in both mind 
and body as the average man many years his junior. Only recently he 
did all the work himself in the erection of a four-room cottage and en- 
joys amusements such as picture shows and other pastimes as much 
as ever. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and past 
commander of the Department of Missouri, having been commander in 
1917. 

Mrs. R. M. Johnston, who owns one of the attractive millinery stores 
of Moberly, located at 405 Reed street, opened her business here on Feb. 
17, 1910, and from the first has been successful. In 1919, she added a 
women's ready to wear department and today her store is one of the 
popular shopping centers of the city. Mrs. Johnston carries the latest 
styles of millinery and women's clothes and special fixtures have been 
installed for use, which make the house attractive as well as protecting 
the stock from wear and injury. 



404 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Mrs. Johnston is the daughter of James W. and Susan (Williams) 
Dysart, the former a native of Macon County, born May 23, 1845, and 
now lives with his daughter in Moberly. The mother was born near 
Salisbury, Chariton County, in 1845, and died at Hobart, Okla., at the 
age of 50 years and is buried in Woodland Cemetery, Moberly. There 
were two children: Mrs. R. M. Johnston and her sister, Martha Ella, the 
widow of H. H. Turner and both are charter members of Tabitha Walton 
Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. Turner has two 
children: Mary Elizabeth and Robert Dysart. 

The Dysart family is of Scotch descent and a town of that name in 
Scotland is the original home of the family. Rev. James Dysart, a vet- 
eran of the Black Hawk War and a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, 
was Mrs. Johnston's grandfather. He came to Missouri in the early days, 
settling at College Mound and founded the college there. He followed his 
profession of preacher until he was 82 years old, having preached in Stur- 
geon, Boone County, Howard, Saline, Randolph, Macon and Adair Counties 
and many other places during the long years of his services, as he was 
one of the early ministers of this section when churches were scattered. 
Reverend Dysart was the founder and president of the board of directors 
of McGee College from its beginning until it closed. When he died he was 
laid to rest at College Mound. Mrs. Johnston's great grandfather, James 
Dysart, came to Randolph County from Tennessee, and he was one of 
the very first settlers here. He was a man of wealth, and brought slaves 
and came across the country with his possessions loaded on wagons drawn 
by ox teams and settled near Huntsville, where he had a large tobacco 
plantation, but the war impoverished him by freeing the slaves. He is 
buried in the old family burying ground on the original plantation. Mary 
Dameron, Mrs. Johnston's grandmother on her father's side, was born in 
North Carolina and came to Randolph County with her parents. Her 
father was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. Samuel Williams, a ma- 
ternal grandfather, settled in Howard County, coming from Kentucky; 
later he moved to Chariton, where his daughter, Susan Elizabeth, was born 
in 1845. Samuel Williams' father was an officer in the colonial army during 
the Revolutionary War and was wounded and received a pension for many 
years. 

On March 4, 1896, Minnie Dysart married Robert M. Johnston, at 
Moberly. They have been in business since, Mr. Johnston taking charge 
of the clerical end of the business and his wife the selling department. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 405 

He is a native of McKeesport, Pa,, but came here years ago with his 
parents and was reared and educated in the Macon District High School 
and a college at Clarence, Mo. Mrs. Johnston graduated from the Mo- 
berly High School, and then attended the Missouri Valley College at Mar- 
shall for two years ; subsequently she took a course in the business college 
and entered business in St. Louis as buyer for the City Store. She then 
came to Moberly and began a business career which has been marked by 
gratifying success. 

The Ragsdale-Carter Dairy Company, is one of the well-known insti- 
tutions of Moberly, where they have an extensive trade of dairy products. 
Their plant is equipped with all modern machinery to handle this busi- 
ness by the most modern approved methods and is operated by electricity. 
The milk is pasturized by the best process known to this science. Other 
machinery in connection with the plant, including separator, ice cream 
freezers, washing machines for bottles and cans are to be found here in 
operation under the strictest sanitary conditions. They distribute milk 
throughout the city of Moberly and their delivery department is prompt 
and reliable and they have an extensive trade. The business has been 
operated under the present management with offices at 309 West Rollins 
street since Nov. 13, 1919. They employ not less than five men through- 
out the year in connection with operating the plant and the delivery de- 
partment. 

Joseph C. Carter, manager of the Ragsdale-Carter Dairy Company 
of Moberly, has been a resident of Randolph County for 20 years, and 
is one of the well-known business men of Moberly and this section of the 
state. He was born in Sullivan County, Mo., July 4, 1871, and is a son of 
George and Elizabeth (Ziegler) Carter, both of whom are now deceased. 

Joseph C. Carter was reared in Sullivan County and received a good 
education in the public schools. He then took a course in the Humphreys 
College and Business Institute at Humphrey, Mo. He came to Randolph 
County in 1900 and was engaged in farming and stock raising for five 
years, when he entered the mail service and for 14 years was a city mail 
carrier in Moberly. In 1919, Mr. Carter resigned from the government 
service to engage in his present business, further mention of which is made 
in this volume. 

Mr. Carter was united in marriage in 1903 with Miss Victoria Rags- 
dale, a daughter of John W. and Rosa (Dixon) Ragsdale, the former of 
whom resides in Moberly and the latter is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Carter have been born two daughters, Helen and Bernice. 



406 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Mr. and Mrs. Carter are members of the Central Christian church 
of Moberly. They have a pleasant home at 715 South Clark street. 

Earl Ragsdale, of the Ragsdale-Carter Dairy Company, is a native 
of Randolph County, born Jan. 18, 1884. He is a son of John W. and 
Rosa (Dixon) Ragsdale. John W. Ragsdale was also born in Randolph 
County and is a descendant of pioneer settlers here who came from Ken- 
tucky and settled in Prairie township at a very early date. Charles Rags- 
dale, father of John \V. Ragsdale, was a Kentuckian. He spent the 
remainder of his life in Randolph County after coming here. John W. 
Ragsdale was born in 1853 and now resides in Moberly. His wife died 
at the age of 60 years and her remains are interred in Oakland Cemetery. 
To John W. and Rosa (Dixon) Ragsdale were born the following children: 
May, married I. S. Hamilton. Moberly, Mo.; Victoria, married Joseph U. 
Carter, the sketch of whom appears in this volume; Gertrude, lives in 
Kansas City, Mo.; Samuel C, Billings, Mont.; and Earl, the subject of 
this sketch. 

Earl Ragsdale attended the public schools of Moberly and since leav- 
ing school has been engaged in the dairy business and is one of the thor- 
oughly experienced and practical dairy men of this section. In 1919 he 
and Mr. Carter established the Ragsdale-Carter Dairy Company, a suc- 
cessful institution which is mentioned more extensively in this volume 

Mr. Ragsdale was married in October, 1905, to Miss Roxie Irons, of 
Prairie township, Randolph County. She is a daughter of Thomas and 
Mollie (Dent) Irons, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. The 
father is now deceased and the mother resides on the old homestead in 
Prairie township. To Mr. and Mrs. Ragsdale have been born two children : 
John Thomas and William Earl. Mr. and Mrs. Ragsdale reside at 131 
Elizabeth street. 

Charles E. Crisler, a progressive and enterprising citizen of Moberly, 
who has been identified with this city for the past 15 years, conducts a 
grocery store at the corner of Barrow and Porter streets, where he enjoys 
a profitable business. Mr. Chrisler is a native of Kentucky, born in Boone 
County, June 17, 1872. He is a son of Thomas and Matilda (Helm) Chris- 
ler. both of whom were natives of Kentucky and are now deceased. The 
mother died in 1878 and the father survived her for a number of years, 
living to the advanced age of 91 years. They were the parents of the 
following children : Fannie, married William Rice and they reside at 
Burlington, Ky. ; Eliza Wingate, deceased; Lewis, a veterinary surgeon of 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 407 

Covington, Ky., who has been meat and milk inspector in Covington, Ky., 
and Cincinnati, Ohio, for the past 12 years, and Charles E., the subject 
of this sketch. 

Charles E. Chrisler was educated in the public schools of Kentucky 
and for 12 years lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1905 he came to Moberly, 
Mo., and for 12 years he was employed in the Thackston Owne Grocery 
Store on East Coates street. In March, 1919. he engaged in the grocery 
business for himself at the corner of Barrow and Porter streets. He has 
built up a large trade which is not only due to the fact that he is estab- 
lished in a desirable location, but that he gives the public a square deal 
and courteous treatment. 

Mr. Chrisler was married Aug. 5, 1898, to Miss Ora German, of Belle- 
vue, Ky. She is a daughter of George and Melissa (Armstrong) German, 
who now reside in Moberly, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Chrisler have been 
born one son, Oran Edgar, who was born April 9, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. 
Chrisler have an extensive acquaintance in Moberly and stand high in 
the community. 

John Albert Sternitzke, of the Louis Hunt Grocery Company, is a 
native son of Moberly, and one of the progressive men of the younger 
generation of this city. He was born in Moberly, July 19, 1888, and is 
the son of August and Maggie (Sutter) Sternitzke, now residents of 
Moberly, who have their home at 336 Woodland avenue. The father con- 
ducted a cafe on Sturgeon street in Moberly for a number of years, but 
recently has been in the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company in 
the shops at Moberly. He is engaged in making springs for cars and 
engines. 

To August and Maggie (Sutter) Sternitzke have been born the fol- 
lowing children : Amelia, married Louis Hunt, Moberly, Mo. ; August, a 
telegraph operator, employed at the Union Station, Moberly ; John Albert, 
the subject of this sketch; Frank , auditor for the Missouri, Kansas and 
Texas Railway Company, Muskogee, Okla. ; Martha, resides at home with 
her parents; Leo, employed by the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Company 
as engine time-keeper, Sedalia, Mo., and Marguerite, resides at home with 
her parents. 

John Albert Sternitzke was reared in Moberly and attended the pub- 
lic schools. In early life he worked for a time at the Brown Shoe Factory 
and later was employed in the Wabash railroad shops. In 1909 he began 
in the grocery business and since that time has been with the Hunt Gro- 



408 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

eery Company. He has had a broad and varied experience and is well 
posted and thoroughly competent in his line of work. 

Mr. Sternitzke is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elks. The Sternitzke family ranks among the best representative citi- 
zens of Randolph County. 

Thomas Irons, now deceased, was for many years one of the substan 
tial citizens and prominent farmers and stockmen of Randolph County 
and the owner of 200 acres of valuable land in Prairie township. He was 
born here in September, 1848 and died June 20, 1917. He was the son of 
Thomas and Nancy (Given) Irons. The father was born in Scotland in 
1808, where he was reared and educated and emigrated from his native 
land when a young man to America and located in Virginia where he lived 
until 1844, when he came west and took up land in Monroe County, Mo. 
Here he engaged in stock raising and farming. During the gold rush in 
1849 he went to California, but three years later he returned and settled 
in Randolph County on a farm which has since descended to his son. He 
remained here the rest of his days and died in 1876. The mother, Nancy 
Given Irons, was born in Monroe County, Va., in 1810 but spent the most 
of her life in Missouri. She died in the early 80s, lea^ng the following 
family of children: Robert, deceased; Bettie, the wife of John McKinsey, 
now deceased, and she lives in Moberly; William A., a farmer of Prairie 
township; Mary, the wife of M. H. Neal, of Prairie township; Susan, de- 
ceased, was the wife of James Genola; John, of California; Thomas, of 
this review; Dazerine, the wife of Sanford Anderson, of Prairie town- 
ship ; Wesley, deceased and his twin brother, Presley, lives in Kansas City, 
Missouri. 

Thomas Irons was reared on his father's farm, received his edu- 
cational advantages in the district school and when old enough began to 
farm, a vocation he followed all his days. He prospered and was rated 
as a successful man not afraid of hard work and with marked ability. 
He invested his capital in land and was well-to-do at the time of his death. 

Thomas Irons was maried to Miss Mary E. Dent, of Randolph Countv, 
who now lives on the home farm in Prairie township. There were 10 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Irons: Lloyd, the seventh child is now 
managing the old home place and his mother makes her home with him. 
He was married April 2, 1919, to Miss Anna Phelan, of Moberly, the 
daughter of Frederick Phelan, the freight agent for the Wabash Rail- 
road. The other children are Datz, deceased; Daisy, the wife of Estell 




THOMAS IRONS 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 409 

Sweeney, deceased ; Mamie, the wife of W. Cottingham, of Moberly ; Wil- 
liam, of Prairie township; Roxie, the wife of E. Ragsdale, of Moberly; 
Victor, deceased ; Dersie, deceased ; Marie, at home with the mother ; ana 
Ethel, the wife of Leo Wilcox, of Moberly. 

Thomas Irons was a Democrat from the time he cast his first vote. 
He took an active interest in the civic affairs of his community and gave 
liberally for every movement that tended to the development of the county 
and the community. He was a worthy citizen and an example of the 
prosperous American farmer. 

Val Riegel, of the Riegel Agency, Moberly, Mo., is one of the pio- 
neer business men of Moberly and Randolph County and has been an im- 
portant factor in the affairs of this section for many years. Mr. Riegel 
is a native of Alsace-Lorraine, France. He was born Oct. 21, 1855, and 
his parents, Anthony and Anna (Hirtzlin) Riegel, who were natives of 
Alsace-Lorraine, are both now deceased. They were the parents of the 
following children: Xavier, was a professor of mathematics at Lyons, 
France, and a deputy of that city, is now deceased; Francis Joseph, served 
in the Franco-Prussian War of 1871 and was interned in Germany dur- 
ing the World War, and whose wife died within 18 miles of her home 
when being returned after the war, resides in Alsace, France; Rosine, 
married Francis Joseph Fisher, and is now deceased. 

Val Riegel was educated in the public schools of his native land 
and came to America in 1870 when he was 15 years of age. He first 
located at St. Louis and in 1872 he came to Moberly, where he engaged 
in the confectionery and fruit business. About seven years later he 
opened a dry goods and notion store. He remained in that business 
until 1895. He then began the real estate and insurance business and 
for 35 years he has been successfully engaged in this business. And 
the Riegel Agency is one of the extensive real estate and insurance 
agencies in central Missouri. It is the oldest real estate firm in Mo- 
berly and the oldest general insurance agency. They buy, sell and ex- 
change real estate and also make loans. They represent some of the 
largest financial interests in Moberly, including business, manufactur- 
ing and residence properties, and they are one of the largest taxpayers 
in Randolph County. Their insurance department represents the lead- 
ing insurance companies of the country and includes such companies as 
the Aetna Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn., Atlas of London, Fire 
Association of Philadelphia, New York Underwriters, Commercial Union 



410 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

of London, Phoenix of London, Orient of Hartford, Conn., Springfield 
F. and M. of Massachusetts, Hanover Fire Insurance Company of New 
York and the Sun Insurance Company of London. 

Mr. Riegel was married in January, 1879, to Miss Laura Cassatt, 
of Moberly. She is a daughter of William Cassatt and was born at Day- 
ton, Ohio. William Cassatt and his family settled in Carroll County, 
Mo., just after the close of the Civil War and spent the remainder of 
their lives there. Mrs. Cassatt had one brother, David, who served 
in the Union army during the Civil War, enlisting in an Ohio regiment. 
He died in Barton County, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Riegel have been 
born four children as follows: Jerome A., who is associated with his 
father in business; Ethel Cecil, who resides at home with her parents, 
and Leo and Leona, twins, the former of whom died in infancy and 
the latter departed this life July 9, 1913. 

Jerome A. Riegel, who is associated with the Riegel Agency, was 
born and reared in Moberly. He attended the public schools here and 
was graduated from the Moberly High School in the class of 1900. He 
then attended Washington University and the Moberly Business Col- 
lege. He was admitted to the bar in 1902, when Judge Hockaday was 
on the bench. He does the legal business in connection with the Riegel 
Agency. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus. 

Val Riegel has had an extensive business experience and a remark- 
ably successful career. He has not only been successful in a financial 
way, but by his square dealing has won a reputation for honesty and 
integrity, which is a man's best asset. 

J. W. Balzer, a successful grocer, located at 111 West Carpenter 
street, Moberly, Mo., was born in Pike County, 111., Nov. 13, 1885. He 
is a son of John and Charity (Piper) Balber. John Balzer was a native 
of Quincy, 111., and spent his life in that state. He died near Barry, 
111., in 1898, at the age of 44 years. His widow now resides with her 
son, J. W. Balzer, of this review. They were the parents of the follow- 
ing children: Lydia, married Harry Tooley, Valley City, 111.; J. W., the 
subject of this sketch; David, employed in the grocery business with 
J. W.,; Robert, also with his brother, J. W. ; Cecil, an automobile me- 
chanic, Flint, Mich. 

Robert Balzer served in the United States army during the World 
War. He enlisted Sept. 20, 1917, and was first sent to Camp Taylor, 
Ky., and from there to Camp Pike, Ark., and then to Camp Dix, N. J., 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 411 

and on Aug. 26, 1918, was sent overseas, landing at Winchester, Eng. 
From there he was sent to LeMoines, France, with the 348th Ambulance 
Train. He remained in France ten months, when he was returned to 
the United States and honorably discharged at Camp Grant, 111., July 
17, 1919. He was married April 9, 1920, to Miss Ruby Young of Davis, 
Ok la., and they reside in Moberiy. 

David Balzer. another brother, was also a soldier in ,the World 
War. He enlisted June 26, 1918, at Pittsfield, 111., and was immediately 
sent to Camp Taylor, Ky., where he was attached to the 36th Company, 
159th Depot Brigade, for six months. On July 26, he was transferred 
to field artillery, F. A. C. 0. T. S. He was mustered out of service and 
honorably discharged Dec. 19, 1918. 

J. W. Balzer was reared to manhood at Kinderhook, 111. and attended 
the public schools there, obtaining a good common school education. 
He entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company as a switch- 
man in 1907 and served in that capacity until 1914, when on April 14, 
1914, he met with an injury which resulted in the loss of his right 
aim. After recovering he purchased the grocery business from Gus 
Miller, which he has since conducted. He carries a complete line of 
groceries and has built up an extensive trade and has met with success. 
By his policy of square dealing, high-class goods and honest representa- 
tions he has won the confidence of the buying public and he has a large 
tnide. 

Mi. Balzer was married Dec. 11, 1906, to Miss Ethel Noble, of 
Hannibal, Mo. She is a daughter of John and Emma (Traeger) Noble, 
both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Balzer have been 
born one son, Harvey, born Jan. 20, 1908. 

Mr. Balzer is a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen 
and is treasurer of that order in Moberiy, which has a membership there 
of 299. He is a progressive and public spirited business man and one 
of Moberly's well-known and substantial citizens. 

William Eugene Duffy, a well-known conductor of the Wabash Rail- 
road, who resides at 617 South Clark street, Moberiy, is a native of 
North Carolina. He was born March 12, 1872, in Raleigh, N. C, and 
is a son of James and Mary (Pope) Duffy. James Duffy was born in 
County Donegal, Ireland, and came to America with his three brothers, 
Daniel, Cornelius and Patrick. The other brothers located at St. Joseph, 
Mo., and James Duffy eventually settled at Raleigh, N. C, where he 



412 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

died in 1890, aged 60 years. His wife preceded him in death a number 
of years, she having died at Raleigh, N. C, in 1876, and their remains 
are buried there. They were the parents of three sons: James Patrick, 
who lives at Henderson, N. C; Silas Cornelius, Washington, D. C. ; and 
William Eugene. 

William Eugene Duffy was reared in North Carolina and educated 
in the public schools. He learned the stone cutter's trade in early life 
and worked at it for five years. Ite then entered the employ of the Sea- 
board Airline Railroad Company in the train service and after a time 
went to Indianapolis, Ind., where he was employed by the Chicago, Ham- 
ilton and Dayton Railroad Company for one year. He then returned to 
North Carolina, where he remained until 1903, when he came to Mo- 
berly, and since that time has been in the employ of the Wabash Rail- 
road and he is now employed as freight conductor between Moberly and 
Kansas City, Mo. 

Mr. Duffy was married July 22, 1909, to Miss Martha Catherine Spell- 
man. She is a daughter of P. E. and Mary Elizabeth (Barnes) Spell- 
man. P. E. Spellman was prominent in the affairs of this section rf Mis- 
souri. He was the founder of the Clark Exchange Bank of Clark, Mo., 
and was the president of that institution for 30 years. He was a promi- 
nent breeder of Hereford cattle for over 40 years, importing his first 
registered cow from England. He retired from active business in 1919. 
Mary Elizabeth Barnes, mother of Mrs. Duffy, was a granddaughter of 
Rev. James Barnes, who was a prominent pioneer minister in the early 
days of Boone County, Mo. His brother, Philip Barnes, was the founder 
of the Barnes Medical College of St. Louis. He gave a $1,000,000 to this 
medical college and hospital and lived to see it become one of the great 
medical institutions of the country. Rev. James Barnes married Mary 
Elizabeth Burkhart, who was also a member of a prominent pioneer fam- 
ily of Boone County, who came from Kentucky to this state at an early 
day. Mrs. Duffy is one of the following children born to her 'oarants: 
Edward Spellman, of Clark, Mo. ; M. A., also of Clark; Mrs. William Eugene 
Duffy, of this review; and Mrs. E. Mayer, of Chicago. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Duffy have been born one daughter, Julia Elizabeth Duffy. 

Mr. Duffy is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors and the 
Knights of Columbus. He and Mrs. Duffy have an extensive acquaint- 
ance and many friends in Moberly and vicinity. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 413 

Thomas Kellock, a prominent contractor and builder of Moberly, who 
has been successfully engaged in that line of work here for the past 15 
years, is a native of Scotland. He was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, 
in December, 1863, and is a son of Thomas and Anna Belle, both natives 
of Scotland, where they spent their entire lives; the mother died at the 
age of 55 years and the father died when he was 75 years old. Thomas 
Kellock was the youngest of the children born to his parents and is the 
only member of the family now living. 

Mr. Kellock was reared to manhood in his native land and attended 
the public schools and Gertshire Academy. In 1883 he came to America 
and settled in Minnesota, where he bought land. Later he went to St. 
Paul, Minn., where he was employed in the construction of the court 
house there and laid the first stone of that building. After remaining 
in St. Paul for six years he sold his land in Minnesota and went to Den- 
ver, Colo., where he worked at his trade for six years. He then went to 
Great Falls, Mont., where he was employed for a time and went frcm 
there to Chicago. In 1894. he came to Moberly and was employed as 
foreman for James Sandison in the construction of the Wabash railroad 
and later succeeded Mr. Sandison as foreman for the Wabash Company. 
About 1905 he began his independent career as a general contractor in 
brick, stone and concrete construction and he has been successfully en- 
gaged in this line of work in Moberly and vicinity since that time. He 
has built some important structures in this vicinity, including the Mo- 
berly Trust Company building, the North Park School Building and the 
John C. O'Keefe residence, as well as many other structures. He under- 
stands the building business from beginning to end, and has had an 
extensive experience in bridge building as well as general structural 
work and ranks as one of the leading building contractors in this section 
of the state. 

Mr. Kellock was married April 17, 1912, in New York City, to Miss 
Jane W T alker, a native of Ayershire. Scotland, where she was reared and 
educated. Mrs. Kellock is a daughter of James and Mary Cuthbert) 
Walker, both of whom are now deceased. Her father died in 1875, and her 
mother departed this life in 1896. Mrs. Kellock was born within six 
miles of the home of Robert Burns, the celebrated Scotch poet. She 
has three brothers, one brother, John Walker, of the firm John Walker 
Company, Limited, furniture manufacturers, Glasgow, Scotland. This 
is one of the largest firms in Scotland. 



414 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Mr. Kellock has a fine modern residence at 216 South Clark street, 
which he built in 1919. He has traveled extensively in the course of 
his career and since coming to this country has been in 28 states, and 
he also visited Cuba. He stands in the front rank in his chosen line of 
work and is a leading citizen of Moberly and Randolph County. 

James Alfred Peebles, a well-known locomotive engineer on the Wa- 
bash Railroad, who resides at 203 North Hagood street, Moberly, Mo., 
is a railroad man of an extensive experience and has been an employee 
of the Wabash Railroad for the past 11 years. Mr. Peebles was born in 
Litchfield, 111., Feb. 7, 1871, and is a son of James J. and Susan H. (James) 
Peebles. 

James J. Peebles was a native of Grayson County, Ky., and came 
to Missouri in 1880. He first located at Moberly, where he was a coach 
builder in the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company for six years. 
He then went to St. Joseph, Mo., where he was employed as master 
car builder for the St. Joseph Terminal Company until the time of 
his death in 1909. He was a Union veteran of the Civil War, having 
enlisted in California and was transferred to Boston, Mass, and became 
a member of the 22nd Regiment, Massachusetts Cavalry. He served 
with the Army of the Potomac and took part in a number of impor- 
tant battles and skirmishes and during the latter year of the war he 
was severely wounded by a minie ball passing entirely through his body. 
His widow now resides in Moberly with her son, James Alfred, of this 
review. She is a native of Point Pleasant, Mason County, W. Va., and 
was born in 1847. She is a daughter of Aaron E. and Mary (Amos) 
James, both also natives of Virginia. James Alfred Peebles is one of 
three children born to his parents, the others being: Alma, now deceased, 
and Benjamin, who is in the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island and 
Pacific Railroad and resides at Trenton. Mo. 

James A. Peebles was educated in the public schools of Litchfield 
and Mattoon, 111., and Moberly, Mo., and in 1891 began firing on the 
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad and six years later was pro- 
moted to engineer and continued in that position until 1902, when he 
came to Moberly and was engineer on the Wabash Railroad about one 
year when he entered the employ of the Rock Island as engineer, mak- 
ing his home in Trenton, Mo. From there he went with the Mexican 
National Railroad as engineer, with headquarters at San Louis Potozi, 
Old Mexico, and remained with that company one year when he entered 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 415 

the employ of the Mexican Central Railroad as engineer with headquar- 
ters at the same place, and remained with them about two years when 
he went with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and ran fVom 
Delero, Tex., to New Orleans, La. He afterwards returned to Old Mex- 
ico and was engineer on the Mexican Central again for a time. He 
then was engaged in operating a ranch in Southern Missouri and after 
a time returned to railroading and was employed by the Burlington 
until 1909, when he entered the employ of the Wabash Company as 
engineer and has held that position to the present time with Lis resi- 
dence in Moberly. 

Mr. Peebles was married with Miss Lena L. Thoroughgood of Des 
Moines, la. She is a daughter of J. E. Thoroughgood, who now resides 
in Los Angeles, Calif., and the mother is deceased and her remains are 
buried in Des Moines, la. 

Mr. Peebles is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Mys- 
tic Shrine arid holds membership in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi- 
neers. He is an enterprising citizen of high character and reliability. 

Frank J. Epping, who is successfully engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness at 407 Taylor street, Moberly, Mo., is a native of Illinois. He was 
born in Adams County in 1864. His parents were Gerard and Anna 
(Heddinghouse) Epping. Gerard Epping was the son of Henry Epping 
and was brought to America by his parents when an infant. They set- 
tled in Madison County, 111., where Gerard Epping was reared to man- 
hood. Later he went to St. Louis, and after a time from there to 
Quincy, 111., where he was married to Anna Heddinghouse. In 1876, he 
came to Randolph County and was engaged in farming and stock raising 
in Union township. He died in 1882 and his wife died in Moberly in 1914. 
They were the parents of the following children : Barney, Moberly, Mo. ; 
Frank J., the subject of this sketch; John resides in Moberly, Mo.; Jose- 
phine, married W. R. Klein, of Moberly, Mo. ; and Cecelia, who is now 
the widow of Charles E. Reynolds and resides in Moberly, Mo. 

Frank J. Epping remained at home with his parents on the farm 
and attended the public schools until he was 17 years of age. He then 
entered the employ of J. H. Miller, a grocer, in Moberly and about a year 
later went to work for the Wabash Railroad Company and was with that 
company about ten years when he bought a half interest in the Thackston 
Grocery Store on East Coates street and was identified with that business 
for three years. Mr. Epping then sold his interest to Mr. Thackston and 



416 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

on account of poor health did not engage actively in any business for six 
months. He then opened a grocery store on Rollins street. Later he 
sold out and entered the employ of the Milbank-Scampton Milling Com- 
pany and for two years was in the employ of that concern. He then 
built his present store building and engaged in business again and three 
years later sold the stock, but retained ownership of the building. In 
1916, he bought the business back again and since that time has success- 
fully conducted a grocery business there and has a good trade. 

In May, 1900, Mr. Epping was united in marriage with Miss Letitia 
Scott. Her parents were George E. and Elizabeth Scott of St. Joseph, 
Mo. They are both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Epping have been 
born six children as follow: Stella, a high school student; Gerard F., also 
a high school student ; William G. ; Emmett B. ; Anna Marie and Letitia. 

Mr. Epping resides at 413 Taylor street. He is a progressive busi- 
ness man and a valued citizen of the community. 

Patrick J. Murphy, one of the large contractors and a well-to-do 
citizen of Moberly, residing at 827 South Williams street, Moberly, is a 
native of Illinois. He was born in Brown County, 111., March 14, 1860, 
the son of Michael and Mary (McQueen) Murphy, the former born in 
County Galway and the mother in County Cavin, Ireland, where they were 
reared and educated. They came to the United States as young people 
and were married in Dayton, Ohio, and lived there a few years and then 
moved to Brown County, 111., where Mr. Murphy was engaged in farming 
and at the same time did a contracting business. The family came to 
Missouri, locating in Randolph County on a farm in Sugar Creek town- 
ship in 1882. Subsequently, Mr. Murphy moved to ' Moberly where he 
died in 1901 at the age of 68 years. His wife died in 1899, aged 66 years 
and both are buried in St. Mary's cemetery. They were the parents of 
the following children: John was drowned at the age of 19 years; Anna, 
the wife of Edward O'Hara, of Kankakee, 111. ; Patrick the subject of this 
sketch; Mary E., the widow of James Boland, of Moberly; Nancy, de- 
ceased; Margaret, a trained nurse in Los Angeles, Calif, and Michael, for 
years a railroad conductor and now a farmer of Carroll County, Mo. 

Patrick J. Murphy was reared on his father's farm in Illinois and 
received his education in the public schools of that state. Early in life 
he began as brakeman on the railroad but after a few years became 
associated with his father in the contracting and building business, a 
vocation which he followed for 10 years when he accepted a position as 




P. J. MURPHY 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 417 

superintendent for P. A. Butler, a contractor with headquarters at Lyons, 
Kans., when that firm was building a roadbed for one of a railroad in 
that section. Mr. Murphy thoroughly knew the business and in 1890 
took his first independent contract for an irrigation ditch near Rocky 
Ford, Colo. He was thus engaged for three years and made good on the 
project and then returned to Illinois to take more contracts for railroad 
grading and for building river levees. In 1902, he came to Moberly and 
since that time has been engaged in contracting for the Wabash railroad 
and other railroads in this vicinity. He is recognized as one of the re- 
liable and experienced men in his busness and has all the work he can 
handle and at the present time has several grading contracts for work 
on the Wabash system. ' Mr. Murphy is the owner of a valuable farm of 
102 acres in Prairie township. 

In 1885, Mr. Murphy married Miss Harriet Barrett, of Brookfield, 
Mo., who died in 1911, leaving a daughter, Margaret, who lives with her 
father. June 21, 1916, Mr. Murphy married Miss Julia E. Holland a 
native of St. Louis, the daughter of Jeremiah J. and Ellen (O'Connell) 
Holland, both deceased. Mr. Holland was one of the first master 
mechanics to locate in Moberly with the Wabash Railroad and was with 
that company for 40 years. He died in 1908, his wife having died in 1901. 
There were five childen in the Holland family besides Mrs. Murphy, all 
prominent residents of their home cities, though one is located in the 
Island of Haiti, at St. Marc. 

Mr. Murphy is a member of the Catholic church, the Knights of 
Columbus and the Court of Honor. 

F. M. Holtsinger. The final culmination of a career of broad and 
varied experiences into a successful specialty is the acme of individual 
success. This is true in the story of the life of F. M. Holtsinger, of 
Moberly, prominent auctioneer, who specializes in conducting Duroc Jer- 
sey hog sales throughout the United States, and who is also cne of ihe 
leading breeders of Duroc Jersey hogs in this country. Mr. Holtsinger 
was born in Moberly, March 17, 1884, and is a son of William and Sallie 
(Hollis) Holtsinger. The mother was a daughter of Judge W. J. Hollis, 
a prominent lawyer of Kansas City, Mo. She died in 1887 and her re- 
mains are interred in Oakland Cemetery at Moberly. William Holt- 
singer now resides in Moberly, making his home with his son, F. M. 
Holtsinger. F. M. Holtsinger was the only son born to his parents: 
Pearl, a daughter, died at the age of three years. 



418 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

F. M. Holtsinger was educated in the public schools at Moberly and 
attended the high school. He then entered Spaulding's Commercial Col- 
lege at Kansas City, Mo., where he was graduated in the class of 1902. 
He then entered the employ of Michaels & Hoff Commission Company, 
at Kansas City, Mo., as bookkeeper and six months later he entered 
the employ of the Wells Fargo Express Company. He remained with 
that company nine months, when acting under the advice of his grand- 
father, Judge Hollis, he entered the Kansas City Law School and three 
days later, as Mr. Holtsinger says, the judge decided that he was a 
failure as a lawyer, and sent him to a ranch in north central Kansas 
and as he had a natural antipathy to exercising behind a plow or trying 
to keep cattle out or in by insufficient fencing or no fencing at all, he 
abandoned his agricultural career on the wind-swept plains of Kansas 
and returned to Moberly. Here he engaged in horse-trading in part- 
nership with Hamp Parish and they followed that business for about a 
year. Mr. Holtsinger then engaged in the livery business and for four 
years conducted a livery barn on North Clark street, Moberly. James 
A. Rockey was in partnership with him for two years in this venture. 
While in the livery business Mr. Holtsinger made the circuit of a num- 
ber of county fairs with two running horses and later owned some trot- 
ting horses. On account of failing health he disposed of his livery busi- 
ness by auction and for six months was not engaged in any business. 
He then engaged in the fuel business and conducted the . largest 
fuel business in the city for a year, having as many as nine delivery 
wagons in operation. The following year he organized a grading outfit 
and worked 20 teams. He built the Moberly race tracks and did grading 
for the Wabash Railroad Company under P. J. Murphy, the original 
contractor for one year. He also continued the coal and wood business 
in Moberly while doing grading. He then decided to be an auctioneer, 
which had been his boyhood ambition. He sold his coal business and 
began buying and selling horses and mules and also took up auctioneer- 
ing and began conducting country sales. Six months later he made ap- 
plication for a position to Walcott, Beers and Grant of Kansas City for 
a permanent position as auctioneer, and for one year was employed by 
them in their Kansas City Horse Market. The World War broke out 
about that time and the firm with which he was employed was consoli- 
dated with Guiton & Herrington and Mr. Holtsinger began buying horses 
for this firm for the British government. His work took him to Iowa 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 419 

and Nebraska and here he continued to purchase horses until the firm was 
dissolved. Mr. Holtsinger then began conducting pure bred stock sales 
and later confined his work to conducting pure bred Duroc Jersey hog 
sales and he has met with phenomenal success in this line and today is 
the foremost auctioneer in the United States who specializes in pure 
bred Duroc Jersey hog sales exclusively. He conducts sales in every part 
of the United States and the demands for his time in this line are much 
greater than he can meet. 

While Mr. Holtsinger has been conducting Duroc Jersey sales for 
others throughout the country he has also been breeding pure bred Jer- 
sey hogs himself and has developed the largest breeding ranch in the 
United States, devoted to the breeding of pure bred Duroc Jersey hogs. 
His breeding ranch consists of 240 acres and is located six miles north- 
east of Moberly and one-half mile from old Milton, of whichh Mr. Holt- 
singer also owns about one-half the town site. The Holtsinger ranch 
is one of the Rest improved breeding ranches in the country. All the 
hog buildings are steam heated and electric lighted and watered by a 
complete water system and every modern fixture and convenience will 
be found here, even to a sale pavilion. Mr. Holtsinger has about 500 
brood animals and the herd is , headed by the celebrated Duroc Jersey 
male, "Greater Orion's Sensation," which is one of the highest priced 
hogs in the world. Mr. Holtsinger purchased this animal for $3,500 in 
September, 1919, and on Feb. 17, 1920, he sold 60 brood sows bred to 
Him for $60,000 and on the same day refused $30,000 for "Greater On'on's 
Sensation." 

F. M. Holtsinger was united in marriage in 1902 with Miss Cora Bar- 
tee, of Moberly. She is a daughter of John and Mary (Owens) Bartee r 
the former of whom now resides in Moberly and the mother is deceased. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Holtsinger have been born two children: Loraine and 
Lawrence. 

Mr. Holtsinger is well-known throughout the entire country and his 
great success in the pure bred department of animal husbandry has not 
only placed himself in the front rank in this field of endeavor, out has 
resulted in placing Randolph County in an important position in the 
production of pure bred stock. 

John W. Thackston, for many years one of the well known and popu- 
lar merchants of Moberly, was born in Howard County, Mo., June 16, 
1866, the son of William and Nancy (Lowery) Thackston. The father 



420 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

was a native of Virginia, where he spent his youth and was educated. He 
came west at an early day and located in Missouri passing the rest of 
his life here and died in 1866, when his son was an infant. Nancy 
Lowery Thackston survived her husband and lived to be 78 years old, 
passing away in Audrain County. By a former marriage to a Mr. Jack- 
son she had two children, Ella, the wife of Jack Lafahm, and Grace, who 
married Christian Pairish, is deceased. 

John W. Tnackston was reared by his aunt, Mrs. Mary B. Neilson, a 
sister of his mother, whose husband was a merchant of College Mound, 
Mo. Mrs. Neilson came to Moberly about 1887 where she reared four of 
her grandchildren, who have become well known and prominent citizens of 
their localities. Mr. Thackston spent his boyhood with his aunt and her 
husband in College Mound, received his education in the public schools of 
Kirksville and Columbia and came to Moberly with his aunt when she 
settled here in 1887. He soon secured a position as timekeeper in the 
foundry of the Wabash shops where he was employed three years then 
began firing on a switch engine but resigned to accept a position as 
engineer of the electric light plant of Moberly which he held nine years. 
During this time Mr. Thackston purchased from L. S. Gaines his grocery 
business, located at 121 East Coates street. In 1906 H. W. Owen bought 
an interest in the store and it was then run under the name of Thackston 
& Owens until 1919 when Mr. Thackston and his partner sold out to 0. H. 
Fort who continues the business at the same location though Mr. Thacks- 
ton still owns the building. 

Sept. 6, 1893, Mr. Thackston married Miss Lotie Grimes, the daughter 
of Washington and Virginia (Terrill) Grimes. Mrs. Thackston was born 
on the present site of Moberly in 1871; her father died in 1909 and her 
mother in 1912, and were laid to rest in Oakland cemetery. Mrs. Thacks- 
ton was the fifth of the six children in the Grimes family. She and her 
husband have a modern residence at 311 N. Moberly street. Mr. Thacks- 
ton owns the buildings at 119-121 E. Coates street and with his partner 
holds the title to the store at 117 E. Coates street as well as realty at 617 
and 619 Burkholder street. Mr. Thackston has taken an active part in 
municipal affairs and served on the city council two years. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic Blue Lodge No. 344, Moberly, Shrine, Commandery, 
Consistory and the Eastern Star. Mr. and Mrs. Thackston are members 
of the Christian church. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 421 

Wade H. Dunivent, a descendant of a pioneer family of Randolph 
County who is a prosperous farmer and stockman of Salt Spring town- 
ship, was born on the place which was entered from the government by 
his grandfather in that township. He is a son of Edward J. and Pidy 
(Wisdom) Dunivent and was born Dec. 6, 1877. 

Edward J. Dunivent was a native of North Carolina, and came to 
Randolph County with his parents and here his father entered 40 acres 
of land which now forms a part of the farm of Wade H. Dunivent. 
Edward J. Dunivent was a farmer and stock raiser all of his life and was 
successful in his undertakings and became the owr.er of 480 acres of land. 
He served in the Confederate army during the Civil War and while in 
the service lost his left hand through an accident. He died in 1899. His 
wife died in 1882 and their remains are buried in the Burk cemetery. 
They were the parents of the following children: E. B., who lives on the 
home farm in Salt Spring township; H. P., died at tie age of 52 years; 
Mattie, married Sebestin Molone and is now deceased; F. E., Huntsville 
and Wade H., the subject of this sketch. 

Wade H. Dunivent was educated in the public schools at District No. 
46. He bought his first land which consisted of an 80 \jcre tract from 
Thomas Todd. This place w r as entered from the government by Toulman 
R. B. C. Gorham, June 2, 1836. Later he bought 65 acres oiE. B. Burton, 
40 acres of the old Dunivent place and 80 acres from Sanuel Gorham. 
He is now the owner of 285 acres where he is successfully engaged in 
general farming and stock raising and specializes in Poled Aigus cattle. 
Mrs. Dunivent raises standaid bred Barred Plymouth Rock thickens in 
which she is very successful. 

Mr. Dunivent was married Dec. 30, 1896 to Edna May 1 Minor, a 
daughter of Josephus and Minerva Frances (Bradley) Minor. H*r father 
died in 1911 at the age of 62 years and is buried in Oliver cemetery, and 
her mother resides near Huntsville. John Minor, grandfather (f Mrs. 
Dunivent, was a Kentuckian and he is buried in Mt. Salem cemetery. 
Her maternal grandfather, Newton Bradley was also a Kentuckia* and 
an early settler of Randolph County, entering government land here. He 
lived to the age of 90 years. His wife bore the maiden name of Eliza- 
beth Ann Oliver and they are both buried in the Oliver cemetery. j(lrs. 
Dunivent was one of the following children born to her parents: Ai\na, 
married Henry Carrol, of Huntsville ; Thomas N., lives in Oklahoma ; Mrs. 
Dunivent; Joe Billie, deceased; Lillie, married Marvin Lawrence; Lloyd, 



422 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

lives on the home place and Grace E., married Frank Edwards of Hunts- 
ville. To Mr. and Mrs. Diriivent have been born three sons: Herman 
Hampton ; Thurber Newton and Raymond Edward. 

Mr. Dunivent is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at 
Clifton Hill and the Baptist church. He is a progressive citizen and has 
made good in his undertakings. 

Oscar W. Payton, thf capable superintendent of the Randolph County 
Sanitorium at Huntsvillo Mo., is a native of Missouri and a member of 
one of the pioneer familes of this state. He was born in Howard County 
in 1875 and is a son of W. G. and Sarah P. (Landres) Payton. W. G. 
Payton was born in Micon County, Mo., May 6, 1845 and he and his wife 
now make their home with their children. W. G. Payton is a son of 
Durett Payton who .vas a native of Madison County, Ky., and came to 
Howard County, Mo, in the very early pioneer days and spent the re- 
mainder of his liff in this state. W. G. and Sarah (Landres) Payton 
were the parents of the following children: Rosa Lee, married J. N. 
Foglesong of Ke^tesville, Mo. ; M. P., resides at Morris, Grundy County, 
111.; H. D., Cliftrn Hill, Mo.; Oscar W., the subject of this sketch; Mattie, 
married Henry Rhodus, now living at Elkhart, Kan. ; and W. G., now liv- 
ing at Bruins, Ark. 

Oscar W Payton was educated in the public schools of Howard 
County, atteiding school at the Liberty school house. He began life as 
a farmer ani was engaged in that vocation until he came to Huntsville in 
1916. He las lived in the vicinity of Huntsville since 1909 at which time 
he bought a farm here from J. K. Colvin which contained 53 acres and 
was formerly owned by William Hadley. It is a well improved place 
with goot'buildings and is a productive and valuable farm. In 1916, Mr. 
Payton noved to Huntsville and engaged in the restaurant business for 
15 months. In 1920 he was appointed superintendent of the Randolph 
Count? Sanitorium and is conducting this institution in a manner which 
reflects great credit upon himself as well as the county officials in the way 
that che unfortunates of the county are cared for. There are now 29 
patimts in the home and they are well cared for. The sanitorium farm 
consists of 160 acres, all of which is cultivated under the direction of 
Sup3rintendent Payton. Mrs. Payton oversees the work about the insti- 
tution and is capable and efficient in her management. Neatness and 
cleanliness are conspicuous about the institution and sanitary conditions 
are kept up to the highest standard under her watchful vigilance. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 423 

Mr. Payton was married July 3, 1900 to Miss Anna May Sanders, a 
native of Brooklyn, N. Y. She is a daughter of Henry and Lena Sanders. 
The father died in New York in 1880 and the mother afterwards mar- 
ried Harry Hanson and they reside in New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Pay- 
ton has been born one daughter, Olga Lee, a senior in the Huntsville 
High School. 

Mr. Payton is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a substantial and trustworthy 
man and well qualified for his position of responsibility. 

S. M. Dameron, a well known and successful farmer and stockman 
of Salt Spring township is a native of Randolph County. He was born 
near Randolph Springs, May 12, 1868 and is a son of L. G. and Bettie 
(Bradley) Dameron. Bettie (Bradley) Dameron was a daughter of 
Samuel Bradley whose wife bore the maiden name of Holman. Samuel 
Bradley was a pioneer blacksmith of Huntsville and also followed farm- 
ing; he died in Oklahoma a few years ago at the age of 96 years. 

L. G. Dameron was born in Randolph County; his parents were 
natives of North Carolina and came to Missouri at a very early day and 
settled near Huntsville where they entered government land and spent 
the remainder of their lives. L. G. Dameron died in 1914 at the age of 
80 years, his wife having preceded him in death. She died in 1876 and 
their remains are buried in Mt. Airy cemetery. They were the parents 
of the following children : Mrs. Martha Harland, deceased ; Nolie E., mar- 
ried C. C. Brown of Clifton Hill, Mo. ; R. T., who now lives five miles south 
of Huntsville; S. M., the subject of this sketch; Esther, died at the age 
of 21 years; and Annie who married Thomas Minor of Moberly and died 
in 1910 at the age of 28 years. 

S. M. Dameron was reared in Randolph County and educated in the 
district school at the Gill school house. He has practically spent his life 
in Randolph County with the exception of eight months that he was in 
Oklahoma. Mr. Dameron was reared on a farm and has made farming 
and stock raising his principal occupation and has met with success. He 
purchased his present farm of 40 acres in 1918 from F. C. Adams. It is 
a part of the old Christian farm and is a well improved place. The resi- 
dence is a modern four room cottage with electric lights and other modern 
improvements and the other buildings about the place are of a substantial 
character. Mr. Dameron carries on general farming and raises Chester 
White hogs, pure bred Jersey cattle and Buff Orpington chickens. 



424 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Mr. Dameron was married Dec. 26, 1894 to Miss Ona L. Newby, a 
daughter of Nelson and Zynda (Manion) Newby. Mr. Newby died Aug. 
28, 1913 and his widow now resides near Clifton Hill. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Dameron has been born one daughter, Ruth L., who is now a student in 
the Huntsville High School and one son, Lewis Nelson, who died at the 
age of 20 years, April 27, 1918 and his remains are buried in the Roanoke 
cemetery. 

Mr. Dameron is a member of the Woodmen of the World Lodge at 
Huntsville. He is a likable gentleman who has an extensive acquaintance 
and many friends. 

Winfield Scott Jones, a retired painter and decorator of Moberly, Mo., 
who has lived here more than 42 years and has seen the town grow into a 
city, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, Nov. 3, 1845, the son of Nicholas 
and Elizabeth (Warner) Jones. 

Nicholas Jones was born in Virginia in 1807 and was reared and edu- 
cated in that state and became a slave owner on a plantation. Later he 
went to Ohio and took up government land in 1834 and was prominent 
in that locality and served as sheriff of the county four years. He was 
elected auditor and filled that office four years and then represented his 
district as senator in the state legislature. He continued to add to his 
original tract of 80 acres until he became the owner of 300 acres of land 
which he sold for a large figure in 1863 and 1868 came to Missouri. At 
that time he bought a 500 acre tract of new land 50 miles west of St. 
Louis and returned to Ohio to get his family and died there Aug. 3, 1868, 
before taking possession of his new property. Mrs. Jones was a native 
of Maryland, born in 1813, was married in 1830 and died at Lockport, 
HI., Dec. 9, 1883, and was buried beside her husband in the Cole burying 
ground in Delaware County. There were 14 children in the family of 
whom the following survive: Nicholas T., of Trenton, Neb.; Winfield 
Scott, of this review ; and Charles E., of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 

Winfield Scott Jones was reared in Delaware County, Ohio, received 
his education in the public schools there and then entered Ohio Wesleyan 
University but left college to enlist in the Union army in 1864, and served 
until the close of the war. He was mustered out of the service at Camp 
Chase, Ohio, Sept. 24, 1865, after having served under General Grant. 
Soon after this he returned to college and remained a year, studying law. 
before he engaged in the decorating and painting business. In 1870, 
Mr. Jones came to Moberly and was actively engaged in business here up 




WIXFIELD SCOTT JONES 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 425 

to 1918. He was one of the early settlers of the town, his business ex- 
panded with the growth of the city and he became one of the well known 
and prosperous business men due to his ability and care in executing 
orders. 

April 11, 1872, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Helen Frances Livesay, 
the daughter of James and Sarah Livesay, both deceased. Mrs. Jones 
died in 1881, leaving three children: Ina G., Daisy P., and Colmer E., all 
deceased. March 10, 1885, Mr. Jones married Miss Ella Thompson of 
Moberly, the daughter of Isaac A. and Sarah E. (Haynes) Thompson. 
Sarah E. was the daughter of Rev. Levi Haynes. 

Mr. Jones belongs to the Presbyterian church and is a Republican. 
He is a man who has taken an active part in the development of Moberly 
and entered into the civic life of the community. He has served as a 
member of the city council and was one of the first mail carriers of Mob- 
erly when free delivery was first established. Mr. Jones is proud of 
his five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. The following are 
the grandchildren: Daisy married Ray Ford, San Francisco, Calif.; Mable 
F. married Leo Duncan, who is in the medical corps of the United States 
navy, located at San Francisco, Calif., and who saw service in the World 
War and was on one of the destroyers which sank a German submarine ; 
Thomas Winfield Shootman, a sailor on the U. S. S. Santa Cruz; Sue-Ella 
Shootman, San Francisco, Calif. ; Ina G. Shootman, San FVancisco, Calif. 
The two great grandchildren are Lois Louise Ford, San Francisco, Calif, 
and Jean Audrey Duncan, San Francisco, Calif. 

Ed L. Milam, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Chariton town- 
ship, is a native of this county and a descendant of one of the honored 
pioneer families of this section of the state. He was born on the old 
Milam homestead in Chariton township, June 8, 1878 and is a son of 
Joseph and Frances Elizabeth (Summers) Milam. 

Joseph Milam was also born in Chariton township in 1839. He spent 
his life in this county and was succesfully engaged in farming and stock 
raising in Chariton township. He was a son of Daniel Milam, a Vir- 
ginian, who settled in Randolph County at a very early date and entered 
government land in Chariton township, a part of which is owned by Ed L. 
Milam, the subject of this sketch. 

Joseph Milam served in the Confederate army for four years dur- 
ing the Civil War and his brother, Solomon Milam, was also a soldier in 
the Confederate service and died from a wound received in battle. Joseph 



426 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Milam served two terms as county judge from the western district of 
Randolph County. He was a capable public official as well as a success- 
ful man in his private affairs. At the time of his death he was the 
owner of 376 acres of land. He died in January, 1918. Frances Eliza- 
beth (Summers) Milam, wife of Joseph Milam, was born in Salt Spring 
township in 1848 and was a descendant of very early pioneer settlers of 
Randolph County. She died in 1915. Joseph Milam and his wife were 
the parents of the following children : D. H., who resides on the old home 
place in Chariton township; Allie, married W. H. McLain, Clifton Hill; 
Ed L., the subject of this sketch and Eva, his twin sister, who is now 
the wife of R. L. Patton, of Clifton Hill. 

Ed L. Milam was reared on a farm and attended school in the Milam 
school district which received the name from Daniel Milam, his grand- 
father. He has been engaged in farming and stock raising since early 
life and has met with success. He carries on general farming and raises 
stock quite extensively and has a number of registered Jersey cows. 
He purchased his present place in 1902, which is a well improved and pro- 
ductive farm. 

Mr. Milam was married Dec. 31, 1900 to Miss Leetoa Wadsworth, a 
daughter of J. A. and Jennie (Lamb) Wadsworth who now reside at 
Huntsville, Mo. .They are both natives of St. Clair County, 111., and upon 
coming to Missouri they first located in Saline County where Mrs. Milam 
was born June 7, 1882. From Saline County, the Wadsworth family re- 
moved to Texas and in 1896 settled in Randolph County. There are 
four children in the Wadsworth family. The others besides Mrs. Milam 
are: Elmer, who lives at Darksville; Everett and Allene, at home with 
their parents. Everett Wadsworth is a veteran of the World War. He 
entered the service in September, 1917, at Moberly, Mo. and was sent to 
Camp Funston for training and from there to Camp Kearny, Calif, and 
' then to Camp Merritt. From there he was sent to France with the third 
division and was a member of a machine gun company with the 38th 
Infantry. He took part in some severe fighting, including the battles of 
St. Mihiel and the Argonne Forrest. He was discharged Aug. 30, 1919. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Milam have been bora three children : Joe Elmer, James 
H. and Oleta. Joe and James are students in the Thomas Hill Consoli- 
dated High School. They are both members of the Randolph County 
Pig Club. 

Mr. Milam is a public spirited and progressive citizen, and the Milam 
family is prominent in Randolph County. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 427 

John C. Milam, of Chariton township, a veteran of the World War, is 
one of the progressive and enterprising young farmers and stockmen of 
Randolph County and is a descendant of a pioneer family of this county. 
He'was born in Chariton township, Aug. 8, 1896 and is a son of Daniel H. 
and Josephine (Cooper) Milam. 

Daniel H. Milam is also a native of Randolph County and was born 
on the place where he now resides in Chariton township, Aug. 8, 1867. 
He is a son of Judge Joseph Milam who was a prominent farmer of Ran- 
dolph County and a Confederate veteran of the Civil War anfl served two 
terms as county judge. He was a son of Daniel Milam, a pioneer. 
Further mention of whom is made in connection with the sketch of Ed 
L. Milam elsewhere in this volume. 

I laniel H. Milam was reared and educated in Chariton township 
and has made farming and stock raising his life's occupation. He has 
been the owner of the old Milam homestead which was entered from the 
government by his grandfather for the past 16 years. He is now the 
owner of 300 acres of valuable land and is one of the successful farmers 
and stockmen of Randolph County. He was married in October, 1890, to 
Miss Josephine Cooper, a daughter of John and Mary Cooper, early set- 
tlers of Randolph County. John Cooper is now 83 years old and resides 
with his daughter, Mrs. Milam. His wife died in 1918. To Daniel H. and 
Josephine (Cooper) Milam have been born the following children: Joseph 
H., George L., Ruby May, John C, the subject of this sketch, Frank, 
Lewis and Benjamin, all now at home. 

John C. Milam was reared on the home farm in Chariton township 
and was educated in the district schools and the high school at Clifton 
Hill where he was graduated in the class of 1915. He then entered the 
University of Missouri at Columbia and was a student in that institution 
during the school year of 1916-17. When the United States entered the 
World War, he was at Casper, Wy., where he was working with the ex- 
pectation of returning to the University, after he had acquired sufficient 
capital, but instead he enlisted on April 25, 1917 in the United States 
army at Fort Logan, Colo. From there he was sent to El Paso, Texas 
for training. On Aug. 22, 1917 he was sent to Washington, D. C. and 
from there overseas, landing at Glasgow, Scotland, Oct. 2, 1917 and four 
days later, arrived in France. He went across as a member of the Second 
Engineers and on March 9, 1918, he was transferred to the second division 
and with his command entered the Verdun Sector, March 12, 1918 to May 



428 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

14, 1918 and in the engagement at Chateau Thierry from June 31 to July 
9. And as Soissons from July 18 to July 20 and was in the Marne 
offensive from July 20 to Aug. 9 and then in the Marloche Sector and from 
there to the St. Mihiel drive from Sept. 9th to the 16th and in the Blanc 
Mont from Sept. 30th to Oct. 9th and in the Argonne-Meuse from Oct. 
30th to Nov. 11th, when the armistice was signed. He was then with 
the Army of Occupation in Germany from Nov. 17, 1918 until July 22, 
1919 and Oct. 6, 1919 returned to the United States and was honorably 
discharged Aug. 18, 1919 after nearly two years and four months of 
service. 

John C. Milam was united in marriage Jan. 8, 1920 with Miss Minnie 
Garrison, a daughter of Clarence and Mary J. (Swink) Garrison, of 
Chanute, Kan. Mrs. Milam was born in Crawford County, Kan. Mr. 
Milam is a Democrat and as this article is written is a candidate at the 
primaries for sheriff of Randolph County and whatever may be the out- 
come, it is certain that he is a worthy aspirant to that office. 

Thomas W. Miller, owner and proprietor of "Chula Vista Farm" in 
Salt Spring township, is a native of Dekalb County, Ind. and was born 
July 17, 1852. He is a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Moody) Miller, both 
natives of Pennsylvania. The Miller family came to Missouri and set- 
tled in Nodaway County, near the town of Guilford, shortly after the Civil 
War in 1865. Here the parents spent the remainder of their lives and 
are both buried in Nodaway County. 

The following children were born to Joseph and Rebecca (Moody) 
Miller: Benjamin F., died at Guilford, Mo.; William Harvey, who was 
accidentally killed by falling on a knife; Mary L., widow of John Culver, 
of Warden, Neb. ; John H., lives in Iowa ; Mrs. Clara Day, deceased ; Josie, 
deceased; Hannah, married John Whorton and is deceased; Thomas W., 
the subject of this sketch; Isaac, deceased; George, Maryville, Mo., had 
three boys in the service during the World War, two of whom were in the 
army and one in the navy. 

Thomas W. Miller was 13 years old when he came to Nodaway 
County, Mo., with his parents. He was educated in the public schools and 
in early life learned the carpenter's trade and for 12 years was engaged in 
contracting and building in Nodaway County. He owned an 80 acre farm 
in that county which he sold in 1895 and moved to Worth County, Mo., 
where he bought 85 acres of land and remained there awhile and then 
moved to Cedar County, where he farmed six years. He also farmed in 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 429 

Harrison County, Mo. one year before going to Cedar County. He came 
to Randolph County and bought 160 acres of land on the east fork of the 
Charitoq creek. He sold that place in 1919 and bought his present place 
of 15 acres which is known as the "Chula Vista Farm." This place is 
favorably located on the state highway between Moberly and Huntsville. 
It is well improved with a comfortable residence and good substantial 
farm buildings. 

Thomas W. Miller was married in 1886 to Miss Carrie E. Wilson, a 
daughter of Quinton and Sarah (Graves) Wilson of Nodaway County, 
Mo. The father was a native of Indiana and the mother of Tennessee. 
They are both now deceased. Lewis Wilson, a brother of Mrs. Miller had 
three sons in the World War, two of whom served in France. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Miller have been born four children: Florence, at home: Dale 
L.. Nodaway County, Mo.; Trueman W. served in the 88th division during 
the World War and was in the army over a year. He is now in Minnesota 
and Ivan Y., who is engaged in farming in South Dakota. 

Mi. Miller is a member of the An Free and Accei;ted Masons, 

Huntsville Lodge No. 30. He has been a member of the Masonic lodge 
for iG years, having been made a Mason in th^ Guilford Missouri Lodge 
No. 471 in 1874. He is a progre-^-'W citizen and stands high in Ra 
dolph County. 

Jnmes R. Eubank, a well known farmer and stock man of Silver 
Creek township is a native of Kentucky, although he has spent most of 
his life in Missouri, coming here with his parents when he was about ten 
years old. Mr. Eubank was born in Clark County, Ky., Oct. 2, 1857 and 
is a son of Stephen B. and Lucy (Wright) Eubank, both natives of Ken- 
tucky. The Eubank family came to Missouri in 1867 and settled in Boone 
County and later removed to Howard County where the father died in 
1887. He was born June 24, 1813. His wife was about 10 years his 
junior. She died in 1872, aged 52 years. 

James R. Eubank was reared on a farm in Howard County and at- 
tended the district school. In early life he began working for farmers 
in his home locality by the day and his first work away from home was 
splitting rails, for which he received 50 cents per hundred and he worked 
many a day for 50 cents. Out of the first money which he earned he 
paid 50 cents to join the Good Templars. After working as a farm 
laborer for a time, in Howard County, he rented land there until 1882. 
He then came to Randolph County and rented land south of Clifton Hill 



430 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

and operated rented land for some time in that vicinity and later bought 
80 acres which he operated for eight years. He then sold out and rented 
his present place for two years when he bought it. He owns a valuable 
farm of 240 acres and in addition to general farming, he raises cattle 
quite extensively, specializing in Herefords. He also raises Poland China 
hogs. 

Mr. Eubank is a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. 
He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Modern Woodmen of 
America. 

Dec. 21, 1380, James R. Eubank was married to Miss Lucy M. Whit*. 
She is a native of Howard County and a daughter of David W. and 
Bethann (Bush) White, natives of Kentucky and early settlers in Howard 
County. David White was a soldier in the Confederate army. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Eubank have been born the following children: 
Elma C. deceased; Porter B., a sketch of whom appears in this volume; 
Thomas B., Silver Creek township; David S., Huntsville, Mo.; Alva M., 
Kansas City, Mo.; Terose, married W. Batterton of Howard County; 
Ruth, at home; Otto, deceased and Ambro R. at home. 

Alva M. Eubank enlisted in the United States army Sept. 7, 1917 and 
became a member of Company A, Machine Gun Battalion, 135th Division. 
He was on the front line of the trenches and experienced considerable 
hard fighting. Sept. 15, 1918, he began a course in a replacement school 
in France and was commissioned second lieutenant and was discharged 
with that rank in March, 1919 and arrived home April 10, 1919. 

P. B. Eubank, proprietor of Sweet Springs Stock Farm in Silver 
Creek township, is one of the successful breeders of Randolph County. 
"Sweet Springs Stock Farm" is the home of Hereford Cattle and Poland 
China hogs. For the past four years, Mr. Eubank has specialized in 
breeding Hereford cattle and his herd averages about 50 head. His herd 
leader is "Senator, the Second," No. 831941, which is one of the best bulls 
in Randolph County and is from the H. S. Ferguson herd of Kansas City. 
Mo. and is of the "Anxiety, the Fourth" strain. Mr. Eubank has been a 
breeder of Poland China hogs since 1908 and usually keeps on hand from 
50 to 100 head of hogs, all of which are eligible to registration. He finds 
ready market at private sales for both his Hereford cattle and hogs. 

P. B. Eubank is a native of Randolph County. He was born four 
miles north of Clifton, Aug. 19, 1883 and is a son of J. R. and Lucy M. 
(White) Eubank. The Eubank family came from Howard County to 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 431 

Randolph in 1882 and the parents now live one-half mile east of Mt. Airy 
in Silver Creek township where the father owns 240 acres of land. 

. On June 20, 1906, P. B. Eubank was united in marriage with Miss 
Kathryn C. Bagby. She was born on the farm where she now resides 
and is a daughter of J. H. and Hennrietta (Ferguson) Bagby. Hennrietta 
(Ferguson) Bagby, mother of Mrs. Eubank, was also born on what is now 
"Sweet Springs Stock Farm", Aug. 2, 1839. She is a daughter of Wil- 
liam I. and Mary (Davis) Ferguson. William I. Ferguson was born in 
Albemarle County, Va., in 1808 and came to Missouri in 1838. He was 
married here to Mary Davis, and spent the remainder of his life here. 
He died in 1890 and is buried on the home farm near Roanoke, Mo. His 
wife died in 1906 and is buried in the same place. She was a native of 
Randolph County, born here in 1821 and was a member of one of the 
first pioneer families of this section. William I. and Mary (Davis) 
Ferguson were the parents of the following children: Henrietta, widow 
of James H. Bagby and lives on the "Sweet Spring Stock Farm", now 
owned by P. B. Eubank ; Mrs. Mary Callahan, deceased ; James H., de- 
ceased and Mrs. William H. Fray, lives near Yates, Mo. 

James H. Bagby and Hennrietta Ferguson were married in 1857. 
Mr. Bagby was born in Randolph County, Sept. 10, 1834 and died Dec. 
25, 1905 and is buried in the Huntsville cemetery. He was a son of Wil- 
liam and Virginia (Harrison) Bagby, the former a native of Kentucky 
and the latter of Virginia. They both came to Randolph County and 
spent their lives here. James H. Bagby settled on what is now "Sweet 
Springs Stock Farm" Jan. 14, 1858 and made considerable improvements 
in the place which now consists of 298 acres of valuable land much of 
which lies in Sweet Spring bottom. Mrs. Henrietta (Ferguson) Bagby 
was born on this place and has spent her life here and recently celebrated 
her 80th birthday which was made an occasion by her many friends and 
relatives to be long remembered and which shows the esteem in which 
this venerable pioneer woman of Randolph County is held. She has five 
great grandchildren and nine great, great grandchildren and all her chil- 
dren, grandchildren and great grandchildren were present at the surprise 
party given her except Howard Lensley, who is a member of the 7th 
Cavalry, United States army and was with his regiment at Ft. Bliss, 
Texas. 

Mrs. Eubank is one of the following children born to her parents: 
Mrs. Lou Leusley, of Huntsville ; Mrs. Orpha Burton, of Huntsville ; T. M. 



432 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Bagby on the home place and Kathryn, the wife of P. B. Eubank whose 
name introduces this sketch. 

Mr. Eubank is a progressive and public spirited citizen and one of 
Randolph County's substantial men. 

Peter Stautermann, now deceased, was for many years prominently 
identified with the development of Randolph County. He was born at 
Quincy, Adams County, 111., Feb. 22, 1851 and died in Randolph County, 
March 19, 1918 and his remains are buried in New Hope cemetery. 

Peter Stauterman was reared to manhood in Illinois and in 1876 came 
to Missouri with his brother, Jacob Stautermann. They first settled in 
Audrain County where they engaged in farming and where Jacob still 
resides. He is the owner of two hundred acres of land in that county. 
The Stautermann brothers, Jacob and Peter, cleared 40 acres of timber 
land near New Hope, Prairie township, Randolph County. In 1886 Peter 
Stautermann came to Randolph County and settled in Sugar Creek town- 
ship on the place where the family now resides. Here he bought 200 
acres of the Miller brothers, where he was successfully engaged in farm- 
ing until the time of his death. He prospered and added to his original 
purchase until he owned 340 acres. 

On Jan. 28, 1886, Peter Stautermann was united in marriage with 
Miss Rosa Stautermann who was also a native of Adams County, 111. 
She was a daughter of Peter and Caroline (Veihl) Stautermann. After 
their marriage they settled on the Stautermann place in Sugar Creek 
township. Their first home was a log cabin of four rooms, one and one- 
half stories high. The house was finished with walnut lumber and one 
of the rooms had a floor of walnut. The old building is still standing 
and is now used as a tool house and granary. In 1893 Mr. Stautermann 
built a new seven room residence which has been remodeled. 

To Peter and Rosa Stautermann were born the following: children : 
Eda Beulah, who has been a teacher for thirteen years and is now superin- 
tendent of the Consolidated School. at Renick, Mo.; Frona married Elmer 
Wirt Standard, Alberta, Canada; Georgia, a teacher in the Roberts Con- 
solidated School District and has been a teacher for nine years; Pauline 
was a teacher for two years and is now the wife of Benjamin Berry of 
Hallville, Mo. ; Carl, who for the past nine years has operated the home 
place; Esther was a teacher for three years near Rochport, Mo. and 
March 18, 1920 was married to Dwight Michaels of Moberly, Mo.; and 
Ethel married Ray Clark and lives in Washington, D. C. Mr. Clark is in 




PETER STAUTERMAXX 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 433 

the medical department of the United States army and his wife holds a 
position in the vocational training of former service men. The Stauter- 
mann children are all well educated and have all attended the State 
Teachers College at Kirksville, Mo. 

Carl Stautermann, who operates the home place, after completing the 
high school course and attending the State Teachers College at Kirksville 
took a course in the Gem City Business College at Quincy, 111. He is one 
of the successful farmers and stockmen of Randolph County. The 
Stauterman place is well adapted to general farming and stock raising 
and is well equipped with good barns and other farm buildings. The 
place is well supplied with good pure water and is an ideal farm. Mrs. 
Stauterman is one of the successful poultry raisers of this section, being 
a breeder of standard bred Barred Plymouth Rock chickens and usually 
keeps between 200 and 300. 

The Stautermann family is one of the representative families of Ran- 
dolph County and Carl Stautermann is a young man of the progressive 
type who is ably succeeding his capable father. 

S. L. Haley, a successful farmer and dairyman of Salt Spring town- 
ship, is a native of Missouri and is a descendant of pioneer families of 
this state. He was born in Macon County, Sept. 25, 1854 and is a son 
of H. C. and Sarah B. (Rutherford) Haley. The father now lives in Salt 
Spring township on the farm where he has resided for over 40 years. 
The mother died in November, 1918 and is buried at Huntsville. James 
Haley, grandfather of S. L. Haley, was a Kentuckian and came to Mis- 
souri at a very early day with his father and they settled in what is now 
Macon County. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Frances Rutherford, grandmother of S. L. Haley, 
who now resides with him, was born in Boone County, Mo., in 1838. She 
was a daughter of Hardin and Lucinda B. (Reynolds) Dooley. He was a 
saddler and came to Huntsville in 1838. Later he moved to Adair County. 
His wife died in the Salen neighborhood at the age of 92 years and is 
buried in the Oliver cemetery. When the family came to Huntsville in 
1838, it was a mere settlement and William Gogins, great grandfather of 
S. L. Haley on his father's side operated a grist mill here with horse 
power. He gave ten of the original 40 acres of the town site of Hunts- 
ville. The other 30 acres were donated by Nathan Hunt, Daniel Hunt and 
another man who gave ten acres. The town took its name from the 
Hunts. Mrs. Rutherford who is mentioned above, is the grandmother 



434 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

of eight children and the great grandmother of 13 and the great, great 
grandmother of two children. 

S. L. Haley owns a valuable farm of 110 acres in Salt Spring town- 
ship where he carries on general farming and dairying. He has a splen- 
did herd of pure bred Jersey cows and is a successful dairyman. He 
also raises Chester White hogs. * 

S. L. Haley was married Dec. 14, 1890 to Miss Annie Oliver. She is 
a daughter of W. S. and Martha (Christian) Oliver, both of whom are 
now deceased. They were both born and reared in Silver Creek town- 
ship and were descendants of pioneer settlers of that section. W. S. 
Oliver died at the age of 68 years in 1908 and his wife died at the age 
of 64 years in April, 1916 and their remains are buried in the Oliver ceme- 
tery. To Mr. and Mrs. Haley has been born one daughter, Odonna, who 
married Ernest Shepherd of Moberly, Mo. and they have two children, 
S. L., Jr., aged eight years and Oliver Clay, four years old. 

Mr. Haley is an enterprising citizen and is representative of the 
successful type of men. He is a member of the Gill Farm Club of Ran- 
dolph County. 

Calvin T. Morrissy, the well known and capable postmaster of Clifton 
Hill, Mo., is a native son of Randolph County. He was born one-half mile 
west of Clifton Hill, June 6, 1896 and is a son of James T. and Anna E. 
(Rucker) Morrissy who now reside in Chariton County, three and one- 
half miles southwest of Clifton Hill. 

James T. Morrissy is a son of James Morrissy who was born in 
County Clare. Ireland, Aug. 13, 1829. He came to America in 1846 and 
settled in Randolph County, Mo., in 1850. He bought 160 acres of land 
one and one-half miles west of Cliffton Hill, where he was engaged in 
farming and stock raising during the remainder of his life. He died Jan. 
20, 1870 and his remains are buried on the old home place where he lived. 
His wife was a native of Caswell County, N. C. and they were married 
in Chariton County. 

James T. Morrissy has been engaged in farming and stock raising 
since early manhood. He married Anna E. Rucker, a daughter of Joseph 
E. and Eliza (Robertson) Rucker, early pioneers in this section of Mis- 
souri. They first settled in Howard County and later moved to Chariton 
County where they spent the remainder of their lives and are now buried 
at Salisbury. To James T. Morrissy and wife were born the following 
children: Calvin T„ the subject of this sketch; James F., on the home 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 435 

place; Uredice S., a teacher m the Clifton Hill public schools; Helen G., 
also a teacher in the public schools in Randolph County; and Thomas C. 
resides at home with his parents. 

James T. Morrissy was one of the following children born to his 
parents; Mis. Mary S. O'Conner, of Clifton Hill; Uredice E., deceased 
and James T. James T. Morrissy was educated in the public schools of 
Chariton County and with the exception of six years in Kansas City, has 
spent his life in Randolph and Chariton Counties. 

Calvin T. Morrissy was reared on a farm and educated in the public 
schools of Clifton Hill. During the World War, he enlisted in the United 
States navy at St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 30, 1918. From St. Louis, he was 
sent to San Francisco, Calif, and assigned to the Quarter Master Depart- 
ment of the United States navy at Goat Island, where he remained until 
June 25, 1919, when he was mustered out of service and honorably dis- 
charged. 

March 24, 1915. Calvin T. Morrissy was united in marriage with 
Miss Edna Lee Tullison, a daughter of Allen 0. and Bell (Henderson) 
Tullison of Salisbury, Mo., both natives of Chariton County, where Mrs. 
Morrissy was also born. To Mr. and Mrs. Morrissy have been born two 
children: Anna Bell and Willard Eugene. Mr. Morrissy is a Democrat 
and a progressive and public spirited young man. 

A. G. Lea, a well known and extensive stock buyer of Clifton Hill 
who is also the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of 280 acres 
was born in cliffton township, about one and one-half miles northeast of 
his present home, May 8, 1870. He is a son of J. M. and Sarah F. Lea, 
both of whom are now deceased. J. M. Lea was born in North Carolina, 
in 1833 and in 1837 was brought to Missouri by his parents who settled 
in Randolph County and spent the remainder of their lives here. J. M. 
Lea was a farmer and stockman all of his life. He bought a farm near 
Clifton which he improved and spent his life there. He died in 1907. 
His wife was born in Randolph County in 1840 and was a daughter of 
pioneer parents of this county. She died in 1914 and she and her hus- 
band's remains are buried in the Clifton Hill cemetery. They were the 
parents of the following children: E. D., cashier of the Clifton Hill 
Bank; Carrie, married C. V. Lambeth, Clifton Hill; Eva, married E. T. 
Stark, Kansas City, Mo.; Mamie, married Noble Gunn, Tyrone, Okla. ; 
Jennie M., died at the age of two years ; Fannie, married W. L. Baker and 
she is now deceased and A. G., the subject of this sketch. 

i 



436 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

A. G. Lea was reared on a farm and received his education in the 
district schools and the public schools of Clifton Hill. He began life as 
a farmer and stock man and has had a successful career. He is the 
owner of a splendid farm of 280 acres which is well improved with a 
good farm residence and two good substantial barns. During recent years, 
he has rented his farm out and practically devoted his entire attention 
to buying and shipping stock and does an extensive business in that line. 
During the year of 1919, he shipped about 100 carloads of cattle, hogs and 
sheep to the market. Considering the price of live stock, that volume of 
business involved the handling of an enormous amount of capital. 

Mr. Lea was married in 1902 to Miss Lillian A. Pollard, a daughter 
of J. W. and Eliza (Winn) Pollard, of Chariton County. Eliza Winn v^is 
a daughter of Hampton Winn, a pioneer of Salisbury, Mo. He and his 
wife are both deceased and their remains are buried in the Roanoke ceme- 
tery. Mrs. Lea is one of the following children bom to her parents: 
E. J. Pollard, Isabelle, S. D. ; M. H. Pollard, of the same place ; Lillian, 
wife of A. G. Lea of this review ; Katy, married Duke Monyhan, Sturgeon, 
Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Lea have been born two daughters: Maurine A., 
and Mary Frances, both students in the Clifton High School. 

Mr. Lea is a progressive business man and through his activities in 
the live stock business, has made Clifton Hill the banner live stock ship- 
ping point of Randolph County. 

W. T. Reed, of Clifton Hill, is a native of Randolph County and a 
descendant of early pioneers of this section. Mr. Reed was born near 
Huntsville, Mo., May 3, 1850. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Owen) 
Reed, both members of pioneer families of Randolph County. 

Henry Reed was also born near Huntsville about 1830 when this sec- 
tion of the country was properly considered on the frontier border and 
Indians were still numerous in this vicinity. His father was a native of 
Ireland and one of the first settlers in Randolph County. He died just 
south of Huntsville and his remains were buried on the old homestead. 
Henry Reed went to Colorado some years before his death and after 
spending eight years there returned to Missouri on a visit and died at 
Sedalia, Mo., while on his way back to Colorado and his remains were 
buried at Sedalia. His wife died in 1850 and her remains are buried on 
the old home place near Huntsville. They were the parents of the fol- 
lowing children: John, died at the age of 45 years; Mary married Samuel 
Alderson and died in Grundy County, Mo. ; Martha married Levi Beckley 

I 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 437 

and died at Moberly, Mo.; Sarah, married Tom Hardesty and died near 
Higbee, Mo.; and W. T., the subject of this sketch. 

W. T. Reed was reared near Huntsville and attended the Oliver dis- 
trict school which was held in one of the pioneer log school houses of 
the early days. The building was of the primitive type, and Mr. Reed 
recalls among his early teachers Henry Jackson and Becky Jones, who 
were among the pioneer teachers of Randolph County. Mr. Reed began 
farming in early life and was successfully engaged in farming and stock 
raising until 1919 when he sold his place in September of that year, and 
for three months lived in Huntsville. On March 3, 1920, he removed to 
Clifton Hill where he bought the George Morris property where he now 
resides. 

W. T. Reed was married Nov. 10, 1871 to Mary J. Tillerson, a daughter 
of John and Elizabeth (Kitchen) Tillerson. Mrs. Reed was born four 
miles southwest of Clifton Hill, May 1, 1850. Her parents were pioneer 
settlers in this section of Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Reed has been born 
one son, Michael Reed, who is now a motor mechanic at Columbia, Mo. 
He married Leora Buchanan of Clifton township and they have six chil- 
dren as follows: Otis, married Willy Martin and they live at New 
Franklin, Mo., where he is a motor mechanic ; Russell, further mention of 
whom is made below; Louie, Bertha, Clarence and Beulah. 

Russell Reed, above mentioned, is a veteran of the World War. He 
enlisted at Columbia and was first sent to Nevada with the Missouri troops 
and after a period of training there and elsewhere was sent to France 
with his command and took part in some of the most severe fighting in 
France, including the battle of Argonne Forest and others. He spent 
about two years in the service and now resides at Columbia, Mo. 

W. T. Reed is a high type of the American pioneer citizen and one 
of the substantial men of Randolph County. 

Homan H. Malone, a well known farmer and stockman of Salt Spring 
township, is a native of this township and a descendant of one of the 
pioneer families of Randolph County. He is a son of Judge A. M. and 
Betsey (Bradley) Malone, and was born in Salt Spring township April 
8. 1870. Judge A. M. Malone was a native of North Carolina, born Nov. 
17, 1822 and was a son of Thomas Malone. Thomas Malone was a native 
of North Carolina and came to Randolph County with his family in 1827. 
He entered 160 acres of land in Silver Creek township and spent the re- 
mainder of his life there. His remains are buried in Smith cemetery. 



438 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Judge A. M. Malone was about five years old when he came to Randolph 
County with his parents. He was reared and educated in this county and 
during his active career was engaged in farming and stock raising in Salt 
Spring township. He took a prominent part in local affairs and was 
elected judge of the county court. He died during his term of office, 
Aug. 24, 1892. Betsey (Bradley) Malone was a daughter of Squire Brad- 
ley, a native of Kentucky and an early settler in Salt Spring township 
She was born June 5, 1827 and died June 18, 1901 and her remains are 
buried in Smith cemetery. 

To Judge A. M. and Betsey (Bradley) Malone were born the fol- 
lowing children: Louis G., died at the age of 60 years; Mrs. Cordelia 
Jane Bradley, died at the age of 30 years; Martha Susan, married B. L. 
Cockrell, Huntsville, Mo.; George Mitchell, Kirksville, Mo.; Katy May, 
widow of William Thomas, Stansbury, Mo. ; Liensetta, deceased ; Alex- 
ander, deceased ; Sebastin Cabot, deceased ; Squire Boone, deceased ; 
Alonzo, Muskogee, Okla.; Homan H., the subject of this sketch and Yewel 
Ford, lives in Howard County, Mo. 

Homan H. Malone was reared in Randolph County and attended the 
Gill district school and with the exception of two years spent in Howard 
County and two years in Montana, he has lived in Randolph County all 
his life. He bought his present place which is located two and one-half 
miles southwest of Huntsville in 1894. The place contains 96 acres and 
G. T. Burton was the former owner. This land was entered from the 
government by William Richardson, July 30, 1828. Mr. Malone has im- 
proved the place and has a good comfortable farm residence and suitable 
barns and other buildings. 25 acres of his farm is under blue grass. He 
raises stock and carries on general farming and is meeting with success. 

Mr. Malone was married Dec. 25, 1892 to Zettie Ellis, who died in 
1897, leaving one child who is now Mrs. Clara Williams, of Salisbury, Mo. 
Mr. Malone was married the second time March 30, 1904 to Miss Myrtle 
Cubbage, of Yates, Mo. She is a daughter of Henry and Clara (Higdon) 
Cubbage, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Malone have been born two sons, Ellis B., deceased, and Waldo 
Emerson, born July 7, 1907. 

Mrs. Malone is one of the successful poultry breeders of Randolph 
County and is making a distinct success in that field of endeavor. She 
raises pure bred Brown Leghorns, pure bred White Leghorns and Barred 
Plymouth Rock chickens and also Bronze turkeys and has met with re- 
markable success. Her champion gobbler weighed 33 pounds. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 439 

Mr. Malone is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Huntsville and is 
one of Randolph County's substantial citizens. 

Sippel Brothers. — This enterprising and progressive firm which con- 
ducts a garage and blacksmith shop at Thomas Hill, Mo., is composed of 
Emil F. and Charles W. Sippel. The Sippel Brothers began business here 
with their father, Adolph Sippel in 1894 and he is now living retired at 
Thomas Hill and his sons continue the business. 

Adolph Sippel is a native of Germany and came to America when he 
was 17 years old and first located at Harrisburg, Pa. In 1881 he came 
to Macon, Mo. and remained there until 1894. He then came to Thomas 
Hill, Randolph County, where he engaged in blacksmithing, a trade which 
he had learned when a young man and followed all his life. He re- 
mained in business at Thomas Hill until 1915 when he retired and has 
since lived at Thomas Hill. 

Adolph Sippel was married to Emily Shultess, a native of Switzerland 
who came to America when she was 18 years old and settled at Macon, 
Mo., where she was married to Mr. Sippel. She is now 73 years old and 
Mr. Sippel is one year her senior. To Adolph Sippel and wife have been 
born the following children: John, # who was accidentally killed on the rail- 
road at Bevier, Mo., where he was foreman of a mine shop; Lizzie, mar- 
ried Charles R. Fowler, of Atchison, Kan. ; Adolph, died at the age of 16 
years; Emil F. and Charles W., the last two names composing the firm 
of Sippel Brothers. 

Emil F. Sippel was born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 27, 1880. He received 
his education in the public schools and on June 25, 1900 he was married 
to Agnes Scott, a daughter of J. N. and Ella Scott. J. M. Scott died at 
Portland, Oregon and his remains were sent back to Belleville, 111., for 
interment. His widow now resides at Moberly, Mo. To Emil F. Sippel 
and wife have been born three children as follows: Edward, Hazel and 
Howard, all attending school at Thomas Hill. 

Charles W. Sippel was born at Macon, Mo., Sept. 14, 1883. He was 
married July 30, 1905 to Miss Minnie Bunnell, a daughter of Thomas 
Bunnell and to this union have been bom three children: Gladys, Rus- 
sell and Ralph, all students in the Thomas Hill school. 

Emil F. and Charles B. Sippel have operated in partnership since 
1894. In 1919 they built a new shop which is constructed of tile blocks 
and is 40x40 feet in dimensions. Here they have all kinds of modern 
machinery and devices for automobile repair work as well as general 



440 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

blacksmithing. They deal in automobile accessories and keep Ford parts 
in stock. 

The Sippel Brothers are both expert mechanics, having learned the 
trade under their father and have worked at blacksmithing and machine 
work all their lives. They are reliable business men and have won the 
confidence of the public, both for their honesty and integrity and their 
skill and ingenuity as mechanics. They are both members of the Masonic 
Lodge at Clifton Hill and belong to the Modern Woodmen of America at 
Thomas Hill. 

Julius Dunn, an honored pioneer settler of Randolph County Mo., 
bears the unusual distinction of having served in both the Mexican and 
Civil Wars and he is one of the few surviving veterans of that early day 
conflict with the Mexican government. He was born in Boone County, 
Mo., Aug. 5, 1829 and is a son of William H. and Phoebe Dunn, both 
natives of Kentucky. 

William H. Dunn came to this unsettled region in 1800 and was one 
of the very first white settlers in what is now the state of Missouri. When 
the Mexican War broke out, he was commissioned captain and was en- 
gaged in mustering soldiers into the service. 

Julius Dunn was reared amidst the pioneer surroundings of frontier 
life and his early life was spent not unlike that of the average frontiers- 
man and farmer of his time. When the Mexican War broke out and he 
enlisted in Boone County, Mo. and was detailed as a teamster, serving 
about one year. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in the 
Union army at Huntsville and after a period of service of over two and 
one-half years, he was mustered out and honorably discharged. 

In 1852, Julius Dunn located on Government land six miles east of 
where the city of Moberly now stands and was required to go to Palmyra, 
Mo., where the nearest government land office was located, to enter his 
claim. There were very few settlers in this section at that time and he 
was the first man to settle on the prairies in the vicinity of where Moberly 
now stands. The first log cabin which he erected on his place is • still 
standing and is used as the kitchen of the present Dunn farm residence 
and many memories of pioneer days cluster about this historic old build- 
ing which has been this veteran pioneer's residence for 68 years. Mr. 
Dunn has added to his original holdings from time to time until he has 
acquired 360 acres of valuable land which he improved and brought under 
a high state of cultivation. He has disposed of 120 acres but still owns 



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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 441 

240 acres of rich productive farm land where, for these many years he 
has been successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He 
has been engaged in mixed farming which he has found to be the safest 
and most profitable plan. His place is well stocked with horses, cattle, 
hogs and sheep and he also keeps a large number of chickens with profit. 
Mr. Dunn was united in marriage in January, 1853 with Miss Sarah 
Turner who died in 1913 at the advanced age of 80 years. They were 
the parents of four children as follows: John, Cairo, Mo.; Bessie, mar- 
ried Robert Fountain, of Centralia, Mo.; and Ebley and Mary, deceased. 

i 

Mr. Dunn, although in his 91st year, is still active in body and mind 
and is one of the remarkably well preserved men of his age and experi- 
ence to be found. He recalls with some merriment, that his mother pun- 
ished him for using tobacco when he was a small boy and at the same 
time severely reprimanded him and impressed upon him that the use 
of tobacco was very injurious. He was not a bad boy, as boys go gen- 
erally, however he has continued the use of tobacco all these years and 
still enjoys it as much as ever; and in these latter years he is rather in- 
clined to think that his mother, although honest in her conviction, might 
have been slightly mistaken as to the immediate fatal effect of the mild, 
although persistent use of tobacco. It is too early to render final judg- 
ment as to the fatal effect of the "weed". However, time will tell. Mr. 
Dunn is still active in the management of his farming operations and is 
one of the prosperous and substantial farmers of Randolph County. 

Thomas McGinnis, now deceased, was for many years successfully 
identified with the interests of Randolph County and was one of its 
leading farmers and stockmen and a man who contributed his part to the 
upbuilding and development of Randolph County. He was a native of 
Ireland and came to America with his father, Thomas McGinnis, Sr., in 
1846. They settled on a farm near Yates which is now known as the Pitts 
Farm. Thomas McGinnis settled on the farm where the family now re- 
side, in 1876 and here spent his life successfully engaged in farming and 
stock raising. During the Civil War, he was a member of the state 
militia. He was an upright and honorable citizen and successful in his 
undertakings. 

Thomas McGinnis was married Nov. 19, 1876 to Miss Mary M. Tomp- 
kins and to this union were born two sons, T. T., born March 26, 1879 
and J. J., born March 3, 1881. The McGinnis brothers now operate the 



442 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

home farm which is known as 'The McGinnis Stock Farm", and is located 
in Salt Spring township five miles south of Huntsville. It is one of the 
valuable farms of Randolph County and consists of 432 acres, much of 
which is under blue grass and here the McGinnis brothers are success- 
fully engaged in raising cattle, horses, mules, sheep and hogs in addition 
to general farming. They are extensive producers of hay. The father, 
Thomas McGinnis, died Jan. 5. 1909 and since that time the mother and 
the sons have continued on the home place and she now resides with her 
son, T. T., being his housekeeper. 

J. J. McGinnis was married Sept. 24, 1919 to Miss Mollie Chesser, of 
Moniteau township. 

Both T. T. and J. J. McGinnis are members of the Masonic Lodge at 
Huntsville and T. T. is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks at Moberly. They are progressive citizens and are meet- 
ing with success in their undertakings, 

Dawkins Brothers. — The Dawkins brothers are among the pro- 
gressive and successful farmers of Randolph County and descendants of 
one of the early pioneer families of this section of Missouri. William J., 
Levi H. and Levin Showard Dawkins are all native sons of Randolph 
County and were born in Salt Spring township on the place where they 
now reside and which they operate in partnership. This place was 
entered from the government by Levi Dawkins, grandfather of the Daw- 
kins Brothers in 1838. He was born near New Castle, Henry County, 
Ky. and came to Missouri in 1838. After entering land in Salt Spring 
township he spent his life here engaged in farming and stock raising and 
became one of the successful and prosperous pioneer citizens of this 
county and at the time of his death in 1874 he was the owner of 640 acres 
of land. His remains are buried in the cemetery at Higbee, Mo. Levi 
Dawkins, upon settling in Salt Spring township, built a log cabin and the 
present Dawkins residence now stands on the foundation which was built 
at that time. He was promient in the early day affairs of Randolph 
County and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. 

The Dawkins Brothers are sons of Levin S. Dawkins and Isabella 
(Pogue) Dawkins, the former a native of Henry County, Ky., and the 
latter of Jessamine County, Ky., both now deceased. The father died in 
1905 and the mother in 1915 and they are buried in the Higbee ceme- 
tery. Levin Dawkins was a farmer and stockman and also worked at 
building some. He and his brother, George Dawkins built the first brick 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 443 

building in Moberly, Mo. and the Dawkins Brothers now have in their 
possession, a trowel which was used in the work. To Levin S. and Isabella 
(Pogue) Dawkins were born the following children: William J., of this 
sketch; Mary Ella, W. B. Jackson and Levi H. and Levin, twins, whose 
names also introduce this sketch. 

The Dawkins Brothers were reared on the farm which was entered 
by their grandfather and upon which they now live. They attended the 
Walnut Grove school which was held in a primitive log school house and 
their first teacher was Polk Witt. The brothers have co-operated in the 
conduct of the home place since they grew to manhood and have met with 
success. They have a valuable farm of 320 acres which is well improved 
with a good residence, a new barn which they built in 1908. The old log 
house which was built by their grandfather and which was the two room 
log cabin #s been succeeded by a modern residence which was built by 
the Dawkins Brothers. They carry on general farming and also raise 
stock. 

The Dawkins Brothers are highly respected citizens and stand high 
in Randolph County. Levi H. and Levin S. are members of the Masonic 
Lodge at Huntsville and also hold membership in the Order of the East- 
ern Star. 

George L. Johnson, who is now engaged in the general mercantile 
business at Thomas Hill, has for many years been successfully identified 
with farming and stock raising in Randolph County. He was born in 
Minnesota, Oct. 15, 1863 and is the son of W. C. and Lucinda (Lanning) 
Johnson. 

W. C. Johnson was a native of Kentucky, born in 1834. When the 
Civil War broke out, he was living at Minnesota and enlisted in the Union 
army at Fort Snelling, Minn. After the close of the war he came to 
Missouri with his wife and family and settled in Chariton township where 
he engaged in farming and stock raising and prospered. He carried on 
general farming and stock raising and also fed cattle extensively for the 
market. At the time of his death in 1901 he was the owner of about 600 
acres of land. After his death George L. and his mother continued the 
operation of the home place and carried on the business with marked 
success and increased their land holdings to 1,100 acres which they later 
sold. Lucinda (Lanning) Johnson, mother of George L. Johnson was 
born in Indiana in 1837 and died in Chariton township in 1913. 



444 ' HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

George L. Johnson was engaged in farming and stock raising until 
1920. He purchased his present store at Thomas Hill in 1918 and has 
given the business his personal supervision since August, 1919. The 
store building is 20x60 feet with an additional building of 16x40 feet. 
Mr. Johnson carries a very complete line of general merchandise, his 
stock averaging about $12,000. This store commands an excellent trade 
over a large scope of territory and in addition to the regular line of 
merchandise, Mr. Johnson buys and sells all kinds of country produce. 
He uses an auto truck for transporting his goods between Thomas Hill 
and the railroad station. 

George L. Johnson was married Jan. 16, 1887 to Miss Bettie Ficklin, 
a daughter of H. B. and Pemelia (Baker) Ficklin early pioneers of Char- 
iton township, both of whom are now deceased. The father died in 1908 
at the age of 74 years and the mother died in 1910 at the age of 75 years 
and their remains are buried in the Henry cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Johnson have been born the following children: W. C., who is engaged 
in farming and stock raising six miles west of Huntsville; Horace F. was 
engaged in the mercantile business at Kaseyville and Grand Center and is 
now engaged in farming and stock raising in Macon County; Rev. George 
L., Jr., is pastor of the Baptist church at Callao, Mo. and principal of the 
high school there and is also editor of the Callao Journal and Effie Lou, 
a student in the high school and resides at home. 

Mr. Johnson is a director in the Clifton Hill Banking Company and 
he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. He is a member of 
the Modern Woodmen of America and one of the progressive, enterpris- 
ing and public spirited citizens of Randolph County. 

Mr. Johnson has just completed a splendid modern two story resi- 
dence which is equipped with Delco lights and a complete water system 
and all other modern conveniences. It is perhaps the finest country resi- 
dence in Randolph County. 

W. E. Agee, a leading farmer and stock breeder in Chariton town- 
ship, is the owner and proprietor of Hillside Stock Farm which is one 
of the attractive and valuable farms of Randolph County. Mr. Agee is a 
native of Missouri. He was born in Macon County, Nov. 12, 1861 and is 
a son of Andrew E. and Sallis (Minor) Agee. « 

Andrew E. Agee served in the Union army during the Civil War and 
at the close of the war he engaged in farming until his death. He died 
in 1871 at the age of 37 years and his remains are buried in the Thomas 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 445 

Hill cemetery. His widow is now 80 years old and resides at Rothville, 
Chariton County. Andrew E. and Sallie (Minor) Agee were the parents 
of four children as follows : Mrs. Theodosia Bradley, Mangum, Okla. ; W. 
E. Agee, the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Lutie Richeson, Rothville, Mo. ; 
and Mrs. Edna Sears, Hereford, Tex. 

W. E. Agee was educated in the public schools, attended school in 
the Epperly district and at Thomas Hill. In early life he engaged in 
farming and stock raising and has made a decided success. He has lived 
on his present place for 28 years and his improvements are substantial, 
modern and convenient. He has a good residence and three stock barns. 
His farm consists of 573 acres and is one of the valuable blue grass farms 
of the county. About 400 acres of which is under blue grass. The place 
is well watered and an ideal stock farm in every particular. Mr. Agee 
keeps on hand about 60 head of grade cattle and in recent years he has 
given special attention to breeding big type Poland China hogs of the 
pure bred registered variety. His male hogs "Farmer's Friend" and 
"Agee's Tim Wonderer" are splendid types of pure bred registered ani- 
mals and he also has twelve registered pure bred brood females. He also 
has 200 head of Shropshire sheep and pure bred registered bucks. He 
also raises standard bred Leghorn chickens. He has won a place among 
the leading breeders on Randolph County. 

Mr. Agee was married Jan. 20, 1891 to Miss Blanche Baker, a daughter 
of Nathan and Sarah D. Baker who were early settlers north of Hunts- 
ville and are both now deceased. They were about 75 years of age at 
the time of their deaths and their remains are buried in the Huntsville 
cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Agee have been born the following children: 
Delora, married Lloyd T. Barnes and they have one daughter, Audrey Lee 
and they live adjoining the home place; Bussie, married Lloyd Palmer 
and they live adjoining the home place and have one daughter, Nadine, 
and Elbie is a student in high school at Fayette, Mo. 

Mr. Agee is an enterprising citizen and takes a commendable interest 
in public affairs and has been especially interested in the welfare of the 
public schools and for 21 years has been a member of the local school 
board. He is a substantial and highly respected citizen. The farm resi- 
dence and bams are electric lighted by the Delco system. 

Frank B. Heddinghaus, a progressive citizen of Sugar Creek town- 
ship, who is well known for his industry and integrity, is a native of 
Illinois. He was born in Adams County in 1860, and is a son of George 



446 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

and Elizabeth (Korte) Heddinghaus, natives of Germany, who came to 
America when young. They were married at Quincy, 111., and prior to 
the Civil War, came to Missouri and during the war returned to Quincy, 
where they remained until 1870. They then returned to Missouri and 
settled on a farm three miles east of Moberly. This place is now owned 
by R. K. and S. P. Crose. George Heddinghaus was an honest, indus- 
trious citizen. He died in 1879 and was the first to be buried in St. 
Marys cemetery. His wife lived for many years after his death and 
departed this life in September, 1916 at the advanced age of 83 years. 
They were the parents of the following children: Frank B., the subject 
of this sketch; John, Prairie township; Mrs. Anna Kroner, Quincy, 111.; 
Mrs. Josephina Schneider, Denver, Colo ; Mrs. Lizzie Kelty, Moberly, Mo. ; 
and George, Quincy, 111. 

Frank B. Heddinghaus was educated in the public schools of Quincy, 
111., and Moberly, Mo. and remained at home with his parents until he 
was 21 years of age. He located on his present place, just south of the 
city of Moberly in 1893. His farm consists of 47 acres of fertile and 
highly cultivated land. Here he carries on a general truck farming busi- 
ness. He raises vegetables of all kinds, including onions, cabbage, peas, 
rhubarb and etc., and he also raises potatoes extensively. He has been 
very successful in his chosen field and has become well-to-do. 

Mr. Heddinghaus was married in 1881 to Miss Katie Winkamp, a 
native of Quincy, 111. She is a daughter of Antonio and Anna (Wilper) 
Winkamp, both of whom are now deceased, having spent their last days 
at Westphalia, Falls County, Texas. Mrs. Heddinghaus has five sisters 
as follows: Mrs. Frances Bartschsmidt, Marshall, Texas; Mrs. Elizabeth 
Greger, Durango, Texas; Mrs. Josie Voltin, Barclay, Texas; Mrs. Anna 
Voltin, Barclay, Texas; and Mrs. Rosa Holcher, Barclay, Texas. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Heddinghaus have been born the following children : 
Mrs. Josie Muehe, Moberly, Mo.; John, a bricklayer of Duluth. Minn.; 
Frank J., with the Harris Lumber Co., Moberly, Mo.; William H.. of 
Duluth, Minn. ; and who for the past eight years has served in the United 
States navy; Mrs. Bertha Kroner, Moberly, Mo.; Mrs. Dora Thieman, 
Moberly, Mo.; Mrs. Christine Smith, Moberly. Mo.; Ed, a farmer. Moberly; 
Caroline, a sister of Mercy at St. Johns Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.; Mrs. 
Viola Westhause, Glasgow, Mo. ; and Albert, who resides at home with his 
parents. Mr. and Mrs. Heddinghaus have twelve grandchildren as fol- 
lows: Irene, Wilbur, Lucille, Arthur, Evelyn, and Viola Muehe: Ruth, 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 447 

Alice and Ralph Heddinghaus ; Edna Kroner and Nora May Heddinghaus, 
and Bernice Viola Westhause. 

Mr. Heddinghaus is one of the substantial citizens of Randolph 
County and the Heddinghaus family is well known and highly respected. 

Herman J. Lotter, cashier of the Moberly Trust Company, is one of 
the well-known and capable financiers of Randolph County. He was 
born in Moberly, Jan. 15, 1881. and is a son of Charles J. and Anna 
(Howell) Lotter, the former of whom was born in the Kingdom of 
Saxony, Germany, in 1845, and the mother was born at Caven-Glass, 
South Wales. 

Charles Lotter became a hardware merchant after locating here and 
remained in that line of business until his death, Aug. 17, 1914. He had 
been a locksmith in his native land and followed an allied occupation 
after coming to the new world and settling in Moberly in 1871. He accu- 
mulated considerable property and was one of the organizers of the Mo- 
berly Trust Company when it was incorporated in 1906. He was of keen 
mind and wide awake to the many opportunities for investment and im- 
proved every offer that presented itself. The mother still survives, be- 
ing one of the well-known members of the Coates Street Presbyterian 
church. There were seven children in the Lotter family: Herman, the 
subject of this sketch; Emma, who lives with her mother; Charles J., Jr., 
of Moberly, is engaged in the insurance business; Eda, the wife of F. G. 
Keiter, now employed by the Wabash railroad; Morgan E., of Moberly; 
Lena, who married H. V. Jones, a traveling salesman of Moberly, jmd 
Ernest H., assistant secretary of the Moberly Trust Company. 

Herman J. Lotter received his educational advantages in the public 
schools of Moberly, and attended the Gem City Business College, at 
Quincy, 111., in 1898, and the next year began his banking career by 
entering the employ of the Mechanics Savings Bank of Moberly. He 
showed such constructive ability and foresight in commercial affairs that 
when the Moberly Trust Company was organized in 1906, the position of 
assistant cashier was offered to him and accepted. In the early fall of 
1910, Mr. Lotter became cashier of that institution. Since 1912, he also 
has been director. Mr. Lotter has served as city treasurer of Moberly, 
an office which he has held since 1911. He is a Democrat and his fra- 
ternal associations are with the Masonic Lodge. Mr. Lotter is a member 
of the Coates Street Presbyterian church and is chairman of board of 
deacons. 



448 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

On May 5, 1905, Mr. Lotter was married to Miss Anna Van Cleve, 
a native of Macon, Mo., and one child has been born to them: Herman 
Van Cleve, born Aug. 28, 1909. 

George N. Ratliff, owner of Cedar Home Farm, which is located just 
east of the city limits of Moberly, is a native of Missouri and has been 
prominently identified with the public affairs of Randolph County for 
many years. He was born in Macon County, Mo., Feb. 28, 1843 and is a 
son of Jonathan and Dulaney (Rowland) Ratliff. 

Jonathan Ratliff was born near Glasgow, Barron County, Ky., in 1807 
and came to Missouri and first settled in Randolph County near Hunts- 
ville in 1827. He was married in Randolph County and shortly after- 
wards removed to Macon County where he remained until 1867. He then 
went to Benton County, Ark., and spent the remainder of his life there. 
His wife, Dulaney Rowland Ratliff was born in Tennessee in 1812. She 
was a daughter of Younger and Margaret (Crawford) Rowland and came 
to Randolph County with her parents when she was a young girl. They 
settled south of Huntsville about 1820 and Younger and Margaret Row- 
land both spent the remainder of their lives in that vicinity and are buried 
about four miles south of Huntsville. Margaret Crawford Rowland was a 
granddaughter of Col. William Crawford, a native of Virginia, who served 
as colonel in Washington's army during the Revolutionary War and was 
killed by Indians. 

Jonathan and Dulaney (Rowland) Ratliff were the parents of the 
following children: Mrs. Margaret Clatterbuck, deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth 
Rogers, deceased; A. E., deceased; J. T., deceased; Mrs. Polly Ann Shelton, 
deceased; George N., subject of this sketch; Mrs. Edna Whiles, deceased; 
Mrs. Martha Hunt, Granit, Okla. ; J. C, deceased ; and Mrs. Sarah Posey, 
Benton County, Ark. 

George N. Ratliff was reared in Macon County, Mo. and attended the 
public schools and later was a student in Mt. Pleasant College and the 
State Normal School at Kirksville, Mo. He then took up teaching as a 
profession and for 20 years taught school in Randolph and Chariton 
counties. 

When the Civil War broke out George N. Ratliff joined the Missouri 
State Guards and was a member of the organization until the First Con- 
federate Brigade of Missouri was organized when he became a member 
of Company K, 3rd Regiment, Missouri Infantry, and served with that 
organization until the close of the war. He was wounded at the battle 




GEORGE N. RATLIFF 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 449 

of Bakers Creek, Miss., May 16, 1863 where his left arm was broken by a 
minnie ball. He was left without medical attention for nine days. How- 
ever, he recovered and rejoined his regiment within six months and 
served until the close of the war. He then returned to Randolph County 
and after completing his education, engaged in teaching as above stated. 
He was one of the successful and well known educators of this section of 
Missouri. In 1877, he was elected superintendent of public schools of 
Randolph County and reelected to that office in 1879, serving four years. 
In 1886 he was elected sheriff of Randolph County and reelected to that 
office in 1888, serving four years. In 1890, he was elected county col- 
lector and reelected in 1892 and served four years in that office. He 
has ever been faithful to every public trust imposed in him by the people 
and in whatever capacity he has served, he has given the public business 
the same thoughtful consideration that he would his own private affairs. 

Mr. Ratliff was united in marriage in May, 1874, with Miss Josie 
Terrill, a daughter of Judge James and Eliza (Chrisler) Terrill. Judge 
James Terrill was for many years prominent in the affairs of Randolph 
County. He served as county judge here prior to the Civil War and after 
the close of the war he again served in that office for about 20 years. He 
was a native of Virginia and when a boy went to Kentucky with his par- 
ents and settled in Boone County and in the early forties came to Ran- 
dolph County. In 1848, he purchased the farm which is now owned by 
Mr. Ratliff and here he and his wife spent the remainder of their days. 
This farm was entered from the government by Elrena Austin and was 
later sold to Judge Terrill. Austin built a huge log cabin on the place 
about one hundred years ago and a part of this old cabin is still standing 
in the Ratliff yard. Mr. and Mrs. Ratliff were married in this building. 

To George N. Ratliff and wife have been born the following children : 
Lois and Louis, twins, the former the wife of J. N. Wayland, of Hunts- 
ville, Mo., and the latter is commissioner of public buildings, Jefferson 
City, Mo. ; Vida, married B. A. Garber and resides at Garber, Okla. ; 
Donna; Roy, a mail carrier in Moberly; Virgie, married R. E. Martin, 
Huntsville, Mo.; George N., Jr., a farmer and dairyman on the home 
place; Edna, married L. M. Crose, a dairyman of Sugar Creek township; 
Susie, married J. W. Richardson, Moberly, Mo. ; and Josephine died at the 
age of five years. 

Mr. Ratliff has been a member of the Masonic Lodge for 45 years, 
having been made a Mason at Salisbury, Mo., in 1875. He is a member of 
the Baptist church. 



450 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Rucker Brothers. — This firm is composed of J. Frank and Tunce C. 
Rucker and they conduct one of the leading dairy farms of Randolph 
County. The Rucker farm is situated one and one-half miles south of 
Moberly and consists of 173 acres and was formerly the property of H. 
R. Terrill, a pioneer of Randolph County and was purchased by the Rucker 
Brothers in 1910. However, they have been in the dairy business for the 
past 16 years, having started in Moberly in 1904. The Rucker dairy herd 
consists of 30 registered Jersey cows and the herd is headed by "Gamboge 
Major", a valuable registered male Jersey. 

The Rucker Brothers dairy farm is equipped with all modern sani- 
tary dairy devices with a view to sanitation and expediency in handling 
dairy products. Their stables are conveniently arranged and kept in the 
best possible condition and everything about the place is kept in first 
class order. Their entire output of milk is delivered to the Ragsdale 
Carter Dairy Company, of Moberly, who distribute it daily to their hun- 
dreds of customers in that city. 

In addition to their dairy business the Rucker Brothers are also 
well known and successful dealers in mules and have been very successful 
in this field of endeavor. 

Frank and Tunce C. Rucker are the sons of John F. and Minnie C. 
(Coates) Rucker. John F. Rucker is now deputy collector of customs at 
St. Louis, Mo. He was born near Huntsville, Mo., in 1860 and his wife 
was born the same year in Sugar Creek township. 

The Rucker boys are both graduates of the Moberly High School, 
having graduated in the class of 1904. They are both experienced dairy- 
men, having learned the business on the farm of their grandfather, J. T. 
Coates, who was one of the pioneer dairymen of Sugar Creek township. 
When they began business on their own account, their capital consisted 
of $14.00 in cash and one Jersey cow. They attended strictly to business 
and worked early and late and their industry has been rewarded by suc- 
cess, and today they rank among the leading enterprising business men 
of Randolph County. 

Judge Alexander H. Waller, who is the editor of this history of 
Randolph County, though not the writer of this sketch, is one of the 
veteran lawyers of central Missouri, and for the past 43 years has prac- 
ticed law in Randolph County, with the exception of 13 years when he 
presided on the bench of the circuit court of this circuit. Judge Waller 
was born near Carrollton, Carroll County, Ky., April 13, 1845. His par- 
ents were Esme M. and Jane H. (Moffett) Waller. 






HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY ^ 451 

Esme M. Waller was a native of the eastern /Maryland and was a 
member of an old American family of English descent. This branch of 
the Waller family was founded in America by William Waller, who came 
from England in 1683 and died in Maryland in 1699. Esme M. Waller 
was a son of Ebenezer Cotman Waller. Ebenezer Cotman Waller removed 
from Maryland to Kentucky in 1804 when Esme M. Waller, father of 
Judge Waller, was one year old. 

Esme M. Waller was reared to manhood in Kentucky and remained 
in that state until 1854, when he, with his family and his father, who 
was then an old man, started for Missouri. They became ice-bound at 
St. Louis and spent the winter in that locality. Ebenezer Cotman Waller, 
grandfather of Judge Waller, died near St. Louis that winter in his 
83rd year. The following spring, Esme M. Waller went to Saline County, 
Mo., where he remained until the fall of 1855. He then went to Clay 
County and bought a farm of 350 acres of land near Smithville. He 
was engaged in farming on that place until his slaves were freed and in 
December, 1864, he sold his place in Clay County and bought 160 acres 
near Barry, Platte County, Mo. Later he returned to Clay County, where 
he died in January, 1892, at the age of 88 years and five months. His 
wife died in Clay County, in May, 1893. She was born in Ohio. Her 
father was a native of Virginia and her mother of North Carolina and 
she was reared and educated in Woodford County, Ky. To Esme M. 
and Jane H. (Moffet) Waller were born three children: Alexander H., 
the subject of this sketch; Mary, married David T. Bronaugh, who was 
a prominent farmer and stockman of Clay County and is now deceased 
and his widow resides in Clay County, and George C. Waller, who for 
many years was prominently identified with the affairs of Clay County 
and was one of the most popular and well known men of that county. 
He served as county collector for four years and died near Liberty, Mo., 
in 1902. 

Judge Waller was about 10 years old when his parents settled in 
Clay County, Mo. He was educated in the district school and a semi- 
nary which was located at Mt. Gilliad, Clay County. He came to Hunts- 
ville, Randolph County, in 1873. However, he had read law in Clay 
County before coming here. He served as deputy circuit clerk of Ran- 
dolph County from 1875 to 1877. He was admitted to the bar by Judge 
Burckhartt in 1877 and immediately engaged in the practice of his pro- 
fession at Huntsville. Shortly after being admitted to the bar, Judge 



452 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Waller was appointed city attorney for Huntsville. In 1878, he was 
elected prosecuting attorney of Randolph County and was re-elected to 
that office twice, serving three terms, from January, 1879, until January, 
1895. At the expiration of his last term of office as prosecuting attor- 
ney he removed to Moberly and had an extensive practice in Randolph 
and adjoining counties, until November, 1903, when he was appointed 
judge of this judicial circuit to fill out the unexpired term of Judge John 
A. Hockaday, of Fulton, who died in office. In 1904, Judge Waller was 
nominated and elected to the office of circuit judge and in 1910 was re- 
elected to succeed himself and served until Jan. 1, 1917. During his 
incumbency of the office of circuit judge, Judge Waller won the well- 
merited reputation of being a fair, fearless and able judge. His pro- 
found knowledge of the lav/, coupled with his extensive experience as 
a lawyer and his inherent honesty and integrity, well qualified him for 
the difficult and responsible position of circuit judge. While justice, as 
judicially administered in his court, may not always have been "tem- 
pered with mercy," he never lost sight of the humane element and was 
always loathe to see justice miscarry by reason of technicality. It has 
been said of him by members of the bar who practiced in his court for 
many years while he was judge that he was a great equity judge. Dur- 
ing the time that Judge Waller presided on the bench, the Ninth Judi- 
cial District was composed of the four counties of Randolph, Howard, 
Boone and Callaway. There was an enormous amount of business in 
this district for one judge, and during the period which he held office, 
Judge Waller heard and decided, perhaps, more cases than any other 
circuit judge in the state of Missouri, and of the appeals taken from his 
court the percentage of reversals was remarkably low. After the expira- 
tion of his term of office in 1917 Judge Waller returned to the practice 
of law to which he has since devoted himself. He is recognized as 
one of the ablest lawyers in central Missouri and is the oldest practicing 
attorney in Randolph County. 

Judge Waller was united in marriage April 24, 1904, with Miss Annie 
James, a native of Howard County, Mo. She is a daughter of William and 
Mary (Smith) James, both the James and Smith families were from 
Kentucky and early settlers in this section of Missouri. William James 
wfs a farmer and stockman, and died in Moberly in March, 1897, and 
his widow now resides with Judge and Mrs. Waller and is in her 88th 
year. She is a daughter of Joel Smith, who was a prominent pioneer 
of Randolph County and became a very large land owner. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 453 

Judge Waller is a member of the Christian church and is a Demo- 
crat, having inherited his politics through many generations. His father 
voted for Andrew Jackson and his grandfather for Thomas Jefferson. 
Judge Waller is perhaps the best known man in Randolph County, and 
during the course of his long professional and official career he has made 
many friends and few, if any, real enemies. Written by M. J. Flannery. 

Arthur Berger Chamier, one of the leading members of the Ran- 
dolph County bar, and one of the younger generation of the professional 
men of this section, is a native of Moberly. He was born July 19, 1875, 
a son of Leo A. and Mary (Burger) Chamier, to whom three children 
were born: Jennie, who married W. S. Dolton, deceased, and is now 
bursar of Westminster College, Fulton, Mo., and has one daughter, Louisa; 
Olive, the wife of R. C. Dalton, and though the names of the husbands 
are similar, they are different and the men no relation, and Arthur B., 
the subject of this review, who was the second in order of birth. 

Leo Chamier was born in the province of Prussia, Germany, April 
5, 1845, of French descent. He was educated in the public schools of 
his native land and later worked in his father's store, but became dis- 
satisfied in Germany because of the required service in the army and 
when 21 years old came to America. He located near Chicago andj 
working on a farm while he learned the customs of this country, and 
later married the daughter of his employer. Subsequently he came west 
and located at Moberly about 1870, at the time when the Wabash shops 
were established in the town. For sometime he was employed in these 
shops, then returned to Illinois, where he married, in 1872, Miss Mary 
Berger, a native of Cook County, 111. Returning to Missouri, Mr. 
Chamier remained with the railroad company for a number of years, but 
later entered into a partnership with Valentine Riegel in the ownership 
and management of a dry goods business, located on Reed street. Later 
the stt>re burned and Mr. Chamier again accepted a position with the 
Wabash railroad until he retired in 1913. 

Arthur B. Chamier was reared in Moberly, attended the public 
schools here, graduating from the Moberly High School in 1892. The 
following fall he entered William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo., where he 
remained a student four years, receiving the degree of Bachelor of 
Arts in June, 1895. Almost immediately after graduation, Mr. Chamier 
accepted a position with the Wabash railroad, being located at St. Louie, 
and in January, 1896, he engaged in teaching French and psychology in 



454 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Wayne Academy at Piedmont, Mo. The next year he taught the public 
school at Mill Spring, Wayne County, Mo., remaining there until 1897, 
when he came to Mobeiiy to assume charge of the historj and civics 
departments in the high school of this city. In September, 1900, he 
entered the law department of Washington University, St. Louis, grad- 
uating in 1902. 

Shortly after graduating, Mr. Chamier located in Seattle, W«sh., 
taking a position in the law office of Peters & Powell for a year, but 
returned to St. Louis and was associated with Paul F. Coste, a leading 
attorney until the opening of the Louisiana Exposition, when he became 
customs inspector for the government, and secretary to J. J. Crowley, 
special agent in charge of the treasury department of the government. 
Following this service, Mr. Chamier became secretary to Amos, M. Thayer, 
United States judge of the Circuit Court of Appeals, 8th District, but 
upon the judge's death in 1904, returned to Moberly, where Judge Wal- 
ler appointed him court reporter of the Ninth circuit, which then con- 
sisted of Randolph, Callaway, Howard and Boone counties. This position 
Mr. Chamier held until January, 1911, when he engaged in practice in 
Moberly in partnership with Oak Hunter and the new firm opened offices 
in the Moberly Trust Building, where they have built up a high grade and 
large clientele. 

Mr. Chamier has ever taken an active interest in public affairs, 
gained many warm friends. He was elected city attorney of Moberly 
in the spring of 1911, serving in that capacity four years. For the past 
five years, Mr. Chamier has been a member of the school board. He is 
a Democrat, is a member of the Baptist church, is a Mason, belonging to 
Lodges A. F. & A. M., No. 344, Moberly Chapter No. 79, Royal Arch 
Masons, Tancred Commandery No. 25, Knights Templar, Moolah Temple 
and a member of the Shrine at St. Louis. He is also a member of the 
Odd Fellows, the Elks, and while in college belonged to the Sigma Nu 
fraternity. 

On Sept. 15, 1906, Mr. Chamier was married to Miss Lulu Jeffries, 
who- was born near Columbia, Ky., the daughter of W. F. and Ella 
(Reynolds) Jeffries, both natives of Kentucky, who came early to 
Carroll County, Mo., and later moved to Randolph County. Two chil- 
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Chamier: Richard and Mary Lou. 

John W. Faessler, president of the Faessler Manufacturing Company 
of Moberly, is engaged in one of the most important industries of the 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 455 

country, which is recognized as one of Moberly's foremost industrial in- 
stitutions. Mr. Faessler was born in Moberly, July 25, 1878, the son of 
John and Christiana (Klore) Faessler. John Faessler was born near 
Berne, Switzerland, July 25, 1838, and came to the United States when 
he was 14 years of age, to join his father, who had preceded him to St. 
Louis. There were nine children in his father's family, five of whom 
came to this country, while the others remained in their native land. 
Two of John Faessler's uncles served in the Union army during the Civil 
War. 

When the Wabash Railroad Company moved its shops from St. Charles 
to Moberly, John Faessler, Sr., came to this city and about 1875 he 
became an employe of the road in the tool department. He was ambi- 
tious and after accumulating some capital determined to establish him- 
self independently in business and became a manufacturer of boiler- 
makers' tools, a business in which he was engaged until his death, 
March 9, 1899. He made an unusual success of his business and at the 
time of his death was a leading factor in the industrial life in Moberly. 
He is survived by his wife and three children : John W.. Jr., whose 
name introduces this sketch ; Louis, treasurer of the Faessler Manu- 
facturing Company, and Lulu M., who married H. B. Gilfillan, a resident 
of this city. 

John Faessler, the subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood in Mo- 
berly. attended the public schools here until his senior year in the high 
school, when he gave up further educational advantages to assist his 
father who was in poor health. He began work in the factory when he was 
10 years of age, so that he had a practical insight into the business, 
knew all the varied processes of manufacturing and was soon able to 
assume much of the burden of the management. 

A year after the father's death, the concern was incorporated under 
the firm name of the J. Faessler Manufacturing Company with a paid up 
capitol of $60,000. The company manufactures all kinds of boiler makers' 
tools and allied products. They are also manufacturers of the celebrated 
Missouri Hay Press. The output of this factory reaches the markets 
of Canada, Mexico, and other foreign countries, \s well as all parts 
of the United States. 

John W. Faessler became president of the company at the time of 
its incorporation and his brother, Louis, became treasurer. Since the 
incorporation of the company, July 6, 1900, it has taken a place in the 



456 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

front rank of the industrial enterprises of the state. At the present time 
over 50 men are employed by this company. 

John W. Faessler is an independent Republican and has served as 
a member of the Moberly city council. Both he and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Baptist church and he holds membership in the Masonic 
Lodge and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 

Oct. 7, 1902, Mr. Faessler was married to Miss Elizabeth Nebergall 
of Moberly. She is a daughter of John H. and Nellie (Shumate) 
Nebergall. 

The Faessler family rank high in the citizenship of Moberly and 
Randolph County. 

B. C. Holbrook, who is one of the leading and prosperous farmers 
and stockmen of Randolph County is descended from one of the pioneer 
families of this section whose members took a prominent part in the 
development and opening up of this locality when Missouri was the 
frontier. 

Mr. Holbrook was born in Sugar Creek township, one mile west of 
Moberly, June 13, 1846, the son of Colbert and Nancy (Milam) Holbrook, 
both of whom were born, reared, educated and married in Virginia. They 
came west to take advantage of the government land yet to be obtained 
here and Colbert Holbrook entered 300 acres just west of B. C. Holbrook's 
present farm. Later he purchased more land and at the time of his 
death he owned 400 acres. Colbert Holbrook lived to be 54 years old and 
was laid to rest in the home burying ground. He was survived many 
years by his wife who was in her 83rd year when she died. 

Colbert and Nancy (Milam) Holbrook were the parents of eight chil- 
dren : Solomon, deceased ; Elizabeth the wife of J. J.. Adams, deceased ; 
Caleb, deceased ; Bues, who died while serving in the Confederate army ; 
h. C, of this review ; Miranda, the widow of William Rchardson ; Jennie, 
the widow of William H. Emerson ; and Rachael, the wife of Felix Elsea, 
Moberly, Mo. 

B. C. Holbrook was reared on his father's farm in Sugar Creek town- 
ship. He received his education in the district schools of Hayes, Dower 
and Sugar Creek districts and engaged in farming. When old enough he 
assumed the management of the family homestead and remained there 
until 35 years ago when he moved to his present farm which had been 
owned by a Mr. Horner who had entered 700 acres of government land 
when he first settled in the county. Mr. Holbrook owns 174 acres of 



% 




B. C. HOLBROOK 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 457 

valuable land, where he has been engaged in general farming and stock 
raising and is* one of the most progressive farmers of the county. He 
has placed good and permanent improvements on his place. He has a 
fine nine room house, modern in every manner, a large barn and other 
buildings for farm use and stock. 

Mr. Holbrook was married to Miss Amanda Esry, a daughter of 
Logan and Sallie (Bailey) Esry, both deceased. Logan Esry was a native 
of Kentucky and came to this county as a child and was reared here. 
Mrs. Holbrook was the eldest child in a family of five children and was a 
very capable and charming girl. Her grandfather, Austin Bailey was a 
pioneer settler of Jackson County, Mo., who owned 500 acres of land 
there and was one of the leading men of that part of the state and the 
family was prominent in public affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook have 
three children: Milam, educated in the district schools and Moberly High 
School, is now farming the home place, married Eula Perkins of Moberly, 
in 1913, and they have two children, Helen and Ruby; John, a machinist, 
employed in the Wabash shops at Moberly; and Ada, the wife of Roy 
Durham, a veteran of the World War, who served with the 16th Engineer 
Corps. 

The Holbrook family is known throughout this section of the state 
for its spirit of true Americanism and for the part it has and is taking 
in civic affairs. 

Martin J. Kehoe, assistant postmaster of Moberly, Mo., has been, 
for more than a quarter of a century connected with the postal service 
in this city. He is a native of Missouri, born in St. Louis, Jan. 28, 1875, 
and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Murphy) Kehoe. 

Daniel Kehoe was a native of Ireland and came to America when 
only 15 years old. He soon located in St. Louis, where he learned the 
trade of boilermaker, a vocation followed for many years, lie came 
to Moberly in 1874. In later life, Mr. Kehoe entered the service of the 
Wabash railroad in the water department and was killed in a collision 
in 1892, while on duty at Martinsburg, Mo. Mary (Murphy) Kehoe 
was born in Ireland and brought to the United States by her parents when 
a child of two years. Mrs. Kehoe is now deceased. 

Daniel Kehoe and wife were the parents of eight children: Martin 
J., the subject of this sketch; Margaret, the wife of E. L. Kirkendall, of 
Tacoma, Wash.; Mamie, who lives with Margaret; Daniel P., of St. Louis; 
William F., also of that city; James L., a plumber of Moberly; Ann, de- 



458 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

ceased, and Joseph F. Both parents were members of the Catholic church, 
the faith in which the children were also reared. Mr. Kehoe was a mem- 
ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 

Martin J. Kehoe was reared in Moberly, attended the public schools, 
and was graduated from the Moberly High School in 1890. He then be- 
came a reporter on what is now known as the Monitor-Index. He worked 
his way up in the newspaper business, until he became managing editor of 
the paper, a position he filled with marked ability until 1892, when he 
passed the first civil service examination given in Moberly and received the 
first civil appointment here, being assigned to a position in the post- 
office in 1892. Since that date, Mr. Kehoe has filled all offices in the post- 
office under postmaster, up to and including the duties of assistant post- 
master, which he now fills. 

Mr. Kehoe was married to Miss Mamie Boyle, a native of Pennsylvania, 
and a daughter of George and Agnes (McDonald) Boyle, both now deceased. 
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kehoe: Maurine, deceased; 
Irene, Helen, Loraine and Martin, Jr. 

Mr. Kehoe is a member of the Catholic church and a Knights of Colum- 
bus. He has served as Past District Deputy of that organization. He is 
also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the National Union. 

Patrick Halloran, secretary and manager of the Moberly Artificial Ice 
and Cold Storage Company, of Moberly, is one of the well-known and suc- 
cessful business men of Randolph .County. Mr. Halloran is a native of 
Missouri. He was born at St. Charles, April 15, 1864, and is a son of 
Patrick and Sarah (Walsh) Halloran, both natives of Ireland. 

Patrick Halloran, the father, was reared in his native land to the age 
of 16 years when he came to America with his parents. The family located 
in St. Louis. In 1878 they came from St. Charles to Moberly and here 
the mother died in 1918 and the father now makes his home with his son, 
Patrick, whose name introduced this sketch. 

Patrick Halloran, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Moberly 
and educated in the public schools. In 1881, when he was 17 years old, he 
entered the grocery business in Moberly with the Hegarty Brothers and 
remained in that business until 1910. He then became manager of the 
Hegarty Opera House. Later he built the Halloran Theatre, which he sold 
in 1913, and this amusement house is now known as the Grand and is still 
one of the popular amusement places of Moberly. After selling the Halloran 
Theatre in 1913, Mr. Halloran erected a modern ice and cold storage plant 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 459 

by the co-operation of other local men of which he has since been manager 
and secretary since its organization. This is one of the prosperous corpora- 
tions of Moberly and much of its success is due to the capable management 
of Mr. Halloran and Mr. L. W. Kelly. 

June 14, 1893, Patrick Halloran was united in marriage in Moberly 
with Miss Bridget Brown of St. Charles, Mo. Three children were born to 
this union, all of whom are deceased. Mrs. Halloran died Jan. 4, 1917. 

Mr. Halloran is independent in his political views and he is a mem- 
ber of the Catholic church and the Knights of Columbus. He is a pro- 
gressive business man and one of the substantial citizens of Moberly and 
Randolph County. 

Silas Oak Hunter has been a leading member of the Randolph 
County bar for nearly 20 years and well known in Masonic and fra- 
ternal circles and prominent in public life. He is a native of Middle- 
grove, Mo., and was born Jan. 24, 1877, the only child of Silas 0. and 
Mary E. (Ownby) Hunter, the former was bom in West Virginia, in 
1840, and died in November, 1876, three months before his son, Silas O. 
Hunter, was born. 

Silas O. Hunter, Sr., was brought to Missouri by his parents when 
six years old. He was reared and educated in this state and upon at- 
taining manhood became a merchant in Middlegrove, where he passed 
the remainder of his life. His parents were Matthew and Mary E. (Mc- 
Cowan) Hunter, natives of Gerrardstown, W. Va., where the father was 
a farmer before coming to Monroe County, Mo., to follow the same voca- 
tion. There were two children in the family, Silas and Anna, Anna 
married Edgar Brooks and is now deceased. Mary Ownby was born, 
reared, educated and married in Middlegrove and died in Moberly, Mo., 
April 13, 1917, where she had lived for 25 years. 

Silas 0. Hunter, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Middle- 
grove and attended the public school there until his ninth year, when 
his mother came to Moberly and here he was graduated from the high 
school in 1897. In 1897 he entered the University of Missouri, at Colum- 
bia, where he took a course in law, and was admitted to the bar Jan. 8, 
1901. Mr. Hunter returned to Moberly, where he established himself 
in his profession. He is recognized as one of the able lawyers of Ran- 
dolph County and central Missouri. He is a Democrat, and was elected 
city attorney in 1902, holding the office two terms or four years. Fol- 
lowing his services as city official Mr. Hunter was elected circuit clerk 



460 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

of Randolph County, and at the expiration of his term of office tie formed 
a partnership with Arthur B. Chamier in 1911, and they have built up a 
satisfactory practice. Mr. Hunter has taken an active part in public 
and civil affairs, always working for the improvement and betterment 
of local conditions. In November, 1918, he was elected representative to 
the state legislature and is now serving in that capacity. He is a Mason 
in high standing, having taken the degrees of the Blue Lodge, Chapter 
and Commandery. He also is a member of the Odd Fellows and the 
Elks. He is one of the representative citizens of Moberly who has won 
and kept a host of friends who regard him as an asset to the citizenship 
of the town and county. 

In December, 1908, Mr. Hunter was married to Miss Mary Lowell, 
daughter of James R. Lowell, and one child was born to them, Marjorie 
Lowell, born Jan. 9, 1910. Mrs. Hunter died Feb. 15, 1910, aged 26 years. 
On May 12, 1915, Mr. Hunter married Miss Charlotte M. Haworth, a 
native of Moberly. Her parents were John A. and Olive (Hager) Ha- 
worth, natives of Illinois, who were early settlers of this section of Mis- 
souri. Mr. Haworth is now retired from active business life, but for 
many years was manager of the Princess Theatre and one of the well- 
known stock buyers and dealers of Randolph County. 

James L. Kehoe, one of the leading business men of Moberly, was 
born in Moberly, Nov. 6, 1884, the son of Daniel and Mary (Murphy) 
Kehoe, both natives of Ireland. The father was a boilermaker and fol- 
lowed that trade for some years, but after coming to Moberly in 1874, 
entered the water department of the Wabash railroad and was killed 
in a collision while in the performance of duty at Martinsburg, Mo., in 
1892. There were eight children in the Kehoe family as follows: Mar- 
tin, assistant postmaster of Moberly; Margaret, the wife of E. L. Kirk- 
land, of Tacoma, Wash.; Mamie, who lives with her sister; Daniel P., of 
St. Louis; William F., also of that city; James, the subject of this 
review; Ann, deceased, and Joseph F. 

James L. Kehoe spent his youth in Moberly and attended St. Mary's 
Academy, where he was graduated in 1902. He learned the trade of 
steam fitter, and after serving his apprenticeship and becoming a master 
plumber and steamfitter, Mr. Kehoe opened a shop in May. 1913, and 
in 1918 formed a partnership with C. G. Wisman, and they now conduct 
a plumbing and steamfitting establishment at 215 Fourth street, Mo- 
berly. They are general contractors for all kinds of plumbing, steam- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 461 

fitting and heating systems for business blocks and homes. The steam 
fitting work in the American Hotel and Elks Home in Moberly was done 
by this firm. 

Mr. Kehoe is a member of the Catholic church. He holds member- 
ship in the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elk.-. 

On Sept. 15, 1909, Mr. Kehoe was married to Miss Anna V. Free- 
man, the daughter of Timothy and Hattie (Matheres) Freeman, the for- 
mer a native of Ireland and the latter of Canada. The following chil- 
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kehoe: Daniel T., Hattie E., James 
L., Mary J.. Richard D., deceased; William J., Leo D. and Anna B.. all 
at home with the parents. 

Though still a young man, Mr. Kehoe is regarded as one of the 
best informed men in his line and is himself a high-class mechanic. He 
is progressive in his ideas and methods and studies his business. 

George O. Perry, president of the Moberly Trust Company, of Mo- 
berly. Mo., is one of the well-known financiers of Moberly and Randolph 
County. Mr. Perry was born at Barnard, Mo., Jan. 1, 1877, the son of 
J. H. and Martha E. (Davis) Perry, to whom were born nine children of 
whom George 0. was the fifth. 

J. H. Perry was a farmer in Nodaway County, Mo., and there George 
O. Perry spent his youth, attending the public schools and thus laid the 
foundation for a good practical education to which he has ever since been 
adding by reading of the best literature, and a study of his business and 
its allied branches. After leaving the Barnard schools. Mr. Perry at- 
tended the high school at Maryville, Mo., and then entered a drug store 
as clerk. While earning his independent living he studied pharmacy and 
after passing his state examination, he was admitted to practice. For 
five years Mr. Perry remained in the drug business and then purchased 
a store which he managed five years before disposing of it to engage 
in banking at Dewitt, Ark. In 1903 he purchased stock in the bank 
there and became assistant cashier. Mr. Perry disposed of his holdings 
in the Dewitt bank in 1905 to buy a large block of the stock of the 
Gentry Bank, at Gentry, Ark., becoming its cashier. One year later he 
sold his interest in that bank and came to Moberly, where in conjunc- 
tion with other moneyed men he became the prime organizer of the 
Moberly Trust Company and upon its organization became cashier. Mr. 
Perry was elected president of the institution in 1913. 



462 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

As one of the representative business men and progressive and pub- 
lic spirited men of Randolph County, Mr. Perry merits specific mention 
and recognition in this publication. He is a Republican and though he 
has never had time to take an active part in party affairs, he always as- 
sumes his share of work in civic and public affairs, giving liberally of 
time and money in the effort to improve conditions in town and county. 

On June 14, 1906, Mr. Perry was married to Miss Cecil Greer of 
Paris, Tenn. Six children have been Born to this union: George G., 
Katherine, Jerry W., deceased; Martha, William H. and Marian, all at 
home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Perry are members of the Central Christian church 
and Mr. Perry is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Modern Woodman 
of America, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Cham- 
ber of Commerce. 

Dr. Charles H. Dixon, a well-known and successful physician of Mo- 
berly, Mo., was born in Dewitt County, 111., Feb. 17, 1868, the son of 
H. H. and Nancy (Guilder) Dixon, being the fifth of their ten children. 
The family came from Illinois to Missouri in 1874. locating in Monroe 
County, where the father engaged in farming for many years, but now 
resides i». Neodesha, Kan. He is 81 years old. At the outbreak of the 
Civil War, Mr. Dixon responded to the president's call for volunteers and 
enlisted in the 101st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served in 
some of the most severe engagements of that memorable conflict and 
remained in the ranks of his regiment until mustered out of the service 
for disability in 1864. Today with the shadows deepening from the 
crimsoning west, he can look back across the years and feel that his was 
a constructive and well spent life. Mr. Dixon is a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic Post, at Neodesha, Kan. 

Dr. Charles H. Dixon received his educational advantages in Mon- 
roe County schools in his youth, then spent two years at the Fort Scott 
Normal School at Fort Scott, Kan., followed by two years of study at 
Ash Grove in the Christian College. As he was determined to devote 
his life to the study and practice of medicine, the young man matricu- 
lated in the medical department of Washington University, St. Louis, in 
1896, graduating with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1899, and 
immediately located in Holliday, Mo. For 15 years Doctor Dixon prac- 
ticed in this location, and made many warm friends who keenly felt his 
loss when he left to open an office at Fulton, Mo., in 1914, but as he 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 463 

desired a wider field for his . endeavors he came to Moberly two years 
later and since that time he has been actively engaged in practice here. 
From the first, Dr. Dixon met with a hearty response from the citizens 
of Moberly and Randolph County and has a large practice. 

Doctor Dixon was coroner of Monroe County for 12 years and that 
his services were efficient needs no further mention that the number of 
years he remained a county official. Dr. Dixon belongs to the Masonic 
Lodge, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Loyal Order of Moose. 
He and his wife are members of the Christian church. 

On Aug. 30, 1888, Doctor Dixon was married to Miss Ida Swartz, 
of Middlegrove, Mo., the daughter of Philip Swartz, a native of Ger- 
many, who came to this country when young and became a well-known 
resident of Monroe County. The father died in 1884. His wife, Mary 
(Tate) Swartz, was a native of Callaway County, Mo. She died in 1908. 
Five children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Dixon: Bertie, the wife of L. 
E. Miller, of Holliday, Mo.; Gertrude, who married Dr. P. C. Davis, of 
Madison, Mo.; Marie, who married D. P. Delaney, who is now rural let- 
ter carrier out of Madison, Mo. ; Gladys, deceased, and Charles, Jr., who 
is eight years old. Dr. Dixon has one grandchild who is older than his 
son Charles. 

In April, 1920, Dr. Dixon was appointed city health officer of Mo- 
berly by Mayor J. T. Cross. 

Harry B. Gilfillin, a well-known broker of Moberly, was born at 
Cantrie, la., April 19, 1877, and is a son of John F. 0. and Sarah 
(Reed) Gilfillin, both natives of Alleghany, Pa. The father was a 
farmer and veterinary surgeon, who at the call for volunteers at the 
outbreak of the Civil War, enlisted in the 14th Pennsylvania Infantry 
and was assigned to the quartermaster's corps, where he served until 
peace was declared. After the war, Mr. Gilfillin came west, locating in 
Iowa, where he still resides at the advanced age of 86 years. 

Harry B. Gilfillin was one of the nine children born to his par- 
ents. A sister, Mrs. A. T. Lightfoot, lives in Moberly. Mr. Gilfillan 
was reared in Missouri and Iowa, receiving his education in the district 
schools. When only 16 years old, he started out in life for himself 
as water bey on the Burlington railroad with a construction gang. 
Following this, he accepted a position as brakeman and in 1903 began 
braking on the Wabash railroad at Moberly, and in 1906 he was pro- 
moted to conductor, holding his position from 1906 until 1910, when 



464 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

he engaged in business for himself, opening one of the leading men's 
furnishings stores in Moberly. In January, 1917, the store was burned 
and Mr. Gilfillin did not rebuild, but engaged in business as a broker 
and has met with success. 

From first locating in Moberly, Mr. Gilfillin has taken an active 
part in local affairs. In 1916, he was elected chairman of Randolph 
County, Central Republican Committee and was re-elected to the same 
office a year ago. He is also state committeeman, his term expiring In 
1920. He attended the Republican National Convention in 1920 and 
was one of the original Harding men. Mr. Gilfillin is a member of the 
Presbyterian church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, the Modern Wood- 
men and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. 

On Aug. 19, 1908, Mr. Gilfillin was married to Miss Lulu May Faes- 
sler, a daughter of John and Christiana Faessler, whose history appears 
upon another page of this volume. 

Mr. Gilfillin is one of the substantial citizens of Moberly of real 
worth. 

John A. Bledsoe, whose splendid property, Evergreen Fruit Farm, in 
Union township, has been accumulated through persistent and industrious 
labor, is one of Randolph County's self made men. He started out in 
life with few of the advantages which youth considers its just due, but 
his career has been singularly prosperous and successful. He has over- 
come obstacles and handicaps and has realized the most gratifying re- 
wards of agricultural life. He was born on a farm near Gilpintown, 
Jackson County, Mo., Jan. 13, 1862, the son of William and Mary (Brackes- 
dale) Bledsoe, both natives of Kentucky, where they were reared, edu- 
cated and married. They came to Missouri in the late 50s and settled in 
Jackson County. 

When the Civil War was percipitated, William Bledsoe enlisted in 
the Confederate army and was killed at the battle of Baxter Springs, 
Kan. and was buried there, leaving the mother to raise her three children : 
Anna, now Mrs. Albritton, of Kansas City, Mo. ; Willy Lee, now Mrs. 
James, also of Kansas City, and John A., of this review. The mother 
bravely took up the burden of caring for the children, sent them to the 
public schools for what educational advantages she could afford for them 
and spent the rest of her life in Jackson County, where she died in 1881. 

John A. Bledsoe was reared on the home place in Jackson County, 
attended the public schools where he laid the foundation for a good prac- 



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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 465 

tical education and with the passing years he has been a close observer 
of men and affairs so that with the study given his horticulture he has a 
large fund of useful knowledge. When old enough he worked for the 
farmers of the neighborhood and was engaged in agricultural pursuits for 
several years, then came to Moberly to accept a position with the railroad, 
where he remained 15 years. Mr. Bledsoe was anxious to have a place 
of his own ; he had been reared in the country and had a liking for farm 
life. In 1891 he purchased the farm belonging to Joseph Sanders, three 
miles east of Moberly. It then consisted of 145 acres of land, a one 
and one-half story house which then stood on the place burned in 1916. 
•Mr. Bledsoe erected his present beautiful brick home the following year, 
which is one of the finest farm residences in Randolph County. There 
are good buildings for stock, a fine barn and other excellent improvements 
on Evergreen Farm. The orchard has over 700 trees mostly of the Ben 
Davis variety and about 100 cherry trees, while there is a 100 acre tract 
of rich bottom land which is devoted to general farming ; altogether there 
are now 245 acres. 

On July 19, 1885, Mr. Bledsoe was married to Miss Alice Wilson, a 
native of Adair County, the daughter of Joel C. and Angie (Davidson) 
Wilson, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. 
They came to Missouri when young and were married in this state and 
both are now deceased. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Bledsoe: Pearl, died in infancy; Earl, of St. Louis; Claude, of Union 
township; Eulah, the wife of Charles Burnly, of Moberly; John A., Jr.; 
Opal, Virginia, Queen and Vera, all at home with their parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bledsoe have one of the hospitable homes where all 
their friends of more than 30 years standing are made welcome and Ever- 
green Farm is one of the best kept and prosperous places in the county, 
due to the thrift, industry and hard work of its owners, who today are 
enjoying the fruits of years of self denial and sacrifice. Mr. Bledsoe is a 
member of the Masonic Lodge of Moberly, also belongs to the Maccabees 
and the Knights and Ladies of Security. He has converted a place of 
brush and timber into one of the splendid fruit farms of the state. 

George H. Sours, secretary and treasurer of the Forney Clothing 
Company of Moberly, is one of the progressive business men of this sec- 
tion. Mr. Sours was born in Montgomery, Mo., Jan. 13, 1875, the son 
of John and Catherine (McCabe) Sours, the former born in Rochester, 
N. Y., being the son of Dennis and Catherine Sours, natives of Germany, 



466 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

wiio came to the United States and located in Rochester in 1820, where 
they spent the remainder of their lives. John Sours was a bridge builder 
and came west at the age of 16, locating at Ironton, Mo., and had the 
distinction of building the first railroad bridge on the Iron Mountain 
railroad. He remained in Missouri for some years, when he went to 
Chicago to accept a position with the Illinois Central railroad. In 1859 
he came to Moberly as an employee of the Wabash railroad, which was 
then known as the North Missouri railroad. Mr. Sours, after locating 
in Moberly, purchased some of the first town lots when the city was 
platted, and which occupied the space now known as Logan Terrace, 
running from South Fifth street to Epperson street, on Logan street. 
In addition he purchased several lots on East Rollins and West Coates 
streets, all of whom beecame very valuable later. He resided at 323 Ha- 
good street when he died. 

Mr. Sours became superintendent of bridges and buildings for the 
Wabash railroad and was serving in this capacity when he fell from the 
bridge over the Grand River at Brunswick, Mo., and died from his in- 
juries in March, 1901. His wife was a native of Ypsilanti, Mich., the 
daughter of Michael and Catherine (Hamil) McCabe, natives of Ireland 
and Michigan, respectively. They came to Montgomery County, Mo., 
about 1855 and passed their lives in this state. There were ten chil- 
dren in the Sours family: William A. yard master for the Wabash 
railroad at Moberly; John S., a sketch of whom appears in this volume; 
E. W., representing R. G. Dunn & Company, mercantile agents, in the 
City of Mexico, Mexico ; Michael H., engaged in the insurance business 
at Macon, Ga. ; Fonsie L., passenger conductor on the Wabash railroad, 
a sketch of whom appears in this volume; George, the subject of this 
sketch; Catherine, the wife of Patrick Short, of Moberly; Francis, de- 
ceased ; Lowell, J., who for 20 years was in the employ and a member 
of the Forney Clothing Company, now deceased, and Roy S., was assigned 
to Company B, 349th Infantry, 88th Division, and sailed for overseas 
service in September, 1918, spent a year in France and was seven miles 
from the front when the armistice was signed. He was honorably dis- 
charged in June, 1919. 

George Sours was reared in Moberly, being seven years of age when 
his parents settled here. He received his education in the public school, 
and finished in 1889 at the age of 17, and at once sought and obtained a 
position with the F. B. Forney Clothing Company. Here he worked 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 467 

up from one position of trust to another, until in 1905, when he bought 
stock in the company and became a member of the firm. Mr. Sours is 
secretary and treasurer of the company. He is a Democrat and a mem- 
ber of the St. John's Catholic church. Mr. Sours is a member of the 
Knights of Columbus, the National Union and the Elks, and is a director 
of the Bank of Moberly. 

On Aug. 7, 1905, Mr. Sours and Miss Pearl Haynes, of Moberly, were 
united in marriage. Mrs. Sours' parents were Algernon and Louisa (Hall) 
Haynes, natives of Missouri. The father was general road master of 
the Wabash railroad and was in the employ of the company for more 
than 40 years. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sours: 
John S., Mary D., and Lydia L. 

Rev. Ed Y. Keiter, minister of the Christian church, is a native son 
of Missouri and Randolph County, and was born in Chariton township, 
April 22, 1874. He is a son of Isaac T. and Frances (Light) Keiter. 
The father was a native of Frederick County, Va., born May 2, 1827, 
and died March 16, 1903. He came to this state in 1870 and located 
on a farm in Chariton township, where he was engaged in farming and 
stock raising all of his days. Frances Light was born July 16, 1839, 
and is living with her children and is very active for a woman of her 
advanced years. 

Ed Y. Keiter spent his boyhood days on his father's farm. He 
was one of seven children born to his parents, the others being: Cilia, 
the wife of Alexander Butler, of Moberly ; Ann S., who married S. C. 
Baker, of Renick; a child deceased; Susan, the wife of C. B. Dysart, 
of Moberly; Floyd G., an engineer on the Wabash railroad, lives in Mo- 
berly ; and Lola, the wife of David Meyers, of Sugar Creek township, 
Randolph. 

Ed Y. Keiter attended the district school, graduated from the high 
school in Moberly. He then entered the State Normal School at Kirks- 
ville, Mo., completing the course in the spring of 1893. In the fall 
of that year, he began his career as a teacher in the district schools of 
this county. He was a successful teacher and advanced from one school 
to another until he was offered and accepted the principalship of the 
Moberly High School in 1903. The following year he became superin- 
tendent of the Higbee school, holding this position until 1905, when he 
resigned to assume to the same duties at Clark, where he remained until 
1908, leaving to go back to Renick. During this time, Mr. Keiter had also 



468 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

officiated as minister of the Christian church at Renick. In 1903 he had 
united with the Christian church at Higbee and a few months later was 
licensed to preach. Mr. Keiter was called to serve in various pulpits in dif- 
ferent parts of the county and recalls with a smile that the first marriage 
ceremony he performed was to marry two deaf mutes. His first funeral 
sermon was that of Mrs. Charles Ragsdale, one of the oldest living- 
settlers of Randolph County. Mr. Keiter served as pastor of the Chris- 
tian church at Higbee in 1909-1910, and officiated in Hannibal, Mo., at 
the South Side Christian church from 1911 to 1913, when he came to 
Moberly, since which time he has preached in the Christian churches of 
Randolph County and also Macon County. 

Mr. Keiter is a Republican and served as chaplain of the house of 
representatives of the 50th general assembly of Missouri in 1919. He 
has been active in politics in this locality. At the present time, Mr. 
Keiter is a candidate for congressman in the second district and will 
be nominated without opposition. Mr. Keiter's fraternal associations 
are with the Masonic Order, in which he stands high. 

On April 24, 1901, Mr. Keiter was married to Miss Ersa Burton, 
a native of Higbee, the daughter of W. H. and Sue (Christian) Burton, 
both natives of this county. The mother now lives in Moberly. She 
was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Terrill) Christian, natives 
of Kentucky, who became very early settlers of Randolph County. Mrs. 
Keiter's father was a farmer nearly all his life; his father was Judge 
M. M. Burton, a well-known jurist of Missouri, whose father, also M. 
M. Burton, was the first man to settle north of Fayette. He brought 
a plow by ox team from Boonville to the homestead, where he settled in 
what is now Randolph County. The marks left by his dragging plow 
started what became known later as the Burton Trail, one of the famous 
early highways of this section of the state. 

Three children have been born to the Rev. and Mrs. Keiter: Wil- 
liam E., Frances Sue, deceased, and Ed Y., Jr. 

Louis E. Faessler, secretary and treasurer of the J. Faessler Manu- 
facturing Company of Moberly, is one of the younger generation of 
business men of Moberly and Randolph County. He is a native son of 
Moberly, born Aug. 17, 1881. the son of John and Christiana (Klore) 
Faessler, the former a native of Switzerland, born near Berne, July 25, 
1838. When only 14 years of age John Faessler came to the United 
States to join his father, who was in St. Louis. Here he grew to man- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 469 

hood. When the Wabash railroad was establishing its shops in Mo- 
berly, Mr. Faessler came here to accept a position in the tool depart- 
ment as he was an expert tool maker, one of the most important branches 
of a factory. As he accumulated capital, Mr. Faessler determined to 
establish himself in business as he foresaw a. great future in manufac- 
turing and resigning from the railroad started the Faessler Manufac- 
turing Company, making boilers and machine tools. The concern flour- 
ished from the first and was conducted under his able direction until 
his death in 1899. 

Louis E. Faessler was the second oldest of the children born to his 
parents. His boyhood days and youth were spent in Moberly. He at- 
tended the public schools and when old enough began work in his father's 
factory during his vacations, and while yet a boy in years, he had mas- 
tered the trade. Under his father's guidance, his natural ability had 
been carefully guided and independent thinking and working out prob- 
lems encouraged him so that he was able to suggest many improve- 
ments in the manufacturing and handling of the Faessler products. 
Shortly after his father's death, in 1899. Louis Faessler became one of 
the officers of the Faessler company, a position he has retained. 

On May 4, 1915, Mr. Faessler was married to Miss Ruth Baker, 
a native of Moberly and a daughter of Rev. T. W. and Frances (Griffith) 
Baker, natives of Macon County, Mo. Mr. Baker was for many years 
a minister of the Presbyterian church and has now retired from active 
work in the ministry. His wife is deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Faessler are members of the Presbyterian church and 
he is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks. While he takes no active part in political life, Mr. 
Faessler is a Republican. He is a representative of the type of pro- 
gressive young business men of Moberly. 

Stokley P. Towles, M. D., a leading physician and surgeon of Mo- 
berly, has practiced within the county's borders for nearly a quarter 
of a century. He was born near Jacksonville, Randolph County, Mo., 
July 22, 1874, the son of George D. and Mary D. Towles, to whom three 
children were born: Dr. Stokey P., the subject of this sketch; Robert 
E., deceased, and Delia, the wife of F. F. Brock, who lives on the old 
homestead, near Jacksonville. 

George D. Towles, the father, was also a native of Randolph County, 
born at Huntsville, July 7, 1855, being descended from a long line of 



470 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Virginia ancestors. His father was a native of Lancaster County, Ya. 
He came west at an early clay, locating in Missouri, where he engaged 
in the contracting business, and was one of the men who took an active 
part in the founding and building of Huntsville, Mo., which was named 
after his wife's father, whose name was Hunt. 

George D. Towles was reared on his father's farm near Cairo, re- 
ceived his education in the public schools of the county and after reach- 
ing manhood, engaged in farming. He was one of the substantial and 
prominent farmers and stock raisers of this section, where he spent his 
life. Mary Towles was also born on a homestead which her father 
entered from the government, spent her life in this country and died 
at the old home place in 1918, aged 64 years. The Towles family were 
members of the Baptist church, to which they contributed all their? 
lives. 

Dr. Towles spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, at- 
tended the district school, near his home, during the winters and early 
began to assist his father and assume many duties around the farm. 
After completing his academic course and having laid the foundation 
for a higher education along special lines, Dr. Towles entered Keokuk 
Medical College, Keokuk, la., in the fall of 1895, and was graduated with 
the degree of Doctor of Medicine, March 15, 1898. He began the prac- 
tice of his profession at Milton, Mo. Within two years he had built 
up a good practice. He then located at Jacksonville, in 1900, remained 
there one year when he came to Moberly, which has remained the scene 
of his professional labors and successes to the present time. Dr. Towles 
has never ceased to be a student of the great science of medicine. He 
has a large practice and is one of Randolph County's foremost physicians. 

On Sept. 28, 1899, Dr. Towles was married to Miss Anna M. Bur- 
ton, who was born near Milton, Mo. She is a daughter of Robert and 
Mollie (Scott) Burton. The father is now deceased, and the mother 
makes her home with her daughter. Mr. Burton was a farmer and one 
of the early settlers of Monroe County. Two children have been born 
to Dr. and Mrs. Towles: Helen and Harold, both at home with their 
parents. The family are members of the Methodist church. Dr. Towles 
is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He has attained a 
high place in the ranks of the medical profession of Randolph County. 

Patrick McDonald, one of the leading and progressive business men 
of Moberly, who is engaged in storage and transfer business, with offices 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 471 

at 529 West Coates street, was born in St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 17, 1854, the 
son of Thomas and Katherine (Kennedy) McDonald. When he was. 
but 10 years old, his parents died and he can recollect little of their his- 
tory. He was reared by his uncle, Patrick Kennedy, who lived in Mis- 
souri, and spent the years from 1864 to 1873, under his uncle's roof, at- 
tending school until his sixteenth year. 

In 1873, Mr. McDonald came to Moberly and learned the trade of 
sheet metal worker. He worked in the Wabash shops at his trade for 
17 years. Subsequently he accepted a position with the Union Pacific 
Railroad, but in 1886 returned to Moberly and again entered the Wa- 
bash shops. In 1892, he established a transfer business which he car- 
ried on until 1919, w r hen he added the storage business. Mr. McDonald 
met with gratifying success from the first and his business has steadily 
increased. 

Mr. McDonald is a Democrat and has taken an active part in civil 
affairs since coming to Moberly. In 1882, he was made chief of the 
fire department of the city, and on his return from the west some years 
later, served in the same capacity under Mayor Babcock. Later he was 
appointed to this office, serving under Alex H. Waller, editor of this 
history, while he was mayor from 1899 to 1901, and it was due to Mr. 
McDonald that the department was improved and equipped with modern 
fire fighting apparatus, as he was instrumental in securing the Hale 
Chemical Fire Wagon, the Swift Spray Nozzle and in getting the Sul- 
livan Snap Harness. In every movement for the improvement of the 
city, Mr. McDonald is a liberal donator of his time, energy and money. 

On Dec. 5, 1878, Mr. McDonald was married to Miss Alice Furge- 
son, born near Fulton, Mo. She is a daughter of Swan and Mary (Coons) 
Furgeson, natives of Missouri and Kentucky, respectively. Seven chil- 
dren have been born to this union: Swan T., associated with the Lynch- 
McDonald Construction Company of Moberly; Lyman, foreman in the 
Wabash shops, Moberly; Austin B., in business with his father; Ray F., 
automobile salesman, Moberly; Eula Mae, the wife of George Penick, an 
employee of the Wabash railroad; Gladys B., stenographer for the Mc- 
Donald Transfer Company, Moberly, and Arthur F., is employed by the 
Wabash Railroad Company, Moberly, Mo. 

Ray F. McDonald enlisted in the United States army April 29, 1918, 
trained at Camp Funston, then assigned to Company 3, 356th Infantry, 
89th Division, was sent to France in June and there received his final 



472 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

training before being assigned to the medical corps. He aided in the 
front line trenches during hostilities, was transferred to Company L, 
3rd Regiment, 89th Division and marched into Germany with the army 
of occupation, being discharged from the service in June, 1919, and at 
once returned home to Moberly and again took up the pursuits of peace. 

Mr. McDonald is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Knights of Pythias 
and the Modern Woodmen of America. The McDonald family are well- 
known in Moberly, where they have many friends. 

H. S. "Harry" McKinney, a prominent farmer and stock man and the 
owner and manager of Maple Grove Farm in Cairo township, Randolph 
County is the son of Daniel and Eliza (Brown) McKinney, natives of Lin- 
coln County, Ky., who came to Missouri in 1833 and located in Cairo town- 
ship on the land now owned by H. S. "Harry" McKinney. They were the 
parents of 11 children, nine of whom lived to be over 50 years of age. 
They were: Mrs. Sophia Brown, deceased; Hiram, deceased; Patsy Jane 
Campbell, deceased ; Ann Mariah Huntsman, deceased ; Willis E., deceased ; 
H. S., of this review ; John F., of Cairo township ; Madison, also of this 
township ; Mrs. Belle Griffin, deceased ; John and Susan Mary died in 
infancy. 

H. S. "Harry" McKinney was reared on his father's frontier farm 
and received his education in the public schools of his district. After 
that he began farming, which he has successfully followed ever since. 
The Maple Grove farm consists of 184 acres and 40 acres of timber north- 
east of the home place. Daniel McKinney, the father, preempted 80 
acres on which the H. S. McKinney house stands, and a horse which H. S. 
McKinney 's mother drove here from the old home in Kentucky paid for 
the piece of land. The horse had been a gift from her father and was as 
good as ready money in those days in the new country. 

Maple Grove Farm is all improved and there are six good wells ; a 
branch of Mud creek runs through the place and three good springs furnish 
an unfailing supply of water for the stock and Maple Grove Farm is con- 
sidered one of the best stock farms in this township. The soil is rich 
and productive and the land is kept in good condition by the able manage- 
ment of the owner. Mr. McKinney has lived on his present place for 
more than 45 years and during all that time has been engaged in general 
farming and stock raising. His son, W. M. McKinney, has a fine herd 
of Shorthorn cattle and his registered male which heads the herd is one 
of the best in the county. Mr. McKinney also keeps registered Poland 



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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 473 

China hogs and good grade of sheep. Each year he has about 50 spring 
lambs. The chickens on the farm are the light Brahmas. Mr. McKin- 
ney has placed most of the improvements on the farm. His home is 
modern and comfortable and the place is well kept up with three barns, 
60x62 feet, for farm and stock use. 

July 11, 1875, Mr. McKinney married Miss Laura Bell Huntsman, a 
daughter of George M. and Euphemia (Campbell) Huntsman, pioneer set- 
tlers of Cairo township, and the following children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. McKinney: Willie M., now farming the home place; Alta, 
the wife of Robert Jett, of Cairo township; Maggie, the wife of Gilbert 
Dingman of Sturgeon, Mo., and a daughter who died in infancy. There 
are three grandchildren of whom Mr. and Mrs. McKinney are very proud. 

Willie M. McKinney was born on the home place Nov. 29, 1876, was 
reared and educated in his local district. During his boyhood, Mr. Mc- 
Kinney had learned the practical side of farming and when his schooling 
was over began farming with his father and since his father gave up the 
active management of the farm has taken entire charge of it. 

In 1905, Willie M. McKinney married Miss Stella Campbell, of Salt 
River township, the daughter of Samuel and Amanda Campbell, both de- 
ceased. Mrs. McKinney has a sister Hattie, who is the wife of May Ed- 
wards of Salt River. A brother, Roy Campbell, lives at Corvallis, Ore. 

H. S. McKinney is a member of the Masonic Lodge and all the family 
are members of the Christian church. Father and son belong to Highland 
Grange. Mr. McKinney was one of the organizers of the Liberty Christian 
church, having associated with him other prominent men of this locality. 
The first minister was James Valier and the church was dedicated by 
Rev. John McCune on July 8, 1894, with a membership of 40, which has 
increased to over 100. The edifice was erected by Dick Ridgway and is 
one of the best in the county. 

Mr. McKinney has been a lifelong Democrat and at this writing is a 
candidate for the nomination of judge of the county court for the eastern 
district of Randolph County. 

Dr. Charles K. Dutton, a successful physician and surgeon and spe- 
cialist of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, of Moberly, Mo., is 
a native of this state. He was born in Warren County, Mo., March 12, 
1870, the son of John Harrison, generally known as "Uncle Harry" and 
Elizabeth P. (McCulloch) Dutton. He was the tenth of their 13 chil- 
dren, 11 of whom grew to maturity. John Harrison Dutton was born 



474 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

in Montgomery County, Mo., Sept. 5, and was the son of Judge John 
Harrison Dutton, who was born in Charles County, Md., in 1784, and 
Mary (Bruin) Dutton, a native of Kentucky, whose parents were early 
settlers of Missouri. Judge Dutton came to Montgomery County, in 
1817, became judge of the county court and was prominently identified 
with that section for many years. 

John Harrison Dutton was reared, educated and married in Mont- 
gomery County, where he was engaged in farming for some years be- 
fore removing to Warren County, where he was a prominent farmer 
and stockman. During the Civil War he served in the state guards, 
but when peace was declared, returned to his farm where he spent the 
remainder of his days. He died in August, 1905. 

Dr. Charles K. Dutton spent his boyhood on his father's farm. He 
attended the district school and after completing the elementary branches, 
entered Central Wesleyan College, at Warrenton, Mo., where he was 
graduated. He then taught school for four years when he entered the 
medical department of the University of Kentucky. After spending one 
year there, he entered the St. Louis Medical College, where he was 
graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1895. He then 
located at Calwood, Callaway County, Mo., where he remained about 
two and one-half years. In 1897 he took a post graduate course in 
Philadelphia, Pa., specializing in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. 
On his return to Missouri a year later, he came to Moberly, where he 
has since been engaged in practice with the exception of the year of 
1902, which he spent at the famous London, England, ear and eye in- 
firmary in post graduate work. 

On April 11, 1901, Dr. Dutton married Miss Rebecca Hammett, of , 
Randolph County, the daughter of J. W. and Mary A. (Haines) Ham- 
mett, both natives of Kentucky and now deceased. Mrs. Dutton died 
Feb. 21, 1916. 

Doctor Dutton is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elks and has been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America 
for the past 25 years. He is a man who takes a keen interest in civic 
affairs, ever giving liberally to the support of all movements of the 
development and improvements of affairs and conditions of Randolph 
County and Moberly. He is an independent Democrat. 

Dr. Godfrey O. Cuppaidge, a well known and successful physician 
and surgeon who has been engaged in the practice of his profession in 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 475 

Moberly and Randolph County for the past 24 years, is a native of Ire- 
land. He was born at Castle Rea, County Roscommon, and is a son of 
Dr. William and Annie (Oldfield) Cuppaidge and is the youngest of a 
family of four born to his parents. The father was an eminent physician 
in his native land and spent his life there in the practice of his profession. 
He was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, where he received both 
his B. A. and M. D. degrees. The mother is also deceased. She spent 
her life in Ireland. 

Dr. Godfrey 0. Cuppaidge was educated in the Diocesan School of 
Tuam in County Galway and at Park Gate, Cheshire, England, and at 
the latter place he was a classmate of the celebrated Doctor Winfred 
Grenfell of Labrador, of deep sea fisheries fame. After receiving a, 
thorough training in the classics and sciences, Doctor Cuppaidge en- 
tered the Royal College of Surgeons at Dublin, where he was graduated 
after a lour years' course in 1882 with the degree of M. D. He then 
took a course in the Kings and Queens College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons and was graduated from that institution in 1883. The follow- 
ing year he came to America and engaged in the practice of his pro- 
fession at Morgan, Texas, remaining there until 1887. He then came 
to Missouri and located at Middle Grove, Monroe County, where he 
remained until 1896. He then came to Moberly and continued the 
practive of his profession with unqualified success until the United States 
troops were sent to the Mexican border in June, 1916. He had served 
in the Medical Corps in the Missouri National Guard since 1911, enter- 
ing the service with the rank of first lieutenant. In 1914 he was pro- 
moted to captain and in July, 1916, he was commissioned major and 
served on the border with that rank until demobilization took place. In 
1917, when the United States entered the World War, he was called 
to the colors again with the 4th Missouri Infantry, afterwards 139th 
Infantry, part of the famous 35th Division, serving with it until Octo- 
ber, 1917, when he was ordered to take charge of the medical detach- 
ment of the 110th Engineers, part of the 35th Division. He was at 
Camp Doniphan, Okla., where he remained until March, 1918, when he 
received his honorable discharge from the service and returned to Mo- 
berly, where he resumed the practice of his profession to which he has 
since devoted himself. 

Doctor Cuppaidge was united in marriage in October, 1888, with 
Miss Blanch Ethel Hicklin, a daughter of William and Ellen Hicklin, 



476 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

of London, England. To Doctor and Mrs. Cuppaidge have been born 
two children: Constance Annie, who is a graduate nurse of St. Luke's 
Hospital, St. Louis, Mo., and spent 23 months in overseas service as 
nurse during the World War, and received a decoration from the Brit- 
ish government. The youngest daughter, Helen Violet, is a graduate of 
Washington University, where she received a fellowship and the degree 
of M. A. in 1919. She is now a teacher at Tulsa, Okla. 

Doctor Cuppaidge is a Democrat and takes a live interest in mat- 
ters political as well as in public affairs in general. He was health 
commissioner of Moberly for 12 years and served on the State Board 
of Health for four and one-half years, a part of which time he was 
president of that organization. He served as a member of Governor 
Major's staff with the rank of colonel. He is a member of the Masonic 
Lodge and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 

John A. Melton, the well-known dealer in sporting goods, whose 
store is located at 527 West Reed street, is one of the progressive busi- 
ness men of Randolph County. He was born in Lafayette County, Mo., 
Feb. 3, 1881, and is the son of Isaac and Maggie (Chambers) Melton, 
the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Kansas. 

Isaac Melton was brought to Missouri by his parents when quite 
young, and after attaining manhood he was engaged in running a saw 
mill and threshing outfit. Later he bought and operated a farm and 
is now living retired. The mother died in 1892. 

John A. Melton received his educational advantages in the public 
schools and when only 17 years old, began an independent career. His 
first work was in the south, picking cotton, where he remained two 
years. He then returned home and began to farm some of his father's 
land. In 1900 he obtained a position on the Missouri Pacific Railroad 
as stationary fireman at Nevada, Mo. Later he began firing a locomo- 
tive there and in 1901 came to Moberly to take a position as fireman on 
the Wabash railroad. Five years later he was promoted to engineer 
with a run out of Moberly and remained with that company until 1912, 
when he resigned and engaged in business here. He purchased a fine 
stock and soon became recognized as the leading merchant of Moberly 
in sporting goods and allied lines. 

On Dec. 20, 1906, Mr. Melton was married to Miss Bernice Bow- 
den, of Randolph County. She is a daughter of James Bowden, a farmer 
of Sugar Creek township. Since first locating in Moberly, Mr. Melton 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 477 

has entered actively into the civic life of the city and is ever ready to 
assist and promote every movement that tends to the development and 
prosperity of Moberly and Randolph County. 

He is a Republican and a member of the Masonic Lodge, the East- 
ern Star, and he is secretary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi- 
neers. Mrs. Melton is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star 
and she and Mr. Melton are members of the Methodist church. 

Charles C. Nebergall, an extensive automobile accessory dealer of 
Moberly, is a native son of Randolph County. He was born in Moberly, 
Sept. 10, 1876, the son of John H. and Nellie (Shumate) Nebergall, 
whose history appears in this volume. 

Charles C. Nebergall attended the public schools of Moberly and 
after graduating from the high school, began his business career by 
accepting a position in the Moberly Steam Laundry of which his father 
was a part owner. For 19 years he was associated with this concern, 
but left in 1908 to take charge of the Dorn-Coloney Laundry at Colum- 
bia, Mo. For five years, Mr. Nebergall remained in Colum