USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography > Part 29
USA > Missouri > Atchison County > A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography > Part 29
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While in Illinois he became acquainted with the lady who afterward became his wife. In 1866 he married Miss Donna 14
ty. Illinois, August 19, 1843, and was the only child of Lyman O. and Olive (An- drews) Littlefield, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively. Her mother was twice married, her first husband being a Mr. Kingsley. Her father, who was a Mormon elder, died in Smithfield, Utah. To Charles C. Graham and wife were born five children, of whom three died young. Those living are Isora, born February 16, 1875; and Charles M., born December 18, 1877. The mother and daughter are members of the Baptist church. Charles C. Graham died Septem- ber 27. 1898. Like his father, he was a Democrat, and always took quite a prom- irent and influential part in politics. He filled many official positions of honor and trust, and in some way was connected with the court-house at Maryville the greater part of his life. Socially he too was a member of the Masonic fraternity and was a man of much prominence in his com- munity.
MILTON W. FRANCIS. r.
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Milton W. Francis is one of the intel- ligent, wide-awake and honored citizens of Lincoln township, Atchison county, and since 1860 has resided upon the section where he yet makes his home. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, September 28, 1851, and is a son of Samuel Francis, one of the honored pioneers of the county who came to North- western Missouri when the country was new and wild, the greater part of the land being still in its primitive condition, giving little promise of speedy development or improve- mient. Ile now resides in Burlington Junc- tion, Missouri. He was born in Ross coun- ty, Ohio, in 1828, and his father, John Fran-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Us Has a native of North Carolina, of French lineage, his ancest is having located I t e Cardinals at an early period of the col- ,I development. Representatives of the Emily served in the early wars and were 1 moment in shaping public affairs in the pr icer epoch.
Samuel Francis, the father of our subject. 1. - reared in the usual manner of farmer ids of the period and after arriving at man's estate he chose as a companion and helpmate . 11 life's journey Miss Mary Stretch, who 1 Songed to a highly respected family. She. In, was born in Ross county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Stretch vi that county. In 1853 the parents of our - object left Ross county and emigrated west- ward, taking up their abode in Shelby coun- ty, Illinois, being among its first settlers. After twelve years, in 1865, they took up their abode near Toulon, Stark county, same state, and four years later, in 1869, started across the country for northwestern Mis- . uri, making the journey in wagons drawn In two teams. Arriving in Nodaway coun- 1. Missouri, near Burlington, the ad of Oc- tober they remained there one month and then located on the section of land where How reside his two sons. With characteris- tic energy he began the development of the 1 m. continuing the work of improvement : nd cultivating the fields until the place was Very productive and the farm was one of the best in the neighborhood. His labors were cergetically prosecuted and as time passed " Was chabled to add to his home all the comforts and conveniences known to the oder cast. His good wife, one of the hon- del pioneer women, who had been a faith- til comprimon and helpmate to him on life's je111, was called to her final rest January 1800 To her family she was most de-
voted, counting no sacrifice too great that woukd promote the happiness and comfort of her husband and children. She was also a kind and helpful neighbor and was loved by all who knew her. Since her death the father has left the farm and is now spending the evening of life in Burlington Junction. This worthy couple were the par- ents of four children, namely: Mrs. Jane Wilson, who is living in Fort Scott. Kan- sas: Milton W., of this review : Drusilla, the wife of Thomas Scott, of Lincoln township, Atchison county ; and Thomas, who is liv- ing on the home farm. The parents were members of the Christian church, to which the father still belongs. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs, in which he has met with creditable success.
Milton W. Francis spent his boyhood and youth upon a farm in Illinois and Mis- souri and was early trained to habits of in- dustry and economy there. He was also taught the value of honesty in the affairs of life and his intellectual training was re- ceived in the public schools, his knowledge having later been supplemented by his read- ing and the experience gained in the busi- ness world. To his father he gave the ben- efit of his services until he was twenty-two years of age, remaining at home throughout that period. He then started out in life for himself and completed his arrangements for a home by his marriage to Miss Nancy Jane Clark, a daughter of Isaac Clark, of Lincoln township, who came to Missouri from Ross county, Ohio. Her mother bore the maiden name of Eleanor Graves and was also a native of Ross county. Both she and her husband are dead. Mrs. Francis was born in Ross county, Ohio, but was ed-
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ucated in Illinois. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children, namely: Rev. Emmett Francis, who is preaching the gospel as a minister of the Christian church, being now located in Can- ton, Missouri; Elba Allen, a farmer ; Will- iam Austin and Minnie Bell. The mother of these children died June 7, 1895, and her loss was deeply mourned by her fam- ily and many friends, for her many excel- lencies of character endeared her to all who knew her. In 1896 Mr. Francis was again married, his second union being with Mag- gie Clemmons, who was born in Texas and was reared and educated in Davenport, Iowa, her parents being George H. and Louisa Clemmons. Her father was killed in the St. Louis cyclone in 1896, but her mother is living in Nodaway county, Mis- souri. He was a farmer and mechanic and was a devoted member of the Christian church. His death occurred when he was fifty years of age. His children were Mag- gie, Alva, Jesse, Myrtle, Miles and Louis. The second marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fran- cis has been blessed with two children, name- ly : Benjamin Louis and Estella May.
Our subject is to-day one of the enter- prising and prosperous farmers of his adopted county, owning a valuable tract of land of one hundred and twelve acres which is placed under a high state of culti- vation, and having added to it all the modern improvements and accessories. He has here a good house and barn, a bearing orchard 1 and rich fields of grain, and his labors are crowned with a desirable and gratifying suc- . cess. In politics he is a Populist and sup- ported Bryan for the presidency. He holds membership in the Christian church, in which he has served as an elder for fifteen years. He takes an active part in church
and Sunday-school work and is a friend of education and temperance ; in fact he hear- tily co-operates in every movement calcu- lated to uphold and benefit humanity. In manner he is cordial and kindly and his many sterling characteristics have made him a popular citizen.
HEMAN CLARK.
Hleman Clark is one of the most ex- tensive land-owners and stock-raisers of Atchison county. He has a pleasant home on section 27, Colfax township, where he has resided since 1872, in which year he became the possessor of three hundred and twenty acres of wild land. As years passed he transformed this into a very valuable tract and as liis financial resources increased he added to the property until he now owns seven hundred and sixty acres, constituting one of the finest farms in the county. He has a model home, commodious and con- veniently arranged, and standing upon a natural building site in the midst of a beau- tiful grove, in which fox squirrels may be seen at play. The grove comprises twelve acres and upon the farm there is also a large orchard which yields its fruits in season. The outbuildings are modern and conven- ient, including a barn 60x44 feet, with sheds 26x44 feet. There are good pastures and meadows, a windmill and all modern ma- chinery, and the fertility of the soil is kept up through the rotation of crops. In con- nection with general farming Mr. Clark is successfully engaged in feeding and ship- ping stock, both branches of his business bringing to him an excellent income. This successful and enterprising farmer is well known in Atchison county and he certainly
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decries fordle menti in the history vi northwestern Missouri.
A native of Chi & he was born May TO. 1834. m Bloomfieldl. Trumbull county. Ilis father. Almen Clark, was a prominent and well known citizen of Trumbull coun 1. where he conducted a hotel. dealt in stock and carried on other lines of business, He was born in Burton, Geauga county, Ohio, in the year 1800. His grand- father, Isaac Clark, was a native of Con nectient and of Scotch ancestry. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, loyally de- feuding the American interests. By trade he was a wheelwright and was sent by a Connecticut colony to build a log gristmill on the Cuyahoga river. in Geauga county, thus becoming one of the first settlers of that portion of the state. He married Miss Susan Gates, also a native of Connecticut and of the same family to which belongs John W. Gates, the president of the Ameri- can Steel Works, Isaac Clark and his wife both died in Trumbull county. Ohio. There Mmoon Clark was reared, and after arriving at years of maturity he married Delama Bowers, a daughter of Japhet Bowers, of a Pennsylvania Dutch family. Nine children Were born of this marriage, eight of whom reached mature years, while seven are still living, as follows: Heman; Almon, who ched in Bloomfield, Ohio; Mrs. Martha Ml. Lord, who died in Farmington, Ohio; Alma1 H., the second of the name, now Tvmg m Farmington ; Mrs, Roxana Hart, Warren, Omeg Austa J. of South
minhap. A. ( Wer of South Omaha. Vibra La. and Mrs Bole Johnson, of War 100, 005. The Outer died in Farmington. leclerc an enterprising business man whose
unflagging industry and perseverance se- cured to him a comfortable competence. His political support was given to the Re- publican party. His wife passed away in Farmington, at the age of seventy-three years, and. like her husband. enjoyed the warm regard of many friends.
Hernan Clark, whose name introduces this record. was reared on a farm in Trum- bull county and in his youth aided in driv- ing stock over the mountains to market in Orange county, New York. His early con- nection with the stock-raising business made him an excellent judge of cattle, and when he was eighteen years of age his opinions concerning live stock were largely received as authority throughout the community in which he lived. The common schools afford- ed him his educational privileges and ex- perience in business added to his practical knowledge. In 1853 he drove cattle to Iowa. receiving twelve dollars per month, and later he purchased sheep in Ohio, driving them across the country to Cleveland, Ohio, where he loaded them on cars and shipped them to Chicago, whence he drove them to lowa, where he sold his sheep and purchased cattle. His financial resources increasing as the result of his capably conducted business affairs, he made investments in land in Jones county, Iowa, near Anamosa. For nine years he was located in Lisbon, lowa. where he was engaged in the stock business. and in 1872 he came to Atchison county, Missouri, where he has since made his li me.
In 1871 Mr. Clark was married, in l.is- Ion, Iowa, to Miss Emma Shaum, who has printed to him a faithful companion and help- meet on life's journey. She was born in Northampton conpty, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John and Rebecca Shaum, also
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
of the Keystone state. Her father died in (Groves) Thornhill, the former born in Grant county, Kentucky, of Scotch descent, the latter in Indianapolis. Indiana, of Ger- man lineage. She was one of a family of three children, the others being John and Cynthia. Her father, who was a farmer by Tarkio, Missouri, but her mother is still living in that place. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark: An- gusta, who is now living in South Omaha ; Fred H., at home; and a daughter, Anna D., who died at the age of seventeen years. , occupation, died in Illinois. The parents
Mr. Clark is of Scotch and German line- age and the sterling characteristics of those two peoples are manifest in his career. He has the conservative and industrious quali- ties of the German race and the thrift and perseverance of the Scotchmen. His labors have been diligently prosecuted, indolence and idleness forming no element in his dis- position. His life exemplifies the truth of the saying that success is not a matter of genius, but the outcome of honest and per- sistent labor. Although he is now sixty- nine years of age he manifests the vigor of mind and body of a man many years his junior. His political support has long been given to the men and measures of the Repub- lican party. His home is noted for its hos- pitality. His frank and genial disposition cause all who know him to esteem him high- ly and his genuine worth is recognized by all. His example should serve to encourage others, who, like himself, are forced to en- ter business life empty-handed and are de- pendent upon their own exertions for ad- vancement.
JOHN G. THORNHILL.
The subject of this review is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres of land near Maryville, upon which he is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He is a native of Kansas, born in Barber county, July 22. 1858, and is a son of Achilles and Nancy
of our subject were married in Springfield, that state, where the father engaged in farm- ing until 1848, when they moved to Texas. During the gold excitement in California they started overland for the Pacific slope, but being disappointed in their arrange- ments they stopped in Kansas, where he bought a farm and resided for several years. In 1861 he came to Nodaway county, Mis- souri, and remained here until 1875. when lie returned to Texas. He died near Sher- man, that state, three years later, and his family subsequently returned to this county, where the mother died in 1888. He was a successful farmer and left his family in com- fortable circumstances. Religiously both were members of the Christian church. Their children were Calista, the wife of L. Dawson; Melissa, the wife of W. D. Stal- lard; Josie, the wife of C. C. Caldwell; Thomas, a resident of Kansas; and John G., our subject. Only the first and last named now reside in Maryville.
John G. Thornhill accompanied his par- ents on their various removals, and after the death of his father finally came with his mother to Nodaway county, Missouri, where he has since made his home. In 1882 lie was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth Workman, who was born in this county, May 7. 1860. Her parents, William and Margaret ( Weaver ) Workman, were both natives of Monroe county, Indiana, and early settlers of this county, where they located in 1859. The father first purchased
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BIOGRAPHIC.IL HISTORY.
a small tract of land, but as he prospered! in his farming operations he added to it from time to time until he now has fourteen hundred acres of valuable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. In connection with general farming he en- gages extensively in stock raising, and is to-day one of the most prominent agricult- wrists of the county. Religiously he is a member of the Adventist church, and so- cially is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Thornhill is huis only chikl. Our subject and his wife have three children: Nellie, born April 6. 1883: Ola, born April 30. 1888; and Willie. born November 27. 1800.
After his marriage Mr. Thornhill locat- ed on his present farm near Maryville, and has since devoted his energies to its culti- vation and improvement with most grati- iying results. His specialty is stock raising. and he now feeds all the products of his farm to his stock. He rem wed to Maryville in August, 1808, and in the spring of 1900 was elected to the city council from the first ward. He is a wide-awake, enterpris- ing business man, of known reliability, and the success that has attended his efforts is certainly well deserved. As a Democrat he 1. les an active interest in public affairs. Socially de r & Kryd Arch Mason, and re- ligi 1 y loith he and his wife are members ĐT to Cin-tom church.
JOSIAH MUMFORD.
the duties of citizenship and true to all re- lations of public and private life. lle is therefore a representative citizen and well deserves mention in the history of north- western Missouri.
Mr. Mumford was born in Worcester county, Maryland, January 22, 1836, and belongs to one of the old and respected families of that state. His father. James Mumford, was a native of the same county und was a son of John E. Mumford. Why was born of Scotch parentage and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. Reared in iis native state. James Mumford afterward removed to Ohio and subsequently to Illi- nois. lle was married in Maryland, at the age of twenty-four years, to Miss Martha Fox, who was born in that state, of English parentage, a daughter of Joseph and Ama Fox, who emigrated westward to lowa. spending their last days in the home of their daughter. Mr-, James Mumford, in Lucas county. In 1849 the parents of our sub- ject left Maryland and took up their alode in Franklin county, Ohio, near Columbus, where they remained until 1853, which was the year of their arrival in Woodford county. Hlinois. They made the journey westward by team, for that was before the era of railroads. Again by team and wagen they started westward, their destination be- ing Lucas county, lowa where they cast their lot with the pioneer settlers. The en- tire region was wild and unimproved and their first home was a log cabin erected an land which they obtained from the govern- ment. With characteristic energy Mr Mumford begin the development of his farm and som transformed the wild tract into richly developed fields, which viele ! to him a good return for the care and labor
Dar tet the years Josiah Mumford m le 1- Vo ile 1 Encohn township. Ilis ich Hatte habe , ne, embrương loyal sti te in the Cryil war, while in days of per He he cer been found inthis to bestowed upon them. On the old home-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
stead in Lucas county he remained until his and with his command followed General Price for about two months through the southwest, taking part in the battles of Helena and Arkansas Post. He also aided in the attack of Vicksburg and participated : in the siege of that city until its surrender. Later he was in the battles of Jackson and Lookout Mountain, both in Tennessee, and death, which occurred when he was ser- enty-four years of age. Throughout his en- tire life he followed farming and thereby won a comfortable competence. In politics he was formerly a Whig, but on the disso- lution of that party he joined the Republi- can ranks, in which he was found through- out his remaining days. Both he and his ' went with General Sherman from Atlanta wife were consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which to Savannah, having participated in the bat- tles of Bentonville and the entire Carolina he served as class leader for a number of campaign. Then the army proceeded to years. His wife passed away at the age of sixty-eight, loved and esteemed by all who knew her. In their family were seven chil- dren. namely: Josiah: James M., of Lucas county, Iowa; Mrs. Anna McClurg, who 1 died in Montana; Mrs. Ellen Needles, of Warren county, lowa : Mrs. Elizabeth Tay- lor, of Chariton, Iowa: George, who died in childhood; and Zeddock, of Thomas county, Kansas.
Richmond and thence to Washington, D. C., taking part in the grand review, the most celebrated military pageant ever seen in the western hemisphere. At Louisville, Kentucky, Mr. Mumford was honorably discharged and with the other troops was paid off at Davenport, Iowa. At all times our subject had been found loyal to the canse which he espoused and had faithfully per- formed his duty on many a southern battle country no longer needed his services he gladly returned to his home and family.
Josiah Mumford was only two years of : field; but when the war was over and the age when the parents removed from Mary- land to Ohio and was a small boy when they came to lowa. Ile was reared upon the frontier and experienced all the hard- ships and trials which fall to the lot of the pioneer settlers, attempting to establish homes in an unimproved region. He pursued his education in a log school house and re- ceived ample training at farm work. He was also taught lessons of honesty and in- dustry, which through his entire career made him a successful business man.
He was married in Lucas county, lowa. at the age of twenty-one, in the year 1856, to Miss Lydia Malone. a native of Hend- ricks county, Indiana, and daughter of John and Mrs. ( Knave) Malone, also natives of Indiana. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mumford have been born seven children: Emma, the wife of J. G. Lane, of Lincoln township, Atchi- son county ; Theodore, of Nodaway county; Lena, the wife Eli Hutt, of Lincoln town- ship: Belle, the wife of T. Dixon, of the same township: Cora, the wife of D. Macrander, of Lincoln township : Miller .1., at home: and Carrie, the wife of Joseph Hutt, of the same township.
When the country was involved in civil war he offered his services to the govern- ment, enlisting in Company C, of the Fourth lowa Infantry. under the command of Captain W. Campbell. Lieutenant-Colonel W. Williamson and Colonel B. F. Dodge. Mr. Mumford continued to make his He participated in the battle of Perryville, home in Lucas county, lowa, until 1879.
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BIOGR. IPHIIC.IL HISTORY.
Martin farm until 1802. In 1882 he was called to mourn the loss of his wife. She 1. - mest devoted to her family and was a faithful friend. She hell membership in the Baptist church and Fer earnest Christian taitl permeated her life. In 1892 Mr. ilumina came to his present home, pur- chasing me hundred and ninety-five acres known as the MeOnen farm. It is a valu- alle property, on which is a commodious residence and substantial barns. together with a ten acre orchard of apples and picles. Everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating his careful supervision and progressive methods of farming. In his political views Mr. Mumierd is a Republican, unwavering in hi- support of the principles of the party which stound by the Union in the dark days of the Civil war, which has ever added to the protection of American industries and which now upholds the supremacy of the flay that has been planted on some of the islands of the sea. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and his sol- d'erly qualities are manifested in his citizen- sluip, his loyalty and patriotic spirit being abo & question. Throughout the years of My business career he has carried on farm. ng and the comfortable competence whichi De Was acquired is certainly well deserved.
JAMES TODD.
He Vilaway Denn crat was started at Mille, Missouri, in 1800, and on the ist . Februarv. 1875, was taken in charge by J. .. Tukt, the present well known editor. mide where management it has attained heeft rink allen, the leading journals of the
When it came to Wieluson county and de- state. Mr. Todd was born in Dearborn Total his energies to the cultivation of the county, Indiana, October 9. 1847. When seven years old he was taken by his parents to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and later the family came to Nodaway county, Missouri. His early life was spent on a farm, and his edu- cation acquired in the log school-house of the west, which has given to the country so many able men. For several years prior to 1874 Mr. Todd taught school in winter and worked on the farm through the sum- mer. In that year he became a citizen of Maryville, and has since been a constant and faithful worker for the best interests of that place.
On the 4th of June, 1877. Mr. Todd was united in marriage with Miss Anna Curi- man. of Maryville, and they now have a family of five children, namely: Mabel. Lulu, James C. Walter S. and Helen, the oldest nineteen, the youngest ten years of age. Hugh C. and Estella died young.
In 1803 Mr. Todd was appointed post- master by President Cleveland, but resigned the ofice two years later, upon becoming convinced that he could not perform his edi- torial duties conveniently and to his own satisfaction while attending to the onerous. requirements of a postmastership. For sex- eral terms he has been a member of the board of education, and was one of the direc- fors of the Maryville Seminary three years. In these capacities and at his daily employ- ment he has been the same modest and unas- suming "gentleman of the old school." en- joying the high respect of the community. His popularity is equaled only by his pro- fessional reputation. As a speaker upon ed- reational and patriotic subjects he is in much demand. AApart from his new spaper work and attendance at conventions he does lot obtrude his political opinions. While
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