A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography, Part 33

Author:
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 726

USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography > Part 33
USA > Missouri > Atchison County > A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography > Part 33

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GALLATIN CRAIG.

Gallatin Craig, the judge of the circuit court of northwestern Missouri and one of the most eminent jurists of his section of the

state, has risen by his own efforts to his pres- ent high position. In the law more than in any other profession is one's career open to talent. The reason is evident : It is a pro- fession in which eminence cannot be obtained except by indomitable energy, persever. ance and patience, and though its prizes are numerous and splendid, they cannot be won except by arduous and prolonged effort. It is this that has brought success to Judge Craig and made him known as one of the ablest representatives of the bar in this sec- tion of the state.

The Judge was born in Gallatin county, Kentucky, on the 20th of May, 1853. and back of him is an ancestry honorable and distinguished. The Craig family, of Scot- tish ancestry, was founded in Virginia in 1650 and its representatives were prominent in connection with events of the Revolution- ary war, while in the religious enthusiasm of the colonies their influence was strongly felt for the Baptist cause. Joshua Morris. the great-grandfather of the Judge, was the first pastor of the First Baptist church of Richmond, Virginia, and Robert Morris, a great-granduncle, was a noted patriot of Pennsylvania and became one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, exer- cising an influence that told strongly on the cause of liberty. George Walton, an uncle of the Judge's father, was also one of the signers of the immortal instrument declaring allegiance of the colonies to the mother country was forever severed. The Judge is a son of Albert G. and Virginia ( Brook- ing) Craig, and his mother's people were no less prominent than his ancestry on the pa- ternal side. His grandmother belonged to the Throckmorton family, one of the most distinguished and honored early pioneer families of the Old Dominion, and his

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great-grandfather. Vivian Brooking, served as a colonel under General Washington. Early in the nineteenth century representa- tives of the Craig family emigrated to Ken- tucky and became prominent in the develop- ment and upbuilding of that state. It is well remembered by the descendants of pio- neers that nine of the sixteen women who went to Bryant Station when that post was besieged by the Indians were Craigs.

The father of the Judge is a farmer and for many years he occupied the bench of the county court of Gallatin county, Ken- tucky, and thus from boyhood his son was more or less familiar with the workings of the courtroom. In the common schools of his native county he acquired his preliminary education, which was supplemented by a course in Ghent College, in Carroll county, that state. With the determination to make the practice of law his life work he matric- ulated as a law student in the University of Virginia and was numbered among its graduates on the completion of the regular course. In the year 1877 he was admitted to practice at Warsaw, Kentucky, and in 1878 he came to Maryville, where he has since been numbered among the representa- ties of the bar. Here he was first asso- cited in practice with Judge C. .. Anthony, the connection being maintained for some years, or until the latter was elected to the Tench. Judge Craig was afterward acco- ciated with James J. Johnson, and this pro- fessional relation continued until he was dected prosecuting attorney. In 1880 he had GEORGE N. HAMLIN. Been chosen la popular vote for the office This gentleman, who is one of the rep- resentative farmers of Nodaway county. was born in Hartford county. Connecticut. September 8, 1830, and is a son of Linus aund Abigail ( Kent ) Hamlin, also natives vi pi city attorney of Maryville and served for tin gers. In 1800 he was elected prose cutting attorney of the county, and at the November election of 1808 he was chosen circuit judge, succeeding his old law part- that state, where the family have resided for

ner. Hon. C. A. Anthony. He had taken a leading part in some of the important litiga- tion of northwestern Missouri, having a large and representative clientele. On the bench he has won an enviable position among the jurists of the state. His decisions are the highest type of the justice that knows no bias and are based entirely upon the evidence and the law applicable to it.

In November. 1882. Judge Craig was united in marriage. in Maryville, to Miss Chloe 1. Licher, a daughter of John Lieber, a prominent retired merchant of this city. They now have two children .- Albert Lee Gallatin and Laura Lieber. The family oc- cupy a prominent position in cultured so- ciety circles and the Judge is also a recog- nized leader in political circles. He sup- ports the Democracy and has been the chair- man of the county central committee of his party. On the bench, however, he never allows personal prejudice to interfere with lis just and impartial discharge of duty. A man of unimpeachable character and natural intellectual endowments, with a thorough understanding of the law, patience, urbanity and industry, he took to the bench the very Inghest qualifications for this responsible ot- five, and his record as a judge has been in harmony with his record as a man and law- yer, distinguished by unswerving integrity and a masterful grasp of every problem that has presented itself for solution.

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GEORGE N. HAMLIN.

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many generations. Most of its representa- tives have been tillers of the soil. His pa- ternal great - grandfather, John Hamlin, served as a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war. The grandfather, Luke Hamlin, was a farmer by occupation and a lifelong resi- dent of Connecticut, where he died in 1839. His children were Daniel, Augustus, Linus and Abigail. John Kent, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a shoe- maker of Connecticut and the father of nine children, namely : Benjamin, who moved to Virginia; Ira, a resident of Connecticut ; Abigail, Ralph, John, Lovisa, Nelson, Mary and Susan. In 1838 our subject's parents moved to Wayne county, Pennsylvania, where the father died on his farm in 1800, the mother a year later. Their children were George N., Mrs. Margaret Roney and Mrs. Jane Scull.

George N. Hamlin passed his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm and at- tended the common schools of the neighbor- hood. He remained with his parents until their death and in early life followed the carpenter's trade. In 1858 was celebrated his marriage to Miss Lydia Hambly, a na- tive of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Richard Hambly, who was of English de- scent and a farmer by occupation. She has two brothers-Richard and William. To Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin were born three chil- dren : Edwin; Ida, the wife of William Adle, of Maryville; and Richard.

Mr. Hamlin continued to reside on the old homestead in Pennsylvania until 1870, when he came to Nodaway county and pur- chased one hundred and twenty acres of his present farm, but at that time only seven acres had been broken and there were no fences or buildings upon the place. After 16

erecting a small house he began the im- provement of the place, and has since added to it until he now has two hundred and eighty acres under a high state of cultiva- tion and pleasantly located two miles north- westof Maryville. Ile has set out an orchard, built a comfortable and commodious resi- dence, a large barn and other outbuildings. and now has one of the best improved farms of the locality. In connection with general farming he carries on stock raising, and is meeting with well deserved success in his labors. Although seventy years of age Mr. llamlin is still quite vigorous, and looks after the details of farm work, while his sons carry on the farm. Throughout life he has ex- hibited the energy and thrift characteristic of New Englanders, and being a good finan- cier and progressive business man, has be- come one of the substantial citizens of his community. In his political views he is a Democrat. He and his wife are well pre- served, and are held in high regard by a large circle of friends and acquaintances who appreciate their sterling worth and many excellencies of character.

J. T. KARR.

Among the loyal defenders of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war was the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He was born in McLean county, Illinois, December 25, 1840, and is a son of James and Margaret (Martin ) Karr, natives of Ohio. Soon after their marriage the parents moved to Illinois and the father en- tered land in McLean county. In his new home he met with success and became the owner of a large and valuable farm, up.n which he engaged in general farming and

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stock-raising until his death, in the winter of 1869. Politically he was a Democrat, and religiously was a member of the Christian church, while his wife was a Presbyterian in religious belief. She died when our sub- ject was only nine years old, leaving three children, of whom he is the oldest, the « thers being Nancy, the wife of J. Rogers; and George M., a resident of Missouri. For his second wife the father married Louisa Trofater, by whom he had six chil- Gren, namely : John W., Emily, Ora, Walter, Edward and Mina.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed upon the home farm, and he was educated in the common schools of his na- tive county. On the 20th of August, 1861, he joined the "boys in blue" of Company (. Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, and was mustered out at Indianola, Texas, December 31, 1863, but the same day lic re-enlisted in the same regiment, and re- mained in the service until hostilities ceased. .A- a member of the Vicksburg department he was mustered out at Greenville, Mississ- ippi. November 24. 1865, and was honorably discharged and paid off at Springfield, Illi- nois. Ile was always found at his post of duty, gallantly defending the old flag and the cause it represented. Among the en. gagements in which he participated were the battles of Fredericktown, Missouri, in Out ber, 1801 ; Cache Bayou, Arkansas, ady. 1802: Bolivar, Mississippi, Septem- ler. 1862; Port Gibson, Mississippi, May. 803: Champion Hills and Black River Bridge, the same month; the siege of Vicks- rg: the capture of Jackson, Mississippi, " July, 1863 ; and the siege and capture of Fort Esperanza, Texas, in November, 1803.

After the war Mr. Karr resumed farming Mr bean county, Illinois, and there he was

married, February 27. 1867. to Miss Susan Davis, who was born in Ohio, October 23. 1846. Her parents, Lewis F. and Melissa ( Morrow) Davis, were natives of New Jer- sey and Ohio, respectively, and were mar- ried in the latter state, where the father fol- lowed the tanner's trade until 1860, when he moved to Marion county, Illinois. Four years later he located in McLean county. and after cultivating a rented farm there for three years he came to Missouri, in 1866. and bought land in Nodaway county, on which he spent the remainder of his life, dying here in September, 1899. Ile was a Republican in politics, but voted for Will- iam J. Bryan, the Democratic candidate for president, in 1896. His wife died in 1892. They had four children, namely : Susan, the wife of our subject; Arthur W., who died at the age of twenty years; Lydia, the wife of L. Morrow; and Woodroe, who lives on the homestead.

In the fall of 1868 Mr. Karr came to this county, and for two years rented a farm in White Cloud township. In 1870 he pur- chased eighty acres of wild prairie land, and to its improvement and cultivation devoted his energies unil 1892, when he moved to the farm belonging to his wife's father and cul- tivated it for five years. He now rents his farm, and since 1897 has lived a retired life in Barnard, where he has a commodious and pleasant residence. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Demo- cratic party, has been a delegate to nummer- cuis conventions, and is now chairman of the Democratic committee of Grant township. Ile has been honored with a number of of- ficial positions, including that of justice of the peace, which he held for seven years. and assessor for four years. His official duties have always been discharged with a

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promptness and fidelity worthy of the highest commendation. Both he and his wife are active members of the Christian church, and are held in high regard by all who know them.

ELMER FRASER.

Elmer Fraser is one of the younger rep- resentatives of the business interests of Maryville, and now holds the important po- sition of cashier in the Maryville National Bank. His ability, executve power and keen discrimination render him peculiariy fitted for the responsible duties which de- volve upon him and he is now well known in business circles, being held in the highest regard by reason of his fidelity and integ- rity. Although he is a young man, he has been a resident of Maryville for thirty years.

The Frasers arrived in Nodaway county in 1870. James, the father of our subject was born in Scotland about 1832, and there learned the carpenter's trade. When seven- teen years of age he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and followed his chosen vocation in various places in the east. He finally located in Indiana and from Du Bois county, that state, removed to Maryville, in 1870. Here he engaged in the stock busi- ness and in farming, and to some extent .gives his attention to those branches of labor at the present day, although he is now large- ly living retired. He married Samantha Cavender, and unto them were born four sons-Elmer, Alexander, James and Bard, -all of whom are residents of Nodaway county.

Elmer was a lad of eight summers when he arrived in Maryville. He mastered the branches of English learning that formed

the curriculum of the common schools here, and after putting aside his text-books he en- gaged in herding cattle for his father for two years. Later he accepted a postion in the grocery house of Grimes & Dooley, and on severing that conection he became a bookkeeper in the banking house of Baker, Saunders & Company, in Maryville. While thus engaged he mastered many of the principles of the banking business. He en- tered that institution in 1881, and in 1890, upon the incorporation of the Maryville National Bank, he was promoted to the po- sition of assistant cashier, in which capacity he served until 1896, when he was elected cashier to succeed Mr. Wilfley. At the same time he became a director of the bank. Ile is an excellent judge of men, has a thor- ough knowledge of the banking business and his efforts and popularity have contributed in no small degree to the success of the in- stitution. He is also the owner of a good farm near Maryville, which is operated under his supervision and stocked with a high grade of cattle; but this is not the limit of his enterprise. for he is connected with other business affairs of importance.

In January, 1890, Mr. Fraser was united in marriage to Miss Alice Ham, a daughter of the pioneer merchant, John Ham, who at one time served as the sheriff of Nodaway county. Two children have been born of their union,-Paul G. and Alice Jean. Mr. Fraser certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished in life. He started upon his business career depending upon no outside aid or influence for advancement, and through his personal merit he has arisen to a position of distinction in connection with the financial interests of Nodaway county. Integrity in all the affairs of life have gained him the confidence of the public, and his so-

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cial and cordial nature has won him the good will and friendship of many with whom he is associated.

W. J. McMILLAN.

Nannie Hensleigh, of Clarinda. Jowa, the wife of the present auditor of Page county ; Mrs. Rose Stahl, of Monmouth. Ilinois; Maggie, who died a young woman: and Joseph, who died at the age of eighteen years.

W. J. MeMillan is one of the carly set ter- of Lincoln township. Atchison county. Ile came to northwestern Missouri during the era of its pioneer development and has witnessed most of its entire growth, having seen it- will lands reclaimed for purposes of civilization. Churches and schools have been built. indicating the advance of prog- ress; towns and villages have sprung up. and the community has become settled by an inteligent and enterprising class of people. In the work of improvement Mr. McMillan has ever borne his part and is known as a I val citizen. He is of Scotch-Irish descent and manifests in his career the sterling characteristics of those people, having the versatility of the latter and the steadfast trift and reliability of the former. During his infancy Mr. McMillan. the subject of this sketch, was brought by his parents to America. The family left Ire- land in 1849. and after spending six months in New York city removed to Maysville. Kentucky, and in 1856 became residents of Des Moines, lowa, living at Kossuth. They were among the early settlers there and were actively identified with the pioneer development of the county. In that locality W. J. McMillan of this review was reare 1 upon a farm. He assisted in the arduous task of developing wild land and transform. ing it into richly cultivated fields, and with the family bore the hardships and experi- ences which usually fall to the lot of the pin- meer. He attended the schools of the neigh- borhood, although the advantages of that time were rather primitive, the sessions be- ing held in a log cabin. However, reading and experience in later years have added greatly to his knowledge and he is now a well informed man. The first event which varied the monotony of his farm life came with the opening of the Civil war. He was a young boy in his teens when he enlisted for service as a member of the Ninth Ili Tois Cavalry, a regiment which made a brill at a period of persecution for a religious blant record for gallantry. He served un-

Mr. McMillan was born in Ireland, on the moth of September, 1848, and is a son of William McMillan, also a native of the green isle of Erin and of Scotch lineage. Il married Margaret Jackson, a representative of a good family of county Antrim and a daughter of John Jackson, who also was at native of that county. Her mother belonged to the Bruce family, of the same county, her meesters having been driven from Scotland beliet. To William and Margaret ( Jack- Oder the command of Captain C. G. Dack. Colonel Mock and General Thomas. 1Bis regiment was in some of the most holly contested fights of the war, and in connec tion with the Second lowa Cavalry met live thousand Confederate troops under Genera! To Mohllan were born the following tel: W. J .. of this review : Mrs. Martha Leguan, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania; Mr. Para Gath, of Des Moines com. love : Mrs. Mary Smith and John, who also Fre redentemi Des Moines county ; Mrs. Forrest, at Shoal creek, where the brilliant

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fighting of the Union troops won the high- est admiration. Mr. McMillan also partici- pated in the battle of Franklin, Tennessee. and of Nashville, and with his command followed General Hood's army to Alabama. He was in active service in the vicinity of Mobile, and when honorably discharged was but seventeen years of age. He is numbered among the soldier boys whose valor and bravery upon the field of battle were equal to that of the time-tried veterans. He went through all the experiences which fall to the lot of a soldier and was ever found at his post of duty, whether upon the firing line or upon tented fields.

When the war was over and the cotti- try no longer needed his services, Mr. Mc- Millan returned to his father's farm and as- sisted in its cultivation for a time. His fa- ther is now deceased, having departed this life in Des Moines county, Iowa, at the age of seventy-four, while the mother is living. at the age of seventy-five. In politics he was a Democrat and in his religious belief a Presbyterian. They were widely known as earnest Christian people, as devoted parents, as kind neighbors and valued citizens.

Entering upon an independent business career. W. J. McMillan of this review be- gan working as a farm hand and was thus employed until he had acquired five hun- dred dollars. He then invested his capital in a team and wagon, came to Missouri and purchased forty acres of land, upon which Ile built a log cabin, 14x14 feet. From that time success has attended his effors. He worked from early morn until evening in improving and cultivating his fields, and in course of time abundant harvests rewarded his efforts. At different times, as his finan- cial resources increased, he added to his property until he now has five hundred acres

of as good land as can be found in the coun- ty. Upon the place is a very attractive aud commodious residence, built in modern style and surrounded by shade and ornamental trees. In the rear stand good barns and outbuiklings, and these and the fences are kept in good repair. The meadows, pastures and fields of grain indicate his careful super- vision and progressive spirit, and the Mc- Millan farm is one of the most desirable country seats in Atchison county.

At the age of twenty-six Mr. McMillan was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Jane McElroy, of Lincoln township, a daughter of John McElroy. She died in August. 1885. at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving three children-Bert. O. M. and Cora-the last named now the wife of E. E. Beck, of Lincoln township, Atchison county. On the 28th of March, 1889, Mr. McMillan was again married, his second union being with Miss Anna Scott, a repre- sentative of one of the respected families of the community. Her mother is Margaret Scott, of Des Moines county, Iowa. The McMillan home is a hospitable one, and our subject and his wife occupy an enviable po- sition in social circles. Mr. McMillan ex- ercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and for eight years has filled the office of justice of the peace, discharging his du- ties in a manner that has won for him the commendation of all concerned. He was a candidate for the legislature on the Re- publican ticket in 1892, but was defeated by the combination of the Democrats and the Populists. He holds membership in the Grand AArmy of the Republic and in the United Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs.

He is a self-made man, whose advance-

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ment in business life is attributable entirely to his own efforts. As the architect of his fortune he has builded wisely and well. his perseverance and diligence enabling him to overcome all obstacles in his path and work his way steadily upward to a position among the substantial residents of his adopted county. He. is a man of unquestioned probity and is a popular and valued citizen of Atchison county.

JAMES A. HAMILTON.

lt the title of "honorable" is given as a reward for true, honest manhood rather than for political office it would be attached to the name of James .A. Hamilton, who is one of the most highly esteemed residents of Nodaway county, prominently connected with agricultural pursuits here. He was born in Warren county, New Jersey, on the 30th of December, 1861, and is a son of George W. Hamilton, now a retired farmer residing in Elmo, Lincoln township. The father was born in Sussex county, New Jer. sey. a son of James .A. and Ililiah ( Rhodes ) Hamilton, both of whom were also natives of the same state. George W. Hamilton was born in September, 1837, and when fifteen years of age became a resident of Warren county, New Jersey, where he resided until 1804. He then located in Bureau county, Jilines, but after five years residence in that state came to Nodaway county, Mis- soffri. Throughout his entire life George 1. Hamilton has followed farming until a recent date, when he retired, putting aside the mare arduous care of an active busi Its career. He took up his abode in Elmo, where he is enjoying a well earned rest. In the year 1857 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Hull, of Hunterdon com-

ty, New Jersey, and died in April, 1878. They were the parents of six chiklren. name- ly : Joseph S. James .A., Catharine. Benja- min. Charles V. and Mary E.

During his early boyhood James .1. Hamilton was taken by his parents to Illi- nois, and when a youth of ten years came with them to Nodaway county, where he has since made his home. Here he has gained a reputation that will prove a rich legacy to his posterity, for the Psalmist has said. "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." He was reared to the work of the farm and early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. The public schools afford- ed him his educational privileges, and when he wished to enter upon an independent business career he continued to follow the pursuit to which he was reared. Hle to- day owns and operates a valuable tract of land of two hundred and seventy acres, in Lincoln township, and his place is under a high state of cultivation, the well-tilled fields yielding to him a good return when crops are harvested in the autumn. He thus in- creased his income and he is now accounted one of the substantial men of the community. Upon his place is a very pleasant residence. good barns and all necessary outbuildings, and he follows most practical and progress- ive methods.

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A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography, Part 33

Author: Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 726

Author:
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 726