USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography > Part 34
USA > Missouri > Atchison County > A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography > Part 34
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At the age of nineteen years Mr. Ham- ilton was united in marriage to Miss Laura Melntyre, a daughter of William S. Me- Intyre, one of the honored pioneer settlers of Nodaway county, living not far from Mr. Hamilton. Unto our subject and his wife have been born eight children, but one died at birth and another at the age of eight months. The surviving members of the family are Ethel M., Martha C., Flora E ..
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Helen R., Minnie F. and Marvin A. . Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have given their chil- dren excellent educational privileges, thus fitting them for life's practical and responsi- ble duties, and an air of cultured refinement and hospitality pervades their pleasant home. The members of the household have a host of warm friends in the community and are held in highest esteem. Mrs. Hamilton has proved to her husband not only a loving wife but also a true helpmeet, whose counsel, ad- vice and assistance have been important factors in his success. In his political affil- iations Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland. Both he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, doing all in their power to promote its growth. and for six years he has served as superintendent of the Sunday-school. In all life's relations he has been true to every man- ly principle, is a loyal citizen, a faithful friend, a devoted husband and father, a sincere Christian gentleman and an hon- orable business man, whose example is in many respects well worthy of emulation. For more than thirty years he has resided in Nodaway county and well deserves repre- sentation in this volume.
GEORGE A. RANKIN.
A prominent and representative farmer of Atchison county, Missouri, is George A. Rankin, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Scott county, Indiana, September 19. 1848, and was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Bingham) Rankin, natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, respectively. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rankin settled upon a farm in Scott county. Indiana, where most of the family were
born, but later moved to Iowa, where twenty years were spent. Mr. Rankin then went to Henderson county, Illinois, later chang- ing into Warren county, where his death oc- curred, March 24, 1898. at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Early in life he had engaged in a mercantile business, but for the last forty years had pursued farming. He was a man of high character, was noted for his charity and commanded the respect of all with whom he came into contact. _ 1 consistent member of the Methodist church, his interests in good aud benevolent objects could always be relied on. In politics he was a Republican, but never asked for of- fice.
The mother of our subject was a daugh- ter of Joseph and Isabella (Moore) Bing- ham, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, re- spectively. Mrs. Rankin died in June, 1893, after having had the following children : Mary, deceased: our subject; Mrs. Flora Laur, of this township; J. E., a farmer of Colorado; Cora and Mrs. Lulu Bond. Mrs. Rankin was a devoted member of the Meth- odist church, in which she was most highly esteemed, Mr. Rankin by a previous mar- riage had several children, the survivor be- ing W. A. Rankin, a prominent citizen of Onarga, Illinois.
The youth and boyhood of our subject was similar to that of other lads of his age. He accompanied his father in the family re- movals, but soon after attaining to his ma- jority he came to Missouri, and in 1876 he and his brother engaged in farming, con- tinuing together for five years, through many changes. Mr. Rankin was married April 12, 1898, to Miss Lillie McCan, born in Ohio, October 26, 1868, a daughter of John and Catherine (Summers) McCan, both of whom lived and died in Ohio, where
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they had lived worthy lives and were de- serving members of the Christian church. They reared a large number of estimable children, named as follows: Thomas J .. Henry. Hamilton. Mrs. Julia Smally, Mrs. Rebecca Mehriffee. Franklin. William, Mrs. Rankin and Mrs. Naomi Grimes. All those living have remained in Ohio, except the wife of our subject.
Mr. and Mrs. Rankin are well and fa- vorably known in Atchison county, both in the Methodist church, of which they are valued members, and through the country. where Mr. Rankin is known as a just man and she as a helpful neighbor and friend. Politically Mr. Rankin is a Republican and takes an intelligent interest in the affairs of the nation.
AUSTIN F. STITT.
The unostentations routine of private life although of vast importance to the welfare of the community, has not figured to any great extent in the pages of history. But the names , i men who have distinguished themselves by the possession of those quali- ties of character which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability, and who have enjoyed the respect. and confidence of those around them, should not be permitted to perish. Their example is more valuable to the majority of readers than that of heroes, statesmen and writers. a they furin-lomeans of subsistence for the multitude whom they in their useful careers have employee .
Such are the thoughts which involuntarily ( He to our minds when we consider the life of him whenante initiates this sketch, who I How the honored mayor of Burlington Jit 01, a [ lên v lịch by the gift of the
people he has filled for three terms. 1His re- elections indicate mumistakably his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him.
Austin Fallis Stitt was born in Hamil- ton county, Indiana, September 28. 1838. Ilis father. Obadiah W. Stitt. was a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, and on the 30th of June. 1856. he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, locating near the village of Bur- lington Junction, where he pre-empted a claim, entering the land from the govern- : ment. He became the owner of four hun- dred and ninety acres here and continued its cultivation until the oth of April. 1860, when be removed to Lawrence, Kansas. In that locality he also purchased a farm and made it his home until the fall of 1870. In the fo]- lowing spring he returned to Kansas and sub. sequently went to Bates county, Missouri. where he purchased fifteen hundred acres of land. He carried on farming on an exten- sive scale and was very successful in his oper . ations, possessing excellent business and ex- ecutive ability. He had only nineteen dol- lars at the time of his marriage, but through his well directed efforts he added constantly to his capital and at his death left to his fam- ily a comfortable estate. He wedded Miss Malinda Fallis, who was born in Ohio and died when her son Austin was only eighteen months oldl. He was their only child. The father afterward married again. His death occurred January 24. 1880. when he had at- tained the advanced age of seventy three years.
On the home farm Austin F. Stitt spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He en- joyed the pleasures of the playground, per- formed the duties of the schoolroom and aided in the work of field and garden. He was thus engaged until after the inaugura- ton of the Civil war, when, prompted by a
AUSTIN F. STITT
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spirit of patriotism, he left the fields and took up the rifle in defense of the Union, en- listing in 1861 as a member of Company E. of the Sixth Missouri Regiment. In 1864 he re-enlisted at St. Joseph, Missouri. At one time he and his captain were detailed for re- cruiting service, but the captain was kicked by a horse and all the work devolved upon our subject. He was offered a commission as sergeant major of his regiment, but he refused this in order to stay with his com- pany, for he was a great favorite with the men, who loved and respected him. Going to Raleigh, Missouri. the company became part of the Forty-eighth Regiment, and on the Sth of December. 1864, proceeded to St. Louis and thence to Columbia, Tennessee, Mr. Stitt remaining at the front until hon- orably discharged. In June, 1865, he was once more sent to St. Louis and there mus- tered out. returning to his home with an honorable military record.
He engaged in the business of buying cattle in connection with Captain Grigsby. his old commander, and the business connec- tion between them was maintained until the fall of 1866. In that autunm he was mar- ried. and during the succeeding winter he boarded with his old partner, but in the spring he and his wife removed to their farm in Green township, Nodaway county, there residing until 1886, when they took up their abode in Burlington Junction. In the mean- time he had bought and sold land, his invest- ments proving profitable ventures, and at the time of his retirement he owned a very valuable farm of three hundred acres, which is still in his possession. In Burlington Junction he erected a comfortable residence. and, surrounded by all the necessities and many of the luxuries of life, he is here re- , of the Republic, and of all is a valued repre- siding in retirement from active business sentative. He and wife are leading mem-
cares, save hs official duties, having been called to office by the vote of his fellow townsmen.
On the 6th of November. 1866, Mr. Stitt was united in marriage to Miss Caroline E. McClellan, who was born in Indiana. They have never had any children of their own, but j.rompted by a great kindness of heart they have reared twelve or thirteen children-no- ble souls who have done honor to their foster parents, some of them being now prominent men and women of Nodaway county. They have been given excellent educational privil- eges, thus being well fitted for the duties of life.
In public office Mr. Stitt has manifested his fidelity to duty, serving as postmaster during President Grant's first administration. Ile was appointed to the office November 14. 1869. and served in that capacity until 1879. when he resigned. He is now serving for the third term as the mayor of Burlington Junction, having been elected to the office by his fellow townsmen without regard to po- litical affiliations. His administration is pro- gressive and business like. Ile has studied closely the needs of the town and exercises his official prerogative in support of all meas- utres which he believes will contribute to the public good. In politics he has been a stal- wart Republican since casting his first presi- dential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. while serving in the army. He has frequent- ly been a delegate to party conventions and his counsel carries weight among the mem- bers of the organization. He took the Unit- ed States census in Nodaway county in 1890 and again in 1900. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. the Masonic fraternity and the Grand Army
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bers of the Christian church, of which he has been an elder since 1867: and he takes an active part in all the affairs of the church. In fact, he makes the church first and other things secondary. The social standing of himself and wife is high and they are active in all good work looking to the mate- rial and substantial benefit of the community. As a business man he has been conspicuous among his associates not only for his success but for his probity, fairness and honorable methods. In everything he has been emi- nently practical, and this has been not only manifest in his business undertakings but also in political, private and social life. Such is the record of one who has worked his way upward to a position of eminence in .he community in which he has long resided.
GEORGE L. WILFLEY.
In business circles George L. Wiltley is widely known, and the safe, conservative business policy which he follows has gained him the public confidence in an unqualified degree and made the Maryville National Bank, of which he is the president, one of the leading institutions of the kind in this section of the state. He is a representative of one of the early families of Nodaway county. His father, Redmond Willley, was a native of Buchanan county, Missouri, born in 1825, and the grandfather was orig- finally from the state of West Virginia. Having arrived at years of maturity, Red- mond Wildley married Maria Baker, a ahughter of Charles Baker, one of the pio- peers of Nodaway county and a sister of George S. Baker, a leading banker and very prominent and influential citizen of this state. Mr. Wilthey came to Nodaway coun- ty at it very cauly period in its development
and was engaged in merchandising and in other business lines in this place, his labors contributing in a large measure to the com- mercial activity of the city. AAbout the time of the close of the Civil war he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where he was engaged in the manufacture of lumber for a time and later went to Pettis county, this state, passing the last years of an active and honorable life there. His wife died in 1804. In their family were the following named : Mrs. Walter Bales, of Sheridan, Wyoming: Mrs. Sarah Eaton, of Kansas City, Mis- souri; Charles B., also of that place; and George L., of this review.
George L. Wilfley spent the greater part of his boyhood and youth in Kansas City and acquired his education in the public schools there. He entered upon his busi- ness career as a clerk in a grocery store in Sedalia, Missouri, and after three years' ex- perience in that line became connected with the banking business in a clerical capacity in the Missouri Valley Bank, at Kansas City. His training there well fitted him for his later independent career as a banker. After he had spent three years in the Mis- souri Valley Bank he came to Maryville and secured a position in the employ of the firm of Baker, Saunders & Company, with whom he remained for four years. He then pur- chased an interest in the Bolekow Savings Bank, at Bolekow, Missouri, and was active in the management of that institution until 1887. when he returned to Maryville and became a partner in the banking business of Baker, Saunders & Company. In Feb- ruary, 1800, immediately after the death of Mr. Saunders, Mr. Wiltley organized the Maryville National Bank, which was cap- italized at fifty thousand dollars. Its offi- cers Were George S. Baker, president;
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George I. Wilfley. cashier; and George S. Baker. J. S. Frank. E. D. Orear, John Lieber and Patrick McNellis, as members of the board of directors. In 1896 Mr. Baker retired from the presidency of the bank and Mr. Wilfley became his successor, with Elmer Fraser as the cashier. The board of directors now comprises W. R. Wells, A. M. Howendobler, Patrick Mc- Nellis, Elmer Fraser and George L. Wil- fley. The bank's surplus is nineteen thou- sand dollars and the amount of its deposits are one hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars.
In 1881 Mr. Wilfley married Miss Jennie Saunders, a daughter of J. H. Saunders, a retired pioneer merchant of Maryville, who came to this city when it was yet a part of Andrew county. The year of his arrival was 1844 and in 1845 he opened one of the first stores in the village. With the excep- tion of a few months spent in California during the gold excitement and a brief period in Atchison county, Missouri, he was constantly in business here until 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Wilfley have four children- Clifford R., Ray S., Marjorie and Geneva. In the conduct of his business enterprise Mr. Wilfley has ever displayed marked ability and executive power. Although he entered business life in a humble clerical capacity he is to-day one of the foremost representa- tives of financial interests in Nodaway coun- ty, and throughout his career has sustained an unassailable reputation for commendable business methods and integrity.
JESSE H. DAVIS.
Jesse HI. Davis, one of the leading busi- ness men of Rockport, Missouri, and the president of the Northwest Missouri Tele-
phone Company, knows no home but Atchi- son county. In 1858, when his father lo- cated in the sparsely settled region around Phelps City, Jesse H. was but a prattling Labe, and it was in that vicinity that he grew to manhood and received his early mental training.
Hugh L. Davis, the father of the sub- ject, in the year above named, located two and a half miles northeast of the village of Phelps City. The trip from his former home in Greene county, Tennessee, he made overland with a team, one hundred and fifty dollars and a vigorous constitution. Being of an industrious disposition and having a determination to succeed, it is not surpris- ing that his career as a citizen of Missouri was satisfactory to him and his family. Hugh L. Davis was born in Greene county, Tennessee, was a planter's son, and his an- cestors were among the early settlers in east Tennessee. He was a son of John Davis, who was born in Virginia. Hugh L. was born in 1836, and, on account of the comparative lack of educational advantages of that part of the country at that time, re- ceived only an inadequate education, it be- ing limited to reading, writing and a little arithmetic. About the time of attaining his majority he married Rebecca R. Kidwell, a daughter of Elijah Kidwell, and by her became the father of the following children : John E. Davis, of Atchison county; Jesse H., the subject of this sketch, who was born September 10, 1857; Mary A., who died in infancy; and Charles F., now residing at Pacific Junction, Iowa.
Hugh L. Davis personally conducted his- farm near Phelps for thirty-four years, and was so successful in the management of his affairs that a fair if not large profit was the result. The area of his possessions in-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
creased, his credit became strong, and his "the most prominent enterprises of his county. popularity extended and strengthened with Some years ago there appeared to be a .le- mand for more complete telephone connection throughout his part of the state, and in An- gust. 1895.the Northwest Missouri Telephone Company was organized, with Mr. Davis as its president. This company has an ex- change in Rockport and another in Tartio. and connects with Hamburg. lowa, St. Jo- seph. Missouri, and South Omaha, Ne- braska, as well as with many farmer lines throughout this section of Missouri. the lapse of time. In 1802. having by his industry, economy and straightforward busi- ness methods acquired a competency suffi- cient to satisfy his personal and family ne- cessities for the rest of their natural lives. he retired from active labor to the privacy oi a beautiful home in Rockport. During the progress of the Civil war he was faith- ful to his country, and for a time was con- nected with the militia. Politics never had any attraction for him. he being content to exercise his constitutional right of suffrage unmolested, and interfering with no one in the unimpeded exercise of the same right. .As a principle of government he has sup- ported Democracy, cleaving to the ancient and honorable wing of the party of 1896.
During the first thirty years of his life Jesse H. Davis labored with his father on the farm. The independence of his family and the continued advancement and progress of the age in educational, as in other mat- ters, rendered it comparatively casy for him to acquire a good education and thus equip himself for intellectual rather than manual labor -. At the age of nineteen he became a student in the Nebraska State Normal School. and in 1888 he removed to Rock- port. in which city he first engaged in the livery business, his business here for eleven years being the leading one in the city and county. Davis Brothers being well known in that line and also in the buggy and carriage business. In ISay he disposed of his livery interest and has since devoted himself to the buggy and carriage business.
In other lines Mr. Davis has also dem- constrated his fitness to manage large concern- . od alo his progressive spirit and insight " to the future and as a promoter of one of
In all business relations Mr. Davis is well known for his promptne-s, for his fair dealing and his honorable methods and in- tentions. Ilis judgment as to the merits or demerits of a proposition rarely leads him astray, and when he consents to a deal or gives his aid or encouragement to an en- terprise, he is always the last to take a back- ward step. In every way Mr. Davis is one of the leading and most progressive citizens of his county, and is highly esteemed in er. ery direction.
Mr. Davis was married November 27. 1802. to Miss Leonora Baker, a daughter of Henry C. Baker, and to this marriage there has been born one child. Jesse Gene
JOHN MACRANDER.
This well known pioneer and honored citizen of Lincoln township has been identi- fed with the agricultural interests of Atchi- son county for many years, and has been a resident of Missouri since 1800. He comes from across the sea, his birth having oc- curred in Prussia, Germany, October 0. 1810- the same year in which Queen Vic- ti ria was born. His father. John Macrander. spent his entire life in Prussia, following the trade of a dresser or tanner of fine skin -.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Kramer, was a native of the same province, and died at the age of seventy- four years, while his death occurred when he was eighty-four years of age. They were both consistent members of the Lu- theran church and reared their children in that faith. Their family consisted of four sons and one daughter, but the latter died young. The sons were Jacob, John, George and Christian.
Attending school until fourteen years of age, the subject of this review acquired a good practical education, and with his fa- ther he learned the trade of skin dresser. Bidding his parents a sad farewell, he left his old home in Prussia at the age of twenty years, and after a voyage of sixty-nine days on a sailing vessel landed in Baltimore, Maryland. He spent one year at Frederick- town, that state, dressing deer skins, and in 184I went to Roanoke county, Virginia, where he continued to follow his trade for six years. We next find him in Metamora, Woodford county, Illinois, where in con- rection with work at his trade he also en- gaged in farming until 1859, when he re- moved to Buchanan county, Missouri. The following year he took up his residence in Atchison county and purchased eighty acres of wild land in Lincoln township, which he has since converted into a fine farm that he now rents. His first home here was a log house, which has long since been replaced with a good frame residence, and every- thing about the place denotes the thrift and enterprise of a progressive owner.
In 1854. in Woodford county, Illinois, Mr. Macrander married Miss Sarah Frances Arthur, a native of Bedford county, Vir- ginia, and a daughter of Eli Arthur, who also was born in the Old Dominion. She
was reared and educated in that state and Illinois. Her parents both died in Missouri. at the age of sixty years. Her mother bore the maiden name of Frances West. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur were both faithful and consis- tent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were highly respected and es- teemed by all who knew them. Their children were Amaziah, Jane, Emeline, Sarah F., and Josephus and William Jordan, twins. Mr. and Mrs. Macrander are the parents of four children, namely : Mary, the wife of Thomas Ward, of Lincoln township: William, who is successfully engaged in farming on a farm of eighty acres in the same township; David, who owns and works a farm of ninety-four acres in Lincoln township: and George, who has a fine place of eighty acres in the same township. The last named mar- ried Miss Ida Wilson, a daughter of C. C. Wilson, of Tarkio, who served as a soldier of Company H, First Iowa Cavalry, dur- ing the Civil war. By this union has been born one child, Zerah Todd.
Politically Mr. Macrander is identified with the Republican party, and religiously both he and his wife are earnest members of the Christian church. They have reared their children with results of which they may be justly proud, and they occupy a po- sition of prominence in the community where they reside.
A. B. ALLEN, M. D.
Connected with the practice of the heal- ing art in Maryville. Dr. Allen has attained a position of distinction as a representative of the medical fraternity. He has devot- ed his life to the calling wherein advance- ment must depend upon individual merit. upon strong mentality, close application and
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
a sympathetic interest in one's fellow men. In none of these requirements is D :. Allen lacking, and therefore he has long since left the ranks of the many and stands among the successful few.
A native of Warren county, Illinois, he was born on the 12th of February, 1850. Ilis father, Dr. A. A. AAllen, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1818. and is a descendant of the O'Allens, of Ireland. lle prepared himself for his chosen pro- fession in the old Cincinnati educational in- stitution of regulars, and located in War- ren county, Illinois, at an early day. He was prominently before the people of that locality in his professional capacities for many years and his active connection with the medical fraternity covers half a cen- tury. He is now located in Steele, North Dakota. He married Miss Nancy Maley, whose people removed from West Virginia into Warren county, Illinois, at a very early period, there securing claims of government land. Unto Dr. Allen and his wife were born the following children : Arminda, who bee ime the wife of John Wooderson and died in Harrison county, Missouri, leaving two daughters-Carrie and Virgie, the fermer a graduate of De Pauw University and of the Boston School of Oratory, and is the wife of F. T. Lamb, of Washington. D. C., who formerly served as sergeant-at- arms in the United States senate : Virgie re- side in Harrison county, Missouri: Will- iam R. Allen, the second member of the family, is engaged in the hotel business at Kingman, Kansas: Josie is the wife of Al Meredith, of Sioux City, lowa; Alfred is no deceased : Carrie married C. 11. Ennis. of Rockport, Missouri: Celia is the wife of CA. Hurd, of Steele, North Dakota ; Flora is the wife of James Lyon, of Pittsburg;
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