USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography > Part 35
USA > Missouri > Atchison County > A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography > Part 35
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and I. B. is now living in Steele, North Dakota, and is auditor of the county.
Dr. A. B. Allen, of this review, spent his youth and early manhood upon his fa- ther's farm. At the age of twenty he be- gan to earn his own livelihood at school teaching. also spending a part of the time as a student in the school room. He regu- larly began the study of medicine at Bed- ford, lowa, although he had read at inter- vals under the direction of his father prior to this. He spent four years in the Keokuk Medical College and added to his knowledge by a post-graduate course in the Chicago Polyclinic. In 1877 he located in Nodaway county, opening an office in Barnard, where his efficiency soon became apparent and he was not long in acquiring a liberal practice. Ile continued his professional labors among the people at the south end of the county until 1896, when he sought a more extensive field of labor by his removal to Maryville. where he became associated with Dr. George Nash, another eminent physician of north- western Missouri, and the firm of Nash & Allen at once took precedence in the medical fraternity. The partnership was maintained until the ist of September, 1899, when Dr. Allen retired to his beautifully furnished offices in the Michau block. He has done everything in his power to attain perfection in his chosen calling and his knowledge is comprehensive, exact and reliable. He is very careful in diagnosing a case and his conclusions are almost infallibly correct. He now has a large and lucrative patronage from among the best class of citizens of Maryville and splendid professional and fi- nancial success has attended his efforts.
Dr. Allen was married in Barnard, Mis- souri, October 24, 1878, to Miss Sally Mc- Farland, a daughter of John McFarland,
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who emigrated from Coshocton, Ohio, to Nodaway county, in 1866. Their marriage has been blessed with two children: Fay, who for two years has been a medical student in the Emsworth Medical College, of St. Joseph ; and Mabel. The Doctor is a Royal Arch Mason, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows fraternities. Of the Missouri Valley Medical Society he is a member, and while he takes a deep and active interest in many affairs calculated to be of benefit to his community, his time and attention are chiefly given to his profession, in which he has attained enviable distinc- tion.
SOLOMON R. GREEN.
Solomon R. Green, a member of one of the pioneer families of Atchison county and a well known farmer of this county, is a native of Randolph county, Indiana, and was born October 15, 1840. He was a son of James and Amelia (Vernard) Green. William Vernard, the maternal grandfather, was a native of Ohio and served in the war of the Revolution. He was a farmer by occupation, continuing at this until his deatlı, which occurred at an advanced age at his home in Indiana. He was a promi- nent man and filled several offices with dig- nity and credit. He had two children- Amelia, the mother of our subject; and Mariah, who married J. Wade.
James Green, the father of our subject, married when comparatively young and settled in Randolph county, Indiana, where he began farming. In 1841 he started west and spent the following winter in Illinois. In 1842 he reached Atchison county, Mis- souri, where he exchanged his ox team and
wagon for a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. There were no improvements on the claim save a rude log cabin, but after set- tling on the place he began farming. Hav- ing considerable money in Indiana, which he received for his farm, that he had soll, and wishing to obtain the money, he ac- cordingly set out on foot to reach his old home. At that time there was no other way of returning to Indiana save by boat, and after making the trip he bought another farm, which he improved and then sold. He always retained the original homestead, and it was there he passed his last days, Where he was honored and respected by all. He had undergone all the hardships of pio- neer life, and was at all times a faithful and willing worker. Up to the time he had settled in Missouri he had been of the Quaker faith; but at one of the meetings of the Cumberland Presbyterian church held in his home he was converted to their faith, and continued a member of that church to the end of his days. His death occurred in 1879, and his wife died in 1865. Their children were: Nancy A .; William, who served in Price's army for a short time: Solomon R., the subject of this sketch; and Martin, who also served in Price's army, but as soon as he was able went to Kansas, where he entered the federal service, and finally was killed in battle; and Sarah, now Mrs. Combs.
Solomon R. Green, the subject of this sketch, remained with his parents until grown, and he, too, saw much privation and many hardships during those early days. He was very fond of hunting, and tells many interesting stories of his experiences with the gun. In 1867 he located where he now lives and where he had bought an eighty- acre tract of land, and began his struggles
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
in life in earnest. lle has been very ste- cessiul, and it has only been through hard work and perseverance that he has succeeded. On settling in this locality there were but three neighbors, and nothing but a vast prairie for miles around. The grass was good for grazing, and Mr. Green took up Stock raising in connection with farming. lle has gradually added more to his pos- sessions each year, and is at present the owner of several hundred acres of land, be- Sides his homestead. lle is a Democrat in politics, though he has never aspired to po- litical preferment.
Mr. Green married Nancy M. Wright. who was born in Jowa, a daughter of Robert and Jane Wright. Robert Wright was originally from Pennsylvania, but for many years lived in Fremont county, lowa. In 1850 he took the gold fever and went to California, where he engaged in mining. lle was in possession of a very valuable claim, but was obliged to leave, on receiving word that his wife was at the point of death. He returned in 1850 and never went again & California. He carried on farming until his death, which occurred in 1890. llis wife died in 1885. lle left a large estate. Hle and his wife were the parents of the foll wing children: John. of Colorado: George, of California; Mrs. Elma Basque; Lily ; Nancy, the wife of our subject : lda; Va: and Robert, of Nebraska.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright have been blessed with nine children, whose names are : lda. who married J. Pearce; Martin: Jane, the wie . I Proud : Randolph, a school toner. Art ur. George; Ethel; Dora, the est 1. 1. Sharp; and Solomon. The mily reader of the Cumberland In fur. 11 Mnie fraternity.
JACOB LINEBAUGH.
One of the most extensive land-owners of Nodaway county is Jacob Linebangh, who is now living a retired life. He be- longs to that class of representative Ameri- can citizens who owe their success to their own efforts, whose labors have been dili- gently prosecuted and whose energies have been directed along well defined lines of labor. In this manner he has continued in creasing his capital and to-day he stands among the most affluent residents of that community and is now enjoying a well earned rest.
Mr. Linebaugh was born January 13. 1829, in Tennessee, his birth having oc. curred in Greene county. He is a son of John and Sarah ( Tucker ) Linebaugh, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, John Linebaugh, Sr .. removed from the Keystone state to In- diana, becoming one of the honored pioneers of the locality in which he located. The father of our subject removed with his fam ily to Indiana, where the mother died. . \t an early period in the development of lowa he became a resident of Page county, that state, where his death occurred, at the age of sixty-three years. Throughout his en tire life he carried on agricultural pursuits and in that way provided for his family. Ilc had six children, but only two are now liv- ing -- Abram and Jacob.
The latter was but five years of age when his parents removed with their chil- dren to Fountain county, Indiana, where he was reared to manhood. He was carly trained to habits of industry and economy upon the home farm and from an early age assisted in the cultivation of the fields. In 1850, two years after the arrival of his father
MR. AND MRS. JACOB LINEBAUGH
H NEW Y UBLIC L IRARY
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
in lowa, he emigrated to that state. locating in Page county before it was organized. He there secured a tract of wild land and when it came into market entered his claim. In the work of reclaiming the section for pur- poses of civilization he bore an active part and became one of the founders of the county. Hle aided in its organization and in other ways was active in promoting its in- terests, there residing until about 1860, when he removed to Nodaway county. Missouri. He was married on the 6th of January, 1853, to Miss Mary A. Gray, who was born in Tennessee, a daughter of Mar. tin and Nancy ( Langtry ) Gray. Her father was a native of North Carolina and was a son of William Martin. His death oc- curred in Nodaway county, at the ripe oldi age of nearly eighty-six years, and his widow is now living with our subject, at the age of eighty-nine. Mrs. Linebaugh's great-grandfather was one of the Revolu- tionary heroes who valiantly fought for the independence of the nation, and in the strug- gle was wounded. Her people have all been farmers, living quiet, industrious and hon- orable lives. She was one of twelve chil- den, but only six are now living.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Linebaugh have been born seven children, four of whom survive: William Jefferson is married and has one child. Sarah J., their eldest child, is mar- ried and has seven children. Julia A., is the next of the family. Marietta is married and has two children and has lost one. Francis M., their eldest son, was married and at his death left a wife and one child. He was one of the young representative farmers of the community, active and enterprising in busi- ness and honorable in all life's relations. He commanded the respect of all who knew him for his upright life and in his death Noda- 17
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way county lost one of its valued citizens. He was taken in the prime of life, but he left to the family an untarnished name. The others who have passed away are Martha Ella and Martin E.
For many years Mr. Linebaugh was ac- tively connected with the farming interests of Nodaway county. From time to time he added to his original purchase until he be- came the owner of sixteen hundred acres of land, which made him one of the extensive realty holders in this community. He placed much of it under a high state of cultivation and the well-tilled fields brought to him a good income. He carried on general farm- ing and everything about his place denoted liis careful supervision and care as well as his progressive and practical methods. Of recent years, however, he has lived retired. Formerly he raised stock and grain on an extensive scale, but with a handsome com- petence to supply him with all of the neces- sities and comforts of life he put aside busi -- ness cares, leaving to younger shoulders the burdens which he had long borne. In business matters he showed keen discrimin- ation and sound judgment, and these quali. ties, combined with his unfaltering energy, led to his success. He cast his first presi - dential vote for J. K. Polk and is now an earnest supporter of the Democratic party. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and nearly all of the fam- ily are identified with that religious organ- ization. Jacob Linebaugh and his wife are well known in northwestern Missouri, and no one has ever been heard to say aught against them. His name is a synonym for honesty in all business dealings, and in every relation of life he has been prompted by manly principle and by a true spirit of Christianity.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ELI P. NESBITT, M. D.
Dr. Nesbitt is one of the younger rep- recitatives of the medical fraternity in Vodaway county, yet his youth seems no bar to hi- progress and his success, for he has already gained a reputation and a high standing that many an older practitioner imiglit well envy. Ile was born in Caldwell county, Missouri, December 25, 1873. and is a son of George W. Nesbitt, one of the leading fruit farmers of Andrew county. Missouri. llis father came to this state in 1860. following farming in Caldwell coun- ty until 1882, when he removed to Andrew county. Ile was born in Stark county. Ohio, in 1838, a son of George Nesbitt. Sr .. who emigrated from Pennsylvania to the Buckeye state. On removing to the por- tion of the country west of the Mississippi George W. Nesbitt took up his abode in Oskaloosa, lowa, where he made his home until the year of his arrival in Missouri. Ile was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Cates, a native of Ray county, this state. who died in 1897. Their children are: Edith, the wife of Dr. E. L. Crowson, of Pickering. Missouri; Kate, who is living in Andrew county; Eli Paulus, our subject : Florence and Pleasant, who are students in the Missouri State University; Nellie, who completed the high school course in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1900; and Ethel, who 1, a sophomore in the same institution.
The Doctor acquired his literary edu- cation in the Chillicothe normal school, it Cer Professor Allen Moore, and read medi- Gute under Professor Senor, one of the facul- ty of the Central Medical College, at St. Joseph. In 1804 he matriculated in that college, completing the regular course in lire years and winning his diploma in
1897. On the 25th of May of that year he opened his office in Gaynor, as the suc- cessor of Dr. Ream, of Maryville. He has gained here a large and constantly growing practice and his business is of a desirable character, bringing to him a good remunera- tion.
The Doctor was married in Gaynor. in December, 1899, to Alice, a daughter of Mrs. Mary J. Davis. His interest in frater- nities extends to membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, and he represents in his professional capacity the Prudential In- surance Company of America and the Mar- shalltown Insurance Company, of Marshall- town, lowa. The Nesbitt family is well known in politics for its adherence to Democracy. None of its members have sought or held office, but as citizens have given their aid to its work at primaries and county conventions. This is practically true of the Doctor, who does what he can to aid the cause, yet without effort at show or de- sire for political preferment.
PROFESSOR DANIEL E. BIRD.
Prominent in educational circles, highly respected as a citizen and at present head clerk in "The Main Line" at Graham, Mis- souri, is the gentleman whose name appears at the opening of this sketch. . A gentleman of cordial and pleasing manners, an active worker in all matters pertaining to the de- velopment and advancement of the schools and town in which he resides, he is a man of whom any town might well be proud. Pro- fessor Bird is a native of Green township, Nodaway county, having been born March 6. 1873, a son of John L. and Rosanna ( Murphy ) B'rd.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Jacob Bird, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was one of the first settlers and prom- : inent iand holders of Nodaway county. John L. Bird was born in Kentucky, but was for many years a resident of Illinois, graduating at Lombard University. He came from Peoria county to Nodaway coun- ty, where he has been engaged in clerking and general merchandise business. Po- litically Mr. Bird is an ardent Democrat. He and his wife were raised under the old Presbyterian creed. Rosanna Murphy Bird, the mother of our subject, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, a daughter 1
of Daniel Murphy, who was of Irish ex- traction. Mrs. Bird was reared and edu- cated in her native state and removed to Nodaway county, Missouri, in 1868. She was the mother of eight children, four sons and four daughters, our subject being the , third child of the family.
D. E. Bird, in early life, began to at- tend the schools of Nodaway county, and later became a student at the Maryville Seminary. Ile is now an under-graduate of the University of Columbia, Missouri, which he attended in 1897 and 1898. At the age of nineteen years he began teaching school, and has been engaged in this work ever since, also giving much time to the study of law. Professor Bird has followed in his father's belief, and is an active worker of the Democratic party, having been a delegate to county, senatorial and state conventions. He was an active and zealous worker even before attaining his majority. He is one of the best informed and greatest workers of the I. O. O. F. lodge, having held schools of instruction, and is recognized as author- ity on questions of law and the secret work of the I. O. O. F. He is a past grand of Comet Lodge, No. 284, of Quitman, being
the youngest man in his district at that time to receive that degree.
Professor Bird, by his close application to study, his untiring energy and efforts in the educational line, has won for himself a name which any older man might be glad to attain, and, as he is a young man has the prospects of a very rich and fruitful career.
ELIAS D. OREAR.
Elias D. Orear is now living a retired life in Maryville, where he is recognized as one of the most prominent, influential and representative citizens. He belongs to an early family of Nodaway county, and no man in Maryville has been more actively or honorably connected with the upbuilding and progress of the city than his father, William C. Orear.
The latter was born in Henry county, Virginia, September 20, 1816, and died on the Ist of July, 1898. No adequate memo- rial of William C. Orear can be written un- til many of the useful enterprises with which he was connected have completed their full measure of good in the world. He spent his youth and early manhood upon a farm, his time being largely occupied with the duties and labors of the fields to the exclusion of opportunities for securing an education. Ilis father, John Orear, was a man in moderate circumstances, and on leaving the Old Dominion removed to Randolph county, Missouri, where his children were reared. When William C. Orear left home he made his way to eastern Iowa and was employed in the lead mines in this section of the state. During his residence there he wedded Mary Wilcox, whose parents were from Roches- ter, New York.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
After his marriage he returned to Car- roll county, Missouri, and as a result of his farming operations there accumulated a small capital, which he invested in a mer- cantile business in Maryville, in 1856. The year previous he took up his abode on a farm just east of the city, but determining to enter commercial life he severed his connection with agricultural pursuits and purchased a small general stock of goods. He had no ex- perience behind the counter, having been reared upon the farm, where he also accumu. lated his capital. Entering into partnership with Mr. Jester they conducted business for a short time, when by mutual consent the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Orear re- maining as the proprietor of the store. Some years later he formed another partnership, lxccoming a member of the firm of Jenkins, Torrance & Orear. From 1856 umtil 1870 the father of our subject was one of the lading representatives of commercial inter- este in this city and controlled a constantly micreasing trade, his liberal patronage be- ing accorded him as a result of his well di- rected efforts, his uniform courtesy to his patrons and his honorable dealing. In the latter year, however, he sold his stock and spent his remaining days in honored retire- ment from business cares.
He was one of the builders of the Ar- lington, now Ream Hotel, the first good hotel created in Maryville, and erected in- dividually the business block at Nos. 105-6 north of the square. He owned much prop- erty in Maryville, and the control of his real estate made sufficient demand upon his time and energies during the latter years of his hie. His word was as good as any bond that was ever solemnized by signature of real, and in the years of his long and active career he maintained an unassailable
reputation in business circles. He took a deep interest in religious work and was an earnest and zealous member of the Meth- odist church. serving for many years as a trustee of the South Methodist Episcopal church. He was also largely instrumental in erecting their present fine house of worship. When very young he became a follower of the Christian religion and made its precepts a part of his daily life. His wife died in Maryville, in 1886, and their two children. Mrs. Laura A. Beal and Elias, still survive and are residents of this city. Mr. Orear's benevolence was unostentatious and genuine. and there is nothing in the story of his life to show that he ever for a moment sought to compass a given end for the purpose of exalting himself.
Elias D. Orear, whose name introduces this record, was born in lowa, December 2. 1846, yet the greater part of his life has been spent in this city, whither he came with his parents at the age of eight years. Here he was reared and educated and en- tered upon his business life as a clerk in the drug store of Dr. Mullholland, with whom he remained two years. He then entered his father's store and gained an experience which made his after life so successful. Upon his father's retirement from business in 1870 he became a member of the grocery firm of Stinson & Orear, carrying on busi- ness on the west side of the square, where the Bacon dry-goods store now stands. Theirs was one of the leading grocery houses of Maryville, and the firm continued in active business for five years. Mr. Orean is now living retired, save for the energy which he devotes to the control of his in- vestments. He is one of the stockholders of the Maryville National Bank, has some farming interests and is one of the leading
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property holders in the city which is his lome.
1
In 1877 Mr. Orear was united in mar- riage to Miss May B. Nelson, and their union has been blessed with two daughters -- May and Beulah. Like his father, Mr. Orear has never taken an active interest in political affairs, but is a leading worker and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, of which he is serving as a trustee. He is also a past grand of the Odd Fellows lodge. It is but just and merited praise to say that as a business man he ranks with the ablest : as a citizen he is honorable. prompt and true to every engagement ; and as a man he is honored and esteemed by all classes of people.
WILLIAM H. BAILEY.
William H. Bailey, senior member of the firm of Bailey & George, hardware mer- chants of Hopkins, has resided in Nodaway county for a comparatively short time, the year of his arrival being 1894, but during his residence here he has gained a place among the most substantial citizens and his worth is well known.
Mr. Bailey was born in Knox county. Tennessee, January 29, 1855. His father. Miles Bailey, was born in the eastern por- tion of the same state and died in 1861, at the age of forty-eight years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Ewing, was also a native of eastern Tennessee and died in 1886, at the age of seventy-six, her birth having occurred in 1810. Little is known of the ancestral history of the family, save that the paternal grandfather of our sub- ject was a Virginian. Miles Bailey was a farmer and spent the greater part of his life in Iowa. He reared a small family, of whom
two are yet living. His children who reared families are as follows: Elizabeth, who be- came the wife of Baxter Wooldridge, of Hopkins, who is the proprietor of the lead- ing clothing and dry-goods house of the town and is one of the most prominent Dem- ocrats of Nodaway county. His two sons. Ed and Fred Wooldridge, are associated with their father in the conduct of his mer- cantile interests. The former married Miss Ella Torrance and they have two children- Dan and Mary. Mrs. Laura Law, the de- ceased wife of Dr. Law, was the second child of the family of Miles Bailey. She died in Liberty Center, leaving three chil- dren-Lora. the wife of Charles Fry, of Hopkins ; Eugene, of St. Louis ; and Lonella. the deceased wife of Charles K. Allen, who was at one time a leading merchant of Hop- kins.
William H. Bailey was the youngest member of the family who reached maturity. He entered upon his business career in Unionville, Iowa, where his father had lo- cated in 1857. That town and Moulton provided the schools in which he acquired his education. When he approached the age of business preparation he made choice of the tinner's trade as a means of livelihood and learned that business under the direction of S. C. Sloss. Completing his four years' apprenticeship he afterward spent six months with the firm of Scott & Bliss, jobbers in the same town. Returning to Unionvill he was married, in 1877, and was elected constable, filling that office and the position of deputy sheriff for two years. During the following year and a half he engaged in buying stock near Hopkins.
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