USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography > Part 36
USA > Missouri > Atchison County > A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography > Part 36
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A desire to see the northwest led to his removal to Deadwood, Dakota, where he became wagon boss of a freighting outfit
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running between that city and Pierre. South Dakota, a distance of two hundred miles. The outfit consisted of thirty-one wagons and ninety head of cattle. The three years spent in the latter place proved a profitable period in the life of Mr. Bailey. On aban- doning his position he spent a year and a half in Huron, South Dakota, where he returned to his trade, being employed in the tin shop of Brown & Stiver. Subsequently he lo- cated in Arlington, South Dakota, where he became a leading man in the employ of .1. D. Maxwell, a hardware merchant, with whom he was associated for eight years, on the expiration of which time he entered into partnership with Mr. Mullins, forming the firm of Mullins & Bailey, and together they conducted a hardware business in Headland, South Dakota, for eighteen months. Mr. Bailey then disposed of his interests in that town and journeyed to the Pacific coast, lo- cating in Portland, Oregon. In that city he was employed by various firms as a tinner, atal while traversing his path eastward he was located for a time in Elmore and Am- boy, Minnesota, having charge of a shop at the latter point. On again reaching lowa he took up his abode at Creston, where he entered upon the management of the tin shop of Thomas & Daugherty, remaining with that firm until 1804, when he located in Hopkins. Here he conducted a repair shop for four years and later established his hardware store, subsequently adding a stock of furniture and implements. In January, 18mm. James N. George was admitted to a partnership and the firm of Bailey & George has since carried on business, with gratify in g ynecess.
Mr. Bailey has been twice married. On the 20th of April, 1877, he married Miss Mamie Nash, and unto them were born two
children. Georgie and Fred. For his sec- and wife he chose Miss Annie Onstead. a daughter of Andrew Onstead, of Sioux Falls. Dakota. Their marriage occurred February 4. 1883, and has been blessed with seven children, namely : Oates, May. Min- nie, Frankie, Lou, Milo and Clemi. Pleny and William are deceased.
In politics Mr. Bailey is a Democrat. His forefathers were all Republicans but a friendly interest in the white metal and a desire for its reinstatement as primary money led him into the Democratic party. Hle has traveled extensively throughout the porth and west, but is now permanently lo- cated in Hopkins, where his well-directed efforts in business affairs are bringing to him a well-merited success.
DAVID GORDON.
David Gordon has been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well, being now the possessor of a hand- some competence. He is numbered among the pioneers of both lowa and Missouri and for more than a third of a century his name has been inseparably interwoven with the history and advancement of this section of his adopted state. He was born in West Union, Adams county, Ohio, March 31. 1832, and is a son of David Gordon, Sr., whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania. Ilis grandfather. Bazleah Gordon, was born in l'ennsylvania and served as a soldier in the Revolution and the war of 1812. His great- grandfather was a native of Scotland, born in the highlands and was a representative of a family that long resided in the land of hills and heather. Among his ancestors were some of the celebrated chiefs of the highlands.
David Gordon, Sr., was reared in the
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Keystone state and in Adams county, Ohio. married Miss Christina Washburn. daughter of Joseph Washburn, who served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and was a representative of a very prominent Ohio family descended from English ancestors. David and Chris- tina Gordon became the parents of thirteen children, namely: Bazleah: John Bryce ; James, who served in the Civil war and now resides in Marshall county, Kansas : David ; Joseph: Martin Van Buren: George W .. who was also one of the "boys in blue" and is now living in Nodaway county, Missouri ; Eleanor, of Villisca, Iowa: Rebecca: Jane: Mary Ann; Matilda, of Marshall county, Kansas; and Elizabeth, of Maryville, Mis- souri. The father died in Adams county. Ohio, at the age of fifty-six years. He had followed farming as his life work, thereby providing for his family: His political sup- port was given to the Democracy. His wife, long surviving him, passed away at the age of eighty-seven years, having spent her last days in the home of our subject. She re- tained her vigor up to the last and a short tinie before her death could walk four miles and back. She held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church and was an earnest Christian woman whose children rose u11) and called her blessed.
David Gordon lived the quiet life of the farmer boy who assists in the cultivation of the fields and the work of the meadows, and pursued his education in the district schools. In 1856 he became a resident of Adams county, lowa, living on the Nodaway river among the early settlers of that portion of of the country. The Indians were still in the wild western district and here the lover of the chase had ample opportunity to indulge his taste, for deer were often seen and the wolves frequently made the night hideous
with their howling. The work of improve- ment and progress seemed scarcely begun and the settlers living in the log cabins en- (lured many of the hardships and trials which are common to life on the frontier.
Mr. Gordon remained in Adams county for ten years and then came to Atchison county, locating near Phelps City, where he aided in opening up a farm at Center Grove for the Bartlett Brothers in 1876. He is to- day one of the most extensive land-owners in the county. He first became the owner of a tract of wild prairie, and to this he has added until his farm in Lincoln town- ship now comprises four hundred and five acres of rich land, making him one of the most extensive realty holders in this por- tion of the state. His residence is favorably located and is a commodious and convenient home. In the rear stand a big barn, sheds and other necessary outbuildings, and a windmill is the motive power for the water supply. Pastures, meadows and plowed lands are all in good shape and indicate the careful supervision of the progressive owner whose methods are practical.
Mr. Gordon was married in Adams county, Ohio, to Miss Lydia Ann Ellis, a native of that county, and a daughter of Clayborn and Betsey ( White) Ellis. The marriage of our subject and his wife was blessed with seven children, of whom five are yet living, namely: A. B., a prominent citizen of Colfax township, Atchison county ; Nelson Clay, who spends his time in Cali- fornia and Alaska; Thirza Letitia, the wife of Holland Coddle, of Lincoln township: Ann Marie, the wife of George C. Ward. of Nebraska; Elsie Irene, the wife of Wheeler Donahue, who is living on the old homestead farm: and Jessie and Ida, who are deceased. Mrs. Gordon was a faithful
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and devoted wife and mother, a kind neigh- bor and a consistent friend, and her many excellencies of character endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. In 1872. after her decease. Mr. Gordon was again married, his second union being with Miss Evelina Bryan, a lady of intelligence and cul- ture, born in AAdams county, Ohio, and a daughter of Colonel George Bryan, who was an officer in the war of 1812. He was born in Pennsylvania and married Miss Sarah l'orter, a native of Maryland. He died at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife passed away at the age of seventy-five. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. No children were born of Mr. Go - don's second marriage. He has some grand- children, however. Mrs. Donahue being the mother of two children .- Nellie and Walter. -while Mrs. Coddle has three children .- Clarence. Sylvia and Pearl.
In religious faith Mr. Gordon is a Cum- berland Presbyterian and has served as an elder in his church for a number of years. He exercises his right of franchise for the men and measures of the Republican party. The Gordon home is noted for its hospitality and the latchstring of his door, figuratively speaking, always hangs out. The poor and needy find in our subject and his wife warm friends, and the hungry are never turned from their door unsupplied. In business cir- cle- Mr. Gordon sustains an unassailable reputation for integrity and trustworthiness. His frank and genial manner has won him many friends and he is esteemed a valued resident of Atchison county.
ELIJAH M. BAILEY.
The life story of this prominent citizen is that of a hard-working farmer, whose honest efforts have been crowned with success. It
would be interesting even if it were not ,unique as presenting the record of a re- pentent secessionist, who, after three years' arduous service for the "lost cause." risked his life in the final year of the war in de- fense of the Union, wearing the blue as proudly as he had worn the gray, and prov- ing himself every inch a soklier. under both flags.
Elijah MI. Bailey was born in Burke county, North Carolina, February 22, 1842. His father was Joel Bailey, a native of Vir- ginia and a member of one of the old fam- ilies of that state. The wife of Joel Bailey was a daughter of Peter Cirley, a native of North Carolina and of Irish ancestry. He was a soldier of the Revolution, one of those brave men, who, loving liberty more than life, saved for us and gave to us our coun- try. In 1850 Joel Bailey and his wife came on a Hatboat from Paducah, Kentucky (to which place they had traveled overland front North Carolina ), by way of the Tennessee river. the Mississippi and the Ohio; and up the Missouri by steamboat to St. Joseph. Missouri. Here they lived for a short time then removed to Platte county, Missouri. and in 1855 to Lincoln township, Nodaway county, and settled on one hundred and sixty acres of government land. The wife. Nancy C. Bailey, a devout Methodist, died in 1864, in Andrew county, Missouri, at the age of sixty years. Joel Bailey, a lifelong farmer, died at the age of seventy years, at Leaven- worth, Kansas. He was a Republican and a strong Union man from 1861. Joel and Nancy ( Cirley ) Bailey were the parents of eleven children, eight sons and three daugh- ters, viz. : Larkin, deceased ; William Riley, deceased; Franklin, of Stone county, Mis- souri; James, a resident of Lincoln town- ship. well known and respected, who served
ELIJAH M. BAILEY
NEW .M
As
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in the Union army : Sally Spencer, deceased ; Fidela, who died in childhood ; Polly Si- rena, deceased; Elijah Mitchell, the subject of this notice: Nancy Clarissa Blunt, of Oklahoma; and Bird and Joel, both dead.
Elijah M. Bailey was eight years of age when his parents came to Missouri and twelve when they settled in this county. Here he grew up amid the wild surround- ings familiar to early settlers, no improve- ments of the modern civilization having been introduced then. His education was gained not from attending public school but from study at home, travel, observation and experience in the army. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the Confeder- ate service, in the Third Missouri Cavalry. His company. B. was organized by T. J. McQuittie, who was the sheriff of Noda- way county, but resigned that office, or- ganized this company and served as its captain. The company was in the engage- ments at Blue Mills and Lexington, Mis- souri, and other minor engagements in this state, and at Pea Ridge, Arkansas. It after- ward took part in the first battle of Corinth and later started for Shiloh to engage in that battle, but did not arrive until too late. The command went down the Mississippi, and Mr. Bailey again fought at Farming- ton, and Holly Springs, Mississippi, and again at the second battle of Corinth. Then his command was at Port Gibson trying to head off General Grant, but, retreating, was fought back to Baker's creek (or Champion Hills) and was again in battle at Black River bridge. At the battle of Vicksburg, July 4. 1863, Mr. Bailey was taken prisoner and paroled.
Dutchman," and was engaged in various skirmishes with guerrillas or bushwhackers and fought in two engagements against the Confederate troops. He was honorably discharged from the Union army on June 6, 1865, and is now receiving a pension from the United States government for his services.
Mr. Bailey returned to Nodaway coun- ty, Missouri, after his army experiences, and here he has since lived. He was mar- ried March 18, 1866, to Barbara A. Pruitt, of Elmo, who was born in Coles county, Illinois, and came to Missouri when six years of age. Her father, Irvin A. Pruitt. born in Indiana, was a well known early settler of Missouri, who came to Nodaway county in 1856 and resided here until his death at the age of forty-four years. Her mother was Polly (Dodson) Pruitt, born in Tennessee and reared in that state and Indiana. Mrs. Bailey's brother, John I. Pruitt, enlisted during the Civil war in the Third Missouri Cavalry and later his name was among those recorded as "missing;" and the fact that he has never since been heard of inclines his friends to believe that he was killed. Mrs. Pruitt, at the age of ninety, makes her home with her only sur- viving child, Mrs. Bailey, and is honored and respected by all who know her. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are the parents of seven chil- dren, four of whom are living: Irvin A. Bailey, who married Emma Hall and re- sides in Lincoln township; Clarissa Lee, the wife of Charles H. Peery, of Lincoln town- ship; Lola H., a member of her parents' household; and James Bird, in his twenti- eth year, who lives at home. Those lost by death were: Sarah Jane, their second child,
In March, 1864, Mr. Bailey enlisted in the Union army, in Company F, Second | who died at the age of seventeen months ; Missouri Artillery, under Captain "Flying William Franklin (or Stonewall), who was
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the third born and died when twelve years old: and Nancy Ellen, their fifth child, who dlied aged eighteen months. Mrs. Bailey is a member of the Church of God.
Mr. Bailey has a fine farm of two hun- cired and forty acres, consisting of rich bottom land, hillside and timber. It is im- proved and equipped for general farming and stock-raising. Politically he is a Demo- crat and is a wheel-horse of the party and a zealous worker for its success. He was the first Democratic constable elected in Nodaway county after the close of the Civil war. and was deputy sheriff of the county under Henry Toel and other sheriffs, and as such, in his official capacity, took part in the hanging of the notorious Talbert brothers at Maryville. In 1900 he was candidate before the convention for the of- fice of sheriff but was defeated owing to unforseen conditions. Mr. Bailey is a member of Lodge No. 329, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of Elmo. He is a man of fifty-eight years, but, notwithstanding the hard experiences of his army life, holds his age well. He is well known for his honesty, integrity and undaunted courage, and these qualities, together with his frank and cordial manner, have gained for him many friends among his fellow men.
JOHN J. C. HAYES.
Among the prominent and representa- tive farmers of Atchison county, Missouri, i. John J. C. Hayes, the subject of this -ketch. He has been a resident of the state since 1800 and has done much to develop the agricultural interests of his section. Mr. Haves was born in Barren county, Ken- tricky, March 7. 1848, and was a son o. Wilham and Sidonin (Harding > Hayes, both
natives of Kentucky, who reared the follow- ing children : William H., a farmer at Far- vragut, Towa: our subject : James T .. de- ceased : Mrs. Sidonia Wilson, deceased ; Charles M .. deceased : Mrs. Mary L. Lafol- ette, of Oklahoma: Millard F., of Atchison county; Mrs. Nancy Phelps, of Nebraska: and Augusta W.
William Hayes, the father of our sub- ject, was a son of William Hayes, well- known in his native state of Kentucky, at an early day. The former grew to manhood and married in Kentucky, removing to Hol county, Missouri, about 1851. This loca- tion did not please him and six months later he went to Cass county, Illinois, where he first rented land and later bought a farm. which he cultivated until 1866. The lands of Iowa then attracted his attention and he removed to Fremont county, where he pur- chased land and remained during life. his death occurring April 30, 1899. when he had reached his seventy-fourth year. He was an honest, worthy citizen who accumulated a competence by his own endeavors. He was well and favorably known, and was a very prominent and useful member of the Meth- odist church, in which he had filled every po- sition except that of minister. The first wife of Mr. Ilayes was a daughter of John Hard- ing, a planter and owner of slaves, in Ken- tucky, who, having lost heavily during the Civil war, removed to Red Oak, lowa, about 1880. lle had married Sarah Clemens, also of Kentucky, a good and religious woman. Their family record is as follows: Sidonia. the mother of our subject : James, John. William. Winfield. Augustine, Mary, Sarah. Minnie, Milla and Harriet. Mrs. Hayes. the mother of our subject, died April 14, 1864. Her life had been one of good deeds, and when her last hour came she testified to
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the peace which was vouchsafed for her. Mr. Hayes married Eliza E. Bidleman, Septem- ber 20, 1864, and the children of this mar- riage were Frank, Wesley, Charles, J. G., Saphronia, Ida, and three infants who passed away in early life.
Mr. Hayes, who is the subject of this sketch, was reared at home and received his education in the district schools. He en- gaged in farming at Red Oak, Iowa, but in 1869 came to Missouri, marrying here the same year. He engaged in farming near Fairfax, where he rented some land, later buying and then selling several other tracts and at length returned to Iowa. For a tine hie resided in Nebraska, but in 1894 he re- turned to Missouri and purchased the farm of two hundred and forty acres where he now resides. There was much to be done in the way of repairs when Mr. Hayes took charge of this place, but he has spared neither time. money or labor in the way of improvements, until now he has one of the best equipped and best cultivated farms in the county. His buildings, fences, orchards and ornamental trees and shrubbery make his farm one of the most attractive in the section. As these changes have been the result of his own ef- forts, our subject has reason to be gratified with them. He has done a general farming business, also raising cattle and stock. While he resided in Iowa he engaged for two years in the mercantile business.
The marriage of Mr. Hayes took place October 31, 1869, to Miss Margaret Gil- kinson, a lady of intelligence, and a member of an old and honored pioneer family of this county. James Gilkinson, the father of Mrs. Hayes, came to Missouri from Ken- tucky when but a boy, married and reared his family in this county and died here in December, 1877. He was an excellent man,
a good citizen and a valued member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. His chil- dren were Jolin, Mrs. Hayes, Joseph, and Mrs. Malinda J. Sharer. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are the following : Luella, who died at the age of eighteen months ; James W., deceased : Essa M., now Mrs. J. A. Roads : George A .. deceased ; El- mer E., Herbert .A. and Oren R.
Mr. Hayes is a Republican in his politi- cal opinions, although he has never been a seeker of office. Mrs. Hayes is a valued and consistent member of the United Brethren church, where she is recognized as a most worthy and Christian woman. The family is one of the most highly respected in this . part of the county, where they are so well known.
A. B. GORDON.
Among the substantial and progressive agriculturists of Colfax township. Atchison county, Missouri, is numbered the gentle- man whose name introduces this sketch. He was born in Adams county, Ohio, on the 23d of April, 1855, and is a son of David and Lydia (Ellis) Gordon, natives of the same county, who are represented on another page of this volume. During his infancy he was taken by his parents to Adams county, Iowa, locating in the Nodaway valley, near the present site of Villisca. At that early day Indians were still living in that locality. and wolves, deer and other wild game were plen- tiful. As the country was sparsely settled his playmates were few and his educational privileges limited, though he pursued his studies for a time in a primitive log school- house. In 1866 the family came to Missouri and after spending some time near Phelps City, Atchison county, they located at Center
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Grove, where the father operated the farm belonging to Bartlett brothers. Later he re- moved to Lincoln township, and improved the homestead on which he now resides.
.A. B. Gordon was reared to habits of industry and honesty upon the home farm. and early became familiar with the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the public schools for a time, but his education is mostly of a practical kind. be- ing gained through business experience and his dealings with the world. In 1880 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, and in his farming operations he has met with marked success, being now the owner of two hundred acres of as rich land as can be found anywhere in the state. He has a good residence. substantial barns and outbuildings, and all of the conveniences and accessories of a model farm are there found. There is a good orchard and a grove of forest trees upon the place, and the land is divided into pastures, meadows and plowed fields by well kept fences.
Mr. Gordon married Miss Amanda Ram- sey, who belongs to a good family of Lincoln township, being a daughter of Rial and Hes- ter Ramsey. She lost her mother when eighteen years of age and her father at twen- ty-eight years of age. She is a native of Vodaway county, Missouri, and one of the pioneer settlers of this county. Of the four children born to our subject and his wife only two are now living : Ava N .. aged four- teen years; and Vina Sybil, aged eight. Those deceased were Naomi, who died at the age of one year, and Jessie at the age of two. The Republican party has always found i Mr. Gordon a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has labored untiringly for its success. He is connected with the Far- mers Mutual Insurance Company, and his
wife is a faithful and consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. In business affairs he has met with well merited success, and his career has ever been such as to gain for him the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens in a marked degree. He is popular socially and his friends are many throughout the county.
J. W. PECK.
One of the most prominent citizens of Westboro, Missouri, who occupies the re- responsible position of cashier of the West- boro bank, is J. W. Peck, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Middlesex county. Canada. a son of E. E. and Hannah ( Wood- hull ) Peck, both of whom were residents of Canada. E. E. Peck grew up and was edu- cated in Montreal. and his children are : J. W .. who is our subject : Mrs. Eliza Ware. who lives in St. Louis, Missouri; Mrs. Emma Ottvits, who resides in this county ; Frank, who resides in Iowa; Ross, who re- sides in Fremont. Nebraska: Carrie, who married W. S. Gordon and resides in West- boro: and George, who resides in Lincoln township.
Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and was early taught habits of hon- esty and industry. He attended the com- mon schools, receiving his higher education at the Wisconsin State University, later en- tering the St. Louis Law School, at which he graduated with honor in the class of 1881. Mr. Peck then located at Rockport, where he entered into the practice of his profession in connection with Mr. Mckillop, a well- known attorney of Rockport. Missouri.
In 1883 our subject embarked in the banking business, his associates then being
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J. L. Carson, who was president, now de- ceased; MI. McKillop, who was vice-presi- dent, now deceased, and our subject was the cashier. Since the re-organization of the bank, D. M. McColl is the president, E. E. Peck is the vice-president and our subject is the cashier. This bank is one of the solid institutions of the county, has the entire con- fidence of the public and does an immense business.
In 1883, our subject married Miss Anna Lynn, of Tarkio, a lady of culture and re- finement. She is a daughter of Robert and Flora Lynn, and the following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Peck : Nellie G., Flora F .. Evelyne, Lizzie, Margaret, Mary, and one son, deceased.
Our subject has taken a deep interest in the public affairs of the county ever since he was twenty-one years old, but his taste has not been for public life. Socially he is ali active member of the blue lodge, council and chapter in the Masonic fraternity, and both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist church of Westboro where they are highly esteemed.
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