A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography, Part 52

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 52
USA > Missouri > Atchison County > A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography > Part 52

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Mr. Graves farmed in Stark county, Illi- nois, until 1885. when he sold his farm there and came to Nodaway township, Nodaway county, where he bought the farm of F. Bai- num, one of the most valuable thereabout. Ile now owns three hundred and forty-four acres, including plow land. meadow and pas- ture land, with fine buildings for all por- poses, well fenced and hedged and produc- tive of the usual farm crops as well as small fruits. He gives much attention to stock. A Democrat in political faith, he is one of the solid men of his part of the county and one of the most public spirited and inthuen- tial. Mr. and Mrs. Graves are members of the Christian church, always helpful to all its interests and zealous for its growth and prosperity.

THOMAS W. GAUNT.

Thomas W. Gaunt. the pioneer nursery- man of northwestern Missouri, has estab- lished a business that has proved of great benefit to the community, at the same time advancing his individual prosperity until he is known as one of the affluent men of his portion of the state. Ile was born in Stai- fordshire. England. April 4. 1830. 1lis father. Thomas Gaunt, was a gardener and

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also carried on farming on a limited scale. He worked at the tailor's trade, and later, through his son's connection with the same business, became connected with a small fruit and nursery business. He married Catherine Woolly and had five children, the eldest being Thomas W. Gaunt.

The subject of this review pursued his education in the Episcopal day schools of his native county. Manifesting a special fond- ness for music, he studied its principles and when a boy possessed superior vocal powers. He was also especially fond of books and read eagerly everything bearing upon the United States, and this inspired in him a love of the Republic, and long before he found it possible of accomplishment he had deter- mined to become one day a resident of the United States. As he grew older he formed his plans for severing his connection with England, and in 1853 took passage on a sail- ing vessel bound for New York, anchor be- ing dropped after five weeks and three days in the harbor of the metropolis.

In the spring of 1854 he joined some friends in Macomb, Illinois. He associated himself with Mr. Franklin in the nursery business and removed to Andrew county, Missouri, where he planted his first seeds as soon as the ground could be prepared for their reception. He soon discovered, how- ever, that the soil in that locality was too wet for the business and he begun to search for a more favorable location. This he found in Nodaway county. for the land at Maryville and vicinity was high and rich, and in 1856 he came hither, planting a small tract where the Lieber greenhouse now stands. The following year he located on his present farm, to which he soon trans- ferred all of his business interests. His initiatory preparation consisted in ditching,

tiling, plowing and building, and when the. tract was considered properly drained it was found that he had six car loads of tile in. the ground. Ilis first actual work upon the farm was the hauling of rock with an ox. team, the stone being used to wall a well and to furnish a base for his bachelor shanty. In the spring of 1859 his first trees were placed upon the market and since that time his nursery has been a leading enterprise in the business affairs of Maryville.

The principles which he has followed. have been such as commend him to the con- fidence and support of all. Early in his ca- reer he recognized honesty as the best policy and has made that adage one of the rules of his life. He has never allowed damaged or imperfect stock to leave his premises, and the quality of the trees that he has sent out has secured a liberal and continued patronage. His business has steadily increased and in all sections of the United States are seen or- chards which have grown fruit trees furn- ished from his nursery. For forty-two years he gave to the business his personal supervision, and then, on account of ill health, he placed his enterprise in the hands of a foreman, in 1898. He is still, however, deeply interested in the subject of the best methods of growing trees and fruit, and dis- cusses theories and problems for progress in tree culture with the intelligence and con- fidence of his younger days. His opinions are widely recognized as authority on ques- tions connected with the nursery business and he has furnished many contributions to nursery publications.

In 1861 Mr. Gaunt was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary A. Costello. They had four children, namely: Josephine, the wife of J. W. Powers, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Jennie, the wife of Dr. Fred C. Miller, of

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Puget sound, Washington; and Carrie and Ruby, who are with their father. Mrs. Gaunt, their mother, having died November 12, 1900. For many years the family has occupied a leading position in social circles in this locality, their friends being almost equal in number with their acquaintances.

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Gaunt was a strong advocate of the Union cause and manifested his loyalty by entering the country's service as captain of Company G, of the Thirty-sixth Missouri Regiment. Ilis command was mostly engaged in scouting and in keeping in subjection the small bands of Confederates traversing the state. le has always affiliated with the Republican party and feels that he has just reason to be proud of the administration, which is re- sponsible for the industrial and commercial change that has occurred in the country be- tween the years 1896 and 1900. It is the practical business men of the day who are most competent to judge of the nation's con- dition and welfare. Mr. Gaunt recognizes that this is an era of prosperity, such as was not enjoyed under the Democratic regime. Socially Mr. Gaunt is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, and is one of the oldest Masons in Maryville. He also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. If one should wish to seek in his career the causes that have led to his success, they will be found along the lines of well tried and okl- time maxims. Honesty and fair dealing. promptness, usefulness, fidelity .- all these are strictly enforced and adhered to.

C. P. HARRIS.

Few men in this section of the county have a wider acquaintance than C. P. Har- ris, a grain buyer, who is acting as the gen-

cral manager for the firm of Grigg Brothers, proprietors of the elevators and grain busi- ness at Westboro. Ile has excellent busi- ness qualifications and this enables him to fill an important position and promote the prosperity of his employers. . \ native of Marshall county, Illinois, he was born for- Er-one years ago. Ilis father, William Har- ris, is a well-known business man of Cres- ton. Union county, Iowa, having been con- nected with mercantile pursuits there for many years as a general merchant. He be- came an early settler of Marshall county, Ilinois, removing thither from Ohio. His father, the grandfather of our subject, was av; honored pioneer of the Prairie state and served in the Black Hawk war. William Harris was married in Marshall county, Illi- nois, to Catherine Christian, a representa- tive of a well known and highly respected family of Indiana, where she was born and spent a portion of her girlhood. William liarris is now sixty-five years of age, and Is the result of his well directed efforts in usiness affairs he is the possessor of a handsome competence. Ile has five chil- dren, two sons and three daughters, name- ly : C. P .: William, who is employed in the Store of D. Dunlap: Anna Nichols, of Glen- wood. Nebraska: Mrs. Lillie Ford, of Geneva, Nebraska; and Mrs. Clara Bird, of Lincoln, Nebraska.

C. P. Harris, whose name introduces this review, spent the days of his childhood and youth in Illinois and lowa, and the pub- he schools afforded him his educational privileges. His business training was re- ceived under the direction of his father, whom he assisted in the store. Hle after- ward worked for an uncle, John Christian, of Hamburg, lowa, who was engaged in the grain business. Subsequently, how-

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ever, he returned to his father's store and was there employed until 1882, when he came to Westboro and began dealing in grain at this point. For the past two years he has been a manager for the well known firm of Grigg Brothers, who own the ele- vators at this place. These have a capacity of five thousand bushels. The firm is well known for honorable and fair dealing, a reputation which is fully sustained by their manager at this point. Mr. Harris is an affable and genial gentleman and has the confidence of all who know him. He has had many years of experience in the grain trade and is now thoroughly conversant with the business, and is an excellent judge of the cereals which are brought him. For two years he has represented the firm with which he is now connected and has built up a splendid trade in this part of Atchison county.

Mr. Harris was married, in Westboro, in 1883. to Miss Mary McGee, who has been to her husband a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey since that time. She was born in New Jersey and was edu- cated in the east. Her father is John Mc- Gee, and her mother died during her early girlhood. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Harris have been born five interesting children, namely : Millie, William J., Allen, T. P. and Mary. In his political affiliations our subject is a Democrat and is now serving on the school board. Fraternally he is a representative of the Independent Order of Odd Fellow's and both he and his wife belong to the Meth- odist Episcopal church.

JOHN BARRETT.

Nodaway county has a no more enterpris- ing farmer than the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He was born in

Warren county, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1846, and was there reared upon a farm and educated in the common schools. Ilis parents, Edmond and Matilda (Taylor) Barrett, were both natives of England, where his paternal grandfather, John Barrett, spent his entire life as a gardener, farmer and small-fruit grower. His children were John, Robert, William, Eli, Michael, James, Edmond, and Ann E., the wife of T. Watts. Of this family Eli, Michael, Edmond and Ann came to America. In 1832, at the age of twenty years, Edmond Barrett crossed the Atlantic and for a year was employed in a hotel in Utica, New York. A few years later he married the widow of his brother, Mrs. Matilda ( Taylor ) Barrett, and located on a farm in Warren county, Penn- sylvania, where he cleared and improved a heavily timbered tract. After the death of his wife in 1889. he came to Missouri to visit his children, and on his return to Penn- sylvania sold his farm and made his home with his children in this county until his death, which occurred February 26, 1896. The mother was first married in England, her husband being Barrett, who died a few years after their emigration to the United States. By that union she had five children : Reuben, who was killed at the age of nine years : Mary, the wife of H. Marsh ; William, a resident of Pennsylvania: Rhoda, the wife of John Howells; and Simeon. The chil- dren of the second marriage were Ellen, the widow of A. D. Russell, Sarah, the widow of R. Russell, and both residents of this county ; Reuben, John, James E., Henry T. and Robert, all farmers of this county; Rose, the wife of E. Abbott, of Pennsylvania ; and Charles W., a resident of this county.

John Barrett grew to manhood on the home farm and during the Civil war re-

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mained to care for his parents while his brothers entered the army. In 1875 he joined three brothers in Missouri, where they had lived for some time, and in part- nership with James E. Barrett bought a farm. Subsequently he purchased his broth- er's interest in the place, has added to it. and now has a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres, on which he is success- fully engaged in general farming and stock- raising, feeding the products of the place to lis cattle and hogs. Ile has steadily pros- pered in his new home and is to-day one of the substantial men of his community. Po- htically he was for many years identified with the Republican party, but is now a Democrat and an advocate of free silver. He is conected with the Masonic fraternity and his wife hokls membership in the Meth- odist church.

On the 26th of February, 1884, Mr. Bar- rett was united in marriage with Miss Mar- garet Roberts, a lady of intelligence and cul- ture, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, August 7. 1850, a daughter of Ephraim and Alvina ( Davis) Roberts, also natives of Ohio. Her paternal grandfather. Thomas Roberts, was born in Pennsylvania, of English ancestry, and with his family moved to Ohio, spending his last days in Highland county. He was a cabinet-maker by trade and he and his wife were members of the Society of Friends. Their children were John; Judah : AAbel; Lewis; Margaret, who died unmarried ; Joseph : Mrs. Ann Van Pelt : and Ephraim. Mrs. Barrett's mater- nal grandfather was William Davis, a farmer of Ohio and also a member of the Society of Friends. He had eleven chil- dren, namely : Elliott, a resident of Mis- souri: Alvina, the mother of Mrs. Barrett : Sarah, the wife of T. Hinton; Alonzo, who

died in Kentucky; Allen, now deceased ; Warren, a resident of Kansas; Elizabeth, the wife of William Mooney; Ellen, the wife of Hugh Turner: John, who died in Libby prison during the Civil war ; Dawson, a resident of Ohio; and Melissa, who died unmarried. After his marriage Ephraim Roberts settled on a farm in Highland county, Ohio, where he made his home until 1866, when he sold his place and moved to Holt county, Missouri. There he pur- chased a poorly improved farm, which he soon converted into a good homestead. con- tinuing his residence there until called from this life February 20, 1899. His wife had died September 10, 1890. Their children were Thomas, who died young: Lucinda, the wife of Robert Metzger: Jane, the wife of S. Bender: Margaret. the wife of our subject: Hannah, the wife of Edgar Ben- nett, of Bates county, Missouri: Anna, the deceased wife of Pleasant McQuary: New- ton, a farmer of Holt county; William. now in Alaska : Candace, the wife of Peter Sam- nelson; Elsworth, a resident of Oregon; Ella ; Frances, who died February 10, 1800: and Ellis, who lives on the old homestead. The parents of these children were members of the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Barrett have three children, namely: John K ... born October 20, 1888; Robert W. born March 14, 1890; and Lucy M., born July 4. 1892. Since 1896 Mrs. Barrett has been afflicted by rheumatism and is conse- quently an invalid.

ARTHUR S. ROBEY.

Americans, especially Missourians, like a story of pluck and success, and the brief narrative which follows will meet all re- quirements in this respect. It is the plain,

ARTHUR S. ROBEY

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straightforward story of a brave and deter- mined man, who, beginning with nothing but determination and a limited education, resolved to achieve success and would not accept defeat when it literally fell upon him.

Arthur S. Robey, one of Maryville's most enterprising citizens and her leading liveryman, has passed his business life thus far among the residents of Maryville. Ile is referred to as the "school-teacher livery- man" by those whose memories extend far- thest back into his career, for the reason that his earliest efforts in Nodaway county, were put forth as a teacher in the district schools. He came to Maryville in 1879, knowing no one and so utterly without means that he had to borrow the little change required to transfer his trunk from the de- pot up town. His only capital was grit and a good common-school education obtained from the public schools in Shelby county, Illinois.

Mr. Robey was born at South Plyin- outh, Fayette county, Ohio, August 13, 1860, a son of Dr. D. L. Robey, who was born in West Virginia and who in 1865, when he was yet a young man, settled in Shelby county, Illinois, having previously taught school in his native state, where he married Mary C. Smith, who died in 1875. Their surviving children are: William L., of Maryville, Missouri; Martha, the wife of John E. Baker, of Shelby county, Illinois; Arthur S .; Minnie, the wife of P. E. Bales, of Shelby county, Illinois; Warner E., an employe of the Illinois Central Railway Company, living at Neoga, Illinois ; Mollie, the wife of John Warner, of Shelby county, Illinois; Ann, who is Mrs. John Daniels, of Maryville ; Lucy, the wife of Henry Trul- 25

linger, of Maryville ; and May, who is Mrs. William McCarty, of Swygart, Illinois.

Arthur S. Roby was a school-boy prac- tically when he departed for the west, and was twenty years old when he took up his residence in Nodaway county. He soon se- cured a school near Quitman and taught there a year. then came nearer Maryville to the John Heren school and accomplished his remaining years of school work in that vicinity. Meantime he was a student at Cherry's Commercial College (now the Maryville Seminary), at which institution he was graduated in 1880. He gave up the birch and book for reins and whip, and be- came one of the proprietors of the livery stables of Robey & Walts, at Maryville. They began business in an old wooden barn on the site of Mr. Robey's present estab- lishment and were partners until 1894, when by purchase Mr. Robey became the sole proprietor. . \ brick barn, which occupied a ground space of sixty-six by one hundred and thirty-two feet, was erected in 1891 on block 8, and the concern was enjoying pros- perity when, in 1896, fire destroyed both barn and stock. A man of common energy and determination would perhaps have been discouraged by this heavy loss, but he set to work arranging for a new building and got together some stock and gradually re-estab- lished himself as fully as before.

Mr. Robey is one of the leading Demo- crats of Nodaway county. He has served as a trustee and the treasurer of Polk town- ship, and in 1896 he attended all the conven- tions of his party in his county and was a delegate to the Democratic state convention at Springfield.

He married, March 21, 1886, Miss Cora Culverson, a daughter of the late J. M. Cul-

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verson, once a well known liveryman of Maryville. Mrs. Robey was born at Farra- gut. lowa, from which state her father came with his family to Maryville. Mr. and Mrs. Robey's children are Otho L., Donald 1 .. and Cleo. Mr. Robey is a Knight of Pyth- ias, a Woodman and a Maccabee.

THOMAS C. ELLIS, M. D.

Prominent among the energetic, pro- gressive and successful men of Nodaway county is the subject of this sketch. Ilis life history most happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest purpose. Integ- rity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success, and his con- nection with various business enterprises and industries have been of decided ad- vantage to this section of the state, pro- moting its material welfare in no uncertain manner.

The Doctor was born in Rockcastle county, Kentucky, December 19, 1821, and is a son of Leander T. Ellis, who was born in North Carolina, and when two years old moved to Kentucky with his parents. Thomas and Hannah ( Evans ) Ellis, also native of North Carolina and farming per- ple, who died in Maryville, Missouri. Their other children were Clarissa, the wife of Joel Watson, and Nancy, the wife of L. Thompson. Leander T. Ellis grew to man- howal in Kentucky, where he married Har- riet Humber, a native of Richmond. Vir- emia, and a daughter of Charles Humber. One of her brothers. Thomas Coule llum- ber, was the mayor of Richmond for many years. The father and mother Ellis lived op a farm in Kentucky for many years, and there were born to them eleven children,

namely: Thomas C., our subject : Mary .A., who first married Harvey Bell, and secondly, James Key, of White Cloud township, this county; Amanda, the widow of W. Ditta- more, and a resident of the state of Wash- ington: Elizabeth, the wife of M. Hender- son. of Oregon : Hannah, who married John Grant, and died in Lexington, Missouri; Leander, a resident of California: New- meris, of Bates county. Missouri; Justine, who first married 1. N. Prather and. sec- ondly, George Vaughn, of Colorado; Will- iam, of California: Albert, who died in Maryville, Missouri, in 1892; and Sarah J., who first married a Mr. Bassford and after- ward J. Ferguson, of California. The fa- ther was one of the most prominent and influential men of his community, and served the public in different capacities, such as justice of the peace and a member of the county court in Kentucky. In 1843 he moved to Buchanan county, Missouri, where he carried on farming, and also served as county assessor and sheriff, filling some public position during his entire residence there. In 1855 he came to Nodaway county and bought a farm in Polk township, where he spent many years. He became prominent- ly identified with public affairs in this county, and filled many offices of honor and trust, being county judge most of the time. He was highly educated and in early life fol- lowed school teaching. Politically he was a strong Democrat. His public and private life were alike above reproach. He was broad-minded and charitable, upright and honorable in all things, and was a consist- ent member of the Christian church, to which the mother of our subject also be- longed. She died in this county in the '505, and he passed away at seventy-one years of age. For his second wife he married Mrs.

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Elizabeth (Carr) Cross, who belongs to an honored New York family, and who is now living with her son Charles A., a physician of Maryville. He is the second in order of birth of her three children by the last marriage, the others being Alexander C., who died at the age of sixteen years; and Alva C., a telegraph operator in the west.

Dr. Ellis was reared on a farm in Ken- tucky and educated in common and select schools. In 1843 he came to Missouri and first stopped in Buchanan county. He en- gaged in teaching school in Platte county for four years, and while there was mar- ried, in April, 1847, to Miss Louisa Pigg. a daughter of Reuben Pigg, who was born in Kentucky and at an early day came to this state, where he engagexl in farming and school teaching, being a highly intel- lectual man. From Missouri he moved to Oregon. He and his family all died of con- sumption, except his wife and one son. Mrs. Ellis departing this life in the fall of 1850. She was a consistent member of the Chris- tian church.

The Doctor was again married in Platt county, December 19. 1855. his second union being with Mrs. Jane II. Forbes, who had one son by her first marriage. He was reared by our subject and is still cared for by him as he has lost his mind. Mrs. Ellis was a daughter of Overton and Lucinda ( Reed) Gentry, representatives of two of the largest and most prominent families of Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri. Her father, who was a prominent farmer and slave-owner, died in Kentucky. After residing on the old homestead for a number of years the mother sold the place and di- vided the property among the heirs, retain- ing her portion. She then came to live with the Doctor and his wife in Missouri,

remaining with them a number of years, but her last days were spent with a daugh- ter in Dade county, where she died in 1886. Both she and her husband were members of the Christian church. Of their children, Frank was a captain in the Confederate army and is now a resident of Mississippi ; Eskridge is deceased; Ann is the wife of John McRoberts; Jane H. was the wife of our subject; Overton died young: Thomas served under General Forrest in the Con- federate army and is a resident of Missis- sippi; Joseph lives in St. Joseph, Missouri ; and Bell is the wife of R. Raney, of Dade county. By his second marriage Dr. Ellis had two sons: Leander E., who married- Lucy Montgomery and followed farming until accidentally killed, leaving a son, Thomas M .. now a school-boy ; and Overton C., a prominent attorney of Tacoma, Wash- ington. The wife and mother died May 4, 1885.

In 1886 Dr. Ellis was united in marriage with Mrs. Patience J. Impey, the widow of Dr. Impey and the daughter of William L. and Permelia ( Evans ) Dysart, of Kentucky. On coming to this state her father brought a number of slaves and entered a large tract of land in Andrew county, which, with their assistance, he transformed into a fine farm. He was also extensively engaged in the cattle business. Politically he was first a Whig and later a Democrat, and as a pub- lic-spirited and progressive citizen he took a deep interest in public affairs, though he never cared for official honors. He died on his homestead in 1885, honored and re- spected by all who knew him. His wife was a member of the Christian church. Their children were Patience J., the wife of our subject : Samuel, who was a soldier of the Confederate army and is now

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A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography, Part 52

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