A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography, Part 77

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 77
USA > Missouri > Atchison County > A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography > Part 77

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In 1872 occurred the marriage of Mr.

T. N. Kelley, one of the representative farmers of Nodaway county, Missouri, and a gentleman of good business ability, honora-

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ble and loyal to his friends, is a native of Polk township. Nodaway county, born in 1855. a son of one of the cary settlers of this county. Thomas Kelley. His father was a native of the Isle of Man, coming to America when a boy of fifteen and settling in Ohio. In 1852 he located in Maryville, Missouri. Ile married Helen Wiseman, a daughter of Samuel Wiseman, the father settling in Nodaway county in 1852, north- east of the county seat. Thomas Kelley's wife was first married to a Mr. Null, by whom she had one child, George W .. now a prominent farmer and business man of this township. By her marriage to Mr. Kelley she became the mother of the following chil- dren: Margret S .; John W .: Samuel J., a soldier who was killed by the Indians ; Lewis F .; William 11 .: T. N., the subject of this sketch: Henry J .. O. N. and Buron. Mrs. Kelley died at the age of forty-six.

T. N. Kelley, the subject of this sketch, went to Humboldt county, California, at the age of eighteen. He lived in that state and Kansas and Ohio for seven years, when he returned to Nodaway county, Missouri, and in 1880 settled on his present farm of two hundred and forty acres. He has one of the best farms in the township and is a thrifty, honest man who has won the confidence of all in the community by his honest, upright dealing. He was married in 18-8, to Mrs. Allen, a daughter of W. F. Swinford, a prominent and worthy farmer and stock- raiser of the county of Nodaway. By her first marriage Mrs. Kelley had two children,- Emma A. and Thomas W. Allen. C. W. Men, her first husband, dica of measles. She became the mother of five children by her mion to Mr. Kelley, and they are Bertha Florence, Ira Oliver, Wilson Franklin, Ex- erett Newton and Boy Daniel.

Mr. Kelley is a member of the Masonic fraternity .- Lodge No. 472. He has many friends in the community and is a loyal and representative citizen.

WILLIAM T. GRAY.

William T. Gray is a well known repre- sentative of the farming interests of Noda- way county, and the careful, progressive methods which he follows bring to him a creditable and gratifying success. His farm is located on section 5. Union township. and the place is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences. All modern im- provements and accessories have been added and everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating his careful supervision.

Mr. Gray was born August 3. 1868, on the farm where he now resides. His father. William Gray. Sr., was a native of North Carolina, born in Ashe county, March 10. 1831. When two years of age he accompan- ied his parents on their removal to Camp- bell county, Tennessee, but subsequently they went to Carroll county, Missouri. in the year 1841. arriving in Nodaway county in the spring of the following year The loca- tion was made in what is now Union town- ship. This was a wild region, much of the land still being in its primitive condition and over the country roamed the Indian tribes that had not yet left for the reservations further west. Mr. Gray purchased a claim and began the development of a farm, giv- ing the place the name of Gray's Grove. There resided the two brothers, John and Martin Gray, and upon the frontier they im- proved a fine farm, meeting all the experi- ences and hardships of a pioneer life. There was but one store in Maryville and that was

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in a log house. During his boyhood the father of our subject was on one occasion going to mill at Platte City, in company with two others, and they were six weeks in making the trip; and on the return journey William Gray was almost frozen to death. In the meantime his family were subsisting on corn meal made on a hominy block. As the years passed, however, the comforts of the older east were introduced into the west and the family added modern accessories and improvements to their place. At the time of the war William Gray served in the enrolled Missouri militia. In 1853 he took up his residence upon the farin now occupied by our subject. He had formerly entered the claim from the government and had made some improvements. He became here the owner of two hundred and seventy acres of rich land, on which he planted a good orchard, erected a comfortable residence, built a barn and all necessary outbuildings, and secured machinery for the cultivation of his land. He was called upon to fill a number of local offices, for his fellow towns- men recognized his ability to serve.

William Gray, Sr., was twice married. On the 13th of April, 1852, he wedded Miss Nancy Ingalls, who died September 21, 1869, leaving nine children, of whom three are yet living, namely : James T., Austin S., and' William T. Those who have passed away are Wesley F .; Martha E., wife of Wilson Hadley ; John S .; Mahala J., the wife of George Loch; Amanda and Samuel G. For his second wife the father chose Mrs. Mary Shelton, who was born in Har- rison county, Ohio, September 17, 1838. They had six children, but only two of that number,-Emmett O. and Dale-are now living. Those who have passed away were Edgar F., Lester, Ora and Otho. By her

former marriage Mrs. Gray had three chil- dren: William K. is yet living; Eva B .; and Albert L., deceased. William Gray, Sr., died on the 16th of March, 1900, and is still survived by his second wife, who is a faithful member of the Methodist church, to which he also belonged.

William T. Gray has spent his entire life in Nodaway county. Through the summer months he worked in the fields, and in the winter season he pursued his education in the public schools near his home. On the 21st of January, 1891. he was united in mar- riage to Miss Florence Johnson, who was born in Illinois, near Springfield, and is the daughter of James M. and Lucy (Archer ) Johnson. Her parents were both natives of Campbell county, Tennessee, and at an early day removed to the Prairie state. coming thence to Missouri, when Mrs. Gray was only two years old. They first settled west of Burlington Junction and a year later took up their abode in Polk township, near the present home of their daughter. They are still living and nine of their chil- diren yet survive. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gray has been blessed with two chil- dren,-Verda E. and Velma B.,-both of whom were born on the home farm. They are bright and interesting little children and are the light and delight of their parents' home.

Mr. and Mrs. Gray began their domestic life upon the farm which is yet their home, and throughout the years of his manhood he has carried on agricultural pursuits, for which he is well fitted by practical training in his youth. The farm is well developed and the richly cultivated fields yield a golden trib- ute in return for the care and labor of the owner. His business interests are well con- ducted along carefully d'efined lines of labor

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and annually his efforts are increasing his income.

In his political affiliations Mr. Gray has always been a stanch Democrat since cast- ing his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland. For two years he was the asses- sor and for a number of years has served on the school board, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He believes most firmly in providing excellent school privileges that the children of the land' may be well trained by mental discipline for the (Inties and labors of later life. Mrs. Gray is a member of the Missionary Baptist church and Mr. Gray is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Theirs is an in- intelligent family and Mr. and Mrs. Gray have a wide acquaintance and enjoy the warm regard of all who know them.

PETER PEARCE.

Noulaway county has many prominent farmers and stock raisers who owe their suc- cess in life to their own energetic and well directed efforts. In Peter Pearce we find a worthy representative of this class. Ile started out in life for himself empty-handed. but has made the most of his opportunities. and is now well-to-do.

He was born in Baltimore county, Mary- land. March 6, 1833, grew to manhood on a farm, and was educated in the subscription schools. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Pearce, was born in Ireland and at an early day emigrated to this country, locating first in Pennsylvania and spending his last days in Maryland. By occupation he was a far- mer and miller, and was very prominent in his community. He ownel large tracts of land and a number of slaves. His children

were Richard, Nathan, Isaiah, William and Betsy.

William and Elizabeth ( Hartman) Pearce, the parents of our subject, were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania, and for some time made their home in Baltimore county, Maryland. In 1838 they went to Chio and made two or three trips between that state and Maryland. About 1878 they came to Nodaway county, Missouri, but never located permanently here. The fa- ther, who was a plain, honest farmer. died in 1885. Ilis wife survived him some time. making her home with her children, and died while with a daughter in Louisiana, in 1807. In religious belief she was a Meth- odist. Their children were David, who died in Illinois: Nathan and Nicholas, both residents of Macomb, Illinois; Peter, our subject : Arthur, who served through the Civil war and died in Andrew county, Mis- souri: Mary .A., the wife of T. Davis; Franklin, a resident of Nebraska; Abram, of Kansas ; Isaac, of Oklahoma : and Emma, who died unmarried.

Peter Pearce remained at his parental home until he was married, to Miss Rachel H. Lytle, who also was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, July 24, 1835, a daughter of Nathan and Sarah ( Wadsworth ) Lytle. natives of the same state and farming peo- ple. Both her parents died in Baltimore county .- the mother in 1836, at the age of eighty-eight years. Their other children were George W .: James J. : Mary : and Ann R .. who died young. Of the children born to our subject and his wife, Eliza died at the age of twelve years; William T. and Nathan A. are both farmers of this county ; Laura is at home: Emaline is the wife of J. MeNeal. of Ohio; Salem is a farmer of

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this county; Jennie is at home: Franklin is a farmer of this county; and Lorana is at home.

In early life Mr. Pearce learned the shoe- maker's trade, which he followed for a few years. In 1856 he came to Missouri, and was successfully engaged in farming upon rented land' in Nodaway county when the Civil war broke out. Being a strong Union man, the Confederates drove him from the county and he was forced to seek shelter in Iowa. He had worked hard and had already accumulated some property .. When obliged to leave he sold what he could' for what he could get. He owned about fifty-three head' of hogs, including some fine brood sows, for which he was obliged to take one dollar per head. In Iowa he was employed at any- thing which he could find to make an honest living. About the close of the war he re- turned to this county and commenced' life anew upon rented land. Subsequently he purchased sixty acres, but sold that place two years later and rented land for one year in his present neighborhood. At the end of that time he bought eighty acres, which was but poorly improved, and to its further d'e- velopment and cultivation he has since de- voted his energies, with marked success. 1Ie now owns five different farms, all well im- proved and under a high state of cultivation. This property has all been acquired through his own industry, perseverance and good management, and' for his success in life hie deserves great credit. He is still interested it: stock-raising and finds that a profitable occupation.

Mr. Pearce came to this country from St. Louis by stage and the family were se- verely injured by the stage turning over at Liberty, Missouri, this causing him much ad- ditional expense, so that when lie arrived

here he liad only six dollars with which to begin life in a new country. Game was plentiful but money very scarce. At that time one could go on horseback for miles in any direction, there being no buildings or fences to impede his progress, as the country was very sparsely settled. Mr. Pearce has watched with interest the wonderful devel- opment of this region, and has ever borne his part in the work of advancement. In politics he is an uncompromising Republi- can, whose influence is ever exerted for his party, and he is unquestionably one of the most loyal and patriotic citizens of his adopted county.

JOHN A. WALKINSHAW.

Jolın A. Walkinshaw is a self-made man who, without a wealthy family or pecuniary advantages at the commencement of life, has battled earnestly and energetically, and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and fortune. By sheer force of will and untiring effort he has worked his way upward. He is now the proprietor of the Fairview farm. He makes his home on his fine farm in Lincoln town- ship.

Mr. Walkinshaw was born July 19, 1872. ir Page county, Iowa, near Clarinda, and is a representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of this portion of the coun- try, his parents being J. H. and Sarah ( Mc- Clellan) Walkinshaw. The mother died in 1889, but the father is still living and is now engaged in the grain business at Blanchard. They were the parents of the following children : William, who is living in Page county, Iowa; John Adam, of this review ; Mrs. Bessie Duncan, of Taylor county, Iowa: Mrs. Jennie McNight, of Lincoln

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township. Atchison county, Missouri: Mrs. Louisa Copeland. of Nodaway county, Mis- souri ; Hannah: James, a student in College Springs, Iowa; and Frank, at home: Mrs. Walkinshaw was an earnest Christian wom- an. a faithful wife and a devoted' mother and a kind neighbor and friend. Her ster- ling qualities won her the love of all who knew her. The father is recognized as one of the most reliable business men in his lo- cality and has the unqualified confidence of all with whom he has been brought in con- tact, his word being as good as any bond that was ever solemnized by signature or seal. Hle hold''s membership in the Reformed Presbyterian church and is serving as one of its elders.

John A. Walkinshaw, whose name forms the caption of this article, spent his boy- hood days on the old homestead, where he was carly trained to habits of industry and economy. As soon as old enough to handle the plow he took his place in the fields and turned many a furrow for the spring plant- ing. Ile also aided in harvesting the crops in the autumn and thus became acquainted with every department of farm work. His preliminary education was acquired in the public schools near his home and was sup- plemented by study in College Springs. Jowa. Reading and experience have also added to his knowledge and made him a well informed man.

In the year 1891 Mr. Walkinshaw was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Henning. of lincoln township, who has proved to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey. She was born in Troy. New York. and was reared and educated in Atchison county. Her father was Robert Henning. who was drowned in this locality in 1883: and her mother died in 1900. They were

honored and respected people of the town- ship and the example which they left to their children was in many respects well worthy of emulation. Three of their children are yet living, namely: James, a resident of Lin- coln township: Mrs. Walkinshaw and Will- iam. The marriage of our subject and wife has been blessed with three children .- Mary. John and Helen-who are still with their parents.

The Fairview farm, which is owned and worked by our subject, is a valuable tract of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and fer- tile land. This he has placed under a high state of cultivation, and the well tilled fields bring to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. His residence was erected at a cost of two thousand dollars and is tastefully furnished. The fields are productive. and in addition to operating his own land he culti- vates his father's homestead of three hun- dred acres. lle buys and sells cattle, hogs and horses and is a business man whose suc- cess has been won by honorable methods and by unflagging diligence and unabating energy. Mr. Walkinshaw is a young man of intelligence, wide-awake and' progres- sive. his attention being given mostly to his business affairs, yet his support is withheld from no measure or movement of a public nature which he believes will contribute to the public good or advance the welfare of the community. In disposition he is friendly, in manner cordial, and he has gained the es- teem of a very large circle of acquaintances.

WILLIAM ROBINSON.

A representative of the farming interests of Atchison county, William Robinson, car- ried on the business of cultivating his fields;

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and his energetic efforts, guided by careful management, have resulted in bringing to him creditable success.

He was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, July 11, 1855, a son of William and Susan (Maxwell) Robinson, both of whom were natives of the green isle of Erin. They were married, however, in Canada, and there the father died. After his marriage he be- gan farming in the British province and con- tinned the cultivation of his land throughout his remaining days. He was a son of Rob- ert Robinson, who also became a resident of Canada and' there followed farming. His children were: Mary A .; Elizabeth; Will- iam; and James, who died in Ireland. The other children, however, became residents of the new world. Their parents were mem- bers of the Presbyterian church. William Robinson and his wife reared eleven chil- dren : John, who is living in Canada; Mrs. Mary A. McKinzie; Robert, of California; Eliza J., now Mrs. Porter, of New Hamp- shire; James, of Kansas; William, of this review; Mrs. Sarah G. Gill; Thomas; Ed- ward and David, who are living in Canada ; and Robena, of New Hampshire. The father passed away in 1895, while his wife died at the age of forty-six.

William Robinson, whose name intro- duces this record, spent the days of his child- hood and youth in his native county, and at the age of seventeen left home and worked in a sawmill in New Hampshire. On the expiration of four years he returned to his Canadian home, where he remained until 1878, when he came to Missouri, locating in Nodaway county. Here he rented land and continued farming. In 1883 he was married and located on his property, consist- ing of a tract of wild prairie land of two liundred and forty acres. Not a furrow had

been turned or an improvement made upon the place. He erected a cheap house and when he was established in his new home earnestly began clearing and developing his land and transforming it into rich fields. He has made many substantial improvements upon his place, in due time beginning the erection of a commodious residence, large barns and outbuildings. He also has a windmill upon the place, a fine bearing or- chard and all modern accessories, while his land is under a high state of cultivation and yields to him a good return for the labor which he has bestowed' upon the fields. He carries on general farming, and in addition follows stock-raising, having been numbered among the successful stock feeders and deal- ers of this portion of the county for fifteen years. His life has been one of indefatigable energy, which, combined with his honorable dealing, has gained for him a place among the substantial residents of the county. He is also numbered among its most reliable citizens, for in trade circles his honesty is proverbial.

In 1883 Mr. Robinson was united' in mar- riage to Mrs. Susan A. McKee, who was born in Nodaway county, Missouri, Novem- ber 10, 1853, a lady of culture and intelli- gence, belonging to one of the early pioneer families of Nodaway county. Her parents were Matthew W. and Emily ( House ) Gra- ham, both of whom were natives of Ken- tucky, in which state they were married, and afterward came to Nodaway county, casting" in their lot with its early settlers in 1851. He entered land from the government and improved a large farm, upon which he still resides, having become one of the prosperous agriculturists of his conimunity. He serveď throughout the Mexican war and received an honorable discharge when hostilities had

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ended and his aid was no longer needed. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat, but has never aspired to office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs. He and his wife have traveled life's journey together for nearly half a century and are now enjoying the reward of well spent lives, being now in their declining days surrounded by all the comforts of life. They are con- sistent members of the Baptist church, true to its teachings and its principles.

Their children are: Georgia .A., the wife of Mr. Bowman ; Susan A .. the honored wife of Mr. Robinson; Marian; Andrew and Ed- ward, who are operating the old homestead farm. Mrs. Robinson's first husband was William MeKee, who was born in Scotland, came to America with his parents when four years old and three years later became a resident of Missouri, where he grew to man- hood. The family first located in Andrew county, subsequently removed to Nodaway county, where Mr. MeKee attained man's estate and was married. He then followed farming until his death. lle left to his wittow the care of four young children, whom Mr. Robinson has reared and edu- cated. capably filling the place of their own father. These children are: Irwin, at home; Talmon and William E., who are living in Denver, Colorado; and Margaret, who is now a student of the conservatory of music in Cincinnati, Ohio, Unto Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have been born four children : Fred, Emily. John and Robert, all at their parental home.

Mr. Robinson is an uncompromising Re- publican, takes an active interest in public affairs and keeps well informed on the is- shes of the day, but with the exception of some minor positions has never sought or Feld public office. He is a farmer, giving his

life entirely to the development and im- provement of his land, and his fine farm is a monument to his enterprise.

DAVID HITCHCOCK.

For thirty years this gentleman has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Nodaway county, and has aide.1 materially in its development and improve- ment. A native of Indiana. he was born in Hendricks county, January 20, 1832, and is a son of Barnabus and Polly ( Richardson) Hitchcock, who were married in that state, though the father was a native of North Carolina, the mother of Tennessee. The pa- ternal grandfather. William Hitchcock, was also born in North Carolina and was an early settler of Washington county, Indiana. His wife's father, Mr. Coffin. had entered a large tract of land in that state, a portion of which he gave to each of his children, and they made from the heavily timbered tract good farms. There William Hitchcock and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. They were members of the Society of Friends and most estimable people, in whose family were eight children, namely : Joshua : Barna- bus: Mathew: William: Patsy, the wife of B. Stanley; Lydia, the wife of A. Stanley; AAmy, now Mrs. Crow; and Priscilla, now Mrs. Thompson.

Barnabus Hitchcock was reared in a Quaker settlement in Washington county, Indiana, where he continued to make his home for some years after his marriage and then moved to Hendricks county, the same state, where he entered land and made some improvements thereon. Afterward be re- turned to Washington county, where he died in 1842. By occupation he was a brick man- miacturer and mason. Ile left a wife and

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five children, whom she kept together until they were old enough to care for them- selves. Subsequently she married' Robert Denny and moved to Indianapolis, of which city he became a successful attorney, real- estate and pension agent. There he died, Mrs. Denny's death occurring in 1889. By her last marriage she had one daughter, Ade- line. The children of the first union were Alfred, who died in Hendricks county, In- diana; David, our subject ; William J., who died at Atlanta, Georgia, while on the march to the sea during the Civil war ; Miles J., who was killed in the battle of Chickamauga ; and Martha E. All of the sons and their stepfather were in the Union army at the same time.

David Hitchcock was reared on a farm by his widowed mother, and as soon as old enough to be of any assistance to the family commenced work. His education therefore was rather limited, being mostly of a prac- tical kind. At the age of fifteen he began learning the tanner's trade, at which he worked for seven years. In the meantime he married Miss Elizabeth Johnson, who was born in Washington county, Indiana, in No- vember, 1833, and is a representative of an honored pioneer family of that county. Her father, Archibald Johnson, was a native of North Carolina, and in boyhood' became a resident of Indiana, where he followed farm- ing throughout life. He was a man of un- questioned integrity and a minister of the Primitive Baptist church. His children were Jacob; Malinda ; William : Mary: Elizabeth, the wife of our subject; Nancy and David. Nancy married J. Weston and in 1870 be- came a resident of Holt county, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock are the parents of eight children, all born in Indiana, where two died young. The others were Milton,

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A Biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri : compendium of national biography, Part 77

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