USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. II > Part 53
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During a ramble among the homes of the Pottowatomie Indians in northwestern Ohio, he was betrothed to Jane K. Cottrell, and thus changed his plans for life. In the fall of 1840 he erected the first cabin in the township of Madison, Williams county, Ohio, upon the present site of the incorporated village of Pioneer. In the fall of 1845 he was married. On the wedding journey from her old home near the present site of Fayette to Pioneer, Ohio, the bride rode in the first wheeled conveyance that ever passed over ten consecutive miles of the trail, much of which her husband widened. through the underbrush, into a rude road, while she drove the team.
From this union Edward Augustus Norris was born in Madison township, Williams county, Ohio, and was one of the first white chil- dren born in that township.
A settled home and active business as agent for the eastern owners of most of the surrounding country kept him for many years from the western mountains. Among the landable enterprises of these years was the platting of the now incorporated village of Pioneer in 1854, nnon the site of his old cabin and Indian town. He also subdivided the Pinkham Land Grant, near the famous Willey House amid the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
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He entered the army at the breaking out of the Civil war, but was soon disabled by a severe injury caused by the fall of his horse, which was shot under him in a guerrilla fight near Laural Mountain. He was elected on his return to the Legislature, later becoming a prominent member of the Sanitary Commission. "The records of the War De- partment, Adjutant General's office, show that Philetus W. Norris was mustered into service June 6, 1862, as Captain, Company C, Hoffman Batallion (128th) Ohio Infantry, to serve three years, and that he was honorably discharged from the service as captain in orders from this Department dated December 13, 1862, upon tender of resignation" to again enter the Legislature.
In 1865 he purchased heavily in land with Eastern capitalists, near Detroit, Michigan, where by his characteristic foresight, perseverance, against opposition, and at great expenditures, managed and carried through the greatest and most successful draining enterprise in the state, and founded the Village of Norris, now North Detroit.
Owing to the roving, active life of his father, the son Edward was entrusted with the home interests, and the first fourteen years of his life, assuming a man's burden, were closely connected with the clearing of land, with marketing of logs and the products of the farm. He was with his father while in command of Johnston's Island, and came with the family to Detroit, where he assisted his father in the clearing and laying out of the land. As he grew older his father entrusted more and more of his active interests to the son, and eventually all of his busi- ness. His travels, as his journals show, through the West and North- west, through nearly all of the Missouri, Yellow Stone, Geyser Basin, Columbia and other wild regions of the West, have with his notes, many of them in verse, won a greater reprinted circulation than any other late notes referring to these regions.
Under an appointment of the Secretary of the Interior, as super- intendent of the Yellow Stone National Park, he again visited the West in 1877, exploring much of the Park and mountain regions, including a long-sought pass from the Crow Agency through the Big Horn Moun- tains to the petrified forests on the East Fork, which shortened the dis- tance to the Wonder Land at least one hundred miles. On his return he was in the employ of the Smithsonian Institute investigating his- toric mounds, etc., through the South-west.
Intrusted with all these valuable interests from childhood, it is not surprising that the son became early a man of affairs, and with a level head and correct habits, acquired the business capacity which he evinces now in the ore business at Joplin, Missouri, where he went as a representative of capitalists to look after their interests in land in which he was part owner, and continued in charge until the Company made a sale of their properties.
Mr. Norris is a quiet, unassuming man,-a man trusted in many ways by others, gentle and manly. He is thoroughly honest and upright, a man worthy to be the son of an ancestry who made the beginnings of this Western country.
There is probably no better man in the lumbering interests of the day because of his long experience in the lumber woods, where for a number of years his attention was directed to the cutting and making and shipping both to the home and foreign trade square ship timber. This same intelligence is the guiding power in the successful conducting of the newer industry of handling ores. He is a thirty-second degree Mason ; a life member of the organization of Elks; and a man of large acquaintance in business circles.
On November 12, 1872, he married in Detroit, Michigan, Miss Hattie
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Bronson Holbrook, by whom he has two children. Robert Falley Nor- ris, and Edna Chaffee Norris, the latter, born September 3, 1877, mar- ried William N. Davis June 21, 1898, at Norris, the family homestead. From this union was born, at Kansas City, Harriette Anne Davis, born August 21, 1901, and Nancy Edna Davis, born April 17, 1904. Robert married at Warren, Illinois, April 26, 1905, Jessie Irene Rees.
Mrs. Norris is the daughter of Milton Holbrook and Sarah Bronson, and was born at Jackson, Michigan, her father soon after settling in Detroit. She traces her aneestry to Thomas Holbrook of Weymouth, England in 1601, and whose son, also Thomas, resided in Scituate, Wey- mouth and Braintree, Colony of Massachusetts, in 1641 and who was then a seleetman and a man of affairs. Aaron Holbrook was on the Lex- ington Alarm Roll, and Benajah Holbrook was in the war of 1812. She is therefore a Daughter of the Patriots and Founders; a Daughter of the American Revolution; and a Daughter of 1812. She organized the Joplin Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution in December, 1904, remaining its regent until 1912, when she was elected state viee regent of Missouri.
JOHN McKELVEY .- One of the most intelligent and prosperous agri- culturists of Jasper county, John MeKelvey owns and occupies a valu- able homestead in section 2, Union township, where he has lived sinee his boyhood days, his estate, "Walnut Grove Farm," bearing evidence of the skill and wisdom with which he has managed his affairs. He was born December 5, 1850, in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, a son of Andrew MeKelvey. His grandfather. Alexander MeKelvey, was born and bred in county Antrim, Ireland, near Belfast, and there mar- ried Jane Cubit. A few years later he immigrated with his family to the United States, locating near Frederiektown, Maryland, where he lived several years. He was a carpenter and joiner, in that capacity helping to build the United States Capitol in Washington, D. C.
Born in county Antrim, Ireland, near Belfast, Andrew McKelvey was but seven years old when he came with his parents to America. After living in Maryland a few years he moved with the family to Pennsylvania. He settled after marriage in Crawford county, near Meadville, Pennsylvania, and was there a resident until 1858, when he came westward to Jasper county, Missouri, with his family. Re- crossing the Mississippi river in 1861, he spent four years in Pike county, Illinois, and on returning to Jasper county bought land in Union township, and was here employed in tilling the soil until his death, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was a man of integrity and worth, a Republican in polities, and a member of the Presbyterian church. He married Allie Frame, who was born in Penn- sylvania, and died in Jasper county, in 1896. Eight children blessed their union, namely : Margaret, who died in Texas; Jane, who spent her last years in Jasper county ; Thomas, who died in Union township, in 1910; Mrs. Eliza Carleton, of Pike county, Illinois; Mrs. Rosa Jones, of Phillipsburg, Montana; Alexander, of Jasper county; John, the special subject of this brief personal record; and Jacob D., of Newton county, Missouri.
Brought up on the old homestead in Union township. John McKelvey was educated in the public schools, and under his father's wise instrue- tions became familiar with the many branches of agriculture while yet young. In March, 1885, having previously spent several years in mining, Mr. MeKelvey bought, from A. D. Curtis & Son, his present farm. in section 2, of this township. Walnut Grove farm, which re- ceived its name from the beautiful walnut grove standing upon it,
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contains one hundred and fifty-six acres of rich and fertile land, through which flows the waters from both Jones creek and Jenkins ereek, enriching the soil and adding to its fruitfulness. As a general farmer Mr. McKelvey has met with noteworthy success. his well culti- vated fields and the many excellent improvements on his property at- testing to the good use he has made of his time and talents. In 1894 he again turned his attention for a time to mining, spending a time at Cripple Creek, Colorado, and later being at Cordeline, Idaho.
Mr. MeKelvey married, in 1878, Rosa Belle Nutting, who was born in Chautauqua county, New York, and they have four children living, namely : Edward Andrew, who drew a government homestead at Devil's Lake, North Dakota, in 1895; Mrs. Ivy Pierey, of Carthage: Inez, living at home; and Thornton Irving. A sound supporter of the principles of the Republican party, Mr. MeKelvey takes much in- terest in local affairs, and has rendered excellent service as a member of the school board.
SAMUEL T. Moss .- One of the oldest and most highly respected settlers of Union township, Jasper county, S. T. Moss has lived here since 1852, and for nearly half a century has been actively identified with the promotion of its agricultural prosperity, being owner of Moss Spring Farm, one of the most valuable pieces of farming prop- erty in the county. A son of Dr. David F. Moss, he was born, April 12, 1846, in Putnam county, Indiana, and, with his parents, came to this state in April, 1852.
His grandparents, William and Martha (Wright) Moss, natives of North Carolina, migrated to Indiana in the early part of the nine- teenth century, locating in Washington county. In the fall of 1853 they visited Missouri, from here going to Kansas, where they spent some time before returning to their home in Indiana. They were the parents of ten children. four sons and six daughters.
David F. Moss was born in Washington county, Indiana, October 6, 1815, and there received his elementary education. He was subse- quently graduated from the Eelectie Medical School of Cincinnati. Ohio, and began the practice of his profession in Indiana, for a time being located in Putnam county, near Greeneastle. In April, 1852. he came with his family to Missouri, settling in Union township, Jasper county, where he resided until his death, September 6, 1909, at a ven- erable age. A pioneer physician of Jasper county, Dr. Moss built up a very large practice in this vicinity, his rides sometimes extending into the country for a distance of forty miles, his services being in demand in every direction. He was also a preacher of distinction. being a minister of the Church of Christ, and doing much to advance the cause of the Master. For fifty-four consecutive years Dr. Moss practiced medicine in this part of the state, being known far and wide as one of the most able and successful physicians of southwestern Missouri.
Dr. Moss was married, in Putnam county, Indiana, by Rev. Mr. Fanning, on the 30th of January, 1827, to Margaret Daugherty, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, of Irish ancestry. Her father was a man of patriotie ardor, and served in the French and Indian wars under General William H. Harrison. She preceded her husband to the life beyond, passing away at the age of seventy-five years. Two children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Moss, namely : Samuel T. the special subject of this sketeh; and Mrs. Margaret A. Slavens, who died at the comparatively early age of thirty years.
A lad of six years when he came with his parents to Jasper county,
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Samuel T. Moss received his education in the pioneer schools of his day. In 1862 his parents moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, and he enlisted in the Kansas State Militia and was placed on active duty, with his command, following General Price's troops to Pineville, Arkansas. Returning from there to Fort Scott, he was honorably discharged from the service. Again taking up his residence in Union township at the close of the war, Mr. Moss soon assumed possession of Moss Spring Farm, on which he has lived for upwards of forty-five years. His farm of two hundred and eighty-seven acres is one of the best in its improve- ments and appointments of any in the county, containing good bottom and uplands, with one hundred and eighty aeres in cultivation, and yielding profitable harvests each year. It is well watered by ereeks and springs, and at Moss Spring the old settlers hold their yearly pienies, it being the favorite meeting place of neighbors and friends for miles around. Mr. Moss raises good horses, cattle and hogs, and pays considerable attention to the culture of fruit, having five aeres of strawberries on his farm.
Mr. Moss married. November 12, 1876, Georgia Elliott, who has been a devoted companion, a wise counsellor, and a true helpmate. Her father, Samuel Elliott, a native of Tennessee, was a son of Robert Elliott, the son of James Elliott, a native of Ireland, who came to America at the age of twelve years. He lived in Tennessee many years, but spent his last years in Missouri. Samuel Elliott served as a Union soldier during the Civil war, belonging to Company A, Thirty- third Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and subsequently died, at the age of forty-one years, in Pettis county. Missouri. The maiden name of the wife of Mr. Elliott was Diana Payne. She was born in Overton county, Tennessee, a daughter of Matthew Payne, and in 1840 came with her father to Missouri, where she spent the remainder of her life, dying in December, 1892, aged seventy years. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Elliott six children were born, four of whom grew to years of maturity, one of whom, Samuel Elliott, served in the Philippines two years during the Spanish-American war, and died while en route for home on the transport "Sherman," at the age of forty-three years. Mrs. Moss is a member of the Church of Christ.
Mr. and Mrs. Moss are the parents of three children, namely : Myrtle, the wife of John Spence, of Union township; Gertie, the wife of H. W. Bradley; and Aura, the wife of B. S. Flippin, living on the home farm. A steadfast Republican in polities, Mr. Moss is ever in favor of the establishment of enterprises conducive to the highest wel- fare of the community, and is numbered among the substantial and progressive citizens of the township.
GEORGE SANZ. M. D., is one of Webb City's most respected physi- cians. A professional man, and above all a physician, may always be looked upon as making more or less of a sacrifice of himself to aid humanity and the cause of science. He receives less monetary returns for his work than a business man and yet as a general thing he has expended much more time and money in preparation for his career than the business man. The physician who looks upon his profession as merely a means of livelihood is an utter failure. Monetary con- siderations had very little to do with Dr. Sanz' choice of a calling. From the very beginning of his training he has felt that he wanted to learn all that it was possible for him to learn in regard to diseases and their cures. A most profound thinker and reader, every new discovery is haled with the deepest interest and at any time that he
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can add anything to the cause of science, he experiences more pleasure than he could derive in any other way.
George Sanz was born at Xenia, Ohio, September 27, 1866, the son of John Sanz, a native of Germany and born in Hahl. He came to this country in 1852 and went to New York first and then to Cincin- nati, Ohio, in the hope of being able to establish himself in the shoe business, a calling he had followed in the "Old Country." In 1853 he heard of a fine opening at Xenia, Ohio, and immediately went there and started a store. He became very successful in that city and by his uprightness in business matters and his pleasing personality, he was both respected and liked in the town. He died in Xenia in 1907, after having been in business there for more than half a century. He had married Katherine Oster, who, like himself, was born in Germany. She died three years before her husband.
George Sanz attended the grammar schools and later the high school in Xenia, Ohio. After his graduation from high school he went to the State University at Columbus and before he had finished his course he had decided that he wanted to become a physician. He commenced the study of medicine and in 1897 he graduated from the Medical College of Ohio, situated at Cincinnati. At the end of that period of study he felt that he was really only just beginning the study and he went abroad to take further work in Germany, the Mecca of all medi- cal students. He took post-graduate work at Strasburg, Wurtzburg and Munich. Ile then returned to Ohio and began to practice in Dayton. He was very successful and stayed in Dayton until 1904. He then felt that there were greater openings in the west for him and early in 1905 he came to Webb City, where he has been in practice ever since. The medical profession is Dr. Sanz' career, but as a side line, and a money maker, he is interested in mining in Jasper county and in the gold mines in Colorado.
He is a Mason, having taken all the degrees up to the thirty-second. He is also a Shriner. Dr. Sanz is a thoroughly up-to-date physician and he is respected both for his learning and his character. He is most deeply sympathetic in his nature and has done much to heal the trouble of diseased minds as well as sick bodies. People have the feeling that they can trust him absolutely.
ISAAC H. GIVLER .- Distinguished not only as a veteran of the Civil war, but as one of the best known and most worthy citizens of Union township, I. H. Givler occupies a foremost position among the active and successful agriculturists of his community, owning and occupying Lookout Farm, which is finely located in section 1. He was born December 16, 1842, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, being the direct descendant of a family that immigrated from Switzerland to the United States in colonial days, settling in Pennsylvania, where his father, Henry Givler, Jr., and his grandfather, Henry Givler, Sr., were born. Since the days of the immigrant ancestor the Givler fam- ily has been noted for its patriotic ardor, one member of the family having served in the Revolutionary war, and likewise having assisted in the direction of the first liberty pole set up in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. One John Givler subsequently served in three wars, the war of 1812, the Mexican war and the Civil war, at one time having charge of the camp at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Henry Givler, Jr., spent his early life in the Keystone state, being successfully employed as a machinist and wagon-maker. In 1867 he moved with his family to Kansas, locating in Allen county, near Iola, and was there a resident until his death, at the advanced age of eighty-
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five years. He married Elizabeth Goodheart, who was born in Penn- sylvania, of German parentage. She died in her native state, while there on a visit with friends and relatives. Of their union seven chil- dren were born, four sons and three daughters. Two of the sons, inspired by the same patriotic zeal that characterized their ancestors, served in the Union army during the Civil war, namely: William, now residing in Clayton, Illinois, served for three years as a member of the Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry; and Isaac H., the special subject of this brief personal review. The parents were mem- bers of the Lutheran church.
Brought up on a farm in MeLean county, Illinois, where his par- ents lived a few years, Isaae H. Givler completed his early education at the State Normal School, in Normal, Illinois, and began his active career as clerk in a store. In June, 1862, he offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company K, Second Illinois Cavalry, under command of Captain Jones and Colonel Hogg, the latter of whom was killed at Sabina Cross Roads. The succeeding commander of the regi- ment, Colonel Mudd, lost his life on the Red River expedition, and was succeeded by Colonel Bush, and later by Colonel Marsh. The regi- ment, which during its period of service enlisted three thousand, two hundred men, was assigned to the Gulf Department, and had as its commanders three different generals, the first having been General N. P. Banks; the second, General Douglas, and the third, General A. G. Smith. Before the expiration of his first term of enlistment Mr. Givler veteranized and served until honorably discharged, at Springfield, Illinois, in 1866, as a non-commissioned offieer.
In 1867 Mr. Givler made an overland trip to Kansas, and for a few years was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Allen county. De- ciding to make a change of residence, he came to Jasper county in search of a favorable location, and being pleased with the prospects in Union township, purchased his present property in section 1. His estate, Lookout Farm, contains one hundred and sixty acres of fine land. on which he has improvements of an excellent character, having a good house and barn, a well-bearing orchard, productive fields, plenty of pasture and woodland. As a farmer he has been exceedingly pros- perous, fortune seemingly smiling on his every effort. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Givler has served as justice of the peace, and for years has been an active and popular member of the local school board. He is a member of Stanton Post, No. 16, G. A. R., and belongs to the Presbyterian church, in which he is an active worker, both in church and Sunday school.
Mr. Givler married, in 1868, Laura Pirtle, who was born in Me- Lean county, Illinois, a daughter of Andrew and Nancy (MeNott) Pirtle, and sister of Milton Pirtle, who served in the Union army dur- ing the Civil war, being a member of a Kansas regiment and was killed at Council Bluffs. Mrs. Givler passed to the higher life when but thirty-four years of age, leaving four children, namely: John Manning, living in Idaho; Herman, engineer on a railroad, also re- sides in Idaho; Mrs. Minnie Wilks, of Union township; and Lou, wife of John Edwards, of Union township.
JOSIAH TILTON .- The proprietor of a well-managed and highly pro- duetive farm in Madison township, Josiah Tilton has been a resident of this part of Jasper county for forty or more years, and occupies a position of prominence among the more intelligent, active and enterpris- ing agriculturists of his community. A native of Indiana, he was born February 1, 1842. in Knox county, where his childhood days were spent.
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His father, William Tilton, died in early life, and his widow, whose maiden name was Johanna Burris, died two years previously, passing away in Fayette county, Illinois, leaving six sons and three daughters. One son, Elijah, like his brother Josiah, fought in the Civil war, and at the battle of Fort Gaines assisted in the capture of Senator Cockerel, helping the general take him to headquarters. He is now a resident of Altamont, Kansas.
Living in Illinois as a boy, Josiah Tilton acquired his early educa- tion at home, largely through reading, and when but fifteen years old began paddling his own canoe, spending three years in Poweshiek county, Iowa, in the vicinity of Grinnell. On December 16, 1864, Mr. Tilton en- listed in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, becoming a member of Company F, and serving under Captain Joseph M. Chase and Colonel Forbes. Sent south with his regiment, he was an active participant in the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, and was afterwards sent to Gravel Springs, thence to Huntsville, Alabama, where, during the time of the famous raid made by General James H. Wilson, the Seventh Illinois Cavalry and the Second Iowa Cavalry were for some time stationed and were of much use in preserving peace in that part of the country. With his command, Mr. Tilton was subsequently in Oklahoma, Mississippi and at Decatur, Alabama, and at Huntsville, Alabama. On October 20, 1865, he was honorably discharged from the service with a clean record for brave and gallant conduct. Returning to Illinois, he was engaged in farming for a while in Christian county, from there coming, in 1866, to Jasper county, Missouri. In 1870 Mr. Tilton bought a tract of wild prairie land in section twenty-eight, Madison township, and by dint of persistent toil has improved a valuable estate of two hundred and twenty acres, on which lie has erected a good house, a substantial barn, and has placed excellent improvements, among other things having put up a windmill.
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