A history of northeast Missouri, Vol. 2 pt 2, Part 85

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864- , ed
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 912

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The early training of Mr. Farrell and his experiences as a youth all tended to make his political beliefs Democratic, and he has always clung to this party, giving loyal and valuable service to its work. He has been very frequently an attendant at local and state conventions and has acquired a wide acquaintance with party workers and men of influence, in consequence of which he has been enabled to take a leading part in local affairs. He is chairman of the Democratic county com- mittee and has held this office for nearly a dozen years. From 1893 to 1897 he was county treasurer of Monroe county, at the same time carrying his work at the bank.

Mr. Farrell was married in Monroe county, October 4, 1865, to Miss Susan Weatherford, a daughter of George J. Weatherford, a native of Kentucky. He and his wife, Susan (Johnston) Weather- ford, came to Monroe county among its very earliest settlers. Their children were Mary C., who died as the wife of Travis Magruder; Sarah J., who married W. H. Magruder and is now dead; Mrs. Farrell ; J. Richard, living in Kansas; George W. and Jacob, who are both dead; Willis B., a resident of Washington, and Sterling P., living in Glasgow, Montana.

Mr. and Mrs. Farrell are the parents of five children: Mrs. Mollie Lee Newton, of Paris, Missouri; Nora, who died in 1886 at the age of sixteen; Lillie, who died in the same year when five years of age; Emma. who is the wife of Dr. R. M. Burgess, and J. Fletcher Farrell,

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of Chicago. Both Mr. and Mrs. Farrell are members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Farrell is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

J. Fletcher Farrell is one of the men whom the state of Missouri is proud to call her son, for he has made a most striking success of his life, and is yet a comparatively young man. He was born in Madison, Missouri, on the 19th of August, 1878, and received his education in the Paris high school. The four years following the completion of his high school course, he spent in the Paris Savings Bank under the guid- ance of his father. He was then appointed assistant state treasurer by State Treasurer Williams and not only proved a very able man for the position but also obtained much valuable experience. He resigned this office after three years' time and took an assistant cashiership in the Third National Bank of St. Louis. During his six years in this position he traveled extensively over the West and Northwest and up and down the Mississippi valley, partly on pleasure, but mainly in pursuit of business. In 1910 he went to Chicago where he became second vice-president of the Fort Dearborn National Bank, and one of the directors in that institution. During his two years there he visited the South and West in search of business and the success which he has had may be best shown by the great increase in the amount of deposits that the bank can show for these two years. From the eleven million which it had in 1910, it has now risen to thirty-one million. J. Fletcher Farrell is a prominent figure in the banking world through- out the country and is one of the best known and most popular offi- cials of the American Bankers Association. He has served a year as the representative from Missouri in the National Banker's Association, being vice-president of the association. At the Chicago meeting of the association he was elected a member of the executive committee of the American Bankers Association and at the New Orleans meeting of the association in 1911, he was elected treasurer of the association and was also made a member of the finance committee. He was re-elected to the office of treasurer at the Detroit meeting in 1912, and is still a member of the finance committee. He is a member of the prominent clubs of the city, and is also a director in the Woodlawn Savings Bank of Chicago. He married Miss Nellie Curtright, of Paris, Missouri, in 1900. Mr. J. Fletcher Farrell is so young a man to have attained such success that one can but wonder where he will finally stop. He is a financial genius of the first order, and the valuable training he re- ceived at the hands of his father, as well as the qualities which he in- herited from the same source have given him a decided advantage over many of his associates.

WILLIAM R. BASKETT. One of the most active and energetic men in Paris, Missouri, who has been able to accomplish much practical good for the city, is William R. Baskett. He has taken an important part, not only in business but also in politics, and has held the most important offices in the gift of the city. As an executive his ability shows itself to the best advantage and this quality has brought him his greatest successes.

William R. Baskett is the son of one of the pioneer settlers of Mon- roe county. He traces his ancestry back to old Virginia, his Virginian ancestors having settled in Kentucky and in Missouri at about the same date. Some of the descendants of this early Baskett are now representative citizens of Lincoln county, Missouri. The grandfather of William R. Baskett was Martin Baskett, who came to Missouri and

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settled in Callaway county, from Henderson county, Kentucky. He married Jane Baker, and passed his life as a blacksmith in this sec- tion. He died about 1842, at the age of forty-two and his widow moved to St. Louis, where she died in 1866, sixty-six years of age. Their children are Martin, and Mary, who married William Hicks and died in Mexico, Missouri.

Wmn. Baskett, father of W. R. Baskett, was born in Henderson county, Kentucky, in 1824, and was about six years of age when his parents moved to Missouri. He began life with what education the little country school of the Missouri village supplied, but he seems to have made the most of his opportunities, for after the family estab- lished itself in Paris, Missouri, he sought and obtained a position as a bookkeeper and clerical man. For several years prior to the Civil war he was deputy clerk of the county, and he had the unique honor of being regarded as the best penman in the county, in the days when penmanship was an art. In 1853 he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and was there engaged in the commission business for a time, and be- came fairly prosperous. Taking his savings from his venture he in- vested in a steamboat and engaged in local trade on the Arkansas and Red rivers. At this time steamboat traffic was at its height and the great rivers were alive with boats. Money came to him readily, and then the war broke out, and not only was all trade stopped, but the federal authorities confiscated his vessel. So it was necessary to start once more, and this time he entered the mercantile business in De- troit, Pike county, Illinois, where he remained until after the close of the war. He then returned to St. Louis and died in that city in January, 1867. He was always active in political affairs, being a mem- ber of the Democratic party, and before the war acting as clerk of the Missouri senate. In religious matters he was a Methodist.

Wm. Baskett married Miss Mary Austin in Monroe county, Mis- souri. She was a daughter of Judge Richard D. Austin and Susan B. Austin. Judge Austin was a colonel of militia in his native state of Virginia, and became a county judge subsequent to his locating in Monroe county, Missouri. Mary Austin was one of the ten children of the judge and his wife. She died in 1879, the mother of William R .; Dr. Baskett, of Moberly, who is editor of the Moberly Monitor and represented his district in the senate for three terms; Martin, of Paris, Missouri ; and Jesse, who died in Paris unmarried.

William R. Baskett was born in Paris, Missouri, in 1850, on the 13th of September. Until he was ten years old he attended the schools of St. Louis, returning to Paris in time to complete his education in the schools of his birthplace. Until he was past his majority he lived at home with his widowed mother, and his first venture in the busi- ness world was as a clerk in the dry goods store in Paris, owned by James A. Robinson. After a time he entered the employment of the Singer sewing machine people. and became manager of their branch office in Sparta, Randolph county, Illinois. He remained in this posi- tion for some time and then resigned to return to Paris and take up the drug business. When he was made deputy county clerk in Mon- roe county he gave up his drug business to devote all of his time to the work of the new office which he held under James L. Wright. He was also deputy circuit clerk under C. A. Creigh.

He thus entered on his political career, and so satisfactory was his service to the people that when a question of the next mayor came up his name was immediately proposed. He was elected mayor in Paris. Missouri, and was serving in this position when he received an appointment in 1893 as postmaster of Paris by order of President

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Cleveland, succeeding James P. Holdsworth in the office. Upon re- tiring from this office, he was appointed state examiner of building and loan companies by H. L. Gray, and when State Supervisor Gray died, Governor Stephens appointed Mr. Baskett to the vacant office, as supervisor of building and loan associations.

Upon the expiration of his term in this office he went to St. Louis and there became secretary and treasurer of the Colonial Security Com- pany, remaining with the company four years. Then for two years he lived in Paris, practically retired from active business, gathering strength to once more engage in the fray. At the end of this period he went into the abstract business, becoming proprietor of the Monroe County Abstract Company. Disposing of this business after a time he engaged in the coal and ice business, at which he became very success- ful and which he still carries on, in addition to the real estate business which takes up the major part of his time. It was in 1906 that he en- tered the real estate field, and his aggressive and energetic policy has been of inestimable benefit in building up Paris. He has placed three additions on the market, the first two being known as Baskett's first and second additions, and the third is called "Fairview Heights." He has done much advertising of the practical kind that brings results to a county, and migration into the county has been given an impetus by his efforts.

Mr. Baskett is an active member of the Democratic party as the number of offices which he has held show. He has been very promi- nent in the development of the splendid system of public schools, serv- ing as a member of the school board. As a member of the Commer- cial Club he has always been active in the campaign which they carry on to bring the merits of Paris and the county before the eye of the investing public. He is a member of the Chautauqua and is president of the Boy Scouts' council. In religious matters Mr. Baskett is an earnest Christian, a firm believer in the teachings of the Bible and a man who endeavors to live by these teachings.

Mr. Baskett was married on the 23d of October, 1873, to Miss Annie R. Poage, a daughter of Marcus and Susan (Burrus) Poage, of the state of Virginia. Mrs. Baskett died in 1902, the mother of Mrs. Mary Husted, of Paris; Nathaniel M., who was educated for the dental pro- fession in the Kansas City Dental College, but is engaged in business with his father, and Linna, who is the wife of James D. Buford, of Paris, Missouri.

HENRY C. TAYLOR. Energetic, enterprising and progressive, Henry C. Taylor has acquired prominence among the leading agriculturists and fine stock producers of Howard county, and is known throughout Northeastern Missouri as proprietor of Bonito Park Stock Farm, which is finely located near the Chicago & Altor Railroad, four miles north of Armstrong, and but one hundred miles from Kansas City ; post office Roanoke, Missouri. A native of Shelby county, he was born October 14, 1859, a son of Reuben and Sarah E. Taylor, who reared five chil- dren, as follows: Zackary, of Roanoke, Missouri; Mrs. Annie Hudson, of Armstrong; Wm. H., of Chickasha, Oklahoma; Robert L., of St. Louis; and Henry C. Reuben Taylor was born and reared in old Kentucky, and after coming to Missouri became prominent in agri- cultural circles, and active in the Masonic fraternity. He died on his farm in Silver Creek township, Randolph county, Missouri, at the age of seventy-four years, while the mother is living and resides with Mrs. Hudson, her daughter, near Roanoke.

Obtaining his preliminary education in the district schools, Henry C.

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Taylor subsequently completed the course of study in the Roanoke high school, after which he attended a college in Quincy, Illinois. Thus equipped, he began his active career as a teacher, and for eight years was a successful and popular teacher in the rural schools, among his favorite pupils at one time having been his present wife, then a win- some little maiden of ten years. When ready to settle permanently in life, Mr. Taylor bought the farm which he now owns and occupies, and in its improvement has labored unceasingly, sparing neither pains nor expense in adding to its equipments and conveniences, Bonito Park Stock Farm being now one of the finest and most valuable estates of the county. Mr. Taylor has here three hundred acres of rich land, on which he raises all of the crops common to this section of the coun- try, including blue grass and tame grass, corn, wheat and oats. His buildings are large and substantial, having three large barns, a mill in which he grinds his feed, gasoline engines to do the grinding, pumping, etc., and his house is a model of convenience and comfort.

Mr. Taylor pays especial attention to the breeding of Hereford cat- tle, the Bonito Park herd, owned by the well-known firm of H. C. Tay- lor & Son, containing large numbers of registered Hereford cattle and Poland China hogs, all being of the choicest, up-to-date breeding, with the maximum degree of individual excellence. This firm deals exten- sively in cattle and hogs, selling throughout the West and Southwest, from Mexico to British Columbia, their herd being favorably known in every direction.

Mr. Taylor has been twice married. He married first, September 9, 1885, Laura Bell Wilcoxson, who was born in Howard county, Missouri, a daughter of George H. Wilcoxson, a highly esteemed citizen of How- ard county, Missouri, and died April 8, 1906, being the mother of three children, namely: R. W., of Armstrong; George H., now deceased, and Sarah Ethel. Mr. Taylor married second, August 27, 1908, Willie E. Winn, one of his former pupils, referred to above. She was born and educated in Missouri, a daughter of H. B. and Belle (Fletcher) Winn, the former of whom died April 3, 1902, at the age of seventy years, while the mother died July 24, 1882. Fraternally Mr. Taylor belongs to the Knights of Pythias; and religiously he is a member of the Christian church, being one of its deacons for over thirty years.

W. B. PEARSON. A member of a family that has been identified with the agricultural interests of Howard county during more than eighty years, and himself a resident of this section for more than three- quarters of a century, W. B. Pearson, of Moniteau township, is widely known throughout this county as a representative of northeastern Mis souri's best agricultural citizenship. Mr. Pearson was born on the farm which he now occupies, June 22, 1839, and is a son of Samuel and Louisana (Rucker) Pearson.

The Pearson family is of English descent, emigrating from Great Britain to the American colonies prior to the Revolutionary war, and settling in Caroline county, Virginia, where they became large land owners. There was born Samuel Pearson, who was taken as a lad to Kentucky, in which state he was reared, educated, and married to Louisana Rucker. In 1831 they emigrated to Missouri with Mrs. Pear- son's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Rucker, and Mr. Pearson built a small log cabin in the woods of Howard county, furnished it with a rude table and bedstead, made by himself, laid a slab floor, and commenced. in a humble way, to make a home. A carpenter and millwright by trade, Mr. Pearson erected a number of saw and grist mills in his section of the state, including the first mill erected in Howard county.

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He and his wife were the parents of eight children, as follows: Sallie Robinson, deceased; Martha Drake; Benjamin, deceased; William B .; James, deceased; Margaret Woods, deceased, formerly of Rockport, Missouri; Laura Webb, deceased, of Texas. The father, who died at the age of seventy-seven years, had a farm of one thousand acres, on which he raised hemp and tobacco with a force of forty slaves. He was a liberal supporter of educational and religious movements, took a keen interest in all that affected his community, and dispensed hospitality at his home in true southern style.

William B. Pearson was reared on the old home farm, and was taught to be honest and faithful to all the duties of life. His early education was secured in the primitive subscription schools of his day, where the "three R's" were laboriously learned at the rude slab benches, the little building being topped by a stick chimney and sup- plied with a puncheon floor. On completing his studies, Mr. Pearson returned to the home farm, and at the age of twenty-six years was married to Lovina Turner, who proved a faithful and capable help- mate, sharing his early struggles, and assisting him to the success that rewarded his labors. She was a daughter of Ephraim and Sally Tur- ner, both of whom are now deceased, formerly of a prominent Ken- tucky family. After his marriage, Mr. Pearson resided for seven years on the farm on which H. V. Carson now resides, but then went back to the old Pearson homestead, where he has continued to live ever since. He now has one of the finest rural homes in the county, the residence being surrounded by a well-kept lawn and orderly shade trees, and here may be commanded an excellent view of the surround- ing beautiful country. The property consists of 600 acres of well-cul- tivated land, the Pearson station being located thereon, Mr. Pearson having donated two miles of right-of-way to the M. K. & T. railroad. · He has been a successful breeder of Hereford and Short Horn cattle and Berkshire and Poland China hogs, and receives top-notch prices in the markets, being recognized as an excellent judge and capable breeder of stock. Mr. Pearson is a Democrat, but has never cared for public office, although he takes a keen interest in matters that affect the wel- fare of his community. He has been an active member and faithful supporter of the Christian church, where for a number of years he has served in the capacity of elder. The Pearson home has always been noted for its hospitality, and he maintains the best traditions of the family, the latchi-string always being out to his many friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Pearson have had four children: Anna, who married Claude White; Sallie, the wife of H. V. Carson; Mary, who died at the age of ten years; and Rosa Lee, wife of B. S. Leavenworth.

JOHN A. PEELER. During the past quarter of a century John A. Peeler has been engaged in cattle breeding in Northeastern Missouri, and at this time his property, Cedar Lawn Stock Farm, is noted all over the state for the excellent quality of Angus cattle it boasts. Born and reared on a farm, of an old and honored agricultural family, Mr. Peeler has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, and through inheritance, experience and natural inclination has risen to a position among the leaders of his vocation. Mr. Peeler was born September 8, 1860, on a farm in Howard county, Missouri, whence his grand- father came in 1817. His grandfather, Judge David Peeler, was born in North Carolina, and took government land in Missouri, where he spent the latter years of his life, passing away at the advanced age of ninety-four years. He served in various township offices, was judge of the county court for some years, and eventually became the represen

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tative of his district in the state legislature. He was an active sup- porter of the Christian church, with which the family has always been connected. Alfred Peeler, father of John A. Peeler, was married to Sally Williams, of Madison county, Kentucky, daughter of Henry Williams, and they became the parents of seven children, namely : D. R., who is engaged in the banking business; H. W., a dealer in cot- ton and grain at Lone Wolf, Oklahoma; John A .; Mrs. Martha M. John- son, of Hillsdale; Mrs. R. L. Ricketts, of Fayette, Missouri; and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Peeler, who is eighty-four years of age, makes her home with her son, John A., her husband having died in 1867, at the age of forty-four years. He was a Democrat in his po- litical views, and was a faithful member of the Christian church, and while active in his support of education, religion and morality was a broad-minded man and had a sincere respect for the opinions of others.

John A. Peeler received his education in the schools of Fayette, Missouri, and his boyhood was spent on the old home place, where he was reared to habits of integrity and sobriety. On November 11, 1890, he was married in Howard county to Miss Margaret Hammond, daugh -. ter of John and Letitia (Gray) Hammond, of Ohio, where Mrs. Peeler was born and reared. Mr. Hammond is now deceased, but his widow still survives and makes her home in Fayette. Mr. and Mrs. Peeler have three children: C. H., a capable young farmer and stockman of twenty-one years, who is assisting his father; Miss Eleanor; and Guy, who is fourteen years of age and still attending school.

Mr. Peeler has been engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his career, and is now the owner of 280 acres of some of the best land to be found in Northeastern Missouri. His handsome residence, located on the north side of the property, is surrounded by a beautiful, well-kept lawn of blue grass, with clusters of noble cedar trees, from which the farm derives its name. Undoubtedly this is one of the hand- somest homes on the Santa Fe trail, with wide fields of grain, vast expanses of pasture land, and substantial modern buildings, excellent water supply and up-to-date machinery. The comfortable home is furnished in a manner that testifies eloquently to the taste and refine- ment of its inmates, and here true hospitality is dispensed to the many friends of the family.

During the twenty-five years in which Mr. Peeler has been engaged in raising Polled Angus stock, he has been continuously successful in breeding blue ribbon winners, and his animals at all times are in much demand for breeding purposes and receive top-notch prices in the markets. Mr. Peeler has never cared for public life, preferring to devote his whole time and attention to his farm and his home, although he takes a good citizen's interest in matters which affect his township, and can always be found supporting those movements which make for progress and prosperity. With his family, he attends the Methodist Episcopal church.

JAMES A. FARRIS. As a breeder and raiser of fine Shorthorn cattle, Mr. Farris has a reputation far beyond the limits of Howard county. Fairview stock farm in Prairie township is a model. place of its kind and its improvements and adaptation to the uses of modern stock rais- ing are the results of an exceptional degree of enterprise on the part of Mr. Farris. He began his career in this county as a farm hand at monthly wages and by thrifty management has become one of the most prosperous citizens of the community.

James A. Farris was born in Wythe county. Virginia. March 21, 1858. He was a son of Henry A. Farris, also a native of Virginia, and

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of English ancestry. The mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Carnaham, was a native of Virginia and of Irish parents,-a daughter of James P. Carnaham, of Ireland. She is living now, at the age of seventy-eight, her home being in Virginia. The father was a mine superintendent and died of pneumonia in 1862. The children were as follows : Sallie Freeman, of Howard county ; James A .; Mary, who is deceased.

James A. Farris was reared and educated in his native vicinity and spent two years in the mountains of Kentucky, where he became quite familiar with the people of that vicinity. On coming to Howard county he was employed by Reuben Hume, as a farm hand working by the month for some time. It was in this way that he got his start in life. On March 15, 1882, he married Miss Laura Rick, who was born in Howard county in 1860. She was reared and educated here and is a daughter of John W. Rick, the maiden name of whose wife was Ford. Both her parents are deceased. They were members of the Baptist church.

Some years ago Mr. Farris was able to buy the John Harve Pat- terson estate, one of the old homesteads of Howard county, consisting of three hundred and fifty acres. He remodeled the house and has one of the finest equipped barns in this vicinity, its ground dimensions being 48x72 feet, and thoroughly supplied with all the facilities for stock keeping and the shelter of grain and machinery. The pride of his farm is his herd of Shorthorn cattle, in acquiring which Mr. Far- ris spent both money and labor. He desired the best and by securing fine registered animals in the start has graded and increased his herd until it is now considered by competent judges to be one of the best in Northeast Missouri.

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A history of northeast Missouri, Vol. 2 pt 2, Part 85

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864- , ed Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 912

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864- , ed
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 912