USA > Missouri > A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III > Part 40
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John Coughlin was reared on the home farm in the vicinity of Silver Lake, Kansas, and secured his education in the public schools of that community. His early activities were devoted to tilling the soil, but sub- sequently he went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he secured employ-
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ment as a member of the police department, and continued as an officer for three years and eight months. In 1909, Mr. Coughlin came to Bigelow and established himself in business under his own name as a dealer in hay and grain, although from the first he has made a specialty of the former. He rapidly became one of the prominent factors in this line of endeavor here, and soon his reputation extended all over this part of Northwest Missouri, winning for him the sobriquet of "the Hay King." He not only does a large business in handling the product of the agri- culturists of this county and adjoining ones, but is himself a large raiser of the product, his fine farm of 810 acres, in Bigelow Township, being devoted exclusively to raising hay. Primarily a business man, with large interests to demand his attention, Mr. Coughlin has had little time to devote to public matters, although he takes a good citizen's interest in the welfare of his community. He was reared in a republican atmos- phere, but is himself a democratic voter. Mr. Coughlin has never married.
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W. H. WILSON. Prominent among the old and honored families of Holt County, one which has been identified with the growth and develop- ment of Bigelow Township, and particularly with the agricultural interests, is that bearing the name of Wilson. A worthy representative of the family is found in the person of W. H. Wilson, the owner of fifty- five acres of well cultivated land, and a citizen who at all times has taken an active part in the movements which have made for progress and advancement. Mr. Wilson was born in Bigelow Township, Holt County, Missouri, December 25, 1878, and is a son of John R. and Serilda (East- ridge) Wilson.
The paternal grandparents of Mr. Wilson, Daniel A. and Lydia Wilson, were among the very earliest settlers of this county, and were honored and respected people of their community, where their lives were passed in the cultivation of the wild soil. Among their children was John R. Wilson, who was born in Holt County, here received his educa- tion in the primitive schools which marked the pioneer period, and grew up amid the surroundings of that day, becoming accustomed to the hard and unceasing toil through which this section was developed into one of the most fertile in Northwest Missouri. A man of excellent habits, indus- trious, energetic and persevering, he was able to accumulate a satisfying competence, his homestead consisting of eighty acres of land, in addi- tion to which he had other interests. While achieving a personal success, he gained also the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens, and retained their regard to the last. The substantial set of buildings which he erected on his property was destroyed by fire, but has since been replaced by a new set. Fraternally, Mr. Wilson was connected with the Odd Fellows, in which he had numerous friends. He was a republican, although not active, and in his religious views belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mrs. Wilson also belongs. She still survives at the age of fifty-three years, but at this time is not in the best of health. There were three children in the family, all born in Holt County: Anna, who died in infancy; Lydia E., who became the wife of Oliver J. Nolan, and has three children, Clarence, Glenn and Orville; and W. H., of this review.
W. H. Wilson was educated in the district schools, and has always resided on the old homestead, where he now has fifty-five of the original eighty acres. He is carrying on general farming operations, and is con- sidered one of the practical and intelligent farmers of his locality, ready to embrace innovations and new methods and at all times capable of recognizing opportunities and carrying them through to a successful con-
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clusion. He is a republican in politics, and has served his community capably in the capacity of school director, a position which he now holds. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World, the Yeomen and the Modern Woodmen of America, and his religious belief is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His many friends throughout this section testify to his popularity.
Mr. Wilson was married in 1902 to Miss Estelle Lease, daughter of L. L. and Katherine (Wagner) Lease, early settlers of Holt County. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson on the old Wilson homestead in Bigelow Township, namely: Daisy, Oscar and Beatrice.
L. A. MEADOWS. The Meadows family has been identified with Holt County since pioneer times, and L. A. Meadows, of the second genera- tion, has for the past quarter of a century or more been a prosperous farmer in the vicinity of Maitland. His good citizenship is indicated by the fact of his service in connection with local affairs and movements for the benefit of the community, and his enterprise is reflected in the attractive and valuable farm of which he is proprietor.
L. A. Meadows was born as one of a family of nine children, in Appanoose County, Iowa, March 11, 1857, a son of Sidney S. Meadows, and Elizabeth Ann (Scarborough) Meadows, who were of German ancestry. His father was born in Kentucky, February 27, 1818, and died in Holt County, January 6, 1892. His mother was born in Ten- nessee, December 5, 1826, and died January 8, 1911.
The father came to Holt County at an early day, 1865, was a poor man at that time, had a very limited education, and as one of the pioneers through hard work and overcoming of obstacles developed a fine farm and provided generously for his large family of children. His first place of settlement was six miles north of Oregon. He was a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. L. A. Meadows has lived on his present homestead since 1887. It comprises 240 acres of land, and is improved with good modern buildings. The chief feature of his industry is stock raising, which he carries on in connection with general farming. For the past fourteen years he has been a member of the Maitland Independent School Board, and has done much to improve the schools in his community, and is always ready to cooperate with any movement that means better living conditions.
Mr. L. A. Meadows was married to Mary Lydia Weller, daughter of Jacob and Katharina Weller, January 26, 1887. Their family consists of three children, Marvin P., Cassius and Lillie, all being born in Holt County.
ALONZO MEADOWS. More than forty-five years ago the Meadows family became identified with Holt County, settling on lands that had been little touched with the ax and plow of white men, and since that time many hundreds of acres have been transformed into cultivated fields by their labors. Alonzo Meadows represents the second generation in residence in Holt County, having come here when a boy, and is now one of the leading citizens of Clay Township.
Alonzo Meadows was born in Appanoose County, Iowa, April 10, 1854, a son of Sidney S. and Elizabeth (Scarborough) Meadows. His father was born in Estill County, Kentucky, and was married there. There were nine children in the family. The father was a carpenter in earlier years but subsequently took up farming. On moving to Iowa he acquired some prairie land, broke it up and cultivated it for several years, and in 1867 moved to Holt County. His first location was a farm five miles north of Oregon, comprising 200 acres. Some improvements
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had been made, but the father went ahead with characteristic energy and in time placed it entirely under cultivation with the exception of forty acres of native timber. The farm had a house which at that time was one of the most substantial in the neighborhood, but the father erected the barn and did a great deal to increase the general value of the prop- erty. His next home was another farm about two miles farther north, and containing a quarter section of land. His chief improvement there was the building of a barn. After those two experiences in farm develop- ment, the father bought the northeast quarter of section 14 in Clay township, paying $10 an acre for land that could hardly be classed as improved. He continued his enterprising labors, erecting buildings, cul- tivating the land, and lived there until his death at the age of seventy- two. While a believer in religion, he was a member of no church, and in politics a republican. Starting life poor, through his native thrift and industry and good habits he acquired a competence and did well by his children.
Alonzo Meadows was thirteen years of age when the family moved to. Holt County, acquired his education in the district schools, and was well trained by his father for the practical career of farming which he has followed. He married Anna Riley, daughter of William Riley. By this marriage there were two children: Dillard, who married Ida Younger, and has one child, Wilma Marion; and Sydney, who married Nellie Landon. After the death of his first wife Mr. Meadows married Hettie Riley, daughter of Sanford and Louise (Keetley) Riley. By this union there is a large family of ten children, as follows: Cortez, who married Linda Campbell; Lelah, unmarried; Lemuel J., who married Edna Borring ; Ninah ; Dwight ; Lester ; Clyde; Freeman ; Donald ; and Fredah May. All the children were born on Mr. Meadows' fine homestead of 160 acres. This land represents his individual success as a farmer, and all the improvements have come from his hands. Besides this estate he owns 162 acres in DeKalb County. His occupation is that of general farming and stock raising, and all the facilities on his place, including barns and domestic structures, are modern and equipped with excellent conveniences. In politics Mr. Meadows is a republican.
JAMES B. WRIGHT, M. D. Through his work and attainments Doctor Wright has earned a place as one of the eminent physicians of Northwest Missouri. The Wright Hospital at Trenton, of which he was the founder and which has been conducted under his supervision for some years, has afforded facilities to the profession and to the general public which have been greatly appreciated, and it is one of the most valuable institutions of its kind in the state. Through his hospital and by his large private practice Doctor Wright has contributed a valuable public service both to Trenton and to Grundy County. The hospital occupies a commodious and handsome brick building, and has every equipment and appliance needed for the modern hospital, and its establishment filled a long-felt want in the city.
James Buchanan Wright was born at Xenia, Greene County, Ohio, a son of Albert Wright, who was born on a farm in Loudon County, Virginia, in 1808. Grandfather William Wright was born in Pennsyl- vania, moving from that state to Loudon County, Virginia, where he spent the rest of his life. Albert Wright moved west and located at Xenia, Ohio, and was employed there as a contractor and builder for many years. In 1873 he came out to Grundy County, Missouri, and established his home on a farm in Washington Township. He lived there until his death in 1895. Albert Wright married Elizabeth Ann Davis. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1810 and died in 1890. Her
WRIGHT HOSPITAL, TRENTON
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five children were: John A., a farmer in the State of Washington; Sarah A., widow of Charles H. Snyder; William H., deceased; Maggie E., deceased, and James B.
Doctor Wright received his early training in the public schools of Ohio, and like many successful members of the profession entered and prepared for his chosen vocation after some years spent as a teacher. While teaching he began the study of medicine, and finally entered the Missouri Medical College, where he was graduated doctor of medicine in the class of 1883. For a number of years Doctor Wright had a large country practice at Spickard, and in 1896 moved to Trenton. In 1903, in order to afford his own practice the much-needed hospital facilities, and as a result of his long experience, he established the Wright Hos- pital at Trenton. Doctor Wright is a member of the Grundy County Medical Society, is a councilor to the fourth district in the Missouri State Medical Society, a member of the Mississippi Valley Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Outside of his profession he is also a director in the Farmers Exchange Bank at Trenton. Fraternally his affiliations are with Trenton Lodge No. 111, A. F. and A. M .; Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery No. 24, Knights Templars; has taken thirty-two degrees of the Scottish rites, belongs to the consistory, and also to the mystic shrine. His wife was an active member in the Eastern Star.
On November 30, 1880, Doctor Wright married Eva Fox. She was born in Wisconsin, a daughter of Myron and Lamira Fox. Mrs. Wright, who died in September, 1913, was a very talented woman, a leader in social circles, and in many ways set high standards of culture. She was skilled in the use of brush and pencil, and the walls of her home was decorated with her own paintings, and she also did much work in the painting of china. With a large knowledge of general literature, she was a fluent writer, and her place in Trenton society has not been filled.
CHARLES C. LIMPP is member of a prominent family in Holt County, and he and his brothers and sisters make up a large and useful relation- ship in the country community about Mound City. The father of the family was the late John G., and his career deserves some special men- tion in any account of Holt County.
His career was one of success. Many things constitute success, and it was not only in his material possessions, ample though they were, that the success of John G. Limpp was measured. He was born in Germany, December 29, 1829, and came to America in 1854, without the knowl- edge of the English language and with only $2 in his pocket when he reached St. Louis. In order to get money to carry him to St. Joseph, which was his destination, he worked for a time on a railroad. Arriving in St. Joseph he found work with a German farmer in Buchanan County at wages of $15 per month. While this position enabled him to make a living, it did not present opportunites to learn the English language, which was a first and important step toward a larger career of useful- ness. After a year, accordingly, he found employment with an American named Boone, who had a large plantation, most of the work being per- formed by slaves. The German hand learned to speak English from these slaves. During the two years of his employment on the Boone plantation, John G. Limpp was assigned the duties of "breaking hemp," which, as all familiar with the cultivation and working up of that crop know, was a task requiring unusual strength and skill. It was difficult to get men to perform that kind of labor, and John G. Limpp served a full apprenticeship.
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At the age of thirty Mr. Limpp married Helen Lee Hinman. She was of Scotch parentage and of Canadian birth, and at the time of her marriage was employed in Buchanan County, where she met the young German whom she subsequently married. After his marriage John G. Limpp took up farming, but in a short time the war broke out, and he was one of many Germans who fought for their adopted country, enlist- ing in the Twenty-ninth Kansas Infantry and serving till mustered out at St. Louis.
At the close of the war John G. Limpp came to Holt County and bought eighty acres of land, to which he soon added another eighty. After a period as a farmer he engaged in the brewery business at Forrest City for a time, but soon returned to agriculture. Selling his original farm, he bought eighty acres that is still included in the large Limpp homestead. The price paid for that land at that time was $15 per acre. It was in this vicinity that John G. Limpp spent the rest of his days, a prosperous farmer, and with growing accumulations that made him one of the large land owners and substantial men of the county. While get- ting material prosperity he discharged the obligations of citizenship, and dealt squarely with all men, so that none could begrudge him his well won prosperity. John G. Limpp was brought up in the faith of the German Lutheran Church, was a man of excellent habits, and though a hard worker attained the good old age of eighty-three. He was useful in his community, and for many years served on the school board. For a long time the three directors of the Blair neighborhood school were John G. Limpp, Andrew Meyer and Uriah Blair. John G. Limpp had nine children, and six of them attended that school. In politics he was an ardent republican.
John G. Limpp and wife had nine children in all, mentioned briefly as follows: Fannie, the only one now deceased, was the wife of Charles Patterson; Mary, who married James. Poynter; Rosena, who married Alexander Swope; Emma, the wife of S. Stevenson; Laura, the wife of Walter Smith; John R., who married Irma Durrett; Anna, wife of George Chriswell; Grace, who married Bert Patterson; and Charles, who mar- ried Maud Gillis.
Charles C. Limpp, who has now taken his place among the productive workers in Holt County, was born here August 6, 1882. At the present time he is engaged in farming 200 acres of land, a portion of the original estate acquired and largely improved by his father. Mr. Limpp has three children: Helen, Earl and Wilma. Mr. and Mrs. Limpp are members of the United Brethren Church, and he is at the present time serving on the school board and is a republican in politics.
O. D. HARDMAN. What may be accomplished when one is young, strong, clear of brain and studiously inclined, in this twentieth century, is being demonstrated by O. D. Hardman, who is engaged in cultivating 120 acres of land in Hickory Township, Holt County. The agricultural community of Northwest Missouri has undergone a wonderful trans- formation in the past several decades, but methods and returns have not yet reached their ultimately high standard, and it is to such progres- sive, energetic and industrious young farmers as Mr. Hardman that Holt and the surrounding counties must look for the advancement which will bring about improved conditions. In the meantime he is steadfastly carrying on his labors in tilling the soil and in building up his substantial position in the community.
Mr. Hardman was born in Ottawa County, Kansas, March 17, 1884, and is a son of Albert and Mattie (Goodwin) Hardman. The family was founded in Holt County about the year 1880 or 1881, and a short
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time later went on to Ottawa County, Kansas. However, the father had become so favorably impressed with Northwest Missouri, that after a short time in Kansas he returned to Holt County, settling on a farm located north of the Town of Newpoint. There he continued to be engaged in farming and stockraising until failing health caused his retire- ment and removal to Idaho, where his death occurred. He was a man of industry and enterprise, of fidelity to engagements and of strict integrity in all dealings, and won a reputation that made his name an honored one in business circles. The mother, who still survives, is a woman of many excellencies, both of mind and heart. There were three children in the family : Laura, who became the wife of W. H. Huntsman; Ola, who married Charles Conn; and O. D., of this review.
O. D. Hartman was brought up amid the farming locality of Holt County, and here, during the winter months, attended the district schools. Being the only son in his father's family, he was early called upon to share in the duties and labors of the farm's management, and thus received a training in his youth that has since proved invaluable to him. He was married in Holt County, to Miss Pansy Kunkel, a daughter of Benjamin Franklin Kunkel, who was a well-known farmer and pioneer settler of Hickory Township. Mr. Kunkel was married several times, as was also his wife, and they had a number of children, but Pansy was the only one by their union. Mrs. Hardman was born and reared on the farm which she and her husband occupy, and which is known as the Kunkel homestead. This is one of the old properties of this township, the first buildings thereon having been erected some forty years ago by one Huntsman. When Mr. Hardman first located on this land, the tract consisted of but forty acres, but to this original acreage he has added from time to time until he now has 120 acres, all under a good state of cultivation. His improvements consist of a modern residence, substantial barn and good outbuildings, the farm is well fenced and drained, the live stock is of a high grade and everything about the property denotes good management and well-directed industry.
Mr. Hardman is a republican in his political views, and is fraternally an Odd Fellow. His religious connection is with the Christian Church, while Mrs. Hardman is a Presbyterian.
W. N. HODGIN. An energetic, purposeful and intelligent participa- tion in the affairs which have made up the history of Holt County since the occupation of this part of Northwest Missouri by the Indians, entitles W. N. Hodgin, of Hickory Township, to a place among the representa- tive citizens of his community. A member of a pioneer family of agri- culturists, the greater part of his career has been devoted to the pur- suits of the soil, and his careful management and discriminating use of modern methods have eventuated in crowning his labors with a measure of success that should be as gratifying as it is well earned.
W. N. Hodgin is a product of Holt County, Missouri, born in the vicinity in which he now resides, August 20, 1857, a son of John and Mary Ann (Hill) Hodgin. His father came to Northwest Missouri from . Washington County, Indiana, about the year 1854, and settled in Holt County, pre-empting a tract of 160 acres of uncultivated land on which there had been made no improvements. There has been only one deed to this property, this being the original one which bears the signature of President Buchanan. John Hodgin was a poor man when he came to Missouri, and his early life here was replete with the hardest kind of struggles, but he possessed an abundant force of energy and ambition, which he directed in such a manner that he was able, before he died, to justly account himself a substantial man, both in a material way and in
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the esteem of the people of his locality. In order to erect his first log cabin, he was compelled to haul logs from the Missouri River bottoms, and this humble residence continued to be his home for a long number of years, his other buildings being correspondingly primitive. Here, fre- quently, the Indians would visit, and the brave little mother prepared them many a meal, thus using diplomacy in keeping them friendly. With the father she labored faithfully and energetically, and finally they came into the possession of 400 acres of good land, on which they had been able to make many improvements. Mr. Hodgin has been dead for a number of years, and Mrs. Hodgin passed away in 1889. They were the parents of five sons: W. N., of this review; W. S., engaged in the mercantile business at Forbes, Holt County, who married Ida Donovan; W. H., who married Lillie Allen; W. B., deceased; and J. S., who died in infancy. Reared in the faith of the Quakers, John Hodgin con- tinued as a Friend until coming to Missouri, and here joined the Chris- tian Church. His political belief was that of the republican party.
W. N. Hodgin grew up amid pioneer surroundings and still remem- bers the visits of the red men to the crude little home in which he was born. He received his education in the district school and in the public school at Oregon, Missouri, the latter of which he attended for about two terms, and thus prepared himself for employment as a teacher. He had several charges in Holt County and continued as an educator until his marriage, at which time he purchased an interest in a livery business at Craig, Missouri, but after about two years thus engaged returned to the farm, in 1883, and has continued to devote himself to agricultural pursuits to the present. He is now the owner of 240 acres of fertile, well-cultivated land located in Hickory Township, which has been brought under his management to a state of development which makes it really one of the valuable tracts of this part of the county. Modern, substantial buildings, kept in excellent repair, give it a de- cidedly attractive appearance, and in every way Mr. Hodgin lives up to his reputation as a progressive and energetic agriculturist. As a man who has always been faithful to his obligations, he holds a high standing in commercial circles, while his good citizenship has been proved on many occasions and his friendship for the cause of education has been demonstrated by a number of years of efficient service as a member of the school board. He was formerly an Odd Fellow for an extended period, and at this time his fraternal affiliation is represented by mem- bership in the Woodmen of the World and the Masons, both lodges being located at Maitland.
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