A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III, Part 53

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 912

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In 1876 Mr. Stewart married Hettie Carson, who was born in Andrew County, October 5, 1852, daughter of Joseph Carson. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are the parents of three children: David M., who lives in San Francisco, California; Robert, who is active manager of his father's farm; and Eva, wife of Carl Lambright of Hot Springs, South Dakota.

Joseph Carson, father of Mrs. Stewart, was born in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, December 12, 1812. When a child he lost his father, had only limited opportunities for gaining an education, but eventually succeeded in life. He learned the trade of stone mason, and came to Missouri in the latter '40s with wife and two children. He entered land along the Platte River in Andrew County, sold that, and finally bought 160 acres of some of the finest land in this vicinity. He lived on that farm, eight miles east of Savannah, until seventy-five years of age, and spent his latter years in King City, where he died in December, 1892. He was a member of the Christian Church from boyhood and in politics a democrat. Joseph Carson was married in Kentucky to Margaret Montgomery, a native of that state. She died in 1855, and her five children were: Elizabeth, who died young; Joseph R., a farmer in Gentry County ; Mary J., deceased wife of Luther Carter; Margaret, deceased wife of John Bedford; and Mrs. Stewart, who was the fourth in order of birth. In 1860 Joseph Carson married Mrs. Sophia Mitchell, widow of Charles Mitchell, and a sister of the late David Moran. By this marriage there were five children: David M. Carson of Jackson, Ten- nessee ; Kate M., of King City; William, who died at the age of one year; Charles B., who lives near Guthrie, Oklahoma; and James H., of Gentry County, Missouri.

WOODFORD MARTIN, M. D. There is comparative little interest for the general reader in the history of lives that have been without Vol. III-23

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struggle, and it is because of this that romances enthrall because they tell of difficulties met and overcome and of the consequent development of character. In every community, doubtless, there are many now quietly pursuing their daily avocations, into whose lives have come struggles and achievements, the telling of which may be of encourage- ment to others and cannot fail to excite universal interest. Among the prominent citizens of Savannah, Missouri, who has achieved success in the practice of medicine, winning his way through sheer determination, is Dr. Woodford Martin, whose practice, in point of years, covers a longer period than any other physician in Andrew County.

Woodford Martin was born in Lincoln Township, Andrew County, Missouri, November 30, 1843. He is a son of Elijah and Sarah Eliza- beth (Goodloe) Martin, the former of whom was born in 1811, at Wood- ford, Kentucky, and the latter near Richmond, Virginia. They were married in Kentucky and came to Andrew County in 1836, waiting for the opening of the Platte purchase, when they secured a homestead, in Lincoln Township, on which they lived until within five years of their decease, when they moved to the home of their son, Woodford, at Savannah, and died there, the mother at the age of seventy-nine years, and the father in his eightieth year. They were real pioneers and faced hardships without number, bravely bearing their part in the developing of their section. They were devout Presbyterians and their faith was a strong anchor when the troubles of life fell upon them. Elijah Martin was first a whig in his political sentiments, but later became a democrat and his sons adopted the same political faith. Five children were born to Elijah and Sarah Elizabeth Martin: James E., who is now deceased, served all through the war between the states under General Price and was a member of his body guard at the time of that officer's surrender ; Robert H., who is engaged in farming in Lincoln Township; John S., who was also a soldier and participated in the battle of Blue Mills, Missouri, escaping death on the field, but shortly afterward died of measles ; Woodford; and Eliza V., who is also deceased. The first store in Andrew County was located on the Martin homestead and conducted by Robert Elliott, a relative, with John Samuels, Mr. Elliott's son-in- law, under the name of Elliott & Samuels, they having secured permis- sion from the United States Government to operate a trading post in 1835. Later they moved the store to Whitehall and then to Savannah, being the earliest merchants in the last named place.

Woodford Martin had but meager educational opportunities in boy- hood, school sessions being short and irregular, as in all newly settled sections, nevertheless he had an ambition to excel and a determination to become a practitioner of medicine. When he reached manhood it was during the troubled days of Civil war and the future looked any- thing but bright, and he concluded to remain still longer on the home farm, and, while his brothers were in the army, still further assist his father. In the hope of finally attaining his ambition he secured medical books and for two years carried on his studies alone, but in 1868 became a student under the direction of Dr. J. B. G. Ferguson, of Savannah, proving diligent as a student and so reliable that his preceptor permitted him to practice in the local regions to some extent. It was with high hopes that in 1873 he set out for a medical school at St. Louis and there applied himself so assiduously to study for six months, denying himself comforts and recreation, that he fell so dangerously ill that he was sent to his home in the expectation that death would surely soon follow. Home care, however, so restored him to normal condition that in 1874 he insisted on again leaving home for a medical school at Louisville, Kentucky, and there remained until he was graduated in 1876. With

Mary Virginia Servis

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little intermission, Doctor Martin has been in medical practice ever since. For about ten years he was in partnership with Dr. M. F. Wakefield, who was one of the first practitioners at Savannah, a well known man and at the time of death accounted one of the wealthiest men of Andrew County. Another of the early physicians of the county was Doctor Smith, a cousin of Doctor Martin by marriage. The profession was not greatly crowded at that time and its emoluments in those days in no way recompensed the physicians for the hardships they endured. Doctor Martin built up a very substantial practice and acquired a repu- tation for medical skill that carried his name to other counties. He has practiced under three different registers and was the first health officer appointed in Andrew County, this precaution being taken by the authori- ties after an epidemic of smallpox. He is identified with several medical bodies, including the St. Joseph Medical Society and the Missouri State Medical Society. His acquaintance is wide over the county and in many households his name is held in affectionate regard because of his faithfulness in times of dire illness.

In 1866 Doctor Martin was married to Miss Louisa Goodloe, who died in 1869, survived by two sons: J. L., who resides on the old Martin homestead in Lincoln Township; and Joseph, who is a resident of Nodaway Township, Andrew County. In 1890 Doctor Martin married Miss Sarah Elizabeth Compton, a native of Iowa. For many years Doctor Martin has been a Master Mason, but otherwise has not identified himself with secret organizations. His life has been a busy one, happy in the fulfillment of his early ambition, and useful and beneficial to his fellowmen.

A. S. KEEVES. During the period from 1866 until 1899, the late A. S. Keeves was one of the most prominent business men of Savannah, and it is doubtful if any other man played a more important part in establishing this thriving city's commercial stability. His was a career notable for success achieved through honorable effort, for prosperity gained fairly and without questionable dealing and for constant ad- herence to high ideals of business integrity. Fifteen years have passed since his death, yet the business which he founded, and to the develop- ment of which his best years were given, still flourishes and continues, a monument to the ability and sterling judgment of its originator.

Mr. Keeves was born in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), December 19, 1820, and there as a young man received his introduction to the dry goods business with a merchant named Wysong, in whose employ he remained about five years, serving a complete ap- prenticeship. Following this he went to Newark, Ohio, where he remained for four years, and in 1854 returned to Virginia, where he was married to Miss Virginia Wilson, a native of that state. In the same year they came to St. Joseph, Missouri, by way of boat, and traveled on to Oregon, Holt County, where they lived on a farm for about a year. At that time Mr. Keeves returned to mercantile pursuits as an employe of William Zook, who conducted a dry goods establishment at Oregon. Mr. Zook subsequently sent Mr. Keeves to Forest City to manage his branch store there, which he continued to do successfully for three or four years. At that time, desiring to enter business on his own account, Mr. Keeves went to Nebraska City, Nebraska, and put in a stock of furniture, but after about two years was induced by Mr. Zook to enter a partnership in a venture at Kansas City, Mr. Keeves going to St. Louis where he purchased a stock of goods worth $15,000. The store at Kansas City was conducted for about two years, and the stock was then divided, part being sent to Forest City and part to Savannah,

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although the partnership was still continued, Mr. Zook remaining at Forest City and Mr. Keeves coming, in 1866, to Savannah. In March, 1876, Mr. Zook died and Mr. Keeves bought the interest from the heirs, and from that time until his death, May 11, 1899, continued in full charge of the business. Since then it has been conducted by his son and two daughters and is known as Keeves' Dry Goods Company. Mrs. Keeves survived her husband several years and died at Savannah, May 11, 1903. Throughout his career Mr. Keeves was known as a man of the most sterling integrity, and at all times had the full confidence of his associates and the respect of his competitors. He did much to advance the civic interests of Savannah, gave freely of his time and means toward the forwarding of education and religion, and through his own example and precept encouraged good citizenship. He and his wife were the parents of four children: M. T .; C. F., who died in 1898; and Misses Zua and Carrie, who are associated with their brother in the management of the business.

M. T. Keeves was born at Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, November 5, 1857. Here he received his education, and for thirty-eight years has been associated with the business of which he is now the manager. . Through his good business judgment and acumen and the following out of his father's policies he has made the enterprise continue to flourish, and his name is a respected one in commercial circles. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in political matters is, like his father, a democrat. On October 26, 1897, Mr. Keeves was married to Miss Kate Henderson, and they have one son, Stuart.

WALLACE A. CROCKETT. Of the men who have participated actively in the agricultural, commercial and financial development of the City of Savannah, none are better or more favorably known than Wallace A. Crockett, who now belongs to the retired colony. Mr. Crockett was born in Henry County, Ohio, March 28, 1850, and is a son of Milton and Sarah (West) Crockett, the former born in Seneca County, Ohio, January 11, 1825, and the latter in the State of Vermont, April 26, 1830. Mrs. Crockett was nine years of age when she moved with her parents to Seneca County, Ohio, and there met and married Mr. Crockett, shortly following which they moved to Henry County, in the same state, and settled in the heavy timber of the Black Swamps, on Turkey Foot Creek. There Mr. Crockett had about fifty acres cleared, when in 1857 he left for Andrew County, Missouri, with a twin brother, Nelson Crockett, who was his partner. They purchased 320 acres of land four miles northeast of Whitesville, Andrew County, and there settled down to the pursuits of the soil. . In 1860 the brothers cast their votes for Abraham Lincoln for President, theirs being two out of fifteen ballots so cast in the county, and owing to the unpleasantness that marked the beginning of the Civil war the brothers took their families back to Ohio. There Nelson Crockett enlisted for service in the Fifty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Bull Run (second), and never fully recovered from the effects of his injury, from which he died in 1892. Ten months after his brother's enlistment, Milton Crockett joined the same regiment, with which he fought until the close of hostilities. In 1865 the brothers returned to Andrew County, and here continued in partnership until 1870, when they divided their land, and from that time forward Milton Crockett carried on farming alone, being very successful in his operations, so that at the time of his death, in September, 1908, he owned 320 acres of valuable land. At one time he was extensively engaged in the dairy business, milking as many as seventy-two cows and shipping his dairy products all

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over the county. He was also a man of prominence in civic and political affairs, and in 1872 was sent to the State Legislature as representative, being elected on the ticket of the liberal party and serving two terms. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Whitesville, and a member of the Universalist Church, as was also his wife, who died in December, 1896. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Wallace A., of this review; Ezra, who died at the age of 11/2 years; Homer, a resident of Whitesville; Emily M., who is the wife of David Gebhart, of Whitesville; Nathan W., of Whitesville; and L. R., who is the owner of the old homestead property,

Wallace A. Crockett received his education in the public schools of Andrew County, and was reared on the home farm, on which he re- mained until twenty-nine years of age, when he was stricken with rheu- matism and obliged to change his mode of living and employment. Accordingly, he left his 120-acre farm near Bolckow, Missouri, and went to Whitesville, where he secured a position as clerk in the dry goods store of M. K. Manning for one year and was then with Watson & Cline one year. Subsequently, he and his brother-in-law, Newton Thompson, purchased the store and successfully conducted the estab- lishment until 1892, when he disposed of his interests therein. In the meantime, in 1890, the bank at Rea had been started, known as the Rea Banking Company, and Mr. Crockett was made its cashier, a posi- tion which he held for eleven years. He was then elected president of this institution and continued to serve as such until 1909, when he retired from active participation in business affairs. Since December, 1912, he has been a resident of Savannah, where he erected his beautiful home at No. 202 East Pearl Street. Mr. and Mrs. Crockett are members of the Christian Church at Whitesville. He is a Master Mason and a member of the Eastern Star, to which Mrs. Crockett also belongs. Politically, he has always supported republican principles. Mr. Crockett has led an active and useful life, and his standing in his community is that of a man of sterling integrity and public-spirited citizenship. On November 23, 1871, Mr. Crockett was married to Miss Florence. E. Thompson, who was born at Duncanville, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1851, a daughter of Michael and Susan J. C. (Rodkey) Thompson, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Thompson first came to Missouri in 1856 and bought a farm four miles north of Whitesville, on Hickory Creek, returning to Pennsylvania for his family in 1859. He continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death in 1877, and Mrs. Thompson, in 1880, came to the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Crockett, with whom she resided until her death at the age of ninety-two years. There were nine children in the Thompson family: Newton and Wirt, who are both deceased; Ney, a resident of Andrew County ; Hortense Eugenia, deceased, who was the wife of Job Pierce; Irene, who is the widow of W. H. Bulla, of Empire Prairie; Mrs. Crockett; Tell, who is deceased ; Solon M., who still resides on the old Thompson homestead; and Grace Anna Lee, who died at the age of 11/2 years. Mr. and Mrs. Crockett have one child, Emily L., the wife of S. R. Murphy, of Savannah, and they have one daughter, Florence Jane, who is the wife of Warren W. Gee, of Whitesville.

JOHN K. WHITE. Many of the pioneer families that were the first to settle in Andrew County have long since ceased to be connected with this section by living representatives. John K. White, now an active business man, and for many years identified with public affairs, repre- sents in the second generation a family which was established here

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more than seventy years ago, and which by its honorable activities has well upheld and honored the position of pioneer.

John K. White was born at Flag Springs, in Andrew County, April 8, 1856. His parents were John and Asenath (Farrington) White. His father was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, August 30, 1817, while the mother was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, March 22, 1822. Both families were among the very early pioneers of Iowa Terri- tory, the Farringtons having moved to that section about 1837, and the Whites in 1838. John and Asenath White were married in Iowa, March 28, 1839, and in the following year came to Northwest Missouri and settled on a tract of wild land, a quarter section, southeast of Helena in Andrew County. John White had all the hardy virtues of a pioneer, cleared away the forests, made his land tillable, and was a useful mem- ber of the community. He lived on his first homestead until 1853 and then moved to the village of Flag Springs, buying a farm there and remaining a resident of that community until his death on March 17, 1901. His widow died August 15, 1902, and both of them had reached venerable years, past fourscore. John White voted for John C. Fre- mont, the first standard bearer of the republican party, in 1856, and continued faithful to the cause of the republican party all his life, having cast his last vote for William McKinley in 1900. He and his family were members of the Baptist Church. There were three children : R. G., who died in April, 1914, in Colorado and whose body was laid to rest at the old cemetery at Flag Springs; L. T., who died in 1900 at St. Joseph; and John K.

John K. White has lived in Andrew County and has been identified with its agricultural, business and civic interests all his life, grew up in the rural districts, acquired a substantial education, and for a number of years combined farming and teaching. Fifteen years were spent as a teacher in the district schools of this county. During 1874-76 he was a student in the State Normal School at Kirksville. In this way his career went steadily forward as a farmer and educator until 1894, in that year he was elected county assessor, served two years and was then reelected for a four-year term. Following this term of office Mr. White engaged in general merchandising at Flag Springs about three years, in 1904 moved to Savannah, and for three years was deputy county clerk, then returned to his farm for three years, and has since been engaged in the insurance business at Savannah. He is now manager of the Savannah Insurance Agency with offices over the First National Bank.

Mr. White has been affiliated with the republican party since reaching his majority, and was twenty-one years of age when given his first office, as township clerk. He is a member of the Baptist Church, is affiliated with the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and as a citizen his support can always be counted upon to help forward any movement that means the advantage of the community.

On May 1, 1878, Mr. White married Mary W. Combest, who was born in Andrew County July 12, 1863, a daughter of Wyatt and Mary (Shepherd) Combest. Her parents were early settlers on Empire Prairie in this county. Mr. White's only son is Charlie T. White, who lives in Savannah and is now a rural free delivery mail carrier. For six years he was a soldier in the regular army of the United States. Charles T. White married Nellie Townsend, a native of Andrew County, and they have one child, Leora Mae.

WILLIAM S. DRAY. Owner and editor of the Savannah Democrat, William S. Dray is one of the successful newspaper men of Northwest

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Missouri, and he is also the postmaster at Savannah. To his profession he has brought an industry and ability which would have enabled him to succeed in lines of business much more remunerative, and since he was fourteen years of age has been through all the grades of service in the fourth estate, from printer's apprentice to foreman, from reporter to editor, and from a salaried position to independent publisher.

A native of England, William S. Dray was born at Swansbrook in Sussex County, August 20, 1861, a son of Alfred Henry and Susan (Smith) Dray, who were natives of the same county. When William S. was a boy of five years the family emigrated to America, landing in New York City, January 1, 1865, and five days later arrived at Nebraska City. In 1876 they found a home in Page County, Iowa, in 1885 moved to Northern Kansas, and in 1889 to Mound City, Missouri. The father became a resident of Nebraska in 1891, and died in that state in 1901. The mother is still living, and resides in Northern Idaho. The father was a blacksmith and machinist by trade, and an industrious worker and made all the provisions possible for his family. Of fifteen children, the parents reared ten, and nine of them are still living.

William S. Dray, who was the fifth in order of birth, had his home with his parents until they moved to Mound City, but since attaining his fourteenth year he has been identified with the printing and news- paper business. He worked in various offices, learning the art of com- position and all mechanical details in the printing trade, and in 1890 came to Savannah and became foreman in the Democrat office. In June, 1895, he moved to Mound City and was engaged in the newspaper busi- ness there three years, after which he returned to Savannah and became editor and business manager of the Democrat. In 1901 Mr. Dray bought the Democrat printing office and paper, and for thirteen years has em- ployed his energies in maintaining a first-class newspaper, one of the best mediums for news and general publicity in Andrew County. He has been interested in the success of the democratic party since casting his first vote, and has done much to build up the party organization and assist his friends to office. On December 29, 1914, he was appointed postmaster at Savannah.

Outside of his profession and business situations Mr. Dray finds his chief interests in church work as a member of the Christian Church, and is especially prominent in the Christian Endeavor Society. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America.

In 1894 Mr. Dray married Belle Garner, of a pioneer family. They are the parents of four children: Francis Earl, Ernest Alfred, Mary Margaret and Robert Garner.

OREN HETH CLARK. During the nine years that he has been con- nected with the circuit court clerk's office, Oren Heth Clark has estab- lished an excellent record for faithful public service, a record that has commended him to the people of Andrew County whose interests he has served so long and so well. Entering the office in the capacity of assistant, after four years of capable work, he was elected circuit court clerk, and since that time he has continued to vindicate the faith placed in his integrity and his ability.

Mr. Clark is a native of Andrew County, having been born at Flag Springs, June 2, 1879, a son of Logan A. and Ellen Elizabeth (Clark) Clark, who, although bearing the same name prior to their marriage, were not related. With the exception of two years in Lawrence County, Arkansas, the parents passed their entire lives in Andrew County, where the father was at various times engaged in farming, in sawmilling and in mechanical work, and here he died March 7, 1893, the mother passing

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away June 12th of the same year. They were married by Capt. J. B. Majors, in this county, March 30, 1878, prior to which time Mrs. Clark had been engaged in teaching school in the vicinity of Flag Springs. They were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. Clark was a republican. There were three children in the family: Oren Heth, of this review; Herbert Alonzo, a resident of Fort Collins, Colorado; and Ormie Wilson, of St. Joseph, Missouri.

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A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III, Part 53

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 912

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 912