USA > Missouri > Atchison County > Biographical history: Atchison County, Missouri > Part 22
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THE SECOND PRESIDENT.
In 1887 Rev. J. A. Thompson, of Chetopa, Kans., became President. He continues the present encumbent. Phenomenal advance despite difficulties has been the record of his nineteen years. Two dormitories with their home possibilities and economical advantages were built. Between 1887 and 1892 four of a permanent faculty were secured and yet remain.
THE ORDEAL OF FIRE.
January 17, 1892, is memorable. It was the coldest morning in a decade and- the main building burned. Before the flames died on the Sabbath's cal the Executive Committee met and determined (Continued on page 512)
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TARKIO COLLEGE
TARKIO COLLEGE.
(Continued from page 510)
to complete the collegiate year and to erect anew. It was a hard half-year that followed. The loy- alty of students and citizens proved true. The old United Presbyterian, the Methodist and the Pres- byterian churches, and the Auditorium, became recitation rooms and chapel. Thin board partitions, muffled with building paper, divided the first-named into five compartments, and strong imaginations and wills furnished the necessary quiet and opportunity for study and recitation.
A FRESH START.
The Phoenix inythi came true. From ashes into new youth and strength and promise was the sequel. Three better buildings now crown a fairer site. The college hill contains in brick and stone and mother earth, some ninety thousand dollars, chiefly contributed within six months after the fire. More than a third of this amount was the gift of a single donor.
THE SECOND DECADE.
The chief historical facts of subsequent years are a gradually growing endowment, an enlarged and more permanent faculty of experienced college and university specialists, widened and improved courses of study, an added and considerable amount of valuable apparatus, a steady increase of students and an honorable prestige with educational authorities.
TRIBUTES.
The institution is one of ten in the Missouri College Union. One requisite of admission is an en- dowment of at least one hundred thousand dollars. Other qualifications have to do with equipment, teachers and the kind and amount of work exacted. A Tarkio diploma admits to senior or graduate standing at Yale and Princeton and at both Universities the school has had honor repre- sentatives.
SOME "SMALL COLLEGE" STATISTICS,
Tarkio College has completed twenty-two years. She has employed one hundred and thirty-four teachers and enrolled eighteen hundred and sixty-one students. The first catalogue showed eight instructors to sixty-four pupils. In the latest bulletin the ratio is twenty-four to three hundred and twelve. In 1887 the first graduate was the whole commencement. The alumni roll now numbers two hundred and twenty-seven. Add one hundred and forty-two Commercial graduates. One Literary seven Normal, twenty Musical, ninety-nine Classical and one hundred and three Scientific diplomas have been granted. Three alumni thus finished two courses. Three are deceased. The living are found in four foreign countries and twenty-five states and territories, including New Mexico and Alaska. Of the alumnae proper twenty-nine keep house and nineteen are "at home." Not a few of the graduates are at trades or in the sanctum or in business or on the farm. Seven are it medicine, twelve at the law and thirty-four in theology. A third teach and a sixth have high school positions or better. A tenth have done graduate work. Another tithe-at the rate of one a year-are mission- aries of the cross.
THE COLLEGE PATRONS.
It is a simple postscript to write, but how much it means! Hon. David Rankin has given Tarkio College one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. To him, to the community, to the church-under God-the school looks for her future.
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OUTSIDE VIEW OF "THE ATCHISON COUNTY MAIL'S'' BUSINESS OFFICE.
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A CORNER OF THE VAULT IN " THE MAIL'' OFFICE.
J. M. SCAMMAN.
JAMES MATHIAS SCAMMAN, of Tarkio, Mo., farmer, stock-raiser, merchant
and capitalist, was born in Atchison county, Missouri, May 15th, 1850, and was the second of seven children. He is a son of Enoch D. and Elizabeth Scamman, pioneers of Atchison county. He was reared at the home of his parents, at Union City, two and one-half miles southwest of Rock Port. After he was twenty-one years of age he farmed one year and then engaged at merchandising at Phelps City, the firm name being Wm. Scamman & Co. A year later the firm was changed to J. M. Scamman & Co., and in 1875 it was changed to Scamman, Bailey & Co. At the time of taking this sketch Mr. Scamman was still in the business, the style of the firm being Bartholomew, Wade & Co. He is President of the Citizens' Bank of Atchison County, at Rock Port; also President of the Missouri Live Stock Commission Co., at St. Joseph, Mo .; was a member of the school board at Phelps City several years. Politically he is a Republican and in 1898 he was elected Presiding Judge of the County Court, and the affairs of the county received the careful consideration and attention that makes his own affairs a success; was also elected Representative of Atchison county, on the Republican ticket, at the November election in 1.904.
Mr. Scamman and Miss Mary E. Casey were united in marriage on March 7,1878 Mrs. Scamman is a daughter of Edward and Jeannette Casey. Her parents were pioneer settlers of Atchison county, in the neighborhood of what is known as Union City. Her father died in 1865-her mother in 1889. To Mr. and Mrs. Scamman were born five child- ren, four of whom are living, namely: Clyde D., born March 25, 1885; Carl W., born March 13, 1887; Hope C., born Dec. 2, 1890; Anna, born Aug. 18, 1892. One child died in in- fancy.
Mr. Scamman has elegant residence property at Tarkio, where he resides. The house in size, is 14x16 feet, 16x16 feet, 12x20 feet and 10x12 feet, and contains nine rooms. The outbuildings are neat and commodious. On one of his farms is a two-story brick house, the dimensions being 30x30 feet. The barn, in size, is 26x40 feet, with 12-foot, posts, and a shed on one side. This farm is also improved with sheds, cribs, scales, etc., and an orchard of about eight acres. On another farm is a 112-story house, in size 16x32 feet and 14x16 feet. In all he owns 1,085 acres of land in the county, part of which he farms himself and some of which he rents. He markets about 100 head of fat cattle and 300 or 400 head of fat hogs annually. He isone of the eminently successful fariners and business men of the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Scamman are members of the M. E. church at Tarkio, and Mr. Scammon is a Trustee in that organization. In fact, Mr. Scamman gives his support to all organi- zations and movements of a commendable nature.
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MR. AND MRS. J. M. SCAMMAN. THEIR TOWN RESIDENCE AND FARM HOUSE,
MARY MALINDA SOUTH.
M ARY MALINDA SOUTH, of Watson, Mo., widow of Stephen South, deceased, was born in Bureau county, Illinois, July 25th, 1835. She is the daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Hall and was the seventh of thirteen children. She came to Atchison county with her parents when she was about sixteen years of age. On Aug. 15, 1852, she was married, at Sonora, Mo., to Stephen South, a son of Samuel and Manda Ann South, who located near the old town of Sonora in an early day, and for years lived on what is known as the Dan. Morgan farın. His mother died at Sonora in 1860; his father died at Dallas, Texas, in 1885. Stephen South died Jan. 19, 1902. His life was one of usefulness as a citizen and neighbor, he being connected with every important progressive movement in the county, and especially in the community in which he lived. At the time of his death he was Justice of the Peace of Nishnabotna township, which office he had held for more than thirty-eight years.
To Mr. and Mrs. South were born nine children, five of whom are living, namely: Aug- ust W., born June 12, 1857; Robert Emmet, born Sept. 13, 1859; Stewart, born Oct. 25, 1864; Melvina, wife of Wm. Boettner, born March 21, 1869; Leonard, born Sept. 6, 1871. John Fletcher, born Jan. 1, 1854, died Dec. 22, 1889; Charles, born May 1, , died Sept. 24, 1880. Three children died in infancy. Mrs. South is a member of the M. E. church at Watson, as was also her husband. Mr. South was a charter member of Sonora Masonic lodge. He was a lifelong Democrat and took quite an active part in politics. A Demo- cratic convention in Atchison county was not complete without Mr. South as a delegate from Nishnabotna township.
Their son August W. was educated in the Watson school and at Gem City Business College, Quincy, Ill. He taught school several years, among other places at Sherman, Texas, where he was principal of a business college. He is also a telegraph operator and was station agent for different railroad companies several years, and for some time at Watson. At the time of taking this sketch he was a member of the firm of South & Horn, at Watson. Robert Emmet South is at present Constable of Nishnabotna township, and conducts the home farm. This farm comprises 160 acres of fine land, one-lialf mile west of Watson, in sections 3 and 4, township 65, range 42. The house on this place is a one- story structure, 30x36 feet in size, built over fifty years ago.
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MR. STEPHEN SOUTHI, DECEASED ; MRS. STEPHEN SOUTH, R. E. SOUTH, AND NELLIE SOUTH, DECEASED.
M. S. SCAMMAN.
T HE subject of this sketch, Mark Sedgwick Scamman, is another native of Atchison county, having been born at Union City on July 22nd, 1865. He is a son of Enoch D. and Elizabeth Scamman, who located in what is now Clay township in an early day. His whole life has been passed in the locality where he was born. In his twenty-first year he began farming for himself, and he now owns and lives upon a fine farm of 360 acres, in sections 5 and 32, township 65, range 41, two and one-fourth miles southwest of Rock Port. The house in which Mr. Scamman resides on this farm is of two stories, in size 24x24 feet, with porch 8x24 feet in size. The barn, in size, is 36x44 feet, with 12-ft. posts. There are also cribs, sheds and an orchard and vineyard. Mr. Scamman markets what grain he does not feed to stock of his own raising, and he raises cattle and hogs extensively.
On April 15th, 1888, he was married to Miss Lillie Millsap, also a native of Atchison county. She is a daughter of William and Elizabeth Millsap and was born on May 20, 1865, in the locality where she now lives and where her whole life has been passed. Her father (who was the first white child born in Atchison county) yet resides in that neighbor- hood. Mr. Scamman's mother still lives at the old homestead.
Mr. and Mrs. Scamman have four children, namely: William Deering, born April 2, 1889; Zula Caroline, born Aug. 26, 1891; James Glen, born July 27, 1895; Willard, born Feb. 18, 1897.
Mr. and Mrs. Scamman are members of the M. E. church at Union City. Politically, Mr. Scamman is a Republican. He has served as school director six years.
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RESIDENCE OF M. S. SCAMMAN.
W. E. SHANDY.
TXTILLIAM ERNEST SHANDY, son of J. W. and E. A. Shandy, was born in Atchison county, Missouri, May 17th, 1866. With the exception of one year in Colorado his whole life has been passed in Atchison county, principally on his father's farm. Besides attending the district school he also attended the Rock Port Seminary. He is now, and has been for years, proprietor of the famous Shandy Fishing Resort, on Lake Nishnabotna, five miles northwest of Rock Port. This resort is patronized by people from far and near, many from the large cities staying there for weeks at a time. There is also a club house in the midst of a beautiful grove and sward.
Mr. Shandy's residence is of 112 stories, in size 14x24 feet; the barn, in size, is 32x40 feet, with 12-foot posts; also all necessary accommodations for parties camping out. He also has two landings and ten boats on the lake.
On Sept. 5, 1889, Mr. Shandy was united in marriage with Miss Lulu Courtright, daughter of Elijah and Sarah Courtright. She was born in Atchison county, Missouri, May 23rd, 1870, and her whole life has been passed in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Shandy have three children, namely: Phillip, born Jan. 26, 1891; Temple, born Dec. 6, 1892, and Rex, born May 23, 1895.
Mr. and Mrs. Shandy are members of the Christian church at Phelps City, and Mrs. Shandy is a teacher in the Sunday school. Mr. Shandy belongs to the camp of the Wood- men of the World at Rock Port. In politics he is a Republican. He has represented his party in various conventions and in 1904 was elected to the office of Surveyor and Bridge Commissioner of Atchison county.
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W. E. SHANDY, SURVEYOR AND BRIDGE COMMISSIONER OF ATCHISON COUNTY. THE FAMOUS SHANDY FISHING RESORT.
E. H. SCHOOLER.
EZRA HEATH SCHOOLER, the subject of this sketch, is the son of Wrice D. and Polly D. Schooler, and was born in Grayson county, Virginia, Dec. 18th, 1845, the fourth child in a family of eleven children. He was with his parents and under their guidance and care until in the year 1863, when his father sent him to Hamburg, Ia., to attend a little subscription school. Before the close of the school he was, with the consent of his parents, employed as clerk in the dry goods store of Sipple & Co., it being the only store in the town and owned and managed by William Sipple, of Sidney, Ia., and Caleb Sipple, of Hamburg, Ia. After E. Heath Schooler's connection with the store, H. H. Wilson, his old teacher, being a leading Republican of the town and county, was appointed by the administration as postmaster of the town of Hamburg. He made Mr. Schooler his deputy, and that postion he held nearly twelve months-in Hamburg's first post-office. He returned home at Rock Port about this time, being about twenty-one years of age. He rented some land of his father and commenced farming for himself. After some two years of steady, hard work, he managed to buy eighty acres of land adjoining his father's farm, four miles southeast of Rock Port. In 1870 he effected the sale of this eighty acres to Samuel VanCleve, and going out on the wild, unbroken prairie, his brother, Ellis Schooler, and himself, bought 160 acres of wild land adjoining the Turner Grove, upon which he soon commenced work. After some three years of toil and labor on this land by the subject of this sketch he called on his brother Ellis and told him they had better settle up the land deal that was pending between them and ascertain definitely how they stood financially. His brother told him he did not want any interest in the land-he would only ask him to pay ten per cent. interest on the money he had furnished to buy the land. Thus, very pleasantly, the issue was settled by and between two brothers.
The subject of this sketch now owns one of the finest farms in Northwest Missouri, comprising 1,100 acres of land in sections 23, 24, 25 and 26, in township 64, range 40, in Atchison county, Missouri, and in section 19, township 64, range 40, of the same county and state. His residence is one and one- fourth miles east of Fairfax, Mo., and he occupies perhaps the largest farm house in Atchison county. It is two stories in height and contains some fifteen large rooms. The dimensions of the building are 40x52 feet, and there is also a bath-room, a pantry and three large porches, In the house is also a fine fire-proof vault and time-safe, in which Mr. Schooler keeps his valuable papers and documents. He was led to do this from his experience in the past, as, several years ago, while he was away from home, his house, with most of its contents, was destroyed by the ruthless flames. Mr. Schooler's object in the erection of this mansion was to obtain comfort and convenience and his desire has cer- tainly been attained in a high degree. The barn on this farm is also one of the largest in the county, being, in size, 42x70 feet, with 20-foot posts. There is also a granary, 34x52 feet in size, and of one and one-half stories. This building is as good as many people live in. There is a broad drive-way or hall through the same, with bins on each side of the hall-way, with a capacity for 7,000 bushels of grain. (Continued on page 524)
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E. H. SCHOOLER AND FAMILY. THE HOME PLACE.
E. H. SCHOOLER. (Continued from page 522)
On the farm is a smoke-house, tool-shed, ice-house, cob-house, four tenement houses, two scales, and also cribs for some 10,000 bushels of corn, with orchards and all improvements actually necessary to make up a good farm.
Mr. Schooler and Miss Caroline Frances Walkup were united in marriage on Oct. 19th, 1871, at the Taylor school house, four miles southeast of Rock Port, the Rev. A. B. Cox, of Hamburg, Ia., perform- ing the ceremony. Mrs. Schooler was born in Brown county, Ohio, Jan. 25th, 1854. She was a daughter of Daniel H. and Nancy Walkup, and was the oldest of a family of four children. She came, with her parents, from Ohio to Rock Port, in 1855. Her parents now reside in Fairfax, where her father conducts an undertaking establishment.
To Mr. and Mrs. Schooler were born fifteen children, eight of whom are now living, as follows: Asa Lee, born Sept. 21, 1872; Charles Henry, born March 24, 1881; Nancy Ellen, born Nov. 19, 1882; Harvey Hall, born Aug. 28, 1884; Moses Marshall, born June 4, 1886; Bion Bruce, born Jan. 24, 1889; Okie Francis, born Feb. 7, 1893; Ellis Heath, born July 28, 1897.
The children dead are as follows: Ida Burdell, born Nov. 25, 1873, died Sept. 5, 1880; Albert Austin, born July 30, 1875, died September 8, 1880; Hubert Heath, born Nov. 6,-1879, died Sept. 14, 1SS0; William Wrice, born Nov. 13, 1887, died Oct. 9, 1889; Dollie Dickerson, born June 4, 1890, died May 5, 1892; Little Brother, born Jan. 29, 1892, died Sept. 22, 1892; Rosamond Grace, born Oct. 29, 1877, died Aug. 27, 1902.
After thirty-three years of married life, blessed with good health and strength, mixed with incess- ant toil and labor for the care, support and provision of her family, and mixed with the sorrows and griefs to which humanity is subject, Mrs. Schooler's health began to decline, and on the 5th day of Feb- ruary, 1905, she was suddenly taken to a higher and better clime, leaving behind her sorrowing hus- band and eight sorrowing children. Her's was a kind, moral and noble life.
Asa L. Schooler attended school at Central College, Fayette, Mo., for a period of some three years, and is now a merchant at Fairfax, Mo., and is Constable of Clark township. Grace and Charles bothi graduated from Fairfax High School. Mr. Schooler is a member of the M. E. church, South, at Fairfax, as was also Mrs. Schooler. In politics Mr. Schooler is one of the leaders of the Democratic party in Atchison county. He was at one time Supervisor of Registration in his township; has rep- resented his party in several important conventions and was Chairman of the county nominating convention in 1902. He is a director of the Fairfax Independent School District and Director and President of the Exchange I ank of Fairfax. He has also served as administrator of several import- ant estates, among them being those of W. D. Schooler, William Holloway, Morris Beck and G. W. Hadden. Mr. Schooler is a careful business man as well as a model farmer and an indefatigable worker. He is a good penman and book-keeper and is well informed on general topies. He is a good public speaker and a leading man in all important and commendable movements of the county in general.
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. G BIGELOW FLASH. SNIT EXPERT ST. JOSEPH MA.
J. MANZ (6. ENG. CHI
"THE ATCHISON COUNTY MAIL'S'' STOCK ROOM.
G. Bigelow Flash Light Expert ST. Joseph Me.
"'THE ATCHISON COUNTY MAIL'S"' BUSINESS OFFICE.
W. W. TOWNSEND.
ILLIAM W. TOWNSEND was born in Cass county, Michigan, on July 5th, 1849, the son of William and Rachael Townsend and the youngest of six children. Hisfather was a native of New Jersey-his mother of Ohio. His father died in 1893. His mother is living and is in her 91st year. His parents located in Iowa in 1855, where the subject of this sketchi grew to manhood. In 1868 he came to Atchison county, Missouri, and worked for six years as a farm hand for Brad Rupe. He then bought sixty acres of his present farm, paying $37.50 per acre for same. He now owns a fine farm of 240 acres, in sections 5 and 6, township 64, range 40, five miles southwest of Tarkio. Mr. Townsend has an exceptionally fine home, as is shown by the accompanying view, the residence being a two-story structure, in size 28x28 feet, with a porch 7x14 feet in size; also a barn, in size 16x38 feet; carriage house, 12x16 feet, and other buildings. Also a tenant house of 11% stories, in size 14x14 feet, and a barn 24x34 feet in size. Mr. Townsend markets about two car-loads of fat cattle and one hundred head of fat hogs annually.
On March 23, 1884, Mr. Townsend and Miss Maggie VanCleve were united in marriage. Mrs. Townsend is a daughter of Howard and Jane VanCleve, who located in Atchison county about thirty-five years ago. Mr. VanCleve was a native of New Jersey and Mrs. VanCleve a native of Illinois. Mrs. Townsend was born in Henry county, Illinois, on Nov. 7th, 1866.
Mr. and Mrs. Townsend have four children, namely: Roy, born Sept. 5, 1885; Della, born Jan. 17, 1887; Clara, born June 21, 1890; Glenn, born Dec. 6, 1901.
Mr. and Mrs. Townsend are members of the Rupe's Grove M. E. church, South. In politics Mr. Townsend affiliates with the Democrats.
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RESIDENCES ON FARM OF W. W. TOWNSEND.
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W. A. TANN.
W ILLIAM A. TANN was born in Nemaha county, Nebraska, on Sept. 18th, 1858, the son of Frederick and Michael Elizabeth Tann. In his seventh year his parents located in Atchison county, Missouri, and here he resided until his death, with the excep- tion of two years, when, in connection with his brother, John, he owned and lived upon what is known as the Boettner farm. His death occurred on June 28, 1905. Besides attending the district school he was educated at the Rock Port Seminary. At the time of taking the accompanying view his farm comprised 200 acres, situated in sections 16 and 17, township 65, range 41, three miles northwest of Rock Port. The residence on this farm is of 1% stories, in size 16x34 feet and 16x24 feet. The barn, in size, is 40x50 feet, with 10-foot posts. There are also other necessary outbuildings and an orchard and vineyard. Mr. Tann fed annually, on an average, about one car-load of cattle and sev- enty-five head of hogs.
On Feb. 18, 1890, Mr. Tann was united in marriage with Miss Theda Ann Benedict, daughter of Levi and Margaret Benedict. She was born in Atchison county, Missouri, on Oct. 14, 1870, and died Oct. 27, 1901. To Mr. and Mrs. Tann were born four children, three of whom are living, namely: Birdie Leah, born Dec. 12, 1893; Lillian Marie, born Oct. 8, 1896; Theda Myrtle, born Oct. 12, 1901. Annie Laura, born Feb. 16, 1891, died April 4, 1893.
Mr. and Mrs. Tann were members of the Linden Christian church. In politics Mr. Tann was a Republican. He held the office of school director two terms.
Mr. Tann's mother died on April 2nd, 1891,-his father died on May 12th, 1901. His father was a native of New York-his mother of Ohio. Mrs. Tann's parents reside in Polk township.
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RESIDENCE OF THE LATE W. A. TANN.
W. N. TEMPLETON.
TX YTILLIAM NEWTON TEMPLETON, farmer, of Tarkio township, was born in Atchison county, Missouri, on Dec. 23, 1850, the son of James M. and Susan E. Templeton, and third in a family of twelve children. His whole life has been passed in Atchison county. In his twentieth year he began farming for himself, and he located in Tarkio township about thirty years ago. His home farm comprises 306 acres, in sections num- bers 1, 2, 11 and 12, township 65, range 40, one and one-half miles northeast of Tarkio.
The dimensions of the house on this farm are 14x20 feet, 112 stories; 14x16 feet, one story, and 12x14 feet, one story. The barn is 20x36 feet in size, with 10-foot posts; hog barn, 20x30 feet in size, with 20-foot posts; also a tenant house, 14x28 feet and 14x14 feet in size, one story ; smoke house, ice house, granary, scales, cribs, and an orchard of 240 trees. Mr. Templeton generally markets about two car-loads of fat cattle and one and a half car-loads of fat hogs annually.
On Oct. 10, 1872, Mr. Templeton was united in marriage with Miss Emma Hopkins, daughter of Nelson O. and Catherine Hopkins, and seventh in a family of nine children. She was born in Atchison county, Missouri, on Dec. 28th, 1853.
To Mr. and Mrs. Templeton four children have been born, three of whom are living, namely: James, born Jan. 3, 1883; Wilbur, born Aug. 30, 1884; Edward, born Nov. 7, 1890. Frederick, born April 30, 1875, died July 12, 1875.
Mr. and Mrs. Templeton are members of the Christian church at Tarkio, and Mr. Tem- pleton has been a deacon in that church several years. Fraternally, Mr. Templeton is a member of the A. O. U. W. at Tarkio. . Politically, he is a Democrat. He has been a director of his school district several terms. Mr. and Mrs. Templeton were educated in the Rock Port schools. They are of prominent families of the county, Mr. Templeton's father hav- ing served his people in a public capacity more that twenty years. He was deservedly popular. Hon. N. O. Hopkins, Mrs. Templeton's father, was also an honored and useful citizen of the county.
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