USA > Missouri > Linn County > Compendium of history and biography of Linn County, Missouri > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
When Thomas D. Evans was twelve years old his parents moved to Pettis county, Missouri, from their "old Kentucky home," and in that county and the adjoining one of Saline they resided until 1864. During the Civil War their son Thomas D. was enrolled in the Sixty-second Regiment, Missouri State Militia, and was in active service four months. His military experience, however, was confined to this state and led him into none of the leading battles of the conflict. But he participated in the fight at Marshall, Saline county, and a number of skirmishes.
283
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
In 1864 he located at Meadville, this county, and opened the first store at that place. He continued merchandising five years, and during that period served as postmaster of Meadville and also as depot and ex- press agent for the railroad. In 1869 he moved to the farm on which he now lives in Parson Creek township, which comprises 240 acres of well improved land of high productiveness, and which he manages with great skill and success, making every acre that is under cultivation yield an abundant return for the care and labor bestowed upon it.
From 1882 to 1886, inclusive, Mr. Evans was a member of the county court, and in 1890 was elected to the lower branch of the state legislature. He served two years in that body, but was defeated in an effort to secure a second term. He has always been a Democrat in his political faith, and his allegiance to his party has ever been of the most pronounced character. In all its campaigns he has taken an active part and rendered its candidates energetic and effective service.
On June 30, 1868, Mr. Evans was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Botts, a daughter of Seth and Elizabeth (Littrell) Botts. They have had seven children, five of whom are living: Edwin E., Seth D., William B., Walter E. and Adella. Mrs. Evans' father was a pioneer of Linn county, and died here at the advanced age of eighty-seven. During the War of 1812 he was a lieutenant in Captain Hamilton's com- pany and took part in the battle of New Orleans.
Mr. Evans is one of the best farmers in Parson Creek township, and one of its most enterprising and public-spirited citizens. He has long been in the van of the forces for improvement, and has been both energetic and judicious in his support of undertakings for the advance- ment of his township and the whole county. As a public official he made a wide reputation for his uprightness and intelligence, and his strict attention to the duties devolving upon him in office. In all the relations of life his course has been upright and commendable, and his example to the people around him has been helpful and stimulating. Throughout the county he is regarded as one of its best and most representative men.
OSCAR L. POLSON
Easy and convenient banking facilities are very desirable in every community for the accommodation of the people, and when they are provided in ample measure to meet all requirements, and managed with a spirit of progressiveness and liberality that takes into consideration the power of expansion in the community and the disposition of its
284
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
people to use that power, they form one of the most potential agencies for progress and improvement that can be furnished. When the bank- ing arrangements of a town keep pace with its needs they are good. But when they lead the march of improvement and quicken and direct the public spirit of the town they are of the greatest possible service and worthy of all commendation.
The Farmers State Bank of New Boston, this county, under the direction of O. L. Polson, who has been its cashier since 1908 and its organization was in 1905, has been a leader of progress and improvement in Baker township, and in its beneficent operations has been of great service to the people of the township as a whole, and to many individual residents and interests in particular. It has been studious of the needs of the township and quick in responsiveness to meet them, and liberal in its policy in doing so.
Mr. Polson is a native of Linn county, Missouri, born on June 22, 1885. He was reared on his father's farm and obtained a good academic and business education, attending first the district schools, then a busi- ness college, and finally the State Normal School in Chillicothe. After completing the normal course of instruction he taught school two terms, one in Adams, Washington county, and one at New Boston. In 1908 he was elected cashier of the Farmers State Bank, and he has occupied that office continuously ever since.
On December 25, 1910, Mr. Polson was united in marriage with Miss Vera Edna Lile, who was born in Macon county on December 3, 1888. Her parents, J. Frank and Eliza (Ratliff) Lile, are residents of Macon county and living retired at Ethel, Missouri. Fraternally Mr. Polson is a member of the Masonic lodge in Bucklin. He has taken a very active interest in all matters involving the progress and improvement of his township and the welfare of its residents, never withholding his aid from any worthy and desirable enterprise which would help to promote these objects, and always working for them with intelligence guided by good judgment. His practical and fruitful public spirit has been highly appreciated by the people, and he is very popular among them, being regarded throughout the township as one of its best and most useful citizens.
He is a son of John and Mary (Nelson) Polson, who are both natives of Sweden and who came to the United States about the close of the rebellion. Both parents are living on a farm north of New Boston of 400 acres, well improved. He is a director of the bank and J. Frank Lile is president of the same.
285
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
CITIZENS BANK OF LINNEUS
The men of nerve and enterprise who conduct the industries of magnitude in and around Linneus, and the citizens of Linn county of ordinary means, who conduct their operations on a small scale, are alike fortunate in having available for their needs banking facilities ample in scope, responsive in action and adapted to specific wants. Such facilities are furnished by the banking institutions of Linneus, which have come forth from the flame of every financial trial untarnished, and have for years maintained, wherever they are known, a high reputation for financial soundness, prudent and skillful management, a spirit of liberal accommodation and abundant resources for every requirement.
Among these banking institutions the Citizens Bank of Linneus is easily in the front rank. It was founded on January 8, 1905, with a capital stock of $30,000, and on a basis so practical and adaptable to needs that it has never yet been required to enlarge its capitalization, although its business has largely increased, and its operations have been magnified to include features not considered at the time of its organization. It has kept pace with the progress and development of the community, notwithstanding the unexpected demands made upon its resources.
The first official staff of the bank included men of mould, capable of dealing with the situation that confronted them, and guiding the new institution out into the open sea of large operations and general use- fulness. They were: E. G. Fetty, president; R. B. Lambert, vice presi- dent; Melvin Gibson, cashier, and W. T. Ball, assistant cashier. Judge Fetty continued to serve as president until his death in 1909, after which H. C. Taggart was chosen to fill his place for a short time. At the end of the period for which Mr. Taggart was elected, A. B. Bond was made president, and has occupied that office ever since. He is still president of the bank, and the other officers are: Marcus B. Fetty, vice president; W. P. Thorne, cashier; M. E. Fosher, assistant cashier; and A. B. Bond, H. C. Taggart, Dr. J. Gooch, J. L. Kirby, M. B. Fetty, W. P. Thorne, T. S. Stephenson, R. B. Lambert and J. P. Fell, directors.
The bank does a general banking business, including every feature of present day banking operations, and has abundant resources for all the requirements of its trade, as will be seen in the statement of its resources and liabilities to be found at the end of this article. From the beginning of its life it has endeavored to be of service to the city and county in which it is doing business, and to the people living in
286
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
them. The measure of its success in carrying out this laudable desire is to be inferred from the universal appreciation in which it is held.
William P. Thorne, the cashier and active manager of the bank, and one of the leading and most representative citizens of Linneus, is a native of this county, and was born on a farm three miles north of Linneus on March 22, 1860. His parents were Samuel and Elender (Sutherland) Thorne, the former a native of Kuntucky, born near Lex- ington in that state, and the later of Virginia. The father was a farmer who came to Linn county in 1840 and stuck his stake and founded his home on a tract of wild land, which he improved by his industry and enlarged by his enterprise and subsequent purchases until it embraced 750 acres, all of which he owned at the time of his death in 1903, he having survived his third wife, who died in 1900, three years.
He was married three times. His first wife was a Miss Chaplin, who bore him three children, two of whom are now living in this county. She died here in 1851. His second marriage was with Miss Elender Sutherland, the mother of William P. Thorne. They became the par- ents of three sons and two daughters, all of whom are living, and three of them reside in Linn county. The third union was with Miss Melissa Fore, a native and life-long resident of Linn county. By her marriage with Mr. Thorne she became the mother of one son and two daughters, all of whom survive her. The family was of English origin on the father's side, and its living representatives admirably exemplify the best traits of the race from which they are descended.
William P. Thorne was reared and educated in Linn county, Missouri. He was a farmer until 1904, when he was forty-four years of age, then became interested in a leading way in the Citizens Bank, and from that time to the present has been its manager and controlling force. In connection with its affairs he has exhibited business capacity, breadth of view and progressiveness of a high order, and contributed materially and essentially to its present standing and high rank in the estimation of the public.
On December 3, 1882, he was married to Miss Emma Pratt, a native of Linn county, and a daughter of Henry and Ibline (Connelley) Pratt, who are recognized as among the leading citizens of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Thorne became the parents of three girls, one of whom is liv- ing-Effie, who is the wife of O. W. Croy, discount teller of Tootle- Lemon National Bank of St. Joseph, Missouri. Her father has served as township trustee and collector, and was, in one campaign, a candi- date for the office of county treasurer, but was defeated by a small majority. He is a Democrat in political faith and allegiance, an Odd
287
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
Fellow, Woodman and a Royal Neighbor in fraternal life, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South in religious affiliation. In the congregation of the last mentioned organization to which he belongs, he has been one of the stewards and the treasurer of the board for a number of years.
FREDERICK L. FITCH
Tracing his ancestry in this country back to early colonial times in New England, and far beyond that period in old England; numbering among his forefathers in the United States men prominent in every walk of life and every field of useful endeavor; with his family name honored in many states in industrial, mercantile, civil and military circles, and his family record furnishing many glowing examples of high emprise, Frederick L. Fitch, of Linneus, has had many incentives in the career of his forbears to elevation of citizenship, enterprise in business and indus- try in whatever he has undertaken. But he has not needed them as a stimulus to his own force of character and native qualities of manhood, for these have been sufficient to lead him to make the most of his oppor- tunities at all times, and to succeed in whatever he has undertaken.
Mr. Fitch is a native of Delaware county, New York, where his life began on January 25, 1866. His parents, Lyman M. and Elizabeth (Green) Fitch, were also natives of the state of New York, the former born in Delaware county and the latter in Broome county. The father was a farmer and live stock and dairy man, following the pursuits indi- cated for many years in his native state and county. In 1890 he came to Missouri and located in Kansas City, where he lived until his death in 1908. The mother died in that city in 1900. In the opening of his career the father was a merchant, but the greater part of his time from the age of twenty-five or thirty was given to cultivating the soil, raising live stock and conducting the operations of his extensive and profitable dairy business. He and his wife were the parents of five sons and one daughter. All of the children are living, but only two of the sons are residents of Missouri.
The grandfather, Nathaniel Fitch, was born and reared in Connecti- cut. He was a tavern keeper and merchant in that state, but in his young manhood moved to Delaware county, New York, where he was a pioneer. He followed merchandising in that county, also, and died there. His offspring numbered five, two sons and three daughters. Of the five two are living, one of the sons and one of the daughters. Thomas Fytche, the founder of the family in this country, came over
288
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
from England in 1638 and located in Connecticut. He was the ancestor of former Governor Fitch of that state.
Frederick L. Fitch was reared and educated in his native county, and for three years after leaving school engaged in farming and butchering. In 1887 he came to Missouri and took up his residence in Kansas City, and there for a period of six years he was engaged in the grocery and meat trade. In 1893 he moved to Linneus and started a meat market in the city and a farming enterprise in the country. In 1905 he bought the farm he now owns, and on this he has erected the most imposing and attractive country dwelling house and other build- ings in the county.
Mr. Fitch has taken a cordial interest in all phases of the general life of Linn county since locating here, and has done all he could to promote its progress and improvement. No undertaking of value, in which the further development of this part of the state or the welfare of its residents is involved, ever goes without his active, intelligent and serviceable support, and the people esteem him as one of their most public-spirited and progressive citizens. He is one of the vice presi- dents of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Linneus and connected with other fiscal enterprises of great value to the community.
Mr. Fitch was married on May 24, 1893, to Miss Mary Williams, a daughter of John R. and Carrie (Gibbs) Williams, who have been resi- dents of Linn county for fifteen years. No children have been born of the union, but the household is not desolate for want of them, as Mr. and Mrs. Fitch seem to have adopted the community as an object of their special care and solicitude, taking under their wing in a measure every good agency at work among its people for their betterment, and giving them all intelligent and energetic support. They are well known throughout the county, and in all parts of it are looked upon as fruitful forces for its good, ornaments to its citizenship, bright stars in its social firmament, and most estimable persons in every way.
ALEXANDER BRINKLEY
This esteemed citizen and progressive farmer and stock breeder of Locust Creek township is regarded on all sides as one of the most ster- ling, reliable and useful men in Linn county. In his citizenship he is attentive to every requirement for the enduring welfare of the people of his township and county. In his farming operations he is up to date in theory and methods. In his live stock industry he is one of the lead- ers toward the highest and best results; and in every relation of life he
289
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
is commendable for his strict integrity, stern sense of duty and respon- siveness to every demand growing out of his relation to the community.
Mr. Brinkley is not a native of Missouri but has lived in the state ever since he was ten years old, a period of fifty-three years. He obtained his education in the schools of Linn county, acquired his social habits in association with its people, accumulated his estate by industry in its activities, and attained his hold on the confidence and esteem of the people by taking an active part in public affairs in furtherance of their interests. He is therefore in close touch and full sympathy with his environment, and a thorough Missourian in everything but birth.
His life began in Lee county, Iowa, on March 8, 1848, where his parents, William B. and Elizabeth Jane (Hamilton) Brinkley, were then living and operating a farm. In 1858 they moved to Missouri and took up their residence in Linn county on a farm about four miles northwest of Linneus. They readily adapted themselves to their new conditions and surroundings, and soon became known as among the progressive and resourceful farmers and live stock breeders of that portion of the county.
Their son Alexander was educated in the country school near his home, and made such good use of his limited opportunities of attending it that he was able to become a teacher himself, and for two years ren- dered acceptable service to the public in the management of a country school, such as had unsealed the fountains of knowledge and mental development for him. His pedagogical services were rendered at Botts' schoolhouse near Meadville, and, although it is many years since he performed them, they are still remembered with appreciation and approval by those who were the beneficiaries of them, all of whom agree that they were conscientiously given.
The profession of teaching did not, however, suit Mr. Brinkley's aspirations, and he returned to the pursuit for which he had been trained under the exacting tuition of his father. He became a farmer and has ever since adhered to that line of effort, coupling with it advanced operations in breeding Percheron horses of a high grade. In both lines of his undertaking he has been successful in a financial way and in making an excellent reputation for himself, both as a farmer and a breeder.
In his political faith and activity Mr. Brinkley is affiliated with the Republican party, and while he has never been desirous of a political office for himself, either by appointment or election, he has given his party energetic and effective service in all its campaigns. He has also been cordial and earnest in his interest in the Old Settlers' Association,
290
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
and in 1909 and 1910 served as its president and the controlling force in arranging for and conducting its annual reunions for those years.
Mr. Brinkley united in marriage with Miss Nancy Hannalı Withrow. Five of the children born to them are living: Dr. F. O. Brinkley, of Stonewall, Louisiana; William P., who is living on the home farm; Charles A. and Joseph A., of Seattle, Washington; and Milo H., of Poughkeepsie, New York.
THEODORE A. HANSMANN
Although born in the neighboring state of Iowa, Theodore A. Hans- mann, one of the leading citizens of Bucklin, this county, has been a resident of the town of his present activities during nearly the whole of his life to the time of this writing (1912). And although he began life for himself as a farmer, he has been one of the leading merchants and bankers of the same city during the greater part of his manhood. But he was trained to mercantile life, for his father was engaged in it throughout the whole period of the son's minority, and the latter was in constant touch with trade until he reached his maturity. His return to it on his own account at an early time in his manhood was neither to be wondered at nor unwise, as his success in merchandising fully dem- onstrates.
Mr. Hansmann is a native of Anamosa, Jones county, Iowa, where he was born on November 12, 1863. His parents, Herman and Rosalie (Isaar) Hansmann, were Germans by nativity. The father was a mer- chant in his native land and after his arrival in this country until his retirement from all active pursuits. He came to the United States in 1854 and located first in Minnesota, where he remained three years. In 1857 he moved the family he then had to Anamosa, Iowa, and there he was engaged in business ten years. In 1867 the family came to Bucklin to live, and here the father conducted a mercantile establishment eight years. At the end of that period he moved to Kinderhook, Pike county, Illinois, but in 1878 returned to Bucklin, and has since resided in this state, making his home with his children since the death of their mother in the spring of 1889. They had three sons and one daughter, but their son Theodore is the only one of the four whose home is in Linn county, although all the others are living.
The father, following the custom and law of his native country, served for some years in the German army, and took part in the war of 1848, in which many Germans of subsequent prominence distinguished themselves, some of whom afterward suffered expatriation when their
291
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
cause was lost by the triumph of the other side. Mr. Hansmann, the elder, was not of this number, as he came to this country of his own accord and not on account of any political prescription against him.
Theodore A. Hansmann was but three years old when his parents first moved to Bucklin. He grew to manhood here and was educated in the public schools. After leaving school he engaged in farming until he was twenty-six years old. He then gave up that pursuit and moved back to Bucklin, where he at once formed a partnership with W. E. Story in the hardware trade. Mr. Story died three years later, and since then Mr. Hansmann has successfully and profitably conducted the business alone. He has also been president of the Bank of Bucklin for some years, and has stood high in business circles from his start in merchandising.
On February 15, 1893, he was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Sanford, a native of Linn county and daughter of Edward Sanford, who came to this county in 1868. Four children have been born of the union, all of whom are living. They are: Louise E., Carl S., Herman M. and Helen M. In politics the father is a Republican, but he has never held a political office. He has been a member of the Order of Odd Fel- lows continuously for twenty-three years. The mother is a member of the Presbyterian church. Both are well known and highly esteemed throughout the county, as they have been public-spirited and progres- sive in the service of the people and ornaments to Bucklin and Linn county citizenship.
JUDGE WILLIAM H. BROWNLEE
The death of this venerable and venerated citizen and professional man, whose end came on January 10, 1909, in Brookfield, Linn county, of which he had been a mature resident for forty years, prominent in his profession and as a banker during the greater part of the time, and who was always an ornament to the citizenship of his locality, cast the gloom of a heavy bereavement over all classes of the people in this county and other parts of the state of Missouri, as he was well known and highly esteemed throughout its extent. His remains were laid to rest with every demonstration of popular respect and affection, and many glowing tributes were paid to his high character, great ability, benevolence of disposition and other traits which made him one of the most beloved and honored men in the state.
The action taken at a meeting of the Linn County Bar held on Fri- day evening, February 19, 1909, gave, perhaps, the best estimate of his
292
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
worth and the causes of the universal esteem bestowed upon him. The meeting was called for the purpose of paying homage to the lives and characters of the departed jurist and Col. James A. Arbuthnot, another distinguished citizen and business man of Linn county.
Maj. A. W. Mullins was made chairman of the meeting, and nearly all the lawyers had something to say in the way of tribute to the lives of the departed patriots of the bar in consequence of their summons to that Higher Court over which the Great Judge presides. At the close of the meeting, in which there were so many expressions of beautiful thought, the following resolutions were adopted:
"Since the last term of court in this county, death has visited our ranks and has taken from us our revered and beloved brother, Judge William H. Brownlee, therefore, be it
"Resolved, That the Linn County Bar Association and the legal profession in this state have lost one of their most distinguished and able members; the people have lost a generous, noble and honest man, and the family of the deceased a kind and devoted husband and father.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.