USA > Missouri > Macon County > General history of Macon County, Missouri > Part 43
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 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98
The useful life of John Wesley Wiggans began on May 1, 1869. His father, William Harrison Wiggans, was born in Indiana and brought to Missouri by his parents when he was but five years old. He passed his life as a farmer in this county, ranking well among its enterprising agriculturists and standing high in the regard of the people as a citizen. In 1846 he was married to Miss Clara Johnson. and by this marriage became the father of four children, but two of whom are living: Elizabeth, the wife of Jolin Bennett, of Chillicothe, and Matilda, the wife of John Faught, of Atlanta. Their mother
1
- -
411
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
died in 1857, and in September, 1860, the father married a second time, being united on this occasion with Miss Jane B. Russell. Of the sec- ond marriage eight children were born, and of these but three are liv- ing: John W .; Nancy, the wife of Henry Collins, of Atlanta, and Arzella, the wife of Bert Clough. The father died on July 28, 1887, and his widow in 1890.
Their son, John Wesley Wiggans, grew to manliood on his father's farm, assisting in its labors during his boyhood and youth, and attend- ing the country schools in the neighborhood when he could get a chance for a few weeks during the winter months at intervals. When his school days were over he gave his whole attention to farming, for awhile in the service and under the direction of his father, and then on his own account. He has stuck to his first choice of an occupation ever since, allowing no allurement, however rosy, and no temptation, however strong, to lead him away from it, and he has won the usual reward of constancy and fidelity, success in his undertakings and a firm hold on the regard and good will of his fellow-men. His farm of ninety acres, located near the town of Atlanta, with its ample improvements and full equipment, has risen to great value under his careful and intelligent management, and is one of the attractive and desirable country homes of the township. His live-stock industry also flourishes, giving him good returns for his labor in connection with it and sustaining and widening the excellent reputations he has in the trade for the superior quality of his output.
Mr. Wiggans is a pronounced Democrat in his political faith and adherence, and he is at all times earnestly serviceable to his party. He has helped it greatly as a soldier in the ranks for many years, and has reflected high credit on it by the able and conscientious performance of every duty in a number of different official positions. He has been township committeeman four years, a member of the school board more than eight, and constable for over twelve. In these several positions of trust and responsibility he has fully satisfied the people of the town- ship by the manner in which he has attended to the public business and the straightforwardness and strict integrity of all his official transac- tions. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and warmly attached to his lodge, in the proceedings of which he takes a very active part. On July 28, 1897, he was united in marriage with Miss Ella Epperley, who was born and reared in this county, but whose grandparents came to this state from Kentucky, and whose great-grandparents emigrated to the United States from Germany, where their forefathers were domesticated from time imme-
412
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
morial. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggans have five children : Evert, aged eleven ; George, aged ten; Nellie, aged eight; John D., aged five, and Ben Franklin, an infant of tender years.
JAMES N. GREENSTREET.
James N. Greenstreet, who is one of the prosperous and pro- gressive farmers of Drake township, this county, with a fine farm of 170 acres of well cultivated land lying near the village of Tullvania, was born in Byron county, Kentucky, in 1844, and has been a resident of Macon county, Missouri, fifty-five years, except for a short .time during the Civil war. His parents were Thomas and Sarah (Williams) Greenstreet, the former born and reared in Kentucky and the latter a native of Virginia. They came to Missouri in 1854 and located in this county. Here they were actively and profitably engaged in farming until death ended their labors, that of the mother occurring in 1900, and that of the father in 1889. They had nine children and five of them are living: Elizabeth, the wife of E. T. Davis; James N .; Newton; Joseph, and Mary, the wife of James Golden. The parents were married in 1832.
For a quarter of a century after attaining his maturity the father conducted farming operations in his native state, and, although the appeals of the farther West became at times insistent and almost per- snaded him to become an element in its prodnetive industries, he clung to the scenes and associations of his childhood and continued his ardu- ous endeavors for advancement in the locality in which he had begun them. At length, however, the winning smile of the region beyond the great "Father of Waters" from his home overbore all other con- siderations, and he became a resident of Missouri. Results proved that his move was a wise one, for he prospered in the new country and became prominent and influential in its local affairs. He was a Demo- erat in politics, and, although he would never consent to accept a political office, he took a great and helpful interest in his party and during the whole of his residence in this county was one of the zealons and effective workers for its success.
llis son, James N. Greenstreet, grew to manhood on his father's farm and completed in the district schools of Linn connty, in this state, the education he had begun in those of his native county in Ken- tueky. When he was seventeen years old the great Civil war began, and, believing firmly in the cause of the Confederacy, he enlisted in the Confederate army as a member of Company B, First Missouri Infan-
1
1
---
413
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
try. He remained in the service to the close of the mighty conflict and took an active part in many of its sanguinary engagements, among them the battle of Lexington. In the shock of battle and fury of the charge he never flinched, but on every field of carnage and in every military duty bore his part with the valor of his native state and in accordance with the traditions of his family. Yet he escaped serious disaster, and after the end of the war returned to the peaceful pursuits of husbandry at his Missouri home. In this domain of industry he has had his hand to the plow continuously ever since, with steadily increas- ing prosperity and widening reputation as a wise and skilful farmer. He now owns 170 acres of excellent land and has it all under cultiva- tion, except the portion which is reserved for grazing purposes in carrying on his extensive operations in raising live-stock.
The interests of the township and county have been ever consid- ered as of the highest importance in the sweep of Mr. Greenstreet's vision, and to their advancement he has given the full share of a good citizen's tribute in counsel, in effort and in the stimulus furnished by an inspiring example. As a member of the local school board for more than twenty years he has rendered excellent service in connection with one of the most valued and important public institutions in the country, and in many other ways, also, he has contributed to the general pros- perity and progress of the region in which he lives. His political alle- giance is given to the Democratic party, and in behalf of its success he is at all times an ardent and energetic worker. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order, and in religions affiliation belongs to the Christian church. His lodge and his church receive careful attention and loyal support from him in counsel and in more material assistance, and in both he is held in high regard as one of their most useful members.
Mr. Greenstreet was married twice, in 1866 to Miss Mary E. Nagel, of Linn county, Missouri. They have had nine children and now have five living: Robert, Walter, Ernest, Ralph and Lizzie. After the death of his first wife, in 1893, he was married to Miss Martha T. Johnson, of Elmer, Missouri. They have one child, Engene. The father is what is called a "self-made man" in the better sense of the phrase, and a creditable product of his own capacity and endeavors. He has made his own way in the world, without the aid of Fortune's favors or specially favoring circumstances, and all his triumphs are the direct results of his own ability, industry and good judgment. In this respect, as in his general demeanor, his breadth of view, his enter-
1
414
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
prise and his lofty ideals, he is a representative of sterling Ameriean manhood and good citizenship, and as such he is held in the highest esteem wherever lie is known.
JOHN M. DENISON.
Among the enterprising, progressive and successful farmers of Drake township, none stands higher in business eireles, in rank as a skilful cultivator of the soil, or in the general estimation of the people as a useful and public-spirited citizen than John M. Denison, whose well-improved and highly valuable farm is located near the village of Tullvania. It is equally true that no one is more deserving of the esteem of the people or wears it with more modest worth. Whether viewed as a productive force in the industries of the township as a leading representative man among its residents, as an ornament and inspiration in social life, or as a stimulating and energetie potency in public affairs, or as all together, he measures up to a high standard of excellence, and is appreciated accordingly.
Mr. Denison is a native of this county and was born on October 11, 1860. He is a son of William M. and Martha J. (Turner) Denison, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Kentucky. The father came to Missouri in 1846 and located in Macon county west of Bloom- ington. He devoted himself to farming here until the beginning of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Union army as a member of Com- pany C, Tenth Missouri Cavalry, which was under the command of General Wilson. Mr. Denison saw considerable active service, taking part in a number of leading battles and many minor engagements. He followed the flag of his country wherever duty led him and courageously faced every danger ineident to the service, winning a good name for valor in the field, endurance on the marel and commendable behavior under all eireumstances. He escaped the trying ordeal without serious injury, and when the war ended returned to his Missouri home and his former occupation. He was faithful and true in his military service, but the irregular life he lived during its continuance, and the con- stant change of location and duty, together with the enforced idle- ness and absence of restraint much of the time, did not unfit him for regular and systematic industry, and he took up his farming operations with the same spirit of enterprise and devotion he had given them before they were interrupted by the trumpet blast of the conflict that ealled lıim to arms.
He was married in 1859 to Miss Martha J. Turner, a lady from
--
--
!
--
--
415
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
Kentucky, where her ancestors lived for two or three generations. Of the six children born of their union four are living: John M., Felix R., Jose M. and Daniel H. The mother died in June, 1907. The father is still living and engaged in farming. He is a Republican in politics and active in the service of his party. In the affairs of the community he has always taken an earnest and helpful interest, having served as a member of the school board for many years and done good work for the advancement of the township and county in many other ways.
John M. Denison grew to manhood in the locality of his birth and obtained his education in the schools of the neighborhood and at the Kirksville Normal school. He felt that farming was his proper life work and offered the best chance available to him for the most satis- factory and profitable employment of his faculties. After he reached this conclusion he lost no time in getting into the industry and doing all he could to make the most of it. He has applied his energy with wisdom and good judgment, and has been. eminently successful in all his undertakings. He now owns 700 acres of fine land, which he has improved with good buildings and other necessary structures, com- pletely equipped with the most approved machinery for his purposes and brought to a high degree of productiveness by his skill and diligence as a lmusbandman. He is also engaged in general stock-raising on an extensive scale, devoting to that industry the same energy and intelli- gence he applies to his farming operations, and making it likewise leading and successful in its line. In addition, Mr. Denison is con- nected with the real estate, loan and insurance business in a way, and is one of the stockholders and directors of the Farmers State Bank at New Boston.
The public affairs of the county, state and nation in which he lives have always interested Mr. Denison deeply and commanded his earnest and thoughtful attention. He belongs to the Republican party in national politics and supports it with earnestness and zeal at all times. With reference to local affairs he looks first to the substantial welfare of the people and the promotion of their interests, with partisan claims as a secondary consideration. During the last twelve years he has been the county committeeman of his party for Drake township, and for many years has given the public excellent service as a justice of the peace. In religious matters he has no decided bias. He secs good in all the churches and helps all with judicious and well-applied liberality, as he does every enterprise which he deems worthy and conducive to the general weal of the community. Drake township has
416
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
no better citizen and none whom the people esteem more highly or with greater reason.
1
CHARLEY A. WOLF.
Inheriting from a sturdy German ancestry the characteristics of self-reliance and industry, together with the frugality and thrift, for which the German people are everywhere distinguished, and trained in their use by the spirit of enterprise and progressiveness that marks all phases of American life, Charley A. Wolf, of Gifford, has condneted his business and developed his career in a manner that is creditable alike to the land of his forefathers and that of his nativity. He was the first inhabitant of what is now the thriving and progressive town of Gifford. and largely through his efforts he has seen it spring into being and grow to its present state of development, influence and industrial and commercial promise.
Mr. Wolf was born in this county on January 28, 1881, and is a son of Gottfried and Antoinette (Shinnaman) Wolf, natives of the Father- land, the former born in Hamburg and the latter in Bremen. The father came to the United States in 1843 and, heeding the voice of what was the distant and undeveloped West, became a volunteer in her army enlisted in the conquest of the wilderness and the founding of a new empire in a region comparatively unknown to the residents of the older portions of the country. He journeyed from the Atlantic coast to the farther side of the Mississippi and located in Macon county, Missouri. His occupation was that of a farmer, and in this new region he found everything ready for his industry and enterprise. True, the land was not yet reduced to systematic productiveness throughout the region and much of it was in its primeval state of wildness. But it was ready for the studious application of mental foree and physical industry, and he was well equipped by nature and desire to make the application. He worked with ardor and fidelity, and all-responsive Nature yielded him a living in return for his ardnous labors, and with relenting generosity increased his store from year to year.
In 1872 he was united in marriage with Miss Antoinette Shin- naman, who was, like himself, far from her native land, but well pleased with the opportunities for advancement furnished by that of her adop- tion. They became the parents of seven children, and they are all living and helping to promote the welfare, quicken the progress and magnify the importance of this part of the country. They are: Fred- erick W., Mary S., Henry E., Caroline, Charley A., George A. and Florence. In polities the father is a Democrat, but he has never taken
-
f
-
1 -
1
417
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
a very active part in public affairs. He is now living retired from active pursuits and he and his wife are enjoying the rest they have so richly earned and the competence which is the result of their labors.
Their son, Charley A., was reared on the family homestead, which during boyhood and youth he helped to improve and cultivate. He attended, when he could be spared from the exactions of the farm, the distriet school near his home, acquiring in its humble and unpretentious course of study the foundation of his edneation. He completed his academie training at the Kirksville Normal school, and after leaving that institution passed six years as a teacher in the public schools. In 1904 he started an enterprise in mercantile life in which he is still actively and extensively interested. He also trains with the Democratie party in political affairs, and in a quiet way is serviceable to his party. In April, 1905, he was appointed postmaster of Gifford, and he has held the office continuously from that time to the present. It is a high tribute to his ability and fidelity in the performance of his official duties that, although he has been serving under administrations with which he is not allied politically during his whole tenure of this import- ant office, with which all the people in the community have a direct and intimate connection, his retention in it has been generally approved and his management of it has given general satisfaction.
In religious connection Mr. Wolf is a Baptist and devoted to the welfare of the congregation to which he belongs. But he is not narrow in his ereed any more than he is in his polities, and aids liberally in the support of all denominations. His fraternal affiliation is with the Order of Woodmen, and his camp in this also has his loyal support and energetic efforts for its advancement. He was married on December 20, 1904, to Miss Della B. Hayden, a native of Macon county and a daughter of parents who came to this state from Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf have no children, but the head of the house feels a sort of paternity toward the town he started and has aided so materially to build and improve. Its progress in every material, mental and moral way has ever been an object of prime importance to him, and no one of its eit- izens has labored more earnestly or with greater intelligence, public spirit and breadth of view for its permanent and most substantial improvement than he has. It ean be truthfully added that the services of no other citizen in its behalf have been more highly appreciated than his own, and none of its people is held in higher or more general esteem than he enjoys.
418
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
HON. ALBERT D. NORTONI.
This eminent lawyer and jurist, whose name is as familiar as a household word throughout Missouri, and whom the people of the state look upon as having dignified and adorned every walk in life which he has pursued, was born at New Cambria, Macon county, on January 26, 1867. He is a son of Dr. Edward Warren Nortoni, who was born and reared at Hebron, Connecticut, and came to Missouri in 1866. The doctor located in New Cambria when he arrived in this state and had his residence on the lot in that town on which his son's law office now stands and on the very site of that building. It was in this dwelling that the son was born. His mother, whose maiden name was Hannah T. Howell, was a native of Newark in the state of New Jersey, and there she was reared to maturity and obtained her education. There, also, she was married to the doctor about the year 1858.
When the present Judge Nortoni was about twelve years old his father rented forty acres of land adjoining New Cambria and put him to work as a farmer of that land. The discipline was severe and the responsibility seemed weighty, but the youth was courageous, self- reliant and determined, and he, with the help he had, made a good crop the first year. The next spring the whole family moved to a farm near Bynumville in Chariton county, and in that neighborhood it resided about two years, the son working on the farm in summer and attending the district school in the winter. In April, 1882, the family took another flight within the state and moved to Benton county, locat- ing in the Ozarks on what is known as the Buffalo road, about ten miles southeast of Warsaw, the county seat. The future jurist remained on the farm thus selected as the parental home until late in 1886, pursuing his general studies under the direction of his father and preparing him- self to enter upon the study of his chosen profession of the law.
The early years of the useful life briefly recounted in these para- graphs has been dwelt on to this extent because it was the formative period of the character that has so signally exemplified a high type of Missouri manhood and given the chronicles of the state a name that will ever be high on the roll of its distinguished men. In the latter part of 1886 the young man went to Linneus and at once began the study of law under the direction of Edward W. Smith, Esq:, one of the leading lawyers of Linn county at that time. A few months later he was employed as an assistant in the office of the clerk of the eireuit court, where he remained several years, aiding in keeping the records and doing other work, and thereby gaining a valuable practical knowledge
i
1
--
--
!
1
- -
-
1
Albui . Nortoni,
419
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
of the legal profession which he could scarcely have had a better oppor- tunity to get. He also continued the study of law while acting as deputy circuit clerk, and in his studies had the valuable advice and direction of Judge G. D. Burgess, now of the supreme court, and Judge Carlos Boardman. In February, 1888, he was admitted to the bar in the circuit court of Linn county at Brookfield, Judge Burgess presiding, but he continued to work in the circuit clerk's office until about January 1, 1889. In April of that year he located at Brookfield and began the practice of his profession, but on August 10, 1891, he removed to New Cambria because his parents had sold their farm in the Ozarks and returned to New Cambria to live, his father being in very poor health. He remained in the town of his birth until about January 1, 1903, when he removed to St. Louis, where he has ever since resided.
During his residence at New Cambria he was very useful to the community, serving as town attorney in 1892 and 1893, revising the ordinances for the town council and in a way reorganizing the town government. He also served a term of three years as a member of the school board in that town. On December 22, 1892, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Maggie Lina Francis of Bevier, Missouri. She died on September 30, 1894, and the judge then closed his office and aban- doned the practice of law for a period of nearly three years. During the latter part of 1895 and a portion of 1896 he served as private secretary to Hon. Charles N. Clark, member of Congress for the First congressional district of Missouri, and during that time was a resident of Washington, D. C. In the summer of 1896 he was nominated by the Republicans of the Ninth senatorial district as their candiate for state senator. He accepted the nomination although he knew the race would be hopeless, as the district was overwhelmingly Democratie, and made a gallant fight which ended in his defeat. But the contest gave tlie people a better knowledge of his ability and spirit than they had before, for he made speeches all over the district, which included the counties of Macon, Randolph and Boone.
In 1897 the judge opened his law office at New Cambria and again began practicing. But he was not long left undisturbed to enjoy it. In 1898 he was made the Republican nominee for judge of the Circuit Court in the Second judicial district, consisting of the counties of Macon, Adair, Shelby, Schuyler and Putman. This was also a hopeless race in a strong Democratic district and ended in defeat, as he knew at the beginning it must. His opponent on the Democratie ticket was Judge Nat. M. Shelton. During the next three years Judge Nortoni practiced law at New Cambria, continuing until December 26, 1902, when he was
1
420
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
appointed assistant United States district attorney for the eastern district of Missouri under Col. D. P. Dyer, now judge of the United States district court. The appointment took effect on January 1, 1903, and the judge then moved to St. Louis and entered upon the discharge of his important official duties. His first work in the office was to make an investigation of what were called "the naturalization frauds," and his activity in this connection resulted in the conviction and imprison- ment of a number of important politicians on the Democratic side. They appealed to the United States Circuit Court of Appeals, but the judg- ment of the lower court was affirmed and they were all finally landed in penal institutions for terms ranging from two to five years.
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.