USA > Missouri > Macon County > General history of Macon County, Missouri > Part 90
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In political relations Mr. Williams has been a Democrat from his youth. He is true and loyal to his party and is at all times active and effective in its service, giving good advice in couneil and energetic work in the field, accomplishing good results himself and awakening powers of fruitful activity in others by his influence and example. He has been town attorney of Ethel two years and town collector two. He is also president of the local school board. In fraternal life he is con- nected with the Masonic order, the Order of Odd Fellows, the Order of Elks and the Order of Woodmen, and his religious affiliation is with the Baptist church. For many years he has held a commission as a notary public. In church and lodge relations he is zealous and devoted,
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and his membership is esteemed as of great value in every organization to which he belongs.
On April 5, 1896, Mr. Williams was mited in marriage with Miss Myrtle M. Ross of Stanberry, this state, but of Nova Scotia parentage. Three children have blessed the union and brightened the family circle, Helen, George and Barnett R., Jr. The father is a self-made man in the fullest sense of the expression. He has made his own way in the world without the aid of Fortune's favors or adventitions circum- stances, and he has so conducted his progress that every step of it has been on solid ground and a permanent advance. He has had elearness of vision to see and alertness of spirit to seize his opportunities as they came, and has even turned adversities to his advantage and made of them wings and weapons for his further promotion. And all the time he has made the most of everything that came his way. His career is a high tribute to the resourcefulness of American manhood and furnishes a fine illustration of what thrift, industry and capacity can accomplish in this land of open opportunity and boundless productiveness.
On February 3, 1910, Mr. Williams moved his family to Columbia, Missouri, where he entered the Law Department of the Missouri Univer- sity where he expects to remain until he finishes the course, at which time he will move back to Macon county and pursue the practice of his chosen profession that he has so long aspired to complete.
ISHAM M. WALKER.
Isham M. Walker, of Narrows township, Macon county, who is well and favorably known as a successful and progressive farmer and excellent citizen, is a native of the county and was reared and educated almost wholly within its borders. He was born on October 15, 1853, and if not himself exactly a child of the frontier, inherited from his parents its sturdy independence, self-reliance and capacity for any task that might properly be laid before him.
Mr. Walker's parents, Isham and Mahitable (Murphy) Walker, were dwellers in this state in its pioneer days and experienced all the hardships and privations and felt all the alarms of such a state of existence. The father was born in Kentucky in 1816, and came with his parents to this state when he was a small boy. His father, Johnson Walker, was also a native of Kentneky and born into being there while it, too, was a wilderness. He grew to manhood on or beyond the border of civilization and was prepared by his experiences there for the more exacting ones that awaited him in the new home still farther from the
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centers of cultivated life to which, as a young man, he brought his little family at a very early day in the history of what is now the rich, populous and influential state of Missouri. The family located in Howard county, and the son, Isham, Sr., who had come to that section as a child, remained at home until he reached the age of nineteen. In 1835, taking his father's example as his incitement and guide, he sought a new home in an undeveloped region, determined to make his own way in the world and build a name and reputation for himself without the aid of parental influence or family standing. He came to Macon county and entered land on which he determined to found a home and develop a citizenship of usefulness. Macon county then extended all the way to the lowa line and was sparsely peopled.
On the land on which he thus became possessed the elder Mr. Walker passed the remainder of his days, developing and improving his property and adding to it until he owned 800 aeres. On this farm also he reared his family and rose to prominence and influence as one of the leading landholders of the county and one of its most judicions, progressive and serviceable citizens. During the whole of his residence in the county he was actively engaged in extensive general farming and raising superior live stock, and in all his undertakings he was emi- nently successful. He took an active interest, also, in the public affairs of the county, helping to give proper trend and enterprise to its forces of development and improvement, and to guide its political and moral agencies along lines of wholesome and elevating potency.
The father's death occurred in 1877. Ilis first marriage was with Miss Mahitable Murphy, of Macon county. They became the parents of seven children and five of them are living: Elizabeth, the widow of L. E. Hope, of Christianburg, Kentucky; Gabriel M., who lives in Macon county ; Sarah J., the wife of Jacob Albright, of Joplin, Mis- souri ; Andrew B., who is one of the prosperous citizens of St. Lonis; and Isham M. The mother of these children died in 1855, and in 1860 the father was married a second time, on this occasion being united with Miss Malinda Andrews, of Howard county, in this state. Of their two children only one is living, Anna D., the wife of George Wisdom, of Macon county. The father was a Democrat in politics and a Baptist in religious connection. He took an active part in the work of both his party and his ehmreh. Second wife died in 1897.
Isham M. Walker, like nearly all the children of his day and local- ity, obtained his education in the district schools in large measure. But unlike most of the others, he had the benefit of a finishing course at Mount Pleasant College, in Huntsville, Missouri. He passed his early
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life assisting his parents on the farm, working on it even after leaving college, and remaining at home until 1876. He then started a farming enterprise of his own on 100 aeres of land which his father gave him, and has continued it energetically and profitably to the present time, He now owns 210 acres of good land and has the greater part of it under skillful and productive cultivation.
Mr. Walker has not, however, devoted himself wholly to his own interests. He has been zealously serviceable to the community as a member of the school board and in many other ways, aiding in every worthy project for the improvement of the region around him, and contributing essentially and substantially to the welfare of its people. He was married on November 19, 1876, to Miss Mary J. McGrew, a daughter of Clinton and Angeline (Spencer) MeGrew, prominent citi- zens of Macon county. They have five children, all living in Macon county but one. They are: Susan Luella, the wife of Alfred Purdy; Melville C., whose home is at Rockyford, Colorado; Hubert E., of this county; Henry F., also of this county; and Victor T., who is still at home. The father is a Democrat in politics and he and his wife are Baptists in religion, and both active workers in the church to which they belong. They stand well in the county, being reckoned among its most prosperous and influential citizens and most active factors for good to the whole people. They are generous in social life, making their home a center of refined and considerate hospitality, and con- tributing liberally to everything that ministers to the enjoyment of their hosts of friends, who hold them in cordial admiration as all the rest of the population does in high respect.
4
HENRY M. HUNTSMAN.
The wild plains and sloping hillsides of Missouri required heroic effort on the part of the pioneers to awaken them to cultivated produc- tiveness and make them yield their due tribute to the service of civilized man, and the pioneers who did this were men and women of heroic mold and stern endurance, willing to dare any danger and undergo any hardship to redeem the wilderness from the waste and lay in it the foundations of a great, wealthy and progressive commonwealth. They wrought with care, even though crudely, as their circumstances required, and from a retrospective view of their labors and the results which have followed, one must give them credit for wisdom in their efforts and breadth of view as well as endurance in their toil.
Among this race of conquerors were Josiah and Daisy (Collins) Huntsman, the parents of Henry W. Huntsman, one of the substantial
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and successful farmers of Narrows township in Macon county. They were natives of Kentucky and repeated on the soil of Missouri the triumphs their forefathers had won on that of their native state. The father came to this state in 1833, a young adventurer twenty-seven years of age, and located on Mud creek, where he entered government land still virgin to the plow and all untouched, as yet, by the hard but kindly hand of systematic husbandry. He was one of the first settlers in that region and had his full share of the stirring and startling experiences of the frontier. But he pursued his chosen way, fencing and breaking up his land, and gradually but surely transforming the wild domain into an excellent and highly improved farm. He prospered in his lofty venture and added to his acres until, at the time of his death on July 22, 1881, he was possessed of 337, the greater part of which was yielding tribute to his enterprise, industry and skill.
Josiah Huntsman was married twice. His first wife was a Miss Poarch, of Kentucky, and through his marriage with her he became the father of five children, three of whom are living: Newton and Thomas, who live in Randolph county, this state, and Martha Jane, who still has her home under the parental roof. The father was married to Miss Daisy Collins, who was also a native of Kentucky. Five chil- dren were born of this marriage also and four of them are living. They are: James T., who resides in California ; Henry M., the immediate subject of this sketch; William P., an esteemed citizen of Walla Walla county, state of Washington; and C. J., whose home is in Randolphi county, Missouri. The father was first a Whig in polities, and when the party of his early choice and loyalty passed away he became a Democrat, taking part in the campaigns of his party and giving its principles and candidates earnest and effective support until the end of his life. He was an earnest and devout member of the Christian church for many years, active in all its worthy undertaking's and zealous in defense of its articles of faith.
Henry M. Huntsman accepted his heritage as a child of the frontier, with all that it involved, without repining. He attended the district school near his home and obtained in its instructions all of the direct scholastic training it was his lot to get. He did his part of the hard work on the farm and gave the family all the support he could in its early struggle with the wild conditions opposed to its advance- ment, although these had been much improved by the time he appeared on the scene. After leaving school and reaching the estate of man- hood he still remained at home, assisting his parents, until 1882, when he bought 120 acres of land in Macon county and took up his residence
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on it. Making it his life work to develop and improve this tract, and all besides that he might be able to add to it, he has ever since sedu- lonsly devoted himself to the task he set for himself, in the perform- ance of which he has been very successful. He now owns 200 acres of fine farming and grazing land, all of which is under cultivation and in a high state of fruitfulness. His main business is general farming at an elevated standard of excellence, and he makes the work profit- able. In addition he raises, and feeds and ships, large numbers of cat- tle. Of these he takes such care that he is always prepared to deliver them to the markets in good condition, and thus maintains the high rate at which his output has long been scheduled.
Mr. Huntsman was married on February 12, 1882, to Miss Pettie Watson, a daughter of Benjamin Watson, one of the leading citizens of Macon county. They have had six children, five of whom are living: Frank C. and Hugh N., who live at Alliance, Nebraska; and Benjamin V., William M. and Waldo W., who are still at home with their par- ents. In politics the father is a Populist, not extreme in his views, but firm in defense of those he holds. Fraternally he belongs to the order of Woodmen of the World, and in religions connection he and his wife are associated with the Christian church, in the work of which they take an active part. They are also faithful in the performance of all their duties as citizens, taking broad and progressive views of life and living up to them. They heartily support every commendable enterprise for the advancement of the community and the elevation of the moral and intellectual standard of its people. All who know them respect them highly as altogether worthy and estimable factors in the public and private life of the township and county, and supporters of its most valued institutions.
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GEORGE L. WALTERS.
George L. Walters, one of the successful and progressive farmers of that rich agricultural portion of Macon county, known as Round Grove township, furnishes in his career a fine example of Pennsylvania enterprise and thrift transmitted to another generation and trans- planted in a region distant and different from that in which it orig- inated. He was born in Macon county, on the farm which is still his lome, on December 27, 1863, and is a son of Aaron and Ann (Border) Walters, who were born, reared and educated in Pennsylvania, and were among the early settlers of Macon county. The father came to this state at a very early date and bought land from the government, which was still in a state of primeval nature and not yet given over
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to the dominion of the white man by the wild beasts and red rovers of the forest and the plains.
This hardy adventurer knew the perils he faced and the difficulties he would have to encounter, but he had the spirit of a Spartan and dared any danger, smiled at any difficulty, in his determination to win suc- cess on the frontier and make a name and achieve an estate for him- self, where nature held everything in readiness for the industry and thrift which she awaited as the proper recipients of her bounty. He struggled with her wild condition, faithfully toiled on under her unre- lenting frown, and in due time found her yielding to his persistent industry and courage and rewarding him with annually expanding benefactions. He fenced and improved his land and in time made it one of the best farms in the township of its location. He added to his possessions as prosperity gave him the means, and when he died in 1875 was the owner of 240 acres of excellent land, well improved, reduced to a high degree of productiveness and in itself a valuable estate.
About four years before the father died he gave up active work and turned the management and operation of the farm over to his son George, and that progressive and skillful manager has been in charge of it ever since. His venerable mother is still living, aged seventy-five years, and she makes her home with him. She was his father's second wife and the mother of two children, George L. and his older brother Joseph, both residents of Macon county. Both have been successful and each is a substantial and well esteemed citizen, active in all efforts for the improvement of the county and in line with every undertaking that will minister to the comfort, convenience and enduring welfare of its people.
George L. Walters obtained his education in the district schools near his home, and on leaving school settled down at once to his life- long occupation of cultivating the paternal homestead. He has never . had any other home or desired any. He has prospered on this and added to its extent until it now comprises 358 aeres, about half of which is under cultivation and worked with assiduous industry and commendable skill and judgment. Mr. Walters has risen to a high rank among the farmers of the township, giving all his attention to his one pursuit and making the utmost of that. Like the skylark of poesy, he is a "type of the wise, who soar but never roam, true to the kindred points of heaven and home."
In politics Mr. Walters is a Republican of stable and continuing convictions, but he is not an active partisan, and has never sought or
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desired a political office, being content to serve the state from the honor- able post of private citizenship, doing what he could for its advance- ment in his own way and leaving its government to those whom the people chose to administer its affairs. He is regarded as an excellent citizen and estimable man.
ANDREW J. ASBURY.
V
Andrew J. Asbury, of Hudson township, who is one of the leading citizens of Macon county, and has reflected credit on it and its people in both private and public life, is a native of Missouri, born in Howard county on April 22, 1855. His grandfather, Elijah Asbury, was a native of Virginia, and belonged to a family that for generations held high rank in the Old Dominion, where the family name is one of prominence in the chronicles of the state, running back into colonial times.
Mr. Asbury is a son of Thomas and Katharine (Downing) Asbury, natives of Clinton county, Ohio, where the father was born in 1810. His father caught the western fever when he was a young man and moved into what was then the almost untrodden frontier, in southwestern Ohio. It was a bold step for a young man reared and nurtured amid the blandishments of old Virginia's cultivated society and wealth of creature comforts, but he took it bravely, endured the discomforts of the long and tedious journey into and through the wilderness, and set- tled down in the new domain to carve out for himself a name among the people and an estate worthy of his abilities and industry. Follow- ing his example, the son in turn became an emigrant from the parental homestead and sought the betterment of his fortune in the wilds of Mis- souri, bringing to this state an abundance of.spirit and energy, good health and the buoyant hopefulness of youth, but little else. He took np his residence first in Howard county, where he remained until 1865. In that year he moved to Monroe county, and eight years later to Macon county. Before coming to this county he had lived on rented farms, but on his arrival herè he bought a tract of one hundred acres, which he cultivated with skill and energy until the death of his wife in 1879. He then determined to retire and sold his property, thereafter making his home with his children until his death on January 25, 1884. His wife died in Jannary, 1880.
In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army for a period of nine months and served as a member of Company A., Ninth Volunteer Missouri Infantry, the company being under command of General Guitar. Mr. Asbury's term of service was extended to two years, and, although the most of the time during its continuance his command was stationed
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in Missouri, it saw active service on the march and in the field, taking part in many skirmishes and some more important engagements.
The marriage of the parents of Andrew Asbury occurred in Ohio and resulted in nine children, but three of whom are now living: Louisa Jane, wife of William Neff, of Macon county ; George W., a resident of Shelby county; and the interesting subject of this memoir. The father was a Republican in politics and long a member of and zealous worker in the Christian church. He was regarded throughout the county as an enterprising and progressive citizen and a very worthy and esti- mable man.
Andrew J. Asbury got his meager draughts of scholastic learning at the common fountain of inspiration for the American people. the district schools, attending these temples to Cadmus in Howard, Monroe and Macon counties. When he had completed their limited courses of instruction he remained at home and assisted his father in the work of the farm until 1877. He then bought forty acres of land and began farming on his own account, continuing his operations in this line of productive industry until 1895. In that year he moved to Macon City, where he lived for a period of thirteen years. In 1908 he bought another farm of eighty acres, and on this he has ever since made his home, but has not engaged actively in the work of farming the land, having other duties of importance to occupy his time and energies. He was elected sheriff of the county in 1894, and in 1898 was chosen marshal, holding the former office one term and the latter two. At the end of his second term as marshal he was appointed superintendent of the county infirm- ary, a position which he filled with credit to himself and benefit to the institution and the county for a period of two years. While sheriff he hanged the first and only man ever executed by law in the county.
It will be seen that in official life Mr. Asbury has rendered the county good service and dignified and adorned its citizenship. As a farmer also he was highly successful, carrying on his operations on a high plane and helping to raise the standard of farming all around him. It is his demonstrated merit that has raised him to prominence ameng the people and won him their lasting esteem; and it is his indus- try, thrift and capacity that have given him a goodly store of this world's goods and made him comfortable for life.
Mr. Asbury's first marriage occurred on February 25, 1877, when he was united in wedlock with Miss Jennie B. Fleming, a native of Penn- sylvania. They had six children and five of them are living: Harry W., a resident of Winslow, Arizona ; Frank IT., who lives in Los Angeles, California; Jesse T., whose home is in Fresno, California; Cline R.,
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who also lives in Arizona, at Winslow, and Ruby K., who is still a mem- ber of the parental household. Their mother died in 1891, and on September 25, 1893, the father married a second wife, on this occasion being united with Miss Ida M. Vanneten, a resident of Macon county. In politics Mr. Asbury is a pronounced Republican. In fraternal rela- tions he belongs to the Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order of Foresters, and his religious affiliation is with the Christian church. He has been very active in all and stands well in each.
CHARLES P. SHAY.
Three of the great states of the American Union have had the benefit of the activities and elevated citizenship of Charles P. Shay, now one of the leading merchants of Anabel, in this county, and all of them are the better for his having lived and labored in them. These states are Missouri, Colorado and Texas, and Mr. Shay has pleasant memories of each with a cordial regard for the people he mingled with while within its borders. He was born in Warren county, Ohio, on February 18, 1874, and became a resident of Missouri with his parents in 1882, when he was but eight years old.
Mr. Shay is a son of John B. and Margaret (Carpenter) Shay, and he and his brother, Benjamin M., of New York, are the only ones of their three children who are now living. The father was born in Ireland in 1844 and lived in that country until he reached the age of eleven years. Then, in company with an older brother, he came to this country, led to the step by the lack of opportunity for the deserving poor in his own land and its abundance here. Fortune smiled upon him for his daring and gave him acquisitions in material substance and influence as a citizen which he could never have made in the Emerald Isle under its present political and social conditions. On the arrival of the self-expatriated brothers in the United States they located in War- ren county, Ohio, and there the younger, orphaned by distance from his parents if not by their death, completed in the public schools the education he had begun in those of his native land.
When he was obliged and ready to take up the burden of life for himself, which was at an carly age, he bought and shipped grain and feed for some years and then turned his attention to farming and rais- ing live-stock. He carried on these industries in Warren county, Ohio, until 1882. In that year he concluded to take another flight in the wake of the setting sun, and, in consequence of this determination, he came to Missouri and located in Macon county, half a mile south of Anabel. There he farmed in a general way until his death in 1894. He was
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