USA > Missouri > Macon County > General history of Macon County, Missouri > Part 95
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his course, and for a few years he worked at different occupations while still undetermined on his choice. But at length he decided in favor of the home life to which he was accustomed, and settled down in the locality of his nativity as a farmer and breeder of stock. Subsequent results have proven his wisdom. His success has been great and he is well established in the community of his home as one of its pro- gressive, prominent and prosperous farmers and leading men. He owns 307 acres of fine land, with the most of it yielding tribute to his enterprise and intelligence in cultivating it, a suitable portion being reserved as pasturage for his extensive holdings in live stock.
When Mr. Easeley once became well settled as a permanent citizen of the region in which he gained his stature and his strength, every interest connected with it had additional value in his eyes, and the promotion of its welfare became a labor of love with him as it was already a willingly acknowledged duty. He has ever been active in connection with all worthy projects involving its improvement and the comfort and convenience of its people. His political activity has been expended in behalf of the Democratic party, to which he has always been firmly attached, and his services to it are highly appreciated by both its leaders and their followers throughout the county. In fra- ternal life he trains with the Modern Woodmen of America, and in religious connection he is allied with the Universalist church. Both his lodge and his church have his carnest and energetic support, and in both his membership is valued highly. On November 2, 1904, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Slaughter, whose parents and grandparents came to Missouri from New York state, but who is her- self a native of Macon county. Mr. Easeley is one of the principal stockholders in the Bank of Gifford, and to this institution he gives a proper share of his time and careful attention.
JOHN AARON GRIGSBY. V
Adversity is a great schoolmistress, as many a poor fellow knows, who has held out his hand to her ferule and whimpered over his lesson before her awful chair. Yet, although her discipline is severe it is thorough, and the instruction she gives is impressive and lasting. The business career and life of useful citizenship of John Aaron Grigsby of Easeley township in this county, where he is actively and success- fully engaged in farming and raising live stock for the Eastern markets. furnish a striking illustration of this fact, and show, also that behind the unrelenting frown of the stern schoolmistress there beats a really warm
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and considerate heart for those who have the faculty to take her dis- cipline at its true merit and apply it to their advantage.
Mr. Grigsby is a native of Putnam county in this state, and was born in 1861. He lost his father at an early age, and when he was but eight years old was given by his mother to N. W. Michaels of La Plata. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Gates) Grigsby, both born and reared in Missouri, and married in 1857. They became the parents of four children, two pairs of twins. Of the four only two are living, John Aaron and his older sister, Rebecca, the wife of Z. Robinson. The early death of the father left the mother with the small children to rear and educate and with almost nothing in the way of provision for the great task that was upon her. She was obliged to do what she considered best for her offspring, and so gave her son to a family she esteemed to be cared for, thus enlarging her power to provide for the rest and seeuring for him a better outlook in life than she could give him through her efforts.
The son grew to manhood under the care and supervision of his foster parents and obtained a limited education at the public schools. As soon as he left school he started in on the life work he had chosen for himself by turning his attention to farming and conducting his operations in a way that was sure to make them successful. From that time to the present he has diligently followed the dual voeation of an agriculturist and stock-breeder with steadily increasing profits and expanding interests, until he now owns and farms more than 430 acres of land and has a stock industry of considerable magnitude. His farm is vigorously and skillfully cultivated, improved with good buildings and other necessary structures, and provided with approved modern appliances for all that is required of it. His home is one of the valu- able and attractive country residences of the township and shows in its every feature the wisdom and capacity of its owner.
Mr. Grigsby is active in the political affairs of his locality as a Republican of pronounced convictions, and gives attention in a prac- tieal and serviceable way, not only to the aspirations and desires of his party, but to every commendable projeet for the improvement and advancement of the region in which he lives. He has been a member of the local school board for upwards of twenty years, and very energetic in his attention to the needs and progress of the schools. His fra- ternal attributes find food for exercise in his membership in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, to which he has belonged for many years. He was married in 1880 to Miss Mary Clem. Of the two children born to them their daughter Buella is living. Her mother
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died in 1896, and in 1898 the father married a second wife, being united this time with Miss Elizabeth Gunnels. They have two children, their son J. A. and their daughter Theta H., both now attending school. The parents rank among the most worthy and estimable citizens of the township.
JAMES H. FORD.
James H. Ford, who is one of the progressive, successful and repre- sentative farmers of Liberty township in this county is not a native of the state, but he has lived in Macon county almost fifty years and during the whole of that long period has mingled freely with its people and taken an important and helpful part in their industries and their political, civil and social life. Hle is therefore fully imbued with their feelings and aspirations and is impelled by the same springs of action that inspire them and may fitly be taken as representative of them in all that is worthy and enterprising. In his career he displays the qualities that govern them and typifies the energy that has made them so progressive and their section of the state so well advanced in development and improvement.
Mr. Ford was born in Benton county, Arkansas, on September +, 1838, and is a son of William and Rebecca (Tipett) Ford, natives of Tennessee, where their ancestors were domesticated for generations. They moved from their native state to Arkansas in early life, and there they passed the remainder of their days, the mother dying in September, 1879, and the father in March, 1885. They had eleven children, all of whom have died but four, James H., Andrew Jackson, Sarah, the wife of Thomas Markum of Oklahoma, and Elizabeth, the wife of J. W. Taylor of Arkansas. The parents were farmers and labored industriously at their calling, winning success and comfort through many trials and difficulties, and making the most of their opportunities in spite of numerous discouraging adversities. The father partie- ipated in the Civil war, fighting for his convictions on many a bloody field of that momentous conflict, and suffered the fate of many of its best and bravest soldiers-the ruin of his industries and the impover- ishment that always follows that. At the close of the war he was obliged to begin over again, but he had the spirit necessary to succeed, and he went to work to repair his fortunes as bravely as he marched to the battlefield in defense of his political faith.
James II. Ford obtained his education in the country schools near lis Arkansas home. This was necessarily limited, for he had no time to seek higher walks of learning than those country schools afforded,
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and his attendance at even them was irregular and of short duration. On leaving school he turned his attention to the vocation his fathers had followed for generations, becoming a farmer in his native county. In 1865 he came to Missouri and took up his residence in Macon county. He at onee began farming here and has adhered to that industry with profitable fidelity ever since. He now owns and farms 200 acres of good land, cultivating the soil with skill and intelligence, keeping abreast with the most advanced thought in agricultural pursuits, and applying the labor of his hands under the vigorous and careful direc- tion of his far-seeing and well trained mind. In connection with his farming operations he carries on an extensive and flourishing enter- prise in general stoek raising. To this also he gives intelligent and thoughtful attention, omitting no effort on his part required to secure the best results. He has been very successful in both branches of his industry, and is recognized as one of the most progressive and resourceful stock men and farmers in the county.
To the affairs of the township and county he has applied the same thoughtful and rational attention that he has used in his own business, and has thus risen through usefulness to prominence among the people and been for many years one of their chosen and appreciated public officials. For more than twenty years he has served them faithfully and acceptably as a justice of the peace, and for an equal period as a member of the school board. He was also road overseer for nearly four years. In all these positions he has had an eye single to the good of the people and the substantial and enduring welfare of the township of his home. In politieal faith and allegiance he is a member of the Democratic party, but where the local public interests are concerned party ties are subordinated to the publie good, which, with him, is always a matter of the first consideration. His religious connection is with the Baptist ehureh, in which he takes an active and very serviccable interest.
On August 12, 1860, Mr. Ford was joined in marriage with Miss Margaret Murley, a native of Macon county. They had five children four of whom are living: William, who is a resident of the new state of Oklahoma ; Jolm M., Oscar and Ollie, the last named being the wife of Charles Darenger of Kansas City, Missouri. Their mother died on August 13, 1879, and on June 29, 1880, the father contracted a second marriage, being united on this occasion with Miss Ada Hayner, also a native of this county. They have three children, Susan, the wife of Isham King, Victor and Grover, who are living at home with their parents.
D. J. REED
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
D. J. REED.
The capacity to develop great enterprises and successfully finance and conduct extensive operations is rare, and those who possess it are always very useful to the communities in which they operate and esteemed as persons of great ability. D. J. Reed, one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of New Cambria, in this county, is a man of such measure, and is well known, not only throughout Macon county, but the entire West, as one of the best informed and most resourceful mining men in Missouri.
Mr. Reed is a native of this state, having been born at Kirksville, Adair county, on March 28, 1848. He is a son of David S. and Elizabeth (Wilson) Reed, natives of Kentucky, who moved to Missouri in 1843. They first located in Randolph county, and after a short residence there removed to Adair county. In 1849 they became residents of Macon county, making their home at what was then known as Hammack's Mills, and was located about seven miles south of New Cambria. There the father engaged in farming, following this line of useful endeavor until his death. Both he and his wife died in Macon county. Of the eleven children born to them only two are living, D. J. Reed and one of his sisters.
D. J. Reed grew to manhood in Macon county and obtained a limited education in the primitive country schools of his boyhood and youth. As soon as he was able he secured employment as a coal miner in the mines of this county. He worked in the mines here until 1891, when he moved to Colorado, and within the same year was appointed state mine inspector of that state. He filled this position with great ability and with high approval for two years, and during his tenure of the office brought about many needed reforms for the benefit of the miners of the state. Following his service as mine inspector he engaged in prospecting and mining in various parts of Colorado, Arizona, Nevada and other Western states, and he still owns valuable interests in that part of the country.
In 1908 Mr. Reed returned to Macon county, and, in association with Gustave Yager, bought eighty acres of mineral land near New Cambria. Their expectations concerning this land were well founded and are being realized in a very gratifying manner. They found the land under- laid with rich veins of ore carrying gold, silver, tin, and zine, and for the purpose of developing the property they organized the Pioneer Gold Mining company of New Cambria, of which Mr. Reed is the president and general manager. The property gives promise of developing into
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one of the richest fields ever opened in the West, and the people of Macon county are deeply indebted to the gentlemen named for their efforts to bring to the notice of the world one of the extensive resources of Missouri that was before unknown.
That they have met with opposition and obstruction in their work has to be admitted with regret, but it is a part of the usual experience of farseeing and enterprising men. Persons who, it would seem, would welcome every development that promises to enrich the county and state, have not only failed to give what encouragement they could to this undertaking, but have gone out of their way to discourage prospective investors and prevent the consummation of the enterprise. But in spite of all opposition the gentlemen at the head of the concern have succeeded in organizing their company and placing it soundly on its feet by disposing of a large amount of the capital stock. Its progress is now only a matter of effort and ability well applied, and there can be no question that the company will show the ability and make the necessary efforts for a complete and triumphant success.
Mr. Reed was married in 1877 to Miss Dista Reed, who is, like him- self a native of Missouri and cordially interested in the welfare of the state. They have had eight children, seven of whom are living. The father is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in fraternal life belongs to the Order of Knights of Pythias. In polities he is a Democrat and as such has served as county mine inspector. He and his family stand high in the social life of the community and are univer- sally esteemed as among the best and most useful people in the county.
WILLIAM W. LLOYD.
The hardihood and endurance, the self-reliance and resourcefulness, and the general adaptability of the Welsh race, which are due in large measure to the hard conditions that soil, climate and civic conditions force upon it in its own land, enable it to grow and flourish like a green bay tree in a country like ours, where all the conditions are favorable and there is scope for the exercise of every faculty in aggressive enter- prise, none being required, in the main, for defensive operations. In our responsive soil every seed deposited will come forth to multiplied vitality, some thirty, some sixty and some a hundred fold; and every activity expended in our eivil, social and political life, is similarly fruitful and prolific.
William W. Lloyd, one of the far-seeing, enterprising and pro- gressive farmers of Lingo township in this county, owes his snecess and prominence to his race characteristics of industry, thrift and shrewd-
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
ness, and to the opportunities the land of his adoption has given for their employment to his advantage. He is a native of North Wales, where he was born in 1839, and a son of William and Ann (Robert) Lloyd, also natives of that country, where they passed the whole of their lives in diligent attention to their duties as farmers and worthy citizens, dying after long years of usefulness on the soil they had hallowed by their labors and being laid to rest in its hospitable bosom. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom are living: Griffith, whose home is still in Wales; Hugh G., a resident of New Cambria in this state; William W., who is the subject of the para- graphs; Margaret, the wife of John L. Jones, and Mary, the wife of Thomas O. Jones, both of whom are yet residents of Wales, the land of their forefather for many generations.
The opportunities for schooling that were available to William W. Lloyd were limited and irregular. He attended the common schools in the neighborhood of his ancestral home when he could be spared from more exacting duties, and, while he made good use of his time in them, he was obliged by the circumstances of the family and his own needs to leave them at an early age. Esau must have pottage, even if he bar- ter away his birthright to get it. Mr. Lloyd had to make his living and he could not do this while going to school. He remained in his native land until 1869, hearing for many years, with increasing force in it and attention from him, the persuasive voice of America calling for volun- teers to swell her great army of conquest and development. At length he was unable to longer withistand its importunity, and when he was thirty years old he crossed the heaving ocean to find a more com- fortable home and better prospects in the New World. Guided by fate or his own good judgment to where abundance and success awaited him, he located in Macon county, Missouri, and went to work as a farmer. Soon afterward he bought forty acres of good land, which he made the nucleus of the estate he was bending his energies to win. Taking up his residence on this land, he began developing and improving it, drag- ging good harvests from it by persistent and well applied industry, and steadily increasing its value and adding to his possessions until he now owns 200 acres and has the whole tract under advanced culti- vation and yielding rich tribute to his industry and skill as a farmer. His present dwelling stands on the original forty acres and the remainder of the farm is conveniently located around that.
In his farming operations Mr. Lloyd has given the people a good example of what continued and intelligent labor can accomplish on the responsive soil of this great state; and in his wise and energetic
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
attention to local affairs of importance to the township he has pointed and emphasized the debt America owes to her foreign-born population. He has served acceptably as tax collector under the township organ- ization and also as road overseer, doing good work for the township and its people in both positions and winning almost universal approval for the excellence of his service. He has, in addition, been actively and helpfully connected with various enterprises of value in the development and improvement of the county, and has given them all careful and fruitful attention.
Politieally Mr. Lloyd is allied with the Republican party, and in religious relations he and his wife are connected with the Presbyterian church, of which they are zealous and appreciated members and in the good works of which they are active participants. 'The wife's maiden name was Catherine Roberts, and she is a daughter of John and Ellen Roberts, who were born and reared in Wales. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd were married in 1869, and have had five children. Four of the five are living, William J., Kate and Ella, who still abide with their parents, and Annic, who is the oldest and the wife of E. H. Bevan, and who is also a resi- dent of this county. The family is prominent in the county, having a competeney in worldly wealth and being firmly fixed in the regard and good will of the whole people wherever its members are known.
CLEMENT F. SMILEY.
Born and reared in Northeastern Missouri, educated at Smiley- ville, Marion county, which is now a thriving village and was founded by and named in honor of his father, and for many years engaged in business in Macon county, and with a good record also for his parents in the mercantile and industrial life of this portion of the state, the personal achievements and family history of Clement F. Smiley of Axtell are well worthy of honorable mention in any work that purports to give an account of the rise and progress of Macon county and its people.
Mr. Smiley is a native of West Hartford, Ralls county, Missouri, where his life began on December 11, 1868. His grandfather, William Smiley, was born and reared in Ireland, where his son Benjamin, the father of Clement F., also came into being. The latter, however, did not remain long in his native land. He was born on March 28, 1838, and came to the United States an infant in his mother's arms. The family located in Pike county, Illinois, and there Benjamin Smiley grew to manhood and obtained a limited common school education. On leaving school he learned the blacksmith trade and for twelve years
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
worked at it diligently. and profitably. In 1865 he moved to Marion county, this state, and during the next four years was engaged in farm- ing and raising live stock in that connty. At the end of the period mentioned he returned to Illinois, and there he continued his farming operations until 1882. Ile then came back to Missouri and again located in Marion county. There he followed blacksmithing and mer- chandising until 1905, when he moved to the city of Macon, retiring from active pursuits and leading a quiet but still serviceable life until his death, which occurred on January 31, 1906, when he was sixty-eight years of age.
Benjamin Smiley was first married in 1865 to Miss Sarah Mallory, a native of Virginia. They had four children, all of whom are living: William E., whose home is in Macon city; Mary Allie, the wife of C. A. Jobson of St. Louis, Missouri ; Clement F., a resident and merchant of Axtell in this county; and Hattie L., the wife of T. A. Craig, who also dwells.in Macon. The mother of these children died on July 22, 1881, and in 1889 the father married a second wife, his choice on this occasion being Miss Fannie McCall, a danghter of Dr. R. S. and Fannie McCall, long well known and esteemed residents of this county. Mr. Smiley's second marriage resulted in two children, Leta Vietor and Martha Ena, both of whom are living at home with their mother. The father was a Republican in politics and an enterprising and public spirited man. His memory is cherished with cordial and lasting regard wherever he was known.
Clement F. Smiley attended a district school at Smileyville and after the completion of his education elerked for a few years in a general store conducted by a painstaking and thriving merchant. He then went to work in the same capacity for his father, and so had excellent training for the business in which the greater part of his life to this time has been passed. Ile remained with his father until 1895, when he moved to Plainville, Illinois, and there for three years was associated with J. T. Havenor and G. M. Nichols in general merchan- dising under the firm name of Havenor, Nichols & Smiley. The busi- ness was snecessful and profitable, but Mr. Smiley saw better oppor- tunity for himself in another venture. In 1898 he moved to the city of Macon and became a salesman for Albert Jobson, an extensive dealer in farming implements and their accessories.
In 1901 another change "came o'er the spirit of his dreams," and he once more became a merchant on his own account. In that year he located at Axtell in this county, and there started a general store which he is still conducting. His enterprise is flourishing and pro-
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
gressive, and the success he has won and is winning in it proves the wisdom of his choice when he started it. On July 8, 1902, he was appointed postmaster of that town, an office he has held continuously ever since. He is also ticket agent for the Wabash railroad at Axtell. His store building and stock of merchandise are wholly his own and he also has valuable residence property in the town.
On June 21, 1903, Mr. Smiley was united in marriage with Miss Mattie Havenor, a daughter of J. T. and Sabra Havenor, of Plainville, Illinois, his father-in-law being his former partner in business in that city. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smiley belong to the Southern Methodist church and they are zealous and energetic church workers. He is one of the stewards of the congregation to which they are attached and the superintendent of its Sunday school. His wife is a teacher in the Sunday school and the organist of the church. In politics the husband is a pronounced Republican of the most loyal and unwavering kind, and in fraternal relations he is a Modern Woodman of America. He and his wife are among the most esteemed citizens of the community in which they now live, and also stand high in the regard of the people in other places where they have had their homes.
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