USA > Missouri > Shelby County > General history of Shelby County, Missouri > Part 55
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
condition or surroundings of the sterling American eitizen, he is sure to exemplify the commendable traits of character and manhood that have given that citizenship its high rank in the judicious estimate of the world.
Mr. Sparks himself is a native of Hen- ry county, Kentucky, where he was born on January 4, 1835. His father, James P. Sparks, was born in Kentucky on Jan- uary 4, 1801, and was reared and edu- cated in his native state. There, also, he began the career as a farmer and live stock man which lasted to the end of his life. He came to Missouri and located his family on the boundary line between Monroe and Shelby counties in 1839, the dwelling of the family being in Monroe and part of the farm on which it was lo- cated in Shelby county. Here he renewed his activity as a farmer and stock man and continued it to his untimely death in 1846, at the age of forty-five years. He was very enterprising and energetic and sueeess followed all his efforts. And from the indications presented he was destined to become a man of consider- able wealth and influence if death had not eut short his usefulness when he was at the height of his powers.
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In 1822 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Elizabeth Threlkeld, and by this union he became the father of fourteen children, five of whom are living: Martha Margaret, the wife of Judge N. Adams, of Shelbina; John F., who is the interesting theme of this writ- ing; Sarah Elizabeth, the wife of Henry Sparks; Naney Helen, the wife of Henry Smith, of Monroe county; and S. A. Sparks, an esteemed citizen of Blackwell, Oklahoma. The father was a loyal and
zealous member of the Democratic party from the dawn of his manhood, and his services to his party were always pro- nounced and appreciated by the leaders and the rank and file of the organization.
John F. Sparks was reared on the pa- rental farm and educated at the district schools of Monroe county. After leaving school life on the farm seemed tame and insipid to him, and accordingly, in 1853, he gratified the love of adventure he had inherited from his forefathers by going to California, which had not long before thrilled the world with the inspiring strains of its golden music. He remained on the Pacific coast fourteen years, then returned to his Missouri home, locating in Shelby county in 1867. In the mean- time he had mined and done teaming in the neighborhood of Sacramento, and had experienced all the adventure and exciting incidents in life that he had pre- viously longed for.
After his return to this state he was continuously and profitably engaged in farming and raising live stoek until 1904. In that year he retired from active pur- suits in consequence of a serious injury he received, and since then he has lived quietly in the enjoyment of the eompe- teney his industry and frugality had brought him. He was married in 1870 to Mrs. Mary E. (List) Sparks, the widow of his deceased brother. They had three children, two of whom are liv- ing: Gerard, of Moberly, and Ada B., the wife of Y. E. Sullivan, of this county. The father is a Democrat in polities, a Presbyterian in church connection and has been a Freemason in fraternal life. He is one of the most esteemed citizens of his township.
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
JOHN THORNTON KEITH.
Highly successful in his vocation of farmer and live stock man, and. prom- inent and influential in county affairs for many years, John T. Keith, of Salt River township, Shelby county, has served his day and generation well and given an excellent example for the guid- ance and stimulation of the next. He is one of the leading farmers of his town- ship and one of the most useful and im- portant men in his county. exemplifying in his career the virtue and the value of industry and frugality in business and of high character and publie spirit in re- gard to community affairs.
state, when death ended his useful labors in 1855.
The doctor did some farming in con- neetion with his practice. He owned a farm of 240 aeres which his slaves eul- tivated under his direction and supervi- sion. He was married in 1849 to Miss Mary Ann Smith, of Kentucky, and by this marriage became the father of one child, his son John T., the immediate subject of this sketeh. His first wife died, and in 1851 he was married a see- ond time, being united on this occasion with Miss Mary Lipscomb, of Monroe county, Missouri. They had one child also, who is now deceased. In politics the father trained with the old Whig party, and in religious association lie was connected with the Missionary Bap- tist elmreh.
Mr. Keith was born in Monroe county, Missouri, on Angust 13, 1847. and is a grandson of John 11. Keith, a native of Virginia, who left the home of his an- eestors in his early manhood to make a John Thornton Keith began his edu- cation in the district schools of Monroe county and completed it at Bethel col- new one for himself in what was then the wilds of Kentucky. There, on the frontier, or near it, his son, William T. lege in Palmyra. He afterward pursued Keith, the father of John T., was born in a course of special training at the Jones Commercial college in St. Louis. After leaving school he bought a farm of 120 aeres in this county four miles south- west of Shelbina, and on this traet and the additions he made to it by subse- quent purchases, he has been actively engaged in farming and raising live stock, also in feeding and shipping stoek, ever sinee until recently he sold 260 of the 380 aeres of land which lie owned. His operations are now con- fined to his original 120 aeres, and on this his specialty is handling jacks and jennets, and for his output in this de- partment of the live stock industry he is 1821. While he was yet a boy the family moved to Missouri, and in this state he grew to manhood, received his scholastic training and prepared himself for a short but useful professional life. His academie education was completed at MeDowell college in St. Louis, and after leaving that institution as a graduate, he studied medicine in Marion county. When he was ready to enter the profes- sion he began his practice in Monroe county and later was associated with Dr. Bowen at Old Clinton in Monroe county. He rose rapidly in his profession and was fast approaching the first rank in the medieal fraternity in this part of the prominently and favorably known
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throughout a wide extent of the country. He also buys and feeds mules for the market, handling over 100 head annually.
Locally he is best esteemed for his public spirit and devotion to the welfare and improvement of Shelby county. He is an ardent worker and stimulating force in all matters of progress and de- velopment, with a fine initiative spirit for designs and great energy and zeal in working them ont. For more than forty years he has been president of the school board, and for a long time has served in the same capacity in the Shel- bina Fair association, which has pros- pered admirably under his skillful man- agement.
On November 12, 1867, Mr. Keith mar- ried with Miss Martha Ellen Maddox, a native of Monroe county and a daughter of Marens D. and Sarah M. (Sparks) Maddox, esteemed residents of that county. Eight children have been born of the union, seven of whom are living: Ernest, resident in this county; Lena, the wife of Samnel Kimble, also dwell- ing in Shelby county; Alonzo, whose home is here too; Harry, who lives in Shelbina; Bertie, the wife of Luther Fitzpatrick, of Monroe county; and Myrtle and Lester, who are still under the parental rooftree.
The father is an earnest and devoted member of the Democratic party in his political relations and a faithful and ef- feetive worker for the success of his party. His church affiliation is with the Southern Methodists, as is also his family. With his mind alert and fruit- ful and his hand open and free for every worthy undertaking for the good of-his township and county in a material way,
and all his faculties ready at all times to aid in expanding and intensifying the power and usefulness of the moral agencies at work among their people, and with conscientions attention to every duty of citizenship, he is uni- versally and justly regarded as one of the leading and most serviceable men in this part of the state.
JOHN WAY.
Born and reared in that great hive of industry, the state of Pennsylvania, in which almost every form of human en- deavor finds expression if the latitude permits, and there trained to useful la- bor from his boyhood, enlisting in the Union army when he was eighteen, and during the four terrible years of our Civil war facing death on the battlefield and enduring the hardships and priva- tions of the march and the camp, John Way, one of the progressive and pros- perous farmers and live stock men of Salt River township, in this county, had a discipline in duty that fitted him for almost any requirement and made him equal to almost any emergency in peace or war.
Mr. Way was born on January 10, 1844, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Frederick and Harriet (Sprinkle) Way, natives of Maryland. The father was born near Hagerstown in that state, in 1815, and after a residence there and in Pennsylvania of fifty-seven years, came to Missouri in 1871 and lo- cated in Shelby county, five miles south- west of Shelbina. Here he acquired land and was actively engaged in farming and raising live stock until 1891, when deatlı
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ended his labors. Before coming to this state he lived and operated on farms which he rented in various localities in the former states of his residence. Both on them and on his own land in this county he was successful and wrought out good results by his skillful and per- sistent industry and his excellent man- agement.
He was married in Hagerstown, Mary- land, to Miss Harriet Sprinkle, of the same nativity as himself, and they be- came the parents of eight children, six of whom are living: John, the interest- ing subject of this brief review; Harry, whose home is in Shelbina; Luther, a resident of Marion county ; Cyrus, also a resident of Marion county; Mary Ann. the wife of Mark Henninger, of Santa Ana, California; Alexander, of Shelby county, Missouri; and Clark, of Shel- bina. In political relations the father ad- hered to the Democratic party and gave it effective and appreciated service, al- though he never sought or desired a po- litical office for himself. His religious connection was with the Presbyterian church. The mother died in Shelby county October 25, 1904.
actions and experiences. He was in the Army of the Potamac, around which the war storm raged perpetually, and he was called on to take part in some of the most renowned and sanguinary battles of the mighty confliet, among them those at Chancellorsville, Petersburg, the Wel- don railroad, Mine Run and Winchester, and he was present at Lee's surrender at Appomattox, where the banner of the Confederacy went down in everlasting defeat. At the battle of Winchester he was wounded and taken to an old tobacco barn, where he lay four days in agony and was then taken to City Point. and there the news of President Lincoln's as- sassination reached him.
After the war Mr. Way followed rail- roading on the section in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, until 1871, when he came to Shelby county, Missouri, with his parents. After a residence in this county of two years, he returned to Pennsylvania and again engaged in rail- road work. Two years later he sold his interests in that state and came back to this county, arriving in 1875, and here he has been actively, extensively and profit- ably engaged in farming and raising live stock ever since. He now owns 140 aeres of superior land and is prominently con- nected with the live stock industry, his specialty being feeding the best grades and strains of cattle and shipping his output to markets farther east. He has been very successful in all his undertak- ings and is regarded as one of the lead- ing cattle dealers in this part of the state.
John Way was educated in the district schools of his native county, but left school when he was eighteen to enter the Federal army in defense of the Union. ITe enlisted in 1862 in Company B, Six- teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Corps Commander John B. Gregg and Col. K. E. Robinson, being enrolled in Pittsburg. He served throughout the war and was honorably discharged at Javis Hospital, in Baltimore, Maryland, in July, Mr. Way was married on Angust 13. 1867, to Miss Harriet Mull, of Fayette 1865. His military service was no child's play, but the most strenuous in its ex- county, Pennsylvania. They have had
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
seven children, three of whom are living : William Upton, of Woodland, Missouri; Forest Cary, whose home is in Seattle, Washington; and Celia Way, the oldest of the three, who is the wife of Adolph Fitzpatrick. The mother of these chil- dren died September 11, 1894, and on October 25, 1896, the father married a second wife, being united in the second alliance with Miss Bettie Bennett, of Moberly, Missouri. They have two chil- dren, their daughters, Gladys and Della May, who are still living at home with their parents. In politics the father is an active, working Republican, but he never seeks an office of any kind for him- self, either by election or appointment, preferring to serve the state from the honorable post of private citizenship. He is a member of the Missionary Bap- tist church, and his wife belongs to the same. He has been zealous and help- ful in building up his township and coun- ty, and the people who live in them es- teem him highly as one of their best and most useful citizens. Mr. Way was a member of the G. A. R. for some years, but the post has since gone out of exist- ence, most of the members having died.
MARION M. MAUPIN.
Marion M. Maupin, of Lentner town- ship, who is one of the most extensive and successful farmers and live stock dealers in Shelby county, is a native of Monroe county, Missouri, where he was born on June 13, 1858, and a scion of old Virginia families resident in the Old Dominion from colonial times. He has inherited the elevation of character and sterling manliness of his ancestors, and
is thoroughly imbued with the spirit of enterprise and progressiveness that fills the West with its energy and has made it so wealthy in production and potential in influence. He has therefore a com- bination of qualities which would insure business success in almost any field of effort and win him esteem and general consideration in any community.
Mr. Maupin is a grandson of Thomas G. Maupin, who was born, reared and passed his early manhood in Virginia, then moved to Missouri in the youth of this state but the full maturity of his own powers. His son, Thomas II. Manpin, the father of Marion M., was also a native of Virginia, born there in 1827. When he was but seven years of age the family moved to this state and located in Monroe county. There he grew to manhood and obtained his edu- cation in the district schools. There also he farmed and raised live stock to the end of his life, except during a period of four years which he passed in California at the height of the early excitement over the discovery of gold in that state. He was successful as a miner there and as a farmer and live stock man here, and when he died in 1905 was possessed of a considerable estate, all won by his own industry, thrift and excellent manage- ment.
In 1856 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary F. Maupin, of Marion county, Missouri, and by this marriage became the father of three children, of whom Marion M. is the only one now living. In political relations the father was a life-long Democrat, and from the dawn of his manhood to the end of his life was true and loyal to his party and
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
one of its zealous and effective workers in all campaigns. He never sought or desired a political office for himself, but worked for the principles of his party because he believed in them and from a stern and exacting sense of duty.
His son, Marion M. Maupin, grew to manhood on the family homestead and assisted in its labors while attending the district school in the neighborhood and after leaving school until 1881. He then bought a portion of the land on which he now resides eight miles southwest of Shelbina, and began farming and rais- ing live stock on his own account. Seek- ing no other occupation for his energies and devoting them to these with ardor and excellent judgment, he has been very sueeessful. His methods have been progressive and all his operations have embodied the best thought and intel- ligence available concerning the lines of activity in which he has been engaged.
Mr. Maupin now owns 940 acres of fine land and has it nearly all under vig- orons and skillful cultivation, and his live stock industry is in proportion to his acreage. Hle has some of the land farmed by tenants, but he gives it all his personal attention and supervision. In his stock industry he has somewhat specialized jacks and jennets, but he has also raised and shipped large numbers of Duroc-Jersey hogs, and he has not confined his output to the two lines men- tioned but has been an extensive shipper of general live stock to the Chicago and Eastern markets. He is also a stock- holder in the Old Bank of Shelbina.
In the public affairs of his township and county Mr. Maupin has always man- ifested a cordial interest and taken an
active part. He has served the people well and wisely as school clerk during the last fifteen years, and in many other ways has contributed materially and ex- tensively to the development and im- provement of the region in which he lives. No enterprise of value to the people has been without his active and serviceable aid and intelligent and stim- ulating guidance. And his services are highly appreciated by those who have had the benefit of them.
On February 23, 1881, he was married to Miss Emma Francis, a daughter of Thomas and Millie (Miles) Francis, highly esteemed residents of Monroe county. Six children have been born of the union, four of whom are living: Thomas Engene, who resides in this county; Myrtle E., the wife of E. L. Smock, of Monroe county; Nannie B .. the wife of Benjamin Stewart, also a resident of Monroe county; and Varian F., who is living at home with his par- ents. The father's political allegiance is given firmly and faithfully to the Democratic party, and in its service he is always energetic and influential. Ile is representative of all that is best in Shelby county citizenship, and is cor- respondingly esteemed by the people of the county, who know his worth and hold his usefulness in high regard. Mrs. Manpin is a member of the Christian church.
LEE DIMMITT.
Beginning active efforts for himself in the struggle for advancement among men when he was but a youth, and now occupying a place of prominence in the industrial and public life of his com-
LEE DIMMITT
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
1898, and Dillman Daniel, born in 1903. They are all living at home with their parents. The father is a Democrat of the most reliable kind in his political as- sociation, and a very earnest and effi- cient worker for the success of his party in all campaigns. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, a Modern Woodman and a Royal Neighbor. His religious connec- tion is with the Southern Methodist church and that of his wife is with the Christian sect. Both work well for all church interests.
JOHN S. BARTON.
This prominent, progressive and pros- perous farmer and live stock man of Lentner township is not a native of Shel- by county, but has lived in it from the time when he was two years of age. He grew to manhood drawing his stature and his strength from its soil, was edu- cated in its district schools, and from his boyhood has been busily engaged in two of its leading industries. He is there- fore to all intents and purposes a Shelby county product, and the people of the county admire and esteem him as a rep- resentative of their best citizenship and an extensive contributor to the progress and development of this part of the state.
Mr. Barton was born in Monroe coun- ty, Missouri, on June 10, 1849, and is a grandson of Squire P. Barton, one of the pioneers of northeastern Missouri, who was born and reared in Kentucky and came to this state in his early man- hood and located in Marion county. He helped to break up the wild land of that region and to lay the foundations of civil
government for the county, being a man of great force of character and consider- able intelligence. His son, Morgan P. Barton, the father of John S., was born in Marion county in 1824 and moved to Shelby county in his young manhood. IIe followed farming and raising live stock from the time of his arrival in the county to the end of his life on 160 acres of land three miles south of Lentner. His widow, now aged eighty-four years, is living on that farm.
The elder Mr. Barton was prospering finely and was well established in the confidence and esteem of the community in which he lived at the beginning of the Civil war. Being a man of strong con- victions and a high sense of duty, and believing firmly in the doctrine of state rights, he followed his convictions to the field of battle in response to one of the early calls of the Southern Confederacy for volunteers, enlisting in the command of Gen. Joseph Porter and being hurried soon afterward to the front. After a service of four months he broke one of his hands in a fall from his horse at the battle of Kirksville and, being hard pressed, gave himself up to the Federal authorities, surrendering to Colonel Benjamin. He was transferred from prison to prison, at length reaching the one at Alton, Illinois, in which he died in 1863. ITis remains were buried in an Alton burial ground with military honors.
He was married on February 15, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth Ann MeBroom, a na- tive of Virgina. Of the nine children born to them seven are living: John S., the immediate subject of this brief memoir; Sarah G., the wife of John
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Clay, of this county; Mary Susan, the wife of John Brison, of Kansas City, Missouri ; Squire P., who is also a resi- dent of this county; Stephen F., also a Shelby connty citizen; William W., whose home is in Omaha, Nebraska ; and Morgan H., who lives in Shelby county. In polities the father was a pronounced and energetic Demoerat. His religious affiliation was with the Methodist Epis- eopal Church, South.
His venerable widow, now eighty-four years old, as has been noted, is the oldest woman in Shelby county-a veritable and shining link between the bustling present, with its advanced development and strident progress, and the remote past of the pioneer days, with its rug- gedness of life, its thrilling adventures, constant perils and almost ever-present privations and hardships. She has lived usefully and correctly among this people, and there is not one of them who does not do her reverence.
Her son, John S. Barton, was educated in the district schools of Shelby county, whither his parents moved from Monroe county in 1851. After leaving school he worked out on neighboring farms and as- sisted the family on the home farm until 1870, then bought the farm of 200 acres on which he now lives, and on this he has been actively, extensively and profitably engaged in farming and raising live stock ever sinee. He has been very snc- cessful in his operations, conducting them with intelligence and skill and man- aging his business with judgment and foresight. He has also been zealous and energetic in promoting the welfare of his township and county, serving as a mem- ber of the school board at several differ-
ent periods, and giving earnest attention to all projects for the advancement and improvement of the locality in which he has his home.
On December 22, 1872, Mr. Barton was united in marriage with Miss Sophronia Kidwell, a daughter of Henry and Nancy (Mullins) Kidwell, long esteemed resi- dents of Shelby county. Of the seven children born of the union six are living: Lulu May, the wife of Rev. R. L. Carroll, of Liberty, Missouri; Etta B., the wife of Thomas Noel, of Lentner; George F., who still has his home with his parents; Edgar C., who is also a resident of Lib- erty ; Jesse W., living in this county ; and Eva V., who is still a member of the pa- rental household. In political relations the father is allied with the Democratic party. He and his wife are active mem- bers of Missionary Baptist church. They are among the most highly respected cit- izens of Shelby county and fully deserve the regard and good will bestowed on them.
WILLIAM GAMBLE.
Settling down to the quiet vet inter- esting and independent life of a farmer and live stock man after trying his hand at various other occupations and in- structive experience in several different localities, William Gamble, of Lentner township, this county, has found the field of effort suited to his taste and made a sneeess of gratifying proportions in working it. He has qualities of per- severing industry and good business management that would have brought him profitable returns in almost any line of industry, but his bent is more decidedly in the line he is following than
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