USA > Missouri > Shelby County > General history of Shelby County, Missouri > Part 56
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
any other, and he has been wise enough to adhiere to it through all temptations to do otherwise, and these have been numerous in his case, as American life is full of allurements for men of capacity and enterprise.
Mr. Gamble was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, on December 21, 1854, and is a son of Andrew and Patience (Pot- tercary) Gamble, both of whom met tragic fates after many years of useful- ness and upright living. The father was born in Ireland and came to the United States in his boyhood, locating at Vieks- burg, Mississippi. There he grew to manhood and became the owner of a cot- ton plantation east of the city. He also condueted a livery business and traded in horses and mules. In a trip down the Mississippi to New Orleans in 1860 he was accidentally drowned. He was a stone entter and monument or tombstone maker by trade, but he did not work at that craft long after aequiring a knowl- edge of it. His widow was killed by a piece of a shell from the Federal army during the siege of Vicksburg. They had seven children, three of whom are living: Andrew, whose home is in St. Louis ; William, the subject of this brief review ; and Robert, who is a resident of Jackson, Mississippi. The father was a member of the Masonic order and his religions affiliation was with the Prot- estant Episcopal church.
His son William was edneated in the public schools of Vieksburg and St. Louis, and after leaving school began the battle of life for himself by work- ing in a harness manufactory. But he did not like this occupation and in a short
time transferred his energies to work in a machine shop, where he remained until 1870. He then came to Missouri and lo- cated for one year in Macon county. At the end of that period he settled in Shelby county on the farm two miles west of Shelbina, and in 1902 on the- farm he now lives on and here he has. been continuously and successfully en- gaged in farming and raising live stock ever since. He has increased his farm to 312 aeres, one-half of which he has in grass and the rest under general eul- tivation. In addition to the live stock he raises he feeds numbers of cattle and ships his whole output to Chicago and markets farther east.
Mr. Gamble has taken an earnest in- terest and active part in promoting the welfare of his township and county, giv- ing energetie attention to every worthy undertaking for their advancement and improvement, and contributing by all means in his power to the comfort and convenience of their people. He served on the school board seven years and in many other ways has shown his abiding interest in the good of his community. He was first married in 1876 to Miss Henrietta Kidwell of Shelby county. She died seven months after the mar- riage, and on February 12, 1880, he mar- ried a second time, his choice in this union being Miss Rosa Taylor, a daugh- ter of Wesley and Emerine (Bowles) Taylor, esteemed residents of Marion county, this state, where Mrs. Gamble was born on April 19, 1856. They have had five children, but only two of them are living: Fannie, the wife of Earl Bowen, of Clarence, Missouri, and
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
Charles Milton, who is still at home withi his parents. Politically the father is a Democrat and he and his wife are mem- bers of the Baptist church.
WILLIS J. MAGRUDER.
This prosperous and enterprising farmer and live stock man of Lentner township was born in Shelby county, near Maud, on August 13, 1865, and has passed the whole of his life to this time in the county of his nativity. From his boyhood he has been engaged in the two of its leading industries which now com- mand his time and attention, and by that means has contributed materially to the wealth and commercial influence of his township and the consequence of its people. He has also taken an earnest interest in its welfare in all other ways, performing all the duties of good citi- zenship in a commendable manner and exemplifying in his daily life the best attributes of elevated American man- hood.
Mr. Magruder is of Kentucky ancestry on his father's side of the house. His father, William Henry, and his grand- father, Willis Magruder, were born in the Blue Grass state and became early residents of Missouri, locating in Mon- roe county during the boyhood of the father. He came into being in 1839, and, after a residence of a few years in his native state, and one of several more in Monroe county, this state, moved to Shelby county in 1862. Here lie followed farming and raising live stock until 1893, when he retired from active pursuits and has since been living with his chil-
dren in this and Monroe county. IFe still owns his farm in Shelby county and has it rented to a tenant who farms it under his direction and supervision.
He was married in 1862 to Miss Sarah Jane Weatherford, of Monroe county, Missouri. They have had nine children, three of whom have died. Those living are: Beauregard, a resident of Walla Walla, state of Washington; Willis .I., the subject of this writing; Lucy Helen, the wife of E. R. Gaines, of Monroe county, Missouri ; Henrietta, the wife of Alexander Staleup, of Monroe county; Minnie Kate, the wife of Le Roy Hard- ing, of Shelby county; and Beulah May, the wife of George Ashford, of Shel- bina. In his political relations the father adheres to the principles of the Dem- oeratie party, and has long been a faith- ful worker in its service. His religious connection is with the Baptist church.
Willis J. Magruder obtained his edu- cation at the distriet school in Fairview, Monroe county, this state. After leav- ing school he studied telegraphy at Se- dalia for one year, then farmed on the home place and assisted the family there until 1888. In that year he began a ca- reer in farming and raising live stock on his own account in Shelby county, and here he has been continuously and snc- cessfully engaged in those pursuits ever sinee. He makes a specialty of raising superior breeds of hogs, but also handles sheep and cattle in large numbers. He has studied all features of his business thoughtfully and observed all its man- ifestations with care, and by this means has become not only one of the most suc- cessful stock men in his township, but
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
an acknowledged authority on every- thing connected with the live stoek in- dustry.
Mr. Magruder is a man of public spirit and progressiveness and shows these qualities of his manhood in his de- votion to the welfare of his township and his earnest efforts on all occasions and in every way to promote it. No effort designed to advance their interests goes without his aetive aid, which is always given with intelligence and good judg- ment. On September 28. 1890, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Vir- ginia Kidwell, of Shelby county, Mis- souri. They have had nine children, all of whom are living. They are: Charles F .. Visa F., Chester, Roland, Everett. Verney, Howard, Velma and Vivian, and are all yet members of the parental fam- ily circle.
MICHAEL E. RUTTER.
Although a native of Marion county, this state, where he was born on October 7, 1833. Michael E. Rutter, of Salt River township, has been a resident of Shelby county during all but the first two years of his life, and from his boyhood has been connected with its farming and stock raising industries in an energetic and serviceable way. He is now one of the best and most widely known breeders and handlers of mules of superior grades in this eounty, his operations in this line being extensive and commanding atten- tion and admiration all over the country.
Mr. Rutter is a grandson of Edmond Rutter, who was born and reared in Kentucky and a son of Chambers Rutter, who was also a native of that state. and
born in 1799. The latter came to Mis- souri in the early days of its history and located near Scipio Bottom, where he passed a number of years engaged in teaming. In 1833 he moved to Marion county, and after farming there two years, changed his residence to Shelby county. Here he was actively and suc- eessfully engaged in farming and raising live stock until 1839, when he turned his attention to merchandising and kept at it two years. At the end of that period he returned to the farm, on which he died in 1852.
He was married in 1832 to Miss Nancy Hornback of Maeon county. They had two children, both of whom are living, Michael E. and his sister Mary E., the wife of Clark Vandiver, who lives in Shelbina. Their mother died and in 1836 the father married a second wife, being united in this marriage with Miss Catherine Gallagher. of Shelby county. In politics he was a prononneed Demo- crat. loyal to his party and zealous in its service. His religious affiliation was with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Michael E. Rutter was educated in the country schools of Shelby county. and after leaving school at once began farm- ing and raising live stock on his own ao- count. continuing his operations in these interesting and profitable industries nu- til 1905, when he gave up all aetive pur- suits, although he is still living on his farm. During the last fifteen years of his activity he was very successfully oe- cupied in raising superior strains of mules, building up a large trade and ac- quiring a wide reputation for the excel- lenee of his ontput, as has been stated.
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
He was married in 1852 to Miss Eliza H. Hollyman, of Marion county. They have had eight children, fonr of whom are living: John W., a resident of Shel- by county; Naney E., the wife of Clay Dufer, of Shelby county ; and James and Charles, who are also residents of this county. The father is a loyal and nn- wavering Democrat in his poltical rela- tions and an earnest and effective worker for his party in all campaigns, although he has never sought a political office of any kind for himself. He is devoted to the progress and welfare of his town- ship and county and shows his interest" in their substantial advancement by zeal- ons assistance in every worthy project involving the good of their people, among whom he is held in high esteem as one of the leading and most useful citizens of this portion of the state. His religions connection is with the Methodist Episco- pal Church, South, and he is active in the service of the congregation to which he belongs. Now verging close upon eighty years of age, he can look baek over his long career with the satisfaction that it has been profitable to himself and serviceable to the people around him, for he has been faithful in the performance of every duty and given an impressive il- lustration of the benefit and comfort of upright living.
GEORGE W. O'BRYAN.
It is not often that man who has lived to an almost patriarchal age in his native region moves to another, and on what is to him practically an alien soil lights the fires of a new domestic hearth, but this is what happened in the case of John
O'Bryan, the father of George W. O'Bryan, one of the enterprising and progressive farmers and stock men of Lentner township and one of the public spirited and broad minded citizens of this county, who came to Missouri when he was well advanced in years, and with all the energy of his youth repeated here what he had already achieved in the state of his nativity as a successful farmer and live stock man and a live and influential citizen.
Mr. O'Bryan is a native of Washing- ton county, Virginia, where he was born on February 18, 1849. His parents, John and Sallie (Heninger) O'Bryan, were also natives of that state and descended of families resident there from early colonial days. They were married on June 28, 1829, and had four children, of whom George W. is the only one living. The father was born in Virginia in 1778 and came to Missouri in 1853. In his na- tive state he was a shoemaker, but after coming to this state he followed farming and raising stock exelnsively, which he had been engaged in in connection with working at his trade in Virginia. He died in Monroe county, which was the place of his Missouri residence, in 1862. He was married twice, the first time to Miss Anna Anderson, of Virginia, with whom he was united on July 29, 1804. They had five children, whose mother died a few years after the last one was born. His second wife was a daughter of Jacob and Mary Henninger, esteemed residents of Monroe county, and mun- bered among its most respected and use- ful citizens. In polities he belonged to the Whig party until the death of that organization, and afterward took but lit-
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
tle interest in public affairs. His relig- ious affiliation was with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
His son, George W. O'Bryan, was edu- eated in the publie schools of Monroe county, this state, of which he became a resident when he was four years old, and after leaving school bought sixty aeres of land, which he farmed until 1893. He then sold his farm in the au- tumn of that year and also everything pertaining to his farming operations, and went to California for the winter. On his return to Missouri he bought 327 acres of farm land in Shelby county, but took up his residence in Lentner. Here for six years he carried on a general merchandising establishment in connee- tion with his farming and live stock oper- ations. At the end of the period men- tioned he sold out his interests in the store and since then he has done a little farming, but has had the greater part of his land worked by his sons. His farm now comprises 300 aeres and is all under vigorous and skillful cultivation.
In 1904 he was elected president of the Farmers and Merchants' Bank of Shel- bina, now the Shielbina National Bank. He resigned after a service of about two years in this capacity, but he still holds stock in the bank and is one of its diree- tors. This plain narrative of his life, as far as it has proceeded, is sufficient to show that he is a man of character and force, but it has made no mention of the fact that he has at all times been zealous and energetie in the service of his town- ship and county, and has done all in his power to promote their welfare. Yet this is a well known fact and has secured for him the lasting regard and good will of
all classes of the people among whom he has so long lived and labored.
On September 11, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna M. Hager, a native daughter of the town of Hager's Grove, in this county, to which her father, John Hager, gave its name, or rather, which was named in his honor. Of the eight children born of this union seven are living: Lena V., the wife of M. W. Moxley, of Merced, California ; Laura F., the wife of Charles Brady, of Monroe county, Missouri; Anna Vir- ginia, the wife of A. W. Byrum, of Santa ·Rosa, California; Jimmie Lee, who re- sides in Lentner, Missouri ; Walter C., a resident of this county: George Vest, also a resident of Lentner; and Arehie C., who lives in the same place.
In politieal affairs the father gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, and as he is a man of strong convictions he works for the success of the party he be- lieves in with all his ardor in all its eam- paigns. The religious affiliation of him- self and his wife is with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and both are aetive and effective elmreh workers for the congregation to which they belong, and give serviceable aid to all worthy clinreh enterprises without regard to de- nominational lines. Mr. O'Bryan has been very successful in business, prom- inent and influential for years as a citi- zen, and one of the leaders in the live stoek industry in this state, especially in the production and handling of mules of the best grades, for his output in which he has a national reputation. He is the father of Jimmie O'Bryan, a sketch of whom will be found in this volume.
THOMAS W. FORMAN
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
THOMAS W. FORMAN.
In section 5, Black Creek township, is located the fine farm property of this representative exponent of the agricul- tural industry in his native county, where he has ever held a secure place in popular confidence and esteen. He is a seion of one of the honored pioneer fami- lies of Shelby county, and he is one of the loyal sons of the state who went forth in defense of the Union when its integ- rity was menaced by armed rebellion.
Thomas W. Forman was born on the parental homestead farm, in Taylor township, this county, on December 15, 1844, and is a son of Benjamin F. and Mary (Bowling) Forman, honored pio- neers, concerning whom duly specific mention is made in the sketch of the career of their elder son, Jolın Forman, on other pages of this work, so that fur- ther review of the family history is not demanded in the present connection. Thomas W. Forman was reared under the conditions and influences of the pio- neer days and contributed his quota to the work of the home farm, the while he received sneh limited educational advan- tages as were offered in the somewhat primitive district schools of the locality and period. He was about seventeen years of age at the inception of the Civil war, and his youthful patriotism prompted him to make definite response to President Lincoln's call for volun- teers. At Pahnyra, Marion county, in October, 1861, Mr. Forman enlisted as a private in Company F, Third Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, under command of Gen. John M. Glover. He continued in active service with this gallant regiment until victory had crowned the Union
arms and peace had been declared. His command was assigned to the Army of the Red River, and with the same he par- tieipated in many engagements in Mis- souri and Arkansas, including the battle of Little Rock. He was mustered out in the city of St. Louis in the fall of 1865, and duly received his honorable dis- charge, having proved a valiant and faithful soldier of the republic and made an excellent record during his long years of service.
After the close of his military career the young soldier returned to his native county, where he farmed on rented land until he was able to make investment in land of his own. In 1867 he purchased sixty acres in section 5, Black Creek township, and from this modest nucleus, through his own well-directed efforts and careful business methods, he has evolved a fine landed estate of 880 acres, constituting one of the best farm prop- erties in the county, as he has made the best of improvements on the same and has manifested much judgment in the handling of all departments of the farm work. Mr. Forman is thus one of the ex- tensive and substantial agriculturists of his native county, and he has .made a specialty of the raising of high-grade live stock and in the buying and ship- ping of cattle, horses and mules, in which connection he has built up a flour- ishing enterprise, particularly in the handling of mules, of which he keeps an average of fifty head, being a successful breeder as well as dealer.
It is naturally to be presupposed that a citizen who has been so enterprising and successful in connection with his private interests should also take a loyal
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
concern in all that tends to advance the is the only one living. The mother died material and civie welfare of the com- in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, in 1847, and the year following the father took her re- mains back to Germany. munity, and in this respect Mr. Forman is essentially progressive and public spirited. He is a stalwart in the local camp of the Democratic party, but the only office in which he has consented to serve is that of school director, of which he was incumbent for a number of years. He and his wife hold membership in the Christian church.
On December 18, 1873, Mr. Forman was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Mayes, who was born, reared and edu- cated in this county, being a daughter of James and Louisa Mayes. Mr. and Mrs. Forman have four children, namely : Ella, who is the wife of Joseph Van Skike, of Shelby county; Benjamin F., who is associated in the work and man- agement of the home farm, and Alice and Marvin.
HUGO POWELL.
This esteemed citizen of Shelbina, who has recently moved to that city after farming and raising live stock in Shelby county with great industry and a grati- fying measure of success for a period of over thirty-four years, is a native of Germany, and was born in the city of Breslau in that country on May 20, 1827. Before he was a year old his parents, Arthur and Laura (Frost) Powell, also natives of Germany, emigrated to the United States and located in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. There the father worked at his trade as a brewer until 1848, when he returned to his native land, where he died in 1852. He and his wife were the parents of two children, of whom Ingo
He obtained a limited public school education in the schools of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and after leaving school went to the city of New York, where he served as a cash boy in a store five years. In 1853 he enlisted in Company F, Sixth New York Regular Cavalry, under the command of General Scott. While in the military service under this enlist- ment he learned the trade of clothing cutter. But he was devoted to the Union and found a charm in military life which had not been fully dispelled by his short term in the army. He therefore enlisted again in 1861, at the very beginning of the Civil war, becoming a member of Company F, Excelsior Brigade, New York, which was commanded by Colonel Sickles, who later became one of the dis- tinguished generals of the Union army and lost one of his limbs in the deluge of death at Gettysburg. Mr. Powell served in this brigade eighteen months, then received a serions injury by falling off a bridge while doing duty as a picket during the battle of Fair Oaks, Vir- ginia. This incapacitated him for further military service, and he was honorably discharged from the army on Angust 28, 1862, in the city of Philadelphia.
Ilis next move in life was to work at his trade as a clothing cutter, which he followed for five years in New York city. At the end of that period he came West and located for a short time at Beloit, Wisconsin, and there he was en- gaged in merchant tailoring and dealing in gents' furnishings for three years.
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
From Beloit he moved to Hannibal, Mis- esteemed as one of the best and most estimable men in Shelby county. sonri, where he followed the same busi- ness nine years. He then took up his residence in Shelby county and changed HUGH W. WOOD. his occupation to farming and rais- ing live stock. He has been industriously Aiming at no high-flown or spectac- ular snecess in life, and seeking no ave- occupied in these pursuits ever since until a few months ago, when he de- nues to preferment but that of honest termined to retire from active pursuits and moved to Shelbina, where he is now living in comfort and contentment after a long and arduous struggle for ad- vancement in prosperity and enduring many privations and hardships at dif- ferent periods of his life. fidelity to daily duty in his chosen voca- tion, but adhering steadfastly and zeal- ously to that, Hugh W. Wood, one of the substantial and prosperous farmers and stock men of Lentner township in this county, has made steady progress in advancement and attained a position of prominence and permanency in the re- spect and good opinion of the people in all parts of this and the adjoining coun- ties.
Mr. Powell has been successful in his undertakings, winning a competence for himself and his family and rising to a high position in the regard and good will of the people of this county. He has Mr. Wood is wholly a product of Shelby county. He was born within its borders on April 11, 1861, obtained his education in its public schools, has passed all the active years of his life to the present time (1910) in helping to pro- mote its industrial and commercial growth and the elevation of its civil and social institutions, and taken the mistress of his home and helpmate in life's ardu- ous struggle from among its agreeable daughters. All that he is, therefore, Shelby county has made him, and all that lie has done and achieved has re- dounded to its credit and advantage. been active in promoting their welfare and given them an excellent example in elevated citizenship. His political con- nection is with the Republican party, of which he is an earnest and zealous mem- ber, and in religion he is affiliated with the Christian church at Lentner. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Masonic order and the Grand Army of the Republic. On July 10, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Eusebia Meeter, of Beloit, Wisconsin. She is still living. They have no children. Mr. Powell's four score and three years sit lightly on him. He is still a man of vigor and enterprise, It is to be said, however, that he had native force and capacity which enabled him to take advantage of the opportuni- as earnestly interested in the progress of his county and state, as faithful and energetic in the performance of the ,ties presented for his betterment, and duties of citizenship, and as genial, has shown great industry and business obliging and companionable in social re- acumen in managing his affairs. He is lations as he ever was. Hle is justly a son of John Wesley and Kitty (Robb)
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