USA > Missouri > Shelby County > General history of Shelby County, Missouri > Part 75
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Mr. Smith was born in Richland county, Ohio, on February 27, 1854, and is a scion of a family founded in Virginia in the colonial epoch of our national his- tory. In that Old Dominion state was born his grandfather, George Smith, who removed thence to Ohio and became
that state. Removed to Missouri in 1858 and continued to remain in Missouri until his death. George H. Smith, father of him whose name initiates this review, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1832, and was reared to maturity in the old Buckeye state, where he received a common-school education and where was solemnized, in 1852, his marriage to Miss Mary Marks, who likewise was born in Ohio and who was a member of a family that settled there in the pioneer days. George H. Smith continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits in Richland county, Ohio, until 1858, when he came to Missouri and settled in Tay- lor township, Shelby county, where he purchased a traet of land and improved a productive farm. He became one of the successful agriculturists and stock- growers of the county and here contin- ned to reside until his death, which oc- curred on May 26, 1907. He was the owner of 240 acres of land, and the ma- jor portion of this was reclaimed to cul- tivation under his direction. He was a citizen of sterling integrity of character and ever commanded the high regard of the community in which he so long main- tained his home. He was a Republican in politics, but was not affiliated with any church. His wife, whose death occurred June 2, 1907, was a member of the Ger- man Lutheran church. They became the parents of four children, all of whom are living, namely: Lewis, who is the im- mediate subject of this sketch; James, who is a resident of Butler county, Kan- sas; Franklin, who is identified with business interests in the city of Hanni- bal, Missouri, where he maintains his
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home; and Jane, who is the wife of S. V. active interest in the various depart- Mackey, of Cheney, Washington. ments of its work.
Lewis Smith was but four years of age at the time of the family removal from Ohio to Missouri, and he has ever since been a resident of Shelby county. He was reared to maturity in Taylor town- ship, and there his early educational dis- cipline was secured in the Ernest dis- trict school and the school colloquially designated in those days as "Grub Col- lege." He continued to attend school at intervals until he was nineteen years of age, and in the meanwhile he early began to contribute his quota to the work of the home farm, with whose affairs he continued to be associated until 1879, when, at the age of twenty-four years, he began independent operations as a farmer and stock-grower, on a place of eighty aeres that had been deeded to him by his father. He has improved the farm with good buildings, has added to its area until he now has 120 acres, the major portion of which is under effective cultivation, and on every side are evi- dences of thrift and good management. Mr. Smith is a man of indefatigable en- ergy, enterprising methods and marked publie spirit, and he has ever taken a lively interest in all that has touched the welfare and advancement of his home township and county, where he is well known and held in high popular esteem. Though he has never been ambitions for public office he has served with marked efficiency as school director of his dis- triet and is a staunch advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party. Both he and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal chmureh at Evans Chapel and take an
On February 4, 1879, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Lorena Jen- nings, who was born and reared in Shelby county and who is a daughter of Wiley D. and Jane Jennings, the former of whom was born in Tennessee and the latter in Illinois. They are now both dead. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two sons, both of whom are popular young men of Shelby county: John Everett, who was born on December 28, 1879, and Prentiss Eugene, who was born on Sep- tember 27, 1883.
JOHN A. GILLASPY.
Within half a mile of his present at- traetive residence, in Taylor township, Shelby county, the birth of John A. Gil- laspy occurred on February 22, 1838, and this date has its own significance, indi- cating as it does that he is a representa- tive of a pioneer family of this now fa- vored section of the state. His parents were numbered among the carly settlers of the county, where they ever com- manded unqualified esteem and where they did well their part in conserving both civie and industrial development. Further than this, he whose name ini- tiates this paragraph had the distine- tion of being the first white child horn within the borders of Taylor township, where he is now a substantial citizen and representative farmer and stock-grower, and where his course has been so di- rected as to retain to him inviolable con- fidence and esteem, the while he has well upheld the prestige of the honored name which he bears and which has been
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prominently identified with the history of Shelby county for more than seventy years. He is a son of Lewis H. Gil- laspy, concerning whom due mention is made in sketches relating to other rep- resentatives of the family in the county, and to these articles ready referenee ean be made as supplemental to the one here presented.
John A. Gillaspy was reared under the conditions and influences of the pioneer epoch in Shelby county, and as a boy he began to aid in the work of the home farm. His early educational training was seeured in the Ernest schoolhouse and the old district school building that was formerly a Baptist church-one of the first church buildings erected in Tay- lor township. He continued to attend school, principally during the winter terms, until he was sixteen years of age, and in the intervening summer months he gave his attention to the sturdy work of the home farm, with whose manage- ment he eontinned to be identified until 1858, when, at the age of twenty years, he initiated his independent career by locating on a place of eighty aeres given to him by his father. Here he has main- tained his home during the long inter- vening years, which have been marked by carnest and well directed industry, through the medium of which he has gained a large measure of material sue- cess and achieved that independence which makes it possible for him to en- joy unequivocal peace and prosperity as the shadows of life begin to lengthen from the golden west. He has contin- uously given his attention to diversified agriculture and to the raising of high- grade live stock, and to his original
homestead he has added from time to time until he is now the owner of a finely improved landed estate of 404 aeres. Mr. Gillaspy was one of the organizers and charter members of the Farmers' Bank of Leonard, in which substantial and popular financial institution he is still a stockholder.
Though never lacking in civic loyalty and ever standing ready to lend his in- fluence and co-operation in the support of measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community, Mr. Gillaspy has never found aught of allurement in public office, and the only position of which he has been incumbent in this line is that of school director. He takes due interest in the vital questions and issues of the hour and his political allegiance is given to the Democratic party. Both he and his wife have long been zealous and devoted members of the Christian church and he is a pillar in the church of his denomination at Leonard, in which he has held the office of elder for a number of years.
On December 2, 1858, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Gillaspy to Miss Crecy Peoples, who likewise was born and reared in Shelby county, where her parents, Jolin and Rebecca (Bachman) Peoples were early settlers. To Mr. and Mrs. Gillaspy were horn two children: Dora Alice, who is the wife of John W. Me Williams, a representative business man of the village of Leonard, this county ; and Beatrice Orzelia, who is the wife of James H. Hall, who likewise is engaged in business at Leonard. As a worthy pioneer and as one of the oldest of the native sons of Shelby county there is special pleasure in presenting in this
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volume this all too brief review of the career of Mr. Gillaspy, who has here lived and labored to goodly ends and who here commands a secure place in the con- fidence and regard of all who know him.
LAFAYETTE J. JOHNSTON.
In seetion 28, Taylor township, is lo- cated the well improved homestead farm of Mr. Johnston, who is entitled to con- sideration in this work as one of the rep- resentative farmers and stock-growers of Shelby county and as a citizen of distinctive loyalty and public spirit.
Lafayette J. Johnston is a scion of staunch Scottish ancestry, his grand- father, John Johnston, having been a native of Scotland and having come from the land of the hills and heather to America when young. He passed the major portion of his life in the dominion of Canada, where he continued to main- tain his home until his death. His son Jacob W., father of him whose name initiates this review, was born in Weller county, province of Ontario, Canada, on June 28, 1836, and there he was reared and educated. He was there identified with agricultural pursuits and there also became a skilled workman at the trade of carpenter. He continued his resi- dence in Weller county, Canada, until 1868, when he came with his family to Shelby county, Missouri, and secured a tract of land in Taylor township, where he engaged in farming, in connection with which he found much requisition for his services as a carpenter, having erected a number of houses and other buildings in this township. Here he con- tinued to maintain his home until 1880,
when he removed to Elkhart county, In- diana, where he became a successful farmer and where he passed the residue of his life, which reached its close in 1900. In 1860 was solemnized his mar- riage to Miss Lydia Nygh, who likewise was born and reared in the Dominion of Canada and who is still living in Elkhart county, Indiana, both having been zealous members of the Mennonite church and having well exemplified in their daily lives the simple and noble faith they thus professed. They became the parents of ten children, of whom eight are now living, namely: Lafayette .J., who is the imme- diate subject of this sketel; Clara, who is the wife of Jacob Mishler, a resident of Elkhart county, Indiana; Ida, who is the wife of Albert Brady, of New Paris, that state; Susan, who is the wife of George Walker, of Chicago, Illinois; Isaiah, who is a resident of Nappanee, Indiana; Esther, who is the wife of El- mer Grubb, of Los Angeles, California ; Jacob, who maintains his home in Elk- hart county, Indiana ; and Mary, who is the wife of Leonard Stackhouse, of Nap- panee, that state. It will thus be seen that the immediate family cirele now finds representation in divers sections of the Union.
Lafayette J. Johnston, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born on a farm in Weller county, province of On- tario, Canada. on November 19, 1866, and thus he was abont two years of age at the time of the family removal to Shelby county, Missouri, where he gained his rudimentary education in the district schools of Taylor township. When he had attained to the age of four-
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teen years his parents removed to Elk- hart county, Indiana, as has already been noted, and there he was reared to ma- turity and continued his educational dis- cipline in the public schools, the while he contributed his quota to the work of the home farm, in the work and man- agement of which he continued to be as- sociated until 1889, when, as a young man of twenty-three years, he returned to Shelby county, Missouri, and settled in Taylor township, where he now owns a well improved farm of 160 acres, all of the land being available for cultivation and being devoted to diversified agricul- ture and the raising of live stock of ex- cellent grades. Mr. Johnston has shown himself industrious, persevering and progressive and thus has achieved a worthy success in connection with his farming operations. Loyal and liberal as a citizen, he finds satisfaction in aid- ing in the support of all that tends to ad- vance the general welfare of the com- munity, and to him is given unqualified esteem and confidence by all who knew him. In politics he is a staunch advo- cate of the principles for which the Re- publican party stands sponsor, but he has never cared to enter the arena of practical politics, and the only office in which he has consented to serve is that of school director of his district. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Mennonite church, in whose faith he was reared, and is now pastor of Mt. Pisgah church, near Cherry Box, having served a number of years.
On December 25, 1890, Mr. Johnston gave appropriate observance of the joy- ous Christmastide by wedding Miss An- na Detwiler, who was born in Whiteside
connty, Illinois, and reared in Shelby county, and who is a daughter of John G. and Magdalina Detwiler, well known residents of the village of Cherry Box, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have been born eight children, all of whom still remain at the parental home, and their names are here entered in re- spective order of their birth : Lydia, now Mrs. Fred Littleton, of this county ; Alma, Eran, Uriah, Noah, Orpha, Esther and Orvis.
WILLIAM HOWELL.
Born of a martial strain and with high examples of devotion to patriotic duty and loyalty to the rights of mankind in his family history, William Howell. one of the venerable and venerated citizens of Salt River township, in this county, has, in his own life work and experience, admirably sustained the spirit and pa- triotic ardor of his ancestors and exem- plified the best attributes of elevated American citizenship. His grandfather, John Howell, although a native of Eng- land, helped to win the independence of our country by four years valiant ser- vice in the Continental army under the immortal commander who was "First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen." And when the Civil war burst with all its fury on the land and threatened its dismemberment, he shouldered his musket and freely poured ont his blood to save the Union which his ancestor had helped to found.
Mr. Howell was born in Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, on December 1, 1833. and is a son of Aaron and Re- becca (Wilson) Howell, also natives of
WILLIAM HOWELL
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that county. The father followed farm- ing and raising live stock in his native state all his life. He was a very success- ful farmer and a man of prominence and influence in the local affairs of his por- tion of the state. He also contributed to its welfare and that of other states by rearing to maturity a large family of children and making them useful mem- bers of society. His marriage with Miss Rebecca Wilson took place in about 1829 and resulted in the birth of thirteen chil- dren in the household. Of these three are now living-William, the immediate subject of this writing; Matilda, the wife of J. C. Parr, of Irwin, Pennsylvania; and Eleanor, the wife of J. D. Brown, also a resident of Irwin, Pennsylvania. The father was first a Democrat and later a Whig, and finally a Republican in poli- ties, and in his religious affiliation was warmly attached to the Presbyterian church.
His son, William Howell, was edu- cated in the district schools of Westmore- land and Allegheny counties, Pennsyl- vania, and after leaving school worked on the home farm with his father until 1870. He then yielded to a longing that had possessed him for years and deter- mined to try his fortunes in the newer country of the great West. In the year last mentioned he came to Missouri and located in Monroe county, where he re- mained nntil 1882 actively and profitably engaged in farming. He then sold his in- terests in that county and moved to Shel- by county, in which he has ever since lived, following farming and raising live stock for the markets with all his energy and the ardor of a man devoted to his work.
He has been very successful in his operations in this county, and in 1908 determined to lessen his labors and take a well earned rest. He accordingly re- tired to a very comfortable home on a farm of ninety aeres, near Shelbina, and has in addition another tract of sixty- five aeres west of Shelbina and ninety acres northwest of Shelbina. He has the greater part of his land farmed by ten- ants, but although he is seventy-seven years of age, he still superintends the work and does a portion of it himself, be- ing very vigorous and active for his age and imbued with a spirit of industry which will not be satisfied without some- thing in the way of regular occupation.
On August 9, 1862, he enlisted in the Federal army in defense of the Union, being enrolled at Pittsburg, in his native state, in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, un- der command of Col. Thomas M. Bayne, the regiment being known as the "Nine Months' Volunteers." He was in the service for the full term of his enlist- ment and was mustered out at the end of it. He participated in the battle of Fred- ericksburg, Virginia, in which he re- ceived a wound from which he has never fully recovered.
Mr. Howell has been as loyal to his country and the locality of his residence and their interests in peace as he was in war. In the affairs of Shelby county he has shown a very earnest interest and in promoting the welfare of the people has taken an active and serviceable part. He was especially helpful to his township in a long service as school director and left his impress on the school system of the township. In many other ways he has
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contributed essentially and wisely to the advancement of the region and helped to promote its judicious improvement, and he is esteemed by all classes of its citi- zenship for the uprightness of his life, his enterprise in building up its material development and the aid he has given in strengthening its moral and educational agencies.
On May 16, 1861, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Elizabeth Marchand, a daughter of Abraham and Rachel (Saam) Marchand, all natives of Penn- sylvania, where Mrs. Howell was born on September 7, 1837. By this marriage he became the father of seven children. six of whom are living-Aaron S. C., of Henry county, Missouri; William A., a resident of Shelby county; Mary Ella, the wife of Joseph White, also of this county; Rachel Rebecca, the wife of George Foster, of Macon, Missoni; and Owen Fletcher and Arthur S., both resi- dents of Shelby county. In politics the father is a pronounced and zealous Re- publican, and in religious affairs he leans to the Presbyterian church, of which his wife is a member. Twenty-eight years of his life has been passed in this conn- ty, and they have all been fruitful in good to its people and their interests. He is justly esteemed as one of their best and most representative men.
GEORGE B. GARNER.
Owner of one of the splendid farms of his native township and held in high esteem in the community that has ever represented his home, Mr. Garner is one of the prominent and successful agri- enlturists and stock-growers of Taylor
township and is a member of one of the well known and highly honored families of the county. On other pages of this work appears a sketch of the career of his brother, Charles B. Garner, and in- cidental thereto is given due record con- cerning the family history, so that a repetition of the data is not demanded in the present connection, as ready ref- erence may be made, through the index of this volume, to the article in question.
Mr. Garner was born on the old home- stead farm in Taylor township, this county, on March 4, 1866, and he is in- debted to the local schools for his early educational training, reverting with fa- cetions satisfaction to the fact that he was a student in the Ernest schoolhouse, coloquially designated by the euphoni- ons title of "Grub College." He con- tinued to attend school at intervals until he was seventeen years of age, and in the meanwhile he contributed materially to the work of the home farm, thus learning the lessons of practical and consecutive industry and gaining expe- rience that has been of inestimable value to him in his independent career. IIe continued to be associated in the work and management of the home farm until 1890, when he married, after which he rented a farm near the village of Leon- ard, where he remained one year, at the expiration of which he purchased forty acres of his present farm. in section 22, Taylor township, where the best evi- dence of his energy, ability and snecess is that afforded by his ownership at the present time of a well improved landed estate of 255 acres, all available for enl- tivation. He erected the present sub- stantial buildings on the place, and the
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other improvements are of the best type, so that he has every reason to view with satisfaction the progress he has made and the independent position to which he has attained through his own well directed endeavors. He is a staunch Re- publican in his political allegiance, tak- ing a loyal interest in public affairs of a local order and having served both as clerk and director of the school board of his district. He gives a liberal support to the work of the Methodist Episcopal church in Evans Chapel, of which Mrs Garner is a zealous member
On February 13, 1890, Mr. Garner was united in marriage to Miss May S. Boring, who was born in Green county, Illinois, and reared in this county, being a daughter of George W. and Augusta Boring. The mother died in 1908 and the father lives in Clarence, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Garner became the parents of eight children, all of whom are liv- ing, namely : Florence Merle. Alfred E .. Eva May, George Delbert, Charles E .. Clara Hazel. and Lola Grace. One died in infancy.
RICHARD W. GILLASPY.
A representative of one of the old and honored families of Shelby county and a son of William L. Gillaspy, of whom more specific mention is made on other pages of this volume, the subject of this review has been a resident of this county from the time of his birth and is now munbered among the successful farmers and progressive citizens of Taylor town- ship, his well improved farm being lo- cated in section 24.
Richard Wilson Gillaspy was born on
the old homestead farm of his parents, in Taylor township, this county, on June 28, 1866, and there he was reared to ma- turity, in the meanwhile having duly availed himself of the advantages af- forded in the district school that was long known locally by the facetions title of "Grub College." He continued to attend school at intervals until he had attained the age of sixteen years, after winch he continued to be associated in the work of the home farm until 1887, when he rented a traet of land and en- gaged in farming and stock-growing on his own responsibility. He was inde- fatigable in his efforts, which were di- rected with energy and discrimination, so that his snecess became cumulative. He continued his operations under these conditions for a period of six years, at the expiration of which he purchased forty acres, which he later sold and pur- chased eighty acres of his old homestead farm, to which he has since added until he now has an admirably improved farm of 160 acres, all of which is available for cultivation. He has erected substantial buildings on his farm, and the place gives the tangible evidences of thrift and prosperity.
Mr. Gillaspy has not failed to lend his co-operation in the support of all measures advanced for the general wel- fare of the community and, though he has never sought or desired publie office of any deseription, he is a staunch sup- porter of the principles and policies of the Democratie party. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Missionary Baptist church and are zealous workers in the various departments of its relig- ious and benevolent activities. They are
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held in high regard in their native county and their pleasant home is one notable for its hospitality.
On March 11, 1890, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Gillaspay to Miss Mar- tha L. McVey, who, like himself, is a member of a well known pioneer family of Shelby county, where she was born and reared. She is a daughter of Ren- ben W. and Martha MeVey, who were residents of Taylor township. They have no children.
JOHN H. BUE.
Pleasantly located on his fine farm of 210 aeres in Bethel township and pursu- ing the peaceful if arduous life of an ac- tive and energetic farmer and live stock breeder, John H. Bue has, nevertheless, had a career of considerable variety and adventure, even though it was confined to his youth and early manhood. He is a native of this country, though not of this state, having come into being on Novem- ber 23, 1855, in Lake county, Indiana, and is a son of Henry and Eliza (Mooney) Bue, natives of Lincolnshire, England, where the father was born in 1830.
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