USA > Missouri > Chariton County > Historical, pictorial and biographical record, of Chariton County, Missouri > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
168
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
began the construction of a street car line, that has since not only proven a success financially, but has resulted beneficially to the town in many ways. The original cost of the line was $10,000, the plant consisting of large and convenient car and horse barns, in the western part of the city, with two miles of well built track with the necessary switches. The rolling stock consists of a large flat-car for the hand- ling of freight and express and two modern coaches for passenger transportation.
We could not say too much in favor of the public spirit and en- prise of these gentlemen, but feel that the merits of the line are too well known to require any eulogistic remarks here, while at the same time we know that a review of Keytesville would be decidedly incomplete without due reference to this line, which has been a prime factor since its construction, in aiding the general welfare of this prosperous city.
COUNTY POOR FARM.
Four miles nearly west of Keytesville and two and one-half miles northwest of Dalton, section 11-53-19, is located the county poor farm. This farm embraces 80 acres of as fine land as is to be found in the county together with 100 acres of rich bottom land. The original cost of the building (erected in '68) and farm was about $35,000. Under the management of F. M. Davenport, Supt., most gratifying results have been accomplished, in providing for the poor and disabled of our county, a suitable home where they can receive the proper care and treatment. The farm is well stocked, highly improved and under the control of the county court. All operating expenses are paid by the county and all revennes from the sale of stock or products from the farm are collected by the superintendent and turned over to the county.
COUNTY JAIL.
The county jail, located at Keytesville, was erected in 1872 at a cost of $11,000 and is a neat commodious structure, two stories high and substantially built, with a residence for the sheriff connected therewith.
IN AND ABOUT KEYTESVILLE.
The visitor will find a happy, cultured, intelligent people, enter- prising and progressive, who enjoy home, love their country and respect its laws. He will find a community of beautiful homes, sur- rounded by spacious well kept lawns, made bright and happy by flower and bush, tree and vine of every hue and clime. A community that enjoys the best social, moral and educational advantages to be
169
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
had, the influences of which are felt and appreciated throughout the county. He will find nice, well kept streets bordered with sub- stantial sidewalks and an abundance of shade and ornamental trees, among whose branches the gentle zephyrs whisper "welcome" to all. He will find a number of fraternal organization engaged in a work that for ages past has resulted in the elevation and uplifting of man- kind to higher and nobler puropses of life.
Hle will find many flourishing commercial establishments which for size of stocks carried and business methods employed, easily rank with the establishments of many larger cities of the state. A number of literary and musical organizations that on frequent occasions greatly contribute to the pleasure and entertainment of the community.
No town in the state has two newspapers, more enterprising and progressive, nor more loyal to the town and county in which they are published, than the Chariton Courier and Keytesville Signal pub- lished at Keytesville.
Prominent among the manufacturing enterprises of Keytesville is its milling interests. While the Keytesville Roller Mills are not as large as some mills of other cities, none turn out a better article of flour or meal. The plant is located in a substantial building, upon the bank of the Muscle Fork, and is amply furnished with all the modern equipments and improved machinery. In addition to a splendid and never-failing water power, it is supplied with a fifty-five horse power engine and boiler. The present owners and proprietors of this estab- lishment are Judge James L. Stacy and M. F. Courtney, two of Chariton county's most prominent and influential citizens. In addition to their milling interests they deal in all kinds of grain, furnishing a good market for a very large territory tributary to Keytesville.
No banking institutions in the county are safer or are conducted on more correct business principles than those of Keytesville. Though the capital stock is not large, depositors are perfectly secure under the laws of the state, and under the safe methods adopted by the banks themselves.
Keytesville is well provided with commodious and well kept hotels. Sneed's hotel, elegantly furnished and equipped, has 20 rooms, and is second to no house in the interior of the state. Hotel Snyder, is a large and commodious structure of 20 rooms, supplied with all mod- ern conveniences. Other smaller houses are also well kept, while restaurants and eating houses afford convenient refreshments for the sojourner.
170
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Keytesville has a building and loan association that has had a remarkably successful career. Through this organization many per- sons of small and moderate income have been enabled to buy or build their own homes, paying for their property by monthly installments. The advantages of such an organization are apparent to all.
In short, the visitor to Keytesville will find a large class of christian men and women, in a christian community, representing all professions and avocations of life, enjoying peace, pleasure and pros- perity, harmoniously united in advancing the social, moral and mate- riał interests of their town and county.
HARLES P. VANDIVER, a gentleman of untiring energy, in- dustry and intelligence, who has made a success in life in a chosen line and contributed not a little to the progress and prosperity of his town and county, was born near Fayette, Howard county, December 25, 1858. His parents, A. C. and Julia (Hill) Van- diver are both native Missourians, the father born in Marion and raised in Shelby county and the mother born and reared in Howard county. In 1864 Mr. and Mrs. Vandiver moved to Chariton county, settling upon a farm between Salisbury and Keytesville, but soon afterwards located at the latter point. In youth, Charles P. received · excellent educational training, fin- ishing his education at the public schools of Keytesville in 1878. Five years later selecting newspa- per journalism as a life's ocenpa- tion, he accepted the position of local editor upon the Chariton Courier, then published at Keytes- ville by his father and brother-in- law, J. M. Collins. In 1889 our subject assumed a proprietary in- terest in the paper, which he held until 1892, when he became sole proprietor. His abilities as a writer and newspaper man are justly recognized and appreciated by a large majority of Chariton county DENS. C citizens, and testified to by the liberal patronage and excellent
171
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
standing his paper now enjoys in the county. Fearless, honest and conscientious in the support of those principles he believes right and just, he not only holds the high regard and esteem of his friends of the past but daily forms new associations, who appreciate him for his enterprise, true manhood and personal worth.
On February 11, 1891 our subject was united in marriage to Mrs. Sally E. Vaughn, of Carroll county, and a lady of culture, refinement and moral worth. Their home in Keytesville is among the prettiest and most conveniently arranged cottage residences of the city. On Bridge street Mr. Vandiver also owns a substantial briek business house, the front of the ground floor being used as a millinery estab- lishment, and the rear for the mechanical department of his paper, the editoriol rooms being located upon the second floor.
Socially, our subject is an honored member of the K. of P., Modern Woodmen and I. O. F. fraternities; while religiously he affiliates with the Methodist church. Politically, he was born and reared a democrat, and not only at the polls, but through the columns of his paper ably and intelligently supports the principles of his party.
APTAIN OSCAR F. SMITH, or, Judge O. F. Smith, as he is familiarly known, was born in Kentucky, but removed with his parents to Linn county, Mo., in an early day where he was reared.
He is a son of Judge Jacob Smith of Linneous, Mo., who at one time was Judge of the eleventh Judicial circuit of this State, then composed of the counties of Chariton, Grundy, Linn, Sullivan, Mer- cer and Putnam.
Captain Smith after completing the curriculum of studies tought in the common school received the benefit of courses at old McGee College in Macon county, Mo., and Central College at Fayette, How- ard county, Mo., finishing his education at the last named institution in 1859.
On returning home from college he began the study of law in the law office of his father at Linneus, Mo.
When the war broke out he entered the Federal service, and in 1863 recruited a company for the cavalry service and was commis- sioned captain of company No. 12 cavalry Missouri volunteers, which company he commanded until the close of the war, serving much of the time under the command of Gen. Thomas in the army of the Ten-
LAW OFFICE AND RESIDENCE OF JUDGE O. F. SMITH, KEYTESVILLE, MO.
.- 7=5 9.SUBONES
173
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
nesse. His last active service was under the dashing cavalry Gen. Wilson, in the spring of 1865 in that rapid and victorious march from East Port, Miss. by way of Selma and Montgomery, Ala., ending with the capture of the fleeing President, Jefferson Davis near Macon, Georgia.
He resigned his position as captain and returned home in Septem- ber 1865. He married Miss Martha L. Stevens of Paris, Monroe county, Mo., whose acquaintance he had first formed before the war, while she was a student attending Howard Payne College at Fayette, Mo. Early in 1866 he located at Paris, Mo., and commenced the practice of law, afterwards in the fall of 1867 he removed to Keytes- ville, Mo., where he has continued in the general practice of his pro- fession. In the meantime he had been elected by the people of Chari- ton county to the office of Judge of Probate and ex-officio president of the county court, for a term of four years, and also elected to the office of Prosecuting Attorney for a term of two years.
His residence and law office are conveniently located near the court house at Keytesville where he has a good library and well equiped for law practice. By safe counsel and dilligent attention to business and the interest of his clients he has established a very sub- stantial law practice. He has five children four daughters and one son. Elizabeth the eldest daughter, who married Mr. T. P. Wood a native of Chariton county, and a son of B. F. Wood deceased. Mar- tha F. who married Geo. F. Cox also a resident of Keytesville, Miss Marietta, Oscar E. and Ernestine the youngest, all of whom are resi- dents of Keytesville.
ILLER & LEWIS, two of Keytesville's most prominent and influential merchants caption this sketch. Blair Miller, our first subject, was born in Keytesville, August 14, 1868, and is the fifth of a family of six children, born to John C. and Elmeria Miller, two prominent and worthy citizens of that place. Our subject was married January 29, 1896, to Miss Lucy S. Courtney, daughter of Dr. Courtney, deceased, who was widely known in Chariton county for his most excellent qualities.
James W. Lewis, the second member of the sketch, was born in this county near Glasgow, Mo., May 31, 1867, and was the youngest son of Major J. W. and Virginia V. Lewis, who were among the first settlers of the county. Major Lewis was, when living, one of the most prominent citizens in this section of the state. Mrs. Lewis is
174
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
5
J. W. LEWIS.
BLAIR MILLER.
still living and makes her home with her son, the subject of this sketch, who was married to Miss Berte Kellogg, the accomplished daughter of D. B. Kellogg, deceased, who was familiarly known to nearly every citizens of Chariton county as "Uncle Dan." One child Louise Kellogg Lewis, was born to this union, February 17, 1894, and is the delight of the honselold. Mr. Lewis is a large land owner, having 50 acres of fine land near Glasgow, in his own name and a half interest in 634 acres near the same place.
These gentlemen established a dry goods, clothing, boot and shoe and furnishing goods house in 1894 in Keytesville and have done a flourishing business ever since. They are both always polite and gentlemanly to their customers and have attained the highest respect of everyone who deals with them. Honest prices and just dealings have increased their business until at present they can claim the honor of keeping the leading mercantile establishment in the city of Keytes- ville.
175
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
AMES W. ROBERTSON. Among the worthy, intelligent and exemplary young business men of Chariton county, worthy of favorable mention in this connection, is the gentleman who name heads this sketch. He was born October 25, 1869, at Salisbury, Mo., being the eldest member of a family of seven children of J. K. and Grizelle (Dameron) Robertson. The father of our subject was born in Howard county, but was reared and has spent his life in Chariton. Mrs. Robertson was born and reared in this county. James W , was reared upon the farm and received the advantages of a good practical education, which he finished at the North Missouri Institute at Salis- bury in 1891-'92. In January of 1893, the father of our subject engaged in the newspaper business at Keytesville, that being the birth of the Keytesnille Signal, the style of the firm being JJ. K. Robertson & Son, our subject becoming the junior member. Through their ex- cellent business judgment and un- remitting industry the Signal has become a fixture in Chariton county journalism, receiving a liberal patronage from an appre- ciative public. Socially, James W. has pleasant association with the Knights of Pythias and K. of M. and I. O. O. F. frater- nities. Religiously, he affiliates with the Baptist church, while politically he was taught and now loyally supports, with true patri- otic fidelity, the principles of the democratic party. 1
Mr. Robertson is a young man of exemplary character and is well known and thoroughly respected in all portions of the county, having used in all his relations, whether social or financial, the utmost integrity and straightforwardness of purpose and action.
ICHARD S. OLDHAM, the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was born upon the old homestead of his father, in Mus- cle Fork township, February 13, 1853. Goodman Oldham, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Kentucky and a
176
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
793
prominent attorney and agriculturalist of the blue grass state. In 1831 he located in Howard county, Mo., and his murder at Keytes- ville, April 5, 1833, while prosecuting his profession, was the socond committed in the county. Mordicai Lane, the supposed murderer, was arrested for the crime, but at his trial two or three years later was acquitted. Upon his death bed, however, Lane made a confession of having committed the crime. The wife of Goodman Oldham was CATHERINE MINERVA in her maidenhood a Miss Jackson and her brother, Geo. Jackson, having settled here in 1810, she rode on horseback from Kentucky to visit him, returning in the same manner. Her death occurred in this county in 1885, ai the advanced age of ninety years.
Richard G. Oldham, father of our subject, was born in Madison county, Kentucky, February 9, 1820, coming to this state with his parents eleven years later. His first occupation was that of agricul- ture near Keytesville, but afterwards located in Muscle Fork town -. ship, where he operated a very large farm. On March 26, 1876 The was united in marriage to Miss Laura Sportsman, a daughter of John Sportsman, who move to this county from Kentucky when but 19 years of age, engaged in farming and stock raising in Keytesville township for many years. This union resulted in the birth of twelve children, 7 boys and 5 girls, seven now living, our subject being the fourth member. The birth of the mother occurred in Chariton coun- ty, June 8, 1814 and her death, November 26, 1888. The father died October 19, 1894.
Richard S. Oldham was reared upon the homestead and brought up to farm duties. In youth he received the advantages of the distrfet schools, and acquired a good practical education. Upon attaining his majority he engaged in agricultural pursuit for himself, which he followed until 1887 when he engaged in the mercantile business at Long's Mill and later at Musselfork. At present he is located at Gnthridge Mill, where he enjoy the confidence of the public and a very liberal patronage.
On the 26th of March '76 he was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet Ellen Kavanaugh, a daughter of C. W. and E. W. Kavanaugh. early settlers of this state, who emigrated here from Kentucky, in their youth. Their marriage occurred in this state and resulted in the birth of eleven children, only six of whom are now living.
The union of our subject and his most estimable lady has been blessed with six children; namely, Rufro R., 15 years of age; Charlie R., 13; Simmie R., deceased; Archie R., 4; Eldo R., deceased; and
177
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Euna R., now the baby. Politically, Mr. Oldham was reared a dem- ocrat and loyally supports the principles of his party. Enterprising and progressive in his ideas and of a social disposition, he enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.
OHN M. MASON, the present deputy Recorder of Chariton county, was born four miles south of Salisbury, March 28, 1867, to Benjamin F. and Margaret Mason, who were the parents of eight children-seven boys and one girl-five of whom are still living. The father was born in Virginia and removed to Missouri about 1839 or 1840, and settled in this county where he married Margaret Freeman, a native of Chariton county.
Our subject is a sturdy, industrious and intelligent young man who has strived hard to attain the position he now has, and has held since February 1892. He was reared on a farm and attended the pub- lic schools of the dis- trict for a number of years, but finished his education in the Salisbury Public Schools, under Prof. L. B. Coates, after which he returned to farm life for a short time before taking a clerkship in the mercantile establishment of J. T. Mason, of Salisbury, where he remained for eighteen months. He then accepted the position of Deputy Recorder as above mentioned.
On July 3, 1892 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Cordie Patterson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Patterson, who now live in Salisbury. The fruits of this union were two chrildren-David B.,
178
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.
deceased, and Howard M., who is now "a little streak of sunshine" in this most happy household. Socially, our subject is an esteemed member of the following secret socities, viz: Warren Lodge A. F. & A. M., Knights of Pythias, I. O. O. F. and K. O. T. M., of Key- tesville, also a member of the Baptist church. He is a staunch free silver democrat and having been raised up according to that doctrine he has never veered from his course of training.
HARLES H. TEMPLE, M. D., now located at Rockford, in Missouri township, is a prominent young physician, endowed with sober and industrious habits and good, moral character, and has made for himself a reputation that commands the practice of the entire territory of country surrounding Rockford.
Our subject was born in Renick, Randolph county, Missouri, Aug. 2, 1869, and is the son of I. C. and Ellen Temple, who still reside in
Randolph county. The father and mother of this young man were born in Pennsylvania and Missouri, respectively.
The subject of this sketch spent the earlier part of his life in the public schools of Randolph county, and at the age of cighteen took up a literary course at the Kirksville State Normal, where he studied hard for two terms. He afterwards returned to Randolph county and taught two terms in the public schools before entering upon the study of medicine. He attended the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons from which he grad- uated after a three-years' course.
SANDERARCO ST LOUIS.
Soon after finishing his medical course, our subject came to this county to try his fortune, and settled at Rockford, where many of his fondest hopes are being realized in the way of a rich reward for his dilligence during the years of his youth. Our subject is a Master Mason, belonging with the member- ship of Morality Lodge No. 186, A. F. and A. M., of Renick. He is a member of the M. E. Church and affilliates with the republican party.
179
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
OLD SETTLERS' REUNION HELD AT KEYTESVILLE, MISSOURI, SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 1896.
Saturday, August 8, 1896, was a most enjoyable day for Chari- ton county's old settlers, who met in body in the grove on the east side of the public highway, one mile south of Keytesville, one of the most picturesque and suitable spots in the county for an assemblage of this character, and barring the extreme heat, the day was a model one for the old settlers' reunion.
At an early hour, carts, buggies, carriages, spring and two-horse wagons began rolling in from every direction. They came on horse- back, on foot and on bicycles, and long before the noonday hour the crowd reached far beyond two thousand people, from all parts of the county, who came purposely to have a general good time, which they undoubtedly did, judging from all outward appearances. The old and the young, alike, enjoyed the occasion in a manner that would fill the mind of the most inadvertent person on the ground with enthusiasm unbounded.
There are few people in this age who comprehend the many diffi- culties through which the first settlers of Chariton county passed from 1818, when the first white child, Captain William Heryford, now de- ceased, was born, to the close of the civil war, in 1865. Those were times when the warhoop of the wild red men were within earshot of the humble log huts of the precious few whites who inhabited the lonely prairies and forests of our county, which is now thickly settled with civilized people from all quarters of the globe. The wild Amer- icans,-the only true Americans-were not the only pests the early settlers had to contend with. The woods were full of wolves, panthers and other vicious beasts, looking for prey, that would as soon tackle a human being as anything that crossed their path. Those were days of stringent adversity, but notwithstanding all this there were many old people at Keytesville on this memorable day, that passed through it all and are still hale and hearty, and looked as though they had stood the test of pioneer life much better than could be expected by an out- sider who has read the many histories of early western settlements.
As soon as about five hundred people had assembled the order of business was looked to, and A. C. Vandiver mounted the rostrum, which was made large enough, and furnished with comfortable seats for the weary old pioneers of the county, and in a few well chosen words, called the meeting to order, after which J. A. Merchant, of Brunswick, the honored president of the association, came forth and
180
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
made a few remarks as to organization, etc. He then called to mind the names of those of the old settlers that were missing from the cir- cle in attendance that day. Among whom he named, Captain Wil- liam Heryford, Judge JJohn M. Davis and Senator Andrew Mackay, who have since the meeting of a year ago, passed from carth to "The undiscovered country, from whose bourn no traveler returns, " where, it is the wish of their many earthly friends left behind, that they may now be enjoying that peace and happiness that only Heaven's bright shores afford.
Mr. Merchant, after a few other remarks introduced to the audi- ence, which by this time had grown in immensity, Col. W. F. Switz- ler, of Boonville, the Nestor of Missouri editors, who addressed them on topies pertaining to occasions of this kind. Col. Switzler was born in Favette county, Kentucky, and came when very young with his father's family to Howard county, in 1826; studied law in 1840 under the instruction of Judge Abiel Leonard of Fa ette; moved to Co- lumbia in 1841 and took editorial charge of the Patriot the same year; was admitted to the bar. by Judge John D. Leland in 1842, and established the Statesman in 1843, which he conducted until 1885, when he was appointed chief of the bureau of Statistics of the Treasury department. Represent- ed Boone county in the legislature several times; was a member of the Constitutional conventions of 1865 and 1875, and for three or four y cars has been editor and publish er of the Democrat at Boonville. He is as vigorous in mind and body as a quarter of a century ago.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.