USA > Missouri > DeKalb County > History of Andrew and De Kalb counties, Missouri : from earliest time to the present; together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and family records. besides a condensed history of the state of Missouri, etc > Part 70
USA > Missouri > Andrew County > History of Andrew and De Kalb counties, Missouri : from earliest time to the present; together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and family records. besides a condensed history of the state of Missouri, etc > Part 70
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Alexander T. Downing, a physician of Adams Township, was born in Harrison County, Ky., on February 19, 1815. He is the son of Alexan- der and Mary (Bracken) Downing, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Scotch-Irish and the latter of German-English descent. Soon after their marriage in Pittsburgh, Penn., they came to Kentucky, where the mother died in 1824. 3 In 1826 the father broke up housekeeping, and
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accepted a position in the surveying department of the United States, a business he continued for a number of years. Before this he had been engaged in the mercantile business in Kentucky. He was appointed surveyor-general by President Harrison or Tyler, and did a great deal of work in Missouri. He was a fine mathematician, and was widely known in the West. He died in Vicksburg, Miss. He and wife were both members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was a ruling elder for a number of years. Alexander T. was the second of five children - four sons and one daughter. His education, begun in Kentucky, was finished at Bloomington College, Ind., from which he graduated in 1835. He taught school for several years, during which time he read medicine. He graduated in the medical department of the Transylvania College, Lexington, Ky., in 1842, after which he returned to his native county, and practiced his profession at Cynthiana up to 1849. He then came to Missouri, and was soon living where he now resides, being one of the first settlers of this township. He continued actively in the practice of his profession until a few years ago, when he virtually retired. He is an extensive farmer, and since 1856 has been a breeder of Durham cattle. He has been twice married: first in 1848 at Warsaw, Ky., to Miss Mar- garet Conrad. She died May 28, 1851, having borne one son and one daughter, of whom the daughter is living. She was a member of the Methodist Church. He was next married to Miss Mary E. Owen, who was born in White County, Tenn. Six children have blessed this union - three sons and three daughters. Politically, Dr. Downing is a Democrat. He has been judge of De Kalb County court. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.
John Taylor Fawcett, a prominent young merchant of Maysville, was born in Carrolton, Carroll Co., Ohio, September 28, 1863. He is the third of nine children born to John W. and Jane S. (Taylor) Fawcett, both natives of Carroll County, Ohio, the former born in 1834, and the latter in 1838. The father is the son of Alexander Fawcett, a native of England. He removed to De Kalb County, Mo., in the fall of 1864, and purchased a farm near Maysville, where he now resides. The mother is the daughter of John Taylor. She is still living. Our subject was reared on the farm, and received a good education in the public schools. On July 1, 1876, he entered the Maysville postoffice as deputy postmas- ter, and remained there until October 1, 1885. On November 9, 1885, he engaged in the drug business, which he has since continued. He carries a large line of drugs, medicines etc., and is doing a good business.
James Gibson, a citizen of Maysville, and sheriff of DeKalb County, was born in Sherman Township of that county on May 27, 1845. He is the third of eight children born to Greenup and Sarah (Morgan) Gib- son. The former was born in Kentucky in 1820, and when a boy immi- grated with his parents to Clay County, Mo. From Clay County he removed to Andrew County and thence to De Kalb County in 1844, and settled in Sherman Township. He was a farmer by vocation, and died
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November 9, 1883. He was a member of the Baptist Church. The mother was born in Middle Tennessee in 1818, and is the daughter of Nathan and Jane Morgan, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. They removed from Tennessee to Clay County, Mo., and thence to De Kalb County, and settled in Sherman Township, where they both died. The mother of our subject now resides on the homestead in that township. James was reared on a farm and received a liberal education in the pub- lic schools. He remained on the farm until the breaking out of the late war, when, at the age of sixteen years, he enlisted in the Federal army, joining Company F, of the Twenty-fifth Regiment of Missouri Infantry. He enlisted in 1862 (June) but had served nine months pre- vious to this in the State militia. He was mustered out of service at Louisville, Ky., in the latter part of July, 1865. After the war he returned to his home in De Kalb County, and followed agricultural pur- suits until 1880, when he engaged in merchandising at Maysville for about seven months. In 1881 he was elected marshal and collector of Maysville, which position he held two years. In 1884 he made an unsuccessful canvass for sheriff of De Kalb County, but was elected two years later. On February 14, 1867, he was united in mar- riage with Matilda C. Asher, who was born in Clay County in December, 1844. She is the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Asher. They have seven children. Mrs. Gibson is a member of the Christian Church.
A. E. Ginn, one of the pioneer citizens of Grant Township, was born at Newport, Ky., within 600 yards of the United States garrison, on October 19, 1820. He is the son of John and Abigail (Brackin) Ginn, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky. The father died in 1828, and the mother about 1867, in Illinois. A. E., being left an orphan, was reared on a farm by a Virginian named Ellis until his twentieth year, when he was set free, as he now laughingly says, with another negro. In 1840 he immigrated to Marion County, Ind., and the same year voted against Gen. Harrison. He also wagered a suit of clothes on the election and lost. He has never since made a bet. He engaged in farming and dealing in tobacco nine miles north of Indian- apolis until 1855. He then immigrated to De Kalb County, Mo., and purchased eighty acres of land in Grant Township. He purchased the farm where he now resides, comprising 160 acres, in 1865. In 1846 he was united in marriage with Nancy Ellis, of Indiana, the granddaughter of the man who reared him. She was born in Boone County, Ky., within six miles of Newport, on October 26, 1832, the daughter of Nelson R. Ellis. They have had nine children, as follows: Laura (deceased), Neoma, John, Alonzo (deceased), George, James, Albert (deceased), Hiram (deceased), and Martha (deceased). Mr. Ginn has been a member of the Christian Church since 1839. His wife and three children are also mem- bers of that church. He was the first volunteer from De Kalb County as a Home Guard in the Federal army, and was on duty during the entire war.
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DE KALB COUNTY.
Henry E. Glazier, the subject of this sketch, was born in Orange, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, November 27, 1840. He attended the old log school- house in which James A. Garfield received the rudiments of an education, and when six years old accompanied his parents to a small tract of land about four miles from Cleveland. At the age of eleven, in company with his father, he traveled overland to Van Buren County, Mich., then a dense wilderness, where they arrived about mid-winter. The father, Rody Glazier, had exchanged the property referred to for eighty acres of Mich- igan timber without having seen it, a transaction which disappointed him upon reaching his future home. Owing to the severe weather they retraced their steps to Paw Paw, the county seat of that county, where they were joined some six weeks later by the remainder of the family, consisting of the mother, two sisters and two brothers. Subsequently Henry obtained a situation in a store, but later assisted his father in the improvement of his farm, being deprived in the meantime of an edu- cation. His time was thus occupied until the age of twelve, when, the family having moved to Kalamazoo County, he attended the district school for three months, and afterward two terms at Schoolcraft. When eighteen years old he was placed in charge of a water-mill, which his father had purchased, conducting it for a year and a half, when, with his father's family he removed to Will County, Ill. In 1859 Henry embarked in the grocery business in Chicago, but in 1860, with his father, he started for California in search of gold. His experiences in that country are too numerous to mention in this connection, but in 1862 he returned to the States, going to Livingston County, Mo., where the family had moved during his absence. Early in 1863 he enlisted in "Merrill's Horse," Second Missouri Cavalry, and was soon promoted, and the follow- ing spring received a captain's commission in the One Hundred and Thirteenth United States Colored Infantry, in which capacity he served until mustered out in April, 1865. Returning home, Mr. Glazier entered the law office of McMillen & Norval, in Chillicothe, and in the winter of 1866 attended the law department of the university at Ann Arbor, Mich. In May, 1867, he was admitted to the bar, and in February, 1868, embarked upon the practice of his profession at Maysville, De Kalb Co., Mo., engaging also in a general real estate and loan business, In January, 1878, he purchased the Maysville Register and immediately improved and enlarged its publication, and thus started the first steam printing office in the third congressional district. In 1881 he built a fine opera hall, and in other ways has ever been first and foremost in the upbuilding of the county, and especially Maysville. It was largely through his efforts that the present courthouse and jail were erected. From 1883 until 1886, be- sides his other branches of business, he carried on general mercantile pur- suits, and in 1882, in compliance with a request, and upon the solicitation of numerous friends, he was induced to become a candidate for Congress, a contest, however, in which Hon. A. M. Dockery was the successful one. In October, 1885, Mr. Glazier was appointed postmaster of Maysville. As
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a man he is fearless and progressive, untiring in his undertakings, and aggressive in warfare when favoring a proposition, men and measures, and he throws his whole heart into the cause. In 1869 he married Miss L. E. Holmes of Spencer, Ill., and they have had two children: Harry, a promising child aged five and a half, and A. Bertie, who is at present attending Christian College, Columbia, Mo.
John W. Goode, a substantial farmer of Grand River Township, is a native of Warsaw County, Ky., born on February 4, 1846. He is the son of Thomas J. and Martha A. (Callaway) Goode. They were of English and German descent, and natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. The father was born on July 4, 1815, and the mother
about 1817. In early life the father immigrated to Kentucky, and was married in Warren County about 1836. Upon marrying they settled in Warren County, where they resided until 1847, when they immigrated to Missouri, and settled in Cass County, but later (in 1863) they removed to Leavenworth County, Kas. They afterward went to Wyandotte County, Kas., where they died, the father on January 2, 1877, and the mother on February 2, of the same year. Their remains rest in Mount Hope Cemetery, Leavenworth County. In Kentucky the father was a boat-builder. In Cass County he was engaged in farming, and served two terms as high sheriff. In Kansas he served as probate judge of Wyandotte County one term, and paid considerable attention to farming and stock raising. He and wife were members of the Christian Church. Politically he was a Democrat. John W. is the fourth of nine children. He received a common-school education, and worked on his father's farm until his fifteenth year, when he enlisted in the United States army. He served eighteen months in the Second Missouri State Militia, and in 1863 enlisted in the Fourteenth Kansas Regiment of Volunteer Cavalry, with which he served the remainder of the war. After the war he went to his father's in Leavenworth County, Kas., and engaged in farming about two years, when he went to Wyandotte City, and read law one year. Abandoning the profession, he went to Pettis County, Mo., and for one year was contractor on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. About 1875 he removed to Morgan County, Ill., where he engaged in farming about two years. He then followed that pursuit in Wyandotte County, Kas., and in Fremont County, Iowa. He afterward accepted a position as traveling salesman for the Mount Arbor Nursery for one year, then came to Maysville, Mo., and traveled for the Maysville Nursery two years. He next came to De Kalb County, and settled where he now lives. On January 12, 1880, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Nannie C. Walker, whose maiden name was Owen. They have four children- two sons and two daughters. Mr. Goode is a Republican. He and wife
are members of the Christian Church.
George Keats Gwathmey was born in Louisville, Ky., in 1850, and after the death of his father and mother, in 1852 and 1856, respective- ly, made his home with his guardian, John Jeffrey, with whom he
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removed to Cincinnati in 1857. He attended school in that city, in Gam- bier, Ohio, and in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, until 1864, and in November of that year left home and went to sea. For six years he pursued this vocation, following which he was engaged in railroading in the United States and Canada for about eight years. In 1879, removing to De Kalb County, Mo., he engaged in farming, and was thus occupied until 1883; subse- quently he purchased the Republican Pilot, assuming control December 12, 1884. This representative journal he has since continued to publish, and the excellent reputation which it has enjoyed is due largely to his ability and earnestness in its editorial management. The paper is num- bered among the well-known and substantial publications of this portion of the State.
E. B. Harris, a substantial farmer living. one and one-half miles south- east from Maysville, is a native of Medina County, Ohio, born on Sep- tember 27, 1840. He is the fourthi of seven children born to William H. and Lucy (Brainard) Harris, both natives of Connecticut. The father removed to Ohio when a boy, and was one of the first settlers of Medina County. He removed to Missouri in 1867, and located in De Kalb County, where he resided about eight years. He then returned to Ohio where he now resides. He has been a successful farmer. The mother is still living, and is a pious Christian woman. E. B. was reared on the farm, and acquired a good education in the public schools. In September, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company B, of the Forty- second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Col. James A. Gar- field. He served with his regiment throughout the war, participating in the battle of Vicksburg and others. He was mustered out of service at Camp Chase, Ohio, on September 30, 1864. In March, 1865, he re-enlist- ed in Company D, of the Fifth Regiment of the United States Veteran Volunteers, and was mustered out at New York City on March 31, 1866. He then returned to his home, and a week later immigrated to Jones County, Iowa, where he resided about eight years. He then removed to De Kalb County, where he has since lived, engaged in farming. On April 12, 1866 he wedded Mary McDougall, who was born in Medina County, Ohio, on January 8, 1845. She is the daughter of D. and Rosella (Doan) McDougall, the former of whom was born in Canada in 1818, and removed to Ohio in 1830. He died in December, 1885. The latter was born in Vermont in 1822, and is now a resident of Medina County. To Mr. and Mrs. Harris seven children have been born, as fol- lows: Freddie J., July 17, 1867, died July 22, 1869; Nina M., June 9, 1869; Arthur G., September 30, 1872; Jesse D., January 2, 1875; Willie E., December 22, 1876; Frankie R., July 11, 1882, died March 27, 1883, and an infant boy, March 16, 1886, died May 23, 1886.
John B. Harper, a prominent citizen of De Kalb County, was born in Ohio in 1841. He is the son of John and Elizabeth Harper, both natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Missouri, where they lived at the time of their death. The mother was burned to death by the ex-
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plosion of a coal oil lamp in 1885. Both parents were members of the Christian Church. John B. removed to Caldwell County, Mo., in 1866, and in 1879 came to De Kalb County, and located where he now re- sides. His farm contains 640 acres of good land. The farm is well im- proved, and upon it, in a desirable location, is a large residence. He pays considerable attention to raising and dealing in stock. In 1859 he was united in marriage with Sophia Clay. Seven children have been born to them, only one of whom is living, a daughter, named Nellie May. Mr. and Mrs. Harper are members of the Christian Church.
J. M. Harman, the only practicing physician in Fairport, was born in Indiana on June 26, 1854. He is the son of L. M. and Francis ( Miller) Harman, both of whom were born in East Tennessee, the former in 1812, and the latter in 1825. They removed from their native State to Indi- ana, and in the fall of 1858 removed to De Kalb County, Mo., locating in Polk Township. In 1875 they removed to Camden Township, where they now reside. Nine children were born to them, of whom the Doctor is the fifth. He was reared on the farm, and secured a good education in the public schools. He taught school one year, and then began the study of medicine at Maysville, Mo., with Dr. Lewis H. Weatherby as a preceptor. In 1873 he entered Rush Medical College, at Chicago, and attended one year. He then spent a year in reading at home, and in the fall of 1875 returned to the above named college, and graduated on Feb- ruary 15, 1876. During the years of 1879-80 he attended a course of lectures at the Missouri Medical College, at St. Louis. He began practic- ing in Daviess County, Mo., and continued until 1884, when he removed to Fairport, where he has since resided. He has built up a good prac- tice, and established a splendid professional reputation. On July 2, 1876, he was united in marriage with Orie Bray, who was born in Indi- ana on June 12, 1854. She is the daughter of Samuel Bray, a citizen
of De Kalb County.
To this union three children have been born, two
of whom are living. Both Dr. and Mrs. Harman are members of the Baptist Church. Dr. Harman is a strong prohibitionist, and labors zealously and untiringly for the cause. He is a man of broad and pro- gressive ideas, and takes a deep interest in every thing that tends to promote the public weal.
Harbert W. Haynes, an attorney at law in Stewartsville, De Kalb Co., Mo., was born in Russell County, Ky., May 14, 1821. He is the son of John and Elizabeth ( Harlem) Haynes, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Kentucky. They lived in Russell County, Ky., at the time of their death. Harbert W. was reared on the farm, and at the age of eighteen his father apprenticed him to a cabinet-maker at Danville, Ky., for three years for his board and clothes. At the expiration of the three years, he engaged in business for himself in Russell County, Ky. In 1848 he engaged in house-joining and carpentering, continuing until 1853, at which time he went to Carthage, Tenn. After spending four years at that place, he removed to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, were he remained until the
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spring of 1858, when he came to Stewartsville, Mo., and followed carpentering until the breaking out of the war. In 1862 he enlisted in the Federal army, joining Company H, Fourth Missouri M. I. M. Cavalry. Remaining in the army two years, he returned home, but being unable to work at his trade on account of injuries received during his service in the war, he began to practice law before the justice courts. He was admitted to the bar in Maysville, Mo., September 26, 1868. On April 11, 1843, he was wedded to Miss Lillie A. Hunt, of Wayne County, Ky. They have had eight children, two of whom are dead. Henry C. married Jane Gilmore, William H. married Sophia Orzenberger, Fannie J. is the wife of Robert H. Buster, Lillie E. is the wife of Moses Garner. Mr. and Mrs. Haynes have been members of the Missionary Baptist Church for forty years. In 1882 he was elected county prosecuting attorney, holding the office two years. During his term of office he drew fifty-six indictments, all of which were sustained. He never continued a State case, but was always ready for trial. In politics he is a Republican, and a strong advocate of temperance. At this time he is engaged in writing a book for publication to be entitled "Haynes' Astronomy." Prof. Haynes position on the subject is: First, That the Bible is uniform in its state- ments that the sun does rise and go down-not in appearance, but in fact. Second, that the earth is motionless, and hence is stationary and at rest.
Abel Hensel, a leading farmer of Grant Township, residing three miles southwest from Fairport, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio; on October 23, 1833. He was the fifth of twelve children born to John and Rachel (Barton ) Hensel, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in 1800, and the latter in 1801. The paternal grand- father was John Hensel, who was killed while serving in the War of 1812. The maternal grandfather was Eli Barton, who was a Revolutionary soldier. John the father removed to Ohio in 1820, and was one of the first settlers of Tuscarawas County. At the time of his death, in 1870, he was one of the largest farmers of his county. The mother died in Ohio in 1856. Both parents were Christian people and church members. Abel was reared on the farm, and acquired a fair education in the public schools. When eighteen years of age, he began an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade. When twenty-one years of age, he immigrated to Bureau County, Ill., where he worked at his trade for a number of years. April 20, 1861, he enlisted for three months as a private in Company I, of the Twelfth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. At the expiration of his term of service he re-enlisted for three years. Before the expiration of the latter period, however, he was given an opportunity, and re-enlisted as a veteran, and served as such until discharged for disability in March, 1865. He was wounded four times-at Shiloh twice, once before Atlanta, and at Altoona, where he was left for dead on the field of battle. At the close of the war he spent two years with his parents 'in Ohio, being unable to work on account of his wounds. In 1867 he returned to Illinois, and
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in 1879 came to De Kalb County, and purchased his farm of 325 acres, upon which he resides. He is a member of Maysville Post, G. A. R. On February 11, 1864, he was united in marriage with Kate Fribley, who was born in Ohio September 17, 1845. She is the daughter of David Fribley, also a native of Ohio. They have six children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hensel are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Joel C. Herring, a good farmer of Sheridan Township, was born in Buchanan County, Mo., on November 6, 1843. He is the son of Creed and Eliza (Board) Herring, both natives of Kentucky, the former born in 1810, and the latter in 1820. They were married in Shelby County, Ky., about 1835, after which they immigrated to Missouri, and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Buchanan County, where the father died August 4, 1885. The mother is still living in that county. The father was a successful farmer, and in politics, a Democrat. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. The mother is a member of that church. Joel C. is the fourth of seven children. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and received a common-school education. His whole life has been devoted to farming and stock raising. On Septem- ber 29, 1870, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Vestal, who was born in Buchanan County, Mo., on August 10, 1841. Her parents were Daniel and Mary J. Vestal.' After marriage Mr. Herring spent about two years in Buchanan County, then one year in the Indian Ter- ritory, in the Cherokee Nation. The year following he lived in Andrew County, Mo. He then came to De Kalb County, and settled where he now resides. In 1883 he and wife visited the Colorado Springs, in Colo- rado, for the latter's health. He owns 360 acres in the home tract and fifty in Buchanan County. Politically he is a Democrat. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. They have had five children born as follows: Elmer L., February 2, 1872; Edward, April 18, 1884; Henry C., May 21, 1877, died May 9, 1879; Joel C., born November 16, 1878, died August 9, 1881; Emma, November 16, 1882, died on Decem- ber 16, 1883.
Robert A. Hewitt, Jr., a leading citizen of Maysville, De Kalb County, was born in Maysville on August 6, 1850. He is the fourth of seven children born to Eli and Martha E. (Barkman) Hewitt. The father was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1818, and was the son of Elmer Hewitt. He immigrated to Missouri in 1846, locating in St. Joseph, where he engaged in merchandising. In 1848 he removed to Maysville and continued merchandising until his death on September 25, 1866. His death resulted from an accidental gunshot wound. He was a prominent man in Northwest Missouri, especially in De Kalb County, where, in 1850, he was elected county judge. The mother was also born in Maryland in 1824, and is the daughter of George Barkman, a sea captain, who died with the yellow fever. She is now a resident of Nebraska City, Neb. Robert A. was educated in the schools of his native town and Nebraska City. He began reading law in Maysville in
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