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 71
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 71
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1875, in the office of George W. Rose, ex-prosecuting attorney, and was admitted to the bar in 1877. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession, and has since continued. He was elected as a Democrat to his first office, prosecuting attorney of the twelfth judicial district, in November, 1886. He still holds the office. On March 12, 1876, he was united in marriage with C. M. Dalrymple, who was born in Ohio in 1857. She is the daughter of Robert and Jane (Miles) Dalrymple. Four boys have been born to them, all of whom are living. Mr. Hewitt is a member of Parott Lodge, No. 308, F. & A. M. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church.
James Hill (deceased) was one of the leading farmers of Camden Township. He was born in Carroll County, Ohio, in 1827, and was the son of John Hill. In the spring of 1866 he immigrated to Missouri, and settled in Platte County, where he remained until the fall of 1880. He then removed to De Kalb County, and located near the village of Amity. He was a very successful farmer, and left an estate of more than $8,000. About 1853 he was united in marriage with Rachel M. Shull, who was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1834. She was the daughter of Jacob Shull. She died on September 20, 1883. The father died on April 21, 1886. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and were pious, Christian people, respected and esteemed by all who knew them. To them four children were born as follows: J. Shull, March 17, 1855, died March 21, 1877; Mariah C., August 10, 1857, died in January, 1875; J. S., August 6, 1862, and J. R., March 16, 1865. The last two, the only surviving members of the family, are engaged in general merchandising at Amity, under the firm name of Atwood & Hill. Both were reared on the farm, and received a good education in the public schools. J. S. is now attending the Central Business College at Sedalia, Mo., while J. R. is managing the store. The brothers own jointly 180 acres of fine farm land, lying near the town of Amity, and also a beautiful little farm lying five miles northwest of that place. They are intelligent and worthy young men, possessing energy, enterprise and public spirit.
William Hudson, a time-honored farmer of Adams Township, was born in Wythe County, Va., on July 14, 1823. He is the son of Thomas and Nancy (Johnson) Hudson. The former was of English, and the lat- ter of Irish descent, and both natives of Botetourt County, Va. They removed to Blount County, Tenn., in 1830, and ten years later immigrated to Missouri, and settled in Ray County, where the mother died soon after. The father died in 1846 in De Kalb County. He was an old- time Whig. William was reared on the farm, and secured a practical education in his youth, which has since been improved by much reading and study. At seventeen years of age he came with his parents to Mis- souri, and in the fall of 1840 located in De Kalb County, where he has since resided, except two years that he spent in Gentry County. In the early part of 1856 he settled where he now resides, and since then
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he has been classed among the successful farmers of his county. He has 170 acres of good land. On August 19, 1845, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Martha L. Redman, who was born in Hardin County, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson have no children of their own, but have reared several orphan children. In his political views Mr. Hudson is a Demo- crat. He has been collector of Adams Township, and for the last thirty- eight years he has at different times held the office of justice of the peace. His wife is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church.
Joseph F. Hughes, a prominent citizen of Osborne, was born in Jes- samine County, Ky., October 21, 1815. He is the son of Samuel M. and Nancy E. (Price) Hughes, both natives of Jessamine County, Ky. After their marriage in their native county, they located on a farm, and about 1820 immigrated to Missouri, and soon settled in Howard County, where they died. The father was born August 28, 1782, and died November 20, 1843. The mother was born December 20, 1783, and died about 1859. The father was a Whig, and he and wife died members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Joseph F. is the fifth of ten children-eight sons and two daughters. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and received a liberal education in the common schools, which was finished by attending a well-known college in Boone County, Mo. After com- pleting his education, he taught for several years in Howard County, Mo. On August 30, 1842, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Fer- guson, daughter of James and Kitty (Lingenfelter) Ferguson. She was born on May 3, 1823. They have ten children-six sons and four daughters. About five years after marriage Mr. Hughes engaged in farm- ing in Howard County until 1866, when he moved to St. Louis County, and was there a tiller of the soil. About 1885 they removed to Osborne, where they have since resided. He owns the whole of Section 16, in Col- fax Township, and 160 acres in another part of the township; also 320 acres in Clinton County. His sons are on the farms.
William U. B. Jones, a prominent farmer of Colfax Township, was born in Philadelphia, Loudon Co., Tenn., September 19, 1836. (At this time Philadelphia belonged to Monroe County.) He is the eldest of seven children born to Jesse F. and Clarsie H. (Cleveland) Jones. They were of English-Welsh and English descent, and natives of Bed- ford and Monroe Counties, Tenn., respectively. After their marriage in 1832 they settled in Philadelphia, where the father engaged in the mer- cantile business about fifteen years. In 1840 they removed to Bradley County, and located on a farm near Charleston, but fifteen years later removed back to Monroe County, and settled in Sweetwater Valley. and continued to till the soil until their deaths, the father's occurring on December 31, 1868, in his sixty-second year, and the mother's in 1874, in her sixtieth year. Mr. Jones' ancestors, on both sides, came from North Carolina to Tennessee at an early date, and his maternal grand- father, Eli Cleveland, was an eminent Baptist minister. The subject of this sketch remained on the farm until his sixteenth year, and received a
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good academic education. In 1852 he accepted a position in R. R. Cleveland's general store at Philadelphia. In February, 1862, he went to Kentucky, and enlisted in the Federal army, in Company A, Fifth Tennessee Regiment of Infantry, as sergeant-major. One year later he was made first lieutenant of Company I, of the same regiment, in which capacity he served through the remainder of the war. He was discharged in May, 1865, at Nashville. Returning home, he, in partnership with R. R. Cleveland, established a general store. Mr. Cleveland died in 1868, and Mr. Jones closed out the business and opened another store with E. C. Jones, and continued the business until 1870, when he con- ducted the business himself until 1872. In the spring of 1879 he im- migrated to Missouri, and was soon engaged in farming where he now resides. He owns a fine farm of 400 acres. On November 26, 1868, he wedded Miss Martha E. Blair, an excellent lady, who was born in what is now Loudon County, May 25, 1841. They have two children: Jesse B. and Bettie F. Mr. Jones is a Republican. He and wife are mem- bers of the Missionary Baptist Church.
M. N. Jones, a leading hardware merchant in Maysville, was born in Platte County, Mo., in 1847. He was one of nine children born to Ran- dolph and Sallie (Wilson) Jones, both natives of Tennessee. The parents removed to Missouri in 1844, and settled in Platte County, where they engaged in farming. In 1851 they immigrated to California, where they both died the same year they reached their new home. The father died from cholera. The children, except one brother, were sent for by an uncle, Rev. M. R. Jones, and they returned to Platte County. M. N. made his home with his uncle until his sixteenth year, when he was thrown upon his own resources. He received a common-school education, and at the age of sixteen engaged in selling fruit trees. He next drove the mail between Osborne and Plattsburg for about one year, after which he clerked in a hotel in Plattsburg. In 1871 he embarked in merchandis- ing in that place, and continued about three years, when he engaged in general merchandising at Union Mills, for over one year. He then formed a partnership with Stonum Bros. and George P. Funkhouser, and was occupied in business in Plattsburg for six months, when they removed to Eagleville, Harrison County, where they carried on a general merchan- dising business for two years. Mr. Jones sold his interest to the firm, and removed to Maysville in 1877, and engaged in his present business. He carries a stock worth about $12,000, and does an annual business of from $20,000 to $30,000. He was elected as county treasurer in 1880, and previous to that had served as coroner of the county for one term. He is a member of the Masonic lodge. On October 13, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Barnett, who was born in Wheeling, Va., in 1851. She is the daughter of James and Mary Barnett. They have six children.
Aaron Karr was born in 1833, and is a native of Kentucky. He is the son of Moses and Sarah (Wood) Karr, both natives of Kentucky,
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but both died in Missouri. Aaron came with his parents to that State in 1837, and located in Jackson County, where they remained seven years. He spent many years of his early life teaming for the Government in the west, extending his travels into Mexico. He removed from Jackson to Platte County, where he remained sixteen years, after which he went to Clinton County. Remaining there three years he next located in Clay County until 1875, when he came to De Kalb County. In February, 1887, he purchased the property where he now lives and is engaged in the hotel and livery business. In 1854 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Venrick, of Virginia. They have had seven children, one of whom is dead. They are J. W., who married Caroline Whitlock; Mary V., wife of George N. Snow; Sarah A., wife of James T. Swan; Silva A., wife of O. D. Moore; B. J., who married Margaret Mc Williams ; James H. and Emma E. Mr. and Mrs. Karr are members of the Chris- tian Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
George Kelley, a prominent citizen of De Kalb County, was born in North Carolina about 1821. He is the youngest son of a family of twelve children born to Edwin and Sarah (Herbin) Kelley, both natives of North Carolina. The father spent his life at agricultural pursuits, and at the time of his death lived in Andrew County. The mother died in Clinton County. George's educational advantages were very meager. In 1839 he came to Missouri, locating for a short time in Andrew County; he then moved to Clinton County, where he lived until 1846, when he returned to Andrew County. In 1850 he went to California, and spent two years very profitably at mining, but again returned to Andrew County. In 1865 he went to Oregon, where he raised three crops, then moved into California and raised one crop. In December, 1872, he moved to De Kalb County, locating on the farm where he now resides. It consists of 200 acres of well-improved land. He has also, besides his home farm, 320 acres in his county. Besides tilling the soil he has been a very successful stock trader. In 1855 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth A. Tate, daughter of Gushum Tate. They have had eight children, as follows: Ida (deceased), Richard (deceased), William O., Alfred, Dudley S., Sterling, Henrietta and Mary S. Politically Mr. Kelley has always been a substantial Democrat.
Eugene S. Low, a citizen of Maysville and cashier of the De Kalb Coun- ty Bank, was born in Guilford, Me., in 1845. He is the second of six chil- dren born to F. P. and Mary J. (Robinson) Low. The father was born in Gilford, Me., in 1812, and was the son of Robert Low, also a native of Maine, being the first settler of Piscataquis County of that State. F. P., the father, was a farmer, and immigrated to Boone County, Ill., in 1846, being one of the pioneers of that county. During his residence in Boone County he held various official positions, among which were those of collector, treasurer, member of board of supervisors and justice of the peace, holding the last two for a period of about twenty years. He re- moved to Hamilton, Caldwell Co., Mo., in 1867, where he now resides,
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living a retired life. £ The mother was born in Maine in 1818, and is the daughter of James Robinson, a sea captain, who was a descendant of the first family and original owners of Cape Elizabeth. Eugene S. was born in Guilford, Me., and received a liberal education in the public schools. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company I, Ninth Regiment of Illinois Cavalry, but was rejected on account of youth. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Company B, Sixty-ninth Illinois Infantry, from which he was discharged the ensuing fall. During the winter, spring and summer of 1863 he served in the quartermaster's department, and in the following December again enlisted in Company I, Ninth Regiment of Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Springfield, Ill., in the fall of 1865, and was not yet twenty years of age. At the close of the war he went to Colorado and the western Territories, where he remained for nine years. He went to Hamilton, Mo., in the fall of 1875, and taught school during the winter of 1875-76 in Jefferson County, Kas. In the following spring, however, he returned to Hamil- ton, and for the next two years published the Hamilton News. He next engaged in the grain business at Hamilton, and in the fall of 1880 con- nected himself with the commission house of Slaybank & Co., of St. Louis, and for which he traveled two years as buyer. In March, 1882, he engaged in the mercantile business in Hamilton, but closed out in 1883, and spent one summer in traveling for his health. In the fall of 1883 he organized the Breckenridge (Mo.) Savings Bank, of which he was cashier for more than two years. In the spring of 1885 he came to Maysville, reorganized the De Kalb County Bank, and increased its capital. In March, 1877, he was united in marriage with Florence M. Moore. who was born in Willington, Conn., in 1853. She is the daugh- ter of C. B. and Ethalina Moore. They have one daughter, Sarah, born in February, 1878. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W.
Col. O. G. MacDonald, a resident of Stewartsville, was born in Center County, Penn., in 1824. In 1841 he went to Ohio, taking all of his worldly effects under his arm. In 1847 he located in Plattsburg, Mo., where he engaged in the mercantile business, but in 1859 came to Stewartsville, bringing his stock of goods with him. He was the first public adminis- trator appointed in Clinton County, and was postmaster in Plattsburg three years. He also served as deputy sheriff of Clinton County for several years. In 1862 he enlisted in the Missouri State Militia, and was twice commissioned captain, once major, and lastly lieutenant-colonel of the Eighty-seventh Enrolled Missouri Militia. He remained in the service until November, 1864. He was then appointed station agent at Stewartsville for the Hannibal & Joseph Railroad, afterward taking the local land agency for the same road, which position he holds at present. In connection with his other business he has been in the lumber busi- ness for twenty years. In 1872 he was elected to the State Legislature for one term. He has been mayor of Stewartsville for several years.
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On May 1, 1853, he was united in marriage with Miss Minerva J. Osburn, of Plattsburg. One child was born to this union, named Ella, now the wife of John A. Deppen, a merchant of this place. Mr. MacDon- ald's wife died on May 8, 1854. On June 25, 1857, he chose for his second wife Mary J. Holman of Plattsburg. They had one son, Archie C., who married Miss Cora Hutcheson, of Andrew County. The second wife died on January 24, 1861, and on March 25, 1862, he was united in marriage with Mary P. McGinnis, of Clinton County. They have had six children, three of whom are dead. Those living are Annie, Thomas C., and Nellie Grant. Mr. MacDonald and wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican.
A. R. Matheny was born in Adams County, Ohio, on August 19, 1839. He was the second of six children-four sons and two daughters-born to J. W. L. and Mary (Wikoff) Matheny, both natives of the above named county. The father was born in 1816, and is the son of Charles Matheny. He removed to Illinois in 1852, and located in McLean County, near the town of Lexington, where he resides at present. The mother was born on August 1, 1817, and is the daughter of William Wikoff. On June 22, 1887, the parents celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary with a golden wedding, which was attended by all their chil- dren, including Sarah, now Mrs. M. Strosnider, who resides in Nebraska; A. R .; Charles, who also resides in Nebraska; William, who resides in Illinois; Rosalie, now Mrs. William Hanks, of Illinois, and Alva, of Nebraska. A. R. was reared on the farm, and acquired a liberal educa- tion in the district schools. He remained on the farm with his parents until August 1, 1861, when he enlisted for three years in Company K, of the Eighth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded in the left shoulder by a gun-shot at the battle of Raymond, Miss., on May 24, 1863, and being left in the hospital, on the field, was taken prisoner, and carried to Richmond, Va., where he was held for two weeks, and then paroled. He went from City Point on a flag-of-truce boat to Annapolis, Md., where he remained two weeks, and was then sent to St. Louis, from which place he went to his home in Illinois. He was after- ward exchanged, and joined his regiment at Vicksburg, Miss., the last of October, 1863. He was mustered out of service at Vicksburg on August 1, 1864, when he returned to his home. In 1880 he removed to Fair- port, De Kalb Co., Mo., where he has since resided, operating a general blacksmithing establishment. In 1862 he wedded Miss Esther Arnold,
who was born in Illinois in 1842. She died on June 25, 1869. On Feb- ruary 11, 1872, he chose for his second wife Mrs. Sarah Young, who was born in Missouri in 1850. She is the daughter of James Ether- ton, of Greene County, Mo. They have had four children, one of whom is living.
Thomas H. Matthis is the son of Littleton and Letha J. (Todd) Matthis. The father was born in Virginia on August 14, 1811, and is
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the son of Thomas Matthis. He removed with his parents to Lawrence County, Ind., when but two years of age. He engaged in farming until 1834, when he went to Fort Leavenworth, and enlisted in the regular army, with which he served for three years. Upon his discharge he was married in Clinton County, Mo., and located in Andrew County, where he engaged in farming for fourteen years. He next located in De Kalb County, where he has since resided. He has been married three times, and is now a widower. He has raised nine out of ten chil- dren born to him. He is one of the oldest settlers of De Kalb County, and is respected and esteemed by his neighbors. The mother was born in Kentucky in 1822. She was the daughter of Henry Todd, who removed from Kentucky to Missouri, where he died. The mother died in 1852, having reared six children, of whom Thomas H. was the eldest. He was born in Clinton County, Mo., on December 28, 1838. He was- reared on the farm, and acquired a limited education in the public schools. He remained with his parents until his sixteenth year, when he began. working for Ithra Todd. He remained with Mr. Todd until his mar- riage with Samantha Goss on March 8, 1860. He then located in Grant Township. In April, 1880, he removed to his present farm of 147 acres. In 1872 he was elected constable of his township, and has been elected successively each second year. He is now serving his seventh term. He was elected collector of the township in 1880, and has held the office. continually since. He has discharged the duties of both offices in a com- mendable manner and with satisfaction to all. Mrs. Matthis was born in Missouri on January 28, 1842. She is the daughter of Curd Goss (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Matthis have had seven children, five of whom are living: Mary, Fanny, Willie, Littleton and Lewis. Mrs. Matthis is a member of the Baptist Church. Three of the children-one. son and two daughters-are members of the Christian Church.
William A. Metcalfe a prominent physician of Osborne, was born in Trimble County, Ky., on July 24, 1849. He is the son of Sanford and Louisa A. (Spilman) Metcalfe, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, re- spectively. The father was a boot and shoemaker by vocation. Late in life he removed to Carrollton, Ky., and established a boot and shoe custom shop, and at the time of his death had a thriving business. He was born in August, 1821, and died on March 3, 1887. The mother is now living in Carrollton, Ky. The father was a Democrat, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The mother is a member of the same church. Dr. William A. is the oldest of six chil- dren. He spent his early life in making boots and shoes, and received a fair education at the common schools. He engaged for a while as a laborer in the woolen-mills at Carrollton. From 1869 to 1875 he was engaged in the mercantile business-four years at Bedford, Ky., and two years at Madison, Ind. While a merchant he gave all his spare time to the study of medicine, and in the fall of 1875 entered the Louis- ville Medical College, and afterward entered the Kentucky School of
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Medicine, and received a diploma from both colleges. After his gradu- ation at the latter school in June, 1877, he located at Bedford, Ky., and commenced the practice of his profession. In the spring of 1884 he removed to Osborne, Mo., where he has since built up a large practice. On December 6, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary B. Duncan, who was born in Clinton County, Mo., on December 29 1858. They have two daughters: Lizzie A. L., born October 20, 1878, and Joseph W., born July 27, 1885. Dr. Metcalfe is a Democrat. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
J. W. Moorman, a substantial farmer of Camden Township, was born in Bedford County, Va., on November 30, 1843. He is the son of James M. and Mary G. (McDaniel) Moorman, both of whom were born in Bedford County, Va., the former on December 2, 1812, and the latter on August 15, 1817. The father was a farmer by vocation. He died on March 30, 1875. The mother now resides at Osborne, De Kalb Co., Mo. The paternal grandfather was John A. Moorman. J. W. was reared in Roanoke County, Va., going to New London, Campbell Co., Va., in 1859, and dur- ing boyhood he clerked in a store. He attended the schools of Roanoke County, Va., securing a good education. In 1861 he entered the Con- federate army, joining Company D, Forty-second Regiment Virginia In- fantry. He was captured at Spottsylvania Court House, and confined fourteen months in Fort Delaware. At the time of his capture he was lieutenant, and was acting as captain. After serving over four years in the war, he went to Roanoke County, and September 13, 1865, to Botetourt County, and there clerked in the store for the Blue Ridge Springs Com- pany. In 1869 he immigrated to Clay County, Mo. Fourteen months later he removed to Clinton County, and five years later to De Kalb County, and located upon what is facetiously called " Rebel Hill " farm, where he now resides. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Arabella Rieley, who was born in Bedford County, Va., in 1847. She is the daughter of George and Elizabeth ( Arnold) Rieley. The father now resides in Bedford
County. The mother died in 1864. To Mr. and Mrs. Moorman seven children have been born, viz .: Elizabeth R. (deceased), Mary G., Oscar W., Julius C., James M., Cora E. and George R. Mrs. Moorman is a member of the German Baptist Church.
Samuel P. Moorman, dealer in agricultural implements at Osborne, is a native of Roanoke County, Va., born on December 27, 1847. He is the youngest of ten children born to James M. and Mary G. (McDaniel) Moorman, both of Scotch-Irish descent, and natives of Bedford County, Va. After their marriage, about 1832. they settled on a farm in their native county, but in 1846 removed to Roanoke County, where the father died on March 18, 1875, in his sixty-fourth year. The mother is still living, and makes her home with her son, Samuel P. She is sixty-five years of age, and a member of the church. The father was also a mem- ber. Politically, the father was a Democrat, and he and four sons served in the Confederate service during the late war. Two sons were killed,
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