History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 105

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: St. Louis, Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1220

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BIOGRAPHIES.

MATTHEW BARNES

Matthew Barnes, the subject of this sketch, is probably entitled to the distinction of being the oldest natural-born citizen of either Boone or Howard counties. He is the son of Amos and Dorcas (Kincaid ) Barnes, and was born in Kincaid's Fort, June 5, 1813. He was the first-born of a family of eight children. His father and mother were

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

married in the fort by Rev. John Tharp, a Methodist minister, who had cast his fortunes with this little pioneer band. Mrs. Barnes was the daughter of David Kincaid, after whom the fort was named. Theirs was the first marriage solemnized in the fort. Amos Barnes was a na- tive of Madison county, Kentucky. Mrs. Barnes was also a native of Kentucky. Amos Barnes died in 1834, but his wife survived him for many years, having lived until near the close of the late civil war. Matthew Barnes has spent his life in Boone county. He is now living on a small farm in the northwest corner of Perche township. He was married, December 14, 1834, to Miss Jane, daughter of Benjamin Sanderson. They have had nine children, seven of whom are living, one daughter and six sons. All but one are living in Boone.

WILLIAM EDWARD BLAKEMORE.

The Blakemores are of English origin. From England to Virginia, from Virginia to Kentucky, and thence westward. William Edward Blakemore is a grandson of James Blakemore, of Virginia, and a son of Wm. G. Blakemore, also a native of that State .. He was born in Clark county, Kentucky, March 12th, 1837. He lived on the farm until he was sixteen years old, then entered a store, remaining in this business for six years. Quitting the store at the age of twenty-two, he embarked in the live stock trade which he followed for nine years. In 1853 he again entered the mercantile business, but once. more abandoned the store to engage in the stock trade, this time dealing in mules and horses for the Southern market. He came to Missouri in November, 1865, and settled on the " old Wiggam farm," in the vicinity of Harrisburg, where he remained till 1875. In 1880 he came to Harrisburg and engaged in the mercantile business with John W. Hersman. Mr. Blakemore was married to Miss Nancy J. Doyle, daughter of Dennis Doyle. By this marriage they have had eight children, six sons and two daughters, one of whom died in infancy. Their names are : Mary V., George W., Dennis A., Richard E., Sarah E., Claudius P., Thomas C., and Shelton L .. They are mem- bers of the Christian Church at Harrisburg.

THOMAS H. BLAKEMORE.

Mr. Blakemore, like many of our substantial citizens, is a native of Kentucky. It has been said that Virginia is the mother of Kentucky. With the same propriety it may be said that Kentucky is the mother of Missouri. Mr. Blakemore was born in Shelby county, January

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

·8th, 1828. His father was a Kentuckian, his grandfather a native of Virginia. His mother was a daughter of Sanford Payne, of Ken- tucky. Mr. Blakemore was educated in the common schools of his native State and assumed the active duties of life at an early age. His father died when he was but seven years old, and being the second son of a family of six children, five sons and one daughter, he had, even in boyhood, many of the cares and responsibilities of manhood resting upon him. He commenced active business at the age of four- teen. From clerking in a store he soon passed to the more active duties of a stock trader, buying in Kentucky and selling in Cincin- nati. He followed this business very successfully for fifteen years. In 1863 he removed to Boone county, Missouri, having purchased part of the Newton Short farm and the Harris interest in the town of Harrisburg. Mr. Blakemore was married November 15th, 1864, to Miss Ruth Young, daughter of David Young, of Howard county, Missouri. Mrs. Blakemore was born January 27th, 1836. Her grandfather was Major Edward Young, of Boone county. By this union are five children, three daughters and two sons, all of whom , are now living. Their names are : Cordelia A., Robert L., James N., Nora and Edna. Mr. Blakemore was previously married in Ken- tucky to Miss Marion Oldham, daughter of Wm: Oldham, of Madison county. There was one child, John, by this marriage. He is now married and is living in Howard county, Missouri. His wife's maiden name was Stacia Gillum, daughter of Nathan Gillum. In 1880 Thomas Blakemore removed to his property in Harrisburg, but did not remain in business there but eighteen months. He is now on his farm looking after his fine stock. He is largely interested in the Glenco stock of horses, noted for their speed and other excellent qualities. Mr. Blakemore and his family are members of the Chris- tian church at Harrisburg, and are highly honored and respected for their liberal support of all public enterprises calculated to benefit the community in which they reside.

JAMES J. BOYCE.

The Boyce family are of Irish descent. The paternal grandfather, Robert, was a native of Ireland. The subject of this sketch is the son of Willis P. Boyce and was born in Warren county, Kentucky, June 15, 1819. James was brought to Missouri when but three months old. He was the youngest of seven children, four sons and three daughters. Willis Boyce was a member of the first grand jury

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

ever empanelled in Boone county. The court was held under a tree. June 20, 1839, Mr. Boyce was married to Eliza Orear, daughter of E. C. Orear, a native of Fleming county, Kentucky. Eleven chil- dren were born of this union, four sons and seven daughters, ten of whom are alive at this writing. Their names are Margaret J., Annie L., Rose, Elizabeth, Joseph E., Laura A., Benella, Willis L., Jerrie and George H. Margaret is the wife of George W. March. They have had five children. Rose married Wallace Maxwell. Joseph E. married Katie Keith. The father of Mr. Boyce entered land as early as 1819. The place he entered, 170 acres, has changed owners some six or seven times, finally passing into the hands of Mr. James Boyce, who is in possession at this writing. He is a member of the Baptist church, and has been a communicant for forty years. Has followed farming for thirty years. In early manhood was a blacksmith, which trade he followed for eight years. During the excitement growing out of the discovery of gold in California, Mr. Boyce crossed the plains, but did not remain in the mines but a few months. He re- turned to Boone county in 1850, and has remained quietly on his- farm ever since. Mrs. James Boyce is of French origin. She was one of a family of four children. Her sister, Annie T., married Har- land Sexton, of Boone county. Her brother, J. B. Orear, is in business at Hubbard City, Texas. Another brother, Benjamin, went to California in 1849. He became a prominent citizen of that State, serving several terms in the legislature. He was largely interested in mining, and while looking after his interests in New Mexico, in 1873, was taken ill and died. He had won considerable distinction in public life, and his death was universally deplored by all who knew him.

JAMES BRADLEY.

James Bradley was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, October 11, 1810. His father, Terry, was the son of Leonard Bradley, a revolu- tionary soldier. His great grandfather, on the mother's side, was Samuel Boone, one of the noted Boone family, famous in the early history of Kentucky. Mr. Bradley came to Missouri in 1824, and settled in the neighborhood of Huntsville, but prior to the location of that city. Leaving this settlement, he went to Fayette, Howard county, where he remained twenty years. From Fayette he removed to Benton county, Missouri, where he remained three years, return- ing to Howard county, and from thence to Boone county in 1853, where he has permanently resided. Mr. Bradley was married to

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

Zerelda Gibson, daughter of Martin Gibson, of Howard county, Mis- souri. By this union they have been blessed with eight children,. seven of whom are living. Mr. Bradley is a carpenter and cabinet maker, which occupation he has followed all his life. He has been a member of the Baptist church for forty years. His family are also members of the same denomination. Mr. Bradley has several daugh- ters who rank very highly as teachers. Miss Bettie, of the Pike County Institute, has achieved a fine reputation in the common schools of that county. Mr. James W. Bradley, third son of the elder Bradley, was born July 4, 1855, and was educated partly in Howard county, finishing his studies at the State University. In 1874 he went to Texas, but did not remain there but one year. Re- turning to Boone county, he married Miss Eva A. Fenton, daughter of Joshua Fenton. In 1880 he commenced the culture of honey on a large scale. He bought the large apiary owned by Dr. G. S. Morse, of Columbia, which he added to his own collection. Last year (1881) was one of the hardest seasons on bees, yet the yield .of Mr. Bradley's apiary was 1,800 pounds. The year previous the yield was 2,500 pounds. He is thoroughly posted in the business, is never troubled with moth and seldom loses a colony, notwithstanding oth- ers, less skilled in the business, frequently lose all their stock in one season. This illustrates the difference between a professional and a novice. Mr. Bradley is thoroughly read on the subject, and takes. great pride in the business.

ELD. JACKSON T. BURNHAM.

Elder Burnham was born in Howard county, Missouri, December 6, 1831. His father, D. S., was the son of Henry Burnham, a native of North Carolina, who emigrated to Kentucky. This Henry Burnham was the son of John, the first member of the family born in the United States. His father came from England. The family is supposed to be of German origin, as the former spelling of the name would indicate. The second syllable was originally spelled " h-e-i-m." Some of the family still discard the letter " h." The Burnhams are represented in the States of Kentucky, North Carolina, New York, Texas and Missouri. Elder Burnham was educated at the common schools of Howard county, and at Fayette, where he attended three sessions, completing his studies at the State University. He followed teaching until 1860, when he was chosen clerk of the Sturgeon court of common pleas, which position he held for four years. He was-

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

married February 5, 1861, to Mrs. Henrietta J. Hill, widow of Fran- cis M. Hill, and daughter of John Parker, of Illinois. They have had six children, three sons and three daughters, two of whom, Rob- ert H. and Julia, are dead. The surviving children are Wesley P., John M., Nannie and Emma D. Mr. Burnham united with the Chris- tian church at the age of eighteen, and was licensed to preach in 1879. He has been pastor of Dripping Springs church. He owns a farm of 160 acres, and divides his time and attention about equally be- tween farming and teaching. He is a useful citizen, upright and faithful in the discharge of duty, kind and accommodating as a neigh- bor, and earnest and zealous in the school room and pulpit.

WILLIAM H. COCHRAN.

William H. Cochran is of a family of successful farmers - men of excellent judgment, firm, self-reliant and practical ; farmers, not from necessity, but from a natural love of the business. The subject of this sketch was born on Independence Day, 1847. He is the son of Robert Cochran, deceased, a native of South Carolina. The elder Cochran was a soldier in the war of 1812. He came to Boone county in 1821. He died when his son was but twelve years old. There were five other children, three boys and two girls, all younger than William. His boyhood was spent under circumstances that did not admit of his getting more than a limited common school education, but he applied himself diligently to reading and in the course of time acquired a large store of useful information. He reads the papers with much interest and keeps thoroughly posted on all the stirring events of the period. He is, politically, an earnest and consistent Democrat. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. He has 200 acres of fine grass land, not a foot of which is ever disturbed by the plow. There is neither plowing nor sowing on his farm. He deals exclu- sively in live stock, buying, grazing and selling. He has been very successful in the cattle and hog trade. His farm is well watered. There is one well on the place which measures 225 feet in depth. Mr. Cochran is a bachelor of the best type, a kind, genial companion, a good neighbor and useful citizen.

ABRAM H. CONLEY.

Abram H. Conley, farmer, capitalist and trader, was born in Boone county, Missouri, June 9, 1838. He is the son of John and Belila (Weldon) Conley. He was raised on the farm and educated at the

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public schools, completing his studies at the Missouri State Univer- sity. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service, joining Com- pany B, Major's Battalion, Harvey Mckinney (afterwards colonel, killed at Champion Hill, back of Vicksburg) being his captain. When the company was regularly organized, he was elected second lieuten- ant. Company B was composed of sharpshooters. He served for six months in the old Missouri State Guard. He then joined Col. Searcy's Battalion, and was chosen first lieutenant of Company D, commanded by Capt. Berry Owens, which position he held until the close of the war. In the captain's absence the company was com- manded by Mr. Conley. He was at the battle of Lexington, and was with Bill Anderson when the latter was killed, near the mouth of Fishing river in Ray county, Missouri, some ten miles southwest of Richmond. . He had command of twenty men on this memorable oc- casion, which he was taking through to Price's army. The next fight was at Gasconade river, followed by a severe engagement in Wright county, nine miles east of Hartsville. There about three hundred Federals and an equal number of Confederates engaged. The Confederates were forced into the fight, but the Federals had cause to regret their rashness. The Confederate lost considerably less than the Federals, and were allowed to continue their march unmolested. They reached Price's army, on Red river, without further fighting. During the first winter of the war, Mr. Conley was taken prisoner at Rocky Fork bridge, on the Blackfoot rock road, and was held at Centralia and Sturgeon by Gen. Prentiss. . Was kept a prisoner for two weeks, when he was paroled. Was also captured at Lexington, but was soon released. He surrendered at Shreveport under Col. Charles S. Mitchell, now of Houston, Texas, formerly of Saline county, Missouri. Since the war he has followed farming and trading. At one time he owned the Model Farm of 400 acres, which he sold to Warren A. Smith, September 1, 1881. In 1872 he was elected public administrator, but resigned. He is a member of the Masonic order.

CAPT. MASTIN G. CORLEW.

The subject of this biography is of French-Huguenot extraction, his paternal great-grandfather having fled from France after the revo- cation of the edict of Nantes. He settled in South Carolina and from him the Corlews, now a numerous family, trace their origin. Capt. Corlew was born in Boone county, Missouri, February 11, 1821. He is the son of John Corlew, Jr., who came to Missouri with his father

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

in 1817, and settled on the southeast quarter of section three, township forty-nine. John Corlew, Jr., was a soldier in the war of 1812, and served under Gen. Jackson. He was for many years constable of Perche township. He also served the people in the capacity of a jus- tice of the peace. He was a public spirited man and took a deep in- terest in education. He was a strict member of the Primitive Baptist church. He died August 7, 1848, and was buried at the old Rocky Fork church. Capt. Corlew's mother's name, before marriage, was Gore. In his boyhood, the captain had few opportunities for procur- ing an education, having attended school but nine months all told. He was married in 1853 to Miss Sarah Cox. By this union seven children were born, four sons and three daughters. Their names are John L., Deborah E., Wm. O., Sterling P., Magdalena and Andrew J. Deborah married Silas S. Davenport. They have four children. William O. married Jennie Boyce. Capt. Corlew spent four years in California, from 1849 to 1853, mining for gold. At the breaking out of the late civil war, he took sides with the South, serving as captain under Gen. John B. Clark. He was in some hotly contested battles. Among others, Lexington, Drywood and Moore's Mill. Sur- rendered at Shreveport in 1865. He was appointed a justice of the peace in 1872, and has held that office ever since. His eldest son, John L., is a successful teacher in the public schools of Boone county. Capt. Corlew is an official member of the Christian church at Drip- ping Spring. In politics he is a straightout Democrat. He is very earnest in his convictions and jealous in the discharge of duty. The county of Boone can boast no better citizen than Capt. Corlew, and his township no truer type of honest, conscientious manhood.

WILLIAM R. COWDEN, M. D.

Dr. William R. Cowden, a reliable, competent and enterprising young physician, of Perche township, was born in Boone county, Missouri, November 7th, 1849. He is the son of Hezekiah, a well-to- do farmer of Perche township, who came to Missouri in 1837. The father of Hezekiah was Joseph Cowden, an Irishman. Hezekiah married Miss Elizabeth Inglehart, daughter of George J., only son of George Inglehart, a native of Germany, who came here during the revolutionary war as a soldier under Lord Cornwallis. Dr. William R. Cowden is one of nine children : James E., George W., Joseph, Alexander, Florenza, Margaret C., John N. and Mary. The father of Dr. Cowden died at the age of fifty-two. He was a zealous mem-

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ber of the Methodist church, and lived a pious, godly life. The sub- ject of this sketch was educated at the common schools of the country. Afterwards studied medicine under Dr. J. M. Shock, of Everett, whose. biography appears elsewhere in this volume. He then attended the lectures at the Medical College of Virginia. He entered college in 1874. After graduating from this institution he took a course of lectures at the Bellevue Hospital and Medical College, taking his de- gree from this institution in 1876. He was married in 1876 to Miss Emma J., daughter of JohnBennett, of Richmond, Virginia. They have three children, Virginia, Willie M. and Etta Lee. The doctor is a member of the Christian church. He has a fine practice, and is universally esteemed by all who know him. He has accumulated considerable property and all his surroundings are of the most pleasant and encouraging nature.

GEO. W. DENHAM.

Geo. W. Denham, son of Samuel Denham, a native of Madison county, Kentucky, was born in Boone county, Missouri, November 11th, 1849. His father was an energetic, prosperous farmer, and the son has followed the same avocation, and with like success. Mr. Den- ham was educated at the common schools, but pursued his studies to better purpose than most young men of like opportunities. Prepar- ing himself for a teacher he engaged in that business and was quite successful. In 1872 he settled on a farm near Midway where he re- mained until 1877 when he purchased the Stephen Wilhite farm, consisting of 300 acres, where he now resides. He was married in 1872, to Miss Stevie S. Wilhite, daughter of Hon W. R. Wil- hite. One child was born to them, a son, whom they called Emmett. Mrs. Denham died in 1874. The child died at the age of eleven months. Mr. Denham is director of his school district and an official member of the Baptist church at Walnut Grove. He is also super- intendent of the Sunday school, which he has labored long and zeal- ously to build up. He is an earnest, devoted Christian, upright and faithful in every position of life.

WILLIAM T. DIMMITT

Was one of a family of ten children, all of whom lived to be fathers and mothers of families. Joshua Dimmitt, the father of William, was . - the son of Richard Dimmitt, a native of Maryland. The subject of - this sketch was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, April 26th, 1817.

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He moved with his parents to Indiana, where he resided for sixteen years. He returned to Kentucky and married Miss Harriet Talbott, who died in about one year after the marriage. His second wife was Miss Margaret M. Long, daughter of Judge T. A. Long. . There were eight children born of this marriage, four daughters and four sons. One son died in infancy. Rev. Thomas F. Dimmitt is a min- ister of the M. E. Church South. He is now a member of one of the Texas conferences. Sarah E. married Louis Hoffman, county attor- ney for Gasconade county, Missouri. George W. is in the lumber business at Lathrop, Clinton county, Missouri. Harriet married Alexander M. Cochran, of Clinton county. One son and two daugh - ters are still with their parents. When Mr. Dimmitt came to Boone county, in 1861, his position was rather unpleasant owing to the bitter feelings growing out of the war. His neighbors were intensely South- ern in sentiment and slow to believe that people coming from a North- ern State could be other than Union sympathizers, and to that extent enemies of the South. Their disappointment, to say the least, was most pleasurable. The Dimmitts were Methodists and in hearty ac- cord with their brethren. The parents of Mrs. Dimmitt are still living Her father is eighty-seven, her mother eighty-four. They have been living as man and wife for sixty-three years.

JOSHUA FENTON.

Joshua Fenton was born in Boone county, Missouri, September 30th, 1826. He is the son of Caleb Fenton, a native of Virginia, who emi- grated first to Kentucky and then to Boone county, Missouri, where he remained until his death, in 1840. Joshua was brought up on the farm and educated at the district schools. In 1849 he was married to Miss Agnes March, daughter of Absalom March, of Kentucky. Ten children were born to them, three boys and seven girls. One son and five girls are living. All are married except Joshua C., who, at this writing, is living with his father. Mr. Fenton is a member of the Baptist church at New Providence. He cultivates an excellent farm of 300 acres ; is an enterprising, public-spirited citizen, honored and respected by all who know him.

WILLIAM H. H. FENTON.

The subject of this sketch was born in Boone county, Missouri, June 5th, 1835. He is the son of Caleb Fenton, a native of Kentucky, who came to Boone county at an early period of its history. His father

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was also named Caleb. William was educated at the common schools of the county. The first teacher, of any consequence, was Robert A. Younger, under whose instructions he made rapid progress. . He was married in 1856 to Miss Lucinda, daughter of Buford Stice, of Boone county, a native of Kentucky. By this union they had five children : Ada, who married Washington Mordica ; James T. married Miss Cora Phillippie ; Andrew B. ; William E .; Annie, married William Pol- lock. The first wife dying, Mr. Fenton married Miss Belle, daughter of John I. Pollock. By this union they have two sons, Hin- ton and Turner G., namesakes of Judge Hinton and Hon. Squire Tur- ner, of Columbia, Missouri. Mr. Fenton is a member of the Masonic order. He purchased the farm upon which he now lives of Allen Coats. It was settled in 1819 ; it is situated on Silver's Fork, of the Perche, and is very productive. Notwithstanding the severe drought of 1881, which rendered the corn crop almost a failure, Mr. Fenton produced more of this cereal than he could consume.

JAMES J. FENTON, DECEASED.

James J. Fenton was born in Kentucky, June 5, 1820. He was raised on a farm and chose agriculture as the future occupation of his life. He came to Missouri in his childhood. Married Sarah A., daughter of Anthony Drane. They had nine children, eight of whom are living. Their names are Caleb A., James A., Lawrence E., John P., M. A., Joseph I., Albert and George. The dead son was named Lee. He died at the age of two years. Four of their children are married. Caleb married Jennie Hall. They have five children. James A. married Carrie Trunnell. and have one child. Laura E. married James Wilhite and they have one child. John P. married Susan Tucker and they have one child. Mr. Fenton was a member of the Bethlehem Baptist church. He died in 1869, aged forty-eight years and eight months: Mrs. Fenton is still living on the old homestead, Mr. Fenton was widely known and highly esteemed by all who knew him.

ARCHIBALD GOIN.

Archibald Goin is a native of Kentucky, having been born in Madi- son county, June 5, 1812. He is the son of Francis and Nancy Goin. Living in Kentucky until he was seventeen years old, he came to Boone county in September, 1829, and remained one year in Missouri. He then returned to his former home in Kentucky. In 1831 came back to Boone county and settled in what is now known as Centralia 69

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History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 105

Author: Publication date: 1882 Publisher: St. Louis, Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 1220

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: St. Louis, Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1220