History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 106

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

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township, but afterwards removed to Perche township, where he now resides. He has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. Was mar- ried in 1830 to Sophia, daughter of Samuel and Ellen Hunter. They raised seven children, four of whom are now living. Lost two sons in the army. The names of the living are William H., Margaret, James Grandison, and Susan P. Three of their children, James, Martha Ellen, and Franklin, are dead. Mrs. Goin is a member of the Old School Baptist church. Mr. Goin is not a church member.

THOMAS FRANKLIN GOSLIN.

The subject of this sketch was born where he now lives, September 7, 1837. He is the third child of Sylvester F., who came to Boone county in 1818, with his father, William, from Kentucky, when Syl- vester was but ten years old. They had to take shelter in Cooper's. Fort. Thomas is one of thirteen children, eight sons and five daugh- ters. He was principally educated at subscription schools, Robert A. Younger being his first teacher. Having been raised upon the farm, he naturally chose that avocation on arriving at the age of ma- turity, and has followed the business ever since. He is also a carpenter, and has worked considerably at this trade. He inherited his father's farm, upon which he now resides. The farm is well improved, and is finely adapted to stockraising. Mr. Goslin keeps some very fine stock and takes- a lively interest in the business. He married. Nancy E. Hawkins,. daughter of Joel Hawkins, of Boone county. By this union they have. six children, three of each sex. Their names are James, Joseph,. John, Dora, Lou Ellen, and Amanda. Mr. Goslin is a member of the Baptist church at Bethlehem. He takes a deep interest in the cause. of education, and is an enterprising, clever citizen.

ISAAC C. HUNTINGTON.

The subject of this sketch was born in New York, July 24th, 1834 .. He is the son of James P. Huntington, and of English-French origin. He came to Missouri in March, 1866, and settled in Boone county. He purchased 600 acres of land in the vicinity of the " Model Farm," where he has since resided. Mr. Huntington is largely engaged in the live stock business, making Jersey and Durham cattle and thorough- bred sheep his specialties. Two hundred acres of his farm are in blue grass. He has one of the finest orchards in the county. Mr. Huntington was married to Miss Addie Barton, daughter of S. Barton, a merchant. They have four children, three sons and one daughter.

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Mr. Huntington is a member of the A. F. & A. M. order. He has always taken an active part in public school work, but has no political aspirations. Was in the United States service during the late civil war and was wounded at the battle of Bull Run. He was first lieu- tenant under Col. Stiles. Mr. Huntington has a substantial, well- built mansion furnished with all the modern improvements and con- veniences of a well-ordered city residence. His yard and lawn are beautifully ornamented with flowers and shrubbery, arranged in the most beautiful and tasty manner. Mr. Huntington is highly appre- ciated by all who know him. He is a good neighbor, a genial com- panion and prompt and faithful in the discharge of all the duties of citizenship.

WILLIAM F. M'QUITTY, M. D.

Dr. McQuitty is a young man of fine attainments, having both a. classical and medical education, and withal the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He was born in Boone county, Missouri, Jan- uary 15th, 1852. His father, Andrew J. McQuitty, was born in 1825, being the son of David McQuitty, one of the early pioneers of Missouri. The grandfather of Dr. McQuitty emigrated from Kentucky in 1811, settling first in St. Louis county. In 1813 he was an inmate of Pond's Fort. David, at this time, was with his father, Andrew, who subsequently entered the lands upon which Fielding W. Smith now resides. Andrew J. McQuitty, his grandson, settled part of the old Sexton farm. Dr. McQuitty is one of three children, two sons and one daughter. His brother, James, married Miss Annie Dysart, of Boone county. Since graduating at the Missouri State University, Dr. McQuitty has been actively engaged in the practice of his profes- sion. The first year of his professional life was spent at Burlington, Boone county. Returning to his own neighborhood, in 1882, he formed a partnership with Dr. Lewis, at Woodlandville, at which place he now resides. He has acquired some nice property at this place and is prospering in his profession. Dr. McQuitty is firm and devoted to his principles, resolute and determined in all that he under- takes. He is a member of the Baptist church at New Providence, and has been earnest and devoted in his religious duties from early youth.

GEORGE WASHINGTON NORRIS.

The subject of this sketch is a native of Boone county, Missouri, born January 6th, 1834. His father, William Norris, was born in Albermarle county, Virginia. George W. Norris was one of eight

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children, five sons and three daughters. The elder Norris died when George was but five years old, leaving the latter to work out his own destiny. Under the circumstances, his education was somewhat neg- lected. He was first married to Miss Amanda I. Short, daughter of Cornelius and Sallie Short, of Boone county. One child, Wilford A., was born of this marriage, and is now, at this writing, a student of the medical department of the Missouri State University. His first wife having died, in 1861, Mr. Norris has since married the second time, the last wife being Mrs. Sarah F. Watts, nee Rowland, and widow of Wm. Watts. There were four children by this marriage : Ora M., Mattie L., Henry J., and George William. The second and third named are dead. Mr. Norris has resided since 1859 on a fine farm of 160 acres, situated in the vicinity of Bethlehem Baptist church, of which organization he and his family are members. During the late civil war Mr. Norris was a member of Company I, Second Mis- souri infantry, Confederate army. He was with Pemberton at Vicks- burg, in 1863, and was taken prisoner. Since the war he has been an active farmer, and has taken much interest in educational matters, . especially in matters pertaining to the common schools, his own district school in particular.

BENJAMIN H. OREAR.

Benj. H. Orear was born in Boone county, Missouri, September 18th, 1846. He is the son of Joseph B. Orear, a native of Ken- tucky. He was reared on the farm and educated at the common schools of the country. Was in the Confederate army under Gen. Price during the last year of the war. He married Fannie E. Searcy, widow of the late Thomas B. Searcy, who was a son of Lemuel B. Searcy, a prominent and influential citizen of Boone county. Thomas was born in Boone county, December 27th, 1838 ; he was educated at the common schools, completing his studies at Lathrop and Roche- port academies, under the instruction of his brother, Prof. Newton Searcy ; he entered the Confederate army and remained in the service until the close of the war, in 1865. He married Miss Annie E., daughter, of William D. Bullard. The following children were born to him : Ethel B., Stella, Edna, Earl, Lemuel B. and Nellie T. Mr. Searcy was the choice of Boone county for assessor, and was twice elected to that office. He was assessor at the time of his death ; he was a member of the Masonic order and took a lively interest in the grange, of which order he was an active member. He died April 3d,

David Prowell sur

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

1877, and was buried in the Rocky Fork cemetery. Thus passed away, in the vigor and prime of life, one of the most popular and influential young men of Boone county.

EDWIN M. PRICE.

The subject of this memoir is a son of R. B. Price, president of the Boone County National Bank. In discharging the duties of this impor- tant trust . Mr. Price has shown remarkable ability. It is a position re- quiring prudence, firmness and decision of character, characteristics for which Mr. Price has long been noted. As a financier he has few equals ; his long and successful management of this business is suf- ficient commendation in itself. Edwin M. Price was born in Co- lumbia, August 5th, 1856 ; his mother was Emma Prewitt, daughter, of Moss Prewitt, one of the pioneer business men of Columbia ; he was both banker and merchant, and by diligent management accumu- lated a large fortune. He once owned the land upon which a large portion of Columbia is now situated ; he was also largely interested in slave property. Just prior to the war he owned more negroes than any other planter in the county. 'He was then largely engaged in farming. When the war commenced he turned his attention to banking and merchandising. The subject of this sketch was educated at the Missouri State University, taking a scientific course ; he received his diploma in 1880. Soon after graduating he purchased one thousand one hundred and eighty acres of the celebrated " Model Farm," pre- viously the property of Hon. John W. Harris. Mr. Price is now living on this beautiful farm and is extensively engaged in raising thoroughbred cattle. He has on his farm one hundred and ten head of imported sheep. He is also largely interested in the mule trade. The farm is abundantly supplied with all kinds of labor-saving machin- ery. The " Model Farm " is situated in the blue grass region. The pastures in this part of the county are scarcely inferior to those of Bourbon county, Kentucky. Mr. Price was married in 1881 to Miss Mary Lakenan, daughter of Senator R. F. Lakenan, of Hannibal, Missouri. They have one son. He bears the name of R. B. Price, Jr.

CAPT. DAVID PROWELL, SR.

The subject of this biography was born in Adair county, Kentucky, January 26th, 1809. He was the eldest of a family of eleven children born to James and Margaret Prowell, natives of Virginia. The Prowells are of Irish descent. William, grandfather on the father's

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side, was a soldier of the revolution. The maternal grandfather, Robin Fletcher, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Prowell's opportunities for obtaining an education were few and of the most primitive character. He obtained the rudiments of a common school education in a rude log cabin, destitute of floor and chimney. The fire-place was in the center of the room, under an aperture in the roof, through which the smoke escaped. Capt. Prowell married Miss Betsey Booher, daughter of Capt. John Booher, a native of. Virginia, but at the time of his daughter's marriage a citizen of Kentucky. Seven children were born of this marriage, five of whom are alive at this writing. One of his daughters, Nancy W., married Montgomery Cowden, and removed with him to Texas. They have six children. Elizabeth married John M. Phillippie, of Boone county. They have ten children, two of whom are married. The names of the other children, living and dead, are Caroline, Mary J., David, Jr., John, and James. Capt. Prowell came to Missouri in 1834. While on the road his oldest child sickened and died. He settled near where he now lives, on "View Hill," a very commanding situation, presenting a fine view of the surrounding country. His farm is located ten miles north of Columbia. The farming land lies in the valley of Silver's Fork of the Perche, and is very productive, producing, in 1881, forty bushels of wheat to the acre. The up-land is rolling and finely timbered, being well adapted to the growth of grass, tobacco, corn and wheat. The farm is admirably watered. Notwithstanding the corn crop of Missouri was almost a failure in 1881, Capt. Prowell produced on his farm a surplus of 500 bushels. In the beginning of the civil war, Capt. Prowell responded to the call of the gover- nor for volunteers, but the army was soon disbanded, and he returned home. When the second call was made, he again responded. He was detached by his colonel to intercept a company of the enemy ; hence did not reach Boonville till the battle was over. Returning to his home soon after, he was arrested and banished from the State, in com- pany with several other prominent citizens of Boone county, known to be friendly to the South. Returning from Illinois, where he had been banished, he has remained quietly on his farm ever since. Capt. Prowell has always lived peaceably with his neighbors, having never been engaged in a law suit, though he has had as many business trans- actions with his fellow-men as usually falls to the lot of a single indi- vidual. He has always been a positive Democrat. To him the name is a synonym for honesty. He has always been a farmer, but in

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early life used to teach school during the winter season. He taught but one term, however, after coming to Missouri. Capt. Prowell is widely known and universally respected. His hospitality is proverbial. It is a saying of his, and a characteristic one, that the latch-string of his door hangs on the outside.

ROBERT PROWELL.

Robert Prowell is a native of Adair county, Kentucky, where he was born December 10th, 1813. His father, James, was the son of William Prowell, a soldier of the revolution. The Prowells are of Irish origin, the great-grandfather of Robert having emigrated to America in colonial days. The subject of this sketch grew up to manhood in Kentucky, emigrating to Boone county, Missouri, in 1836. He settled on a farm and devoted his attention to agriculture and to breeding extra stable stock, keeping a special grade of harness and draught horses. He has followed this business successfully for over forty years. Mr. Prowell was married December 19th, 1838, to Miss Charlotte E., daughter of Leven Bishop, a native of Maryland. Eight children were born to them, four of each sex, three of whom, James, Lewis and Arabella, are dead. The surviving children are Margaret J., Sarah E., William, Judah A. and Joseph B. Margaret J. married Luther V. Caldwell. They have had three children, two of whom are living. Sarah E. married William Hayes. They have six chil- dren. William married Mary E. Lyon. They have three children. Judah A. married William Milhollen. They have three children. Mr. Prowell commenced improving his present home in 1846. It was then almost an unbroken forest. He bought the land from David Booth, who had entered it several years before. The farm contains 266 acres. As to religion, Mr. Prowell is a Methodist. His family are also members of that church. Mrs. Prowell has been a devoted Christian since she was fifteen years old, and has brought up her family in the fear and admonition of the Lord. She has been an active church member for fifty years.

SANFORD REID, DECEASED.

The subject of this sketch was born in Madison county, Kentucky, January 26th, 1843. He was the son of Orestus Reid. The family are of English origin. Sanford Reid was married in 1862 to Miss Martha E. Noe, daughter of James S. Noe, of Virginia. Eight children were born of this marriage. Their names are George

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M., W. Orestus, Samuel Z., Lena R., Ruth, Clifton B. and Rosa L. Two died in early childhood. Mr. Reid was in the Confederate ser- vice during the first year of the war. He was a member of the Christian church and an enterprising, worthy citizen ; an active pro- moter of education and a friend to public enterprise generally. He. was a farmer.

DUSKIN SETTLES.

Duskin Settles, son of G. Settles, of Virginia, was born in that State, September 15th, 1826, and emigrated to Boone county, Mis- souri, in 1860. Mr. Settles' opportunities for acquiring an education were very limited. It was scarcely within his power to attain the rudiments of learning. He was married at the age of twenty-six to- Miss Mary Shears, daughter of James Shears. Thirteen children have been born to them, nine of whom are alive at this writing. Mr. Settles is a man of excellent judgment, industrious, energetic and faithful in the discharge of every duty, whether of public or private import. For a number of years he managed the Model Farm. He. . was in charge of the farm when Mr. Harris died. He filled this. responsible position to the entire satisfaction of his employer. Mr. Settles owns two hundred and fifty-two acres of land, which he culti- vates to the best advantage. He is a member of the Methodist church.

JOHN M. SHOCK, M. D. .

Dr. John M. Shock is a native of Boone county, Missouri. He is. the son of David S. Shock, one of the early and substantial pioneers, a Kentuckian by birth, and a native of Fayette county. The father- of David Shock was a Virginian and a soldier under " Mad Anthony Wayne," in his famous campaign against the French and Indians. He remained in the army for three years. The Shocks are of French origin. The father and grandfather of Dr. Shock were members of the regular Baptist church. The subject of this biography was born one and a half miles north of Columbia, August 16th, 1824. He was. brought up on the farm and attended the common schools of the coun- try, which in his day were none of the best, but by close application he mastered the studies then taught in our district schools and became a teacher. After six years of diligent labor in the school room, he attended Pope's Medical, College in St. Louis, where he graduated in 1858. Returning from St. Louis, he commenced the- practice of his profession in the neighborhood where he now resides. He has had all the practice he could attend to in the last quarter of a

DAVID S. SHOCK.

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century. He is still in the prime of vigorous manhood, and at this writing is equal to the labor of the busiest year of his life. He has prospered in business almost from the start. He owns over five hundred acres of very fine land besides other valuable property. He was married in 1852 to Miss Sallie A. Sheley,

daughter of Ransom Sheley, of Callaway county, Missouri. One child was born of this marriage. The first wife died. three years after marriage and the doctor chose for his second wife Miss Catherine Ritchie, of Kentucky, She died in 1860, leaving one child. He was married the third time to Miss Sallie J. M. Mc- Quitty, daughter of George McQuitty, a prominent farmer of Boone county. They have four children by this marriage, one son and three daughters. Dr. Shock is a zealous and influential member of the Baptist church and a teacher in the Walnut Grove Sunday school. He is a member of the Everett Grange, also a member of the Roche- port lodge of A. F. & A. M. His life has been a success. He is, in the strictest sense of the term, a self-made man.

FIELDING W. SMITH.

Boone county has been blessed by nature with almost every variety of soil from the richest and most sightly to the roughest and most ro- mantic. Rich pasture land is not the rule, but there are many thou- sands of acres of blue grass not excelled on the continent. The sub- ject of this sketch owns over 300 acres of grass land situated in one of the richest and most beautiful sections of country west of the Mis- sissippi. That this is no exaggeration, one need but visit the farms in this section to be convinced. Mr. Smith is a practical farmer and de- lights in his avocation as much as it is possible for a man to delight in his business. He is the youngest son of Capt. William Smith, one of the earliest settlers of Boone county, a man of superior intelligence and sterling worth. He came to Boone county a poor man, but by in- dustry, prudence and energy accumulated a fortune, bequeathing to his sons not only a handsome legacy but a thorough education. Capt. William Smith was a native of Madison county, Kentucky. He was born in 1794, and emigrated to Boone county in 1819. He was of Irish extraction and possessed many of the characteristics of that race. He was jovial and witty, and loved a joke for its own sake. Possess- ing a fair education and excellent judgment, his services were urgently sought for in public life, but with the single exception of representing his county once in the legislature, he steadfastly refused all offers of

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promotion. His colleagues in the legislature were Dr. Matt. Arnold and William Rowland. Claib. Jackson and Sterling Price were also members of the same general assembly. The latter was speaker of the house. Captain Smith resided on a farm five miles west of Co- lumbia from 1819 to 1862, removing in that year to the farm now oc- cupied by his son Fielding W. Smith. Here he died in 1875, at the age of 81. He was a man of sterling worth, moral, upright and dig- nified, commanding the esteem of all who knew him. Fielding W. Smith was born April 17, 1846. He was educated at the Missouri State University. He was married in 1867 to Miss Mattie A. Mc- Kinney, of Boone county, daughter of John C. Mckinney. Their union has been blessed by four sons. Their model home is noted far and wide for generous hospitality dispensed by Mr. and Mrs. Smith to all who pass the portals of their happy, well-ordered home. Mr. Smith makes a specialty of breeding thoroughbred stock, especially Cotswold sheep and Hereford cattle. He owns the only herd of Hereford cattle in the county, and the second herd in the State. His fine bull, " Dictator," number 1989, weighs 2,000 pounds. He took the sweepstake premium at St. Louis in 1881 ; first premium at Kan- sas City in 1881, and the first prize at the Western National Fair at Lawrence, Kansas. Of this stock he has six females and two males. Three of his cows are imported from England. His herd is managed by W. J. Downing, an Englishman, from Hereford. He knows the name of every Hereford breeder in England and America and can tell the pedigree of every animal of the Hereford stock. Mr. Smith owns 900 acres of land, one-third of which is in blue grass. His farm is known as " Greenwood." He is well supplied with all sorts of ma- chinery, in fact there seems to be nothing wanting that heart could wish for. Mr. Smith is a member of the Baptist church at Walnut Grove. He is in the prime and vigor of young manhood, with, evi- dently, a bright future before him.

SOLON E. SMITH.

David Smith, the father of Solon E. Smith, was born in Madison county, Kentucky, in 1806, and came to Missouri in 1824, settling permanently in Cooper county. He was afterwards a soldier in the Blackhawk war, rendering substantial service in that campaign. He has succeeded well as a farmer and his old age ( he is still living) has been crowned with quiet ease and contentment. He is a worthy and consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and a

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Democrat in politics. David Smith is a brother of the late Capt. William Smith, of Boone county. He is the father of ten children, six sons and four daughters, all of whom are now living. Solon E., was born in Cooper county, Missouri, November 27, 1846, and came to Boone county in 1880. He purchased the " Rollins farm" from R. L. Baker, consisting of 459 acres, situated in the blue grass region and splendidly adapted to stock raising. The farm is elegantly im- proved. The situation is most beautiful. The lawn extending south from the mansion nearly three hundred yards is set in grass and orna- mented with all kinds of evergreens and native forest trees. The place was improved by the late John Rollins, son of Dr. Rollins and brother of Maj. James S. Rollins. It is part of the old Rollins homestead. The view from the mansion is distant and very impressive to all lovers of the sublime and beautiful in nature. Mr. Smith is a bachelor. He has travelled a great deal, and being well posted on all the leading top- ics of the day, is a most entertaining companion. He is largely en- gaged in the stock business and deeply interested in his experiment, commenced in 1882, of breeding the Hereford cattle with the short horns.

JOHN C. STICE.

John C. Stice was born in Boone county, Missouri, January 30, 1844. His father, Buford Stice, was a native of Kentucky who emi- grated to Boone county in an early day. He died when his son was a small boy. The subject of this sketch was one of five children, who grew up on the home place originally settled by the elder Stice, near the old Dripping Spring church. John C. Stice was educated at the common schools of his neighborhood, his first teacher being James

Kelly. He was a soldier in the Confederate army during the last year of the war, and was in several battles. He married Miss Eliza- beth Schooler, daughter of Alex. Schooler, of Boone county. They have four children, one son and three daughters. Mr. Stice owns a good farm of about 120 acres, situated on the public road. He is a breeder of fine horses and his stock is much praised in the community where he lives. He is a member of the Christian church.

JOHN W. THURSTON.

John W. Thurston is of English extraction, but remotely, his fore- fathers for three or four generations having been born in Virginia. He himself was born in that State, being a native of Albemarle county. He is the son of Thomas Thurston, and was born December 4, 1829.

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History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 106

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