History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 109

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

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For several years Dr. Clark was postmaster at Middletown, and one time master of the Union Temperance Lodge organized at that place. He has been a Free Mason since 1846, and he and his wife are both members of the Christian church. The family to which Dr. Clark belongs is one prominently known in this State, Virginia and Kentucky. The civil and military record of his uncle and cousin, Generals John B. Clark, Sr. and Jr., is sufficiently well-known to Missourians to need no comment here.

Dr. Clark, though formerly a Whig, is now in the straight Democratic harness, and votes no other ticket, nor affiliates with any other party.

RICHARD M. FLYNT.

Richard M. Flynt, though forty-five years of age, is a native of

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Boone county, and is now living at the old home where he was born and raised. He is the son of Thomas and Susan C. Flynt, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Virginia. They first emigrated to Callaway county, Missouri, in 1833, but remained there only one year, removing in 1834 to Boone county, settling on the farm where the subject of this sketch now lives. Thomas Flynt was born in Stokes county, North Carolina, in 1794. His father was also named Thomas. Richard M. bears the name of an uncle who served on the staff of Gen. Jackson during the war of 1812. Both of his grandfathers served in the American army during the revolutionary war. The subject of this sketch was born June 2d, 1837. He was one of a family of seven children, two of whom died in childhood. The oldest member of the family now living is the widow of John W. Love, who died in the Federal army during the late civil war. The other sister is the wife of John D. French. The oldest of the brothers, James W., went to California in 1850, and has never returned. He is à bachelor. He is now living in White Pine county, Nevada. Martin C. Flynt, the youngest brother, is a native of Audrain county. He was a soldier in Cockrell's brigade during the late war, and was twice wounded at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee. Richard M. Flynt was with Price in his Missouri campaigns at the beginning of the war. He was married on the 7th day of June, 1860, to Miss Mary F., daughter of Mordecai and Arethusa Turner, of Boone county. They have seven children living and one dead. Their names are Wilmuth Ann, Thomas M., Joseph F., Augusta Jane, William R., Warren A., Lena Mabel and an infant yet unnamed. Thomas M. died in infancy. Their children are all living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Flynt are members of the Baptist church at Grand View. Mr. Flynt is also a member of the Masonic order. His home is situated sixteen miles northeast of Columbia, and four miles southeast of Hallsville, which is his post-office. Thomas Flynt, the father of the subject of this sketch, died in February, 1858 ; Mrs. Flynt died in the winter of 1866. They are both buried at Mt. Zion church, which was built on land donated by Mr. Flynt, and the church was named by him. He was a member of the Methodist Church South. Mrs. Flynt was a member of the Regular Baptist church.

ROBERT BRATTON GAY.

Robert Bratton Gay was born in Clark county, Kentucky, Decem- ber 11th, 1834. His parents, John and Rebecca Gay, were born and 71

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raised in Kentucky, but emigrated to Missouri in 1837, when the sub- ject of this sketch was a small boy. They settled on a farm in Rocky Fork township, the present abode of their son, Robert B. Gay, where they lived and died. Mr. Gay was married, in 1861, to Miss Laura F. Chrisman, a native of Boone county, born in 1840. She is the. daughter of Elijah and Jane A. Chrisman, Kentuckians, who emi- grated to Missouri in an early day. Elder Chrisman was one of the pioneer preachers of the country, and has established several churches in this and Callaway counties. He is still living and preaching to. some of the churches he established when he first came to the State. He is seventy-nine years old. Mr. and Mrs. Gay have had four chil- dren, two of whom are living. Mr. Gay, his wife and one son are members of the Christian church at Hickory Grove. They are well- to-do, prosperous farmers, living in that independent, joyous content- ment which seems ever to be the reward of virtuous lives and honest toil.

DAVID NATHANIEL HALL

Was born in Albermarle county, Virginia, July 9th, 1831. His parents, John W. and Sarah H. Hall, moved to Missouri in 1836, when David was a small boy, bringing him with them. They settled at Hallsville,. in Boone county, where the subject of this sketch lived with them till he was nineteen years old. He then went West to the mining dis- tricts of California, and was absent in that State and Oregon for three years. Returning to this county, he was married, November 3d, 1853, to Miss Melinda T. Asbury, a native of Boone county, born January 19, 1833. Her parents were Calvin and Jane Asbury, who were born and reared in Fleming county, Kentucky, and settled in this county at an early day. Five children are the offspring of this marriage, one- son and four daughters. One of these only is married and the rest. are at home at this writing, where their father lives, near Hallsville. That village, by the way, was named in honor of this family. [See general history of Boone county. ] Mr. Hall's paternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, but under whom he served is not known. David received a common-school education, and has made his way successfully in the world without the more advanced education attainable to the present youthful generation of Boone. county. He owns a fine farm of 320 acres in Rocky Fork township, which he knows well, how to cultivate. He is a good citizen, a careful manager, and provides well for the support and education of his

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family. His mother is still living, at an advanced age, two miles west of Hallsville, on the place where his father died.

COLUMBUS D. HULEN.

Columbus D. Hulen is the son of John A. Hulen, a native of In- diana, who came to Missouri in 1835. The grandfather on the pater- nal side was Taylor Hulen, on the maternal side, Stephen Hulett. Columbus D. was one of four children, being the only son of his par- ents. He was educated at the Missouri State University. He mar- ried Lucy V. Robinson, daughter of George Robinson, of Winchester, Clark county, Kentucky. They have two children, Lyman T. and Lizzie B. After graduating in 1871, Mr. Hulen taught school for two terms when he went to farming and has followed that business ever since. He owns a farm of 120 acres.

CICERO HOUSTON.

The subject of this sketch was born near Hallsville, Rocky Fork township, Boone county, Missouri, July 18, 1823. His father, Wm. L. Houston, was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, removing with his parents to Knoxville, Tennessee. From Knoxville, Mr. Houston went to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where he learned the hatter's trade, and was married. His wife was born and raised in North Carolina. It was while on a visit to friends in Kentucky that she first met Mr. Houston whom she subsequently married. In 1818 Mr. Houston em- igrated to Missouri, settling near Hallsville, Boone county, his primi- tive home being isolated by the distance of five miles from the residence. of any human being of his own race. Here the old pioneer lived out the remainder of his quiet, useful days. His wife, Rebecca, survived him, finally dying at the residence of their son-in-law, James B. Reed, in Audrain county, Missouri, May 19, 1882, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Mr. Houston was the first hatter within the range of many miles of Hallsville. He was a kind husband and father, but austere in manner and of most solemn deportment. He was in the organization of the first Christian church west of the Mississippi river. He and his wife were of the original members of Old Red Top church which still exists, being to-day one of the most flourishing churches in in the county. He was buried in the Red Top cemetery. Mr. Hous- ton was the first cousin of Sam Houston, " the Washington of Texas." Cicero Houston was married first in 1849 to Miss Mary Ann Hall, born in Albemarle county, Virginia, in 1830. She was the daughter

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

of John W. and Sally Hall, both of whom were raised in Virginia. The parents of Mrs. Houston emigrated to Missouri in 1835 and set- tled near Hallsville, in Boone county. Her father was the first post- master at Hallsville, the office taking its name from him. Mrs. Houston died April 20, 1870, leaving one child, a son, who at this writing is married and lives near Hallsville. The subject of this sketch was again married in 1874, his second wife being Mrs. Maggie Fenton, born 1832, and raised in Boone county. She was the daugh- ter of John and Delila Connelly and widow of Andrew J. Fenton. She had two children by her first marriage, one of whom is married, the other residing with Mr. Houston. Mr. Houston and his wife are members of the Christian church, and have been since early youth. Mr. Houston's first wife was also a member of the same church. William L. Houston, son of Cicero Houston by his first wife, is a graduate of the Missouri State University. He is now farming near Hallsville. Both the elder and younger Houston are prosperous farmers. They have about 500 hundred acres of land in Boone and 800 in Audrain county, Missouri, all of which is enclosed. Their land is well adapted to the growth of wheat, corn, oats, hay, in fact all crops indigenous to our climate. They handle considerable stock, their facilities for this business being very good. The elder Houston has spent most of his life in the vicinity of Hallsville. He was a sol- dier under Gen. Price during the Mexican war, and afterwards spent four years in California.

JOHN KARNES.

The subject of this sketch is a native of Boone county, Missouri. He is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Vanclief) Karnes, and was born April 18, 1838. Both his parents were natives of the Old Do- minion. His maternal relatives were of Holland origin, and related to the Van Burens, of New York, one of whom, Martin Van Buren, was President of the United States. Thomas Karnes and Elizabeth Vanclief were married in Virginia in 1832, and came to Boone county three years later. They settled on the head of the Two-mile prairie, being among the first settlers of that neighborhood. Mrs. Karnes. died in 1867, and Mr. Karnes in 1876. They were buried at Mt. Zion church, in Rocky Fork township. They were both members of the Methodist Church South. Four children were born to them, all. of whom are now living. Harvey, the oldest, is at Eureka Springs, Arkansas ; Robert Payne lives on the old farm in Columbia town- ship ; John, the subject of this sketch, lives in Rocky Fork township ;

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Joseph Vanclief is practicing law in Kansas City. John Karnes was married, June 25, 1863, to Miss Sarah A. Potts of Nicholas county, Kentucky. She is the daughter of Henry T. and Lorana Potts. Her father died in 1875. Her mother is still living in Kentucky. Eight children have been born of this marriage, three sons and five daughters. Their names are Jennie, Mattie, David C., Payne, Lo- rana, Fannie, Charles T. and Mary. David C. is dead. He was buried with his grandparents at Mt. Zion. Mr. Karnes has lived in Boone county all his life. He was educated at the State University at Columbia, and studied law, but never practiced his profession. He has a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres, six miles south of Centralia, which is his post-office and shipping point. The farm is all in cultivation and is well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Karnes are both members of the Methodist Church South. They worship with the Mt. Zion congregation.

JOHN DUDLEY KEMPER.

The subject of this sketch is a son of Peter and Rebecca Kemper, and was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, September 17, 1828. His parents were also both native Kentuckians, his father having been born and raised in Fayette county, that State, and his mother in Bourbon. They came to Missouri in 1829, when John Dudley was about a year old, and settled in this county, and continued to re- side here till the time of their death. Mr. Kemper was, therefore, reared and educated in Boone county. In February, 1852, on the 17th day of that month, he was married to Miss Susan Frances Ballinger, a native of this county, born February 19, 1836. Her par ents are James E. and Amanda Kemper, natives of South Carolina, who came here at an early day and still reside in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Kemper have had seven children, five of them still living, three of them are married and settled on farms. Both Mr. and Mrs. K. are members of the Old School Baptist church, and two of their children belong to the same. He owns a large farm in Rocky Fork township of nearly six hundred acres, and all, except forty acres, are well improved, a large part of it being in a high state of cultivation. Like many others now living in Boone county, Mr. Kemper came of a stock of people whose ancestors fought for our freedom in the war of the Revolution, his grandfather having served as a soldier in that great struggle for liberty.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

CHARLES WILLETT MASTERSEN

Is a native of Montgomery county, Kentucky, born April 25, 1819. His parents were Jonathan and Mary Mastersen, the former a Penn- sylvanian, and the latter a Kentuckian, by birth. Charles W. moved with his father's family to Menard county, Illinois, in 1835. They settled on a farm, though the son spent most of his time working in a woolen factory, and received his education in the common schools. He was married September 30, 1840, to Miss Phœbe M. Houghton, a native of Menard county, Illinois, born January 22, 1823. Her par- ents, Elijah and Catharine Houghton, were natives of New Jersey, the mother being still alive, residing in Illinois, now at the advanced age of 90 years. Mr. Mastersen and wife are the parents of thirteen children, nine of them still living, eight of whom are members of the Christian church. He and Mrs. M. have been members of the same church for many years, he since he was sixteen, and she, from the time she was fifteen years old. Mr. Mastersen has served one term as commissioner of public schools in Boone county.

Two of his sons were in the Federal service during the war, one in the cavalry service for four years, and the other three years in the artil- lery. Mr. M. owns a good farm of one hundred and fifty-eight acres, all in cultivation, and forty acres of timbered land. His farm is well adapted to raising the cereals common to this latitude, and Mr. M. also produces live stock - horses, mules, cattle and swine. He is a successful farmer and a good provider for the maintenance of his family.

HENRY PALMER.

This gentleman was born in Clark county, Kentucky, June 22d, 1809. His parents were James and Elizabeth Palmer, both of whom were born and reared in Kentucky. They came to this State when Henry was young, and settled near where Sturgeon now is, remaining in Boone county till the time of their death. Henry was raised on the farm, and received his education chiefly in this county. He was married in about 1844 to Mrs. Sarah Stevenson, a widow lady, whose maiden name had been Ridgeway, a daughter of Zachariah and Sarah Ridgeway, Kentuckians, who came to this State in an early day. She had three children by her former marriage, but none by Mr. Palmer. She died in 1879, and Mr. P. was again married in 1881, to Mrs. Margaret J. Wolf, widow of Thomas Wolf, and daughter of James

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and Eliza Lampton, who came from Kentucky to this State in 1830, settling in Boone county, and residing here till their death.

Mr. Palmer had no children by either marriage, though his last wife had ten children, four sons and six daughters by her first husband. Mr. and Mrs. P. are both members of the Christian church, as was also his first wife. He has been a member for about twenty-three years, and was baptized and received into the church by Thomas Allen. Mr. P. owns a good farm, which he cultivates successfully. To these old settlers who came to the county as early as did Mr. Palmer, it must be a great source of satisfaction to look back and contrast the present with the past. The county which was then but an unsettled wilderness, abounding with bear, deer, wolves and other wild beasts of the forest, has been touched by the magic wand of progress, wielded first by these pioneers, till now it blossoms as the rose, and has become the home of thousands who now enjoy the fruit of the toils and hardships endured by their first comers. Let us never forget the debt of gratitude due to those who labored that we might enjoy - the early pioneers of Boone county.

DR. J. W. POINTS.

The subject of this sketch is the son of Dr. Joseph Points, who was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, January 7th, 1797. His father and mother, Arthur and Ellen Points, were old settlers of that State. Joseph studied medicine in Fayette county, under Doctors Wither- spoon and Ennis, and subsequently practiced his profession in that locality, remaining in Fayette county until 1836, when he came to Boone county, Missouri, and bought the farm where the subject of this sketch now resides. He continued the practice of medicine until his death, July 28th, 1875. There are now over forty physicians actively employed in the territory in which he once had the exclusive practice. He was married in Fayette county, Kentucky, September, 1819, to Miss Sallie, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Robinson. Eleven child- ren, five sons and six daughters, were born of this marriage. Four of the children are now living. Mrs. Points was born December 28th, 1798, and is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, re- taining much of her former vigor and cheerfulness. Dr. J. W. Points, the subject of this sketch, was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, November 24th, 1834. When in his second year, his father removed to Boone county, Missouri. He was educated at the common schools, and read medicine under his father and Dr. Lee Brown. He made

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his home on the old Points' homestead and has succeeded to a large. portion of his father's practice. He was married, December 7th, 1855, to Miss Cordelia A., daughter of Samuel and Jane Huddeston, of Boone county. They have two children, William H., and Mary Elizabeth, who is now the wife of J. W. Grady, of this county. The first wife dying in 1864, Dr. Points was again married in 1874, to Mrs. Elizabeth Schell, of Cole county, Missouri. They have no chil -- dren by this marriage. Dr. Points has been a citizen of Boone county all his life, except about six years spent in Cole county, Missouri. He is a member of the Methodist Church South. His father was likewise- a zealous member of the same church. His mother is also a. Methodist.

GEORGE WASHINGTON REAMS.

George W. Reams was born in Fleming county, Kentucky. His- father, John Reams, was a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and of German origin. George W. was one of twelve children, six of each sex. He came with his parents to Boone county, Missouri, in the- year 1839, and settled near the spot where he now lives. The mother of Mr. Reams was of Irish origin. Her maiden name was. Swain. The country was thinly settled when they came to Boone county and their experience was about the same as those who emi- grated at an earlier date. The subject of this sketch had attended school for a few months before leaving Kentucky - for the rest of his education, he is indebted to no one but himself. He commenced life without anything but health, strength and indomitable energy. He now owns 600 acres of fine land, well improved, mostly in grass. He is a member of the Methodist Church South. He was married in 1849 to Miss Polly A., daughter of Charles Helm, of Crab Orchard,. Kentucky, who died a few years ago. They have had eight children, four of whom are living. Their names are Francis, Elizabeth, John M. and Mary B.

JUDGE WM. F. ROBERTS.

William Franklin Roberts is a native of Boone county, and was. born in Rocky Fork township, November 22d, 1831. His parents,. John and Annie Roberts, were natives of Madison county, Kentucky, and came to this county at an early day. Judge Roberts' grand- parents also were Kentuckians, and came early to this county, and died in the township where the subject of this sketch resides. William was reared on a farm in the locality of his present residence, and received such education as the common schools of that day

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afforded. His education, however, did not cease with his school days, but has been furthered and enlarged by close and systematic read- ing and study, to which he has devoted considerable time through life. In 1850, in his nineteenth year, young William Franklin went over- land across the plains to California. He was there nearly four years, engaged in mining for three years, and in merchandising the rest of the time, having bought out the stock of the well known " Old Uncle Abraham Barnes," on the Middle Yuba. He sold out in 1853 and, while collecting up, met with a singular adventure. The Digger Indians tried to rob him while he was travelling alone between Middle and North Yuba. He escaped by a free use of his spurs and a shot from his Colt's navy, which probably sent one Digger into the happy hunting grounds. Returning in December following, he located on his farm in Rocky Fork, where he has ever since resided. Mr. Roberts' wife, whose maiden name was Miranda Asbery, is a native of the same township as himself, born July 11th, 1836. Her father died there in 1881. Mr. R. and wife are the parents of nine children, seven of whom still survive. The oldest son, Jasper Newton, received a thorough business education at the Commercial College, of Savannah, Missouri, and is now married and settled on a farm. The Judge, his- wife, and the four surviving children are members of the Christian church. He has been a member for about thirty-five years, and she ' twenty-two years. In 1862, Mr. R. was ordained an elder in the church, and still holds the position, having done, in his time, some very effective preaching, always laboring faithfully for the interest and welfare of his church and the cause of religion generally. He is a member of the Hallsville Lodge, No. 336, of the Free Masons, hav- ing been in fellowship for twenty-two years, filling some important positions therein. In the Royal Arch Chapter, he has held the position of scribe and king. He also belongs to the A. O. U. W., and Knights of Pythias. In 1878, Mr. Roberts was elected a member of the county court, and reelected in 1880. He was Southern in sympathy during the civil war, and in 1861, vol- unteered, under Gov. Jackson's call, in the State Guards, and par- ticipated in the battles of Lexington and Dry Wood. Receiving a captain's commission, he then went into the regular Confederate ser- vice in November following, and was sent out to recruit, He raised a company of sixty men and started South, but was detained in Boone county by Col. McKinney, till December. They had an engagement at Mt. Zion church with a number of Gen. Prentiss's men, the Con-

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federates only numbering about 300. (See full account on other pages of this history. ) Here his company disbanded till June, 1862, Capt. Roberts going into the secret service of the Confederacy, with a colonel's commission, and so continuing until the close. Judge Rob- erts owns a fine farm of 530 acres in Rocky Fork township, all well improved, which he has supplied with high grades of live stock. He is a successful farmer, and provides well for the education and sup- port of his interesting family.

JOHN ROBERTS

Is a native of Madison county, Kentucky, born December 15th, 1817, and is a son of William M. and Martha Roberts, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, and descended from the pioneer families that came at an early day from Virginia to that State. The father of John (Wm. M.) was drafted for service in the war of 1812, but managed to procure a substitute. John was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools of the country. In 1827 he was brought to this State and county by his parents, and settled in Rocky Fork township, when the county was new and comparatively unsettled. Wild game - elks, deer, bears and wolves - were abundant, and the Roberts family helped to rid the country of such pests · as wolves and snakes. The Indians were still in the country, but had ceased to be hostile. Mr. Roberts was married in September, 1839, to Miss Nancy Johnson, daughter of Anderson and Edith Johnson, who were reared in Kentucky and came to Missouri in about 1814. The wife is a native of Missouri, and was born in 1818, reared on a farm and educated in the schools of that primitive period. Eight chil- dren have been born to this couple, two sons and six daughters, the former, and four of the latter, still living at this writing. Three of the surviving daughters are married, and two of those deceased were also married. The entire family are members of the Christian church, Mr. Roberts and wife having been members about forty years, having joined the Red Top church, of which they are at present members, under the preaching of an old Kentucky preacher named Elijah Chris- man, Mr. Roberts owns a farm of one hundred and eighty-three acres of good land, one hundred and sixty acres of which are improved and well adapted to raising wheat, corn, hay, oats, etc. Like all farmers of this section, Mr. Roberts produces live stock as well as cereals and lighter produce. He has raised an exemplary family, whose good moral habits in temperance, virtue, good associations and freedom

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History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 109

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