USA > Missouri > Boone County > History of Boone County, Missouri. > Part 66
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tailed history of New Salem church, of which he has been so long a member.
ALFRED SLACK.
John Slack, the father of Alfred, was a native of Pennsylvania. He emigratedto Kentucky in 1810 and to Boone county, Missouri, in 1819. His mother, Mary (Caldwell) Slack, was a native of Ken- tucky. Alfred was born February 21, 1821. He was the fourth son and fifth child of a family of six sons and two daughters, two sons and one daughter of whom are now living. Gen. William Y. Slack, of the Confederate army, killed at the battle of Pea Ridge, was an elder brother. Alfred was a student of the State University from the opening session of that institution until he completed his studies. After leaving the University, he spent two years in Columbia, clerk- ing in a store. In 1843, the elder Slack having been appointed tobacco inspector by Governor Reynolds, which necessitated his removal to St. Louis, Alfred took charge of his farm and managed it for him dur- ing his absence. In the spring of 1850 he crossed the plains to Cali- fornia where he remained for two years devoting his attention to min- ing. Returning in 1852, he located at Boonville, where he engaged in the mercantile business until 1881, when he came to Boone county, where he now resides. He is living nine miles southeast of Columbia upon a farm of 350 acres. He was first married in Cooper county to Miss Nannie O'Brien, who died in 1865. Afterwards he married Miss Marv A. Stark, a native of Boone county, and sister to Newman B. Stark. Has had three children, two daughters and one son, of whom one son and one daughter are living.
FRANCIS M. SMITH.
Francis Marion Smith is the son of William Smith, a native of Mer- cer county, Kentucky. He came to St. Louis at an early day and to Boone county in 1818 with Peter Ellis, whose daughter he married. He settled on a farmi in the vicinity of Ashland, which he finally im- proved. Upon this farm the subject of this sketch was born. Febru- ary 18, 1840. Was raised on the farm and educated in the common schools of the neighborhood. Has had charge of the farm upon which he now lives since 1864. Has always followed the occupation of a farmer and a dealer in stock, principally cattle and mules. Mr. Smith was married in Audrain county, September 14, 1864, to Miss Hattie J. Pearson, daughter of Richmond Pearson. They have two sons. Smirt M. h has been a justice of the peace since 1880. He is a
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PHOTO NG CANY. .
William Smith
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member of Dry Fork Baptist church ; also of the Ancient Order United Workmen.
WILLIAM SMITH, DECEASED.
William Smith was the son of George W. Smith, of Kentucky. He was born on his father's farm, in Mercer county, Kentucky, April .24, 1797. He was the oldest of three sons and four daughters. Of these one son and three daughters are now living : Washington in Arkan- sas, Mrs. Shoults in Boone county, Mrs. Piatt in St. Louis county, Mrs. Graves in Texas. William came with his father to St. Louis county, Missouri, in 1816, where the elder Smith lived until his death. In 1818 William came to Boone county in company with Peter Ellis, Sr., whose eldest daughter he married October 29, 1818. This was the first marriage ever celebrated within the bounds of what now con- stitutes Boone county, then part of Howard county. Ten children were born of this marriage, seven sons and three. daughters. They lived to see all their children grown, married and settled, most of them within a few miles of the old home. After his marriage Mr. Smith moved to Callaway county, where he remained seven years. In 1827 he returned to Boone county and settled on the land now owned and occupied by his son, F. W. Smith. In 1842 he built a large brick dwelling in which he lived and died, his death occurring May 24, 1872. Mrs. Smith died May 1, 1876. Mr. Smith was a zealous member of the Methodist church. For twenty-five years his
large mansion was used as a place for holding religious services. He was an enterprising, thrifty, public-spirited citi- zen, doing all in his power to promote every enterprise that was calculated to benefit his people. He was an active, zealous worker in the cause of education and gave liberal support to every scheme looking to a higher and better system of public education. He sub- scribed largely to the State University and lived to see and realize the fruits of his generosity. Although his life was spent in retirement, he left a name and reputation that will ever survive him. He was a good man and a useful citizen.
HIRAM SMITH.
The subject of this sketch is the son of William and Nancy (Ellis) Smith. He is entitled to the distinction of being the first white child born in Boone county of parents who were married in this county. He was born on the old Peter Ellis farm, August 18th, 1819. He is the eldest of a family of seven boys and three girls. Remained
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with his parents until 1845, when he removed to the farm upon which he now resides, consisting of 300 acres, adjoining the old homestead. Was married December 19th, 1844, to Miss Mary A Hubbard, a native of Boone county, and daughter of Daniel Hubbard, one of the early pioneers. By this marriage they have had four sons and two daughters, of whom three sons are now living. Mr. Smith is a men- ber of the New Salem Baptist church. He is largely interested in stock raising and has some choice high-grade cattle. His farm is finely improved. His three sons are all married. David H. is a merchant at Mexico, Missouri ; Dr. William R. is located at Carring- ton station, Callaway county, and Thomas B. is a farmer and resides in this county.
PETER E. SMITH, DECEASED.
Peter Ellis Smith was one among the oldest native born citizens of Boone county. His father, William Smith, came to Boone county in 1818. He married Nancy, eldest daughter of Peter Ellis, Sr., the progenitor of the Ellis family of Boone county. The subject of this sketch was born March 28th, 1821. He was the second son and second child of a family of seven sons and three daughters, five of whom are now living, all but one in Boone county. When five or six years old, his father moved to the farm now occupied by F. M. Smith. . He remained on this farm until his marriage, February 26th, 1846. His first wife was Miss Nancy Moseley, daughter of William Moseley, of Boone county. Mr. Smith had a fine farm of 500 acres, situated seven miles northeast of Ashland and twelve miles southeast of Colum- bia. He was a successful breeder of thoroughbred cattle. Was a member of the Methodist church. Had four children, two sons and two daughters, of whom only one daughter is now living. The first wife having died in 1872, he was again married, July 26th, 1874, to Mrs. Lorinda J. Wheeler, daughter of John Crobarger, of St. Louis.
JOHN E. SMITH.
John Ellis Smith is the son of William and Nancy ( Ellis) Smith, who were among the first settlers of Boone county. The subject of this sketch was born on the old Smith farm, in Boone county, October 15th, 1830. He was the fifth son and sixth child of a family of seven sons and three daughters. He was reared on the farm and educated at the common schools of the neighborhood. He lived on the home place until 1859, when he bought the farm, where he now lives, which contains 320 acres and is situated six miles northeast of
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Ashland. He is largely interested in agriculture and is an extensive dealer in stock. He was married in Callaway county, October 9th, 1856, to Miss Mary J. Boyd, daughter of Thomas Boyd, now a citizen of Benton county, Missouri. They had four sons, three of whom are living. Mr. Smith is a member of the Methodist church.
GILPIN SPENCER
Is the son of Perry and Eliza Jane (Wiseman) Spencer ; was born on the farm where he now lives on the 5th day of February, 1835. His father was born in Talbot county, Maryland, and was engaged in busi- ness in Baltimore for several years. Financial reverses overtook him and he came West and engaged in farming, which he continued until his death in 1862. His son Gilpin is living upon the old home place, attending strictly to business, handling stock and raising grain, of which wheat is his specialty. He was married, December 10th, 1862, to Miss Sarah C. Hubbard, daughter of George and Patsy Hill ( Gibbs ) Hubbard. They have three children living and one dead, Albert B., Sallie Carrie (deceased ), George Perry and Susannah. Himself, wife and oldest son are members of the Methodist church at Burlington, which church he was instrumental in building and is now one of the leading members. His is a fine farm containing over six hundred acres of choice land.
JOSEPH I. STERNE,
The son of Thomas and Nancy (Ingles ) Sterne, was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, May 2d, 1828. His father was a native of Vir- ginia, and his mother of Kentucky. His mother's parents were Joseph and Mary ( Bryant) Ingles. His grandmother on his mother's side was a niece of Daniel Boone. He was married October 28th, 1852, to Miss Emma Coleman, daughter of Whitehead and Elizabeth (Pow- ell) Coleman. By this union they have had seven children, six of whom are living, Thomas W., James G., Frank, Mary B., Dixie, Kate and Lizzie, deceased. He is a member of the Masonic fraterni- ty and his wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, He has been engaged in farming pretty much all his life, and is a good citizen and clever gentleman.
THOMAS W. STERNE.
Mr. Sterne is the son of Joseph and Emma (Coleman ) Sterne, and was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, January 20th, 1854. His father moved from Kentucky to Boone county, Missouri, when Thomas was about three years old, where the young man was reared. He was
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married, October 9th, 1881, to Miss Annie L. Wright, a daughter of Hale T. Wright. Mr. Sterne has a good common school education and is regarded as one of the most worthy young men of his section, He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Ashland and his wife is a member of the Baptist church.
JUDGE WILLIAM PORTER TUTTLE.
Judge William Porter Tuttle is the son of John Tuttle, a native of Virginia, who, when a young man, went to Kentucky on horseback, and while there married Susan Elliott, a native of that State. They emigrated to Boone county, Missouri, about the year 1826, and set- tled five miles southwest of Columbia. They were members of the Presbyterian church, in which faith they lived and died. The subject of this sketch was born January 20th, 1834. He was the youngest of a family of three boys and three girls, all of whom are now living except one sister, Mary Jane, who died in 1841, at the age of eighteen. All of the family, except one, are living in Boone county. Porter was reared on his father's farm. At the age of sixteen he entered the Missouri State University, taking the full course as prescribed by that institution. After completing his studies he entered the store of Gilpin S. Tuttle, at Nashville, Boone county. . Two years later he was married to his cousin, Nannie P. Tuttle, daughter of his employer. He then went into partnership with his uncle at Providence, under the firm name of G. S. & W. P. Tuttle. They did business until they were obliged to close the store on account of their political opinions. This was in 1861. In the summer of that year he enlisted in Capt. Samuel Tuttle's company, of Col. Mckinney's regiment, Confederate army. He took part in the battles of Drywood and Lexington. While recruiting on this side of the river, was captured, December 15th, 1861. Was sent a prisoner to McDowell's College, St. Louis, where he was soon afterwards prostrated with a severe attack of small-pox, remaining from the 25th of December, 1861, until March, 1862, in the hospital. Recovering at last, he was released from prison on taking the oath of allegiance to the Federal Government. On his return he resumed business at Providence under the firm name of Thomas P. & William M. Tuttle. In 1864 they were robbed three times by guerillas, and once by the Federal soldiers. He now gave up the mercantile business and went to freighting across the plains to New Mexico, and finally. to Montana, the work being in the interest of the Federal Government. In 1867 he returned to Providence and
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resumed the mercantile business with George Haydon & Co. Two years later Mr. Haydon sold to R. A. Roddy and the business went on in the name of Roddy & Tuttle. Mr. Roddy was drowned, October 5th, 1877, and Mr. Tuttle associated in business S. J. Conley, with whom he is still doing business under the firm name of Tuttle & Conley. They do a large mercantile, grain and stock business, and are largely interested in farming. Judge Tuttle has had three sons and five daughters born to him, four of whom-Charles T , Annie . R., Marion L., and Victoria R., are dead. The living are Sallie, William M., Porter H., and Clara E. Mr. Tuttle was elected judge of the Boone county court in 1880, and is, at this writing (summer of 1882), a can- didate for re-election, with a fair prospect of being his own successor. He was commissioned postmaster at Providence in 1879, which posi- tion he resigned on being elected a judge of the county court. He has been a member of the Baptist church for twenty-seven years. Mrs. Tuttle has been a member of the same church for twenty-eight years. They united with the church at Old Nashville and were immersed in the Missouri river. Has been a member of the Ashland lodge of A. F. & A. M. since 1862.
J. LUCAS TURNER.
James Lucas Turner is the son of Major Henry Smith Turner, who was born in King George county, Virginia, April 1st, 1811. He en- tered West Point Military Academy in 1830, graduating in 1834. In his class were Gen. Halleck and Major John H. Lee, now living On graduating, was commissioned brevet second-lieutenant of First Dragoons. Became adjutant at regimental headquarters in July, 1836, which position he held for two years. Was commissioned first- lieutenant March 3d, 1837, and aid-de-camp to Gen. Adkinson in July, 1839. After which he was sent by the War Department, with two of his fellow-graduates, to the cavalry school of France, for the purpose of studying the system of tactics taught at that institution with a view of preparing a manual for the United States army. Spent two years in this work. Returning home in 1841, he was made adju- tant of his regiment and stationed at Fort Leavenworth, where he remained until 1846. Was breveted major for gallant service on the frontier, and resigned in 1848. In 1850 was appointed assistant treasurer for the government at St. Louis, which position he held for three years. In 1853 engaged in the banking business with James H. Lucas and Gen. W. T. Sherman, remaining with the St. Louis firm
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until 1857, when he went to San Francisco, where Lucas, Turner Co. had a branch house. Major Turner was married to Julia Hunt, daughter of Capt. Theodore Hunt, of the U. S. A., a first cousin of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Mrs. Turner is the granddaughter of John B. C. Lucas and Ann L. Hunt, who was the daughter of John Baptiste
RESIDENCE OF J. LUCAS TURNER, ESQ.
Charles Lucas, of Normandy, France. He was educated for the bar, and emigrated to America, settling at Philadelphia. He was a mem- ber of the legislature and judge of the common pleas court of that city. In 1803-4 was a member of Congress, resigned his seat to ac- cept the office of commissioner of titles for the province of Upper
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Louisiana. J. Lucas Turner was born in St. Louis, September 25th, 1854, where he remained until his family removed to Philadelphia, in 1863. In 1866 the family returned to St. Louis, and J. Lucas went to Orleans, France, where he studied for three years. Returning to the United States, he completed his education in 1869 at Georgetown College, District of Columbia. In 1874 he went into business in St. Louis as stockholder and director of the Harrison Wire Company. He remained in this business for two years. For two years following was connected with the Lucas bank, St. Louis. His health failing, he retired from the bank and moved a short distance into the country. . In 1880 he removed to Boone county, settling on the farm where he lives at this writing. He has a fine place of six hundred acres located twelve miles south of Columbia. Mr. Turner was married, November 15th, 1876, to Miss Bertha G. Chouteau, of St. Louis, daughter of Henry Chouteau, Jr., and granddaughter of Henry Chouteau, Sr., who was killed in the Gasconade bridge accident, while a passenger on the first train over the Missouri Pacific railroad. He has one son and one daughter. Mr. Turner is the tenth child and eighth son of a family of ten sons and seven daughters, of whom ten -five of each sex - are now living. His eldest brother, Capt. Thomas T. Turner, was a member of Gen. Ewell's staff. Wilson P. H. Turner was first- lieutenant in Col. Pelham's light artillery, and was killed at the second battle of Manassas. His uncle, Thomas Turner, was admiral in the United States Navy, and had command of the navy yard at Philadelphia. Mr. Turner devotes his entire attention to breeding thoroughbred horses and Jersey cattle. His stock is not excelled on the continent for purity of blood and lineage. With a determination to excel in this business, he has spared neither time, pains nor money in stocking his excellent farm with the finest grade of horses and cat- tle that could be purchased. It is too soon for him to realize the bright hopes which he reasonably cherishes, but the day is not far dis- tant when the attention of all lovers of fast and beautiful horses will be turned to this splendid collection, the nucleus of which cannot be excelled in this country.
THOMAS GILPIN TUTTLE.
Mr. Tuttle is the son of John Tuttle, a farmer, who was a native of Virginia, and born near Bull Run creek, where so much hard fighting was done during the civil war. John's wife, and Thomas' mother, was Susan Hall Elliott, a native of Kentucky. The subject
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of this sketch was born on his father's farm, in Boone county, July 20, 1831, where he continued to reside till 1864. His education was obtained in the schools of his neighborhood, which he attended during boyhood. The winter of 1858-59 was spent in Texas. In January, 1862, he, being a Southern sympathizer, was arrested by order of Gen. J. B. Douglass, of the M. S. M., and confined in Gratiot street (St. Louis) prison, and was also held at Alton. He was released in the latter part of June following, but had to swear allegiance and give a bond of $4,000. Returning home he cultivated his farm till he sold it in the spring of 1864. He then engaged in the mercantile business in Providence, this county, with his brother. He was twice robbed by Anderson's men, and was also effectually cleaned out by the Fed- erals, under Gen. Fisk.
In the spring of 1865, he, with two brothers, went to freighting across from Fort Leavenworth to Colorado and Montana. In Decem- ber, 1865, he moved his family to Saline county, where he farmed and fed stock for two years. He bought a farm in the spring of '68, eight miles west of Columbia, where he lived ten years, until his removal to Ashland in '78. There he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, where he still resides. He also cultivates a farm adjoining the town on the south. Mr. Tuttle was married June 19, 1855, to Gillie C., daughter of James S. Lowery, of Boone county. She died in 1872, and he was again married in '74, to Miss Georgie E. Tuttle, daughter of Judge Gilpin S. Tuttle, of Boone county. Mr. Tuttle is the father of two sons, oldest born in 1875, and younger in 1882.
He is a member of Ashland lodge of A. F. & A. M., and was a charter member of Locust Grove Grange, P. of H.
WILLIAM CORNELIUS VANAUSDAL.
The subject of this sketch was born in Bridgeton, St. Louis county, Missouri, December 4, 1841. He is the son of Wm. M. and Mary Ann ( Robertson ) Vanausdal. His father was from Greenbrier county, Virginia ; and his mother was a native of South Carolina. His father was drowned off the steamer Belle St. Louis while on his way to St. Louis in the fall of 1876. He and his family came to Boone county in April, 1852. He was both a blacksmith and house-carpenter, but the last years of his life he worked at carpentering exclusively. He built many of the best houses in and around Ashland. Mrs. Vanausdal's brother, Jack Robertson, and her brother-in-law, Wm. Fallon, were the first to carry the United States mail across the plains from St.
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Louis to California upon horseback. Wm. C. Vanausdal, our subject, was educated at Florissant, St. Louis county, and at Ashland College, under the principalship of J. T. M. Johnston and Dr. H. M. Chevins as assistant. When the war broke out he enlisted in Capt. Martin's company, C. S. A., and was at the battle of Boonville. After Mar- tin's company was disbanded he joined Strode's, and was captured and imprisoned at the University. After his release he started to Salt Lake City, but abandoned the idea and went down to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he remained about two years, and returned to Missouri. He went to St. Louis and went into business with Harris & Pe, mule brokers, government contractors, etc., for whom he worked a year. He then came back to Boone and engaged in farm- ing and stock trading. He made several trips to the Indian Territory for cattle, and continued in the business for two years. He next sold goods in Ashland for Godlove, Payne, Haden & Co., and Wiseman & Johnston. From there he went to Jefferson City and clerked for Crow, Roach & Stokes in 1872. After two years he came to Clays- ville, and, in conjunction with Thomas McKenna, he did a general merchandising business. He sold out in March, 1881, and went to farming and handling stock for about a year. He now gives his en- tire attention to the tie business. He purchased a steamboat and piloted her successfully for about sixty trips, buying and freight- ing his immense number of ties to the different points upon the river. Mr. Vanausdal was married the 8th of October, 1872, to Miss Martha Jane, daughter of E. W. and Elizabeth Forbis, of Boone county. By this union they have been blest with two children, aged eight and two years. His wife is a member of the Baptist church.
E. R. WESTBROOK.
Edwin Ruthvan Westbrook is the son of Cornelius Westbrook, a descendant of the early German settlers of Delaware, and his mother was Betsey Goodrich, a descendant of the early English settlers of the Connecticut valley, her family living near Hartford. Both families emigrated to New York and settled on the Genesee River, where Mr. and Mrs. W. became acquainted and married. They removed to Ohio in 1833, locating at Cleveland. Here Edwin Westbrook was born, March 27, 1835. Two years later his parents removed to Morgan county and settled on a farm. In 1852 he came to Clay county, Mo., about four miles north of Kansas City. Prior to coming to Missouri, Mr. Westbrook had attended the common schools of his native State,
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but after settling in this State his education was mainly acquired at Union School, Clay county, under the direction of George D. Hughes, completing his course in 1855, at the age of 20. After leaving school he engaged as a teacher, which profession he pursued for 24 years, or until 1879. During this period he served for two years as principal of the Ashland Public School. In the fall of 1879 he engaged as salesman in the store of Wiseman, Johnston & Bass, with whom he remained until January 1st, 1881. March Ist, following, he engaged in the business of general merchandising with John G. Wiseman, under the firm name of Wiseman, Westbrook & Co., which partnership continued until the ensuing October, when W. T. Maupin became a partner and the name was changed to Wiseman, Maupin & Co.
Mr. Westbrook was married in Bates county, Mo., October 15th, 1860, to Miss M. T. Caruth. of that county. They have had born to them nine children, of whom two boys and three girls are now living.
Early in the civil war, Mr. Westbrook espoused the cause of the South, and enlisted in Capt. Jackman's company of Gen. Rains' di- vision of Gen. Price's army. Not long after he had enlisted, he was captured by the Federals and held a prisoner for about two weeks, when he was released upon taking the oath. He returned to Boone county and remained until in October. 1864, when he again engaged to serve the Confederate cause, and on the 5th of November, at a point 16 miles southeast of Osceola, St. Clair county, Mo., while on his way to Gen. Price, he was again made a prisoner. He was taken to St. Louis and confined two weeks in Gratiot street prison, and then sent to Alton, Ill., where he was confined until March 19th, 1865. He was then released on condition of his enlistment in the U. S. army to serve against the Indians on the plains. He was a member of Company D 5th U. S. infantry. A few weeks after his enlist- ment, he accompanied Companies C and D of his regiment as an escort to Col. Sawyer's road expedition from Niobrara City to Vir- ginia City, Montana Territory. August 13th, he was engaged in a battle with the Indians near Fort Reno, which lasted nearly all day. The Indians numbered over 200 and were commanded by Red Cloud. There were about 250 soldiers. He assisted in the building of Ft. Reno. He also took part in Col. Carrington's fight with the sav- ages, July 1st, 1866. He returned to the States via Forts Laramie and Kearney, and was mustered out October 1st, 1866. He then returned to Boone county, where he has ever since resided.
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