History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 69

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

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ANTHONY & BRO.

George and Lewis Anthony are the sons of Thomas J. Anthony and were born in Morgan county, Missouri, George in 1850, Lewis in 1852. They were brought up on the farm, but each of the brothers has a good business education. Lewis was a farmer and stock trader until 1876, when he went into the grocery trade at Centralia where he continued with his brother until they went into the livery business. Their mother's maiden name was Cassandra Sutton. There were four- teen children, seven of each sex. Thomas Anthony and his wife were

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natives of Kentucky. The firm of Anthony & Brother was established in 1878.

JAMES W. BAY.

James W. Bay, at present telegraph operator and ticket and express agent at Centralia, Missouri, was born in Cumberland, Guernsey coun- ty, Ohio, August 13th, 1848. His father, Maj. James T. Bay, was an officer in the United States army. The grandfather, on mother's side, was of German origin ; his name was Andrew Kells. On the paternal side, the family is of Scotch-Irish extraction. The maternal grandfather served in the war of 1812. Young Bay was educated at the common schools of Ohio, leaving his native State for Missouri, in 1860. From 1862 to 1865 he was in the United States service as military telegraph reporter. Since then has been constantly in the business. For four months after the war, was in the service of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad company ; then in the service of the Missouri Pacific, from 1866 to 1875; then one year with the Iron Mountain Road ; then to Ferguson Junction, and from there to Cen- tralia, in the fall of 1876, at which post he has remained ever since. Mr. Bay married Miss Mary R. Bell, daughter of G. L. Bell, a mem- ber of the Tennessee family of that name, Mrs. Bay being a grand- daughter of John Bell, who was a candidate for president in 1860. They have two children. Mr. Bay is a member of A. F. and A. M., also of the A. O. U. W. He is a steady, energetic business man, prompt and zealous in the discharge of duty, and thoroughly conver- sant with the business intrusted to his care.

THOMAS HARRIS BARNES.

Thomas Harris Barnes is the son of Thomas H. Barnes, of Madison county, Kentucky, where he was born January 8, 1860. His mother was Ann Wingfield, a native of Virginia. The father of Thomas died when his son was but three years old. He had served his native county in the capacity of county court clerk. He was a member of the Christian church. Mrs. Harris removed to Missouri with her family of six children in the fall of 1866, settling three miles west of Centralia, where she remained until her death. Thomas H. prepared, himself for teaching in the public schools. He followed his profession until 1882, when he formed a partnership with R. H. Wilhite in the boot and shoe trade. They have a good business, with flattering pros- pects for the future. Mr. Harris is a member of the Good Templar lodge at Centralia.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

DURRETT H. BARNES.

John Barnes, the father of Durrett, was a citizen of this county while it was yet the abode of wild Indians. The only means of safety was the rude forts constructed by the early pioneers, in which they took refuge when the Indians were on the war-path. John Barnes came to Howard county in 1808 with his father, Shadrach Barnes. They forted for several years near Old Franklin. John was one of a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to have families. Durrett Barnes was born in Boone county, September 13, 1822. His opportunities for obtaining an education were very limited. His first teacher was Overton Harris, who taught in a little log cabin with puncheon floor. The boys attended this school clad in the simplest style that could be imagined, their entire wardrobes consisting of but a single garment made from the lint of flax, grown on the farm and manufactured at home by industrious mothers and daughters who knew nothing of the luxuries and vanities of civilization, and cared less. The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Caroline E., daughter of Philip Lyle, a native of New York. They had eight children, six sons and two daughters. Their names are Ellen F., Thomas T., Philip, Filmore, Dora A., Robert D., William H., and John. There are but five of the number living. During the war, Mr. Barnes entered the Confederate service under Colonel Joe Porter, and was taken prisoner and kept at Alton, Illinois, until 1864, when he was released and allowed to return home. His first wife having died, he was married the second time to Lavinia Kanatzar, nee Roberts, in 1869. He is now living on a farm of 240 acres in Centralia township.

PETER J. BARRON

was born in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, September 12, 1847, where he continued to reside till he was 18 years old. His parents were Thomas and Lucy (nee Smith ) Barron, and they lived for several years in St. Louis, where Peter obtained his education in the public schools. At 12 years old, he went to clerking in a store, remaining for six years in that employment. He then went to Baxter Springs, Kansas, and engaged in the grocery business for two years. After this he located at Crawfordsville, same State, and went into the general merchandise business, and was at the same time authorized by govern- ment to trade with the Indians. In 1876, he returned to St. Louis

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and engaged for two years in the grocery business, at the expiration of which he came to Columbia and went into business in the firm of White, Barron and Co., the history of which firm is given in the sketch of W. N. White. Mr. Barron is a thorough-going business man. He belongs to the Knights of Honor and Knights of Pythias, and is a gentleman highly esteemed in both social and business circles. He was married in 1874, to Miss Susie Gooch, of Shelby county, Mis- souri, daughter of William Gooch, a prominent citizen of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Barron have four children, named John, Paul, Charles and Annie.

DR. F. J. BRUTON.

Dr. Francis Jackson Bruton was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, February 8th, 1830. Was educated at the common schools and at Prospect Hill college. His father, James Bruton, was a farmer and stock raiser. They came to Boone county in 1853. The country about Centralia was then very sparsely settled. The subject of this sketch remembers having killed wild deer upon what now constitutes a portion of the town of Centralia. Dr. Bruton farmed until 1866, when he moved to Centralia. In 1871 he gradu- ated at the St. Louis Medical College, having previously read medi- cine for two years. He was married, July 14th, 1852, to Miss Hen- rietta Fenwyck, of Bath county, Kentucky. They have four children. Has one daughter now the wife of Robert B. Singleton, of St. Louis. Has one son, Frank E., in business at Sturgeon. During the civil war, Dr. Bruton remained at home. Took no part in the strife, but was arrested by Merrill's Horse and kept several days on account of his sympathy for the South. He was drafted about the close of the war, but did no service. Was on the ground after the Centralia fight and helped to dispose of the dead, as will be seen by reading the account of the massacre which appears in this volume. Dr. Bruton is a Mason. He and his wife are both members of the Christian church.

CHRISTOPHER C. BUSH.

Christopher C. Bush is a native of Kentucky, where he was born, October 25th, 1823. He is the son of T. V. Bush, a farmer, and was reared and educated in the same line of business. His father lived to the age of seventy-three. and is entitled to the distinction of having invented the first corn planter ever patented in the United States. The subject of this sketch came to Missouri in the spring of 1855, and settled in Boone county, where he has continuously resided ever since.

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He has always followed farming. Married Miss Sarah A., daughter of Nelson Bush. Four sons and six daughters were born of this mar- riage. The first wife dying, Mr. Bush was again married, the second wife being Miss Perlina, daughter of James C. Jennings. He has been a member of the Christian church ever since he was thirteen years old.

JOHN A. CHANCE.

John A. Chance was born in Missouri, but went with his parents to Illinois when a child. This was in 1847. He came back to Missouri in 1865 and engaged in farming until 1881 when he purchased a con- trolling interest in the hardware store of Thomas Sexton, Centralia. His brother, C. E. Chance, is now his partner in business, the firm being Chance Brothers. He was married in 1873 to Miss Addie, daughter of Solomon Sexton. They have two children. Mr. Chance is an official member of the Christian church. The firm of Chance Brothers is well established and justly popular with the people of Centralia and vicinity.

GARRISON H. CHANCE.

Garrison H. Chance was born in Delaware, March 20, 1823. He is the son of Thomas Chance, a native of New Jersey. He is of Welsh origin on the father's side. His maternal ancestors were English. In 1827 Thomas Chance emigrated to Ohio, where he remained six years. In 1833 he removed to Illinois. In 1840 the subject of this sketch came to Boone county, Missouri, where he married Miss Martha A., daughter of John Roberts. There were six sons and two daughters by this marriage. The first wife dying, he married Miss Lurinda, · daughter of Inyard Winscot. They have three sons by this marriage. Mr. Chance has a large farm well improved. He raises a variety of produce. Has a fine orchard and apiary. He is a member of the Christian church, and contributes liberally to the support of the gos- pel. Though hardly sixty years of age, he has twelve grand children.

WILLIAM W. CONGER.

William Wallace Conger was born in Oswego county, New York, January 7, 1840. His father was a miller and he was brought up to the same business. Attended school at Phoenix, his native town. In 1858 he came with his father to Audrain county, Missouri, and set- tled on a farm where he remained for eight years. In 1873 he came to Centralia and entered the firm of Conger Brothers, proprietors of

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the Centralia mills, of which firm he is still a member. In 1861 he acted as scout for Federal troops, being with the 3d Iowa regiment. March 25, 1862, enlisted in Captain H. N. Cook's company, Guitar's regiment, in which he served for three years and one month. Was third sergeant of his company and followed the fortunes of his regi- ment in all the raids, marches and battles in which it was engaged. Was at Moore's Mills, Kirksville, Brown's Springs, and other skir- mishes of less note. Was never wounded or captured. Mr. Conger was married March 17, 1864, to Miss Angeline M. Hunt, of Monroe county. They have eight living children. Their names are William E., Henry M., Clarence H., Harriet N., Bessie, Alice L., Ann Bar- bara, Clyde W., and one dead- Addie. Mr. and Mrs. Conger are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Conger is also a Mason.

JAMES R. BRYSON.

The Bryson family are of Irish origin, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch having emigrated to this country from Ireland in an early day on account of religious persecution. He was the father of Andrew, a native of Kentucky, who was the father of Solomon, also born and raised in Kentucky. James R., son of Sol- omon Bryson, was born in Madison county, Kentucky, May 30th, 1826, and came with his parents to Howard county, Missouri in 1829. They remained in Howard county for ten years, when they removed to a farm near Centralia, where the elder Bryson died soon after the war. James was one of eight children, four of each sex. He was educated at an old log school house, where the benches were con- structed from the trunks of trees split in the middle, each half form- ing a bench, and each bench proving a seat of torture to the children doomed to sit with their feet dangling in space, with no rest for the arnis or back. The primitive school house is never forgotten by those who experienced the tortures inflicted upon mind and body within its dark, rude walls. Mr. Bryson married Miss Nancy, daughter of Isaac Stone. They have had eight children, seven of whom are now living. During the civil war Mr. Bryson took sides with the South. He joined the Confederate army in 1862 and served until the close of the war. He was in several battles, but escaped without injury. Two of his brothers were captured and killed by Federal soldiers. Another brother was wounded at Wilson Creek. Mr. Bryson was quarter- master during most of the war. He has always voted the Democratic ticket. He owns about 600 acres of fine land well improved. It was

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one of the first places settled in his neighborhood. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M.

SAMUEL W .. EARLY.

Mr. Early is a native of West Virginia, born in Monroe county, September 26th, 1835. He is a son of Andrew'C. and Elizabeth (Nickell) Early, who were both natives of the " Old Dominion."- In the year 1842 his parents removed to Callaway county, Mo., where he grew to manhood, being engaged on his father's farm the greater por- tion of his time, and attending the subscription schools of his neigh- borhood when opportunity offered. In 1855 Mr. Early removed to Audrain county, where he followed farming until 1863, when he located in Mexico, and afterward engaged in merchandising. By the great fire of March, 1872, Mr. Early was damaged to the extent of several thousands of dollars. He has since been engaged in the insurance and real estate business. During the last two years he has sold over 300, 000 acres of land. (?) Mr. Early was the leading merchant of the place when he was in business, although he started in trade with a very small capital. August 26th, 1857, Mr. Early married Miss Ruth E. Leach, a daughter of Wm. Leach, Esq., of Audrain county, one of the early settlers of that county. They have had born to them twelve children, nine of whom are living, viz .: Josephine E., Annie P., Charles H., Ella, Sallie A., Florence, Henrietta, William W. and Francis M. Mr. Early has been a member of the Christian church since 1855, and an elder for ten years. He has been a member of the Masonic order for about twenty-five years. He has been one of the town trustees for about seven years, and a justice of the peace for ten years. During the period that he was a justice of the peace he had but three of his decisions reversed by higher courts.

FISHER ELLIOTT.

The subject of this sketch is the son of Hiram Elliott, of Boyle county, Kentucky, where he was born December 30th, 1846. He was the youngest of five children. He was principally raised in Boone county, Missouri. He married Miss Fannie Bryson, daughter of Solo- mon Bryson. They have two sons and two daughters. Mr. Elliott is now living on a small farm, which he owns, one-half mile from Cen- tralia. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist church.

JAMES H. FORBIS.

James H. Forbis, farmer, came to Centralia township in 1865.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

When he moved to the neighborhood the prairie grass was growing as high as a man's head where the town now stands. He was born in Henry county, Kentucky, June 6th, 1833. He is the son and grand- son of the Forbises, pioneers of Kentucky. James was one of eight children. He was brought up on the farm. Served an appren- ticeship at the carpenter's trade in Louisville. After completing his trade he went to Mississippi where he remained for about three years. He came to Missouri in 1857, settling first in Callaway county, re- moving next to Monroe county, where he was married, June 6th, 1860, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Wilson Enochs. One daughter and four sons were born of this marriage. Mrs. Forbis dying, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas Welch, of Monroe county. They . have one daughter ( Eliza) by this marriage. Mr. Forbis settled pres- ent place, one and one-fourth miles southwest of Centralia, in 1865. He is an official member of the Christian church.

WILLIAM H. GARRETT.

William H. Garrett was born July 14th, 1855. He is the son of James Garrett, a hardware merchant of Mexico, Missouri. His grandfather, Richard Garrett, a native of Kentucky, is now a citizen of Schuyler county, Missouri. William H. was the eldest of seven children. He was educated in Mexico, where he was apprenticed to the hardware business. Was married to Miss Rosa, daughter of T. S. Sneed. Mrs. Garrett was the first living child born in Centralia. They have one child, Nina. Mr. Garrett is an exemplary member of the Christian church. He moved to Centralia in 1881, previously selling out his business at Vandalia, Missouri. He purchased an in- terest in the hardware store of Mr. E. Thurston, and, July 11th, 1882, they bought the furniture store of J. M. Hawkins. The firm of Garrett & Thurston is a reliable, prosperous house. Both men are practical workmen in their line of business.

TURNER S. GORDON.

Turner S. Gordon, proprietor of the Centralia brick kiln, was born in Boone county, Missouri, April 26th, 1848. He is the son of William J. Gordon, for many years one of the proprietors of an ex- tensive wagon, plow and repair shop at Columbia, Missouri, which did a large business in the manufacture of agricultural implements and general repairing. The blacksmithing was under the supervision of Mr. Gordon, while the woodwork was made the specialty of his

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partner, Mr. Anderson. They used slave labor principally, and when the negroes were set free by the war, Mr. Gordon left the shop and engaged in the livery business, which he followed up to his death, in 1872. George W. Gordon, grandfather of Turner, came to Boone county about fifty-two years ago. He was of Scotch-Irish origin. The subject of this sketch was educated at the Missouri State University. In 1868 he married Miss Leona, daughter of Gen. Bolton. Her parents having died when she was a small child, she was brought up in the home of her uncle, Gen. Thomas L. Price, of Jefferson City. She was educated at the Moravian Female College, in Pennsylvania. They have two sons living and one dead. In 1877 Mr. Gordon em- barked in the brick-making business, which he has followed ever since. He moved to Mexico in 1881, where his family now reside. Purchased his present business, with land attached, in March, 1882. Mr. Gordon is a member of the Christian church.

PROF. JAMES C. HALL.

James Clinton Hall, commissioner of public schools, was born in Bourbon township, Boone county, September 20th, 1848. He was partly educated at the common schools, completing his education at McGhee college. After leaving college he spent several years on a farm. Having been employed to teach the Hallsville district school, he was retained by the directors, serving that district for seven years. He was then employed to teach at Columbia, serving as principal of the public school for four years. He went to Centralia in 1881, and took charge of the public school at that place, which position he still holds. In 1875 was elected school commissioner, and has held the office ever since, except in 1877 and 1878. He was married March 18th, 1878, to Geneva Pollard, daughter of James P. Pollard, of Hallsville. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the Christian church. He is a member of the K. P. lodge at Columbia and A. O. U. W. of Centralia. He was secretary of Boone County Teachers' Institute from 1871 to about 1875, and has been president ever since. Prof. Hall is an able, earnest, conscientious teacher, thoroughly devoted to his calling, and ever zealous in promoting the cause of popular education.

ALFRED HEAD, M. D.

This gentleman is a native of Sumner county, Tennessee, born October 17th, 1815. His parents, Henry and Elizabeth Head, were both natives of Virginia. Dr. Head grew to manhood in the county

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of his birth, and received his non-professional education at the Rural Academy of Sumner county. His professional course was taken at the Nashville Medical University, and he began the practice in Benton county, Missouri, in 1843. He continued there till 1863, with the ex- ception of about three or four years, from 1850 till 1854, which he spent in California. In 1863 he moved to Millersburg, Callaway county, Mis- souri, where he practiced medicine till 1881, his two sons being asso- ciated with him, and doing a leading practice in that county. In the last mentioned year, Doctors Head located at Centralia, Boone county, Missouri, and are at this early succeeding date (1882) rapidly building a good practice. Dr. Head was married, in 1836, to Miss Rhoda L. Vincent, daughter of James and Clara Vincent, of Sumner county, Tennessee. There are five children of this marriage, Catharine A., Luvenia B., James H., Clara E. and Charles W. Dr. Head has been a Mason for over 17 years, and is in everything a worthy citizen and substantial man.

CHARLES W. HEAD, M. D.,

Is a son of Dr. Alfred Head, of Centralia, and was born in Benton county, Missouri, January the 30th, 1855. His education was received in this State, the elementary part being acquired in the common schools of his native county. His literary and academic course was taken at the University of Missouri in Columbia, and his professional course, at the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis. He attended the latter institution in the years 1875, 1876 and 1877, graduating therefrom in the latter year. The same year he embarked in the practice of his noble profession with his father at Millersburg, Missouri, continu- ing there till 1881, when they located at Centralia in this county, where they are now in the practice. Dr. Head has been a hard stu- dent, and labors faithfully to keep up in all the new developments of medical science. Young in years and highly educated, both profes- sionally and generally, there is before him every prospect of a success- ful future.

JOHN EDWARD HINMAN.

John Edward Hinman is the eldest son of Gen. William A. Hinman, and was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, November 16th, 1843. The family traces its origin back to the Pilgrim Fathers. Maj. Benjamin Hinman, the grandfather of John Edward, was the son of Deacon David, who was son of Benjamin, Jr., and grandson of Benjamin, Sr., and great grandson of Edward Hinman. He married Anna Keyser, . daughter of Captain John Keyser, a soldier of the revolution. The

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following children were born of this marriage : John Edward, Benja- min, Jr., Col. John J. and General William A., the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, who was born July 11th, 1802. Col. John E. Hinman received his title in 1821, when he was elected lieutenant colonel of the 134th regiment of New York militia. He held various other offices of trust and honor, and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He married Mary, daughter of G: C. Schroppel, of New York, and now resides in Utica. He has no children. Col. John J. married Huldah M. Sturtevant. He was a lawyer for sev- eral years, but subsequently followed milling and merchandising. He had five children, all of whom are dead. He died in 1849. Capt. Benjamin, Jr., was a magistrate and captain of a company. He was never married. Maranda died in her twelfth year. Annis married Dr. Thomas Monroe, in Maryland. They have five children. They are now living at Rushville, Illinois, where the doctor is practicing his profession. Gen. William A. Hinman, the father of John Edward, was educated for the law and was admitted to practice at the bar in Utica, New York. In 1832 he visited Illinois, and, being charmed with the country, removed to Rushville, where he dealt largely in real estate. He also served as surveyor-general of Illinois for sev- eral years and became quite familiar with the geography of the State. He served as a general in the Blackhawk war of 1832. He was mar- ried, February 4th, 1843, to Miss Grace A. Kingsbury, daughter of an Episcopal minister. Two sons were born of this marriage, John E. and Edward M. C. The latter was born April 10th, 1847. He married Miss Josephine Long, daughter of Capt. Long, of the United States army. He was in government service until his death, in 1870. He left no children. His widow resides at Lewiston, Illinois. John E. was educated in St. Louis and at Rushville and Jacksonville, Illinois. He is a farmer and stock-raiser. He married Miss Sarah, daughter of Dr. J. C. Bywater, of Auburn, New York. They had one child, Grace, born January 6th, 1867. The first wife dying in 1877, he was married to Miss Flora, daughter of Rev. William E. Johnson, of Canada. They have one child, Edward Willie, born Angust 13th, 1878. Mr. Hinman came to Boone county in 1869, in company with his father, and settled at Centralia when less than a dozen buildings constituted the entire town. He purchased 400 acres of land north of and in close proximity to the village. At first he kept a hay press. He is now engaged in farming and stock-raising. He keeps some well-bred horses. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of

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History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 69

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