USA > Missouri > Boone County > History of Boone County, Missouri. > Part 70
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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
the Episcopalian church, and a member of the Knights of Pythias and Ancient Order United Workmen.
PHILIP S. HOCKER.
This gentleman is a son of John and Elizabeth (Tankersley) Hocker, both of whom were natives of Lincoln county, Kentucky, and moved to Monroe county, Missouri, in 1830. In the latter county the subject of this sketch was born November 1st 1832. Dr. Hocker was reared on a farm, acquiring his rudimentary education in the com- mon schools At the age of sixteen he set in to learn the carpenter's trade, and also learned cabinet-making. In 1852 he moved to Mc- Kinney, Collin county, Texas, where he resided fourteen years, en- gaged in the manufacture of furniture. When the civil war came on, Dr. H. enlisted, in 1861, in Col. Stone's regiment of Texas vol- unteers, and gave his services to the cause of the Confederacy. In the winter of 1862 he returned home and assisted in recruiting a company for Col. Alexander's regiment. Hocker was commissioned second lieutenant, and was the officer sent by Gen. Pike from Ft. Gib- son, soon after the battle of Pea Ridge, under a flag of truce, to Gen. Curtis, to adjust the difficulties concerning the " scalping " done by the Indian allies of both Federals and Confederates. He withdrew from Alexander's regiment in 1863, and was ap- pointed hospital steward in Col. L. M. Martin's regiment, which position he held till the close of the war. In 1866 he returned to Missouri and settled in Centralia, Boone county, engaging in the
furniture business. In 1867 he moved to Middle Grove, Monroe county, and engaged in the drug business till 1871. He then moved back to Centralia, where he continued in the drug business till 1881, when he embarked in the real estate business, in which he is still en- gaged. Dr. H. has been three times elected mayor of Centralia, and is honoring that position at the time of this writing. In 1880 he was elected a member of the Centralia school board, and it is chiefly due to his efforts that that city is to-day blessed with an elegant public school building. Dr. H. has been three times married. His first wife was Loumira E. Wilkerson, daughter of Milton and Jane Wilkerson, of Florida, Monroe county, Missouri, to whom he was married August 26, 1852. She died in Mckinney, Texas, in 1865, having borne him one son, James W., now a druggist of Centralia. On January 22, 1867, he was again married to Miss A. E. Snell, daughter of Judge Granville Suell, of Monroe county. This lady died
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February 21st, 1874, leaving three children, Charles, Walter and Mary. Dr. Hocker was married again in 1874, to Miss Emma, daugh- ter of Albert and Sarah Gibbons, of Boone county. Three children have been born of this last union, Regina, Philip S. and Vesta. He has been a Mason since 1856, and organized the lodge at Mid- dle Grove, of which he was for two years master. Since 1852 he has been a member of the Christian church, and is in everything an earn- est, substantial citizen. The doctor's literary attainments may be judged from the fact that he boldly attacked the whole school of infidel scientists, in an ably-written pamphlet entitled "Science and Revelation," in which he vindicates the faith of the faithful, and shows the necessity of a great First Cause.
AARON L. HULEN.
Aaron L. Hulen, the subject of this sketch, is the son of James Hulen, and was born in Randolph county, Missouri, November 8th, 1852. He was raised on the farm and educated at the common schools of the county. Married Miss Martha, daughter of James E. Dry, of Monroe county, Missouri. They have one daughter. Mr. Hulen sold his farm in Monroe county and removed to Boone in 1882, purchasing 120 acres one mile west of Centralia, upon which he has erected a broom factory. He has considerable experience in the busi- ness, and his brooms meet with ready sale. He is a member of the Christian church. He formerly taught school of winters. He is a Democrat in politics.
TAYLOR H. HULEN. .
Taylor H. Hulen was born in Kentucky, September 12, 1824. He came to Missouri in 1832, when a small boy, and was educated at the common schools in the neighborhood of his home. In 1846 he was married to Miss Narcissa, daughter of William Turner. By this union they had ten children, five of each sex, all of whom are living but one. The first wife having died in 1868, he was again married, the second wife being Mrs. Margaret Roberts, late widow of Shelton Roberts, of Boone county, and a daughter of Andrew Gooding. They have four children, two of each sex. Mr. Hulen followed farming until 1880, when he built the livery stable he now owns, in connec- tion with his partner, Jerry Bush, at Centralia, Missouri. Mr.
Hulen is a member of the Methodist church. He takes a lively inter- est in public matters, and is a friend and zealous worker in the cause of education. Mrs. Hulen is a member ef the Christian church.
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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
JOHN A. JOHNSON.
Anderson Johnson, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was of Irish origin, and a native of Virginia. The father of John A., Greenberry Johnson, was born in Howard county, Missouri, May, 1822. He moved to Boone county, where his son was born, February 4, 1844. The mother's maiden name was Emily Scaggs, daughter of Archibald Scaggs, of German origin. Mr. Johnson married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William W. Tucker, a native of Virginia. Mrs. Tucker's maiden name was Martha Woodruff. Mr. Johnson has three children, Charles C., Nora B., and Victor T. He owns a fine farm of 200 acres, well improved and quite productive. He has a fine orchard and beautiful shrubbery. He is a member of the Christian church and assistant superintendent of the Lone Star Sunday school.
FRANK KAHN.
Frank Kahn is a native of Germany, and was born December 1, 1851. His father is still living, having reached his 74th year. His grandfather lived to the advanced age of 103 years. ` The subject of this sketch was one of thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters, ten of whom are now living. One brother, Leopold, fell in the Franco-Prussian war. . Frank came to the United States in 1872 and settled first at Nashua, Illinois, where he remained for three years. He then went to Evansville, Indiana, where he clerked in the store of Nathan Frank for four years. He then came to Centralia, where he commenced business for himself, handling dry goods, clothing and gents' furnishing goods. He was married in Columbia, Missouri, in 1880, to Miss Fannie Arnold, a native of Philadelphia. They have one son. Mr. Kahn was raised and educated in Europe. He is an active, intelligent business man, and has succeeded in building up a good business. Few men could have accomplished as much in the same length of time. He came to Centralia in 1879.
WILLIAM C. LOVEJOY.
William C. Lovejoy was born at Hanesville, Illinois, February 19, 1853. His father, William Lovejoy, kept a hotel at Hanesville, where he died in 1857, when the subject of this sketch was but four years old. Young Lovejoy was educated in the common schools, and was especially trained in penmanship, in which art he became quite pro- ficient. After quitting school he taught writing and drawing for nine
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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
years. Was employed for five years in the first buttery and creamery established in Wisconsin, where he commanded the highest salary paid by the company. He spent several years teaching in Nevada, and found it very profitable. Came to this county in 1881, and settled in the place where he now lives. He opened a green-house in Cen- tralia in the spring of 1882, and has now one of the finest collections west of St. Louis. He will soon have a large stock of small fruits of every variety known to our soil and climate. Mr. Lovejoy is an en- terprising gentleman, and has already done much to advance the local interests of the community in which he lives.
EPHRAIM MINOR.
Ephraim Minor is of English origin, his great-grandfather, on the father's side, having been a native of that country. His grandfather was a soldier in the revolutionary army, enlisting in Virginia. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. His mother, Rachel Lamb, was also of English ancestry. The subject of this sketch was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, March 7, 1822. He was the youngest, save one, of a family of thirteen children. He was raised on the farm and educated at the district schools. In 1847 he married Miss Leah Furguson, daughter of David Furguson, of Brown county, Ohio. They have had three children. The eldest child died young. Lucy M. is married to Peter Pickert, a farmer. They have one child. The other daughter, Emma, is married to G. H. Brown, also a farmer. Mr. Minor, since his marriage, and before coming to Mis- souri, resided in 'Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota and Wiscon- sin. In 1864 he enlisted in Company F, Independent Regiment, Minnesota Volunteers. Soon after he was disabled by the prema- ture discharge of a cannon, and was released from further duty. He lived on his farm in Wisconsin until 1873, when he removed to Missouri and settled near Centralia. In 1882 he moved into town. He owns a fine farm of 226 acres. Having lost both of his hands by the accident above mentioned, he now draws annually a pen- sion of $850. He is a Democrat, voting with his party at all times and under all circumstances. He is a worthy, well-to-do, thrifty citi- zen, highly esteemed by all who know him.
JOHN T. MITCHELL.
The subject of this sketch is the son of Newman and Hannah (nee- Jackman) Mitchell, and was born in this county, July 16th, 1857.
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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
Both his parents are native Missourians, his father having been born in Boone county, and his mother, in Howard. John T. was reared on a farm in Boone county, and educated at the State University of Co- lumbia. In 1877 he accepted the position of book-keeper in the Roche- port Savings Bank, and served in that capacity till the fall of 1879, when he went to Centralia and organized the Bank of Centralia or rather became an incorporator of that institution, which began busi- ness in 1880. Mr. Mitchell is cashier of the bank, his educational qualifications and his Rocheport experience combining to fully fit him for that responsible position. He was married in 1881 to Miss Belle R. Clayton, the accomplished daughter of John S. and Fannie (nee Chambers) Clayton, of Rocheport. Mr. Mitchell is a member of the Christian church, and is certainly one of the rising young business men of the county.
WILLIAM R. M'BRIDE.
William R. McBride was born in Boyle county, Kentucky, Novem- ber 4th, 1833. His father, John McBride, came to Boone county in 1854, but returning to his native state on a visit in 1860, he died there. The grandfather's name was David. He was a native of Maryland, but moved to North Carolina, and from that. State to Missouri in 1835. He was of Scotch-Irish origin. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. William was one of a family of eight children. He com- menced business for himself when twenty-one years old, with no cap- ital but strength, pluck and energy. His education has been derived more from men than books, and the lessons learned were those of ex- perience, acquired in the busy field of human effort. In 1866 he was married to Miss Letha J., daughter of Thomas Adams, of Millers- burg, Callaway county, Missouri. They have three sons and one daughter living and one son dead. Mr. McBride is a member of A. O. U. W. In faith he is a Presbyterian. He is actively engaged in the stock business, buying and shipping, and has been since 1859. He cleared $1,600 on one shipment of hogs - seven hundred and fifty head - for which he paid nine and a half cents, the lot costing him $20,000. He has now (summer of 1882) three hundred fat hogs, and is grazing three hundred beef cattle. He settled where he now lives in 1866. His farm contains four hundred and sixty acres, all under fence. He has a fine orchard of twenty acres. Mrs. Mc- Bride, having an eye for the beautiful, the yard is all aglow with the rarest and most lovely flowers. Mr. McBride takes an active, zealous
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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
interest in school matters, as well as all other enterprises calculated to improve or benefit his neighborhood.
WILLIAM A. M'CALLISTER, M. D.,
Was born in Huntington county, Indiana, January 7, 1850. His parents were George and Rebecca (nee Rittenhouse) McCallister, the father being a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio. William lived in his native county till he was sixteen years old, and there received his education. In 1866 he came to Sturgeon, Boone county, Mo., and engaged in farming in summer and school teaching during the winter, continuing this till 1872. He began the study of medicine under Dr. Keith and, in 1874, attended lectures at the Missouri Medical College in St. Louis. After practicing a short time at Centralia, he returned to the Medical College in St. Louis, taking his final course of lectures in 1876-77, graduating from that institution in the latter year. He resumed the practice at Centralia, where he continues to enjoy a lucrative business in his profession.
Few men can boast of the eminent success that Dr. McCallister has made in so short a time ; his position and education being the result, chiefly, of his own unaided efforts. He was married on January 13, 1869, to Miss L. Hendrix, daughter of James and Rachel Hendrix, of Boone county. Two children - Annie B. and Jessie P. - have been born to bless this union. Dr. M. belongs to the A. O. U. W., and also to the Knights of Honor. He is one of the leading physicians of the county, and a valuable citizen to the town of Centralia.
ORSON NICHOLS.
Mr. Orson Nichols was born in Otsego, New York, July 24, 1837, and continued to reside there till he was 17 years old. His father's name was Warren C. Nichols, and he reared young Orson on a farm up to the age mentioned.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of his native county, and, in 1854, left there and came West to Will county, Illinois, where he remained till 1874. Until 1864 he was engaged in farming, but then embarked in a mercantile calling in Homer, Illinois, continuing till 1872. He then moved to Centralia, Boone county, Missouri, and merchandised there three years. Returning to Homer, he remained till 1877, when he came back to Centralia, and again began merchandising. At Homer, he was postmaster for eight years, and is at the present postmaster of Centralia, having been ap-
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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
pointed by President Arthur in May, 1882. Mr. Nichols was married, January 22d, 1859, to Miss Hannah L. Mason, of Will county, Illinois. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nichols, six of whom are living at this writing : Frank O., Ida. J., Cora A., Fred, Grace E., and Oliver E. Mr. Nichols enjoys the confidence and esteem of his neighbors, and gets his share of patronage in Centralia.
JAMES O'MEARA.
James O'Meara was born in Ireland, May 17, 1837. His parents, Patrick and Catherine (Howe) O'Meara, emigrated to Canada in 1845, bringing the subject of this sketch with them. They died soon after settling in their new home, and in 1856 James O'Meara came to Missouri, where he engaged in boot and shoemaking, having learned this trade in Canada. In 1877 he came to Centralia and established a shop, where he has remained ever since. He is a well-read, intelli- gent, thoughtful man; independent in his views and candid in expressing them. He was married to Miss Lizzie Carry, who died May 10th, 1882.
JOHN L. PAXTON.
This gentleman's parents, John A. and Dorcas ( Hocker) Paxton, were both natives of Kentucky, though John L., himself, is a Mis- sourian. He was born in Montgomery county, February 9, 1852, where he grew up and was educated. At the age of 15, he began clerking in a store at Middletown, and continued for three years. In 1870, he went to Dakota Territory, and spent a year in the Yankton Reservation, herding cattle among the Indians. He returned to Mid- dletown, Montgomery county, in 1871, and the next year came to Centralia, in this county, and began clerking for P. S. Hocker, remain- ing with him for some time. He was then engaged in a lumber yard till 1880, when he embarked in the drug business on his own respon- sibility. Mr. Paxton has made what he has himself, his own en- ergy, pluck and industry, being sufficient to start him in life on a solid basis. He began life for himself when only 12 years old and has " held his own " ever since. At this writing (1882) he is serving as city clerk of Centralia. Mr. Paxton was married in 1876 to Miss May Holmes, daughter of Sylvester Holmes, of Monroe county. They have one child, a son named Charles F.
CHARLES W. PELSUE.
Charles W. Pelsue, one of the proprietors of the Centralia Mills,
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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
is a native of Vermont, in which State he was born August 8, 1842. His grandfather, John Pelsue, was a Frenchman ; his father, Parker B., married Lucy Emeline Hancock, a. relative of Gen. W. S. Han- cock. Charles was one of a family. of twelve children-eight sons and four daughters. The subject of this sketch married Miss Jennie A., daughter of W. Conger, a native of New York. By this union they have had six children - three of each sex. Their names are Frank W., Cora E., Clara, Fred. E., Charles E., and Nadie L. Clara died in infancy. Mr. Pelsue was a corporal in the Ninth Missouri reg- iment (Federal) for three years. He was living in Audrain county when the war commenced, having settled there three years previous. In 1876 he sold his farm in Audrain and came to Centralia, where he purchased an interest in the Centralia mills, which he still owns. Mr. Pelsue is a member of the A. F. and A. M. He is a public-spirited, active business man, and, in every sense of the word, a useful citizen.
PETER PICKERT.
Peter Pickert, son of Elias Pickert, is of German origin. He was born, in the State of New York, March 13th, 1842. His father was a farmer and boatman, and the son was brought up on the farm. He went with his father to Wisconsin where he was married to Miss Lucy M., daughter of Ephraim Minor. They have four children, two of each sex. He came to Boone county, Missouri, in 1873, and settled on the farm upon which he now resides. It is a handsome place pleas- antly located. He is a member of the K. of H.
ADAM RODEMYRE.
Adam Rodemyre, editor and proprietor of the Centralia Fireside Guard, was born in Illinois, November 20th, 1841. He is the son of Adam, Sr., a native of Germany, who came to the United States about the year 1830. He was a wagon-maker. The maiden name of Mrs. Rodemyre was Laura Kline. Adam was one of eight children. His mother was twice married. He was educated at the public schools of Illinois. Finishing his academic course he went into the confection- ery and baker's business, which he followed for five years. He next engaged in coal-mining, which he followed for several years. He then followed agricultural pursuits until he was nineteen years old, when he entered a newspaper office. Remaining until he learned the trade, he bought a job office and started a paper called the Literary Gem, which he continued for several years, finally moving it to Centralia in
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1866, where he continued its publication under the name of Our Southern Home Circle. He next went to Sturgeon where he published the Independent for one year, at the expiration of which time he bought the printing material of his partner and returned to Centralia and started the Guard, which he has continued to publish ever since, except for a period of two years spent in San Bernardino, California, during which time he published the Daily and Weekly Times of that city. He returned to Centralia in 1876 and resumed the publication of the Guard, which is independent in politics. Mr. Rodemyre was married in 1866 to Miss Maria Tribble, of Boone county. They have two sons and one daughter. Their names are Edgar T., Homer B. and Viola L. He is a member of the Masonic order, also of the Independent Order of Good Templars, and the Patrons of Husbandry. Mrs. Rodemyre is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Rodemyre is an energetic, hardworking journalist, doing the work of his office without assistance. He is the inventor of an automatic cylin- der press upon which he prints his paper. The Guard is orna- mented with original cuts, which he engraves himself. He is also proficient in the art of stereotyping. Although thorough in his busi- ness and ahead of the times in many respects, he is quite reticent in speaking of his own accomplishments in the line of his profession.
JOHN R. SAMES.
John R. Sames was born in Audrain county, Missouri, May 29th, 1859. He is the son of Dr. Charles F. Sames, a native of Germany, but of French extraction. Dr. Sames emigrated to the United States in 1847 and settled in Audrain county, where he now lives. The sub- ject of this sketch was educated principally at the Missouri State Uni- versity. In 1880 he went to Montana Territory. Returning in 1881, he opened a grocery store at Centralia, in partnership with James B. Giddings. The firm name is Sames & Giddings. They keep a general stock of fancy and staple groceries. Mr. Sames is a member of the Masonic and United Workmen lodges, and a Democrat in poli- tics. He is a courteous, affable gentleman, well known and highly appreciated by the community in which he resides.
FREDERICK S. SAPPINGTON.
Frederick S. Sappington was born near Sturgeon, Boone county, Missouri, October 4, 1853. His father, Overton Sappington, was a farmer and stock raiser. He was born in St. Louis county, his father
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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
having emigrated from Kentucky to Missouri in an early day. The subject of this sketch was one of five children. He was educated at the Sturgeon high school, and followed teaching for several years. He was married, March 1, 1877, to Miss Lucy E., daughter of James M. Angell.' She was also a professional teacher, having been educated at Central College, Fayette. ' They have one child, Mary E. Mr. Sappington settled on the farm where he now lives in 1877. His farm contains 240 acres, well situated and very productive. He is a mem- ber of the Centralia Baptist church.
ELIAS J. SEARS.
The subject of this sketch is a Missourian by birth, born in Monroe county, September 1, 1833. He is the son of John and Mary ( Jacks ) Sears, both natives of Kentucky. His mother came to Howard county as early as 1816, and his father came to the same county four years later, placing them among the pioneer families of that section. Elias was reared on a farm in Monroe county, and there laid the foundations of an education, which he afterwards completed at the State Univer- sity at Columbia. After leaving college Mr. Sears engaged in teach- ing school, following that laudable occupation from 1857 to 1867. In the next succeeding year he went to Sturgeon, this county, and en- gaged in the dry goods business, in which he continued till 1878, when he moved to Centralia, and there went into the lumber business with his brother. This firm does a leading business in that line, and in 1881 sold 150 car-loads of lumber. Mr. Sears, in 1861, married Miss Mary D. Kennedy, daughter of Jacob and Ann (nee Smith ) Kennedy, of Monroe county, Missouri, formerly of Kentucky. Three children have been born of this marriage, only one of whom survives at this writing. Mr. Sears has been a member of the Christian church for over a quarter of a century, and is one of the leading members of that denomination, as well as a citizen of force and integrity. He has amassed what he has by his own persistent efforts, and certainly mer- its the esteem in which he is held.
SAMUEL SHRYOCK.
Samuel Shryock, blacksmith and plow manufacturer, Centralia, Missouri, was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, November 26, 1834. His father, Daniel, was also a blacksmith, and a volunteer in the war of 1812. His grandfather, Frederick, was one of the pioneer settlers of Kentucky, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-four years, sixty
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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
years of his life having been spent in Kentucky, and in one house. He was of German parentage. Daniel came to Missouri in 1850 with his family, and settled in Boone county. During the civil war Samuel took sides with the South ; he entered the Confederate service August 14, 1861, under Gen. Price, and participated in the battles of Lex- ington, Cane Hill, and Drywood. He was transferred to the East Mississippi Department, and took part in the battles of Iuka and Cor- inth, after which he was transferred back to the Missouri Division, commanded by Gen. Parsons. During the remainder of the war he served under Gen. John B. Clark, surrendering at Shreveport, Louis- iana, June 6, 1865. He remained on a farm for about a year after returning from the war. Moving to old Greenland, near Harrisburg, he started a blacksmith shop. He remained there six years, going next to Harrisburg, where he lived for five years. In the spring of 1879 he went to Centralia, where he now lives. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and A. F. and A. M. He is a good workman and a clever citizen ..
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