History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 92

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

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Col. Switzler has done good service for Boone county. As its rep- resentative in legislative councils he was always ready, faithful and efficient ; during the war he was of great assistance to the people of his county who favored secession, and had fallen under the ban of Federal military authority ; in every public enterprise he was always among the foremost ; in every good work he has never been behind hand ; as a friend he is loyal and trustworthy ; as a citizen and a man he is a model, and while he is now blessed with troops of friends and. admirers, there are generations yet unborn that will rise up to do honor to his memory.

JOHN MARTIN SAMUEL.

John M. Samuel was born in Columbia, Boone county, Missouri, December 16, 1825. His parents were Richard and Lucy (Marrs). Samuel. He had the misfortune to lose both his father and mother at the age of six years, and was subsequently taken to Kentucky where he was reared to manhood and partly educated under the care of relatives of that State. Returning to Columbia, Missouri, in 1842, he entered the State University, then opened for the first time for the ad- mission of students. He was therefore one among the first to avail him- self of the superior advantages afforded by this institution of learning. In 1844 he attended college in Louisville, Kentucky. He then studied law with Preston Loughborough and William H. Field, of that city, and in 1848-9 attended a course of lectures at the law school of Transyl- vania University, Kentucky. After years of study and preparation

Photo. by F. Thomas.

Very Resply Inom Samuel 1

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for the bar, he now determined to engage in the mercantile business and devoted all his energy and enterprise in that direction, being largely interested in the sale of merchandise and in shipping tobacco and pork. He was quite successful in business and contributed largely to the prosperity of the community with whom he traded. Always liberal in his dealings, he has, while prospering himself, promoted the prosperity of others. He was elected sheriff of Boone county in 1857 by the largest majority, perhaps, ever received by a candidate for that office, in this county. He was re-elected in 1859. He was elected clerk of the circuit court in 1867, and re-elected in 1871. In 1876 he was elected county treasurer, and now holds that position. He has given entire satisfaction to the public in all his official rela- tions, and he has performed all his public duties with ability, prompt- ness and integrity. He is a gentleman of benevolent and kindly im- pulses, a public spirited citizen, a wise counsellor and a true friend, and is deservedly popular in the community which has known him long and well. Mr. Samuel was married, September 2, 1847, to Miss · Elenora B., daughter of the late Ishmael Vanhorn, of Boone county. They have three daughters, all married. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel are faithful members of the Presbyterian church, and are usefully and actively interested in the general good of society.

PROF. PAUL SCHWEITZER, PH. D.

Prof. Schweitzer is a native of Prussia, born in the city of Berlin,. March 16, 1840. His father was a respectable citizen of the middle class and renowned as a mathematician. Prof. Schweitzer received his education in the Universities of Berlin and Goettingen, graduating from the latter institution in 1869. In 1864 he came to America and resided for a time in the cities of Philadelphia and. New York. He was a teacher in the polytechnic school at Philadelphia, and also taught in the school of mines, Columbia College, New York City. In 1867 he returned to Germany and remained a few months. In 1869 he again visited the fatherland, and it was during this visit that he received his diploma from Goettingen. He returned to New York and resumed his place in the school of mines of Columbia where he was · employed until in September, 1872, when he accepted the position of professor of analytical and applied chemistry in the University of Missouri ; this title was afterwards changed to that of professor of chemistry, and this position he now holds.

Prof. Schweitzer's reputation as a chemist is already well established.

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His preceptors were the celebrated German scientists Mitscherlich, Rose, and Woehler. He is a corresponding member of the New York Academy of Science, a member of the American Chemical So- ciety, and a fellow of the American Association for the advancement of science. He is the author of many important papers on the sub- jects connected with the science of chemistry. A lecture delivered. by him on the subject of petroleum has been published, widely cir- culated, and universally commended, being frequently referred to and quoted from as indisputable authority. The professor belongs' to the conservative school of thought, not sharing the views of many Ger- man scientists and philosophers. He accepts only what is demonstrated to be true, indulges in but few speculations concerning the improbable, and rejects everything that will not bear analysis. He is wedded to his science and is constantly discovering new beauties and priceless qualities in his mistress.

June 22, 1870, Prof. Schweitzer married Miss Sarah Howard, a na- tive of England, but a resident of New York City at the time. They now have two children, Willis and Lizzie. The professor was born and confirmed in the Lutheran church, and has never united with any other religious organization. Mrs. Schweitzer is a Baptist. Prof. S., was naturalized as an American citizen in 1872, and is warmly at- tached to the institutions of his adopted country. He attends elec- tions, votes to please himself, and is not a partisan in politics, bear- ing himself in all things " with malice toward none, and charity for all."

AUGUST SCHULTS.

The subject of this sketch is the son of Peter and Mary ( Bellamer) Schults. He was born May 28th, 1828, in Elberfeld, Prussia. Was reared and educated in his native town until 1844, when he entered the University of Bonn, where he remained for five years. He gradu- ated at that institution, July 4th, 1855. After finishing his course at Bonn he left for America, landing in the city of New York, where he kept books for two years. In 1857 he went to Buffalo, New York, where he enlisted in the United States army and was sent to Utah. He belonged to the regular army for five years. In 1862 he joined the Federal army, and was made adjutant of the Thirtieth Missouri in- fantry. Was in the battles of Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Walnut Hill, Ft. Blakely and Port Hudson. Was mustered out in Columbus, Texas, in 1865. In the spring of 1866 he went into the produce and commis- sion business in St. Louis, Missouri, and remained there until he

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came to Columbia, in 1868. He engaged in farming, one and one- half miles northwest of Columbia, until January, 1875, when he moved to town and entered the circuit clerk's office, where he has labored ever since. He was married in St. Louis to Emma Solier, daughter of Louis S. Solier, of Switzerland. His father died in Elberfeld, Prussia, in 1845. His mother died in 1861. Mr. Schults is an excel- lent clerk. His writing is as plain as print and perfectly uniform. His books will compare with the best in State for neatness and ac- curacy. He takes great pride in his work and has always given per- fect satisfaction.

WARWICK MARTIN SCOTT.

Warwick Martin Scott, son of Robert E. and Anna H. (Oldham) Scott, was born in Boone county, October 8th, 1846. A sketch of his family may be found elsewhere in this volume, in connection with the biography of Robert E. Scott. The subject of this sketch was educated at the Missouri State University. He commenced business as a clerk, October 8th, 1867, with Moss & Prewitt, dry goods mer- chants, of Columbia, Missouri. He stayed with this firm for five years then went to Paris, Texas, where he sold dry goods for J. T. Berry, re- maining with him for sixteen months. He then returned to Boone county, in August, 1874, and went to clerking for Samuel & Strawn. Remained with them until August, 1875, when he became a member of the grocery firm of Scott, Kennan and Ferguson. Was a member of the firm of Strawn, Ferguson & Co., dry goods merchants, for several years, also of Scott, Kennan & Co., groceries, until August 1st, 1882. He is now a member of the firm of Scott & Kennan, one of the largest and best equipped mercantile establishments in Central Missouri. Messrs. Scott & Kennan are self-made men, born and raised in Boone county, and from early boyhood thoroughly identified with the business interests of Columbia and the surrounding country. Was married, October 8th, 1878, to Miss Annie B., daughter of Dr. Alfred and Percilla Patton, of Vincennes, Indiana. They have one son and one daughter, - Annie P., born July 29th, 1879, and Robert Alfred, born July 18th, 1881. Mr. Scott is a member of the Christian church, also of the Masonic order. Mrs. Scott is a member of the Christian church.

GEORGE P. KENNAN.

George P. Kennan, a prominent business man of Columbia, was born seven miles northeast of Columbia, May 7, 1848. He is the

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

son of Samuel and Harriet (Rogers) Kennan. Was reared on the homestead, attending the public school of his neighborhood during his minority. He commenced his business career, February 16, 1867, when he entered the dry goods store of Conley, Strawn & Co., as a sales- man. He continued with this firm six years, when he became a mem- ber of the dry goods firm of Strawn, Hedden & Co. He was a mem- ber of this firm for two years. In 1874 he was engaged as a sales- man in the dry goods store of Samuel & Strawn, and remained with that firm one year. In 1875 he left the dry goods trade and embarked in the grocery business with Scott, Kennan & Ferguson, under the firm name of Scott, Kennan & Ferguson. Continued with this firm

W. M. SCOTT.

GEORGE P. KENNAN.

Proprietors Great Western Grocery House, Columbia, Mo.

until 1879. From 1879 until August 1, 1882, he was one of the part- ners of Strawn, Ferguson & Co., dry goods, and Scott, Kennan & Co., grocers. The present firm is Scott & Kennan. They employ four salesmen and three porters and run three wagons. Their stock consists of all kinds of staple and fancy groceries, queensware, glass, wooden and tinware. Mr. Kennan has been remarkably successful in business, having commenced without a dollar. The firm of Scott & Kennan is doing the largest business, perhaps, of any simi- lar establishment in the county .. The firm is composed of young men born and raised in Boone county, each of whom commenced life with little or no capital but nerve, energy and prudence. They have mer-

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

ited and won the confidence and patronage of the public and have established a business second to none in the country, Mr. Kennan was married, September 18, 1879, to Miss Sue, daughter of Dr. William and Matilda (Colborn) Garrard. They have one child, Ma- tilda C.

THOMAS CALVIN SCRUGGS.

Thomas Calvin Scruggs was born at Sacramento City, California, October 30, 1852. He is the son of John Calvin and Juliet (Sexton) Scruggs. His father was a prominent stock dealer of Sacramento, California. He bought his stock in Missouri and the territories and drove across the plains. He had also invested considerable capital in real estate at Sacramento, and was largely interested in mining. He died at sea, three days out from shore, but was brought to the city of New Orleans for interment. His body was afterwards removed to Independence, Missouri, and deposited in the cemetery. Young Scruggs came with his mother to Kansas City in 1854, where he was educated at the high school, afterwards learning the carpenter's trade under John M. Jackson, a prominent builder of that city, serving an apprenticeship of five years. Before entering upon his apprenticeship, however, he travelled the river for several years as a newsboy. After quitting Mr. Robinson, he visited many parts of the country, working · at his trade from time to time to defray expenses. He landed at Colum- bia in the autumn of 1873, and has remained here ever since, having been actively engaged as a contractor and builder since becoming a citi- zen of the place. He was married November 13, 1873, to Miss Sallie, daughter of Charles E. and Mary (McDaniel) Sexton. They have one son and one daughter, John C. and Lillie. Mrs. Scruggs is a member of the Methodist church. Mrs. Juliet Strong, the mother of Mr. Scruggs, was first married, May 25, 1848, to John C. Scruggs. She was married to William A. Strong, December 27, 1855, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born and educated in North Carolina. Dur- ing the summer previous to his marriage he established the Kansas City Enterprise, now known as the Journal. He had control of this paper for about two years. Mr. Strong afterwards came to Boone county, where he resided for nine years. He returned to Kansas City, where he died in 1869. He was a brilliant writer and an able speaker.

CHARLES C. SHERWOOD.

The subject of this sketch is the son of Morgan and Harriet (Brewster) Sherwood, daughter of Hon. Jonah Brewster, of Pennsyl-

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vania, which State he represented in the United States Senate for nine years. The subject of this sketch was born at Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1839, and was educated at Oxford College, New York, where he graduated in 1856. He then went to Fon du Lac, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the mercantile business, remaining there two years, when he went to New Orleans, and for the next two or three years succeeding was first clerk of several river steamers, remaining in this business until the beginning of the war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Second Wisconsin cavalry, and was engaged as secretary to Gen. C. C. Washburne, and subsequently became a member of his staff. He served as aide de camp until 1862, when he resigned in order to accept a position in the revenue depart- ment, where he remained for one year. He was next engaged as chief clerk in the United States engineer department, his duties pertaining to fortifications. Remained in this position until 1865, when he re- signed to accept the appointment of general passenger agent of the Atlantic and Mississippi Steamship Company, with headquarters at New Orleans. Was with this company two years. In 1868 was ap- pointed western travelling agent for Grand Trunk railroad in Canada, Vermont Central railroad and Royal Mail line of steamers. Held this position until 1872, when he went to Chicago and was en- . gaged as commercial editor of the Chicago Commercial Advertiser for two years ; then went on the road for John H. Catherwood & Co., a tea firm of Philadelphia. Was with this establishment until 1876. Afterwards he removed to Chicago and was engaged to travel for Grannis & Farwell, wholesale grocers, remaining with this firm some time, when he came to Columbia, Missouri, and opened a milli- nery store on a larger and more attractive scale than had ever before been seen in the place. He has the largest retail millinery establish- ment in Missouri. Mr. Sherwood was married, August 1, 1876, to Miss Minnie G., daughter of T. T. and Elizabeth (Wright ) Shoot- man, of Mexico, Missouri. They have one son, John Morgan. Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood are both members of the Christian Church.

CLINTON B. SEBASTIAN.

C. B. Sebastian is the son of Alexander H. and Tabitha A. (Jacobs) Sebastian, and was born at Cloverport, Breckinridge county, Kentucky, March 24, 1852. His father moved to Boone county, Mis- souri, in 1854, and settled on Two-mile prairie, six miles east of Columbia on the St. Charles road, where he lived until his death in

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1876. His wife died the same year, and both are buried at the old Cedar Creek Church. They were consistent members of the Metho- dist Church. Clinton B. was educated at the State University, and graduated in law in the class of 1876, having laid the foundation for his profession of the law in the office of John Overall, now of St. Louis. Since graduating he has practiced his profession in Columbia, building up a reputable and lucrative practice. On the 29th of August, 1882, he received the nomination at the hands of the Demo- cratic party, for the office of prosecuting attorney of Boone, beating the present incumbent, J. DeW. Robinson, five hundred and three votes at the primary election. The county's interests will be safe in the hands of Mr. Sebastian, and criminals may expect vigorous, able prosecution at his hands. He is a young gentleman of sterling integ- rity, and one whom Boone county delights to honor. He is an exem- plary member of the Methodist Church, also a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Columbia. He is the State president of the Phi Delta Theta society, a Greek letter college fraternity.

ROBERT HUDSON SMITH.

Few business men have occupied so prominent a position before the people of Boone county as the subject of this sketch, and none, per- haps, have a firmer hold upon the confidence of the public. He is the son of William and Elizabeth (Cress ) Smith, originally of Millers- burg, Bourbon county, Kentucky, where he was born May 17, 1821. He came with his parents to Callaway county, Missouri, in the spring of 1826, and settled near Millersburg. They resided in Callaway county until the fall of 1844, when they came to Boone and settled three miles north of Columbia, at what was known as Hannah's Mill,. on Hinkson creek, where they remained until 1848, when Mr. Smith went to Santa Fe, taking with him a saw-mill, the first ever erected in that country. He remained there until 1850, when he came back to Boone county and located two miles south of Columbia, taking charge of the Reuben Black grist and saw mill, which he changed from a water-power to steam. He remained with this mill until 1855, when he went to the John Keene farm, three miles east of Columbia, on the Mexico road, where he built a steam mill which he operated until 1862, when he came to Columbia and bought the mill then under construction, paying the proprietor, Gaines C. Raney, $10,000 for the property, which he completed, adding from time to time such new machinery as the increase of business demanded. He

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

sold the property in 1871 for $18,000, to Conley, Anderson & Guitar. The mill is now valued at $60,000. In the fall of 1871 Mr. Smith went to Rocheport, Missouri, and bought the old Stailey mill, which was blown up a few months later, killing A. J. Norris, the engineer, and badly injuring a man named Roberts. He at once rebuilt the mill, putting in new machinery and sparing no expense in his efforts to repair the loss. In less than a year the new mill was in ashes. The cause of the fire was never known. Mr. Smith was, for the time being, financially ruined. He came to Columbia without a cent. The people, appreciating his active, earnest labors in the past, and feeling a generous sympathy for his losses, elected him collector of Boone county, which position he held for two years, at the same time conducting a livery stable and stock business at Columbia, which he continued to follow for four years after his term of office expired. He then bought a third interest in the Columbia mills, for which he paid $9,000. He remained with this firm for one year and a half, when he sold his interest to Anderson, Hubbard & Co. He now turned his entire attention to trading in stock and real estate, which he followed until April, 1882, when he became one of the proprietors of the Farmer's mill, Columbia, Missouri, saw and grist combined, situated in the northwestern part of town. Mr. Smith was married, May 25, 1843, to Martha A., daughter of Thomas and Patsey Mccutchen. Mrs. Smith died in less than one year after their marriage. She was buried in the old Hinkson Creek church-yard. He was married to his second wife, Caroline, daughter of John and Mary (Williams) Cave, of Scott county, Kentucky, July 17, 1850. By this marriage they had two sons and one daughter, Andrew F., Thomas C. and Mary E., all of whom are dead. They were buried at the Columbia cemetery. Mr. Smith is still in vigorous health, and is as active and enterprising as when he first commenced his business career, years ago. In addition to the mill already mentioned, Mr. Smith owns a nice residence in Columbia, and a half interest in a farm of four hun- dred and forty-four acres, one-half mile north of Stephens' Store, Callaway county, Missouri. It is hardly proper to close this biographi- cal. sketch without making brief mention of the parents of Mr. R. H. Smith. His father, William Smith, was born September 11, 1787, and died July 17, 1860, at the age of seventy-two. He is buried in the Bonne Femme church-yard. His wife, Elizabeth, was born May 25, 1793, and is still living, having reached her ninetieth year. She is living with her son, G. W. Smith, in Callaway county. William

HON. JAMES L. STEPHENS.

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Smith, brother of Robert, has six living children, five sons and one daughter. One son, William H., was killed in the Confederate army. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith are members of the Baptist Church, and have been since 1850. He is also a member of the Masonic order.

HON. JAMES L. STEPHENS.

James L. Stephens was born in Girard county, Kentucky, Novem- ber 17, 1815, and removed with his father (Elijah Stephens) in the fall of 1819, from Kentucky to Boone county, Missouri. After re- maining on the farm with his father, and receiving such an education as the schools of the country at that day afforded, he, in the spring of 1836, entered the dry goods store of Parker & Barr, of Columbia, as clerk, and has continually resided in Columbia ever since, except one year in New York City ; two years in Greensburg, Indiana, and one year each in Mexico and Fulton, Missouri. In 1843 he engaged in a large business on his own account, conducting three dry goods stores in three county seats, one in Mexico, one in Fulton, and one in Columbia. He inaugurated the first successful cash system in busi- ness in Central Missouri ; and while largely engaged in merchandising, he also conducted a model farm, and for more than twenty years, bought and sold annually from 300 to 500 head of mules. Few, if any, individuals have ever transacted more business in Boone county, and none in his section have more generously contributed in means or labor to build up and establish public improvements, scarcely a public enterprise of his town or county for the past twenty years failing to receive his cordial and hearty cooperation ; and at least one-half of all he has earned through an extended and successful business career, has been given to aid in building roads, churches, schools, etc. He not only endowed Stephens College with $20,000, but advanced $6,000 besides to relieve the institution of a mortgage that had been placed on it under its former organization, and to aid in erecting its build- ings. At one time, he undertook the work of raising $50,000 endow- ment for it, and succeeded in securing pledges for half that sum, which failed, however, in consequence of the entire sum not being subscribed at the time the school was changed from a local institution to one which received a patronage throughout the State. At another time he raised on a general subscription from citizens of Boone county $7,000 or $8,000 towards enlarging and improving the college prop- erty, which, with other kind offices in the interest of the institution, caused the General Baptist Association ( whose property it is), at its

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session in St. Louis in the fall of 1870, to confer his name upon it. In 1860, Mr. Stephens was the regular nominee of the Democratic party for State Senator and made the race to the satisfaction of his friends against ex-Gov. Chas. Hardin, receiving the full strength of the party, which was then a decided minority, causing his defeat by some 500 votes. Twenty years after, in 1880, he was again nominated by the Democrats of the Ninth senatorial district, composed of the counties of Audrain, Boone and Callaway, and elected by an overwhelming ma- jority against the combined ticket of Republicans and Greenbackers. Mr. Stephens not only circulated the petition which obtained the largest number of names in aid of the railroad and the rock roads, which are of such incalculable value to Boone county, but his was the largest individual subscription in aid of those enterprises, - amount- ing to $2,600. At the same time he was one of the heaviest tax- payers in the county.

EDWIN W. STEPHENS.

Edwin W. Stephens, editor and proprietor of the Columbia Herald; was born in Columbia, Missouri, January 21, 1849. He is the only son of Hon. James L. and Amelia (Hockaday) Stephens. A sketch of his father's life may be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Stephens, the subject of this biography, was reared and educated in Columbia, graduating at the State University in 1867. Soon after completing his studies at the University, he entered Jones' Commer- cial College, St. Louis, Missouri, where he completed his collegiate course, adding to his literary attainments a thorough business educa- tion. Returning to Columbia he entered the newspaper business, purchasing in 1870, a half interest in the Boone County Journal. In 1871, the year following, he changed the name of the paper to the Columbia Herald, which name the paper has borne ever since. In 1872, he became sole proprietor of the Herald, which he enlarged and greatly improved, making it one of the largest and most popular country newspapers in the State. Mr. Stephens was married Septem- ber 26, 1871, to Miss Laura Moss, daughter of Col. James H. Moss, of Columbia, and grand-daughter of Judge Warren Woodson. Mr. Stephens has been a curator of the State University, and is at present a curator of Stephens College. He is an official member of the Bap- tist Church. Although young in years, comparatively speaking, few men of the State have accomplished more in the same length of time. The Herald, which he has mainly built up, affords splendid evidence of his energy, ability and good management. To say that it is one of

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History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 92

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