History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 99

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

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GEORGE EDWARD BROWN.

George E. Brown, blacksmith and farmer, was born near Front Royal, Warren county, Virginia, February 10, 1830. His father be- ing a blacksmith, he was brought up to that trade. He commenced work in the shop when he was but ten years old. He remained with his father until 1855, when he was twenty-five years old.' On leaving home he established a shop of his own at a place called Happy Creek, one mile south of Front Royal. Here he worked at his trade until 1859, when he sold out and came to Missouri. He arrived in Boone

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county in November, and established his present place of business on the Rocheport and Sturgeon road, four and one-half miles northeast of Rocheport. In 1875 he added farming to his business of black- smithing, and has labored at both occupations ever since. He has 100 acres of land well adapted to stock raising. He has made farming and the handling of stock quite profitable. Mr. Brown was married January 3, 1856, to Miss Mary Shipe, of Warren county, Virginia. They have eight living children. John William and Charles Edward work in their father's shop. Robert Lee, Carrie Ella, Hattie, Henry, Rebecca and Moses are with their parents. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Methodist church at Locust Grove. In 1864, Mr. Brown enlisted in the Confederate army, becoming a member of Capt. Davenport's company, Shelby's cavalry. He remained in the army until the close of the war. He is a member of the Rocheport lodge, No. 147, Independent Order of Good Templars.

HENRY JACKSON BROWN.

Henry J. Brown, farmer and stock raiser, was born near Front Royal, Warren county, Virginia, October 7, 1845, where he lived with his parents until he was seventeen years old, when he entered the Confederate army as a private in Company D, Forty-ninth Virginia infantry, in which he served until the close of the war. He was in many engagements, the most important being Manassas Junc- tion, Seven Pines, Winchester, Sharpsburg, and the battles in the Shenandoah Valley under Stonewall Jackson ; also Chancellorsville, where Jackson was killed. He was wounded four times. His brig- ade finally surrendered at Appomatox Court House in 1865, when he returned to the old home. He was so disabled by his wounds that he was compelled to go on crutches until 1868, when he be- gan to work as a farm hand. In 1873 he came to Missouri, and stopped in Boone county. For the first eight months he worked on the farm of John W. Harris; then rented a farm of Fielding W. Smith, which he rented on shares for two seasons. In August, 1876, he purchased the farm upon which he is now living, situated near Walnut Grove church, containing 168 acres. He was mar- ried October 7, 1869, to Miss Mary Bell, of Warren county, Vir- ginia. They have three children : Henry Esron, born in Virginia, August 4, 1870 ; Mary F., born in Virginia, June 8, 1872, and David Elias, born in Boone county, March 4, 1874.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

FRANCIS ELLIS CARR.

This gentleman, cashier of the Rocheport Savings Bank, was born in Cooper county, Missouri, February 8, 1855, his parents, Dr. F. and Ella C. Carr being old residents of that county. He was educated at William Jewell College, a Baptist institution located at Liberty, Missouri. On leaving school at the age of eighteen, in 1873, he en- tered the Rocheport Bank as clerk and book-keeper, serving four years in that capacity. He then removed to Sturgeon, Boone county, where he was cashier of the Sturgeon Bank for three years, up to 1880. Returning then to Rocheport, he became cashier of the above named bank, and still acts in that capacity at this writing. Mr. Carr was married March 13, 1879, to Miss Carrie Harris, of Sturgeon, Missouri. They have one child, a son named Ellis Marshall. The position Mr. Carr has held and still holds, as clerk and cashier of these banks, is fraught with a responsibility, that might be be considered a compli- ment to a much older man than he, and the bare fact that he has faithfully and honorably discharged the duties pertaining thereto, stamps him already as a successful business man, while still having the greatest portion and last part of his life before him.

JEREMIAH W. CHAMPION.

The subject of this sketch, who at this writing is manager of the " Monitor Mills " of Rocheport, was born in Caldwell county, Ken- tucky, November 17th, 1826. His parents moved to Missouri when he was two years old and settled in Howard county, where Jeremiah was reared. He continued with his parents until attaining his legal majority, when he left home and began life for himself. Purchasing a farm in Howard county, near the Boone line, he owned and lived on it till 1856, excepting two years spent in California. In 1850, he rented his place, and started " across the plains " to the Eldorado of gold seekers. He and his father were together, and they went into the butchering business at Diamond Springs. The father, Drury C. Champion, died there in January, 1852, and Jeremiah started home the same month. Arriving in Missouri, he resumed farming on his place in Howard county, remaining till 1856, when he sold out, and erected a steam saw-mill in partnership with his uncle, Jeremiah Rucker, and his brother, James Champion. He bought out the in- terest of the others in 1858, and continued to operate the mill in dif- ferent localities of Howard and Boone counties till June, 1875. Com-

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

ing then to Rocheport, this county, he associated himself with Mr. L. Grossman, and they erected the fine flouring mills, known as the " Monitor Mills, " of which Mr. Champion is still the manager, hav- ing rented Mr. Grossman's interest in 1878. Mr. Champion entered the state of connubial bliss, April 22d, 1848, when he was married to Miss Lucy A. Hill, of Boone county. They have seven living children : Martha Edna, wife of A. J. Turner ; Clarissa B., wife of J. T. Suttles (Howard county ) ; William Harvey ; George H, Samie D. and Lena. Mr. C. has been a member of the Christian church since he was sixteen, and Mrs. C. since she was fifteen years old. All the children but two be- long to the same. He is a member of Rocheport lodge, No. 67, A. F. and A. M., of which he is chaplain. He is also G. W. C. of Rocheport lodge of Good Templars.

JOEL HAYDEN CHALLES.

Though Mr. Challes is now a resident of Howard county, living just across the line, he is a native of Boone county, and so thoroughly identified with the former history of the county of his birth, as to de- serve biographical mention in this work. He was born on a farm near Rocheport, February 7th, 1830, where he grew up and received his education. He continued to make the old homestead his home till he was near thirty years old. His father had died when Joel H. was seventeen years old, and the care of the family and the management of the farm was left to himself and his brother Andrew. In October, 1864, he entered the Confederate service, in the regiment of Col. Perkins, in Price's army, and served till the war closed. He had married, in February, 1861, Miss Sallie W. Forbis, daughter of G. B. Forbis, of Boone county. Soon after his marriage he rented the farm which he now owns and on which he resides, leaving his family there while he was away in the war. Returning home when the troubles were over, he lived as a renter on the place some seven years, and then bought it. There were 103 acres, to which he has added by sub- sequent purchases till it now numbers 328 acres, all well improved. Seven children still survive to Mr. Challes and wife, named re- spectively : George W., Sidney, Sallie, John, William R., Nannie and Jennie. They lost one, Mary, who died at two years old. These were all born on the place where the family now reside, and on which Mr. C. will probably spend the remainder of his days. The subject of this sketch is no aspirant for political honors, but much prefers the quiet of his own home and farm, to the eclat and excitement of official

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

campaigning. He is one of those substantial citizens who has amassed, what property he has by thrift and economy, and takes a supreme pleasure in his family, and his surroundings generally.

JOHN HOWARD CHAMBERS

Was born at Old Mines, Washington county, Missouri, February 10th, 1824. In 1827, his parents moved to Union, Franklin county, where John H. was reared and educated. During his boyhood, he clerked in his father's store at Union, in the interm of his school terms, and thus continued till he was twenty years old. He then began merchan- dising at Union, and continued there till 1855. He then came to Rocheport, this county, and associated himself with Clayton Brothers, merchants, under the style of Clayton, Chambers & Co. They did business thus till they were forced to discontinue, owing to unsettled condition of things, in 1862. Mr. Chambers returned to Franklin county and opened a store in what is now New Haven, where he con- tinued to do business till the war closed. In 1864, he was raided by a portion of Price's Confederates, under Gen. Marmaduke, and relieved of a large amount of supplies such as boots, shoes, clothing, dry- goods, etc. . Returning to Rocheport, in 1865, he became associated with his old partners, and continued the mercantile business thus till 1868, when they closed out. Mr. Chambers then became connected with J. H. Armstrong and R. S. Miller, as a milling company, and they built the " Star Mills " of that town. He withdrew from the firm in '73, and again began merchandising. His brother, James A., and his son, George C., became connected with the concern in 1880, the firm being styled Chambers Bros. & Co. Mr. Chambers was married on the 11th of October, 1848, to Miss Judith S. Clayton, of Union, Franklin county. They have two children-Laura, wife of J. E. Miller, of Nevada, Missouri, and George C., junior partner of the above firm. Mr. Chambers and wife both belong to the Christian church, and Mrs. Miller is also a member of the same.

JOHN S. CLAYTON.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, one of the leading business men of the county, was born in Union, Franklin county, Missouri, June 21st, 1833, and there grew to manhood. His father was a merchant by vocation, and when John S. was eleven years old, he was placed in the store, and did not attend school afterwards till he

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

went to take a commercial course. He acquired his education, chiefly, in the store, and when seventeen years old, attended Jones' Commer- cial College, in St. Louis, and, after finishing his course there, was employed as shipping clerk by a St. Louis house, retaining the posi- tion until 1852. He then went to Washington, Missouri, and em- barked in the mercantile business. He only remained one year, how- ever, when he came to Rocheport, in this county, and engaged in mer- chandising with his father, Thomas F. Clayton, they doing business under the style of T. F. Clayton & Co. until 1855. The father then re- tiring from the business, John S. became associated with his brother, J. R. Clayton, and J. H. Chambers, the firm being styled Clayton, Chambers & Co. They continued business till 1862, and were then forced to discontinue because of the war. In January, 1863, he and Capt. W. P. Wilcox ventured in the general merchandising and pro- duce business, and operated till January, 1865. Owing to the dis- turbed condition of the country, they closed their business in Roche- port and' went to Omaha, Nebraska, where they, with William Ste- phens, organized the firm of Clayton, Stephens & Wilcox, and opened up in the general merchandise line. Mr. Clayton, in the fall of 1865, while still retaining his connection with the Omaha concern, returned to Rocheport, and formed the firm of Clayton, Miller & Co., general merchants and tobacco dealers. They also built the grist mill known now as the " Boone County Star Mills. "At the death of Mr. Miller, in January, 1880, a stock company was formed, of which Mr. Clayton was made superintendent and general manager, and this company still carries on the business. In addition to this, Mr. Clayton acts as steamboat agent, and also conducts an establishment for the sale of farm machinery and operates as a railroad contractor. On November the 18th, 1857, Mr. Clayton was married to Miss Fannie Chambers, of Union, Missouri. They have three children, named respectively : Howard, Belle, (wife of Jno. T. Mitchell, of Centralia ), and " Tom." Mr. C. is a member of Boone Lodge, No. 121, I. O. O. F., of Roche- port, and he and his wife both belong to the Christian church.

MARCELLUS D. COOK.

Marcellus D. Cook was born in Hopkins county, Kentucky, near Madisonville, January 20th, 1818, where he lived with his parents un- til he attained his tenth year, when they came to Missouri and settled on a farm seven miles east of Rocheport, where he resided with his

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parents until he was twenty-one years of age, when he commenced farming for himself as a renter. He followed this business until 1842, when he purchased a farm on which he now lives. August 27th, 1839, he married Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Boone county, by whom he has seven children : Henry S., of Smithton, Missouri ; William Harrison, of Boone county ; David Willis, of Boone county ; Charles M., merchant, of Columbia ; Amanda Ellen, wife of James R. Jacobs, of Boone county, and Jefferson Price and Samuel, at home with their parents. Mr. Cook and his wife are members of the Sugar Creek Baptist church, having united with that denomination in 1835. Dur- ing the war he was not engaged on either side, but was Southern in sentiment. He suffered severe loss of property, but escaped without bodily harm. The Federal soldiers took from him about six hundred dollars worth of horses, and he was not even spared by his own party.

SAMUEL DAVIS COCHRAN.

The subject of this sketch was born on the old John G. Cochran farm, two and one-half miles east of Rocheport, December 11th, 1832. He is the son of John G. and Delina Cochran. His grandfather, Will- iam Cochran, emigrated from Scotland before the revolutionary war and settled in Kentucky, removing from that State to Missouri in 1818, settling first at Boone's Lick, in Howard county, coming the follow- ing year to Boone county, where he located on a farm four and one- half miles east of Rocheport. His son, John G., settled the farm, upon which Samuel was born, in 1825. The subject of this sketch re- mained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. He was married, October 16th, 1856, to Miss Amanda Boggs, who died December 22d, 1880. After his marriage Mr. Cochran purchased a. farm which he cultivated until the breaking out of the war. In 1864 he joined the Confederate army, enlisting in Company K, 9th regi- ment, Jackman's brigade, of Shelby's division, with which he served until the close of the war, in 1865, when he returned to Boone county. Soon after his return he sold his farm and bought the place upon which he now resides, five miles east of Rocheport, known as the William Boggs farm, consisting of 160 acres. He has four children : Mollie D., Owen W., Amanda and Eliza B., all of whom are living with their parents. Mr. Cochran is in faith a Cumberland Presby- terian. One son and one daughter, Owen and Amanda, are members of the Baptist church at Sugar Creek. He is a member of the Roche- port lodge of A. F. and A. M.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

JAMES NICHOLAS DARBY.

James Nicholas Darby, druggist, Rocheport, Missouri, was born near Fayette, Missouri, March 11th, 1855. He was raised and educated in Howard county. He remained with his parents, Ira C. and Kittie (nee Long) Darby, for three years after attaining his majority, working on the farm. He left home in 1879 and came to Rocheport where he ap- plied himself to the task of learning the apothecary's business with J. R. Moss. In 1880 he bought out his employer and established him- self in the business. In the fall of 1881 he sold a half interest to Dr. E. H. Chinn, an old school-mate, who was born and reared in the same neighborhood as himself. The business is now conducted under the firm name of Darby & Chinn. Mr. Darby is an energetic business man and has a host of friends, both in Boone and Howard. His part- ner is a popular young physician who is rapidly building up a large and substantial practice. The firm has the confidence and good-will of the public and their future is bright and promising.

JOHN SAMUEL DENHAM.

John S. Denham, farmer and stock raiser, was born near the Model Farm, in Boone county, Missouri, June 18th, 1845. His father, Samuel Denham, a native of Kentucky, came to this State in 1830, and settled in Boone county. He lived at intervals in both Boone and Howard, but finally settled permanently in this county, where he died in 1872, at the age of 73. The subject of this sketch was raised in the vicinity of his birthplace, and received his education at private schools in the neighborhood and at Lathrop Academy and Central College, Fayette. In 1863 he attended Jones' Commercial College; taking a full course. He afterwards taught mathematics in that institution. In 1865 he was employed as book-keeper by the firm of Hume, Park. & Co., Columbia, Missouri, remaining with them two years. He kept books for Clayton, Miller & Co., Rocheport, Missouri, from 1867 to 1878. Leaving this firm in 1878, he returned to the old homestead where he farmed for one year. In 1869 he began teaching. He taught one year at Lathrop Academy and three years at Walnut Grove Academy. His father dying in 1872, he was obliged to abandon teaching and take charge of the estate. He was married, October 3d, 1871, to Miss Meribah, daughter of David Isaacs, of Howard county. They have three children : Butler, Mattie Lou and Katy. Mr. Denham and his wife are members of the Walnut

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Grove Baptist church, of which he is treasurer. In 1874 he purchased the old homestead of 400 acres, upon which he now lives. He makes cattle and sheep raising a specialty. His cattle are short-horns, and of registered pedigrees. His sheep are thoroughbred Cotswold, imported from Canada in 1876.

BENJAMIN F. DIMITT.

Mr. Dimitt is a Kentuckian, and was born in Bourbon county, that State, January 19th, 1828. He continued to reside in his native county till he was sixteen years old, when he removed with his parents to Howard county, Indiana. In 1847 he came out to Missouri and, at the age of nineteen, began life for himself as a teacher. Subsequently, in 1851, he attended Central College at Fayette, Howard county, Missouri, and was for some time a student of that institution. In 1852 he was employed to teach in the preparatory department of that college, and was there till his coming to Rocheport, this county, the succeeding year. Here, again, he engaged in teaching for a year, and then established himself in the drug business in the same town. This was in 1854, and he has continued in the same line ever since. In 1864, when the militia burned part of the town of Rocheport, Mr. Dimitt's store was burned, as, being a Southern sympathizer, he could not, of course, escape that disaster. On the 20th of October, 1852, he married Miss Sarah E. McDonald, of Howard county, Missouri. They have three living children : Emma, wife of Professor Singleton, principal of the, Orange College, Texas ; Frank C., clerk in his father's store ; and Dixie L., still living with her father. Mr. Dimitt and wife are both members of the M. E. Church, South, and he also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, with membership in Rocheport lodge, No. 67, A. F. & A. M.

JAMES MONROE DOUGLASS.

James Monroe Douglass is the youngest son of Henry L. and Susan (Jacobs) Douglass, pioneer settlers of Boone county. He was born on the Douglass homestead, where he now lives, March 9th, 1852. His father bequeathed the home place to him in 1882, a short time previous to his death, in consideration of the latter's maintenance of his widowed mother and invalid sister. He is a thrifty farmer, and is held in high esteem by his neighbors. His father, Henry L. Douglass, deceased, was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, February 15th, 1810, where he lived with his parents until he was ten years old, when they came to Boone county and settled at Locust Grove, now

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known as Midway, where he was raised. He remained with his parents until his marriage to Miss Susan Jacobs, December 20th, 1832, when he commenced working for himself as a farmer, having purchased a small farm on Perche Creek, near where the Columbia and Rocheport road crosses that stream. He remained on this farm until 1837, when he purchased the homestead now occupied by his" son, James Monroe, containing 480 acres, four miles southeast of Rocheport, where he lived until his death, March 27th, 1882. Mrs. Douglass survives him. They have six living children : William G. and Joseph A., farmers, of Missouri township ; Virgie, wife of C. M. Boggs, and Lizzie, wife of C. G. Boggs, both of Missouri township, and Fannie and James, who are living on the home place. Mr. Douglass had, by rare energy and good management, accumulated considerable property. He was charitable and generous, a kind neighbor and a devoted Christian, being for many years a member of the Locust Grove Methodist Church South. He united with the . church in 1837.

JOHN DODSON.

Mr. Dodson is a native of Missouri, and was born in Howard county, near New Franklin, September 7th, 1842. He continued to reside with his parents till he was nineteen, receiving his education in the schools of New Franklin, and at Central College, in Fayette. On leaving home, in 1861, he went to Springfield, Illinois, where he was variously employed till 1866, when he returned to Missouri, locat- ing at Rocheport. Here he was employed, in 1868, as a clerk in the store of J. W. Morris, remaining with him till 1870. He was then taken in by his employer as a partner in the concern, George Calvert also coming in, the style being "Dodson, Calvert & Co." They dis- continued the business in 1872, and Mr. Dodson formed a partner- ship with William M. Ridgeway for the grocery business, in which line they continued at Rocheport till 1876. They then sold out and went into the livery business, in which they are still engaged, running a daily stage line to Columbia. Mr. Dodson was married, December 18th, 1863, to Miss Clara Wheeler, daughter of Henderson Wheeler, one of the oldest settlers of Boone county. They have one child, a daughter, named Annie. Himself and wife are both members of the Christian Church, and he belongs, also, to the Boone lodge, No. 121, I. O. O. F., of which he has " passed through all the chairs," and is now the treasurer.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

REUBEN ELLIOTT, SEN., DECEASED.

The subject of this sketch was one of the pioneer settlers of Boone county. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and at the age of nine- teen participated in the battle of New Orleans. In 1818 he was mar- ried to Elizabeth White, who, like himself, was a native of Kentucky. The year after their marriage they emigrated to Missouri, settling in Boone county. At first he rented a portion of the land now included in the Model Farm, where he remained until 1828, when he bought a farm on Callaham's creek, where he lived for five years. In 1833 he purchased the old Elliott homestead, containing 217 acres, situ- ated on the Columbia and Rocheport turnpike, two miles east of Roche- port. Here he remained until his death, which occurred September 25th, 1869. At the time of his death he was sixty-four years old. Mr. Elliott was a stone mason, and is said to have built the first stone house ever erected in Boone county. This dwelling was built for Joseph Little, in 1828, and is still standing. He also built, for Dr. George Wilcox, the first brick house in Rocheport. In 1831 he crossed the plains to Mexico with wagons, carrying dry goods and groceries to Santa Fe. He was one of the original members of the Walnut Grove Baptist Church, remaining a faithful member of the congregation up to the day of his death.

ISHMAEL V. EVANS.

Ishmael V. Evans is the son of Willis G. and Jane M. (Vanhorn ) Evans, and was born near Rocheport, Missouri, August 3d, 1858. He was reared on the farm, and educated at the common schools of the neighborhood, completing his studies at the Rocheport Academy. He resides on the home place, and supports his widowed mother, his father having died in 1869. Mr. Evans has, by his excellent manage- ment of the farm and sincere devotion to his mother, sister and younger brothers, won for himself the esteem and confidence of all who are familiar with his labors. Willis Evans, father of Ishmael V., was born in Madison county, Kentucky, May 28th, 1818. When two years old his parents came to Missouri, and settled on a farm in Howard county, where his father died two years afterwards. Willis was then taken by his uncle, Stephen G. Evans, with whom he lived until he reached manhood. December 14th, 1842, he married Miss Jane M., daughter of Ishmael and Evaline Vanhorn, of Boone county. After his marriage he settled upon the farm upon which his son, Ish-

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History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 99

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