History of Caldwell and Livingston counties, Missouri, written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Caldwell and Livingston counties--their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens; general and local statistics of great value; incidents and reminiscences, Part 30

Author: Pease, Ora Merle Hawk, 1890-
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1260

USA > Missouri > Livingston County > History of Caldwell and Livingston counties, Missouri, written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Caldwell and Livingston counties--their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens; general and local statistics of great value; incidents and reminiscences > Part 30
USA > Missouri > Caldwell County > History of Caldwell and Livingston counties, Missouri, written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Caldwell and Livingston counties--their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens; general and local statistics of great value; incidents and reminiscences > Part 30

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

any but Dr. Jones. The doctor came originally from Wayne county, O., where he was born March 7, 1828. He was there brought up and educated, and in addition to the course of instruction which he received at home he attended both the Jefferson College, of Philadelphia, and the Miami Medical College, of Cincinnati, O., from each of which insti- tutions he subsequently graduated. Thoroughly qualified for the practice of medicine Dr. Jones commenced his professional career in his native town of Wooster, but afterwards traveled extensively in this western country until attracted to Caldwell county. In 1858 he located in Mirabile, and in 1874 came to his present homestead near Kingston - a place consisting of 840 acres. This large estate is all under fence and improvement. The doctor's father, Hon. Benja- min Jones, was born in Winchester, Frederick county, Va., but in 1812 became a resident of Wooster, O., engaging in mercantile pur- suits on a large scale. He was prominently identified with the private and public affairs of that community; represented Wayne county in the State Senate for two terms, and in 1832 was elected a member of Congress from that district, and was re-elected in 1834. It is re- corded of him in the history of that county that " there was a genial, sunshiny humor, playful but caustic wit, and broad hospitality about him that attracted and fascinated ; honesty of purpose and rectitude of conduct in the discharge of his official duties in the various offices he filled, gained him the esteem and approbation of his constituents. So ardent were his feelings for the happiness, prosperity and glory of his native land that, in a conversation with his family a few days before his death, in remarking upon the situation of our country, he observed that he had lived to see the adoption of the Constitution which bound the States in union with each other, and that before he should be called to witness a dissolution of the Union he hoped God in His pro- vision would dissolve his existence." Dr. J. R. Jones was married to Miss Catherine Davis April 18, 1860. She was a daughter of Thomas C. Davis, one of the early settlers of Howard county, this State. Four children of their family are living : Benjamin C., Charles K., Quinby and Lutie Lake. Two are deceased, Wayne and an infant.

PHINEAS D. KENYON

(Miller and Auctioneer, Kingston, Mo.)

It was on the morning of the 29th of July, 1840, over 45 years ago, that Mr. Kenyon was ushered into life. Hague, Warren county, in the State of New York, was the place of his birth, though when quite young he was taken by the family to Carroll county, Ill., and it was there that he passed his youth and early manhood. His education was received in the common schools and the Mt. Carroll Seminary, an institution of high merit as an educational center, where he secured a thorough intellectual training. In 1868 he left Mt. Carroll, where he had so long and successfully followed farming, and came to Cald- well county, Mo., giving his attention to agricultural pursuits until 1881. He then became engaged in conducting a grist and saw mill,

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

which he has since continued, and in addition to this he has also been occupied in selling stock, a calling in which he has achieved no infe- rior reputation. As an auctioneer he is, without doubt, one of the most competent in this section of the country, and his services as such are well recognized. While the life of Mr. Kenyon has been one of which he may well feel proud, though perhaps uneventful in the or- dinary walks of his career, his record as a soldier is deserving of more than passing notice. It was in 1861 that he enlisted from Mt. Carroll, Ill., in Co. K, 15th Illinois infantry, with which he served in many battles, among them those of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, in which 26 out of the 52 men in the company were killed and wounded and the engagements during the siege of Corinth. For mer- itorious conduct and bravery displayed at the battles of Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing he was promoted to the position of first lieu- tenant while on the field of action at the latter place, and as such served in West Tennessee until October 5, 1862. He participated in the battle of Hatchie, and was promoted to captain, December 1, 1862, participating also in the battles at Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss., and up to that of Meridian, on February 3, 1864, where one-half of the regiment veteranized. After a 30 days' furlough Mr. K. returned to join Sher- man's army, which he did at Ackworth, but on October 4, of the same year, he was captured by Hood's command, and as a prisoner was thrust into Andersonville prison. From there he was transferred to Macon, then to Columbia, S. C., and finally, on the 14th day of Feb- ruary, 1865, when it became known that Sherman's army was ap- proaching, he was run through to Goldsboro' and from that place paroled. He was subsequently sent to the Union lines, and after being mustered out returned to his home in Illinois, from whence he came to this county as before noted. To the facts here mentioned we can not add anything of a complimentary nature for they speak for themselves in a manner which will not fail to be understood. Mr. Kenyon's marriage to Miss Louisa S. Bauman occurred in 1866. She was born in Ephratah, Lancaster county, Pa. To them 8 children have been born : Stella C., Howard, Albert G., Frank L., Warren J., Austin W., and Linnie H. M., are now living and one daughter, Lida E., is deceased. Mr. Kenyon is a member of the G. A. R., belonging to Ben Loan Post. In politics he is Republican.

CHARLES W. M. LOVE

(Recorder of Caldwell County, Mo., Kingston).

Mr. Love, one of the most efficient recorders this county ever had and a man well known in the community, has been an incumbent of his present position since 1883. Previous to that he had dis- charged very satisfactorily to all the duties of county collector for two years, and when it became necessary to select some one to occu- py the office of recorder, Mr. Love was wisely chosen as the proper person. Born in Miami county, Ind., July 10, 1845, Mr. L. is now therefore in his forty-first year. His parents were James S. and

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

Sarah (Fiers) Love, the former of whom still lives in Indiara, but the mother is deceased. The life of Charles has been by no means an inactive one. From the home farm he enlisted in the 151st Indiana volunteer infantry, and followed the fortunes of that command through all the vicissitudes and hardships of a soldier, until his discharge in September, 1865. He then returned to Indiana, resuming his for- mer occupation as a tiller of the soil until 1869, when, attracted by the superior advantages offered by Caldwell county to men of enter- prise and energetic business principles, he came here and for ten years handled grain at Hamilton with most pleasing results in a pecuniary point of view. His subsequent career has been noted above and is one which would do honor to any one. Mr. Love is a married man, his wife having formerly been Miss Sue Jameson, a native of the same county as himself. They have three children, Otto E., Don O. and Gladys. Mr. L. is a member of the A. F. and A. M., the A. O. U. W. and the I. O. O. F. fraternities.

WILLIAM MCAFEE

(Attorney at Law, Kingston, Mo.)

Mr. MeAfee is a good example of what can be accomplished in life when a thorough determination to succeed in any calling is coupled with energy, perseverance and close application in the direction chosen. From his earliest recollection up to the age of 18, his time was occu- pied with the monotonous duties of farm life, but at that period, becoming desirous of supplementing the primary education which he had received in the vicinity of his home with a more thorough knowl- edge such as could be obtained in advanced institutions of learning, he left the parental homestead and for some time worked as a farm laborer in order to obtain the means with which to prosecute his studies. Subsequently he attended Johnson College, where his career was marked with rapid advancement. Now thoroughly qualified to enter upon a career which was destined to be a bright one, he engaged in teaching school, and for four terms taught in Kingston. He was one of the first teachers, acting as first assistant, to occupy the new school building here, teaching in it three terms. Mr. McAfee had long been eager to follow the practice of law as his profession in life and in February, 1873, he commenced its study. The same characteristics which marked his progress at school were prominent in his legal studies, and after a thorough course of instruction in the office of Dunn & Johnson he was admitted to the bar in June, 1876. The same year he was elected prosecuting attorney of the county and again in 1878. His practice is steadily and substantially increasing and his outlook for the future is promising. Mr. McAfee was born in Blue Lick, Clark county, Ind., September 19, 1850. His father, Hamilton McAfee, also a native of that State, was a cooper by trade and in 1865 came to Caldwell county, Mo., embarking in agricultural pursuits. His wife was formerly Hannah Hosea, of the same State as himself. She died in the spring of 1876. The father is now living

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

in St. Joseph. Mr. William McAfee was married April 1, 1875, to Miss Marium Johnson, daughter of Capt. E. D. Johnson. She is native to Caldwell county. They have one child, Agnes. Mr. McA. belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the A. F. and A. M. orders.

JOHN McBRIDE

(Retired, Kingston).

A history of any community, large or small, is made up to a greater or less extent of the lives of its citizens, and it is apparent to any intelligent observer that the history of this county is only such as has been made by those who have been identified with its development from the very first. Among that class of pioneers we can not fail to mention " Uncle John " McBride, as he is reverently called. Though a resident of this county less than thirty-five years, he has still been so prominently associated with its material progress and development, both in private and public life, that we feel it but just to number him among that honored few now living, who were brave enough to open the way for civilization. Uncle John was born in Hampshire county, Va., June 21, 1802, his father being Thomas McBride, a native of Ireland, born in 1770, and who came to America in 1785. John's uncle, also John McBride, upon coming to this country served for seven years as a brave and true soldier in the Revo- lutionary War. He settled in Hampshire county, Va., after his mar- riage to a German woman. Thomas McBride, a farmer by occupation, was married in Hampshire county in 1797 to Polly MeVicker, a native of New Jersey. Her father, Duncan MeVicker, also a native of Ireland, but of Scotch descent, took part in the War of the Revo- lution. He was a stanch Presbyterian of the Old School type. Thomas McBride, after participating in the War of 1812, and returning home in 1815, disposed of his farm in Virginia in 1816 and the following year removed to Richland county, O., where he died in 1824. His widow died in 1833, leaving five sons, viz. : Alexander, John, Archibald, Duncan and Wilson - all born in Hamp- shire county, Va. - and two daughters, Nancy and Mary. The occu- pation of a farmer has been the calling to which John has devoted himself during life. Upon his settlement in Richland county, O., then a boy of 15, he grubbed five acres of land for his uncle, and also a like amount for his father. June 29, 1826, he was married, Miss Sally McBride becoming his wife. She was born in York county, Pa., in 1806, her father having moved to Mansfield, O., in 1823. They had the following named children : Thomas, now living near Kidder ; Mary Jane, married in 1852 to William Brandt ; Ann Maria, widow of William Brown ; Esther, now Mrs. Hopkins, married in 1866 ; Artemesia, at home; James and John, both of whom died while in the Union army ; their bodies are interred in the home ceme- tery. In 1851 Mr. McBride came to this county and at once made it his permanent home. His career from an humble beginning in life to the present position which he occupies is one of honorable ascent and

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

reflects great credit upon him. August 20, 1873, Mrs. McBride died, in the sixty-seventh year of her age. The next spring, or in March, 1874, Mr. McB. rented his farm and purchased a place near Kingston, where he has since resided. March 7, 1881, he sustained a severe in- jury by falling upon the ice. In 1862 he received the appointment from the Governor as treasurer of this county, but in November fol- lowing he was elected ; during his term of service, on July 20, 1864, an armed gang robbed the office of $7,000. During her life Mrs. Mc- Bride was a firm adherent to the Presbyterian faith of her fathers. In 1824 she united with the Associate Reformed Church, of Mans- field, under the pastorate of James Johnson, by whom she was after- wards married. In 1827 Mr. McB. united with the same church, under the same pastor, and in 1851 it was he who granted them letters of dismission to unite with another church. There being no Presby- terian church at Kingston in that early day, they went about eight miles west to Plum's Creek school-house. After worshiping there for four years a Presbyterian Church was formed at Mirabile, and Mr. McBride and his wife joined it. In 1858, notwithstanding his protesta- tions to the contrary, he was elected an elder, which position he filled until the outbreak of the war. On the 3d of June, 1865, they be- came connected with the Congregational Church at Kingston. He was elected deacon, trustee and treasurer of that church. Though well advanced in years Mr. McBride is remarkably well preserved, his memory especially showing no indications of the ravages of time.

C. S. MCLAUGHLIN

(Attorney at Law, Kingston).

Mr. MeLaughlin is a man who is steadily and surely making his way to the front in the profession of law, and as a prominent and useful citizen. Of thorough education, a close student of and well versed in law, he has at the same time, to more than an ordinary degree, the natural attributes essential to a successful career at the bar and in public. Full of life and spirit, he is also a man of studious habits, and closely applies himself to whatever he has in hand. He is the possessor of much personal popularity and highly esteemed by all who know him ; for his prominent characteristics are an acute sense of honor, unques- tioned integrity and singular fairness and liberality, a mind just and liberal, and generous of heart and character. With all these he is very unassuming in his demeanor. Mr. MeLaughlin has an excellent law library, is an energetic worker and since his admission to the bar has been connected with Mr. Charles Mansur, of Chillicothe, in the practice of law. He came originally from Springfield, Clarke county, O., where he was born June 29, 1848, being the fifth child and second son of Cyrus D. and Sarah J. Mclaughlin, née Wharton, also natives of Ohio. The former engaged in commercial pursuits and was post- master at Springfield under appointment of President Pierce at the

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

time of his death. Before his removal to this State the life of young MeLaughlin was passed in either Ohio or Illinois, and in the latter State he was reared to a knowledge of farm life. The principal part of his education was acquired in Ohio, and he obtained an excellent course in the Southwestern Normal School. In 1868 he settled in Missouri and soon commenced reading law in the office of Donaldson & Farris, of Richmond, Mo. (in 1871). The same year he was ad- mitted to the bar after a most searching examination, and immediately came to Kingston, where he has since been successfully devoting him- self to the practice of law, in connection with Mr. Mansur, of Chilli- cothe. Mr. McLaughlin's marriage occurred in October, 1875, when Miss Fannie Cannon became his wife. She was born in Ohio. They have one son, Frank D.

JUDGE JAMES McMILLAN

(Judge of the Probate Court of Caldwell County, Mo.)

Judge McMillan, a resident of this county for nearly 20 years, is a worthy descendant of an old and highly respectable Scotch family. He is himself a native of the grand old commonwealth of Scotland, having been born there November 10, 1842. His parents were James and Margaret ( Biddle ) McMillan, both of Scottish origin, the former being a mechanic by occupation. It was not until 1864 that young James determined to leave the place where he had passed so many important years in his labor about the farm and in acquiring an education ; but in that year he emigrated to America, settling first in Pennsylvania. Moving westward then, he took up his location in Illinois, continuing to make his abode in Jackson county for two years. In 1867 he settled upon Missouri as the most suitable State in which to find a place for a comfortable home and very wisely selected Caldwell county as his permanent residence. He at once, with the energy and industry of his forefathers, devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, and for 8 years found a profitable source of revenue in the cultivation of the rich land of this county. About the year 1875, he suspended his farming operations and en- gaged in the insurance and real estate business, also discharging such duties as were incumbent upon the office of justice of the peace, to which he had been elected. He was also commissioned notary public. In 1883 he was elected probate judge. Judge McMillan has become a prominent citizen of the county, respected and esteemed by all for his sterling integrity, sober, sound judgment, broad intelligence and liberal progressive ideas. He is a man whose decisions are not made without careful and painstaking study of the evidence adduced, but on the contrary all feel that his judgment can be relied upon. He has been twice married. First, in 1866, to Miss Jane Stewart, a native of Scotland, who died in 1875, leaving three children, James, George and Mary. The Judge's second wife was formerly Miss Vina Miller, of New York, to whom he was married in 1876.

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

AUGUSTUS MACK

(Manufacturer of and Dealer in Saddles, Harness, Etc., Kingston).

This respected citizen of Kingston has been a resident of the place since 1860, during which time he has been engaged in business, and not without substantial results. He is the oldest business man in point of continuous business experience here, and the reputation which he has acquired for safe, thorough and reliable transactions in the affairs of every-day life is one which he deserves. He has been quite prominent in local political matters for some years, and during the war was postmaster. The duties pertaining to the office of justice of the peace were discharged by him in a satisfactory manner for quite a while ; and besides, the people of Kingston selected him to be their mayor a number of terms. For three terms he was public adminis- trator, and is the present incumbent of that position. This record speaks more for his popularity than any empty complimentary re- marks we might offer. Mr. Mack was the son of Jacob Christian Mack, who was born in Wertheim, Germany, and who upon emi- grating to America settled in Indiana in 1865. He was a dyer by occupation. Augustus' birth occurred in Wertheim on December 26, 1831. He came to this country in 1850, expecting to resume the trade of dyer, which he had previously followed for some time; but this not agreeing with him he served an apprenticeship of three years at the harness making and saddler's calling. After two years of " jour " work in various places he came to Caldwell county in 1856, worked here a few months and then went to Plattsburg, where he made his home for four years. Mr. Mack now formed a partnership with William Goodman in Kingston, which existed until 1864, when he purchased Mr. G.'s interest, and has since conducted the busi- ness alone, and to good advantage. In 1856 Miss Mary Schreck, of Indiana, became his wife. Their marriage occurred in Aurora, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Mack have six children: Edward, Anna, Carrie, Willie, Freddie and Nellie. Mr. M. and his wife are connected with the Methodist Church. He is a member of the A. O. U. W.

ELIJAH MILLER

(Proprietor of the Kingston Hotel).

Since October, 1884, Mr. Miller has been occupied in conducting the hotel with which he is still connected. By good management, hospitality and fair dealing he has succeeded in gaining an excellent patronage, and his earnest endeavors to see that the wants and needs of his patrons are satisfied have made him personally very popular. His native State was Tennessee, where he was reared until 1842, and after prosecuting the study of medicine for some time he subsequently went to Iowa, becoming prominently identified with the affairs of Page county. His worth and ability were soon recognized and he was appointed district clerk. Later elected surveyor of the county, it was

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

while holding this position that he laid off the town of Clarinda. He discharged the duties of surveyor for six years and afterwards was county school commissioner for ten years. Mr. Miller now resumed the practice of medicine for a while, but in 1882 came to Missouri, and to Kingston, as above mentioned, in the fall of 1884. He was born in Anderson county, Tenn., January 2, 1825, his parents being Isaac and Susan Miller, née Davis. The former, also a Tennesseean by birth, was by occupation a millwright and surveyor. He took up his location in Platte county, Mo., in 1842, but finally went to Iowa. The mother of the subject of this sketch, originally of North Caro- lina, died in Buchanan county, Mo. Mr. Miller was married in 1852 to Miss Alethea Loy, who, like her husband, came originally from Tennessee. Six children have been born to them : Josephine, Web- ster C., Sophia, wife of John Aikin ; Alice, Noah and Charley B.

WINFIELD W. H. MILLER

(Clerk of the Circuit Court, Caldwell county, Mo.)

Though by birth of Pennsylvania ancestry, Mr. Miller was brought up in Caldwell county from the age of 13 years, and this has con- tinued to be his home from that time. His father is John M. Miller, also a native of Pennsylvania, who, by trade a carpenter and joiner, is now engaged in farming with most satisfactory success. He mar- ried Miss Anna E. Swartzwelder, originally from Lancaster county, Pa., and in 1856 with his family he removed to Illinois, settling in Mt. Morris, where he continued to live for about a year. For nine years succeeding this he made his home in Decorah, Io., but at the expiration of this period he came to Caldwell county in 1865. This is now his home, and he is the possessor of many warm friends and acquaintances among the people of this portion of the State. Win- field W. H. Miller was born April 23, 1852, in Reading, Berks county, Pa. He was reared to the life of a farmer, but his education was only such as he received before attaining his thirteenth year. How- ever, he improved his opportunities to the best advantage, continued to till the soil for five years and subsequently taught school for nine years in the common and high schools of Caldwell and adjoining counties. He now began to cast about for some pursuit in life con- genial to his tastes, and almost instinctively turned to the law, com- mencing at once its regular study. During this time he was nominated and elected circuit clerk and recorder, in 1878, and in 1882 he was re- elected. He has since continued to be the capable incumbent of that position. At the expiration of his present term of office he will begin the practice of law, and it requires no gift of prophecy to predict for him a long and successful career in that profession. In 1884 Mr. Miller was admitted to the bar of Caldwell county. He is a man of family, having been married October 12, 1880, to Miss Edith E. Filbey, of Wayne county, O. Two children have blessed this union, Blaine Heston and Winfield Clarence Miller. Mr. M. belongs to the A. F. and A. M. and the Chapter connected with that order ; he is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment.

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

ANSON B. MILLS

(Late Postmaster, Kingston).

Anson B. Mills, the son of Edward W. Mills, was born in Rome, Oneida county, N. Y., November 1, 1841. His father was a native of England and a millwright by occupation, and in 1830 he emigrated to America. In 1850, his father, being of an enterprising turn of mind, took his way westward, locating with his family in Wisconsin. His mother was formerly Miss Phebe A. Rose, whose birth occurred in the State of Connecticut. Young Anson was only about nine years of age when taken to Wisconsin, and there he was developed into a man, his youth being passed in common with others of the vicinity where he made his home. Upon the outburst of the war cloud which had been hovering above the country for so long a time, Mr. Mills volunteered his services in defense of the old flag and enlisted as a private in Co. G, of the 30th Wisconsin, with which he served until 1864, being dis- charged therefrom February 16, 1864, to accept promotion as second lieutenant of Co. A, of the 3d regiment of Missouri volunteer infantry, A. D., what was afterward designated as the 67th U. S. colored troops, and was mustered out as first lieutenant in the 65th U. S. col- ored troops, November 20, 1865, by reason of surgeon's certificate of disability. His career as a soldier was marked by fearlessness and in- trepid courage, and he returned home with the consciousness of having faithfully performed his duty. In the spring of 1866, he came to Caldwell county, Mo. In 1854 Mr. M. had entered a printing office in Wisconsin, where he thoroughly fitted himself for a career as a journal- ist ; and upon his removal here, he in company with John T. Ross, started the Age of Freedom on the 16th of August, 1866. This part- nership was continued one year, Mr. Mills then retiring and afterwards establishing the Sentinel. For ten years Mr. L. M. Spivey was asso- ciated with him in this enterprise but owing to Mr. Mills' appointment to the position of postmaster in 1881, the relation was dissolved. He has several times been called upon to serve the people of the county in an official capacity, and his duties have always been discharged with faith- fulness and to the satisfaction of all. In 1874 he was elected coroner, which position he filled until entering upon his present office, when he was compelled to resign. He was appointed to fill the vacancy as a member of the school board in 1873, and was a member when the con- tract for the new school building was awarded in that year. Subse- quently he was elected and served as secretary of the board for two years. In addition to these mentioned Gov. Fletcher appointed him superintendent of registration of the Fourth Senatorial District, in 1868, and in that capacity he acted for two years. He has ever taken a warm interest in local political affairs and on this account has been called upon to fill the chair of the Republican executive committee of the county from 1870 to 1872 ; again in 1874 he was made chairman of the county Republican committee, which place he filled four years. From these few facts an idea may be formed of the estimation in

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Author: Pease, Ora Merle Hawk, 1890- Publication date: 1886 Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company Number of Pages: 1260

Author: Pease, Ora Merle Hawk, 1890-
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1260