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 57
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 57
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531
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
such a position of esteem and honor, and though yet a young man he has shown himself to be possessed of those characteristics and quali- ties which are bound to make themselves known sooner or later. Alfred Cowley was born in Uley, England, on August 24, 1827. His father was Thomas Cowley, a native of Gloucestershire, England, who emigrated to this country in 1837, locating in Lowell, Mass., where he engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods. Alfred was also a resident of Lowell until August, 1841, when he went to Pennsylvania, and in 1850 he took up his location in Wisconsin. In the fall of 1868 he came to Caldwell county, and this has since continued to be his abiding place, his connection with agricultural matters here having established ties which can never be broken. His father died in 1868, at the age of 71 years, the mother's death occurring at the age of 76, in 1876. On May 15, 1856, Mr. Alfred Cowley was united in mar- riage with Miss Hannah A. Carter, of Delaware county, Pa., whose parents were Joseph and Elizabeth Carter, both natives of England. To them a worthy family of 11 children have been born, as follows : Charles A., who married Miss Mattie Vanderpool, of Ray county, and is now engaged in merchandising at Polo ; William H., now deceased ; Anna May, died March 6, 1869 ; Willie, died March 7, 1869 ; Alanson A., Joseph H., Jane R., John H., Benjamin Franklin and Samuel R. Besides these just mentioned is George B., referred to later on. Mr. Cowley has served several terms as justice of the peace. He is recognized as a man of unswerving integrity and noble character, traits which all sincerely admire. He owns in section 19 of this town- ship, 120 acres of land, most of which is under cultivation. This is devoted to general farming purposes, and is a good farm. George B. Cowley, still less than twenty-five years of age, is now a practicing physician of merit at Glassville. His birth occurred in Columbia county, Wis., May 16, 1861, and from that time until the spring of 1882 he made his home with his parents. Having when quite young formed a desire for the study of medicine, he prepared himself for entrance into the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis, where he took a thorough course, and in the spring of 1882 he was graduated from that institution well qualified to enter actively upon the practice of his chosen profession, and to do all that lay in his power for allevi- ating the sufferings of the sick. He at first located at Polo, but six months later removed to Glassville, where he has since been numbered among the leading professional men of the vicinity. His career is certainly one of marked determination and will, and the few years which he has already passed in practice is doubtless but the feeble ray of a light which must go out from him as one of the brightest prac- titioners whom this county has ever had. In the fall of 1884 he was elected to the position of coroner of the county, which he still holds. While studying medicine Dr. Cowley taught school two terms here. He has also obtained considerable celebrity as the writer of numerous and elegant poems, which have appeared from time to time in the local press.
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532
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
DENNIS W. DAVIS
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 2, Post-office, Glassville).
Very frequently within these pages it has been necessary to refer first in one way and then in another to Samuel D. Davis, the father of the subject of this sketch, and it is but proper that the family should have special mention in the biographical department of this History. The senior Davis was until the time of his death in May, 1882, at the age of 63 years, closely and actively identified with all the material interests of Caldwell county, and in many ways did he serve the people, not only officially but in a private capacity, for he ever labored to promote and encourage any movement which had as its aim the benefit of the community. It was, therefore, only right that his name should be honored by calling one of the municipal townships of the county after him - Davis township. Samuel D. Davis was a native of Illinois and in 1836 he came to this county. For many years he was justice of the peace, and also served as county judge for three terms. His widow is still living in Davis township at the age of 63. Dennis W. was born in that township February 1, 1842, this being among the first births in the county. He remained here until 1877 when he went to Texas and he still owns 377 acres of land in that State. In 1880 he returned to Missouri and his possessions in this county now number 285 acres in this township and 120 acres in New York township, all of which is improved, stocked, watered, etc. There is a sufficient supply of timber for home use, and other con- veniences. March 19, 1862, Mr. D. married Miss Eleanor Creamor, of Ray county, and they have twelve children living: Horace F., born February 27, 1863; Florence R., born August 9, 1864 ; Cora I., born August 16, 1866 ; Arthur D., born February 17, 1868 ; Sarah E., born October 16, 1869 ; Silva L., born January 19, 1871: Edwin D., born October 17, 1872; Dennis C., born June 22, 1876; Margaret May, born May 1, 1878; Samuel L., born May 30, 1880; Jesse B., born June 12, 1885, and an infant son, born June 5, 1883, but now deceased. Florence is Mrs. Daniel Love, of Kansas City, and Cora I. is Mrs. James Tibbetts, of Davis township. Mr. D. was in the Confederate army for six months, under Gen. Price, in Hughes' regi- ment, and participated in the battles of Wilson Creek, Carthage, Dry Wood and Lexington.
JOHN FARMER
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 7, Post-office, Bonanza).
It would be an undertaking of too great magnitude to attempt to mention in a work of this kind the names of all those citizens of foreign birth, now residents of this county, who have through their own efforts, unaided by outside influences, risen in substantial worth to places of esteem and respect. John Farmer is one of this class and deserves special mention for the manner in which he has come up
533
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
from a poor boy. He was born in South Wales and continued to live there for a long time, acquiring an average education. It was in 1870 that his father, also John Farmer, decided to emigrate to this country, and here some eight years later he gave up his life, dying in January, 1878. His worthy companion, formerly Rachel Lloyd, is still living, and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. Young John, as distinguished from the father, now owns 160 acres of land, improved and watered, upon which is a good orchard and maple grove. This place is from Augusta some six miles and about twice that distance from Hamilton. Some fine graded stock is to be found here. Mr. Farmer has one sister living with him. He is as yet unmarried.
LUKE FIRTH
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Glassville).
On the 15th of July, 1834, there was born in the Blue Grass State to William and Anna Firth, nee Stubbs, a son -Luke Firth - whom we now take as the subject of this sketch. Up to the age of 21 years he was employed on his father's farm and in attending school. When 28 years old, August 30, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Jane A. Thompson, daughter of George Thompson, Esq., of Dear- born county, Ind. They have seven children living : Alice A., born July 2, 1867 ; Robert W., born August 20, 1868 ; Mary E., born Sep- tember 13, 1869 ; Viola E., born August 6, 1871 ; William T., born February 5, 1873 ; Luella, born June 24, 1874 ; Oliver, born March 11, 1877, and Fred L., born February 25, 1881. Mary died January 14, 1878. Mr. Firth came to Missouri in the fall of 1866, settling near Mirabile, Mo., till the year 1880, when he moved to his present farm in this county, which he has since been improving. His 220 acre tract is under good cultivation and adorned with substantial buildings ; he gives considerable attention to stock matters, and in this he is well posted. This fine estate is the result of his own efforts, aided by those of his wife, a lady of energetic purpose, and a commendable spirit of " go-aheaditiveness." William Firth, an Englishman by birth, moved with his family to Indiana in 1837, where he devoted himself to his chosen calling - farming. He had three sons : Robert, William and Luke; the two former are residents of Indiana - prominent agriculturists in their community. These three sons were in the Union army. Wm. Firth died in Ripley county, Ind., in 1874, though his widow still lives on the old homestead there. In 1861 Luke Firth joined the 37th Indiana regiment as sergeant and served for three years and three months under Gen. Thomas, par- tieipating in all the important battles in which that gallant commander was engaged. Mrs. Firth was born September 3, 1838, in Dearborn county, Ind. Her father died August 5, 1873, though his wife still resides in the Hoosier State. Mrs. F. had three brothers : George W., superintendent of construction on an Iowa railroad ; John, in the post-office at Cincinnati, O .; and Jacob, a carpenter and builder in Osage county, Kan.
534
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
SAMUEL F. GALLAHER
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 14, Post-office, Glassville) .
Mr. G. is a son of Thomas Black Gallaher, who owes his nativity to Ohio, his birth having occurred March 4, 1810. He made his home in the Buckeye State for a long time, attending closely to agricultural pursuits until 1870, when, in March of that year, he came to this county. While in Ohio he served as assessor and since residing here he has been trustee of Lincoln township, the duties of which position have been satisfactorily discharged. He married Miss Jane Farmer, who was born August 20, 1813, and to them two children have been born that are now living: Hannah Eliza is the wife of William A. Brown, M. D., and lives in Linn county, Mo., and Samuel F. was born in Ohio, September 1, 1844. During the war he was in the Union army for 100 days and took part in the battle of Winchester. Before coming to this State he was married November 25, 1869, to Miss Mary Simmons, a daughter of John T. Simmons, of Ohio. This union has been blessed with two children : George L., born August 23, 1870, and Maggie Jane, born November 9, 1876. Mr. G. now owns 80 acres of land all under improvement, well watered and devoted to grain and grass. Mrs. Gallaher has five brothers living, four of them being railroad men. One of these, John W. Simmons, was in the Union army for four years, two years as first lieutenant and also as captain of Co. G, 80th Ohio infantry ; he is now trainmaster on the Ohio and Midland Railroad ; Nebraska, has been on the Panhandle Railroad for 15 years, four years as baggagemaster, and two others are engineers. Her father was probate judge of Coshocton county, O., for six years and is now mayor of Coshocton. Her mother died in the fall of 1857.
THOMAS S. HARRIS
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Glassville).
Adjoining the little town of Glassville on the west and north, situ- ated on one of the highest points of land in Lincoln township, is located the beautiful and finely improved farm of Mr. Harris, contain- ing 320 acres in section 10. On this land is an orchard of 200 trees, a comfortable dwelling, outbuildings, etc., and abundantly supplied with water for stock purposes. Thomas S. Harris was born in Tennessee February 4, 1839, and remained at home, attending school and working on the home farm, until 23 years of age. April 20, 1862, he was mar- ried to Miss Emily A. Townsend, daughter of William B. Townsend, of Pike county, Ill. In 1865 he removed from his native State to Kansas, where he lived one year, then returning to his old home in Pike county, Ill., where he remained until 1872 ; thence he removed to his present home. He came to Missouri with a capital of $500, but with a brave and willing determination to succeed, himself and wife went to work, the result of their efforts being seen to-day in the sub-
535
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
stantial competence which they own. Their eight children are : Magnolia, born April 27, 1863; George W., born August 13, 1865 ; Mary, born August 21, 1867; Eveline, born April 20, 1869 ; Flora, born October 5, 1871; Henry C., born December 11, 1876; Laura F., born March 15, 1874 ; Harvey H., born November 16, 1881 - all at home. Mr. Harris' parents, George W. and Mary ( Ripley ) Harris, were Virginians by birth, subsequently removing to East Tennessee, and afterwards to Pike county, Ill., at an early day. Of their four sons and five daughters all are living except three children. The parents still reside in Pike county, among the wealthiest and most prominent citizens of that section of the State. Not only has Mr. Harris provided for himself and family a competence of this world's goods, but what is far better his conduct has been such as to win the universal approbation and regard of all who are favored with his acquaintance. Of unswerving integrity, he is a consistent member of the M. E. Church. The only office which he has ever held was that of collector.
CAREY BAXTER HILL
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 7, Post-office, Bonanza).
In tracing the ancestry of Mr. Hill, we find that he comes of En- glish stock, members of the family having become located in this country at an early day. Especially were they prominent in the affairs of Virginia, and it is of this that we wish to speak particularly. Robert Hill, his grandfather, was born in the Old Dominion and sub- sequently served in the War of 1812. He held a number of official positions of honor and respectability, and once represented Madison county in the State Legislature. Carey's materna! grandfather was Charles Milton Hume, a large land-owner in Virginia and the possessor of a number of slaves. His father, Robert Chapman Hill, also of Virginia nativity, settled in Warren county, Mo., in 1834, and until locating in this county, in 1854, lived in Callaway, Boone and Ray. He was a minister of the Baptist Church, a man of great Christian fortitude, whose life was devoted to doing good. He died here, Jan- uary 13, 1873. . His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Jane Hume, of Virginia, died February 13, 1875. Previous to entering the min- istry the father was a merchant. He and his wife had nine children that are now living, there being deceased Dr. Robert L., Virginia M. and Judson B. The others are Thomas B., now in St. Joseph ; Har- riet A., Mrs. Riley Cheshier ; William A., married, and in Jackson county ; Fielding W. H., Marietta F., wife of William T. Petty, of Ray county, and Carey B. The latter was born March 12, 1849, in Warren county, Mo. He spent his boyhood days at home until 26 years of age, attending school, working on a farm and teaching school for two years in Jackson county and also in Linn, Ray and Caldwell. To his primary education he added a course of instruction at William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo. November 12, 1876, he was married to Miss Alice Cooper, daughter of John H. and Sarah Cooper, of Ray county, both natives of North Carolina, and at the time of their mar-
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536
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
viage both school teachers. They have two children, Clara T., born August 25, 1877, and Tanta E., born February 10, 1885. Mr. H. is the owner of the finest and largest orchard in the county, one 52 acres in extent. In this are 12 varieties of fruit, the yield for the last three years having been 1,500, 2,000 and 2,500 bushels, respec- tively. His farm numbers 240 acres, well improved and in every way a model place. As a man, no less than as an upright citizen, Mr. Hill is well known.
FIELDING W. HILL (Farmer, Post-office, Polo).
Still comparatively a young man, Mr. Hill's entire life has been passed in attending strictly to the chosen channels of farm life, and by his industry and perseverance he has acquired for himself a com- fortable competency. He belongs in Missouri by right of birth, having been born in Warren county, October 6, 1852, and conse- quently his leading characteristics are well known. He owns 80 acres of improved land, well watered, a good house upon it and stocked with some good stock. His work is done in order and thoroughly, attributes which can not fail of success. He has worked on his own account since leaving home at the age of maturity. Mr. Hill was married April 29, 1876, to Miss Eliza Tidings, of Monroe county, Mo. Their happy union has been blessed by the entrance into their home of three children : Mary Jessie, Thomas Hugh and Maud T.
STEPHEN M. HUSSEY
(Farmer and Raiser of Norman Horses, Post-office, Glassville).
The father of Mr. Hussey, Elijah Hussey, was born in Greene county, O., on July 13, 1811, and continued to make his home there until 1854, then removing to Illinois. For several years he resided there, but in September, 1865, became located in Clinton county, Mo., where he now lives. While a citizen of Ohio he was assessor in one township for sixteen years, justice of the peace for four years, treasurer and collector of Logan county for a period of eight years ; these facts fully show his character and standing as an upright, influential man. His wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Magill and she was born June 11, 1809. Of the seven children born of this union five are still living ; Rebecca J., Fenton A., Walter, Jacob and the subject of this sketch. Mrs. H. died at Lathrop, Mo., November 26, 1879. Elijah Hussey is a prominent farmer and stock dealer and highly esteemed. Stephen M. Hussey was born in Ohio, October 20, 1838. Reared on his father's farm, he received a practical common school education and on the 4th of February, 1864, was married to Miss Mary E. Pervis, daughter of Rev. A. W. Pervis, a minister of the M. E. Church, of Illinois, now deceased. From 1864 to 1868 Mr. H. followed farming in Illinois, then settling in Clinton county, Kan., from whence he went to Shawnee county, Kan., about one year later. He remained there upon a farm for six years, and returning to Clinton
537
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
county, was engaged in tilling the soil there until 1881 when he located on his present farm. This embraces 80 acres, under a high state of cultivation, and with good improvements. He is giving considerable attention to breeding fine horses, and has upon his place superior imported Norman stock. Mr. and Mrs. Hussey have four sons and two daughters : Frank A., Abe, Charles E., Elizabeth, Mary A. and Stephen R. Mr. H.'s uncle was a major in the War of 1812. His grandfather, Stephen Hussey, was a captain in that war and was killed in the battle of New Orleans. Mrs. Hussey has one brother, John F., and three sisters : Amanda Jane, Emily P. and Martha A. Mr. H. is a well educated, intelligent man and a good business manager.
THOMAS FRANKLIN JONES
(Farmer, Section 15, Post-office, Glassville).
The life of Mr. Jones has not been one of any marked unusual character, but nevertheless it has had an influence - one of which he need not be ashamed. Born in Ray county, this State, in 1858, he has continued to live in this locality, attending perseveringly and courageously to the duties of quiet farm life, not desiring notoriety, but so endeavoring to live that none shall have occasion to say any- thing but good of him. And in this direction he has not been unfortunate. He was a son of Andrew Jackson Jones, a native of Tennessee, who died in 1874, at the age of 46 years. The maiden name of his mother was Sarah Ione Meador, and she still survives, a member of her son's household, in which she finds a welcome home. The father, at his death, left a competence appraised at $3,000 to be divided among his heirs, and of this amount Thomas F. received $235, the remainder of what he now owns having been gained by him- self through hard work. His 160 acres of land are under improvement, well watered, and upon it is a good frame farm house and necessary outbuildings. A hedge a mile and a quarter in extent surrounds a portion of his farm. Thomas F. Jones was one of eight children, and of these three are now deceased. Mr. J. is well known in this county.
JAMES A. LINVILLE
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 16, Post-office, Glassville).
There is probably no man within the corporate limits of Caldwell county who does not in a certain sense feel himself acquainted with James A. Linville. His identification with the interests of the county are more than those of a pecuniary nature, though he is recognized as a man of substantial wealth also. But it is as a man, in his relations with his neighbors and in the private walks of life that the people of this community have come to esteem him so highly, and no one is more eminently worthy of this respect than he. On his magnificent farm of 680 acres is situated one of the most beautiful and imposing residences in the township and, indeed, in the county. For his stock,
538
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
etc., he has two excellent barns, a large supply of running water, some 80 acres of timber, an orchard five aeres in extent, and, in fact, almost everything which one would suppose goes to make up the appointments of a superior farm. Mr. Linville takes a most com- mendable interest in the raising of stock, and at the head of his fine lot of horses is the thoroughbred animal " Ben Cockrell." He also raises Poland-China hogs, etc. Besides his property in Cald- well county he has a half interest in a ranch and herd of cattle on Hackley creek, Hodgman county, Kan., numbering 600 head, and a third interest in a half section of land in Reno county, Kan., where are feeding 200 head of stock. Mr. Linville was born on December 25, 1843, in this State. His father, Thomas Linville, was an early settler in Missouri, his residence long being in Ray county, where he died February 17, 1885. The mother, whose name before marriage was Martha Stone, is still living. All the property which Mr. Linville now possesses has been gained through his individual efforts. He has learned by experience what hard work means and is all the better prepared to enjoy and appreciate the comforts which are now his. His worthy and estimable wife was formerly Miss Molly Wallace, their marriage occurring February 13, 1873. Mrs. L.'s father came origi- nally from Tennessee and was prominent in the affairs of Livingston county, holding among other positions that of county judge. Mr. Linville is ever ready to aid by his money or influence any movements which look to the advancement and development of his adopted home.
WILLIAM M. McCRAY
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 13, Post-office, Glassville, Caldwell County, Mo.)
The subject of this sketch, a widely known and respected influential citizen of this township, was born October 28, 1819, in Bourbon county, Ky. His parents were Edward and Sarah (Townsend) Me- Cray, the former a native of Delaware and the latter of Maryland, both of whom, however, located in the Blue Grass State in an early day. Edward MeCray settled in Callaway county, Mo., in 1828, where he died at the age of 35, his wife's death occurring at Columbia Feb- ruary 16, 1883 ; she was 81 years old. William's paternal grand- father, Andrew McCray, was for many years a prominent merchant in the town of Smyrna, Delaware. Edward MeCray and wife had seven children, four of whom still survive : Peter is a large farmer at Millers- burg, Callaway county ; Jane married Robert Gallaway, a miller and grain dealer of Columbia, Mo. ; Charlotte Ann is Mrs. John Brough- ton, of the same place. William M. MeCray married Miss Nancy Carroll, whose father, John Carroll, a Kentuckian by birth, had moved to Missouri in 1841. This union was a fruitful and most happy one, but was dissolved by the death of Mrs. MeCray on August 20, 1885, aged 63 years, 4 months and 20 days. She was a person univer- sally esteemed as a loving wife and mother. Nine sons and two daughters were born of this marriage ; three sons and one daughter are dead : Millard Filmore, of this township, was born January 8,
539
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
1851; James, born April 27, 1847, had a twin brother who died in infancy ; he was in the Union army during the war and participated in the capture of Spanish Fort ; he is now a leading business man of Cameron; Warren was born February 3, 1852, and is in this town- ship ; David O., a newspaper man at Leavenworth, Kan., was born March 10, 1855 ; Andrew F., born July 1, 1843, is well known in this county, having been elected county assessor in 1868 and re-elected in 1870, and in 1872 he was called to the position of county treasurer ; he has been notary public for many years ; during the war he was a member of Co. E, Sixth M. S. M. cavalry, and at the battle of Lone Jack lost one of his limbs ; Mollie, an interesting and cul- tivated young lady, now superintending her father's household, was born August 27, 1864 ; Charles, a graduate of the Keokuk Commer- cial College, was born April 28, 1861. Previous to coming to his present home Mr. McCray lived in Pike county, Ill., where he held the position of postmaster. In this county he has been assessor and justice of the peace, but has only accepted these offices at the con- tinued solicitations of his many friends. He now occupies one of the finest and most extensive tracts of land in the county, 910 acres, all under fence, besides owning 110 acres unenclosed. This place is supplied with everything necessary to its successful carry- ing on, and is in full keeping with the intelligence and progressive- ness of its owner. Mr. McCray has been intimately connected with the Christian Church for 30 years.
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