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 61
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 61
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JOHN KENDRICK
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 19, Post-office, Cameron).
The father of the subject of this sketch, Robert P. Kendrick, was a Kentuckian by birth, born February 22, 1827. When quite a young man he came to Missouri and engaged in agricultural pursuits, sub- sequently marrying Miss Nancy S. M. Daniel October 23, 1852. She too was a native of Kentucky and brought to this State when only about six years old. Mr. Kendrick's death occurred August 17, 1870. Three of the children born of their union are living: Malinda, now the wife of James Whitaker; Launa F. and John. Two are deceased, Ewrith and Rosiland. John Kendrick, one of the promising young farmers of this community, was born in this county January 12, 1861, and here grew towards manhood, early becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits. His education was also received here, being such as the common schools afforded. He now manages the old family homestead, and conducts his operations in a neat., thrifty manner, indicating without doubt a progressive, enterprising pro- prietor. This estate embraces 189 acres, with comfortable and con- venient surroundings.
HON. PATRICK S. KENNEY
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Kidder).
There are but few men, if any, who have occupied a more prominent position or contributed more towards the development of the resources of Kidder than P. S. Kenney, a man whose life history has been so
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568
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
intimately connected with the affairs of this township that to mention one necessitates a sketch of the other. He was born in County Tip- perary, Ireland, August 10, 1831, the son of a prominent farmer in that country, Patrick S. Kenney, Sr. In the family of the latter were eight children : Patrick S., John S., Edward, Walter, James, Johanna, Mary and Catharine. In 1851 young Patrick emigrated from the country of his birth to America, settling in Shelby county, Ind., where he followed farming until 1853, then removing to Charles- ton, Clark county, of the same State. Here it was that he iden- tified himself with mercantile pursuits and remained so engaged until 1856. At this early day Mr. Kenney became located in Caldwell county and at once opened a store at Breckinridge, which he conducted in a successful manner until coming to Kidder in 1858. He started the first mercantile house at this place, and it was about this time that the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad was being constructed. He took and completed a contract for building five miles of the road. Subsequently, in 1860, he was appointed postinaster at Kidder (then called Emmett) and discharged the duties connected with that office until 1868. In 1862 he entered the Union army as first sergeant of Co. A, 1st Missouri cavalry, afterwards was promoted to first lieu- tenant of Co. G, same regiment, and on October 14, 1862, received the appointment of regimental quartermaster, a position he filled until April 11, 1865. During this period he participated in all of the leading engagements which occurred in the State. In 1873 Mr. Kenney's ability and worth were recognized by the people electing him to the office of county judge; in 1877 he was re-elected, and again at the general election in 1878, the last term filling the position of presiding officer. In 1875 he was appointed by Gov. Hardin a member of the State board of Centennial managers. On the 23d of December, 1858, Judge Kenney was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- zabeth Lindsey, an accomplished and estimable lady of Kentucky birth. They have three children : Isabel, born August 9, 1862 ; Pat- rick E., born February 22, 1866, and Elizabeth, born December 20, 1871. Isabel is the wife of T. J. Harter, of this township. At one time Mr. Kenney tilled some 1,200 acres of land near Kidder (400 acres belonging to Mrs. Kenney ), and erected one of the finest houses in the county; but unfortunate enterprises ( the burning of his forage and stock sheds in 1873 by a Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad engine and the destruction of his storehouses in 1874) and litigation, have made serious inroads on his magnificent estate, though he has left a
fine property in lands, which is well stocked with graded cattle, and embracing nine miles of hedge fence. In 1860 Mrs. K. obtained from an aunt (Mrs. Beylis, of North Middletown, Bourbon county, Ky. ) twenty bushels of blue grass seed, which was sown, and from which was started the beautiful blue grass fields now seen throughout this portion of the State. Mr. K. is possessed of great enterprise and public-spiritedness.
569
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
THOMAS LEEPER
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Kidder).
It was in the spring of 1866 that Mr. Leeper decided to leave his home in the Buckeye State for a new location in a country further west. Disposing of his interests in Ohio at that time, he came to Missouri and settled in Caldwell county, where he has become recognized as a substantial and influential agriculturist -- and especially in a pecu- niary point of view. His property has been made entirely through his own efforts and he certainly merits the competence which has fallen to him. Born in Crawford county, O., September 11, 1832, Mr. Leeper was the son of Thomas Lecper, a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this country when fourteen years of age. By calling he was a blacksmith and up to his death, in 1830, he devoted his atten- tion to that trade and farming. Of a liberal education, he was a man of unswerving integrity and in the town where he has made his home filled the position of justice of the peace for a number of years. In his family were nine children: James, Joseph, farmer in Lynn county, Ore. ; Peter, a farmer in Greene county, Kan. ; Jacob W., an extensive farmer, cattle breeder and banker of Blackhawk county ; Thomas, Susan, Elizabeth, Margaret and Harriet. The daughters are all deceased, as is also one son, James. Thomas Leeper was united in marriage on the 26th of August, 1846, to Miss Julia Winniger, of Richland county, O. To them have been born three children : Clem- ents, who died when three years old ; Jonas, a well-to-do farmer of this township, and George, also a tiller of the soil and residing near Winston, in Daviess county. Mr. Leeper's first wife departed this life May 22, 1860. On the 12th of May, 1861, he took for his sec- ond wife Mrs. Rachel Miller, daughter of Hon. Alfred Park, of Vir- ginia. One daughter, Alice, married Mr. James Waers and now lives. in Kidder. Successful in his farming operations Mr. L. is steadily. accumulating a fair share of this world's goods, sufficient to permit him to pass the remainder of his days without danger of want.
JOHN LEWELLEN
(Farmer, Post-office, Kidder).
For something over twelve years Mr. Lewellen has been identified with the interests of Caldwell county, contributing in many ways to her advancement and progress, especially in the ways pertaining to agriculture. It was in 1870 that he settled here and he is now engaged in farming and to some extent in the stock business. Mr. Lewellen owes his nativity to Illinois, his birth occurring in Effingham county in that State, May 16, 1835. John Lewellen, his father, was a native of North Carolina, and by occupation a farmer ; he was a citizen of decided influence in the communities where he made his home. . The maiden name of the mother of John was Miss Nancy Chaly, and she was
570
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
also born in North Carolina. Her father was a soldier in the Black Hawk War under Gen. Harrison. The subject of this sketch was early made acquainted with the details of farm life. He remained at home until reaching maturity when he enlisted in 1861 in the 7th Illinois infantry, serving for three years under that gallant and hon- ored old hero, Gen. Grant. He participated in many severe engage- ments, among which might be mentioned the capture of Ft. Donelson and others. After the war he returned to Illinois, remaining there until his location in this county, as before stated. March 6, 1865, Mr. Lewellen was united in marriage with Barbara Claniger, and to them have been born nine children : Joseph J., Addison, John Alfred, Edwin, William, Mary E., Ella J., Merta and Annie B., all single and at home.
GEORGE WASHINGTON LONGSTRETH
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Cameron).
The reader is herewith handed a plain statement of a useful man ; for certainly, if what is of the most use is of the most value, then indeed it is in recording the lives of representative men that biography is to be useful to posterity. George W. Longstreth was born in Mor- gan county, O., April 2, 1832. His father, James Longstreth, was a native of Pennsylvania and a man highly esteemed. He held the posi- tion of justice of the peace for over sixteen years in that State. His death occurred at his home in Kidder township on the 1st of March, 1877, at the age of 80 years. His wife, whose maiden name was Dods, died at Cameron at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Prula Bay, July 10, 1872, when 68 years old. They had fifteen children, six of whom were sons : Samuel died in Morgan county, O., when 18 years old ; Joseph is an influential farmer in Hoeton, O., owning 1,200 acres of land ; William died while in the army at Nashville, January 8, 1863 ; John J. is married, resides at Cameron, and owns a well stocked farm in DeKalb county ; Thomas is a carpenter and builder and with his family lives at Albany, Gentry county, Mo., and George W. The daughters were as follows: Nancy, who married George Thrush, of Cameron ; Mahala, the wife of Samuel Bay, of Carroll county, a prominent stock dealer and the owner of a 320-acre farm ; Mary Ann, married to John Brown, of Malta, O., a member of the well known firm of Brown, Manly & Co. ; Margaret, wife of E. C. Herron, undertaker and furniture dealer in Morgan county, O .; Prudence, who married C. H. Chadyeon, a Presbyterian minister, now. in Kansas ; Lavina married George Reed, a wealthy agriculturist of DeKalb county ; Sabulia, married William Reynolds, a substantial farmer of Gentry county ; Harriet, married a merchant named Martin T. Lindsey ; he died many years ago and his widow has taught school for the past seventeen years at Cameron ; Hester died March 16, 1869, and was the third person buried in the Cameron cemetry. George W. Longstreth now lives on the old homestead, a fine farm in this township, embracing 160 acres well improved. The dwelling, barns and necessary outbuildings are complete in all appointments and his
571
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
residence is situated on one of the highest points in the county, afford- ing a superior view of the surrounding country. Brush creek runs through a portion of the farm, affording splendid opportunities for stock, to which branch his attention is largely directed. His fine bearing orchard contains 150 trees. August 13, 1868, he married Miss Nancy, daughter of Josiah Scott, formerly of Franklin county, Va., and an early settler of Plattsburg, Mo., whence he went in 1844. He still survives, an influential citizen of the place. He owns 500 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. L. have had eight children : Joseph T., born July 10, 1869 ; Homer M., born February 2, 1871, died April 5, 1880 ; James A., born December 15, 1872 ; Scott, born November 5, 1874 ; Mary F., born September 19, 1876 ; Minnie M., born August 5, 1878 ; Thomas R., born January 28, 1881; and the youngest daughter, Harriet L., born September 24, 1883.
JOHN R. McDANIEL (Farmer and Stock-raiser).
The subject of this sketch is one of the honored pioneers of Caldwell county. He has been located here for a period of over forty years, and has not only become well known, but the respect and esteem shown him is as wide as his acquaintance. His finely improved farm of 200 aeres is adorned with an attractive and commodious house and other necessary buildings, and an orchard of 200 fruit trees deserves special mention. His really superior herd of graded Short-horn cattle is headed by " Clay Gem" and "David Butcher," thoroughbreds. Mr. McDaniel conducts all his farming operations as becomes a worthy son of the Blue Grass State, for such he is, having been born in Ken- tucky November 1, 1835. With his parents he came to Clinton county, Mo., in 1836, and there passed a number of years on his father's farm, moving thence to Caldwell county in 1856. After reaching manhood, November 1, 1856, he was married to Miss Mary Middaugh, and their family cirele now numbers five children : William G., born December 21, 1861 ; Georgie, born March 21, 1863 ; Mary, born March 1, 1865; John, born April 30, 1869, and Melvina, born April 15, 1872. William G. McDaniel, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Kentucky June 7, 1806, and a man whose occupation in life was farming. In 1868 he was murdered in this county, and in another portion of our work will be found an account of this brutal crime. His wife also died here in 1841. John R. Mc- Daniel has two brothers, Thomas P. and George W., the former a farmer in Clay county, and the latter an agriculturist and stock grower living in Pratt county, Kan., and one sister, Mrs. V. S. Kendrick ; she lives in this county, her birth having occurred in Leroy county, Ky., August 10, 1834. Both brothers were in the Union army dur- ing the war, George receiving a serious wound at the battle of Murfrees- boro. In brief, Mr. McDaniel is one of the leaders in the stock industry in this county. The position which he occupies both in social and business circles is a high one.
572
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
ABRAM METZ
(Real Estate Dealer, Kidder).
A representative citizen of Kidder and of Caldwell county, and a man recognized and respected as such wherever known, Mr. Metz is at this time largely interested in the real estate business, to which he has given his attention for some years past. He is a native of Lan- caster county, Pa., born September 15, 1825, and was the son of Christian and Barbara C. Metz, nee Kauffman, both also originally from that same State and county. The father was an intelligent, progressive agriculturist and when Abram was young moved with his family to Erie county, N. Y. There it was that Abram passed his boyhood days, growing to manhood upon the home farm, and enjoy- ing with the other children in the family (of whom there were 15) the privileges of such common schools as were in the vicinity of their home. Leaving the place of his adoption, he spent one year in Ken- tucky and from 1852 to 1857 was employed by the Canandauga and Niagara Falls Railroad as a station agent. For two years, during 1857 and 1858, Mr. Metz resided in Kansas and in 1859 he became engaged in the flour and feed trade at Suspension Bridge, N. Y. In January, 1860, he was appointed deputy superintendent of the Erie county penitentiary, located at Buffalo, his official duties in this capacity extending until JJune, 1863. Following that he passed one year in Missouri and Kansas and then until 1869 represented a mower and reaper company west of the Mississippi river. In the year men- tioned he took up his residence at Kidder, which has since been his permanent place of abode. For three years he was in the milling business and for four years carried on a grain trade, at the same time devoting himself considerably to real estate transactions. This now receives his attention and it has become a business of no small mag- nitude. Kidder has found in Mr. Metz a warm friend and active supporter and he has contributed liberally both of his time and influence in establishing the place on its present substantial footing. Pleasant and agreeable in business affairs, he is equally so in social life, and he is indeed one with whom it is a pleasure to meet. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Metz's wife, to whom he was mar- ried on May 30, 1861, was formerly Miss Lucy A. Simonds, of Niagara county, N. Y., a lady of many estimable qualities of mind and heart. They have one son, Charles A., born June 2, 1870.
WILLIAM MONTGOMERY, JR. (Farmer, Post-office, Kidder).
In including in this work sketches of the lives of prominent young men, it would be an omission to be regretted not to include an out- line at least of the life of Mr. Montgomery, a young man who has been located in Kidder since 1885. His birth occurred in Keokuk, Ia., his natal day being March 12, 1856. He was brought up as a
573
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
farmer and with the exception of one year passed with his father at the pattern-making trade he has devoted his entire career to agricul- tural pursuits. After spending his boyhood days on his father's farm and attending school he was married at the age of twenty-nine, March 5, 1885, to Miss Ida Zetta Atkinson, daughter of Charles Atkinson, of Hancock county, IN. In August, 1860, he accompanied his parents to Hancock county, living there until May, 1880, when he went to Hannibal, Mo. After following farming there a short time he returned to Hancock county, and in 1885 settled in Caldwell county. Energetic and industrious, with an amiable and agreeable companion, his future outlook is very promising. Mr. M.'s father, William Mont- gomery, emigrated to this country from Scotland in 1851 ; as has been referred to he was a pattern maker by trade. He had five children : Robert died December 7, 1873 ; James is a farmer in Gentry county ; Agnes married Henry Winchester and lives in Washington Territory ; Jessie M. a teacher in King City, Mo. One son, Robert, now deceased, was an engineer for the St. Louis Tunnel Company, and also for the St. Louis Bridge Company, later acting as foreman of the Eagle Foundry and Machine Works, of the same city. On April 11, 1884, while traveling through Iowa on the Wabash Railroad, Mr. M.'s parents were seriously injured by the wrecking of a train. The mother's maiden name was Miss Blacklock, a daughter of James Blacklock, originally from Scotland, who was killed by lightning. One of her brothers, Thomas Blacklock, was the proprietor of a large foundry in St. Louis. Mr. Montgomery's parents are still living.
WILLIAM PLUMB
(Post-office, Kidder).
It is a common error to suppose that biography is useful only when applied to extraordinary men ; it is often objected of particular lives that they are not distinguished by any striking or wonderful vicissi- tudes. This error, however, must be eradicated when we consider that in the esteem of uncorrupted reason what is of most use is of most value. What is vitally important all have an interest in under- standing ; hence, he who has done the most to meet the wants of the many in different capacities is a subject above all others for that biography which promises and establishes the most good for the great- est numbers. The reader is here presented with a plain sketch of an unassuming, useful man - a man who is entitled to be invested with all the commendable elements of character which truth can furnish for having made a diligent use of his talents. William Plumb was born in Preston county, (now) West Virginia, March 14, 1821. His father, Jacob Plumb, was also a Virginian by birth, in which State he followed the double occupation of physician and farmer. His grand- father, William Plumb, was captain of a company in the Revolutionary War, and also a contractor for army supplies, an enterprise in which he lost about $50,000 through the depreciation of Continental scrip. William had three brothers and two sisters, the latter being deceased.
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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
One brother, Jacob, also died in Virginia in 1862. John, another brother, is a Baptist minister, and Eugene, the youngest, is a farmer ; both reside in West Virginia. In 1840 the subject of this sketch left Virginia and settled in Southern Ohio, where he lived until 1844, then settling in Caldwell county, Mo. In 1846 he went to Mexico and joined the United States forces in repressing a revolt, in which a number were killed. In 1847 he entered the employ of the Government as express carrier in New Mexico, also having charge of the grazing camps of Government stock for two years. In 1850 he started for California, via Chihauhau and Durango, the journey occupying 32 days. Returning to Missouri in 1853, Mr. Plumb resumed farming. At the outbreak of the war in 1861 he raised a company of Union troops of which he was elected captain, and for meritorious conduct at the battle of Lone Jack was promoted to major. It was at this battle he received serious wounds, and was confined in a temporary hospital when it was assaulted and burned by the enemy ; he was among the foremost, however, in repelling that murderous attack, and in caring for those more severely injured than himself. Mr. Plumb is a man of indomita- ble will and energy. His life has been one of great usefulness, and as he approaches his declining years he can look back on his past career seeing much to appreciate and at the same time some things to regret. But as a whole his life has been one of which he may well feel proud. In the company of his estimable wife and worthy children he now lives upon his finely improved farm, enjoying the unbounded esteem of all who know him.
GEORGE PURPLE
(Farmer and Mechanic, Post-office, Kidder).
George H. Purple, the father of the subject of this sketch, was descended from one of three brothers who emigrated to the United States from England in an early day. They were all through the Revolutionary War. Geo. H. Purple now resides in Oberlin, Ohio, and is past the age of 85 years. His wife died in Lorain county, O., when 56 years old, in February, 1860. George was one of four chil- dren in the family, the others being John G., who was a surgeon in the 20th Ohio infantry and died while in service in May, 1862; Har- riet S., at Columbus, O., and Julia A. F., wife of Warren Hofford, of Fremont, O. George Purple was born in Vermont on the 2d day of November, 1827. On growing up he studied dentistry at Cleve- land, O., under the careful guidance of Dr. Strickland, and in 1860 he commenced the practice of his profession at Wellington, O., where he remained for ten years, meeting with good success. In 1870 he removed to Cameron and was well and favorably known to the dental fraternity of that place until the spring of 1880, when he was per- snaded to purchase his present farm. This is one of the finest and best located in this township, and so situated as to command a fine view of Hamilton, Cameron and other points. The surroundings about the place are deserving of special mention. Mr. P. is a man of
575
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
more than ordinary mechanical ingenuity and has invented a number of articles both valuable and in themselves unique. Mr. P.'s grand- father on his mother's side, John Griswold, was a minister in the Presbyterian Church at Pawlet, Vt., for forty years ; his wife was formerly a Lay. Mr. Purple was married at Avon, O., November 11, 1850, to Miss Lucinda Moore, of Avon, O. Her father Ransom Moore, was captain of militia and commanded a vessel on the lakes; he died in 1837. Her brother, Myron Moore, was a guard at Johnson's Island over Confederate prisoners. Mr. and Mrs. Purple have had five children : Fred R., in the mercantile business at Kid- der; Fanny S., wife of S. R. Ogden, of Knoxville; Harry G., mar- ried and in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad at Laramie City, Wyo. ; Charles G., died March 4, 1857, and G. E. is at home and unmarried.
CHARLES RICE
(Farmer and Stock-raiser).
The excellent farm which this young and successful agriculturist now owns contains 160 acres, divided into both farming and pasture land for his stock. The stock business receives a considerable share of his attention, and he has some fine Short-horn cattle and thorough- bred Poland-China hogs. His dwelling is neat and comfortable. Mr. Rice's father was Thomas Rice, Esq., a native of Ireland. Charles was born May 13, 1855, in Canada, and continued to remain there up to the time of emigrating to the United States. He became located in Missouri in 1869, settling at Cameron, from whence he came to his present place of residence. He was married September 15, 1878, to Miss Kate Kenney, daughter of Mr. John Kenney, of this township. Four children have been born to them, three of whom are living : James Emmet, Walter and Charles Kenney. A daughter, Ellen, is deceased. Mr. Rice was one of five brothers. Two of them besides himself, John and Thomas, live in this county. Joseph resides at Cameron and James is deceased.
JOHN RICE
(Farmer, Post-office, Cameron).
In the sketch which precedes this we have given an outline of the life of Mr. Charles Rice, a brother to the subject of this sketch. John Rice also owes his nativity to Canada, having been born there on the 12th of September, 1857. His father, Thomas Rice, came orig- inally from the Emerald Isle - from Kilkenny. He is now located at Cameron, Mo., and is engaged in railroading. John Rice became settled in this county in May, 1869, and his career since that time has been marked by industry and strict attention to his chosen calling. His landed estate embraces 80 acres of soil well adapted to the general purposes of farm labor, and upon it is a good orchard of fruit-bearing trees. Mr. Rice is a married man, his wife having, previous to her marriage, been Miss Mollie Kenney. Their union was consummated
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