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 62

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 62
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 62

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).

576

HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

February 9, 1879. Three children have blessed this union ; Mollie, born March 10, 1881; Ella, born November 8, 1882, and Lawrence V., born February 7, 1885. As a young agriculturist Mr. R. deserves success.

MRS. ELOISA C. SMITH, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Kidder).

It has only been within the past few years that the proper credit due has been given a lady practitioner of medicine. Why it should have taken so long for prejudice ( for such it must have been ) to be overcome we can not say, but certain it is that the success which has attended nearly all female physicians in recent years undoubtedly proves that there is no reason why such a class should not rise to eminence in their professional careers as well as men. Dr. Eloisa C. Smith is a thoroughly qualified physician, a graduate of the St. Louis Homeopathic Institute, and well fitted to successfully follow the chosen lines of professional life. She commenced practicing regu- larly in 1855 (though having done neighborhood work as early as 1850), has devoted herself to it ever since and has gained for herself enviable reputation for her treatment of children's diseases. an Indefatigable in all endeavors, she is accorded a worthy place in the esteem of all those who are favored with her acquaintance. Dr. Smith was born in Augusta, Ga., her parents being Charles C. and Rebecca ( Moore ) Dunn, their marriage occurring at New York City. They became located in Augusta, Ga., in 1818. Her father was a native of England, and in Georgia was engaged in the drug business. He died in that State in 1830. When Eloisa was six years old the family moved to Cincinnati, and from there some five years later to Knox county, Ill. Mrs. D. died in 1846. The subject of this sketch is one of two sisters of three brothers: Dr. A. A. Dann, a captain in the U. S. Army during the Civil War, after whom G. A. R. Post of Cambridge, Ill., was named ; Rev. R. C. Dunn, a graduate of both Knox College, and a theological seminary in New York; a member of the Legislature and closely identified with educational matters ; and W. E. Dunn, a substantial merchant at Galesburg. The other sister lives in Galesburg, Ill. Miss Eloisa was brought up in Knox county, Ill., and there received a good education, in Knox College, at Galesburg. Following this she attended lectures in St. Louis, and was subsequently prepared to enter into active practice. Previous to this however she had taught school for 13 years. In 1848 she married Mr. O. H. Smith, an established farmer of that ( Knox) county. They have had seven children, four of whom survive : Anna M., wife of Rev. T. C. Armstrong, now of Montana Territory, but for- merly for six years a teacher in Hamilton; Carrie L., wife of R. B. Utter, a lady of good musical talent, and one of the two graduates of Thayer Institute ; E. H. C., now county commissioner of Kidder county, Dakota Territory, and Minnie L. at home.

577

HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

FREDERICK SOVEREIGN

(Farmer, Section 23, Post-office, Cameron) .

It may appear to those who read the biographical portion of this work that there is a considerable similarity in the sketches written ; and this must of necessity be so, for the persons, or a large part of them engaged in agricultural pursuits have made this their life calling. Mr. Sovereign is an example of this kind. He came here from Ontario some fourteen years ago and has made this county his home since that time, giving almost his entire attention to farming. He has a farm of 40 acres, a place which he purchased from Houston & Spratt, and this he now is endeavoring to improve. It is well supplied with a stream of living water which runs through it, affording good pasture for stock. His dwelling is small but with neat surroundings. Mr. S. is a married man and he and his wife have five sons and one daughter.

ANDREW JACKSON STEPHENSON (Miller, Kidder).

Mr. Stephenson was born in Cabell county, Va., in 1827, the grandson of Benjamin and Ruth Stephenson, both Virginians by birth, who after their marriage, resided at Guyandotte, where their deaths occurred. Among their sons was George W. Stephenson, and subse- quently he became the father of the subject of this sketch. He was a gunsmith by profession and died in Virginia in 1863; his widow departed this life in Illinois in 1871, leaving at her death four children besides Andrew: Thomas, a farmer in Ohio ; Ruth, wife of Greenville Harris, a farmer in Virginia ; Caroline, wife of Armstrong Stephenson, also of the Old Dominion, as was Amanda, wife of Henry Harris. Young Andrew was brought up as a farmer and his first experience in starting out in the world for himself was not calculated to make him very sanguine. Without assistance from any one he commenced a career which has proven to be one of success. For seven years he followed boating on the Ohio river and later on, in 1866, became located in Brown county, Ill., where he remained until 1869, then moving to Jasper county, Mo. Here he was engaged in milling for six years, continued it after his removal to Daviess county in 1875, and upon coming to Kidder in 1882 again turned his attention to the calling with which he had become so familiar. This has since been his occupation, and being a man well known in this vicinity, of unquestioned integrity and sterling worth, he has acquired a good patronage. He has been a member of the Christian Church for thirty- seven years and is also connected with the Masonic Order. Mr. Stephenson has been twice married. First, in 1848 in Virginia to Martha Stephenson, who died in Daviess county, Mo., in 1879, leav- ing two children: Albert, a farmer in Kansas, and Theodore, an engineer in Daviess county. In 1881 he took for his second wife

578

HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

Mrs. Eliza Vallandigham, widow of William Vallandigham and a cousin of the Hon. C. L. Vallandigham, of Ohio. Her father, a native of Virginia, moved to Daviess county in 1840, where she was reared and educated. In those early days he was obliged to go three miles to school and their milling point was some twenty miles distant. Mrs. S. has three children by her first marriage: George W., in DeKalb county, Mo. ; Ida, wife of O. A. Reynolds, in Daviess county ; and Richard L. Vallandigham, a ranchman near Rockford, Col.

ALBERT STUCKER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Kidder).

Kidder township is acknowledged by all to be one of the best agri- cultural townships in this county, and as such its citizens are men of advanced ideas and considerable prominence. A worthy man among this class is found in the person of Albert Stucker. He owns a fine farm of forty acres all under improvement, well supplied with living water ; on this place Mr. S. has just completed a commodious and convenient residence. He is a native of the Buckeye State, born March 22, 1845, in Holmes county. His parents were Elias and Sarah Stucker, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father by occu- pation was a farmer. To himself and wife were born seven sons and two daughters : Oscar, now in this township; he was in the army during the war; Abraham is engaged in the manufacture of cheese at Cameron, and is an influential citizen of that place ; Jacob, a farmer at Weeping Water, Neb., was also a soldier during the war ; John C., tills the soil in Hohnes county, O., as does Amos ; Charles C., is still a resident of the old homestead ; Martha married Joseph Armstrong, a farmer of Wayne county, O .; Mary married John Fluehart, of Wayne county, O., and now lives near Cameron engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. The senior Stucker is now in his seventy-second year and a resident of Holmes county ; his wife but recently died on the 10th of September, 1885, aged seventy-five years. Albert Stucker, the subject of this sketch, was married on October 5, 1871, to Miss Rhoda Brown. They have two children, Eliza Ellen and Bessie. Mr. S. has been located in this county for a long time. In his farming operations he is meeting with good success.

JOHN ALBERT THIEL

(Farmer, Section 12, Post-office, Kidder).

The father of the subject of this sketch, Peter Thiel, owed his nativity to the Empire State, from which he removed subsequently to Wisconsin. There he continued to make his home for 30 years, and after that became located at Chatfield, Fillmore county, Minn., where he lived until his death March 2, 1885, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. The mother, his widow, is still a resident of Chatfield and is 66 years old. They had 10 children : Peter lives in Grant county, Dak., and is married ; Anthony resides at Miles City, Mont. ; Willie

579

HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

lives with the latter; Susan is married to S. D. Jolley, now of Fill- more county, Minn. ; Mary, wife of J. Lewis, lives at Rochester, Minn. ; Katy is the wife of Henry Stimson, of Taylor county, Ia. ; Maggie, Mrs. Richard James, resides in Richardson county, Neb .; Ella is a resident of Chatfield, and Anna married Herman Lewis, also of Fillmore county. John A. Thiel first saw the light December 12, 1855, at Princeton, Green Lake county, Wis. He passed his boyhood days at home and after growing up went to New York, where he remained until coming to Caldwell county, Mo., in 1875. His farm of 80 acres is one well improved and with an abundance of water and good drainage, with a few acres of timber in section 13. Here he devotes himself to general farming. Mr. Thiel married October 31, 1878, Miss Mary Tattershall, daughter of John Tattershall, of England. He was a merchant and farmer by occupation and died September 7, 1867, at Burns, N. Y., aged 67 ; his widow departed this life May 22, 1885, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Thomas L. Hamlet, at Kidder, in her seventy-fifth year. Mr. and Mrs. Thiel have had two children: Mabel, born May 5, 1880, died March 11, 1881, and Wilber, born September 8, 1882.

ELI W. THOMAS

(Farmer, Section 28, Post-office, Cameron).

Mr. Thomas comes of a family remarked for their different posi- tions in military affairs at various times in the country's history. His father was Philip Thomas, a native of Gettysburg, Pa., and his mother was formerly a Miss Hoover. The grandparents of Eli on both his father's and his mother's sides were soldiers in the War of 1812, and so also were two of his uncles, James and John Thomas. The family of Philip Thomas was as follows: Philip F., a farmer in Vigo county, Ind., was in the 85th Indiana volunteers during the war; James Perry died in infancy ; Jefferson B., of the 12th Indiana volunteers, was killed at the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862 ; James K., was a member of the 97th Ohio volunteers, and died in hospital at Nashville in July, 1863 ; William D., of the same regiment was killed at Kenesaw Mountain ; Worth died in infancy ; Freeman B. lives in Cherokee county, Kan. ; Ellen, wife of R. A. Wellman, resides in Vermillion county, Ind. ; Sarah, wife of Levi Wyant, of Des Moines, Ia. ; Esther E. died in infancy, and Eliza lives in Minnesota. The father died October 3, 1884, at the age of 83 years, the mother having preceded him to the grave September 26th, 1867, aged 63. Eli W. was born in Stark county, O., May 18, 1836, and was reared in Cosh- octon county, that State, On the breaking out of the war in 1861, he entered at the first call into the 16th Ohio regiment, and afterwards re-enlisted in the 51st Ohio infantry, serving for three years. In 1864 he moved to Indiana, but in November, 1884, came to Caldwell county, locating in this township the following month. His farm of 40 acres, though not large in extent, is well improved and kept in good condition. Mr. T. was married in Jefferson county, O., Feb-

580

IIISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

ruary 14, 1864, to Miss Naomi J. Benjamin, daughter of Daniel Benjamin and wife, natives of New Jersey. She was born and brought up in Coshocton county, O. They have had four children : Mary Amy, born September 26, 1865, died March 2, 1870: John P., born July 9, 1869 ; Benjamin F., born July 26, 1872; Susan A., born April 4, 1879, died August 7, 1880. Mrs. Thomas had three brothers, only one of whom survives, John P. B., in this county ; Albert and David died when young. Of her sisters, Mary A., in Ohio, is the wife of Peter Steffe ; Matilda married John Stewart and also lives in Ohio, and Julia L. died when a child. Daniel Benjamin died December 3, 1851, having been born JJune 5, 1812. His widow, born October 30, 1815, still survives.

THOMAS J. THOMPSON

(Proprietor of Blacksmith and Repair Shop, Kidder).

By learning as well as by a natural aptitude for the business Mr. Thompson is a blacksmith - not only by reputation but in fact. In the conduct of his trade at this place, whither he removed in 1872, he has met with much encouragement, and has accumulated a comfortable property by strict attention to his chosen calling and hard work. Born in Grundy county, Mo., in 1849, he is the son of James T. Thompson and wife, formerly Miss Angelina Thaxton, both Virginians by birth. They became located in Grundy connty in 1830, where the father gave himself up to working at his trade, also that of blacksmith. Drawn toward the Pacific coast at the time of the California gold excitement in 1849, he died while making that trip. Subsequently the mother married, and is now the wife of Hon. T. J. Reid, of Kingston. Thomas J. was one of four children, the others being M. W., now deceased ; Sarah, widow of R. L. Williams, who was a book-keeper in Chilli- cothe ; Delila, wife of W. W. West, of California. Thomas J. Thompson was reared and educated in Grundy county, and continued to make it his home until 1862, when he moved to Livingston county. In 1872 he became a citizen of Kidder, as above stated, and his career here is one of much credit to him.

HUGH TOLIN

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Kidder).

Like many of the better citizens of Caldwell county, Mr. Tolin is a Kentuckian by birth, having been born in Montgomery county, of the Blue Grass State, on the second day of September, 1823. His father's name was Porterphine Tolin, and his mother was a member of the distinguished family of Vallandighams - Miss Rebecca Val- landigham, a niece of the Hon. C. L. Vallandigham. Both parents also came originally from Montgomery county, Ky. The senior Tolin early adopted farming as an occupation, and in 1837 he removed to Missouri, settling in Ray county. His death occurred in 1872 at the age of 69 years ; his wife had died in 1865. In this family were 11 children, seven of whom were sons : Jefferson, now deceased ; Wash-

581

HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

ington, Anderson, Richard, Hugh, John and William. The daughters were named Nancy, who became the wife of Joel Hughs ; both died in New Orleans in 1844; Cena, wife of Samuel B. Tolin, of St. Joseph ; Katherine, who married Moses Pulliam and after his death married a Mr. Johnson, a farmer by calling; they now reside at St. Joseph ; Jane, the widow of F. W. Smith, a Prussian by nativity, also a resi- dent of St. Joseph. While in his native State Hugh Tolin was reared both as a farmer and carpenter. His education was such as the com- mon schools of that early day afforded, but his advantages were im- proved. Upon reaching manhood he was married to Miss Mary J. Pickett, who was born in Kentucky, some three miles from Cincinnati, O. Her father, John S. Pickett, located in Buchanan county, Mo., in 1837, and entered 500 acres of land at $1.25 an acre ; he now owns and resides on this homestead, and gives his attention to agricultural pursuits - hale and hearty at the age of 81. To Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Tolin six children have been born, two of whom are deceased. Those living are Jefferson, of St. Joseph ; Frank, in the cracker trade at that place; Edward, a painter by occupation, and also of St. Joe ; and Laura, at the home of her father in Kidder.

ROBERT S. AND JAMES P. TRACY

(Stock-raisers and Dealers).

Robert Tracy, the father of the subjects of this sketch, was of Irish birth, having been born at Dimganon, Ireland, December 17, 1800. He married Elizabeth Smith in 1820, and in 1830 emigrated to America, locating near Springfield, O. Four of the twelve children born to himself and wife are deceased. Those living are George F., Eliza A., Allicia E., Margaret B., Sarah J., William A., Robert S. and James P. Robert Tracy removed to Jefferson county, O., in 1841, where he lived until 1857, then going with his family to Mor- gan county, Ill., and in the spring of 1865 he located in Buchanan county, Mo., where he made his home up to 1870; coming thence to this county, he died here July 4, 1880, aged 79 years, 7 months and 27 days. By occupation he was a farmer and stock dealer and a man of good business qualities and unswerv- ing integrity. Elizabeth Tracy was a sister of Mrs. Wm. Alexander, mother of J. T. Alexander, for many years one of the wealthiest stock dealers and land-owners of Illinois. She died in this county on Octo- ber 30, 1868, aged seventy-one years. Of Robert Tracy's sons mentioned above George F. lives in Caldwell county with his family ; William A. resides in St. Louis, where he is well and favorably known in connection with steamboating ; he is married and has two sons, Wm. B., and Peron S. ; Robert S. Tracy was born October 27, 1837, near Springfield, O. Up to the age of 17 he passed his youth at home in aiding his father, on the farm and attending school. Of an independent turn of mind, when 17 he went to Illinois and commenced handling stock for his cousin, J. T. Alexander. Becoming a skillful trader in that channel of bus-

582

HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

iness he took up his residence in Buchanan county, Mo., in 1865 and until 1870 was engaged in farming and handling stock. At that time he purchased his first farm of 680 acres in Caldwell county, upon which he now lives, and taken as a whole it is one of the best arranged and most finely improved places in the county, the dwelling being an imposing structure, and for beauty and location is unsurpassed in the township. The architect of his own fortune, he is eminently deserving of the appellation - a self-made man. James P. Tracy, who since 1872 has been associated with Robert S. in bus- iness and an equal partner in all their property, was born at Spring- field, O., and lived there until fourteen, following which he was occupied in the Mississippi and Ohio river service for eight years. Entering then into the detached service of the Union army, he served during the war. At its close he came to Missouri and aided his brother in business until 1867 when he went to Illinois and handled stock with J. T. Alexander up to the time of the latter's death in 1877. Since that period he has been engaged in business with his brother, under the firm name of R. S. & J. P. Tracy. Both gentle- men are unmarried. Their farm is under a high state of cultivation and upon it is an orchard of 130 trees. They are owners of a fine herd of Short-horn cattle, known as the Oak Ridge Herd of Caldwell county, Mo., among which are the animals " Belle of Clinton," " Rosa Belle," " Daisey of Caldwell," "Second Daisey of Caldwell" and " Dutchess of Kidder." At the head of the herd is the celebrated " Maggie Duke," registered No. 44,269, in Vol. 23, A. H. B. They turn their attention largely to stock and grazing, and from long experi- ence have developed into most successful stock men. Of their sisters now living Eliza Ann married Joshua Fisher in 1841, and they now live near Jacksonville, Ill., four of their six children being alive ; Allicia married the first time Mr. S. Peters, had three children, and after his death, married Robert Jones in 1866 ; he resides at Mt. Sterling, Ill. ; Margaret B. married J. D. Webster, July 4, 1852, at Steuben- ville, O .; he died January 24, 1864, leaving one child ; C. B. Webster, a farmer of this township, mentioned elsewhere in this work ; and Sarah J., unmarried and residing with her brothers, R. S. and James.

ALDEN JAMES WAERS

(Farmer and Stock-dealer, Section 11, Post-office, Kidder).

An insight into the genealogical record of the life of Mr. Waers shows him to have been of Irish and Scotch descent, the leading char- neteristics of each of these races being prominent in him. Added to the bright and persevering qualities of the former is seen sterling integrity and honesty of purpose in the Scotch. Mr. Waers was born in Ohio in 1850. His paternal grandfather was of Irish and his maternal grandfather of Scotch origin. His father, Sam. B. Waers, now an agriculturist of Iowa, but a native of Ohio, married Miss Sarah Ann Gracie, of the same State. They remained there until 1875; the mother's death occurred in 1880. Seven children were in their

583

HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

family : Winfield, Mary, wife of Henry Foltz; Alice, wife of James Holmes ; Virgil B., and Emma, now Mrs. George Lee. The eldest child, Alden J., was reared and educated in the Buckeye State, attend- ing the common schools. Leaving the home farm he entered as a soldier into the 176th Ohio volunteer infantry, and served throughout the war, participating in many severe engagements. In 1875 he came to Missouri, locating in Caldwell county, and at once commenced farming and the stock business, to which he has continued to give his attention. Mr. Waers married in 1874 Miss Mary A., daughter of Henry Miller, Esq., of Ohio, Three children have blessed this union : Eddie, Artie and Rachel. Mr. W. is an extensive shipper of stock and his transactions in this branch are of no small magnitude. . He has filled the position of constable for ten years, and is quite active in political circles. Besides his agricultural interests he is also an insur- ance agent and enjoys a good business in this line. He now occupies the office of road overseer.

S. H. WATKINS

(Farmer, Section 24, Post-office, Cameron).

The farm which Mr. Watkins now improves contains 80 acres, all under cultivation and well stocked with a good herd of graded stock. At the head of his cows is the renowned animal " Duke of Airlyle," and besides these he has a number of Poland-China hogs. Upon the place is an orchard and abundance of water. Mr. Watkins' father, Joseph Watkins, was a native of Ohio and by occupation a farmer. He was born October 26, 1805, and died May 2, 1882. His widow, Catherine Watkins, born February 22, 1820, is still living at Morrow, Warren county, O. Her oldest brother, Stephen Pierson, was sup- posed to have been drowned. There were five sons and three daughters in the parents' family of children besides our subject : James died December 29, 1864 ; his religious belief was against war ; Squire died March 29, 1845 ; Benjamin lives at Junction City; Ky., in the employ of a railroad company ; Joseph and Clinton D. are both farmers in Warren county, O .; Eliza H. is the wife of W. C. Parker, a minister of the Christian Church and lives in Eminence, Ky .; Harriet B. S. died April 17, 1879. Samuel H. Watkins was born June 14, 1847, at Morrow, Warren county, O. He was the fourth child in the family and was brought up in the vicinity of his birthplace, receiving a good education. In 1868 he came to Caldwell county, Mo., and taught school for some time, but later on went back to Ohio, where he was engaged in teaching for two years. Re- turning to Missouri, he remained here until once more settling in Ohio, where he taught three years and then commenced farming. In 1882 he took up his location on his present farm and has since made this county his home. His farm is situated 7 miles from Cameron and 3 from Kidder. Mr. Watkins was married May 23, 1871, to Miss Ellen Harne, of Cameron, Mo., daughter of John Harne, now deceased; her mother, Henrietta Harne, was born in Germany, July

584

HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

9, 1820, and came to this country at the age of 8 years. Mr. W. and wife have two children ; Katie, born March 27, 1873, and Wilbert W., born November 25, 1875.

CHARLES B. WEBSTER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, and Breeder of Holstein Frieshen Grade Cattle, Post-office, Cameron, Mo.)

As one of the enterprising younger members of the agricultural cirele of Kidder township we can not fail to mention Charles B. Web- ster, who has been located in Caldwell county since 1877. His father was J. D. Webster, a native of Ohio, who for many years was promi- nently engaged in steamboating, running on both the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. At the commencement of the war, at once show- ing an eagerness to help in the defense of the old flag, he joined the Union army as regimental quartermaster, continuing to fill this posi- tion until his death on the 24th of January, 1864. His widow, for- merly Miss Margret Tracy, of Steubenville, O., a lady'of refinement and culture, remains unmarried, and makes her home with her son. Charles B. Webster was born at Steubenville, O., July 17, 1853. He was reared and educated at Jacksonville, Ill., and in 1877 came to Missouri, taking up his residence in this township, at the time stated. Since then he has given his attention to farming. His place em- braces 64 acres of land well improved. It is located on section 30. Politically Mr. Webster is a Republican.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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