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 65

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 65
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 65

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.

county Miss Sarah J. Luce, of the same county as himself. Two years later he moved to Knox county, O., where Mrs. L. died in the spring of 1854. The next fall Mr. Luellen went to California by way of the Isthmus, worked there at his trade and merchandising until 1866, and then settled in Idaho Territory. In 1869 he located at Streator, Ill., and resided there and at Mendota about three years, in the latter place conducting a feed store. Since 1873 his career has been noted. Mr. L. has two children by his first marriage, Sarah E., now Mrs. Jacob Sipe, of Streator, Ill., and John A., of Denver, Col. December 17, 1874, Mr. Luellen took to wife Mrs. Susan E. (Odell) Phillips, whose birth occurred in this township May 10, 1844. Her parents, Isaac and Elizabeth Odell, née Adams, moved from Kentucky to this county as early as 1840. There are six children by the last union : Newton U., Myrtle, Charles S., Garfield, Arthur and LeMoyne. A Democrat up to 1860, he has since been Republican in politics. He is the present postmaster at this place, and is in every way a conservative, public-spirited citzen.

GREEN B. McLALLEN (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Black Oak).

Mr. MeLallen is numbered among the younger of the successful and rising agriculturists of this county, but none have a brighter future or will make better use of their advantages. He was born near Hamilton, September 9, 1858, his parents, Ellery P. and Lydia McLallen, née Hosea, having been natives of Indiana, where they were reared and married. They came to Caldwell county in 1856 and located on Shoal creek in what is now Fairview township, subse- quently removing nearer Hamilton, where the father died in 1860, leaving besides his wife the following family of children to mourn his loss : Adelia, William H., Amanda, Ellery P., Samuel S., John B., Green B. and Millard F. Mrs. McL. died in 1871. On first coming here her husband had operated a grist mill on Shoal creek, which he conducted until engaging in farming. He was a member of the Baptist Church and was a strong anti-slavery man, always voting in opposition to the Democratic party. His wife subsequently lived at Breckinridge until after the Civil War, then moved to Southern Missouri, and four years later returned to Caldwell county. After the mother's death the family scattered, Green B. working by the month for some nine years. His educational advantages were limited. February 13, 1879, he was married to Miss Amanda Vanderpool, also of this county, her birth having occurred March 19, 1862. Three children have been born to them : Delbert F., Flora C. and Erwin E. Mrs. McLallen's father, Monday Vanderpool, was an early settler in this county. After his marriage Mr. McL. followed farming for about two years, then embarked in merchandising with D. S. Pollard at Black Oak and in two more years became associated with F. M. Holder for one year. Selling out, he purchased 30 acres of land and commenced the raising of grapes. He has now some 2,700 bearing

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

vines, mostly Concords, from which are annually produced 1,000 gallons of wine. This is the largest and best vinevard in the county. He also raises and deals in stock to some extent. His present position in life from that of a poor boy is one worthy of imitation. In his political affiliations he is a Republican.

HENRY B. MEFFERT

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

Mr. Meffert is a practical, go-ahead farmer and fully appreciates the comforts of a competence gained by individual efforts. His birth occurred June 29, 1838, in Dauphin county, Pa., of which his parents were also natives. The father was born November 16, 1799, and the mother May 12, 1807, both of their ancestral families having been early settlers in Central Pennsylvania, and many of their descendants still reside there. Jacob Meffert, the father, became located in Elk county, Pa., in 1840, and afterwards remained there ; he died Febru- ary 28, 1870, but his wife, whose maiden name was Miss Elizabeth Bender, is still living. She bore her husband four sons and three daughters. People kind-hearted and intelligent, they were consistent members of the M. E. Church from an early period. Henry B. Meffert became familiar with the details of farm life when young. After reaching his majority he attended an academy for some time and afterwards a college at Meadville, receiving a liberal scholastic training. While at Meadville he joined Co. F, 83d Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, and served for 15 months, participating in many severe engagements ; he was with Gen. MeClellan in his operations around Richmond, and took part in the second battle of Bull Run, where he received a severe wound, from the effects of which he was discharged. He also was wounded, in the leg at Fair Oaks and dis- abled for a while. Upon returning home he taught school and clerked in a store for some time, after which he came to this county and settled at Kidder, there teaching school and being variously employed up to 1868. In this year he purchased 80 acres of land, began its improvement and continued teaching during the winter months until enabled to add to his original tract ; he now owns 135 acres, under good cultivation, and has it well stocked, his operations being conducted in an intelligent manner. Mr. M. was married April 8, 1868, to Miss Lydia D. Tunks, who was born in Union county, O., August 26, 1839. There are four children in their family : Lurie V., Huron B., Orie D. and an infant, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Meffert are members of the M. E. Church. He is a Republican in politics and has been school commissioner two years and trustee of Davis township.

JAMES MOAD

(Farmer and Stock-raiser).

This esteemed resident of Davis township, a man who has an exten- sive acquaintance, was born in Campbell county, East Tenn., Decem-

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

ber 20, 1811. His grandfather, James Moad, was a native of Scot- land and an early settler in North Carolina. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and after locating in Tennessee he reared a family of nine children, all of this name in the United States probably being his descendants. One of his sons, Thomas Moad, was born in North Carolina and married Miss Rebecca Barron, who bore him teni chil- dren. In 1837 they moved to Ray county, Mo., and there he died in 1862, aged 83 years ; his wife died in DeKalb county in 1857. He was an anti-slavery man and a local minister in the M. E. Church. He had nine children, all of whom married, and a fact worthy of mention is that before there were any deaths in the family forty-three grandchildren had been born. James Moad was the fourth child in his father's family and was reared to a farm life. September 25, 1836, he married Miss Elizabeth Phoffitt, of Campbell county, Tenn., born September 21, 1816. After this he made his home for seven years in Ray county, Mo., then came to this county and settled on section 19 of this township, living there until 1850 when he entered 440 acres where he now resides. He and his wife had seven children : Martha J., Rhoda A., William T., Ruth, Rebecca, James W. and Sarah. Mrs. M. died June 30, 1866. He married October 22, that year, Mrs. Delphina (Orem) Willey, daughter of Joshua Orem; she was born in Ashland county, O., August 18, 1841, and accompanied her parents here in 1855. One of the five children born to them is living, Eva. Mr. Moad has ever been a hard-working, energetic man and in all his transactions has adhered to the teachings of the Golden Rule. As far back as 1845 he held the office of justice of the peace. Since 1830 he has been a member of the M. E. Church. He was an uncompromising Union man during the war and one of his sons, William, was in the 44th Missouri volunteer infantry. In many and various ways he has contributed liberally to all enterprises calculated to build up or benefit his fellow-man.

MARION H. MOTSINGER

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

Some time prior to the Revolutionary War two brothers, Jacob and Daniel Motsinger, emigrated from Germany to America, settling in Rowan county, N. C., where many of their descendants now reside. They were both in the Revolution under Gen. Marion. Jacob Mot- singer's son, Jacob, Jr., moved with his family to Powell's Valley, Tenn., where he served as a soldier in the War of 1812; he was sta- tioned at Mobile and was with Gen. Winchester in the South. Soon after this struggle he went to Washington county, Ind., and there died. Among his sons was Daniel, the father of Marion H., a native of the Old North State, and he subsequently married Miss Frances Shepherd, a Kentuckian by birth. For 71 years they have made their home in Washington county, Ind., rearing a family of 12 children, who have done their worthy parents honor in the affairs of life. Marion H., the eldest of these, was born in Washington county April

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

22, 1834. From early boyhood the principal duties of the home farm fell upon him, and on this account his education was somewhat limited, his attendance being made at the subscription schools. October 7, 1855, his marriage to Miss Anna Phillips, of the same county as him- self, was consummated. She was born July 31, 1828. Seven children were born of this union : Andrew F., Horace G., Mary F., Ransom P., Eliza H., Annie E., and an infant now deceased. In 1863 Mr. Motsinger left the field of agriculture to enter upon the life of a soldier, becoming a member of Co. B, 13th Indiana volun- teer cavalry, and serving two years. During this time he partici- pated in the battles of Nashville, Franklin, Mobile and the capture of Spanish Fort, where his grandfather had done duty nearly half a century before. He was also in a number of lesser engagements, and after the war he returned home and farmed up to the spring of 1866, when he came to Ray county, Mo., and two years later to the place which he now occupies. He owns 90 acres of land, raises good stock and understands the successful conduct of a farm. Following in the line of his ancestors, he has voted against the Democratic party, being one of six who supported Fremont in 1856, in Washington county, Ind. He is a member of the Christian Church.

JOSHUA OREM

(Black Oak).

This well known and esteemed farmer and merchant of Black Oak was born in what is now Ashland county, O., September 18, 1818, the youngest child of three sons and four daughters born to Joshua and Elizabeth ( Leightheizer) Orem, both natives of Maryland. Each of their ancestors were also early colonial settlers of Lord Baltimore's colony; the Orems were originally from France to America, and became closely identified with the development of Maryland; the Leightheizers are of German extraction. In the early part of the present century Joshua Orem, Sr., moved with his family to Central Ohio, where he ever afterwards resided. Young Orem was reared upon a farm, receiving only such education as the subscription schools of the day afforded - these of course being somewhat limited. When 18 years old, in company with a brother-in-law, he went to Porter county, Ind., remained there two years and then returned to Ohio, which he made his home for one year. June 4, 1840, he was married to Miss Martha MeNutt, whose birth occurred in Seneca county, O., September 12, 1823. For 10 years following his marriage Mr. Orem was engaged in farming and teaching school in Ashland county, sub- sequently resuming the same occupations in Porter county, Ind., until 1858, when he came to this county and township and located on a farm. During the war he was a stanch Union man and held a lieutenant's commission in the Enrolled Militia, serving actively and zealously as a true loyal soldier. Since his settlement here he has given the greater part of his attention to agricultural pursuits, though he is now conducting an excellent mercantile establishment at Black

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

Oak which is having an increasing trade. Besides this he has also taught school. His farm contains 265 acres of improved land. Mr. Orem is a man of extensive information and a great reader. Himself and wife connected themselves with the Baptist Church in Ohio, but after removing to Missouri united with the M. E. Church, in which their membership is still held. He has been prominent in all religions movements in this community, and was largely instrumental in estab- lishing the first Sabbath-school at Black Oak, in which he has since taken active interest. Besides many positions of honor and trust he has served as county judge ; politically he has ever voted in opposi- tion to the Democratic party. Mr. and Mrs. O. have 11 children : Delphina, Elijah, William J., Sarah E., Francis M., Albert J., Grant, . Simon, Horatio, Philo and Lillie May.

WILLIAM P. OWEN

(Mercantile Clerk, Black Oak).

The father of the subject of this sketch, Sandford Owen, is one of the well known and esteemed pioneer residents of this county. He was born in Greene county, Ind., April 14, 1832, and on July 24, 1851, was married to Miss Elizabeth Burnett, a Tennesseean by birth, born September 13, 1834. Sandford Owen was one of thirteen children of Payton and Rachel (Griffith ) Owen. Both the Owens and Griffiths were early settlers of Greene and Owen counties, Ind., the latter bear- ing their name. In 1836 Payton Owen moved his family to Adams county, Ill., residing there until 1839, when he came to Clay county, and in 1842 to this county. Here he lived until his death in 1848; his wife still survives at the advance age of 87 years. Sandford was less than eight years old when he was brought to Caldwell county by his married sister, Mrs. Samuel D. Davis. After his parents removed here he lived with them upon the home farm. He became the father of nine children : Mary J., William P., John W., George T., Octavia A., Josiah E., Lydia R., Alice G. and Samuel W. Mr. Owen has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. During the war he was a member of the Enrolled Militia and an active supporter of the Union. He has always voted with the Democratic party. Him- self and wife are members of the M. E. Church South and highly respected by all. This family of Owens are descended from Thomas Owen, an Englishman by birth, who came to this country at the beginning of the Revolutionary War as a British soldier ; he was severely wounded, taken prisoner and never returned to his native home, finally marrying and settling in Virginia, where he reared a large family. William P. Owen was born August 16, 1854, and is native to this State, county and township. He was the recipient of a common school education, was reared to a farm expe- rience and has always followed this calling in connection with his career as clerk. He is well acquainted with the people of this com- munity and does much in a quiet way for the advancement of all matters tending to benefit the county and its citizens. He has held

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

responsible positions in the M. E. Church South, with which he is connected, and has closely followed the principles of the Democratic party. By reading and observation he has become well posted in the affairs of life.

JACOB F. PHILLIPS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Black Oak).

Those of us who have not been eye-witnesses to the horrors of war can form no idea of the hardship attendant upon the career of a sol- dier-increased tenfold by imprisonment. Mr. P. had a career during the late civil strife, the recital of which might fill a volume. In August, 1861, he became a member of Co. F, 38th Illinois volun- teer infantry, and at the first day's fight at Chicamanga was severely wounded in the thigh and taken prisoner, remaining confined for fifteen months at Libby, Danville, Andersonville, Charleston and Florence prisons. He was unable to walk for six months after his capture and this added to the usual sufferings seemed to make his privations unable to bear. In December, 1864, he was paroled and exchanged, but it was two years ere he could resume farm labor. In 1865 he came to this county and here possesses 240 acres of improved land, secured through his own exertions. He raises good stock, has two full blood Norman horses and several half blooded, and is connected with the Caldwell County Norman Horse Company. He gives atten- tion to Poland-China hogs, Short-horn cattle, etc., and in the affairs of agriculture is well posted. Mr. P. was born in Washington county, Ind., February 27, 1840, the son of Andrew and Jemima ( Ratts) Phillips, of the same county. The father of the former, Abraham Phillips, was a Kentuckian by birth, and his father of North Carolina birth, in which State they were settlers. The Ratts were pioneer resi- dents of Indiana. In 1855 Andrew and Jemima Phillips moved to Logan county, Ill., where the father died in 1856 ; his wife now lives in Atlanta, Ill. Jacob F. was one of seven sons, four of whom are living. He grew up on the home farm, received a common school education, and when sixteen years old, commenced active life for him- self, working wherever he could honestly gain anything. He was married February 21, 1867, to Miss Martha Rathbun, who was born at Elk Grove, this county, January 18, 1846, the daughter of Allen Rathbun. They have nine children : Jemima E., Mary M., James A., Dora A., Lillie, Mittie B., Edgar L., Effie and Eva M. Mr. Phillips politically is a Republican. He belongs to the Christian Church, and is connected with the G. A. R.

THOMAS PLUMMER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Elk Grove).

The subject of this sketch is descended from an old Virginia family, representatives of which moved to Ohio during its first settlement. His parents were Jeremiah and Nancy ( May) Plummer, whose mar- riage occurred in Kentucky, of which State the mother was a native

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

( Maysville ). The father was born in Auglaize county, O. They made their home in Mercer county, O., until their deaths, the father dying in 1868 and the mother in 1882. Thomas, one of 9 children in the family, first saw the light in Mercer county, May 29, 1836. He grew up upon the home farm, receiving a common schood education, and at an early age began to exercise those energies of mind and body which in later years have reaped such substantial harvests. First, he rented land of his father, and in a few years his industry and perse- verance enabled him to purchase a small farm or tract of timber, which he partially improved. In 1864, he became a member of Co. E, 193d Ohio volunteer infantry, and served until the close of the war. In 1872 Mr. Plummer disposed of his interests in Ohio, where up to this time he had continued farming, and came to his present location, his original purchase of land embracing 160 acres in Carroll county and 40 acres in Caldwell. To this he has since added from time to time until his landed estate now embraces 440 acres, well improved, upon which is one of the largest and best arranged barns in the county. The principal secret of the success which has attended the efforts of Mr. P. is to be found in his stock business, raising and handling stock, etc., but he has also been occupied in dealing in real estate. His progress as a farmer and stock-raiser has been noteworthy and encouraging, but his substantial position to-day is one which he fully deserves. June 11, 1863, Mr. Plummer married Miss Mary S. Stewart, who was born near Edinborough, Scotland, August 14, 1840, her journey to this country with her parents having occurred in 1844. Their family of children include Flora M., Lizzie J., Clara I., Anna J., Benjamin S., John A. and an infant son, James E. Mr. Plummer has been a life-long Democrat, and at this time he is a justice of the peace. He is a consistent member of the M. E. Church.

D. S. POLLARD, M. D. (Physician and Merchant, Black Oak).

In early colonial times three brothers of the name of Pollard emi- grated from Scotland to America and subsequently separated, one locating in Massachusetts, one in New York, and the other in Virginia, and nearly all of the Pollards in the United States are descendants of these brothers. Dr. Pollard came from the Virginia branch of the family, his great-grandfather having been born in that State; he served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War, and afterwards moved with his family to Kentucky. His son (the grand- father of D. S. ) was a native of that State, and later on became a pioneer settler of Spencer county, Ind., and in that locality James Pollard was born and reared. He received a liberal education, and upon reaching manhood married Miss Mary A. Ellis, of Norfolk, Va. She was principally brought up in Coshocton county, O., having attended a female college at Delaware, of the Buckeye State, and was a lady of great social and moral worth. In 1852 James Pollard moved to Iowa, and four years later was the Democratic candidate for

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

Auditor of State. In the fall of 1856 he was appointed register of the United States district land office at Council Bluffs, Ia., and in 1861 he was elected State Senator from Davis county. In 1871 he was made superintendent of the public schools of Lee county, Ia. Mr. Pollard has held other positions of honor and trust, and when not offic- ially occupied, has devoted himself to banking, merchandising, railroading and farming. He is possessed of an extensive acquaint- ance throughout Southeastern Iowa, and holds to an unlim- ited extent the respect and esteem of all who know him. D. S. Pollard was born in Davis county, Ia., August 11, 1855. His youth was passed on a farm with his parental grandparents, his mother having died when he was five years old, and up to the age of eleven he attended school, then entering the office of the Bentonsport (Ia. ) Signal, where he remained some two years. He next clerked in a drug store, and afterwards went to live with his father at Fort Madison, while there receiving the appointment of hospital steward of the penitentiary, which position he filled ably and satisfactorily for over two years. During this time he had commenced the study of medicine, but ill health compelled him to discontinue this and he also had to give up his position. Some months were then spent in the pineries of Minnesota and Wisconsin, and upon recovering his health he returned to Iowa and taught school, resuming also his medical studies. In the spring of 1877 he graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Keokuk, Ia., and soon after he commenced practicing in Carroll county, Mo. For about a year he also followed his profession at Tinney's Grove, Ray county. In January, 1879, he located at Black Oak, and has since remained here, actively occupied in the practice of his adopted calling and also in general merchandising and the drug trade. Few men in the profession are better posted or have met with more uniform success as practitioners than Dr. Pollard. He is thorough, practical and progressive, and has secured a comfortable competency. He owns and operates a farm of 240 acres near Black Oak, which is well stocked and improved. Politically he is a Demo- crat. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also a director of the Breckinridge Savings Bank.

ENOCH RATHBUN

(Deceased).

The name that heads this sketch was borne by a man well known in the earlier and subsequent history of Caldwell county. His father, Allen Rathbun, a native of Cayuga county, N. Y., went to Ohio when a lad and there married Mary Edmonds, who bore him five children. In 1837 he located at Elk Grove in the present township of Davis, this county, and here took active part in the Mormon troubles. At first he sympatized with that people, but upon becoming acquainted with their nefarious practices, sided with their enemies. In after years he became a consistent member of the M. E. Church. He was a Union man until the time of his death in 1862. By his second wife, Eliza-

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

beth Anderson, he had five children and by the third marriage, when Mrs. Mary Mann, widow of Eppa Mann, a pioneer to this county, became his wife, there were three children. Enoch Rathbun was born near Wooster, O., December 17, 1830, but he grew up upon the farm at Elk Grove and attended the common schools. When 23 years old he commenced for himself as a farmer, and on October 27, 1853, mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Thompson, who was born in Putnam county, Ind., September 28, 1828. Her parents were Samuel and Lucinda ( Ander- son ) Thompson, the former of Tennessee and the latter of Virginia, though both their families were early settlers in Indiana. In 1835 Mr. Thompson ( who was raised in Kentucky ) moved to Saline county, Mo., and in about a year to Livingston county, where he resided until his death in 1883. His first wife had died in 1835 and he afterwards married Leah Cockerham, and after her death Mrs. Mary (Waddel) Duckworth. There were six children born by each of the first and second marriages. Enoch Rathbun always followed farming, and improved a place near Elk Grove. Two weeks before he died he went to Colorado for his health and there his death occurred December 2, 1870, and he was buried in Denver. He held a number of positions of honor and trust and was in every way a worthy man and citizen. In later years he was a Republican in politics. He belonged to the M. E. Church. Of the children born to himself and wife Mary L., James A., John S., Elizabeth J., Laura E. and Enoch E. are living and Matilda J. and William D. are deceased. December 8, 1876, Mrs. R. was married to Mr. John B. Taylor, who was born near Lex- ington, Ky., in 1817. Mrs. Taylor still retains the greater part of the Enoch Rathbun estate of 240 acres. She also belongs to the M. E. Church and is a lady of many estimable Christian graces.

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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