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 97

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 97
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 97

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FRANCIS J. TURNER

(Farmer and Proprietor of Tobacco Factory, Bedford).

That the tobacco industry has become one of extensive proportions in this portion of Livingston county is very evident and to a few men is due largely the credit for its development and growth to a business of substantial dimensions. One of these is Mr. Turner, well and favorably known to the many residents of this community, and a brief outline of his life is accorded a worthy place in this volume. In 1874 he began putting up tobacco, having previously completed the large barn started by Daniel G. Saunders, Sr., and also added a stemming room ; besides this he continued to pursue the occupation of farming and stock-raising, which he had followed prior to 1874. During the busy season he gave employment to some 30 hands in his factory and in the conduct of this business he is meeting with that success which deservedly attends industry, enterprise and progress. He has some splendid stock upon his farm, among which are to be seen fine Jersey Red hogs, which he believes to be the best for general raising. Mr. Turner is a Virginian by birth, having been born in Bedford county, of the Old Dominion, on March 17, 1833. John H. Turner, his father, a planter, a stock-raiser and extensive tobacco grower, was 56 years old when he died in 1863. His widow, however, still survives, at the age of 79. She was formerly a Miss Lucy C. Jeeter. Francis J., the second of 6 children, was an attendant of the subscription schools in his native county, his first entrance upon life's duties being in the capacity of deputy sheriff and constable, serving in these posi- tions 4 years. Then he began farming and in 1868 came to his present location, buying out the interests of Mr. D. G. Saunders, above referred to. July 24, 1856, Mr. Turner was married to Miss Nancy E. Saunders, of Virginia, daughter of Thomas Saunders and Sabra Burnett. Eight children have blessed their happy married life ; of these seven survive : Samnel G., married to Miss Laura Crea- son, and they have one child, Ernest ; James T., John Milton, Annie S., Frank, Ray, Virgie and Ruth. Lucy, who is now deceased, was but a year old. Mr. T. is an esteemed resident of Livingston county.

923

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

WILLIAM M. WRIGHT

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

Mr. Wright is recognized as a careful, energetic agriculturist of this community, and by his advanced ideas and progressive habits has done no little for the farming element hereabonts. Originally from Hocking county, Ohio, he was born July 20, 1838, the son of William and Mary ( Myers ) Wright, the former a Pennsylvanian by birth and of Irish descent, and the latter of German origin, and formerly from Ohio. The father at the time of his death, in 1875 (in Illinois), was 84 years old ; the mother died in 1879, aged 60 years. William M., the fifth of ten children in their family, was reared to a farm experi- ence, obtaining such an education as the common schools of his adopted home, Indiana, afforded. Leaving the last named State when 18 years of age he located in Vermillion county, Ill., and there remained until about five years ago, when he came to this county. This has since been his place of residence, and he now occupies the place on which he first settled when moving to the county. On the 27th day of February, 1870, Mr. Wright was married to Miss Martha Jeannette, the fourth child of nine children of her parents' family. Ellsbury Jeannette, her father, was a substantial farmer of Illinois, and after reaching manhood married Miss Hannah Perkins, of Ohio nativity ; he died at the age of 54 in 1867, his wife being 42 years old at her death. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have been blessed with eight children, six of whom survive : Albert U. S., Adrian E., Romana J., Luther R., Lilburn G. and Chloe M. Christopher C. and Daisy A. are deceased. Mrs. Wright is a member of the Friends' or Quaker Church. Mr. W. is a stock man to quite an extent, having some good graded stock.

CHARLES WURSTER

(Farmer and Banker, Hale City, Mo.)

This substantial and representative citizen was born in Beaver county, Pa., July 30, 1822, the third of six children resulting from the union of Jacob and Magdelina Wurster, nee Goehring, the former a native of Bavaria, Germany, and the latter originally from Alsace, then a French province but now in the possession of the German Empire. The father emigrated to this country about 1816 and settled in Penn- sylvania, where he died, at the age of 89 years and 6 months, in 1873. Charles' mother came to America in 1811, and survived until 1869, when she died, being some 84 years old. Young Charles in his boy- hood days attended the common schools of Pennsylvania for about nine months, and yet, with this limited education, he has by subse- quent study and observation gained such excellent knowledge that no one would imagine at this time that he enjoyed other than the most liberal educational opportunities. When 19 years old he entered actively upon life's duties as a farmer, and after continuing this occu-

924

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

pation some time he began to learn the carpenter's trade. This, however, he never finished, but abandoning it he resumed agricultural labor and to the present day he has devoted himself to tilling the soil. His success in this direction was long ago recognized, and his natural characteristics of energy, perseverance and ceaseless efforts have proven invaluable to him in his career. In the spring of 1857 he located from Pennsylvania in Macon county, Ill., near Decatur, where he remained for nearly ten years. In 1867 he again moved, Madison county, Ia., becoming his place of residence, and of that locality he was a citizen for three years, lacking a day. About this time he settled on a farm in this county, which he had purchased in the spring of 1865, and his home has since been in this vicinity. A supporter of fine graded stock, he has purchased several excellent animals for breeding pur- poses, his place being well fitted for general stock purposes. And in addition to his farming interests he is connected with the Bank of Hale, located in Hale City, an institution of established financial stand- ing, and one that is a credit to the place. Mr. Wurster, while formerly connected with the Masonic Order at Bedford, is now interested with others in establishing a lodge at. Hale City. His wife is a member of the Christian Church. She was formerly Clarissa A. Reynolds, daughter of William Reynolds and Sarah Reynolds, née Woolsey, and the sixth of twelve children. Her father, originally from Tennessee, was one of Livingston county's oldest settlers, and at the time of his death in 1862 was 57 years old, the mother being about the same age when she died in 1866. This marriage was consummated October 4, 1882. Mr. W. has been previously married March 30, 1848, to Miss Fannie Fombelle of Beaver county, Pa., who died January 17, 1877, little past the age of 54 years. She left five children : Alexander J., the oldest son, is now living near Topeka, Kan. ; Charles A. resided in Carroll county, Mo., and died April 1, 1885; Gabriel lives on a farm adjoining his father's ; Joseph H. died December 28, 1862, while living in Macon county, Ill. ; Daniel G. died May 22, 1869, while living in Madison county, Iowa.

HON. THOMAS F. SCOTT

(Farmer and County Judge, Section 30, Post-office, Avalon) .

Judge Scott, for nearly thirty years a resident of this county, one of Grand River township's influential and highly respected citizens, and a man of good education and natural ability - is deserving of a more extended mention than the limits of this work will permit. His life has not been without thrilling adventure or self-denying ex- periences, yet success has attended him both in material affairs and in the esteem which has been accorded him by those among whom he has so long made his home. Judge Scott was born in Jefferson county, O., November 3, 1833. James Scott, his father, was a native of the same locality and grew up there as a farmer and merchant, subse- quently marrying Miss Jane Mansfield, of the same county as himself.

925

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

She died in 1857, leaving six children : William, Thomas F., Francis M., Susannah, who married James Preston ; Mary J., now Mrs. James Van Zant, and John W. Young Thomas accompanied the father to Chariton county, Mo., in 1842, and afterwards went to Burlington, Ia., in 1844, going thence to Galena, Ill., where he lived for some time. Following this for three years he worked in the lead mines of Wisconsin, but in 1849 returned to Ohio. In 1850 the senior Scott and his son, Thomas F., took a trip to California, where they were engaged in working in the mines with favorable results for three years. In 1853 they took passage for Australia, but twice while on the voyage the vessel on which they were passengers came near being wrecked. Finally their point of destination was reached and seven months were spent in that country, after which they returned home to Ohio. In a short time they went to Wapello county, Ia., remained two years, and in 1857 came to Livingston county, settling in Grand River township. This has since been the Judge's home. The father was married a second time, in 1861, to Mrs. Ann Warden, whose maiden name was Wilson ; she died in 1884, and on the 28th of May of the next year James Scott also yielded up his spirit to its Maker. Mr. Thomas Scott's marriage occurred on the same day that his father's second nuptials were celebrated, Miss Amanda Stone becoming his wife ; and it is a fact of interest that father and son, with their wives, ever after- wards lived in the same house and in the most harmonious manner, thus refuting the common idea that no house is large enough for two families. Not often in the present day is seen such devotion between father and son as always existed between James and Thomas Scott, and the latter surely has no reason to regret the noble duty which he so faithfully performed in caring for his father. In 1884 Mr. Scott's personal popularity, combined with his natural qualifications for office, led him to be elected county judge, and in this position he is now serving. He owns 205 acres of land in this township, and one-half interest in the " Jonathan Stone Farm" of 440 acres. The Judge and wife have four children : W. Edgar, Ida B., Effie M. aud William Jewell.

CHAPTER XV. MEDICINE TOWNSHIP.

General Descriptive and Historical Sketch of the Township - Early History - Organ- zation - Churches, etc. - Biographical.

Medicine township is the northeastern township of Livingston, and is one of the smallest in the county, containing only 30 sections. It comprises that portion ( one-half) of Congressional township 59, range 22, lying in this county, and a strip a mile and a half wide off of the east side of township 59, range 23. The west sections of 59-22 are a mile and a half wide, making the township five miles by six miles in area.

Medicine creek and Muddy creck flow southward through the town- ship, the former in the western and the latter in the eastern part ; both unite about three miles below the south line of the township, in Rich Hill. The township contains much good land, and some excellent farms, and with the completion of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, is destined to become a valuable bailiwick.

EARLY HISTORY.

Wm. J. Wallace was the first settler in this township. In the spring of 1837 he built a cabin and enclosed ten acres of land on the northwest quarter of section 7-59-22. In a year or two he gave up his claim (having not yet entered the land ) to his widowed sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Yates, married Mary Jane Burch, of Chariton county, and relocated near Medicine creek, on the ne. 1/4 of section 13-59-23. In the fall of 1839 Samuel Hurst settled three miles below Wallace, on section 36.

The land in this township was not put in market and made subject to entry until the year 1840. Until that time the settlers lived on claims, paid no taxes and were happy. A few of the first entries were made by parties living in Linn county, as investments for profit. The first entries made by actual residents was as follows : -

'IN TOWNSHIP 59, RANGE 22.

Name.

Description. Date

Elizabeth Yates

e. ¿ sw. { lot 4 and nw. } sec. 7

Wm. J. Wallace

w. ¿ lot 4 sec. 18 . .

Jan. 16, 1840 Jan. 16, 1840

Wm. Douglas .

ne. { and e. ¿ se. # sec. 19

In 1841

J. C. White .

nw. ne. sec. 21

Nov. 19, 1840

(926)

927

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

IN TOWNSHIP 59, RANGE, 23.

Name.

Description. Date.

John H. Perkins

e. ¿ se. sec. 1 .

Jan. 16, 1840

David Kemble .

n. ¿ ne. sec. 2

Jan. 16, 1840

Reuben Perkins

ne. se. sec. 2

Jan. 27, 1840

Wm. J. Wallace

ne. 4 sec. 13

Jan. 16, 1840

Thos. Ray

w. ¿ se. sec. 36

Mar. 27, 1840

Other early settlers, who came in after 1840, were David White, Robert Phillips, John Brown, Chapman Lightner, James Lightner and John J. Jordan. All these were here prior to 1844.

The first justice of the peace that resided in what is now Medicine township was Robert Phillips ; the second was John J. Jordan. The first child born was a son of John H. and Susannah Perkins, in 1840. The first death was that of a son of Fleming Wark, in 1845; the sec- ond was that of Mrs Elizabeth Yates, in 1852.

In 1844 the first marriage occurred, and Dawson Crews and Mar- garet Ann Yates were the happy couple. A year later another couple started for Squire John Jordan's to get married. Arriving at Medi- cine creek the stream was found swollen by a recent rain and not fordable. A young man with the party swam the stream, made his way to the house of the magistrate and soon brought him to the opposite bank of the stream from where the couple stood waiting. Being unable to swim himself Mr. Jordan tried to persuade the couple to postpone the wedding a few days until the stream could be crossed and they could come to his house ; but their impatience would not consent to any delay, and joining hands they demanded that the cer- emony take place then and there. The justice complied, and in a voice loud enough to be heard across the raging stream pronounced the ceremony, and so they were married and it is to be hoped lived happily ever afterward.

In the year 1840 the first sermon was preached at the residence of Wm. J. Wallace, by Rev. Nathan Winters, who it was said was an old soldier and a veteran of several campaigns. The first school in the township was taught by John H. Perkins, at his house, in 1846. No regular school-house was built until 1849.

ORGANIZATION.

Medicine township was organized out of Cream Ridge and Chilli- cothe townships, May 5, 1868, on petition of E. Dunlap, Jeptha Ire- land and others. Its first boundaries were the Linn county line on the east, Grundy county on the north, the line between townships 58

928

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

and 59 on the south, and the Crooked Medicine creek on the west. Subsequently the western boundary was changed to that existing at present.

It was named for Medicine creek, and that stream, it is said, derived its name from an incident which it is alleged happened in early days. A physician while swimming the steam lost his " pill bags," which were full of drugs, and so the settlers called it Medicine creek. Another version is that the Indian name for it signified medi- cine, and that it was known by that title to the early settlers of Chari- ton county as early as in 1820, before doctors had any occasion to travel through this part of the country. This seems the more proba- ble origin of the name, which the records show it bore as early as the spring of 1837.

There is no regularly laid out town in this township. The hamlet and post-office of Gordonsville on the line between sections 30 and 31, in the southern part of the township, is the only semblance of a village even.

CHURCHES IN MEDICINE TOWNSHIP.

M. E. Church South. - The date of the organization of this church, as near as can be obtained, was some time in the year 1845. There were about twelve members. Rev. Hawkins was the pastor and David White was class leader. Services were held once a month at the residence of Wm. J. Wallace, until the school-house was built, and then it was used for church purposes till about 1874 when the present church was built. The present minister is R. C. Kearney, and Edward Holmes is class leader. Services are held once each month and prayer meetings weekly. The present number is about forty. The Sabbath-school has an average of about 30 scholars.

M. E. Church. - The organization of this church was effected about the year 1867, Rev. Andrews, a local preacher, presiding. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. Bundy. Services are held in the Gordonsville school-house twice each month. The original members numbered sixteen. The greatest number of members the church has had at any one time was 33. The present membership is only 14.

929

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

ROBERT BARTHOLOMEW

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 22, Post-office, Eversonville).

Like all the youths of the country in which he was born, Prussia, Mr. Bartholomew in growing up experienced a military career of three years, but beside this he was favored with a good education in the common schools of his native province. His parents were Elias and Elizabeth Bartholomew, also of Saxony, Prussia, the former born August 1, 1786, and the latter November 21, 1793. Elias Bartholo- mew was a soldier in the Prussian army for a number of years, par- ticipating in the battle of Waterloo, under Blucher, and also at the battle of Leipzig and for his services in that struggle he obtained the golden medal; he was also the recipient of four other medals for serv- ices in the War of Europe, and two of these he disposed of for quite a sum of money. He died in the country of his birth in 1863, leaving seven children besides Robert; Henry, now in Oregon ; Paul in Il- linois ; George, Wilhelmina, Susannah, Margaret and Sophia, the latter of Illinois. Those whose places of residence are not mentioned still live in Prussia. The sons are all farmers, save George, a shoe- maker by trade, and all are in good circumstances. Robert, the subject of this sketch, was born in the province of Saxony in 1833 and remained there until emigrating to this country in 1859. Some years after, in 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Goos, of this county, and six children have blessed this union, one boy, 11 years old, and five girls, aged, respectively 14, 9, 7, 4 and 2 years. Mrs. B.'s father, Claus Goos, now a resident of Livingston county and a man well and favorably know, was born in Schleswig- Holstein, of the German Empire, and was in the Prussian army for some time ; he took part in the Austrian and Prussian War in 1864 and in 1868 became located in America. Mr. Bartholomew is the owner of a farm of 200 acres, well adapted to stock raising. For some seventeen years he has been closely connected with the interests of this county and by dint of perseverance has acquired a good home and comfortable competence.

WILLIAM K. BOYER (Deceased.)

In the meridian of manhood, at a time when it seemed possible for him to accomplish so much, William K. Boyer, a successful and use- ful citizen of this township, was cut off by the fell destroyer, Death. He was born in Berks county, Pa., October 8, 1841, and died at his

930

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

home in Livingston county, Mo., June 5, 1885, and was therefore only in his forty-fourth year

When the shroud enwrapped him fast, And the sleep was on him cast, That shall ne'er know waking.

He was reared in the county of his birth and as the oldest of six chil- dren much care necessarily fell upon him, somewhat interfering with his chances for acquiring an education, but by self-application in later years and deep reading he gained a good knowledge of books. Upon moving to Missouri from Ohio he was in moderate circumstances, but by diligent industry and economy he succeeded in obtaining a fair share of this world's goods, leaving at his death an estate of 240 acres, upon which were an excellent brick residence and a splendid barn. In the later years of his life he devoted his attention to stock raising with substantial success. During the war he served for a short time in the 38th Ohio volunteer infantry. He was an earnest, exem- plary member of the M. E. Church and his death was deeply lamented by all who knew him. On the 12th day of March, 1865, he was mar- ried to Miss Phebe Koos, whose father, Jacob Koos, a native of Ger- many, is still living in Fulton county, O. ; it was early in 1842 that he married Julia Ann Tomer, and to them 10 children were born, five of whom were boys : Frederick, Daniel, Albert, George and Ira; the girls' names were Phebe, Nancy, Julia, Mary and Flora. Mr. and Mrs. Boyer were the parents of five children, three of whom are living, George, 19 years of age, Flora A., aged 11, and Irena, two years old. Laura Ellen died March 1, 1867, and Mary Alice died August 28, 1867. Mrs. Boyd was appointed administratrix of her husband's estate and is fully competent to take charge of this prop- erty. She is a member of the M. E. Church, a faithful and consistent Christian woman, highly respected by all who know her.

MARION COBERLY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 25, Post-office, Eversonville) .

Among the representative young men whom Ohio has contributed to the agricultural community of this county is Mr. Coberly, now about thirty years of age, originally from Madison county, of the Buckeye State. His birth occurred in 1855, the second son of twelve children in the family of his parents, George W. and Mary E. Coberly, the former of Ohio nativity, and the latter formerly of Maryland. They were married in Ohio and now reside there, com- fortably situated, and with a necessary amount of this world's goods, aged respectively 55 and 50 years. The names of their children were Joseph, William, Jesse, Harvey, George, Albert, who died when five years old, Charles died when three years of age, the tenth son died in infancy, Richard, Laura Belle and Oliver. All his life Mr. Coberly has followed agricultural pursuits, to which he was

931

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

reared, and since coming to Missouri from Ohio some nine years ago, this occupation has received his attention. Consequently, he is thor- oughly familiar with all its details, and is obtaining good results in his operations. His place is well improved, having upon it neat and convenient buildings, etc. In 1882, Mr. C. was united in marriage with Miss Ella Donovan, of Livingston county, and they now have an interesting son, two years old. While in Ohio, Mr. Coberly belonged to the Good Templars, of which society he was an efficient member. In his political preferences he is a Greenbacker.

HON. JOHN W. DONOVAN (Post-office, Chillicothe).

The life record of him whose name appears above has been one of more than usual interest and his career has been of such benefit and influence to those not only in Livingston county, but throughout the State, that a sketch of his life is rendered almost necessary in this vol- ume, and this, although brief indeed, will convey something of an idea of his usefulness in different walks of life. He was born in Florence, Oneida county, N. Y., August 8, 1825, the son of Michael Donovan, a native of Ireland and a soldier in the English army, who emigrated to America in 1812. He was twice married, having eight children by his first wife, Harriet Graves : Dennis, James, Mary, Julia, John W., Samuel, Chancy and Kingman ; and eight children were also born of his second marriage: Stephen S., Elizabeth, Michael, Joseph W., Harriet, Sarah, James and Mary. Mr. Donovan was a man of good education, a great reader, a fluent speaker, and for 40 years held a license as an exhorter in the M. E. Church. He dearly loved his adopted country, was a strict temperance man and well versed in the Scriptures. Mrs. D., formerly of Massachusetts, was of Welsh origin on her father's side and on her mother's of German ancestry. Both parents were of Revolutionary stock, her uncle, Maj. Wells Graves, having been with Col. Ethan Allen at the battle of Ticon- deroga. Mr. Donovan died in 1874, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1834. John W. from the age of six years obtained a good schooling and lived upon the farm at home until 18 years old. In the spring of 1837 he accompanied his parents to Toledo, O., and in March, 1839, to Hillsdale, Mich., where he stayed two years, then moving to Moscow. In his eighteenth year he was apprenticed to learn the shoemaker's trade, and as the eldest son in the family contributed to their support. After learning the trade he remained at home some time and June 24, 1856, was married to Miss Mary Jane More- land, by whom he had six children : William W., Ella, George J., Jabin, Albert and Ira. After leaving Michigan, Mr. Donovan came to Missouri and located where he now makes his home, in section 36. In 1858 he served as justice of the peace in Michigan, but resigned that position upon removing to this State. In 1876 he was a candi- date upon the Greenback ticket for the Legislature, but was defeated. In 1878 he was the candidate for judge of the eastern district of Liv-

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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