USA > Missouri > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Missouri : carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, cities, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri ; the Constitution of the United States, and State of Missouri ; a military record of its volunteers in either army of the Great Civil War ; general and local statistics ; miscellany ; reminiscences, grave, tragic and humorous ; biographical sketches of prominent men and citizens identified with the interests of the country > Part 58
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Co., and is doing a large and lucrative business. He is a leading mem- ber of the Christian church and also of the A. O. U. W., at Norborne. He is an experienced and popular business man and a highly respected citizen.
ROBERT GILLIES.
On the 4th day of February, 1857, Robert Gillies was born.in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. He lived in his native city until he was nineteen years of age, and received his education and learned the jewelry trade there. To learn this business he served an apprenticeship of six and a half years. In 1877 the subject of this sketch left Scotland and came to the United States. After landing at New York he went to Maryland and spent a few months in that State, after which he came to St. Louis, Mo., and spent two years working at his trade in that city. He then went to Kansas City, and after spending a short time there came to Norborne, in this county, and established a watchmaker and jeweler's store, which proved a success, and which he has conducted very profitably ever since. Mr. Gillies is a very competent workman, and an agreeable and popular gentleman.
HERMAN HASS.
Herman Hass was born near Nordon, in the province of Hanover, Ger- many, on the 23d day of November, 1843, where he was educated and resided until his eighteenth year. He had the good fortune to receive exemption pardons from military duty both from the king of Hanover and the emperor of Germany, and was thus enabled to immigrate to America at the age mentioned above. Landing at New Orleans, he came up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, and thence direct to Carroll- ton, Carroll county, at which place he arrived November 12, 1860. He had learned the trade of a shoemaker in his native land, and at once began working at that business when he had settled here. He was employed at journey work for about a year, and then opened a shop on his own account in Carrollton, and remained there engaged in the manu- facture of boots and shoes during four years, at the expiration of which time he removed to Miles Point, on the Missouri river, in this county, and worked at his trade at that place for three years. In 1874 he went to Norborhe, and until 1877 conducted a boot and shoe shop in that town. He then formed a partnership with Chas. Smith, and entered the retail grocery trade, which business they have ever since conducted at Nor- borne under the firm name of Chas. Smith & Co. Mr. Hass was mar- ried in this county on the 15th day of April, 1867, to Miss Elizabeth Ran- zelman, who has borne him four children, named as follows: Mary Katrina, Henrietta Wilhelmina, Dora and John. Mr. Hass is a member
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
of both the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. fraternities, and is a public-spir- ited, enterprising citizen.
ADOLPH J. HANNSS.
Adolph J. Hannss was born in Altenburg, Germany, in 1833. He was raised and educated in the province of his birth. He was the son of Christoph.Hannss, a farmer in Germany. The subject of this sketch learned the millwright's trade when quite young, and followed no other calling while in the "old country." He was but eighteen years old when he first came to America. He has made several trips across the ocean. He came to America to remain in 1854, stopped at Niagara Falls and helped to build the suspension bridge. When he quit work on this bridge he returned to Germany and remained until the next spring, when he revisited America and located at Newburgh, Wisconsin, and followed the millright trade. He lived there about fifteen years. The following four years he spent in Minnesota and Wisconsin together, after which time he moved to Carroll county, Missouri, where he located, and he has lived in this county ever since. Having had enough military experi- ence in Germany, he would not enter the late war, but paid $300 bounty to keep out of it. He now owns a farm of 160 acres in section 2, of Egypt township, and has it well improved. Mr. Hannss was first mar- ried in 1856, to Miss Augusta H. Jecke, who died in 1871. He was again married in 1873 to Miss Johanna Pauline Kristen, from Prussia. He has ten children, five sons and five daughters. Six children by his first wife and four by his last. One child by first wife dead. In relig- ious belief Mr. Hannss is a Lutheran. He is an Odd Fellow, and has belonged to lodges in Wisconsin, Carrollton and Norborne.
PETER C. WILSON.
Peter C. Wilson was born in Cabell county, West Virginia, September 15th, 1840. He was raised and educated in the county of his birth. His father, Samuel Wilson, was a millwright by trade, and died in West Virginia when Peter was quite small. At the age of 18, Peter moved to Carroll county, Missouri, and settled in Moss Creek township, where he lived for 17 years. He has been gradually adding to his first purchase of land until he has a tract of land of 333 acres, (300 acres of fine prairie bot- tom land, and 33 acres of timber). The latter lies in Sugar Tree town- ship. The farm is well improved and but one-half mile from Norborne, on the Wabash and St. Louis R. R. Mr. Wilson deals pretty extensively in live stock. He was first married in Carroll county, November, 1863, to Miss Mary A. Morell, who only lived about three months, dying on the 23d day of February, 1864. He was subsequently married to Mrs. Clarinda M. Hudson widow of John Hudson and daughter of John Lee,
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
of Carroll county. She also died in December, 1876. Mr. Wilson has a son and a daughter living: Cliffe Lee and Clarinda Margaret. One child died when but two weeks old. Mr. Wilson is a member of the M. E. church south. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and is in fellowship with Carroll Lodge No. 249. In 1861 Mr. Wilson enlisted as a volunteer in the cause of the "sunny south," under the first call of Gov. Jackson; served six months in the state service and then joined the regular service under Gen. Shelby and served until 1863. The battles in which he was engaged are given in the Soldiers Record of this work. After the war. Mr. Wilson returned to his farm near Norborne and is a popular and prominent citizen.
JOHN P. FINLY.
John P. Finly was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, in September, 1823; raised and educated in the same county, the county of his birth. His father, Samuel E. Finly, was a Kentucky farmer, and died when John was 18 years old. This left the management of the farm to John, which position he occupied until he was 24 years of age. He was first married in July, 1847, to Miss Catharine A. Callahan, who died about four years afterward. Mr. Finly left Kentucky in the fall of 1850, and moved to Ray county, Missouri, where he lived for ten years. He pur- chased a farm in Ray county near the Carroll county line in 1852. In 1860 he moved to Miles Point, Carroll county, and remained there for five years. He next moved to Livingston county, and resided there one year. In 1867 he moved back to Carroll county, and settled on the farm about six miles northwest of Norborne. He traded this place for the one on which he now resides, in section 28 of Prairie township. His farm has 180 acres of fine improved prairie land, on which is a good house and barn. Mr. Finly married his second wife, Miss Mary Rim- mer, in Ray county. This wedding took place in the month of May, 1854. Mr. Finley has one son, Samuel, by his first wife, who is living in Colorado. His second marriage was blessed by ten children. Seven sons and three daughters, all now living. One of his daughters married James Donaldson, of Carroll county. Politically Mr. Finley is a demo- crat. He has always voted the democratic ticket. He tells of his having had his vote challenged by the registrars under the Drake code, after the war, and he in every case answered their questions as dictated to by his political principles, which were decidedly democratic.
NATHANIEL M. WHITE.
:Nathaniel M. White was born on the 2d day of March, 1846, in Pitts- burg, Penn: His father, Joseph White, died while on a trip to Ohio, for his health, when Nathaniel was but eight years old. The subject of this
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
sketch was educated in Pittsburg, and in Ohio. He moved to Scioto, Ohio, when 12 years old, where he arrived at maturity. In 1866, he moved with the family to Ray county, Mo., where they resided until 1870. His mother died in November, 1869. In 1870, he came with his brother, T. D. White to Carroll county, and located on section 3, town- ship 52, range 25. He owns in full partnership with his brother, about 1400 acres of land, nearly all well-improved land. The buildings on the place consist of a frame dwelling house, and two good barns. There are 3 good orchards on the place, two of which are fruit bearing. Mr. White and his brother are extensive live stock dealers. They ship on an average 250 cars of live stock to the St. Louis and Chicago markets. Mr. White is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has been honsred with the degrees of master mason, "Royal Arch," "Red Cross," and "Knights Templar.". He belongs to, Carroll, Lodge, No. 249, at Norborne, George Washington Chapter, No. 24, at Carrollton, and the Tancred Command- ery, No. 25, at Moberly, Mo. Mr. White is active, energetic and full of vim, and enterprise, and may well be classed with the leading live stock dealers in the state.
THOMAS J. MASON.
Thomas J. Mason, was born in Carroll county, Mo., July 5th, 1830. He has been reared and educated in his native county, by his father Thomas Mason. His avocation through life has always been farming. In his early life, educational advantages were very limited. The school house of those days was such as only the woodman's axe and growing timber afforded. The entire building was made of logs, including the chimney, the benches, etc. . The windows were made by leaving out the log the entire length of the house .. We may then conclude that the advantages offered for Mr. Mason's mental improvement in his youth were few and limited. In 1857, he purchased the farm upon which he now lives, in sec- tion 27, Egypt township. In the first purchase there were but 120 acres, which he paid for in three years. He has now 200 acres of prairie land, and 25 acres of timbered land. His farm adjoins the town of Nor- borne. Mr. Mason was first married to Miss Martha J. Snediger, in the spring of 1857. She was a daughter of Robert Snediger, of Ray county. She died in November, 1873, and Mr. Mason was again married in Octo- ber, 1878, to Mrs. Maria J. Austin, widow of David Austin, and daughter of James Dawson, deceased. Mr. Mason is the father of seven children, all by his first wife. Four sons and three daughters; three sons and two daughters still living. Oldest daughter married. Wm. Barlow, who is now dead. Politically, Mr. Mason is a. democrat. .. He says he voted for Breckenridge, in 1860, for President, and his voting before and since that time has been in accordance with those sentiments.
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
all sons, only two of them are now living. Henry Wetherholt was a man of rigid morals and was exceedingly.popular.
JAMES PAYNE,
born in Knox county, August 26, 1804. He was reared and educated in the county of his birth. He is a son of Joseph and Polly Payne, of Ken- tucky. His mother's maiden name was Stewart and she was of Scotch descent. Joseph lived to reach the age of ninety-five. He was one of the Kentucky pioneers. James lived in Kentucky until 1855 when he moved to Ray county, Missouri. After staying there a year he moved to Carroll county, and purchased a farm about three miles north of the present town of Norborne. This was at that time the most unsettled part of the county. Mr. Payne lived on this place until he moved to Nor- borne, with the exception of about seven years he spent in making tours through California, his family, however, remaining at home. He made one trip to California in 1854 from Kentucky and the other in 1859. The last trip he made by water. He was in California when the late war broke out, and returned home in 1863 to find his family divided, two of his sons advocating the Federal cause and two the confederate cause. Mr. Payne himself was not disturbed by either side. As soon as the railroad extended as far west as Norborne he moved to that town, He has built two houses there, one of which he Is now living in. He married Miss Harriett Ridgell, of Kentucky, May 12, 1825. A large family of sixteen children, nine sons and seven daughters were born to them. Four daughters and two sons still survive, all married but one son. Mrs. Payne is a member of the Methodist church. He was, while a young may, a colonel in the old " muster roll " days of Kentucky. He was in Panama, on his return from one of his California trips, at the time Walker, the filibuster, was creating an excitement.
WILLIAM H. HESS,
born June 29, 1845 in Lafayette county, Mo .. He is a son of Joseph and Margaret Hess. His father was a wagon-maker and of German descent. His mother's maiden name was Dunbar and of Scotch descent. When three years old his father moved to Richmond, Ray county, Mo. William was educated wholly in Richmond, completing his education in Richmond college. When he became of age he commenced farming in Ray county. In 1868 he bought out a restaurant in Richmond and ran that for two years. Subsequently he engaged in the hotel business at R. & L. Junction in Ray county. He remained there two years. In 1872 he went to Warren county, Kentucky and was engaged in farming for two years; 'he returned in 1874 and lived in Lexington, Missouri, for eighteen months. In the following year he spent a few months in Iowa and in the
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
WILLIAM PAYNE.
Wm. Payne was born in Knox county, Kentucky on the 12th day of January 1832. He was reared and educated in the county of his birth and remained there until the 25th year of his age. He moved to Ray county Mo., in December 1856; purchased land in the neighborhood of Millville and sold during the "Oil excitement" realizing a good profit. Ray county was the home of Mr. Payne for 16 years. He visited Colo- rado in 1861, in May 1863 went west to California, visited Oregon and Idaho and returned to Ray county Mo., in September 1865. He made a trip through Texas in 1867 looking for a suitable place to locate. Finding no country that pleased him better than Missouri tor farming, he returned the summer of the same year and purchased a farm in Ray county near his former home. After living on this place for five years he moved to Carroll county three miles north of Norborne. This place he has well improved. It consists of 120 acres of fine prairie land, and 10 acres of timbered land, on the place is a two-story frame residence, a barn and fine orchard. Mr. Payne and family have lived on this farm since 1872. He married on the 2d day of February 1854, Miss Mary Mayse of Knox county Kentucky. Nine children have been born of this union, of which number, three sons and four daughters are living. He has three daughters married and living in Carroll county. Mr. Payne is strong in the faith of Democ- racy, cast his first presidential vote for Bell in 1861, and has voted the Democratic ticket ever since. Mr. Payne is one of the prominent men of Carroll county and a much respected citizen.
HENRY WETHERHOLT,
born February 12th 1820, in Virginia. He was a son of John and Mary Wetherholt, and of German descent. Henry was raised and edu- cated in Fayette county Pa. He moved with the family when about nineteen years of age to Bellmont county Ohio. He came to Missouri in 1840 and settled first in Lewis county, he lived there until 1857, when he moved to Carroll county Mo., and settled on a place two miles south of Norborne. The farm consists of 240 acres, and it was his home until the time of his death, April 11th 1879. In his will he left his property to his wife in trust for all her children. Mrs. Wetherholt now lives in Nor- borne and rents out the old home place. Mr. Wetherholt's wife was a widow of Lemuel G. Hatcher. Her maiden name was Sarah D. Chambers, daughter of William and Mary Chambers of Kentucky. Four sons and one daughter were born of this marriage. Elizabeth C., Sarah M. (wife of Jonathan Shackleford,) Mary L., John Henry and Theodocia V. (wife of A. J. Shackleford.) Elizabeth C, Mary L. and John Henry have departed this life. Mrs. Wetherholt had five children by her marriage,
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
fall of 1875 he returned to Missouri and settled down in Norborne, Car- roll county, Mo., where he has lived ever since, engaged in the livery busi- ness. . Mr. Hess was married May 14, 1871, to Miss Ella Noell, daughter of Nathaniel Noell, deeeased, of Saline county. They have had five children born to them. Only two are now living, Annie Pearl and Fan- nie Willie. Mr. Hess is a member of the Christian church, and expects to spend the remainder of his life in Norborne.
JOHN A. CREASY,
born December, 13, 1833 in Campbell county, Virginia. His father,' Fleming Creasy was a millwright and general mechanic. When six years old John A. came with his father to Carroll county, Missouri. He was reared and educated in Carroll county, receiving his schooling from the primary schools. He had but little opportunity to attend school, but being of a studious mind accomplished a great deal by private study; he is in fact a self-educated man, and is most proficient in branches that per- tain to mechanical sciences. He first began life for himself as a wagon-maker in Carroll bottom, near Miles Point .. He sold out there on account of bad health and moved to Russellville, Ray county, and engaged in the mer- chandising business; he remained there six years with good success. In- deed he may justly be considered the father of Russellville as he was the first one to start a store in that place. He was in Russellville during the war. In 1864 he moved to Macon, Ill .; remained their nine months and then moved to Pike county, Ill. In 1866 he moved to De Witt, Carroll county, Mo. There he was engaged in the steamboat commission busi- ness until 1869, when he moved to Norborne and started a lumber-yard and was at the same time ticket agent for the North Missouri railroad. Subsequently Mr. Creasy has had a varied business experience. In 1879 Mr. Creasy invented a wind pump for which he received a patent. The pump is called the " Iron Champion." It is manufactured in Norborne. with the exception of the castings. The demand for the pump is rapidly increasing. Mr. Creasy was married in Carroll county, May 21st to Miss Frances A. Marlow, daughter of William Marlow, deceased. She died October 6, 1873 and Mr. Creasy was again married December 7, 1875, to Miss Louisa M. Carpenter, daughter of E. W. Carpenter, of Lexington, Mo. Mr. Creasy had six children by his first wife. Of these three sons and two daughters are still living. One of the daughters married George F. Crutchley, of Norborne. By his second wife he had five children; of these a son and a daughter are still living. Mr. Creasy is a member of the M. E. church south. Mrs. Creasy belongs to the missionary Baptists. His first wife was a member of the Methodist church. He is a member of the masonic fraternity and is in fellowship with Carroll lodge, No. 249.
U .
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
at Norborne. Mr. Creasy is an enterprising man and takes a great inter- est in the county's welfare. He will continue with the company in the manufacture of the machines of which he is the inventor and patentee. Mr. Creasy has made several trips to California. He has one son, Charles William, who in his love for machinery imitates his father. He is at pres- ent telegraph operator at Missouri City.
HENRY WENZEL,
Was born in Germany, February 8, 1819. His father was a farmer in Ger- many. Henry served out his time as apprentice in learning the stone and brick mason trade. He served 4 years of the time required by law in the military service. He came to America in December, 1844, landed at New Orleans on Christmas day. He settled in St. Louis, and worked at his trade for. three years. In 1848 he came to Carroll county, where he has been engaged in farming ever since. He first purchased 80 acres of land 4 miles east of Norborne. In 1866 he purchased the place on which he now lives. It contains 260 acres, and lies in section 21 of Egypt township. The farm is well improved. Mr. Wenzel owns altogether 540 acres in Car- roll county, besides two houses and lots in Norborne. He was married March 4, 1855, to Miss Louiza Hecke, a German lady of Chariton county. She died August 16, 1880. They have had born to them seven children: Lena, born October 23, 1856; Louiza, born August 5, 1858; Frederick, born September 13, 1860; Katie, born December 10, 1862; Henrietta, born January 1st, 1865; Lewis, born August 26, 1866; Wilhelmina, July 25, 1869. Henrietta died September 17, 1866. Mr. Wenzel is a prominent member of the Evangelical Lutheran church at Norborne. His wife was a member of the same church. Two of his daughters are now married. Lena married Henry Haurtman, of Lafayette county, and Katie married Wm. Coleman, of Carroll county. Mr. Wenzel is a thrifty farmer and a prominent citizen in his neighborhood.
FRANK SCHIES,
was born in the province of Baden, Germany, March 25, 1837. He is a son of Andrew Schies, a wagon-maker. He was educated in the national schools of Germany. He came to America with the family when 16 years old; landed at St. Louis via New Orleans, in 1852. In 1853 the family moved to Carroll county, and settled on Turkey Creek. In course of time his father entered land, near the present site of Norborne. This was afterward exchanged for land where Norborne now stands. At his father's death, Frank fell heir to this tract of land, which he sold at the commence- ment of the building of the town of Norborne, and bought land one mile northeast of the town where he now resides. Mr. Schies was married August 13, 1862, to Miss Magdalena Reck, a native of Germany. They
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
were the parents of five children: Eva, Mary, Frank, and Theresa. Sophia, the oldest, died in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Schies belong to the Ger- man Methodist church. Mr. Schies is an old settler and a good and suc- cessful farmer.
MICHAEL J. MCAULIFFE,
was born November 12, 1835, in Cork county, Ireland, son of Timothy McAuliffe, a farmer, who died in December, 1841. After his father's death the family moved to America, and landed in New York city. In 1843 they moved to Boston. Here Michael learned the carpenter's trade. At the time of the late war he was a member of an independent company of the Montgomery Union Association, but fortunately had no fighting to do. After the war he came west, stopped at Chicago a year, and worked at his trade. In 1866 he went to St. Louis, and there worked on Jefferson barracks. He remained in St. Louis three years, and moved to Carroll county, Missouri, and improved a farm in Sugar Tree township, which he sold two years afterward, and purchased and improved a place of 160 acres three miles west of Norborne, in section 20, of Egpyt township, and has ever since lived on it. Since Mr. McAuliffe's stay in Carroll county, he has worked considerably at his trade, both in the towns of Carrollton and Norborne. He was married in the city of Boston, October 25, 1863, to Miss Eliza B. Feely, daughter of Dan'l Feeley, of Ireland. They have been blessed with four children, 2 sons and 2 daughters: James Henry, born August 19, 1864; Mary Ann, born August 24, 1866; Daniel Joseph, born April 7, 1872; Eliza, born August 12, 1874. Daniel J. died January 12, 1873, with cerebro spinal meningitis. Mary Ann died April 9, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. McAuliffe are members of the Catholic church, and have had their children baptized in the same faith.
WILLIAM B. VEST,
was born May 2d, 1829, in Terre Haute, Indiana. He is a son of Little B. and Leah Vest. His father was a millwright by trade and he taught William the milling business. When William was three years old the family moved to Spencer, Owen county, and here William was chiefly educated. When 16 years of age he came to Franklin county, Missouri, and lived with his grandfather Vest, with whom he remained for three years and learned the blacksmith trade. In 1849 he went to Troy and was engaged in horseshoeing, etc., until 1854, when he opened a plow and wagon shop in Lexington, Illinois. He remained there but a year and then visited Iowa and finally settled in Lexington, Missouri, in July, 1856. He was engaged with the firm of C. Carpenter & Co., in the man- ufacture of general farming implements. The firm was afterward changed to the style of Carpenter & Vest. He was in Lexington for three years.
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
From this time on he had a varied business experience. He sympathized with the south but was not engaged in war. After the war he went back to his farm that he owned near Buckner, Jackson county, Missouri. He moved to Norborne, Carroll county, Missouri, in April, 1881, and leased the Bethel Mills in partnership with George Van Trump. Mr. Vest mar- ried Miss Susan McCulloch, December 26, 1850, she was from Lincoln county, and only lived about a year and a half after their marriage. He was again married in 1853, to Miss Elizabeth Williams of Lincoln county. She died June 16, 1859. He was a third time married in October, 1860, to Miss Amanda Rainey, of Jackson county. She died March 5, 1867: and Mr. Vest was a fourth time married on the 12th of October, 1869. His present wife was widow Carrie Taylor, whose maiden name was Griffith. He has had twelve children. By his first mariage he had no children; by his second he had three; by the third he had four, and by his last mar- riage he has five. He has also raised one stepdaughter, a child of his pre- sent wife. Mr. Vest is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and holds membership at Buckner, Jackson county, Missouri. He intends moving his family to Norborne to live.
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