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 66
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
595
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
ROBERT COCHRAN ELY,
born in October, 1838, in Carroll county, Missouri. He lived on a farm until about fourteen years of age, when he engaged as a clerk with the firm of Hill & Ely, Carrollton, Missouri. He remained with this firm as clerk until 1862, when he was taken in as a partner, and has been con- nected with the house ever since. He is the oldest child of Benjamin and Martha W. Ely. Mr. Ely started out in life a poor boy, and by his untiring energy and close attention to business has acquired a position second to no one in Carrollton. In the fall of 1865 he married Clara Ann Crasby, a native of Missouri. They have four children living: Edward C., Mary Reed, Frank B. and Mattie May. Their second child, Benja- min, died. Mr. and Mrs. Ely are members of the Baptist church.
ALLEN R. ENNIS,
born in 1852, in Lafayettee county, Missouri. Son of George W. Ennis, of Kentucky, who came to Missouri in 1842, and located in Lafayette county, where he was engaged in the milling trade until 1876, when he removed to Carrollton and continued in the same business. Allen R. was raised to learn the milling trade, and spent the years of 1874 and 1875 in acquiring a complete knowledge of the business. He came to Carroll- ton in 1876, and in connection with his father purchased the mill known as the " Farmers' Mill." They have since refitted the mill and are doing an extensive business. Mr. Ennis was married in February, 1881, to Miss Lillie W. Pierce, of St. Louis, daughter of A. S. Pierce, general passenger agent of the Anchor Line of steamers.
TIPTON FINLEY,
was born October 27, 1820, in Boone county, Kentucky. His parents were early settlers of Kentucky. When sixteen years old he came to Boone county, Missouri, remaining there two years and then moved into Saline county and taught school for twelve months at Miami. He removed to Carroll county, during the Mormon war, and was with the besiegers at De Witt, standing near Williams when he was killed. ' After that affair at De Witt he returned to Saline county, but came again to Car- roll county in 1840, and was engaged by Sarshall Woods, who lived on what is now known as the Herndon Homestead, to teach school. This was among the first schools in the county, and the only one during that year. Mr. Finley continued teaching in various parts of the county for some time. He was married January. 12, 1842, to Miss Sarah A. Berry; daughter of James S. Berry. In that year Mr. Finley settled on top of Bogard mound, where he remained two years and then removed to Stokes mound, buying an interest in the Whiting mills, on Shoal creek.
596
. HISTORY . OF CARROLL COUNTY.
The mills afterwards washed away, and in 1847 he settled in section 9, Carrollton township, where he now lives. To Mr. Finley's first marriage were born eight children, four of which number still live. His wife died January 17, 1862, and he was again married Septemder 4, 1864, to Miss Nettie Lock, daughter of E. G. Lock. To this second union were born two sons.
MARSHAL R. GITTINGS,
was born December 19, 1837, in Muskingum county, Ohio. In 1848 he moved to Hancock, Illinois, where he grew to manhood. He was raised on a farm, and followed farming until 1859, when he began clerking in a store at La Harp, Illinois. In 1861 he returned to the farm and in 1863 he went south with the military state agent of Indiana, and remained there until the close of the war. In 1866 he moved to Carrollton, Mis- souri, and bought the hotel known as the Gittings House. In 1879 he was appointed postmaster of Carrollton, which position he has since held. He is also in partnership with his brother, Townsend J., in the book and sta- tionery business. He is a son of Benjamin Gittings, a native of Ohio, and who is now seventy-six years old and living in Carrollton. His mother's maiden name was Susan Baum, a native of Pennsylvania. She died Feb- ruary 26, 1881. Mr. Gittings is a member of the Knights of Pythias and a member of Oriental Lodge, A. K. M. C.
TOWNSEND J. GITTINGS,
was born January 26, 1852, in Hancock, Illinois. Townsend J. is a brother of Marshal R. Gittings, whose parentage was made mention of in his biographical sketch. · Townsend J. started out in life for himself at the age of fourteen. He commenced with the book business in Carroll county, Missouri. Afterwards engaged in the restaurant business. He was also engaged in the hotel business with his brother. In 1880 he took charge of the Carroll House in Carrollton and run it for a while. He is now one of the firm of Gittings Bros., who carry a large and complete stock of books and stationery. He was married November 26, 1875, to Miss Flora A. Shinn, of La Harp, Illinois. She is a daughter of R. K. Shinn, one of the leading merchants of La Harp. Mr. Gittings is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F.
COL. JOHN B. HALE,
was born in Brooke county, Virginia, February 27, 1831. Is the son of the Rev. John Hale, a native of Maryland. His mother was Miss Eliza- . beth Blackwell, daughter of Col. Joseph Blackwell, of Fauquier county, Virginia. To this marriage were born five daughters and one son, the subject of this notice. The father of Col. Hale, in the spring of 1837,
597
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
moved to Illinois and settled in Grafton; during the summer every mem- ber of his family was sick. Losing two daughters and suffering severe affliction himself he determined to return to his native state. He reached the city of Cincinnati in December, and stopped with his uncle, Gen. Charles Hale, and lived but a short time. His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Wilson, of the First Presbyterian Church in that city, and he was buried in one of the cemeteries. His widow returned to Brooke county, and in 1841 came to Missouri with her daughters and her only son. She remained here until 1844, and returned to Virginia. Keeping her children at school, in 1847 returned with her family to Missouri. Schools, at that day, in Carroll county, were very common; in 1849 a few of the citizens, feeling the importance of a better school, employed Rev. Bartlett Anderson. It was at this school that Col. Hale was a student, and began the study of Latin, with other branches, in which he made rapid progress for five months. At the close of this school he entered the law office of Messrs. Able & Stringfellow, of Brunswick. After completing his studies he returned to Carrollton, and opened an office. (The law at this time had run completely down, some terms of the court not more than thirty cases were on the docket, and not more than three or four new cases; mostly continued and appealed cases, from justices' courts.) This quiet in business gave him time to review his studies. In 1855 his friends brought him forward as a candidate for the legislature, in opposition to Dr. Atwood, a candidate to fill the vacancy made by the death of Dr. McMurtry. He made a gallant race against one of the ablest speakers in the ranks of the Knownothing party. Atwood was elected by twenty-four votes only. The following year he was brought out as the champion of the Democrats again. Dr. Atwood declined making the race, and Mr. Hale walked over the track without much opposition, and was elected by nearly five hundred votes, being the youngest member of the legislature. In that year Gov. Polk was elected United States Senator. On his return home business began to improve with him, and a lucrative practice was secured. In 1861, when the excitement between the North and South began, he took the side of the Union, and became its champion, and in 1862 he was elected Colonel of Enrolled Militia, to serve one year. He then became associated with Capt. Eades in the practice of law, which association at once rose to the leading law firm in the fifth judicial circuit, and was dissolved on the first of January, 1881. Col. Hale having a son whom he wished to advance took him into partnership, and Capt. Eads took in partnership his son-in-law. In 1858 he was married to Miss Mary Claiborne Casby, and by this union they have six sons and one daughter. The eldest son is in partnership with his father and the second is attending the law school at St. Louis. In 1874 Col. Hale was elected to the constitutional conven- tion, and is now in his fifty-first year of age, independent in circum-
598
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
stances, with vigorous health. He has always been Democratic in politics.
LAWRENCE K. KINSEY,
was born in Burlington, New Jersey, and is a member of the Carroll · county bar. He came to Missouri in 1848; studied law with R. M. Field, of St. Louis, and in 1855 was appointed assistant circuit attorney of that county, the first to hold that position. In the fall of 1860 he came to Car- rollton where he has since resided. He has held the position of attorney for the city for the years 1868 and 1869, and in the spring of 1871 was appointed attorney for the county, and in 1872 was elected to that posi- tion and held it till January 1, 1879. His father, Charles Kinsey, was an eminent lawyer, of New Jersey, and was a member of the Congress of 1820, and his speeches advocating the admission of Missouri into the union, are reported by Thomas H. Benton and Alexander Stephens. The grandfather of Mr. Kinsey was James Kinsey, chief justice of New Jer- sey from 1790 to 1800. He was also secretary of the colony of New Jer- sey during the revolution, and was elected to the first Congress under the Constitution with John De Hart. Judge Kinsey's supreme court deci- sions are reported in Coxe & Halstead. Mr. Kinsey's great-grandfather was John Kinsey, chief justice of Pennsylvania, eminent before the revo- lution as a lawyer and judge, and noted for his learning in admiralty law; an account of this truly eminent man can be found in "Watson's Annals of Philadelphia." The ancestor of John Kinsey was a quaker, who came over about the time of Wm. Penn, fleeing from persecutions in England. ·He came from East Haddam, Herefordshire, and settled in Burlington, New Jersey, in 1677, where most of his descendants now reside. On his mother's side, Mr. Kinsey's descent is from Lawrences, noted in the his- tory of Philadelphia and New Jersey; his mother being a first cousin of Capt. James Lawrence, of the Chesapeake, who is remembered for the heroic words, "don't give up the ship." L. K. Kinsey is named after his cousin, Commodore Lawrence Kearney, of the United States Navy. The parents of Mr. Kinsey are both dead. It may be here remarked that in this family are seen three generations of judges; Charles Kinsey for five years having been Surrogate and judge of the Orphan's Court, of Bur- lington county, New Jersey.
JOSEPH H. TURNER,
was born in South Scituate, Mass., a good many years ago. In April, 1856, he came west and spent that year in Des Moines. In the winter of 1857-8 he went to Bedford, Iowa, and established the Iowa Southwest, the first paper ever published in Taylor county. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company F, 29th Iowa Infantry, and served through the war as Sergt. Major, Lieut. in the regiment, and Capt. and A. A. A. G., on the
599
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
staff of Generals Solomon and Rice; was honorably discharged August 25, 1865. In December, 1867, he came to Carrollton and established the Wakanda Record, and on the 4th of the following April was burned out, losing office, books, papers, etc. In four weeks he had another press, and on the 19th of January, 1878, was again burned out, the office, worth about $6,000, being entirely destroyed, with only $1,500 insurance. In August, 1878, he started the Carroll Record, which has since been con- ducted by him as proprietor, publisher and editor.
JAMES F. GRAHAM,
son of E. S. and Catherine Graham, was born in Ray county, Mo., on the 4th day of August, 1853. In his infancy his parents removed to Cam- den, in the same county, where he lived until he was seventeen, acquiring in that time the limited education usually taught at a country school. The next two years he spent at school in Kansas City, Mo .; returning home at the close of the second session, he taught school at his home for one year, during which time he commenced the study of law. In 1872 he entered the law office of Hon. C. T. Garner, at Richmond, and at the end of six months accepted a clerkship in the Ray County Savings Bank, soon becoming assistant cashier, which he held for five years. During those years his law, literary and business education was shaped by that sterling soldier and gentleman, Col. A. W. Doniphan. In 1876 he came to Carrollton, and for eighteen months clerked at the bank of Wilcoxson & Co. Giving up his position in the bank, he turned his whole attention to the law, and was admitted to the bar in 1879, by Judge E. J. Barad- dus. The following spring he was chosen city attorney, and has retained the position ever since. On the 4th day of June, 1879, he was married to Miss Fannie L., daughter of William M. and Laura Eads, of this city.
JOHN WARNOCK.
The subject of this brief sketch is the son of John and Isabella War- nock nee Gilpenson, of Belmont county, Ohio. He was born on the 1st day of November, 1810, in Belmont county, and resided there until 1858, when he came to Carroll county, Missouri, and settled where he now resides, on a farm of 240 acres, well improved. On the 19th. of March 1835, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret McMillen, of Ohio, by whom he had nine children, eight of whom are now living, namely: Jas. G., Sarah J., Joseph H., Margaret J., Clara E., John F., Rebecca and Alice. Mr. Warnock is a consistent and devout member of the Pres- byterian church, at Avalon. His wife died the 8th of January, 1880.
600
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
WILLIAM DAVIS DOBSON.
W. D. Dobson is the son of David M., and Nancy Dobson, formerly Miss Nancy McAmis, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His grandfather, James McAmis was wounded in the war of the revolution by a stray shot soon after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, which wound rendered him a cripple during life: The subject of this sketch was born on the 28th of November, 1848, on a farm four miles east of Greenville, Green county, East Tennessee. His father and mother are both living, the former sixty- nine and the latter sixty-five years of age. His father's family consisted of six boys and one- girl, namely: 'James, deceased; Thomas, Robert, Joseph, deceased; Jennie, William D. and David, also deceased. Thomas is a prominent farmer on the old homestead. Robert served three years in the 4th Tennessee infantry, federal, as 1st lieutenant, and is now prac- ticing medicine in this state. Jennie married Prof. A. M. Alexander, who occupies the chair of mathematics in Greenville and Tuscumbia college. The close of the war saw the family estate reduced to land alone. Wil- liam's father gave him the choice of an education or a "farm. He chose the former and accordingly entered Greenville and Tuscumbia college, in the fall of 1865, and graduaded at the head of a class of sixteen, in 1870. He read law two years and was admitted to the bar of the 1st judicial district of Tennessee, Jndge Gillenwaters presiding. Mr. Dobson's father gave him $55 and he came to Grundy county, Missouri, where he took sick; exhausted all his means, which compelled him to take the school of Lindley in that county. In 1873 he accepted the first grammar department, at Trenton, held it two years, and on the resignation of Prof. R. C. Norton, as superintendent, became his successor, holding the place for five years. In the fall of 1880 he accepted the position of superintendent of Carrollton public schools, which he now holds acceptably to the board and patrons of the school, being a very successful educator. He was married in July, 1878, to Miss M. J. Britton of Greenville, Tennessee, and two children, Walter and Pauline, have blessed the union. Mr. Dobson has conducted several normal institutes in this state, and conducted the institute of this county last summer. In 1878 the degree of master of arts was conferred on him by his alma mater. Mr. Dobson is a member of the masonic fra- ternity, Blue lodge, Royal Arch and Knight Templar.
LOUIS B. ELY.
L. B. Ely, as well, if not more extensively known in Carroll county, ·than any other resident, is a son of Benjamin Ely, of New Jersey, and Eliza Ely, formerly Eliza Bell, of Kentucky. His mother died in 1833, and his father died in this county in 1860. L. B. Ely was born in Frank- fort, Kentucky, on the 18th day of May, 1825. In 1838 when but thirteen years of age he came to Missouri, his father having been here a year prior
601
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
to his son's arrival, and had located on a farm five miles east of Carroll- ton; the son assisting his father on the farm until 1840, when he engaged as clerk with Captain Hill, who was merchandising at Hill's Landing, on the Missouri river. In 1844 the terrible overflow drove Captain Hill to Carrollton with his business, Mr. Ely remaining with him. In 1846 Cap- tain Hill took Mr. Ely as a parner in business, the firm of Hill & Ely last- ing till the death of the senior member, which occurred in 1862. Mr. Ely has been associated with James H. Minnis, with his brother, Robert C, Ely, with Samuel L. Painter and with his eldest son, Smith Ely. Mr. Ely is a man of splendid business capacity, energetic and public spirited, and has contributed largely to the improvement of Carrollton and its sur- roundings. He was married in 1849 to Miss Martha, daughter of James Herndon, of this county, and is the father of six children, four of whom, Mary E., Smith, Anna B., and Herndon, are living. In early life he became a member of the Baptist church, and has proven one of the most active and energetic, and has contributed very largely in making it the strongest denomination in the county. Since his retirement from active business he has given his time and attention to building upon a firm, finan- cia! basis, an endowment fund for William Jewell College, one among the many laudable enterprises, in which he has been engaged. Mr. Ely is six feet, two inches high, large frame, fine face, and splendid carriage, a pleasant and genial conversationalist, gray hair, bright brown, flowing beard, tinged slightly with threads of silver. In rebuilding on the site of his old three story brick hotel destroyed by fire in the fall of 1881, he dis- plays the same energy he did in all his business life. In .closing this brief sketch it is but justice to add that he imprinted on all his business trans- actions the simple fact that he is an " honest man."
CHARLES R. SIMPSON.
C. R. Simpson was born the 31st day of March, 1845 in -Carrollton, Green county, Illinois, and is of scotch descent. Was educated at Shurt- liff College, Alton, Illinois, and at Christian Brothers College, St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Simpson when quite young was deputy circuit clerk of his native county and discharged his duties ably and satisfactorily for several years. In 1862, when only seventeen years of age he enlisted in the 61st Illinois infantry, as drummer and was at the fight of Pittsburg Landing. Was afterward commissioned as 1st Lieutenant on Gen. Carlin's staff, and was senior aid de camp ... Was appointed assistant commissioner of Middle Tennessee, and was not mustered out of service until 1869. In February 1869 he came to Carrollton Missouri, and engaged in the grocery business for about two years. Left for 'St. Louis and engaged with Nave, Goddard & Co., and remained seven years. The firm chang- ing hands Mr. Simpson remained two years longer with Nave & McCord,
602
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
successors to Nave, Goddard & Co. Returning to Carrollton, Missouri, on the 30th of September 1868 he was married to Miss Bettie, eldest daughter of Wm. J. Herndon, Esq., by whom he has one child named Lorle, born January, 1873. He engaged in the brokerage business in St. Louis, under the firm name of Simpson & Addison, and in a few months sold out to advantage and returned to this place where he has located permanently and is engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business. Mr. Simpson is now and has been president of the western commercial travelers' association for the past two years.
JAMES C. ANDERSON.
The subject of this sketch is the youngest of five children born to Lewis and Tripha Anderson, the father being from Virginia and the mother from North. Carolina .. While the children were. yet small the family moved to Tennessee. Mr. Anderson commenced teaching school when but seven- teen years of age, and afterward attended Mossy Creek college. In the fall of 1859 he went to Kentucky, remaining until spring, spending the winter teaching. In the spring of 1860 he came to Carroll county and immediately went to teaching and was engaged in that avocation for two years. In 1862 he enlisted in the 3d Missouri cavalry volunteers, and was discharged from the service in the spring of 1865, at St. Louis, Mo. He was married on the 8th day of May 1853 to Miss Hattie E., daughter of Capt. W. H. Frazier of Springfield, Missouri. After his discharge from the service, he first taught in Georgetown, Pettis county, for one year, after which he returned to Carroll county and taught in the Cary district, In April 1866 he came to Carrollton and opened a select school which he taught for five years. On the opening of the public schools in Carrollton, the board tendered him a situation. Accepting the situation he moved his scholars to the public school, where he has been engaged ever since. In the spring of 1875, Mr. Anderson was elected county commissioner, and has been retained in that position ever since, having no opponent since his first election. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Anderson is the father of eight children, seven of whom are living, namely, Mollie E., Louisa J., Lillie A., 'Lewis W., Tripha J., James B., and Bessie Lee. Hattie E. died Oct. 2d 1867.
JOHN L. MIRICK.
J. L. Mirick was born in Boone county, Kentucky, on the 18th of October 1836. He is the son of John T. and Elizabeth Mirick, formerly Elizabeth Yonell. He attended the common schools ' of the county until 1852, when he came to Howard county, this state, and in 1854 removing to this county. He attended the high school at Carrollton during the years 1856 and 1857, commencing the reading of law in August of the latter
603
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
year, with Hon. R. D. Ray. Was admitted to the bar in 1859, and prac- ticed his profession until the spring of 1861. Aided in raising a company of infantry for the state service under the first call of the Governor, was elected 2d Lieutenant, and with the company went to Jefferson City to protect the place from the advance of Gen. Lyon. The company was afterward assigned to Hughes' regiment, Slack's brigade during the exist- ence of the state Guard. Was elected captain of the company at the Lex- ington fight, and took part in the engagements of that summer including Boonville, Carthage, Wilson's Creek and Lexington. Afterwards joined the confederate service and was detailed on recruiting service, taking out many to the army. Assisted in .the raising and organizing D. A. Wil- liams' cavalry regiment in 1864. Was made Major of the regiment and served as such till the close of the war, taking part in all fights and skirm- ishes of the command. Went to Mexico for some time and in 1867 returned to Carrollton and resumed practicing law. Was married in 1869 to Mary William Campbell, daughter of John Campbell, present Sheriff of Carroll county.
MAJ. JAMES W. BUCHANAN,
born February 4, 1822, in Rockbridge county, Virginia. Married Miss S. F. J. Welch, of the same county, April 9, 1846. From this union there were fourteen children, nine boys and ¡five girls. The eldest, John T., is now principal of the Franklin school in Kansas City, having graduated with distinction at the Jacksonville. Business College in 1866, and the Central College in 1872. Dr. R. R. and two younger brothers are in Dakota having large mining interests there. G. D. is in business in Otta- wa, Kansas; and the two minors, A. 'L. and N. B. are in Carrollton. While in Virginia, Major Buchanan was Captain of the Rockbridge rifle company, and offered his services to the general government for the Mex- ican war. He also united his fortune with the lost cause, and ranked as Major. He came to Carroll county in 1856, and has filled many respon- sible political positions. Was mayor of Carrollton quite a number of years, and to him the town owes some of her most permanent improve- ments. He was public administrator for several terms, and a prominent candidate for probate judge at the time of his death. Was one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal Church south, and lived a consistant and religious life. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. and Good Temp- lars. John Buchanan, the first American ancestor of this family, came to this country before the revolution, and was the first white man that entered Augusta county, Virginia. James Buchanan, the grand-father of the subject of this sketch, served in the revolutionary .. war as, Major, in Col. McDowell's regiment, and Capt. Corby, his maternal grand-father, served in the war of 1812. Maj. James W. Buchanan was related by blood to
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.