USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 106
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MR. AND MRS. HENRY SCHUSTER
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
on general farming and stock raising for a number of years. Recently he has turned his attention to breeding Duroc Jersey hogs, and is mak- ing a success of this field of endeavor.
On Sept. 23, 1888, Henry Schuster was united in marriage with Miss Viola Belle Phelps, a native of Cooper County, born in LaMine town- ship, April 23, 1869. She is a daughter of William H. and Elizabeth (White) Phelps. William H. Phelps was a native of Missouri, and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of this section. He was born in Boone County in 1832, and came to Cooper County sometime in the sixties. Here he settled on a farm and spent the remainder of his life in that line of work. He died in 1882. His wife, Elizabeth (White) Phelps, was born in New Jersey in 1832 and died in Cooper County, Mo., in 1886.
To Henry Schuster and wife have been born three children, as fol- lows : Morris H., born Aug. 22, 1889, a farmer in LaMine township, married Henrietta Gibson of Blackwater, and they have one child, Harold Gibson ; Elmer R., born Nov. 21, 1890, also a farmer in LaMine township, married Frances Kincaid, and they have three children, Robert H., Henry L. and Margaret; and Lealia, born Feb. 26, 1894, married Roy Jeffress, LaMine township, and they have two children, Helen L. and Eva.
Henry Schuster is one of the substantial citizens of Henry County, and the Schuster family are well known and highly respected.
George Viertel, of Boonville township, has spent practically all his life in Cooper County, and has been identified with this section of the State since his boyhood. He was born in Baltimore, Md., Jan. 18, 1854, and is the son of John and Marie (Schunch) Virtell. The father was a native of Germany, and came to America at about the age of 15 years, settling in Baltimore, Md. He was married in that city, and in May, 1869, came to Cooper County, and settled two and one-half miles east of Boonville on the place where George Viertel now resides. He improved this farm and made his home here until the time of his death, in 1908. His wife died the same year, and the remains are buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Boonville. They were the parents of the following children: John F., Boonville township; George, the subject of this sketch ; Anna K., deceased ; Lizzie C., Boonville ; William, Boonville; and P. P., Boonville.
George Viertel spent his early boyhood days in the city of Baltimore, where he received his early education. He came to Cooper County with (52.'
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
his parents when he was about 15 years of age. For 15 years he was engaged in the livery business at Boonville. He built the barn which is now owned by Thomas B. Robinson, of Boonville. He has been interested in farming during the greater part of his career, and has owned a number of valuable farms in both Cooper and Howard Counties. He purchased his present place, which consists of 40 acres, the same being his father's old homestead, 1915. W. B. Miller owned the place for a number of years prior to the time that George Viertel purchased it. This is one of the well improved and valuable places of Cooper County. The place is equipped with a good modern cottage and other suitable farm buildings. . A thrifty young orchard adorns the place, and everything about the Viertel farm bears evidence of the thrift and industry of the owner. Mr. Viertel gives special attention to the poultry industry, and has about 200 splendid Plymouth Rock and Rhode Island Red chickens.
Dec. 18, 1889, Mr. Viertel was united in marriage with Miss Mollie Z. Fluke, a daughter of Frederick and Julia (Rector) Fluke, both now de- ceased. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Missouri in the fifties. He was killed in a cyclone at his home in Saline township, June 5, 1917. His wife preceded him in death, having departed this life in 1903. Their remains are interred in the cemetery at Overton, Mo. Mrs. George Viertel was one of the following children born to her parents: Luallan, deceased; Troy C., resides in Oklahoma; William F., deceased; Harrison B., deceased; Mattie, married Arthur Henry, and resides in Sedalia ; Ida N., married James Brady, Saline township; and Mollie Z., the wife of George Viertel, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Viertel was born in Saline township, Aug. 18, 1871, and was reared aand educated in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Viertel have been born the following children : Laura Elliot, married Bower Hickman, Boonville township; Vance V., resides at home wth his parents. He is a stenographer, a graduate of the Boonville High School and has taught several terms of school.
Mr. Viertel is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and his politi- cal allegiance is with the Democratic party. He has taken a prominent part in the affairs of his party, and was a candidate in the party primaries for county treasurer.
Mr. Viertel is one of the younger men of this section who has seen much of the development of Cooper County, from almost its primitive state to its present greatness. His father owned the first wagon which was equipped with a brake in Cooper County. In those days it was considered
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an extraordinary vehicle, and was frequently used as a hearse in the pioneer days.
Harry J. Muntzel, a progressive young farmer and stockman of Clarks Fork township, was born in the township where he now resides on Nov. 29, 1888, and is a descendent of Cooper County pioneer parents. He is a son of Albert and Margaret (Schmidt) Muntzel. Albert Muntzel was born in Germany, and came to America with his parents when he was 12 years of age. The family first settled in St. Louis County, Mo., and from there came to Cooper County and settled in Clarks Fork township, being early settlers in that locality. Albert Muntzel was a hard-working and frugal citizen, and contributed the best years of his life to rearing his family and improving and bettering their condition. He died in 1905, his wife having preceded him in death about 10 years. They were the parents of the following children : Albert, Portland, Ore .; M. W., St. Louis ; Ed., Boone- ville ; Clare, married H. E. Trampe, St. Louis County ; Julia, married George H. Meyer; Lillie, resides with her sister, Mrs. Meyer, in Clarks Fork town- ship; Caroline, married George H. Fricke; Harry J., the subject of this sketch ; Della, resides in St. Louis County ; Lizzie, deceased; and Leonard, died in infancy.
Harry J. Muntzel was reared on the home farm in Clarks Fork town- ship and attend the local district school. Later he took a course in the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Ill., where he was graduated in 1909. About a year later he purchased his present place in Clarks Fork town- ship from his brother, Ed. Muntzel. This is one of the well-kept and highly productive farms of Clarks Fork township. It consists of 1121, acres, with good, modern and substantial improvements. The farm resi- dence is a six-room cottage, and the other farm buildings, including two barns and a silo, are well arranged for convenience and facilitating modern agricultural methods. Mr. Muntzel has made a marked success as a breeder of Hereford cattle, Chester White hogs, and Percheron horses, and - is the owner of some very valuable registered animals.
Harry J. Muntzel was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Fricke, in December, 1911. She is a daughter of Henry and Caroline Fricke, well known and highly respected residents of Clarks Fork township. To Mr. and Mrs. Muntzel have been born three children: Erla Harriette, Ralph Edmund and Doris.
Mr. and Mrs. Muntzel are members of the Lutheran Evangelical Church of Clarks Fork, and are well known throughout eastern Cooper
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
County. They are numbered among the substantial and highly respected citizens of the county.
F. H. Bornhauser, a prominent farmer and stockman of Prairie Home township, is a native son of Cooper County. He was born near Prairie Home, Aug. 27. 1884, and is a son of Benjamin and Caroline (Schwaff) Bornhauser. Benjamin Bornhauser was a native of Germany, and came to America when he was about 20 years of age. He was an early settler in Prairie Home township, where he now resides at the age of 73 years. His wife died in 1905, aged 54 years. She was a native of Moniteau County. They were the parents of the following children: C. A., who resides in Evansville, Ind .; John, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1915, at the age of 35: F. H., the subject of this sketch ; Mary, married James Longan, and resides on the home place ; Maud, married J. A. Erhart, and lives in Henry County ; and Clara, died in infancy.
F. H. Bornhauser was reared in Cooper County and received his edu- cation in the public schools. Since boyhood he has been interested in farming and stock raising. He purchased his present farm from W. F. Johnson in 1910. The place consists of 255 acres of valuable land, and is located 12 miles southeast of Boonville. in Prairie Home township. It is well improved, and one of the valuable and productive farms of Cooper County. It is an exceptionally well adapted place to stock raising, having an abundant supply of water. Mr. Bornhanser is extensively engaged in raising cattle, hogs and sheep, and has met with unusual success in this line of endeavor.
Mr. Bornhauser was united in mariage in 1911 with Miss Nellie Cochran, a daughter of Dr. O. W. Cochran, of Gooch Mills. A sketch of Dr. Cochran appears in this volume. Mrs. Bornhauser is one of the fol- lowing children born to her parents: William Owen, deceased ; Annie Gray, now Mrs. Emmet Oerly : Samuel Victor: Nellie, wife of F. H. Bornhauser. the subject of this sketch. To Mr. and Mrs. Bornhauser have been born five children as follows: Virginia, Margaret, Bernard Owen, Willie Gray, and Elizabeth.
Mr. Bornhauser is a member of the Woodmen of the World, Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, and Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He and Mrs. Bornhauser are members of the Baptist Church, and are reckoned among the leading citizens of Cooper County.
Grover E. Debo, a successful farmer and stockman of Boonville town- ship, is a native of this county, and a descendent of one of the honored pioneer families of this section of Missouri. Mr. Debo was born in Boon-
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
ville township, April 22, 1884, a son of R. P. and Mary (Hippenstall) Debo, both natives of Virginia. R. P. Debo was born in 1832. When the Civil War broke out he cast his lot with his native State and enlisted in the Confederate Army, and served throughout the entire war. He served in General Pickett's Division, and was with that renowned division at the bat- tle of Gettysburg, where he was severely wounded. After the close of the war, in 1866, R. P. Debo came to Missouri and first settled in Howard County. A few years later he moved to Cooper County, settling on a farm east of Boonville. Later he removed to Livingston County, where he re- mained about nine years, when he returned to Cooper County. Here he spent the remainder of his days. He died April 21, 1911. His wife died July 23, 1889, aged 49 years. She died while on a visit to her old home near Lynchburg, Va.
Grover E. Debo is one of the following children born to his parents: P. L., Mattie, L. C., and Grover E., all of whom reside in Boonville town- ship, and the following are deceased: Gillie Jane, Julia Mary, Ida Laura, and Pearl. Grover E. Debo attended the public schools in Cooper County, and later took a course in a business college at Columbia, Mo. He has made farming and stock raising his life work, and has met with very satis- factory degree of success. He purchased his present place in Boonville township in 1909. A part of this place was originally the old G. E. Cham- bers farm, and a part of it belonged to the Warren MacFarland place. Mr. Debo owns 140 acres, which is one of the well improved and attractive places of Boonville township. The residence is a modern structure of eight rooms, and was built in 1910, and the place is well equipped with barns, silo and other suitable buildings for carrying on farming and stock raising, according to the most modern and approved methods. Mr. Debo makes a specialty of raising Shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey and Hampshire hogs.
Aug. 5, 1908, Grover E. Debo was united in marriage with Miss Hattie M. MacFarland, a native of Boonville township, born March 15, 1883. She is a daughter of Warren and Malvina (Wear) MacFarland. Warren Mac- Farland was born in Boonville township, Feb. 12, 1841, and died July 21, 1908. He was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War, and was a farmer and stockman all his life. Malvina (Wear) MacFarland was born in 1844, and died June 24, 1895. The MacFarland family are numbered among the very early pioneers of Missouri. Reuben MacFarland, grand- father of Mrs. Debo, was a native of North Carolina, and came to Mis- souri with his father, Jacob MacFarland, in 1816. They settled near St.
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
Genevieve, and in 1818 came to Cooper County and entered Government land in Boonville township. Reuben McFarland spent the remainder of his life in Boonville township and his remains are buried on the old MacFar- land place, and Jacob MacFarland is buried at the same place. Mrs. Debo is one of the following children born to her parents: Mrs. Mary Eunice Mellor, Millerton, Okla .; Mrs. Elizabeth Elmira Debo, Boonville township; Mrs. Mettie Reed Tellesferro, Ardmore, Okla .; and Hattie M., the wife of Grover E. Debo, the subject of this sketch.
To Mr. and Mrs. Debo have been born the following children: Mary Malvina, Grover Glenn and Ethel Louise. Mr. Debo is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Boonville, and the Debo family are members of Bethel Presbyterian Church.
Benjamin Nicholas Smith, president of the Missouri Farm Manage- agement Association, a member of the board of directors of the Bunceton Fair Association, proprietor of "Walnut Dale Farm" in Clark's Fork town- ship, is one of the most progressive farmers and stockmen in Cooper County.
"Walnut Dale Farm," situated six and one-half miles northeast of Bunceton, was bought by Nicholas Smith, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, from the Fryer heirs, in 1866, the original owner, Fryer, hav- ing lost his life while returning from California in the days of the gold excitement following the days of '49. The Fryers were slave owner's, and besides the big brick house there were three cabins for slaves on the place when Nicholas Smith bought it. The "big house" was erected in 1835, and was constructed from brick burned on the place. Chris. T. Smith had a herd of registered Galloways. At the Panama Pacific Exposition at San Francisco in 1915, Chris T. Smith won the first prize on blue grass taken from the park of 50 acres which marks the approach to the "big house" at "Walnut Dale," this beautiful park being filled with walnut trees of ancient growth, from which the place takes its name. At that same expo- sition, he also won first on a sheaf of wheat raised at "Walnut Dale" and second on Ben Davis apples taken from the fine orchard there; and in 1913 won the grand championship on single and 10-ears contests at the Missouri State Corn Show at Columbia. At the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis a sample of corn from this farm won (in conjunction with R. B. Johnson and the T. W. McFarland farm) the gold medal on an exhibit of Cartner corn.
Benjamin Nicholas Smith was born on "Walnut Dale Farm," March 2, 1890, son of Christ T. and Ellen Augusta (Brandes) Smith, the latter of
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
whom was born in New Zealand. Chris T. Smith was born in the vicinity of Lone Elm, in this county, a son of Nicholas Smith, one of the leading figures of his day in Cooper County, and succeeded his father in the direc- tion of "Walnut Dale Farm," even as his son has now succeeded him, three generations of the family thus having labored to bring the place up to its present high standard. Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Smith are now living retired at Bunceton. They have six children, as follows: Mrs. Herman Langkop, Elston, Mo .; Benjamin N .; Mrs. Arthur Smith, of Clarks Fork township; Mrs. Edward Fricke, of Lone Elm; Mrs. John Roehrs, of Bunceton; and Esther Marie, living with her parents at Bunceton.
B. N. Smith has from the days of his boyhood devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, has made a real study of the same, and has thus come to be recognized as one of the most wideawake and progressive young farmers and stockmen in Missouri. He received his early schooling in the Jefferson School and followed this by a course at the State Agricultural College at Columbia and University of Minnesota, St. Paul. In 1909, he won a scholarship in the county corn judging contest. Upon completing his studies Mr. Smith returned to "Walnut Dale," and has since been en- gaged in developing the place, which he now owns, and of which he has been in complete charge since his father's retirement. The place covers 300 acres in Clarks Fork township and is well improved, in addition to having one of the best tenant houses in the county on it, being equipped with two stock barns, an ample hog barn and an Indiana silo, 14x37 in dimensions. Though his father made much of the herd of Galloway cattle which formerly added to the reputation of "Walnut Dale Stock Farm." Mr. Smith, the present owner, gives his particular attention to registered Shorthorns, and has a fine herd, and is secretary of Cooper County Short- horn Breeders' Association. He also has a fine lot of registered Duroc Jersey hogs, the start of which he gained by winning a prize of a registered Duroc in a Missouri Farm Management Association contest, prize given by Longview Farm, Kansas City, seeking to ascertain definite information relating to records of farm management in Missouri. The records sub- mitted by Mr. Smith covering his system of farm management won for him second place in the State contest. Mr. Smith is ably and intelligently assisted by his wife in his stock operations, and the latter has a fine flock of Mammoth Bronze turkeys and 125 Brown Leghorn chickens. Mr. Smith also has an excellent herd of registered Shropshire sheep.
Sept. 2, 1916, Benjamin Nicholas Smith was married to Zula Erma Smith, who also was born in this county, daughter of P. F. and Margaret
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
Ida (Cordry) Smith, both of whom also were born in Cooper County, mem- bers .of pioneers families, and who are now living in Lebanon township. P. F. Smith was born at Otterville, where his mother, Mrs. Nancy Ellen Smith, is still living, being now in the 92nd year of her age. His wife was born near New Lebanon. To them 10 children were born, as follows: Harry Alonzo, deceased; Mrs. T. A. Nelson, Jr., Bunceton; Mrs. W. C. Lewis, St. Louis; Hunter F., who is at home; Homer W., also at home; Mrs. Benjamin N. Smith; Hubert L., Speed; and Mary Augusta, William Herschell, and Harold Vincil, at home. Mrs. B. N. Smith received her early schooling in the public school at West Fork and supplemented this by a literary course at Missouri Valley College at Marshall. She then took a course in the Washington University Art School at St. Louis, where she gave special attention to the details of china painting, and has since done some very handsome work in that line, a number of pieces in her home collection revealing true artistry and a real delicacy of both conception and touch. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Smith is a member of the Lutheran Church.
Milton McGee McCarty, justice of the peace, a former merchant of Clifton, and a member of the board of directors of the bank there, for- merly postmaster at Pleasant Green, and in other ways for many years actively identified with that part of the county, now living retired at Clifton City, is a native son of Cooper County. He was born on what then was known as the W. D. Muir farm, near Boonville, Oct. 6, 1850, son of W. S. and Mary (Ferguson) McCarty, who were among the well known residents of Boonville, and both long since deceased.
W. S. McCarty was born in Kentucky in 1821, son of Dennis McCarty and wife, the former of whom was born in Loudoun County, Va., who came to Missouri with their family in the early days and settled on a farm. Dennis McCarty and wife had six children, three sons and three daughters, the sons being Richard, John and W. S., the first named of whom served as a captain in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. W. S. McCarty grew to manhood here, and after his marriage settled at Boonville, where he engaged in the livery business, and was also for years a mail carrier, having charge of "star" routes out of Boonville to Fayette and other points adjacent. During the progress of the county fair at Boonville in September, 1867, he was running a hack line to and from the fair grounds, and on Sept. 26 was known to have had a good bit of money in his possession, the accumulation of fares taken during the day. The last seen of him on the evening of that day was when he bade goodby to
M. M. MCCARTY
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
a party of women friends whom he had treated to ice cream in a Main Street confectionery store. He started home from that point, but did not arrive home, and the next day his body was found in a downtown cellar, the supposition being that he had been murdered for the money he had, though no one ever was brought to justice for the crime. His widow died at South McAlester, Okla., May 6, 1895, she then being 76 years of age. She was born at Palmyra, Mo., and was married to W. S. McCarty on Dec. 19, 1843. To that union were born 10 children, of whom but two are now living, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Mary, wife of J. B. Kline, now living at Clifton, Ariz.
Milton R. McCarty completed his schooling in the Allison and Kemper Schools in Boonville, and for one year taught school. He then went to Kansas City, and presently was made constable for Kaw township (that city), his service being in connection with the routine of the common pleas court. In 1875, he engaged in railroad work in a clerical capacity, and after awhile was made foreman of the railroad yards at Moberly. In 1894, Mr. McCarty left the railroad service and located at Clifton, where he became engaged in the general merchandise business, and for about 20 years conducted a store there; in connection with which, during the Cleve- land administration, he served as postmaster at Pleasant Green. He helped to organize the bank at Clifton City, and was a member of the board of directors of the Clifton City Bank, and has property at Clifton, where he is now living retired, having practically given up his various business activities in 1914. Mr. McCarty is a stanch democrat, and for some years has been justice of the peace for his home township. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his fam- ily are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church (South).
On Dec. 28, 1875, Milton M. McCarty was united in marriage to Lulu A. Bridges, who was born near Madison, Ind., and who in 1873 had come to Missouri with her parents, Joseph H. and Sarah A. (Bowman) Bridges, both natives of Indiana, the family locating in Cooper County, where Mr. and Mrs. Bridges spent the remainder of their lives. Joseph H. Bridges was born Nov. 15, 1828, and died on Feb. 21, 1899. His widow survived him until May 23, 1918. She was born on Feb. 22, 1832. Both were members of pioneer families in southern Indiana. To Milton M. and Lulu A. (Bridges) McCarty seven children have been born, namely : Douglas, Chicago; Minnie, deceased; Mrs. Jennie Cauthen, Independence, Mo .; Joseph M., Ashland, Ore .; Arthur, Kansas City ; Clyde, of Ft. Smith, Ark .; and Wilbur S., a telegraph operator for the M., K. & T. at Clifton.
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
Wilbur S. McCarty was inducted into the National Army early in 1918 for service in the World War and served for five months, in training at Camp Dodge, Iowa, attached to Company 17, 163rd Depot Brigade, 5th Battalion, receiving his honorable discharge in November, 1918.
H. G. Brandes, of Boonville township, is one of Cooper County's suc- cessful farmers and stockmen. He was born in Cooper County, Nov. 24, 1882, a son of Theodore and Mary (Knorp) Brandes. Theodore Brandes was born in Germany and came to America at an early age with his parents, who settled in Clarks Fork township. He and his wife now reside on the old homestead in Clarks Fork township, where they have been successfully engaged in farming for many years. To Theodore and Mary (Knorp) Brandes have been born the following children: George, a farmer in Clarks Fork township; H. C., the subject of this sketch; Emelia, married John Barron, Bunceton ; Nora, married John Bomhauser, Prairie Home township; and Stella, married Frank Hale, Prairie Home township.
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