History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 109

Author: Johnson, William Foreman, b. 1861
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1464

USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 109

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Henry Baughman was a son of Jacob Baughman, who was one of the earliest pioneer settlers of North Moniteau township. He was a farmer and spent the remainder of his life in North Moniteau township, after coming to this county. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Parks. They are both now deceased, and their remains are buried on the old Baughman home farm.

Of the children born to Henry Baughman and wife the following are living: Charles A., the subject of this sketch ; Maggie, the widow of Harve Underwood, Webb City, Mo .; Patience, married Ben Morris, North Moniteau township; Minnie, married John Morris, Bunceton; Mary, married Rollo Hadley, Glendora, Calif .; Flora, married Charles Edwards, Kelly township: and Katie, married George Gilbert, Bunceton.

Charles A. Baughman has been engaged in farming and stock raising all his life, and has met with success. His farm consists of 180 acres of well improved land, with two good sets of farm buildings. He was married Nov. 18, 1895, to Miss Ella Dill, a daughter of Henry and Angeline (Hick- man) Dill, the former of whom is now deceased, and the mother resides in South Moniteau township. To Mr. and Mrs. Baughman have been born the following children: Luther Wallace, born Aug. 30, 1897; Jesse Claud, born Sept. 23, 1900; and Charles Lloyd, born May 21, 1906.

Luther Wallace, the eldest son of Mr. Baughman, has attained a degree of distinction as a specialist in the agricultural world, well worthy of note. He has made a specialty of breeding and developing seed corn, as well as raising some prize corn crops. In 1915, he won the prize for raising the best acre of corn in Cooper County, and also received the second prize in the Boys' Class of the State. His prize acre produced 106 bushels and 10 pounds of corn. He raises corn for seed purposes, which he sells at a good price. He is also a successful poultry raiser, and has the best strain of Barred Plymouth Rock chickens to be found anywhere. His chickens are frequently exhibited at state and county fairs, and they always win the honors. In 1918, he won 29 ribbons with his poultry exhibits. He has won in all 150 ribbons. He has also taken a number of premiums at the State and other fairs for his exhibition of seed corn.

Charles A. Baughman is a progressive and public spirited citizen, and

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takes a keen interest in local affairs, being a special friend and advocate of good schools. He has served as president of the board of Consolidated School District No. 2. The Baughman family is well and favorably known in Cooper County.

John Kaiser, a leading citizen and prosperous farmer and stockman of North Moniteau township, was born Sept. 19, 1859. He is a son of George and Henrietta (Smith) Kaiser, both natives of Germany, who came to Cooper County with their respective parents. George Kaiser lived about three miles west of Prairie Home, where he spent his life engaged in farm- ing and stock raising. He was a Civil War veteran, having served in Col- onel Pope's regiment, under Captain George .- He died in 1903, and his wife departed this life in 1897. They were the parents of the following children : John, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Shilp, Otterville, Mo .; August Charles, who died at the age of 42 ; George, deceased ; Mrs. Minnie Brokamp, Clarks Fork township; and Lizzie, who died at the age of 10 years.

John Kaiser received his education in the public schools, attending school in the Henshaw district. He was reared on a farm and has followed farming and stock raising all his life. He bought his present place of 176 acres from Samuel P. Baughman in 1891. This land was entered from the Government by Judge Baughman, father of Samuel P. Mr. Kaiser has im- proved the place, rebuilt the residence and erected two large barns, and other buildings, until he has one of the well improved and valuable places of the county. He carries on general farming and stock raising.

John Kaiser was united in marriage Jan. 5, 1888, with Carrie Knorp, a daughter of George and Minnie (Schenck) Knorp, natives of Germany. The father was born in 1813, and died July 12, 1886. The mother was born April 26, 1825, and died Jan. 10, 1901. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children: Henry, Pleasant Grove, Mo .; Mrs. Louise Stock, Sedalia; Charles, Jamestown ; Mrs. Minnie Fricke, Clarks Fork township; Mrs. Mary Brandes, Clarks Fork township; Carrie, the wife of John Kaiser, the sub- ject of this sketch ; John, Pleasant Grove; and Fred, California, Mo.

To Mr. and Mrs. John Kaiser have been born eight children as follows: John, married Lena Carrie Burlison, Dallas, Texas; Ida, married Delbert York, Cotton, Mo .; William was inducted into United States Army, July 26, 1918, trained at Camp Funston, Kan., and after the armistice was signed received his discharge, and is now residing at home; Emma, married Harry Timm, and resides near Pisgah; Lula, resides at home; George, also served in the United States Army during the World War, having entered the service Oct. 21, 1918, and was trained at Camp Stanley, Texas, has also been

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mustered out of service and is now residing at home; Lawrence and Clar- ence, residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Kaiser have five grandchildren as follows: Wilma Elizabeth; John Burlison; and Doris Marie Kaiser, and Herbert Harrison and Ernia Louise Timm.

The Kaiser family is well known in Cooper County and rank among its best citizens. Mr. Kaiser has served as a member of the local school board for many years.

Luther B. Laws, a leading farmer aand stockman, and a progressive citizen of Prairie Home township, is a native of Missouri. He was born at Glasgow, April 9, 1874, and is a son of Rev. M. L. and Gertrude A. (Taylor) Laws. Rev. M. L. Laws was a native of Accomac County, Va., born Aug. 2, 1842. He was a minister of the Baptist faith, and died May 4, 1882. To Rev. M. L. and Gertrude A. (Taylor) Laws were born two children: Luther B., the subject of this sketch, and Leslie Temple, who resides in Oklahoma.

After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Gertrude (Taylor) Laws married Rev. B. G. Tutt. He was born near Bunceton, and was a prominent Baptist minister, and for several years was chaplain of the State Prison, Jefferson City. He died at St. Mary's Hospital, Jefferson City, Aug. 4, 1906, aged 69 years. By a former marriage, Rev. B. G. Tutt was the father of the following children: W. P .; George E .; Dr. A. N .; Henry, deceased ; Anna, married Reverend Stafford and is now deceased, and Dr. J. M., of Kansas City, Mo.

Mrs. Gertrude A. Tutt, mother of Luther B. Laws, was born at Har- rodsburg, Ky., the daughter of Rev. B. T. Taylor, a native of Henderson County, Ky. He was born March 12, 1823, educated in Kentucky, and was a graduate of Georgetown College. He taught school for a number of years and conducted a boarding school at Columbia, Ky. He was married Dec. 25, 1851, to Mary Bell Alexander. They came to Missouri in the '70s, and Rev- erend Taylor was pastor of the Baptist Church at Columbia, Mo., for sev- eral years, when he bought a farm near Aullville, Mo., and for a time sup- plied the pulpit there and also at Sweet Springs. He also preached in other country churches and later came to Cooper County and bought the farm which is now owned by L. T. Yancey. His wife, Mary Bell Alexander, was a native of Harrodsburg, Ky., born Nov. 15, 1830. She was educated at a Presbyterian school conducted by Dr. Montgomery, and was a well educated and highly accomplished woman. She lived to the advanced age of 82 years. Mrs. Gertrude A. Tutt was educated by private tutors and at private schools in Henderson, Ky., and Urbana, Ohio.

Luther B. Laws was educated in the public schools in Boonville, and has

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resided in Prairie Home township on his present place since 1890. His home place consists of 160 acres, and he owns 440 acres in Moniteau and Prairie Home townships. This is one of Cooper County's valuable farms. Mr. Laws is successfully engaged in stock raising, and is also an extensive feeder. . He has bought and sold a number of farms in the vicinity where he lives, and is a successful man of affairs. He is one of Cooper County's self made men and has made good.

James T. Jeffress, a member of the directorate of the Farmers Stock Bank of Blackwater, and proprietor of "East View" Farm in LaMine township, this county, is a native son of Cooper County, and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Palestine township on June 17, 1859, son of John R. and Isabelle (Lourie) Jeffress, the latter of whom also was born in this county, a member of one of the pioneer families of the Boonville settlement.

John R. Jeffress was born near Huntsville, Ala., Feb. 20, 1830, a son of Richard and Susan (Bruce) Jeffress, Virginians, who in 1840 came to Missouri and settled at Boonville, where John R. Jeffries grew to man- hood, later going to Glasgow, Mo., where he became engaged in the shoe business. For some time he drove stage from Glasgow to Boonville, and during the Civil War managed a threshing crew. He later turned his attention to farming, bought a farm in Pilot Grove township, Cooper County, and on that place spent his last days. He died Nov. 12, 1906. His wife died July 1, 1885. She was born on Feb. 15, 1835. They were the parents of 13 children, three of whom died in infancy, the others being the following: Ann, wife of T. W. Caton, of Blackwater township; Mary F, now living at Boonville, widow of Joseph Barnhardt; Richard, de- ceased; John William, of LaMine township; James T., the subject of this sketch ; Sallie E., Washington, D. C., widow of W. H. Cochran; Robert H., of Pilot Grove township; Susan, wife of H. C. Davis, of Boonville: Charles, of Palestine township; Jesse Ross, of Boonville township; and Etson B., of Boonville township.

James T. Jeffress was reared on the home farm and received his schooling in the schools of that neighborhood. He grew up a practical farmer, and in 1882 bought a farm in Clear Creek township. Two or three years later he sold this farm and bought another, which he also dis- posed of, and in 1890 bought "East View," his present fine farm of 165 acres in LaMine township, where he since has made his home, and where in addition to his extensive farming operations he also has carried on with much success the breeding of Duroc Jersey hogs.

MR. AND MRS. JAMES T. JEFFRESS

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For years Mr. Jeffress has been a member of the board of directors of the Farmers Bank of Blackwater, to the affairs of which well known fiancial institution he gives his thoughtful attention. He is a democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, the con- gregation of which Mr. Jeffress has for some time served as a member of the session.

Nov. 17, 1881, James T. Jeffress was united in marriage to Amanda Brownfield, who was born in Pilot Grove township, Oct. 20, 1858, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Groves) Brownfield, former well known resi- dents of that township and representatives of pioneer families hereabout. Thomas Brownfield was born near Richmond, Va., Feb. 5, 1818, and died on Feb. 15, 1889. His wife was born in Indiana in 1823, and died on July 25, 1901. To Mr. and Mrs. Jeffress have been born four children, namely : Ivan, a farmer of Blackwater township; Gertrude, wife of J. W. Davis, also of Blackwater township; Grace, wife of G. C. Nunn, of Blackwater township; and James R., of LaMine township. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffress have 14 grand children.

Arthur Bodamer, a successful farmer and stockman, who is well known as a breeder of registered Aberdeen Angus cattle, was born in Prairie Home township, April 6, 1896. He is a son of Charles H. and Elizabeth (Kuhn) Bodamer, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Arthur Bodamer was reared and educated in Prairie Home township, attending school at Hazel Dell district. He has recently purchased 223 acres of land, which was formerly a part of the Gilbreath place. He is also the owner of 40 acres in another tract, which makes his entire holding 263 acres, and this is one of the valuable farms of Prairie Home township. Mr. Bodamer carries on general farming and stock raising, and for the past two years has given considerable attention to breeding registered Aberdeen Angus cattle, and now has a herd numbering 35 head, headed by "Black Dale," which is considered one of the most valuable Aberdeen Angus animals in the State.

Nov. 7, 1917, Arthur Bodamer was united in marriage with Miss Lucile Gilbreath, a daughter of Newton A. and Myra E. (Boswell) Gil- breath. Newton A. Gilbreath was a native of Cooper County, born in Prairie Home township, and spent his entire life in this township. He died in October, 1910, at the age of 75 years, and at the time of his death owned 435 acres of land. He was a son of Hugh Gilbreath, a native of Kentucky, who was a very early Cooper County pioneer. Myra E. (Bos- (53)

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well) Gilbreath was born in Pleasant Home township, on the farm now owned by Benjamin Meyers, and now resides in Cooper County.

Hugh Gilbreath, brother of Mrs. Bodamer, was born Aug. 10, 1890. He was educated at the Bunceton schools and the Missouri Valley College at Marshall, Mo. In October, 1917, he enlisted in U. S. Army and was first sent to Camp Funston, and later to Fort Sill, Okla., where he was trained, and in May, 1918, he went to France, a member of 130th Field Artillery, 35th Division. He participated in much of the severe fighting during the summer and fall of 1918. He was at the battle of Argonne Forest and other engagements. At the close of the war he was discharged and re- turned to his Cooper County farm. He owns 285 acres known as "Glen- wood Farm."

Arthur Bodamer is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 503, Prairie Home, and he and Mrs. Bodamer are members of the Eastern Star.

T. J. Burrus & Sons, proprietors of the "Champion Oxford Down Sheep Farm," rank among the leading sheep breeders of the country. They have lived up to the standard of the business motto, "The best is none too good." Purebred sheep from this farm have been among the leading prize win- ners of stock shows and State fairs throughout the country since 1907. They have won prizes at the Missouri State Fair, the Chicago International Stock Show, the Fort Worth (Texas) Fat Stock Show, and the Denver (Colorado) Fat Stock Show. The winnings of the stock from the Cham- pion Oxford Sheep Farm include 21 champion ribbons, 96 first premium ribbons, and 60 second premium ribbons.

T. J. Burrus began breeding purebred Oxford sheep in 1899, and made his first exhibit in 1907 at the Missouri State Fair, and has exhibited there every year to the present time. He exhibited at the Chicago International Stock Show in 1918; at Ft. Worth, Texas, in 1918; and Denver, Colo., in 1918. Among some of his most valuable animals is "Burrus Lady," No. 388, ewe which has won champion ribbons at the Missouri State Fair, and "McKerrow's Bumpton X, 69148," one of the most valuable rams in the country, has been exhibited at 12 different State fairs and won first and champion premiums each time. The Burrus flock of sheep are rich in the strains of J. T. Hobbs, Horlick, Stilgoe, White and Trewerkee, all famous English breeders. Mr. Burrus is also interested in breeding pure- bred Buff Orpington chickens and Mammoth Bronze turkeys, all of which rank high in the poultry world. Mr. Burrus purchased his present farm in 1907, and has added most of the improvements himself. It is one of the

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well improved farms of the county, with a good residence and other farm buildings, including a large barn, 50x56 feet.

J. T. Burrus is a native son of Cooper County, born on the Lovell farm in Prairie Home township, April 15, 1870. He is a son of John M. and Amanda F. (Lovell) Burrus. J. T. Burrus was educated in the public schools of Prairie Home township and at Pilot Grove. He has been inter- ested in farming and stoek raising since boyhood, specializing in sheep raising as above stated, of which he has made a decided success.

Mr. Burrus was married Sept. 4, 1895, in California, Mo., to Miss Alpha McDow, a daughter of J. M. and Kiziar (Kirkpatrick) MeDow, both of whom are now deceased. The mother died in 1879, and the father de- parted this life Feb. 24, 1897. They were the parents of the following children: Joe E. Versailles, Mo .; T. J., Barnett, Mo .; C. E., Deming, N. M .; Tolby Alpha, the wife of T. J. Burrus, the subject of this sketch, and Bird, who is now a sergeant in the U. S. Army, stationed at Camp Lewis, Wash. He is a veteran of the Spanish-American War, having served in Cuba and the Philippine Island. He also served in the army in Alaska, and has been in the U. S. Army for the past 25 years.

To T. J. Burrus and wife have been born the following children: Ber- nice, married L. B. Morris ; John M .; Porter; Emile; Charles; Mary Mar- garet ; and Joe Mack, all of whom reside at home with their parents.

Nicholas John Blank, a well known farmer and stockman of North Moniteau township, was born on the place where he now resides, March 28, 1862. He is a son of John Jacob and Margaret (Lanbolt) Blank, both natives of Bavaria, Germany. The father first came to Cooper County in the '40s, and later returned to his native land, where he was married, and after remaining there a few years came to Cooper County again in 1852. He purchased 130 aeres of land from Dr. Alexander Apperson, located in North Moniteau and Prairie Home townships. This farm is the present home of Nicholas John Blank. The deed of this farm was recorded Feb. 19, 1852. John Jacob Blank spent the remainder of his life on this place, and died at the age of 76 years. His wife died at the age of 80, and their remains are buried in the Moniteau Evangelical Church Cemetery. When John J. Blank purchased this place there was a log house on it which was built by Dr. Apperson. It has been remodeled and is still standing in a fair state of preservation. It is probably 100 years old.

Nicholas John Blank was one of five children born to his parents, the others being as follows: Mrs. Mary Heyssell, North Monitcau town-

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ship; Mrs. Catherine Wolfrum, California, Mo .; Mrs. Annie Kossman, Cali- fornia, Mo .; and Mrs. Margaret Bloch, California, Mo.

Nicholas J. Blank was reared on the home farm and attended such schools as the neighborhood afforded. His school district is Felder dis- trict, but when he attended school it was known as the "Dirt Dauber School," owing to the fact that it was a log cabin and the cracks between the logs were daubed with mud. The seats were made of split logs, and the building was about 10x20 feet in dimension. Mr. Blank says that the old building was usually pretty well filled with children from the neighbor- hood. He recalls among the early teachers at this school, Squire Elliot, Mrs. Chilton, and a Mr. Bruzan. The old school building stood on the farm now known as the Nelson place.

Mr. Blank has followed general farming all his life, and has met with a very satisfactory degree of success. He owns 170 acres of land, which is a fertile and productive farm. The place has a good supply of water, which is procured from a well, and, besides, Pisgah Creek courses its way across the place. Mr. Blank has rented his place for the past year; how- ever, he still makes his home here.

Mr. Blank has some interesting relics of bygone days, among which is a walnut log 12 feet long and 21/2 feet in diameter, which his father hewed and hollowed out in 1855, and used it for a receptacle, in place of a barrel, in which to pack and cure pork. Mr. Blank still uses this odd and unusual pork barrel for its original purpose. He is one of the substantial citizens of Moniteau township.

John William Jeffress, proprietor of a well-improved farm in LaMine township, one of the successful farmers of Cooper County, was born in this county. He was born April 11, 1857, son of John Richard and Eliza- beth (Lourie) Jeffress, of who further mention is made in this volume.

Reared on the farm, John W. Jeffress received his schooling in the district schools, and from boyhood has given attention to farming. When a young man he engaged in farming on his own account. In 1881, lie bought a farm in Saline County, and looked after the same until 1887, when he sold the place and for four years operated the home farm on a rental basis. In 1891, he bought the farm on which he is now living, and has here since made his residence. Mr. Jeffress has 300 acres in his home farm, and since coming into possession of the same has made extensive improvements, which are in keeping with his progressive methods of farming. Mr. Jeffries has been successful, and is a stockholder in the

JOHN W. JEFFRESS, WIFE AND FAMILY

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Bank of Blackwater. He is a democrat, but has not been a seeker after public office.

Nov. 19, 1887, John W. Jeffress was united in marriage to Rhoda E. Hazell, and to this union were born three children, Pearl, John and Berny. Mrs. Jeffress also was born in Cooper County, of pioneer parentage, and all her life was spent here. She was born on May 21, 1855, and died on Dec. 19, 1918. Her parents, Edward and Sallie (Yarnell) Hazell, were both of pioneer stock in Missouri, the Yarnells having been the fourth settlers in Cooper County.

Col. N. D. Patrick, a well known and successful auctioneer of Prairie Home, is a native son of Cooper County. He was born in South Moniteau township, April 12, 1891, and is a son of Benjamin and Emma (Wingate) Patrick, both natives of Missouri, the former born in Howard County, and the latter in Moniteau County. Benjamin Patrick was reared in Howard County, where his father was a large land owner in the early days. He came to Cooper County in 1869, and spent the remainder of his life here. He died in 1899, and his widow now resides at California, Mo. They were were the parents of the following children: Mona, married Rev. T. J. Deakins, Osceola, Mo .; Martha, married L. F. Overboy, and died Nov. 20, 1918; Amanda, married Len Ritchey ; Col. N. D., the subject of this sketch. By a former marriage Benjamin Patrick had one child, C. B. Patrick, who now lives at Elliot Station, Cooper County.

Col. N. D. Patrick was reared in Cooper County and educated in public schools at Clarksburg. He began life as a farmer and stock raiser, and at an early age began auctioneering in a local way. In 1917, he took a course in the Kansas City School of Auctioneering and was graduated from that institution, and since that time has devoted practically his entire attention to that work. His field of activity is by no means confined to Cooper County, as he cries sales not only in this county, but in adjoining counties as well, and has won a reputation of being one of the most capable auctioneers in this section of the State.

Colonel Patrick was married Feb. 22, 1911, to Miss Beulah Edwards, a daughter of Ryley T. and Margaret Edwards of Prairie Home township. To Mr. and Mrs. Patrick have been born two childen, Ryley Dennis and Emma Marguerite.

Colonel Patrick has recently moved to Prairie Home, where he pur- chased the place of Dr. H. A. McDonald, and has a pleasant home. He is a progressive young man and one of Cooper County's valued citizens.

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Findlay A. Collins, proprietor of a fine farm adjoining the townsite of Prairie Home, and recognized as one of the most progressive young farmers of that section of Cooper County, was born at Warrensburg, Mo., in 1891, son of Noah Thomas and Mary Ellen (Miller) Collins, both of whom are living in Lafayette County. Noah Thomas Collins was born in Lafayette County in 1838, a son of Thomas Collins, who had settled there upon coming to Missouri from Kentucky in the early days, and was an extensive land-owner and slave-holder at the time of the breaking out of the Civil War, being the owner of 1,800 acres of land and 100 slaves, a part of his land being the townsite of Higginsville. During the Civil War, Noah Thomas Collins served the cause of the Confederacy under Gen. Sterling Price, and the day before the battle of Lexington was encamped with that command on the Collins farm. This veteran of the Confederacy is still living one mile west of the old home of his father in Lafayette County, he now being 81 years of age. His wife is 62 years of age. Noah Thomas Collins has been twice married, and by his first marriage was the father of three children, Gertrude, wife of Samuel Boone, of Lafayette County ; Robert, deceased ; and Virginia Lee, wife of James E. Weaver, of Coburg, Mont. To his union with Mary Ellen (Miller) Lilleston one child was born, the subject of this sketch. By her prior marriage to William B. Lilleston, Mrs. Collins is the mother of four children, namely : Florence, wife of B. F. Warden, of Higginsville; Lottie M., wife of Edward Blakes- ley, of Lincoln ; Norma, wife of J. R. Brand, of Oil Hill, Kan .; and William B. Lilleston, of Odessa, Mo. Mrs. Collins also is of pioneer stock, her grandfather Miller having been one of the early settlers of Lafayette County, coming here from Virginia and locating two and one-half miles north of Odessa, where he spent his last days. He was an extensive land- owner and slave-holder and proprietor of a hemp-breaker in the days before the war. Hemp bales taken from his mills and soaked in the waters of the Missouri were used for the construction of breastworks at the time of the battle of Lexington. Mrs. Collins's mother was a daughter of Judge John A. Ryland, one of the foremost figures in the early civic life of Lafay- ette County.

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History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 109

Author: Johnson, William Foreman, b. 1861 Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1464

Author: Johnson, William Foreman, b. 1861
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1464