History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 111

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

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Mr. Cole is one of Cooper County's representative and progressive cit- izens and stands ever ready to contribute his part to any worthy public enterprise.

William Lynn Spahr, a well known and successful farmer and stock- man of Kelly township, was born in Boonville, Nov. 3, 1890. He is a son of William Lynn and Sarah Prolma (Stark) Spahr, the former also a native of Cooper Count, where he spent his life, and died April 17, 1896. The mother was born near Otterville, Mo., and died Aug. 22, 1914. Wil- liam Lynn Spahr, the father, was engaged in the undertaking business at Boonville, the greater part of his life. To William Lynn and Sarah Prolma (Stark) Spahr were born the following children: Lawrence, a farmer in Kelly township; William L., the subject of this sketch; and David, Tulsa, Okla.

William L. Spahr was educated in the district schools of Cooper County and the Bunceton High School. He has been engaged in farming and stock raising since boyhood. He purchased his present place in Kelly township from Frank Smith in 1912. His farm consists of 80 acres of well improved land, located three miles southwest of Bunceton. He has a pretty home and the other improvements on the place are of a cor- responding high type. He feeds cattle quite extensively, and has met with success in this line of endeavor.

Mr. Spahr was married in 1911 to Miss Anna Lee Palmer, a daughter of James and Ella (Collins) Palmer, both now residing in Lebanon town-

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ship. To James and Ella (Collins) Palmer have been born the following children besides Mrs. Spahr: Clarence, Sedalia; Henry, Bunceton; Rus- sell, Bunceton; Mrs. Kate Schlotzhauer; Mrs. Mattie Cole, Otterville; and Frank Lillian, Louise, Pauline, Stanley and Jack, residing at home with their parents.

Mr. Spahr is one of Cooper County's substantial representative citi- zens, and he and Mrs. Spahr stand high in the community.

Lawrence Spahr, owner of the "Cedar Lawn Farm" in Kelly township, is one of the progressive young farmers and stockmen of Cooper County, and belongs to a prominent pioneer family of this section. He was born July 22, 1888, and is a son of William L. and Sarah Prolma (Stark) Spahr, both natives of Cooper County. The father was engaged in the under- taking business at Boonville most of his life, and is now deceased. The mother, Sarah Prolma (Stark) Spahr, was a daughter of J. D. Stark, who for many years was prominently identified with Cooper County and Mis- souri in a political way. He served as county collector of Cooper County, and was also county judge. He represented Cooper County in the Legis- lature for a time, and was warden of the State Penitentiary during the administration of Gov. Stephens. About that time he bought a farm in Kelly township, which is now owned by Lawrence Spahr. While her father was warden of the State Penitentiary, Sarah Prolma (Stark) Spah' was matron of that institution. At the expiration of her term she re- turned to Cooper County and lived on the farm in Kelly township, which her father had purchased. At that time she was a widow, her husband having died in 1896. She successfully managed the operation of the farm in Kelly township, and reared her family. She was a capable business woman, and successfully carried out her undertakings. She died Aug. 22, 1914. Lawrence Spahr now owns the place in Kelly township which was owned by his grandfather Stark. It is one of the valuable farms of the county, and is one of the old historic places of that neighborhood. It was originally entered from the Government by W. T. Reavis at a cost of $1.25 per acre in 1850, and was later owned by Dick Reavis, who made many improvements out of the ordinary for the early times. He planted an orchard of 40 acres and later doubled the acreage of his orchard. He manufactured apple brandy here for a time. He also set out two rows of cedar trees along the driveway, between the main highway and the resi- dence, which greatly add to the beauty of the place. The farm now con-

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sists of 185 acres, and here Mr. Spahr successfully carries on general farm- ing and stock raising. He feeds cattle extensively, a branch of animal husbandry which has proven very profitable to him.

Mr. Spahr was married June 5, 1912, to Miss Grace Gander, a daughter of John and Annie (Presgraves) Gander, of Lebanon township. Mrs. Spahr is one of the following children born to her parents: Grace, wife of Lawrence Spahr, the subject of this sketch; Virgil, leaves near Vermont Station ; Ollie, resides at home; Aubrey, lives near Vermont Station ; and Elon, lives near Vermont Station. To Mr. and Mrs. Spahr have been born two children: Jack Stark and Annie Olive.

Mr. and Mrs. Spahr are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are representatives of Cooper County's most progressive and enter- prising citizens.

H. C. Biltz, a successful farmer of Kelly township, is a native of Illi- nois. He was born in Summerfield, St. Clair County, Ill., Aug. 1, 1867, a son of Jacob and Dora Biltz, both now deceased. Jacob Biltz was a native of Germany, and took part in the German Revolution in 1848, and on ac- count of his participation in that uprising against the Government fled from that country in company with Frederick Hecker, who was also impli- cated in the revolution against the German Government, and during the Civil War became a colonel in the Union Army.

H. C. Biltz first came to Boonville in the capacity of an apple buyer. He and his brother, Philip, were in the commission business at St. Louis, and his brother is still engaged in the same business there. For a num- ber of years, H. C. Biltz has been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising in Kelly township, where he owns one of the valuable, well improved farms of Cooper County. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and has met with well merited success in his undertakings.

March 9, 1892, H. C. Biltz was united in marriage with Miss Guita A. Levens, at St. Louis, Mo. After their marriage they lived in Omaha, Neb., for a short time, and in 1893 came to Cooper County, where Mr. Biltz has since been engaged in farming. Mrs. Biltz is a daughter of B. W. Levens, a native of Cooper County, who was born on the site of the present town of Bunceton, Feb. 25, 1841. He was a son of Basil W. Levens, a native of Washington County, Pa., born in 1791. Basil W. Levens came to Randolph County, Ill., with his parents at a very early date. His father was a slave-owner, and owing to the sentiment against slavery in Illinois, he came to Missouri by boat, taking his slaves with him, and set- tled at Overton, Mo. He operated the ferry across the river for a number"

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of years, and was later engaged in farming. He married Rhoda Stephens here in 1818. He spent his latter years on a farm about two miles east of Bunceton, where he died in 1844, and his wife died in 1876.

B. W. Levens, father of Mrs. H. C. Biltz, was a Confederate veteran. He was married Feb. 25, 1864, to Mary E. Reavis, who died Jan. 8, 1911. . Two children were born to this union: Dr. W. B. Levens, Creighton, Mo., and Guita, the wife of H. C. Biltz, the subject of this sketch.

To H. C. Biltz and wife have been born two children: Rolla L. and Hilda Marie, the latter a student in the Bunceton High School. Rolla L. Biltz served in the World War, and is now residing at home with his parents. He enlisted in March, 1917, and after being trained at Ft. Sill, Okla., was sent to France in April, 1918, with the 144th Infantry, 35th Division. He participated in the severe fighting of the summer and fall of 1918. He was at the battle of Argone Forest, and St. Mihiel. He was wounded three times, twice in the arm, and once in the side, and he was also severely gassed, and was returned to the United States as a member of a casualty company.

Mrs. Biltz has won a reputation as a successful poultry raiser which · has extended far beyond the limits of Cooper County. She won the first premium at the Missouri State Poultry Show in 1912, and also at the Springfield Poultry Show for the largest turkey in the world, which weighed 60 pounds. This was a mammoth Bronze turkey, and at that time Mrs. Biltz was raising that breed of turkeys. This turkey was afterwards sold for $150.00.

Mr. and Mrs. Biltz are well known in Cooper County and rank among the leading families of this section.

Samuel Holbert Groves, proprietor of the "Locust Grove Farm, Home of the Cotswold," is recognized as one of the leading breeders in the coun- try. Mr. Groves is a native of Cooper County. He was born near Bell Air, June 13, 1864, and is a son of W. T. and Margaret (Cole) Groves. The mother was a daughter of Samuel and Sallie (Bristoe) Cole. Samuel Cole was a son of Stephen Cole, who was one of the first settlers of Cooper County, who lived at Cole's Fort, the first settlement of this county. W. T. Groves was a native of Fauquier County, Va., born Aug. 2, 1828, and came to Cooper County, Mo., in 1850, when he was 22 years old. He died here July 2, 1911, and his wife died in 1867. They were the parents of the following children: J. O., who resides in Kelly township; Samuel H., the subject of this sketch; Thomas, Moniteau County. After the death of his first wife, W. T. Groves married Anna Morton. She died in 1917.

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The following children were born to the second marriage: John, Tipton, Mo .; Clara, married Robert McCulloch, Jefferson City, Mo .; Cora, married M. A. Worley, Tipton, Mo .; Addie, married O. P. Worley, Tipton, Mo .; Oscar, enlisted when the United States entered the World War, and was sent to France in the spring of 1918, and is still serving with the Ameri- can Expeditionary Force there.

Samuel H. Groves was educated in the public schools and in Prof. Don- nelly's school at Bunceton. He has always been engaged in farming and stock raising, and for a number of years has made a specialty in breeding Cotswold sheep. He brought the first imported sheep of this breed that was ever brought to Cooper County, and has bred several hundred sheep of this breed all eligible to registration. His sheep have been exhibited at numerous fairs and stock shows throughout the country, and he perhaps has won over 300 premiums. His imported ram, Garnes 37, which heads his flock, is one of the most valuable sheep in this country. He now has a herd of 42 pure-bred Cotswold sheep on his place. Mr. Groves has been superintendent of the sheep department of the Missouri State Fair for several years, and holds that position for the year 1919. For five years he was president of the Missouri State Sheep Breeders' Association, and takes an active interest in this line of work. He was one of the organ- izers of the Bunceton Fair, 23 years ago. This is one of the successful fairs of the State. Mr. Groves is not only a successful farmer and breeder, but is known throughout a broad scope of territory as a successful auc- tioneer. He makes a specialty of conducting sheep sales, in which he is regarded as an expert. The sheep growers of the State have found in Mr. Groves an exceptional auctioneer in handling their particular line of sales, and the demand upon his time for this work is very great. He has conducted sheep sales for eight years.

Mr. Groves was married Dec. 22, 1887, to Miss Anna Bear, a daugh- ter of J. H. and Mary (Morris) Bear. J. H. Bear is a native of Kentucky, and came to Cooper County when a young man. He was born Dec. 22, 1835, and makes his home with his children. His wife was born in St. Clair County, Mo., and died Feb. 12, 1914, at the age of 68 years. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. J. O. Groves, Tipton, Mo .; Anna, the wife of Samuel H. Groves, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Davis, Otterville, Mo .; Mrs. A. J. White, Tipton, Mo .; Mrs. F. M. Shrout, Bunceton, Mo .; Mrs. R. H. Franks, Thomasville, Mo .; Alfred S., Oknee, Okla .; Hugh M., Colorado; George, a teacher, who is now taking a special course at the State Normal School at Warrensburg, Mo. He enlisted

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at the beginning of the World War and attended an officers' training school, where he was commissioned a lieutenant and was sent to France in the spring of 1918, and returned to the United States, March 5, 1919. To Mr. and Mrs. Groves have been born the following children: Edgar E., a locomotive engineer on the Rock Island Railroad, married Bessie Monks, of Cooper County, and they have two children, Gladys and Anna Mar- guerite ; and Morris C., of Bayfield, Colo., married Lydia Doll, of Cooper County, and they have one daughter, Edna Frances.

Mr. Groves is one of Cooper County's most highly respected and sub- stantial citizens.

George Reynolds, a highly respected pioneer of Cooper County, resid- ing in Kelly township, is a native of West Virginia. He was born in Brooks County, May 8, 1847, a son of Josephus and Margaret (Umphrey) Reynolds, both natives of Ohio, born near Steubenville. The mother died in 1897, the father having died in 1870, in Johnson County, Mo. He came to Cooper County in 1867, and settled near Nebo, Cooper County. Josephus and Margaret (Umphrey) Reynolds were the parents of the following children: Samuel, who resides at Boonville, and George, the subject of this sketch, were twins ; Frank, lives in Boonville; William F., died in 1898, near Blackwater; Robert Scott, died in infancy; Joshua, the eldest of the fam- ily, was killed at Hatches Run, Va., while serving in the Union Army dur- ing the Civil War.

George Reynolds has lived in Cooper County for 52 years with the exception of 1881 and 1882, when he resided in Vernon County. He bought his present home in Kelly township in 1887. His farm consists of 120 acres, which is nicely located and makes a pleasant home. His residence is located on an eminence which gives a commanding view of the surround- ing country, and under proper atmospheric condition a splendid view of 20 miles to the northwest can be had from this place.

George Reynolds was married in 1872 to Miss Sarah Gallagher, a daughter of Charles and Susan Gallagher, who were early settlers in Mon- iteau County, coming from Virginia. To this union were born thie follow- ing children : Dr. William H., who resides in Pettis County, married Minnie Kahrs, and they have two children, Della May and William K .; Cora May, married J. J. Baxter, Rockyford, Colo., and they have four children, Gus- sie, Arthur N., Walter H., and Willa S. Mrs. Reynolds died Feb. 6, 1901, and her remains are buried in Hopewell Cemetery. Mr. Reynolds is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bell Air. He is an intelli- gent and well posted gentleman and one of Cooper County's best citizens.

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Joseph O. Nelson, a progressive citizen and well known farmer of Kelly township, was born in Texas, Aug. 6, 1867. He is a son of Decatur and Isabella (Stephens) Nelson. Decatur Nelson was born in Virginia, Dec. 12, 1831, and died in Cooper County, Nov. 10, 1903. He came to Cooper County with his parents when he was nine years of age. When the Civil War broke out he went to Texas and entered the Confederate Army there, and served nearly four years until the war closed. Isabella (Stephens) Nelson was a member of a Cooper County pioneer family. She was born on the site of the present town of Bunceton long before Bunceton was thought of. She was a daughter of Joseph Stephens, Sr., a native of Wythe County, Va., who settled in the locality where Bunceton now stands in November, 1817. Isabella (Stephens) Nelson died in 1886. She was one of 24 children born of two unions who all lived to man and womanhood, except three, who died in infancy. Her mother being Miss Catherine Dickenson; nine children belong to that union. To Decatur and Isabella (Stephens) Nelson were born two children: Mrs. Mollie C. Francis, who now resides in Texas and Joseph O., the subject of this sketch.

Joseph O. Nelson was educated in the public schools at Glen Dale, Clarksburg College, and Otterville College, and since leaving school has been engaged in farming. He has lived on the place which he now owns in Kelly township for 30 years. He first purchased 4214 acres and later added 90 acres more. His farm is located five miles south of Bunceton. It is well improved, with a good residence, new barn and other improve- ments of a high order. The water supply for the place is obtained from a well 110 feet deep, and is pumped by a gas engine.

Mr. Nelson was first married in April, 1887, to Miss Ida May Tilton, a daughter of Samuel Tilton, of Tipton, Mo. One son was born to this union, Newton, who lives at Tipton. Mrs. Nelson died in 1888. April 22, 1890, Mr. Nelson was married to Alice C. Kelly, a daughter of John and Nancy Kelly. John Kelly who was a native of Ireland was a railroad man and worked on the construction of the Missouri Pacific railroad through Tipton and also M. K. & T. through Clifton City. He died in Kansas City, July 9, 1906. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Jones, died in 1872, when Mrs. Nelson was about two years of age. Mrs. Nelson was reared by her grandparents, Samuel and Susan Jones, who resided near Otterville. Samuel Jones was a native of Kentucky, born Nov. 3, 1826, and came to Missouri about 1835, settling near Otterville

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where he kept the postoffice which was Elkton in the forties before Otter- ville was founded. His wife was born in Page County, Va., in 1832, and died in July, 1893. Mrs. Nelson was educated in the public schools of Cooper County, Otterville College and the Pilot Grove College. She was a student at the latter institution in 1883 when W. F. Johnson, the editor of this work, was a teacher there.

To Joseph O. Nelson and wife have been born five children as fol- lows: Isabella, born March 1, 1891, was educated in Bunceton High School, Missouri State University, The Gem City Business College, Quincy, Ill., and is now a teacher at the Laura Speed Elliot High School, Boonville ; Richard Truman, born Nov. 27, 1897, resides at home; Ernest Decatur, born March 3, 1900; Edgar Eurico, born Feb. 6, 1902; Armstead Mason, born Aug. 26, 1910.

The Nelsons are one of the well known and representative families of Cooper County and Mr. Nelson is a progressive and public spirited citizen. Hc is a cousin of Hon. W. L. Nelson, United States Congressman from the Eighth Missouri District and of Lady Maxwell of England.

Emil Hagemeier, a well known farmer and stockman of Kelly town- ship, is a native of Cooper County. He was born near Lone Elm, May 9, 1885, and is a son of Fred and Lizzie (Loesing) Hagemeier, both natives of St. Louis County, and now residents of Kelly township. They came to Cooper County about 1871, and settled near Lone Elm, where they now reside. Fred and Lizzie (Loesing) Hagemeier, are the parents of the following children: Lizzie, married John Day and resides in Kansas City, Mo .; Minnie, married Frank Neimeyer, Kelly township; Emma, married George Stegner and they reside near Mt. Herman Church; Mary, married George Bushhorn and is now deceased; Emil, the subject of this sketch; Harry resides in Kelly township, and Amanda married Clyde C. Waller and they reside at Wright City, Mo.

Emil Hagemeier was educated in the public schools of Baxter, Mo., and the Bunceton schools. He also attended the German school at Lone Eln. Mr. Hagemeier has always been engaged in farming and stock rais- ing. He bought 60 acres of his present farm in 1912, to which he added 60 acres more later and now owns a valuable farm of 120 acres. It is located 51/2 mlies southwest of Bunceton, and is one of the well improved and well kept farms of that vicinity. He carries on general farming and stock raising and is meeting with well merited success. Mrs. Hagemeier is successfully engaged in the poultry business. She keeps about 300

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Rhode Island Red and Brown Leghorn chickens, all of which are pure bred. Mrs. Hagemeier has been very successful in the production of eggs, which she sells both for hatching and on the general market. During the month of March, 1919 she sold $118.00 worth of eggs.

Emil Hagemeier was united in marriage Jan. 4, 1910, to Miss Ger- trude Varner, a daughter of William and Eliza (Cook) Varner. William Varner was born in Virginia, June 30, 1833, and his wife was born in Cooper County, near Otterville, March 16, 1835. During the Civil War he served in the Union State Militia. He has always followed farming and stock raising. This aged and highly respected couple now reside in Kelly township. They were the parents of the following children: Pole- ata, married H. H. Yarnell, who is now deceased and she lives in Kelly township; Joseph, Beloit, Kan .; Mary, married J. A. Stevenson, St. Louis; James, born May 6, 1871, and died at the age of two years; Richard, re- sides in Kansas City, Mo .; Ida died in infancy, and Gertrude, the wife of Emil Hagemeier, the subject of this sketch. To Mr. and Mrs. Hagemeier have been born one son, Paul Emil, born March 17, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Hagemeier are members of the Presbyterian Church and rank among Cooper County's representative and highly respected citizens.

Joshua Berry Scott of Bunceton is a descendant of Cooper County pioneer stock, who has spent his life, with the exception of two years, in this county. Mr. Scott was born in Cooper County, Feb. 7, 1857. He is a son of William Wilson and Carolina (Berry) Scott. William Wilson Scott was a native of Kentucky, and came to Missouri with his father, Leonard Scott, who settled in Cole County, where he spent the remainder of his life. William Wilson Scott settled in Cooper County in the thirties. Here he married Carolina Berry, and settled on a farm in Clarks Fork township, which is now owned by Christ Ohlandorf, and spent the re- mainder of his life on this place. Carolina Berry was the daughter of Joshua Berry, who was one of the very first settlers of Clarks Fork town- ship, where he entered government land. He was a native of North Caro- lina, and drove from that state with ox teams and wagons, bringing his slaves with him. After coming here he became an extensive land owner. He built a large brick residence on his place in Clarks Fork township. This house is still standing and in a good state of preservation. He died at his home in Cooper County, shortly after the close of the Civil War. His wife preceded him in death many years.

William Wilson and Carolina (Berry) Scott were the parents of the following children: Martha J., born Dec. 27, 1844, married Charles S. Shirley, April 6, 1870, who died July 27, 1874, three children having been

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born to them: Thomas Edward, lives in Boonville; Searles L., deceased ; and William Augustus, lives in Chicago; George Walter, born Feb. 7, 1847, deceased; William Bryon, born June 12, 1849, lives at Clinton, Mo .; Mrs. Mary Evaline Baslee, born Dec. 7, 1851, lives in Clear Fork township; James Monroe, born May 18, 1854; Joshua Berry, the subject of this sketch ; Robert Ellis, born July 19, 1859, deceased, and Mrs. Eleanora Bottoms, born April 29, 1862, lives in Prairie Home.

Joshua Berry Scott lived in Kelly township for many years where he was engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1900 he sold his farm in that township and bought his present splendid home in Bunceton. He has been an extensive dealer in real estate for many years, and has bought and sold a great deal of land. Mr. Scott was first married Feb. 19, 1879, to Miss Susan Russell, a native of Kentucky. Two children were born to this union, Tallia and Beulah, both of whom are deceased. The mother died Feb. 7, 1890. Mr. Scott's second wife bore the name of Maude Mc- Curdy. She died about a year after their marriage, leaving an infant son, John, who is also deceased. After the death of his second wife, Mr. Scott was married to Addie Carpenter, a native of Cooper County. She is a daughter of Robert and Priscilla Carpenter, pioneers of Clarks Fork township. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been born one son, Joe Dewey, born Nov. 16, 1898 and resides at home with his parents.

Mr. Scott is a progressive and enterprising citizen and has had a successful career. He is a stockholder in the Bank of Bunceton.

L. A. Bestgen, a progressive and enterprising citizen of Kelly town- ship, was born in this township on the place where he now resides, June 25, 1891. He is a son of A. J. and Ella (Class) Bestgen. A. J. Bestgen was also a native of Cooper County, born near Pisgah, Jan. 16, 1864, a son of Andrew and Catherine (Alter) Bestgen, natives of Germany. The former was born in 1818, and the latter in 1829. They were married Feb. 16, 1848, at Cedron, Moniteau County, and the following children were born to this union: Catherine, born Sept. 21, 1849; Anna Mary, born Nov. 7, 1852 ; John P. born Nov. 18, 1854 ; Barbera, born Jan. 7, 1857; Gertrude, born Feb. 8, 1859; Margaret, born May 19, 1861; Andrew J., born Jan. 16, 1864; Teresa H., born Sept. 24, 1866, and Cornelius, born July 26, 1870.

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History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 111

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