USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 43
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William Harrison Barnett was born in 1841 and was a son of Am- brose Dudley Barnett, a native of Kentucky. Dr. John A. Barnett was reared and educated in Johnson County, Ind., and taught school for five years. For about one and a half years he was in the employ of the Scar- borough Company, handling maps and school supplies, and when at Okla- homa City he became interested in the science of Osteopathy. He en- tered college at Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated from the Still Osteopathic College in 1905. His parents then being residents of Irvington, at that time a suburb of Indianapolis, he located in the latter city and remained there until his mothers death in April, 1906. Doctor Barnett then prac- ticed at Attica, Ind., for one and a half years and then moved to Rogers, Ark., in the hope that a change of climate would be beneficial to his wife's health. From March, 1909. until January, 1913. he remained at Rogers and then located at Boonville.
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There were five children born to William Harrison and Lucy (Boyd) Barnett, as follow: Albert Raphael, a farmer, Franklin, Ind .; Dr. John Ambrose Barnett, of this review; Victor Hugo Barnett, died in Septem- ber, 1916; Rev. Carl Harry Barnett, a graduate of Butler University, graduate of Yale University, prominent in Y. M. C. A. work and now pastor of the Oak Cliff Christian Church, Dallas, Texas; Chester Boyd Barnett, was a graduate of the Indianapolis Law School, and was engaged in the United States Reclamation Service when he died of influenza in the West Dec. 28, 1918.
In March, 1903, Doctor Barnett was married to Miss Ruby Hall, of Terre Haute, Ind., a daughter of Herschell and Victoria (Hall) Hall. Seven children have blessed this union: Harold Ray, Juanita, Therese Lucille, Leslie Ambrose, John Alfred, Victoria Boyd, and Ruby Darline.
Doctor Barnett, while practicing his profession at Rogers, Ark., was appointed by Gov. George W. Donaghey to a membership on the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners and served for two years, beginning Nov. 7, 1911. Upon coming to Boonville he passed the Missouri State Board of Osteopathic Examiners Feb. 8, 1913. He is a Democrat, a member of the Christian Church, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
Joseph Ignatius Hazell, retired pioneer farmer, Speed, Mo., was born on a farm near Palestine, Cooper County, March 7, 1848, and is a son of Edwin and Sarah (Yarnell) Hazell, natives of Kentucky, and pioneers in Missouri.
Edwin Hazell was born in 1811 and died in 1893. He was a son of Nathan Hazell, who came to Cooper County in 1821 and settled on a farm near old Palestine. He reared a family in Cooper County and died here. Edwin Hazell was brought up on his father's farm, and when he attained maturity, married Sarah Yarnell, who was born in 1806 and died in 1884. She was a daughter of Joseph Yarnell, a noted pioneer settler who was a close friend of Stephen Cole, one of the first settlers of Howard and Cooper Counties. Joseph Yarnell was an Indian fighter, a typical fron- tiersman, who with others went fully armed and assisted in the building of the forts wherein the people remained during the troublesome days of the War of 1812.
A traditional story handed down for the past hundred years and since told with many variations makes Samuel Cole and Joseph Yarnell the heroes of a comical episode. The story goes that Yarnell and Cole were going to attend a party across the Missouri River in Howard County.
J. I. HAZELL
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
There was only one small skiff which they could use. Yarnell took the skiff and rowed his girl across the stream. Sam Cole stripped, took a young bull by the tail and made him swim across the stream and both attended the party. One version of the tale gives it that Yarnell and Cole rode a bull into the midst of the gathering and created an uproar. These two, however were apparently the heroes of many misadventures which have become legendary.
Edwin Hazell became a blacksmith and carpenter and conducted a blacksmith shop on his place for the convenience of the settlers. When Shelby's raiders made their famous trip through Cooper County, during the Civil War, some of Shelby's men welded a broken axle and mended a cannon at the Hazell shop. The Hazell home was stripped of every vestige of food and valuables, the horses were taken and the cows and pigs were seized by the raiders. The next day after the rebels had passed through Joseph I. Hazell was sent to Pinney's Mill for a supply of corn meal. Old John Brown's men then came along in chase of Shelby's crowd and ate up all the meal. and perforce the trip had to be made over again so that the family could have something to eat. Brown's men seized two horses which had been left in exchange by Shelby's men and all that the Hazells had left were two contraband horses which were worn out and feeble from use. They fed up these animals, raiders came again and the same thing again happened, and so it went on throughout the war.
Edwin Hazell had a family of ten children: James died in 1849 in California; Susan, Nancy, Elizabeth, William, Sarah, Eliza, Mary and Rhoda, are deceased. The subject of this sketch is the only one of the family now living.
Opportunities for schooling were very limited during the youthful days of J. I. Hazell. During the four years of Civil War there were no schools. Mr. Hazell recalls that a young man named Henderson taught. school during the war time for awhile. This teacher wore a new pair of boots. He took them off while school was in session and wore slippers, taking good care to hide the boots in the fear that some wandering soldier might take a fancy to them and commandeer them for his own use. The school house of his home vicinity was a log building with rough wooden benches and everything about it was very primitive.
Mr. Hazell was married in 1869 to Sarah Elizabeth Pulley, who was born near Tipton. Ind., in 1851 and is a daughter of Lorenzo and Demaris (Crews) Pulley, who were pioneer settlers of Cooper County. The chil- dren born to this marriage are: Judson, a railroad man, Atchison, Kans .;
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Leslie, a railroad man, Atchison, Kans .; Aubrey and Dade, farmers, living near Billingsville, Mo.
After his marriage, Mr. Hazell settled on a rented farm two miles west of Speed. He eventually purchased the old Hazell homestead of 60 acres. He lived there for some years and then purchased 299 acres of bottom land, now owned by H. Friedrich, upon which he resided for seven years. This low ground was not good for an asthmatic condition which persisted in bothering Mr. Hazell and he exchanged farms with Mr. Fried- rich and received a tract of 122.5 acres. Mr. Hazell sold out this land, purchased property in Sedalia which is bringing him good rentals and moved to Speed. He owns three fine residence properties in Sedalia and has recently moved to the A. Rudolph farm northeast of Speed.
Mr. Hazell is a democrat, loyal to the president and loyal to his party at all times. He is a member of the Baptist Church, a democrat and a Baptist being a splendid combination of old time settler which cannot be beaten for reliability, sturdiness, honesty and good humor. He is fra- ternally allied with the Woodmen of the World, at Speed.
James R. Miller .- The city of Boonville has a very efficient and capable police force and is noted as a law abiding municipality. Chief of Police James R. Miller is a capable and honest public officer who is now serving his third term as city marshal and has been connected with the police force of the city since his first appointment on May 1, 1911. Mr. Miller was born on a farm four miles west of Boonville Feb. 27, 1869, and is a son of Frederick W. (born 1839, died May 5, 1911) and Jessie B. (Payne) Miller (born 1843, died Jan. 20, 1899).
Frederick W. Miller was born in Germany and accompanied his father to America in 1848, his father being a rebel against the Kaisers government and being connected with the uprising of a part of the Ger- man people in 1848, he fled to America for a haven of refuge for liberty loving people of his class. Jessie B. (Payne) Miller was a daughter of James R. Payne, better known as Squire Payne, one of the best known of the pioneers of Cooper County. Frederick W. Miller served his adopted country as a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War and fol- lowed farming successfully west of Boonville until his retirement to a home in Boonville in 1901. He was father of four children: Mrs. Fieanora Drexel. Boonville township; John W. Miller, California, Mo .; Mrs. Rosa Marie Brueckner. died in 1914; James R. Miller, of this review.
Mr. Miller followed farming until 1909. He became owner of a splendid farm about four miles west of Boonville, which he cultivated
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with great success, becoming owner of the Miller home place. Not being satisfied with a mediocre success Mr. Miller accumulated three farms in all, making a total of 315 acres. He has disposed of all of his farm lands, selling 157 aeres in 1909. When he came to Boonville, he pur- chased a 20 acre tract on West Spring street in November, 1912. This place is well improved with a handsome brick residence and is very productive, Mrs. Miller having charge of its operation to a considerable extent while her husband keeps Boonville a law abiding community. From 1909 to his appointment as a member of the police force of Boon- ville May 1, 1911, Mr. Miller conducted a meat market and grocery. After serving three years as city policeman he was elected to the post of city marshal and is chief of police of the city.
Mr. Miller was married Oct. 18, 1893, to Miss Carrie M. Brommer, born in West Boonville township, a daughter of Louis and Elizabeth Brommer, well known deceased residents of Cooper County. The chil- dren born to James R. and Carrie M. Miller are: Harry James, Beatrice, Roy Ferdinand and Earl Charles.
Harry James Miller is an officer in the commissary department of the Missouri Training School.
Beatrice Martha is at home with her parents.
Roy Ferdinand Miller was born April 21, 1897, and enlisted in the United States Navy July 1, 1918 and was trained for service at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Pneumonia resulting from a severe at- tack of the influenza caused his death at Great Lakes, Sept. 30, 1918.
Earl Charles Miller is employed in the office of the Phoenix Ameri- can Pipe Factory.
Mr. Miller is a Republican and is a member of the Evangelical Church. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Chief Miller is a conscientious and fearless of- ficer who is devoted to his sworn duty although he is kind and just with minor offenders of the law. He is a familiar and well liked personality on the streets of Boonville and has many warm friends in the city and county.
Edward J. Garthoffner, proprietor of a flourishing feed mill, has been engaged in business since July 1, 1917, when he purchased the mill from H. Olendorf. Two men are employed and Mr. Garthofner does a general wholesale and retail business which is growing in volume through his management. He was born in Boonville, Mo., April 11, 1867.
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George J. Garthoffner his father, was born in Germany and came to America in 1857. He operated a wagon shop in Boonville for many years and was prominently identified with the early growth and history of Boonville. He was born in 1828 and died May 13, 1873. His wife was Victoria (Wagner) Garthoffner, who bore him eight children, seven of whom are living: George, Boonville; Edward, subject of this review; Frank and Henry, engaged in the drug business in St. Louis; Mary, Boon- ville ; Louisa, deceased; Emma, Boonville; and Mrs. Sophia Gantner, Boonville.
After attending the parochial schools of Boonville, Edward J. Garth- offner learned the trade of cigarmaker and followed his trade for twenty years, becoming a partner in business with his brother in 1890. He re- mained with him until 1910, when he closed out his partnership interest in the business. In 1910, June, he was appointed postmaster of Boon- ville and served until July 1, 1914. For the following year he traveled for the Melito Fish and Oyster Company. Mr. Kramm became owner of the local feed mill at that time and Mr. Garthoffner operated it for Kramm for six months. Then Olendorf bought it and Mr. Garthoffner was in his employ until he became sole owner on July 1, 1917.
Mr. Garthoffner was married in 1896 to Miss Mary E. Darby, a native of Cooper County, and daughter of Patrick Darby, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Six children were born to this marriage: Bernardine, a teacher in the public schools of Cooper County; Mary, bookkeeper in the Commercial Bank of Boonville; Richard, Edward, Jr., Dorothy and Frances.
Mr. Garthoffner has been active and influential in Republican politics and has served on the County and Congressional Central Committees. He has frequently been a delegate to the State convention of his party and has attended the National conventions. For several years he was vice- president of the Young Mens' Republican Association. He was elected to the office of city treasurer in 1908 and filled this office for two years. He is a member of Sts. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church, is a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, and is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World.
George H. Meyer, a well-known farmer and stockman of Clarks Fork township, is a native son of Cooper County, and is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of this section. He is a son of George H. and Elizabeth (Molan) Meyer. George H. Meyer was born in Saline town- ship, Cooper County, in 1853, and died Feb. 9, 1903. His wife is also a native of Saline township and still resides in Saline township.
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THE MEYER HOMESTEAD
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
George H. Meyer is one of the following children born to his parents: Henry, deceased; Herman W. resides in Boonville; Lawrence C., Clarks Fork township; Emil Ewing, resides with his mother, Saline township; and George H., the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Meyer was reared on a farm in Cooper County, and attended the district school. Later, he attended the Kemper Military School, and afterwards took a course in Gem City Business College, at Quincy, Ill. He then engaged in farming, and for a few years operated rented land. In 1910 he purchased his present place in Clarks Fork township, where he has since been engaged in farming and stock raising. This is one of the valuable farms of Cooper County, and consists of 275 acres of well- improved land. The farm buildings are all modern, the residence being equipped with a heating and lighting system. The place is underlaid with coal to the extent of a vein of 7 feet thick in some places, although Mr. Meyer does not mine any of the coal at the present time.
Sept. 6, 1905, George H. Meyer was united in marriage with Miss Julia N. Muntzel, a daughter of Albert and Margaret (Schmidt) Muntzel, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Cooper County, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Meyer was born on the farm where she now resides, Oct. 15, 1881, and is one of the following children born to her parents: Albert, Portland, Ore .; Martin W., St. Louis, Mo .; Edward J., Boonville; Mrs. Clara Trampe, St. Louis County, Mo .; Lillian, resides with Mr. and Mrs. Meyer ; Mrs. Caroline Fricke, on a farm near Sedalia, Mo .; Harry J., Clarks Fork township; and Mrs. Della D. Muntzel. To Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have been born two children: Margaret Elizabeth, born July 20, 1906, and Norbert Wilbur, born May 10, 1919.
Mr. Meyer takes a commendable interest in local public affairs, and is one of the present members of the Washington District School Board. He and Mrs. Meyer are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Clarks Fork. They are prominent in the community and rank among the leading citizens of Cooper County.
Dr. Roy H. Ellis, dentist of 23 years successful practice in Cooper County, with offices in the Knights of Pythias building, Boonville, was born in Cooper County, Aug. 7, 1878. He is a son of one of the best known citizens of Cooper County, William H. Ellis, who was born in Cooper County in 1850 in the house where he now lives.
Dr. William H. Ellis, grandfather of Dr. Roy H. Ellis, was a native of Richmond, Va., who came to Cooper County in 1839. He settled on a farm which had been entered by his father-in-law, Colin Johnson, a
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
pioneer of Cooper County, who entered part of the Ellis farm in 183.1. Dr. W. H. Ellis practiced medicine among the pioneer families of this section of Missouri until his death. He was one of the most widely and favorably known of the early doctors of this section of Missouri.
The original patent of the land which is still owned by the Ellis family was signed by President James Monroe. William H. Ellis has always been interested in farming and has resided upon his land prac- tically all of his days. He is owner of 340 acres of land, part of which was a portion of a large estate of over 1,000 acres accumulated by his father, Doctor Ellis. The Ellis land is situated near Prairie Home, Mo and is vary valuable, easily worth $125 an acre. William H. Ellis mar- ried Margaret Graham McPhatridge, born in Abbington, Va., in 1850, and who came to Cooper County and taught in the public schools for some years. Eight sons and two daughters were born to William H. and Margaret Ellis, as follow: Two died in infancy: Edward E., Dr. Roy H. Ellis ; Joseph Graham; Lance F., Mary Ann, Clay W., Rylie.
Edward E. is 42 years of age. He enlisted as a private soldier and is now sergeant in the 90th Division, Army of Occupation in Germany and is stationed at Coblenz. He fought at St. Mihiel and in the Argonne Forest battle, having been over 79 days on the front, prior to the sign- ing of the armistice. Joseph Graham Ellis is living on the home farm. Lance F. Ellis lives in Wichita, Kan. Samuel T. Ellis resides in Lexing- ton, Mo. Mary Ann Simmons lives at Bunceton, Mo. Clay W., a resi- dent of Wichita, Kan., also spent six months as a private soldier in the National Army and received an honorable discharge from the service. Rylie Ellis is at home with her parents.
Roy H. Ellis was educated in the district school and Prairie Home Institute. He studied dentistry at Washington University, St. Louis, Mo .. and graduated from this institution in 1898. He practiced for a time at Prairie Home and then came to Boonville, where he has built up a splen- did practice. Since his graduation he has taken four special courses in dentistry under special instructors and has endeavored in every way to keep abreast of all modern developments and advancement in the science of his profession.
Doctor Ellis was married (1 June 3, 1903, to Miss Elizabeth Durrett, of Charlottesville, Va .. a daughter of Frank Durrett. Doctor and Mrs. Ellis have two children: William Henry, Jr., and Clara Margaret Ellis.
Doctor Ellis is a member of the Missourt State, the Central Missouri and the National Dental Associations. He is a Democrat, is a member of the Baptist Church, and is a Mason.
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
Dr. William Thomas Gibson, justice of the peace, Boonville, Mo., and also engaged in the real estate business, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born in Indiana County, Pa., Nov. 1, 1843, and is a son of Thomas Gibson.
Thomas Gibson, his father, was born in Ireland in 1806 and died in 1874. He immigrated to America with his parents in 1809 and was reared in Pennsylvania. He was there married to Margaret Thomas, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1812 and departed this life in 1896. The life of Thomas Gibson was spent in tilling the soil. He reared a family of four children: Israel, a soldier in the Union Army, killed at Spottsylvania Court House; Samuel, a Union veteran, died in 1894; Wil- liam T., of this review; John, a Union veteran, died in 1915. It will thus be seen that all four sons of Thomas Gibson served the Nation in time of stress and the eldest gave his life on the battlefield. Israel Gibson was captain of Company C, Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserve Corps.
William T. Gibson enlisted in July, 1862, in Company A, 135th Penn- sylvania Regiment, served six months in the First Pennsylvania Cavalry, and while serving 12 months in the 188th Pennsylvania Infantry he was marked for conspicuous bravery. At Fort Harrison, below Richmond. it was quoted in official notices that he had performed an act of bravery in carrying off wounded men under fire from the battlefield on Sept. 29. 1864. Oct. 11, 1864, he was given a lieutenant's commission, and was afterwards commissioned a first lieutenant by President Lincoln, in the Fourth United States Colored Troops. Lieutenant Gibson received his honorable discharge at Washington, D. C., June 4, 1866, and immedi- ately returned to his home. The great battles in which he participated during the Civil War were: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the thirty days battle in the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, where half of his regiment were killed or wounded in one-half hour, Fort Harrison and Fort Fisher, N. C. He took up the study of dentistry as a profession and came to Boonville, April 10, 1869. He practiced his profession for 25 years and reluctantly relinquished his practice on account of his fail- ing eyesight. For 10 years he was engaged in the real estate business and served as police judge. He served 20 years in all as justice of the peace and was re-elected to this office in November, 1918.
Doctor Gibson was married in 1877 to Margaret Rankin, who died in 1905. His second marriage took place in 1908 with Mrs. Alberta Greenstreet, who is mother of two daughters by a former marriage, viz: Louise, former milliner, died of influenza in St. Louis in November, 1918; Maurine Greenstreet is at home in Boonville.
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During the 25 years in practicing his profession in Cooper County, Doctor Gibson was located at Prairie Home, Pisgah, and Boonville and became known far and wide as a noted horse trader, his keen judgment of horseflesh enabling him to make profitable trades.
Justice Gibson is a stalwart Republican.
George H. Meyer, now deceased, was a native of Cooper County, and a descendant of one of the pioneer families, and for many years was iden- tified with the development of the eastern portion of this country. He was born in Saline township, Feb. 5, 1853, and died Feb. 13, 1903. He was a son of Henry C. and Anna (Bahlman) Meyers, natives of Germany, both of whom were early settlers of this county and spent the remainder of their lives here, prior to the Civil War. Their remains are buried in the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery at Clarks Fork.
George H. Meyer was reared to manhood and educated in Cooper County, and during his lifetime was well known as an extensive farmer and stockman. He not only raised cattle and hogs, but bought and shipped cattle extensively. He was a progressive citizen and a good busi- ness man, and became well-to-do and prominent in the community. He took a special. interest in the betterment of the public school system, and for many years was an active member of the local school board.
June 16, 1874, George H. Meyer was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Molan, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Schnuck) Molan. both of whom are now deceased and their remains are buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery. They were natives of Germany, and settled in Missouri sometime in the '50s. Elizabeth (Molan) Meyer was born Oct. 29, 1856, in St. Louis County, Mo., and when a young girl, in 1857, came to Cooper County with her parents, and here she was reared and educated, attend- ing the Highland District School in Saline township. After their mar- riage, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Meyer settled on the place where she now resides, in 1877. They first purchased 200 acres, and later added 200 acres, and now the home place consists of 530 acres of valuable farm land. This is one of the notable stock farms of Saline township, and is known as "Forrest Grove Stock Farm." It is located 10 miles southeast of Boon- ville, and one mile from Clarks Fork store.
To George H. Meyer and wife were born the following children: Henry, born Jan. 16, 1876, died at the age of 26 years; Herman W., born Sept. 1, 1878, now engaged in the automobile business at Boonville; George H., Jr., born. Sept. 17, 1880, married Julia Muntzel, Sept. 6, 1905; Lawrence C., born Aug. 25, 1883, married Pauline Mills, Aug. 30, 1904;
GEORGE H. MEYER AND FAMILY
حمد
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and E. Ewing, born June 14, 1893, and now resides on the home place. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri, having completed the ag- ricultural course in 1913. In the operation of the home place, he gives special attention to raising Shorthorn cattle and pure bred Duroc Jersey hogs, of which he raises annually from 200 to 300 head. The annual cat- tle production of the place varies from 75 to 100 head, and Mr. Meyer also raises some sheep. The Meyers farm is naturally well adapted to stock raising, and the splendid barns and other arrangements for the care of stock classifies this place as one of the modern stock farms of Cooper County. E. Ewing Meyer and his brother, Herman W., are both members of the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and rank among the progressive young men of Cooper County.
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