USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 49
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At the age of 14 years, Mark Jacobs ended his schooling and enter- ing his father's store where he received his excellent business training. In addition to the management of his large dry goods business, Mr. Jacobs is secretary of the Hirsch Wholesale Grocery Company. He is a member of the St. Joseph's Hospital board and has served as chairman of the State Fuel Committee having entire charge of the fuel disposition in three counties, Howard, Cooper and Moniteau during the World War. Mr. Jacobs is a factor in local, civic and commercial affairs and is one of the leaders in the project for a greater and better Boonville.
Dr. Henry Clay Gibson. The late Dr. Henry Clay Gibson was, in his day, the most able physician in Cooper County, and was in his later days the oldest practicing physician in this section of Missouri. Dr. Gibson was born in Cooper County, Aug. 25, 1825, and died Dec. 14, 1887. He was born on the old Gibson homestead, which is now incorporated into the Missouri Training School property. William, or "Uncle Billy Gibson," his father, was a native of North Carolina and was an carly pioneer in Cooper County. He married for his first wife, Rhoda Cole, born in Cole's Fort on the Missouri River, and a daughter of Stephen Cole, the first white settler in what is now Cooper County.
Henry Clay Gibson was educated in Kemper School, and attended the Transylvania Medical College at Lexington, Ky., during the sessions of
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1846-47. He then entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, from which he was afterwards graduated. Returning to Boonville after receiving his degree, he began the practice of his profession, soon secured a lucrative practice, and established a wide reputation as an educated, successful physician. Devoted to medicine as a science, not less than to his practice, and desiring to keep up with the progress of the profession as represented by the advancement in learning in the schools, he returned to Philadelphia and again entered his alma mater for a post graduate course.
Dr. Gibson resumed his practice in Boonville in 1853 and continued to practice successfully until the time of his death.
Dr. Gibson was twice married. His first marriage occurred on Jan. 11, 1856, too Miss Mittie Nelson, a native of Virginia, and sister to James M. Nelson. She died one year after marriage. Dr. Gibson's second mar- riage took place Jan. 11, 1871, with Mrs. Mary L. (Jones) McCarthy, widow of Justin McCarthy. Three children were born to this union: Mary J. Gibson, at home with her mother; Rhoda Cole Gibson, died in infancy ; Martha, wife of A. K. Mills, died at Webb City, Mo .; Mrs. Nancy O'Meara, wife of Joseph O'Meara, teacher of dramatic art in the College of Music, Cincinnati, Ohio. The mother of these children was born Nov. 2, 1840, in a log cabin at Bolivar, Mo. She is a daughter of Caleb and Nancy (Chapman) Jones, natives of Baltimore, Md., and Old Franklin, Mo., respectively. Caleb Jones was a pioneer merchant, trader, post- master, and Whig politician of the early pioneer days. He was born in Baltimore, a son of Joshua Jones, a native of that city, who fought with the American Army in the War of 1812. The wife of Joshua Jones was Mary Ann Sands, a daughter of Commodore Sands of the United States Navy. Caleb Jones was born in 1800 and died March 15, 1883. He came up the river to St. Louis, and walked to Arrow Rock, Mo., where he taught school and formed a partnership with Clay Jackson, later the war gov- ernor of Missouri. He became a merchant, moved to Old Franklin, and developed a large wholesale business which supplied many points in south- west Missouri with goods. He had previously operated a trading post in Bolivar, Mo., and was widely and favorably known throughout the entire section where his goods were sold. Mr. Jones later had an establishment in Boonville, including both a retail and a wholesale business. During the Civil War he suffered serious reverses from which he never fully recov- ered. He died in Mrs. Dr. Gibson's home. His children were: Mrs.
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H. C. Gibson; Mrs. William D. Muir, deceased; George C. Jones, a large land owner of Blackwater, Mo.
Joshua Jones, mentioned in the preceding paragraph, was a son of Joshua Jones, patriot, of Welsh extraction, who fought in the American Revolution. Nancy Chapman Jones, mother of Mrs. Gibson, was born April 6, 1814, and died Feb. 7, 1878. She was a daughter of Squire George Washington Chapman, a Kentucky frontiersman, and a pioneer in Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas. He was a noted border character who spent his life in advancing the outposts of civilization in remote and unsettled regions.
Mary L. Jones was first married in 1860 to Justin McCarthy, of San Antonio, Texas, who died in that city in 1865, leaving a son, William J., an actor.
Dr. Gibson was a democrat and was a member of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Gibson and her children are members of the Catholic Church.
John J. Heiberger, proprietor of the Heiberger Bakery, Boonville, Mo., has the oldest established bakery in the city. Mr. Heiberger estab- lished his bakery in May, 1895, and has been doing business successfully in the same location since that time. The output of the Heiberger bakery is 700 loaves of bread daily, besides a quantity of pies, all of which is con- sumed in Boonville and the towns of Cooper County. One auto truck is operated and three men are employed in the operation of the bakery.
Mr. Heiberger was born in Boonville, Aug. 3, 1872, and is a son of Blasius (b. 1847, d. May 11, 1918), who was born in Alsace and came with his mother to America in his boyhood days and settled in the Clear Creek neighborhood in Cooper County. When grown to manhood B. Heiberger came to Bconville and operated a saloon, restaurant and various other business enterprises during his career. He married Mary Friess who was born in Germany in 1849 and came to America with her parents when a child. B. and Mary Heiberger were parents of the following children: Charles, Hannibal, Mo .; Anna, wife of Clarence Ashley, St. Louis, Mo .; Kate Heiberger, a trained nurse, in the government hospital at Wash- ington, D. C .; and John J., subject of this review; Josephine, employed in the office of the United States Rubber Co., St. Louis, makes her home with her mother.
At the age of 13 years, John J. Heiberger began to learn the trade of baker in Boonville. When 17 years old he went to St. Louis, and fol-
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lowed his trade in the metropolis for three years. In 1892 he returned to Boonville and three years later started his successful industry.
October 6, 1897, he was married to Rebecca Stammerjohn who was born in Boonville, June 24, 1875, and is a daughter of Claus Stammer- john and Emma, his wife, natives of Holstein, and Prussia, respectively, the former of whom was born in 1843, emigrated to America in 1869 and settled in Boonville. Emma Stammerjohn was born in 1851 and came to America when young. Two children were born to John J. and Rebecca Heiberger, as follows: John C., a student in the Missouri State Uni- versity, Columbia, Mo .; Edwin, assisting his father in the bakery.
Mr. Heiberger is a stanch republican. He is a member of the Chris- tian church and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a good citizen, substantial, progressive and enterprising.
Walter Barron, a Civil War veteran of the Union army, and an early settler of Cooper County, is a native of Ireland. He was born in County Waterford, April 2, 1840, a son of Michael and Mary R. (Murphy) Barron, both natives of Ireland. The father was born in 1800, and immigrated to America with his family in 1848. They first settled in Calloway County, Mo., after landing at New Orleans from a sailing vessel, and coming up the Mississippi River to St. Louis by steamboat and to Calloway County by stage coach. They remained in Calloway County about two years, and in 1850 settled at Boonville. The father helped build a mill at Boon- ville and was engaged in the milling business for a number of years. He died in 1891 at the advanced age of 91 years. His wife died in 1870 at the age of 50 years. This pioneer couple were the parents of two children: Mary, who married Hiram Shrowt, and died in 1900, and Walter, the sub- ject of this sketch.
Walter Barron was educated in the public schools of Boonville and Mt. Sinia, Cooper County. He began life as a farmer and stock raiser, and has been engaged in that business all his life. He purchased the farm, "Ballan Curra," where he now resides, in 1865, and thus it has been his home for over half a century. He first bought 80 acres of land and later added 320 acres more and at one time owned about 400 acres. However, he disposed of a part of his land and now owns 166 acres. He has a well- improved place, a good modern farm residence of nine rooms with a good barn 48x54 feet, and other commdious and convenient farm buildings. In recent years Mr. Barron has rented his place, although he continues in the stock business on a moderate scale. During his active carrer he was one of the successful fruit growers of Cooper County, and has set out three orchards.
WALTER BARRON
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When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Barron enlisted in the Home Guards at Boonville. He was then just 21 years of age. Later he en- listed in the 37th Illinois Infantry, and afterwards became a member of the 9th Missouri Cavalry. He participated in the battle of Castle Rock Ford on the Osage River and was in the skirmish south of Boonville. He was also at the battles of Little Blue, Independence, Big Blue, Mine Creek and Little Osage and a number of other engagements and skirmishes. He took part in 21 engagements in all, including the battle with Bill An- derson's guerrillas at Fayette, in which many men were killed.
In 1869, Mr. Barron was married to Miss Virginia M. Hurt, a daugh- ter of Joel and Harriet (Farris) Hurt, both deceased. The Hurt family consisted of the following children: Henrietta Runkle; Virginia M .; Boone Hurt, Pleasant Green; Mary Helen Cartner, deceased; Mrs. Dora Davis, Boonville township; Mrs. Josie Earhart, Gooch Mill, and Milo B., deceased. By a first marriage, Joel Hurt was father of: Joel Hurt, a wealthy citizen of Omaha; Ira O., Texas; Nancy McAllister, Oklahoma. To Mr. and Mrs. Barron were born the following children: William P., died at the age of 24 years; Mrs. Minnie Langkop, Bunceton, Mo .; Mrs. Rosa Brandes, Clarks Fork township; Mrs. Lulu Brandes, Boonville, Mo .; John, Moniteau township; Nellie resides at home; Boone, Brunceton, Mo .; Walter, Jr., died at the age of 19; Mary Ellen, died at the age of 13, and Josie and Joseph, twins, died in infancy. Mrs. Barron died January 7, 1918. and her remains are buried in the Catholic cemetery at Boonville. The following are the grandchildren: Ralph and Waldo Langkop; Clo- rine, Earle, Mary Virginia Brandes, Walter Barron and Ruth, Lloyd and Rodney Brandes. Boone Brandes has one son, Boone Donald.
Mr. Barron was commissioned captain of the Missouri State Militia by Governor Thomas Fletcher just after the close of the Civil War, and the duties of this organization was to protect peaceful citizens against bands of outlaws which infested the state at that time. Mr. Barron is one of the real pioneers of Cooper County. He says that he cannot recall the names of a half dozen people now living in Boonville who were here when he came here, 69 years ago, which impresses us with the fact that time is rapidly thinning the ranks of the old settlers. Mr. Barron cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln for president, and since that time has supported the policies and principles of the Republican party. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republican, John A. Hayne Post No. 240, Boonville, Mo., and is Past Commander of this post.
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William F. Johnmeyer .- It is given to but few men to achieve suc- cess such as that which has come to William F. Johnmeyer, retired farmer of Boonville, in the short space of 37 years since he first came to America from Germany and hired out as farm hand in Cooper County. Mr. John- meyer has not only accumulated a fine farm, become well to do, but has achieved more than a local reputation as a grower of corn and a breeder of poultry. In 1907 his exhibit of corn was awarded a silver loving cup at the Jamestown Exposition for the best exhibit of many kinds of corn. He received the grand corn prize through the Missouri Commission hav- ing charge of the Missouri exhibits at the exposition. Mrs. Johnmeyer, in 1901, 1902, and 1903, was awarded loving cups at the county fairs, for taking the most prizes for canned goods and farm products put up on the Johnmeyer farm. For several years Mr. Johnmeyer was an expert corn grower and made a business of producing seed corn which commanded a ready sale at good prices. He also specialized in fine poultry. He won many premiums on seed corn exhibited at Columbia and elsewhere, and his achievements as a corn grower attracted nation-wide attention, as having produced the best grades of corn in the United States, according to the leading agricultural authorities at Washington, D. C.
William F. Johnmeyer was born in Germany, Nov. 15, 1858, and was a son of Frederick William and Charlotte Johnmeyer, who lived and died in Germany. Mr. Johnmeyer came to America in 1881, locating at once in Cooper County. He had very little money and accordingly went right to work as a hired hand on the farms in Cooper County. He hired out for three years at $12 per month at the start, and $20 per month during the third year, and during that time saved $500. Feeling himself to be well off, he got married and then rented a farm for four and a half years. In the fall of 1888, he purchased 132 acres of land west of Boonville in Boonville township. He agreed to pay $36 an acre for this land. Not long afterwards he bought an additional 33 acres, paid out, and then bought another tract of 140 acres, which he sold some time ago at a profit. The Johnmeyer farm is well improved and highly productive and has created wealth for its owner, who has tilled his land with intelligence and foresight. March 2, 1914, Mr. and Mrs. Johnmeyer moved to Boon- ville. In process of erection on High Street, is a new residence which will be occupied by this worthy couple when completed.
Jan. 28, 1884, William F. Johnmeyer and Miss Sophia Smith were united in marriage. Mrs. Sophia Johnmeyer was born on Lone Elm Prairie, Dec. 25, 1863, and is a daughter of Nicholas and Margaret (Dern- hauser) Smith, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history.
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Eight children have been born to William F. and. Sophia Johnmeyer, as follows: Margaret, wife of George Branch, a farmer of Boonville town- ship; Fred, a farmer in Saline County, Mo .; Albert, a farmer, living west of Boonville; Martin, who is cultivating the Johnmeyer home place ; Nellie, wife of Walter Breuckner, living west of Boonville; Mrs. Emma Lang- lotz, west of Boonville; Perley, on the home place; Alexandra, aged 12 years.
Mr. Johnmeyer is a republican, but has taken little part in political affairs, other than to cast his vote. He and his family are members of the Evangelical Church. Many things are to be placed to the credit of Mr. and Mrs. Johnmeyer, the best of which is the rearing of a splendid family of sons and daughters, who are all good citizens, industrious and enterprising. They are a congenial, intelligent, and progressive couple, whose achievements in Cooper County have made them widely known throughout the country. For a farmer, Mr. Johnmeyer evidently has enough fame to last him the remainder of his life.
William B. Talbott, traveling salesman, Boonville, Mo .; was born at Marengo, Iowa, May 20, 1885. He is a son of George Edward and Mary (Davis) Talbott, the former of whom is a native of Illinois, and the latter a native of Williamsburg, Iowa.
George Edward Talbott was a son of George Washington Talbott, of Virginia, who first settled in Ohio and went from that state to Illinois, where George Edward Talbott was born and rearcd. Mr. Talbott was married in Iowa, and in about 1910, went to Wichita, Kan., where he re- mained for three years. In 1912 he located in Kansas City where he holds the position of manager of the Baker Manufacturing Company. He had previously been engaged in manufacturing at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, under the firm name of Smith-Talbott Manufacturing Company. His children are as follows: William B. Talbott, Maude L., at home with her parents ; Mina C., a teacher in the Kansas City, Kan., public schools; Mrs. Josephine Ramsdale, Kansas City; Rev. Howard Talbott, a minister of the Presbyterian denomination, now Chaplain with the American Expe- ditionary Forces, 2nd Division, first in France and now in Germany with the Army of Occupation; Lieut. George H. Talbott, a theological student, enlisted in the National Army with the 32nd Division at the outbreak of he war and has seen much active service with the American Army in France; Helen Louise Talbott, aged 12 years, is at home with her parents.
William B. Talbott received his education in the high school of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, attended the Beloit College, Beloit, Wis. for two years, and
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then studied law in the University of Iowa. Illness coming upon his father, he was prevented from completing his collegiate course and had to go to work and assist in supporting the family. In 1907 he became a salesman for the Baker Manufacturing Company of Kansas City, and is one of the most successful traveling salesmen on the road. Mr. Talbott's territory covers western Missouri from Jefferson City, westward. He came to Boonville on July 4, 1909 and is one of the best known of the progressive and public spirited citizens of this city. He was married on June 14, 1911, to Miss Minnie B. Gross, who was born in Boonville and is a daughter of C. E. Gross. The children born to William B. and Minnie B. Talbott are: Ruth Louise, born April 19, 1912; William Burl, Jr., born . Oct. 13, 1913; Mary Frances, born Oct. 12, 1917.
Mr. Talbott is a pronounced democrat. He has been active in the affairs of his party and has served as secretary of the Democratic Cen- tral Committee. He was elected to a membership on the Boonville Board of Education in the spring of 1918 and took his seat as a member of the board in June, 1918. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church while Mrs. Talbott is a Catholic. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and is a member of the Chapter, Commandery and Shrine; the United Commercial Travelers and the Missouri Drummers Association.
A. W. McFarland .- The story of the struggles and accomplishments of the pioneer men and women of any section of the country, is one of ever increasing interest. The true history of Cooper County consists, in a large measure, in the recital of the lives and deeds of the pioneers, whose sacrifices made possible the better condiations which those of a later generation enjoy. A. W. McFarland, who died Jan. 9, 1910, while a native of Cooper County saw much of the early life and early day devel- opment of this county. He belonged to a family of pioneers. He was born in Boonville township in 1834, a son of Jacob and Matilda (Fleming) McFarland, who were among the very early settlers of this county. Jacob McFarland died in 1843, and his wife departed this life three years later, and their remains now rest in a private cemetery on their old home farm.
A. W. McFarland was reared to manhood in Cooper County, and edu- cated in the district schools, or such schools as existed at that time. He was married Dec. 10, 1857, to Miss Mary Catherine Hurt. They resided in Cooper County for about three years after their marriage, when they removed to Henry County, and remained there three years. They then returned to Cooper County and settled on the farm where Mrs. McFarland
MRS. MARY O. MCFARLAND
A. W. MCFARLAND
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now lives. Here A. W. McFarland engaged in farming and stock raising, and was regarded as a successful man of affairs, and a good citizen. He improved his place and made a pleasant home for himself and his family. It is one of the attractive places in that section of the county, and the cedar trees which were set out over a half century ago still ornament the front yard of the residence, and give the place an artistic and distinctive appearance.
Mary Catherine (Hurt) McFarland is also a native of Cooper County, and belongs to a family of pioneers. She was born in Clarks Fork town- ship, Sept. 2, 1838, a daughter of William and Catherine (Robertson) Hurt. William Hurt was born in Cooper County, of Virginia parents, who were among the first settlers of this section. He died in 1895. His wife, who was also born in this county died in 1881. Their remains are interred in Walnut Grove Cemetery. William and Catherine (Robertson) Hurt were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Nancy M. Davis, deceased ; Mary Catherine, widow of A. W. McFarland, the subject of this sketch ; Jenkin B., deceased ; Benijoh, deceased; William, resides in Clarks Fork township; and James, resides in Clarks Fork township.
To A. W. and Mary Catherine (Hurt) McFarland were born the fol- lowing children: Alice, married Robert Johnston, who is now deceased, and she lives in Boonville; Laura Catherine, deceased ; William J., resides on the old home place; Lillie May, deceased ; and Agnes Lee, married Ter- rell Mills, and they reside on the McFarland homestead.
Terrell Mills and Agnes Lee McFarland were married Oct. 11, 1899. Mr. Mills was born in Clarks Fork township, Feb. 20, 1878. He is a son of James T. and Bettie Elizabeth Mills. The father is now deceased and the mother resides in Kansas City, Mo. To Terrell and Agnes Lee (Mc- Farland) Mills has been born one child, Mary Elizabeth, born Jan. 18, 1905.
There were nine grandchildren in the McFarland family, as follows: Emmett B. Johnston; Mrs. Berna Swarne; Mrs. Ruth Swarner; Percy E. McFarland, deceased; Mrs. Eula Mercer; Wilbur J. McFarland; Mary Martha McFarland; Alice Grace McFarland; and Mary Elizabeth Mills. The following are great-grandchildren of Mrs. McFarland: Burnah Mil- dred Lucile, Edward, and Mildred Swarner, and Roberta, Bernard, and Mary Edwina Johnston.
The MeFarland family have been prominently identified with Cooper County almost since its beginning, and are one of the highly respected pioneer families of this section. Mrs. McFarland, although in her 81st year, has a keen insight into the affairs of every-day life and a remarka- ble memory, rich in reminiscense of Cooper County history.
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Homer L. Chamberlin has resided in Cooper County since his birth, with the exception of one year spent in the employ of the Consolidated Copper Company of Luray, Ariz. When 19 years old he bought 72 acres of land near Speed, Mo. He sold this farm and then bought 300 acres in the Texas Panhandle, which he sold in 1907. He then rented until he purchased his present farm in 1910.
November 10, 1912, Homer L. Chamberlin and Miss Alice Dauer were married. This marriage has been blessed with the following children: Doris, born Nov. 8, 1913; Bernice, born July 5, 1915; Hortense, born July 9, 1917; Birdie Jeanette, born Dec. 2, 1918. In addition to his own family, Mr. Chamberlin is rearing an orphan boy, George Kowler, whom he adopted Nov. 25, 1913, and who was born March 2, 1903.
The mother of the foregoing children was born in Cooper County, July 4, 1888, and is a daughter of Max and Augusta (Haas) Dauer. Max Dauer was born in Germany, April 1, 1860, and accompanied his parents, George and Anna Dauer, to Cooper County, Mo., in 1867. He was reared here, became a farm owner, and was married in 1885 to Augusta Haas, who was born in Germany in 1865. Mr. Dauer owned a farm of 85 acres, which he recently sold and is now living in Boonville. He has two chil- dren: Mrs. Homer L. Chamberlin, and Birdie, wife of Albert Selck, as- sistant postmaster, Boonville, Mo.
Mr. Chamberlin is a democrat, a member of the Evangelical Church and the Woodmen of the World.
Thomas Hogan, retired contractor, living in his comfortable and substantial home at 629 East Spring street, Boonville, Mo., is a native of New York. Mr. Hogan was born Aug. 15, 1856, and is a son of Peter and Catherine (Murphy) Hogan, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They emigrated from Ireland to America when young and lived the remainder of their lives in the vicinity of New York City and Brooklyn, rearing a family of four children of whom Thomas Hogan of this review is the only survivor.
The boyhood days of Thomas Hogan were spent in the city of his birth and he attended the public schools of his home city. When Greeley was giving his famous advice, "Go West Young Man, Go West, and Grow Up With the Country." Thomas Hogan was one of the many thousands of young men from the East who read, thought, then acted upon the admonition of the great editor. He came West, grew up with the country and assisted it to materially grow up with him. He began his westward way as a builder of railroads, albeit at first in an humble capacity, first
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