History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 79

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

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Charles E. Steele was reared on the farm. He completed his school- ing in the Pilot Grove Academy and in Sept., 1890, entered upon a career of school teaching which was to continue for 16 years, during which period he also for four years occupied the position of school commissioner, serving two terms, beginning in 1897. In 1904 Mr. Steele was appointed principal of the public schools at Blackwater, a position he occupied for six years. Not long after going to Blackwater Mr. Steele became em- ployed as a bookkeeper in the Farmers Stock Bank, keeping books after school hours, and in 1907 was made cashier of the bank, the position he has since occupied. Mr. Steele is a democrat, a Baptist and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

May 3, 1905, Charles E. Steele was united in marriage to Mattie Shouse, who also was born in Cooper County, and who died April 30, 1907, at the age of 24 years. A child born to that union died in infancy. Mrs. Mattie Steele was a daughter of the Rev. Charles O. and Marian (Ford) Shouse, the latter of whom is still living, residing on a farm in Blackwater township. The late Rev. Charles O. Shouse, a pioneer min- ister of the Christian Church in Cooper County, was a native of Kentucky, as is his widow, and was for many years a strong factor for good in this community.

Walter H. Shouse, cashier of the Bank of Blackwater was born on a farm three miles west of Blackwater, Aug. 5, 1884, son of Ernest and Mary (Harvey) Shouse, who were members of pioneer families and both of whom are now deceased. Ernest Shouse was a son of the Rev. Charles Q. Shouse, a minister of the Christian Church, who came to Missouri from Kentucky in pioneer days and who was for many years one of the strong factors in bringing about orderly conditions in this community. Ernest Shouse, who became a farmer, died in 1887, at the age of about 32 years, and his widow died in 1895, aged 40 years. They had two sons, Walter H. and Albert E. Shouse, born on Jan. 25, 1887, who is now (1919) in Belgium, a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces, serving in the Signal Corps. Albert E. Shouse early became a telegraph operator

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and in Nov., 1917, while thus engaged at Kansas City, Mo., enlisted for . service in the Canadian army, was attached to the Signal Corps of that army and on Jan. 25, 1918, sailed for overseas duty.

Bereft of his father when he was but a small child, Walter H. Shouse was reared in the home of his maternal grandparents, James A. and Sarah (Bagby) Harvey, whose home was in Saline County. He received his schooling in the public schools at Nelson and early began to "look out for himself." Until he was 18 years of age Mr. Shouse continued working on a farm and then he began his commercial career as a clerk in a village general store. For eight years he continued thus engaged and in 1909, became a bookkeeper in the Farmers Stock Bank at Blackwater, a position he occupied until in Aug., 1918, when he was made cashier of the Bank of Blackwater, a position of responsible trust he since has occupied. Mr. Shouse is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a democrat.

Walter H. Shouse was married Feb. 22, 1919, at Holton. Kan., to Peachie Griffith, a native of Saline County, daughter of Henry C. and Anna (McCutchion) Griffith, natives of Fairfield County, Ohio and Saline County, Mo., respectively. They live seven miles west of Blackwater on a farm. They are the parents of two children, Mrs. W. H. Shouse and Mrs. Reba Williams, living in Saline County.

Fleming Miles Marshall, banker, stockman, lumberman, merchant and land-owner, who died at Hot Springs, Ark., in 1910, had created for himself a distinctive place along the several lines of activity in which his energies found their outlet, and there are few names held in higher remembrance than his. Mr. Marshall was born in this county, on the old Marshall place in Blackwater township, the place where his father was born, which had been entered from the Government by his grond- father, and had lived here all his life, doing well those things which his hands had found to do, so that in his passing there was sincere mourning throughout the community.

The Marshalls are one of the old families of Cooper County, the irst of the name in this county having been Fleming Marshall, who came here with his family from Virginia in the early days of settlement, and entered a tract of Government land in section 18 of Blackwater township. 77lem- ing Marshall and his wife (Frances Fray) were of the true pioneer type. Their son, James A. Marshall, father of the late F. M. Marshall, war born on that pioneer farm, Oct. 11, 1841, and there grew to manhood, bemming

A. M. marshall

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an extensive land-owner, proprietor of fine farms in this county as well as in Saline and Johnson Counties. The original Marshall place in Black- water township is still held in the family.

James A. Marshall, who died on April 21, 1902, in the 61st year of his age, was united in marriage on Feb. 1, 1871, to Hannah Scott Miles, who was born in Hardy County, Va., Aug. 28, 1849, and whose father, James · S Miles, died in his native State, Virginia. His widow, with her children, came to Arrow Rock, Mo., in 1860, where her last days were spent. Mrs. Hannah Marshall died Feb. 15, 1917. By her union with James A. Mar- shall she was the mother of two sons, Fleming Miles having a surviving brother, Thomas F., who is now engaged in the real estate business at Kansas City, Mo.

Fleming Miles Marshall was born on Aug. 2, 1874, on the place on which his father was born in Blackwater township. His early schooling in the Kemper Military School was supplemented by a course in the Mili- tary Academy at Mexico, Mo., where he was graduated in 1892. The year following, Mr. Marshall married and established a home of his own. He, meanwhile, had become engaged on a somewhat extensive scale in the breeding of Shorthorn cattle, and it was not long until he became recognized as one of the leading stockmen in this section, his exhibits of Shorthorns at State fairs and other cattle shows winning numerous prizes.

At one time he was the largest individual stockholder in the Farmers Stock Bank of Blackwater, and for a number of years served as its vice- president. He also was interested in the lumber business at Blackwater and Nelson, was a partner of Lee O'Neal in the hardware, implement and grain business of Blackwater, At the time of his death he was the owner of 2,500 acres of land one of the best improved farms in Cooper County. A democrat, he had ever taken a good citizen's interest in local political affairs, and was a firm promoter of the cause of good government. As a member of the Methodist Church, Mr. Marshall was more than a merely nominal member, and did much to advance the cause of his church, for years serving as superintendent of the Sunday School. He was affiliated with the Blackwater lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Marshall died Feb. 15, 1910.

Sept. 12, 1893, Fleming Miles Marshall was united in marriage to Anna Shouse, who, since the death of her husband, has been successfully carrying on the affairs of the estate. To her union with Mr. Marshall,

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three children were born: Mary F., married J. B. Harris, Rocheport, Mo., and has one child, Helen Virginia; James A., deceased, and Fleming Wil- lard, who is at home with his mother. Mrs. Marshall was born in Cooper County, a member of one of the pioneer families. She was born on a farm south of Nelson, Sept. 15, 1873, a daughter of Rev. Charles Q. and Marian (Ford) Shouse, and was one of the eight children born to them. Rev. Charles Q. Shouse, a well-remembered minister of the Christian Church in this county a generation ago, was born in Woodford County, Ky., on Jan. 2, 1836, and came to Cooper County in 1861. He died on his farm in Blackwater township in 1914, and his widow, who also was born in Kentucky, is living on the old home place. Mrs. Marshall is a member of the Methodist Church.

L. R Ervine, proprietor of a large department store at Blackwater and one of the leading merchants of this section of Missouri, is a native Missourian. He was born at Slater, Saline County, Nov. 8, 1877, son of Richard and Mary E. (Elder) Ervine, and was the third in order of birth of the five children born to them.

Richard Ervine was born near New York City, June, 1844, and was early trained to the details of the building business. Upon reaching man- hood he came to Missouri and located at Slater, where he engaged in the contracting business, and there spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1916. Not long after coming to Missouri, Richard Ervine married Mary E. Elder, who was born in Kentucky and died in 1905, aged 50 years.

L. R. Ervine received his schooling in the schools of Slater, and early became engaged in the mercantile business, a line he has followed, with the exception of a few years spent in the newspaper business, ever since. The foundation of Mr. Ervine's successful business career was laid at Slater, where he became well grounded in the details of the mer- cantile business. He later was for some time also thus engaged at Kan- sas City and during the time of this latter connection traveled all over the country, putting on special sales of merchandise and thus became par- ticularly well known to the trade in that line. During this period Mr. Ervine became attracted to the possibilities of Blackwater as a trade center and Feb. 4, 1910, located in that city and opened a general store, which has gradually been developed into one of the best-stocked depart- ment stores in the State. He has made a specialty of the study of adver- tising as an applied science and was for some years engaged in the adver- tising field with a Chicago publishing house, with other newspapers in Missouri, and was for three years in charge of the advertising of a Kan-

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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

sas City mail-order house. During this latter connection he won five prizes in a field offering the sternest competition for the business-getting qualities and general effectiveness of his advertising matter. Mr. Ervine has been able to turn that specialty to advantage in the promotion of his business interests since locating at Blackwater and he has thus made his name and the fame of his department store familiar household words throughout this section of Missouri.

In the year 1900, at Slater, L. R. Ervine was united in marriage to Lulu Ross Walton, who was born in that city, and to this union two chil- dren have been born: Esther, born in 1902, and Russell L., born in 1904. Mr. Ervine is a democrat and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Charles P. Hudson, of Blackwater, who for many years has been recognized as one of the leading auctioneers and criers of live stock sales in this section of Missouri, who also formerly was well known throughout this region as a dealer in mules, and who is a member of the directorate of the Bank of Blackwater, is a native Missourian, born at Marshall, in Saline County. He was born on May 22, 1856, first born of the three sons of Laud and Amanda (Person) Hudson, the other sons being Austin W. Hudson, superintendent of the Saline County Poor Farm, and Laud O. Hudson, of Spokane, Wash.

The senior Laud Hudson was born in Virginia about 1818 and was 18 years of age when he came to Missouri with his widowed mother, the family locating in Boone County. Not long afterward, he went to Arrow Rock, in Saline County, where he learned harness making. While living in Arrow Rock, he married Amanda Person, who was born near that place, daughter of O. B. Person and wife, the latter of whom was a Dan- iels, natives of North Carolina and early settlers in the Arrow Rock neighborhood. After a residence of some years at Arrow Rock, Laud Hudson moved to Marshall, and engaged in business as a saddler and harness maker until his death in 1860. His widow died in 1910, being 75 years of age.

Charles P. Hudson early felt the necessity of relieving his widowed mother of a portion of the care thus thrown upon her shoulders, and when 13 years of age, began working as a farm hand at $100 a year. He did not neglect his schooling, however, and he was able to complete the course in the common schools of Arrow Rock. Finally Mr. Hudson rented a farm and became engaged in farming on his own account. In 1892, he was able to buy a farm of 45 acres, five miles northeast of Blackwater.

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He improved the place and in 1902 sold it and bought a farm of 80 acres near Blackwater, which he also improved; resided there until 1916, when he sold the place and moved to Blackwater. In the meantime, as much as 40 years ago, Mr. Hudson began crying sales and it was not long until his reputation as a successful auctioneer became known throughout Cooper, Saline and Pettis Counties. This line he ever since has continued, making a specialty of live stock sales, and is widely known among stock- men throughout this region. For some years also Mr. Hudson was en- gaged in buying and selling mules. He is a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Bank of Blackwater, and in other ways has given his active attention to the business interests of his home town and county. Mr. Hudson is a democrat and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

Dec. 21, 1875, Charles P. Hudson was united in marriage to Theo- dosia H. Turley, who was born in Cooper County, a daughter of Jesse and Julia (Riddle) Turley, natives of Kentucky and early residents of this county, both now deceased. Jesse Turley was a landowner in LaMine township, and in the earlier days was engaged in freighting between Boonville and Santa Fe. He died in Santa Fe, N. M. Mr. and Mrs. Hud- son have no children of their own, but have reared five children, all of whom have grown up and married and in whose hearts there exists for their foster parents the same loving devotion as would be felt in behalf of real parents.

V. S. Irvin, a registered pharmacist, dealer in drugs and druggists' sundries at Blackwater, one of the most progressive young merchants in Cooper County, was born at Red Cloud, Neb., Feb. 7, 1887, son of John B. and Luella (Loney) Irvin, former well known residents of Blackwater, now residing at Kansas City. John B. Irvin is a native of Pittsburg, Pa., born in 1855. In his young manhood he came West and in Nebraska engaged in the building trades, in time becoming a successful building contractor. In 1891, he engaged in business at Kansas City and five years later located at Blackwater. After a residence of some years there, he returned to Kansas City, where he is now engaged in contracting. His wife was born in Bloomfield, Iowa, in 1865. They are the parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch is the eldest.

Having been but a child when his parents moved to Blackwater, V. S. Irvin received his schooling in the schools of that city and early turned his attention to the study of pharmacy, upon leaving school becoming engaged as a clerk in a drug store. That was in 1904. Ten years later, in 1914, he bought the store in which he had been engaged as a clerk and

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has since been conducting the same successfully, carrying on his business along strictly up-to-date lines. In addition to being a registered phar- macist, Mr. Irvin is a licensed embalmer, having taken a course in the latter art parallel with his course in pharmacy, and is a chemist of ex- cellent qualifications. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a democrat.

June 16, 1909, V. S. Irvin was married to Beulah F. Mustain, and to this union one child has been born, V. S., Jr. Mrs. Irvin was born in Howard County, daughter of T. B. Mustain and wife, who have for some years been living in Blackwater, Mr. Mustain being a retired farmer.

Charles Q. Shouse, lumberman at Blackwater, where he is engaged in business in partnership with his sister, Mrs. Anna Marshall, is a mem- ber of one of Cooper County's old families. For years he was engaged in teaching and his impress upon the general social life of the community has thus been equally well marked in that direction. Mr. Shouse was born on a farm three miles west of Blackwater, April 13, 1877, son of the Rev. Charles Q. and Marian (Ford) Shouse, the latter of whom is still living on the old home place west of town.

The Reverend Mr. Shouse, who was a faithful minister of the gospel, connected with the Christian Church, was a Kentuckian, as is his widow. He came to Missouri in 1861 and settled in Cooper County, where his service thereafter was rendered until his death a few years ago. He and his wife were the parents of eight children: John H., deceased; Thomas F., on the old home place; Dr. William S., a physician at Kingston, Mo .; Ernest L., deceased; Elizabeth, wife of Noland Taylor, Nelson; Anna, widow of Fleming M. Marshall; Charles Q .; and Mattie, deceased wife of C. E. Steele.

The junior Charles Q. Shouse was reared on the home farm and re- ceived his early schooling in the public schools. He later attended the Warrensburg Normal School and Normal School at Chillicothe, and for 12 years was engaged in teaching in Cooper and Saline Counties during the winters, in the meantime following farming during the summers. In 1906, Mr. Shouse was made manager of the Marshall lumber interests at Blackwater and four years later bought into the business as a partner of his widowed sister, Mrs. Anna Marshall, and has since continued as gen- eral director and manager of the extensive interests of the firm at that place.

Sept. 3, 1903, Charles Q. Shouse was united in marriage with Eliza- beth Duncan, who was born in the vicinity of Gillian, Saline County, a daughter of James P. and Naomi (Wilhite) Duncan, Kentuckians, and

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old settlers in Saline County, and to this union three children have been born, Ruth, Aaron and Mary E. Mr. Shouse is a member of the Chris- tian Church, and his wife, the Baptist Church. Mr. Shouse is a democrat.

Riley S. Holman, former mayor of Blackwater and a landowner of Cooper County, now engaged in the livery business at Blackwater, was born on a farm near New Franklin, Mo., Jan. 9, 1857, son of Dr. John B. and Mildred (Sebree) Holman, both deceased. Dr. John B. Holman was one of the best known physicians hereabout; was born in Cooper County Nov. 9, 1828, his parents having been early settlers here. In 1849 he made a trip to California with an overland band of gold seekers, but after some time spent in prospecting, returned to Missouri and settled down to the practice of his profession at Boonville for the rest of his active life. He was the owner of a farm of 400 acres, four miles east of Blackwater, and upon his retirement from practice, moved to that farm, where his last days were spent. He died April 27, 1897. Dec. 20, 1855, Dr. John B. Holman was united in marriage with Mildred Sebree, who was born in Howard County, in 1832, and died in Cooper County in 1900. To that union were born four children: Riley S .; Dr. Richard S. Holman, a phy- sician, St. Louis ; Susan P., wife of Austin Blodgett, and Mary E., wife of Charles Harris, of St. Louis.

Riley S. Holman's early youth was spent in Boonville. When 14 years of age, he went to Colorado and spent a year or two on the cattle ranch of his uncle, Captain Sebree, when he engaged in cattle raising for himself until 1882, when he returned to this county and went onto his father's farm, east of Blackwater, and was there engaged in farming eight years. He then moved to Blackwater and engaged in the drug busi- ness. Some time later he took up the livery business, which he since has been conducting successfully. He also continues to look after his farm- ing interests. Mr. Holman is a democrat and has long been recognized as one of the leaders of the party in his home county. For about 12 years he served as mayor of Blackwater and in other ways he has given his close attention to local civic affairs. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of America.

Feb. 28, 1884, Riley S. Holman was married to Ruth Staples, who was born on March 18, 1864, in Saline County, and to this union one child has been born, Mildred, who married Harry T. Redd, cashier of the Boon- ville National Bank, and has one child, Rylie.

Mrs. Ruth Staples Holman also is a member of one of the old families

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of this section of Missouri, her parents, James G. and Victoria (Sparks) Staples, both having been of pioneer parentage. James G. Staples, who during the time of the Civil War served as a soldier of the Confederacy, was born at Glasgow, Mo., in 1839, a son of James K. Staples and wife, natives of Virginia, who drove here from Hardy County, Va., and settled on the line between Cooper and Saline Counties, where James K. Staples became the owner of 1000 acres of land, entered from the Government at a fee of $1.25 an acre. Here this pioneer spent the remainder of his life, one of the influential members of the community. He died in 1881, at 85 years of age. His wife, Virginia Nicholas, died in 1903, aged 85 years. James G. Staples, who became one of Cooper County's substantial farm- ers, died Oct. 14, 1909. His widow died Feb. 3, 1917, while on a visit to her son, Harry Staples, at Fresno, Calif. She was born in Bourbon County, Ky., Dec. 31, 1842, a daughter of James Sparks, a well-to-do stockman, horseman and slaveowner of Kentucky. James G. Staples and wife were the parents of three children, the survivors being Mrs. Holman and her brother, Harry Staples, the latter a resident of Fresno, Calif. Mrs. Holman is an active member of the United Daughters of the Con- federacy and was for two years president of the Cooper County Chapter. She completed her schooling in private schools at Arrow Rock and at Cilnton and was for 12 years engaged in teaching in this county, a portion of that time a teacher in the Blackwater schools. For over 15 years she has been a correspondent of the "Bunceton Eagle-News," and takes an earnest interest in general public affairs. She was for more than 20 years an ardent worker in Sunday school work in the Christian Church. In later years she was converted to Christian Science.

John N. Sims, a well-known dealer in live stock at Blackwater and a substantial landowner, was born in Howard County, Nov. 4, 1864, a son of John J. and Mary F. (Overstrcet) Sims, the latter of whom is still living on the old home farm in LaMine township. John J. Sims, who died at his home in LaMine township in 1909, at 72 years of age, had been a resident of Cooper County since coming here from his native Howard County 40 years ago. He was a blacksmith and followed that calling until he bought the farm on which his last days were spent. His widow, who is also a member of an old Missouri family, was born in Howard County in Oct., 1840. To them were born eight children: William, farm- ing the old home place in LaMine township; John N., the subject of this sketch; Joseph E., farming with his brother William; E. S., St. Louis ;

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Bettie, wife of Willard Worts, LaMine township; Clay Jackson, who is now living on the home farm; Susan, who also is on the farm with her mother and brothers, and Thomas, Blackwater.

John N. Sims has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. He bought his first farm when a young man and has since enlarged his holdings until now he is the owner of 845 acres of excellent land in Cooper and Vernon Counties. In 1904, Mr. Sims located at Blackwater, where he has since successfully carried on his operations in the buying and selling of live stock, at the same time directing his extensive farming interests. Mr. Sims is a democrat, but has not been a seeker after public office.

In 1904, John N. Sims was united in marriage to Lydia Rucker, who was born in this county, daughter of Charles T. Rucker and wife, the latter of whom was a Poindexter, both of whom were also born in this county and who are now making their home in Blackwater. Mr. and Mrs. Sims have one son, John R. Sims.

William Schuster, who died at his home in Pilot Grove township in the fall of 1915, and whose widow is living on the home farm, which is being operated by her eldest son, William Schuster, was of European birth, but had been a resident of Cooper County since the days of his childhood, and was thus a devoted Missourian. He was born in Saxony, July 4, 1850, and was but four years of age when his parents with their children came to America. For a time the Schusters were located in St. Louis, and then they came to Cooper County and settled on a farm in LaMine township, where the family home was established, and where the parents reared their family and spent the remainder of their lives, earnest pioneers of that neighborhood.

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History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 79

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