History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 81

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

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Albert L. Haun, elder son of William H. and Salome M. (Shutt) Haun, was born on the home farm in Pilot Grove township, this county, Dec. 5, 1867, and there grew to manhood. His early schooling was re- ceived in the Prairie View District School, and was supplemented by a course in the Pilot Grove Academy, followed by a course in the Gem City Business College, Quincy, Ill. Following the death of his father, he assumed the responsibility of carrying on the operations of the home farm, and was also engaged for four or five winters as a teacher of district schools in his home neighborhood. Mr. Haun is an active worker in the ranks of the republican party in Cooper County, and in February, 1903, was appointed deputy clerk of the Circuit Court, a position he occupied for eight years, or until his election in 1910 as clerk of the Circuit Court and recorder of deeds. By successive re-elections Mr. Haun continued to serve in this important public capacity until Jan. 5, 1919, when his last term of office expired, and he returned to the home farm, to the man- agement of which he is now giving his attention. Mr. Haun is a member of the local lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Modern Woodmen of America at Boonville.

Fountain Durrett Smith, a substantial farmer and stockman of La- Mine township, was born in that township and has lived there all his life. He was born on July 1, 1867, son of Nicholas and Lucy (Higgerson)

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Smith, who were the parents of six children as follows: Travis, deceased ; DeWitt, of Kansas City, Mo .; Edward D., of LaMine township; Laura, wife of L. T. Sites, LaMine township; Fountan D .; and Ada, wife of P. Davidson, of Kansas City, Mo.

Reared on the home farm in LaMine township, Fountain D. Smith received his schooling in the Oakwood district school and as a young man began farming on his own account, renting land until he bought his pres- ent farm. He now has a well-improved place of 260 acres and in addi- tion to his general farming has given considerable attention to the breed- ing of Poland China hogs, his operations along both lines having been car- ried on successfully. Mr. Smith is a democrat and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs. He is a member of the Woodmen o fthe World.

Oct. 26, 1892, Fountain D. Smith was united in marriage to Margaret Kincheloe, who was born in this county, daughter of Thomas and Bettie (Gregory) Kincheloe and twin sister of Jesse Kincheloe, of LaMine town- ship, further reference to which family is made elsewhere in this work. To this union have been born two children, daughters, Marie and Rowena, both of whom are at home.

Edward D. Smith, a substantial farmer and landowner of LaMine township and constable for that township, and for many years a railroad surveyor, was born in LaMine township and has always regarded that as his home, though during the time of his connection with railroad work he was required to be away a great deal of his time. He was born on March 4, 1862, a son of Nicholas Smith, for many years one of LaMine township's best known citizens.

Reared on the home farm in LaMine township, Edward D. Smith received his schooling in the local schools and early became interested in civil engineering, becoming a competent surveyor. In addition to local work performed by him along that line, about twenty years ago Mr. Smith became employed as a railroad surveyor and for four or five years was thus engaged. During this time he helped to locate and build the railroad from Boonville to Lexington, as well as the road from Boonville to Jefferson City, and also helped to lay the bridge across the Arkansas River at Ft. Smith. Upon the completion of this service Mr. Smith re- turned to the home farm and has since devoted his attention to agricul- tural pursuits, in which he has been quite successful, being now the owner of a fine farm of 120 acres. For 14 years Mr. Smith had charge of the highways of district 14 in LaMine township. He is a democrat and in

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1912 was elected constable, a position which he still holds, having been re-elected at successive elections. He is affiliated with the Boonville lodge, Woodmen of the World.

Mr. Smith's wife died in 1910. She also was born in LaMine town- ship, this county, Ida Higgsorn, daughter of C. C. and Mary (Herndon) Higgsorn, Virginians, who became residents of this county many years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. Smth four children were born: Jessie, deceased ; Mary, who is at home presiding over the affairs of her father's household, and Ray and Edward Lee, also at home.

Jesse Lee Kincheloe, a well-known farmer and stockman of LaMine township, was born in that township Aug. 18, 1869, son of Thomas L. and Bettie (Gregory) Kincheloe,

Thomas L. Kincheloe was a veteran of the Civil War, in the service of the Confederacy, a private in E Company of Wood's Regiment of Mis- souri Cavalry, in the Trans-Mississippi Army, and served until his com- mand was surrendered at Shreveport, La., June 9, 1865. Mr. Kincheloe then came up the river to St. Louis and thence returned to his home in LaMine township, where he spent the rest of his life, successfully engaged in farming. He died April 19, 1910. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, namely: William J., deceased; Victoria, who married Capt. L. J. Sites and is now deceased; Tasso, deceased; Anna, widow of the late William P. Harris, of LaMine township; Thomas Ludwell, Jr., deceased ; Mrs. Catherine Lucas, of Colorado; Jesse L., the subject of this sketch, and his twin sister, Mrs. Margaret Smith, and Mrs. Bettie Diggs, of LaMine township.

Jesse L. Kincheloe received his schooling in the district schools and as a young man became engaged as a farm hand for the first three years, working for W. B. Collins and losing but 18 days during that period. Fol- lowing his marriage in 1894, Mr. Kincheloe rented a farm and began farming on his own account and in 1901 bought a farm. Since then he has bought and improved five or six different farms, in each instance selling to advantage, and now has a well-improved farm of 80 acres on which in addition to his general farming he gives considerable attention to the raising of pure-bred Aberdeen-Angus cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs. Mr. Kincheloe is a democrat. He and his family are members of the Baptist Church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America.

Jan. 18, 1894, Jesse L. Kincheloe was married to Lottie Lee Eades, who was born in this county, Dec. 24, 1873, and to this union four children

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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

have been born: Thomas Collins, deceased; Margaret May, Eugene Fields and Jessie Lee. Mrs. Kincheloe is a daughter of Horace and Eugenia (Brisco) Eades, who came to this county from Kentucky years ago and who are now living retired at Blackwater.

Henry Green Fray, a well-known and substantial farmer and stock- man of LaMine township, was born within a stone's throw of the house in which he is now living, July 3, 1861, son of John A. and Martha (Hern- don) Fray, both members of Missouri pioneer families. John A. Fray was born at Huntsville, Mo., in 1835 and in 1850 came to Cooper County, where he spent the remainder of his life. When a young man he bought 160 acres of "Congress" land, the place now owned by Mrs. Susan M. Woodruff, in LaMine township. Later he bought other land adjoining and became well-to-do. He died on that place in 1905. His widow died in 1907, aged 68 years. She was a member of one of the first families of Cooper County, the Herndons having been among the very first of the Virginia contingent to settle in LaMine township. John A. Fray and his wife were the parents of nine children: Susan F., wife of F. W. Vawter, Parkville; Katherine, wife of John P. Cully, Kansas City, Mo .; Benjamin A., Marshall; John W., Fayette; DeWitt C., Kansas City; and Harry G.

Henry G. Fray was reared in LaMine township and educated in the district schools. He remained on the home place until 1885, when he bought 240 acres of the home place from his father. In 1890, he sold that farm and bought another portion of the home place, just across the road south, and in 1911 bought the quarter section on which he is now liv- ing. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Fray has for years been dealing in live stock and has been successful. He is a stockholder in the Bank of Blackwater and takes a keen interest in the general business affairs of the community. He is a democrat.

Feb. 9, 1885, Henry G. Fray was united in marriage with Dora Pierce, who was born near Fayette, in June, 1859, and to this union one child was born, Martha, wife of Henry M. Wing.

Gustav F. Boller, treasurer of the Hirsch Wholesale Grocery Com- pany, Inc., of Boonville, is one of the progressive young business men of Cooper County. He was born on a farm in Boonville township Nov. 4. 1887, son of Fred J. and Dora (Wehling) Boller. Fred J. Boller is of European birth, born in Nassau on April 10, 1844, but has been a resi- dent of this country since he was four years of age, his parents, Henry J. and Johnetta Boller, having left their native land and come to America with their family in 1849, after the unsuccessful revolution of 1848, and

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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

sought conditions more to their liking in this land of free men. Upon their arrival in this country the Bollers located in Cooper County. Fred J. Boller grew up in this county and developed his interests here. He was a farmer for 50 years, in Boonville township, until his retirement and removal to Boonville, where he and his wife are now living. March 18, 1872, Fred J. Boller married Dora Wehling, who was born in St. Louis, Aug. 23, 1855, daughter of Christian and Christine Wehling, both natives of Germany, and to this union were born eight children: August, de- ceased; Sophia, widow of the late F. S. Brommer, resides in Boonville; Fred, deceased; William, deceased; Laura L., wife of Lewis Moehle, Boon- ville; Nettie, wife of Frank Hirlinger, Boonville; Gustav F .; and Matilda, living with her parents.

Gustav F. Boller received his schooling in the district schools of Boonville, graduating from the high school in 1905. In the meantime, he had been giving his attention to commercial pursuits and upon leaving school became engaged as a clerk in the Hirlinger bakery at Boonville, also working as a bookkeeper at the Boonville elevator. In 1907, he be- came employed as shipping clerk for the Hirsch Wholesale Grocer Com- pany and was advanced to the position of bookkeeper and general office assistant. In 1914, Mr. Boller became a stockholder in the Hirsch Com- pany and was elected treasurer, a position he since has occupied, in addi- tion to which duty he also, for the past two or three years, has acted as general city salesman for the big wholesale house and traveling repre- sentative for the same. Mr. Boller is a republican. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church, and he is one of the trustees of that church. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Nov. 4, 1908, Gustav F. Boller was united in marriage to Clara M. Goodman, of Boonville, and to this union one child was born, Goodman F. Boller, born on Oct. 5, 1910. Mrs. Boller was born in Boonville and was graduated from the high school there. Her parents, Thomas W. and Amelia (Thoma) Goodman, are living in Boonville; both were born in Cooper County.

Frank Schuster, one of LaMine township's most progressive farmers and proprietors of "Good Hope" farm was born in LaMine township. His father, Moritz Schuster, to whom reference is made in this volume, died in the spring of 1915, was a veteran of the Civil War and a son of one of the pioneers of the LaMine township, he having been but five years of age when his parents came to this country in 1849 and located in this

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county and spent the remainder of their lives. Moritz Schuster and his wife, Rachel Hildebrant, a native of Virginia, were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are still living.

Frank Schuster received his schooling in the Hickerson district school and from boyhood gave his attention to farm life. He married in the spring of 1898 and the following year bought from his father the tract of land of 178 acres he now owns, 231 acres, a part of which was formerly known as the Washington Harris place, but which Mr. Schuster has named "Good Hope" farm. On the place is a tract of twenty acres of natural woodland and Mr. Schuster has made improvements which gives him a farm equal to any in the neighborhood. He raises a good grade of live stock. Mr. Schuster is a republican, as was his father, and he and his family are members of the Church of Christ.

March 2, 1898, Frank Schuster was married to Mary Sophia Ruf, and to this union have been born five children, as follows: Clarence R., born Aug. 29, 1899, died Sept. 28, 1899 ; Aubrey Lee, born Aug. 16, 1900; Wilbur E., Nov. 10, 1902; Mary L., Feb. 9, 1905, and Nettie L., Sept. 29, 1906. Mrs. Schuster was born at Council Grove, Kan., Nov. 22, 1872, daughter of Joseph and Johanna (Schuster) Ruf, natives of Germany, who were married at Boonville, Aug. 8, 1858. Joseph Ruf was a tailor. He learned his trade in his native land and came to this country, locating in Missouri, but during the course of his life lived in several states in the West. He died at the age of 49 years on Jan. 16, 1877, and his widow died Aug. 16, 1897, 67 years of age. Joseph Ruf and his wife were the parents of nine children, of whom Mrs. Schuster was the youngest and four of whom are still living.

William O. Burge, one of the progressive farmers and stockmen of LaMine township was born on a farm southeast of Boonville Jan. 29, 1861, son of Oscar F. and Elizabeth (Miller) Burge, the latter of whom also was born in this county and both of whom spent their last days here. Oscar F. Burge was born in Kentucky in 1820. In 1850 he went to Cali- fornia in the great gold rush of that year, but returned to Kentucky in 1853. In 1856 he came to Missouri and located in Bates County, where he remained until 1861, when he moved to Cooper County and began farm- ing in Clarks Fork township, where his wife owned a farm. He died there on Nov. 5, 1900. Oscar F. Burge was twice married. By his first wife, Elizabeth Miller, he was the father of six children, of whom four are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch being John Burge, living east of Boonville; Robert Burge, who is engaged in the mercantile

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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

business at Boonville, and Dora, who is living in Kentucky. The mother of these children died in 1872 and Oscar F. Burge married a widow, Mrs. Williams. To this latter union were born two children, but one of whom, Eldridge Burge, of Boonville, survives.

Reared on the home farm southeast of Boonville in Clarks Fork town- ship, William O. Burge received his schooling in the schools of that town- ship and early began working at farm labor, his wages being 50 cents a day. Later he operated a threshing rig and in 1894 bought his first farm of 90 acres in Clarks Fork township. He improved that place and three years later sold it and bought 160 acres in Clinton County. In 1899 he · married and established his home on his Clinton County place, remaining there until 1905 when he bought his present farm in Cooper County and has since made his home on this place. In addition to his farm of 338 acres in LaMine township, Mr. Burge owns a half interest in the old Burge home place in Clarks Fork township. On his home farm he has erected a handsome six-room modern residence and his extensive cattle barns and other improvements are in keeping with the same. Mr. Burge raises cattle for the market. He also is a stockholder in the Boonville National Bank. He is a democrat and he and his family are members of the Bap- tist Church.

Nov. 8, 1899, William O. Burge was married to Jennie Tillett and to this union three children have been born: Oscar L., a student in Kemper Military School; one who died in infancy, and Paul C., at home. Mrs. Burge was born in Tennessee, but has been a resident of Missouri since her girlhood, her parents having come to this state many years ago, locat- ing in Clinton County, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

Edward H. Harris, banker, retired farmer, and merchant of Pilot Grove, and for many years recognized as one of the most potent factors in the commercial life of this community, is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Bourbon County, Ky., Dec. 20, 1830, son of Richard and Frances (Wilson) Harris, the latter of whom spent her last days in Cooper County.

Richard Harris was born in Kentucky, a son of Nathaniel Harris, a Virginia of Irish stock, and all his life was spent there, his death occur- ring in 1831. He and his wife were the parents of five children, two of whom are living, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Mrs. Sarah Grayson, a widow, who makes her home with him at Pilot Grove. Some time after the death of Richard Harris, his widow married W. T. Red- mond, a Kentuckian, and to that union a daughter was born. The Red-

EDWARD H. HARRIS

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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

monds came to Missouri from Kentucky in 1840, and settled on a farm near Boonville, W. T. Redmond and his wife spending the rest of their lives there.

Edward H. Harris was but 10 months of age when his father died. When he was a lad of eight, he was brought to Missouri by his much elder brother, Dr. M. W. Harris, who became a successful physician in this county, as well as an extensive land-owner, and here grew to manhood. It was in 1838 when he came to Cooper County, and he remained on his brother's farm south of Boonville until he was 17 years of age, in 1847, when he entered the Kemper School at Boonville. There he continued his schooling, taking Greek and Latin in addition to the extensive curri- culum provided in English for four years. While carrying on his studies at Kemper, Mr. Harris did not neglect his interest in agricultural affairs, and upon leaving school, in 1851, he bought, for $6.25 an acre, a tract of land two miles west of where Pilot Grove village later sprang up, and which tract is now regarded as one of the best farms in Cooper County. Not long after buying this tract, Mr. Harris married and established his home in a log cabin he erected on his farm. He remained there about 10 years, developing the place, and then sold it and bought what was known as the old Doctor Phillips farm, a mile south of the grove. On this latter place he had a better home, and there he and his wife reared their fam- ily. Twenty years or more after taking up his residence on the Phillips place, Mr. Harris bought 13 acres, now within the city limits of Pilot Grove, the land being owned by J. W. Roe, who laid out a townsite, erected the first store building of Pilot Grove, and engaged in the general mer- cantile business. For 18 years he continued in the mercantile business. Mr. Harris then sold his store and engaged in the banking business, organ- izing the Pilot Grove Bank, of which he was elected president, a position which he held for 25 years during which time he built up one of the most substantial financial instiutions in this section. At the time Mr. Harris organized his bank at Pilot Grove, there were but two other banks in Cooper County and both of these were situated at Boonville. From the very beginning of his banking operations Mr. Harris was successful, and as his affairs prospered he extended his banking interests, at the same time being much gratified to see two of his sons engage successfully in the same line, until now he is a stockholder in the Pilot Grove Bank, the Southwest National Bank, the Bank of Commerce of Kansas City, the Merchants Bank of Eldorado Springs, and the Bank of Harwood at Har- wood, Mo., and is widely known in commercial circles over the State as

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one of Missouri's veteran bankers and successful capitalists. Mr. Harris is a democrat on national issues, but for years past has held pronounced independent leanings in the campaigns in which local issues were domi- nant. For 20 years or more he has been a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Pilot Grove.

About 1852, Edward H. Harris was married to Mary Ellis, who died about 20 years ago, and whose memory is enshrined in the heart of her husband. Mrs. Harris was born in Orange County, Virginia, about the year 1832, and, like her husband, was but a child when she came to Mis- souri, her parents becoming prominent among the Virginia colonists who became pioneers of this region. To Edward H. and Mary (Ellis) Harris seven children were born, namely: Richard, now engaged in business at Detroit, Mich .; William E., who is engaged in business in New York City ; Sarah, widow of the late R. M. Fink, who makes her home with her father at Pilot Grove; Margaret, wife of W. F. Johnson, editor of this History of Cooper County ; Mary, at home; Edward H., Jr., cashier Third National Bank of Sedalia, this State, and Frederick Kemper Harris, pres- ident of the bank at Eldorado Springs. Mrs. Fink, who is now making her home with her father, has two children, a son, Frederick, who is now (1919 serving the United States Navy, and daughter, Madge, living at Kansas City, Mo.

Mr. Harris was the means of the depot being built at Pilot Grove; he gave the largest part of the $1,650.00 to the railroad company for estab- lishing a depot here.

John R. Higginbotham, former marshal of Blackwater, was born on a farm in Montgomery County, Aug. 6, 1881, son of William H. H. and Johanna (Davis) Higginbotham, the former of whom spent his last days in Saline County. William Henry Harrison Higginbotham was born near Parma, Mo., Dec. 8, 1838, son of Moses and Susan Ewing (Sproul) Hig- ginbotham, the latter born in Crab Orchard, Ky., of a family connected with the William Henry Harrison's of Virginia stock. Moses Higgin- botham was born in Tazewell County, Va., member of an old Colonial family, and came to Missouri by way of Kentucky, he and his wife rear- ing their family in this State. William H. H. Higginbotham grew to man- hood in this State. June 17, 1861, at Paris, Mo., he enlisted in the Con- federate Army as a member of Company A, with which command he saw much active service under Generals Price and Joe Shelby, participated in several important battles and received more than one wound. On March 9, 1863, he married Johanna Davis, of Quincy, Ill., and settled in Mont-

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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

gomery County, Mo. He later moved to Saline County, where he died in Aug., 1914. He and his wife were the parents of 12 children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being: William. F., an agricultural expert, assistant farmer at the Missouri Training School, Boonville; Susan, de- ceased; Sidney J., of Oklahoma City; Samuel T., of Kansas City, Mo .; Wade H., of Slater, Mo .; Thomas B., of Hannibal; Frances, of Boonville; Grover C., of Bluffton, Ill .; John R .; and Julia, wife of George Mackler, Boonville township. The mother of these children was born in Quincy, Ill., Oct., 1844, and is now living at Boonville.

John R. Higginbotham received his schooling in the public schools. In 1906, he came to Cooper County and located at Blackwater.' It was not long until he became recognized as one of the personal factors of that town and he presently was elected town marshal, a position he held by successive re-elections for six years, or until in 1912, when he bought a farm of 170 acres in LaMine township and entered upon the task of im- proving the same. He erected a new house and barn, fenced the place and made other substantial improvements. When he bought the place there were but 50 acres of it under cultivation. Now there are 130 acres under cultivation. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Higginbotham gave considerable attention to the raising of live stock. In Feb., 1919, he sold the farm to advantage and bought a farm of 245 acres near Black- water, LaMine township. Mr. Higginbotham is a democrat. He is a member of Cooper Lodge No. 36, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Boonville.

William H. Deck, druggist at Pilot Grove and a leading commercial factor of that town, was born at Kansas City, Mo., Aug. 1, 1887, son of Jacob and Anna (Fessler) Deck, who have for years been residents of Boonville. Jacob Deck was born in the province of Alsace, France, and was but eight or nine years of age when he came to America with his parents, the family locating in Missouri, where he grew to manhood and after his marriage established his home, after a time locating at Boon- ville, where he is now engaged in the retail meat business. To him and his wife eight children have been born. Of these all are living save two.

William H. Deck received his schooling in the schools of Boonville and was graduated from the high school there in 1905, after which he entered Kemper Military School, from which he was graduated in 1906. In the meantime he had been giving his attention to the study of phar- macy and upon leaving school he entered the Mittelbach drug store at Boonville as a clerk, continuing for four years, or until 1910, during which

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History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 81

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