History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 84

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

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Jan. 20, 1886, George Gross was married to Elizabeth Peak, who was born in this county, and to this union seven children have been born, namely: Barnard, Howard County; Josephine, wife of Andrew Gramlick, Pilot Grove township; Frank, Howard County ; Mary, wife of John Schus- ter, Pilot Grove township; John, at home, assisting in the operations of the home farm; Edward H., who served with the United States Army in France; and Leonard, who is now a student in a school of automotive mechanics at Kansas City. Edward H. Gross, who was born Feb. 4, 1896, was inducted into the National Army, Sept. 20, 1917, and was trained at Camp Funston; seven months later he went to France as a member of Company C, 138th Infantry, 35th Division, with which command he par- ticipated in some of the most severe campaigning of the World War, in- cluding the battle which was waged in the Argonne Forest. He was dis- charged in May, 1919, and is now at home. Mrs. Elizabeth Gross was born in Clear Creek township, May 1, 1863, daughter of Peter and Cather- ine (Keck) Peak, the former of whom also was born in this county, of pioneer parentage, and the latter in Baden, Germany. During the Civil War, Peter Peak enlisted in behalf of the Union cause and was killed in battle during the Shelby raid. He and his wife were the parents of two daughters, of whom Mrs. Gross is the elder, she having a sister, Mary, who, under the name of Sister Mary Maura, has for years been rendering service in the convent school at Conception, Mo. Some time after the death of her soldier husband the Widow Peak married Bernard Horst, who also was born in Germany, and who as well as herself is now dc- ceased. To that union five children were born.

John T. Davis, owner of an excellent farm in Pilot Grove township and a good piece of property in the town of Blackwater, where he is now living and who prefers to refer to himself as an "ex-farmer", was born in Franklin County, Ohio, Sept. 18, 1862, son of John J. and Hester Ann (Rose) Davis, whose last days were spent in that county. John J. Davis

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was a native of Wales, born on a farm in 1841. When a boy he came with his parents to this country, locating at Pittsburgh, Pa., and later moved to Franklin County, Ohio, where he married and engaged in farm- ing and where he died in 1915. His wife, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, died in 1886 at the age of 56 years. They were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only one residing in Missouri.

Reared on the farm in Franklin County, Ohio, John T. Davis there grew to manhood, receiving his schooling in the district schools, and there remained until his marriage in the spring of 1889, when he and his wife came to Missouri and located at Blackwater, where he became engaged as a laborer, later becoming engaged as a farm hand. In 1904, he bought a farm of 35 acres and began farming. He prospered and in 1906, he bought 188 acres in Pilot Grove township, to which he moved and there continued to reside until his retirement in Aug., 1918, and return to Black- water, where he owns a comfortable place comprising six acres. Mr. Davis is a republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

March 6, 1889, in Ohio, John T. Davis was married to Nina B. Smith and to this union seven children have been born, namely: Irvin, is farm- ing in this county; John S., is farming the home farm in Pilot Grove township; Fannie, wife of C. G. Moore, Boonville; George, deceased ; and Willard, Howard and Vernon, at home with their parents. Mrs. Davis was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, April 13, 1872, daughter of S. Smith and wife, the latter of whom was a Hoover. Mrs. Smith lives in Ohio.

William B. Rissler, cashier of the Pleasant Green Bank of Pleasant Green. and former clerk of Cooper County, is a native of Virginia, but has been a resident of Missouri and of Cooper County since he was 12 years of age. He was born on a farm in Jefferson County, Va., July 27, 1861, son of Samuel L. and Sarah (Johnston) Rissler, both natives of Virginia, and the latter of whom is still living on the old home place there at the age of 87 years. Samuel L. Rissler was born in 1832 and died in 1905. He and his wife were the parents of 11 children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth.

When he was 12 years of age, William B. Rissler came to Missouri with his uncle. William Rissler, who located on a farm here in 1873, and who afterward served as judge for the western district of the county, and on that farm he grew to manhood, completing his schooling in the public schools and at Central College at Fayette, Mo. He then resumed

WILLIAM B. RISSLER

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farming on the farm of his uncle, Judge Rissler, but in 1884, began farm- ing on his own account, and thus continued until his election in 1898, as the nominee of the democratic party, to the office of clerk of Cooper County. For four years Mr. Rissler occupied that position, and upon the expiration of his term he engaged in buying and selling horses and mules.

In 1905, recognizing the need of a bank at Pleasant Green, Mr. Riss- ler set about the organization of such an institution, and upon organiza- tion was elected cashier of the same, a position he since has occupied. The Pleasant Green Bank is capitalized at $10,000. Upon organization of the bank in 1905, Judge J. D. Stark was chairman of the organization. Dr. J. S. Parish was elected president, which office he now holds. A. J. Reed has been vice-president of the bank since its organization. The bank has a directorate of nine members, all farmers with the exception of Mr. Rissler and Doctor Parish, and is a member of the Missouri State Bankers Association and of the American Bankers Association.

Mr. Rissler is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church (South), and he is affiliated with the Masons and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the council, Free and Accepted Masters; of the commandery, Knights Templar (York Rite), and of the Boonville temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

William T. Tally, a veteran of the Civil War, and a substantial retired farmer of Cooper County, was born on a farm in Saline township, Oct. 14, 1839, son of Henderson and Mary Ann (Taylor) Tally, the former a native of Tennessee, born Jan. 6, 1811, and the latter of Kentucky, born Feb. 10, 1816. They were married in this county Dec. 15, 1836, and spent the remainder of their lives here. Henderson Tally died in 1887. He and his wife were the parents of six children : Mrs. Louisa Hopkins, deceased ; William T .; Judge James P. Tally, Pilot Grove; Mrs. Mary Woods, de- ceased ; Marion C., deceased, and Mrs. Catherine Newlin, a widow, Boon- ville.

William T. Tally received his schooling in the primitive schools of the time, and was living at home when the Civil War broke out. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union cause for two years, and was attached to Company F, Fifth Regiment, Missouri State Militia. At the end of his two years he re-enlisted and went to the front as a member of Company I, Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, serving with Sherman's army. Nov. 24, 1864, in the battle of Franklin, his horse was shot from under him and he was taken

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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

prisoner and sent to the Confederate prison at Andersonville, Ga., where he remained until the close of the war and was mustered out under a general order, April 29, 1865. During a visit home on furlough in the summer of 1863, Mr. Tally had married, and upon his return home, after his long military service, he resumed farming in Saline township, where he owned a farm of 120 acres. He added to his holding, and from time to time was the owner of several farms in this county. In 1903, Mr. Tally disposed of his farm holdings and moved to Boonville, where he since has made his home at 1026 Fifth Street. Mr. Tally is an ardent Republican, but has not been a seeker after office. He is a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Aug. 14, 1863, William T. Tally was united in marriage to Louisa A. Tate, who was born in Warren County, Tenn., Dec. 22, 1845, daughter of Douglas and Sarah (Price) Tate, the former of whom was born in that county, and the latter in Jackson County, Ala., who came with their fam- ily to Missouri in 1852 and settled on a farm in Texas County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Douglas Tate and wife were the parents of 11 children, of whom Mrs. Tally was the fourth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Tally have six children: William A., Boonville ; Alice, wife of A. L. Durnil, Saline township; Joseph D., Boonville; Charles E., of Excelsior Springs; Oscar F., a railway mail clerk of Kansas City; and Hattie E., widow of David A. Snyder, resides with her parents in Boonville. Mrs. Snyder has three children, two daughters and a son, the latter of whom, Oscar E. Snyder, enlisted in the aviation corps of the National Army Jan. 25, 1918, and was assigned to Camp Sevier, N. C., where, after a period of training, he was made a first-class sergeant, and in March, 1918, sailed for overseas service, and is still (spring of 1919) in France.

Charles L. Vollrath, for years president of the City Council at Boon- ville, and until quite recently secretary-treasurer of the Sombart Milling Company, was born on July 10, 1858, son of Nicholas and Mary Elizabeth (Breneisen) Vollrath, natives of Germany, whose last days were spent here, both dying while their son Charles was still a child. Nicholas Voll- rath was born at Frohubach, in the Saxon duchy of Saxe-Coburg, Aug. 28, 1814, and came to this country with his brother, George, and engaged in the milling business at Boonville until they sold their mill to the Sombart Milling Company, which has ever since been carrying on the business. Here, Nicholas Vollrath married Mary Elizabeth Breneisen, who was born at Bruchsaal, Gross Hernogthum, in the grand duchy of Baden, Aug. 31,

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1830, and who was but a girl when she came to this country with her parents, Reinhart and Mary E. Breneisen, the family coming to Missouri and locating at Boonville. Reinhart Breneisen was born in Milan, Italy, Dec. 24, 1800, and was trained there as a manufacturer of silk. Upon taking up his residence in Boonville he became engaged in the general mercantile business and continued until his death, one of the best known of the earlier merchants of that city. He died at Boonville, July 16, 1878. Nicholas Vollrath died at Boonville Feb. 29, 1867. His wife died Dec. 5, 1865. They were the parents of six children, as follows: H. W., de- ceased; Mrs. George J. Weber, a widow, Kansas City, Mo .; Mrs. C. C. Greenlease, also of Kansas City; Charles L .; Fannie R., deceased; and Mary A., deceased.

Charles L. Vollrath was but a child when he was bereft by death of his parents, and he was reared at Boonville by kinsfolk, supplementing the schooling he received in the schools of that city by a course in the University at St. Louis. Upon returning from the university he took employment with his elder brother, H. W. Vollrath, who was engaged in the stoneware and pottery business at Boonville, and some time later began clerking in the general store of his uncle in that city, later taking employment in the Brockmeyer store, and thus became thoroughly famil- iar with the details of the mercantile business. In 1892, Mr. Vollrath began his service with the Sombart Milling Company, having acquired an interest in the same, and was made secretary-treasurer of the company, a position he occupied until in January, 1919, when he retired from busi- ness. Mr. Vollrath is a republican, and has for many years been regarded as one of the leaders of that party in Cooper County. For 13 years he was a member of the Boonville Board of Aldermen and president of the City Council, and on several occasions was urged to become a candidate for mayor of the city, but he always declined. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1883, and of Boonville Lodge, No. 91, Knights of Pythias, since 1884. He is a member of the Evangel- ical Church, in the faith of which he was reared, and his wife is a mem- ber of the Catholic Church.

Jan. 24, 1884, Charles L. Vollrath was married to Pauline C. Kratz, of Boonville, and to ths union one child has been born, Bertha C., wife of H. Goodman, who is engaged in the furniture business at Boonville. Mrs. Vollrath was born in Boonville, March 24, 1858, daughter of Christian C. and Elizabeth Cecelia (Beha) Kratz, natives of Germany, who became residents of Boonville in their youth, they having accompanied their re-

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spective parents to this country many years ago, and whose last days were spent in that city. Christian C. Kratz, who was born in the duchy of Nassau, now Wiesbaden, a district of the Prussian province of Hesse- Nassau, in 1836, died at his home in Boonville, July 5, 1866, at the age of 32 years, 9 months and 26 days. His widow died in Boonville, Jan. 12, 1913. She was born in the grand duchy of Baden on Nov. 19, 1827.

Judge Herbert J. Hoff, former county judge for the western district of Cooper County, and a well-known and progressive farmer of Pilot Grove township, was born Dec. 4, 1875, son of Jacob and Jacobanna (Felton) Hoff, the latter whom also was born in this county, and both of whom are still living. Jacob Hoff was born in Eppenbrumen, Germany, May 12, 1842, and in his young manhood came to the United Staes, going to Michi- gan. He soon afterwards came to Missouri and located in Cooper County, where he worked as a farm hand and presently was married here. After his marriage he bought the farm which he still owns in Pilot Grove town- ship, and there continued to reside until his retirement and removal to Pilot Grove, where he and his wife are now living. Mrs. Hoff was born in this county in 1853, daughter of Hubert Felton, further mention of whom is made in this volume. To Jacob Hoff and his wife were born eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the second in order of birth.

Reared on the home farm in Pilot Grove township, Herbert J. Hoff received his schooling in the local schools, and from boyhood has been engaged in farming. In 1899 he bought the farm of 76 acres on which he is now living, and has made many improvements on the place. He carries on general farming and stock raising. Judge Hoff is a democrat and is one of the leaders of his party in Cooper County. In 1914, he was elected county judge for the western district, and in that important capacity served the people for two years. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

May 23, 1899, Herbert J. Hoff was married to Helena Weber, and to this union five children have been born Gertrude, Herman, Cecelia, Clara and Anna M. Mrs. Hoff was born at Tipton, Mo., July 29, 1875, a daughter of Godfrey and Gertrude (Lutz) Weber, natives of Germany, who settled in Moniteau County many years ago and are now deceased.

Anthony Vollmer, one of the well-known and substantial farmers of Pilot Grove township, was born on a farm in Clear Creek township, March 16, 1866, son of Leo and Mary Vollmer, both of German descent, the former of whom died at 30 years of age, when his son Anthony was but

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eight years old. Leo Vollmer and his wife were the parents of four chil- dren: Anthony; Joseph, Pilot Grove township; Sophia, wife of Joseph Sellers, Clear Creek township; and Frank, Clear Creek township.

Anthony Vollmer was early thrown upon his own resources, and from the days of his youth has made his own way in the world. Thirty years or more ago he rented a farm in Blackwater township. His affairs pros- pered, and in 1893 he was enabled to buy a farm of 190 acres in Pilot Grove, where, after his marriage in the spring of 1896, he established his home, and resided there until 1911, when he sold that farm and bought 200 acres where he is now living and which he has greatly improved, erecting a residence and making other improvements. He carries on gen- eral farming and stock raising, and has prospered. Mr. Vollmer is a republican, and he and his family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Pilot Grove, and he is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, while his elder son, Leo, belongs to the Knights of Columbus.

April 21, 1896, at St. Martin's Church, Anthony Vollmer was married to Mary Bonen, and to this union have been born seven children: Leo H., assisting his father on the home farm; Minnie M .. Anna E., Raymond J., Sophia T., Bernardine M. and Edna M. Mrs. Vollmer was born in Pilot Grove township, Jan. 2, 1874, daughter of Henry and Mary (Vonderheil) Bonen, both natives of Germany who came to this country with their respective parents in their youth, the Bonen and Vonderheil families locating in this county. Henry Bonen and wife, both now deceased, were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Vollmer was the fifth in order of birth.

Stonewall Jackson Coleman, who died at his farm home at the edge of the village of Pilot Grove, in the spring of 1915, was born on April 13, 1868, son of James S. and Margaret Ann (Cockrell) Coleman, the latter of whom was a cousin of the late United States Senator Cockrell, of this State, and both of whom spent their last days in this county. James S. Coleman was born in Fairfax County, Va., Jan. 6, 1830, and was but eight years of age when he came to Missouri with his parents, Dr. Samuel and Sarah (Gunnell) Coleman, in 1838, the family settling on the farm now owned by the widow of S. J. Coleman, near the site on which the village of Pilot Grove sprang up. The town received its name from a grove which was on this farm. This place thus having been in the Coleman family's continuous possession now for more than 80 years. Though giving considerable attention to the development of his farm, Doctor Cole- man continued the practice of his profession after coming here, and for

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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

years was one of the best known pioneer physicians in these parts. His son, James S. Coleman grew up on that farm, and after his marriage to Margaret Ann Cockrell continued making his home there, carrying on the farming operations until his death, which occurred July 4, 1897. His widow died March 19, 1898. She was born in Frederick County, Va., Oct. 21, 1830. To James S. Coleman and wife were born nine children, four of whom are living, namely: Samuel W., of Kansas City, Mo .; Gen- eral Lee, lives at Sedalia, and is a teacher in the Northeastern High School, Kansas City; Major B., Kansas City; and Mary E., wife of D. Grover, Kansas City.

Stonewall Jackson Coleman completed his schooling in the old Pilot Grove College, at that time being conducted by W. F. Johnson, author of this history, and upon leaving school continued his place on the farm, later assuming management of the same, and in 1899 bought the other heirs' interests in the place. He made extensive improvements on the place and enjoyed one of the most comfortable suburban residences in the county. He was a stanch democrat and a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church (South), as is his widow, and their sons have been reared in that faith.

July 12, 1893, Stonewall Coleman was married to Hortense Hardy, who was born at California, Mo., and to this union were born two sons, James Hardy, born on Aug. 6, 1894, and Charles William, May 18, 1896. James Hardy Coleman in 1918 married Sarah Morris, of Centralia, Mo., and lives on the home place. Charles William Coleman was inducted into the National Army during the World War, and after preliminary training sailed in August, 1918, for overseas service, and is now at Camp Mills, N. J., having returned to the United States, June 23, 1919. Mrs. Cole- man is a daughter of the Rev. James M. and Elizabeth (Duncan) Hardy, the former born in Tennesse, and the latter in Virginia. The Rev. James M. Hardy was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church (South), and his last days were spent in Moniteau County, for many years one of the best known clergymen in that county. His wife was widow when he married her, her first husband having been Allen Hammond, who years ago was the editor of the Boonville Observer, the forerunner of the pres- ent Advertiser.

Walter J. Kraus, proprietor of an excellent farm in Pilot Grove town- ship, and one of the progressive young farmers of Cooper County, was born Jan. 30, 1889, son of Frank and Julia (Wittman) Kraus, the former of whom is still living at Pilot Grove, retired. Frank Kraus was born

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on a pioneer farm in Clear Creek township, Dec. 15, 1858, and grew up to the life of the farm, afterward buying the farm now owned by his son, Walter, and there resided until his retirement. His wife, who was born on Nov. 2, 1859, died July 4, 1915. She was a member of the Catholic Church, as is her husband, and their children were reared in that faith. There were six of these children, as follows: Walter J .; Herman, who in the spring of 1917 was inducted into the National Army and after pre- liminary training sailed in April, 1918, for overseas service with the 89th Division, and was in France until June 12, 1919, when he returned to the United States and is now living at Columbia; Fred, who also participated in the World War, in the naval service, and recently received his honor- able discharge at the naval station at Pensacola, Fla, now mail carrier, Pilot Grove; Regina, deceased; and Bernardine and Rosaline (twins), the former of whom is living with her father at Pilot Grove, and the lat- ter is deceased.

Walter J. Kraus was reared on the home farm, receiving his school- ing in the schools of Pilot Grove, and when 21 years of age began farming on his own account on a rented farm, continuing thus engaged until 1917, when he bought his father's farm of 104 acres, the place on which he is now living. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Kraus gives consid- erable attention to the breeding of Poland China hogs and is meeting with success. His place is well improved, and he carries on his operations in accordance with up-to-date methods. Mr. Kraus is a republican. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

April 10, 1918, Walter J. Kraus was united in marriage to Martha Esser, who was born in Pilot Grove township, daughter of Lawrence and Margaret (Martin) Esser, both of whom were born in Pilot Grove town- ship. Lawrence Esser was born in 1851 in Pilot Grove township, and is now living retired in Boonville, Mo. His parents were natives of Ger- many. Mrs. Margaret (Martin) Esser was born in 1857, and died in May, 1914. Seven children were born to them, of whom Mrs. Kraus is the youngest.

Henry G. Lammers, proprietor of "Hickory Grove" farm in Pilot Grove township, a substantial farmer and stockman, was born in St. Louis, May 15, 1877, son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Vonderhaar) Lammers, who were born in Germany and were married in St. Louis in 1868. In that city they remained until the summer of 1877 when they came to Cooper County with their children and settled on a farm in Pilot Grove township,

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where they spent the remainder of their lives. Of the children born to Henry Lammers and wife six grew to maturity and five are still living, all residents of Cooper County.

Henry G. Lammers was but an infant in arms when his parents came to Cooper county and he grew to manhood on the home farm in Pilot Grove township, receiving his schooling in the district school. In 1900 he began farming on his own account and in the fall of 1903 he settled on the farm where he is now living, beautiful "Hickory Grove" farm, formerly known as the Eads farm, where he has a well-improved place of 276 acres. He raises pure-bred Poland China hogs. Mr. Lammers is a republican. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Oct. 20, 1903, Henry G. Lammers was married to Mary C. Schuster, a member of one of Cooper County's pioneer families, and to this union have been born seven children, Roy, Raymond, Ona, Robert, Estella, Marvin and Ernest. Mrs. Lammers was born in Pilot Grove township, daughters of William and Christina (Felten) Schuster, both now deceased. The late William Schuster was twice married and his widow, who before her marriage was Anna Vollrath, is living on the old home farm.

Dr. John Sinclair Parrish, physician and druggist at Pleasant Green, and president of the bank at that place, where he has been engaged in practice for nearly 30 years, is a native of Cooper County. He was born on a farm near Speed, March 6, 1863, son of David and Elizabeth (Sin- clair) Parrish, both of whom died in the days of his childhood, leaving him to be reared by kinsfolk in this county.

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History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 84

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