USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 85
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David Parrish was a North Carolinian, born in 1807, who came to Missouri in his young manhood and settled on a farm on Lone Elm Prairie, Palestine township, this county, later moving to a farm near Speed, where his last days were spent. During the rush of gold seekers to Cali- fornia in 1849, he made the trip across the plains with others from this section. He presently returned and was content to remain here the rest of his life. He became a substantial farmer and died at his home near Speed in 1872. David Parrish was twice married. By his first wife, who was a Miss Waller, he was the father of seven children. After the death of the mother of these children he remained a widower for 20 years, when, in 1860, he married Elizabeth Sinclair, who was born in Illinois To that union five children were born. Of these Doctor Parrish was the second in order of birth.
Dr. Parrish received excellent scholastic training for the arduous profession to which he early devoted his talents, and has for many years
DR. JOHN SINCLAIR PARRISH
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been one of the best known physicians in this county. Reared on the home farm near Speed, which, after the death of his parents, was retained in the possession of the family, his early schooling was received in the district school. He then attended the old Parrish Institute at Bunceton, and thus prepared by preliminary study, entered the State Normal School at Warrensburg, and after his graduation from that institution was for five years engaged in teaching school during the winters, continuing farm- ing in the summers. In the meantime, he had been devoting his leisure to the study of medicine, and in 1888 entered Beaumont Hospital Medical College at St. Louis. From this institution he was graduated in 1891, and began the practice of his profession at Jamestown, Mo. He had been there but a few months, however, when he returned to Cooper County and located at Pleasant Green, where he has since resided. In 1895, Doctor Parrish opened a drug store at Pleasant Green and has since been carrying on the business in addition to the wide practice he has enjoyed all these years. He was one of the organizers of the Pleasant Green Bank, and upon its organization was elected president of the same. He is a democrat. Though reared in the Christian Church, he has for years been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church (South). He is affili- ated with the local lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
April 29, 1895, Dr. John S. Parrish was married to Martha Eliza- beth Rissler, who was born in Pettis County, daughter of John G. Rissler and wife, the latter of whom was was a Miss Longon, both natives of Virginia, and to this union two children have been born, Mary, born Feb. 10, 1897, and John R., born in 1898, and died in 1907. Mary Parrish married James W. Stephens, who was born in this county, and who was with the American Expeditionary Forces in France, and was discharged June 11, 1919, now at home, as is set out elsewhere in this volume.
Robert Lee Dunn, one of Blackwater township's substantial farmers, was born in Blackwater township, Aug. 12, 1867, son of Joseph William and Nancy Dunn. Joseph William Dunn was born in Logan County, Ky., of Irish parentage, both of his parents having been natives of Ireland, who first made their home in Kentucky after coming to this country, but later came to Missouri and settled in Cooper County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. During the Civil War, Joseph W. Dunn served in behalf of the cause of the Confederacy until the close of the war. Upon his return he resumed farming in this county and became well-to-do, continuing his farming until his death in 1890, he then being 65 years of age. His widow, who was born in the city of Cincinnati, died
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in 1901, aged 75 years. They were members of the Baptist Church, and their children were reared in that faith. There were six of these chil- dren, of whom the subject of this sketch, now the only survivor, was the youngest, the others having been as follows: Rebecca, married J. Hamil- ton; Mrs. Eliza A. Potter; Bettie, married P. D. Smith; and Thomas and Charles.
Reared on the home farm in Blackwater township, Robert Lee Dunn received his schooling in the local schools and from his boyhood has de- voted his attention to farming. Upon beginning operations on his own account he rented a farm, continuing his operations as a renter until in 1918 when he bought from his niece, Orpha Dunn, of Kansas City, the farm on which he is now living, and where for years he had been making his home. Mr. Dunn has his place well improved and is prosperous. He is a stanch democrat, and is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World.
Jan. 2, 1902, Robert Lee Dunn was united in marriage to Mrs. Eliza A. (Barnhart) Stone, widow of Henry Stone, and to this union have been born two sons, Warner and Sylvester. By her first marriage, Mrs. Dunn was the mother of two children; the first born died in infancy, and the other, Mada Stone, is living. Mrs. Dunn was born in Osage County, Mo., daughter of William and Sarah (Morris) Barnhart, both of whom were born in Maries County, Mo., and who many years ago came to Cooper County and settled in Saline township, where they remained until their retirement from the farm and removal to Boonville, where they now live. To Mr. and Mrs. Barnhart were born four children, of whom Mrs. Dunn was the second.
Henry Kraus, one of Clear Creek township's most substantial farm- ers and the proprietor of an excellent farm in that township of 230 acres of land, was born on that farm June 23, 1864, son of Francis M. and Mary Ann (Remspeacher) Kraus, natives of Germany, who were married in this county, and whose last days were spent here. Francis M. Kraus was born in Ratheim, Germany, June 25, 1812, son of Jacob and Katherine (Eries) Kraus, who spent all their lives in their native land. When he was 24 years old, Francis M. Kraus came to the United States, and shortly afterwards came to Missouri and located in this county. Here he began working as a farm hand. In 1858 he entered from the Government the tract of land now owned and occupied by his son, Henry, and developed and excellent farm where he spent the rest of his life. He died Nov. 23, 1892, he then being 80 years of age. His wife died Sept. 18, 1890. She also was born at Ratheim, July 6, 1827, and was nine years of age when she came to this country with her parents, Anthony Remspeacher and
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wife, who settled in this county, Anthony securing from the Government a grant of land in Clear Creek township. The original certificate of this grant, issued during the administration of President Taylor, is now in the possession of Henry Kraus, as is the certificate of the land grant issued to his father, Francis M. Kraus, during the administration of Pres- ident Buchanan. Francis M. Kraus and his wife were Catholics, were among the first members of St. John's Catholic Church, and their chil- dren were reared in that faith. Of the children born to them 10 were reared to maturity, of these the subject of this sketch being the ninth in order of birth.
Reared on the farm on which he was born in Clear Creek township, Henry Kraus received his schooling in the local schools, and from boy- hood devoted his attention to the labors of the farm. He married in the spring of 1891, and after his father's death in 1892 bought from the other heirs to the estate their respective interests in the home farm of 180 acres, and has since continued to reside there. He has made many improvements on the old home place. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Kraus gives considerable attention to the raising of live stock. Mr. Kraus is a republican, and has served as director of schools in his district. He and his family are members of St. John's Catholic Church.
April 15, 1891, Henry Kraus was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wessing, who also was born in this county, and to them four children were born: Frances K., wife of H. T. Young, New Lebanon township; Daniel F., who is at home looking after the interests of the farm; Flor- ence M., wife of B. Felton, and Matilda, at home. The mother of these children was born on Feb. 24, 1869, and died March 5, 1905. She was a daughter of Anthony and Katherine (Twenter) Wessing, natives of Ger- many, who many years ago settled on a farm in this county and spent the remainder of their lives here.
Jacob F. Muessig, proprietor of a well-kept farm in Pilot Grove town- ship, this county, and long accounted one of the progressive farmers of that section, was born at St. Louis, on April 18, 1857, son of Ludwig and Elizabeth (Stabeline) Muessig, and has been a resident of this county since he was seven or eight years of age. Ludwig Muessig was a native of Germany, born in Baden in 1831, who came to this country when he was 23 years of age, and in St. Louis married Elizabeth Stabeline, also a native of Baden, born in 1832. To this marriage were born two children: Jacob F., and one died in infancy. Ludwig Muessig died and his widow married William Reuter, who died as the result of an accident in St. Louis, leaving two children, William J., Clear Fork township, and Minnie, now
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a nun in Conception Convent, Clyde, Mo. After the death of William Reuter his widow married Philip Meisenheimer. Two children were born to this union: Peter G., of Cooper County, and Mrs. Mary A. Bonen, of Pettis County. The family came to Cooper County and settled on a farm in Clear Creek township in 1866. On that place Philip Meisenheimer and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, the latter dying in August, 1910, and the former in March, 1912.
Jacob F. Muessig was but a lad when he came to this county with his mother and his stepfather from St. Louis in 1866, and he was reared on the home farm in Clear Creek township, receiving his schooling in the schools of that neighborhood. From his boyhood he was trained to the ways of farming, and after his marriage at the age of 23 rented a farm and began operations on his own account. He prospered and soon bought a farm of 80 acres in Clear Creek township. Later he bought an adja- cent tract in Pilot Grove township, and now has an excellent farm of 145 acres, which he has improved, and on which he makes his home. Mr. Muessig is a republican, and he and his family are members of the Cath- olic Church.
Oct. 19, 1880, Jacob F. Muessig was united in marriage to Anna A. Kraus, who was born in Clear Creek township Feb. 12, 1860, and died Feb. 23, 1905. She was a daughter of Francis Kraus and wife. To Jacob F. and Anna A. (Kraus) Muessig were born nine children, namely: Clara E., widow of F. Klenklen who is now housekeeper for her father; Frank L., is farming in that township; Mary M., wife of Frank Stoecklein, Pilot Grove township; Johannes, deceased; Martha, deceased; Anselma I., wife of William Kemp, Pilot Grove; Pauline, deceased; Robert J., who is now (spring of 1919) with the American Army in France, and John J., who is at home assisting his father in the operation of the farm. Robert J. Muessig, the soldier son, was born May 27, 1896, and was a farmer when he was inducted into the National Army for service in the World War. After a period of military training in this country he sailed for overseas service in September, 1918.
James M. Haley, one of the well-known older residents of Palestine township, was born in Howard County on March 12, 1848, son of Thomas A. and Elizabeth (Benson) Haley, who were the parents of 10 children, of whom James M. was the fourth in order of birth.
Thomas A. Haley also was a native Missourian, born in Boone County, Dec. 19, 1820. He grew up a farmer, married March 2, 1841, in Moniteau County, where his wife was born March 26, 1827, resided for a
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while in Howard County, and later in Moniteau County, and from the lat- ter county moved to Cooper County in 1865 and located on a farm near Boonville, where died in 1898. His wife died Nov. 22, 1877. He was a republican and he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church.
James M. Haley was 17 years of age when he came to this county with his parents from Moniteau County in 1865, and here he remained until his marriage at the age of 21, after which he moved to a farm in Jasper County. In 1872, he returned to Cooper County and bought a farm near Boonville. In 1884 he bought the farm on which he is now living in Palestine township, and has since made his home on that place.
Jan: 7, 1869, James M. Haley was united in marriage to Mary M. Batton, who also was born in Howard County, and to this union eight children have been born: two first born died in infancy; Minnie, married F. W. Babbitt, Walsenburg, Colo .; Mrs. Mattie Roberts, Prairie Lick ; Maud, wife of Peter Schlotzhauer, Palestine township; Emma, wife of Joseph Schlotzhauer, Clear Creek township; Arthur and Leslie, who are operating the home place in Palestine township. Mr. and Mrs. Haley have 10 grandchildren, in whom they take much delight.
Mrs. Mary M. Batton Haley died April 3, 1919. She was born Dec. 24, 1848.
Sylvanus Masel, a veteran of the Civil War and one of the well-known farmers of Clear Creek township, was born on a farm in Palestine town- ship, April 3, 1841, son of John George and Elizabeth M. (Mueller) Masel, both of European birth, who became early settlers in this county, and here spent their last days. John George Masel was born in Switzerland in 1803, and was there trained to the art of cabinet making, at which trade he worked there until 1837, when he came to Missouri and settled on a farm in Palestine township, this county, where he died in 1845. His widow, who was born in Bavaria in 1807, married George Weber, and died in 1882 without issue of that union. By her first marriage she was the mother of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being Mary, married Christian Schupp and is now deceased; John C., deceased; Fredericka, married John Schloutz- hauer and is deceased, and one who died in infancy.
Sylvanus Masel was but four years of age when his father died, and he early undertook to face the responsibilities of life "on his own hook." The meager schooling he received in the days of his boyhood was obtained in the little old log school house in the neighborhood of his home, and when 14 years of age he began working on the farm of a neighbor at $5
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a month, and when 15 years of age he was driving oxen to a "breaking" plow at 20 cents a day. He recalls distinctly an incident in May, 1856, while he was driving oxen for Henry Schlotzhauer, when the oxen became so annoyed at the flies which then were a perfect scourge that they ran away, making a break for a clump of shade trees and dragged behind them, boy, plow, and all. On Aug. 12, 1862, Sylvanus Masel, then 21 years of age, enlisted in the Union Army, and went to the front, a mem- ber of Company A, 29th Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and with that command saw much active service, first in the Mississippi cam- paigns and later on the march with Sherman to the sea. At the battle of Arkansas Post he had a narrow escape when a bullet struck his belt. After the Atlanta campaign, Nov. 1, 1864, his regiment was mounted and he thereafter served as a cavalryman in the 15th Army Corps, and was mustered out at Washington, D. C., June 12, 1865, the war then being over.
Mr. Masel returned to his home in this county and resumed farming on rented land until 1870, when he bought the farm on which he is now living. At one time he owned there a tract of 95 acres, but some time ago he sold 40 acres of the place to his adopted son, Frank Wilfred Masel, who is living on the place. Mr. Masel is a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic and he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church.
Feb. 22 1870, Sylvanus Masel was united in marriage to Josephine Schupp, who was born in Clear Creek township, this county, Feb. 10, 1852, a daughter of Henry and Dorothy Schupp. Mr. and Mrs. Masel have no children of their own, but years ago they adopted a son, Frank W., who was born in 1872. Frank W. Masel has been twice married. By his first wife, Mary Organbright, was born one child, who died in infancy. After the death of his first wife he married Mary Saner, and to this union four children have been born, namely: Matilda, Louisa, Rebecca. One, the oldest, died in infancy.
Mr. Masel was justice of peace of Clear Creek township for 16 years, and was again elected in 1919, but declined to serve.
Robert H. Jeffress, one of the substantial citizens of Pilot Grove township, was born on a farm in Boonville township Oct. 17, 1863, son of John R. and Isabel (Laurie) Jeffress. Robert H. Jeffress received his schooling in the public schools, and from boyhood has devoted his atten- tion to farming. For some time he worked a rented farm and then bought a farm east of Boonville. In 1908 he sold that place and bought
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the farm on which he is now living in Pilot Grove, which he has greatly improved. Mr. Jeffress has an excellent farm of 265 acres. He is a member of the board of directors of the Citizens Bank of Pilot Grove, of which he is the secretary. In civic affairs he has long been accounted one of the leaders in his neighborhood. In 1913 he was made democratic central committeeman for Pilot Grove township, and in 1919 was re- elected to that position. He and his family are members of the Baptist Church, and he is one of the deacons of the same. Mr. Jeffress is a mem- ber of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Maccabees.
June 25, 1892, Robert H. Jeffress was married to Sophia Baker, and to them have been born six children: Ruth, Henry, Mable, Mildred, Rob- ert B., and one died in infancy. Mrs. Jeffress was born near Alton, Ill., daughter of Charles and Rebecca (Hill) Baker, the latter a native of Ken- tucky, now living in Stone County, Mo., at the age of 82 years. Charles Baker was a native of England who came to this country in young man- hood. During the Civil War he served in the Union Army, a member of an Illinois regiment, and in 1873 came with his family to Missouri and settled on a farm near Boonville, in this county, where he spent the re- mainder of his life.
Richey Brothers (John W. and Henry L. Richey), who have been farming together in this county for the past 25 years, and who are the owners of an excellent farm in Pilot Grove township, were born in this county. John W. Richey was born Sept. 27, 1867, and Henry L. Richey Jan. 1, 1871. They are sons of John H. and Rebecca N. (Kirkman) Richey, both of whom are now deceased, the latter dying on Jan. 12, 1913, and the former, Dec. 14, 1918.
John H. Richey was a Kentuckian, born on June 6, 1837, and was but two years of age when his parents, William and Diamy (Tinsley) Richey, also natives of Kntucky, came to Missouri and settled in Hickory county. In that county, John H. Richey grew to manhood, afterward coming to Cooper County and locating on a farm east of Speed. Here he married Rebecca N. Kirkman, who was born in Pilot Grove township on Oct. 31, 1839, and after his marriage bought a farm in that township, where he made his home and where he was residing when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted in the Confederate Army, participating in some severe en- gagements until he was captured by the enemy and taken to the military prison at Rock Island, Ill., where he was kept a prisoner of war until the close of the war. Upon his return home, Mr. Richey resumed farming
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in Pilot Grove township and there remained until his retirement from the farm and removal to Pilot Grove, where his last days were spent. He was a democrat, and he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. They were parents of nine childen, as follows: Emma, married F. Waller and is now deceased ; Mary Ellen, married B. H. Meredith and is deceased ; Elizabeth, wife of Charles E. Wilson, Pilot Grove; Sarah, wife of William Sharp, Palestine township; John W .; Lucy, wife of Charles Jeffress, same township; Henry L .; Anna, is living with her brother in Pilot Grove town- ship; and Cora, married James Gosnell and is now deceased.
John W. and Henry L. Richey grew up together on the home farm in Pilot Grove township, and received their schooling in the district school. From the days of their boyhood they have devoted their attention to farming and early decided to "stick together" in their operations along those lines, and thus for 25 years have been in partnership. In 1918 they bought the Thomas Sims farm of 120 acres in Pilot Grove township and are making extensive improvements. They entertain similar politi- cal views, both being democrats, as was their father; and, as were their parents, both are members of the Baptist Church. The younger brother, Henry L. Richey, is unmarried, but the elder brother, John William Richey, was married on April 28, 1917, to Edverda Barnes, who was born in Saline County.
James H. Schlotzhauer, a substantial farmer and stockman, and the owner of an excellent farm in Clear Creek township, has been a resident of Cooper County all his life. He was born on a farm in Palestine town- ship, Oct. 27, 1862, the eldest of the children born to John and Fredericka (Masel) Schlotzhauer, who were prominent among the residents of that community.
James H. Schlotzhauer completed his schooling in the school at Pilot Grove, under Professor Eichelberger and C. M. Johnson, and for a while thereafter remained at home, farming for his father. In 1885, he bought 130 acres in Clear Creek township, proceeded to improve the same, and for 21 years made his home there. In 1906, he sold that farm and bought the farm on which he is now living, formerly known as the A. W. Walker farm, and which, when he bought it, consisted of 350 acres, 122 acres of which he later sold to his son Harry. Mr. Schlotzhauer has made exten- sive improvements on the place, including the erection of a large silo and a set of farm buildings for his son, Harry. Mr. Schlotzhauer has for many years made a specialty of feeding live stock for the market and in his operations has done well, long having been regarded as one of the
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RESIDENCE OF JAMES H. SCHLOTZHACER
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leading farmers in that part of the county. He is an independent repub- lican, and for two years served as a member of the School Board in Dis- trict No. 54. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church (South).
Mr. Schlotzhauer has been twice married. March 3, 1885, he was united in marriage to Christina Back, who was born in Clear Creek town- ship in 1862, daughter of Daniel and Christina (Yost) Back, and who died on June 24, 1894. To that union five children were born, namely: Harry, who is living on the home farm, a part of which he now owns; Elizabeth, who married B. Cordrey, and who is now deceased ; Oscar, who is engaged in the automobile business at Boonville; James H., Jr., who also is engaged in the automobile business at Bunceton, and one who died in infancy. Dec. 23, 1895, Mr. Schlotzhauer married Mrs. Lottie (Carson) Pounds, and to this union three children have been born, Hazel, Virgil, and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Schlotzhauer was born in Morgan County, and has been a resident of this State all her life.
David Brownfield, proprietor of an excellent farm in Pilot Grove township and one of the most substantial farmers and stockmen in that section of Cooper County, was born Oct. 4, 1848, son of John and Cath- erine (Brownfield) Brownfield, Pennsylvanians, who came to this county in the '40s and here spent their last days, the latter living to a ripe old age. John Brownfield was born in 1820 and in young manhood came West and settled in this county. He took a trip across the plains and on his return settled on his farm in Pilot Grove township, where he died Oct. 4, 1856. His widow died Feb. 24, 1919. John Brownfield and his wife had two children, the subject of this sketch and Mrs. Margaret Eliz- abeth Graham, now deceased.
David Brownfield received his schooling in the district schools. When 20 years of age, in 1868, he bought the farm on which he is now living. Mr. Brownfield has a well improved farm of 265 acres, and in addition to his general farming he raises high grade live stock. The Brownfields have a pleasant home. Two of the sons of the family served with the American Army in France during the World War. Mr. Brown- field is a republican, but has not been an office seeker.
Oct. 3, 1871, David Brownfield was united in marriage to Christina Schupp, who was born in Clear Creek township, this county, and to this union 11 children have been born, namely: Joseph, deceased; Curry, who is living in East Pilot Grove: Jacob, of that same place; Margaret, wife
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