USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 86
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of F. Gerling, of Pilot Grove township; Daniel, who is now living in Wyoming; Grover, deceased; Veit, who was with the American Army in France, taking his part in the World War, now at home; Arthur, who is at home assisting in the operation of the farm; Catherine, who married G. Meredith and is now living in Omaha, Neb .; Silas, who went overseas for service in the aviation corps of the United States Army and is now in the United States ; and Opal, wife of F. Neeley, who makes his home with the Brownfields and is assisting in the operation of the home place. Mrs. Brownfield is a member of one of the pioneer families of Cooper County.
Charles A. Stites, one of Pilot Grove township's substantial farmers and stockmen, was born Aug. 5, 1870, son of Prof. Joseph M. and Amanda (Hail) Stites, Tennesseans, who came to Missouri with their respective parents, and who after the Civil War settled in Cooper County, and the latter living at Pilot Grove.
Prof. Joseph M. Stites, who for many years was recognized as one of the leading educators in this part of Missouri, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., Feb. 3, 1834, and was but four years of age when his parents, Levi and Mary (Adamson) Stites, who were born in North Caro- lina and in Tennessee, respectively, moved to Illinois in 1838. Two years later they came to Greene County, Mo., where they spent the remainder of their lives. It was thus that Professor Stites had his rearing and his early schooling in Greene County, this State, he having been but six years of age when his parents took up their residence there. That was in 1840, and the schools of that region were not organized on the high plane that today marks Missouri's schools, but he made the most of his opportuni- ties, and became qualified to enter upon his long career as a teacher, a profession which he followed for 25 years or more. On Feb. 28, 1858, Professor Stites married Amanda Hail, who also was born in Tennessee, and in 1863 came to Cooper County, and settled on a farm in Pilot Grove township. He followed farming and teaching, spending his winters very usefully in that important calling. Professor Stites died in 1891. To Professor and Amanda (Hail) Stites were born five children, as follows: Prof. Horace L. Stites, who is now carrying on his educational labors in the State of Oklahoma; Fannie, wife of George Judy, Pilot Grove; Miss Mattie Stites, who is engaged in office work at Pilot Grove, and Charles A .; Bertha, who married R. S. Harriman and is now deceased.
Charles A. Stites was reared on the home farm in Pilot Grove town- ship and received his schooling in this county, the same being supple-
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mented by the careful home instructions he received from his father. From his boyhood he has devoted his attention to farming, a vocation which he has followed with considerable success, for he is now the owner of a well-improved farnı of 240 acres and is one of the progressive citi- zens of his community. He is a shareholder in the Citizens Bank of Pilot Grove. He is a democrat and he is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
In February 1911, Charles A. Stites was united in marriage to Emma Davis, daughter of J. C. Davis and wife, and to this union two children have been born, Winifred and Ellen.
James Lewis Painter, a prominent farmer and stockman of Pales- tine township, was born on a farm in Clear Creek township, Jan. 27, 1857, son of William and Eliza (Long) Painter, Virginians. They settled in Clear Creek township and here spent the remainder of their lives. It was from Loudoun County, Va., that William Painter and his wife and the two children came to Cooper County. Their third and last child, James L., the subject of this sketch, was born after they came here. William Painter did not live many years after his arrival here. He died about 1861. His widow continued to make her home in this county and died in 1902. Besides the subject of this sketch she had another son, Charles Painter, her first born, now living in California, and a daughter, Alberta, who married A. Workman and is now deceased.
Having been but a child when his father died, James L. Painter was early thrown pretty much on his own resources, and thus early learned the great secret of self-reliance. He completed his schooling in Pleasant Green, and when 18 years of age began working as a farm hand at $12 a month. He afterward rented a farm and later he bought 85 acres in Palestine township and continued farming that place until 1906, when he bought his present farm, the old Doctor Evans home place, and has since resided there. Mr. Painter has a well-kept farm of 244 acres, maintains one of the best farm plants in the township. He is giving considerable attention to the raising of high grade live stock. He is a Democrat. He and his family are members of the Methodist Church.
Feb. 1, 1884, James L. Painter was united in marriage to Mary Bab- bitt, who also was born in this county, and to this union three children have been born: Edna, who married Lester Worts, living near Bellaire, Mo .; Lester, Palestine township; and Lloyd, is cashier of the Bank of Speed, at Speed, Mo. Mrs. Painter was born in Palestine township, Dec.
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31, 1862, daughter of William and Mary (Burnham) Babbitt, both of whom died while she was a small child, and she was reared by a relative, Mrs. Sarah Stewart Babbitt.
Peter L. Muntzel, a successful farmer and stockman of Palestine township, was born on a farm in Clarks Fork township, May 25, 1872, son of Fred and Doris (Senholt) Muntzel, who came to this country after the close of the Civil War. Fred Muntzel was born in Hanover in 1832, and there grew to manhood and married Doris Senholt, who was born in that country about 1842. In 1865 he came to this country. Six months later he returned to his native land to get his wife, and upon their return located at St. Louis, where for two years he was employed in a butcher shop. He came to Cooper County with his family in 1868, and bought a 40-acre tract of land in Clarks Fork township. His affairs prospered there, and in time he moved to Palestine township, where he bought a farm of 190 acres, and there spent the remainder of his life. He died in January, 1904. His widow died in January, 1918. Fred Muntzel and his wife were members of St. John's Evangelical Church at Billings- ville, and their children were reared in that faith. There were nine chil- dren, of whom six are still living, as follows: Anna, Billingsville ; Adolph, Boonville township; Peter L .; Amelia, wife of Thomas Grathwohl, Bil- lingsville: Fritz, farming the home place, Palestine township; and Mar- tha, wife of W. Helmrich, Little Rock, Ark.
Peter L. Muntzel has from the days of his boyhood devoted his at- tention to farming, and has prospered. He received his schooling in Palestine township and remained at home until 1903, when he bought an 80-acre farm in Palestine township and there made his home until 1905, when he sold that place and bought his present place in that same town- ship. Mr. Muntzel has a well-improved farm of 301 acres, and follows general farming and raising of high-grade live stock. He is a republican. He and his family are members of the Evangelical Church.
Aug. 5, 1903, Peter L. Muntzel was united in marriage to Jessie Eichelberger, who also was born in this county, daughter of Washington and Mary Elizabeth (Merritt) Eichelberger, and to them have been born five children : Dorris, Ona. Lawrence, Anna May and Helen Marie.
Charles P. Mitzel, a well-to-do farmer of Palestine township, was born on a farm in Pilot Grove township, May 19, 1868, son of Fenton W. and Cora (Simmons) Mitzel. Fenton W. Mitzel was born in Morgan County, Ohio, Dec. 2, 1848, and came to Missouri with his parents. Peter Mitzel and wife, in 1858, the family settling in this county. Reared on a
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
farm, he early began farming on his own account, and prospered, becom- ing a large land-owner and an extensive dealer in live stock, buying over a wide radius and selling in the markets. Though now practically retired Mr. Mitzel still maintains ownership in a tract of 90 acres at the edge of Pilot Grove, and there has a very pleasant home, which is now presided over by his daughter. On May 22, 1867, Fenton W. Mitzel was united in marriage to Cora Simmons, who died on March 5, 1883. To that union were born six children, of who four are still living: Charles P .; Elizabeth Matilda, who lives with her father; James F., living retired at Pilot Grove, and Lottie May, wife of Waldo Talley, of Pilot Grove township.
Charles P. Mitzel has successfully followed farming for years. He completed his schooling in the Pilot Grove Academy, of which at that time W. F. Johnson was the principal, and in 1889 began teaching school, a profession which he followed for 12 years, in the meantime continuing his farming operations during the summers. The first farm he bought was a tract of 200 acres in Pilot Grove township, and that place he farmed for 17 years, when he sold it and in 1910 bought his present farm of 164 acres in Palestine township, paying for the same what was said at the time to have been the highest price ever paid for farm land in Cooper County. Mr. Mitzel has made extensive improvements, and has one of the best farm plants in the county. He is quite extensively engaged in cattle feeding. He recently bought the house, with its surrounding lot, in which Governor Crossley was born at Bellaire. Mr. Mitzel is an inde- pendent republican. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church (South), and he is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. His father was a member of the Pilot Grove lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
March 7, 1894, Charles P. Mitzel was united in marriage to Vira A. Grigsby, of this county, and to this union three children have been born: Mary Corrine, who was graduated from the Boonville High School with the class of 1917; William Roy, who in that same year was graduated from the Bunceton High School, and Charles Harold, who is now a student in the Bunceton High School. Mrs. Mitzel was born at Landmark, How- ard County, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Blanton) Grigsby, who came to this county with their family about 1884 and located at Pilot Grove. Mrs. Grigsby was born in Missouri, a member of one of the pioneer fam- ilies. She died July 30, 1919. Her mother was a Mccrary. Henry Grigsby was born in Ohio and came to Missouri in young manhood. He became engaged in the shoe business at Pilot Grove and there spent his
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
last days, one of the leading merchants in that place, with his son, Ed- ward M. Grigsby, who is now conducting the largest shoe store of Liv- ingston, Mont.
Michael Myer, a leading farmer and stock raiser of Pilot Grove town- ship, was born on a farm in Hamilton County, Ohio, near Cincinnati, June 13, 1859, son of Adam and Margaret (Fullmar) Myer, both of whom were born in Germany, and the latter of whom spent her last days in Cooper County, she having come here with her children after the death of her husband. Adam Myer was born about 1821 and grew to manhood in his native lands. As a young man he came to this country and first worked as a farm hand in Hamilton County, Ohio. There he married, and rented a farm there for some years, when he moved with his family to Indiana and settled on a farm in Jennings County, where he died about 1877. After his death his widow disposed of the farm in Indiana, and in 1880 came to Missouri with seven of her children and located in Cooper County, where she died about 1894. She was born in Germany about 1822. Of the children born to Adam Myer and wife nine grew to matur- ity, and seven of these accompanied their mother to Missouri in 1880. Of these children the subject of this sketch was the fifth in order of birth, the others being the following: Mary, wife of George Miller, of Boonville township; Lena, married Chris Young, and is living in Indi- anapolis, Ind .; Barbara, married Adam Kirsch, also living in Indianapolis ; Louis, deceased; Jacob, now living at Pilot Grove; Charles, Kansas City ; Joseph, Pilot Grove, and John is a bridge worker for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company.
Michael Myer came to Cooper County with his mother and other members of the family when he was 21 years old, and he began farm work. In 1887, he bought a tract of 80 acres and proceeded to improve the same. As he prospered he added to his original tract until he became the owner of 280 acres. His original "80" he recently sold to his son, Jacob N. Myer, and still owns 200 acres. He has made excellent im- provements on the place, and has one of the best farm plants in the neigh- borhood. He is a stockholder in the Pilot Grove Bank of Pilot Grove. He is an independent democrat. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church.
Michael Myer has been twice married. In 1885 he married Anna Dorflinger, who was born in this county and who died without issue 14 months after her marriage. In 1887 Mr. Myer married Katherine Hoff,
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
who was born in Germany and came to this country with her parents, and to this union five children have been born; Jacob N .; Rosa, deceased ; William, deceased; Minnie, wife of H. Foser, of Boonville township, and Hubert, at home.
Charles E. Wilson, now living in Pilot Grove, is a native Missourian, born in Jasper County on March 23, 1859, son of John M. and Eliza (Beebe) Wilson, who were the parents of 12 children, nine of whom are still living. About 1867 John M. Wilson and his wife came to Cooper County with their family and settled on a farm in LaMine township, where they remained until their retirement, after which they made their home with their children. John M. Wilson died at Sedalia in 1914, he then being 91 years of age. His widow died in 1915, she then being 81 years of age.
Charles E. Wilson has always been a farmer, and though he recently sold his farm and moved to town he is even now casting about for another farm to suit him. He was eight years of age when his parents moved from Jasper County to Cooper, and his schooling was acquired in the schools of LaMine township. As a young man he started farming on his own account, renting a farm, and continued until 1894, when he bought a farm near Clifton City. He improved it and sold to advantage. He then bought 175 acres in Pettis County, where he lived for four years, when he sold that place and in 1912 bought 120 acres in Pilot Grove township, where he lived until he sold that place early in 1919 and moved to Pilot Grove. Mr. Wilson is independent.
March 13, 1887, Charles E. Wilson was united in marriage to Eliza- beth Richey, of this county, and to this union two children have been born, Charles L. Wilson, at home, and Anna May, who married Ricie Bea- man, of Heaths Creek township, Pettis County. Mrs. Wilson was born in Cooper County in 1863, daughter of John and Rebecca (Kirkman) Richey.
William A. Betteridge, proprietor of "Crestmead Farm," in Clear Creek township, this county, and one of the best known breeders of high grade cattle in Missouri, is a native of England. He was born in Shrop- shire, England, Jan. 7, 1858, son of George and Ann M. (Jones) Bet- teridge, and was the eldest born of the six children, four of whom grew to maturity. In 1863 George Betteridge moved with his family from England to Canada and there remained until 1888, when he and his wife came to Cooper County, their son William having settled here, and here
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George Betteridge is still living, being now in his 85th year. His wife died here in 1899, she then being 65 years of age.
Having been but five years of age when he came to America with his parents in 1863, William A. Betteridge was reared in Canada and there received his schooling. When he was 16 years of age, in 1874, he came to the United States, and two years later came to Missouri and located in Cooper County, where he ever since has made his home, and where he has for many years been engaged in farming and in the breeding of pure- bred cattle. In 1888, Mr. Betteridge began the breeding of Scotch Short- horn cattle, and the herd he then established has been for years widely known throughout the West, shipments from "Crestmead" being made to various parts of the country. "Crestmead" is a well-improved farm of 340 acres in Clear Creek township, and is recognized as one of the model stock farms in this section of Missouri. Mr. Betteridge is a mem- ber of the American Shorthorn Breeders' Association, and has for years taken an interested part in the deliberations and activities of that body.
Oct. 22, 1890, in this county, William A. Betteridge was united in marriage to Ada M. Amick, and to this union has been born one child, Verne K. Betteridge, born on May 27, 1896, near Bellaire, this county, who upon leaving the Boonville High School, entered Robins Business College at Sedalia, and was graduated from that institution and is now a valued assistant to his father in the operations of "Crestmead Farm." Mrs. Betteridge was born in this county, daughter of Leander and Melissa (Lampton) Amick. Mrs. Betteridge and her son are members of the Baptist Church.
George Schupp, a progressive farmer and stockman in Clear Creek township, and a member of the board of directors of the Citizens Bank of Pilot Grove, is a native son of Cooper County. He was born on the farm where he is now living in Clear Creek township, June 8, 1859, son of Christian and Mary (Masel) Schupp, natives of Germany. Christian Schupp was born in Nassau, and was about 20 years of age when he came to this country with his parents, following the revolution of 1848, who settled in Cooper County. Here Christian Schupp married Mary Masel, who also was born in Germany, and who was but a child when she left there with her parents, the Masel family also settling in this county. After his marriage, Christian Schupp established his home on a farm in Clear Creek township, the place now owned by his son, George, and there he spent the rest of his life. He died in 1911, he then being 82 years of age. His wife had preceded him to the grave about six years, and she
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE SCHUPP
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
was 65 years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of · 14 children, of whom ten grew to maturity, and of whom the subject of this sketch was the sixth in order of birth.
George Schupp received his schooling in the district schools, and has always retained his interest in farming, a vocation which he has followed with much success. He bought his first farm in 1882, and on that piace built a house and barn, and made other improvements, and there resided until 1893, when he bought the old home place. His eldest son, August Schupp, is now residing on the first named farm. As he prospered in his affairs, Mr. Schupp bought more land, until now he is the owner of 708 acres, all lying in Clear Creek township, save a tract of 265 acres in Pilot Grove township. In addition to this he is the owner of some business buildings in Pilot Grove, and is a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Pilot Grove, and a member of the board of directors of this institution. Mr. Schupp is a republican. He and his family are members of the Evan- gelical Church.
Feb. 16, 1882, George Schupp was married to Minnie Walje, who died June 5, 1914, and to that union four children were born, namely: Mrs. Catherine Eichelberger, Clear Creek township; August, farming in Clear Creek township; Walter, farming in Pilot Grove township, and Reinhart, who is at home assisting his father. Mrs. Minnie Walje Schupp, mother of these children, was born in Germany, Nov. 7, 1856, and was about 10 years of age when she came to this country with her parents, Ernest Walje and wife, the latter of whom was a Miss Foglepohl, and settled in Pettis County. A year or two later, in 1868, they came into Cooper County, and settled in Clear Creek township, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives.
Walter Cyrus West, contractor and builder at Pleasant Green, was born on a farm in Clear Creek township, Aug. 21, 1879, son of John Wil- liam and Mary Elizabeth (Robertson) West, both of whom also were born in Missouri, and the latter of whom is still living, she and her son Walter making their home together at Pleasant Green.
John William West was born near Manchester, in St. Louis County, Mo., March 14, 1838, son of Thomas West, a native of Kentucky, and came to Cooper County, arriving here on Oct. 8, 1855. Upon coming here he bought a tract of 128 acres of timber land in Clear Creek township. This he proceeded to clear and render tillable, and after his marriage established his home on that place and there remained until his death, March 15, 1908. he then being one day past 70 years of age. Mrs. Eliza-
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
beth West was born in this county, Sept. 7, 1848, daughter of George Robertson and wife, the latter of whom was a Mann, natives of Kentucky, who had come to this county with their respective parents. Mrs. West was left an orphan at an early age. Her mother died and her father later went to Indian Territory and was never again heard from, the presump- tion being he was killed by Indians. John William West helped build the Methodist Episcopal Church (South) at Pleasant Green, and was for a number of years one of the trustees of the same. He was married Aug. 29, 1878. Four children were born to this union, of whom Walter Cyrus was the eldest born, the other being: Thomas P., deceased ; George H., a farmer, Clear Creek township; and Anna F., deceased.
Walter C. West received his early schooling in the local schools of · Clear Creek township and the Otterville High School and a short course at the State University. He continued farming until 1903, when he became engaged working on the Midland interurban bridge at St. Charles, and while thus employed became so interested in the carpenter's trade that he ever since has been engaged working at that trade, gradually devel- oping in business for himself as a building contractor, and since returning from St. Charles in 1903 has erected many of the houses and barns in Pleasant Green and vicinity. In 1918, Mr. West was employed on the new Baptist Church at Syracuse, Mo. In 1906, he spent the year working on the structure at old Ft. Supply in Oklahoma, which has been converted into a hospital for the insane. Mr. West is a democrat, and he is affili- ated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Sedalia. He is a stockholder in the Pleasant Green Bank.
Charles W. Oglesby, a member of the board of directors of the Bunce- ton Bank, as well as a stockholder in the Pleasant Green Bank, and who for years has been recognized as one of the leading farmers and stock- men in Palestine township, was born on the farm on which he is now living, May 13, 1862, son of Henry F. and Martha C. (Nichols) Oglesby, both of whom were born in Cooper County and who spent all their lives here.
Henry F. Oglesby was born on May 13, 1836, a son of Pleasant G. and Millie C. (Wollery) Oglesby, the latter of whom also was born in this county, daughter of one of the early settlers, her father having entered a good deal of land in what afterward came to be Palestine township. Pleasant G. Oglesby was born in Kentucky March 12, 1804, and came here with his parents. He married here and engaged in farming on the place now owned by his grandson, Charles W. Oglesby. He died July 1, 1845.
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His widow died Nov. 2, 1882. She was born here Nov. 14, 1814. They had five children. Henry F. Oglesby grew up on the farm on which he was born, in time became owner of the same and there spent his life. He died Jan. 27, 1888. He was twice married. April 14, 1859, he was united in marriage to Martha C. Nichols, who was born in this county Sept. 10, 1840, and died June 7, 1869. To that union were born four chil- dren: Charles W .; Mollie, wife of C. W. Cordrey, Palestine township; George P., deceased, and Martha, deceased. Nov. 23, 1871, Henry F. Oglesby married Nancy E. Wollery, who was born in Palestine township, Feb. 26, 1839, and died Sept. 19, 1887. To that union three children were born, Hamilton, died in 1874; Mattie Hamilton, born May 23, 1875, now living with his half brother Charles, and Robert F., born March 13, 1878, Stoneton, Colo.
Charles W. Oglesby received his schooling in the district schools. After the death of his father in 1888 he bought the interests of the other heirs in the home tract of 197 acres and has added to the same by pur- chase of adjoining land until he now owns 2101/2 acres. His improve- ments including the erection in 1907 of a fine new and modern farm house. His wife is the owner of a tract of 78 acres in Lebanon township, which also is well improved. In 1904 Mr. Oglesby became engaged in the breed- ing of Shorthorn cattle, starting his herd with select stock from the cele- brated Betteridge herd in this county, and is one of the best stockmen in that neighborhood. He is a stockholder in the Bunceton Bank and in the Pleasant Green Bank and is a member of the board of directors of the first named institution. Mr. Oglesby is a stanch Democrat. He and his family are members of the Baptist Church
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