USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 94
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117
Mr. Scholle is a conscientious, and painstaking workman. He is affable and accommodating and by his close attention to business and his effort to please, he has built up an extensive business. He is a loyal American citizen and has willingly and cheerfully responded to all calls made upon him in war activities.
Theodore F. Lebing is a prosperous merchant at Clarks Fork. He conducts a general mercantile store in the center of a rich agricultural section of the county. He was born Aug. 21, 1878, at Clarks Fork and reared on a farm in Cooper County. When old enough he engaged in farming until 1917 when he formed a partnership with Charles Q. Mills. They conducted a general merchandise business at Clarks Fork under the firm name of Lebing & Mills. During this partnership they did a large business and handled large quantities of poultry and produce which they transported to Boonville and shipped to market. The firm of Lebing & Mills was successor in the business to O. L. Letherman. May 7, 1919, Mr. Lebing purchased the interest of his partner and since then the business has been conducted by him. He was a successful farmer and is now a successful merchant.
October 13, 1900, Mr. Lebing was married to Miss Della Mills, daugh- ter of Charles T. and Ellen (Brusius) Mills. Charles T. Mills was son of Henry W. and Susan (Lewis) Mills. The Mills family is numerous in Cooper County, prosperous and of high standing.
Theodore F. Lebing is the son of Lewis and Johanna (Brandes)
943
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
Lebing, both deceased. Lewis Lebing was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1913, and came to this country in 1856 and located on a farm in Clarks Fork township. His wife, Johanna Brandes, was also born in Germany, in 1838, and came to Cooper County with her parents in 1855. · Christine Brandes, the father of Johanna Brandes, settled first in Iowa and then came to Cooper County which became his home. The Brandes family with its numerous branches is well known in Cooper County for honesty, integrity and industry.
Harry A. Creagan, president of the Farmer's Trust Company of Boonville, was born in Cooper County, July 30, 1882. His father was P. F. Creagan, who came to Missouri in 1859 and settled at St. Louis where he lived for seven years. He was largely engaged in railroading in different capacities on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railroad and in 1876 purchased a farm of 280 acres near Clifton City, Cooper County, where he located and where he died. He was a prominent Democrat, a member of the Catholic Church, and a highly esteemed citizen. His father, William Creagan, came from the county of Meath, Ireland, and was married in New York to Miss Elizabeth Scullin. P. F. Creagan was married in 1863 to Miss Fannie Keenan, of St. Louis, a daughter of Daniel Keenan of New York.
Harry A Creagan, was the ninth child born to P. F. and Fannie (Keenan) Creagan. He was educated in the public schools of Cooper County and graduated from the high school of Sedalia. He then became telegraph operator at the M., K. & T. station at Boonville. For five years he was a trusted employee of W. H. Trigg & Co. Jan. 23, 1909, he movel to St. Louis and accepte i a responsible position with the Mer- cantile Trust Company, which he held for ten years. Aug. 9, 1918, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was mustered out Dec. 11, 1918. He has recently organized the Farmer's Trust Company of Boonville, of which he has been selected president. Mr. Creagan's career has been one of continued advancement. He has had a thorough training in fin- ance and is experienced in all banking matters. He is one of the promising young financiers of central Missouri.
Homer McGuire, one of the successful and progressive young farm- ers of Cooper County, was born Dec. 6, 1886, in Pilot Grove township, Cooper County. His father, J. V. McGuire, 66 years of age, is also a native son of Cooper County. Thirty-six years ago he was married to Miss Mary Hurd a native of Illinois. J. V. McGuire is one of the sub- stantial citizens of Cooper County, known for his honesty and integrity.
Homer McGuire was educated in the county schools of Cooper County.
944
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
He was reared on a farm, and under the tutelage of his father, and by close attention to the study of agriculture and stock-raising, he has se- cured a success that may be envied. He was married Aug. 5, 1914, to Miss Brooksie Rush, at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Rush, Kansas City, Mo. There has been born to this union one child, a son, Wilbur V., Dec. 16, 1918.
Homer McGuire is a Republican, but in casting his vote uses his own intelligence rather than the dictum of party. He was made a Master Mason in 1918, and is a member of Cooper Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Boon- ville, Mo. Associated with his father, he superintends and conducts a farm consisting of over 200 fertile acres in Pilot Grove township, which is in the highest state of cultivation and well improved. Here his ener- gies are devoted, not only to agriculture but in the breeding and raising of live-stock, of which he has made quite a success. He is respected and esteemed by all who know, and his friends are many.
Peter Franklin Smith, a well known and substantial farmer and stockman of Lebanon township, proprietor (in joint ownership with his wife) of "Wayside Valley Farm", a well improved place of 180 acres in that township, is a native son of Cooper County. He was born on a farm at the edge of the village of Otterville in the township of that name on June 29, 1854, son of George W. and Nancy E. (Neal) Smith.
George W. Smith, who died at his home in this county 25 years ago, was a Virginian and grew to manhood in the Old Dominion, remaining there until he was 27 years of age, when with his wife and four children (for he was twice married, his first wife dying about 10 years after they took up their residence here) he came to Missouri in 1837 and located at Otterville, where he opened a blacksmith shop and there became engaged working at the trade to which he had been trained in Virginia, proving in this capacity a valued factor in the life of the new community. When he came here the deer were very numerous hereabout and as he was an ardent sportsman he found much pleasure in the hunt. From the time he killed his first deer up to the time of the Civil War he kept tally of the deer he killed and the net bag totalled in excess of 60. Even after war times quite a few deer still lingered in the deeper portions of the woods in this section, affording further sport for this tireless Nimrod. The first sum- mer of his settlement at Otterville he planted five or six acres of corn on a tract some distance from the hamlet, but when the time came to gather the ripened ears the inconvenience of bringing the same in deterred him and he left the corn for the deer. During the Civil War Mr. Smith had a contract with the government to furnish beef for the army and became
GEORGE W. SMITH
945
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
well known over the county as a cattle buyer in that connection. He con- tinued to make his home in the Otterville neighborhood and there spent his last days, his death occurring on April 7, 1894. He was born on May 10, 1810, and was thus slightly under 84 years of age at the time of his death. As noted above, George W. Smith was twice married. His first wife, who was a Beard and whom he married in Virginia, died at her home in this county in 1843. Of the four children born to that union two are still living, Mrs. Virginia Ann Finley, of this county, and Mrs. Ellen Wagen- knecht, of the neighboring county of Morgan. In 1847 Mr. Smith mar- ried Nancy E. Neal, who was born on a pioncer farm in Lebanon town- ship, this county, Dec. 14, 1827, and who (as noted above) is still living, an honored nonogenarian of the Otterville community. To this second union eight children were born. Of these six grew to maturity and four are still living, those besides the subject of this biographical sketch (the eldest) being Nathan A. Smith, long a resident of Kansas; Mrs. Martha E. White, a widow, now living at Otterville with her aged mother, and Mrs. Rose L. Bane of Otterville township.
Reared on the home farm on the edge of the village of Otterville, Peter F. Smith received his schooling in the Otterville schools and from the days of his boyhood his attention has been devoted to farming. In the fall of 1880 he married and in 1881 bought the farm on which he is now living, beautiful "Wayside Valley Farm", in Lebanon township, which he has improved in admirable fashion. In addition to his general farm- ing Mr. Smith has for years been quite extensively engaged in breeding Shorthorn cattle of the Scotch Top breed and has been a frequent ex- hibitor at stock shows hereabout. He has created a good market for the products of "Wayside Valley Farm", his cattle commanding good prices, and has done well in his operations, long having been recognized as one of the leading stockmen in that neighborhood. He is a member of the Bunceton Fair Association and has done well his share in promoting the interests of that useful organization. He also is a stockholder in the local bank and in the company controlling the grain elevator and in other ways exhibits his interest in the general business affairs of the com- munity. In his political views Mr. Smith is a democrat, as was his father. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Oct. 6, 1880, Peter F. Smith was united in marriage to Margaret Ida Cordry, who also was born in this county, member of one of the pioncer families, and to this union eleven children have been born, namely: Harry A., deceased · Azelia Velma, wife of T. A. Nelson, Jr., of Kelly township;
946
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
Margaret Naomi, wife of Dr. W. C. Lewis, of St. Louis; Hunter F., of Speed, this county, Homer W., who is at home assisting his father; Zula, wife of Benjamin N. Smith, of Clarks Fork township; Hubert L., of raies- tine township; Mary (Gussie) Herschel and Harold V., at home, and Vera, who died in infancy. Mrs. Smith was born in Lebanon township on Dec. 13, 1860, daughter of William L. and Mary (Ware) Cordry, both now de- ceased and both members of pioneer families in this section of Missouri. William L. Cordry was born in Todd County, Ky., and came to Missouri with his parents in pioneer days, the family locating in Cooper County. Here he married Mary Ware, who was born in the neighboring county of Howard, and to that union were born eight children, all of whom are liv- ing save one; the Cordry connection hereabout being a quite numerous one in the present generation.
Woodson T. Jones, proprietor of an excellent farm in Blackwater township, and who formerly was engaged in the railway service as tele- graph operator, was born on a farm in Blackwater township March 19, 1883, a son of George C. Jones and a grandson of the pioneer, Caleb Jones, who at the time of his death in the early '80's was said to have been the wealthiest man in Cooper County.
Woodson T. Jones received his education in the district school and Pilot Grove Academy, from which he was graduated in 1901. In the meantime he had learned telegraphing at Pilot Grove and in 1902 was made station agent on the Sedalia division of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad. In the following year he transferred his services to the Santa Fe railroad and for seven or eight years thereafter continued as a telegraph operator, serving the Santa Fe and other western roads. He then returned home, having in the meantime shared in the division of his father's extensive estate, and engaged in farming. In addition to his general farming operations Mr. Jones has gone in somewhat extensively for live stock and is doing a good business in that line. He is the owner of a well improved farm of 160 acres. Mr. Jones is a democrat.
June 30, 1913, Woodson T. Jones was united in marriage with Hulda Kirkman, of this county, and to this union one child has been born, Martha Sue. Mrs. Jones was born at Columbia, Boone County, but from the days of her girlhood has been a resident of this county. Her parents, John B. Kirkman and wife (the latter of whom was a Blanchard), came here years ago and located on a farm in Saline township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. In addition to his farming operations John B. Kirkman was a dealer in memorial monuments and was one of the well
947
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
known men of the county. He and his wife were born in North Carolina and came to Missouri with their respective parents in pioneer days.
Charles E. Roth, one of the well known farmers of Pilot Grove town- ship, was born in Cole County, Mo., March 1, 1859, son of Louis and Mary (Meyer) Roth, the former a veteran of the Civil War and both spent their last days in Cooper County.
Louis Roth was born in Germany and came t. this country with his parents, Charles Roth and wife, in 1848, the family locating on a farm in Kentucky, where they were living when the Civil War broke out. Both father and son enlisted in the Union army, serving in the same company, in Gen. "Pap" Thomas' celebrated brigade. Charles Roth's first wife died after they came to this country and he married again and spent his last days in Kentucky. Shortly after the Civil War Louis Roth came to Mis- souri and entered on a soldier's homestead in Cole County, a tract of 80 acres, but shortly afterward left Cole County and in 1866 came to Cooper County. For two years after coming here he worked at Boonville and then bought a farm in Pilot Grove township, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1899, being 72 years old. His wife survived him but five days. She also was born in Germany, in Aug., 1830. She was a member of the Evangelical Church and her husband was a member of the Catholic Church. Louis Roth and his wife were the parents of six children as follows: Charles E .; Caroline, wife of C. G. Stanfield, Pilot Grove township; Lucy, married C. W. Erhardt and is now deceased ; Martin is unmarried and lives in Pilot Grove township; Frank M., Kelly town- ship, and Fred, Pilot Grove.
Charles E. Roth's first schooling was received in a Lutheran parochial school and he later attended school in the old Bluffton district in Boon- ville township and in Hail Ridge district. When seventeen years of age he began to "look out for himself", working as a farm hand, but soon resumed operations on the home farm and remained there until he was 27 years of age. For three years he rented his father's farm and in 1906 bought the same, buying the interests of the other heirs. Some time afterward he sold that place and bought the farm where he is now living and on which he has made substantial improvements. Mr. Roth is a republican. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
Feb. 12, 1895, Charles E. Roth was united in marriage to Mary Krumm, who was born in this county, and to this union eight children have been born: Louis, Odessa, Helen, Cyril, Frank, Elfreda, Edward and
948
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
Mary G. The first of these children, Louis Roth, named in honor of his grandfather, was born on a farm in Lebanon township, this county, Feb. 9, 1896. On June 11, 1917, he enlisted in the navy and is still serving, having during the period of this service had a quite interesting experi- ence, including several trips across the Atlantic and cruises to different points. Mrs. Mary Roth was born in Lebanon township, in 1875, daugh- ter of George and Anna (Zeller) Krumm, the latter of whom was born in Clear Creek township, and both of whom are now deceased. George Krumm was born in Germany and came to this country with his sister Zera (Larntz) about 1850, and later settled on a farm in Lebanon town- ship, where after his marriage Mr. Krumm continued to reside, he and his wife spending the remainder of their lives there.
Captain Lee Thomas Sites was born in Lamine township, Cooper County, Oct. 13, 1856. His father, Chester P. Sites, was a native of Virginia, born about 1836. He came to Boonville with his father and mother about 1841 or 1842 and built a log house on the corner of Sixth and Morgan Streets, Boonville, where now stands the garage of Brown- field and Meyers. The grandfather of Captain Sites was J. P. Sites, who manufactured, in early days at Boonville, rifles and guns for the forty- niners who sought the gold fields of California. About ten years ago in the mountains of Colorado the barrel of a gun from which the stock had rotted away was found. Upon it was the name "J. P. Sites." The finding of this gun barrel attracted considerable attention and upon inquiry it was found to have been made in Boonville and was evidently lost by a forty-niner in his trip across the mountains.
Captain Sites is the owner of 965 acres of the best land in Lamine township and has lived in his present residence about 28 years, and only about a quarter of a mile from where he was born. He owns a part of the land originally owned by his father. All his life has been spent in Lamine township. Captain Sites has never been a candidate for office and in answer to that question said "he never had sense enough" but his possessions demonstrate that he is abundantly able to take care of his interests-a trait that might well be emulated by office seekers.
Captain Sites was married in 1878 to Victorine Kinchiloe, who departed this life Oct. 7, 1910. There were born of that marriage three girls, Jessie, Stella and Maude, and two sons, Lee and John Captain Sites was married the second time Jan. 14, 1918, to Mrs. Laura Farris whose maiden name was Laura Smith. Captain Sites has been engaged in the steamboat business off and on since '73. He has been the owner of sev-
CAPT. I. T. SITES
949
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
eral boats and the builder of many. He is one of the foremost citizens of the county and has been prominent in every progressive and civic move- ment in his section. One of the largest, most successful and prominent farmers of Cooper County, he is nevertheless modest and retiring.
During the World War he was active in local war work and was a leader in Liberty Loan drives in his township. He is a member of the Christian church, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a director in the Boonville National Bank.
John C. Muntzel, a well-known and successful dealer in live stock at Boonville, was born in Cooper County, a member of one of the county's pioneer families, and has lived here all his life, having been successfully engaged in farming until his removal about 10 years ago to Boonville, where he has since been quite extensively engaged in the sale of live stock, giving particular attention to the buying and selling of mules. He was born on a farm in Clarks Fork township, Nov. 23, 1874, son of Daniel and Minnie (Kaune) Muntzel, the former of whom is still living on his farm in that township, the owner of more than two hundred acres of land.
Daniel Muntzel was born in Hanover, Aug., 1834, and was but a boy when he came to this country with his parents, Peter Muntzel and wife, who settled in Missouri and became substantial members of the com- munity. Daniel Muntzel's wife died in Jan., 1912, at the age of 73 years. Of the eight children born to Daniel Muntzel and wife and of whom John C. was the youngest, all are living but two.
Reared on the home farm in Clarks Fork township, John C. Muntzel received his schooling in the schools of that neighborhood and grew up to the life of the farm, early undertaking farming on his own account, and remained at home until 1906, when he moved to the old Barnhardt farm, which he had bought and there remained until 1909, when he sold out and moved to Boonville. While he was engaged in farming, Mr. Muntzel owned and improved two farms in this county, increasing their value and selling to advantage and has long been recognized as one of the pro- gressive citizens of the county. He is independent in his political views. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Boonville and his wife is a member of Baptist Church.
Nov. 28, 1912, John C. Muntzel was united in marriage to Lavinia Steele, who also was born in Clarks Fork township, Feb. 22, 1884, daugh- ter of John and Jane Steele, well-known residents of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Muntzel reside at 743 Sixth street, Boonville, and have a very pleasant home.
950
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
George Bail, proprietor of an excellent farm in Palestine township is one of the substantial farmers and stockmen in that section of Cooper County. He was born in Boonville Aug. 27, 1861, son of Meirad and Gertrude (Stegney) Bail, who in 1873 moved from that city to a farm in Palestine township, the place now owned and occupied by their son, George, and there established their home.
Having been but 12 years of age when his parents moved from Boon- ville to the farm in Palestine township, George Bail completed his school- ing in the schools of that neighborhood and early became acquainted with the details of farm life. He continued farming there until he was 25 years of age when, in 1886, he went to California, remaining there for two years. In 1888 he returned home and began farming with his brother, renting a farm in partnership, and in 1895, he bought the old home place and has since resided there. Since taking possession of the place Mr. Bail has made extensive improvements. He is the owner of 350 acres of land and in addition to his general farming gives considerable attention to the raising of high grade live stock. Mr. Bail is an independent re- publican. His parents were among the organizers of the Evangelical church in that neighborhood and he has ever remained a faithful sup- porter of the same.
Sept. 23, 1896, George Bail was married to Mary Muller, who also was born in this county and who died Sept. 9, 1912. To that union were born six children, Edna, Effie, Lorine, Fred, Harry and Roy, all of whom are at home with their father. The late Mrs. Mary Bail was born in Clear Creek township Aug. 6. 1873, and was a daughter of Frederick and Mar- garet (Gardner) Muller, natives of Germany, who upon coming to Cooper County settled in Clear Creek township.
Rev. F. J. Kalvelage, pastor of St. John's Catholic Church in Clear Creek township, this county, and one of the best known young clergymen in this section of the state, was born in New York City, March 18, 1881, son of Henry and Susan (Enzweiler) Kalvelage, both of whom are still living and have been making their home with their son, Father Kalvelage, ever since the latter became established as a resident priest in Missouri.
Father Kalvelage, whose training and inclination early directed his ambition to be of service to the church, was but a lad when his parents moved from Chicago to Shannon, Ill., and his early schooling was received in the schools of that place. This schooling was supplemented by a course
951 .
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
in a private school at Freeport, Ill., under the direction of his uncle, Rev. Clement Kalvelage, and it was there that he began to bend his studies toward preparation for the priesthood. Thus equipped by preliminary study he entered St. Bede's College at Peru, Ill., and was graduated from that institution in 1901, having successfully completed the general and classical course. In that year he entered Kenrick Theological Seminary at St. Louis, where he was further grounded in theology and philosophy, and from that institution was graduated in 1906. Immediately following his graduation Father Kalvelage was ordained to the priesthood in June, 1906, and was assigned by the bishop to be the assistant priest in St. John's parish in Kansas City. Sept. 8, 1906, he was transferred to Mary's Home, Mo., in pastoral charge of the parish at that place, and there re- mained, doing an excellent and effectual work, for nearly 10 years, or until July 1, 1916, when he was assigned to the pastorate of St. John's parish in Clear Creek township, Cooper County, where he has since been stationed and where he has been granted the gratification of seeing the work of the parish much enlarged during his incumbency.
Thomas L. Fairfax, one of Cooper County's best known school teach- ers, for the past 10 years principal of the Clifton schools, and who also has for some years past been successfully engaged in the real estate and live stock business at Clifton City, is a native son of Cooper County. He was born on a farm in Lebanon township June 9, 1881, son of C. P. and Emma (Kemp) Fairfax, the former of whom is still living, very comfort- ably situated on his farm in Lebanon township.
C. P. Fairfax was born in Fairfax County, Va., in 1853, and was but a boy when he came to Missouri with his parents, who settled in this county, where he grew to manhood and engaged in farming, a vocation which he ever since has followed. His wife was killed in 1890 by being thrown from a horse which she was riding, the animal becoming fright- ened and throwing her in such a way that her foot caught in the stirrup. Before she was released from her dreadful position she had received in- juries which terminated fatally. To C. P. Fairfax and wife were born seven children: Willard P., Versailles, Mo .; Leslie P., Kansas City ; June, wife of T. G. Lavis, Kansas City; Thomas L .; Foster H., Holcomb, Kan .; Elmer N., deceased, and Earl L., died in infancy.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.