USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Dade County and her people : from the date of the earliest settlements to the present time > Part 28
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
To Mr. and Mrs. Cox were born six children, four of whom are living. Hattie A., died at the age of 41/% years, and Clarence A., died at the age of 10 years, both dying the same year. Those living are:
(1) Howard V., married for his first wife Etta Deweese, who died leaving one child, Esther, and for his second wife he married Susan Porter. They are now living on the old homestead with Mr. Cox.
(2) Fannie A., married David Nutt, a farmer re- siding at Lindsborg, Kas. They have one child, Frances Maybell.
358
HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
(3) Myrtle B., married Manual Mitchell, a mechanic, living in Springfield, Mo. They have one child, Irene.
(4) Homer, at home and unmarried.
In politics Mr. Cox is what is termed an Independent voter, not bound to any particular political party. He has been a member of the Christian church for many years.
During his Hetime Mr. Cox has witnessed many changes. His early recollection goes back to the days when his father would take the entire family in an ox wagon to Greenfield, starting variy in the morning and spending the entire day in trading and on the road, although the distance was little more than three miles. His father's original farm comprised what is now a part of the city of South Greenfield, and laid mostly in the productive Limestone Valley. Mr. Cox grew to manhood in this locality, and was well acquainted with all the pioneer settlers of Pennsylvania Prairie comdry.
Mrs. Cox departed this life February 11th, 1914. Since purchasing the original 160 acres, Mr. Cox has added 80 acres, so that the farm now comprises 240 acres. situated in the very heart of the best farming and stock raising part of Dade County. In addition to his general farming enterprises, Mr. Cox has been largely interested in raising blooded stock, especially hogs and cattle. His herds were known far and wide throughont Southwest Missouri. He was one of the first men in his locality to appreciate the value of a silo in cattle feeding, and erected one with a 100-ton capacity. His farm is well fenced and cross-fenced and admirably adapted to both grain and stock raising. He has prospered in his business affairs and is now ready to retire, having the confidence and esteem of his neighbors, as well as a goodly portion of this world's goods, which will enable him to spend his declining years in comparative ease and comfort.
DR. ROBERT MADISON CRUTCHER. 0
Was born in Middle Tennessee April 7th, 1848, son of William Henry and Charity (Evans) Crutcher. They were
359
HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
farmers and wholesale merchants of Nashville, Tenn., and also in the iron furnace business a few years. Bothi were natives of Tenn., and are buried there.
Robert Madison Crutcher is one of a large family of children, but only two brothers are living, one in Kentucky and one in Texas. His father was married a second time and he has four half-brothers living, two in Montana and one in Oregon and one in Arkansas.
Mr. Crutcher remained at home working with his father until he was 24 years of age, obtained but little schooling in his boyhood days, for at the age of 13 the school buildings of his neighborhood were turned into hos- pitals. At the age of 22 years he entered the medical de- partment of the University of Tennessee, at Nashville, and graduated from that institution in 1874 and came to Cane Hill, Mo., where he practiced for two years, and then moved to Arcola in August, 1876, where he still resides. In those early days he enjoyed an extensive practice, cov- ering a large territory. There were no buggies then, so that he was obliged to keep three saddle horses in constant use in his ever-increasing business.
On the 1st day of November, 1874, at Cane Hill. Mo., he was married to Mary Victoria Rountree, daughter of Rufus M. Rountree, an early settler of Cedar county. To this union were born five boys, all living :
(1) Henry Clarence, born April 10, 1878, resides in Portland, Oregon. Is still single.
(2) James Ernest, born September 8, 1879, married Cora Parks, a native of Missouri. They live in Portland, Oregon. He is now the Corresponding Secretary of the Bell Telephone Company of that city.
(3) Edgar, born November 1, 1881, resides in San Francisco, and is engaged in business as a manufacturer's agent.
(4) Robert Lee, born March 10, 1883, resides in Al- buquerque, New Mexico, and engaged in the laundry busi- ness.
(5) Lucien M., born March 4, 1888, married Gertrude Webb, a native of Dade County. He is a farmer and re-
360
HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
sides one-half mile west of Arcola. They have two chil- dren, Mary Pearl and Ernest Edward.
Mr. Crutcher had four brothers in the Confederate army. He was not an enlisted soldier himself, being too young, but performed valuable scout duty.
In politics, Mr. Crutcher is a democrat, and for years has taken an active part in both state and county politics. He has served many years as a member of the school board, was the first collector after the organization of North Township, and is one of the stockholders in the Arcola bank.
Fraternally, Dr. Crutcher is a Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Arcola and the Commandery at Greenfield. He is also an Odd Fellow. In religious life Mr. Crutcher is a member of the Christian church, has been an elder for 25 years, was one of the prime movers in the church at Arcola, and has been superintendent of the Sunday School for more than 25 years, most of the time.
When Dr. Crutcher first came to Arcola it consisted of one store and one saloon. The only church was an un- completed Methodist Episcopal building, and for a number of years he contributed to the support of this organization. He bought a home consisting of two small rooms, one 14 by 14 and the other 8 by 14. In this humble cottage he raised his family. In that day the land surrounding Arcola was uncultivated prairie land, but as the years went by Mr. Crutcher invested his savings in real estate until he now owns a farm of 280 acres North and West of Arcola, 30 acres adjoining the town on the Southeast, and has added to his original dwelling by remodeling and rebuilding, until he now has a comfortable 6-room residence.
In the practice of medicine, Dr. Crutcher has been eminently successful. In early days when money was scarce and the settlements widely scattered, Dr. Crutcher has rid- den many miles over rough roads, through rain and storm, no matter how dark the night, to alleviate the suffering of some poor family with absolutely no hope or prospect of remuneration. His life work has been one of service and sacrifice, and as a reward he has gained the confidence,
1. O. LITCHFIELD AND FAMILY.
่ดง
SAM COX, ALBERT COX, DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER. (Four Generations. )
361
HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
respect and admiration of the community in which he lives. Few men have contributed more in sincere devotion to duty for the benefit of the community than Dr. Robert Madison Crutcher.
0
HENRY ALBERT CUNNINGHAM.
Among the many boys in Dade County who were born upon the farm, received their education in the common schools and then made good in the business world, none stand out more prominent than the subject of this sketch. William Cunningham was a pioneer farmer who settled on a farm two miles East of where the city of Lockwood now stands. His oldest son, Albert, was born and raised on this farm. He received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood and early in life became attached to the cattle industry. In the year 1882, when twenty-five years of age, he came to Lockwood and engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with A. F. Finley, and shortly thereafter was married to Miss Hattie Matthews of Lock- wood. He established his permanent home in Lockwood. To this union were born three children, Mabel, now Mrs. Emery Clements; Iva, a single daughter, and Laclede, a son.
He remained in the general merchandise business about twenty years, during which time he was also extensively engaged in buying, feeding, pasturing and shipping live stock. Careful and conservative in his business ventures and always exercising splendid judgment, he made a suc- cess in all his undertakings.
About the year 1895, when the Bank of Lockwood was organized, he was one of its principal stockholders, acted as cashier for about one year and was its vice president up to the time of his death. In business circles, Mr. Cunning- ham was always regarded as one of Lockwood's best citi- zens. His death came at a most unexpected moment. He was in the very midst of his business activities and in seem- ing good health.
He accompanied a shipment of live stock to St. Louis, and while in the city went to a local hospital for treatment
362
HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of a minor difficulty, which on examination proved to be of a cancerous nature, affecting the jaw. A minor operation was performed, which upon closer examination proved far more serious than the doctors at first conelded, and a sec- ond operation was decided upon. His wife was notified by telegram and she went immediately to his side, but the operation proved fatal. His death was a sad shock to the entire community.
His funeral was conducted at the Christian church in Lockwood, by Rev. George Yarbrough of that church, and was one of the largest and most impressive ever conducted in the city. The business of the city was suspended during the day and almost the entire population attended the fu- neral. Among the deeply afflicted ones were his aged par- ents who have since passed away. Five brothers, Lafay- ette. Alex, Levi, James and William, and three sisters. Mrs. H. A. Peterson of Springfield, Mrs. Hugh Hampton of Greenfield and Mrs. Ida Smith of Lockwood, were all pres- ent.
Mr. Cunningham was called from a life of business ac- tivity while you in the very prime and vigor of his man- hood. His inthence had been felt in every important step in the development of the city and community, but he left for himself a monument of respect in the hearts and lives of his neighbors and friends which will stand as long as the history of Dade County is read or remembered.
ALBERT W. DAIGH.
Of good old fighting stock, with ancestors tracing their parentage back to the land of the Shamrock. Albert W. Daigh entered upon the scene of life's activities in Chri- tian County, Ill .. June 21st, 1866, a son of Thomas JJeffer- son and Mary ( Willis) Daigh, the former being a native of Sangamon Conty, Ill., while the latter was born in Dade County, Mo. Charles C. Daigh, father of Thomas J. Daigh, was a native of West Virginia, as also was his father, James Lewis Daigh. The father of James I .. Daigh came from Ireland to West Virginia prior to the Revolutionary war and took an active part therein. His son, James Lewis
363
HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Daigh, was a soldier in the war of 1812, while Charles C. Daigh, his son, fought in the Black Hawk war. From the above record it is quite evident that the great-great-great- grandfather of Albert was the founder of the Daigh family in America, and its christening seems to have been with a baptism of blood.
John Lewis Daigh, Albert's great-grandfather, emi- grated to Illinois from West Virginia in a very early day, when Springfield, the capital of the state, was yet a very small hamlet. His family, which were for the most part grown, came with him. Charles C. Daigh at that time was a young man, and about the year 1832 married Elizabeth Patton, a native of Ohio but a girl he had known in West Virginia. The Patton family came to Sangamon county at the same time the Daigh family came. Charles C. Daigh came to Missouri in 1837 and settled in Lawrence county, where he remained until the Civil war, when he returned to Illinois, and died there in 1884.
Thomas Jefferson Daigh came to Missouri in 1868, at the close of the war, and settled in Dade County. He re- mained in Dade County till 1873, when he bought land in Lawrence County, where he farmed until 1884. After spending one year in Kansas, he returned to Dade County and bought 80 acres of land where Albert now lives.
Thomas Jefferson Daigh was married to Mary Willis, a native of Dade County, but who was residing in Sanga- mon County, Illinois, on account of the war, in 1864. To this union were born four children, Albert W., Georgie, Emory and Anna, now Mrs. James O. Clark of Craik, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Albert W. Daigh remained with his father until the year 1885, when he went to the state of Washington and for three years engaged in farming and fruit shipping. Having a desire for a higher education, he entered Cumber- land University at Lebanon, Tenn., where he remained a student until 1890, when he returned to Dade County and engaged in teaching school for seven years. In 1896 he was a candidate of the democratic party for Clerk of the Circuit Court, but was defeated. He has always been
364
HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
active in politics, a consistent democrat and a candidate at one time for collector. At present he is assessor and clerk of the Township Board.
On the 23rd day of August, 1893, he was married to Stella Shelton, who was born February 17th, 1873.
They are the parents of but one child, Vivian Offner, born June 24th, 1894.
Mr. Daigh and family are members of the Christian church, in which organization he has been an elder for several years.
Mr. Daigh is actively engaged in farming and stock raising and resides upon a splendid farm of 136 acres, which he owns in South Township, and is raising some alfalfa.
In the year 1901 he erected a fine two-story, eight-room residence on his farm. The place is well watered by springs and wells, the supply being handled by a windmill and gasoline engine. Convenient outbuildings of commodious dimensions add to the value and beauty of the farm.
Mr. Daigh is a wide-awake, public-spirited man, with lofty moral and religious ideals and a power for righteous- ness and right living in his home community.
WILLIAM D. DAVIDSON.
Was born in Grayson County, Texas, September 25th, 1870, son of George W. and Missouri (Menice) Davidson. His father was born in Dade County upon the farm where Mr. Davidson now lives, March 4th, 1843, while his mother was born in Tennessee, September 14th, 1843. George W. Davidson was always a farmer, as also was his father, Joseph Davidson, who was a Dade County pioneer, and homesteaded the Davidson farm. George W. Davidson moved to Texas about 1869, where he engaged in farming and then returned to Dade County, where he ended his days. George W. Davidson served for three years in the Confederate army, as a private, was wounded in battle, and died February 13th, 1911. His mother, Missouri Davidson, still resides on the old homestead.
365
HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Mr. Davidson is the third in point of birth of a family of eight children, four of whom are living. He attended school in the Limestone district, and also in Fairview dis- trict, this county.
William D. Davidson was married on the 27th day of February, 1901, to Laura Russell, a native of Sac Town- ship, Dade County, daughter of C. C. and Mary (Stanley) Russell, both natives of Missouri. Her father was for a number of years engaged in buying stock, but is now living a retired life in Greenfield. Her mother is also living. C. C. Russell is a veteran of the Civil war, having served in the Union army. Was neither wounded nor disabled. Mrs. Davidson is the second of a family of nine children. She was educated in the schools of Dade County.
Mr. Davidson remained at home till about 20 years of age, when he engaged in farming upon his own account, and has farmed continuously since that date. He devotes his entire time to the management of a farm of 200 acres, rais- ing grain and live stock. He is a democrat in politics and has been a member of the school board for a number of years, but never held any other office.
Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have one child, William Orville, born January 1st, 1902. He is still at home. Mr. Davidson is a member of the W. O. W. and is an industrious, energetic farmer and stock raiser.
0
GEORGE W. DAIGH.
One of the most highly respected and beloved citizens of Dade County is Uncle George Daigh of South Green- field. He was born in Lawrence County, Missouri, March 21st, 1839, a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Patton) Daigh, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio. They were married in the state of Illinois and came to Lawrence County in 1837, and were among the very early settlers of that county. George Daigh was the fourth in order of birth of a large family, and the first child to be born to his parents in this state. He received his education in Lawrence County and remained at home up to the start of the Civil war, although he worked out
366
HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
for two years previous. At the time of the great Civil war he helped his father move the family back to Illinois, going by way of Kansas, and this accomplished, George Daigh was not to be found wanting in patriotism for his country, and therefore enlisted in Company E, 114th Volunteers, Illinois Infantry, on August 11th, 1862, under Colonel Judy, and his captain was Captain Shoup. For three years Mr. Daigh remained in the army and was des- tined to see very hard service and to see the worst side of the war. He was in the thick of the fights at Jackson, Miss., seige of Vicksburg, and the Seige of Jackson, and at the battle of Guntown, Miss., an on the retreat from this battlefield was taken prisoner of war and sent to the notorious Andersonville prison at Andersonville, Ga., where he was kept for three months, and experienced all the horrors of that frightful place. Vividly does Uncle George remember the conditions at this prison and the hardships he went through are almost indescribable. He says that on 36 acres of bare ground 34,000 Union men were held, and their rations were a scant spoonful of molasses, meal and dry beans daily, and they suffered ter- ribly for tobacco, and would trade a day's rations for a scrap or two. There were seven prisoners from his com- pany, and they used to select one of the seven each day who would trade his full ration for tobacco, and then the other six would divide their rations with him, and all use the tobacco so obtained. The water was filthy, and little of that until the famous "Providence Spring" broke out, and Unele George well remembers the day that this hap- pened. This spring broke through solid, hard-packed earth, just across the "Dead Line," which was a line established by the Confederates, beyond which any man who stepped was instantly shot, and he says that many and many a pory follow, crazed by hardship and starving, would deliberately step across this line, and thus end his misery.
This spring referred to is still running today, and it truly seemed that it was sent by Providence for the relief of those thousands of brave and suffering men.
367
HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
At this time, Uncle George says, the men were dying at the rate of 150 a day and were buried in long trenches, dug by a detail of prisoners. Hle remembers well the day that he saw the six raiders hung at Andersonville prison. All these terrible sights and through all this almost un- believable hardships, Mr. Daigh endured for three months, when he was transferred to Charleston, S. C., where he was kept one month, then he was taken to Florence, S. C., for two months, then was exchanged and came home to Illinois, via Savannah, Ga. At this time he was nothing but skin and bones, and when his friends came for him he was unable to tell his name. After a stay at home, in which time he regained his strength, he returned to Ala- bama to rejoin his regiment, but when he arrived peace had been declared, so his company was discharged at Vicksburg August 5th, 1865, and the glorious day had ar- rived when he could return to his home and begin life in peace. This he did, and in December of 1865, on the 26th day, he was married to Miss Amanda Willis, who was born May 15th, 1846, a daughter of Rev. R. T. Willis, and of whom extended mention will be found elsewhere. For two years after they were married they rented land in Illinois and farmed, then came to Dade County, where they remained five years, also renting land, then moved to Lawrence County, where they bought 40 acres of land near Bowers' Mill. Here they built a little home and set out an orchard and lived until 1884, when they decided to come back to good old Dade County, and consequently sold out and bought 68 acres on Turnback Creek, in South Township, which they improved, and lived there 17 happy years, but in 1901 sold this nice farm and bought 10 acres adjoining South Greenfield, which they have greatly im- proved, and now have one of the prettiest places in all Dade County. Here they are spending their declining years in peace and happiness. A finer, more devoted couple cannot be found in our county, and it is a great pleasure to visit Unele George and Aunt Amanda, for it makes one feel that life is surely worth living, and that love is sweet indeed. Mr. Daigh is a Republican in poli-
368
HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
tics and is a prominent member of the G. A. R. at Green- field. Truly, this grand old couple is well worthy of the high regard in which they are held by all, and the example of their well-rounded life is an inspiration to our younger generation. It is the earnest wish of a multitude of friends that this worthy and greatly-loved couple may live for many years yet to come, and that those years may be filled with happiness and the joy of living and loving.
(Biographies Continued in Vol. II.)
THE CARTHAGE BOOKBINDERY WALTER G. SPRINGER Carthage, : : Missouri
HISTORY
- OF -
DADE COUNTY AND HER PEOPLE
From the Date of the Earliest Settlement to the present time
Vol. II
Containing Continuation of Biographies of Prominent Persons and Families
FULLY ILLUSTRATED Greenfield, Missouri
THE PIONEER HISTORICAL COMPANY R. A. Ludwick, Manager A. J. Young, Editor-in-Chief
November 1, 1917
THE CARTHAGE BOOKBINDERY WALTER G. SPRINGER Carthage, : : Missouri
BIOGRAPHIES
- OF - Prominent Persons and Families (CONTINUED)
ROLVIN H. DARST.
Was born on the 19th day of July, 1866 in Delaware county, Ohio, son of William D., and Louisa (Holt) Darst, both of whom were natives of Ohio, were married there. Later they came to Greene County, Mo., in the year 1872 and bought 300 acres of land where the mother died. His father then sold out and went to Texas and in company with his brother-in-law bought 320 acres of land in Hale County which he farmed for two years then sold out and came to Dade County, and lived with his son, Rolvin, until he died, August 27, 1912.
Rolvin H. Darst was the 3rd in order of birth of a family of seven children. He remained at home until 19 years of age, worked out for wages. In 1886 he was married to Margaret Hurst who was born March 3rd, 1869, died June 3rd, 1896, leaving one child, Lloyd, born February 12, 1887, married Laura Wheeler, a daughter of James Wheeler. They have two boys, Lawrence, born October 31, 1906 and Lewell, born November 27th, 1910.
His second child, Clyde, died when five years of age.
R. H. Darst was again married to Mary Olive Wheel- er, who was born February 3rd, 1872, a daughter of Allen Wheeler. They were married on the 10th day of February, 1898.
In the year 1892 he bought 160 acres of land in part- nership with his brother in Polk Township upon which he lived for about 10 years. This land was unimproved. They
4
HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
cleared out 120 acres and built a frame house, then sold out and bought 240 acres all in one body. This tract of land was in fair condition. Mr. Darst has done some clear- ing, lots of fencing, so that now it is all fenced and cross fenced and all in cultivation except 20 acres. He has re- built the dwelling consisting of five rooms with water in the house. Has a 130-ton silo and a herd of full blood short-horn cattle.
He feeds from five to six car loads of cattle and hogs each year, las fifteen acres of alfalfa which does fine. Mr. Darst was one of the first men in Polk Township to in- troduce alfalfa. In addition to being a splendid stock and grain farm, Mr. Darst is of the opinion that much valu- able mineral underlies his land, since it is right in the min- eral belt of Dade County and surrounded by producing mines. He expects to do some prospecting the coming year. The ranch is ramed Riverside Stock Farm.
Mr. Darst and wife are members of the Baptist church. He is a Republican in politics and belongs to the Odd Fellow and Woodman lodges. He is also a stock- holder in the Home Telephone Company. Much of the good-roads spirit which has been developed in the com- munity is due to the untiring labors of Mr. Darst in that direction. He is a good roads enthusiast and strong for the Community Spirit.
WILLIAM J. DAVIS.
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.