History of Dade County and her people : from the date of the earliest settlements to the present time, Part 33

Author:
Publication date: [1917]
Publisher: Greenfield, Mo. : Pioneer Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1128

USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Dade County and her people : from the date of the earliest settlements to the present time > Part 33

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Mr. Gothard is a Republican in politics, but does not care for office, he desiring to spend his time doing good to his fellow-man, for he is a gifted speaker and is a teacher and preacher of the Church of God, a devoted religious sect that has a large following in this county

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WILLIAM ROBINSON EATON.

W. R. EATON LUMBER YARDS.

HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

and which comprises men and women of our first families. Mr. Gothard is a fine Christian gentleman, always ready with his means to help any worthy cause for the good of the county and its people. He is in the forerank of our best beloved citizens. His life is an inspiration to our young people, and goes to show what a clean life, honest business methods and attention to the higher things of life will surely accomplish, and proves that it pays to live a perfect life.

CHARLES WALKER GRIFFITH.

Was born at Gettysburg, Pa., November 6th, 1837, and died at Greenfield, Mo., August 23rd, 1893. His father, Jesse Griffith, was a native of Pennsylvania, his parents coming from Wales. They were potters, but farmed during the latter years of their residence in Pennsylvania. James Griffith, a brother of Jesse, left children who reside upon and own the old homestead in Pennsylvania. Jesse Griffith married Jane Walker, of Wales, who came to Pennsylvania with her parents and was married there. They were the parents of two children :

(1) Charles Walker, the subject of this sketch.

(2) Mary, married Hiram Morrill and moved to Charleston, Ill. He was a farmer. She died there.

The parents of Charles Walker Griffith moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio when he was about 10 years of age. They settled on a farm, where Charles attended the county schools and the school at Marion and afterward graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, taking a classical course. After his graduation, he taught in the public schools of London and Bridgeport in Ohio. He came to Greenfield in 1870 through the persuasion of his friend, Judge O. H. Barker.

While living at Bellefountain, Ohio, where for a time he edited the Bellefountain Republican, in August, 1863, he enlisted in Company A of the 125th Ohio Volunteers, and after Lee's surrender he was stationed for some time at Fort Kearney, Neb. He was mustered out in 1866. He

HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

recruited a company at Bellefountain and was elected cap- tain, afterward being raised to the rank of lieutenant-colonel of his regiment. Later he went to London, Ohio, and started the London Times. Later he served as superintendent of schools at Bridgeport, Ohio, and there he was married.

In 1570 he came to Dade County and purchased the Greenfield Vedette, which he edited up to the time of his death. Ile made this paper a live wire and gave to it a wide-spreading influence in Southwest Missouri.

Ile was a graceful, trenchant writer and became well known throughout the state, in which he had a wide circle of strong and enduring admirers and friends. He was an ardent Republican and at the time of his coming to Dade County Democracy was in the saddle, but by reason largely of his influence both as a political writer and organizer, the political complexion of the county was soon changed. He served two terms as county treasurer and was appointed postmaster of Greenfield by President Harrison in 1889, and died before the expiration of his term of office.

Ile was one of the organizers and the first commander of the Greenfield Post. G. A. R. He was also a member of the local Masonic lodge and for a number of years its see- retary. Mr. Griffith was also admitted to the bar for the practice of law while a resident of Greenfield.

He was married on the 10th day of June, 1869, to Ella M. Lynch. born at Olivesburg. Knox County, Ohio, March 2nd. 1547, danghter of Rev. Samuel Lynch and Sarah ( Ber- ryhill Lynch. Samuel Lynch was one of the early circuit riders of the Methodist Episcopal church and was the financial agent of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Dela- ware, Ohio, where he and his wife now lie buried in Green- wood Cemetery.

Mrs. Griffith was one of a family of seven children and is the mother of five children, all boys :

(1) Robert Il., born in Toledo, Ohio, June 7th, 1870. Hle now resides at Washington, D. C., and is engaged in the government service.

HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

(2) Philip S., born in Greenfield, Mo., March 3rd, 1874, owns and edits the Greenfield Vedette, married Caro- line Johnson. They have three boys.

(3) Merrill M., born in Greenfield, Mo., January 23rd, 1876. Is now superintendent of Indian Agency at Park Hill, Okla. He was married to Hattie Cravens in South Dakota. They have four daughters.

(4) Roland B., born in Greenfield, Mo., March 6th, 1881, resides in Chicago, is engaged in the printing busi- ness ; is married to Mabel Hughes.

(5) Arthur C., born in Greenfield, Mo., December 25th, 1883, is engaged in the printing business and resides in Kansas City. He married Della Dano of Greenfield and they have one daughter.

Mrs. Griffith owns a beautiful cottage home in Green- field, which she occupies as her home. She is a member of Ebenezer Presbyterian church of the city, active in church work, is a member of the New Century Club, the W. R. C. and the Eastern Star.

MICHAEL GRISHAM.

Was born in Clark County, Ill., March 11th, 1842, son of Thompson and Polly ( Wheeler) Grisham. They were both natives of Tennessee, he being born in the month of March and she in the month of May, both in the year 1817. Their native home was in the same county. They were married February 12th, 1835, and emigrated to Clark County in 1836, where they followed farming for seven years, then came to Dade County in 1843 and settled at Cross Roads, about one mile northeast of where Everton now stands. He purchased a claim of 160 acres, which he occupied for two years, then sold out and entered 160 acres of government land where Michael Grisham now lives. The elder Grisham continued to occupy this farm up to the time of his death, to which he had added 160 acres, making a farm of 320 acres at the time of his decease. Thompson Grisham was the first postmaster at Cross Roads, his com- mission being dated some time in the 50's. This office was

HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

discontinued during the war and afterward re-established. In politics, Thompson Grisham was a Democrat, and held the office of Justice of the Peace for many years. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. The original, home-made, pigeon-hole desk which was used to hold the mail at Cross Roads and the legal documents of Rock Prairie township is still in the possession of Michael Grisham. Thompson Grisham died in Dade County Jan- uary 28th, 1877, and his wife died, also in Dade County, March 23rd, 1893, and both are buried in the Sinking Creek cemetery. Ten children were born of this marriage who lived to maturity :

(1) Margaret J., born November 27th, 1836, married John Wills, a native of Tennessee. They were married in Dade County. Ile was in the Confederate army and was killed at the battle of Helena, Ark. She died April 23rd, 1859. Her son, William Thompson Wills, is now a prom- inent man in Rock Prairie township.

(2) Martha E., born December 5th, 1838, married J. M. Jones. Both are now deceased.

(3) Mary C., born September 16th, 1840, married G. A. Hudson. Both are now living on the old Wills home- stead in Rock Prairie township.

(4) Michael, the subject of this sketch.

(5) Samuel, born February 14th, 1844, married Eliza Woodard. He was a veteran of the Confederate army. Both are now deceased.

(6) Naney E., born October 7th, 1846, married Harve Underwood. Both are now deceased.

(7) Sarah E., born April 15th, 1849, married Silas Bell. She is now deceased.

(8) John T., born February 5th, 1852, married Sarah Lawrence, who died, and for his second wife married Lizzie Tipton. He is now deceased. His widow resides in Par- sons, Kas.

(9) James S., born July 22nd, 1854. He was never married. He was killed August 5th, 1904, by lightning, in Nebraska.

HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

(10) William M., born March 28th, 1858, married Verdie Buttram. She is now deceased. He is living in Hickory County, Mo.

Michael Grisham remained at home until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted in Company E, 15th Missouri Cavalry, under Captain E. J. Morris, and served two and a half years. He saw active service, mostly near home. He was discharged at Springfield, Mo., in July, 1865.

After the war he returned home and farmed with his father for about two years. He first purchased eighty acres of timber land and fifty acres of prairie near his father's farm. He partly cleared out the timber land and then sold it. He has always lived on the old Grisham homestead. After the death of his mother, he bought out the other heirs and now owns 398 acres, all in one body. The Frisco rail- road crosses his land and it is also traversed by Sinking Creek, which furnishes it with fine water, together with a number of springs.

Mr. Grisham is now living practically retired from active business life. He was married on the 3rd day of December, 1902, to Miss Lucinda Payne, a native of Ten- nessee, born February 19th, 1858, a sister of Samuel A. Payne and a member of one of the pioneer families of Rock Prairie township.

Mr. Grisham is a member of the Baptist church, a Democrat in politics, active in local affairs and a man of prominence in his community. He has never aspired to any political position, but has devoted his entire time and energy to his farming enterprises. He has maintained well the traditions of his ancestors by living a life of strict sobriety, honesty, industry and practicing the Golden Rule in his dealings with his fellow men.

PHIL. S. GRIFFITH.

Phil S. Griffith was born in Greenfield on March 3rd, 1874, and succeeded to the editorship of the Greenfield Ve- dette during the final illness of his father in 1892. He is serving his second term as mayor of Greenfield. and his

HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

second term as member of the Greenfield School Board. He was postmaster under President Taft. Is a member of the Board of Regents of Springfield Normal School, and serving his second term as a member of the Republican State Committee. Is a member of the various branches of Masonry, including both York and Scottish Rites, the Con- sistory and the Shrine. Also of the I. O. O. F., B. P. O. E., M. W. A. and W. O. W. Was married in October, 1905, to Miss Caroline Johnson. They have three children, all boys, Philip, Charles Walker and Robert.

J. C. GRISHAM.

One of Dade County's prominent native sons is J. C. Grisham of Rock Prairie Township. He was born October 14th, 1877. a son of M. Il. and Catherine (Blakey) Gris- ham, who were both natives of Dade County, and married here. John C. Grisham, father of M. H., and grandfather of JJ. C. Grisham, of this review, was born in Tennessee and came to Dade County in a very early day, and here married Miss Nancy J. Wheeler. The Wheeler family were among the first pioneer families to settle in Dade County, and more data will be found regarding them in these volumes. M. H. Grisham was a prominent man, he was a member of the Baptist church and a life-long Repub- lican. He died March 28th, 1916, while his wife is still living on the old home place at the age of 64 years. J. C. Grisham was fourth in order of birth of five children born to his parents. The others are: Clara, is the wife of W. S. Wilson, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere; Minnie, is now Mrs. W. H. Wingo of Los Angeles, Cal .; Wiley K. is a farmer of Polk Township, and Edith is living at home with her mother, and one child died in infancy. J. C. Grisham remained at home until he was 23 years of age, and had the usual experioneo of the farmer boy, receiving a good education and learning the business of farming. December 25th, 1900, he married Miss Amy Crane, who was born in Indiana November 22nd, 1878, and is a daughter of Cyrus and Lillie (Ireland)

HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

Crane, both natives of Indiana, emigrating to Tennessee in an early day and then to Kansas, then to Dade County, where they engaged in farming. Mr. Crane is now living in Walnut Grove, Greene county, while his wife died Jan. 5th, 1913. He was a resident of Dade County for some twenty years before he retired. Mr. Grisham first went to farming on his own account on an 80-acre tract be- longing to the old Grisham homestead. He had bought this, and after improving it and adding other acreage, he traded it for other land, and, in fact, bought, sold and traded different places until he finally secured his present fine farm of 270 acres. He has greatly improved this farm with fences and clearing, until now he has 200 acres in cultivation and well improved with buildings, and a 130-ton silo. Here he carries on general farming and stock raising on a large scale. To Mr. and Mrs. Grisham have been born four children, as follows: Forest O., born February 18th, 1902; Thelma Fern, born August 8th, 1903; Ferrel Delight, born May 22nd, 1905; Michael Cyrus, born August 8th, 1915. This fine family of children are all at home and receiving the best of educational advan- tages. Mr. Grisham is a Republican and prominent in the affairs of the county. He is a booster along all lines. He is in favor of good roads and free public schools. In short, Mr. Grisham is counted among our most prominent farmers, and is a broad-minded gentleman, always ready to assist with his time and money any worthy enterprise that is for the good of the county or its people.

JOHN F. GREGORY.

Was born in the state of Illinois December 3rd, 1843, son of David L. and Lydia (Green) Gregory, both natives of New York. They were married at Ostego, N. Y., and came to Illinois in 1835. There is in the possession of the Gregory family a printed history of their genealogies, beginning with John Gregory, born about the year 1300, Lord of the Manor of Frisely and Ashfordby, married Maude, daughter of Sir Roger Moton, Knight of Peckle-

HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

ton, Leicestershire, England. Then, beginning with Hezekiah Gregory II, who married Hanah Gardner about the year 1800, with his 10 brothers and sisters they have practically a complete family tree. John F. Gregory, the subject of this sketch, is a grandson of John Gregory, born July 29th, 1781, one of the 11 children of Hezekiah Gregory.

John F. Gregory was 18 years of age at the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted in Company D, Eighty-sixth Illinois, under Captain Hitchcock, at Peoria, Ills. He marched first under General Sheridan, and was all through his southern campaign. Participated in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Chicamaugua, was in the march from Atlanta to the Sea with Sherman, saw con- tinnous service for three years, but was never wounded nor taken prisoner. He was discharged June 26th, 1865, at Chicago. In August, 1865, he attended the review of the Grand Army of the Republic by President Lincoln. His military service covered 26 engagements.

On the 6th day of November, 1866, he was married to Blanche Lawrence, who was fifth in point of birth of a family of eight children, four boys and four girls, six of whom are living. She was born April 27th, 1845, at Erie, Penn., daughter of John Horatio and Sarah Evans Lawrence. Her father was born January 2nd, 1806, at Birmingham, England, and her mother was born August 7th, 1818, a native of Oswego County, New York. Her father was a soldier in the British army, served eight years in India as an offer and was transferred to the Canadian service. Later he was mustered ont, and came to New York, where he met and married his wife, the mother of Mrs. Gregory. He died in 1889 and his wife died in 1892.

John F. Gregory, at the time of his marriage, started ont as a farmer, buying 80 acres of land in Triquois County, Illinois, where he lived and farmed for 11 years, when he exchanged it for 240 acres of unimproved land in Woodson County, Kansas. After living upon the Kan- sas land for 10 years, he traded it for 130 acres in Dade

BERNICE M. COINER

EDITOR AND

PUBLISHER.

HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

County. This was in 1888. It was an old, improved place at that time, but Mr. Gregory has erected practically all the buildings which are now on the place. He built the dwelling house in 1898, and since then many fine out- buildings. He cleared out about 80 acres, so that it is now all in cultivation.

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory are the parents of 12 children, two dying in infancy. Those living to maturity were:

(1) David L., born August 13th, 1867, died Novem- ber 16th, 1915, aged 48 years. He married Emma Morerer, a native of Nebraska, who now resides at El Paso, Tex. They have two children, Blanche and Robert Roy.

(2) Edgar W., born October 12th, 1868, married Mrs. Vesta Summers. He is a carpenter, located at San Diego, Cal.

(3) Lula G., born February 28th, 1870, married D. Wessel Ten Broeck. a mail clerk in New York. They have four children, Herman, Ruth, Robert and Alice.

(4) Francis M., born October 8th, 1871, married Grace Merchant. They live in Peoria, Ill., and he is a traveling salesman. They have one child, Wayne L.

(5) Ida, born March 5th, 1873, married Thomas Knapp. a barber. They live in Cleo, Okla. They have one child, George.

(6) Lucian Lee, born September 4th, 1875, married Alma Wilkins, a native of Dade County. He is a carpenter and lives at El Paso, Tex. They have two children, Gra- don and Juanita.

(7) Orange G., born May 14th, 1877, married Amanda Hudspeth, a native of Dade County; she died September 30th, 1912, at the age of 35 years, leaving three children, John R., Joe IT. and Lucile.

(8) Alonzo J., born April 23rd, 1879, married Fern Notestine. Ile is a farmer, and they live at Trivoli, Ills. They have three children, Richard, Edith and Harold.

(9) Robert H., born November 2nd. 1884, lives in Kansas City, Kas., and is a mail clerk. Married Mamie Caldwell. They have two children, Alberta and Robert. The mother died June 7, 1917.

HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

(10) Roy George, born November 24th, 1890, mar- ried Jessie Quick, a native of Dade County, lives and is farming on the home place.

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory are living practically a retired life on their farm. He is a Republican in politics, but has never desired a public office, preferring a quiet home life and the prosecution of his farming industries. He has always taken an active part in school matters and has served many years as a member of the school board. He is an active member of the G. A. R., and Mrs. Gregory takes great delight in the W. R. C. Mr. Gregory's mother was a lineal descendant of General Nathaniel Greene. Three of Mr. Gregory's boys served in the Spanish- Ameri- can war, Lucien, Edgar and Orange. Mr. and Mrs. Gregory celebrated their 50th (Golden) wedding anniver- sary in November, 1916.

JOHN A. HALL.

One of the most prominent business men of Dade County is John A. Hall of Corey and Greenfield. He is a native of Dade County having been born here March 6, 1861. He is a son of Adam Hall and Lucinda (Coose) his wife, natives of Kentucky and Lincoln County, Mo., respectively. Adam Hall was brought to Missouri in 1826 by his father, John Hall who was one of the very early set- tlers of northern Missouri. Adam Hall and his wife were married in Lincoln County and came south to Dade County in 1860. They rented land for a time, later buying a farm upon which they lived until their deaths. Mr. Hall served in the Sixth Missouri State Militia during the Civil War.

John A. Hall is a self-made man in every sense of the word. He has practically supported himself since he was 15 years of age. The first money that he ever earned was for working out at $6.50 per month in the winter and $10 during the summer season. His opportunity for schooling was exceedingly limited, although at present time he is by no means an uneducated man, having improved every op- portunity for self-education by reading and observation.

HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

He early worked in the mines, bought and sold mining and farming property and is today considered one of our sub- stantial citizens. He was married December 3, 1882 to Martha J. Bennett, who was born November 12, 1864, in Jefferson County, Illinois, a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Scott) Bennett, who emigrated to Missouri in 1866 and became prominent farmers of Dade County, was born November 24, 1826. He died February 1, 1897; she Feb- ruary 21, 1830, and died October 15, 1899.

To John A. Hall and his wife were born 14 children, four of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Clyde M., born December 6, 1883, married Kate Glenn and lives in Corey; John Calvin, born, September 16, 1885 married Lissie Cantrell and live near Dadoville; Ada C., born August 5, 1892, married Charles Glenn, a farmer of Dade County; Charles A., born October 23, 1894, married Bertie Glenn, a resident of Corey; Veda, born January 10, 1898, is living at home; Vada, born January 6, 1900, married Ad Morgan, a farmer living near Dadeville; Howard A., born December 3, 1903; Loyd Forrest, born December 13, 1905; Vida, born September 10, 1910 and Theodore Roose- velt, born May 13, 1912, all living at home.

At present Mr. Hall is a large dealer in mining prop- erty and is practically buying the entire output of the Zinc and lead mines of Dade County. He is also a farmer own- ing 200 acres in one tract, one-quarter interest of a 106- acre tract, one-third interest in an eighty, and one-half in- terest in a forty. 186 acres of this is good mining land. Mr. Hall is one of our foremost business men and the money he pays out annually for ore produced within the boundaries of this county is safely estimated at $50,000.00. For twenty years the miners of this county have depended upon John Hall to dispose of their ore, and to say that he has always treated them fair and square is beyond doubt. Mr. Hall has always been a republican and very active in the counsels of his party. He served as deputy Sheriff for a term of four years in 1900. John Hall's word is as good as his bond. His is known to every man, woman and child in this county and his reputation

HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

for honesty in all his business dealings is unquestioned. He is one of our native sons of whom we are justly proud.

HON. J. WILLIAM HANKINS.

Was born in Dade County, Missouri, January 27th, 1879, son of George W. and Ann (Dunn) Hankins, both natives of Dade County, the father having been born near Everton in 1854. They were married in Dade County about the year 1878 and settled on a farm. He is still liv- ing on a farm south of Everton. The mother died in 1880. J. William Hankins was the only child of this marriage to grow to riatnrity. His father, for a second wife married Rebecca Dilday a descendent of a pioneer of Dade County family. His father is a Republican in politics and a mem- ber of the A. F. & A. M. He has not been a farmer all his life, but is now in business at Picher, Okla. He was in the hardware business in Everton for about 12 or 14 years and was one of the prominent citizens of that place.

J. William Hankins received most of his education in Dade county, attending first the common schools and the High School in Everton and later the William Jewel col- lege at Liberty. He remained at home on the farm up to the date of his marriage, February 11th, 1900 to Miss Edith Dickinson, a native of Indiana, born in 1881, came to Dade county with her parents about 1882,.

Five children were born of this marriage :

(1) Howard D., born February 11th, 1901.

(2) Reta Nellene, born April 13th, 1904.

(3) Mary Etheline, born September 2nd, 1910.

(4) Elizabeth Rebecca, born January 27th, 1914.

(5) James William, born January 5th, 1916.

Mr. Hankins lives on his father's old homestead about one mile south of Everton. He is engaged in general farming, fruit farming and dairying. He operates a farm of 120 acres and is successful. He keeps Jersey cattle and a good grade of hogs.

HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

In politics Mr. Hankins is an active Republican, a member of the school board and enthusiastically in favor of good roads. In 1914 he was elected to the Missouri Legis- lature and served one term. During the session he was a member of the Elections, Constitutional Amendment and Township Organization Committees. He was succeeded by Hon. W. S. Pelts, and was by appointment made Minority Clerk of the 49th General Assembly.

Mr. Hankins is a prominent member of the Baptist church and was licensed to preach in 1902 which occupa- tion he follows in connection with his farming enterprises.

Mr. Hankins is what is generally styled a self-made man, having no rich relatives or influential friends to boost him. The progress he has made in the world has been due largely to his own efforts. He is a man of strong will power, courageous and energetic, and pursues his ob- jects in life with great determination. While in the Mis- souri Legislature his vote was always recorded in favor of the farmer and laboring man, and liis efforts were di- rected especially in the interest of the rural schools. It is needless to state, also, that upon all moral questions coming before the legislature, Mr. Hankins lifted his voice and cast his vote in the right direction.

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History of Dade County and her people : from the date of the earliest settlements to the present time, Part 33

Author: Publication date: [1917] Publisher: Greenfield, Mo. : Pioneer Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1128

Author:
Publication date: [1917]
Publisher: Greenfield, Mo. : Pioneer Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1128