USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Dade County and her people : from the date of the earliest settlements to the present time > Part 34
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WILLIAM HARPER.
The older members of the Harper family were natives of England and their early life was as stormy, tempestu- ous and full of danger as the ocean between this and their native land.
William Harper, the subject of this sketch, was born in Norfolk, England, April 11th, 1843, son of Benjamin and Mary (Pendel) Harper, both of whom were natives of England, were married and raised a family of nine children there.
William was next to the youngest in point of birth. In the fall of 1852 an older brother, Joseph, came to America. He was the forerunner of the Harper family in the United States. The vessel upon which Joseph
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sailed encountered stormy weather and was buffeted by wind and wave for eight weeks, and was finally wrecked on the Portuguese Islands, but after some delay Joseph finally landed in New York, where he farmed for two years, then emigrated to Wisconsin, farming there for 12 years, after which he took up a homestead in Mine- sota, upon which he resided seven or eight years, going from there to Nebraska, where he bought land and lived till the time of his death.
In the spring of 1-53 his father came over, bringing three of his boys with him, Benjamin, Henry and John, leaving the mother and smaller children behind. The following fall the mother took sail with the remaining four children, William, Martha, Mary and Sarah, who was then married to Henry Kitteringham, who accompa- nied them. his other sister. Alice, having previously sailed with her sister-in-law in 1552. On the way over cholera broke ont on shipboard, with no attending physician, and to passengers died and were buried at sea, among them William's mother. The remainder of the family settled in New York for a time, where his father died in 1-55 in Penalsville.
William Harper eventually went to Wisconsin, where he stayed a number of years, then to Minnesota. He followed farming. At the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army in Company E, Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, under Captain William C. Young, and served three years under Colonel George W. Robins. Few soldiers saw more of the war or engaged in more important battles, the very mention of which causes the hair to stand on end. Among them were the following: Frederickstown, New Madrid, Island No. 10, Farmington, Cornith, luka, Holly Springs, Jackson, Champion's Hill, Mechanicsburg, Vicksburg, Shreavesport, Nashville, Tus combe, Germantown and Guntown. He was never wounded or taken prisoner. He was discharged at Memphis, Tem., September 16th, 1864, and returned home.
He was married in Fairbonlt County, Minnesota, August 23rd. Is6%, to Carrie Laws, who was born in
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England April 24th, 1850, daughter of Major and Maria (Hensbey) Laws, both born in England, married there, came to the United States in 1858, settled in Iowa, near the north line of the state, where they farmed and where they also both died.
At about the time of his marriage William Harper took up a homestead of 160 acres, where they lived for five years, then removed to Iowa, where he bought a 40- acre tract of land, which he worked, and also worked out till coming to Dade County in 1888. On his arrival in Dade County he bought 80 acres of land in Center Town- ship, north of Greenfield, where he now lives and which he still owns. Here he farmed and prospered, buying an additional 40 acres, making him 120 acres in one body. They are now living practically a retired life in comfort and contentment.
William Harper and wife have been blessed with a family of 10 children, all of whom are living:
(1) Edwin E., born February 8th, 1870, married Emma Oakley, a native of Dade County. They live in Plattville, Weld County, Colorado, where they are home- stead farmers.
(2) Frederick W., born September 3rd, 1872, mar- ried Belle Smith of Minnesota. They live in Idaho and have a family of six children, Eva, Myrtle, Eddie, Ernest, Gerald and Elmer.
(3) Ellen M., born December 15th, 1873, married Philip Duffy a Dade County farmer. They have two chil- dren, Neva and Raymond.
(4) Charles W., born September 22nd, 1876, mar- ried Millie Judd of Greenfield, live in Sac Township and have 10 children, Orvil, William, Eliza, Ethel, Florence, Elsie, Lena, John, Josie and Lee.
(5) Edith E., born October 3rd, 1878, married David Vaughn of Dade County, live in Sac Township, and have four children, Virgil, Bertha, Osa and Goldie.
(6) Florence S., born October 30th, 1880, educated in the schools of Dade Ctunty, attended Ozark College,
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has tanght three terms of school in Franklin district, and is still living at home.
(7) Sherman J., born January 1st, 1883, married Leona Williams, live in West Center Township. They have five children, Floyd, Gladys, Bernice, Ora and Blanche.
(8) Mary A., born February 2nd, 1885, married Arthur Rose, a farmer, living in Oklahoma. They have three children, Maurice, Archie and Vera.
(9) Carrie A., born January 1st, 1887, married Hugh Duffy, a farmer in North Township. They have six chil- dren. Oda, Thehna, Mabel. Earl. Carl and Wilma.
(10) Harrie HI, born October 19th, 1889, in Dade County, married Jessie Owens of Greenfield and live in North Center Township, working the home farm. They have two children, Eugenia and Dorothy.
By the above record it will be seen that Mr. and Mrs. Harper have 38 living grandchildren.
Mr. Harper is a member of the G. A. R. Post at Greenfield, a Republican in politics, never aspired to hold an office, preferring a quiet home life and its enjoy- ments to the turmoil of the political whirl.
JUDGE G. W. HAMIC.
Was born in East Tennessee on the 1st day of April, 1840, son of Martin and Nancy (Magee) Hamic, both na- tives of Tennessee, where they were married and where they both died. They were farmers and had a family of six children, George W. being fourth in point of birth. All stayed in Tennessee except James, who came to Dade County about 1872. He followed farming in Dade County four of five years and then returned to Tennessee, where he died.
George W. Hamic came to Dade County in 1870. Hle had followed farming in Tennessee np to that time. Part of the trip was made by railway and partly by wagon. He settled on a farm about one and one-half miles sonth of South Greenfield. He first bought an unimproved 80
AMANDA (LACK) EVANS.
Lockwood Residence.
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acres of land, upon which he built a log house, cleared out most of it and did well in farming. In 1874 he erected a good log house and outbuildings, and was mar- ried to Sarah Bowman September 14th, 1874. She was born in Tennessee May 27th, 1849. daughter of John and Elizabeth (Evans) Bowman. They came to Dade County about 1868 and settled about one and one-half miles south of South Greenfield. They were farmers and very suc- cessful. He died in Dade County, and her mother re- turned to Tennessee, and died there.
G. W. Hamic and wife retired from active farm work in 1913 and moved to South Greenfield, where he bought a fine, comfortable home. They are the parents of five children, all living:
(1) Vidie Ellen, born July 8th, 1875, married Robert Jeffreys, a Dade County farmer. They have one child, Edgar.
(2) William David, born March 10th, 1877, married Carrie Grewell, a native of Colorado. He is a barber of Loveland, Colo., and they have one child, Willa M.
(3) May Elizabeth, born September 3rd, 1884, mar- ried Ellis Tatum of Everton, Mo., the Frisco railroad agent. They have one child, Paul Ellis.
(4) Albert W., born May 22nd, 1887, married Irene Steed, a native of Kansas. He lives in Kansas City and is with Montgomery, Ward & Co. They have three chil- dren. Albert, William Robert and George.
(5) Effie, born February 19th, 1890. She is at home.
Mr. Hamic is a Republican in politics and was elected judge of the county court in Dade County in 1904 on that tieket, and served with distinction for one term. As a judge, he was always fair, clear-headed and impar- tial. He has served as director on the local school board for many years. He sold his fine farm in 1917. He has always been a prominent man in local affairs and a leader in public enterprises.
George W. Hamic is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in Company D, First Tennessee Infantry, under Captain J. W. Branson, and served three years and
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40 days. He was engaged in the battles of Murphrees- boro, Chattanooga, and was with Sherman in his march " From Atlanta to the Sea." He was discharged at Nash- ville, Tem., September 17th, 1864.
Mr. Hamic is a man who enjoys the confidence and respect of his neighbors, a quiet, unassuming man of few words, but firm and resolute in his undertakings. Dade County boasts of no better citizen than Judge George W. Hamic.
HUGH HARRISON.
Was born in Greenfield, Mo., June 4th, 1874, a son of John Harrison, who died in Greenfield, Mo., in the year 1917 at the age of 93 years. The elder Harrison was of English ancestry. Hugh Harrison was raised in Green- field, attended the public schools, spent several years in the Advocate office, and was assistant postmaster under W. R. Bowles in the Cleveland administration. He was employed in that vocation for four years, and in 1898 he engaged in the furniture business with his brothers, Edwin and Charles, under the style and firm name of Harrison Bros., in which business he is still engaged.
He was married in October, 1898, to Eleanor Kate Shafer, who was born in Greenfield in 1974, a daughter of Judge L. W. and Jennie (Bowles) Shafer, her father in his lifetime having served a part of one term as circuit judge of the Twenty-sixth Judicial Circuit.
In polities Mr. Harrison is an active Democrat. Fra- ternally he is a member of all four branches of the A. F. &. A. M., and has filled the various official positions in the Masonie, M. W. A. and W. O. W. lodges. He is an expert embalmer aud undertaker, and enjoys a splendid business, both in the furniture and the undertaking departments. Mes. Harrison is a lady of culture and refinement, of a splendid family, active in club work, and successfully manages the business of Harrison Bros. on occasions of temporary absence of her husband.
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ALBERT CLINTON HAYWARD.
Among the venerable native sons of Dade County, none is more worthy of an honorable mention than the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this article. Mr. Hayward was born in Dade County July 22nd, 1842, and has spent his life in our midst. The son of Edward and Caroline (Smith) Hayward, he is a native of Buffalo, N. Y., while his wife was born in Eastern Tennessee. He was a musician and an exceptionally fine dancer, as were all of his sons. He made a trip from Buffalo, N. Y., to Detroit, Mich., on skates, by way of Lake Erie, beating train time, the year he was 21 years old.
Mr. Hayward Sr. enlisted in the United States army and served in the Black Hawk war, and later drifted into Dade County, where he found and married his wife in 1840. Miss Smith was a daughter of one of the first pio- meer families of this section of Missouri. He was a ship- builder and a skilled carpenter by trade, and it is a well known fact that he built a great many of the early build- ings of the county, among them the mill at Hulston, which was called Pemberton Mills at that early date. He died liere in 1896, while his wife had preceded him, passing away in 1883. They raised a large and useful family. Albert was the oldest, and the following is a complete list, giving their places of residence as far as is known: William Dixon and Meridith are residents of Kansas; Almira, now Mrs Gains Carmack of Canada; Emma, who married C. L. Pyle, is now deceased: John lives near Neola, Dade County; Edward died about 1896; Bettie, now Mrs. William MeCracken of Arkansas; Charles is in Cedar County, Missouri; Roberta, now Mrs. Morgan Litle of Dade County, and Matilda married AArma Pyle and is deceased. Albert C. Hayward was a wide-awake and in- dustrious youth. He remained at home, working, until the war broke ont, when he enlisted November 1st, 1861. in Company E, Sixth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, and served two years and four months, and was discharged at St. Louis, Mo., February 17th, 1864, on account of dis-
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ability. He returned home in a weakened condition, was nominated on the Republican ticket for county assessor and was elected in 1865, and soon after, on March 15th, 1866, was married to Harriet Adelia Rector, who was a native of Tennessee, born September 12th, 1847, and a danghter of Grigsby and Angeline (Butler) Rector, both natives of Tennessee, and married there in 1845, and emi- grated to Dade County in 1852, settling on 160 acres of goverment land near Dadeville. Grigsby Rector enlisted in the Confederate army and was killed while in active service in Arkansas, but no records are obtainable as to the circunstances. Mrs. Rector is still living, at the ad- vanced age of $8 years, making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Hayward. Of her six children, with whom she was left and for whom she had to provide during the war, there are four now living. They are Mrs. Hayward, Mrs. 1. C. Dunaway of Dadeville, Mrs. Dr. C. F. Wilson of Memphis, Tex., and Mrs. David Tackett of Stockton, Cedar County, Missouri.
Mr. Hayward, subject of this sketch, followed the carpenter trade and also farmed, but did not secure any land in his own name until 1867, when he bought 120 acres in Sac Township. This was partly improved, had a small low house and little land cleared, and upon this tract he lived for 21 years, prospered, and added several small tracts. In 1885 he sold out his Sac Township holdings and bought 240 acres of improved land in North Morgan Township, where he now lives in a nice, large frame resi- dence. He has prospered greatly and is now considered one of the wealthy farmers of that section of the county. His present land holdings comprise his original purchase of 240 acres and a fine 120 adjoining him on the east and 160 acres in section 11 still further cast, making 520 acres of the finest land the county affords. Mr. and Mrs. Hay- ward have been blessed with a fine family, of whom they are justly proud. There are six children living, as follows: Ina, born April 29th, 1874, married F. M. Perkins, lives in Cedar County and have two children, Ombra Marion and Amos Hayward Perkins; Albert Clinton, born April
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27th, 1876, lives in Springfield, where he is a prominent attorney, and has one child, named Edgar Marion Albert Hayward; Ada Madge, born June 29th, 1876, is a finely- educated young woman, and is living at home with her parents; Hubert H., born June 22nd, 1882, is a business man of Greenfield; William Henry, born July 25th, 1886, is working the home place, and Homer, born September 24th, 1888, lives in Dadeville.
Mr. Hayward, as well as members of his family, are much interested in good public schools and have been active in their advancement, Mr. Hayward having served on the school board for over 30 years, and his wife was a teacher for some years before her marriage, while Miss Ada Madge, after receiving a fine education at the Everton High School and the State Normal at Springfield and the Normal at Warrensburg, spent ten years in teaching in Dade, Cedar and Polk Counties. In politics Mr. Hayward is a Republican and stands high in the councils of his party. He is now township collector. Mr. Hayward is a broad-minded business man, always ready to help with his time and money any enterprise for the good of the county. He is a booster for good roads, progressive enough to own and drive an automobile, a member of the Christian church, in which he is prominent, as is his wife, a member of the G. A. R. at Springfield, and an all-around, highly-respected and desirable citizen, and a man we all delight to honor. May he live long among us and enjoy his declining years to the full. Ilis is a life well worthy of emulation by our children and their children's children.
0
EX-JUDGE JOEL T. HEMBREE.
Deceased.
The late Joel T. Hembree was one of Dade County's foremost citizens. He was born in Roane County, Ten- nessee, October 21, 1824, and was the son of Isaac and Mary (Blake) Hembree, and the grandson of Joel Hem- bree, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and who emigrated to Roane County, Tennessee, in 1806.
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Isaac Hembree was born in Startensburg District, South Carolina, in 1796, and was of Welch ancestry. He was but 10 years of age when he went with his parents to Tennessee, and in that state grew to manhood. He was married in Roane County in 1823, and in 1852 came to Cedar County, Missouri, locating one-half mile east of Stockton. He died in 1864, having been very prominent in Cedar County affairs, and served as judge of that county. He was a soldier of the war of 1812 and was twice married. His second wife was Miss Selissa S. Price, a native of Tennessee, who died in 1883. Mr. Hembree's first wife, Mary Blake, was born in Roane County, Ten- nessee, in 1803, and died in 1836. She was the mother of seven children, JJoel T. being the eldest. He was reared to farming, and also assisted his father in running a mill and cotton gin, was proficient in operating a ma- chine, and also assisted his father in running a distillery. In February, 1850, he married Miss Nancy Hembree, a cousin, who was born in Roane County, Tennessee, in 1830. Two children were born to them, Marrietta C., who mar- ried W. C. Maren, who are now both deceased, and Charles C., who is now a resident of New York City. The same year of his marriage Mr. Hombree left his native state and moved to Dade County, Missouri, locating six miles northeast of Greenfield. He was a large land-owner, possessing some 1.200 aeres, and was a very successful farmer. August 12th, 1862, he enlisted in the Enrolled Militia, and in November of the following year he enlisted in Company E, Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry, serving until July 1, 1865, when he was discharged at Springfield, Mo. He was a brave and gallant soldier and was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant.
Mr. Ilembree was a Democrat in politics up to the war, his first presidential vote being cast for General C'ass in 1548. Since and during the war he affiliated with the Republican party. After the war he returned to farming, which he continued until 1887, when he entered the milling business. In 1854 he lost his wife, and in April of the subsequent year he married Miss Nancy Hays,
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a native of Indiana. born in 1834. Four children were the result of this union, as follows: Louis J., who is living in Idaho; Hugh A. of Los Angeles, Cal .; Isaac A., living near Seybert, Dade County, and Harriott C., who died young. Mrs. Hembree died in January, 1864. In March of that same year Mr. Hembree married Miss Sarah J. Marcum, who was born in Tennessee December 29th, 1843, a daughter of John W. and Melissa (Craig) Marcum, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively. They came to Dade County in 1856, settling six miles northeast of Greenfield, where they bought and entered land living there until their demise. They were both buried in the Hays cemetery. To this couple were born five chil- dren, of whom Mrs. Hembree was the oldest.
To Joel T. Hembree and his wife, Sarah JJ. Marcum, were born ten children, namely, Mollie, born September 24th, 1865, is living with her mother at Everton, Mo .; Ida M., born August 23, 1867, is now Mrs. Robert Brock- man of Carthage, Mo., and they have two children, Harry B., born January 1st, 1889, married Chloe Baldridge, a native of Iowa, and they have two children, Robert and Catherine, they residing in Sedalia, Mo., and Mary, born March 6th, 1892, is now Mrs. Ernest A. Mayabb of Joplin, Mo .; Otis C., born March 14, 1869, married Martha Hem- bree, and they have three boys, Mary G., James and Belton. He is a prominent farmer of Cedar County. Sarah Annis, born May 17, 1872, married Thomas A. Sharp, a prominent business man of Springfield, Mo. They have one child, Sallie, born July 9th, 1907. Maude, born July 14th, 1877, is the wife of JJudge John J. Mac- Connell, a complete sketch of whom may be found else- where. Joel M., born May 28th, 1875, married Grace Smith, a native of Indiana, and they are the parents of five children, namely, Sadie, Mildred, Joel Reeves, Laura and Susie Lucile. They reside in Kelso, Wash. Susie L., born April 25, 1877, is now Mrs. Frank Carlock of Ever- ton. Grant, born September 28th, 1879, married Lillie McConnell, a native of Virginia, where they are now liv- ing. They have four children, George, Kathryn, Lucile
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and Joel Frank. James G., born July 7th, 1881, is a miner of Kellog, Idaho. Dana Byrd, born July 20th, 1883, is a resident of Long Beach, Cal.
Joel T. Hembree served as presiding judge of the county court for four years and was public administrator for two years. He was a member of the Masonic frater- nity in Greenfield Lodge No. 446 and was also a member of the Greenfield Post No. 75, G. A. R. He was a member of the Christian church. He died August 21, 1913, at the advaned age of 89 years, after having lived a life of ex- treme activity and of great usefulness to his county and state. He was a man beloved by all. His descendants are among our very best citizens, and Dade County will ever keep green the memory of this fine, Christian gentle- man. His widow, Mrs. Sarah J. Hembree, now resides in her beautiful home at Everton, Mo., where she numbers her friends by the hundreds. Truly, Joel T. Hembree set an example of morality and right living that would be well for our children to follow. He made a success in life and passed away secure in the faith of the Christian church. Peace to his memory.
OREN V. HEMBREE.
Was born in Morgan Township, Dade County, Mis- souri, January 7th, 1855, son of Hugh L. Hembree, who died in 1901 at about the age of 76 years. He came to Dade County with his parents in 1832 and located at Melville. They were farmers. His father's name was James Hembree. They remained a while in Dade County and then moved to AArkansas, and in 1842 or 1843 they returned to Dade County. They were originally from Tennessee. They entered and bought land in Morgan Township. Hugh L. Hembree was a young man when he came to Dade County. He had the advantage of but little schooling, about three months in all. He served in the Union army during the Civil war, but was discharged for disabilities. He had attained the rank of corporal. After
W. J. DAVIS.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
the war he resumed his farming occupation, and died at the home of Oren V. Hembree.
The mother of Oren V. Hembree was formerly An- nette Bender, a native of Tennessee. She had a common school education, was of German ancestry, a daughter of Samuel Bender, who came from Germany, settled in Tennessee, and later came to Dade County. This was about the year 1840. He was a noted physician and well known in Dade County. He married Mary Dawes, a lady of English ancestry. The Hembrees were of Irish-English extraction.
Hugh L. Hembree and wife were the parents of 12 children, nine of whom grew to maturity.
Oren V. Hembree was raised on a farm, and attended district school and a select school at Dadeville. At the age of 25 years he began the study of medicine. He at- tended lectures at the St. Louis Medical College and in the Missouri School of Medicine at St. Louis, and finally graduated from the Louisville Medical College, getting his diploma in 1895. He began the practice of his pro- fession in Boone County, Arkansas, and later opened an office in Dadeville. He practiced a number of years before his final graduation. He continued the practice in Dade- ville till the year 1915, when he moved to Greenfield.
He is attaining considerable success at the county seat. He was married in 1883 to Etta Stillwell, born in Missouri, but married in Boone County, Arkansas. By this union three children were born. one growing to maturity :
(1) Greta, born in Dade County in 1892, graduated from Warrensburg High School and took practically a full course at the Warrensburg State Normal, and after- ward taught school. She was married to Samuel Allen, a farmer, in Boulder. Wyo. She has one child, Leona May, about 2 years old.
Etta Stilwell Hombree died several years ago, and for his second wife Mr. Hembree married Minnie Hawley, born in Aurora, Lawrence County, Missouri, in September, 1878, daughter of Harvey and Mary (Shoemaker) Hawley.
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To this union one child was born, Ariel Maxine, Novem- ber 22nd, 1908.
Mr. Hembree is a member of the Christian church, while his wife is a member of the Baptist church. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of the W. O. W. Politically Dr. Hembree votes the Republican ticket. He holds mem- bership in the Southwest Missouri Medical Association.
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