USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Dade County and her people : from the date of the earliest settlements to the present time > Part 40
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W. Y. MCLEMORE.
There is probably no better known man in eastern Dade County than W. Y. MeLemore, the subject of this sketch. He is a native of our county, having been born here, in Center Township, February 15th, 1852, a son of Archiband McLemore, who was born in Knox County, Tennessee, in 1817, a son of Archibald MeLomore, who was a native of North Carolina, and emigrated to Knox County, Tennessee, where he met and married Sarah Plumley in 1820, later moving to Monroe County, Ten- nessee, where he died in 1825, his wife having passed away the year before, in 1824. They were the parents of cleven children, of whom Archibald Jr. was the seventh in order of birth After his father's death he went to live with his older brother, Abram, with whom he stayed until he became of age. In 1827 he assisted the governor of Tennessee to remove the Cherokee Indians from Ten- nessee to their reservation in Indian Territory, now Okla- homa. On September 15th. 1842, he married Miss Mollie Brown, who was born in North Carolina in 1817. She was a daughter of Robert and Jennie (Dennis) Brown, who moved to Monroe County, Tennessee, from North Caro- fina about 1820. In 1842 Archibald MeLemore emigrated to Dade County and settled two miles northeast of Green- field on a farm which later became known as the John Higgins farm. Mr. McLemore remained here only two years, however, returning to Tennessee on account of his poor health. In 1849 he again came to Dade County and settled on a place on Sac river five miles northeast of Greenfield, and here he farmed and raised stock and added to his landed holdings until he had 265 acres of good jand. Here he died in 1905, an honored and respected citizen. Of his family there were six children, as follows:
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Mary, died in 1886 at age of 43; Robert S., a resident of Oklahoma, where has large farming interests, and also has a fine farm in Dade County; Sarah Ann, now Mrs. James McConnell of Dade County; William Y., the subject of this sketch; Pauline, now Mrs. George W. Wilson of Everton; J. M., a large stock and ranchman of Oklahoma. Mr. McLemore was a fine Christian gentleman. He was a Democrat before the war, but after this ended he voted the Republican ticket.
William Y. MeLemore remained at home, farming and getting his education, until he was 26 years of age, after which he entered a business career, going into par- tnership with Geo. W. Wilson, and opened up a general store at Cross Roads in 1878. When the railroad came through the county he and Mr. Wilson moved to Everton, where they built the first store building ever erected there, thereby becoming the pioneer merchants of Everton. In 1882 Mr. McLemore sold out his interest to James G. Wilson, brother of George Wilson, and two years later formed a partnership with his two brothers, R. F. and J. M. Mclemore, and opened up a general store at Ever- ton, known as the Mclemore Brothers. They continued together until 1898, when J. M. Mclemore bought out the entire business. W. Y. McLemore was elected County Re- corder in 1902 and served four years. In 1908 he went to Porum, Okla., where he was engaged in the mercantile business, and also dealt in land, remaining there until 1914, when he came back to Everton, and, in connection with George W. Wilson, organized the Bank of Everton from the private bank of George W. Wilson. Mr. Mc- Lemore is now the vice president of this thriving insti- tution, while Mr. Wilson is president. A complete sketch of this bank will be found elsewhere in this work. Later on, Mr. McLemore and Mr. Wilson organized the Everton Hardware Company, which is a going business, and how else could it be when Mr. McLemore is general manager and George W. Wilson is president? Mr. Mclemore is also an extensive land owner. He has 440 acres of good land in Oklahoma. On April 21st, 1881, Mr. McLemore
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married Miss Serepta C. Wheeler, who was born in Polk Township, Dade County, February 16th, 1859, a daughter of Calvin and Ascenith (Carlock) Wheeler, pioneers of Dade County, settling in Polk Township, where they farmed for years, and later engaged in merchandising at Cross Roads until his death. They were fine Christian people, and more may be found about these people else- where.
To Mr. and Mrs. McLemore have been born eight children, as follows: Clyde is a prominent attorney of Billings, Mont .; Maude Elsie died when a child; Clarence is assistant cashier in the Bank of Everton; Forest is a musician and teacher; Ray is in the hardware business with his father; Dewey is a graduate of Everton High School and took a course in Springfield Normal; Carl, who is a graduate of Everton High School, and Greta are at home. Mr. McLemore is a prominent Republican and prominent in the Presbyterian church. Too much cannot be said for the high standing of this fine citizen and his family. They are in the front rank, and Mr. MeLemore's success as a business man is due to his close application to business and his unswerving honesty in all matters. His word is as good as his bond anywhere, and his many friends are outspoken in praises of himself, his family and his business methods. What more could mortal man desire and what higher recommendation could one receive? Mr. MeLomore is a courteous, kindly, Christian gentleman, and Dade County may be congratu- lated in having such high-grade men within its borders.
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CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS MCLEMORE SR.
A member of one of the large pioneer families of Dade County, was born in Monroe County, Tennessee, May 15th, 1837, son of John and Delila (Breden) MeLemore. both natives of Tennessee, having been married there and came overland to Dade County in 1852 with a family of nine children, five boys and four girls. Three of the boys are still living in Dade County: William McLemore
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of South Greenfield, Patrick McLemore of Washington Township and C. C. McLemore. Of his sisters, Cynthia is the widow of David Spain, Dialtha is the widow of Perry Farries, now living in Greenfield. He has one brother, Marion, who resides in Texas.
Both his father and mother died in Dade County and are buried at the Mt. Zion cemetery in Smith Township.
When John Mclemore first came to the county he purchased 160 acres of land in Washington Township, which he improved and added to, until at the date of his death he owned 300 acres. After his father's death, C. C. MeLemore purchased the interest of the other heirs and became the owner of the old homestead.
At the breaking out of the Civil war Mr. Mclemore, in company with his partner, Dan Bailey, went to Colo- rado and purchased 160 acres of land in Weld County, where the city of Greeley now stands. They bought and sold livestock, dealt in land, and prospered. In 1863 Mr. McLemore sold out his Colorado interests and re- turned to the land of plenty in Dade County, where he settled upon an 80-acre tract of land heired by his wife and where he now lives. From this time on he engaged extensively in raising, buying and shipping cattle, invest- ing his profits in land, until at one time he was the owner of 1,000 acres. He gave each of his sons a fine farm to start them in life, so that now he has but 440 acres in the original home place, all in one body except the rail- road right-of-way.
On the 5th day of January, 1868, C. C. McLemore was married to Sarah Ann Ragsdale, who was born in Dade County November 7th, 1842, a daughter of Joshua Ragsdale, a native of Tennessee, and Sarah (Turner) Ragsdale, a native of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Ragsdale were married in Tennessee.
C. C. McLemore and wife are the parents of eight children, two of whom are dead: Florence died in in- fancy. Ella died unmarried at the age of 45. She was born April 30th, 1870, and died February 7th, 1916. One daughter, Hattie, born March 19th, 1872, married John
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F. Daugherty, a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher, and also a farmer. They live in the vicinity of South Green- field. The five boys are as follows:
(1) J. B., born December 21st, 1868, lives at home and farms with his father. Is a Democrat and active in polities, having served as Judge of the Eastern District one term.
(2) Perry, born January 16th, 1874, married Maggie Withrow, a native of Dade County. They have one child living, Georgie Marie, and one died in infancy.
(3) Roy, born October 27th, 1875, married Lula Withrow, a native of Dade County. They have two children, Nellie Beatrice and Albert Jacob.
(4) Clark, born June 14th, 1882, married Willie Tanner, a native of Dade County. They have three chil- dren: Rubie, Lummie Christine and Georgie May.
(5) Christopher Columbus Jr., born March 27th, 1888, married Katie Duffy, a native of Dade County. They have two children, Anna Lucile and Mary Ellen.
Mr. MeLemore has one of the excellent farms of Dade County, well stocked with splendid breeds of cattle and horses. The farm is now being managed by his youngest son. On the father's farm is kept a registered Hereford bull, while at the farm of Bailey, his son, are kept a French Coach Stallion and a Kentucky Jack.
Mr. MeLemore is a Democrat, and active in politics. He has been a member of the school board for many years, and both he and his wife are active members of the Cumberland Phesbyterian church. He was one of the organizers of the Dade County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and for years was a member of the board of dircetors of the Dade County Agricultural and Mechanical Society, and as an exhibitor has taken perhaps as many if not more live stock premiums than any other man in the county.
O- HARMON P. McPEAK. Deceased.
Harmon P. MePeak, late prominent citizen of Dade County, was born in Tennessee October 19th, 1825. Hle
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was a son of Mathew and Elizabeth (Powell) McPeak, who came to Dade County, Missouri, in 1837, and took up land from the government, and remained here until 1852, when they went to California in search of gold, taking their entire family with the exception of Harmon P., who had married four years previous and decided to stick to Dade County to make his fortune, which, as it turned out, he was successful in doing. He married Miss Emily Asbell February 10th, 1848, who was born in Kentucky February 3rd, 1830, and brought by her parents to Dade County in 1837, therefore being Dade County pioneers in the true sense. Harmon McPeak served in the State Militia for a time during the Civil war, but was discharged on account of sickness. After the war was over he en- tered 80 acres of good land, and upon this he and his wife both lived during their entire lives, and this property is now in the possession of their youngest son, Leonidas, a sketch of whom may be found elsewhere. Harmon McPeak was a success as a farmer and stockman. He put his land in a high state of cultivation and prospered ex- ceedingly, adding to his landed interests until he had at one time over 1,000 acres. He was the father of a large family, and sometime previous to his death, which took place December 28th, 1906, he had given his many broad acres to his children. His wife lived for some years, passing away January 19th, 1917. To this fine couple were born eleven children, eight of whom are still living. They were: John, born November 19th, 1848, a resident of Idaho; Mary Ann, born November 8th, 1850, is now Mrs. Clovis DePee of Colorado; Debitha Armilda, born August 4th, 1853, now Mrs. A. Frieze, see sketch of the Frieze family; James Elijah, born December 17th, 1855. and died February 1st, 1892, leaving two children; Susan Pauline, born February 15th, 1858, died October 7th, 1862; Neoma Mariah, born May 20th, 1861, and died in 1884: Theodore, born February 6th, 1863, a farmer of Cedar County; Mathew Pearce, born December 10th, 1865, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere; Dora, born March 20th, 1868, is now Mrs. C. C. Redwine of California;
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Florence, born April 4th, 1870, is now Mrs. Pete Morgan of Dade County; Leonidas of Dade County. Harmon Mc- Peak and his wife were both members of the Christian church and were devoted to the Christian cause. He was a lover of fine stock and much interested in the develop- ment of our free public school system, and served many years as school director. Truly, the memory of these esti- mable people shall never die, for their good works will always rise up to bless them, and the fine family they have left behind them are a blessing to our county. There are no words adequate to express the high regard and love felt for this venerable couple, so lately departed from our midst.
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M. P. McPEAK.
M. P. McPeak, son of Harmon P. and Emily (Asbell) McPeak, Dade County pioneers, was born in Dade County December 10th, 1865. (See sketch of Harmon McPeak for family and war record.)
During his boyhood and early manhood M. P. McPeak lived at his father's home, attending school and helping with the farm work. He was given a schooling at the Christian College at Ash Grove, Greene County, and at the age of 22, in the year 1887, he bought 80 acres of timber land in North Morgan Township, and went to work clearing it up for the purpose of making a home for himself, built a small one-room house, and here he "bached" for nine long years, all this time, with the exception of two years spent in the states of Idaho and Washington, hammering away to improve his land. His father gave him an adjoining 40, also timber land, and this, too, he cleared, fenced and generally improved. On this 40 he eventually built his present fine residence. On March 3rd, 1896, he married one of Dade County's finest daughters, Miss Kate Wilson, born March 7th, 1871, a daughter of Alfred and Sara Jane (Russell) Wilson. Alfred Wilson came from Nashville, Tenn., to Dade County when but a lad of 12 years. He was twice married, his
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DADE COUNTY FAIR VIEWS,
Lock wood, Mo.
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first wife being Miss Mary Lou Davis, and by whom he had two children To Mr. and Mrs. M. P. McPeak have been born eight children, all of whom are living at this writing. They are: Lucy E., born December 23rd, 1896, married December 23rd, 1915, to Gilbert L. Maxwell, a farmer of Dade County, and they have one child, James Lowell, born October 25th, 1916; Theo. J., born November 14th, 1898, and married Perry Stockton, a farmer of South Morgan Township, in December, 1916; Zora B., born September 8th, 1900; Ida Neoma, born July 8th, 1902; Anna Leona, born November 22nd, 1904: Emma E., born September 10th, 1906; Flora Mildred, born September 29th, 1908; Kate Regina, born December 24th, 1911, all living at home and receiving the very best of educational advantages. Mr. McPeak is a general farnier and stock- man, feeds largely and uses all the up-to-date methods and uses silage to advantage. He has a 160-ton silo on his place. This wide-awake farmer has certainly made a success of his business, and his farm, with its fine eight- room residence and large barns and outbuildings, is one of the show places of the county. The farm now com- prises 320 acres, 300 in cultivation, all fenced and cross- fenced, well watered with wells, springs and branch. The house is fitted with acetylene gas and all modern appli- ances, which are now enjoyed by all the family and appre- ciated, yet the little house where Mr. McPeak first made his start is the actual place of birth of all eight of the children, and they all still love the old place, even though they now reside in so fine a residence.
Mr. McPeak is a Republican in politics, but has never souglit or desired office, preferring to devote his time to his large farming and stock interests and to his fine family. A man of fine breding, courteous, and not a bit stuck-up, pleasant to meet, a gentleman of the first water, we do not hesitate to place him in the front rank of our citizenship.
LON McPEAK.
Among the prominent farmers and stock men of eastern Dade County we must mention Lon McPeak of
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North Morgan Township. He is a native of this county, born December 28th, 1873, a son of Harmon P. and Emma (Asbell) McPeak, a complete sketch of whom may be found elsewhere in this volume. Lon McPeak is the youngest of eleven children born to his parents. He has always resided on the home place, and now owns a large portion of the original McPeak homestead. Mr. McPeak was educated in the common and high schools of Dade County, and also attended the Christian College at Ash Grove. Greene County. On June 17th, 1893, he married one of Dade County's fairest daughters, Miss Ollie M. King, born January 3, 1879, a daughter of John King of Greenfield, Mo., and of whom a complete sketch appears elsewhere. To Mr. and Mrs. McPeak have been born three children, all at home and receiving the advantages of good educations. They are Leonidus Doyle, born April Brd, 1906; Harmon King, born March 10th, 1909, and Gladys Lavern, born January 17th, 1912. Previous to his father's death, Mr. McPeak received 162 acres of the old homestead, and started farming and stock raising on his own account, his father and mother both making their home at their son's place, and both passed away here. (See sketch of Harman and Emma McPeak.) Lon Mc- Peak has made farming a business and has succeeded. He has added to his holdings until he now owns 210 acres of the very best of Dade County land. His large residence can be seen fron. miles around, and on this fine farm he raises and feeds much stock, dealing in hogs, cattle and mules. On this place can be found a large 120-ton silo and all modern machinery and conveniences. Besides this farm Mr. McPeak owns 160 acres in southeastern Ar- kansas. Mr. MePeak is a clean-cut, progressive business man, and everything around his place shows thrift and careful attention. He is a Republican and a good booster for any enterprise for the good of the county. Good roads and good free public schools find in him a firm friend. He has served on the school board. Both Mr. and Mrs. MePeak come from two of our most prominent pioncer families and are among the very best that the county of Dade numbers as its native sons and daughters.
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FELIX H. McGEE.
One of the most prominent and best-known native sons of Dade County is Felix McGee, whose name heads this review. He was born in Dade County on the Nancy A. McGee farm, just east of where he now resides. He was born July 23rd, 1861, the son of Abner H. and Nancy Adaline (Hoyle) McGee. The father was a native of North Carolina, borr December 30th, 1820, and died in Greene County March 23rd, 1863, while a prisoner of war at Springfield. Ilis wife, Nancy A., was a native of Ten- nessee, born November 28th, 1829, and died in Dade County October 17th, 1897. The grandfather of Felix McGee was Daniel McGee, and was among the very early settlers of Dade County, as also was Uncle Peter Hoyle, his maternal grandfather, and of whom more mention is made elsewhere. Felix McGee was the youngest of eight children, as follows: Mary, born February 12th, 1850, married Frank Ragsdale, and is now deceased; Cordelia, born March 17tr, 1851, is now Mrs. Cleve Cantrell of Frisco, Tex .; Sarah, born November 17th, 1852, is now Mrs. Thad Lawrence of Portland, Ore .; Alice, born April 24th, 1854, is Mrs Pete Clardy of McKinney, Tex .; Hoyle, born April 5th, 1858, married Adaline Hurst, and they live in Lockwood, Dade County; Daniel, born in 1857, and David, born in 1860, both dying in infancy. Felix McGee now lives in the heart of what is now known as the McGee Diggins, a prosperous zinc mining camp. His father and Ruben Cantrell had built a line fence of rock, little thinking that they were building out of fine zinc ore, known now as gray silicate. Ore was first discovered on this place in 1775, the earliest date that zinc ore was known to exist in the county. Gray Silicate lay on top of the ground, and was found to exist in large pockets all over this section. The old stone fence built years before was sold, and brought a tidy sum to Mrs. McGee, and the property has since been mined and has netted a large sum. Many mines are being worked now, and the place is a hustling mining camp, the ore being hauled to Everton and Greenfield, where permanent markets are
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to be found. Mr. McGee is now the owner of 204 acres, all of which is mining land, and he has 10 acres under mining lease, which is producing in a satisfactory manner.
Mr. McGee was married November 25th, 1885, to Ella F. Wheeler, who was born May 8th, 1868, a daughter of Isaac and Martha (Brown) Wheeler, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively. The father is now deceased, while the wife is living in Dade County on the old home place, which is located directly on the Polk and Dade County line. To Mr. and Mrs. McGee have been born three fine children, as follows: Claude, born September 16th, 1886, married Miss Grace Prater; Leslie, born May 12th, 1890, and Jerlie, born January 15th, 1892, all living at home, and the two sons are engaged in farming and mining on the home place. Mr. McGee and his wife are members of the Baptist church, and he is a member of the W. O. W., while he and his sons are all members of the I. O. O. F. at Dadeville. Mr. McGee is a Democrat in polities, and, while not desiring office of any kind, he is interested in the affairs of the county, and can always be counted upon to give of his means and time to any worthy enterprise that is for the good of the county and its people. A broad minded and courteous gentleman, he stands in the front rank of our best citizenship, and his name is above reproach in every way. Always honorable in all his dealings, he has earned for himself a reputation second to none, and he and his family are a credit to our county.
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GEORGE WILOUGHBY MALLORY.
Starting in life from the humble surroundings of a log cabin in an isolated community, George Willoughby Mallory has made wonderful strides in winning his way in the world. He was born in Dade County, Missouri, on the 17th day of January, 1853, a son of William Perkins and Margaret (Meeks) Mallory. His father was a native of Kentucky, while his mother was a native of Dade County. They were married in this county. William
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P. Mallory came to Dade County when a child with his father, John Mallory, who settled near Antioch church in South Township, where he died long ago. His son, William P. Mallory, was a farmer and raised a family of seven childrer, six boys and one girl.
George W. Mallory was third in the order of birth, but his father had been previously married, his first wife being Bettie Scott, of the pioneer Scott family, and they had one son, William Jesse.
At the time of his death William P. Mallory was the owner of 107 acres of good land, which is now owned by George W. The log honse originally erected on the land is still standing. George W. Mallory has one sister, Tisa Ann, and four brothers, Thomas Wood Mallory, Francis Marion Mallory, James Morgan Mallory and John Miles Mallory, all living in Dade County.
George W. remained at home till the death of his father, in 1882. He was married August 10th, 1884, to Incy Thomas Jones, who was born July 29th, 1862, a daughter of W. T. and Minta E. Jones.
George W. Mallory and wife are the parents of six children:
(1) Ila Ellen, born June 24th, 1886.
(2) Burley Perkins, born December 22nd, 1888.
(3) Elzie Thomas, born October 7th, 1889.
(4) Arley, born February 27th, 1893.
(5) Clayton, born December 2nd, 1894.
(6) Baby, died in infancy, unnamed.
About the time of his father's death George W. Mal- lory bought an 80-acre tract of railroad land at $2.00 per acre.
It is upon this land where his residence now stands. It was raw land, excepting six acres and a small log cabin. By industry and great perseverance he succeeded in making for himself and family a comfortable home. In 1897 he rented the farm and moved to Everton, in order to better educate his children. For seven years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, first in the grocery and produce business with numerous partners, and finally in
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the dry goods business with E. Carander. He finally sold out and returned to the farm. Mr. Mallory had prospered to such a degree that he is now the owner of 395 acres of land all in one body, 300 acres of which is in cultivation, much of it in Turnback bottom. His land is well watered and well improved. He now lives in a comfortable frame residence, surrounded by good outbuildings, and handles annually a large number of hogs and about 30 head of Whiteface cattle.
Mr. Mallory and wife are members of the Christian church at Antioch. He is a Democrat, a member of the W. O. W. lodge at Everton, and has been a member of the school board for six years, and is a member of the town board as well as justice of the peace, on liis second term.
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