USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Dade County and her people : from the date of the earliest settlements to the present time > Part 46
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On January 12th, 1869, Mr. Patterson married Miss Margaret I. Traller, who was born February 5th, 1847, and died August 31st, 1876. The record of their three children is as follows: Mary I., born November 28th, 1869, is the wife of John M. Jones (extended mention of whom will be found elsewhere in this work ) ; Arthur W., born September 2nd, 1873, died October 28th, 1873; Alice M., born Angust 28th, 1876, died August 30th, 1876.
Mr. Patterson took a niece of his to raise when she was 4 years old. Her name was Estella F. Burney, and she lived with him until she was married to Eliner Dilley, who is now deceased. She and her family live on a part of Mr. Patterson's large ranch.
Of the more than three score and ten years since Mr. Patterson was born, he has spent nearly every moment of the time within the boundaries of Dade County. He has seen the wonderful progress that Dade County has made, and we wish to refer the reader to an article prepared by Hon. Howard Ragsdale of Ash Grove, expressly for this
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publication, and setting forth in an interesting manner Mr. Patterson's reminiscences of Dade County's early days.
Mr. Patterson is a Democrat and always has been one, but he has never desired or sought office of any kind, pre- ferring to spend his time and energy attending to his large business interests. He is a fine Christian gentleman, be .. longing to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. It is indeed a pleasure to meet and converse with this kindly, courteous old gentleman, and it makes one feel that life is surely worth living and that the fruits of a Christian life is well worth while. In eastern Dade County and western Greene County there is hardly a single man, woman or child who does not know Uncle Dave Patterson, and when his life's work here is finished and he has passed into the great beyond lie will leave to us a memory and an example of a life well spent, and it should be and will be an inspiration to our children and their children's children to follow in the straight and narrow way, which always leads to wealth, health and happiness.
JOHN Mc. PATTERSON.
Was born in Grant County, Indiana, October 28th, 1843, son of Henry and Sarah Ann (Adamson) Patterson. His father was a native of Tennessee, while his mother was born in Ohio. They were descendants of the Patterson and Adamson families, early settlers in Indiana, emigrating from Kentucky and South Carolina and taking up govern- ment land in Indiana.
Henry Patterson was a veteran of the Civil war, serv- ing in the Union army, and dying at Nashville in 1864, while his mother, Sarah Ann Patterson, lived many years after, dying in St. Joseph, Mo., in 1880, while visiting a daughter.
Henry and Sarah Ann Patterson were the parents of 12 children, eight of whom are living. Lydia and Dora live in Kansas City, Andrew lives in Washington and Silas lives in Idaho. Maggie lives in Idaho, Jane lives in Montana, while Elizabeth lives in Kansas.
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John Mc. Patterson remained at home with his parents till the breaking out of the war. He had received but little education up to this time. He has been, however, a constant reader for a great many years, and is now considered a well-informed man upon all current topics. On the 1st day of October, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Hunter, and later under Captain Harry L. Deam. His enlistment was for three years, but in 1863 he re-enlisted under the special veteran law, which provided that all soldiers after two years' service could veteranize for three years more, or during the war, and receive a bounty of $402. His second enlistment was in Company F, under Captain Spencer. His military experience was filled with many thrilling inci- dents and replete with active service. The Thirty-fourth rendezvoused at Camp Anderson, Madison, Ind., then to Jeffersonville, where they received their guns, and crossed the river to Louisville, Ky. After that they were stationed at New Haven, Ky., and Camp Wycliff. In 1862 they went via Ohio river to Padukah, Ky., then to New Madrid, Mo., during the seige. Afterward they were stationed at Tipton- ville, to cut off the Confederate communication, and later were transported to Ft. Pillow. on the Mississippi river. At this point they were repulsed and retired back to New Madrid. From this point they were sent to Memphis and Helena, and from that point via the White river and Mis- sissippi to St. Charles and Ball's Bluff, and then back to Helena, after starting to reinforce General Curtis at Prairie Grove. They were stopped when the news came that Gen- eral Curtis had won the battle. Mr. Patterson served on provost duty at Helena for a time, then went into Camp Willmington and drilled. At the beginning of the Vicks- burg campaign his regiment was marching sonth on the west side of the Mississippi river. After passing below Vicksburg an army of 35,000 men was ferried across the river by gunboats, which had successfully run the blockade, and commenced a march northward, when they were en- gaged at Magnolia Hills. In this battle Mr. Patterson's regiment made a charge, captured three field pieces, and
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in the engagement Mr. Patterson suffered a slight wound, but was not disabled, and on May 16th engaged in the battle of Champion Hills, where he was also slightly wounded. He participated in the seige of Vicksburg and was present when the city surrendered. From Vicksburg his regiment marched on and captured Jackson, Miss., thereby opening the river to the Union forces, after which his regiment was sent to New Orleans. Mr. Patterson relates an incident which occurred while General Grant was reviewing the troops. The general's horse became frightened and threw its rider into a pile of railroad iron. Mr. Patterson was the first man to reach the general's side, and assisted him in getting started to the hotel, where he was given first aid.
Mr. Patterson acted as orderly while on provost duty in New Orleans in 1864, after which his regiment was sent to Texas on guard duty, and was there until the close of the war, in 1865. He was mustered out in Brownsville February 3rd, 1866.
After the close of the war Mr. Patterson returned home to Indiana and purchased 80 acres of land from his father, where he engaged in farming after a few months.
On the 6th day of September, 1866, he was married to Sarah Deeren, who was born in Ohio January 17th, 1844, daughter of James and Naney (Hineline) Deeren, both na- tives of Ohio. The Deerens were married in Ohio, but came to Indiana in 1859, and both died there.
Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are the parents of one child, Ida, born November 7th, 1872, married John Wilson, a na- tive of Dade County, but later they moved to Visalia, Calif., where they now live. They have three children, Thomas Alvin, Doda Alice and Dicy Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have also raised one son of Mrs. Patterson's brother. His name is Omer Deeren, who now lives in the state of Wash- ington.
Mr. Patterson came to Missouri in 1870 and located in Nodaway County, and after three years settled in Bates County, where he remained 16 years, then, in 1889. he settled in Greenfield, where he has resided ever since, except four years, which he spent in the state of Washington. He owns
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a small farm of 40 acres seven miles northwest of Greenfield and a fine suburban home in the city. He has been engaged in the meat market business in Greenfield at different times.
Politically Mr. Patterson is not only a Republican, but an outspoken one. He is a man of intense convictions, un- daunted courage, and at times exhibits the same traits of character and temper which prompted inen to follow "Old Glory" through the storm of shot and shell. He is a promi- nent member of the G. A. R. at Greenfield, and is fearless in his stand upon all public questions involving right and wrong. This year (1917) he has taken up his residence in Colorado near Lamar.
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BOSA HARVEY PATTERSON.
Born September 18th, 1874, in Rock Prairie Township, Dade County, Missouri. Lived on the farm with his parents, the late John A. Patterson and Mary L. Patterson, until he was about 16 years of age. His father was the champion "old-time fiddler" of his day, and Bosa never missed an opportunity to "play on Pap's fiddle" when he was sure his father would be away from home for the day. His father traded for an organ when "B. H." was about 12 years of age, and employed a teacher to give him a term of 24 music lessons. Needles to say, Bosa has 24 "Red Let- ter" days standing out in his memory. His chief occupa- tion at that particular time was shaving 10 acres of "Pos- toak" new ground with a "grubbin' hoe," and the first glimpse of his "music teacher" coming down the road was sufficient to cause him to leave his "sprout-cutting" and hike for the house in quickstep time.
But the happiest days must end. One day Bosa over- heard the following conversation:
Teacher: "Well, Mr. Patterson, there is no use in my giving that 'brat' lessons any longer."
Father: "Why, what's the matter with him now ?"
Teacher: "Well, he has learned everything that I can teach him, and he can play everything that I can, and lots
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of pieces that are too hard for me, and I can't see that I can do him any more good."
Father: "All right. I guess he knows enough. I'll put him back to cutting sprouts. How much do I owe you?"
So that ended his musical education without outside help, but Bosa was determined to learn, and overlooked no opportunity to advance himself in music. He saved lis pennies and nickels and bought music books and music and studied them, and when he was 16 he decided he could make more teaching music than he could cutting sprouts and clearing new grounds for his board. So he quietly left home and got up a "music class." His father found him, but when it was learned that his earnings were more than enough to pay a full-grown, able-bodied hired man to take his place his father went home and hired the man, and helped Bosa collect from his pupils.
He began composing music when 15 years of age, and has written and composed over 50 pieces. Among those published, the most popular are: "I'm Longing for My Old Missouri Home," "McKinley's Funeral March," "Garden of the Gods" (two-step) and" Balanced Rock Waltz ." He publishes a catalogue of about 30 pieces for piano and organ.
Mr. Patterson is a piano tuner and rebuilder of several years' experience, and has held positions with some of the largest music houses in the central west.
He arranges music for piano, band and orchestra, and all stringed instruments.
October 28th, 1915, he married Mrs. Levada Hood Glasscock of Miller, Mo., and is now busy "living happily ever after" at their handsome home on West College street, Greenfield, Mo.
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BENJAMIN C. PEMBERTON. Deceased.
Was born December 28th, 1842, son of E. D. and Eliza- beth (Craig) Pemberton, early settlers of Dade County. He was married February 9th, 1868, to Charity Marcum,
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who was born February 21st, 1850, daughter of Jonathan W. Marcum. Benjamin C. Pemberton died in Dade County August 16th, 1884, leaving a wife and four children, all of whom are now living:
(1) Leon H., born December 3rd, 1869, married Abbie W. Wike, a native of Illinois. They are now living in Polk Township, engaged in farming. They have seven children.
(2) Virgil H., born September 6th, 1873, is at home.
(3) Ethel L., born January 28th, 1880, married Milas T. Lee, and they live near Everton on their farm, east of town.
(4) Benjamin F., born March 9th, 1882, is still at home.
At the breaking out of the Civil war Benjamin C. Pem- berton enlisted in Company A, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, and served for three years on the Union side. He was en- gaged in many battles, both in Missouri and in Arkansas. After the war he farmed part of his father's farm, so that his entire residence during life was upon the same farm. At his father's death he inherited 185 acres of the Pember- ton homestead. Since his death his widow and children have continued to live on the same place. They have since purchased 40 acres, so that now the farm consists of 225 acres.
Mr. Pemberton was a Republican, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and also a member of the G. A. R. His family are also members of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church.
Mrs. Pemberton and her boys run the farm, raising quite a number of sheep and hogs, are engaged in general farming, and have 180 acres in cultivation. Virgil and Benjamin reside on the farm at home with their mother. Both are Republicans. Virgil was township collector for two years and also clerk of the school board.
Leon lived at home and managed the farm for a num- ber of years, but is now farming on his own acount in Polk Township. Leon and wife have an interesting family of seven children:
(1) Della B., born October 18th, 1895.
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(2) Elkanah B., born October 15th, 1896.
(3) Gladys, born August 28th, 1898.
(4) Eliza Margaret, born December 15th, 1901.
(5) Byron Craig, born March 14th, 1904.
(6) Leon Herbert, born October 29th, 1908.
(7) Leo, born March 4th, 1911.
Paul, born December 3rd, 1914, died.
A more extended record of the military services of Benjamin C. Pemberton will be found in the history of his company, which was commanded by Captain William A. Kirby, but it is not ont of place to state at this time that lie was in the battle of Wet Glaze in 1861, and Lynn Creek. He also was engaged with Price's army at Sugar Creek and in the battle defeating General Coffey in 1862. He did considerable scout duty and was in the battle of Newtonia in 1862, and also at Prairie Grove December 7th, 1862. Witnessed the destruction of several steam boats at Van Buren, Ark., and belonged to the command which drove General Marmaduke out of Missouri in 1863. After this he served mostly on scout and guard duty.
HON. WILLIAM S. PELTS.
The subject of this sketch is a native Missourian to the manor born, having first seen the light of day in Dade County April 10th, 1871. He was the third of seven chil- dren born to Benjamin Pelts and Christina Holmes Pelts, the former being now a resident of Lawrence County, his inother having departed this life March 2nd, 1884. His father was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in the Union army for about two years. Of the seven chil- dren five are still living. Pleasant Pelts lives in Ash Grove, Reuben Timothy lives in Lawrence County about three miles south of Ash Grove, John Wesley Pelts is a resident of Stotts City, Mo., while Martha intermarried with one Ed Brown and resides in Lawrence County about six miles south of Ash Grove.
Mr. Pelts is practically a self-made man, having been thrown upon his own resources since 15 years of age, his
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first employment being that of a farm hand at $12.50 per month. Becoming weary of the monotony of farm life, he followed the Santa Fe trail into the territory of New Mexico, and for three years followed mining, railroading and ranching, and at the age of 20 years returned home and invested his savings in a drill-rig. This occupation he followed for many years, investing the proceeds in a 40-acre tract of land lying some three miles southeast of Kingspoint, and he also purchased a homestead relinquish- ment on the 40 acres adjoining. It was upon this latter tract that he discovered the famous Pelts Lead Mine about the year 1900. After the discovery of the lead, he made a cash entry upon his homestead, and with great energy and enthusiasm sunk a shaft more than 100 feet deep to the mineral deposit. At this juncture Mr. Pelts sold the mine and 30 acres of land to some Kansas City promoters on the installment plan, but the mine was never worked. Later he purchased and improved a 4916-acre tract in the same neighborhood, upon which he now resides. Though small in acreage, it is a splendid stock farm, with plenty of living water and a commodious 80-ton silo. From this farm Mr. Pelts feeds and ships one car of cattle and a number of hogs each year.
On the 11th day of January, 1900, he was married to Eliza Sanders, a native Missouri girl, and to this union was born a daughter, Gladys. His wife departed this life April 15th, 1915. Gladys then became his house- keper, and, although but 13 years of age, kept the home, attended school, and developed a remarkable musical talent, for which in after years she may become famous.
Religiously Mr. Pelts is a member of the Christian church, of which he has been an elder for five years, and is at this time the president of the County Sunday School Association. In polities he is a staunch Republican. In early life Mr. Pelts had a burning desire to become a lawyer, and to accomplish that end about 20 years ago he entered the law office of Mann & Talbut at the county seat and delved into the intricacies of Blackstone for a period of two years, when his party called him for a
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standard-bearer in the campaign of 1902, at which time he was elected by an overwhelming majority to the Mis- souri legislature, and he served with distinction for two years. At the close of his legislative term the call of the woodland and the scent of burning brush in the spring time induced him to take up his permanent abode on the farm, where he followed the simple life until the cam- paign of 1916, when he again entered politics, and was again elected to the Missouri General Assembly.
Educationally Mr. Pelts is not a college graduate, but he is a man of broad attainments, well-read and a live wire in matters of public welfare. His one object and aim in life has been to "make Dade County a better place in which to live," and in this effort he has achieved his greatest success. He has succeeded in impressing his per- sonality upon every enterprise in which he has taken part, and in every movement which had for its purpose the betterment of humanity he could always be counted upon as being upon the right side.
Fraternally Mr. Pelts is an Odd Fellow, having at- tained the Encampment degree, filled all the chairs in the subordinate lodge, and is also a Rebekah and a member of Pennsboro lodge No. 838. The value of such citizenship as is exemplified by the life of Mr. Pelts is hard to esti- mate, but it is the solid rock upon which the future great- ness of the county is founded.
JAMES M. PICKETT.
Was born in Kenton County, Kentucky, October 1st, 1843, son of A. W. and Polly Pickett, who came to Dade County in 1856, overland, with ox teams and one horse team. James M. was 12 years old at that time, and drove an ox team. His father and mother exchanged land in Kentucky for about 200 acres of land in Dade County. They settled on this land in Sac Township and remained there until the date of their death. His father died in 1880 and his mother in 1872. There were 10 children in this family, James M. being the seventh.
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James M. Pickett was at home going to school when the war broke out. He enlisted in Company L, Eighth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, under Captain Ruark. He served over three years and was mustered out at Spring- field, Mo. He was engaged in many battles and skirmishes, including the battles of Pea Ridge, Elk Horn, Lone Jack, Wilson Creek and Springfield, and saw almost active, continuous service from the day of his enlistment. He was captured once at Greenfield, but on account of his youth was released. He had many narrow escapes and thrilling adventures, having had one horse shot from under him, one bullet hole through his hat and many through his clothing. He served in several different com- panies and regiments. Besides his last enlistment, he served in the Sixth Missouri Cavalry, but was so small and so young that he was shifted, but finally landed in the Eighth, where he remained until his final discharge. After the war he returned home, and on August 6th, 1865. married Catharine Underwood, and went to farming. He bought 120 acres of land in North Township and stayed there till 1907, when he went west, visiting Colorado, Cali- fornia, Kentucky and Utah, spending some five years. His wife died April 18th, 1907.
To his first marriage were born seven children:
(1) Robert L., of Colorado.
(2) William, of Kansas.
(3) Lou, now Mrs. John W. Bray of Hartford, Kas.
(4) Polly, now Mrs. Oliver Grandpre of Trinidad, Colo.
(5) Frances, now Mrs. C. B. Zeigler of Cleveland, O.
(6) Ida, now Mrs. Fred Wells of St. Louis, Mo.
(7) Dolly, now Mrs. J. C. Clopton of Dade County.
Mr. Pickett was again married, December 23rd, 1911, to Sarah E. (Davis) Hoskins, widow of John L. Hoskins, once a farmer of Dade County. He died in Kansas in 1889. She was a daughter of John W. and Armazinda (Lack) Davis. Her father came from Tennessee in an early day, was a veteran of the Civil war and a prominent man of affairs. Her first husband, John L. Hoskins, came
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to Dade County with his father from Illinois at he age of 4 years. He was educated in Dade County, married here, and moved to Arkansas, and later on to Kansas, where he died. Four children were born of this marriage:
(1) John Ira, now a telegraph operator for the M., K. & T. railroad, and also station agent.
(2) Armazinda E., married William Loveall, and lives in Oklahoma.
(3) Samuel Elden, drowned at the age of 12 years.
(4) Ray Benjamin, now lives in Colorado.
Mr. Pickett is a Republican in politics and is prac- tically retired from active business, but resides, with his wife, on a little farm three miles north of Greenfield. He is an active member of the G. A. R. post at Greenfield, also a member of the A. F. & A. M., also of Greenfield, and in former years was active in school matters, fre- quently being elected on the board of directors.
Mrs. Pickett has three grandchildren, while Mr. Pickett boasts of 19 grandchildren and three great-grand- children.
JUDGE W. N. POE.
Born in Dade County, Missouri, April 25th, 1846, son of John W. and Matilda Ann (Ferguson) Poe, both na- tives of Tennessee. Soon after their marriage they emi- grated to Arkansas and later, in 1846, they came to Dade County. At first they rented land north of Greenfield, but in 1855 they bought some 300 acres, part of which is still in the Poe family.
W. N. Poe owns 120 acres, upon which he built a good house and convenient outbuildings. He remained at home until the death of his father, which occurred in 1863. At that time they were living on rented land west of Greenfield, their buildings having been burned by the "Bush-whackers." Their fine home had been swept away. This double calamity placed the care of a widowed mother and eight children upon Mr. Poe, then a mere lad of 17 years. Soon after the death of the father, mother and
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son decided to return to the home place, desolate as it was, there being neither buildings nor fences left. It was a hard task, but they took up their abode in what was afterward used for a smoke-house until fall, when they erected a log cabin. He cultivated a small crop that year, a Union soldier having given him an old cavalry horse which was pretty well worn out, but during the summer, when most needed, the old horse died, but hick favored him. He later secured a horse from Uncle Jesse Garver, and managed to pull through the season with success.
In 1869 William N. Poe was married to Louisa Cecil, a native of North Carolina. To this union were born four children :
(1) John W., now in business at Carthage.
(2) Albert, died at the age of 21 years.
(3) Arthur, a prosperous farmer of Dade County.
(4) Dave L., superintendent of the County Poor Farm.
Mrs. Poe departed this life in September, 1888, and is buried in Dade County.
In the year 1893 Mr. Poe was again married, this time to Mrs. Sarah E. (Hampton) Watson, widow of William Watson. She was the mother of seven children by Mr. Watson, five girls and two boys, five of whom are living. Otto lives on the old Watson homestead west of Greenfield, two daughters are in Lamar, Colo., and two dangliters are in Sparks, Nev.
Mr. Poe is an active Republican and has served three terms as associate judge of the county court. Has served on the local school board as director many years, and has also been road overser. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a member of the Presbyterian church.
Just before the close of the Civil war Mr. Poe en- listed in the Union army, but peace was declared before the regiment was mustered into service.
Mr. Poe is regarded by his neighbors and friends as a man of unquestioned integrity, and he is living a quiet,
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retired life on his farm, some five miles southeast of Grenfield, on the waters of Turnback creek.
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