History of Dade County and her people : from the date of the earliest settlements to the present time, Part 51

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 51

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(6) Martha Margaret, born March 14th, 1860, died October 13th, 1862.

(7) Harvey Newton, born March 11th, 1862, died July 1st, 1905. He married Mattie Bailey, and was a teacher by profession, also a Presbyterian minister. He taught in Greenfield, and at one time was superintendent. His widow is now living in Tennessee.

(8) Emma Bell, born January 1st, 1864, died October 25th, 1870.

(9) William Rufus, born April 3rd, 1866, in Randolph County, Missouri. The following is taken from the "Blue Book" of Missouri, 1916: "William R. Robertson, presid- ing judge of the Springfied Court of Appeals, was born in Randolph County, Missouri, April 3rd, 1866. His parents moved to Dade County when he was 2 years old, where he resided until 1891. He was educated in the common schools of this state and Ozark College of Greenfield, Mo., admit- ted to the bar in 1891, and moved to Delta, Colo., where he taught school for a term, and commenced the practice of law. He was appointed judge of the County Court of Delta County, Colorado, in 1893, which office he resigned to enter the practice with A. R. King, now judge of the Colorado Court of Appeals. He moved back to Missouri in 1898, lo- cating at Webb City, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession until his election as judge of the Springfield Court of Appeals in November, 1912, for a term of four years. Married Miss Emma Van De Venter of Delta, Colo., March 15th, 1895. They are the parents of five chil- dren,"

(10) Ellen Elvira, born April 23rd, 1868, died Sep- tember 8th, 1869.

The parents of Joseph A. Robertson moved to Ran- dolph County, Missouri, about 1865, and after two years came back to Polk County, Missouri, where they remained one year, and finally landed in Dade County in 1867, where they bought 120 acres of land in Sac Township, where

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Joseph A. now lives. It was only partly improved, and it was on this farm that Milton Robertson died JJuly 28th, 1885, and his wife surviving him till January 31st. 1910, when she also died. They were life-long members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and he was a staunch Democrat.

Joseph A. Robertson attended the common schools of Dade County, principally at Mt. Zion, and was married December 25th, 1879, to Laura L. Cox, who was born July 4th, 1860. The marriage ceremony was performed by Rev W. R. Russell. She died May 31st, 1910, leaving three chil- dren, viz:

(1) l'inis E., born September 25th, 1880, died August 22nd, 1882.

(2) Herly Milton, born October 25th. 1882, married October 30th, 1910, to Violet Marenm, a native of Dade County. They have three children, Mary Louise, Margaret and Finis Elwood.

(3) Carrie, born July 4th, 1886.

(4) Mae, born July 4th. 1886, married February 6th. 1910, to Clarence Rountree of Cedar County, Mo. They have four children, Junior, Dorothy, Thomas Benton and Ralph Robertson.

Mrs. Laura (Cox) Robertson was born in Overton County, Tennessee, July 4th, 1860. Her father having died, her mother and six children (two boys and four girls) came to Dade County, Missouri, in 1866 and located near Cane Hill. The father having gone to Texas to secure a home, died there. The mother died in 1869. Mrs. Robertson died May 31st, 1910, having been an invalid for 20 years. Her funeral was largely attended by neighbors and friends from all over the county, the funeral sermon being preached by Rev. W. R. Russell, who 30 years before had performed her marriage ceremony.

John Robertson, the grandfather of Joseph A. Robert- son, was born in North Carolina June 21st, 1781, while his father was serving in the army of the Revolution. When 12 years of age his father moved with his family to Ten- nessee, where John grew to manhood. Was married to

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Margaret Register January 24th, 1805. In 1814 he en- listed in the army, and fought with great bravery against the British and border savages. He died October 1st, 1858. The most thrilling incident of his life occurred during the late days of the Revolutionary war. While his father was still in the army, the Tories burned their home, and his mother, with her family of small children, were obliged to flee to the swamps of South Carolina for safety, where she remained alone for several days.

With the exception of two years, Joseph A. Robertson has resided in Dade County since 1866. He purchased 80 acres of land near Bona, where he lived for two years. At the time of his father's death he bought out the heirs to the home place in Sac Township. Since then he has added 40 acres, so that now it comprises 160 acres. In 1903 he erected a fine six-room frame house, which is now lighted with a modern acetylene lighting plant. His farm is well watered with springs and spring branch. He is engaged in general farming, and has a splendid flock of sheep of 30 head.

Mr. Robertson and family are members of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church, in which organization he has been an elder 25 years. In politics lie is a Democrat, having served on the executive committee of that party for many years.

REV. WILLIAM RUFUS RUSSELL.

One of the best known men of Dade County is Rev. William R. Russell of Everton, Mo. He was born in North Township, Dade County, June 22nd, 1849, a son of Aaron Russell, who was a native of Alabama, born there Decem- ber 20th, 1819. Aaron Russell was of Pensylvania Dutch ancestry and came from Tennessee to Callaway County, Missouri, in the early 30's, and to Dade County about 1840, settling in North Township, where he entered land, which he improved, building himself a log cabin. During the Civil war he cast his lot with the Union, but was captured the very day he was mustered in, and was paroled later,

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رطبة

CHARLES D. WHITE AND WIFE. AT HOME IN NORTH SAC.

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so he did not see active service, but it was no fault of his patriotism. He married Miss Serena Howard, who was a native of Tennessee, born February 11th, 1828, and to this union were born eight children, as follows: Robert, died in infaney; Mariah Elizabeth, died at the age of 12 years; Wil- liam R., of this review; John Wesley, died aged 21 years; Thomas Uel, is a farmer of North Township; Alice, now Mrs. P. H. Hawkins of Greenfield; Fannie, now Mrs. Samuel Baldwin of North Township; Lucy, now Mrs. M. J. M. Brickey of North Township, and Decatur L., who is a promi- nent physician of Lockwood, and at present the county Coroner. After receiving his education in the common schools of the county and the high school at Greenfield, William R. Russell taught school for a number of years in Wright, Cedar and Dade Counties. In Dade he taught two years at Lockwood, two years in South Greenfield and several years in Everton. In 1870 he was licensed to preach in the M. E. church, and in 1877 joined the St. Louis Con- ference, being ordained elder in 1881 by Bishop Hurst. In 1883 he united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and when the Presbyterian and the Cumberland Presbyte- rian churches united in 1906 he went with the united church, and was a member of the first general assembly of the united church at Columbus, O. Besides other places, he has filled important charges at Hartville, Dadeville and Boliver. He moved to Everton, and has been the pastor there for 29 years, in the meantime preaching at other places. Rev. Russell was married April 27th, 1873, to Miss Ella V. Summers, who was born in Jackson, Mo., April 25th, 1850, and was a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Fugate) Summers. Mr. Summers was a prominent man of Cape Girardeau County, where he was sheriff at the time of his death in 1854. Rev. William R. Russell is a Democrat in politics and has been very prominent in his party. He was elected to the office of County Treasurer in 1874 and in 1896 elected as State Representative, serving in the Thirty-ninth General Assembly. The good that Rev. Rus- sell has done cannot be told, the number of souls he has led to Christ are legion, and his influence will live for

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generations to come. Truly, this kindly man of God is and has been a blessing to Dade County, and we are proud that he is a native son. Would that we had more like him. Surely his good works shall rise up to bless his memory for numberless years after he shall have gone to his Heavenly reward.

WILLIAM OREN RUSSELL.

Was born in Grant Township, Dade County, Missouri, March 29th, 1875. His father, Cyrenus Z. Russell, was born in Illinois and died in Greenfield April 21st, 1906, at the age of 65 years. He came to Dade County in 1874 and settled on a 40-acre tract of land in Grant Township, which had been given to his wife by her father. He ac- cumulated 480 acres in this township and a tract of 160 acres on the prairie in Lockwood Township. He was a successful farmer and stock raiser, as well as a man of splendid clerical ability. In 1886 he was elected to the office of county clerk on the Republican ticket, moved to Greenfield and held the office for eight years. Retiring from the office, he entered the real estate business, read law, and was admitted to the bar, but confined himself to strictly office practice. He also wrote insurance, and was secretary for a number of years of a local Building and Loan Association. He was a successful business man and in every way dependable.

At the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted in the Twenty-first Regiment, Missouri Infantry, Federal Troop, and served till the close of the war, being mustered out with the rank of second lieutenant. He was a member of the local G. A. R. post in Greenfield, and one of its com- manders. He was a member of the Christian church, an elder at the time of his death, and a charter member of the local lodge of Odd Fellows, having in turn filled all the official chairs.

C. Z. Russell was a man of high standing in the com- mimity, and among his wide circle of friends and business associates. He was an active Republican, having served

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both as a member of the county as well as the state com- mittee. In early life he was married to Ala Ann Tea- garden, a native of Kentucky, who was born in 1849, and, with her parents, moved to Illinois in 1851. After her marriage to C. Z. Russell they moved to Fort Scott, Kas., and from there to Dade County.

Mrs. Russell was of Scotch-Irish parentage, a mem- ber of the Christian church, educated in a ladies' seminary and to her marriage with C. Z. Russell five children were born:

(1) Charles, born in Fort Scott, Kas., and died at the age of 21 years. He graduated at Ozark College in Greenfield in June, 1891, and died the following August.

(2) John A., born at Fort Scott, Kas., in 1873. Is now a physician at Lovelock, Nev.

(3) William O., the subject of this sketch.

(4) Lula and Beulah, twins. Died at the age of 12 years.

William O. Russell was raised on a farm until 11 years of age, when his father moved to Greenfield. He attended the public schools of the county and afterward took a course in Robbins' Business College in Sedalia, Mo. His first real work was one year spent in making a set of abstract books for Frieze & Payne. He then entered the mercantile business in partnership with a pioneer, J. W. Garrett, under the firm name of Garrett & Russell, and sold groceries in Greenfield from 1896 to 1898, when Mr. Garrett sold out to J. M. Travis, and the firm then was known as Travis & Russell, and remained so for about three years. After the death of Mr. Travis, Mr. Russell conducted the business in his own name for about four years. After retiring from the grocery business, about seven years ago, Mr. Russell took charge of the loan and abstract business of W. O. Russell & Co., with offices with Ben M. Neale, who has an interest in the business. He also has conducted an insurance business for the past ten years with success.

William O. Russell was first married to Cora Belle Anderson, May 28th, 1898, a native of Dade County, born

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near Greenfield in 1875 and died June 26th, 1904. She was a daughter of B. C. and Frances Anderson, early settlers in the county. She was a member of the Chris- tian church and was the mother of three children:

(1) Oren E., born June 8th, 1900, and is now attend- ing school.

(2) John Anderson, born September 13th, 1902, died in September, 1906.

(3) Frances Ann, born May 8th, 1904.

His second marriage occurred July 22nd, 1908, to Miss Mary Ethel Morgan, born in 1890, a daughter of M. D. and Mary (Anderson) Morgan of Greenfield. She has a good education, and is a member of the Christian church. They have two children:

(1) Lois, born November 20th, 1909.

(2) Helen, born July 12th, 1911.

Mr. Russell has acquired considerable distinction as a fraternity man, being a member of the Masons, and all four branches of the order, an Odd Fellow, having filled all the official chairs, and a member of the W O. W. and M. W. A. He is also an active member of the Christian church. He is regarded as one of the sound, substantial business men of the town, is an active member of the Com- mercial club and other civic organizations, and is held in high esteem by his neighbors, friends and associates.

ELWOOD RUSH.

One of our real, alive, red-blooded citizens is Ex-Judge Elwood Rush of Marion Township. He was born in Law- rence County, Indiana, October 4th, 1859, a son of George W. Rush and Lucinda A. JJones, his wife. The father was a native of North Carolina and the mother of Indiana. George W. Rush came to Indiana with his father when he was a small boy. His father took up land from the government in that state and was identified with the early development of Indiana. In 1866 George W. Rush, father of Elwood Rush, the subject of his sketch, entered 160 acres of government land in Neosho County, Kansas,

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and was a pioneer in every sense of the word in that sec- tion of the state, and it is here that JJudge Elwood Rush saw some of the strenuous side of life. The Indians were numerous at that time, and Mr. Rush remembers well many incidents for which the Indians were responsible, as well as many of their peculiar traits and customs. One of the most peculiar of these was the custom of the In- dians feeding their dead after burial. They would bury their dead in a very shallow grave, if any, and cover the bodies with stones, and at the head of the grave would leave a small opening into which the Indians would pour specially-made soup and through which medium they imagined they fed their departed brothers. In that coun- try there were hundreds and hundreds of Indian mounds, and some of these he remembers well of opening and se- curing relies, beads rings, etc.

Times were hard in Kansas for the pioneer settlers at that early date. One faet that is very vivid in the mind of Mr. Rush to this day is the fact that one-half bushel of timothy seed which his father had taken from Indiana to Kansas when they emigrated, was one year the means of their financial salvation. He remembers that this seed was planted and that he and one of his sisters beat out the seeds from the crop by hand, and that they realized $10 per bushel, and with this money they paid their en- trance fees on their land. Mr. Rush was taught to work, and work hard. He had very little chance for schooling, and what little he had received was obtained in a little school house actually 8x10 feet, and he could only attend a day now and then, as he had to work to live. He used oxen mostly. He remained with his father until he was 19 years of age, and at first after leaving home worked out at $13 per month. He followed this for three years, and was finally able to get hold of 40 acres of unbroken land by trading an old yoke of oxen for a horse, and, horses being scarce, he was able to trade this horse for 40 acres of land. This was in 1850. This 40 he sold to another party on time, and then made arrangements to buy himself an 80-acre tract for which he was to pay $300,

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the first half to be paid when he received the $150 due for the 40 he sold on time. He eventually paid for his, most of the purchase price coming from money he earned breaknig raw land for his neighbors. He had secured a young wild yoke of oxen. He married about this time, July 4th, 1881, a Miss Agnes C. Jones, who was born in Illinois October 25th, 1864, and a daughter of Elmer M. Jones and Helen M. Moore, his wife, who were also early settlers of Kansas, emigrating there about 1867, but sub- sequently moving to Lockwood, Mo., where Mr. Jones died in 1905, and his wife is still living, at the advanced age of 80 years, and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Rush. Right after his marriage Mr. Rush built a little log house 12x14. He cut the logs himself, giving half for the saw- ing of the lumber, and to this little place he took his bride. Here they lived for four or five years. The first winter he cleared two acres for a neighbor, getting the timber for clearing, and from this split his own rails and built a "stake and rider" three-rail fence around 30 acres, which he had broken the previous summer and on which he put in a erop. By devious methods of trading and managing he bought 18 acres of timber land, which he succeeded in trading for an 80-acre tract joining his original 80, which made him a tract of 160 acres, and in four years' time he had prospered to such an extent that from practically a beginning of nothing, he had paid for and owned 160 acres, 60 acres of which was under cultiva- tion, and was out of debt. He stayed on this 160-acre farm, built a good house and barn, fenced complete, went into the sheep business, and prospered exceedingly, and in 1895 was considered a well-to-do farmer of that section of Kansas.

At that date he traded his land in Kansas for 240 acres of land in Dade County, Missouri, with an encum- brance of $2,300, and here he moved his family. This place was known as the Unele Billie Waggoner farm, and had been run down considerably, but after his strenuous pioneer life in Kansas he well knew how to put this fine place back in shape. He went to work with his accus-

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tomed energy, improving the place with fences, barns and outbuildings, until. now he has one of the finest stock farms of all Dade County. He has two large barns, one 36x50, which has a large basement, and one stone barn, 36x40 feet, and cultivates 140 acres, the balance of his ranch being in good grass pasture and timber land. On this place he has put a fine line of full-blooded stock, handles registered Shorthorn cattle, Shropshire sheep and Poland- China hogs. He is one of our leading stock men.

On his place may be found one fine registered Percheron stallion, named Monte Christo, and one registered jack, named Giant Jumbo, and a registered Shorthorn bull, named Red Cloud; in fact, Mr. Rush is a large breeder of jacks as well as Percheron horses. This place is well watered by wells, all wire-fenced and cross-fenced, and is an ideal stock farm.' In addition to his holdings in Marion Township, Dade County, Mr. Rush owns 80 acres in Kansas and five and one-half acres adjoining the city of Lockwood.

Taken altogether, Mr. Rush is one of our most sub- stantial citizens. To him and his wife have been born five children, the oldest, Rodger, died at the age of 4 years; Lawrence married Bertha Hamm, a native of Dade County, and they are farming in Barton County, this state, and have four children, as follows, Clarence, Walter, Elvin and Lester Elmer; Iva married A. P. Allen of Denver, Colo., a prominent business man of that city, where they. live; Lena married August Braggs, a native of Iowa, and they are living on a part of Mr. Rush's place and have one fine boy named Leo Paul; Truman is at home, attend- ing school.

Mr. and Mrs. Rush are members of the Christian church, in which they take an active part. In politics Mr. Rush is a red-hot Republican. He was elected judge of the county court for the Western district in 1908, and served two years with credit to himself and with entire satisfaction to his constituents. He is a great friend of the public school and has served on the school board many years, as well as spending some of his energies as road

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commissioner. Too much cannot be said for this high- minded, broad-guaged citizen. He is a self-made man in every sense of the word and stands at the front rank of Dade County's citizenship. We need, and have for years needed, more men of the calibre of Judge Rush. He is a booster for all things for the good of his county or its people, and can be relied upon to spend his money for any good cause along progressive lines. It is a pleas- ure to meet and know this broad-guaged, courteous gen- tleman. May he always remain a citizen of Dade County, is the earnest wish of thousands of Dade County citizens.

W. E. SCOTT SR.

Born in Dade County September 20th, 1855, son of Emerson and Amanda (Tucker) Scott. He was the fourth in point of birth of a family of eight children:

(1) Nancy, now Mrs. Winkle.

(2) James R.

(3) Alexander Hamilton.

(4) W. E. Scott.

(5) Perry.

(6) Price.

(7) Emerson.

W. E. Scott was 27 years of age when he started in business on his own account. He rented for two years and then bought 24 acres, 18 acres of which was improved. It had no house, but he moved a small two-room house upon it, and he has since added to it, doing all the work himself, until he now has a comfortable farm home. Hle has worked hard and prospered, so that now his farm con- sists of 120 acres of fine land, good buildings and modern conveniences.

On the 1st day of November, 1883, he was married to Susan A. MeConnell, born in Dade County May .24th, 1858, daughter of Theodore and Margaret ( Watson) Mc- Connell, both now deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Scott are the parents of two children:

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FRANK CHATHAM AND FAMILY. AT THE RESIDENCE IN NORTH SAC.

JOHN SEYBERT, AT HOME.

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(1) Homer E., born March 10th, 1886. Is farming and living at home.

(2) Ira E., born September 17th, 1891, is also farm- ing at home.

These boys own 40 acres adjoining their father's place.

Mr. Scott is interested in dairying, and finds that it pays. He keeps six cows, and, in addition to his clover pasture, has one and one-half acres of alfalfa, which yields splendidly. He favors the Red-Polled cattle for dairy purposes.

Politically Mr. Scott votes the Democratic ticket. His entire family, including himself, are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Mr. Scott is wide-awake on the question of good roads and good schools. His farm is well located, well watered and especially adapted for dairy purposes. He has four good wells and one is equipped with a windmill. He takes great delight in farming enterprises, and both himself and his boys are enthusiastic concerning the future of Dade County.

JOHN E. SCROGGS.

Was born upon the banks of the White river in the state of Arkansas about 50 miles west of Memphis in the year 1843. His father, William L. Scroggs, was born in North Carolina and died in Dade County in April, 1894, at the age of 76 years. He was of Scotch-Irish parentage, a farmer, and of strong anti-slavery proclivities. He came to Dade County in 1848, bringing his son, John E., with him. He located on a farm of 80 acres in Center Town- ship about three and one-half miles northeast of Green- field. He subsequently purchased adjoining land, and was prosperous. This land was all unimproved, and he built the first frame house in the neighborhood. He also in- troduced the first cook stove in the neighborhood, going to St. Louis in a wagon for it. It was quite a curiosity among the neighbors. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church for many years, first attending services in the homes of the community, and afterward assisting in build-

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ing the brick (Ebeneezer) church in Greenfield, where he was a regular attendant until his death. In politics he was first a Whig, but united with the Republican party when it was first organized. He continued in this political faith during life. He was public administrator of the county for many years.

William L. Scroggs married for his second wife Leah Caroline Mitchell of Tennessee about 1846. There were 14 children born of this marriage, nine of whom are still living:

(1) Joseph W., resides in Oklahoma.

(2) Luther M., of Hillsdale, Kas.

(3) Walter, a resident of California.

(4) Alfred, resides at Iola, Kas.

(5) Mary Frances Orr, of Mt. Vernon, now deceased.

(6) Ella Brumbach, of Seattle, Wash.

(7) Minnie Schriver, of Mt. Vernon.

(8) Lillie Weir, resides near Greenfield.

(9) Belle Pollard, of Minneapolis.

(10) Laure McConnell, of Mt. Vernon.

The first wife of William L. Seroggs was Rachael Jane Erwin, born in Iredale County, North Carolina, in 1823, daughter of John M. Erwin, a Presbyterian minister. Her husband, William L. Seroggs, was also born in the same county. She died when JJohn E. was about four weeks old, he being the only child. She was a member of the Presbyterian church.

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History of Dade County and her people : from the date of the earliest settlements to the present time, Part 51

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