USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Dade County and her people : from the date of the earliest settlements to the present time > Part 56
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them and went back on the provision train for the Union army. Judge Waddle well remembers this period of his life, when his father returned to Arkansas and left his wife and children, one of which is our subject. They re- sided in a large brick house on South Street, Springfield, Mo., which was opposite Fort No. 4, so-called when General Marmaduke made his famous raid on Springfield. All the women and children were ordered to the north side of the city, and the cannon balls passed over them all day during that raid. When the family returned home the next morning there were dead soldiers on the porch and in the vard, both the Blue and the Gray. The Union soldiers fought from this residence and one was killed inside of the house. When his father returned from Ar- kansas they came to Dade County, and here he, David Waddle, enlisted in Company I. Seventh Missouri Prov- incials, and was finally discharged on account of disability, never regaining his health. He died August 15th, 1901, in Greene County, Missouri.
His father, Martin Waddle, grandfather of our sub- ject, Judge Waddle, was undoubtedly a native of Ken- tucky. It is known that he came from Kentneky to Chari- ton County, Missouri, and from there to Greene County. and settled on what is known as the Peter Ooley place of Clear creek, 20 miles northwest of Springfield. He went from there to Scott County, Arkansas, where he died. At one time, many years ago, he owned the land where Cin- cinnati, O., now stands, and he also held title to the Man- mouth Cave in Kentucky. His wife was Polly Ann Lamar, whose father was a Frenchman and came to America with General Lafayette and fought in the Revolutionary war. His mother's name was Dehart.
Judge Waddle was second in order of birth of eight children born to David Waddle and Margaret (Reagan) Waddle. In order. they are named as follows: Elizabeth, born Angust 21st. 1549; John William, born April 15th, 1851; Polly An. born November 27th, 1-53; Columbus, born November 20th. 1855: Martin M., born February 20th. 1-58; Margaret, born May 10th. 1861: David, born April
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1st, 1862; Young D., born February 11th, 1865. John W. Waddle, as stated before, was born in Lawrence County, on Spring river. His father having lost his health during the war and never having been able after that to do manual labor, John W., being the oldest boy, had to take the bur- den of the main support of the family. He worked out from place to place, cheerfully performing this duty until he became of age, at which time he married Eliza Jane Beal, on January 14th, 1872, in Greene County, Missouri. She was born July 16th, 1851, daughter of George Thomas Beal and Emily Jane (Ooley) Beal, who were married September 18th, 1845, his birthday being August 5th, 1823, and hers September 18th, 1819. George Thomas Beal was the son of Charles Fay Beal, who came to Dade County at an early date and settled in Greenfield, where he carried on a saddlery and harness shop previous to the Civil war. He moved to the northern part of the state when the war came up, and there died in a later year. His wife's maiden name was Deliah Dotson. Emily Jane (Ooley) Beal was the daughter of Peter Ooley, who in turn was the son of David and Catherine Ooley. Peter Ooley was born October 28th, 1787, and married a Miss Mary Clark April 5th, 1810, who was born October 2nd, 1792. He came to Greene County at a very early date, in fact, when the Indians were plentiful, and entered a large tract of land on Clear creek, and resided there until he died. Eliza Jane (Beal) Waddle, wife of our subject, Judge Waddle, was third of a family of five children. In · order of birth they are as follows:
Mary Deliah Beal, born December 30tl, 1846; Thursey Ann, born October 19th, 1848; Eliza Jane, born July 16th, 1851; Peter Fay, born April 16th, 1854; Martha Samantha, born December 4th, 1857. George Thomas Beal, father of Mrs. Waddle, resided in Dade County near Greenfield from childhood until the Civil war, when he went to Rolla, Mo., and enlisted in the Union army. He was killed in the battle of Pea Ridge March 8th, 1862. He was a de- voted Christian. The following is a letter verbatim as written by George Thomas Beal to his wife, Emily Jane
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(Ooley), while he was in active service, and only a few days previous to his death :
State of Missouri, Phelps County, December 14th, 1861.
My Dear Companion :
I now take my pen in hand to inform you that I have not forgotten you, and that I am well at this time. I have enjoyed good health ever since I left home. I weigh more than lever did before. I now weigh 150 pounds. I do hope these few lines may find you enjoying the same bless- ings of God, the Giver of our Spirits and the Creator of our bodies, to whom we owe our thanks, praise and adoration forever.
I am surrounded with blasphemers, yet there are many good, pions men in our midst. I have a good many friends here.
I would write something about how bad I want to see you, but I cannot tell it with my pen: neither could I express my feelings with my tongue. The longer I stay away the dearer and nearer you feel to me, but God only knows whether we will meet again on earth or not, and if we never meet again I want you all to meet me in heaven, where parting will be no more.
I pray to the Lord that he will strengthen and sup- port von in all your hard trials in this life. I vet hope there is a time coming when we can stay at home in peace again. I bought shoes for you and started them to you by Hiter Sanford, but he met the last retreat and came back again.
I could write many things to you if I dared to, but I cannot. We, the soldiers, are perfect Know Nothings. We have strict laws and we must obey them. I must now bring my letter to a close. Give my best respects to all inquiring friends. May God AAhnighty save us all with an everlasting salvation for Christ's sake, is my prayer, so nothing more at present but to remain. Your affectionate friend. until death.
G. T .BEAL TO E. J. BEAL.
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As has been stated before, Judge Waddle, up to his 21st year, had spent his energies in the support of father, mother, brothers and sisters. He had received some little schooling, however, in Greene County. But of this world's goods when he had reached his majority he had very little. The amount of his worldly assets the year previous to his marriage we find to be: One horse, good health, and a firm determination to make good and be somebody, and enough money for a marriage fee. He, therefore, decided to marry, and just previous to his marriage he harvested a fair crop of wheat and was married the first of the following year. That year they rented 80 acres and made a splendid corn crop, and from this beginning began slowly to prosper. In the year 1874 they rented another farm, and it was a very dry year. In 1875 they rented 120 aeres in Dade County, and this was another poor crop vear. They returned to Greene County and bought 40 acres of land on Clear creek. Here they built their first log cabin, abont 14 feet square with a side room. He added to this place 96 acres and 30 acres in another tract Their children were all born here except the oldest and the youngest. They lived on this farm until 1891, when they sold out and bought a small farm in Dade County, Missouri, one and one-half miles north of Arcola, kept this only one year and sold that farm, went back to Greene County and bought 80 acres near the old home place, and in one year bought back the old home place in addition to the 80 acres. In 1901 they sold all this land and bought 120 acres in Murray Township, known as the James Thomas farm, living here until 1903, when they sold this farin and returned to Dade County, buying 160 acres in Rock Prairie Township, where they now reside.
To J. W. Waddle and wife the following children were born: Ephriam Orlando Waddle, born January 7th, 1873, died November 2nd, 1874; Orral Larismur, born April 19th, 1876, died May 9th, 1876; Arla Rosilla, born July 9th, 1877, married Joseph MeBce November 25th, 1896, and died November 14th, 1911, leaving one son, Archmer Eltry MeBee, who was born December 31st, 1900;
J. H. POE STORE, PENNSBORO. BANK OF PENNSBORO.
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Bertha Natrulia, born January 7th, 1880, married Edward Robert Kelley Angust 2nd, 1896, and they had children as follows:
Terry MeConnel, born in Greene County, Missouri, September 15th, 1901; Ellis John, also born in Greene County, December 11th, 1903; Claire Alta May, born in Morencia, Ariz., February 1st, 1906; Robert Leland, born in Greene County, Missouri, August 16th, 1908; Louis, born in Webster County June 21st, 1911; AAlta Eulalia May Waddle, born March 26th, 1882, was married July 23rd, 1905, to Charles W. Fortner, and they have one daugh- ter, Bertha Genevieve Fortner, born September 6th, 1907; Lourell Lyman, born September 27th, 1884, married July 5th, 1905, to Erie Killingsworth; John Devillo, born March 5th, 1892, married March 9th, 1912, to Miss Jessie Irene Brookshier.
Judge Waddle is a Republican in politics and has ever held true and steadfast to the principles of his party. In 1912 he was nominated for county judge by the Re- publicans in the eastern district, and was beaten by 39 votes, and again in 1916 the Republican party nominated him for the same office and he was elected by a majority of 133 votes. Too much cannot be said of the high charac- ter of Judge Waddle and his fine wife. They are among our most respected and honored citizens.
JUDGE THOMAS M. WALKER.
There is probably no better known or more highly respected citizen of Dade County than Thomas M. Walker, presiding judge of the Dade County Court. He was born in Newton County, Missouri, March 14th, 1858, a son of John M. Walker and Sarah Reynolds, his wife, both of whom were natives of Georgia, where they were married, and came to Newton County about 1852. He was a me- chanie and farmer. They remained in Newton County until 1860, when they moved to Greene County, Missouri, where they carried on farming. He was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, enlisting in 1860. He
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passed away in Christian County February 19th, 1894, while his wife had died in 1863, leaving five children, all of whom grew to maturity excepting one boy, Joel A., who was drowned at the age of 14 years. The others were: John M., who died in Barry County; William Franklyn, now supposed to be living in some part of the north; Henry a farmer of Barry County; Thomas M., the subject of this sketch. After the war John M. Walker married a second time, but did not raise a family. He spent some time following his trade as farmer and mechanic in eastern Lawrence County, retiring to Billings, Christian County, about three years previous to his death. He was a Bap- tist in religious belief, a Republican in politics, and was a very prominent citizen. He was a brave and efficient soldier and became crippled while in active service. He had been detailed to carry the mail from Springfield to Rolla, Mo., which he did for some two years, and it was while in this service that an escaping prisoner ran his horse into the horse Mr. Walker was riding, the result of which made Mr. Walker a cripple for life.
Judge Walker received his education in Lawrence County in the common schools and remained at home until he was 21 years of age, at which time he went to farming in Lawrence County, and later on bought 40 acres in that County, which he soon traded for an 80-acre tract, but did not keep this a great while before he traded it off and rented for several years, than again invested in 40 acres, which he kept until 1901, when he sold this, and on De- comber 1st, 1901, moved to Dade County. He first rented the P. R. Montgomery farm in Sac Township, paying $1,000 a year for three years. He prospered here, and in 1904 bought a fine farm of 240 acres in Cedar Township, where he now lives. This place had about 160 acres in cultiva- tion and was fairly well improved, but Judge Walker has added to the improvements materially, and now it is considered one of the finest stock farms of northwest Dade County. Besides farming for the benefit of himself and family, Judge Walker has devoted a great deal of his life to the benefiting of his fellow-man. He was ordained to
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preach May 1st, 1886, in the Baptist church. His first charge was at Sycamore, where he remained five years. He was pastor of Pleasant Grove two years and then spent two years as district missionary worker in Law- rence. During this time he organized Summit church, which is six miles northeast of Mt. Vernon, and where he served two years as pastor. He also organized the New Home church, eight miles south of Everton. He has been very active in the mission work, but during his activities along this line his health failed, and after a strenuous campaign of three months' mission work in St. Clair County he was forced to a well deserved rest, so for the last six years he has spent most of his time farming.
In politics Mr. Walker is a staunch Republican, and in 1914 was elected to the Republican ticket as presiding judge of the Dade County court, which position he has filled with marked credit to himself and with entire satis- faction to the people of the county at large. As much time as his health will permit, he still devotes to religious teaching. He is at present the moderator of the Dade County Baptist Association, and is now preaching for the Cedarville church. and also takes leadership in Sunday school work.
On November 4th, 1880, Mr. Walker was married At Sarcoxie, Mo., to Nora S. Hammer, who was born February 9th, 1861, in Lawrence County near Mt. Vernon, a daugh- ter of James Allen and Sarah (Tolliver) Hammer. Both were natives of Tennessee and both were brought by their parents to Lawrence County in the early 40's. They were married there and raised a large family, of whom Mrs. Walker was fourth in order of birth of eleven children. nine of whom are living and all settled near Mt. Vernon, with the exception of Mrs. Walker. Her father is de- erased, dying in 1900. Her mother. however, is living. and resides with Judge Walker and his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Walker were the parents of five children, two of whom are living. Record of the family is as follows: The first child died in infancy. unnamed. The second, Arthur, was born October 4th, 1883. and died May 20th. 1904, at
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the age of 21. Sherman A. was born August 17th, 1885, married Eva Toller; they live on a part of Judge Walker's farm in Cedar Township and have two children, Loren and Jewel. Sarah Floe was born November 28th, 1887, married Robert Coin, a prominent farmer of Cedar Town- ship, but died February 3rd, 1911, leaving one child, Elma. Edna Gertrude was born February 7th, 1890, married Lon McGuire of Cedar County, and they now live in Shenan- doah, Ia .; they have two children, the first, Carl, was born March 7th, 1911, and Max Walker, born April 8th, 1915.
Too much cannot be said of the good that Judge Walker and his estimable wife have done in our midst. They are both fine Christian people and have devoted the greater part of their lives to doing good to others. Truly, Judge Thomas M. Walker is one of our first citizens, and no man stands higher in the hearts of the people than this fine, courteous gentleman. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church at Cedarville. Fraternally Mr. Wal- ker is a member of the A. F. & A. M. at Arcola, and was a charter member of the M. W. A. at Miller, Mo., but now has his membership at Jerico Springs, Cedar County. Along all lines Judge Walker is progressive and broad- minded. He is a first-class farmer, a first-class judge and a first-class citizen, and he well deserves the exceptional high esteem in which he is held by the entire population of this county.
ALBERT E. WATSON.
Born in Macoupin County, Illinois, June 2nd, 1863. His father, James T. Watson, was born in Kentucky, near Louisville, and died in September, 1894. His parents moved to Illinois in the early 50's. His father was a suc- cessful farmer and stock raiser and died on the farm. In politics he was a Republican, but at the breaking out of the Civil war he was not eligible for military duty. He was an old-time Whig and afterward a Republican. In 1871 he moved to Jasper County, Missouri, where he spent the remainder of his days. James T. Watson was married
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to Malinda J. Brown, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in the year 1912 at the age of 85 years. Her parents moved to Macoupin County, Illinois, in an early day. She was a member of the Baptist church and the mother of three children:
(1) Albert E. Watson, the subject of this sketch.
(2) Alice, born in Macoupin County, Illinois, married Albert Clayton, a farmer. She died in 1901, leaving four children.
(3) Lula, born in Jasper County, Missouri, married Edward Broughton, and now lives in Webb City, Mo.
Albert E. Watson was raised upon Illinois and Mis- souri farms. He attended the public schools and also an Academy at Carlinville, Ill. He continued on the farm until 1908, when he came to Greenfield, and in 1914 en- gaged in the telephone business, buying out the Mutual Telephone Company lines. Prior to this time he was in business at Golden City for four years. As a manager of a telephone exchange Mr. Watson has proven a suc- cess.
On the 18th day of February, 1896, he was married to Lizzie Mosher, born in Galesburg, Ill., in 1878. Her father was a farmer and a very successful one, too.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson are the parents of three chil- dren :
(1) H. Raymond, born in Jasper County, Missouri, January 21st, 1897, and graduated from the Greenfield High School in the class of 1917.
(2) Frank G., born in Jasper County, Missouri, August 9th, 1899, and is now attending school.
(3) Fern, born in Jasper County, Missouri, August 14th, 1904.
Mrs. Watson is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Watson is a member of the Odd Fellows and the M. W. A. In politics he is a Republican. Besides being the owner of the Mutual Telephone Company lines and exchange in Greenfield, he also has property in Golden City, and is the owner of a fine residence property in Greenfield, located on one of the most desirable streets in the city.
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SAMUEL J. WEIR.
Was born in Cooper County, Missouri, December 27th, 1830, son of Samuel and Polly B. (Stevens) Weir. His father was a native of Tennessee, born April 9th, 1791, and died in Dade County October 21st, 1848. His mother was a native of Kentucky, born October 9th, 1797, and died September 23rd, 1883. His father and mother came to Dade County in 1840 and entered a large tract of land, some of it adjoining the city of Greenfield. He owned 2,000 acres at the time of his deatlı. There were ten children in this family, but all are dead except Sampel J. He remained at home on the old homestead, living with his parents till both passed away. The house where he now lives was also the home of his father. Part of it is constructed of logs, built by his father, but is now weather-boarded over, and is prob- ably one of the oldest, if not the very oldest, building in the county. His father was a Cumberland Presbyte- rian minister and rode and preached all over southwest Missouri. He also married many of the older settlers of the county.
Samuel. J. Weir was married on the 10th day of Feb- ruary, 1858, to Mattie D. Wilson, who was born April 21st, 1840, and. died March 27th, 1915. She was a daugh- ter of William Wilson. There were ten children born of this union, nine of whom grew to maturity: Nora, born February 24th, 1859, married Lewis Hembree; Don, born November 7th, 1862; Anna, born September 15th, 1861, married D. P. Duffy; Horace E., born November 14th, 1867; George L., born March 8th, 1868; Robert S., born November 17th, 1874; Frank B., born December 12th, 1876; Lucy M., born June 10th, 1878, married J. L. Hig- gins; Daisy D., born August 31st, 1882, married R. O. Ball, died leaving one child.
Samuel J. Weir entered the mercantile business in Cooper County in 1864, but was cleaned out by Con- federate soldiers and others just as he was getting ready to move back to Dade County. After coming to Green- field he enlisted in the Enrolled Militia of Missouri, and
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served in the Home Guards. In politics Mr. Weir is a Democrat. In the earlier days of his life he accumulated a large amount of property, much of which has been given to his children. He has given them all a- good start in life. At the present time he is the owner of land near Greenfield, much of which has been given to his children to use, retaining only a life estate for himself, and all of which will be theirs after his death.
Mr. Weir remembers much concerning the pioneer life in Dade County. He readily recalls the days of ox- teams, poor roads, log cabin homes, gourd dippers, spin- ning wheels, looms and corn-dodger bread baked in the fireplace skillet. In those days buggies, spring wagons, harvesting machines, sewing machines, telephones, elec- tric lights and automobiles had never been dreamed of, much less realized.
JAMES P. WHEELER.
Was born in Polk Township, Dade County, Missouri, February 24th, 1869, son of John C. and Melissa Jane (Hayes) Wheeler. His father was also born in Dade County, January 24th, 1840, while his mother was a na- tive of Kentucky. His paternal grandfather was born in Tennessee January 23rd, 1800, and married Barbara Julian, also a native of Tennessee. They came to Mis- souri in 1838, bringing a family of six children with them, and settled in Polk Township, taking up 640 acres of government land. These old people farmed all their life. He cleared out a great many acres and was a fine specimen of the hardy pioneer. Both are buried in the Wheeler cemetery in Polk Township.
John C. Wheeler was married and remained witlı his father for about one year, when he purchased 120 acres of land just across the line in Polk County, which was partly improved. He built a large barn on this land, farmed it for about six years, and then traded it for an improved 160 acres in Barton County, upon which he moved, and remained for two years, sold out and
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bought 260 acres of the old homestead in Polk Township, the place where he was born. Here he lived and worked, building a fine house and barn and cleared out con- siderable land. Here also he died. He was a Republican, active in local politics, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Com- pany L, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, and served for four years in the South. His widow is still living in Dade- ville at the age of 67 years, in fairly good health. John C. Wheeler and wife were the parents of six children, which grew to maturity:
(1) James P. Wheeler, the subject of this sketch.
(2) Calvin, a farmer (now deceased), married Nellie Gilliland.
(3) William Leander, a farmer, lives in Polk County, near the Dade County line.
(4) Dollie, married Roy C. King of Polk Township.
(5) Clarence C., now lives in Polk County.
(6) Bessie, married William Maze, a hardware mer- chant in Dadeville.
James P. Wheeler remained at home till 20 years of age. He obtained his schooling in Dade County in the common schools, high school and Ozark College. He taught school at the age of 17 years. On the 14th day of August, 1892, he was married to Alma Gilliland, who was born in Kentucky September 26th, 1875, daughter of H. A. and Nannie (Bryan) Gilliland, both natives of Kentucky. Her father was a farmer in Polk County.
James P. Wheeler and wife are the parents of three children, all of whom are living:
(1) John Hugh, born March 6th, 1896. Is now at- tending the State Normal School at Springfield, and will serve in 1917 his first year as principal of Greenfield public schools.
(2) Bertha, born October 28th, 1897, graduate of High School at Greenfield.
(3) Gale, born July 26th, 1899. Is still at home, and is a graduate of High School at Greenfield. Both
JOHN W. WOODARD AND WIFE.
JAMES L. DAIGH AND WIFE. JOHN WOODARD AND WIFE.
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girls are making a specialty of music, in which line they show much proficiency.
James P. Wheeler taught school in Dade County for ten years, and was one year principal of the Everton city schools. Farming and stock raising has, however, been his principal occupation in life. He first bought 100 acres of farming land in Polk Township, kept it for 10 years, sold out and bought 160 acres near Greenfield. About this time he also bought 160 acres in Polk Town- ship. Afterward he exchanged the 160 acres near Green- field to T. Howard Finley in the purchase of the 240-acre farm upon which he now resides in East Center Town- ship, three miles northeast of Greenfield. He also owns 20 acres just north of the city of Greenfield.
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