USA > Missouri > Gentry County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 33
USA > Missouri > Daviess County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 33
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To William P. and Elizabeth (Osborn) Dunnington were born ten children, seven of whom are now living: J. F., the subject of this sketch ; Coleman, Harrison Township; Mark, Harrison Township; Amanda, Har- rison Township; Joseph S. and Richard H., living in the state of Wash- ington.
J. F. Dunnington grew to manhood on his father's farm. In 1876 he purchased his present farm, moving from Harrison Township, in 1878. His farm is modern in every respect, and he has been very successful in general farming and stock raising.
On Dec. 27, 1874, Mr. Dunnington was married to Johanna Worley, a daughter of Daniel Worley. Mrs. Dunnington was born in Williams County, Ohio, Feb. 13, 1852. Mr. Worley came to Missouri after the Civil War.
Mr. and Mrs. Dunnington were the parents of ten children, as follows: Albert, Union Township; William, Pueblo, Colo .; Lena, the wife of William O'Toole, Alamosa, Colo .; Charles, Cameron; Elmer, deceased ; Frank, Colo- rado; Vernice, the wife of Charles Franks, Sheridan Township; Bernice, the wife of Harry Temple, Montana; Mary, the wife of Kenneth Clark. Lawrence, Kans .; Thomas, living at home. Vernice and Bernice are twins. Mrs. Dunnington died Aug. 14, 1914.
Mr. Dunnington is a Republican and takes an active interest in local affairs, having served on the school board, district No. 88, ever since he came to Monroe Township. He is a reliable man in his community who has attained success by hard work and perseverence.
Milton Trosper, a prominent farmer and stockman of Monroe Town- ship, was born in Caldwell County, May 25, 1858, a son of Benjamin and Mary C. (Groves) Trosper.
Benjamin Trosper was born Dec. 1, 1828, in Kentucky. During the Civil War he was a soldier in the Confederate Army. When a very young man he came to Caldwell County, where he engaged in farming and stock raising during his entire life. He died in 1868. Benjamin and Mary C. (Groves) Trosper were the parents of eight children. Later Mrs. Trosper married Louis Brooks, and is now residing in Creigmont, Idaho. Four children were born to this union.
Milton Trosper was educated in the district schools and has followed farming and stock raising all his life. He purchased his present farm in 1902 and has made extensive improvements. He now owns 401 acres, and
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is widely known as a breeder and feeder of Duroc Jersey hogs and Short- horn cattle.
Mr. Trosper was married the first time to Sarah J. Lankford, who was born in Daviess County, Aug. 7, 1855. She died in 1912. To Milton and Sarah J. (Lankford) Trosper four children were born: Thomas B., de- ceased; Martin, Caldwell County; Grace, the wife of Benjamin Rogers, Caldwell County ; Fay, the wife of Orva Brewer, Caldwell County.
Mr. Trosper was married the second time to Fannie (Gebhard) Buell, March 29, 1915. She was born in Union County, Pa., Sept. 27, 1881, and moved to Kansas when she was four months old with her parents. She was reared in Brown County, and was married the first time to George Buell. To George and Fannie (Gebhard) Buell two children were born: Georgia married Virgil Wynne, Gallatin, and LeVeta living with her mother. Mrs. Trosper moved to Daviess County in 1914.
Milton Trosper is a Democrat and a stockholder in the Nettleton Bank of Nettleton, Mo., and also the Farmers Mercantile and Trade Company. He is a member of the Methodist church and is recognized as a dependable citizen of Daviess County.
Fred L. Pierce, a successful farmer and stockman of Monroe Town- ship, and owner of 200 acres of well improved land, was born Jan. 29, 1871, in Tippecanoe County, Ind., a son of Richard Carter and Sarah Ann (Lee) Pierce.
Richard C. Pierce was born in Ohio, Aug. 17, 1828. He was a physi- cian and surgeon and preached in the Methodist church for more than 60 years. In 1883 he went west and settled at Iowa Point, Kans., where he practice medicine. He later moved to Leona, Kan., and in 1892, engaged in the drug business at Atchison, Kans. After several years Mr. Pierce came to Gallatin to make his home with his children. He also lived in Breckenridge for 10 or 12 years. He died at Gallatin March 13, 1913. Mrs. Pierce was born Aug. 12, 1829, in West Virginia, and died March 24, 1915. She was a cousin of Robert E. Lee of Confederate fame. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are buried at Gallatin. Richard Pierce's father was William Pierce, a native of Ohio. He died at the age of 90 years in Indiana, the result of an accident, a tree falling on him.
To Richard Carter and Sarah Ann (Lee) Pierce ten children were born, as follows: Wiley W., deceased; Isaac D., Gallatin; Ed S., Gallatin; Flora, deceased, was the wife of Loren Patterson; Hattie, deceased, was the wife of John Patterson ; Charles C., Stephens, Ark .; Geo. W., Dallas, Texas ; Lewis J., Indianapolis, Ind .; and Fred L., the subject of this sketch, and one son who died in infancy. Isaac and Ed Pierce are both blind.
Fred L. Pierce was reared on a farm in Indiana and received his educa-
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tion in the district schools and Leona, Kans., High School. For ten years he worked as a farm hand, and in December, 1896, he came to Missouri with his wife and two children. They made the trip in a covered wagon with a team of horses and Mr. Pierce had but 90 cents. They settled in Gallatin, and he worked at hauling wood to town. The following spring he rented land in Liberty Township where he carried on farming. He purchased his present farm in 1899, on which he has made extensive improvements. He is a well known breeder of Poland China hogs, and a fancier of fine stock, especially mules.
Mr. Pierce was married Jan. 30, 1893, to Addie Brant, a daughter of William and Sarah (Schaen) Brant, natives of Germany, who settled in Ohio in 1846 and later, in 1881, came to Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Brant were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Pierce was the youngest ; she was born Sept. 30, 1872, in Seneca County, Ohio. To Fred L. and Addie (Brant) Pierce eight children were born, as follows: Lee R .; Lloyd F .; Walter H .; Mary M .; Olive B .; Mildred R .; Bessie P .; John M .; all of the children are living at home, except Lee R., who lives in Gallatin, and are very well educated.
Mr. Pierce is a Republican and has clerked more sales than any other man in the county. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is an energetic man who stands well in the esteem of his neighbors and fellow citizens.
Seth Macy, a progressive and enterprising farmer and stockman of Monroe Township, was born July 12, 1886, in Union Township, Daviess County, a son of Perry and Ollie (Critten) Macy, who now reside in Union Township.
Mr. Seth Macy was educated in the district schools and the Kidder Institute, Kidder, Mo. After finishing his education he engaged in farm- ing. During one winter he and his father fed 1800 sheep, as they were engaged in stock raising.
In March 1915, Mr. Macy was married to Mattie Weldon, of Harrison Township, a daughter of J. H. and Amanda (Ramsbottom) Weldon. Mr. and Mrs. Weldon are now retired and are living in Gallatin. Mrs. Macy is a graduate of the public schools of Gallatin.
Mr. and Mrs. Macy are the parents of two children, Mary Elizabeth and James Weldon.
When Mr. Macy married he settled on the home farm for one year, and then moved to his present farm. In 1918 he erected a modern bun- galow. He handles and feeds a great many cattle. Mr. Macy now operates 540 acres of land. He also owns 160 acres of well improved land in Union Township. The farm on which he resides with his family contains 80
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acres. He is a stockholder of the Farmers Mercantile Company of Gallatin. Mr. Macy is a member of the Methodist Church and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is a Democrat and one of the substantial citi- zens of Monroe Township and Daviess County.
Perry Macy, a prominent and successful farmer and stockman of Union Township, was born Oct. 25, 1865, on the farm where he still resides. He is a son of Seth and Malinda (Atkinson) Macy.
Seth Macy was born in Indiana and later came to Grundy County, Mo., where he lived for a while, later buying his present farm. At the time of his death he was a large property owner. Upon his father's death, Perry Macy became heir to 565 acres of land and has since that time acquired 171 acres. He has 75 acres of heavy timber.
Mr. and Mrs. Seth Macy were the parents of four children; W. C., deceased; Samantha, deceased, was the wife of James Critten of Jackson Township; Naoma F., deceased, was the wife of C. K. Gwinn; and Perry Macy, the subject of this sketch.
Perry Macy was married to Ollie E. Critten, a native of Daviess County. Mr. and Mrs. Macy were the parents of the following children : Seth, Monroe Township, whose sketch appears in this volume; Ina, deceased, was married to W. C. Wynne; Icy, educated in Lexington, Center College ; Randolph, Macon College in Virginia, also a graduate of Chicago University and a graduate of Yale, with Ph. D. degree and a degree at Boulder, Colo., now teacher of Chemistry in Berkley, Calif .; and Robert at home.
Mr. Macy is a Democrat and has served on the township board. He is a member of the Methodist church. He has been a director in the Gall- atin Co-operative store for three years. Mr. Macy does general farming and is a well known breeder of Aberdeen cattle. He is a good farmer and stockman and successful manager.
William Ramsbottom, deceased, who was a prominent citizen of Daviess County, was born March 17, 1845, in Liberty Township, this county, the son of Obadiah and Matildia (Hemery) Ramsbottom, natives of England and Ohio, and among the first settlers of Daviess County.
Obadiah Ramsbottom was born in Yorkshire, near Leeds, England, March 3, 1814. His father was a manufacturer of clothing and when Obadiah Ramsbottom finished school he went in business with his father. In 1840 he came to this country and settled in New York City for a short time, later coming to Daviess County, where he settled on a farm near Gallatin, remaining there until 1865. He then moved to Harrison Town- ship, where he owned a well improved farm of 480 acres, at the time of his death.
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Mr. Ramsbottom was married Jan. 15, 1844, to Matilda Hemery, a native of Ohio. She was born March 17, 1822. Ten children were born to this union, as follows: William, the subject of this sketch; John, de- ceased; Julia Ann, now Mrs. E. M. Folley, Jr., Monroe Township; Sarah Jane, deceased; Angeline, deceased; Thomas, Monroe Township; Amanda, now Mrs. J. H. Weldon, Gallatin; Ruth, Gallatin ; Charles Pittsburg, Pa.
William Ramsbottom was a farmer during his entire life. He served in the Missouri State Militia for three months, Co., C, 33 Reg. In 1886 he moved to Baner County, Neb., and became engaged in stock raising and farming. Later, in 1898 he moved to Columbus County, and there lived until 1909, when he returned to Gallatin, and in 1920 he returned to his farm in Harrison Township, where he died, Jan. 19, 1921. At the time of his death he owned 222 acres of land.
Mr. Ramsbottom was a Republican, and a member of the Baptist church, being deacon of his church for 40 years. He helped to organize a church in Nebraska, and also helped to build one in North Carolina. Mr. Ramsbottom was one of the substantial members of the church at Gallatin, and at his death was member of the Lick Fork church.
William Ramsbottom was married Sept. 3, 1888, to Abbie Lowe, a native of DeKalb County, born Mar. 15, 1870. She was the daughter of Wm. and Martha Ray Lowe, natives of England and Missouri.
William Ramsbottom and wife were the parents of four children; Ethel, a graduate of Grand River College, and the Southern Baptist Train- ing School at Louisville, Ky. She is a missionary worker and has been stationed in China for the past two years, in Tsinan Shantung Province; James H., born in Baner County, Neb., July 7, 1892. He is a graduate of William Jewell College, Liberty, and one of the first seven men to leave in the draft during the World War, was sent to Camp Funston, and stationed there until May, 1919, with Co. C, 356 Inf., 89th Division, was in active ser- vice overseas, taking part in the St. Milhiel, and the Meuse-Argonne drives, and during the Meuse-Argonne drive he was shot through the chest, Nov. 3, 1918, and remained in a hospital until his discharge April 19, 1919, when he returned home, and is now associated with his family in general farm- ing, and during the war he was promoted from corporal to sergeant; John Ray, a high school teacher at Lock Springs, is a graduate of William Jewell College, Liberty; Marguerite Ruth, teacher in the home district school, is a graduate of Grand River College, and student for two years at Stephens College. She was born in Columbus County, N. C.
The Ramsbottom family are well known and highly respected through- out the country. At the time of his death Mr. Ramsbottom had many
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friends and was known as a hospitable and genial citizen, whose purse strings were always unloosed to the needy.
J. H. Weldon, a retired farmer and owner of 1800 acres of land in Daviess and Livingston Counties, was born Feb. 28, 1858, in Harrison Township, Daviess County, a son of J. B. and Elizabeth (Gillilan) Weldon.
J. B. Weldon was born in Kentucky and went west in 1849, crossing the plains and mountains with oxen. He returned by water around Cape Horn, and settled in Harrison Township, where he took up farming and stock raising. At the time of his death he was the owner of several hun- dred acres of land in Daviess County. He died at the age of 30 years. Mr. and Mrs. Weldon were the parents of three children; Benedict, who died in infancy; J. H., the subject of this sketch; Charity A., wife of J. G. Lawson, Harrison Township.
Mrs. J. B. Weldon then married Humphries Weldon, a brother of J. B. Weldon, her former husband, and to this union two children were born: Mary L., deceased; Ella E., wife of T. T. Hale, Monroe Township. Mrs. Weldon was married the third time to G. W. Gillilan, and one daughter was born to this union, Cora, wife of Abe Higgins, Gilman City.
J. H. Weldon was reared on a farm and attended the district schools. Jan. 2, 1883, Mr. Weldon was married to Amenda Ramsbottom, a daughter of Obediah and Matilda (Hemry) Ramsbottom, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsbottom were among the early settlers of Daviess County. Mr. and Mrs. Weldon are the parents of three children, as follows: Matilda E., wife of Seth Macy, Monroe Township, Mr. and Mrs. Macy have two child- ren, Mary E. and James W .; Floyd J., Harrison Township, husband of Mary G. Seay. They have two children, Chas. F. and James C .; Loyd C., Harrison Township, husband of Helen Hamilton. They have one child, Lloyd H.
Mr. Weldon moved to Gallatin in 1907. He now is the owner of five farms in Daviess County, all of which are well improved. He is also a stock feeder. Mr. Weldon is a stockholder of the Farmers Exchange Bank, and was collector of Harrison Township for a time. At present he is look- ing after his farming interests, which are many.
Mr. Weldon is identified with the Democratic party and is a member of the Masonic lodge. He is a citizen who can always be depended upon, and one who has been successful because of his energy and perserverance.
Lloyd C. Weldon, a well known farmer and stockman of Harrison Township, was born Nov. 26, 1894, at Breckenridge, Mo., a son of James H. and Amanda (Ramsbottom) Weldon. He is a twin brother of Floyd J. Weldon, and they operate about 800 acres of land together in Harrison Township.
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Mr. Weldon was educated in the same schools with his brother, being a graduate of high school and Park College at Parkville, Mo. He also attended the University of Missouri.
April 29, 1920, Mr. Weldon was married to Helen Clark Hamilton, born in Parkville, a daughter of A. C. and Katie M. (Clark) Hamilton, natives of Cleveland, Ohio, and Salisbury, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton were among the early settlers of Platt County, and now reside at Park- ville. Mrs. Weldon was educated in Park College.
Mr. and Mrs. Weldon have one child, Lloyd Hamilton. Lloyd C. was inducted into service in the World War on Sept. 19, 1917. He trained at Camp Funston and also one month at Newport News, Va., before sailing for overseas April 6, 1918. He was with Headquarters Company, 4th In- fantry Regiment, 3rd Division. He took part in the following battles: Champagne, Marne, Meuse-Argonne and St. Milheil. He was known as a runner on the front lines and was later made Regimental Clerk at head- quarters. He was discharged from service Aug. 30, 1919, as a corporal. He then returned home and began farming the home property again with his brother, Floyd.
Mr. Weldon is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist church and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masonic lodge. Like his brother, Floyd, Mr. Weldon is progressive, and they both have an extensive acquaintance in Harrison Township.
Floyd J. Weldon, a prominent farmer and stockman of Harrison Town- ship, Daviess County, was born Nov. 26, 1894, in Breckenridge, Mo., a son of James H. and Amanda (Ramsbottom) Weldon.
Mr. Weldon was educated in the public schools and is a graduate of Park College at Parkville. He also attended the University of Missouri for two years. During the summers he farmed on his fathers' land.
In 1917 Mr. Weldon began farming with his brother Lloyd on the home farm. Oct. 15, 1918, he was married to Mary G. Seay, a daughter of George E. and Barbara Ellen (Grace) Seay, natives of Livingston County, Mo. Mrs. Weldon was born at Chillicothe. Mrs. Seay died Jan. 10, 1919, at the age of 44 years. Mr. Seay now resides at Chillicothe, and is a grain inspector.
Mr. and Mrs. Weldon are the parents of two children: Charles Frank- lin and James Seay.
Mr. Weldon is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist church. He is also a member of the Masonic lodge. Mr. Weldon is a reliable young man and highly esteemed in his community.
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W. P. Townsend, a retired farmer, and owner of 76 acres of land in Harrison Township, was born July 9, 1834, in Claibourne County, Tenn., a son of George and Elizabeth (Long) Townsend, who were natives of England and Holland, respectively.
On March 31, 1855, W. P. Townsend was married to Telitha Lay, who was born in Green County, Tenn., Feb. 4, 1839. She died Sept. 4, 1906. To this union 11 children were born, as follows: John N., Monroe Township; Mary, deceased was the wife of John W. Wantland; William, deceased; Joseph, Denver, Colo .; George A., Kansas City; Levi M., Harrison Town- ship; Clinton W., Bakersfield, Cal., who served and was wounded in the Spanish American War, a member of Company H., 20th Kansas Regiment ; Forrest, deceased; James A., Marion, Kans .; Luther M., living with his father; Charlie, Kansas City, Mo., who enlisted in the World War and served with Company F, 12th Engineers, and was gassed. Mr. Townsend has 33 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren.
W. P. Townsend was reared in Tennessee, and in 1857, he with his wife and one child walked from Tennesse to Clay County, Ill., making the long trip in a little over a month. After arriving in Illinois, Mr. Townsend began working as a farm hand, and later became the owner of 80 acres of land there.
He enlisted in the Civil War at Greenville, Ill., on Aug. 7, 1862, and was assigned to Company F, 130 Regiment Illinois Infantry. His first battle was at Port Gibson; then followed Magnolia Hills; Champion Hills; Jack- son, Miss .; Black River Bottom ; Black River Bridge and a number of skir- mishes until the Siege of Vicksburg. He was taken prisoner April 6, 1864, at Sabin Cross Roads and was in a Confederate prison 13 months and 20 days. He was twice wounded, at Vicksburg and Sabin Cross Roads.
He was discharged June 17, 1865, and mustered out of service July 6. 1865. He then returned to Illinois and in 1867, went to Marion County, where he farmed until 1878, when he came to Harrison Township, Daviess County, where he has since made his home.
In 1860 Mr. Townsend made a trip from Illinois to Daviess County, driving oxen and was on the road from April 7th to May 7th. On the return trip he stopped along the way and hunted, as the country was full of game. Joseph I. Early and his wife returned to Illinois with Mr. and Mrs. Townsend.
Mr. Townsend is a Republican and a member of the G. A. R. He was commissioner of highways in Illinois and has served on the school board in Illinois and Harrison Township. He is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Townsend is a self educated man, never having attended school in his life. He learned to read and write while in the army.
W. P. TOWNSEND
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Benedict W. Patrick, a prominent farmer and stockman of Harrison Township, Daviess County, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Living- ston County, July 28, 1874, a son of John and Ann (Weldon) Patrick, both also natives of Missouri.
John Patrick was born in Livingston County in 1831 and was killed in Texas in 1875. His wife died in May, 1920 at the age of 74 years. They were the parents af three children as follows: Lucy, married Fred Walker and they live in Harrison Township; Lena, married William Kline, Walsen- burg, Colo .; and Benedict W., the subject of this sketch.
Benedict W. Patrick was reared on a farm in Harrison Township and attended the district school. When a young man be bought 40 acres of land which was the small beginning of his present large holdings. He bought more land from time to time until he is now the owner of 500 acres.
Mr. Patrick's splendid residence is one of the attractive homes of Daviess County. He started its construction in 1921, and without doubt it is one of the finest modern farm residences in the state. The house has ten rooms and basement, a complete water system, with hot and cold run- ning water, both hard and soft water being supplied. The hard water is pumped from a 14 foot well which is located one-fourth mile west of the house, by an electric pump which is operated by a motor which is located in the basement. The house is built of pressed faced brick, lined with hollow tile and the design of the building is of the Colonial architecture type. It presents a magnificient appearance. The place is located four and one-half miles north of Breckenridge which is the nearest shipping point.
Mr. Patrick was married on Dec. 17, 1897 to Miss Edith Bennett, a daughter of R. F. and Frances (Maddox) Bennett, natives of Daviess and Caldwell Counties, respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Patrick have been born two children as follows: Frances who was educated in Breckenridge High School, Central College, at Lexington, Mo., and the University of Missouri at Columbia; and John, who is at home.
Mr. Patrick is one of Daviess County's successful men and attributes no small amount of whatever success that has come to him to able co-opera- tion and assistance of his capable wife. He is a Democrat and says that he is the only man in the county who has always voted the ticket straight. He is one of the dependable men of Daviess County .
G. W. Ridinger, prominent farmer and breeder of Harrison Township, was born in Brown County, Ill., March 23, 1861, a son of James F. and Diana (Vance) Ridinger. James F. Ridinger, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Ohio, Nov. 15, 1824. He enlisted in the Civil War from Scuyler County, Ill., becoming a member of Co. H, 56 Vol. Inf., and
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served throughout the war. He was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and in the review at Washington, D. C. In 1866 he came to Caldwell County, Mo., and began farming. In 1883 he purchased the farm now owned by G. W. Ridinger, and resided there until the time of his death, Oct. 5, 1907. His wife was born in Ohio, in 1830, and died April 3, 1898. They are both buried in Lick Fork Cemetery in Harrison Township. They were members of the Baptist church, and were the parents of eight chil- dren, two of whom are deceased.
G. W. Ridinger has a twin brother in Monroe Township. Mr. Ridinger began farming for himself when eighteen years of age. He was educated in Caldwell County at Breckenridge, Mo., and then went west where he got his start as a cattle man. 1886 he returned home and began farming across the road from where he now resides, and in 1900 he bought out the heirs on his father's farm and has had charge of it since that time. He began breeding Percheron horses in 1898 and eight years later he started breeding Jacks and Jennietts. He has been very successful in this field of work, and also as a breeder of Jersey cattle, Duroc Jersey hogs, and brown leghorn chickens. Mr. Ridinger has had all of his stock on ex- hibition at various fairs and is very well known throughout the country.
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