History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri, Part 34

Author: Leopard, John C
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1164

USA > Missouri > Gentry County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 34
USA > Missouri > Daviess County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 34

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

July 4, 1885, Mr. Ridinger married Lillie Belle Grove. She is a daughter of Abraham and Cathrine (Frank) Grove, native of Licking County, Ohio, and Virginia. Abraham Grove was born May 10, 1830, and died in 1913. Mrs. Grove was born Aug. 21, 1825, and died Nov. 7, 1908. They are also buried in Lick Fork Cemetery, Harrison Township.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ridinger have been born two children, both deceased ; Una, who died at the age of one and one-half years; and the other in infancy. Mr. Ridinger is a Democrat, and has held the offices of tax col- lector, road overseer, constable, and is now road overseer. He is a member of the Baptist church.

In October, 1902, Mr. and Mrs. Ridinger took a daughter to rear, Ethel Scott, now the wife of Joe Evans, living on a farm in Caldwell County. In July, 1917, they took a boy, Rabe Weaver, from an orphan home in St. Louis, but two years later his mother took him. Then in August, 1920, Mr. and Mrs. Ridinger took another boy from the same orphan home, Raymond Cooper, born May 23, 1910.

Mr. Ridinger is the owner of 140 acres of land and his wife also has 80 acres of land in Harrison Township.

I. L. Wade, well known bank cashier of Lock Springs, was born March 18, 1860, in Clinton County, Ill., a son of John and Martha M. (Yingst) Wade. John Wade was a native of Cumberland County, Pa., and at the age of 11 years his parents moved to Illinois and settled in Clinton County.

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He was born and reared a farmer but in his early life was a carpenter. He died in November, 1907, and his widow came to Missouri and located at Lock Springs in 1914. She died in 1920. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wade, four of whom are living.

I. L. Wade, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm and edu- cated in the district schools, and also studied telegraphy for one year in St. Louis school. He served as a telegrapher for the Wabash Railroad from 1888 until 1899 at Sampsel, Lock Springs, and Pattonsburg. He had charge of the Lock Springs station for about eight years, beginning in 1889. In 1889 he resigned from this line of work and went into the mercantile business at Lock Springs, and was postmaster for a time in 1902. The following year he sold out his business and took Representative Frank Lawrence's place as cashier of the Lock Springs Bank, which position he still holds.

In October, 1901, Mr. Wade married Margaret M. Brookshier, who was born in Livingston County, about two miles east of Lock Springs, the daughter of Thomas B. and Elizabeth (Brooks) Brookshier, natives of Missouri and Virginia. Mrs. Wade was brought up on her father's farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Wade five children were born, as follows: Raymond B., Kansas City, who enlisted in the World War in Illinois and was stationed at several camps in Texas, but did not see active service; Clarence C., Ogden, Utah, who enlisted in the World War and was stationed at Fort Sheridan and later at Camp Grant, where he was in the Officer's Training Camp. He was attached to the Hospital Corps, but did not see active ser- vice ; Ashley B., Columbia University. He also enlisted in the World War from Gallatin, and was later sent to the Officer's Training Camp at Camp Taylor, from where he was discharged a second lieutenant; Isaac Neil, deceased; and Esther May, who resides with her parents.

Mr. Wade is a Republican and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons. Mr. and Mrs. Wade are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Wade has an excellent standing in the community and is a reliable citizen.

The Bank of Lock Springs was established Aug. 9, 1895, with a capital stock of $10,000.00, by I. J. Meade, from Pattonsburg. Mr. Meade now resides in Lawrence, Kan., where he is vice president of the Lawrence National Bank.

When the Bank of Lock Springs was organized the stock holders were mostly of Daviess and Livingston Counties.

The officers for 1922 are as follows: B. F. Ware, president Lock

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Springs; Peter Johnson, vice president, Livingston County ; I. L. Wade, cashier, Lock Springs.

The Bank of Lock Springs is capitalized at $10,000.

George B. Houston, a prominent farmer and stockman of Jackson Township, was born May 30, 1857, in Jackson Township, a quarter of a mile south of where he now lives. He is a son of Nathaniel and Rachael (Minnick) Houston, natives of Washington County, Va., who were among the early settlers of Jackson Township, in 1849.

Nathaniel Houston served in the Civil War as a Confederate and was engaged in the Wilson Creek Battle near Springfield. After settling in Daviess County he took up farming and at one time conducted a general mercandise store at Lock Springs. He died in 1905 at the age of 81 years and his wife died in 1907, being 83 years of age. Mr. Houston was a Dem- ocrat and a ruling elder of the Presbyterian church. He and his wife are buried in the Lock Springs Cemetery.

Nathaniel Houston and wife were the parents of six children, four of whom are now living, as follows: Esther Tye, Livingston County ; George B., the subject of this sketch; Chas., Livingston County ; Mollie, Dugan, New Mexico.

George B. Houston, was reared on the places where he now resides, and helped to clear off the timber, and tells of using oxen to break up the land. He later bought out the heirs to the farm. On Oct., 26, 1882, Mr. Houston was married to Elizabeth Hickey, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Hickey, born in Washington County, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Houston have no children.

Mrs. Houston's father, John Hickey died in the army in Virginia and his widow with three daughters came to Livingston County, Mo. Mrs. Hickey died Jan. 20, 1922, at her home three miles east of Lock Springs, at the age of 91 years.

Nathaniel Houston, being one of the pioneer settlers of Jackson Town- ship, used to trap wild game, using a rail pen.

Geo. B. Houston is a Democrat and an elder of the Presbyterian church. His farm contains 234 acres of land, and his methods of farming and stock raising have made him one of the well known and successful farmers of Jackson Township.

T. A. Martin, a well known retired farmer and veteran of the Civil War, who lives in Gallatin, was born Nov. 9, 1842, in Belmont County, Ohio, a son of Robert and Sarah A. (McBride) Martin, natives of Pennsyl- vania. Mr. and Mrs. Martin moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio and later to Indiana. They were the parents of two children, of whom T. A. Martin is the only survivor.

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T. A. Martin was reared on a farm and was engaged in farming until the Civil War. He enlisted in 1862 at Lafayette, Ind., in Company G, 72 Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. In June, 1863, his regiment was mounted in the brigade, which was known as the Wilder Brigade and the 14th Army Corps, commanded by Colonel Johnson. The advance to Hoover's Gap was the first skirmish of any consequence. The next battles Mr. Martin was engaged in was Chickamauga, and Murfreesboro. In 1864 they started south and were engaged in another battle. They were ordered back to join the brigade south of Nashville. After being in the Atlanta campaign for 18 days they were ordered to watch Hood, and later ordered to turn their horses over to Kilpatrick. The brigade was then ordered back to Louisville, to receive new mounts. Six weeks later they joined the Wilson command at Nashville in March, 1865. 69,000 men were mobil- ized to start south. They crossed the Tennessee River and were engaged in a battle at Selma, Ala., where they captured 2000 men. After marching through Montgomery, Ala., to Columbus, Ga., they took part in a battle there. Just 14 miles outside of Macon, Ga., they met a courier, who in- formed them that an armistic between Sherman and Johnson had taken place. Lee surrendered on April 9th, and his brigade did not hear of the armistice until April 22, 1865. Mr. Martin was mustered out of service at Indianapolis, Ind., July 6, 1865.

Mr. Martin then engaged in farming, and worked in a saw mill. He also taught school in Indiana. In 1868 he removed to Daviess County, Mo., where he taught school, four miles west of Gallatin. After living in Lib- erty Township, for some time, Mr. Martin sold his land there and returned to Indiana. Later, however, he again returned to Liberty Township, where he purchased more land and improved it. He farmed there for 40 years, selling out in 1909. He then moved to Gallatin, where he has since resided. Mr. Martin was a widely known breeder of Shorthorn cattle. He held private sales, and usually sold his cattle to shippers.

Oct. 5, 1869, Mr. Martin was married in Boone County, Ind., to Nancy J. Rude, native of Indiana. Mrs. Martin's father, Isaac Rude, made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Martin, for several years before his death. To T. A. Martin and Nancy J. Rude Martin nine children have been born, as follows : Bertha, the wife of John Speaker, Pomona, Calif .; Eva, the wife of John Everman, Gallatin; Addie, the wife of George Tedric, Altamont; Thomas, was killed by lightning ; Thaddus, engaged in the lumber business at Gallatin ; Hugh, carpenter, Gallatin ; Ora A., Utah, served three years in the Phillipine Islands as a soldier; Chauncey, Liberty Township; Charles C., engaged in the Automobile business in Gallatin. Chauncey and Charles

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Martin are twins. Mr. Martin has nine grand children and three great grand children.

Mr. Martin is a Republican and a member of the Christian church. He attributes his success in life to hard work, and his ability to save. His greatest asset in life is, he says, his wife. Mr. Martin is well and favorably known in Daviess County.

George H. Peniston, a successful farmer and stockman of Union Town- ship, was born Aug. 23, 1883, on the farm where he now resides. He is a son of George. W. and Mary A. (Preston) Peniston.

George W. Peniston was born in Jackson Township in 1851. He was a farmer during his entire life. His wife was the daughter of Thomas A. and Martha A. (Mark) Preston, natives of Virginia and Lafayette County, Ohio. They were married Aug. 9, 1853, in Livingston County, Mo., and later returned to Daviess County where they spent their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Peniston were the parents of five children : Jessie, wife of J. B. Drum- mond, Chillicothe, Mo .; Mattie P., wife of Sam Wynne, Grand River Town- ship; George H., the subject of this sketch; Thomas J., Union Township; Mary Frances, clerk in the Farmers Exchange Bank, Gallatin. Mr. Penis- ton died Aug. 26, 1889, and his wife died Sept. 25, 1912. They are both buried in Centenary Cemetery in Union Township. Mr. Peniston was a member of the Methodist church.

George H. Peniston became heir to part of his father's farm and later he and his brother Theo. purchased the remainder. George H. Peniston was married Sept. 12, 1906, to Anna S. Sneed, who was born Jan. 3, 1887, in Jamesport Township, a daughter of James E. and Mary H. (McCue) Sneed. James E. Sneed was born Sept. 3, 1863, in Livingston County, and his wife was born Oct. 12, 1865, in Hancock County, Ill. She died March, 1920, at her home near Pawnee City, Okla., where Mr. Sneed still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Sneed moved to Oklahoma in 1906. They were the parents of 12 children, nine of whom are living. Mrs. Peniston was the oldest child.

Mr. and Mrs. Peniston are the parents of one child, George Irwin, who was born Sept. 30, 1911.

Mrs. Peniston has been a Sunday School teacher since she was 11 years old, and is a very active church worker. Mr. Peniston has also been active in church work having been Suday School superintendent. Their son be- came a member of the Baptist church Aug. 2, 1920. Mr. Peniston has been a deacon of the Baptist church since 1912. He is a member of the Brother- hood of American Yoeman and is a Democrat.

Mr. Peniston owns 80 acres of land in Union Township, and is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of this county. He is a member

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of the Carlow Consolidated School Board District No. 2, and has been pres- ident since 1920.

Mark Tolen, a substantial farmer and stockman of Union Township, Daviess County. and owner of 316 acres of well improved land, was born Sept. 12, 1867, in Adair County, Iowa, the son of James W. and Elizabeth (Polen) Tolen.

James W. Tolen was born in Hendricks County, Ind., and came to Missouri in 1869, locating in Grand River Township, Daviess County. He died in Monroe Township, in May, 1902, at the age of 59 years. Elizabeth (Polen) Tolen was born in Hendricks County, Ind., and is now living in Carlow, Mo. She is 77 years of age.

To James W. Tolen and wife, eight children were born, of whom five are now living: Mary E., wife of F. G. Fulton, Union Township; Mark, the subject of this sketch; Frank, Jackson Township; Clarence O., Jack- son Township; Charlie L., Jackson Township.

Mark E. Tolen grew up on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools. At the age 21 years he began for himself, rent- ing land. He later became heir to some land, and purchased his present farm about 30 years ago. He is a well known breeder and feeder of hogs and mules.

June 28, 1894, Mr. Tolen was married to Mildred Youtsey, a native of Grand River Township, and a daughter of John and Samantha (Brown) Youtsey, natives of Indiana and Daviess County. Mr. and Mrs. Youtsey are among the pioneers of Daviess County. To Mr. and Mrs. Tolen five children have been born, as follows: Edna, at home; Bryan, who was in the navy during the World War and stationed at Brest, France, now living at home; Etta Marie, the wife of Vernon E. Chapman, Gallatin; Velma, at home; and Mark Y., at home.

Mr. Tolen is a Democrat and a member of the Church of Christ. He is public spirited and enterprising and one of the leading citizens of Union Township.

B. F. Ware, a progressive farmer and owner of 155 acres of land in Jackson Township, was born Sept. 18, 1869, in Livingston County, a son of Alexandria and Mildred Ann (Callahan) Ware.

Alexandria Ware was a native of Kentucky, and one of the pioneer settlers of Missouri. He crossed the plains in 1849, seeking gold. Ifis first wife was a Miss Boone, and to that union 13 children were born, all of whom are now deceased. His second wife, Mildred Ann (Callahan) Ware, was born in Campbell County, Ky. This was her second marriage, having been married the first time to J. L. Hise. By her first marriage three children were born, two of whom are now living; A. W. Hise, Chariton

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County ; and J. L. Hise, of Jackson Township. To Alexandria and Mildred Ann (Calahan) Ware three children were born, two of whom are now liv- ing : John T., Jackson Township; and B. F., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Ware died in 1899, at the age of 83 years, and Mrs. Ware died in 1905, at the age of 72 years.

B. F. Ware attended the district school and was reared on the farm. He remained at home for a number of years with his parents, purchasing the home place after the death of his father. After making extensive im- provements he sold the farm and then bought his home in Jackson Town- ship, three miles north of Lock Springs. His residence in in Lock Springs.

Mr. Ware is president of the bank of Lock Springs, having been elected to that office Feb. 2, 1922. He had served as vice-president for a number of years.

Mr. Ware was married to Sarah E. Rupe, now deceased. To this union seven children were born, of whom three are now living ; Nellie F., Nona E., and Benjamin F., all living with their father.

Mr. Ware is a Democrat and has served in the offices of township trustee and treasurer. He is a member of the Methodist church and Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Ware is favorably known throughout Daviess County as a man of enterprise and ability. In Lock Springs, also, he is esteemed as a progressive business man.

James B. Bennett, who is the owner of 190 acres of land in Harrison Township, is one of the well known farmers and stockmen of this county. He was born in Harrison Township, Daviess County, one and one-half miles southwest of his present farm, on Aug. 16, 1856, and is a son of Fisher R. and Elizabeth (England) Bennett.

F. R. Bennett was married the first time in April, 1844, to Miss Sophia A. Trosper, and to that union two children were born: Sophia A., and Nicholas T., both deceased. Mr. Bennett's second wife, the mother of James B. Bennett, was born in Carroll County, Mo., about 1845, and died in 1920. Two children were born to this union : W. P., and Daviess County, and James B., the subject of this sketch.

F. R. Bennett was born in Kentucky about 1813, and died in 1879. He was reared a farmer but for some time after starting out for himself, he followed flat boating on the Mississippi River. He came to Daviess County, in 1842. He crossed the plains to the gold fields riding a mule the entire distance, and had nothing to eat during the trip except parched corn which he had to share with the mule. The mule acted as a good body guard on the trip against the Indians, snorting when they would approach.

James B. Bennett was reared on a farm, and attended the district school. The school house was furnished with split elm benches, and he

J. B. DENNETT

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worked as a farm laborer in early life. In August, 1874, he married Sarah Jane McCrarey. She was born in Daviess County, in 1854, and died in 1896. Three children were born to them, as follows: James M., deceased ; Newton B., deceased; and Mary E., was married three times and is now deceased. She had one child, Hartrell Bennett, who lives in Caldwell County, Mo.

When Mr. Bennett was married he only had $10 and he rented land for 12 years. He then, in 1886, bought 80 acres of land in Jackson Town- ship. He improved this and sold it in 1920. In 1890 he bought the farm where he has made his home since that time. He is very active and has always gotten up at four o'clock in the morning the year around, and says he has worked many nights doing chores. He has cleared off heavy timber from all his land.

Mr. Bennett carries on general farming and raises Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. He is recognized as one of the substantial and well known farmers of Harrison Township. He is a Democrat and a mem- ber of the Methodist church.

J. Forrest Brown, the efficient and well known cashier of the People's Bank of Carlow, Mo., was born May 22, 1899, at Jamesport, the son of J. Mack and Delia (Andre) Brown, who now reside in Jamesport, Mo.

J. Forrest Brown was reared on a farm. He was educated in the dis- trict schools, and attended the State Teachers College at Maryville. He then took a position with the Standard American Jewelry Company of Detroit, Mich. In November, 1920, Mr. Brown came to Carlow, and the following month became cashier of the People's Bank of Carlow.

Mr. Brown was married Aug. 23, 1921, to Verna Williams, who was born in Gilman City, a daughter of LaFayette and Delcina Williams. She was educated in the high school at Gilman City and attended Cedar Valley Seminary, Osage, Iowa.

Mr. Brown enlisted in the Students Army Training Corps, but was never called into active service during the World War. He enlisted at Maryville.

Mr. Brown is a Democrat and an enterprising young man of his com- munnity.

The Peoples Bank of Carlow was organized in July, 1919, by S. L. Gibson, now of the Chillicothe Trust Company, president; Ivo W. Livley, now cashier of the Bank of Jamesport, Jamesport.

The first officers of the Peoples Bank of Carlow were: S. L. Gibson, president; J. C. Oxford, vice-president; and Flavel P. Girdner, cashier. The bank was organized with a capital stock of $10,000.

The Peoples Bank of Carlow has enjoyed a very rapid growth, due in

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no small part, to the integrity and efficiency of its officers. It is now a members of the Missouri Bankers Association. The bank's stockholders consist of the present officers and the progressive farmers of Carlow dis- trict.

The present officers are: Robert J. Murphy, president, Chillicothe; S. W. Blakely, vice president, Carlow; and J. Forrest Brown, cashier.

S. W. Blakely, a prominent farmer and stockman of Jackson Township, Daviess County, was born March 31, 1889, on a farm in Jackson Township, where he now resides. He is the son of M. P. and Elizabeth (Hooper) Blakely.

M. P. Blakely was born in Daviess County, on the farm where he now lives with his son, Feb. 25, 1841. During the Civil War he enlisted from Daviess County, in the Confederate Army and served during the entire war. At the end of the war Mr. Blakely worked as a laborer in Sangamon County, Ill. He then returned to Missouri, and purchased his present farm in Jackson Township from the heirs. M. P. Blakely was the son of Pleasant and Nancy (Girdner) Blakely, natives of Whitley County, Ky., who came to Daviess County in 1834, and located on the present Blakely farm. They were the parents of nine children, two of their sons having served in the Civil War. Pleasant Blakely preempted the land from the government at $1.25 per acre, securing in return three sheepskin land grants.

Elizabeth (Hooper) Blakely was born in Clinton County, July 10, 1855,, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (St. John) Hooper, natives of Ken- tucky and Tennessee, who came to Clinton County. M. P. and Elizabeth (Hooper) Blakely had but one child, S. W., the subject of this sketch.

S. W. Blakely was reared on his father's farm in Jackson Township, and received his education in the district schools. In 1920 he became heir to the old home farm where he is now engaged successfully in farming and stock raising. He is a well known breeder of Poland China hogs.

Mr. Blakely was inducted into military service during the World War on Sept. 18, 1917. He was stationed at Camp Funston, Kans., for nine months. He was then sent to New York and sailed for overseas June 28, 1919, in the 89th Division, 314 Military Police Company. Mr. Blakely took part in the St. Mihiel Battle and the Meuse-Argonne Drive. After the armistice he was assigned to the Army of Occupation, and was stationed in Germany for some time. He sailed for France March 13, 1919, and was mustered out of service June 13, 1919, at Camp Funston, Kans.

In December, 1921, Mr. Blakely was elected president of the Peoples Bank of Carlow, Mo. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and of

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the American Legion. Mr. Blakely is a Democrat and one of Daviess County's most enterprising and substantial citizens. He is unmarried.

James Critten, who is now living retired in Jackson Township, is a Cilvil War veteran and one of the early pioneer settlers of Daviess County. He was born March 26, 1840, in Putman County, Ohio, a son of Isaac and Mary (Nichols) Critten.

Isaac Critten was born in Licking County, Ohio, March 20, 1814. He was a farmer during his entire life. In 1855 he moved to Daviess County, locating on a farm in Jackson Township. In 1900 he retired and moved to Gallatin, where he died in August, 1901. Mary (Nichols) Critten was born in Licking County, Ohio, Sept. 18, 1818, and died in 1902. They were members of the Presbyterian church and are buried in Centenary Cemetery in Union Township. To Isaac and Marry (Nichols) Critten ten children were born, of whom four are now living: Catherine, widow of S. M. Carter, Chetopa, Kans .; Phoebe, the wife of J. R. Adkins, Mission, Tex .; Emily, wife of W. T. Tribbey, Jackson Township ; and James, the sub- ject of this sketch.

James Critten came to Missouri when very young with his parents and was educated in the district schools. He worked on his father's farm until the Civil War, when he enlisted in Company B, 1st Cavalry, Missouri State Militia. During the war he was stationed in Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri. Mr. Critten served three years under Colonel J. H. B. McFerran and was engaged in the battles of Kirksville, Little Blue and near Fort Scott, Kans. He also took part in the raid with Shelby at Jefferson City, and had several skirmishes with bushwackers.

At the close of the Civil War Mr. Critten settled on his present farm of 170 acres in Jackson Township, where he was engaged in general farm- ing. He was a well known stock feeded. When Mr. Critten purchased his land it was all unbroken prairie.

On Sept. 13, 1868, Mr. Critten was married to Samantha Macy, daugh- ter of Seth and Marinda (Adkinson) Macy. Mrs. Critten was born Feb. 2, 1852, in Daviess County. She died in 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Macy were natives of North Carolina and South Carolina. They are both deceased.

To Mr. and Mrs. Critten three children were born, one of whom is now living, Otto E., Jackson Township.

Mr. Critten is a Republican and has served as a justice of the peace several times. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and is one of the substantial and highly respected pioneer citizens of Daviess County.

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History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri, Part 34

Author: Leopard, John C Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1164

Author: Leopard, John C
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1164