USA > Missouri > Gentry County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 80
USA > Missouri > Daviess County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 80
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J. H. Dregginger was married at Union Grove, Mo., June 14, 1883, to Jennie Snider, a daughter of W. A. and Barbara (Blaylock) Snider. Mr. Snider was born in Green County, Tenn., and died in Gentry County in 1885 at the age of 62 years. His wife was born in Hendricks County, Ind. and died in Gentry County in 1892. The remains of both are buried in Bogle Township. W. A. Snider came to Gentry County in 1858 and entered 200 acres of land in Bogle Township where he became a well known farmer and stockman and where he and his wife lived until their deaths. Their children were: William A., married Alberta A. Hise and died in 1893; Elizabeth H., the widow of Warren Murphy of St. Joseph ; Philip H., married Mollie Creed and died in 1873; Margaret, married L. P., Forbis and died in 1879, leaving .two children; Jennie, now the widow of J. H. Degginger ; Napoleon B., married Mattie Canaday and lives in Gentry County ; J. J., a resident of Wichita, Kan .; David K., deceased, married Ida Davis who now lives in Omaha, Neb .; Rachel, living near Stanberry, the widow of Henry W. Beachner; and Amanda L., the wife of Emery Romack of Jennings, Okla.
Jennie (Snider) Degginger was educated in the public schools of Albany and was a successful teacher for two years before her marriage. To her union with J. H. Degginger one child was born, J. H., Jr., a brief sketch of whom appears later. Mrs. Degginger was an equal partner with her husband in his success. She did her own housework on the farm and in their home the elements of thrift and industry were as much
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a part of Mrs. Degginger's method as of her husband's. His ambition for success was equaled by that of his wife and she proved herself a competent adviser and assistant.
J. H. Degginger died Jan. 31, 1912. His name lives in the business annals of the county where he was one of the organizers of the Gentry County Bank at Albany and of which institution he was a director at the time of his death. His varied experience in business and his wide ac- quaintance in the county made him an invaluable addition to the person- nel of the bank. He was held in high esteem both as a private individual and as a man who had the financial betterment and commercial up- building of Gentry County as an ideal. He achieved his goal by dint of hard work and unceasing interest in the details that meant a competent handling of his business affairs.
J. H. Degginger, Jr., now holds his father's place as director of the Gentry County Bank. He is the only child of his parents, born April 3, 1895, and attended the public schools. Later he spent four years in the Missouri State University from which he took a degree in the Agricul- tural Department. He was married in November, 1919, to Bernice Flow- ers, a daughter of Dale S. Flowers, a sketch of whose life appears else- where in this volume. Mr. Degginger was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity in the University and is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons Lodge. He is now operating the Degginger farm south of Albany where he has one of the finest herds of Shorthorn cattle in Gentry County. He also raises Duroc Jersey hogs and is becoming known as a markedly successful stockman.
Jacob Newman, known in Gentry County as an excellent citizen and a successful farmer, has his home on his farm of 471 acres of well im- proved land in Township 62 N., Range 30 W. He was born in Gentry County, May 24, 1866, the son of Alexander and Jane (Thompson) Newman, both dead.
A. Newman was born in Tennessee and came to Gentry County with his mother. He entered 80 acres of land two miles from Albany, and later he and his uncle, Jacob Newman, entered 160 acres each. Both this uncle and Mr. Newman's mother died in Gentry County. Mr. New- man bought and improved other farms during the 55 years which he spent in the county. He died in 1909 at the age of 84 years and his re- mains are buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery. To his union with Jane (Thomp- son) Newman the following children were born: John, a resident of Al- bany; Mitchell, living at Albany; James, deceased; Robert, living at
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Albany; Jacob, the subject of this sketch; Frances, now the wife of Frank Welch of Gentry County ; and Lizzie, married to W. Welch of Al- bany.
Jacob Newman attended his first school in the Quigley District. The teacher that year was Fred Hinton. Later Mr. Newman went to the Fore District school. He has followed the occupation of farming all of his life and has achieved success in his work. In connection with farm- ing, Mr. Newman has engaged in stock raising with a marked degree of prosperity.
In 1890 Jacob Newman was married to Mary E. Shull, a daughter of Joshua and Cozbie (Gillespie) Shull, both deceased. Mr. Shull was born in Ohio, later went to Illinois, and came to Gentry County in early manhood and settled on a farm southeast of Albany. He died on his farm in 1901 and his remains are buried in the Davidson Cemetary. His wife was born in Tazewell County, Va., and came to Missouri with her parents. She died in 1870 and her remains are buried in the Davidson Cemetery. To the union of Joshua and Cozbie (Gillespie) Shull the fol- lowing children were born: Thomas, living at Albany; Joseph, living at Ellinsburg, Wash .; Martha, deceased, was the wife of Perry Maupin and left two children, Thelma and Thomas; and Mary E., born at Albany, Feb. 5, 1868, now Mrs. Newman.
Mr. and Mrs. Newman have two children: Bertha, married Wood- son Hunter, Aug. 8, 1915, and has three children, Helen, Gladys, and Russell; and Buford, married Grace McConkey, Dec. 29, 1920, and is now living on the home place. Buford Newman is one of the young men to whom the county is proud to give special praise because of the service which they rendered during the World War. Mr. Newman enlisted for service at Albany, Sept. 14, 1918, and was sent to the Rahe Auto School at Kansas City, Mo. Later he was sent to Camp Jessup, Ga., then to Camp Merritt, N. Y., and sailed for France, Oct. 28, 1918, with the 310th Motor Transport. He was stationed first at Dijon and at Coblenz with the Army of Occupation. He was overseas until Sept. 10, 1919, and was mustered out of service at Camp Taylor, Ky., Sept. 23, 1919. Mr. New- man is a member of the Donald Holden Post No. 106 of the American Legion at Albany, and of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at the same place.
Jacob Newman is a Democrat. He is a man of high ideals, a farmer of efficiency and energy, and a citizen of excellent repute in the county.
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Lawrence T. Dale, now deceased, during his life, was a well known farmer of Daviess County. He was born Jan. 27, 1840, in London, Eng- land, a son of George and Hannah (Tate) Dale.
George Dale was a merchant in London and in 1846 came to New York state, later going to Jonesville, Mich., where he resided until his death. His wife died in Chillicothe, Mo., having moved there in February, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Dale were the parents of three children, as follow: Lawrence T., the subject of this sketch; Betty, deceased, was the wife of Dr. McArthur; and a child that died in infancy.
Lawrence T. Dale was reared on a farm and attended the district schools in New York. He served in the Indian War in Minnesota. In 1869 Mr. Dale came to Missouri and located two miles east of Chillicothe. He remained there until 1878, when he moved to Daviess County, and set- tled in Harrison Township, where he owned 350 acres of land, well im- proved.
Mr. Dale was married Feb. 6, 1869, to Alma L. Warriner, a daughter of Oreal and Cleantha (Park) Warriner, natives of New York state. Mrs. Dale was born in Jonesville, Mich., Dec. 13, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Dale were the parents of seven children: Edwin S., Ouachita County, Ark .; Wm. W., White County, Ark .; Lillian M., the wife of George C. Blackwell, Brecken- ridge ; Nellie M., the wife of W. B. Bingham, of Floyd, New Mexico; George W., Breckenridge; Bessie J., wife of Walter Thomas, Paonia, Colo .; and Clifford, of Oura, Colo.
Mr. Dale is a Republican and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He retired from farming and moved to Breckenridge in 1909, where he died Dec. 27, 1913. Mrs. Dale still resides in Breckenridge, and retains all of the land in Daviess County, formerly owned by her husband. She is a member of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Dale has 28 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Lawrence Dale had many friends in this county and was one of the most honored and respected citizens.
Rufus Whitton, deceased, was one of the well known men of Gen- try County. He was born in Miller Township, Aug. 5, 1845, the son of Redmond and Margaret Jane (Patton) Whitton, latter the daughter of James Patton, one of the pioneer settlers of the county.
Rufus Whitton was an extensive land holder and stockman. He had holdings of more than 1,450 acres of land in Miller and Athens townships. His home place lay just east of Whitton Station, named for him, and the place is still owned by his widow. As a feeder of cattle and hogs, Mr. Whitton made the market in his community for the corn
LAWRENCE T. DALE
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raised there. He was a man whose alert intellect made it possible for him to engage successfully in many enterprises and interests. He helped to organize the Bank of Albany and was a director in the institution for more than 25 years. Later on, he assisted in the organization of the Farmers Bank at McFall and there, too, he was a director. Mr. Whitton was a Democrat and was active in the work of his party although he never cared to hold office. He joined the Presbyterian Church at the historic Mt. Zion and for 25 years served as an elder in the church. He died Oct. 15, 1912, and his remains are buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery. As a business man and as a citizen of his community, Mr. Whitton was accounted a man of progressive ideas and high ideals.
Rufus Whitton was married Nov. 5, 1874, to Mary Jane Lowe, a daughter of Anderson and Zilphy (McNatt) Lowe, pioneers of Gentry County. Anderson Lowe was born in Tennessee, the son of Stephen Lowe who came to Gentry County and entered land in Miller Township. Mr. Lowe died in March 1900, at the age of 72 years and his wife died in March, 1900, at the age of 67 years. Their children were: James, living ing at Milan, Kan .; Mary Jane, now Mrs. Whitton; William, living at Gilman City ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Sweetland of Norman, Okla .; George, a resident of Albany ; and Sarah Margaret, now Mrs. Fuson of Oklahoma City, Okla.
To the union of Rufus and Mary Jane (Lowe) Whitton three chil- dren were born; Alvin, now living at Whitton where he is a merchant, and married to Maggie Rice, with one daughter, Helen Louise; Charles, married Lois Golden, and now living on the home place; and Elizabeth, married to J. A. Tipton, a member of the mercantile firm of Tipton and Miller at Albany.
Rufus Whitton was one of six children, as follows: I. C., deceased ; Rufus, the subject of this sketch; James, deceased; Amanda, later Mrs. Giles and now dead; Alice, now the wife of John McFall, living near Whitton; and M. M., a real estate dealer in St. Joseph. The Whitton name has been well and favorably known in Gentry County and the sur- rounding community for many years. Mr. Whitton's widow, Mary Jane (Lowe) Whitton, sold her home recently and is living with her children. She is a woman of bright intellect and keen discernment and is finding pleasure in her association with her family and the friends of her old neighborhood. During the 30 years that she and her husband lived on their farm near Whitton, and in the years after that time when they were living at Albany, both she and Mr. Whitton made themselves a part
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of the community interests and activities, and both were held in high es- teem as people of energy and loyalty to high ideals of citizenship.
Albert C. McMillen, capable farmer and stockman, and the owner of the 120 acres of land lying five miles south of Albany, formerly the A. B. Price farm, was born one-half mile north of Gentryville on the Hazelrigg farm, July 11, 1882.
Mr. McMillen's parents were Thomas and Nannie (Kariker) Mc- Millen. Thomas McMillen was born in Ohio and came to Gentry County in childhood with his father, James McMillen. Thomas McMillen mar- ried in this county and his wife died at Fairfax, Atchison County in 1893, leaving one child, Albert C., the subject of this sketch. By a later marriage of the father to Jennie Strong, he had a son, Winford. Thomas McMillen moved to Kansas City, Mo., where he died in 1907.
Albert C. McMillen was left motherless when he was ten years old and has practically made his own way in the world ever since. He at- tended the schools at Washington Center, Hatfield, and Gentryville, and early in life began farming for himself. At various times he owned four small farms, disposing of them, and finally purchasing his present place between Albany and Darlington. Mr. McMillen has given especial at- tention to the raising of hogs and has achieved success in that line of work. At present he has approximately 125 hogs on his farm.
Mr. McMillen was married to Fannie L. Hager, Aug. 27, 1903. Mrs. McMillen is a daughter of John and Almeda (Smith) Hager, both born in Indiana, where they were married and came to Missouri in 1881. They located at Jameson in Daviess County, and reared a family of nine children: Fannie L., now Mrs. McMillen; Charles E., living on the home place; Edith, now the wife of James McMillen; Grace, married to Joseph Gregory ; Luther, a resident of Albany; Jene, living at Gentry- ville ; Mary, of Albany : Adaline, deceased ; and Melvern, deceased. Lu- ther Hager is a veteran of the World War. He enlisted at Albany, was sent overseas, and was on the firing line for three months. He was in the battle of Chateau Thierry, was gassed, and sent to the Base Hospital in France. After his return to the United States, he was in a military hospital for a while, then was mustered out of service and returned to Albany. Almeda (Smith) Hager died, July 29, 1921, and her remains are buried in the Grandview Cemetery at Albany. Mr. Hager now lives on a farm five miles south of Darlington.
To the union of Albert C. and Fannie L. (Hager) McMillen the fol- lowing children were born: Charles Raymond, Winford Edmund, Wanda
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Leona, James Albert Ruhl, Thorwaldson Luther, and John Nelson Bar- ger.
Mr. McMillen is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge. He is a man of industry and ability who is making a success of his work.
Madison Finley Jameson, owner of 160 acres of well improved land, near Darlington in Gentry County, was born one-fourth of a mile from his present home, Sept. 20, 1887. His parents were David Finley and Sarah (Marrs) Jameson, both members of families that settled in Gen- try County when the land was still a part of the frontier.
David Finley Jameson was born in McMinn County, Tenn., March 18, 1833, and came to Missouri in 1851 with his father, D. F. Jameson. D. F. Jameson died on his farm east of Gentryville and his remains are buried in Brushy Cemetery. David Finley Jameson moved to the farm now owned by his widow in 1860. It was wild, unbroken land and Mr. Jame- son improved it and made his home there, except for the time of the Civil War when he was in service in the Confederate Army in which he enlisted at Gentryville. He was a member of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, first at Brushy, and later at Round Grove, where he was the clerk and an elder in the congregation. He died on his home place, Sept. 2, 1916, and his remains are buried at Ford City. He was twice married ; the first time, Dec. 30, 1858, to Deadama A. Gartin. To this union two children were born; Nathaniel Y., now living at Stanberry ; and James Howell, deceased. Mr. Jameson was married the second time, June 7, 1880, to Sarah E. Marrs, a daughter of James M. and Eliz- abeth (Camery) Marrs, the former born in Indiana and the latter a na- tive of Ohio. They were married in Illinois; both died in Gentry County and their remains are buried in the Carter Cemetery. Sarah E. (Marrs) Jameson was born on the Marrs farm northeast of Albany, and has spent all of her life on the farm where she now lives.
To the union of David Finley and Sarah E. (Marrs) Jameson the following children were born; Mary Catherine, now the wife of William Mastin of Miller Township, with three children, David Herschel, Annie, and Charlie; Genevieve, living at home; and Madison Finley, the sub- ject of this review.
Madison Finley Jameson was married Oct. 19, 1908, to Minnie Walker, who died Oct. 1, 1919. Her remains are buried in the Darling- ton Cemetery. She left one son, Walker Finley Jameson.
Mr. Jameson is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons at Darlington, and is a director of the School District No. 65. He is
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an enterprising farmer and stockman. His farm comprises a part of the original Jameson home place, and Mr. Jameson is following the same progressive methods in his work that characterized the work of his father.
Keeran McKenny, a veteran of the Civil War and a citizen of Gen- try County since 1866, is a native of County Kings, Ireland, where he was born, June 26, 1842, the son of John and Catherine (Guynan) Mc- Kenny, the former dying in Ohio, and the latter in Gentry County. The remains of both are buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Their children were: Bridget, married Mr. Rourke and died in Gentry County ; Mary, married Mr. Cummins and died in Gentry County ; Kate, became Mrs. Guynan and died in Wyoming; Thomas, mentioned later; and Keeran, the subject of this sketch. Thomas McKenny served in the United States Army during the Civil War as a member of Co. K, 8th Ohio Cavalry. After he left the army in 1865 he came to Gentry County, and for 50 years lived on a farm in Miller Township. He still owns his land in this county although he is now living in St. Joseph, where he went after his retirement from active farm life. He married Jane Setzer.
Keeran McKenny attended the Ohio public schools in his childhood. On June 18, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 110th Ohio Volunteers and served in the Civil War until June 28, 1865. He was wounded twice during his term of service, the first time he was shot through the thigh in the battle of Winchester; the second time, he was shot in the right side during the battle of New Creek, Oct. 19, 1864. Mr. McKenny still has the last shot which wounded him. He served under Gen. Philip Sheridan at the last battle, and under Gen. Wright at the first battle. Mr. McKenny bought his first land in Gentry County in 1869 while he was on a furlough from the government. At that time he was running a government train of 25 wagons from Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., to Salt Lake City, Ft. Laramie, and other places. He kept this position for sev- eral years after the war. In 1881 he moved to his present farm, buying 160 acres of land. To the original farm, Mr. McKenny added from time to time until he now has land holdings of more than 1,200 acres in Mil- ler and Jackson Township. Most of the land is now rented out. Mr. Mc- Kenny has been an extensive stockman, raising and feeding cattle and hogs. For several years past he has bred Aberdeen Angus cattle for sale. At the last sale conducted by him he disposed of more than 225 head of cattle. Mr. McKenny has now retired from active farm manage-
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ment, but maintains an intense interest in all that pertains to progres- sive farming and stock raising.
Keeran McKenny was married Feb. 10, 1874, to Elizabeth Flood, born in Wisconsin, the daughter of Michael Flood of Gentryville. To this union the following children were born: Frank, cashier of the Citi- zens National Bank of King City, in the organization of which Mr. Mc- Kenny was a leading factor and of which he is now the president ; James, formerly a clerk in the Citizens National Bank of King City, now the auditor for the Jewell Tea Company in Denver, Col .; Thomas, died at the age of four years; Thomas, second, died at the age of eight years; Charles, a successful farmer and stockman operating 300 acres of the home place and married to Madge Handley of Gentry County ; and Nan- nie, married first to James O'Malley, a lumberman of Albany, now dead, married the second time to Patrick Downey, garage owner and operator of a dairy at St. Joseph.
Mr. McKenny gave all of his children good educations and has the satisfaction of knowing that they are all men and women who are, not only successful in business, but have high ideals of civic welfare. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. McKenny served four years as the presiding judge of the Gentry County Court. He later made the race on the Republican ticket for the legislature, but was not elected. He is a man whose wide business relations have brought him into touch with many people, and he is among the best known citi- zens of the county. As a farmer and stockman, Mr. McKenny achieved success because of his good business qualities ; as a member of the offi- cial force of the Citizens National Bank at King City, he has proved an invaluable asset to the institution; and as an officer of the county, he was loyal and upright. He is a man of whom his community is proud.
J. L. McMillen, a farmer and stockman near Darlington in Gentry County, was born on a farm one mile west of Gentryville, Feb. 20, 1881, the son of C. J. and Sarah (Kariker) McMillen, both now living at Gen- tryville.
C. J. McMillen was born in Ohio, the son of James McMillen, who was a painter by trade and settled in the early days north of Gentryville. He is now living in St. Louis at the advanced age of 100 years. Sarah (Kariker) McMillen was born in Gentry County, the daughter of Levi Kariker, an early settler of the county. To the union of C. J. and Sarah (Kariker) McMillen the following children were born : John R., living at Berlin ; E. M., a resident of Miles City, Mont .; O. B., living at St. Louis;
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
J. L., the subject of this review ; William, a resident of St. Louis; Joseph, also living in St. Louis; Hester, the wife of Clarence Pursinger of Mc- Fall; Delia, married to Clarence Higdon of Pattonsburg; Fannie, now the wife of Malcolm Grimes of Kansas City, Mo .; Bettie, living in Kan- sas City, Mo .; and Rodney, died at the age of 12 years.
J. L. McMillen attended the public school and has been a resident of Gentry County all of his life. He has owned several farms at different times, all of which he sold, and bought his present farm of 150 acres lo- cated six miles south of Albany. There are three houses on the place, as well as two good barns, and excellent farm buildings. The farm is well watered, and Mr. McMillen keeps more than 60 acres of the land in corn. He has a 13 acre orchard of budded plums which is proving to be a marked success. He makes a specialty of raising hogs and always keeps from 175 to 200 head on the farm.
J. L. McMillen was married in February, 1903, to Edith Hager, a daughter of John and Almeda Hager of Gentry County. Mrs. Hager died in August, 1921, and Mr. Hager lives on a farm in Miller Township. Mr. and Mrs. McMillen have a daughter, Guynetha; also an adopted daughter, Minnie.
Mr. McMillen is an industrious and capable man whose energy and ability placed him on the road to success.
Thomas J. Ball, of Huggins Township, was born on the farm where he now lives, June 12, 1870. His parents were William M. and Frances (Lisle) Ball, early settlers of Gentry County.
William M. Ball came to Missouri in 1844, and entered the land now owned by his sons. He later bought 360 acres of land which he held in addition to the land entered by him from the government. The first home built on the land was a little log cabin in which Thomas J. Ball was born. The cabin stood about 100 yards northwest of the present residence. William M. Ball was a soldier in the Civil War, serving in the Union Army. During the battle at the Big Blue by Lexington, his horse became unmanageable, and threw him against a tree, thus crip- pling him for life. After the close of the war, W. M. Ball practiced medicine in Gentry County, and during his long period of 45 years of active practice, he made many friends. In 1849 he married Frances Adilla Lisle and to their union the following children were born: Polly Ann, married Mr. Murphy and is now dead ; John L., of Huggins Town- ship; Nancy O., the widow of E. D. Nicholson of California; Hiram W., died in southwest Missouri; Thomas J., the subject of this sketch; and
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John Lemuel, a sketch of whose life appears in this volume. William M. Ball died July 14, 1909, and his widow died Oct. 31, 1914. The remains of both are buried in the Brick Church Cemetery.
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