USA > Missouri > Gentry County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 88
USA > Missouri > Daviess County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 88
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E. G. Yoell, well known in Gallatin and the surrounding community as a successful real estate, insurance, and farm loan operator, is a native of Illinois, born in Fulton County, Oct. 5, 1875, the son of J. W. and Rillie E. (Beckelheimer) Yoell.
J. W. Yoell was born in Monroe County, and was a man of excellent education. While he was attending college in Quincy, Ill., he met and married Rillie E. Beckelheimer, also a student in the college. Prior to this time Mr. Yoell had been the superintendent of schools at Carthage, Sarcoxie, and Bethany, Mo. Later in his life he began the practice of medi- cine and located in the city now known as Des Moines, Iowa. He died there, and his widow now lives there. To their union only two children were born: Charles, deceased ; and E. G., the subject of this sketch.
E. G. Yoell grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated from the Des Moines High School. In 1893 he entered the Normal at Chillicothe, Mo., and was a student in that institution for two years. Following the com-
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pletion of his college work, he entered the real estate business in Iowa. He worked for the railway for a time, and then went to Maysville, Mo., where he opened a real estate office, which he operated for three years. In 1907 he came to Gallatin, and went into a partnership in the Hull and Phares Real Estate Office. In 1909 he opened an office for himself in the First National Bank Building and has established an excellent business.
Mr. Yoell was married Sept. 24, 1906 to Cora W. Woodward, born near McFall, the daughter of G. F. E. and Mary Ellen (Steele) Woodward. Mr. and Mrs. Woodward were early settlers of Daviess County and are both now dead.
Mr. Yoell is a Republican in politics, is identified with the Methodist Church, and is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal Arch, the Chapter, and the Order of the Eastern Star lodges. He is a substantial member of the community, a man of keen business intelli- gence, and of marked capacity for success.
W. A. Johnson, a retired farmer of Daviess County and a veteran of the Civil War, is now living in Union Township, Daviess County, with his son, Phillip M. Johnson.
Mr. Johnson was born on a farm, Sept. 5, 1830, in Rappahannock County, Va., the son of David and Frances (Huff) Johnson. They were the parents of nine children, two of whom are now living; W. A., the sub- ject of this sketch ; and E. M., Paola, Kan.
David Johnson was born in Virginia in 1806. He carried on general farming during his life, removing to Daviess County, in 1858, where he located on a farm now owned by his grandson, Phillip Johnson. His wife, Frances (Huff) Johnson was also born in Virginia in 1806. She died in 1894, and her husband died in 1887 in Daviess County. They are both buried in the Johnson Cemetery in Union Township, Daviess County, which was owned by David Johnson.
W. A. Johnson removed to Daviess County two years before his par- ents made the trip. He drove from Green County, Ohio, to Missouri. Upon his arrival there he erected a log cabin on heavy timber land, which he cut and cleared himself. Hamilton, Mo., was the first railroad trading post in that section when Mr. Johnson came to Missouri. He located on a farm in Grand River Township, Daviess County, and five years later moved to Union Township. During the Civil War Mr. Johnson served for eight months.
Oct. 7, 1851, Mr. Johnson was married in Virginia to Mary Yates, who was born in 1820. She died in 1888. To this union seven children were born, one of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows: James W., Gilman City ; Phillip M., Union Township, Daviess County ; Garrette, Gal-
W. A. JOHNSON
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latin ; David G., California ; Lucy, deceased ; Belle, the wife of Lewis Hitch- cock, Washington. Phillip M. Johnson was married in 1882 to Lucy Cor- nell, a native of Worth County. Four children have been born to this union as follows: Charles L., Union Township, Daviess County ; Virgil P., Grand River Township, Daviess County; George W., banker, Jameson ; Mary, the wife of Marion Pags, Monroe Township, Daviess County.
W. A. Johnson has been retired for a number of years, but is still very active. He thinks nothing of walking five miles a day, and derives great pleasure from fishing. In politics Mr. Johnson is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Methodist Church. To men such as Mr. Johnson we today owe much. They braved the dangers of frontier life and, by their work, made possible the industrial and civic growth that have Du. ... Daviess County.
Dr. J. N. Barger, a prominent physician and surgeon of Albany, Mo., was born Nov. 22, 1873, in New Hampton, the son of Alexander and Nancy Jane (Mowery) Barger.
Alexander Barger was born in Breckenbridge County, Ky., April 28, 1842, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Harrison County, Mo. During the Civil War, Mr. Barger enlisted in the militia and was a captain in Har- vey Lynch's regiment. He was engaged in farming after the war, and died in 1920. His wife was born in Casey County, Ky., in 1842.
Dr. J. N. Barger was reared on his father's farm. He attended the district schools, and later the University of Kansas City, known as the Kansas University. He studied medicine and was graduated from there in April, 1898. Dr. Barger began his practice in Lone Star, Mo., and later in Darlington. In 1909, he came to Albany, where he has since practiced. He has served in the capacity of coroner and county and city physician. Dr. Barger belongs to the American Medical Association and the Missouri Valley Medical Association. He is now examining physician for pensions.
In 1896, Dr. Barger was married the first time to Nettie Carter, who was born in 1876 in Gentry County, and died in 1903. To this union one child was born, Edythe, now deputy county clerk. She was educated in the Albany High School and Palmer College, after which she became book- keeper in the First National Bank of Albany. Miss Barger held this position for three years, after which she was appointed deputy county clerk.
Dr. Barger was married the second time to Ruby Pearl Cravens, a native of Kentucky. No children have been born to this union.
In 1906 Dr. Barger assisted in organizing the Gentry County Medical Association, and during the same year he was president of the 3rd District
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of the Missouri State Medical Association. During the World War, Dr. Barger was one of the physicians on the registration board in the local district.
Doctor Barger has one of the finest practices of his profession in the county. He is a skilled physician and deserving of the rapid progress he has made in his work. He also owns 100 acres of land in Athens and How- ard Townships. Doctor Barger owned the first automobile in Gentry County, known at that time as the Rambler make of car.
Doctor Barger is a Knight Templar and Royal Arch Mason and a mem- ber of the Eagles. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and is known in his community as an upright and reliable citizen and an able physician.
Penn Love, a well known citizen of Gallitan, Daviess County, was born at Trenton, Dec. 1, 1874. His parents were S. H. and Elizabeth (Dil- lon) Love.
S. H. Love was a native of Indiana. He taught school for a time in his youth, engaged in mercantile pursuits in Missouri, and for the last 35 years of his life was the manager of the T. W. Ballew Lumber Yard at Trenton. He died in December, 1915. His widow, Elizabeth (Dillon) Love, now lives at Jefferson City, where she is superintendent of the governor's mansion.
Penn Love was reared at Trenton, where he attended the public schools. In 1893 became connected with the Trenton Electric Light Company as a student of the business. Two years later he became the manager of the Trenton Telephone Company. He held that position until 1896, when that company was consolidated with the Gas and Electric Light Works of Trenton. Mr. Love then became the manager of the enterprise known as the Trenton Gas and Light Company. In 1898 he went to Chickasha, Okla., where he was connected with the telephone business. In 1900 he located at Gallatin, and bought the Gallatin Telephone Company. He found 128 tele- phones when he bought the business, and, when he sold it to E. O. Turner on Oct. 1, 1921, he left a flourishing business of 900 telephones. Besides his interest in the telephone business, Mr. Love acted as manager of the Gallatin Electric Light Plant from April 7, 1904 to July, 1914.
On April 7, 1904, Mr. Love was married to Vennie Gillihan. Mrs. Love was born at Gallatin, the daughter of Judge W. C. and Mary Jane (Brosius) Gillihan. Mr. and Mrs. Gillihan now live at Gallatin. Mr. and Mrs. Love had three children born to their union; Mary Elizabeth, Penelope, and Penn, Jr., who died at the age of two years.
Mr. Love is an independent voter in politics. In 1916 he was elected mayor of Gallatin on the Republican ticket, and filled that office with
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marked efficiency for two years. During his term of office, many of the sidewalks were improved. Mr. Love was one of the patriotic men who de- voted most of his time to war work during the period of the World War. He helped to organize the Red Cross in Daviess County, and acted as the county chairman of that organization. He was also the chairman for the Allied War Funds Association during the year 1918. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen of America lodges. He is a man who has been prominent in local affairs, and has the high re- gard of his community.
W. T. Lay, a retired farmer of Caldwell County now living north of Hamilton, Mo., is one of the pioneers of Daviess County. He was born Nov. 4, 1866, in Monroe Township, Daviess County, a son of John L. and Nancy J. (Cunningham) Lay. Mr. and Mrs. Lay were the parents of three child- ren: W. T., the subject of this sketch ; Oura, now residing on the old home place in Monroe Township, Daviess County ; Bessie, also living at home.
John L. Lay was born in Tennessee in 1836. He came to Daviess County before the Civil War, and was a farmer during his entire life. At the time of his death, in 1919, he was the owner of 500 acres of land in Monroe and Harrison Townships. Nancy J. (Cunningham) Lay was born in Daviess County, Nov. 1, 1844. She died Jan. 5, 1918. Mr. Lay was a Republican.
W. T. Lay received his education in the district schools, and received practical training in farm management and work on his father's farm. After his marriage in 1899, Mr. Lay bought 190 acres of land which he im- proved and lived on for 16 years. He then purchased 78 acres, which he rented for four or five years. After selling his 190 acres in 1918, he moved to Hamilton, Mo., where he has since made his home. His farm near Hamilton contains 15 acres, and his wife owns 160 acres of land in Monroe Township.
Nov. 22, 1899, Mr. Lay was married to Nitha T. Cox, a native of Dav- iess County, and a daughter of Samuel and Lucy M. (Railsback) Cox. Mr. and Mrs. Cox were natives of Kentucky who came to Missouri when they were children and located in Monroe Township, Daviess County. Mr. Cox was a farmer during his entire life. He was born Feb. 13, 1837, in Knox County, Ky., and came to Daviess County in 1842 with his parents, Levi and Sophia (Parker) Cox, natives of Kentucky. When they made the trip it required three months, and they came in wagons. Mrs. Cox was born June 28, 1845, in Hamilton, Mo. Mr. Cox died May 11, 1917. They were the parents of three children, as follows: Mrs. W. T. Lay; Vader Cox,
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Caldwell County; Pearl, the wife of A. D. Campbell, now deceased. Mr. Cox was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and a member of the Christian Church. He was a Republican.
Mr. Cox was a soldier during the Civil War, having enlisted from Daviess County, in the 7th Missouri Cavalry. He served three years and six months, and was wounded. He was also a prisoner of war for eight months at Tyler, Texas.
Mrs. Lay was educated in the schools of Gallatin, and the Kidder Insti- tute. She taught four years in the Kidder Institute in the bookkeeping and shorthand departments, as well as literary department. She also taught for nine years in the district schools before teaching in Kidder In- stitute.
Mr. and Mrs. Lay are the parents of two children: Ada, at home; and Cuma, attending high school and living at home.
Mr. Lay is a Republican and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a reliable citizen, and was able to build up a successful farming business by his integrity and progressive methods.
Daniel Railsback, a prominent farmer and stockman of Monroe Town- ship, and owner of 80 acres of well improved land, was born July 2, 1854, in Estill County, Ky., a son of David and Martha E. (Tuggle) Railsback.
David Railsback was born May 8, 1808. His place of birth is unknown. He began work at the age of eight years on a farm. In 1857 he came from Kentucky to Monroe Township, Daviess County, and the following year moved to Caldwell County. Some time later he returned to Daviess County. Mr. Railsback was married the first time to Mary Vaughn, Jan. 27, 1826, and to this union five children were born. Martha E. (Tuggle) Railsback, mother of Daniel Railsback, was married first to William Smith, and to this union five children were born. Mr. and Mrs. Railsback were the parents of three children, as follows: Richard, deceased; Lucy, the wife of Samuel Cox; Daniel, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Railsback was born Sept. 30, 1812, in Kentucky, and died June 7, 1882. Mr. Railsback died Jan. 30, 1887, in Monroe Township.
Daniel Railsback was reared on his father's farm in Daviess County, and was educated in the district schools, having attended school in a log cabin. He began farming for himself when about 24 years of age, renting some of his father's land. In 1896 he purchased his present farm of 80 acres, upon which he has made extensive improvements.
June 16, 1886, Mr. Railsback was married to Mary E. Black, a daugh- ter of John and Rachel (McGarvin) Black, natives of Kentucky and Dav- iess County, Mo. Mrs. Railsback was born in Sheridan Township. Mr. Black is deceased, and his wife is living in Kansas.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Railsback three chilren have been born: Nora, the wife of Herbert Connor, Caldwell County, who are the parents of two chil- dren, Lloyd and Pauline; Nitha, the wife of Ott Pearse, Caldwell County ; and John, at home.
Mr. Railsback is a Democrat, and has served on the school board of Monroe Township. He is now a member of the Township Board. He has also been a justice of the peace. Mr. Railsback is a member of the Chris- tian Church and one of the enterprising farmers and stockman of his com- munity.
Charles L. Downning, deceased, was a native of Monroe Township, born March 15, 1855, a son of Pohatan and Hannah (Gilbert) Downning. Both Mr. and Mrs. Downning were natives of Kentucky who removed to Missouri at a very early date, settling in Daviess County. They were the parents of five children, all of whom are deceased.
Charles L. Downning was reared on a farm and received his education in the district schools. He carried on general farming during his entire life and was successful in his work.
Mr. Downning was married the first time to Thusa Richardson, and to this union one child was born: Virgie, now the wife of Roy Whitt of Monroe Township. After his wife's death, Mr. Downning later married Thusa C. Culver on March 15, 1898. She is a native of Monroe Township, and a daughter of James and Mary (Gillhan) Culver, natives of Ohio and Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Culver were among the pioneer settlers of Daviess County.
At the time of his death, Jan. 7, 1921, Mr. Downning was the owner of 333 acres of land in Monroe Township. Mrs. Downning now owns 120 acres in that Township, where she resides.
Mr. Downning was a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. He was industrious, earnest and sincere. He merited the high regard in which he was held by the community.
James M. O'Toole, a leading farmer and stockman of Union Township, was born June 30, 1886, in Monroe Township, Daviess County, a son of John and Virginia (Tuggle) O'Toole.
John O'Toole was born in Ireland, but was bought to this country when six months of age by his parents, who settled in St. Louis. When he was six years old, his parents moved to Daviess County, and settled on a farm. During his early life Mr. O'Toole was a railroader, and was an overseer on section work, etc. Later he engaged in farming in Monroe Township. In 1905 he retired and removed to Colorado for his health. He also was inter- ested in the gold fields there. Since that time he has made his home there.
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Mrs. O'Toole was born in Daviess County, and is a daughter of John and Maria (Hemery) Tuggle. Mrs. O'Toole now makes her home in Cameron, and is the owner of 320 acres of land in Monroe Township.
To John O'Toole and Virginia (Tuggle) O'Toole nine children were born, as follows: William, California; Myrtle, the wife of Dennis Moran, Caldwell County ; Maud, the wife of P. J. Kelly, Houston, Tex. ; James M., the subject of this sketch; Maria, the wife of Ed Foley, Monroe Township; Sarah, the wife of George Mabry, Los Angeles ; Thomas, Kansas City, Mo .; Lettie, the wife of Marion Place, Cameron; Mary Florence, living with her mother in Cameron.
James M. O'Toole was brought up on a farm and educated in the dist- rict schools. He helped on his father's farm until he was 23 years old. After his marriage he rented land in Colorado for one year, after which he returned to Daviess County, and purchased 32 acres in Monroe Township. He made extensive improvements on the land and sold it in 1914. He then rented land from his mother for five years. He purchased the D. D. Heaston farm in 1918, which is located a mile east of Gallatin. Here he has made his home, having made many improvements. Mr. O'Toole raises Spotted Poland China hogs, and has a dairy herd of 14 cows, in which business he has been very successful. He owns 180 acres of good land in Union Township.
Feb. 9, 1910, James M. O'Toole was married to Orlie D. Green, a daughter of W. H. and Mina (Biddle) Green, natives of Monroe Township, and Butler County, Ohio. Mrs. O'Toole was born Dec. 28, 1890 in Monroe Township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Green are now deceased. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are now living.
To Mr. and Mrs. O'Toole one child has been born, James W., born Nov. 13, 1913, and living at home. Mr. O'Toole is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. O'Toole are well known in Gallatin and Union Township and have many friends.
O. S. Youtsey, a well known farmer and stockman and owner of 80 acres of land in Union Township, Daviess County, was born May 24, 1852, in Union Township, a son of A. S. and Maria E. (George) Youtsey.
O. S. Youtsey was the second of 14 children born to A. S. and Maria E. Youtsey. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the dist- rict schools. He remained on his father's farm until he was 24 years of age, when he moved to his present farm in Union Township, which he pur- chased and improved extensively.
Mr. Youtsey was married in 1877 to Medora Mitchell, a native of Union Township. She died the same year of their marriage. In May, 1879, Mr.
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Youtsey was married to Mary E. Johnson, a native of Grand River Town- ship, and daughter of Levi and Sarah (Brown) Johnson, natives of Illinois and Indiana. They had lived in Missouri since they were very small chil- dren. They both died several years ago. They had two children besides Mrs. Youtsey ; Robert and John, both residing in Cherryvale, Kan.
Mr. Youtsey is a Democrat and served on the school board for 12 years and is now clerk. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of Daviess County.
E. B. Day, manager of the Farmers Mercantile Company of Lock Springs, Mo., was born in Callaway County, Mo., Dec. 6, 1877, the son of S. H. and Maggie (Fitzgerald) Day, natives of Callaway and Livingston Counties. S. H. Day is deceased and his widow lives in Jefferson City. To Mr. and Mrs. Day nine children were born, of whom two are deceased.
E. B. Day was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools and attended the Fulton High School, from which he was graduated in 1895. He then farmed for one year. Following this he served as an apprentice in the blacksmith, machinist and carpenter trades, and worked at them all for a time. In 1901 Mr. Day came to Lock Springs, Mo., and worked for the Daviess Burnt Clay Company, and four years later he conducted a blacksmith shop of his own. He also did con- tracting work, building residences at Lock Springs.
In 1914 Mr. Day entered the Rahe Auto School at Kansas City, Mo. After being graduated from the course he worked at the business for about a year. He then conducted a meat market and restaurant at Lock Springs. Feb. 1, 1921, he became manager of the Farmers Mercantile Company of Lock Springs, which position he now holds.
Mr. Day was married the first time in 1899 to Emela Reifsteck, who was born in Callaway County. She died Feb. 7, 1917. No children were born to this union. On Feb. 10, 1918, Mr. Day was married to Bessie Buchanan, daughter of J. A. and Mary Buchanan. She was born in Vir- ginia but was brought up on a farm in Livingston County, Mo. She is a graduate of Lock Springs High School, and clerked for several years in dif- ferent general merchandise stores in Lock Springs. Her mother died on the farm and her father died at Lock Springs. Mr. and Mrs. Day have two children, Edmond, Jr., and Bethe Sue, both at home.
Mr. Day is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Church. He is a member of the Masons, Gallatin Chapter, the Independent Order of Fel- lows, and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Day has held the office of Master of the Lock Springs Masons Lodge three different times. He
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retired from the office in January, 1922, and is a highly respected citizen of the community.
The Day family originally came from Virginia and were among the early settlers of Callaway County, Mo.
George R. Gay, an enterprising farmer and stockman of Jamesport Township, was born in Daviess County, June 14, 1866, and is a son of James and Anna F. (Gillilian) Gay.
James Gay was a native of Greenbrier County, W. Va., and came to Daviess County with his parents when a young man. He became a leading farmer and stockman of Jamesport Township, and was a widely known breeder of high grade stock. Mr. Gay owned 720 acres of land. During the Civil War, he enlisted from Missouri and served for almost two years. He is now deceased, and is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery of James- port. James Day and wife were the parents of the following children: Mary, the wife of Worth Miller, farmer, Jamesport Township; George R., the subject of this sketch; Minnie, the wife of O. R. Nickell, farmer, Jamesport Township; Eva, the wife of Isaac Haines, farmer and stockman, Jamesport Township; Nathan, living with his mother in Jamesport Town- ship; Robert ; and James, a farmer, Jamesport Township.
George R. Gay grew up on his father's farm in Jamesport Township, and received his education in the district schools. He began farming on his father's farm, where he remained until 1890, when he purchased his present farm of 201 acres. Mr. Gay has a very fine stock farm and he is well known as a successful breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. He has a modern two story residence and good barns.
On Sept. 15, 1889, Mr. Gay married Liddia M. Bear, a native of James- port Township, and a daughter of George and Ageline (Seat) Bear. Mr. and Mrs. Bear were the parents of six children, as follows: Sylvester, Jamesport Township, Mollie Mary, deceased; Cassie, the wife of Jasper Neitherton, retired farmer, Gilman City ; George Henry, address unknown; A. I., the wife of S. Huffman, retired farmer, Trenton; and Mrs. Gay. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bear are deceased, and are buried in Pilot Grove Ceme- tery. To George R., and Liddia (Bear) Gay, seven children were born, as follows: Claude, deceased; O. L., farming with his father; Laura, the wife of Orville Wells, Grand River Township, Daviess County ; Onna, deceased ; Lila, deceased; Victor, deceased; the seventh child died in infancy. Mrs. Gay died March 29, 1918, and is buried in Pilot Grove Cemetery, No. 2.
In politics Mr. Gay is a staunch Democrat. He is a member of the Modern Woodman of the World. He is well known throughout the county
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