USA > Missouri > Mercer County > History of Harrison and Mercer Counties, Missouri : from the earliest times to the present : together with sundry personal, business, and professional sketches and family records : besides a condensed history of the State of Missouri, etc > Part 59
USA > Missouri > Harrison County > History of Harrison and Mercer Counties, Missouri : from the earliest times to the present : together with sundry personal, business, and professional sketches and family records : besides a condensed history of the State of Missouri, etc > Part 59
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E. G. Poland was born in Knox County, Ohio, April 29, 1840, and is the son of Charles and Mary (Stoner) Poland, natives of Pennsyl- vania, and of German-English and German descent, respectively. They were married in their native State, and shortly afterward immi- grated to Knox County, Ohio, where eleven children were born, nine of whom are living. Charles Poland was a strong Union man, and lost one son during the war. Both Mr. and Mrs. Poland were useful and consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and lived their full three score years and ten. E. G. Poland was reared in his native county, and in 1861 enlisted in Company G, Twentieth Ohio Infantry, Col. Force, and served until discharged in July, 1863. In 1863 he re-enlisted as a veteran, serving until mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, in 1865. Among the battles in which he fought are Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Jackson, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Marietta and Savan- nah. During the war Mr. Poland was taken a prisoner at Shiloh, and held two months. He is now a member of the G. A. R. After the ces- sation of hostilities he farmed in Illinois one year, and then came to
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Harrison County, Mo., where he owns a valuable farm, situated in Akron settlement, Clay Township, and is considered a well-to-do man. January 5, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Jemima Mor- gan, daughter of Richard and Nancy Morgan, by whom three children have been born: Harvey E., Martha D. (deceased), and Dwight C. Mr. and Mrs. Poland belong to the Presbyterian Church.
D. F. Poland was born in Knox County, Ohio, March 9, 1848, and is a son of Charles and Mary (Stoner) Poland. [See sketch of E. G. Poland. ] He was reared in his native State with but limited educa- tional advantages, and at the age of sixteen enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio Infantry, Col. Charles Cooper's command. After a four-months' service he was honorably discharged, and then remained at home with his parents until November 10, 1879, when he came to Harrison County, Mo., where he has since resided. He at first made his home with his brother, E. G. Poland, but after his marriage, December 29, 1881, to Miss Mary Morgan, daughter of A. M. and Jane Morgan, located upon his present farm, which he had improved somewhat. Mrs. Poland was born July 21, 1860, in Dresden, Muskingum Co., Ohio, and in the spring of 1871 moved to Akron, Harrison Co., Mo. The farm of Mr. Poland is now well cul- tivated, and contains 170 acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. Poland are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. By their union one child, Charles Earl, who is now three years of age, has been born. Mr. Poland is a Republican, and during President Arthur's adminis- tration was made postmaster of Akron, which position he has since held. He is a member of the G. A. R., Knights of Honor, Masonic fraternity and I. O. O. F.
John Posler was born in Bohemia November 1, 1823, and is a son of Wencl and Annie Posler, also natives of Bohemia. The father was a soap manufacturer, and died in his native land aged fifty-eight. The mother came to America with her son, John, and lived with him until her death, at the age of seventy-one. John Posler is a carpen- ter by trade, but has never followed this occupation. He clerked in the city court at Bohemia six years, and served in the rebellion against the Austrian Empire. After coming to this country Mr. Posler went to Wisconsin in 1850, and afterward spent some time in Iowa. In 1857 he came to this county, and has since made his home in this locality. During the war he served one year in Company F, Twenty-seventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Clark. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Jackson, and was for nearly two years a member of the
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Veteran Reserve Corps. After being transferred he resumed his farm life, and in 1866 returned to Europe for his mother and sister, Josephine, both of whom are now dead. In 1872 Mr. Posler was married at the age of fifty-two to Anna Skakal, born in Bohemia, and to them three sons have been born: John, Joseph and Jerry. Mr. Posler is an enterprising citizen, and the owner of 125 acres of good land, besides his residence property in Cainesville. He is well educa- ted, and speaks Bohemian, English and German with fluency. He reads French readily, and is quite a Latin student. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the G. A. R., Post No. 216, at Caines- ville.
Samuel Pratt, a leading merchant of Mount Moriah, is a son of Nathaniel and Margaret (Laird) Pratt. His father was born in Berkshire County, Mass., and the mother in Tazewell County, Va. The father was a peddler in early life, and thus met Miss Laird, whom he afterward married. They soon afterward moved to Greene County, Ill., where they were among the early settlers. In 1849 they went to Gentry County, Mo., where they spent the remainder of their lives, dying at the ages of sixty-three and eighty-one, respectively. Dur- ing the Black Hawk War Mr. Pratt served as a captain. To them seven sons and three daughters were born, of whom our subject was the sixth. Nathaniel Pratt engaged principally in farming and brick laying during the latter part of his life, although at one time he taught school. Himself and wife were followers of the Baptist faith. Samuel Pratt was born in Greene County, Ill., in 1831, where he was reared upon a farm, and received a good English education. At the age of twenty-two he began a career of school teaching which he con- tinued twenty-seven terms in Missouri, Iowa and California. Among his pupils in Worth County, Mo., was Miss Martha P. Fickle, for whom he formed an attachment, and at one of the gatherings at the schoolhouse, taking her by the hand ostensibly to Jead a game, he led her to the hymeneal altar, much to the astonishment of all present. This marriage occurred in 1856, and to Mr. and Mrs. Pratt the fol- lowing six children were born: John S., Maggie I., Samuel H., George A., Charley T. and Martha J. In 1868 Mr. Pratt lost his wife while living in California, and returning to Missouri in 1870 he was united in marriage the following year to Martha R. Wright, by whom five children have been born: Minnie M., Allie F., Mary E., Thomas L. and Lucy B. Soon after his second marriage Mr. Pratt opened a store in Modena, Mercer Co., Mo., where he remained in business about ten years. Mr. Pratt is a successful merchant of
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long standing, having been engaged in the mercantile business from 1856 until 1861 in Denver, Worth Co., Mo., and since 1887 he has successfully sold goods in Mount Moriah. In politics he is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is of English descent upon the paternal and Welsh upon the maternal side of the family.
Gen. B. M. Prentiss, one of the chief actors in the War of the Rebellion, was born in Wood County, Va., in 1819. Emigrating west from there in 1836 he located in Marion County, Mo., and engaged in the manufacture of cordage. In the spring of 1841 he moved to Quincy, Ill., and engaged in the same business with his father until 1847, at which time he began the study of law, although he did not practice his profession until the close of the war. Dur- ing the Mormon excitement in Illinois he was in the service of the State, and at the commencement of the Mexican War was appointed adjutant of the First Illinois Infantry, which was raised at Quincy, and with which regiment he served during the entire war, after which he returned to Quincy. In April, 1861, in response to the call of Presi- dent Lincoln for 75,000 troops, Gen. Prentiss immediately organized a company of which he was elected captain. Three days later he was commissioned colonel of the Tenth Illinois Infantry, and ordered to Cairo, which was the rendezvous for most of the western troops, and of which he was placed in command just five days subsequent to being commissioned colonel. From there he was ordered by Gen. Fremont to Jefferson City, Mo., to take command of all North and Cen- tral Missouri. Subsequently being ordered upon the field by Gen. Halleck he proceeded to Pittsburg Landing, where he arrived April 1, and there organized and took command of the Sixth Division. On the morning of the 6th his command was attacked by the enemy, against whom he gallantly contended the entire day in what is known as the "hornets' nest," but as his force was outnumbered by that of the enemy, he was overcome at nightfall and captured. He was held a prisoner six months, during which time he was confined at Talladega, Selma, Madison and Libby prisons. After an exchange of prisoners had been effected he visited Washington, and was granted a leave of thirty days, but before the expiration of that time was ordered to sit on the court martial in the case of Gen. Fitz John Porter. After the close of this trial he was ordered to report to Gen. Grant at Milliken's Bend, by whom he was assigned to the command of the Eastern Divis- ion of Arkansas, with headquarters at Helena. Upon July 4, 1863, he commanded the Union forces in the battle of Helena, gaining a 38
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decided victory over the enemy, whose forces more than four times out- numbered his. Previous to this battle, for his brave and gallant serv- ice at the battle of Shiloh, he was promoted to the major-generalship, but a year after the battle of Helena he deemed it his duty to resign, after which he returned to his family. He then practiced his chosen profession for the following six years, and then on April 1, 1869, was appointed, by Gen. Grant, pension agent for the Fourth District of Illinois, which position he held for several years. The General is an ardent Republican and a public-spirited gentleman who is always ready to aid laudable enterprises for the advancement of the country. Being well-known throughout the country and greatly admired for his principles and his war record, he has often been urged by his friends to accept high political honors but has usually declined. In 1881 he located in Harrison County, Mo., and his home is at present in Sher- man Township, although for four years he has been in the lecture field, in which he has been very successful. He is the only survivor of the celebrated Fitz John Porter court martial, and as he enjoys excellent health will probably live many years to relate his thrilling war expe- riences to an interested public.
H. Peugh, a retired farmer, is next to the youngest child of Levi and Jane (Wadkins) Peugh, and was born in Montgomery County, Va., April 25, 1826. His parents were natives of that State, where they were married, and all their children save one, were born. In 1830 they moved to Wayne County, Ind., where the father died about 1836. After living in Washington and Bartholomew Counties, in 1858 the mother came to Harrison County, Mo., and settled in Sher- man Township, where her last days were spent. She lived to the age of seventy-three, and was a member of the United Brethren Church. The father is thought to have been of Scotch descent, a soldier in the War of 1812, and by occupation a farmer. Humphrey Peugh, the subject of this sketch, was reared upon a farm, and as his mother was indulgent and did not enforce his attendence at school he received no education, but feeling his own deficiency in this regard, has given his children the benefits of good instruction. He began life for him- self at the age of eighteen as a farm laborer for $6 per month, and as he received no share of his father's estate upon its division, deter- mined to become a well-to-do man. This resolution he has fulfilled, and is now the owner of 785 acres of good land, and is one of the highly respected citizens of Harrison County, where he has resided over twenty-nine years. In 1846 he married Malinda McDonald, a native of Ohio, by whom four children were born: William H., Sanford M.,
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Thomas J. and Malinda E. After the death of his first wife he wedded her sister, Malissa. Mr. Peugh has been a steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church for a number of years, and has been a trustee eight years. Both his wives united with the same church. In politics he is a Whig, and his first presidential vote was cast for Taylor. He has served his township in several minor offices, and dur- ing the war was in the detailed militia.
William L. Ragan, farmer and stock raiser, is the sixth child of twelve born to Darby and Esther (Barnett) Ragan, and was born in Blount County, Tenn., in 1841. His parents were born in East Ten- nessee in 1808 and 1810, respectively, and after their marriage in 1831 continued to live there until 1852. They then moved to Gentry County, Mo., and the following year came to Harrison County, Mo., where the father died in 1875 and the mother in 1871. Both were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he was a ruling elder. By occupation Mr. Ragan was a farmer, and for many years he served as a magistrate. His death resulted from a fall received while riding in a spring wagon with a sister. The horse balked, throwing them from the back seat and breaking Mr. Ragan's back, his death resulting in a few hours. William L. Ragan was reared upon a farm and received a common-school education, his serv- ices outside the school room being required at home. When of age he began farming for himself upon rented land, and in 1862 married Rebecca H. Koger, who was born in Daviess County, Mo., in 1844. This union has been blessed with ten children: Esther A., Louisa E., Martha E., Mary L., Fannie A., John B., Jordan C., Susan B., James S. and Hugh D. Both subject and his wife are worthy members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he is a ruling elder, and in politics the former is a Democrat. As a farmer he has been quite successful, and is now the owner of 210 acres of good land. He is interested in fine stock, and owns a fine pedigreed Durham bull, and a horse of superior grade.
Frederick H. Ramer was born in Noble County, Ind., December 17, 1847, and is a son of John and Amanda (Nichols) Ramer, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Indiana. The father came to Missouri with his family in 1858, and for many years was proprietor of the Ramer Hotel. Upon his death, in 1884, Bethany lost one of its old and honored citizens. His widow still survives him, and conducts the Ramer Hotel, and there are also two sons and three daughters living : Isabel, wife of S. S. Mendenhall, of Las Vegas, N. M .; Charles W., of Fort Collins, Colo .; Sarah V., wife of Dr. J. N. Lewis, of Bethany ;
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Frederick H., and Amanda J., wife of S. R. Ballard, of Burlington, Iowa. Frederick arrived at maturity in Bethany, and having learned the printer's trade during his youth, in the year 1871 published the St. Joseph Journal of Commerce, a commercial monthly of St Joseph, Mo. He than began the study of law, reading under Hon. T. D. Neal, of Bethany, and was admitted to the bar in 1873, since which time he has been more or less engaged in practicing his profession. In August, 1881, he bought the Bethany Republican which he con- ducted with success until September, 1887. £ He then sold the paper,
and is now devoting his entire attention to the practice of his profes- sion. February 4, 1875, he married Miss Emma R. Woodward, a native of Beaver Dam, Wis., the mother of their one son, Ralph J. Mr. Ramer is an active Republican, and was twice a candidate for the State Legislature. For two years he served as public administrator of Harrison County. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O.
U. W., and is one of the respected citizens of the county. He is a large stockholder in and secretary of the Pitt Carriage Company, of Des Moines, Iowa. He is a self-made man, and having been badly crip- pled since quite young and always compelled to use crutches, he de- serves great credit for the energy he has displayed under such difficul- ties, in amassing a fair fortune and his success in life.
J. S. Rankin was born in 1852, in Morgan County, Va., and moved to Jo Daviess County, Ill., in 1854, and from there to Harrison County, Mo., in 1870, settling upon the farm where he has since re- sided. He began life for himself at the age of twenty in very moderate circumstances, but being of an industrious and energetic nature he has increased his possessions, and now owns a finely improved farm of 240 acres. He was married in the fall of 1872 to Miss Sarah Armstrong, by whom eight children have been born: John T., Charles S., Rose E., Mabel C., Lillie, Nellie A., William A., and Lora B. Mr. Rankin is a Republican in politics, and is the fourth of nine children of Thomas and Elizabeth (Smith) Rankin, natives of Morgan County, Va., who moved to Jo Daviess County, Ill. Mrs. Rankin died there about 1862, and the father afterward came to Harrison County, Mo., but in 1880 went to Oregon, where he now resides. He is a son of Samuel Rankin, a native of Morgan County, Va., who moved to Jo Daviess County, Ill., where both he and his wife died. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Sarah Rankin, the wife of the sub- ject of this sketch, is a daughter of John and Nancy Ann (Morris) Armstrong. Her father was born December 31, 1819, in Livingston County, N. J., moved to Fulton County, Ill., in 1838, and from there
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came to Harrison County, Mo., in 1860. A year later he returned to Illinois, but in 1866 settled upon his present farm in Harrison County, Mo. This farm contains 260 acres of well-improved land, which is the result of Mr. Armstrong's own labor, as he started in life a poor man. In 1852 he married Miss Susannah Moran, a native of Balti- more County, Md., by whom three children were born: Mary M., wife of James Dilts; Margery Ann, wife of S. D. Parsons, and Susannah, wife of Percy Prune. Mrs. Armstrong died June 1, 1851, and Mr. Armstrong was married December 15, 1852, to Miss Morris, a native of Adams County, Ohio, and daughter of George and Elizabeth (Hurd) Morris, by whom twelve children have been born. Mr. Armstrong is a Republican, and has served both as assessor and register. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Judge Albert Reeves, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Grant Township, was born in May, 1840, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and moved to Talmage, Summit Co., Ohio, in 1858. September 28, 1861, he enlisted in the Ninth Ohio Battery as a private, and was afterward made sergeant of his company. In November, 1864, he was elected second lieutenant, and served in that capacity until he was mustered out at Cleveland, Ohio, July 25, 1865, having served during the entire time with the Army of the Cumberland. He moved to Hardin County, Iowa, in March, 1866, and in June, 1867, moved upon the farm in Harrison County, Mo., where he has since resided. He began life for himself at the age of seventeen, with $100, and what he is now worth is due to his industry and business ability. He owns a nicely-improved farm of 200 acres in the home place, and also two other tracts, his property in all amounting to 370 acres. March 9, 1863, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Ewell, a native of Port- age County, Ohio, and a daughter of Lorenzo and Eliza B. (Hildreth) Ewell, natives of Massachusetts and Maine, respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Reeves two children have been born; William A. and Minnie E. Mr. Reeves is a Republican in politics, and has served as justice of the peace three terms, once by appointment and twice by election. He officiated one term as township clerk, and was elected presiding county judge in 1882, to which office he was re-elected in 1886. Himself and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Reeves is the third of seven children of Harvey A. and Margaret (Stewart) Reeves, natives of Mahoning County, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, respectively. After fourteen months' service in the Re- bellion the father was captured, and died at Winchester, Va., while a prisoner.
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L. P. Riley was born in Knox County, Ohio, October 2, 1840, and is a son of John and Susan (Curtis) Riley. The father was born May 12, 1811, in Culpeper County, Va., and is of Scotch and Irish descent. The mother, a native of Elizabethtown, Penn., was born October 21, 1813, and is of German descent. They were married in Knox County, Ohio, whither they had accompanied their parents when young, and there located upon a farm, where their twelve chil- dren were born, and ten were reared to maturity. Mr. Riley is still the owner of the farm, but for the past seven years himself and wife have lived in Centerburg, Knox Co., Ohio. They have both been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over forty years. In politics Mr. Riley is a Republican, having previously been a Whig. L. P. Riley was reared upon his father's farm, and received his edu- cation at the neighborhood schools and the Academy of Halcean, Hart- ford. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty- first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. W. P. Reed's command, in which regiment he served eleven months, or until discharged on account of injuries received at Perryville, Ky. In 1864 he re-enlisted on the gunboat "Fort Hindman," Naval Department Mississippi Squadron, and served in the navy until the close of the war. He then returned to his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah A. Frazier, and whom he married May 26, 1864. To this union three children have been born, two of whom are living: Winney L. and Loren F. One child died in infancy. Mr. Riley and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and Mr. Riley is a member of the G. A. R., Lodge No. 147, and the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 328. His fine farm of 300 acres is well stocked and improved, and he is considered one of the enterprising men of the township.
W. E. Riley was born in Knox County, Ohio, June 22, 1842, and is a son of L. H. Riley [see sketch]. He was reared in his native county, and August 8, 1863, enlisted in Company I, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, and during his two years' service was in the battles of Nashville, Franklin, Strawberry Plains, Bull's Gaps and many others. After being mustered out at Nashville, August 23, 1865, he returned home, and resuming his interrupted studies completed his education at a Mount Vernon graded school, where he took a classical course. He then engaged in farming with his father, and in 1868 accompanied him to Harrison County, Mo. June 12, 1868, he was married in Ohio to Miss Margaret S. Frazier, a native of Knox County, Ohio, and daughter of Andrew Frazier. By this union five children have been born: Lena R., Edwin L., Robinson, Olive J. and
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Georgie A. After his marriage Mr. Riley located in Clay Township, Harrison County, Mo., where he has engaged in farming and teach- ing, although of late years his attention has been devoted to the former occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Riley are worthy members of the Presby- terian Church and well respected citizens. Mr. Riley is a Republican, and a member of the G. A. R. During his service of six years as justice of the peace he united in marriage about thirty couple.
H. Ristine, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Schuyler County, Ill., November 2, 1842, and is a son of John B. and Maria (Hubbard) Ristine, the former a native of Kentucky, and of German descent, and the latter a native of Indiana, where she was married. Subsequent to his marriage Mr. Ristine moved to Wabash County, Ill., where he lived several years previous to his removal to Schuyler County, where he engaged in farming and stock raising thirteen years. He then lived one year in Southwestern Iowa, and thence came to Harrison County, Mo., where he died aged seventy-four. Mrs. Ristine died while in Schuyler County, Ill. With the exception of the time he served in the War of 1812 and the Black Hawk War, Mr. Ristine de- voted his entire life to farming. H. Ristine was reared upon his father's farm, and when of age enlisted in Company E, Thirty-first Missouri State Militia, Col. King's command, and under Capt. Mack- afee, which company in 1864 consolidated with the Sixth Missouri State Militia. After participating in the fights at Newtonia, Spring- field, Neosha, and others, Mr. Ristine returned to Harrison County, and for two years sold goods in Cainesville. He then sold out his business, and purchased a farm in Harrison County, three miles north- west of Cainesville, upon which he has since farmed and engaged in stock raising. He is also running a hotel and livery stable in Caines- ville, in which he is very successful, although he has lost about $4,000 by fire. He is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics is Independ- ent. In 1869 Mr. Ristine was united in marriage with Miss Missouri Tilley, a native of Harrison County, Mo., whose parents came from Kentucky. This marriage has been blessed with three children: Alvo- rado, Rosa and Henry G.
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