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 61
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 61
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at the residence of the latter's parents, near Richmond. Charles Mitchell Scott was left an orphan at the age of two years, and until twelve made his home with his maternal grandfather. He was then apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade, which he left to join the Indian War under Gen. Taylor, Col. Morgan and Capt. Sconks. He partici- pated in the fights at Lake Okachobee, Pea's Creek, St. Johns and a number of skirmishes. After one year's service he returned to Rich- mond, from there went to Daviess County, Mo., then came to Harrison County, and took up a claim near West Bethany, where he built the first house in the county, upon the present site of Dr. Skinner's residence, in 1838. He afterward bought a farm in Liv- ingston County, which he sold, and went to Grundy County, where he lived two years, and married Miss Lou Sarah Scott. In 1843 he returned to his property in Harrison County, and assisted in the organization of the county in 1845. There he was the first coroner, and served as deputy sheriff, postmaster, treasurer, and in 1850 was appointed assistant marshal, to take the census of the county. In 1852 he lost his wife, by whom he has had five children-one now living-Lou Emma Clark, a resident of Cainesville. He then built a mill at Gallatin, Daviess County, which he sold later, and then clerked five years at that place. He next went into the livery busi- ness at Bethany, remaining there until 1861, when he went to Gentry County. In 1864 he went to Colorado, and in 1865 to St. Joseph, Mo., where he clerked for Tootle, Hosea & Co. two years. He next engaged in the grocery business there, and, after selling the same, went to Gentry County, a year later coming to Harrison County. He has made several trips west since that time, but in 1881 permanently . returned to Harrison County, and located in Cainesville, where he now owns the postoffice, and officiates as postmaster. In 1860 he was married a second time, to Miss Sarah A. Trimble, a native of Callaway County, Mo., by whom he had five sons, only one now living-Edwin T. Scott. Mr. Scott is a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter in Masonry.
William M. Selby was born January 18, 1820 in Nicholas County, Ky., and is the second of nine children born to Joshua and Mary (Riggens) Selby, natives of Maryland, who immigrated to Kentucky at an early day with their parents. The father was of English descent, and a son of William Selby, who married Miss Townsend. The mother was a daughter of Jesse Riggens, a native of Maryland. Our subject accompanied his parents to Rush County, Ind., when six years old, and was there reared and grew to manhood. At the age of nine-
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teen he went to Franklin County, Ind., where he was married in March, 1840, to Miss Martha A. Flint, by whom he had seven chil- dren: George W., Joshua J., Thomas J., John F., James P., Jesse B. and Rachel. Mrs. Selby died in the fall of 1865, and in June, 1866, Mr. Selby was united in marriage with Mrs. Temperance J. Allen, nee Flint, and a daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Foster) Flint, natives of Maryland and Kentucky, respectively. Mr. Selby is a self-made man, and owns a nicely improved farm of 200 acres upon which he resides. He is a Republican in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He was elected justice of the peace in 1864, but shortly afterward resigned the position. During the Rebellion he served as a commissary sergeant in the Mis- souri State Militia. Both himself and wife are members of the Chris- tian Church. He has never been connected with any secret organiza- tion.
J. J. Selby, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Sherman Township, was born in 1842 upon the farm where he has since resided, · and is the second child born to William and Martha (Flint) Selby [see sketch]. When he had reached his majority he began life for himself as an independent farmer with 40 acres of land which was unimproved, but by industry and good management is now the owner of 272 acres which are well improved and in every way equipped for farming. About 1862 he was married to Miss Mary F. Fail, daughter of Isaac and Electa (Rathbone) Fail, and of German descent. To this union five children have been born: William Heron (deceased), Rosa May, Columbus Owen, John Percy, George Clifford. Mr. Selby is a Re- publican in politics, and during the war served in the Missouri State Militia. Himself and wife are worthy members of the Christian Church, and rank among the respected citizens of the township.
Judge John F. Selby was born in Harrison County, Mo., in 1845, and is a son of William M. and Martha (Flint) Selby [see sketch of William Selby]. John F. is the third child living, and was educated in the district schools of his neighborhood, making his home with his parents until eighteen years of age. His sympathies were with the Union during the war, and in October, 1864, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-third Missouri Volunteer Infantry, for one year, or during the war. He was stationed in Southern Missouri, and served until discharged at Jefferson Barracks in July, 1865. August 31 of that year he married Miss Sarah E. Wills, daughter of George Wills, and who was born in Macon County, Mo., May 27, 1848, which union was blessed with one child, William O. Subsequent to his marriage,
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Mr. Selby bought 120 acres of land, where he has since resided. Judge Selby lost his first wife February 28, 1880, and May 4, 1882, was united in marriage with Miss Mary F. Sutton, daughter of Simeon Sutton. Mrs. Selby was born September 24, 1858, near Peoria, Ill., and came to Harrison County when small. She is the mother of the following children: Edmond Rosco and Joshua Frederick. Judge Selby is an influential and well-to-do citizen of Harrison County, and owns 200 acres of good land. In politics he is a Republican, and his first presidential vote was cast for Lincoln in 1864. In November, 1886, he was elected judge of the county court for the Second Dis- trict for two years. He is a member of the G. A. R., T. D. Neal Post, No. 124, at Bethany, and himself and wife belong to the Chris- tian Church.
Francis Shackleton is a son of John and Mary (Smith) Shackleton, natives of Yorkshire, England, where they were reared and married. About 1845 they came to the United States, and located in Illinois. In 1848 the father went to California to engage in mining, and the mother not having heard from him for a long time concluded that he had died, and consequently returned to England with her family. Coming home and finding the place deserted, the father sought his family in the old country, and returning with his wife and children, settled in Harrison County, Mo., in 1856. His death occurred in 1868, but his widow still survives. In politics he was a Democrat, and to him- self and wife seven children were born, of whom three are living. Francis Shackleton was reared upon a farm in Illinois, where he was born in 1848, and during his youth received a common-school educa- tion. At the age of thirty he began life as a farm laborer, and in 1873 went to California, where he worked about two years. Having re- turned home he was married in 1876 to Catherine Simpson, by whom two children were born: Preston and Catherine. Mrs. Shackleton died in 1879, and in 1882 our subject married Sarah M. Howard, who was born in Henry County, Ill., in 1864. This union has been blessed with but one child, Josiah A. Mr. and Mrs. Shackleton are both mem- bers of the Christian Church, and in politics the former is a Demo- crat. Mr. Shackleton is a well-to-do farmer, owning 240 acres of land, the greater part of which is the result of his own labor and economy.
William Sharrock, one of Harrison County's old and prominent citizens, was born in New York City in 1821, and is the son of Timothy and Ellen (Conky) Sharrock. Timothy Sharrock married in New York City, and shortly after the birth of William moved to Ohio,
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where he engaged in farming, and remained until his death in 1875. The mother died when the subject of this sketch was thirteen years old, at which time he left home, and was employed by neighbors to do farm work; he also worked on a canal as driver, continuing this work until twenty-one years of age, when he married Polly Ann Johnson, who was born about the same year as her husband, in the State of Ohio. Shortly after this marriage he emigrated West in search of a home, stopping near Burlington, Iowa, one year, when he came to Harrison County, Mo., and has since lived there. His wife died one year after their arrival in Missouri. By this marriage there were two children, both of whom died in infancy. In 1855 he married Mary Ann Oxford, who was born in Grundy County, Mo., about 1839. This union has been blessed with six children, three of whom are liv- ing, and three deceased. In March, 1862, Mr. Sharrock left home, and enlisted in Company G, of the Sixth Missouri Cavalry, and served for three years with credit, participating in many battles and skir- mishes, being honorably discharged at the end of that time. He also served six months in the State Militia before going into the United States service. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church North, and have been for many years. Although his opportunities for a good education were limited, he has by close observation and general reading greatly improved same, and is now a well-informed man, and enjoys the esteem of a great many friends. Although never aspiring to office, he has always been a hearty supporter of the Re- publican party.
Lorenzo Shaw, a well-to-do farmer, is of English descent. His parents were natives of Saratoga County, N. Y., who moved to Orleans County, and from there to Waushara County, Wis., where the mother died in the prime of life, and the father at the age of seventy-eight. He was a Democrat in politics, and in creed his wife was a follower of the Baptist faith. Stephen and Miami (Horton) Shaw were the parents of ten children, all but one of whom were reared to maturity, and eight are now living. Lorenzo Shaw is the eldest child, and was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., November 25, 1818, where he was reared. At the age of twenty-two he married Miss Cornelia Lewis, who is of English and German descent, and a daughter of John and Phœbe Lewis. After his marriage he moved to Orleans County, N. Y., and twelve years later went to Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming with his father for thirteen years. From there he went to Kansas in 1859, and then to Adams County, Iowa, in 1860; next farmed three years in Appanoose County, Iowa,
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and then permanently located in Harrison County, Mo., in 1864. He is an enterprising and well-to-do farmer, and owns 155 acres of good land, which is all the result of his labor and industry. To himself and wife six children have been born, all of whom are married: Martha A., Mary A., Charles E., George W., Albert A. and Ernest E. One child lives in Wichita, Kas., and one in Gallatin, Mo., the remainder being residents of Harrison County. Mrs. Shaw is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Shaw is a Republican in politics.
G. W. Shaw is a son of Lorenzo and Cornelia (Lewis) Shaw, natives of New York, who emigrated to Wisconsin and made their home in that State a number of years. Mr. Shaw from there- went to Douglas County, Kas., where he remained but a short time on account of the great drought. He consequently went with his stock to Appanoose County, Iowa, and three years later, in the fall of 1864, came to Harrison County, Mo., where he now makes his home. He is now seventy years of age and ranks among the county's enterpris- ing and substantial farmers. G. W. was born in Milwaukee, Wis., May 25, 1849. At the age of fourteen he began to work at the harness trade, but when sixteen enlisted in Company D, Fifty-first Missouri Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. G. W. Herrick. He par- ticipated in no regular engagements, and after the cessation of hos- tilities spent two years working upon a farm, and clerking for Mr. Burrows, in Cainesville. He then spent about five years in Montana mining, prospecting and fighting Indians. In 1872 he returned to Missouri where he married Miss Ruth Pitzel, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Dr. Pitzel, a leading physician of Harrison County. After his marriage Mr. Shaw farmed two years in Madison Township and then became a partner of the Hon. Joseph H. Burrows in the mercantile business, in which line of trade he has since engaged with success. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have had seven children, five of whom are living: Ola, Orin, Frederick, Burnice M. and Bessie. Mr. Shaw is a Republican in politics and a member of the G. A. R. Mrs. Shaw is a member of the Baptist Church.
John Shepherd was born in Butler County, Ohio, September 26, 1824, and is a son of Andrew and Sarah (McMahan) Shepherd. The father emigrated from Ireland with his mother to America, and settled in Butler County, Ohio, where he afterward married. He was a weaver by trade, but passed the greater part of his life engaged in farm- ing. He spent some time in Clinton County, and Tippecanoe, Car- roll Co., Ind., and then went to Brewer County, Iowa, where he
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lived three years or until his death. The mother died while in Tip- pecanoe, Ind. ; she was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Shepherd was once a Democrat but afterward became a Republican; after the death of his wife he joined the Christian Church. He was twice married. To his first marriage six children were born, of whom three are living. His second wife, who was a widow named Mrs. Garress, and whose maiden name was Dawson, bore him four children, two of whom are living. John Shepherd was reared in Indiana, and at the age of twenty-four began life for himself. He first wedded Miss Harriet Morrison, a native of Carroll County, Ind., who bore him one child, Thomas J., and died five years later. He was then married in Carroll County to Sarah Ann McAuley a native . of Ohio, and after living in Iowa three years spent three and a half years in Putnam County, Mo. They then came to Harrison County, and located upon Mr. Shepherd's present place, which contains 200 acres of well stocked land. In politics Mr. Shepherd is a Republican, and during the war did efficient service in the Missouri State Militia Home Guards. Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd have been married over thirty-three years and have a fine family of nine living children: Louisa, Nancy J., Parker, Annis, Harriet, John W., Caroline, Andrew and Daniel (twins).
Arthur D. Shipley, circuit clerk and ex officio recorder of Harrison County, Mo., was born in Tazewell County, Ill., December 19, 1853, and is a son of George C. and Mary H. (Thompson) Shipley, natives of Kentucky and Illinois, respectively. The father emigrated from Kentucky to Illinois in 1835, and came to Missouri. In 1855 he located in Harrison County, and is now one of the old and respected citizens of Trail Creek Township. The mother died in 1876, leaving five sons and three daughters: Arthur D., Rachel E. (wife of Francis M. Dyer), Charlotte Ann (wife of Elisha W. Wright), Benjamin F., Marquis D., William N., Sarah J. (wife of Charles J. Carter), and Allen R. To the father's second marriage, to Lucinda (Ellington) Dyer, one son, Rosce C., has been born. Arthur D. was reared upon a farm, and after receiving a good English education prepared him- self for a teacher, which occupation he followed almost continuously until 1882. He was then elected to his present office, and, after serv- ing four years in a highly satisfactory manner, was re-elected in 1886, and is now discharging the duties of that office. He has always been a stanch Republican. April 20, 1876, he married Rosetta Wright, a native of this county, and daughter of John S. Wright. To Mr. and Mrs. Shipley two children have been born: Mary Edith, March 6,
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1877, and Sylvanus Carl, December 12, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Shipley are members of the Christian Church, and are well respected citizens.
Tobias B. Sherer, of Bethany, Mo., was born in Philadelphia, Penn., February 12, 1834, and is a son of Dr. Jacob M. and Mary Ann (Beehler) Sherer, natives, respectively, of Lancaster and Philadelphia, Penn. The father was a graduate of the old Jefferson Medical College, and practiced his profession successfully until his death in Pennsyl- vania, which occurred early in the decade of the fifties. The mother died in Harrison County, Mo., about the close of the war while here upon a visit. Tobias is one of a family of seven sons and two daugh- ters, himself, Jacob W. and Benjamin M. being the only survivors. After graduating from the public school in his native city he served three years' apprenticeship with a pharmacist in that city, and in 1856 went to Iowa. The following year he came to Bethany, where, after teaching school a year, he opened a drug store, which was the first established in this section of the country. In 1863 he enlisted as a private, but was afterward made a non-commissioned officer of Com- pany E, Forty-third Missouri Volunteer Infantry. Soon after the war he re-engaged in the drug business here, and has since conducted the same with well deserved success. He carries a large and well selected stock, and makes a specialty of compounding prescriptions. For the past three years his son, Charles A., has been a partner in the business. Mr. Sherer was united in marriage with Serena J. Allen, daughter of William R. Allen, one of the old and worthy pioneers of this county, now deceased. This union was blessed with five children: Charles A., William I. (deceased), Herbert S. (deceased), Frank W. and Annie (deceased). Mrs. Sherer died in 1881, and was a member of the Christian Church, to which Mr. Sherer also belongs. He is a Republican, and has served as county school commissioner two years, besides filling various other local offices of honor and trust. He is a Knight Templar, being Past Eminent Commander of the local Commandery, and is a member of the G. A. R.
William C. Shumard, one of the respected citizens of Harrison County, was born in Monroe County, Ohio, in 1842, and is a son of T. P. and Susan (Stewart) Shumard, who came to Missouri in 1855, and lived in this State until their deaths. The father was a tailor by trade, but spent the latter part of his life engaged in farming. August 3, 1861, William C. Shumard enlisted in Company E, Twenty-third Missouri Infantry, United States Army, in which he remained three years and two and a half months, during which time he participated in some of the principal battles. He is a prominent man in his
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township and has filled the offices of township collector and justice of the peace for several years. September 14, 1865, he married Sarah E. (Hendren) Morris, widow of John W. Morris, who died while in the service of his country. To Mr. and Mrs. Shumard five children have been born: Mary E. (wife of James T. Kemp), and Charles H. C. Shumard, James W. F. Shumard, Oliver G. Shumard and Bertha I. Shumard. The youngest is now seven years old. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shumard are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the former belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He is a well-to-do farmer and located upon his present place in 1867. This farm contains 240 acres of good land, and in connection with agricultural pursuits Mr. Shu- mard is interested in stock raising. In politics he is a Republican; he is a member of the G. A. R.
Dr. H. J. Skinner is the oldest practicing physician of Harrison County, and one of the leading citizens of Bethany, the county seat. He was born in Perry County, Ohio, March 10, 1831, and is the seventh of nine children born to Samuel and 'Elizabeth (Hazelton) Skinner, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in Somerset County, December 10, 1790, and was a son of Nathaniel Skinner, also a native of that county, and a soldier in the Revolutionary War, who removed to Belmont County, Ohio, late in life, where he died. The mother was born in Westmoreland County, in 1796, and was a daughter of John and Barbara Hazelton, also natives of that county. John Hazelton was a farmer, and late in life, removed to Licking County, Ohio, where himself and wife both died. Samuel Skinner, the father of our subject, moved to Perry County, Ohio, about 1818, and engaged in farming and working at the blacksmith's trade. He was highly re- spected and esteemed in the community where he lived, and for twenty years filled the office of justice of the peace. His death occurred January 14, 1863, and his wife died in Clinton County, Ill., in 1868. She was a member of the Baptist Church. H. J. Skinner was reared upon a farm, and during his youth attained a fair education by first attending the district schools and afterward the Somerset Academy, in Ohio. He was a schoolmate of Lieut .- Gen. Philip Sheridan; the two boys leaving school the same day, one to enter college and the other to take up the study of medicine. H. J. Skin- ner began the study of his chosen profession at the age of seventeen, at New Lexington, under Dr. A. Lewis, with whom he spent three years, after which he spent two years under Dr. Van Nalta, at the same place. His parents having in the meantime removed to White County, Ind., he joined them and began to practice medicine in that
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neighborhood. From 1855 to November 17, 1857, he lived in various places and then located at Eagleville, Harrison Co., Mo., where he practiced until November 17, 1870, when he was elected clerk of the circuit court and register of deeds of Harrison County, by the Repub- licans, and removed to Bethany. In 1874 he was re-elected without opposition in his own party, and again in 1878 was elected, thus holding the office twelve consecutive years. After retiring from public life he resumed his medical practice which he has since continued with success. January 15, 1854, he married Susan Duncan, who was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., September 28, 1837, and was a daughter of William and Mary Duncan. This union was blessed with one son and one daughter: Josephine S., wife of John J. Warringer, of Beth- any, and Charles H., a physician of Denver, Colo. Mrs. Skinner died September 25, 1862, and August 5, 1864, Dr. Skinner married her sister, Charlotta, who was born in White County, Ind., March 8, 1840, and was the mother of five children: Edna R. (wife of Thomas Monson), Willie (born April 12, 1867, died September 12, 1870), Harry B., Loren H. and Laura C. (twins). Mrs. Skinner died July 12, 1884, and the Doctor then married Emily J. Hess, a native of Indiana, born June 10, 1850, and daughter of Judiah and Mary Osmon.
William H. Skinner, prosecuting attorney of Harrison County, Mo., was born near New Lexington, Perry Co., Ohio, November 26, 1844, and is a son of William H. and Polly Skinner, who were mar- ried December 5, 1843, they being natives, respectively, of Pennsyl- vania and Ohio. His mother's maiden name was Skinner previous to her marriage with his father, but no known relationship existed between his parents, previous to their marriage. His father died May 10, 1844, and his mother about 1850 became the wife of Joseph Brown, and now resides with her husband at Emporia, Kas. William H. was reared to manhood on a farm near Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio, and during the War of the Rebellion served in the Union army as a corporal in Company G, One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On February 20, 1866, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Sarah C. Simpson, a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, who is still living. They have six children, named respectively Alice B., Edgar, Claude, Lillie V., Ivon and Estella O. In May, 1866, he removed to Clinton, Ill., and read law in the office of Hon. Henry S. Greene until December, 1867, when he removed to Emporia, Kas., where he pursued his studies until the following spring, when he was admitted to the bar, and commenced the practice of law there,
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which he continued until 1877. He was Deputy United States Col- lector of Internal Revenue for the Southwest Kansas District from 1869 to 1873, and was employed by the United States Government for nearly a year of that time in investigating the Speer revenue frauds. He came to Bethany, Mo., in March, 1877, where he has succeeded in establishing himself as one of the successful legal prac- titioners in the local courts, and has also established a large practice in the prosecution of pension claims. He is and always has been a Republican in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Grant in 1868. In 1883 he was elected mayor of the city of Bethany, and served a term in that capacity, but at the end of his term declined to be a candidate for re-election. In 1886 he was nominated by the Republicans of Harrison County for the office of prosecuting attorney, and in November of that year was elected to that office, the duties of which position he is now discharging. Mr. Skinner was a charter member of Lieut. T. D. Neal Post, No. 124, G. A. R., of Bethany, Mo., and filled the position of adjutant of that post for the first two years of its existence, and was commander of the post for the year 1886. He has taken a leading part in the organization of the G. A. R. in Harrison and adjoining counties, having mustered all the posts in Harrison County except Post No. 124, and also the posts at Bancroft and Pattonsburg, in Daviess County. When the Third Congressional District reunion of soldiers and sailors was held at Bethany in 1886 he was appointed by the post. as chairman of the executive committee of management, and was afterward made commander of the camp, and in connection with others succeeded in making that the most successful reunion ever held in the district. He is also a Select Knight of the A. O. U. W., is a member of the legal fraternity who possesses both experience and ability; takes an active interest in all measures of reform, progress and mor- ality; has been an active worker to promote the interests of the pub- lic schools of Bethany, and is recognized as one of the enterprising citizens of the town.
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