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 64
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 64
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D. W. Wells is a son of Levi and Mary Ann (Holmes) Wells, both natives of Vermont. The father was a· woolen manufacturer by trade, and before his marriage worked near Montreal, Canada. He afterward moved near Jackson, Susquehanna Co., Penn., and there pursued his trade a number of years. He then sold his business, and moved to Jackson County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming four years. He next sought a home in Minnesota, when it was a Territory, and bought a farm near the present site of St. Charles. Shortly, however, he immigrated to Lucas County, Iowa, and farmed there from the fall of 1848 until 1862. After the death of his wife in that county he sold his place, and visited his friends and
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relations in Pennsylvania, after which he made his home with D. W. Wells until his death, at the age of seventy-five. Mr. and Mrs. Wells were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the parents of five children, three of whom are living, all married: Sidney, of Lucas County, Iowa; Helen Werkheiser, of Monroe County, Penn., and D. W. The last named was born in Susquehanna County, Penn., March 24, 1844. After the war he worked as foreman in a woolen factory in Marion County, Iowa, a short time, and then went to Missouri and managed a woolen-mill for Edward Mudget two years. He next bought an interest in a saw-mill in Mercer County, and then an interest in a water-mill. This property he afterward sold, and for seven years ran a carding machine and manufactured wagon material. Since that time he has engaged almost exclusively in the saw-mill business, and has extensive mill property on Grand River at Cainesville, valued at over $5,000. He was married in 1869 to Miss Rebecca Ader, of Mercer County, in which her father is a prominent farmer. This union has been blessed with eight children, six living: Elmira, Amos, Agnes, Josie, Marble and Mabel. Mr. Wells owns considerable real estate in the county, and is a stockholder in the Cainesville Bank. In politics he is a Republican.
Gordon Westcott was born October 22, 1829, in Morgan County (now Noble), Ohio, and is the youngest of eight children of Chris- topher and Mary G. (Briggs) Westcott, natives of Rhode Island. The father was a son of Jonathan Westcott, and the mother a daughter of Stephen and Hulda Briggs, natives also of Rhode Island. Gordon Westcott has made his home in Harrison County, Mo., since 1864, and as he started in life for himself when of age, what he is now worth is the result of his own labor and good management. He has 413 acres of well improved land, equipped in every way for farm- ing, and is one of the successful farmers and stock raisers of the township. In 1852 he married Miss Susan B. Lamb, a native of Worcester County, Mass., who was reared in Morgan County, Ohio. Her parents, Alvin and Lucy (Brown) Lamb, were natives of Mas- sachusetts. Mr. Lamb served in the War of 1812, and held various offices until he was finally promoted to the office of colonel; he died in 1846. Mrs. Lamb was born April 2, 1797, and was married Novem- ber 15, 1821. After the death of her first husband she was united in marriage in 1851 to James McKee, who died in 1881, since which time Mrs. McKee made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Mary S. Sprague, of Washington County, Ohio, until her death September 10, 1886. Of the six children born to her first marriage, three are
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living in Ohio and three in Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Westcott the following children have been born: Lucy E., Mary G. (deceased), and Alice C. Mr. Westcott is a Democrat in politics, and was the first collector appointed under the township organization, which position he still holds. He is a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry.
David V. White was born in Kentucky, September 15, 1824, and is a son of John White and Sally (Tage) White, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively, and both of whom died when David was but a lad. He was then reared by his uncle, Richard Fallis, and in the fall of 1845 came to Missouri, first stopping in Gentry County with some cousins. In the spring of 1846 he enlisted in the United States army, Twelfth Missouri Infantry, under Col. Barnum, and went to Mexico. He served through the entire war, and participated in the day-and-a-half engagement at Contrario, which resulted in a complete victory for the United States, and the day-and-a-half engage- ment at Cherubusco, which was another victory. After his discharge in New Orleans he returned to Gentry County in 1847, where he was married, after which he came to Harrison County, and in 1851 settled upon his present farm, which contains 200 acres, all fenced, 100 acres in meadow and plow land. He at first entered 160 acres. To his first marriage two children were born: Mary (wife of Samuel Brown, of Buffalo County, Neb.), and Susan (wife of Samuel Hinote, also of Buffalo County). January 5, 1879, Mr. White was married in Harrison County to Miss Julia Rice, daughter of Daniel Rice, and a native of Harrison County, whither her father moved from Virginia. Mrs. White is the mother of the three following children: Nora Ethel, Clara India, and Bessie, who died when fifteen months of age.
William W. Wiatt was born in Warren County, Ohio, August 14, 1826, and is the second of seven children born to James and Sarah (Wildredge) Wiatt, natives of Philadelphia and New Jersey, and born October 22, 1800, and October 24, 1801, respectively. The maternal grandfather, Ralph Wildredge, was a native of Pennsylvania. When a young man James Wiatt immigrated to Dearborn County, Ind., where he married, and subsequently went from there to Warren County, Ohio. He died in Fayette County of that State in 1848. His wife died in Cumberland County, Ill., in 1864. William W. learned the paper-maker's trade from his father when young, and received a common-school education. When a young man he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and farmed in Fayette County, Ohio. In 1848 he removed to Cumberland County, Ill .; and subse-
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quently in Coles County occurred his first marriage. In April, 1855, he came to Harrison County, Mo,, where he purchased eighty acres of land in Jefferson Township, and pre-empted eighty acres more, to which he has added until he has a fine farm of 440 acres, situated six miles north and three miles west of Bethany. August 3, 1861, he enlisted in Company F of "Merrill's Horse," and served until Sep- tember 15, 1864, when he was discharged at St. Louis, and returned to his farm, where he has since resided and farmed with success. August 11, 1847, he married Elizabeth Edson, who was born in Coles County, Ill., May 13, 1831, and was a daughter of Rachel and Daniel Edson. To this union five girls and two boys were born, five of whom survive. The mother died August 17, 1873, and December 7 of that year Mr. Wiatt married Joanna Dale, a native of Hart County, Ky., born September 16, 1847, and a daughter of Edward and Sarah (Will- cutt) Dale. Mrs. Wiatt was previously married in 1866 to Jasper N. Rice, who died August 8, 1871, and by whom there are three surviv- ing children. Mr. and Mrs. Wiatt have two sons, and both Mr. Wiatt and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Jasper N. Rice was in the service during the war, and belonged to Company G, Sixth Missouri State Militia, and also the Thirteenth Veteran Volunteers.
L. M. Wickersham is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Meredith) Wickersham, natives of York County, Penn., where he also was born April 3, 1841. The father was a potter by trade, and engaged in that business in Pennsylvania until 1851, when he immigrated to Keokuk, Lee Co., Iowa, at which place he ran a foundry under the firm name of Thomas Wickersham & Son. Some of the machinery manufactured there is still in use at Cainesville, Mo., having been in constant use for over thirty years. In 1858 he sold that property and bought a farm, which he cultivated until 1871, when he moved to Keokuk, and lived a retired life until his death at the age of eighty-two. His wife had previously died in Iowa. He had been very successful in business, and his wealth was once estimated at $100,000. In politics he was a Republican. L. M. was reared in his native county and at Keokuk, and at the age of ten went to work in the foundry where he learned the molder's trade. He then farmed until 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Col. George A. Stone. He served sixteen months, and was then discharged on account of disability. He was at the battles of Arkansas Post, Vicks- burg, Jackson and others, and for three months was in the hospital at Jefferson Barracks. In 1869 he came to Harrison County, Mo.,
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and clerked for J. H. Burrows three years, since which time he has been alternately engaged in farming and merchandising. At one time he had a drug store, and in 1885 opened a general mercantile store, the firm now being known as Wickersham & McDonald. W. G. Mc- Donald became his partner in 1885, and they carry a good stock for a town of this size. Mr. Wickersham is also connected with a saw- mill near the town, and owns real estate and a nice residence here. In February, 1871, he married Miss Susan J. Woodward, daughter of Rev. John Woodward, which union has been blessed with four chil- dren: Minnie R., Grace, Pearl O. and Susie A. He is a charter mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and belongs to the G. A. R. Mrs. Wicker- sham is united with the Baptist Church.
Walter J. Wightman was born in London, England, September 16, 1845, and came to the United States in December, 1863. He was united in marriage at Brooklyn, N. Y., March 11, 1865, to Isabelle Freeman, and in 1869 came west, and farmed for a few months in Gar- den Grove, Iowa. In November, 1870, he engaged in the newspaper business at Garden Grove, and in July, 1874, removed to Eagleville, Mo., where he started the first paper ever published in that town. In January, 1883, he removed to Bethany, and started the Bethany Clipper, which he conducted until December 12, 1887, when it was consolidated with the Bethany Republican, of which paper he is now assistant editor and business manager, the paper being owned by a company incorporated under the laws of the State.
J. P. Wilkinson, Sr., was born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1826, and in the fall of 1838 moved to Southern Missouri, where he lived in Ver- non, St. Clair and Cedar Counties. In the spring of 1846 he came to Harrison County, Mo., and located two miles south of Bethany on the Gallatin road, where he owns a splendidly improved farm of 100 acres, which is the result of his own unassisted toil, as he began life a poor young man at the age of twenty. In 1851 he married Miss Mary E. Dale, daughter of James A. Dale, a native of Tennessee, who moved to Cass County, Mo., in 1840, and came to Harrison County in 1845. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson nine children were born: Minerva E., Charlotte J., John P., William M., James A., Sarah E., Rachel E., Charles A. and Walter S. Mrs. Wilkinson died in 1873, aged thirty- seven years; she had for years been a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Wilkinson is a Republican, and cast his first presiden- tial vote for Gen. Cass. During the war he served in the State Militia. He is the fourth of seven children born to Solomon and . Charlotte (Packard) Wilkinson, natives of Dutchess County, N. Y.,
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HARRISON COUNTY.
and Vermont, respectively. The father was a drum major in the War of 1812, and was quite prominently connected with the different coun- ties in which he resided. He was a son of Thomas Wilkinson, a native of England and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Charlotte Wilkinson was a daughter of John Packard, also a native of England and a soldier of the Revolution. Both the maternal and paternal grandfathers of our subject were farmers.
Lewis Williams was born in Giles County, W. Va., November 9, 1823. His father, Larkin Williams was also a native of Virginia, where he grew to manhood and married Rhoda Cook, likewise of that State. He was a successful farmer in Giles County (now Sumner), and died about 1858. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and for his services received a land warrant. Six sons and one daughter grew to maturity and all of the sons are now living. Lewis Williams is the third son, and grew to manhood upon his father's farm in Vir- ginia. November 9, 1848, he married Miss Sarah Cadle, daughter of William Cadle, a native of North Carolina. Mrs. Williams was born in Sumner County, Va. After his marriage Mr. Williams farmed five years in his native county and in the fall of 1853 settled in Hancock County, Ind. Sixteen months later he came to Missouri, and in the spring of 1855 located in Harrison County upon the land, where he now resides. He has since bought thirty acres, and now owns 290 acres in meadow, pasture and plow lands. He lives in a nice house, sur- rounded by good outbuildings, and a finely bearing orchard of about 1,000 trees of select varieties. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have reared a family of three children: Virginia E. (wife of Robert Boyd), Alex- ander and Mary. Mrs. Williams is a worthy member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Williams is a Democrat but has never sought or held office.
James C. Wilson, attorney at law, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, November 22, 1858, and is a son of Samuel D. and Mary (Boyd) Wilson, natives of Ohio. James C. lived with his parents in his native State until 1873, and during this time secured a good En- glish education. His father having met with financial reverses James was obliged to depend upon himself, and consequently went to Michi- gan, where he spent two years in the lumber business. In September, 1877, he came to Missouri, and began the study of law at Maryville, under Messrs. Dawson & Roseberry, the former of whom is now United States district judge for Alaska Territory. Mr. Wilson was admitted to the bar at Grant City, Mo., in April, 1880, having accu- mulated the means to complete his legal studies by teaching school.
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He arrived in Bethany, in May, 1880, and has since practiced his profession with success at this place. In 1882 he was elected prose- cuting attorney for Harrison County, and served as such for one term of two years. He is a Democrat in politics, and the fact is worthy of mention that he is the only Democrat elected to a county office since the organization of Harrison County. September 28, 1883, he married Miss Alice Turner, a native of Missouri, and daughter of the late Robert Turner of this county. Mr. Wilson and wife have two children: Carl and Dockery. Mr. Wilson is a member of the K. of P. and is one of the enterprising legal practitioners of the city.
Edward H. Wimer was born in Rockland County, N. Y., June 20, 1823, and is the son of Michael and Hannah (Belcher) Wimer, natives of New York State, and of German, English and Irish descent. They were married in 1821, and located at Ramapo, Rock- land County, where they made their home until 1835. They then set- tled in Oakland County, Mich., upon a farm, and in 1841 moved to Indiana, in which State the father died in 1845 when living in Carroll County. The mother is now living in Harrison County, Mo., at the advanced age of eighty-four. The father was a Whig in politics, and in religion a convert to the Lutheran Church. The mother is a Meth- odist Episcopal. Edward H. is the eldest of a family of seven children, and was principally reared upon a farm. He received a high-school education, and at the age of seventeen left the paternal roof, and served an apprenticeship of three years with Orice C. Rice, of Detroit, Mich., at the millwright trade. He returned home in 1841, but subsequently immigrated with his parents to Northern Indiana, and to Southern Indiana in the spring of 1848, where he worked at millwrighting and farming seven years. In the spring of 1855 he came to Harrison County, Mo., where he was an early settler. While in Vanderburg County, Ind., he served four years as county surveyor, but since coming to Missouri has devoted his time entirely to farming, stock raising and the carpenter and millwright trade. April 6, 1846, he wedded Miss Lucinda Stanley, a native of Indiana, which marriage has been blessed with eleven children-three sons and eight daughters. Two of the former and four of the latter are now deceased. Mr. Wimer is one of the highly esteemed and well-to-do citizens of the county, and himself and his worthy wife are active church members, belonging to the Methodist and United Breth- ren Churches, respectively. In 1861 he served in the State Militia during the late war in the capacity of a detective an'd spy for the pro- vost-marshal of St. Joseph, Leon and Bethany.
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F. M. Winningham, M. D., a native of Bethany Township, was born in 1846, and is the son of William S. and Melinda (Miller) Winningham, of Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively, who accom- panied their parents to Missouri when children, their marriage occur- ring in Ray County, Mo. About 1842 they went to Harrison County, where Mrs. Winningham still lives. Her husband went to California about 1849, and on his return home was supposed to have been mur- dered. He was a member of the Christian Church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The Doctor at the age of nineteen, having thus far had limited opportunities for education, began the study of medicine. After three years' hard study, applying himself to his books almost day and night, getting what instructions he could from Drs. Bush and Roberts, he entered upon the practice of his profession, locating at Martinsville, where he soon established a large practice. He graduated at the Eclectic Medical
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Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio. The Doctor lived nine years in Martins- ville, then went to Lorraine, forming a partnership with Dr. Burgin, and in 1883 went to Brooklyn, Mo., where he located, and soon estab- lished an extensive and lucrative practice, which has so increased that in 1887 he was obliged to take a partner, Dr. F. G. Meary. The Doctor was married in 1869 to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Jesse M. and Sarah M. Woodward, early settlers in Missouri though for- merly of Virginia; this union has resulted in three children: John J., Allie M. and Mary J. Politically he is a Conservative Democrat, but cast his first vote for Gen. Grant. Both himself and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and are highly esteemed by all who know them. The Doctor is a self-made man, and in his profession stands second to none in his county.
Ananias F. Woodruff, of Bethany, Mo., was born in Scioto County, Ohio, December 11, 1848, and is a son of Ananias S. and Martha (McCall) Woodruff. His father was twice married, the first time to Sarah Evans, and the second to Martha McCall. Of the first marriage there were five children: Viola A. (widow of Levi Stover), Esther J., Evans S., Nancy J. (who married William C. Frazee), Ketturah F. (widow of A. J. Tucker), Ellen (who married S. H. Pierce); and of the second marriage, two children, Ananias F. and Emma. Four of these children, Evans S., Nancy J., Ellen and Emma, are now dead. Ananias F. was left an orphan at the age of five years by the death of his mother, his father having died three years before her. At the age of ten years, in 1858, he removed to Harrison County, Mo., in company with his sister, Ketturah F., and
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her husband, A. J. Tucker, in whose family he grew to manhood. He was without an estate, and the relatives with whom he lived were very poor, but he managed to secure a good common-school and academic education, and in 1868 began school teaching, which occu- pation he followed for three years. About the year 1872 he began the study of law at home, and afterward continued the study to better purpose, first in the office of Hyde & Orton, and then with C. M. Wright, attorneys of Princeton, Mercer Co., Mo., where, in 1877, he was admitted to the Mercer County bar. In November, 1879, he formed a law partnership with D. S. Alvord, of Bethany, Mo., to which place he then removed, and where he has since lived and suc- cessfully practiced his profession. October 7, 1878, he married Alice E. Lewis, a native of Bethany, Mo., and a daughter of the late Judge William G. Lewis, of that place. Politically Mr. Woodruff is a Republican, but very liberal in his views, and in no sense an active partisan. He is a well-to-do man, owning real estate in Bethany, and being one of the directors and stock holders of Bethany Savings Bank.
Rev. John Woodward was born in Jennings County, Ind., January 11, 1821, and is a son of Chesley and Elizabeth (Blankinship) Wood- ward [see sketch]. Our subject is the eldest of a family of ten chil- dren, six of whom are living, and was reared in his native county until twelve years of age. He then accompanied the family to Decatur County, Ind., where he reached manhood, and married Julia Ann Kennedy, a native of New York State, but reared in Jennings County, Ind. Mr. Woodward then farmed in Indiana until his removal to Har- rison County, Mo., in 1847, where he has since resided, half a mile east of Cainesville. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Woodward united with the Baptist Church, and in February, 1849, received his license to preach, being ordained May 20, 1849. Since that time he has devoted a great portion of his time to that high calling, and has also done a great amount of missionary work. During the war he served in the Third Missouri State Militia under Col. King, and participated in the battle at Springfield, besides many secondary skirmishes. He is
one of the pioneer settlers of the country, and owns 200 acres of well improved land upon which he lives a retired life, preaching now but occasionally. To himself and wife nine children have been born, six of whom are living: Ralph O .; Rhoda B .; wife of Robert Wilson of Cainesville; Susan J., wife of L. M. Wickersham; Chesley B .; Cath- erine, wife of J. W. Burton, and Nancy E., wife of T. J. Harris. The father of Mr. Woodward spent his entire life in the ministry after becoming grown, and after a long life of good works died in February, 1877.
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C. B. Woodward is a son of Rev. John and Julia Ann (Kennedy) Woodward, natives of Indiana and New York, respectively. The father spends the greater part of his life attending to ministerial duties, but in connection with same conducts a large and well-improved farm of 200 acres, and is the owner of other real estate. The mother was reared in Indiana, whither she went in an early day, and in 1847 emigrated with her husband to Missouri, where C. B. Woodward was born, July 29, 1849. John Woodward was a soldier in the Rebellion, serving in the Third Missouri Cavalry of which he was chaplain. To himself and wife nine children have been born, six of whom are living: Ralph O., Chesley B., Rhoda B., Susan J., Eliza C. and Nancy J. The father of John Woodward was a Baptist minister during his entire
life. C. B. Woodward made his home with his parents upon their farm in Harrison County until his marriage, and in his youth received but a limited education. He married Rebecca Ann Cain, a native of Mercer County, and daughter of Peter Cain, an early settler of Mercer County. After his marriage Mr. Woodward engaged in farming several years, then taught school, and afterward engaged in the drug business four years in Cainesville, the firm being known as Wickersham, Woodward & Co. He afterward became the cashier of the Cainesville Bank which position he is now filling efficiently. Mr. and Mrs. Wood- ward were united in marriage October 20, 1869, and their union has been blessed with seven children, five of whom are living: Rosa O., Hugh C., Norvill H., Earl C. and Lena G. Mr. Woodward is a suc- cessful business man, and the owner of over 1,000 acres of good land in Harrison and Mercer Counties, the greater part of which is im- proved. In politics he is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Robert H. Wren, senior member of the well-known firm of Wren & Cumming, merchants of Bethany, was born in Barren County, Ky., August 5, 1847, and is a son of Isaac N. and Amelia (Depp) Wren, natives of Kentucky. The father immigrated to Missouri in 1854, and resided in Pettis and Jackson Counties until 1860, when he removed to Daviess County, Mo., where he resided until the fall of 1866. He then removed to Martinsville, where he died September 13, 1885, leaving the following children: William I., of Colorado; Trescinda M., wife of H. W. Gilbert; Martha F., wife of Dr. W. L. Rucker, and Robert H. The latter was reared in the mercantile business, and clerked two years in St. Joseph, Mo., prior to coming to this county in 1869. He then assisted his father at Martinsville, and then embarked in business for himself at Eagleville, where he remained until 1880. He then
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