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 67
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 67
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
temperance work at home Mr. Burrows has been especially prominent. He organized the first lodge of Good Templars in Cainsville, besides seven or eight others in Harrison and Mercer Counties, for which services he has been suitably remembered by the Grand Lodge. He has taken active and liberal part in the building of the Baptist Church, a W. C. T. U. hall, and in securing the Des Moines, Osceola & Southern Railroad. His wife is president of the W. C. T. U. at this place.
C. P. Bushong, M. D., was born January 4, 1844, in Columbiana County, Ohio, and is the second of a family of six children born to
676
MERCER COUNTY.
Jacob and Rebecca (Briggs) Bushong. In 1854 the parents moved to Williams County, Ohio, and in 1859 left that county and moved across the line into Noble County, Ind., where the father purchased a farm three miles south of Rome City. In the spring of 1876 they immigrated to Mercer County, Mo., and settled upon a farm in the northern part of Madison Township, where he engaged in farming until his death in February, 1887. The mother is now a resident of the same place. C. P. was educated at the common schools of Ohio and in Kendallville, [Ind., and at the age of seventeen began life for himself. He worked upon a farm, clerked in a general store at Kendallville, attended school at intervals until nineteen years of age, and then taught school a number of terms in Noble County, Ind. He then began the study of medicine under Dr. W. H. Franks, at Kendallville, with whom he read for two years, after which he studied with Dr. W. F. Endley at Brimfield in the same county for two years. In the fall of 1867 he attended lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and after the close of the session, commenced to practice his profession at Brimfield. At the expiration of two years he went to Napanee, Elkhart Co., Ind., where he resided until 1877 engaged in the practice of his profession. In the spring of that year he located with his parents in Mercer County, Mo., and made that his home for two years, teaching in connection with his medical practice. During the two terms of 1879-80 and 1880-81 he attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, from which insti- tution he graduated and received his diploma. He then spent one year at Mount Moriah, Harrison County, and then returned to Mercer County, soon after permanently locating at Modena, where he now enjoys a fine practice. Susia A., daughter of Reuben and Maria (Rhea) Perkins, was born in Mercer County March 4, 1862, and married to Dr. Bushong October 13, 1881. To this union two chil- dren have been born: Etna Blanche and Jacob Earle. The Doctor is a successful and well-to-do citizen, and has established a good practice in Mercer, Harrison and Grundy Counties. He lives in a pretty house in Modena, and although he has not long been a resident in Mercer County, is well known and one of the popular physicians of the county. He is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant in 1868. He is a member of Mercer County Lodge, A. F. & A. M. and Princeton Lodge, I. O. O. F.
James E. Callaway, M. D., was born in Caldwell County, Ky., August 1, 1836, and is a son of William D. and Amanda Jane (Wig- ginton) Callaway. The father was born in Lexington, Ky., June 18,
-
677
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX,
1801, and when a young man went to Princeton, Ky., from which place he moved to Woodford County, Ill., in November, 1836. He then lived in various places in that State, and in April, 1847, returned to Kentucky for a short time. He then, in August, 1847, re- turned to Illinois, and lived in Cass and Menard Counties until 1875, when he located in Graham, Nodaway Co., Mo. He remained there until 1882, and then went to Oregon, Holt Co., Mo., where he died May 24, 1884, He was a wagon and carriage maker by trade, and a son of Edmond Callaway. The latter had two brothers, James and Thomas C. Callaway, who emigrated from Kentucky to Missouri with Daniel Boone, when Boone first came to the territory (then Louisiana Territory). James Callaway was killed by the Indians in 1815 on Loutre Creek, Boone County. Edmond Callaway was in the War of the Revolution; entered the United States service as a private soldier when but thirteen years of age; was promoted to a captaincy, and also served the United States Government in the War of 1812, and was commissioned colonel for gallant services in the battle when the noted Indian chief, Tecumseh, was killed. The wife of William D. and the mother of James E. Callaway, was born in Frankfort, Ky., in 1809, and died in Graham, Nodaway County, Mo., in April, 1880. She was a member of the Christian Church, as was also her husband, for many years. After her death Mr. Callaway again mar- ried. To his first marriage ten children were born, six of whom were sons, who all served with credit in the Union army during the Rebel- lion, James E. graduated in the scientific course from Abingdon College in 1857, which institute is situated in Abingdon, Knox County, Ill., and then taught school and studied and practiced medicine until August 1, 1861, He then entered Company F, of the Twenty- eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and in November of that year was made regimental hospital steward, and served in that capacity and as assistant surgeon until the expiration of his term of service, three years in all. He then returned home and completed his medical education, graduating from the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cin- cinnati, Ohio, February 14, 1866. He resumed the practice of his profession at Greenview, Menard Co., Ill., March, 1866, where he remained until March, 1868. He then moved upon a farm eight miles south of Ravanna, Mercer Co., Mo., and for eighteen months practiced his profession in connection with farming. He then took up his abode in Ravanna, where he has a very extensive practice, and is regarded as one of the leading physicians and surgeons of the place. March 21, 1860, he married Mary E. Lytchliter, daughter of George
678
MERCER COUNTY.
W. Lytchliter, who was born in Fayette, Howard Co., Mo., Septem- ber, 15, 1841. This union has been blessed with a large family of children; thirteen in number have been born. Dr. and Mrs. Callaway are members of the Christian Church at Ravanna, Mo., of which the former is an elder. He is a Republican (and never cast any other kind of a ballot), is serving now his fourth year as commander of Rousseau Post, No. 80, G. A. R. Department of Missouri, and is an aid-de-camp on the staff of the Department Commander, Gen. E. E. Kimball; was re-elected Post-Commander, December 3, 1887, for the year 1888.
Thomas I. Carter, farmer and stock raiser, was born on December 25, 1851, in Marion County, Ohio, and is a son of Miller and Mary J. (Mastler) Carter. The father is of German descent, and born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1829. When a lad he went to Marion County, Ohio, with his father, James Carter (whose birth occurred in Washington County, Penn., in 1782), and was there married, after which he located where he now resides. James Carter's wife, formerly Chris- tine Kepler, was born in Frankfort County, Germany, in 1805. Miller Carter's wife is also of German descent, and was born in Marion County, Ohio, in 1831. The maternal grandfather of Thomas (John Mastler) was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1797; his wife, Mary Ann (Gessenger) Mastler, was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1803. Thomas I. is the second child of a family of eleven, and was reared and educated in his native State and county, making his home with his parents until of age. December 21, 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary King, a native of the same county, who was born November 9, 1856. This union has been blessed with five chil- dren: Fahey T., born July 17, 1878; Jennie P., born December 31, 1879; King M., born November 16, 1881; McClellan, born February 19, 1884; Ernest Cleveland, born February 19, 1887. February 2, 1876, Mr. Carter emigrated from Ohio to Mercer County, Mo., where he bought 120 acres of land in Sections 2 and 11, Township 65, Range 25, where he now resides. He is now the owner of 280 acres of land, which is the result of industry, economy and good management. In politics he is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for Hancock in 1880. Himself and wife are members of St. Paul Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
John W. Chambers was born in Mercer County, Mo., July 25, 1845, and is a son of Isaiah and Almira (Kennedy) Chambers. The father was born in Jennings County, Ind., July 4, 1818, and was married and lived in his native State until 1845. He then moved to
€
679
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
Mercer County, Mo., where he entered 160 acres in Section 7, Town- ship 65, Range 25, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was a successful farmer and pioneer settler of Northern Missouri, and at one time owned 200 acres of land. He died in February, 1879. He had been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and a treas- urer in same many years, and was highly esteemed and honored for his honesty and high principles. His wife was born March 2, 1819, and died in October, 1878. John W. is the fifth of a family of eleven chil- dren, and was educated at the district schools of his neighborhood during his youth, making his home with his parents until their death. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted in Company G, Forty-eighth Iowa Vol- unteer Infantry for three months, and was stationed at Rock Island, Ill., where he was discharged at the expiration of his time of enlist- ment. March 12, 1865, he married Miss Susan Tarwater, who was born in Daviess County, Mo., in 1846. To this union the following children have been born: Joseph Irving, Audrie Olive, Myrtle Isabelle (deceased) and Edith Pearl. After his marriage Mr. Chambers located in Harrison County, Mo., where he owned 160 acres of land. In 1879 he sold his property, and bought the old home place in Mercer County which consisted of 160 acres, and upon which he now resides. He now owns 240 acres, and is one of the enterprising and respected farmer citizens of the township. In connection with farming he works at his trade, that of carpentering, which he learned when a boy. He is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. U. S. Grant. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and himself and wife belong to the Baptist Church, of which he is the treasurer.
E. Cleary was born July 17, 1827, in Kings County, Ireland, and is the youngest of a family of twelve children (six now living) born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Egan) Cleary. The parents were born, reared and married in Kings County, where they lived until 1831. In the spring of that year they immigrated to Canada, and settled on a farm about thirty miles from Montreal. The father died in 1832, and the mother in 1864. He was a glazier by trade, but after going to Canada devoted his attention to farming. The subject of this sketch received a common-school education in Canada, and after his father's death engaged in farming with his brothers until 1867. He then engaged in the firewood and grain business at Mon- treal for three years, after which time he immigrated to Missouri, and located in Mercer County, Madison Township, upon the farm where he has since resided, which he cleared and improved himself. Decem- ber 7, 1860, he married Emma, daughter of William and Rosanna
680
MERCER COUNTY.
(Cleary) Craig. She was born August 8, 1837, and is of Irish parent- age. To this marriage eight children have been born: Isalona (wife of I. O. Ewings), Lizzie, Jennie, Helena, Herbert, Russell, Frederick and Annetta. Mr. Cleary is an energetic and careful manager, and with the assistance of his wife has succeeded in becoming the owner of 300 acres of improved land in a good state of cultivation. He is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for R. B. Hayes. Him- self, wife and four children are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
William J. Clamands was born in 1836 in Washington County, Va., and is a son of Dr. R. T. and Sarah (Wilson) Clamands. The father was of German descent, and born in Washington County, Va., December 5, 1811. He was married in 1831, and about 1837 immi- grated to Ray County, Mo. About 1846 he sought a home in Mercer County, and located where our subject now lives, where he passed the remainder of his life. Having studied under his father, who was a physician, while in Virginia, he commenced the practice of the medical profession about 1840, and continued the same for about thirty-five or forty years. His practice called him from Edinburg or Trenton, in Grundy County to Garden Grove, in Decatur County, Iowa, and he was obliged to travel in all sorts of weather, often hav- ing to drive his horse through swollen streams or follow Indian trails, or ride through prairie grass which was as high as his head when on horseback. He was well-known by all the residents within the radius above mentioned, and his name became a household word. While in Virginia he had been converted and joined the Presbyterian Church, but it being convenient, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1853, and afterward officiated as a local preacher. His death occurred June 19, 1884. He was a physician and surgeon in the Mormon War. He was twice married, and his second wife, Lucy R. (Robertson) Clamands, yet survives and makes her home with her step-son-W. J. The mother of William J. was born in November, 1810, and died in 1841, in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, in which she had been a consistent member. William J. is the only living child of a family of five, and lost his mother when five years old. At the age of ten he came to Mercer County, and October 20, 1869, married Miss Olevia, daughter of Thomas and Dorinda Lem- max. Mrs. Clamands was born in Noble County, Ohio, in 1850, and is the mother of seven children: Robinson T., Cornelia J., Dorinda R., William O., Thomas C., Mary Olevia and Joseph E. When eighteen years of age Mr. Clamands left the parental roof, and made
681
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
an overland trip to California and Nevada, the journey occupying four months. There he engaged in mining, teaming and the lumber business, and in 1867 returned home by water via New York. After his marriage he located upon the old homestead, where he has since resided. He now owns 584 acres, and is one of the substantial farmers of Harrison Township. In politics he is a Democrat, and in creed himself and wife are Methodists, in which church he has been steward and trustee for years.
Joseph P. Clodfelter was born October 4, 1850, in Putnam County, Ind., and is the eldest of seven children of John and Millie J. (Smith) Clodfelter, natives, respectively, of Germany and Indiana. The father came to Indiana with his parents when a small boy, and was there reared and married. After his marriage he lived in Putnam County until about 1859, and then immigrated to Mercer County, Mo., and after living upon a farm in Madison Township a short time moved to the farm in Washington Township, where Joseph P. is now residing. In 1861 John Clodfelter enlisted in the Federal army, and that year died at Benton Barracks. His widow subsequently became the wife of John Vanderpool, but was widowed a second time and is now living with her son, John Vanderpool, just north of Mill Grove. Joseph P. Clodfelter received a limited common-school education during his youth in Mercer County, which he has since improved by study and observation. At the age of eighteen he began life for him- self upon a farm near Princeton upon which he remained about one year. He then rented a farm, and at the end of a year married and located upon a farm north of Mill Grove, from which he moved upon the old home farm in the spring of 1880, where he has since resided. He is an active and enterprising young farmer, and although com- paratively young, owns a good farm of 210 acres of land, well-cleared and cultivated, and is one of the prosperous farmer citizens of the county. August 13, 1871, he was united in marriage with Mildred, daughter of Thomas and Phœbe (Crawford) Ballew. Mrs. Clod- felter was born February 3, 1854, in Mercer County, Mo., and has borne our subject six children, five of whom are living: Lovie May, Charles Winfield, Houston R., Don Wilburn and Scott. Mr. Clod- felter was formerly a Democrat, but cast his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant, and has since that time sympathized with the Repub- licans. Himself and wife are active members of the Protestant Meth- odist Church, and liberal donators to religious and educational enter- prises.
Isaac Coker was born in Morgan County, Ill., March 20, 1829,
43
682
MERCER COUNTY.
and is a son of Dennis and Sarah (Jones) Coker. The father was born in Georgia about 1792, and died in Morgan County, Ill., in 1875. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was also engaged in many skirmishes with the Indians. After the war he settled in Spencer County, Ind., and from there went to Morgan County, Ill, His occu- pation was that of farming. The mother, it is thought, was a native of Spencer County, Ind., and her death occurred in Morgan County, Ill. Isaac was the fifth of a family of nine children, seven of whom are now living. He was educated in the common schools of Illinois during his youth, and at the age of eighteen left home for a year, and worked for different people.
He then returned home and remained until twenty-one years of age, when he was employed by Theodore Stout, a neighbor, for whom he worked three years. He was then married to Hannah Powers, a native of Warrick County, Ind., whose death occurred in Mercer County, Mo., May 21, 1879. She was a daughter of Massum and Jane Powers, and bore Mr. Coker eight children, four now living: Elias, Margaret F., Polly A. and Isaac. Those deceased are Melvina, Clarissa Jane, Massum and Hannah M. After his marriage he farmed upon rented land for two years, and purchased ground and farmed until 1856. After selling that farm he moved to Mercer County, Mo., where he bought 130 acres, to which he has since added until he now owns 210 acres. The land when he bought it was in an uncultivated condition, with but fifteen acres broken, and no improvements save a log cabin, but by labor and industry he has converted it into one of the nicest and best improved farms in the county. In 1861 he returned to Morgan County, Ill., and from there went to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1864, but in the fall of the following year he returned to Mercer County, where he has since resided. Mr. Coker is a stanch Democrat, but has never held office: He is an enterprising citizen, and takes interest in all projects for the advancement of his county.
Rev. Lorenzo D. Collings was born in Putnam County, Ind., April 15, 1835, and is a son of Abram S. and Lydia (Grimes) Collings, natives of Shelby County, Ky. The father was born in 1800, and died in Mercer County, Mo., in 1862. Mrs. Collings died in the same county in 1885. The father engaged in farming a number of years, and for some time kept the only hotel between Terre Haute and Indian- apolis, Ind. He received a good education while in Kentucky, and at an early age became a member of the Protestant Methodist Church. He was afterward ordained, and during his lifetime traveled as a cir- cuit preacher in Indiana and Missouri. £ He was married while in
683
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
Shelby County, Ky., to Lydia Grimes, who was also a member of the Protestant Methodist Church; and to this union twelve children were born, of whom Lorenzo is the fourth, and six of whom are still living. Lorenzo was educated in Putnam County, Ind., and Mercer County, Mo., at the primitive school-houses of those early times, and has since, by reading and observation, become a well-informed man. When twenty-two years old he was licensed a local preacher, and two years later ordained a minister by the Northern Missouri Protestant Meth- odist Church Conference. His circuits have since included the Sheri- dan, Wyreka, Ravanna and others. In 1862 he enlisted in Company M, Second Missouri Cavalry, under Col. Merrill, and served until May, 1865, participating in many skirmishes. Upon his return home he found his church divided upon the question of slavery, the northern wing having assumed the name of the Methodist Church. Not liking the name Mr. Collings joined the church of the United Brethren in Christ until a delegation of the two wings of the old church met, and assumed the old name and discipline. Mr. Collings then severed his relations with the United Brethren Church and became a member of the new organization. During the seven years he was with the United Brethren Church he traveled as a circuit preacher in Mercer, Grundy and Linn Counties, but after rejoining the Protestant Methodist Church, at his own request, never received an appointment. August 5, 1853, he was united in marriage, by Rev. Lewis Ellis, with Sophia Catherine Weesner, who was born March 3, 1834, and is a daughter of Charles Weesner, of Rowan County, N. C. This union has been
blessed with nine children, seven now living: Lydia E., Rhoda A., Sarah C., Abram V., Lorenzo D., Jr., William M. and Halley B. Those deceased are Mary A. and Chestina. Mrs. Collings and the two eld- est children are members of the Protestant Methodist Church. Mr. Collings is a well-to-do citizen, and owns a good farm of 170 acres, well located, which he has improved and cultivated. He was poor when starting out in life, and his property is the result of industry and economy. He is a Republican, and a member of the G. A. R. He is always interested in all projects for the educational and religious advancement of the county, and is a highly respected citizen.
Absalom W. C. Collins was born in Morgan County, Ind., in 1839, and being left an orphan in early childhood made his home with an uncle during his youth. He first attended the district schools in the neighborhood, and at the age of thirteen went to the Normandy (Ind.) Academy for two terms. At the age of sixteen he taught a district school, and with his earnings paid for his tuition at school again. In
684
MERCER COUNTY.
this way he received a good education which he has utilized by teach- ing school more or less during his lifetime. In 1856 he immigrated to Mercer County, Mo., and taught about five years. He was there married to Sophia, daughter of Charles Lusk, formerly of Ohio. To this union five sons and five daughters were born: Horace B., Velma E., Bascom E., Emerson R., Althea V., Clifton O., Tennie E., Wilkie C., Belva V. and Vinnie E. Althea died in early childhood, but the remainder of the children are living at home with their parents. Dur- ing the war Mr. Collins was in full sympathy with the war for the preservation of the Union. After peace was declared he purchased some land which he subsequently sold profitably, and then purchased the 200 acres where he now resides. This land is well cultivated, and fifteen acres are devoted to a fine orchard which is unsurpassed in the township. Mr. Collins has served two terms as township clerk by election, and has also filled the office of deputy assessor two terms. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He is a successful farmer and stock raiser, making a specialty of hogs, and raising more corn than any other man in the township.
George H. Combs was born in Athens County, Ohio, March 20, 1833, and is a son of William R. and Esther S. Combs, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They were married about the year 1817, and their union was blessed with seven sons and two daughters, all of whom were reared to maturity. The father died in 1859 in Mercer County, Mo., and the mother in 1873 in the same county. George H. immigrated to Mercer County, Mo., in 1855, of which he has since been a resident. He was married in Decatur County, Iowa, February 22, 1855, to a daughter of Samuel R. and Martha Lowry, with whom he emigrated west in 1854. To this union five daughters and two sons were born: Sarah A., born January 13, 1856; Samuel L., born March 15, 1858; Eliza A., born December 25, 1859; Martha E., born January 16, 1863, died August 12, 1863; Susan N., born May 25, 1864; Laura A., born April 6, 1867; John W., born February 27, 1871. Mr. Combs lost his wife January 29, 1879, and in 1880 married Luzana Lowry, widow of Andrew Lowry. Mr. Combs is a Freemason of high standing, and in politics is a stanch Republican. He is a leading man in his neighborhood, and served as justice of the peace a number of years. He is now discharg- ing the duties of the office of county assessor in a creditable and worthy manner, and also manages his farm of 222 acres, which yields him a comfortable living. During the Rebellion he fought for the Union cause, and was in the battle of Franklin, Tenn. He was honorably
685
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
discharged on account of disability, and has since lived a quiet farmer's life, esteemed by his friends and neighbors. The father of his first wife, Samuel R. Lowry, was a prominent and influential man in Rich- land County, Ill., who left a large circle of friends and acquaintances to mourn his loss.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.