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 69
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 69
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J. B. Evans, attorney, real estate, loan and insurance agent, was born in Putnam County, Ind., July 30, 1841, and is the eldest of a family of two sons and three daughters, all of whom were reared to maturity. His paternal ancestors were Welsh, and his father, Will- iam H., was born in Kentucky, in 1818, and married in Putnam County, Ind., to Margaret Noslet, a native of Tennessee, whose death occurred in Madison County, Iowa. The father is at present a resident of Meade County, Kas. J. B. Evans was taken to Iowa by his parents when an infant, and was there reared and received his early education. He graduated from the law department of the Columbian College in 1869, and began the practice of his profession the following year at Bedford, Iowa. After residing and practicing in various places in Iowa until September, 1877, he then located at Princeton, where he has since resided. For three years he was con- nected with the firm of Evans & Reed until 1881, since which date he has practiced alone. In May, 1884, he was elected mayor of Prince- ton, in which office he served efficiently three terms. He was mar- ried at Memphis, Tenn., in 1864, to Theresa Marre, an Italian lady,
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by whom he has had two sons (now deceased) and four daughters. In July, 1861, he enlisted in the Fourth Iowa Infantry, in which he remained two years and eight months. He then was transferred to and served as a soldier of Hancock's veteran corps two years, during which he was detailed by the secretary of war for special clerical work in that department, where he remained five years, when he resigned to go west.
Frank M. Evans was born in Washington County, Ind., December 17, 1831, and is a son of Rev. Solomon and Sarah Evans. The father was born in North Carolina, and when fifteen years of age moved with his parents to Putnam County, Ind. When twenty years old he went to Washington County, Ind., where he was married, and lived until Frank M. was a year old. He then moved to Putnam County, Ind., and lived in that county until 1851, at which time they came to Mercer County, Mo., where the father died in 1858, aged forty-seven. Farming was his occupation, and during his later years he engaged in preaching the gospel. He was a hard and earnest worker, and wherever he dwelt was the prime builder of a Protest- ant Methodist Church, and although principally raised in the South was strongly opposed to slavery. His wife was born in North Carolina, and is now residing in Lincoln County, Kas. Frank M. Evans is the eldest of a family of nine children, six now living, and was educated in the schools of Putnam County, Ind. When of age he married Eliza Ann McReynolds, who was born in the same county in which Frank M. received his education. He then moved to Grundy County, Mo., where he resided two years, and then moved to Mercer County, Mo., where his wife died, leaving four children: Sarah F., Parilee, Dona (deceased) and Tipton G. Mr. Evans entered land in Mercer County, and began to improve a farm which he still owns with some additions. He now owns 648 acres of the finest and best improved land in the county. In 1863 he moved to Ravanna, and engaged in stock business in connection with farming. In June, 1863, he married America, daughter of Thomas Ballew. She died two years later. On December 8, 1867, he married Ruth A. Perse, who has borne him two children-Edward E. and Harry (deceased). He then moved to the farm the next spring. In 1873 he engaged in the mercantile business under the firm name of Rogers, Evans & Co., and a year later purchased Mr. Rogers' share, after which the firm was known as Holmes & Evans. Three years after- ward he sold his interest to W. W. Holmes and has since been engaged in farming and stock raising, and is now interested in stock
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in partnership with his son, Tipton G., and owns at present 220 head of cattle and thirty-four head of horses. Mr. Evans is a self-made man, a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 258, at Ravanna. Is an active Republican, and during the war served six months as sergeant in the army.
Philip Evoritt (deceased) was born October 13, 1821, in Madison County, Ohio, and was reared upon a farm in that State receiving but a common-school education. His parents were Thomas and Jane Evoritt, and Philip accompanied them to Mercer County, Mo., in 1839, where his father entered a tract of land in the northern part of what is now Washington Township. He assisted his father in clearing the place and improving a farm, and remained at home until twenty-eight years of age. The father died in July, 1869. After leaving home he settled upon a tract of land situated in Section 25, Township 64, and Range 24, west, where he resided until his death. At first he entered but a small tract, but being of an energetic and industrious nature he continually added to his original purchase until he became the owner of 600 acres of land in one body, all of which was productive and well improved, with fences, good outbuildings and a fine residence. He also possessed real estate besides his home place, his property in all amounting to about 1,240 acres, making him one of the wealthiest and most successful citizens of Mercer County. His first marriage, to Harriet McKee, was blessed with two children: Melissa Amelia, wife of Oscar Clark, and Mary Ann, wife of Marcus Adams. Mrs. Evoritt died in April, 1865, and October 16, of the same year, Mr. Evoritt was united in marriage with Minerva, daughter of Archibald and Hannah (Ashcroft) Smith. This lady was born February 24, 1837, in Indiana, and when but two and one-half years old was brought by her parents to Mercer County, Mo., where she was reared, and married at the youthful age of sixteen, to Crawford Edwards. After seven years of happy wedded life Mr. Edwards died, leaving his widow and three children. She afterward became the wife of Elisha Evoritt, who died in July, 1864, leaving one child. Mrs. Evoritt then married Philip Evoritt, her union with him being blessed with six children. She remained a faithful wife and helpmate to him until his death in 1885. He was a loyal and stanch supporter of the Republican party during his life, and one of the prominent and active members of the Christian Church, to which denomination his widow also belongs. He was highly honored in the community in which he lived, as an honest and high principled man, and his death was mourned by a large circle of friends.
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William A. Finney, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Tuscara- was County, Ohio, December 25, 1841, and is a son of James and Sarah (Adair) Finney. The father was of Irish descent, born in Bel- mont County, Ohio, in 1809, and a son of John Finney, a native of Ireland. When sixteen years old James went to Guernsey County, and began working upon National Pike. While there he married Miss Nancy Hughs, in 1833, by whom one child, Nancy, was born. Mrs. Finney died in Columbus, Ohio, in 1834. Mr. Finney then continued his work as a contractor on the National Pike into Madison County, where he became acquainted with and married Sarah Adair, in 1836, a native of that county, and born in 1818. She now lives in Mercer County, Mo., and is the mother of nine children, eight of whom are living. After his second marriage Mr. Finney removed to Tuscara- was County where he bought a farm, and commenced farming, and which occupation he continued until his death in 1866. William A. Finney lived with his parents until he arrived at maturity, and in March, 1863, married Catherine Crider, who was born in Hocking County, Ohio, May 1, 1844, and is the mother of eleven children: James D., Sarah M., John E., Rosa E., Joseph, Nelson, Jennie, Betsey, Naomi, Cora and Frances M. In 1866 Mr. Finney went to Pickaway County, Ohio, and two years later came to Mercer County, Mo., where in 1876 he purchased 160 acres where he now resides. He is one of the successful farmers of the township, and a respected citi- zen. In politics he is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for G. B. McClellan in 1864. Himself and wife are members of the St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church.
Andrew J. Finney, farmer and stock raiser of Harrison Township, was born March 3, 1853, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and is a son of James and Sarah (Adair) Finney [see sketch of William A. Finney]. He is one of a family of eight living children, the others being Jane (wife of John Hursey), William A., John W., Catherine (wife of Cal- vin Lakin), Ruth A. (wife of A. J. Norman), Joseph, Sarah M. (wife of Allen Murphey). Andrew J. is the seventh child and lived at home until 1882, receiving a common-school education during his youth. In September, 1881, he left his native State and immigrated to Mercer County, Mo., where he bought 160 acres of land in Section 9, Town- ship 65, Range 25, which he still owns and successfully farms. In the winter of 1882 he returned to his native county, and February 16 of that year was united in marriage with Miss Mahala, daughter of George and Mary Hursey, of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where Mrs. Finney was born in 1851. To Mr. and Mrs. Finney three children
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have been born: Harland, Mary Estell, and one who is dead. In politics, Mr. Finney is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for S. J. Tilden in 1876. Both himself and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Lyman R. Fuller was born in Syracuse County, N. Y., May 23, 1829, and is a son of J. Lyman and Azuba (Russell) Fuller, natives of Lowell, Mass., and Old Hartford, Conn., respectively. The father located at Syracuse when a young man, and there married and lived, engaged in shoemaking until his death. He was twice married; one daughter, Clarissa (wife of Madison Ches), born by his first marriage, is still living, and three sons born by the second marriage: Lyman R., Amos D. and Harvey R., are also living. Lyman R. was but nine years old at the death of his father, and early in life he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed in his native State, and in Ohio until 1855. He then immigrated to Missouri, and conducted a saw and grist mill in connection with blacksmithing at Akron, Harrison Co., Mo., until 1863. He then came to Princeton, where he has since had a black- smith and repair shop, and engaged in the manufacture of wagons. July 22, 1847, he married Julia E. Pickens, also a native of Syracuse County, N. Y., by whom he has nine living children: Mary (wife of N. W. Pickard), Charles A., William L., Harvey R., Frank E., Nel- son J., Lottie A. (wife of Charles Decker), Mattie J. (wife of A. H. Harnly) and Justin E. Mr. Fuller was formerly a Whig, but upon the dissolution of that party became a Republican. While in Harrison County he served as justice of the peace and postmaster, but since coming to Mercer County has held no office. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
William H. Galiger was born in Maine, October 21, 1842, and is a son of John R. and Ellen (Connell) Galiger. The father was born in Ireland, and was brought to the States by his parents when but six years old. In 1845 he went to Illinois, and located upon a farm in Lake County, where his wife died in 1871, and he in 1876. William H. remained at home until eighteen years of age, and then enlisted in the Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry, in which he served three years and two months. He participated in a number of well-known battles such as Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, Siege of Vicksburg, and was also present during a number of skirmishes. After the expiration of his service he returned to Lake County, Ill., and engaged in farming. In the fall of 1866 he was married to Sarah A. Cribb, daughter of Henry Cribb, by whom he had five children, four now living: Henry C., Libbie G., Clarence O. and Joseph E. After his marriage he still
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continued to make Lake County his home until 1870 when himself and wife came to Mercer County, Mo., and settled upon his present farm. He now owns 280 acres of land, all improved and under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Galiger is a hearty supporter of the Republican party, but has never desired public office of any kind. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and of the G. A. R. He is a liberal donator to all enterprises for the welfare of his county, and is well esteemed in his neighborhood.
Abner George, dealer in railroad ties, stone and lumber, was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., in 1829, and is a son of Charles and Susannah (Russell) George. The father was born in East Tennessee, and died when Abner was but fifteen years old. The mother was a native of North Carolina, reared in Tennessee, and died in Princeton, Mo., in 1881. She was the mother of nine children, eight of whom are now living. Abner is the second child, and was reared in Sevier County, Tenn., where he was married in 1847 to Sarah Hickman, also a native of Jefferson County, Tenn., and by whom he had eleven children, seven still surviving. Mrs. George died August 16, 1875, . and Mr. George afterward married Rosella J. Hurt, a native of Indiana, who was reared in Missouri. This union has been blessed with three children, two of whom are living. After his first marriage Mr. George followed agricultural pursuits in Sevier County, Tenn., until 1850, and then located two years in Macoupin County, Ill. In 1852 he came to Mercer County, Mo., and located on Government land six miles north of Princeton, where he remained until 1877, then moved to Princeton, where he has since been engaged in his present business. While at Cottonwood in 1871 he engaged in the mercantile business, at which he continued until April, 1877, also holding the position of postmaster at the same time. He is a successful business man, and handles about 400,000 ties per annum, 400 car loads of stone per month and 3,000- 000 feet of lumber per annum.
James George was born in Sevier County, Tenn., February 1, 1833, and is a son of Charles and Susannah George. The father was of Irish descent, and born in Tennessee. He was a cooper by trade, in connection with which he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died in 1844, in the prime of life, having passed all his days in his native State. The mother was of English descent, born in Tennes- see in 1805, and died in Mercer County, Mo., in 1881. James is one of a family of nine children, seven of whom are now living: Abner; Rhoda, wife of John Hamilton; James; Thomas W .; Mary Ann, wife of Sylvester Wilson; Moses R., and Margaret, wife of James Mason.
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James was only twelve years old when his father died, and subsequently made his home with his mother until twenty-five years of age, work- ing upon the home farm. In 1851 he went to Illinois, and in 1853 came to Mercer County, Mo., where, January 28, 1858, he married Miss Margaret I. Hickman, daughter of John and Sarah Hickman. Mrs. George was born in Sevier County, Tenn., November 24, 1838, and is the mother of seven living children: Abner B, Henry C., Mary (wife of George Pollard), Lucretia E. (wife of Peter Cates), Gen- evia Alice, Charles and Rhoda E. About 1855 Mr. George entered 120 acres of land in Section 2, Township 65, Range 24, upon which he located after his marriage, and upon which he remained until 1881. He then bought and located upon 240 acres where he now lives. He came to the county with no money but by industry and good management has become the owner of 600 acres, and is one of the well-to-do and success- ful farmers of the county. In connection with farming he is quite exten- sively engaged in stock raising. In politics he is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for Fillmore in 1856. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church, to which Mr. George has belonged twenty-seven years, and in which he has been deacon for the past eight months.
King David Girdner was born in Knox County, Ky., December 25, 1830, and is a son of Joseph and Anna (Lauderdale) Girdner. The father was of German descent, born in Pennsylvania in 1790, and when small went to Greene County, Tenn., where he was married. He afterward moved to Knox County, Ky., and in 1839 moved to Mercer County, Mo., where he entered 263 acres of land, where our subject now lives. He was a general mechanic, blacksmith and wagon-maker by trade, and quite successful in his business transactions, at one time owning 480 acres of land. He came to Missouri when the country was inhabited by wild animals and Indians, and was one of the first settlers in the county. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in 1874. His wife was of Irish descent, born in Greene County, Tenn., in 1791, and died in 1865. She was the mother of eleven children, of whom King Girdner was the youngest. He came to Mis- souri with his parents when nine years old, and after they became old and feeble took charge of the homestead, and cared for them in their declining years. May 28, 1854, he married Miss Mary Ann, daugh- ter of Judge Preston Underwood, and a native of Jefferson County, Tenn., born October 13, 1835. This union has been blessed with eight children: William L .; Albert S .; Nettie, wife of Henry Cisco; Emma, wife of Harvey Boyd; Alice, Maggie, Edward and Harry O. He has
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resided upon his present farm since coming to Missouri, and the first circuit court held in the county was held where his present residence is ocated, the jury holding their conference beneath the forest trees. Mr. Girdner is the owner of 361 acres of land, well improved and cul- tivated, and in 1882 erected a dwelling at a cost of $1,000, which is very desirably located. He is a Democrat, and during the war served five months in the Home Militia. His first presidential vote was cast for Pierce in 1852. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
James M. Goodin was born in Knox County, Ky., September 29, 1842. His father, E. B. Goodin, was a native of Kentucky, and mar- ried Jane, daughter of John Fuson. They immigrated to Mercer Coun- ty, Mo., in 1849, when the Indians still lived in the country, and here the father pre-empted eighty acres of land, which he improved, and upon which he lived for some time. He afterward sold his original purchase, and bought a 220-acre tract. James made his home with his parents until the commencement of the war, when he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-seventh Missouri Infantry, and served until the close of the war without receiving a wound. He participated in the battles of Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, and followed Sherman to the coast. October 23, 1865, he was united in marriage with Louinda, daughter of John McIntosh, by whom three sons and four daughters were born: Betsey J., wife of Lafayette Cornett, mar- ried in 1886; William T., James F., Rachel (deceased), John, Rosa M. and Martha A. Mr. Goodin dwells in a large frame house, sur- rounded with good outbuildings, which are built upon his well-culti- vated farm of 335 acres. His property is all the result of his unas- sisted labor, and his farm is well stocked with a high grade of Short- horn cattle and fine Norman horses. He is a successful farmer, and a stanch Republican. From 1876 to 1882 he was engaged in the gen- eral mercantile business at Cottonwood, but has now retired to farm life. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and a liberal donator to all laudable public enterprises of a religious or educational character.
William Henry Harper is a son of Joseph and Nancy (Major) Har- per, and was born December 18, 1830. The father was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1794, and in 1818 came to America, first settling in Philadelphia. After a few years he went to Belmont County, Ohio, in 1824, where he married and passed the remainder of his life engaged in farming. He died in 1885. He was twice mar- ried, his second wife, Clarinda (Rice) Harper, still living. Before the war Mr. Harper was the captain of a company of the State Volunteer
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Militia. Nancy (Major) Harper was born in Harford County, Md., in 1793, and died in 1861. She was the mother of four children, of whom our subject is the third. William H. was educated in Franklin County, New Athens, Harrison Co., Ohio, Edward M. Stanton, John A. Bing- ham, Louis Luton and Rev. W. M. Grimes having been his school- mates. He left the college when in the sophomore year, and at the age of twenty-two began to teach, continuing engaged in that voca- tion two terms. October 27, 1857, he married Miss Margaret Craig, daughter of William and Rosanna Craig. Mrs. Harper was born on Long Point, Canada, in 1833, and is the mother of the following four children: Rosa A., Elmer E., William C. and John S. After com- mencing life upon his own responsibilty he engaged in the mercantile business at Hendrysburg, in Belmont County, Ohio, where he remained eight years. During the war he enlisted in Company A, Second Mon- ghala Departmental Corps, in November, 1862, and was afterward elected second lieutenant of same, and served until discharged at Wheeling, Va., in May, 1864. In 1867 he sold his store in Hendrys- burg and moved to Freedom, Noble Co., Ohio, and sold goods, but subsequently bought a farm, which he afterward disposed of, and in 1870 came to Mercer County, Mo., where he bought 260 acres of land where he now resides, and began life as a farmer. He is a good citizen, and in politics is a Republican. His first presidential vote was cast for Gen. Scott in 1852. While in Ohio he served as post- master of Hendrysburg five years. He is a Master Mason, a local preacher, and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belongs.
Franklin B. Hart is a son of William Morgan and Rebecca (Hart) Hart, and was born half a mile from his present residence in Harrison Township, Section 12, Township 65, Range 25. The father was born in Whitley County, Ky., in 1804, and when a young man went to Putnam County, Ill., where he married Elizabeth Hart, who bore him three children: Nancy C. (wife of Joseph Neely, and who died Sep- tember 7, 1887), Hannah (wife of John Reeves) and John Mor- gan. Mrs. Hart died, and Mr. Hart afterward married her sister, Rebecca Hart, daughter of Peter and Hannah (Poe) Hart, and born in Ashe County, N. C., December 25, 1816. In 1839 Mr. Hart came to Mercer County, Mo., where he entered 100 acres of land, upon which he settled and passed the remainder of his days. He was a successful farmer, and owned at one time 1,500 acres. To his second marriage the following children were born, James E., Missouri (wife of David Lockridge), Rebecca Kentucky (wife of William P. Moss), Franklin
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B., Willard P. H., Eliza Ann (wife of Calvin Moss), Virginia L. (wife of David McClaren), and Hazeltine (wife of Joseph Moss). William Morgan Hart was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, and the captain of his company. He died October 17, 1876. Franklin B. received a common-school education during his youth, and in August, 1884, married Miss Hettie Ann Smith, daughter of Israel F. and Rachel Smith, and born in Mercer County, Mo., in 1867. To this marriage one child has been born-Clelly Cleveland. Mr. Hart is the owner of 296 acres of good land, and is a highly respected citizen. In pol- itics he is a Democrat, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the A. O. U. W.
James Hart is a son of William H. and Elizabeth (Hubbard) Hart, and was born in Putnam County, Ill., in February, 1831. The father was born in Ashe County, N. C., in 1801, and after his marriage moved to Whitley County, Ky. About 1830 he went to Putnam County, Ill., and in 1842 came to Mercer County, Mo., where he settled upon the farm now owned by Elisha Wilson. His occupation was that of farming, and he died in 1875. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War. His wife was also born in Ashe County, N. C., in 1810, and yet survives. She is the mother of twelve children, only three now living: James, America (wife of Charles Craig) and Will- iam. James came to Mercer County when eleven years old, and has since been a resident of Harrison Township. He lived with his father until he was twenty-two, and in 1853 made a journey to Cali- fornia overland with a company of twenty. He drove an ox team, and after walking three-fourths of the distance arrived at his destination, where he worked upon a farm. In 1855 he returned home by water, via New Orleans. In December, 1856 he married Miss Nancy Jane, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Dunlap) Everett. The former was born in Osage County, N. Y., and the latter in Augusta County, Va. Mrs. Hart was born in Ohio, in August, 1836, and is the mother of seven children: Augusta (wife of James Davis), Mary A. (wife of John Mullins), Alexander, Richard, Hettie, Margaret and Lucy. In the winter of 1856 Mr. Hart purchased 160 acres where he now lives, and although he began life a poor man is now the owner of 440 acres of good land, and a highly respected citizen. He is an old resident of the county, which was inhabited by wild animals and Indians when he first came here. He is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Pierce in 1852. His wife is a member of the Christian Church.
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