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 75
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 75
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J. W. Thompson was born March 29, 1839, in that portion of Livingston territory which is now Grundy County, Mo. He is the eldest of a family of three children born to Patrick Henry and Letitia (Thompson) Thompson. His parents were cousins, and natives of Tazewell County, Va. They accompanied their respective parents to Ray County, Mo., when children, and in 1833 moved with them to the northwestern part of what is now Grundy County. Dr. Will- iam P. Thompson, our subject's grandfather, was the first physician in that region, and built the first cabin in Grundy County. There the parents of J. W. were married. The father died in 1844, and the mother afterward became the wife of Thomas Holmnan, by whom she had five children, none now living. Her death occurred October 10, 1859. J. W. Thompson attended school about three months during his youth at the primitive log schoolhouse of the neighborhood, and at the age of seventeen was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade of O. G. Newton, at Edinburg, Mo. After two and a half years' apprenticeship he began to travel, covering a good deal of land in the west and east. He served some time as a boat hand upon a steamer which ran on the Lower Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, and then became overseer of the farm of John Martin at Hawesville,
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Ky. His next move was to Missouri, where he resided in La Fayette County some time. He then made his home in Ray County with Barney Cravens until the commencement of the war, when he entered the militia under Capt. Sacrey. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-eighth Missouri Infantry, United States Army, from which he was transferred to Company F, Tenth Missouri Cavalry. He was discharged in December, 1862, on account of disability, and in August of that year returned to Grundy County. He farmed in Grundy County until 1874, and then bought a farm in the south- west portion of Mercer County, upon which he moved and lived four years. He then moved upon his present farm in Madison Town- ship, which he had purchased, and upon which he has since resided. This farm contains 172 acres of good land, which is the result of indus- try and good management on the part of Mr. Thompson. August 9, 1863, Mr. Thompson married Julia, daughter of Thomas Jefferson and
Sarah Bryan. Mrs. Thompson was born February 6, 1841, in Ill- inois, and from there moved with her parents to Du Bois County, Ind., where she was afterward married. Mr. Thompson is a successful and respected citizen, and in politics is a Democrat. At one time he was nominated by acclamation by his party for the county judgeship, and although he ran ahead of his ticket, the county is so largely Repub- lican that he was defeated. He cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas, and has always been a hearty and active supporter of his party.
James A. Thompson was born March 7, 1852, in Mercer County, Mo., and is a son of Isaac D. and Mary J. (Sorrell) Thompson. After coming to Mercer County, Mo., the father resided npon a farm in the southwestern part of the county near Modena, and in connection with his farming was a successful practicing physician and surgeon until his death. The mother and the following children survive him: Ann E. (wife of George K. Cox of Albia, Iowa), Martha F. (widow of Dr. A. H. May, late of Princeton), Nancy M., James A. and George R., physician of Princeton. James A. was reared and educated in his native county, and being fitted to teach engaged in that vocation during four years of his early life in the schools of Mercer County. He then engaged in the mercantile business at Modena for two years or until he was elected, in 1878, clerk of the circuit court, and ex officio recorder of Mercer County. For two terms of four years each he officiated in that capacity in a faithful and efficient manner, and in November, 1886, was elected collector of the county, the duties of which office he is discharging in an able manner. He is
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identified with the Republican party. February 19, 1882, he was united in marriage with Sarah E. Morrow, a native of Caldwell County, Mo., by whom one son, William, has been born. Mr. Thompson is the present Chief Patriarch of the I. O. O. F., a mem- ber of the A. O. U. W., and one of the enterprising citizens of Mercer County.
George Richard Thompson, M. D., is a native of Mercer County, Mo., and was born November 27, 1854. He is a son of Isaac D. Thompson [see sketch of James A. Thompson], and was reared to manhood in his native county. He was educated at the State Univer- sity of Columbia, Mo., and at the age of twenty-four began the study of medicine with his brother, the late Dr. John T. Thompson, of Modena. Later he attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, from which institution he graduated in 1882. He began the practice of his profession at Modena, and in March, 1884, removed to Princeton, where he has met with well-deserved success, and controls a large and lucrative practice. During a fire which occurred at Princeton February 4, 1885, he sustained some severe injuries which compelled him to abandon his practice for about a year, and he consequently engaged in the drug business, in which he has also been successful. He is now in partnership with J. L. Wyman, . and the firm is acknowledged as among the leading druggists of Mer- cer County. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a Democrat in politics, and one of the well-to-do and respected citizens of Mercer County.
Amos Twadell was born October 4, 1818, in Jefferson County, Ind., and is a son of James and Anna (Risley) Twadell. The father was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, in 1774, and when a year old was brought by his father, Daniel Twadell, to America. The latter was in the Revolutionary War for six years in Gen. Gates' division, and when Gates was relieved he served under Gen. Green till the close of the war. James Twadell lived in Massachusetts until twenty- three years old, and then went to Genesee County, N. Y. In 1801 he married, and in 1817 moved to Jefferson County, Ind. In 1835 he moved to Jennings County in the same State, where he died in 1856, aged eighty-four. He served one year and three months in the War of 1812, and was in the battles of Queenstown and Bridgewater; his occupation was that of farming. The mother was of Welsh descent, born in New Hampshire in 1788, and died November 8, 1882. Amos Twadell was the second of a family of eight children, and lived with his parents until twenty-two years old, receiving a common-school education during his youth. In 1835 he accompanied his parents to
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Jennings County, and was there married September 3, 1843, to Miss Tina Kennedy, who was born in Delaware County, N. Y., August 11, 1822. To this union thirteen children were born, only five of whom are living: Isaiah; Alfonso, a farmer of Harrison County; Almira, wife of John W. Moore; John, a lumberman of Colorado, and Lyda, wife of Monroe Milliner, of Lyon County, Kas. In 1851 Mr. Twadell immigrated to Mercer County, Mo., and the same year entered 120 acres of land, where he has since made his residence. He now owns 125 acres, and has a good and comfortable home. He is an old citizen of the county and highly respected. He possesses a wonderful mem- ory, and remembers dates and occurrences with accuracy. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Van Buren in 1840. He served his township as school director of his home dis- trict for twenty- four years, and during the war served two years in the State Militia. Himself and wife have been members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church over forty years.
H. R. Wayman, owner and proprietor of Grand River Nursery and Fruit Farm, situated three miles north of Princeton, and Edin- burg Nursery, located at Edinburg, Grundy Co., Mo., four miles west of Trenton, is a native of Seneca County, Ohio, and was born October 1, 1848. His parents, John and Mary (Smith) Wayman, were born in Woods County, Ohio, in 1881, and in Maryland, in 1813, respectively. In 1854 they moved to Keokuk County, Iowa, where the mother died in 1856. In 1865 the father moved to Yam Hill County, Oreg., and in 1870 he died in Washington County, Oreg. H. R. Wayman is the seventh of a family of ten children, and was six years old when taken to Iowa. He received a common-school educa- tion, and began business for himself at the age of fifteen years by hir- ing to work on a farm at $12 per month. In the spring of 1867 he worked his passage across the plains to the "Rockies " on an ox-train, by driving one of the teams and walking all the way. He spent two years in Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico, teaming and mining. In 1869 he returned to Mercer County, and began work in his nursery, which he and his brother, S. M., established in 1868. The firm was known as Wayman Bros. In 1883 he bought a farm in Grundy County near Edinburg, and established a nursery there. About 60,000 trees are kept growing in this nursery to supply the trade. In April, 1886, he bought his brother's interest in both land and nursery stock, and up to this date has been the sole owner and proprietor. He has been very successful in his enterprise, and is well acquainted with the best methods of fruit growing and tree planting. The Grand River Nursery
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and Fruit Farm contains 346 acres. The nursery is the only one in the county. The stock in both nurseries comprises about 125,000 apple trees, with a porportionate amount of general nursery stock. April 24, 1870, he married Miss. Josephine, Johnson, who was born in Rushville, Ill., in 1852. The names of their children are Lula, Herbert, Estelle, Olave and Inez. Mr. and Mrs. Wayman are Seventh-day Baptists, and in politics the former is Independent.
Lafayette G. Wells was born in McMinn County, Tenn., August 25, 1832, and immigrated to Illinois with his parents in early child- hood, locating in Adams County in 1834. He remained with his father until 1858, when he was married to Caroline Cunningham, by whom three sons and one daughter were born, all of whom lived to maturity. After his marriage Mr. Wells moved upon a farm in Adams County, Ill., upon which he lived about sixteen years, subse- quently moving to Hancock County, Ill. He was a hearty and loyal Union man during the war, but did not participate in any engage- ments of importance. He lost his wife in 1869, and in 1871 was united in marriage with Nancy A. Hart, by whom one daughter and one son were born, now aged seventeen and twelve, respectively. In 1876 he immigrated to Mercer County, Mo., and now owns 200 acres of land upon which he resides, engaged in agricultural pur- suits. Two daughters and one son are married and living near him, and two of his children make their home with him. The family ranks among the well-to-do and respected citizens of the township.
William Whitestine was born April 13, 1828, in the State of Ohio. He is the youngest of a family of five children, and his father, Edward Whitestine, a native of Ohio, died before William was born. He lost his mother also when but two years old, and then made his home with his maternal grandfather until seven years old. He was then bound out to John Husman in Hawkins County, with whom he lived until of age, although he was never allowed to attend school to any extent. He then worked as a farm hand until 1852, and in the spring of that year in company with six men started with some oxen and wagons for the distant California. After a journey of five months, he arrived at a place in that State called Seventy-six, and from there went to Pine Grove City. He then worked in the mines in California and Nevada four years, at the expiration of which time he returned east, and located in Huntington County, Ind. October 26, 1856, he was united in marriage with Hannah, daughter of John and Hannah (Washy) Beaver, at the residence of her brother, Henry Beaver. Mrs. Whites- tine was born in Preble County, Ohio, and moved with her parents to
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Fayette County, Ind., when a child, later living in Huntington County, Ind. She is the mother of seven children, five of whom are living: Louisa (wife of Jesse Norton), Simon, Edith Jane (wife of Filmore Thompson), Sarah Elizabeth and Mary Emeline. For three years after his marriage Mr. Whitestine lived with his brother-in-law, John Beaver, and then located upon a small tract of his own in Union Township, Huntington Co., Ind. In March, 1867, he moved to Chilli- cothe, Mo., but very shortly continued his journey, and settled upon a farm in Mercer County, Mo., where he has since resided. While in California Mr. Whitestine accumulated a considerable amount of money, but, as he loaned it without security, when he returned to Indiana he had nothing to show for his toil of several years. He, how- ever, possessed a courageous spirit and a determination to surmount his troubles, and upon coming to Missouri entered a forty-acre tract in Mercer County, which he at once proceeded to clear and improve. His industry has been rewarded, and he is now the owner of a fine farm of 200 acres, which is under a good state of cultivation. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce in 1852. Himself, wife and daughters, Louisa (wife of Jerre Norton) and Edith, are worthy members of the German Baptist Church.
Green Wilson, an old settler of Mercer County, was born in Rock- ingham County, N. C., in 1821, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Mackey) Wilson. The father was of French descent, and born in the same county and State in 1795, where he was married, and lived until 1821. He then immigrated to Franklin County, Ind., and in 1843 came to Mercer County, Mo., locating upon the place his son, Green, now occupies, and where he died in 1872. During the Rebellion he served in the State Militia. His wife was of Irish descent, born in North Carolina in 1796, and died in 1870. Green Wilson is the fourth of a family of ten children, and was but eight weeks old when taken to Indiana. At the age of fourteen he left the parental roof, and was bound out until nineteen years of age, his earnings of those years going to his parents. May 10, 1848, he went to Leavenworth, Kas., in search of work, and while there was stricken with cholera, and for eighteen days his life hung, as it were, on a thread. Upon his recovery he was employed by the Government to drive five yoke of oxen across the plains to Sante Fe, N. M., with supplies, the entire trip being made on foot. Upon his return he had about $100, with which he purchased land where he now resides, upon which he has since lived, and to which he had added through industry and economy
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until he now owns 160 acres of good land, although when he came to Mercer County he had but 75 cents after purchasing his farm. In that day he took great pleasure in hunting. He is now a successful farmer and stock raiser, and enjoys the respect of the community. In September, 1852, he married Miss Lucy Rogers, daughter of Allen P. and Eliza Rogers, and a native of Bartholomew County, Ind., born in 1829. This marriage has been blessed with eight children: Gilbert, Isabelle (wife of Lyman Wilson), Samuel, Adolphus, Edward, Sher- man, Alsworth and Vernecie. Mr. Wilson is a Republican in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Polk in 1844. During the Rebellion he served one year in the State Militia.
Elijah Woods, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Lincoln County, Ky., in 1840, and is a son of John and Henrietta (Dunn) Woods. The father was of German descent, and born in Virginia in 1791. He was left an orphan when a lad, and at the age of fourteen went to Claiborne County, Tenn., and was bound out to a blacksmith until of age, after which he followed his trade until his death. After obtain- ing his liberty he went to Pulaski County, Ky., where he was after- ward married. He next removed to Lincoln County, and in 1864 went to Decatur County, Iowa. In 1866 he came to Mercer County, Mo., where he died in 1867. His wife was born in Virginia, and sur- vived him twelve years. She was the mother of three children: Nich- olas, Martha and Elijah, all of whom came to Missouri in 1866. In March, 1878, Elijah married Miss Medora Copelan, daughter of Charles C. and Eliza (Huff) Copelan. Mrs. Woods was born in Saline County, Mo., December 5, 1849, and to her union with Mr. Woods two children, Ottie and Oscar, have been born. Upon coming to Missouri Mr. Woods purchased fifty-seven acres of land, to which he has added until he owns 125 acres of good land, and is one of the well-to-do farmers of the township. He is rather conservative in pol - itics, but favors the Democratic party, and for five years served as constable of Harrison Township, of which he is considered a promi- nent citizen.
C. B. Wyatt was born January 22, 1836, in Greene County, Ill., and is a son of John and Mary A. (Disbury) Wyatt. The father was born in Kentucky in 1807, and when about fourteen years old accom - panied his father to Madison County, Ill. He afterward removed to Greene County, Ill., where, in 1826, he was married. His death occurred in Calhoun County, Ill., July 30, 1849. The mother was born in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1810, on July 13, and is now in her seventy-eighth year, and living with C. B. Wyatt. He lost his
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father when but two and a half years old, and since the age of ten has been the help and main dependence of his mother. He accompanied her to Grundy County, Mo., in 1838, and settled upon a farm where he remained until July, 1846. He then came to Mercer County, and located upon a farm one and one-half miles distant from his present place. He now owns 291 acres of land all except ten acres finely improved and cultivated, and upon which he is engaged in farming and stock raising. He was married in Mercer County, November 22, 1859, to Sarah L. Kieth, daughter of A. E. and Caroline Kieth, pio- neer settlers of Mercer County. To Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt nine children have been born: Julius L., Mary F. (wife of George Beck), Henry F., William D., Wade H., Laura, James M., Eliza and Alonzo. Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt are members of the Christian Church, and rank among the old respected citizens of the county. Mr. Wyatt has never held public office, although until twelve years ago he was a stanch Demo- crat; since that time he has remained neutral. He is greatly opposed to the use of intoxicating liquors, and is interested in educational and philanthropic enterprises.
J. L. Wynne was born in Grundy County, Mo., April 24, 1857, and is a son of Thomas P. and Lucinda (Ford) Wynne, natives, re- spectively, of Virginia and Howard County, Mo. The father immi- grated to Missouri in the fall of 1839, and engaged in farming in Grundy County until 1865. He then manufactured and sold shoes at Gallatin, Mo., until his death in 1877. The mother died April 7, 1868, and was the mother of nine children, six of whom are now liv- ing: William A., Kate M. (wife of F. H. McDougal), J. L., Robert R., John D. and Frank P. J. L. Wynne began his business career as a clerk in a drug store in 1868, and afterward went into the same business upon his own account in Lorraine, Harrison Co., Mo., in 1877. He next removed to Edinburg, Grundy County, and in 1879 came to Princeton and clerked for Dr. Buren until 1865. He then went into the drug business with Dr. G. R. Thompson, with whom he has succeeded in establishing a good and profitable business. May
16, 1882, he married Miss May B. Cochran, a native of Indiana, but a resident of Princeton. Mr. Wynne is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Encampment of the I. O. O. F., and Princeton Canton No. 2, and has filled all offices in the lodge, except in the latter. His paternal grandfather (with whom his father came to Missouri), Minor Wynne, was a successful and well-known citizen of Grundy County, Mo., and died in 1880, aged seventy-eight.
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