USA > Missouri > Henry County > History of Henry County, Missouri > Part 43
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 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
Frank Ragland was educated in the district schools and he accom- panied his parents to Bates County in 1881. After two years' residence in Bates County, he returned to Henry County and made his home with
493
HENRY COUNTY HISTORY
his uncle, George Blakemore, and operated the Blakemore farm for twelve years. Later he spent two years in Duluth, Minnesota, and returned to Henry County in 1901. For the ensuing six years he resided on a farm north of Clinton. For the next four years he rented a place in Bear Creek township, and then purchased his present farm. Mr. Ragland is engaged in general farming and stock raising.
January 10, 1893, Frank Ragland and Miss Ella Middlecoff were united in marriage. This marriage has been blessed with nine children, all of whom are at home with their parents: Walter F., born January 14, 1896, recently enlisted in the United States Navy; Robert N., born Octo- ber 12, 1897; Jehu Baker, born October 25, 1899; Howard L., born March 5, 1902; Clara Belle, born June 27, 1903; John W., born March 14, 1906; Ernest Henry, born December 20, 1909; Calvin Land, born June 1, 1911; Mary Elizabeth, born March 19, 1914.
Mrs. Ella (Middlecoff) Ragland was born on a farm five miles east of Clinton in Deer Creek township July 8, 1872, the daughter of J. W. and Elizabeth (Land) Middlecoff. J. W. Middlecoff was born December 10, 1822, and died January 19, 1910. Mrs. Elizabeth (Land) Middlecoff was born April 6, 1834, and departed this life on March 27, 1887. She was born in Belleville, Illinois, the daughter of Aaron Land, a native of Tennessee. The first wife of J. W. Middlecoff was Amy W. Anderson, who bore him three children: James, John and Helen. James Middlecoff served in the Civil War and is deceased. John lives in Los Angeles, California. Helen died in infancy. The second marriage of J. W. Middlecoff was with Elizabeth Land, who bore him children as follow: Byron Cicero and Lucy Ann, deceased; Aaron Land, Milan, Tennessee; Clara, wife of J. C. Inlow, Clinton, Missouri; Lawrence, was an attorney in Los Angeles, California, and is now deceased; Maryline, wife of John Foster, Lewis Station, Henry County ; Judge Jehu Baker, a successful attorney and probate judge of Duluth, Minnesota; Elmer, Seattle, Washington; Walter Whitfield, an attorney, Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Ella Ragland; Archie, Los An- geles, California.
J. W. Middlecoff was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, and moved to Belleville with his parents when a child. He came to Henry County in 1866 and his first year in this county was spent on a farm north of Clinton. In 1867 he settled permanently on a farm five miles east of Clinton. He improved a large tract of land and built a home for himself and family, hauling the lumber from Warsaw, Missouri. He spent the
494
HENRY COUNTY HISTORY
rest of his days on this farm, reared his splendid family and became one of the most prominent citizens of Henry County. He was president of the Henry County Bank and was one of the wealthy and substantial citizens of this county. The Middlecoff family is an old American family, the history of which begins with Peter Mittelkauff, who sailed from Rot- terdam, Holland, and arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 24, 1728.
Mr. Ragland is a Democrat and is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World, Lodge No. 250, La Due, Missouri. He and Mrs. Ragland and the children worship at Teays Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church.
Bernard H. Hageboeck .- In the southern part of Deepwater town- ship, southeast of the town of Montrose, is one of the finest and best improved country estates in all Missouri, owned and operated by Bernard Hageboeck, and consisting of 480 acres, 400 acres of which is located in Henry County and eighty acres just over the line in St. Clair county. The Hageboeck land embraces a tract of the richest prairie soil, which has produced good crops from year to year as the seasons were propitious. However, Mr. Hageboeck has the faculty of adapting an ingrained knowl- edge of the science of agriculture to local conditions and he generally has good crops. Recently he has deeded 160 acres to his son, Frank. This year, 1918, Mr. Hageboeck has harvested sixty acres of wheat which yielded twenty bushels to the acre; forty acres of oats which gave a yield of thirty bushels to the acre; and has mowed sixty acres of meadow which yielded thirty tons of hay. This farm produces annually about 125 head of hogs, and Mr. Hageboeck keeps about twenty-five horses and mules for the farm work.
Bernard Hageboeck was born in Osage County, Missouri, February 6. 1855, and is the son of Frank and Elizabeth (Kemnar) Hageboeck, na- tives of Germany who emigrated to America when young. Frank Hage- boeck was born in 1805 and died in 1885. Elizabeth (Kemnar) Hage- boeck came to this country with her parents. Frank Hageboeck emi- grated from his native land about 1830 and landed at New Orleans from a sailing vessel. From the southern city he made his way by boat to St. Louis and from there located in Osage County and lived his entire life in that county after coming to America.
Bernard H. Hageboeck was reared to young manhood in Osage County, Missouri, and began for himself when twenty-four years of age. He tilled his father's land for ten years and in 1889 he inherited the home
495
HENRY COUNTY HISTORY
farm in that county. He sold this farm in 1891 and the following year came to Henry County and purchased his present place, beginning with 240 acres, to which he has been adding land until he now has 480 acres. Mr. Hageboeck has made many improvements on his land and is con- stantly improving and adding to its attractiveness and fertility.
In 1879 the marriage of B. H. Hageboeck and Mary Brooms occurred. Mrs. Mary Hageboeck was born in Osage County, Missouri, the daughter of Herman Brooms, a native of Germany and early settler of Osage County. The children born of this marriage are: Frank, Joseph, Louis, Rosa, who died at the age of seventeen years, Mary, Elsie and Effie. Frank Hageboeck, the eldest son of the family, was born June 11, 1880, in Osage County. He is an independent Democrat, a member of the Catholic Church of Montrose and is affiliated with the Knights of Co- lumbus of Montrose.
Bernard H. Hageboeck is a Democrat but is inclined to an indepen- dence of thought and action in casting his vote. He is an intelligent and progressive citizen who has taken a prominent place among the best citi- zens of Henry County. He and the members of his family worship ac- cording to the Catholic faith and attend the Montrose Catholic Church.
William Bellinghausen .- The 160 acre farm of William Bellinghausen, just north of the town of Montrose in Deepwater township, is well im- proved with an imposing residence located almost in the center of the tract, excellent farm buildings and fencing kept in good repair, much of which is growing hedges. Since Mr. Bellinghausen took possession of this tract in 1902 he has added considerably to the value of the farm by making substantial improvements and increasing the productivity of the soil. The crops planted for the harvest of this year (1918) aggregate fifty-five acres of corn, thirty-five acres of wheat, which yielded twenty bushels to the acre, and thirty acres of oats, which gave a yield of twenty- two bushels to the acre.
Mr. William Bellinghausen was born at Homerich, Germany, March 7, 1855, the son of Dominic and Helena (Eich) Bellinghausen, the former of whom died in Germany. His widow then married John Schmitz, who brought the family to America in 1881. The family located in Carroll County, Iowa, where both stepfather and mother died.
Mr. Bellinghausen became a naturalized citizen in Iowa and has ever since been a thoroughly loyal citizen to the land of his adoption. To America he owes all that he possesses and the opportunity was presented
496
HENRY COUNTY HISTORY
to him here to accumulate and make an independent home for him and his for all time to come. He became owner of an Iowa farm in 1895 which he sold in 1901, and came to Henry County and invested in his present fine farm.
In 1896 he was married to Mrs. Gertrude (Koenig) Bellinghausen, a widow who had three children by her former marriage: Lizzie, a Sister in the convent at Marie Stein, Ohio; Joseph, died in Henry County ; Peter, born in April, 1894, a soldier in the National Army now on the battlefield of France fighting in defense of the liberties of the free peoples of the world. The following children have been born to William M. and Gertrude Bellinghausen: Lena, employed in St. Mary's Hospital at Kansas City; William, Annie, employed in St. Mary's Hospital; Margaret, Dominic and Leo, at home.
Mr. Bellinghausen is a Democrat but has little time for political mat- ters, his main interest in life being his fine farm and family to which he is very much devoted. He and his family worship at the Catholic Church of Montrose. He is fraternally affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and so are his sons, Peter and William.
John Doll .- John Doll and his capable wife settled upon their 160- acre farm in Walker township in February, 1896. The place had little or no improvements worthy of the name. Since that time they have developed one of the most attractive farms in Henry County and the Doll farm is now improved with a very pretty white cottage, a large, well-kept barn, three sheds, and the entire tract is fenced with wire. The Doll farms embrace 480 acres in all, 160 acres of which is located in White Oak township and is cultivated by Mr. Doll and his sons, and he has 160 acres additional in Walker township. The 160-acre farm near White Oak Church is the old Jacob Barth place. Mr. Doll received 120 acres by inheritance from his father's estate.
John Doll was born in 1859 in Greene County, Ohio and is a son of John Doll, a biography of whom is given in connection with the sketch of William Doll in this volume. Mr. Doll came to Henry County in 1867 from Illinois, where his parents had removed from Ohio in 1862. He was married October 20, 1895, to Miss Helen Barth, who was born on the Barth homestead in White Oak township, February 23, 1870, a daughter of John and Mary (Lebold) Barth, a sketch of whom appears in this volume and who are mentioned in many places in this. work. John Barth was one of the most successful of the Henry County pioneer citi-
JOHN DOLL AND FAMILY
497
HENRY COUNTY HISTORY
zens and left a large estate. The beginning of the Barth fortunes in Mis- souri was a gift of 487 acres which was given to Mr. and Mrs. Barth from the Lebold estate. The five children of John and Maria (Lebold) Barth, each received 96 acres from this estate, and Mr. Barth gave each child an additional acreage so as to round out an 160-acre farm.
When Mr. and Mrs. John Doll settled on the tract they paid $100 for the existing improvements, which were of a negligible character. They at once set to work and in the course of time, and by means of hard work and good management, they created a splendid and highly pro- ductive farm. They have built up the fertility of the land, which too often, in this section of Missouri, becomes worn out through a succession of the same cropping. They have added other acreage and now own 480 acres of valuable farm land. Three children have been born to John and Helen Doll: Herman William, born September 14, 1896, was married to Cora Woirhaye, October 31, 1917, and is farming in Walker township; Emmet John, born November 16, 1899; Roy Samuel, born January 21, 1903.
While Mr. Doll has generally been an adherent of the Republican party, he takes pride in the fact that he cast his vote for President Woodrow Wilson at the last Presidential election. He and Mrs. Doll were originally members of the Lucas Methodist Episcopal Church, but they and the children are now members of the White Oak Methodist Church and attend the Sunday school at the latter place.
Judge Thomas W. Ogg .- Popular with all classes of the people of Henry County, well read and progressive in his ideas and actions, having a splendid record as a public official who has truly and faithfully served his county to the best of his ability, Judge Thomas W. Ogg of Clinton and Bethlehem townships is a leading and foremost citizen of Henry County.
Thomas W. Ogg was born in Madison County, Kentucky, November 24, 1859, and is the son of St. Clair and Sallie Ann (Todd) Ogg, the for- mer of whom was born in Virginia and the latter was a native of Ken- tucky. Sallie Ann Todd was a cousin of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln and a member of the famous Todd family of Kentucky and Illinois. St. Clair Ogg was killed during the Civil War, being shot from ambush in 1864. Being a southerner by birth and instinct his sympathies were naturally with the Southland in the great conflict. Having lost an arm which had been torn off by a threshing machine he was unable to enter military
498
HENRY COUNTY HISTORY
service, but being somewhat outspoken in his sympathies despite the fact that he was a non-combatant, he met death at the hands of a skulker .. He was father of the following children, besides Thomas W., namely: Kansas Belle, died in 1878; Mrs. Martha Gaines, makes her home with Judge Ogg; and three died in infancy.
In the fall of 1865 the family settled in Howard County, Missouri, near the town of Glasgow. Twelve years later, in 1878, they came to Henry County and spent the first two years of their residence here in Brownington. In 1880 Mr. Ogg settled on his present farm in Bethle- hem township, upon which he has placed all of the improvements. The Ogg farm consists of 157 acres, 120 acres of which is in the home tract and thirty-seven acres are in pasture land. During his residence in Clin- ton while attending to his official duties Judge Ogg rented his farm with the inevitable result of the land and buildings being neglected and allowed to get into a state of disrepair. In the spring of 1918, believing it to be every citizen's paramount duty to assist the country in producing more and more crops, especially if a land owner, he left his beautiful and com- fortable home in the city of Clinton and returned to the farm, where he has been busily engaged in cultivating this year's crops and placing the farm buildings in good repair.
October 11, 1891, Judge Thomas W. Ogg and Miss Josie F. Massey were united in marriage. Mrs. Josie F. Ogg was born in North Carolina July 2, 1869, and is the daughter of Rufus H. and Christina (Dalton) Massey, natives of North Carolina. Mrs. Christina Massey was a niece of General Poindexter, her mother having been a sister of the general. Rufus H. Massey was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, and Chris- tina Massey was born in Stokes, County, Virginia. The Masseys came to Henry County in the spring of 1880 and settled in Bethlehem town- ship, east of Clinton, where Rufus H. died in 1895. Christina Massey departed this life in 1893. They were parents of ten children, four of whom are living, besides Mrs. Massey: Dudley, residing in Arkansas; Robert, a farmer in Bethlehem township; Mrs. Amy Cummings, Adair, Oklahoma; Mrs. Ida Cummings, Adair, Oklahoma. The mother of Judge Thomas W. Ogg resides with her son. She was born July 17, 1831, and is one of the oldest pioneer women of Henry County.
Judge Ogg has been a life long Democrat and is prominent in the councils of his party in Missouri. His official career is one of which any citizen can well be proud. He was elected district judge of the County
499
HENRY COUNTY HISTORY
Court in 1902 and served four years in this capacity, following which he filled the office of presiding judge of the court for four years. During his tenure of office the indebtedness, bonded and otherwise, of Henry County was paid and the foundation of the whole financial structure of the government of Henry County was laid on modern and substantial lines, taking the place of former easy going and indifferent methods pursued by the county. The county business was placed upon a substan- tial plane and since that time affairs in Henry County have proceeded smoothly and well as regards the county government. The first thing which the court did under Judge Ogg's leadership was to refund the five per cent. bonds with four per cents, a proceeding which saved the county in interest alone over $2,000 per year. Many good bridges and highways were built and the present system of county roads was undertaken, a movement which is still continuing and which makes a vast difference in the overland travel as compared to former years. The time is fast com- ing when Henry County, if the plan of road grading and dragging is con- sistently and continually carried on and more extensively, the county will have all the year around roads. The brick paving around the court house square was built and many other notable improvements were accomplished. The Public Buildings Improvement Company was organ- ized and began its efficient work. The county records had been kept in poor shape for many years, but during this notable era they were as- sembled in proper shape and rebound in substantial bindings and system- atically arranged for ready reference. The cost of this binding did not exceed $2,000. Considerable time was spent in readjusting and equaliz- ing the county taxing system, and a thorough business administration was given Henry County, setting an example for all future administrations.
Judge Ogg was elected county treasurer in 1912 and served in this important position for four years. He has made four campaigns for office in the county and has never suffered defeat. He is easily one of the most popular and best respected citizens of the county. Educated in the district schools, he has been a constant student and reader, own- ing one of the finest libraries in the county. He and Mrs. Ogg are mem- bers of the Christian Church, Judge Ogg having been an elder of the Clinton Christian Church for some years. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America.
500
HENRY COUNTY HISTORY
Homer T. Burris .- The Burris homestead east of Clinton in Bethle- hem township is one of the finest and best improved in this section of Missouri. Fifty-one years ago the parents of the late Homer T. Burris came with him to the prairies of Henry County and the family settled upon partly improved land, which during the years that have passed has responded to the touch and care of capable hands and made to blossom as the rose in the desert. A beautiful home surrounded with splendid trees and shrubbery and flowers furnishes an attractive scene which pleases the eye of the traveler.
The late Homer T. Burris was born in Knox County, Ohio, on a farm between the cities of Mt. Vernon and Newark May 31, 1846. He was the son of Dennis and Keziah (Wilcox) Burris. Dennis Burris was born near Boston, Massachusetts, and came to Ohio with his parents when eight years of age. Keziah Burris was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio with her parents when a child. She was a cousin of General Rosencranz, of Civil War fame. She was the daughter of Franklin Crandle Wilcox, who married a Miss Joanna Stark, a descendant of Col. John Stark, of Revolutionary fame. Homer T. Burris was reared in Knox County and served as a member of a one hundred day regiment of Union soldiers during the Civil War. He was in service with the "Squirrel Hunters," who were called out to protect the city of Cincinnati when that city was threatened by Gen. John Morgan during his famous raid through Ohio.
September 26, 1867, Homer T. Burris and Miss Annabel Roberts were united in marriage. To this union were born six children: May, wife of F. B. Henry, Bethlehem township, mother of two children: Merle F. Henry, born June 10, 1897, enlisted in the National Army for overseas service in France in June, 1917, and Mildred, a teacher in the public schools; Mrs. Cora Massey, living on the adjoining farm, mother of two children, Rufus Homer and Ruth; John D., managing the Burris home place, married Florence Campbell and has one child, Irene; Grace Burris, at home with her mother; Walter, died at age of thirty-two years, and Homer Clyde, died in infancy.
Mrs. Annabel Burris was born October 22, 1845, in Knox County, Ohio, and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Jones) Roberts, both natives of Ohio. John Roberts was the son of Abram Roberts, a pioneer of Knox County, Ohio. Elizabeth Roberts was the daughter of Nelson Jones, a native of Maryland. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs.
501
HENRY COUNTY HISTORY
Homer T. Burris made the long trip to Henry County, Missouri, to build a permanent home on the prairies of western Missouri. They were ac- companied by the parents of Mr. Burris and all lived together while build- ing up their farm and creating a beautiful home, which is modeled after an old Buckeye farmstead. The Burris farm comprises 200 acres of fertile and well tilled land. Homer T. Burris departed this life July 11, 1904, sincerely mourned by a host of friends in Henry County. His death was a distinct loss to the community in which he had become such a use- ful citizen. He was progressive and enterprising in all things and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Clinton, Missouri.
Homer T. Burris was a man of kindly and loving disposition who was devoted to his family and children. He wa's a home man in all things and never allowed outside matters to distract his attention to what he rightly considered his paramount duty to his home and family interests. . As a result he prospered and left his widow in comfortable circumstances. Henry county is the better for citizens of the Burris type of manhood and progressiveness.
Logan S. Lawler .- The late Logan S. Lawler was born in St. Clair County, Missouri, July 21, 1859, and departed this life at his home in Bethlehem township, Henry County, August 4, 1917. He was the son of Rev. William B. and Amelia (Molder) Lawler. William B. Lawler was born in North Carolina. Rev. William B. Lawler was born in North Caro- lina November 4, 1821, and went to Tennessee with his parents when six years old. He was the son of Evan and Sarah (Barker) Lawler, the former of whom was born in North Carolina July 27, 1799, and the latter was born October 10, 1799. Amelia (Molder) Lawler was born in Ten- nessee June 8, 1822, and was married to Rev. W. B. Lawler November 21, 1843.
To Rev. William B. and Amelia Lawler were born children as fol- lows : Daniel E., John T., William A., Sarah A., Mary J., James W., Alfred F., Logan S., Theodosia and Robert G. Lawler. Rev. William B. Lawler was a minister of the Baptist Church and preached the Gospel for forty- six years in St. Clair and Henry Counties. He was a farmer as well as being a minister and was well and highly regarded by the people living in an extensive section of territory over which he traveled and organized Baptist Churches.
William B. Lawler and family moved to a farm near Windsor, Mis- souri, in 1865 and some time later settled in Bethlehem township, where
502
HENRY COUNTY HISTORY
Robert G. Lawler now resides. When Logan S. attained his majority he bought eighty acres of land nine miles east of Clinton and erected a good home. He became owner of 410 acres of land in this locality, which is now being managed by his eldest son, Berry Lawler. He was an extensive live stock man who bought grain to feed to his stock as well as feeding all grain raised on the land.
December 27, 1891, Logan S. Lawler and Miss Zora Scott were united in marriage. To this marriage have been born children as follow: Lydia, at home; Mrs. Eula Gray, Roseland, Missouri; Ruth, at home; Berry, man- ager of the home farm, born April 16, 1900, an industrious and enterpris- ing young man; Ora, at home; Arthur and Luther (twins), the former residing at home and the latter is deceased. The mother of these chil- dren was born in Cooper County, Missouri, July 13, 1868, the daughter of Byron and Lydia Jane (Hornbeck) Scott, who came to Henry County, Missouri, in 1882. Byron Scott was born June 12, 1849, and makes his home in Clinton. Mrs. Scott is deceased.
Logan S. Lawler was prominent and was widely known throughout the county as one of its best and most enterprising citizens. He was very influential as a citizen and man of affairs throughout the county. His death was a distinct loss to Henry County in many ways. He is buried in Englewood Cemetery, one mile east of Clinton.
Edward B. Delozier, a retired farmer and Union veteran of Leesville, Henry County, was born on a farm nine miles south of Osceola in St. Clair County, Missouri. He is the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Carl- ton) Delozier, natives of Kentucky, who made a settlement in St. Clair County, Missouri, as early as 1836. The greater part of this county was then a wilderness and the settlers all erected log cabins from timber cut out of the dense forests. The Deloziers lived in St. Clair County until 1862 and then settled in Benton County, just over the line not far from Leesville. Edward Delozier was widely known and prominent in his locality and was familiarly and affectionately called "Uncle Ned." He was father of nine children: James, lives in Oklahoma; Thomas, de- ceased; Edward B., of this review; Crumblett, Chelsea, Oklahoma; Mrs. Elizabeth Dodson, a widow living in St. Clair County; Mary Jane, de- ceased; Anne, wife of Isaac Wilson, Henry County; Mrs. Louise Jacobs, Nowata, Oklahoma.
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.