USA > Missouri > Henry County > History of Henry County, Missouri > Part 44
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Edward B. Delozier enlisted April 1, 1862, at Warsaw, Benton County, in Company F, in the 8th Missouri State Militia, and served with the
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Union Army for three years, receiving his honorable discharge at Spring- field, Missouri, April 1, 1865. He fought in many battles and engage- ments in Missouri and Arkansas and took part in the memorable battle of Lone Jack, receiving severe wounds in the face and shoulder, the scars of which show to this day. He received his wounds on August 1, 1862, and was in a hospital for two months. Other battles in which he par- ticipated were: Newtonia, Jefferson City (1864), the Battle of the Big Blue, where Price's forces were routed and sent trekking toward Arkan- sas ; battle of Independence, Missouri; Pleasanton, Kansas (1864), and on through Kansas, Missouri and down into Arkansas the army with which his command was a part, performing their duty of driving Generals Price, Marmaduke and Shelby out of the country. His last fight was at New- tiona and arrayed against them were "Fighting Jo Shelby's" famous com- mand, which they routed.
After residing in Benton County one year, Mr. Delozier settled upon a farm just east of Leesville, Henry County. For four years he carried the mail between Clinton and Leesville, making seven years in Gov- ernment service. He became owner of sixty acres which he improved and to which he has added until he now owns a total of 182 acres. Of late years this aged veteran has turned over the management of his farm to others and is living a comfortable retired life at Leesville, doing all within his power to assist his beloved country to win in the present great World War.
Mr. Delozier has been twice married. His first marriage took place December 28, 1861, with Martha McDonald, who died in 1868, leaving two children: Thomas, Pueblo, Colorado; Lucy, wife of Horace McLain, near Calhoun. One child died in infancy. The second marriage took place in 1875, with Mary Chastain, who was born February 25, 1856, on a farm one mile north of Leesville, the daughter of Jerry and Tabitha (Young) Chastain, the latter of whom is past eighty-three years of age. The Chastains came to Henry County from Clinton County in an early day.
The following children were born to Edward B. and Mary Delozier: Mrs. Laura Kennedy, living near Eldorado Springs, Vernon County, Mis- souri; Asa, Rockville, Missouri; Rufus and William, farmers living near Leesville; Israel, Rockville, Missouri; Jerry, Benton County, Missouri ; Mrs. Lulu Bradley, Leesville; Ada, wife of Homer Carlton, a farmer liv- ing near Leesville; Ethel, at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. De- lozier have thirty grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
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The Republican party has always had the allegiance of Mr. Delozier, and he and Mrs. Delozier are members of the Tebo Baptist Church. He is a member of the Dan McCook Post No. 312 Grand Army of the Republic.
John Barth .- Few pioneer citizens have contributed more to the building up of Henry County than the late John Barth. To the credit of this worthy departed citizen of this county are many things which can be recorded in the annals of his adopted country. Besides the amass- ing of wealth, he was a creator and builder, who looked far into the future. Mr. Barth contributed to the commonwealth, one of the largest and best families in the community. The children of this pioneer, instead of leav- ing the locality of their births and rearing, chose to remain under the tutelage of a good and wise parent who thoughtfully provided for them a place in the community rather than to see them venture into fields unknown. He lived to see them comfortably situated and earning their way on excellent farms throughout the vicinity of their early home. His liberality to religious and civic works was a proverb; his kindliness was marked and his name will long be revered and respected among the peo- ple of Henry County as one who did well his work and who left behind him a record of which his descendants may well be proud.
John Barth was born in Wertemberg, Germany, January 10, 1838, and died at his home near Lucas, Missouri, June 6, 1917. When a lad of fourteen years of age he came to America and was reared to young manhood in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. During his boyhood days he worked hard and often for a wage of fourteen cents per day. His early life's experiences taught him the value of a dollar. He was mar- ried in Ohio to Maria Lebold, on September 21, 1862. This marriage was blessed with five children, as follow: John W., Mrs. Dora Gretzinger, Mrs. Helen Doll, Mrs. Lizzie Doll, and Jacob S. Barth. Mrs. Maria Lebold Barth died January 12, 1874. On November 4, 1875, Mr. Barth was mar- ried to Sophia Rombold, who died May 27, 1911. Ten children were born of this marriage; nine of whom are living: Albert H., Maggie, de- ceased; Mrs. Clara Sevier, Josie, George, Tressie, Mrs. Ida Henny, Robert, Walter, and David.
Mr. Barth left his Ohio home and came to Henry County in 1868, settling in this county. The beginning of the Barth family fortunes in Missouri was a gift of a tract of 487 acres of land which came from John Lebold, father of Mrs. Maria Lebold Barth. Mr. Lebold had pre- viously invested in this land which was unimproved and was bought at
MRS. MARIA (LEBOLD) BARTH.
JOHN BARTH,
MRS. SOPHIA (ROMBOLD) BARTH.
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a time when much of the area of northwestern Henry County was un- developed prairie. Mr. and Mrs. Barth soon created a home in Henry County and prospered as the years passed, John Barth becoming one of the large land owners of western Missouri and a prominent and influential figure in the life of the county. Mr. Barth first settled in White Oak township and in later years erected a splendid farm home which is now owned by his youngest son, David Barth.
During his long and active career he accumulated an estate of over 2,280 acres of land, all of which he divided among his fourteen children as they became of age and desired to make homes of their own. His estate was valued at over $100,000. Mr. Barth was one of the promoters of the town of Urich and gave land for a part of the Urich townsite. He was president of the Farmers Bank of Urich, and was always found in the forefront of all worthy movements tending to advance the interests of his home community and county.
Mr. Barth was a Lutheran in his religious belief and he was known as an honest, dependable, and upright citizen. His place in the history of Henry County is assured for all time to come as one of the pioneers who had a broad and comprehensive vision of the development of this section of the Middle West and who profited through his confidence in the ultimate prosperity of the neighborhood in which he created his home.
William F. Smith .- The store of William F. Smith, located at Coal, Henry County, Missouri, is, without doubt, the finest country merchandise store in western Missouri. Taking charge of this establishment in 1906, with very little previous training or experience in merchandising, the proprietor built up the business and placed this store upon a plane far ahead and above the average of general country stores. The spick and span appearance of the store interior, the modern fixtures bright with paint and varnish, attract the eye and please the patrons and visitors who stop to admire the extraordinary appearance, as contrasted with the usual cluttered up and untidy appearance of the average country store. When Mr. Smith took charge of the business the stock of goods would not ex- ceed over $475 in value by the actual invoice. Mr. Smith moved the old building, cut an arch and built over the main store room. The main floor is 22x58 feet with two store rooms in addition. The stock of goods carried is valued at $10,000, and only the best of merchandise is carried.
The Smith store is also an exchange depot, and large quantities of produce are taken in exchange for goods which are hauled to Clinton
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for shipment. The goods are all arranged on the departmental plan and the Smith store will compare favorably with the best in the cities.
The Smith store at Coal, Missouri, was first established in 1890 and known for a time as the Wheeler store. The location is an excellent one but for some reason or other the venture did not prosper and was losing money for the owners when Mr. Smith took charge in March, 1894. For four years he operated the business as manager and then, in partnership with his father, George F. Smith, purchased the business. Father and son owned the store together until 1906, when the present proprietor took charge as sole owner of the business. No greater success is re- corded in mercantile circles in the rural districts of Henry County or western Missouri than that of W. F. Smith, the merchant at Coal. The fame of this store has spread far and near.
William F. Smith was born four and a half miles south of Coal, on his father's farm in Leesville township, January 3, 1870. He is the son of George F. Smith, a pioneer settler of Henry County, concerning whom an extended review is given in this volume. Mr. Smith received his edu- cation in the district schools and when twenty-four 'years of age he en- gaged in the mercantile business with hardly any intention of remaining in the business indefinitely. His practical intention was to close out the business later, but as the years passed he found that he was adapted to the business and has achieved a marked success. At first he and his brother bought the store in partnership and planned to close out the stock. The following February his brother George was accidentally shot, and William F. took hold as related in a preceding paragraph.
November 27, 1894, William F. Smith and Mary E. Parks were united in marriage. Mrs. Mary E. Smith is the daughter of J. T. Parks, a resi- dent of the village of Coal. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children: Flossie May, wife of Clyde H. Tope, and has one child, Pauline; Ura V., a pupil in the eighth grade of the public schools; and Erie H. Smith.
Mr. Smith has always been a Democrat and served as trustee of Lees- ville township when the present system of township government was in- stituted. He served two terms in this office. He and Mrs. Smith are members of the Presbyterian Church.
John J. Herst .- Over a half century has elapsed since John J. Herst came to his homestead of 120 acres in Bethlehem township, Henry County, and he has grown old with Henry County and improved with time. He is one of the real pioneers of this section of Missouri.
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John J. Herst was born in Kentucky August 31, 1838, the son of Campbell and Sallie (Sharp) Herst, both natives of Kentucky. Mr. Herst's ancestors on his father's side were of Swedish origin. His ancestry on his mother's side were Irish. The Herst family came to Missouri in 1857 and settled in Bethlehem township, one mile east and a little south of where John J. Herst resides. Campbell Herst bought an improved farm which boasted a good house and a growing orchard and he lived there until the end of his days. Five children were reared out of six born to Campbell and Sallie Herst, as follow; Mrs. Sallie Ann Geston, Clinton, Missouri; John J.,; Jobe S., died in the Confederate service during the Civil War; Mrs. Jennie Jane Cheatham, Clinton; Sylvester Clay, living on the old family homestead.
In August of 1862, John J. Herst enlisted in the Confederate Army in Captain Bowen's company and joined the main command of the di- vision assigned to him at Fayetteville, Arkansas. Company K was re- organized under Captain Bunolt, and assigned to the 16th (Jackson's) Regiment of Missouri Infantry in which Mr. Herst served until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Lone Jack, Prairie Grove, Little Rock, Arkansas, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill and Helena, Arkansas. At Helena he was shot through the left thigh near the groin by a grape shot and was laid up for some time. After his recovery from this wound he again entered the service and surrendered with the Confederate forces at Shreveport, Louisiana, and returned home to resume the peaceful pur- suits of agriculture.
Getting hold of a little money, Mr. Herst bought calves and ranged them over the open prairies for some years, building up herds of cattle each year until he had obtained enough good, honest money to buy his farm. Besides his home place he is owner of seventy-three acres located ten miles south on Grand River.
Mr. Herst was married in 1861 to Miss Narcissa Lee, who was born in Howard County, Missouri, December 15, 1838, and has borne him chil- dren as follow: James, lives in Colorado; Mrs. Sallie Ann De Ceyson, Clinton, Missouri; Naomi Lee McGinness, Leesville township; Mrs. Mary Lucinda Tanner, living near Humansville, Polk County, Missouri; Mrs. Edna Margaret Johnson, lives in Nebraska.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Herst has consistently voted this ticket since attaining his majority. He and Mrs. Herst worship according to the Baptist faith and are among the oldest and best respected residents
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of this section of Henry County. During his younger days Mr. Herst shot many wild turkeys and had several exciting wolf hunts. He recalls that he winged three wild turkeys in less than an hour's shooting, long ago.
John F. Shoemaker, chairman of the Bethlehem Township Division of the Henry County Council of Defense and leader in the activities in his township toward furthering the cause of America in the great World War for the safety of the cause of democracy throughout the world, is a progressive and successful agriculturist whose beautiful home and well kept and highly productive farm gives every evidence of thrift, industry and prosperity. The Shoemaker farm in Bethlehem township consists of 140 acres, fifty acres of which produced a total of 1,000 bushels of wheat during the past season. Mr. Shoemaker is renting 125 acres addi- tional land, making 265 acres in all, which he is farming.
John F. Shoemaker was born in Indiana June 5, 1869, son of Edward and Miriam (Stannard) Shoemaker. The former was a native of New Jersey and the latter of Ohio.
Edward Shoemaker came to Henry County, Missouri, in 1883 and settled on a farm located one mile north of his son's present place and resided on his Missouri farm until his death in 1907 at the age of sixty- eight years. Mrs. Miriam Shoemaker died in 1885. Edward and Miriam Shoemaker were parents of five children: Viola, deceased; one child died in infancy ; Zella, deceased; John F., of this review; Mrs. Belle Logan, Leesville township.
John F. Shoemaker bought his first farm in 1894. This farm was a small one consisting of but thirty-five acres. He resided on that farm until he purchased seventy-seven and one-half acres of his present farm in 1906. To this tract he added sixty acres in 1908. Since taking pos- session of this farm he has been constantly improving it and making it more productive until the Shoemaker farm is one of the best in Henry County.
In 1894 John F. Shoemaker was united in marriage with Mary Brown, the daughter of Harry P. Brown, one of the oldest settlers of Bethle- hem township. Two children have been born to this marriage: Owen L., born July 23, 1898, and the second child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker have an adopted daughter, Maude, aged thirteen years.
Mr. Shoemaker has long been active and influential in public affairs in his township and county. He has served as road overseer and trustee of Bethlehem township and is one of the leaders of the Democratic party
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in Henry County. He is a member of the board of trustees which have charge of the upkeep and improvement of the State Inter-County Seat Highway and is an enthusiastic advocate of a permanent good road sys- tem for Henry County. He is active in home war work and is chairman of the Bethlehem division of the Henry County Council of Defense. It will thus be seen that he is a very busy citizen, engrossed as he is with much public work of an honorary and useful character and the cultiva- tion of his farm.
Francis Marion Calvird .- The Calvird family is one of the oldest, most influential and prominent families of Henry County, and Francis Marion Calvird, pioneer settler of Davis township, proprietor of 337 acres of rich farm land, is a worthy representative of this old family. Mr. Calvird has resided in Missouri since 1850 with the exception of a few years and has grown old and prospered with the county.
F. M. Calvird was born January 8, 1848, in Kentucky, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Peters) Calvird, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. The Calvirds came to Franklin County, Mis- souri, in 1850, but conditions not being exactly to the liking of Thomas Calvird, they removed to St. Clair County, Missouri, and resided in that county until death called them. Thomas Calvird died in 1858 and Mrs. Calvird departed this life in 1875. They were parents of the following children : W. B., of Newton County, Missouri; Henry T., died in St. Clair County ; Mrs. May Severs, a widow living at Clinton, Missouri; Charles, judge of the District Court at Clinton, Missouri; Julia, wife of Miles Price, died in Henry County.
Francis M. Calvird left St. Clair County in 1869 and roamed all over the southland, visiting nearly every State in the South while engaged in railroading. He began his railroad career in the employ of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company, and worked as a railroad man for four years. In 1873 he returned to Henry County and began raising cattle. Even at this time there were large areas of free range over which cattle were allowed to graze unhindered by fencing or other barriers. Mr. Calvird took advantage of this condition and made his first money by herding his own cattle. As the country became more settled the free ranges were cut up into farms, he decided to abandon the ranging of cattle and get a farm of his own. He bought his first land in 1883, when he traded a bunch of cattle for forty acres in the northern part of Davis township. He erected his first home on this tract, but later bought his
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present farm on the State highway, west of Clinton in Davis township, consisting of 160 acres. This farm is well improved with a well built residence and other buildings situated upon a high point of ground from which the land gently slopes to the northward. The soil is very fertile, the Calvird farm of 337 acres being one of the most valuable in Henry County, and is noted for the big crops raised thereon from year to year.
In 1876 Francis M. Calvird was united in marriage with Miss Anna Boyd, who was born in Warren County, Missouri, the daughter of Judge Joseph and Elizabeth (Adkins) Boyd, old pioneers and prominent people of Henry County. Six children were born to this union: Nettie, wife of Riley Hibler, Clinton, Missouri, mother of two children, Enid and Locke Hibler; Samuel Joseph, a rancher in the Panhandle country of Texas, married Kate Shye and has three children, Helen, Bernice and an infant child; Lucy, wife of Thomas Rogers, Kansas City, Missouri, has two chil- dren, Calvird and Thomas William Rogers; Frank Lee, farmer, Davis township, married Pauline Heney and has two children, Anna and Boyd Calvird; Sallie V .; Charles B., at home, married Nannie Gillilan.
Mr. Calvird is a Democrat. Although he was reared in the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he is a member of the Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church. He is one of the best respected and widely known citizens of Henry County who has accomplished more than the average citizen in this county.
Claude Lingle .- The Clinton Auto Company, established in March, 1916, while one of the newer business enterprises of Clinton, is a leading automobile concern of Henry County. The business is installed in a large room near the northwest corner of the court house square in Clinton and is in a thriving and prosperous condition, due to the enterprise and hust- ling proclivities of the manager and proprietor, Claude Lingle, one of the younger business men of Henry County and a native born citizen of Clin- ton. A repair department is maintained in connection with the salesroom for the convenience of the automobile owners and the patrons of the estab- lishment. The concern sells the Studebaker and Chevrolet automobiles and have little difficulty in disposing of the cars which they are able to obtain from the factory. Square dealing and honest and dependable business methods have made the Clinton Auto Company a popular con- cern in Henry County and the company's many patrons have no complaint of the treatment accorded them. In fact, Mr. Lingle emphasizes the point that every care is to be taken of the needs of their many patrons.
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When a sale is made a friend is gained and retained. Associated with Mr. Lingle in the conduct of the business is his father, James H. Lingle, and J. N. Crews. Claude Lingle was born in Clinton, Missouri, October 24, 1879, and is the son of James H. and Lillie (Whitehead) Lingle, well known residents of Clinton.
James H. Lingle was born in Warsaw, Benton County, Missouri, Sep- tember 20, 1854. He is the son of John S. and Elizabeth (Cleveland) Lingle, the latter of whom was a native of Kentucky died in 1862. John S. Lingle was born in Pennsylvania in 1808 of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and died in Sedalia, Missouri in October, 1893. His remains rest by the side of his wife in the cemetery at Warsaw, Missouri. John S. Lingle came to Missouri during the early thirties and followed his profession of bookkeeper, in the employ of leading business firms in Warsaw, for a number of years. He assisted in making the survey of a portion of the territory embraced in Henry and Benton counties during the period when this entire section of Missouri was known as Rives County and the popu- lation was sparse, much of the land being an unreclaimed wilderness. He was a good bookkeeper and always held excellent positions. After the close of the Civil War he removed to Sedalia and was there employed for a number of years by leading business concerns of the city as an expert bookkeeper, always dependable and trustworthy. To John S. and Elizabeth Lingle were born seven children: George R., T. J., W. P., James H., all residing in Clinton; B. R. Lingle, Warsaw, Missouri; Mrs. Rosa Early, Sedalia, Missouri; and Mrs. Susan Hastie, Green Ridge, Missouri.
James H. Lingle was educated in the schools of Warsaw and Sedalia and early learned the trade of printer. He was employed in the office of the Windsor "Courier" for some time and for a number of years was with the Sedalia "Democrat." He removed to Clinton in 1877 and was employed by Lingle Brothers as foreman and practical head of the Henry County Democrat, and remained in charge of the news department of this paper after it was purchased by C. H. Whitaker. For thirty-nine years he was foreman and the real head of the "Democrat" and remained with this newspaper until April 1, 1918, when he took up his duties with the Clinton Auto Company. Mr. Lingle was married in 1875 to Miss Lillie Whitehead, of Sedalia, a daughter of Edmund and Sarah Whitehead, both of whom are deceased. To this marriage were born two children: Edmund Stoner, who died at the age of fourteen years; and Claude Lingle, subject of this review. Mr. Lingle is prominent in the affairs of the Modern
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Wooden of America, and has represented this order in three national conventions and is the present national delegate of the order. He has been a life-long Democrat.
Claude Lingle was educated in the Clinton public schools and the Clinton Business College, graduating from the latter institution in 1898. He was then employed in a hardware store for one year. For the fol- lowing eighteen years he was engaged in the telephone business as expert lineman in charge of the district between Sedalia and Nevada. In the meantime he became interested in the automobile business and established himself as owner of the Clinton Auto Company in March, 1916, while still engaged in telephone work. A natural aptitude for the business, an agreeable manner, and possessed of decided business ability, he is mak- ing a success of the business.
On August 27, 1916, Mr. Lingle was united in marriage with Miss Cora Elizabeth Padfield, of Clinton, a daughter of Isaac H. and Sallie Pad- field, the former of whom is deceased and the latter lives in Clinton. Mr. Lingle is a Democrat, but confines his interest in political matters to casting his vote. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and Mrs. Lingle is a member of the Baptist Church.
George W. Bailey .- For over forty years, George W. Bailey has re- sided in Walker township and has accumulated a splendid farm of 281 acres. Three farm residences are located upon this large farm, two of which Mr. Bailey erected himself, and also placed all other buildings upon the land. For many years he has been an extensive breeder and feeder of Shorthorn cattle and has about fifty head of cattle on the place at the present time. Of late years, Mr. Bailey has been renting out the greater part of his land.
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