USA > Missouri > Henry County > History of Henry County, Missouri > Part 59
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Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are members of the Presbyterian Church and they have a broad social acquaintance in western Henry County and are of the representative and highly respected citizens of this county.
Harry A. Stewart .- Great enterprises and conceptions of projects for the benefit of future generations, as well as those who are here today, require self-sacrifice, and while it may not be considered an important event in the progress of general civilization and the stride of the world's events, the reclamation of a large portion of the most fertile part of Henry County is and has been an important question, locally. When men con- ceive the possibilities of even a thousand per cent. dividends return upon an investment, and offer a plan to bring about such a condition, scoffers and the pessimistic doubters always question the possibility of success in such a project. The reclamation of the overflow district of Henry County has met with this opposition but it has had behind it the best men in this locality, men of broad visions, men capable of foresight, and it would appear that the matter of reclaiming the overflow land of Henry County
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has been like that of reclaiming the district of the Nile in Egypt. It seems that men who have favored this project and given to it their best en- deavor, have been students of the world's ancient history, but at all times they have had their troubles in impressing upon their short sighted neigh- bors the value and the immensity of the project at hand. Mr. Stewart early recognized the value of reclamation in Henry County and has devoted much time to this work, which was begun in 1909. The plan was to fur- nish suitable drainage to an area of seven thousand acres. The main ditch is nine miles long with laterals of about two and one-half miles, the expense of the entire project being about $90,000. Mr. Stewart has been one of the hard workers for the successful carrying out of this project, serving as secretary and treasurer of the drainage district, and has de- voted much time, energy and financial assistance, and with great gratifi- cation he has seen the reward of his efforts in Henry County.
H. A. Stewart is a native son of Henry County. He was born about eight miles south of Clinton, August 27, 1860, and is a son of Dr. John W. Stewart and Caroline (Sanders) Stewart. The father was a native of Mississippi and was one of the pioneer physicians of Henry County. He read medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and practiced medicine in this county for over twenty years. He was a veteran of the Mexican War and came to Missouri in the early sixties. He and his wife are now deceased, and their remains are interred in the Engle- wood Cemetery at Clinton, Missouri. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children: Mrs. Blanche Mitchell, now deceased; H. A., the subject of this sketch; John W., deceased; Mary, married B. N. Stewart; Naomi, married B. L. Tisdale, Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Harry Nelson, who lives in Oklahoma; G. L., Urich, Missouri, and Mrs. Kate Sigel, Clinton, Missouri.
Harry A. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Mullins, a daughter of William Mullins, a pioneer of White Oak township, now de- ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Stewart have been born the following children: John B., who enlisted in the United States army in 1917 and is now in the service in France; William L., who enlisted in the United States Navy in 1912 and is now in the service in Navy hospital department; Mil- dred, married Harry Allen, Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Stewart is one of the progressive and patriotic citizens of Henry County, and is devoting much time and labor to war work. He has much to his credit in the great world struggle for democracy, and is one of Henry County's.citizens who
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can be counted on all the time in furthering the interest of his Uncle Samuel, regardless of the cost to himself. He is a member of the time honored Masonic Lodge and also holds membership in the Modern Wood- men of America. Henry County has many good citizens of whom it is justly proud, but none stands higher than H. A. Stewart.
Harry P. Smith, of the firm of Smith & Graham, leading furniture dealers and undertakers of Urich, Missouri, and mayor of Urich, is a na- tive son of Henry County. He was born in Bogard township, this county, December 21, 1871, and is a son of William L. and Selina (Dewberry) Smith. The father was a native of western New York, born in 1823, and his wife was a native of England, who came to America with her uncle and Rasho Black when she was fifteen years of age. The father died in March, 1881, and the mother died in January, 1911, and the father is buried in Grant Cemetery in Cass County, Missouri. Mrs. Smith's remains were interred in Urich Cemetery. The Smith family settled in Henry County shortly after the Civil War, locating in Bogard township. The father was a plasterer by trade and after coming to this county he worked at his trade at intervals. He served for six years in the United States Navy and during the Civil War he served in the Union Army, being a member of Company F, 78th Regiment Illinois Infantry. During the course of his military service he participated in many important battles and cam- paigns, among which might be mentioned Sherman's march to the sea. After the close of the war he was mustered out of service by general order of the war department, June 7, 1865. To William L. and Salina (Dewberry) Smith were born the following children: Mrs. Maria Helms, Creighton, Missouri; G. R., Greencastle, Indiana; Edward C., deceased; C. F., farmer in Bogard township; Mrs. Susie Depew, Urich, Missouri; Harry P., the subject of this sketch; Albert E., died in 1896, and Mark D., farmer in Bogard township.
Harry P. Smith was reared to manhood on the home farm in Henry County and received his education in the public schools. He began his mercantile career in Urich in the confectionary business, which he fol- lowed for three years. He was then clerk in a dry goods store about three years in Urich, and then in partnership with Charles L. Graham, he bought out the furniture and undertaking business of Ray & Clarey. This was in 1911, and he has successfully been engaged in that business since that time.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage March 8, 1896, with Miss Amanda
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E. Graham, a daughter of James L. and Irene (Brooks) Graham. A sketch of Mr. Graham appears in this volume. Mr. Smith is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights and Ladies of Se- curity. He is one of the substantial and progressive business men of Henry County and stands high in the community. Mr. Smith has served as alder- man of Urich for two terms and is now filling the post of mayor of the city, serving his second term in this office.
Charles L. Graham, well known real estate dealer of Urich, and a member of the firm of Smith & Graham, furniture dealers and undertaking, is a native of Henry County and a member of one of the well-known pioneer families of this section of Missouri. Mr. Graham was born in Bogard town- ship, Henry County, February 17, 1872, and is a son of James L. and Irene (Brooks) Graham, both natives of Missouri. The father was one of the pioneer settlers of Henry County, locating in Bogard township at a very early day. He was prominent in local affairs and during his time was considered one of the successful farmers and stockmen of this county. To James L. and Irene (Brooks) Graham were born the following children: Mrs. Mary Lawrence, resides on the home place; B. S., Urich, Missouri ; Charles L., the subject of this sketch; Amanda, now wife of H. B. Smith, Urich, Missouri.
Charles L. Graham was reared in Henry County and spent his early life on the farm. He received his early education in the public schools and for a number of years followed farming and stock raising, later he engaged in clerking in a store in Urich. He then entered the real estate, loan and insurance business and for a number of years has been success- fully identified in that line of industry. In 1912 he entered the furniture and undertaking business in partnership with H. P. Smith and since that time he has successfully been engaged in that line of endeavor, in addition to his real estate, loan and insurance operations.
Mr. Graham was united in marriage July 20, 1903, with Miss Nannie Sadler, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Terrill) Sadler, natives of Appleton City, Missouri. Her father now resides at Urich, Missouri, and the mother is dead, having passed away in 1904, and her remains are in- terred in the cemetery at Appleton City, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Graham have been born the following children: Leonard, Rolla, Scott and Henry E.
Mr. Graham is one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of Urich, a man who does things and his citizenship is worth while to Henry
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County. He always stands ready to co-operate with and support any commendable enterprise, having for its object the development or better- ment of his town or county.
George C. Herrold, owner and proprietor of the George C. Herrold Hardware Company at Urich, Missouri, is one of the progressive business men of Henry County. Mr. Herrold was born in Knoxville, Illinois, in. 1877 and is a son of T. C. and Violetta (Biggerstoff) Herrold. The father was a native of Indiana and during the excitement attending the discovery of gold in California he made the trip overland. In 1872 he settled in Illinois and some years later removed to Iowa. In 1899 he came to Mis- souri, settling in Bogard township, Henry County. He now resides at Urich at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
To C. C. and Violetta (Biggerstoff) Herrold were born the following children: Mrs. J. B. Hollister, whose husband is now a first lieutenant in the United States Army; George C., the subject of this sketch. By a former marriage to Melvina Cherrington there were born to C. C. Herrold the following children: Henry, deceased; Daniel, John, Emma, Rachel, Marshall, Ida, Ada and Nettie.
George C. Herrold was educated in the public schools at Afton, Iowa, and when a boy began working in a hardware store at Altona, Iowa, and later worked in the hardware store at Larimer, Iowa. He came to Urich, Missouri, in 1899. He was engaged in farming for some years and in 1913 engaged in the hardware business at Urich, where he has since been en- gaged in business. Mr. Herrold carries a complete line of hardware, and is one of the leading dealers in Henry County.
Mr. Herrold was united in marriage September 20, 1902, with Mrs. Sallie M. Cheek, a daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Bradford) Winkler, of Creighton, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Herrold has been born one son, Harold C. Mr. Herrold is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
J. H. Nuckles .- Every town not only in Missouri but elsewhere de- pends for its success upon the energy, capability and enterprise of certain men. One of the leading industries not only of Urich but of other towns in Missouri too numerous to mention is the Hurley Lumber Company, and wherever the Hurley Lumber Company is found is a recognized factor in the commercial and industrial development of that locality. Their busi- ness at Urich is no exception, unless of the possibility of it being above.
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the standard. J. H. Nuckles, who represents the Hurley Lumber Com- pany here, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Bates County in 1866 and is a son of J. B. Nuckles, an early settler of western Missouri, who is a native of that part of Virginia which is now West Virginia. The father was engaged in farming and stock raising in Bates County until 1887. He then went to Appleton City, Missouri, where for four years he was en- gaged in the lumber business. He then removed to Brownington and for four years was engaged in a similar enterprise. He then went to Urich, took charge of the Hurley Lumber Company's local affairs, representing them until 1890. A few years after that he retired. He died in 1907. He was a man well known in this locality, prominent in lodge circles, being a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. His wife survived him until June 29, 1915, when she too passed to the great beyond. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Minnie Curran; Mrs. Libbie Garrison, deceased; John H., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Minta Blanchard, Dallas, Texas; J. R., Osceola, Mis- souri; Fannie Fraley, Vogue, Kansas; T. O., Creighton, Missouri; Mrs. Nessie Littlejohn, Meyronne, Canada; and two who died in infancy.
J. H. Nuckles was united in marriage in June, 1892, with Miss Anna Scarife, a daughter of Thomas B. and Mary Ann (Kent) Scarife, both natives of England, and now reside at Monticello, Nebraska. To J. H. Nuckles and wife have been born the following children: Kent B., Evelyn, Madge, John Raymond and Shirley N.
Mr. Nuckles affiliates fraternally with the time honored Masonic Lodge and also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family are progressive members of the community and the kind of citizens that are worth while.
George M. Stout .- The Stout stock farm in the southwestern part of Fairview township is admirably adapted for the purpose of raising large numbers of live stock. This farm consists of 480 acres in one body, well equipped with good buildings, the large farm residence of nine rooms being located on a high point of land which overlooks the entire ranch. Although Mr. Stout has been in possession of this splendid place for but a short period of nine years he has the place well fenced and in fine con- dition, and is constantly making improvements. In addition to the stock farm Mr. Stout owns a finely improved tract of 160 acres which he has recently purchased and which is situated near the town of Deepwater, where he intends to make his home in the near future. The Stout farm
GEORGE M. STOUT AND FAMILY
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is endowed with rich pasturage and is well watered with a flowing stream. Mr. Stout keeps from 150 to 200 head of cattle on the place each year and during the winter of 1917-1918 he fed 100 head of prime cattle for the markets. He also raises over 300 head of hogs annually. During the past spring and summer he has completed the erection of a new barn 40x50 feet in dimension, all of the work being done by himself and his sons. The entire farm is fenced with the best of woven wire fencing ma- terial and shows all the ear marks of a progressive farmer and stockman. Mr. Stout is also engaged in the buying and shipping of grain at Deep- - water.
George M. Stout was born June 2, 1866, in Tazewell County, Illinois, near the city of Pekin, and is the son of George W. and Eliza Bailey Stout, natives of Licking County, Ohio. Each went to Tazewell County, Illinois, with their parents in the early pioneer days and were there married.
George W. Stout was a soldier in the Union Army and served dur- ing the Civil War. He enlisted in an Illinois regiment of volunteer in- fantry and fought throughout the conflict. He died in 1906, only lacking seventeen days of attaining the age of ninety. Eliza Stout, his wife, died in 1907, aged seventy-five years. They were parents of ten children, seven of whom are living: Benjamin C., Nevada, Missouri; John H., Guymond, Oklahoma; Amos, Burlington, Iowa; Mrs. Maggie Lux, Parsons, Kansas; Mrs. Sarah J. Pierce, Pratt, Kansas; Mrs. Clarinda B. McNett, Nevada, Missouri; George M., subject of this review. George W. Stout removed to Missouri from Illinois in 1881 and settled at Shelbina, Missouri, where both he and his wife died and are buried in the Shelbina Cemetery.
George M. Stout followed agricultural pursuits in Shelby County, Missouri, until 1909, when he came to Henry County, and purchased his large farm of 480 acres. In the spring of 1918 he bought a finely im- proved place of 160 acres near Deepwater in Fairview township.
George M. Stout was married in 1893 to Miss Emma Thomas, who was born January 27, 1877, in Adams County, Illinois, the daughter of William and Frances (Kessler) Thomas, who located in Shelbina, Mis- souri. Ten children have been born to George M. and Emma Stout, as follow: Ruth, born November 1, 1893; Roy, born August 26, 1896; Retha, born December 27, 1897; Ralph, born May 30, 1899; Russell, born August 16, 1901; Reason, born August 27, 1903; Ruby, born August 16, 1905; Rachel, born December 30, 1909; Edith Reva, born September 20, 1912; Reta, born July 12, 1915. Ruth Stout married Frank Davis, who resides
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on a farm one mile south of the Stout homestead, and has two children, Georgie and Lola. Retha married Burt McGhuey and lives in Iowa, has one child, Alberta.
During the past season of 1918 Mr. Stout has harvested 150 acres of wheat which yielded 18.5 bushels to the acre. He has harvested forty acres of oats which yield 26.5 bushels to the acre. Fifty acres of corn are in fine growing condition and promise a great yield.
Mr. Stout is a Democrat and he generally takes a warm interest in matters political and civil. For the past nine years he has served as school director of his district. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, while Mrs. Stout and the children are Baptists.
Julius H. Schweer, assistant cashier of the Bank of Blairstown, is a native of Missouri and belongs to a pioneer family of this State. Mr. Schweer was born in Franklin County, January 24, 1862, a son of John H. and Katherine E. (Horstman) Schweer, both natives of Germany. The father came to America to escape the military system of Germany, and for many years was engaged in the mercantile business at Shotwell, Franklin County. He was prominently identified with that section and held the office of postmaster, justice of the peace and other positions of trust. He died in 1899 and his wife passed away two years later, and their remains are buried in the cemetery at Windsor. The following children were born to John H. and Katherine E. (Horstman) Schweer: Mrs. Elizzie Henneke, Gerald, Missouri; Mrs. Emma Steineker, Gerald, Missouri; Mrs. Carrie Martin, Johnson County, Missouri; G. W., Clinton, Missouri; Julius. H., the subject of this sketch; John W., died at the age of fifty-two years; Mrs. Kate A. Farrar, Windsor, Missouri; Henry A., Jamesport, Missouri; George H., Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Julius H. Schweer was educated in the public schools of Franklin County, and succeeded his father in the mercantile business at Shotwell, where he remained until 1892. He then came to Blairstown, continuing the mercantile business there until 1901, when he entered the employ of the Bank of Blairstown as assistant cashier, which position he still holds.
The Bank of Blairstown was organized in 1891 with the following officers, G. R. Hindman, president ; R. O. Atkins, vice-president, and H. R. Mccutcheon, cashier. The capital stock was $10,000, the same as it is now. The present officers of the bank are: R. O. Atkins, president; J. C. McCalmon, vice-president; W. R. Phipps, cashier, and Julius H. Schweer,
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assistant cashier. The surplus and profits are $15,000 and present deposits about $130,000.
Mr. Schweer was married September 29, 1887, to Miss Dora E. Roedder of Franklin County, Missouri. She is a daughter of John F. and Margaret (Rapps) Roedder, both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Schweer have been born three children: William, died in infancy, and Otto F., born in Franklin County April 20, 1891. He received his education in Blairstown High School and the Clinton High School and is a graduate of the Mis- souri Valley College at Marshall, Missouri, and is now serving in the United States Army as quartermaster sergeant; and Ida D., a graduate of the Clinton High School and a member of the class of 1918 of the Warrens- burg State Normal School; resides at home with her parents.
Mr. Schweer is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is one of the substantial men of Henry County, and the Schweer family stands high in the community. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a Republican in politics.
W. R. Phipps, a well known banker and financier of Blairstown, Mis- souri, cashier of the Bank of Blairstown, is a native son of Missouri and comes from a pioneer family of this State. Mr. Phipps was born in John- son County January 5, 1869, and is a son of David and Cornelia J. (Wall) Phipps. The mother was a daughter of Dr. R. Z. R. Wall, one of the very early pioneer doctors of Johnson County, who located in Chilhowee town- ship in 1839, and had much to do with the early history of Johnson County, not only from the standpoint of a physician, but a pioneer settler and citizen, who had a great influence in molding the sentiments and shaping the destiny of western Missouri in the early days. David Phipps, father of W. R. Phipps, settled in Johnson County, Missouri, in 1866. He came from Indiana and was a potent factor in the early history of Chilhowee township, Johnson County. After a well spent and useful life he died here in 1888, and his widow now resides in Chilhowee township, Johnson County. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Ida Rice, Chilhowee township, Johnson County; W. R., the subject of this sketch; Oscar D., Rose Hill township, Johnson County, Missouri; Josie, died in 1894; Walter, lives in Chilhowee township, Johnson County; Albert, died in 1901, and Harry, who is engaged in the mercantile business at Denton, Missouri.
W. R. Phipps received his education in the public schools and took a
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course in the business college at Sedalia. In 1889 he engaged in the hard- ware business at Blairstown, and continued in that line of mercantile en- terprise for about two years. In 1893 Mr. Phipps became assistant cashier of the Bank of Blairstown and in 1901 became cashier, a position which he has since held. Mr. Phipps has had a long and varied experience in the banking world, and possesses the requisite qualifications of a success- ful banker. He is conservative enough for safety and progressive enough for all purposes of modern banking. For a number of years he has been a student of the difficult problems of finance and banking, and his idea of a modern, successful bank is an institution that is big enough to accom- modate its customers and not too big to appreciate them. There is a les- son in banking for the average banker in Mr. Phipp's philosophy.
Mr. Phipps was married in January, 1899, to Miss Mary L. Orr, a daughter of Rev. Z. T. Orr, formerly of Blairstown, now of Lock Springs, Missouri. Her father was a prominent Presbyterian divine and her mother is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Phipps have an adopted child, Martha. Mr. Phipps is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is prominent in Henry County and he and Mrs. Phipps rank among the leading people of their community. He is an elder in the Pres- byterian Church at Blairstown, Missouri.
H. C. Whitaker, the well known cashier of the Farmers Bank of Blairs- town, is a native of Missouri. He was born at Weaubleau in Hickory County, October 28, 1889, a son of Rev. John and Emeline (Ernest) Whitaker, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky.
Rev. John Whitaker served in the Union Army during the Civil War and afterwards came to Missouri. He taught a private college at Weau- bleau for thirty years. This college was under the direction of the Chris- tian Church. Reverend Whitaker was not only prominent in educational and religious work, but also took a leading part in politics. He represented St. Clair County in the Legislature and represented Hickory County two terms in that body. He was a Republican, and the nominee of that party for Congress from the Seventh District. Notwithstanding that this was a strong Democratic district, Mr. Whitaker lacked but a few votes of being elected. He died in January, 1909, at Weaubleau, and his wife preceded him in death about five years. They were the parents of the following children : O. B., who lives in Hickory County, Missouri, and is now a mem- ber of the Missouri State Legislature; Minnie, married Ed Buller and is now deceased; Unie, died in childhood; S. W., cashier of the State Bank
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of Brownington, Missouri; J. S., lumberman, Walnut Grove, Missouri; Jessie, deceased; Effie, wife of Cyrus Paxton, Strome, Alberta, Canada; and H. C., the subject of this sketch.
H. C. Whitaker was reared in Hickory County and educated in the Weaubleau Christian College, where he was graduated in 1906. He then ยท taught school at Weaubleau and Brownington for two years, after which he was engaged in the lumber business in Oklahoma for one year. He was then assistant cashier of the Bank of Brownington until April 15, 1911, when he accepted the cashiership of the Farmers Bank of Blairs- town and has served in that capacity to the present time.
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