USA > Missouri > Henry County > History of Henry County, Missouri > Part 62
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James Wallace Butcher was united in marriage September 23, 1909, with Mrs. Nannie L. Keiser of Bogard township and a native of Living- ston County, Missouri. She is a daughter of William A. and Rachel Eliza- beth (Munsey) Keiser, natives of Virginia, and both now deceased, and their remains are interred in the cemetery at Newtonia, Missouri. The father was a Confederate veteran, having enlisted in the Confederate
J. WALLACE BUTCHER AND FAMILY
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Army in Virginia and served throughout the war. For eighteen months he was a Federal prisoner.
Mrs. Butcher is one of a family of nine children born to her parents: Mrs. Mary Stansberry, Tacoma, Washington; Mrs. Jennie Zachary Alex- ander, Illinois; William A., Adrian, Missouri; B. B., lives at Corsicana, Texas; Martha L., deceased; Sarah Catherine, deceased; Thomas C., de- ceased ; Elbert W.
To Mr. and Mrs. James Wallace Butcher have been born two chil- dren, Lois and Ruth Esther. The Butchers are one of the representative families of Henry County and Mr. Butcher is a progressive and enter- prising citizen.
Walter H. Doll, a well-to-do farmer of White Oak township, was born in the township where he now resides, June 30, 1882. He is the son of Leonard and Margaret (Janette) Doll, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Switzerland. Leonard Doll, the father, first lived in Ohio for a time after coming to America, and then went to Illi- nois. He came from Illinois to Missouri some years prior to the Civil War and engaged in the mercantile business at Clinton, and he was one of the first merchants there. After the close of the Civil War, he settled in White Oak township, near Lucas, and here spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1899 and was preceded in death by his wife, who died in 1896. They were the parents of the following children: Jacob, a farmer and stockman in White Oak township; Andrew, Bates County; John, who lives in White Oak township; Charles, Urich, Missouri; Maggie, now the wife of Henry Herman, Butler, Missouri; and Tena, now the wife of Max Felhauser, Clinton, Missouri.
Walter H. Doll was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools at Lucas. He remained at home with his parents, while they lived. He purchased his present place, which is located one and one-half miles southwest of Lucas, in 1908, and since locating here he has added valuable improvements to his place and it is now one of the fine farms of White Oak township. Mr. Doll is quite extensively engaged in the cattle busi- ness and also raises pure-blood spotted Poland China hogs and Oxford sheep.
Mr. Doll was married in 1908 to Miss Bertha Bunch, a daughter of Mart and Laura (Ridge) Bunch of Honey Creek township. Mart and Laura (Ridge) Bunch are the parents of the following children: Bertha, now Mrs. Walter H. Doll; George, Honey Creek township; Otto, Walker
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township; Lora, resides at home; Ruth, married Elmer Hardison; Winnie and Grace at home. To Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Doll have been born three children, Andrew, Elvis and Otto.
Mr. Doll is of the thrifty and progressive type of American farmer and is making good. He is one of Henry County's substantial and valued citizens, and the Doll family are highly respected members of the com- munity.
Walter Barth, a progressive young farmer and stockman of White Oak township, is a native son of Henry County and a member of one of the pioneer families of this section. He was born in White Oak township February 18, 1895, a son of John and Sophia (Rombold) Barth. The parents were among the pioneer settlers of White Oak township and are both now deceased. They were the parents of the following chil- dren: Albert, Urich, Missouri; Mrs. Clara Sevier, Urich, Missouri; Josie, resides on the home place; George, farmer and stockman of White Oak township; Tressie, resides on the home place; Mrs. Ida Henny, White Oak township; Robert, Lucas, Missouri; Walter, the subject of this sketch, and David, who resides on the home place.
Walter Barth was educated in the Lucas schools and remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years old. He located on his present place, one and one-half miles southwest of Lucas, in 1916. Here he has a valuable farm of one hundred sixty acres, with good im- provements and well stocked. He specializes in Hereford cattle and Poland China hogs, and is making a success of his undertaking.
Mr. Barth was married February 20, 1916, to Miss Elsie Gaines, daughter of Charles S. and Cora Hibler Gaines. Mrs. Barth's mother has been dead a number of years, and her father now resides at Urich. Mr. and Mrs. Barth are popular young people and have a broad ac- quaintance in Henry County. Mr. Barth is a Democrat in politics. He and Mrs. Barth are members of the Lucas Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
George Barth, a well-known farmer and stockman of White Oak township, is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Henry County. He was born in Henry County, April 21, 1886, and is a son of John and Sophia (Rombold) Barth, pioneers of White Oak township. The former died June 6, 1917, and the latter departed this life May 26, 1911. They were the parents of the following children: Albert, Urich, Missouri; Maggie, died in childhood; Mrs. Clara Sevier, Urich, Missouri; Josie;
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George, the subject of this sketch; Tressie; Mrs. Ida Henny, Urich, Mis- souri; Robert, Urich, Missouri; Walter, and David, who lives on the old home place. Sophia Rombold was the second wife of John Barth. His first wife bore the maiden name of Mary Lebold and the folowing chil- dren were born to that union: John W., Urich, Missouri; Mrs. Dora Grettinger, Urich, Missouri; Mrs. Helen Doll; Mrs. Lizzie Doll, and Jacob Barth.
George Barth was reared on a farm and received his education in the district schools of White Oak township. He remained on the home farm with his father until he was twenty-five years of age; he then en- gaged in farming on his own account on the place where he now resides, which was originally a part of the John Barth estate. Mr. Barth is an extensive farmer and recognized as one of the successful stock raisers of Henry County. He raises Duroc Jersey hogs, Red Poll cattle and has some of the valuable pure-bred hogs and cattle of the county. Mr. Barth was united in marriage March 19, 1911, with Miss Floy Long, a daughter of William and Mollie Long of Walker township. The Long family reside in Walker township. To William and Mollie Long have been born the following: Mrs. Annie Carver, Deepwater, Missouri; Alonzo, Walker township; Mrs. Florence North, White Oak township; Stephen, lives in Walker township; Floy, the wife of George Barth, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Nelia Hargrave, Walker township, and Ethel, at home. To Mr. and Mrs. Barth have been born two children, daughters, Frances and Roberta. Mr. Barth is one of the substantial citizens of Henry County, and he and his wife are prominent in the community.
James W. Sevier, a well-known and successful farmer and stock raiser of White Oak township, was born in this township October 21, 1866, and is a son of George A. and Mary (Dunn) Sevier, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of White Oak township, Henry County. George A. Sevier was an early settler in Henry County, coming here long before the Civil War. His father, Abraham Sevier, also lived here at an early day, and died here, and his remains are buried at Stone Chapel. George A. Sevier died in 1873 and his widow married A. V. Clary and now re- sides on a farm in White Oak township. George A., and Mary (Dunn) Sevier were the parents of the following children: James W., the sub- ject of this sketch; Rosa E., married William Williams, and is now deceased; Dora E., married W. G. Martin and lives in White Oak town- ship; and Ed, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
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James W. Sevier was reared in Henry County and received his edu- cation in the Lucas district school. He remained on the home farm until he was twenty-six years of age. He then operated rented land for two years. In 1894 he purchased his first land, which consisted of a farm of eighty acres. Later he added thirty and now owns one hundred and ten acres of fertile and productive farm land. His place is well improved with a good residence and other commodious and convenient farm buildings. The residence is located on a slight eminence, and the place presents an unusually well-kept appearance. Mr. Sevier is quite extensively interested in the stock business.
February 15, 1892, James W. Sevier and Miss Louella J. Patt were united in marriage. She is a daughter of J. M. and Martha Patt, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sevier have been born three children, Mary, married Walter Goodman, Urich; Lee Levier and Bessie, both at home.
Mr. Sevier is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons No. 286, Urich, Missouri. He is one of the substantial citizens of this county who has made good.
James A. Dunn .- In the death of James A. Dunn, which occurred September 4, 1911, Big Creek township and Henry County lost one of its valued pioneer citizens. He was a native Missourian, born in Cooper County, December 24, 1843, a son of Nathan E. and Julia (Ogle) Dunn, natives of Missouri, and pioneers of this State. They came to this State in 1835 and in 1853 settled in Henry County, entering land from the Government, south of where Urich now stands. Here Nathan E. Dunn and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of four children: James A., whose name introduces this review; Mrs. Mary Clary, who now resides in White Oak township; Newton, who also resides in White Oak township, and Mrs. Margaret Armstrong, now de- ceased.
James A. Dunn received his education in such schools as the new country afforded after the family settled in Henry County, and his early life was spent much as that of the average boy in those days in western Missouri. When the Civil War broke out, he joined the Confederate Army in May, 1861, becoming a member of Colonel Lewis' regiment, which was attached to the army of General Sterling Price. He partici- pated in the Battle of Lexington and the battles of Pea Ridge, Helena, Arkansas; Pleasant Hill, Louisiana; Mansfield and Jenkins Ferry, besides numerous other engagements and skirmishes. He was never wounded
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nor taken prisoner throughout his military career, although he received a severe shock from the explosion of a shell at the Battle of Helena. He was a good soldier and made a good military record.
At the close of the war Mr. Dunn returned to Henry County, and in 1870 bought his first land, which consisted of forty acres. He engaged in farming and stock raising and met with more than ordinary success. He added more land from time to time and at his death was the owner of six hundred fifty acres of well-improved and valuable land. He was known as a successful stockman.
On September 14, 1887, James A. Dunn and Miss Jemima H. Her- rington were married, and the following children were born to this union: William E., Urich, Missouri; Georgia, deceased; Nathan J., whose present address is unknown; and Eliza M. Mr. Dunn's first wife died and he was later united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Tarter, a daughter of Calvin and Sarah (Lancoster) Tarter, natives of Kentucky, and early settlers in Henry County, locating here in 1868, in Big Creek township. They were the parents of the following children: Martha J., who married James A. Dunn, the subject of this sketch; William E., who lives in Marion County, Illinois; Lucy Ann, deceased; Nancy, deceased; Mary Frances, married William Brown, Shawnee township; Sarah Elizabeth, married William Norcross, Shawnee township; and Alice, married George Dunham, Huntingdale, Shawnee township.
To James A. and Martha J. Dunn were born the folowing children: Ida Jemima, married Edward Jagerman, Big Creek township; Stella Ella, married Harvey Coe, Hollow, Oklahoma; Tina, married Grady L. Swarts, Big Creek township; Grady C., married Grace Buchanan, and lives in Big Creek township; Ola L. married Virginia Murphy, and lives on the home place; Tempel, Mabel, and John O., residing at home with their mother.
James A. Dunn was a member of the Masonic Lodge and belonged to the Methodist Church, South. He was one of the honored pioneers of Henry County, and the Dunn family are highly respected members of the community, and valued citizens of Henry County.
M. R. Mohler of Maurine, Big Creek township, belongs to a Henry County pioneer family. He is a native of Ohio, born in Darke County, October 17, 1856, a son of J. S. and Mary H. (Moore) Mohler, both natives of Ohio. The father came to Missouri in 1868, and after spending about a year at Knobnoster, Johnson County, he came to Henry County and settled in Big Creek township, where he and the brother bought eight
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hundred acres of land at sixteen dollars per acre. He lived in Henry County for several years, when he went to Kansas and died at Quinter in 1911. His wife died in 1912. They were the parents of the following children: Nancy, married D. W. Benezette, and is now deceased; M. R., the subject of this sketch; Samuel R., Montrose, Missouri; Joseph, Quinter, Kansas ; Maggie, married Daniel Hendricks, Montrose, Missouri ; Katherine, married O. F. Johnson, Kansas City, Missouri; Becky, married Dr. J. M. Eisenbise, Quinter, Kansas, and John, Preston, Nebraska.
M. R. Mohler was educated in the public schools of Big Creek town- ship, his principal teacher being J. O. Overby of Urich. Mr. Mohler re- mained on the home farm until 1886. He then clerked in a store for a time at Industry, and later clerked in a store at Hartwell, and while there served as postmaster and was manager of a co-operative store. He then was employed in Clinton for a time, and in 1893 went to Norris and engaged in business for himself and conducted a store there for seven years, and was postmaster while there also. He then located at Maurine, where he lived for seven years. He then went to Blairstown and engaged in the mercantile business and in 1911 engaged in farming, to which he devoted the next three years. In 1913 he engaged in the mercantile business at Maurine, where he has since conductd a general store.
Mr. Mohler was married in November, 1877, to Miss Amanda J. Rader, a daughter of Gideon and Mary J. (Reeder) Rader of Big Creek township. Both her parents are now deceased. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children: John, lives in Texas; James, Lees Summit, Missouri; Mrs. Emma Wilcoxon, Eldorado Springs, Missouri; Mrs. Addie Pitts, Flemington, Missouri; Mrs. Eva Goodbar, Archie, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Mohler have been born two children, Griffie E., a Pullman conductor on the Southern Pacific railroad, and J. O., a farmer in Bogard township. Mr. Mohler is a member of the Woodmen of the World and a representa- tive citizen of Henry County.
William G. Martin, a prominent pioneer and stockman of White Oak township, ranks as one of the leading citizens of Henry County. He was born in Jefferson County, Iowa, June 9, 1864, and is a son of Claudias B. and Ann Eliza Martin, both natives of Virginia. Claudias B. Martin with his family located in Henry County, Missouri, in 1866. He settled on a farm and was engaged in farming and stock raising until the
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time of his death in 1873. His wife died in 1917. They were the parents of the following children: James N, who now resides in California ; Mrs. Margaret Cornet, Ozark, Arkansas; Hamilton, died at the age of twelve; Edden H .; Mrs. Virginia Jennings, who resides in California; Claudius B., California; Joseph F., deceased ; William G., the subject of this sketch, and Ruth E., deceased.
William G. Martin received his education in the public schools, at -- tending school at the Hickory Grove district. He recalls that his first teacher was William R. Owens, and that the old school house was equipped with hand-made benches, made of native walnut. The old school building of the pioneer days stood on the site of the present modern school building at Hickory Grove. After reaching maturity William G. Martin remained on the home farm with his mother until he was thirty-three years of age. In 1911 he bought out the interest of the other heirs and thus became the owner of his father's old homestead, which is located six miles southeast of Urich in White Oak township. The place consists of eighty acres and while Mr. Martin is not one of the large land owners of Henry County he owns enough of land for modern-day conditions, and no doubt the intensified farming of the future will require the owner- ship and operation of much less than eighty acres for each individual to get the best results from the soil. The day of what has been well termed "agricultural locusts" is rapidly passing. The West has come to recog- nize that less land, better tilled, means more than the loose methods of the past in undertaking to cultivate large acreage.
Mr. Martin was united in marriage in 1897 with Miss Dora E. Sevier, a daughter of George and Mary (Dunn) Sevier, pioneers of White Oak township. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin have been born the following children : Ray Paul, now a student in the Electric College at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Ruth E., the wife of William Harbstreet of White Oak township, Henry County.
Mr. Martin takes an active interest in local political and civic affairs, and stands ever ready and willing to co-operate with any movement for the social betterment and upbuilding of White Oak township and Henry County. He has served as a member of the local school board and he and Mrs. Martin are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Martin family stand high in the community in which they live and are prominent.
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William W. Johnston, president of the Farmers Bank of Blairstown, was born at Dayton, Cass County, Missouri, February 2, 1865. He is the son of George and Nancy (Hendon) Johnston. George Johnston, his father, was born in Kentucky and migrated from his native State to Cass County, Missouri, in the forties. He resided in Cass County until 1872, at which time he went to Cedar County, Missouri. In his later years he removed to a home in California and died at Long Beach in 1908. George and Nancy Johnston were parents of the following chil- dren: Anna Lynn, deceased; LeRoy L. Johnston, Pleasant View, Cedar County, Missouri; W. W., subject of this sketch; Samuel, living in Idaho; Mrs. Nettie Phipps, Long Beach, California; Mrs. George Folk, Stockton, Missouri.
W. W. Johnston was educated in Cedar County, attending the Pleas- ant View school house when Charles Stewart was the teacher. When fifteen years old he left home to adventure upon unknown paths, as he says: "All I had when I left the home was a straw hat and a pair of overalls." He came to Big Creek township, Henry County, and worked as a farm hand for Pleasant Webster for a wage of $12 per month. For a period of ten years he worked as farm laborer in this vicinity and in the meantime purchased his first farm of eighty acres and later pur- chased a farm consisting of 105 acres from Doctor Noble of Urich. Mr. Johnston has succeeded during the years that have passed and has ac- cumulated a splendid farm of 455 acres, and other land. He owns Kansas City property, consisting of a six apartment flat and a five room cottage and a gents furnishing store located in Jamestown, Mis- souri; also a considerable amount of personal property, all of which prop- erty is clear and free from debt.
The Johnston residence is located four miles southwest of Blairs- town and the place upon which it is situated was purchased in 1910. There are two sets of improvements upon the Johnston land, all of which are kept in a good state of repair. Mr. Johnston is an extensive stockman and feeder of live stock and specializes in white face Hereford cattle, of which breed he has forty-five head of high grade stock on his place. His herd leader is a pure bred registered male. He also has forty Hereford calves. One hundred head of well fed cattle has been the yearly output of the Johnston farm, and he also ships about a carload of Poland China hogs annually. The farm is well watered and finely adapted for stock raising.
MRS. W. W. JOHNSTON
W. W. JOHNSTON
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Mr. Johnston was married on January 11, 1893, to Margaret J. Lot- spiech, a daughter of John and Caroline Lotspiech of Bogard township. John Lotspiech was a soldier in the Confederate Army and located in Bogard township after the close of the war. He married Caroline Potts of Big Creek township, who came to Henry County with her parents, Absalom and Susan (Wall) Potts, natives of North Carolina. The Potts family came to this county in 1839 and were among the earliest of the pioneer settlers of Big Creek township. The father of Mrs. Susan (Wall) Potts entered several thousand acres of Government land here and owned over one hundred slaves which he brought from the plantation in North Carolina.
Mr. Johnston is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is one of the leaders of the Democratic party in Henry County. For the past four years he has been central committeeman for Bogard township. He was one of the organizers and a charter member of the Farmers Bank of Blairstown and has served as president of this flourish- ing bank since its first organization.
Robert Henry Holland, owner of the "Pecan Stock Farm," is one of the progressive farmers and stockmen of Honey Creek township. Mrs. Holland is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Logan County in 1865 and is a son of W. A., and Sarah M. (Browning) Holland, both natives of Logan County, Kentucky. They came to Henry County in 1876 and settled in Deepwater township, where they resided until 1896. W. A. Holland moved to Appleton City, and a few years later settled on a farm near Ohio Postoffice in St. Clair County, where he died.
To W. A. and Sarah M. (Browning) Holland were born the following children: Charles J., Deepwater township; Robert H., the subject of this sketch; G. E., Kansas City, Missouri; W. S., died in Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Laura J. Park, Greenville, Kentucky; Mrs. Virginia Bry- son, Stewardsville, Missouri; S. T., Bellingham, Washington; J. T., lives in California; Homer D., Chinook, Montana. The mother of these chil- dren died in 1894 and the father was married again and two children were born to that marriage, Wilbur and Mabel, both living at Appleton City. W. A. Holland died May, 1913.
Robert H. Holland was about eleven years of age when he came to Henry County with his parents, and here he received the principal part of his education in the public schools, and spent his early life on the home farm. He has made farming and stock raising his life's occupation
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and has met with success. He has a good farm of two hundred forty acres and in recent years has given much attention to stock improvement, and now has a small herd of registered white-face cattle, which are among the best strain of pure bloods to be found in the county. The "Pecan Stock Farm" is located three and one-half miles south of Hart- well in Honey Creek township. The place is well improved with good residence and other substantial farm buildings.
Mr. Holland was united in marriage in December, 1894, to Miss Gert- rude Brown, a daughter of John D. and Louisa (Cecil) Brown, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Mrs. Holland was born in Deepwater township. Her mother is deceased and her father now resides at Mont- rose, Missouri.
Mr. Holland is a Democrat and takes an active interest in local poli- tics, being the present Democratic committeeman from Honey Creek township. He is a member of the township board and holds the office of treasurer. His fraternal affiliations are with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks and the time-honored Masonic Lodge. He holds membership in both these lodges at Clinton, Missouri. Mr. Holland is a progressive and energetic man who by his own unaided efforts has won a place in the community of which any man may be justly proud.
William Richard Dunn, a progressive farmer and stock man and a descendant of a pioneer family of White Oak township, was born in this township October 13, 1878. . He is a son of Jasper and Anna (Taylor) Dunn, pioneers of Henry County. They were the parents of the following children: James Earl, lives in Kansas City, Missouri; William R., the subject of this sketch; Charles Clyde, Urich, Missouri; Florence Bell, now the wife of Samuel Mendenhall, Urich, Missouri.
William Richard Dunn is the owner of one of the ideal stock farms of Henry County, known as the "Sunny Slope Stock Farm," which is located in White Oak township about five miles southeast of Urich. This is not only a valuable farm from the standpoint of the value of the surface, but is richly underlaid with a vein of coal of workable com- mercial value. Although the coal under the Dunn farm has never been worked to any great extent, handsome offers in the way of royalties have been made by various operators. Mr. Dunn is extensively engaged in stock raising and makes a specialty of pure-bred Hereford white-face cattle. He is one of the successful cattle men of White Oak township,
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