USA > Missouri > Henry County > History of Henry County, Missouri > Part 65
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Mr. Waugh is one of the progressive and hustling representatives of Henry County's prosperous, citizens.
William S. Swart, who with his son, G. L. Swart, are proprietors of the "Elmland Stock Farm" in Big Creek township, is a native of Ken- tucky. He was born in Mason County, September 20, 1862, a son of M. and Mary C. Swart. William S. Swart came to Henry County March 22, 1878, when he was about sixteen years of age, with his parents. He re- mained at home until he was about twenty-five years of age, when he
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engaged in farming for himself on the farm which his son, G. L., now owns. He improved this place, adding all modern farm conveniences, until it is one of the best farms in Henry County. "Elmland Stock Farm" contains 406 acres and is located one mile east of Maurine.
William S. and G. L. Swart are extensively engaged in breeding Pole Angus cattle and at this writing (1918) have on hand about 114 head. They are also recognized among the most successful hog breeders of Henry County, specializing in pure blood, big boned Poland China hogs. They added the hog industry to their stock business in 1917 and have some very high class registered stock.
On October 5, 1887, William S. Swart was united in marriage with Miss Julia Ann Ross, a daughter of W. H. Ross of Big Creek township. The mother is now deceased and the father resides on his home farm in Big Creek township. To William S. Swart and wife have been born the following children: Grady L., who is in partnership with his father in the "Elmland Stock Farm;" Verlie B., married Carl Beatty of Shawnee township, and Eliza K., who resides at home with her parents.
Mr. Swart is a progressive and public spirited citizen and takes a keen interest in the welfare of his township and county. He is now serv- ing his third term as treasurer of Big Creek township. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World of Norris, and one of Henry County's valued citizens.
Joe A. Ross, a progressive farmer and leading citizen of Big Creek township, is a native son of Henry County. He was born in the township where he now resides April 28, 1875, and is a son of William H. and Eliza Jane (Norris) Ross. William H. Ross was born in Illinois in 1843, a son of Samuel and Margaret (Gray) Ross. Samuel Ross came to Henry County, Missouri, with his family and settled in Shawnee township in 1844, when William H. was about one year old. They spent the remainder of their lives in this county. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom William H. is the only one living. The others were: Freeman, Alfred, Lee, James C., Alvin, Robert, Catharine, Almeda, Sarah and So- phronia. To William H. and Eliza Jane (Norris) Ross were born the fol- lowing children: Mrs. Julia Ann Rochester, Big Creek township; Joseph Adam, the subject of this sketch, and Ida Belle. The mother died in July, 1904, and the father now resides on his farm in Big Creek township.
Joe A. Ross was educated in the public schools of Henry County and the Iowa Business College at Des Moines, Iowa. He then engaged in farm- ing and for ten years followed that vocation, when he entered the employ
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of the Frisco Railroad Company as station agent and telegraph operator. In 1915 he returned to the home farm in Big Creek township and since that time has been engaged in general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Ross was married January 14, 1904, to Miss Anna Davis, a daugh- ter of Benjamin and Mollie Davis of Saline County, Missouri. Mrs. Ross's father died in 1913 and her mother now lives near Miami, Missouri. Mrs. Ross has one brother, John Davis, who resides in Saline County, and a sister, Cora, who resides at home.
Mr. Ross is a Democrat and is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons Lodge No. 343, Argicola, Missouri, and is the present master of that lodge.
George F. Smith .- The first home of George F. Smith, widely known "old settler" of Leesville township, living south of the village of Coal, was a log cabin. Forty-seven years ago he settled upon his first forty acres in Leesville township, cleared the land of timber, suffered from chills and fever, worked hard and planned ahead for a beautiful home. He has realized his ambitions and now owns one of the most attractive farm residences in Henry County, combining the old time ideas of a Vir- ginia home with modernity and occupying a beautiful setting in the tim- bered country from which Mr. Smith has created his fine farm. The first "forty" has grown to four "forties," or a total of 160 acres of well tilled land. The Smith farm is well improved with a fine farm residence of seven rooms, erected in 1880 and remodeled in 1890.
George F. Smith was born in Patrick County, Virginia, September 17, 1847, and is the son of Foulks and Mary Ann (Handy) Smith, both members of old Virginia families. For further particulars the reader is referred to the sketch of Joseph H. Smith, brother of the subject of this review. George F. Smith was reared and educated in Virginia and came to Missouri in 1868. He was first employed as a hired hand at monthly. wages for one year. He made rails at a wage of $1.25 to $1.50 per hun- dred and became an expert rail splitter, able to cut and split from 100 to 130 fence rails per day. Mr. Smith in his younger days was an expert at both axe wielding and at "the table." Strong in body and very active he was an expert with the old fashioned cradle and his services were in demand during the wheat harvest season. He received $18 to $20 per month and his board for this work. In the meantime he enjoyed life while working hard and after a hard days work in the field he would follow the hounds in an exciting fox hunt all night long. For years he
GEORGE F. SMITH AND WIFE
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kept a pack of fox hounds and also treed and caught many "coons." He made his first purchase of land in 1871, when he bought forty acres, which was only partly cleared of timber. He has cleared and improved this tract as well as three others of the same size, and went in debt for land each time when he made a purchase, believing that the best plan is to let the land help pay for itself.
January 7, 1869, George F. Smith and Susanna C. Nichols were united in marriage. This marriage was blessed with children as follow: William F., the successful merchant at Coal, Missouri; George Henderson, acci- dentally killed, was born December 14, 1873, and died January 27, 1896; Mrs. Kate Trollinger, Oklahoma; Lenney, a farmer of the neighborhood; Finis Frances, died at the age of one year; Mrs. Adella McCowan, a for- mer teacher now living at Malvern, Iowa; Mrs. Lillie D. Randalls, living near Tightwad, Henry County; Cora Edith, a successful teacher for the past four years, and a student of the Warrensburg State Normal School; Jennie, died in 1905 at the age of thirteen years.
Mr. Smith is a Democrat and loyal to his party and its principles. He is a deacon in the Presbyterian Church at Coal and is one of the best known of the substantial and well to do old settlers of Henry County.
Omer H. MeIntire, a farmer of Big Creek township and a descendant of a family of Missouri pioneers, was born in Adair County April 8, 1856. He is a son of Daniel and Agnes (Huston) McIntire, natives of Kentucky. Daniel McIntire was born October 25, 1821, and in 1841 when he was twenty years of age came to Missouri with his parents. He was a son of Hugh McIntire, a native of North Carolina, who came to Clark County, Kentucky, in 1828 with his family. Hugh McIntire was a son of Francis McIntire, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and served through- out the seven years of that conflict for American independence and dur- ing the term of his service was wounded five times.
Daniel C. McIntire married Agnes F. Huston in Scotland County, Missouri, September 23, 1847. She was a daughter of Archibald Huston and a native of Boone County, Kentucky. Daniel C. and Agnes (Huston) McIntire were the parents of the following children: William Seldon, Jos- eph M, Omer H., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Martha E. Gray, Ada Lee and Daniel M.
Daniel C. McIntire entered Government land in Adair County, Mis- souri, and lived there until 1858, when he came to Henry County and settled in Honey Creek. Here he built a grist and saw mill which he
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operated for a number of years. Later he bought a farm which he moved on in 1866. He was prominent among the early day pioneers of Henry County and influential in this section. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Methodist Church, South. He died in 1912 at the advanced age of ninety-one years. His wife departed this life in 1914 and their remains rest side by side in the Carrsville Cemetery.
Omer H. McIntire was reared in the pioneer home in Henry County and received his education in what was known as the subscription school, the pioneer educational institution of Henry County. He remained on the home farm and followed farming and stock raising during the lifetime of his parents. The McIntire farm is one of the valuable and productive farms of Big Creek township, and Mr. McIntire has met with success in his chosen field of endeavor and is one of the substantial men of his community.
Omer H. McIntire was united in marriage in 1901 to Miss Ida Gar- rison, daughter of Robert and Susie Garrison, natives of Tennessee. The mother died in 1887 and the father now lives near Huntingdale. Mrs. McIntire is one of eight children born to her parents, the others being as follows : Robert, resides in Montana ; Charles, deceased; Joseph, Hunt- ingdale, Missouri; David, deceased; Harry, at home; Mrs. George Ridge, Urich, Missouri; Mrs. Homer Inmer, Shawnee township. Mr. and Mrs. McIntire have two children: Margaret Katheryn and Robert Daniel.
Omer H. McIntire is a progressive citizen and the McIntire family rank among the leading representative citizens of Henry County.
Francis M. Gray, a native of Henry County, born in Big Creek town- ship July 28, 1865, is one of the progressive farmers and stock men of Big Creek township. His parents were John L. and Catharine E. (Ross) Gray. The father was born in east Tennessee October 4, 1812, and died October 7, 1866. The mother was born in Kentucky January 21, 1828, and died August 14, 1909. They were married February 17, 1848, and the following children were born to this union: Francis M., the subject of this sketch; Mary J., born November 29, 1848, died June 14, 1867; Clayton C., born February 10, 1850, died February 12, 1850; Margaret E., born January 23, 1851, died January 25, 1851; Sarah C., born May 6, 1852, died May 18, 1852; Webster W., born July 9, 1853, died March 27, 1913; Anna E., born September 15, 1855, died August 30, 1857; Wash- ington G., born June 14, 1857, died June 16, 1867; William H., born June 26, 1858, died July 4, 1858; John C., born July 21, 1859, died May 1, 1869;
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Alice L., born January 24, 1862, died May 21, 1883; Joseph, born Feb- ruary 6, 1867, died April 18, 1867.
John L. Gray came to Henry County about 1840 and settled in Big Creek township, where he entered land and also bought a number of acres. His entire holdings aggregated about 2,600 acres. He built a resi- dence on section 22 and here was engaged in farming and stock raising during the remainder of his life. Prior to the Civil War he owned a number of slaves. When he first settled here Lexington was his nearest important trading point and he made frequent trips to that place. He hauled a part of the lumber for his first home from Otterville, a distance of fifty miles.
Francis M. Gray spent his boyhood days on the home farm in Big Creek township and was educated in the rural schools of the neighborhood and later attended Central College at Fayette, Missouri, and also took a course at the Gem City Business College, Quincy, Illinois. He then re- turned to the home farm, where he remained until 1894, when he moved to his present place, which is located about a mile southeast of Norris. Here he owns 1,280 acres, which is one of Henry County's most valuable farms. It is one of the best improved and best places to be found in Henry County. The residence, which is an unusually attractive home, is located on the Clinton and Holden highway. There are two sets of build- ings on the Gray farm, one of which is occupied by Mr. Gray's son. Mr. Gray and his son are not only extensively interested in general farming and grain raising, but have established a reputation as being among the leading stock breeders of the county, and on their place may be found some of the highest type of cattle and hogs. They are breeders of white face cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs and their registered stock have a high reputation among stockmen throughout this section of the State.
Francis M. Gray was united in marriage May 29, 1889, with Miss Mary A. Butcher, a daughter of Alexander M. Butcher, a pioneer settler of Big Creek township and a personal sketch of whom appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Gray have been born two children: Cecil E., born February 21, 1894, educated in the Norris High School, Missouri University, married Mary J. Stansberry, a daughter of W. A. and Sarah E. Stansberry of Big Creek township, and is now in partnership with his father in operating the home place. Harry P., the youngest son, was born March 27, 1897. He was educated in the Norris High School, Central College at Fayette, Missouri, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts
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in the University of Missouri in June, 1918. He enlisted in the United States Navy July 1, 1918, and is in training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station.
Mr. Gray has always taken an interest in public affairs and has been especially a strong supporter of public schools and to him and W. S. Ward, T. M. Swindell and W. S. Swart belong the credit of promoting the local high school, which later developed into the Consolidated High School Dis- trict No. 1 of Henry County, which was the first consolidated high school district in the state of Missouri. Mr. Gray is a Henry County citizen of real worth and his push and public spiritedness has not only rewarded himself but is of inestimable value to his community and county. The co-operation of such men as Francis M. Gray makes it possible to build democratic empires.
Charles L. Thompson, a successful farmer and stockman of Big Creek township, while yet a young man, has probably had more experience than any other man in Henry County. He was born near Lone Jack, Jackson County, Missouri, February 9, 1874, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Simmons) Thompson, the former a native of West Virginia and the lat- ter of Kentucky. The father is now eighty-two years of age and the mother is seventy-seven. They were the parents of the following chil- dren: Jemima, married James Bynum and is now deceased; T. H., Odessa, Missouri; William A., on the home place in Jackson County; Alice, mar- ried C. B. Kennedy; Minnie, married John Cummings, Bliss, Oklahoma; Charles L., the subject of this sketch; Robert, deceased; Oliver, Lone Jack; Oscar, lives in Wyoming; Maud, married Clifford Tyson, Callaway County, Missouri; George, Barton County, Missouri, and four died in in- fancy.
Charles L. Thompson was reared in Jackson County, Missouri, and educated in the public schools. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, and then went to New Mexico. After remaining there a short time he went to eastern Colorado. Here he bought two farms, aggregating 280 acres and for sixteen years was en- gaged in the cattle and sheep business. He was an extensive feeder and met with success in that business. While he was interested in business in Colorado, Mr. Thompson made a trip to Alaska in the interest of a mining company and while there developed some mining property which he still owns. In 1910 he disposed of his interest in Colorado and returned to Henry County, where he bought 475 acres of land. Later he sold 160
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acres and now owns 315. This is one of the well improved and valuable farms of Big Creek township. Since purchasing the place Mr. Thompson has made many improvements and the place has a good residence and ample barns and other farm buildings. The place is well watered by natural springs and Norris Creek. Mr. Thompson is not only a large producer of grain but one of the extensive stockmen of the county. His farm is located four miles southeast of Blairstown and is recognized as one of the best farms in the county.
Mr. Thompson was united in marriage in 1904 to Miss Catherine Smith of Danville, Illinois. She was born in that city in 1874, a daughter of Joseph and Susan (Keykendall) Smith, the former a native of West Virginia and the latter of England, who came to this country at the age of sixteen. Mrs. Thompson departed this life March 4, 1916, leaving the following children: Joseph and Catherine.
Mr. Thompson is one of the substantial citizens of Henry County and his worth as such is universally recognized. In politics he is a Democrat.
A. Davis, a prominent farmer and stockman of Big Creek township, belongs to a pioneer family of Henry County. He was born in Clark County, Ohio, in 1870, and when one year of age came to Henry County, Missouri, with his parents, Daniel and Margaret (Hill) Davis, both na- tives of Ohio. Daniel Davis was born in Green County, Ohio, in 1838, and his wife, Margaret (Hill) Davis, was born in Ohio in 1847. She died April 30, 1915, and her remains were interred in Carpenter Cemetery. Daniel Davis has been an invalid for a few years past and rsides with his son, A. Davis, the subject of this sketch.
To Daniel and Margaret (Hill) Davis were born the following chil- dren : James M., deceased; Mrs. I. G. Farnsworth, Holden, Missouri; Mrs. J. L. Hunt, Big Creek township, Henry County ; Elmer, deceased ; Absolom, the subject of this sketch ; William, deceased; Mrs. R. L. Jackson, Holden. Missouri; Mrs. R. L. Wall, Blairstown, Missouri, and J. C., Big Creek township.
Absolom Davis received his education in the district schools of Henry County. He has made farming his life's occupation and has spent over forty-eight years of his life on the old home place where his father settled upon coming to this county in 1871. The place is located in Big Creek township about one and one-half miles from Blairstown. This land was originally entered from the Government by William Fox and when Daniel Davis settled here he purchased the land for twenty dollars per acre. The
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farm consists of 455 acres and is one of the valuable farms of Henry County. Mr. Davis is extensively engaged in stock raising and is one of the successful stock feeders of the county, as was his father while ac- tively engaged in business.
On March 8, 1911, Absolom Davis was united in marriage with Miss Linnie Thornburg at Oklahoma City. She is a daughter of J. W. Thornburg of Bridgeport, West Virginia. Mrs. Davis' mother is de- ceased and her father resides at Bridgeport. They were the parents of the following children: Carl, William, Jesse, Frank and Linnie, the wife of A. Davis. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have one daughter, Virginia Ruth, who was born January 30, 1918.
Mr. Davis is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is one of the well known and substantial citizens of Big Creek township.
James A. Marksberry, a successful farmer and stockman of Big Creek township, is a native son of Henry County and a descendant of one of the honored pioneer families of this section of Missouri. Mr. Marks- berry was born in a log house on the old home place in Big Creek town- ship July 26, 1871, and is a son of Alex and Melissa (Kimsey) Marks- berry, both natives of Missouri. The father was born in Clay County and is now deceased, having departed this life November 13, 1913. The mother was born in Big Creek township in 1842 and now resides at the place of her birth. Her parents, Alfred and Sarah Kimsey, were among the pioneers of Henry County and settled in this section before Henry County was organized. The father was killed during the early part of the Civil War and his wife died July 4, 1901. Alexander and Melissa (Kimsey) Marksberry were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Mary Murphy, who resides in Ohio; James A., the subject of this sketch; Edwin R., who lives in Big Creek township, Henry County; John, Shaw- nee township; Mrs. Nora Murphy, deceased, and Linn, who resides at Blairstown, Missouri.
James A. Marksberry was reared on the home farm and attended school at the Agicola school district in Big Creek township. He remained at home with his mother until he was thirty-two years of age and in 1906 purchased his present farm, which consists of 300 acres of well improved land located two miles southeast of Blairstown. Mr. Marksberry has a. splendid farm residence which was built in 1915. It is a two story, nine room structure and one of the fine residences of the county. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and is recognized as one of the. successful men of Henry County.
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Mr. Marksberry was united in marriage April 28, 1908, to Miss Flor- ence McDonald, a daughter of Josiah J. McDonald of White Oak town- ship, Henry County, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
To Mr. and Mrs. Marksberry have been born the following children: Mary Lee, Dorothy, Kathryn and James, Jr. The Marksberry family are prominent in the community and Mr. Marksberry is one of the substantial and progressive men of Big Creek township.
George A. Johnson, a progressive citizen of Honey Creek township, Henry County, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Gascanade County June 9, 1878, a son of Christ and Mary E. (Wolff) Johnson, natives of Sweden. The father settled in Gasconade County when he was twenty- four years old and resided there until 1885, when he removed to Pettis County and was engaged in farming near Sedalia until 1900, when he traded his farm there for a place in Henry County near Maurine. Here he was engaged in general farming and stock raising until the time of his death, February 26, 1917, and his widow now resides on the home farm in Henry County. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Martha Quaintance, Gerster, Missouri; George A., the subject of this sketch; Mary M., a trained nurse who enlisted as a Red Cross nurse dur -- ing the World War and after having served for a time at Camp Severe, South Carolina, she signed up for oversea duty and at this writing (Octo- ber 23, 1918) she is at New York City awaiting orders to sail for Europe; Mrs. Katie A. Bower, Altoona, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Alice S. Benezette, Chilhowee, Missouri, and Florence, who resides at home.
George A. Johnson received his education, principally, in the public schools of Pettis County, and was engaged in farming in early life. He came to Henry County and engaged in the mercantile business at Gar- land. After a few years he traded his stock of goods for a farm and since that time has been engaged in farming and stock raising. His place is located one and one-half miles northwest of Garland and is one of the well improved places of western Henry County. He built his resi- dence in 1915 and he has also built a large barn and other farm build- ings, which makes of his place one of the modern equipped and well im- proved farms of the township.
Mr. Johnson was united in marriage March 25, 1903, with Miss Eunice W. Benezette, a daughter of D. W. and Nannie (Mohler) Benezette. Nannie Mohler's father was a Dunkard minister. D. W. Benezette was a native of Virginia and an early settler of Henry County, and was engaged in
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farming in Honey Creek township. A few years prior to his death he went to New Mexico, where he died. His wife died in 1906. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Mary Burke, Fields Creek township, Henry County; Mrs. Richard McWhirt, Centerview, Missouri ; Edward, who was accidentally killed while hunting in 1903; Howard, a conductor on the Santa Fe railroad, resides at Argentine, Kansas ; Eunice, W., the wife of George A. Johnson, the subject of this sketch; Harry H., Chilhowee, Missouri; Mrs. Lucy Lumary, deceased, left a daughter, Anna, who was six months old at her mother's death and since that time has made her home with Mr. and Mrs. George A. Johnson, and she is now nine years old; Mrs. Abbie Woodruff, resides in Texas, and Frank E., a soldier in the United States Army, now serving in France with the Ameri- can Expeditionary Force, and Mrs. Ruth V. Hunter, Chilhowee, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born two children, Nannie Marie and George Virgil.
Mr. Johnson is one of the progressive citizens of Honey Creek town- ship and takes a keen interest in all modern improvement and advance- ment. He has been a member of the local school board for the past seven years and is recognized as one of the good roads boosters of Henry County. He is one of the substantial citizens of his township and county.
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