USA > Missouri > Henry County > History of Henry County, Missouri > Part 66
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
Wesley Holland .- For sixty-five years Wesley Holland has lived in Henry County and has experienced the revelation of wild unbroken waste lands being replaced by fertile farms, modern cities and industries. Mr. Holland was born in Benton County, Missouri, February 14, 1845, the son of Needham and Matilda (Blankenship) Holland, who were natives of Barron County, Kentucky, and came to Benton County, Missouri, in the early days, remaining there until 1853, when they came to Henry County. In after years they lived in different portions of the State, Mrs. Holland being laid to rest in Vernon County, Missouri. Mr. Holland died in Texas. He was the father of twenty children, ten by his first wife and ten by the second. For many years he was a member of the Missouri State Guards.
Wesley Holland was educated in the rural schools of Henry County and helped in the work of the pioner home, incidental to the farming methods of those days. In 1862 Mr. Holland enlisted in the Confederate Army under Gen. Joe Shelby and served for three years. He was in many important battles, one of which was Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Mr. Holland loves to review those stirring times and one of the incidents he
WESLEY HOLLAND AND WIFE
721
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
relates is as follows: He was a member of Gen. Joe Shelby's cavalry and each fourth man was detailed to hold horses, while the other three were to invite an attack of the Union men. Mr. Holland's captain ordered him to hold one of the officer's horses and Mr. Holland replied: "H-1, I didn't enlist to hold horses; I came to fight," and the captain said: "All right, there are plenty of them here that want the job," and let him get in the thick of the fray. The men were then ordered into an open field to draw the enemy's fire and they succeeded in doing so. The Union bat- teries opened, but firing over the heads of the Confederates, who were lying flat upon the ground. One of the Confederates, observing their shots flying high, yelled: "They're shooting too d-n high," and the laugh went the rounds. But that kind of shooting suited Mr. Holland and his comrades, as they were the targets for the big guns in that memorable battle. They were then ordered to take to their horses and continued their fighting of one of the biggest battles that took place west of the Mississippi River during the Civil War-Prairie Grove.
Mr. Holland received his honorable discharge in 1865 at Shreveport, Louisiana. He returned to Henry County, Leesville township, and re- sumed farming upon Forty acres which he purchased at that time. He remained upon this land until 1881, when he sold it and purchased 200 acres in Osage township, his present home. In 1913 he purchased 200 additional acres, making 400 acres of well improved land that he now owns.
December 25, 1868, Wesley Holland was married to Georgiana Ren- fro in Leesville township. Mrs. Holland was born December 7, 1837, in Barren County, Kentucky, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Leeper) Renfro, who were early settlers of Henry County. Mr. and Mrs. Holland are the parents of six children and have twenty-one grand children and four great grandchildren. Their children are as follow: Minnie Frances, wife of William B. Moree, Lowry City, Missouri; John N., Lowry City ; William Y., in Montana; Retta of California; and Thomas B., of Minne- sota; Matilda Elizabeth, now Mrs. Henry Schmidli, Brownington, Mis- souri.
Mr. and Mrs. Holland have spent most of their lives in Henry County and have contributed in no small degree to its development. Upon their farm they raise the usual crops of wheat, corn, etc., and also successfully raise alfalfa. Mr. Holland has a herd of Shropshire sheep, which are eligible for registry, and give of their valuable wool to their owner. He is
722
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
a Democrat, and is a member of the township board. Mr. and Mrs. Hol- land have been members of the Baptist Church for over forty years. He is a member of Spangler Camp, Confederate Veterans, Clinton, Mis- souri, and wears the "Cross of Honor," given for four years' service.
Cecil E. Gray, a progressive young farmer and stockman of Big Creek township, is a native son of Henry County. His father, Francis M. Gray, a sketch of whom appears in this volume, was also born in Henry County, and the Grays are one of the pioneer families of this section.
Cecil E. Gray was born in Big Creek township February 21, 1894. He was educated in the public schools and graduated from the Norris High School. He later attended the University of Missouri, where he was graduated in 1916. He then engaged in farming and stock raising in partnership with his father in Big Creek township, where they own and operate one of the large farms of the county. It consists of 1,280 acres and they are extensively engaged in breeding registered Hereford cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs and also general farming. The Gray place is known as the "Inland Farm" and as an up to date and modernly con- ducted stock farm, it has few equals and no superiors in this section of the State.
Mr. Gray was united in marriage January 22, 1917, with Miss Mary J. Stansberry, a daughter of W. A. and Sarah E. (Webster) Stansberry. A sketch of W. A. Stansberry appears in this volume.
Mr. Gray is a member of the Masonic Lodge and is one of Henry County's representative young agriculturists.
Ernest Ward, a well known and progressive farmer and stockman of Big Creek township, is a member of one of the worthy pioneer fami- lies of Henry County. He was born in Big Creek township April 5, 1881, and is a son of Lafayette and Melissa A. (Waugh) Ward. A more exten- sive sketch of the Ward family appears elsewhere in this volume. Lafay- ette and Melissa A. (Waugh) Ward are the parents of the following children: W. S., a sketch of whom appears in this volume; Charles E., deceased; O. L., lives in Montana; Oscar T., Big Creek township, and Ernest, the subject of this sketch.
Ernest Ward was reared on the home farm and received his educa- tion in the public schools of Henry County. He began farming on his own account in Montana when he was eighteen years of age in partner- ship with his brother, O. L. Ward. He continued farming in Montana for two years, when he came home and assumed control and operation
723
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
of the home place, to which he has since devoted his attention. The Ward farm is located two and one-half miles east of Blairstown and contains 185 acres of well improved and valuable land. The farm build- ings are modern and commodious and the place is well adapted to stock raising. Mr. Ward is not only extensively engaged in general farming but raises high grade mules, horses, cattle and hogs, and is recognized as one of the successful stock raisers of Henry County.
On December 20, 1908, Ernest Ward was united in marriage with Miss Edith Atkins, daughter of County Judge R. O. and Dora (Doak) Atkins of Johnson County. Judge Atkins was born in Pettis County, Missouri, and is a son of James Atkins, a native of Kentucky, who was born in 1828 and died at Blairstown, Missouri, in 1904. James Atkins married Elizabeth Elliott, also a native of Adair County, Kentucky, born November 21, 1832, and died May 20, 1912. James Atkins and his wife settled in Henry County near Windsor in 1850. About three years later they removed to Johnson County, Missouri. The remains of James Atkins and wife were buried at Blairstown. To Judge R. O. Atkins and wife were born the following children: John, who now resides on the home place in Big Creek township, Henry County; Edith, the wife of Ernest Ward, the subject of this sketch; Ethel, married Harry Salsbury; prin- cipal of the Blairstown public schools; Mary, who resides with her father in Johnson County ; Jennings, George and William, residing at home. To Ernest Ward and wife have been born the following children: Alberta Lee, Charles Ray and Robert Harold.
Mr. Ward is one of Henry County's substantial citizens and the Ward family is prominent in the community.
Thomas L. Fisher, one of the substantial and well known farmers and stockmen of Big Creek township, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Pettis County January 11, 1865, and is a son of Hampton G. and Nannie (Newbill) Fisher. Hampton G. Fisher was also a native of Pettis County, Missouri, born in 1842. He was a son of Thomas L. Fisher, one of the very early pioneers of Pettis County. Samuel L. Fisher was a Pennsylvanian, born in 1800, and came to Missouri, settling in Pettis County in 1821, and is said to have been the first man to plant corn on what is known as South Fork in Pettis County. Upon coming to Pettis County he entered a large tract of land from the Government and was an extensive farmer and stockman during his life time. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-one years. He died in 1891. His remains are
724
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
interred in the County Line Baptist Cemetery, he having donated the land for this cemetery many years prior to his death.
Thomas L. Fisher is one of seven children born to his parents, the others being as follow: Charles A., who lives in Idaho; Mrs. Carrie Hain- line, Pettis County, Missouri; Cassie, who died at the age of sixteen; Mrs. Cora Hainline, deceased; Clark, who lives in Pettis County; Mrs. Mollie Sterling, Pettis County, Missouri.
Thomas L. Fisher was reared on his father's farm in Pettis County and received a good common school education and when he was about twenty years of age began life for himself. He followed farming in Pettis and Johnson Counties and in 1895 came to Henry County and pur- chased a small farm. Later he sold this farm and bought other land. He now owns a valuable farm of two hundred eighty acres, one hundred sixty of which is located in Big Creek township, and eighty acres in Chil- howee township, Johnson County. Mr. Fisher's farm is well improved and in a high state of cultivation and indicates the industry and pro- gressiveness of its owner.
Mr. Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Miller, a na- tive of Allen County, Ohio, and a daughter of Marcus and Melissa Miller. The father died when Mrs. Fisher was a child and the mother later mar- ried John Blume, and they came to Johnson County, Missouri, in 1888. She died in 1913 and her remains are buried in Mineral Creek Cemetery, Johnson County. Mrs. Fisher is one of the following children born to her parents: Daniel, lives in Allen County, Ohio; Jesse, Allen County, Ohio, and Mrs. Dora Bear, lives in Washington. To Thomas Fisher and wife have been born the following children: Ruby L., married Elmer Orr, St. Louis, Missouri; Lloyd; Paul M., a graduate of the Blairstown High School; Forest C., Florence B., Media L., Francis M., Walter L., all resid- ing at home with their parents.
Mr. Fisher is a public spirited and enterprising citizen and takes a keen interest in public affairs, and is especially interested in the progress of the public school system. He is now serving his second term on the school board of Blairstown.
Oscar T. Ward, a prominent farmer and stockman of Big Creek town- ship, is a native of Henry County and was born in the township where he now resides March 13, 1879. He is a son of Lafayette and Melissa A. (Waugh) Ward. A more extensive history of the Ward family appears in connection with the sketch of W. S. Ward. To Lafayette and Melissa
725
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
A. (Waugh) Ward were born the following children: W. S., a sketch of whom appears in this volume; Charles, who was accidentally killed while digging a well on the Oscar T. Ward place; O. L., who resides in Montana ; Oscar T., the subject of this sketch, and Ernest, who resides on the home farm.
Oscar T. Ward was reared in Big Creek township and received his education in the district schools of Henry County. He has made farming and stock raising his life work. He purchased his first piece of land, which consisted of seventy acres, in September, 1901, and has added to this place from time to time until he now owns one hundred fifty-six acres of valu- able land, one hundred sixteen acres of which is in Big Creek township and forty acres in Chilhowee township, Johnson County, Missouri. The Ward farm is well improved with good fences and modern farm buildings. The place is well watered and suitable for stock raising as well as general farming. Mr. Ward raises mules, cattle and hogs quite extensively and is regarded as one of the highly successful farmers and stockmen of the community.
December 22, 1901, Oscar T. Ward and Miss Alice Albin were united in marriage. She is a daughter of D. L. and Hattie Albin, and was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 22, 1881. The Albin family came to Mis- souri in 1882 when Mrs. Ward was about a year old. They located in Johnson County, Chilhowee township, where the parents now reside. Mrs Ward was one of the following children born to her parents: Charles, Greenfield, Oklahoma; Alice, the wife of Oscar T. Ward, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. John Davis, Big Creek township; Mrs. Walter Doak, Greenfield, Oklahoma; Roy Albin, who resides in Big Creek township; Myrtle, deceased; Mrs. Howard Waugh, Big Creek township; Edith and Edna, twins; Edna married Fred Shiel, Greenfield, Oklahoma, and Edith resides at home with her parents, and Nadine, who also resides with her parents.
To Oscar Ward and wife have been born the following children: For- est Fay, Irene, Elva Ruth and Orval L.
Mr. Ward is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Blairstown and also the Modern Woodmen of America. He takes an active interest in local public affairs and for many years served as treasurer of the consolidated school district number one, resigning from that position in 1917. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Blairstown. He is an elder and is now serving his second year as superintendent of the Sun-
726
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
day school. The Ward family are well known and prominent in the com- munity.
William M. Boston, a successful and well known farmer and stock- man of Big Creek township, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Rose Hill, Johnson County, October 11, 1873, a son of Isaac and Jane (Simmons) Boston, both natives of Missouri. The father was born in St. Louis County and the mother in Cole County. Isaac Boston is a son of David L. W. Boston, a Kentuckian, who came to Missouri in 1842 and settled in John- son County, where he spent the remainder of his life. He entered Gov- ernment land and also bought several hundred acres until he owned nine hundred acres in Rose Hill township, Johnson County. Isaac Boston was a child when his parents settled in Johnson County and here he grew to manhood and was engaged in farming and stockraising until 1907, when he went to Beaver County, Oklahoma, where he now resides. His wife died in 1909, aged sixty-three years. They were the parents of the following children: Albert W., Denver, Colorado; John C., Ft. Lupton, Colorado; William M., the subject of this sketch; Henry C., Ft. Lupton, Colorado; Stella M., married Dosse Potts, and is now deceased; Lawrence M., Ft. Logan, Colorado; Bessie M., married George Coburn, Ft. Lupton, Colorado, and Roy W., Ft. Lupton, Colorado.
William M. Boston was reared in Rose Hill township, Johnson County, and received his education in the public schools of that vicinity. He be- gan life for himself as a farmer and stock raiser in Johnson County, and in 1900 bought one hundred three acres of land in Big Creek township, which was known as the Thomas Davis place. Since that time he has met with uniform success and has added one hundred twenty acres to his original purchase, and is now the owner of a splendid farm of two hun- dred twenty-three acres. The place is well improved with a good resi- dence, barns and other farm buildings. Mr. Boston is extensively engaged in raising cattle and hogs, making a specialty of Poland China hogs, and his place is well adapted to stock raising as well as general farming.
July 12, 1899, William M. Boston was united in marriage with Miss Myrtie Potts, a daughter of James R. and Sallie E. (Davis) Potts, who now reside at Blairstown, Missouri. Mrs. Boston was born in Big Creek township and her parents were early settlers of that township. Mrs. Boston has one brother, Dosse Potts, who resides at Iola, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Boston have been born two daughters: Ruth O. and Gladys I., both of whom are students in the local school and reside at home.
727
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
Mr. Boston is a student of men and affairs and an extensive reader. He gives special attention to the literature of agriculture and modern farming methods. His extensive reading coupled with years of experi- ence along agricultural lines place him in the front ranks of modern farmers and stockmen. Mr. and Mrs. Boston are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church of Blairstown, Missouri.
John Gilmer Atkins, a successful farmer and stockman of Big Creek township, was born in Johnson County November 25, 1884, and belongs to a pioneer family of this section of Missouri. He is a son of Robert Oliver and Dora Alice (Doak) Atkins, natives of Johnson County. Rob- ert Oliver Atkins is now a resident of Johnson County, and at present one of the members of the board of county judges. More extensive mention of the Atkins family history is made in connection with a sketch of Ern- est Ward, which appears in this volume.
John G. Atkins was reared on his father's farm and educated in the public schools of Blairstown, Missouri. He remained at home with his parents until his marriage, which occurred January 25, 1911. He was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Lee Stewart, a daughter of W. H. and Isabell Frances (Cox) Stewart. The father was a native of West Virginia, born July 13, 1828, and died July 4, 1911. He came to Henry County in an early day and first located at Clinton and later removed to White Oak township, and died at Urich. His wife was born May 1, 1845, and died June 1, 1916, and their remains are interred in the cemetery at Urich.
W. H. and Isabell Frances (Cox) Stewart were the parents of the following children: John E., Urich, Missouri; Jennie, deceased; Even L., deceased; Frances ; William H., deceased; Charles, Kansas City, Missouri ; Albert A., Urich; Earl G., Urich; Raymond Fernwood, died in infancy ; Mrs. Fern Spry, deceased; Margaret Lee, wife of John G. Atkins, the sub- ject of this sketch; Edith, wife of Ernest McCoy, Calhoun, Missouri, and Ethel, married Dr. J. N. Jerome, Urich, Missouri. By a former marriage of W. H. Stewart to Margaret Burchnell, the following children were born: B. N., Urich, Missouri; Harry, deceased; Mrs. Florence Read, Goodwell, Oklahoma; Mrs. Leslie E. Scholl, deceased, and R. B., who resides on the Gaines ranch near Clinton, Missouri.
Mr. Atkins resides on his farm of eighty acres which is located three- fourths of a mile east of Blairstown, where he is engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising and makes a speciality of big boned Poland China
728
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
hogs and Hereford cattle. In connection with his farming he is also em- ployed as rural mail carrier on Route No. 23 out of Blairstown and has served in the capacity as substitute carrier for the past ten years. Mr .. and Mrs. Atkins have one son, John Gilmer, Jr., born July 19, 1916.
Mr. Atkins is one of the progressive and energetic young men of Henry County and is recognized as one of its leading citizens of the younger generation.
Alexander M. Butcher, a Henry County pioneer who has contributed his part to the upbuilding of the county and State, is now living retired,. after an active life of usefulness of over a half a century in this State. Mr. Butcher is a native of Ohio. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, February 5, 1837, and is a son of Nathan and Elizabeth (Sillin) Butcher, natives of Virginia, the former of Hampshire and the latter of Loudoun. County. The father died in 1843 when Alexander M. was about six years of age. The mother afterwards married Samuel Crow. She died in Au- glaize County, Ohio. To Nathan and Elizabeth (Sillin) Butcher were born the following children: Alexander M., the subject of this sketch: John, deceased; Mrs. Mary Ellen Crawford, Wapakoneta, Ohio; James, Wapa- koneta, Ohio. Upon the death of his father, Alexander M. made his home with his grandfather, James Butcher, Sr., who moved to Montgomery County, Indiana, in 1849.
Mr. Butcher was reared to manhood in his native State and Indiana, and received a common school education. When the Civil War broke out he lived in Indiana and served in the Home Guard, during the Mor- gan raid. In 1866, Mr. Butcher came to Missouri and settled in Big Creek. township where he first bought eighty acres of land from James Webster. He added to his original holdings until he at one time owned six hundred acres. Later he disposed of some of his land and now owns four hun- dred and thirty-six acres in Henry County, which he now rents and is living retired in Warrensburg, Missouri.
Alexander M. Butcher was united in marriage with Miss Margaret E. Waugh, a native of Montgomery County, Indiana, born in 1842. She died October 11, 1915. The following children were born to Alexander M. and Margaret E. (Waugh) Butcher: Martha Elizabeth, now Mrs. F. M. Engel, Warrensburg, Missouri; James Wallace, farmer, Bogard township; Frank S., Lawrence, Kansas; Paris P., deceased; Charlie W., Centerview; Mary Agnes, married Frank M. Gray, Big Creek township; Milton E., deceased; Clinton E., Big Creek township, and Harry E., de -- ceased.
CHARLES BUTCHER-JAMES WALLACE BUTCHER-FRANK BUTCHER-CLINTON E. BUTCHER
-
ALEXANDER M. BUTCHER AND FAMILY
A
729
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
When Mr. Butcher came to Henry County the ruin wrought by the Civil War was in evidence on every hand, and as he expresses it, the number of charred chimneys in view plainly indicated the wages of war. He soon found and made many new friends in the new country, and since first coming to Henry County he has never regretted his choice of a home.
Mr. Butcher is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in politics, although he is a believer in men instead of parties. At one time he was the Republican candidate for county judge, but owing to the great normal Democratic majority, was defeated. He has held local township office and for a number of years in the early days was township clerk of Big Creek township. He is one of the substantial pioneer citi- zens, who has contributed his part to the development and upbuilding of Henry County.
Ralph E. Butcher, an enterprising and leading farmer and stockman of Big Creek township, is a native of Henry County. He was born in Big Creek township, January 21, 1890, and is a son of Paris P. and Edith L. (McFarland) Butcher. Paris P. Butcher was a son of A. M. Butcher, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Paris P. Butcher was a native of Indiana and came to Henry County with his parents when a boy. He died in 1892 at the age of twenty-eight years. His wife departed this life in 1900, and their remains are buried in the Carpenter Cemetery. Edith L. (McFarland) Butcher was a native of Missouri and her mother, Mary Eliza McFarland, was a schoolmate of the mother of the author of this volume in Cooper County, Missouri.
Ralph E. Butcher was reared in Big Creek township and educated in the public schools and the Norris High School. He has followed farming and stock raising all his life and has met with merited success. He pur- chased his present place of one hundred fifty-five acres in 1912. The place is well improved with a good farm residence, large barns and other suitable farm buildings. Mr. Butcher is extensively engaged in raising cattle and hogs as well as general farming.
February 18, 1914, Ralph E. Butcher was united in marriage with Miss Mabel F. Park, a daughter of G. L. and Anna L. (Galt) Park, of Big Creek township. A sketch of G. L. Park appears in this volume. To Mr .. and Mrs. Butcher have been born two daughters, Leona M. and Dorothy B.
Mr. Butcher is a member of the Agricola Lodge No. 343 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and holds membership in the Methodist Church at.
730
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
Norris. He takes a keen interest in local affairs and is at present a mem- ber of the school board of consolidated district No. 1.
J. L. Hunt, a well known and successful citizen of Big Creek town- ship, was born in Audrain County, Missouri, May 1, 1861. He is a son of Alexander and Margaret (Kiefer) Hunt, the former a native of Ken- tucky and the latter of Audrain County, Missouri. The mother was born in 1839 and died in October, 1893, and her remains are buried in the Urich Cemetery. Alexander J. Hunt, the father, was born in Kentucky June 30, 1837, and now resides with his son, J. A. Hunt, in Bogard township. Alexander Hunt is a son of Hiram Hunt, a native of Kentucky who came to Missouri with his family in 1853 and settled in Montgomery County, where they resided during the Civil War. In 1867 the Hunt family came to Johnson County and settled in Chilhowee township, where Hiram Hunt, the grandfather of J. L., spent the remainder of his life. Alexander J. Hunt served in the State Militia in Montgomery County during the Civil War and later served with the Home Guards. He is now in his eighty- second year.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.