USA > Missouri > Henry County > History of Henry County, Missouri > Part 77
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Mr. Adair was united in marriage in 1888 to Miss Alice Sue Bowman, a daughter of Dr. A. R. and Maria (Riley) Bowman, pioneer settlers of Henry County, both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Adair have been born the following children: Earl Howard, a rural mail carrier, Clinton, Missouri; John, assistant postmaster at Clinton, Missouri, and he has recently been appointed a member of the postoffice examining board.
Mr. Adair is one of the substantial business men of Clinton and the Adair family is well known and highly respected.
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Joseph W. Julian, a leading grocer of Clinton, is a member of a promi- nent pioneer family of Henry County. He was born near Calhoun, Mis- souri, in 1870, and is a son of M. J. F. and Rebecca (Judd) Julian. M. J. F. Julian was born in Tennessee in 1824. He came to Missouri in 1855 and first settled near Windsor in Pettis County, remaining there until 1865, when he came to Henry County, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1904 and his remains were interred in the cemetery at Tebo. During the Civil War he served in the Home Guard, making his home in the vicinity of Sedalia during that conflict. He was a life long Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for James K. Polk in 1844, and his last presidential vote was cast for William J. Bryan in 1900. Re- becca (Judd) Julian was a native of Kentucky, born in 1834 and died in 1914, and her remains rest by the side of her husband's in Tebo Ceme- tery. When M. J. F. Julian and his wife came to Missouri from Tennessee in the early fifties, they drove with ox teams and brought about seventy- five head of cattle with them on the journey. It required about six months to make the trip and as an example of the tedious trials of travel in those days it required six days to transfer their cattle across the river at Boon- ville, where they were ferried across on a small flat boat which was in- capable of carrying more than two or three head of cattle at a time. The Julian family experienced all the trials, inconveniences and hardships incident to pioneer life in a new country, for when they settled in this section of Missouri they cast their lot well on the border of the frontier.
To M. J. F. and Rebecca Judd Julian were born the following chil- dren: Alabama, married J. E. Delozier, Clinton, Missouri; Mary, married Joseph Beeler, Iona, Missouri; John K., Montrose, Missouri; Willis, de- ceased ; Nettie, deceased ; George, Clinton, Missouri ; Martha, married Hugh Yandall, Sedalia, Missouri; Joseph W., the subject of this sketch, and James, Clinton, Missouri.
Joseph W. Julian received his education in the public schools at Lees- ville, Missouri, and when about twenty years of age engaged in farming for himself. After a time he engaged in the produce business in partner- ship with his brother, Willis, and for ten years the brothers carried on this business together. He was then engaged in farming for a time, when he engaged in the livery and feed business and also conducted a wood and coal yard in Clinton. In 1911 he engaged in a grocery business in Clinton, which he has successfully conducted to the present time.
Mr. Julian was united in marriage in 1892 with Miss Janie Hall, a
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daughter of John and Mary (Vance) Hall, pioneer settlers of Henry County, who now reside at Coal, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Julian have been born five children as follow: Elsie, a Henry County teacher; Effie, a student in the Clinton High School; Vance, a student in the public schools of Clin- ton; Elmer and Dorothy.
Mr. Julian is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Union. Politically he is a Democrat and takes an active interest in local political affairs. Mr. Julian is probably one of the best known men in Henry County, where he has spent his life in a business activity which has brought him into contact with the public.
C. D. Kellams, an honored Union veteran of the Civil War, now resid- ing at Clinton, Missouri, was born in Lawrence County, Illinois, February 14, 1844. He is a son of Otho and Eliza (Douglas) Kellams, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Illinois. The mother died when C. D. was a child. Mr. Kellams was reared and educated in Sangamon County, Illinois. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in Sangamon County August 13, 1861, for a period of three years, and was mustered into the United States service at Springfield, Illinois, August 21, 1861, in Company B, 30th Regiment Illinois Infantry, under Col. Philip Fouke. Capt. John P. Davis commanded his company. The regiment was organ- ized at Camp Butts August 28, 1861, and September 1 moved to Cairo, Illinois, where it was assigned to Gen. John A. McClermand's Brigade, Gen. U. S. Grant in command. The regiment was later assigned to Sec- ond Brigade, First Division, 17th Army Corps, Army of Tennessee, and afterwards 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, and participated in the following engagements : Bellmont, Missouri; Fort Henry and Fort Donaldson, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Britton's Land, Jackson, Tennessee; Raymond, Cham- pion Hill, Siege of Vicksburg, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Siege of Atlanta, Meridian Raid, Ezra Church, March to the Sea, Siege of Savan- nah, Campaign of the Carolinas, including Pocataligo; Orangesburg, Co- lumbia, Cherow, Fayettesville, and a number of minor engagements. The command marched via Richmond and Alexander, Virginia, to Washing- ton, D. C., and took part in the Grand Review, May 24, 1865.
During the course of his military career Mr. Kellams was struck by lightning while at Jackson, Tennessee. The shock caused the loss of the sight of one eye at the time and since then has resulted in the loss of the sight of both eyes. After being struck by lightning Mr. Kellams was unconscious for six hours, during which time he was supposed to be
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dead. This was during the latter part of the night, and the next morn- ing his comrades dug his grave and when they were getting ready to bury him one of the soldiers thought that he was not dead, and accord- ingly they took him to a hospital and he soon afterwards regained con- sciousness. He remained, however, but a short time in the hospital and he was with his regiment again. He was captured at Britton's Lane, with some others while on the march, but was paroled the next day and sent to Jackson, Tennessee, and later to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Mis- soure. He did not remain there though until he was exchanged, but joined his regiment again at Lake Providence, Mississippi, and was shortly afterwards detailed as teamster, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. During the course of his military career Mr. Kellams was with his command practically all the time and participated in all of its engagements. He was honorably discharged at Atlanta, Georgia, in 1864. He was faithful in the discharge of every duty and took a gallant part in all of the service of his regiment and rendered heroic and meri- torious service, of which his children and descendants may feel justly proud.
At the close of the war Mr. Kellams returned to Illinois, where he remained until 1888, when he went to Nebraska. In 1894 he came to Mis- souri, settling at Blue Lake Springs, Saline County, and in 1898 came to Sedalia. In 1903 he returned to Springfield, Illinois, where he remained until 1909. He then went to Parsons, Kansas, where he remained a few months and in September, 1909, came to Clinton, where he has since resided.
Mr. Kellams was united in marriage December 14, 1865, to Miss Mar- garet J. Sanders, a native of Springfield, Illinois, born February 25, 1848. She is a daughter of William James and Elizabeth (Hall) Sanders, both natives of Ohio. The father was a Civil War veteran, having served in Company A, 73rd Regiment Illinois Infantry. He and his wife went to Arkansas City, Kansas, in 1882 and spent the remainder of their lives there.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kellams have been born eleven children, nine of whom are living: Laura Jane, married Hy Felten, Lake Fork, Illinois; Etta Frances, married Alonzo Tegardner, Galesburg, Illinois; Horatio Francis, Ripley, Tennessee ; William H., Hiawatha, Kansas; Arthur C., South Union, Kentucky; Thomas A., Hebron, Nebraska; Anna E., resides at Clinton with her parents; Harry E., Decatur, Illinois, and Hattie N., married Martin Bush, Sedalia, Missouri.
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Mr. Kellams was formerly a member of Samuel Walker Post No. 205, Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Illinois, and while a resident of Nebraska Mrs. Kellams was a member of the Relief Corps. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Kellams has been a life long Republican. When a young man, while living in Sanga- mon County, Illinois, he knew Abraham Lincoln well, saw him many times and talked with him on numerous occasions.
W. W. Gutridge of Clinton has been prominently identified with the banking interests of Henry County for a number of years but is now living retired. He was born at Calhoun October 15, 1866, and is a son of John W. and Mary Elizabeth (Pigg) Gutridge, the former a native of Licking County, Ohio, and the latter of Calhoun County, Missouri.
John Gutridge was born in 1838 and when he was about six months old his parents came to Henry County and settled at Calhoun. He was a son of Peyton Gutridge, who after coming to Henry County followed farming the remainder of his life. Peyton Gutridge died on his farm near Calhoun about 1875, and his wife also spent her life on the home place near Calhoun. John Gutridge was reared to manhood on his father's farm, and in early life followed farming. Later he engaged in the mer- cantile business in Calhoun and was one of the pioneer merchants of that county. He was the founder of the Bank of Calhoun, which he practically owned and retained his interest in that institution until his death, at which time he was president. He owned considerable land in Henry County and was widely known as a successful stockman as well as a merchant and banker. During the Civil War he served in the State Militia. He died February 5, 1914.
Mary Elizabeth (Pigg) Gutridge was a daughter of David H. and Edith (Robinson) Pigg, natives of Winchester, Kentucky, and among the very early pioneer settlers of Henry County, Missouri. David H. Pigg was one of the pioneer furniture dealers and cabinet makers of Calhoun.
W. W. Gutridge was the oldest of a family of four children, as fol- low: Cora, married W. A. Tarr, Calhoun, Missouri; Ollie, married Clay Adair, postmaster of Clinton, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; Edith, married W. B. Graham, Kansas City, Missouri.
Mr. Gutridge was reared to manhood in Calhoun and received his education in the public schools there. He began life as a clerk in a store in Calhoun, and later entered the Bank of Calhoun, becoming its cashier in 1896. He served in that capacity until 1910, and since that time has
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been engaged in the real estate and loan business and has given his per- sonal attention to his private interests. He is interested in a number of banking institutions as a stockholder, but is not active in the management of any of them. In 1912 he moved to Clinton and since that time he has. made his home there.
On June 10, 1896, Mr. Gutridge was united in marriage with Miss Edith Cameron, a native of Henry County and a daughter of Allen Cam- eron, who came from New York to Henry County in 1870. Mrs. Gutridge is a graduate of the State Normal School at Warrensburg, class of 1891. To Mr. and Mrs. Gutridge has been born a daughter, Mary Shirley, who is a graduate of the Clinton High School, class of 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Gutridge and their daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
John Bowen .- The Bowen Coal Company of Windsor and Henry Coun- ty, Missouri, composed of Richard Bowen and his sons, John, Thomas R. and William S. Bowen, is one of the most important mining concerns in western Missouri. For several years since the organization of this com- pany they have been mining coal in this section of Missouri and have been active developers of this important mining field.
Richard Bowen, founder of the Bowen Coal Company, was born at Thornley, Durham County, England, May 17, 1839. He is the son of James and Elizabeth (Tulip) Bowen, the former of whom was a soldier in the British Armies, having fought in America during the War of 1812 and was a soldier in Wellington's army, which defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. Richard Bowen was reared to young manhood in England and became a coal miner. He immigrated to America in 1863 and arrived here on May 9. He first settled in the coal mining country near Steubenville, Ohio, later going to the mining section of Allegheny County, Maryland, where he was employed in the mines for a year. He then went to Clarksburg, West Virginia, and was there employed for three years. From Clarksburg he went to Ritchie County, West Virginia, and had charge of coal mines at that place for four years as mine boss and superintendent. In 1876 he came to Henry County, Missouri, and took charge of the Bancroft and Company's mines. Later he was manager of the Osage mines. In 1882 he embarked in mining on his own account and became a member of the Tebo Mining Company. For twenty years thereafter he was interested actively in coal mining and organized the Bowen Mining Company of which he was the head until his retirement
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to a home in Clinton, Missouri. Mr. Bowen is now making his home in Kansas City, Missouri. He is still interested in mining.
In February, 1858, Richard Bowen and Elizabeth Thompson were married in England. This marriage was blessed with nine children. Five of these children died in infancy. The others living are: John, Will- iam S., Thomas R., and Elizabeth, widow of Henry Peckinpaugh, of Clin- ton, Missouri. The late Mrs. Elizabeth Bowen was born August 4, 1838, and departed this life February 7, 1913.
John Bowen, the immediate subject of this review, was born at Thorn- ley, Durham County, England, December 13, 1858. He accompanied his parents to America in 1863 and was here reared to young manhood, fol- lowing in his successful father's footsteps as miner and operator of coal mines. His public school education was obtained at Clarksburg, West Virginia, and not long afterward he became engaged with his father in coal mining. In 1882 he joined his father in the mining business and they operated coal mines at Lewis Station, Henry County, where the con- cern also conducted a general merchandise store, of which John Bowen had charge until 1902. He made his home in Clinton, Missouri, until 1901 and then came to Windsor. The Bowen brothers discovered a splen- did vein of coal west of Windsor on the Henry-Johnson County line and they began developing it. With the opening of the mines a town sprang up in that vicinity which has been named Bowen.
On January 25, 1881, John Bowen and Miss Mary A. Thompson were united in marriage. The children born of this marriage are: Elizabeth G., wife of Robert G. Frazer, Tallulah, Louisiana; Richard J., his father's assistant; John W., bookkeeper of the First National Bank of Windsor; Ralph T., engaged in the mining business. Mrs. Mary A. Bowen was born in England, the daughter of James A. and Grace (Nichol) Thompson, who emigrated from England in 1870 and settled at Laconing, Maryland, re- siding there until 1878, when they came to Missouri. James A. Thomp- son was a coal miner and was interested in the mines at Lewis, Henry County, where he resided until his death on December 9, 1880. His wife passed away at Windsor in 1906.
Mr. Bowen is president of the First National Bank of Windsor and is a director of the Clinton National Bank of Clinton, Missouri. He was elected mayor of Windsor in 1911 and served for two years in this ca- pacity. He is affiliated fraternally with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Clinton Lodge No. 548, and Royal Arch Chapter No. 73 of Clin-
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ton. Mr. Bowen is an energetic and public spirited citizen who has the best interests of his home city and county at heart.
Henry C. Churchhill, retired druggist, Windsor, Missouri, was born in Union County, Kentucky, August 31, 1845, and has spent fifty-two years of his life in Missouri, being one of the pioneer residents of this section of the State. He is the son of Armstead and Rebecca (Catlett) Church- hill, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Armstead Churchhill was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky, October 27, 1810, and died at Knob Noster, Missouri, April 12, 1873. He followed agricultural pursuits dur- ing his active life and settled in Missouri in April, 1866. His wife, Re- becca Catlett, was born in Morganville, Kentucky, October 14, 1815, and died April 16, 1876. Armstead and Rebecca Churchhill were parents of ten children, four of whom grew to maturity.
Henry C. Churchhill was reared to young manhood in his native State of Kentucky and was educated at St. Mary's College, Louisville, Kentucky. He served in the army for one year during the Civil War. Mr. Church- hill attended Barnes Commercial College at Louisville, Kentucky, and also conducted a store in that city for a few years. When his parents came to Missouri he accompanied them and followed farming in Johnson County for three years. In the spring of 1871 he located in Windsor, Henry County, and conducted a hardware store for two years. Having previously studied pharmacy under his uncle, Henry Catlett, and being somewhat familiar with the drug business, he purchased a drug store in Windsor and conducted it for a number of years. He then purchased a flouring mill in partnership with R. N. Ousley and was engaged in the milling business successfully until his retirement in 1903. Mr. Churchhill has made a success of his life and has become well-to-do in the course of his long business experience in Henry County. He is owner of farm lands in Henry and Johnson Counties and is now living in comfortable retirement at his pleasant home in Windsor.
Mr. Churchhill was married on November 20, 1866, to Miss Virginia Ousley, who was born in Johnson County, Missouri. Three children have been born to this union: Armstead L., of Vinita, Oklahoma; Mrs. Eliza Evans, Eldorado, Kansas; Florence S., wife of P. Ball, Mangum, Okla- homa. The mother of these children is deceased. Mr. Churchhill's sec- ond marriage was to Miss Missouri Campbell, who was born in Circleville, Ohio. Two children blessed this marriage: Samuel B., Vinita, Oklahoma; and Mary J., at home with her parents.
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The Democratic party has always had the support of Mr. Churchhill and he has generally taken an interest in political and civic matters. He served one term as mayor of the city of Windsor and has always en- deavored to do a good citizen's part toward the building up and material progress of his home city. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and he and Mrs. Churchhill are members of the Con- gregational Church.
Reuben Harkless, a widely known and successful auctioneer through- out this section of Missouri, is a native of Pettis County, Missouri. He was born on a farm in Pettis County July 5, 1880, and is the son of James and Jane (Elliot) Harkless, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Mis- souri, respectively. James Harkless was born near Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, and his wife was born within five miles of Green Ridge on the old John Elliot homestead, which was one of the widely known and noted pioneer farms in Pettis County. The old stage route ran by the Elliot homestead, and John Elliot was a skilled cabinet maker and wood worker who made coffins for the early settlers of the surrounding country. James Harkless came to Missouri from Minnesota with his parents when six years old, the family making the trip overland in 1855 and the little six year old boy walking practically all of the distance to the new home in Johnson County. They settled near Knob Noster. James was born in 1849 and died at his old home in Pettis County in March, 1915. His wife was born in 1849 and departed this life February 8, 1913. She was a distant relative of Daniel Boone.
Reuben Harkless was reared to the life of a farmer and tilled the soil until November of 1909 when he located in Windsor and launched his successful career as an auctioneer. In 1914 he took the agency for the Buick automobile and conducted an automobile business until he sold out April 17, 1918. Mr. Harkless first began to cry public sales in his neighborhood and has averaged over one hundred public sales each year. His largest public sale was one held in Windsor in 1911 which included the stock, business property and residence of a citizen and brought $26,000.
On January 10, 1904, Reuben Harkless and Mona Schnabel were united in marriage. One child has blessed this union, Balfour, born July 17, 1909. Mrs. Mona Harkless was born in Pettis County, Missouri, the daughter of Louis J. and Ellander (Rogers) Schnabel, natives of Benton County and Shelby County, Missouri, respectively. Louis J. Schnabel is a successful merchant of Lonia, Missouri, and is father of six sons and
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four daughters. The Schnabels are of German descent, the father of Louis J. Schnabel having left his native land to escape from the intoler- able and degrading military oppression of the ruling classes and to find a free home in America. He homesteaded a tract of land in Pettis County and built up a splendid farm.
Five sons and two daughters were born to James and Jane Harkless, as follow: John E., a farmer of Pettis County ; Charles R., Sedalia, Mis- souri, who is a Spanish-American War veteran and was a sharpshooter in Company M, 32nd Regiment Volunteer Infantry, United States Army ; Reuben, subject of this sketch; Count, living near Green Ridge, Mis- souri; Mrs. Bertha Downing, Jefferson City, Missouri; Sarah May, wife of William I. Pittman, whose farm adjoins that of Mr. Harkless in Pettis County ; Luster, Sedalia, Missouri.
In addition to his activities as an auctioneer, Mr. Harkless attends to a fine farm of one hundred twenty acres located in Pettis County not far from Windsor. He is a Republican and a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Walter Clifton Thompson .- The Windsor Manufacturing Company, makers of brooms, owned and operated by Walter C. and Benjamin Thomp- son, is one of the thriving local industries of Windsor and Henry County. The factory was established in 1904 by Hezekiah Thompson, father of the present proprietors. The factory was installed in the old canning estab- lishment which has been remodeled and well equipped with the most modern broom making machinery. Thirty people are employed and the output of the factory will exceed fifty dozen brooms per day. Four trav- eling salesmen dispose of the product of the Thompson factory to the trade and the concern is in a flourishing condition. The Thompson fac- tory building is 100x40 feet in dimension and is arranged so that plenty of light and ventilation is easily obtainable. This concern does a business of over $150,000 yearly, a considerable item of cash which naturally flows through the channels of trade in Windsor and the surrounding country.
Hezekiah Thompson, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1864, and while a youth he learned the trade of broom maker. He established a broom factory in his native city and remained there until 1901, when he went to Jefferson City, Missouri, and organized and placed in operation the broom manufacturing plant oper- ated in connection with the State prison and now known as the Central Broom Factory. Selling out his holdings in Jefferson City in 1904 he
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located in Windsor and established the factory now owned and operated by his sons. Later he went to Long Beach, California, and established a broom factory at Huntington Beach, near the latter city.
Mr. Thompson was married in 1882 to Emma Lawrence, a native of St. Louis. The following children were born of this marriage: Walter Clifton, of this review; Benjamin, associated in business with his brother ; Eva, wife of Harry Bowman, Long Beach, California ; Harry, stenographer for a ship building concern, Long Beach, California. The mother of these children was born in Ohio on February 14, 1863, and accompanied her parents to Missouri when a child.
Walter C. Thompson was educated in the public schools of St. Louis and at the age of sixteen years he became interested in the broom manu- facturing business with his father. Under his father's tutelage he learned every phase of the business of manufacturing brooms and accompanied his father to Windsor in 1904, when the Windsor Manufacturing Company was placed in operation. In partnership with his brother, Benjamin, they are making a pronounced success of the business, which is of decided benefit to the growth and development of Windsor.
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