History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri, Part 54

Author: Goodspeed, firm, publishers, Chicago (1886-1891, Goodspeed Publishing Co.)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 998

USA > Missouri > Cedar County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 54
USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 54
USA > Missouri > Barton County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 54
USA > Missouri > Hickory County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 54
USA > Missouri > Polk County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 54

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).

for four years, and has been very successful in his work, and has deeds for 300 acres of good land in Hickory County, which land he will sell for $35 per acre, some of good river bottom land, and the rest is on the ridges. He is a stanch Republican in his political views, and he and wife, whom he married while residing in New York City, are members of the Catholic Church. Her maiden name was Miss Minnie Rebecky and she was born in Alsace, France, in 1850.

Dr. J. W. Mowell is a successful practicing physician of Cross Timbers, Mo., and is a native of Indiana County, Penn., born in 1861. His father, George W. Mowell, was born in 1835, also in Indiana County, Penn., and was there reared to manhood and married, his wife's maiden name being Elizabeth B. Smith. He was by trade a blacksmith, but has followed the occupation of farming the greater portion of his life, and is now residing in Benton County, Mo., whither he came in 1866. Here it was that Dr. J. W. Mowell received his common school education, which he supplemented by a course in the Warrensburg State Normal School. Later he taught five terms of school; was mar- ried in 1882, and soon moved to St. Louis. He began pursuing his medical studies while a resident of St. Louis, and was graduated from the Missouri Medical College in that city, in March, 1888. He then came to Cross Timbers, and began practicing with his brother-in-law, which he has continued successfully up to the present time, now being a member of the Hickory County Reg- ular Medical Society. His wife was formerly Miss Katie Feaster, who was born in Benton County, Mo., and by her he has two little children: Shelley E. and Artie R.

Alexander Murphy, county school commissioner of Hickory County, Mo., was born in Randolph County, Ind., in 1849, being a son of Alexander and Eliza (Quigg) Murphy, both of whom were born in the " Keystone State." The father first removed from his native State to Ohio, thence to Indiana, his time being spent in following mechanical pursuits. His death occurred when his son Alexander was a small lad, and his widow still sur- vives him, and resides in. Hickory County, Mo., with our subject. The latter is the youngest of the family, and has been a resident of Missouri since his early boyhood, and has always had the wel- fare of his county at heart. His rudimentary education was

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obtained in the common schools, and this he supplemented by a course in the graded schools of Urbana and Weaubleau, obtain- ing thereby an excellent education. He then began teaching in the public schools of Hickory and adjoining counties, continuing this occupation for twenty years, and is one of the most success- ful and popular educators of the county. In 1879 he was elected to his present position, re-elected in 1881, and again re-elected in 1889, being a candidate of the Republican party, of which he has long been a member. He has taken great interest in improving and raising the standard of schools, and in this respect great progress has been made since his first election. He has been quite successful in the accumulation of this world's goods, and is the owner of 120 acres of good land in the county.

Naffziger & Mosser. The Star Union Grist and Saw Mills of Wheatland, Mo., was founded, in 1869, by J. S. Naffziger, and is now operated by Naffziger & Mosser, who have been in partner- ship since June 20, 1881. The junior member of the firm, Christian Naffziger, was born in Waterloo County, Canada, Janu- ary 22, 1845, his parents being J. S. and Josephine (Naffziger) Naffziger, whose native birthplaces were Bavaria, Germany, and France respectively, the former born July 7, 1820, and the latter in 1819. The father was a child of five years when he came with his parents to the United States, and, after residing in Lancaster County, Penn., for a number of years, they moved to Upper Canada, and located in Waterloo County. Here J. S. Naffziger resided until nineteen years of age, then went to New York State, but, after residing two years in Lowell County, returned to Canada, and December 2, 1841, was married to Josephine Naffziger, a distant relation. In 185 1 they removed to Lee County, Iowa, locating about eighteen miles north of Keokuk, where they continued to make their home until August, 1859, since which time they have resided in Hickory County, Mo., where he owns a good farm on Twenty-five Mile Prairie. Since 1867 he has given his attention to milling, but has also continued to farm and raise stock. The following are his chil- dren who are living: Catharine, wife of Jacob J. Stuckey; John J., a ranchman of New Mexico; David, a saddler and harness- maker at Wheatland; Daniel, a farmer of New Mexico; Samuel, who died at the age of twenty-four years in 1875; Benjamin, a merchant of El Dorado Springs, Mo .; and Mary, at home. Christian Naffziger resided on his father's farm and operated a threshing machine until 1870, when he went West to the Black Hills, and, after remaining there five years, returned to Jasper County, Mo., and worked in the zinc mines of that county until May, 1881, when he purchased an interest in the Star Union Mills, with which he has since been connected. On the 12th of April, 1885, he was married to Miss Mary, a daughter of John

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Rich. She was born in France in 1856, and by Mr. Naffziger is the mother of one son, Joseph D., who is sixteen months old. The entire family worship in the Mennonite Church, and Christian, like his father, is a stanch Republican in politics. He is also a member of the Wheel, and is one of the prosperous young citizens of the county. Jacob Mosser, the senior member of the milling firm of Naffziger & Mosser, was born in Waterloo County, Canada, December 2, 1835, and is one of nine children born to John and Barbara (Bloom) Mosser, the former born in Ohio, and died in Waterloo County, Canada, about 1843, and the latter born in Alsace, France, and died in Huron County, Canada, in 1877, when sixty-two years of age. After the father's death the mother married again, her last husband being now also deceased. Jacob Mosser remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age, then began learning the miller's trade in Huron County, Canada, where he remained until 1864, when he went to Europe, and, after making his home in Switzer- land for about two years, returned to Canada, and in 1867 went to Bay City, Mich. After working in a mill in this city for a short period he returned to Canada, and in 1869 came to Mis- souri and began working in the mill in Wheatland, where he remained until 1875, then went to Carroll County, Ind., where he made a stay of two years, then returned to Wheatland, pur- chasing, in 1879, an interest in the Star Union Mills. Christiana Miller, who was born in Germany, January 28, 1845, became his wife September 6, 1867, and by her he has a family of nine children: Sarah, Louis, Barbara, Samuel, Joseph, Minnie, Bennie, William and Fred. Mrs. Mosser is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Mosser is a Republican in his political views, and is a member of the Wheel.

David Naffziger, manufacturer of harness, saddles, etc., at Wheatland, Hickory County, Mo., was born in Waterloo County, Canada, October 27, 1846, and is the third son of J. S. and Josephine Naffziger, natives of France. He, with his parents, moved from Canada to Lee County, Iowa, in June, 1851, and came to Hickory County, Mo., in the fall of 1858. David Naffziger received his education in the schools of Hickory County, Mo. In 1869 he left his parents, going to Pulaski, Iowa, where he followed farming for a year, after which he returned home, and remained a short time. He then went to the Western Territories, and remained about six months, when he again returned home, and, in 1872, went to Colorado and the Western Territories, where he worked in the silver and gold mines for about four years, during the time having traveled over a great portion of the West. He was a very successful miner, but spent the money as fast as it came. Later he returned to Wheatland, and engaged in the mill business, which he continued until 1883,

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when he sold his interest in the mill, and engaged in his present business, with his brother as a partner. In 1885 he purchased the entire interest in this business, which he has successfully conducted since. May 2, 1888, he married Miss Lou Goldsmith, a native of Washington County, Iowa, born in 1858, and the daughter of Peter Goldsmith, of Wyoming Territory. To this marriage one son was born February 7, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Naffziger are members of the Mennonite Church. Mr. Naffziger is a member of the I. O. O. F. order, and is a Republican in politics. He at all times has donated liberally to the cause of education, as well as to all public enterprises, and is a very successful business man, and a much esteemed citizen.

Judge Moses N. Neihardt, probate judge of Hickory County, Mo., was born in Williams County, Ohio, on the 21st of January, 1847, his parents being Jacob and Anna M. (Frock) Neihardt. The father was born in Center County, Penn., December 7, 1795, and was of German ancestry, and the mother was born in Mary- land December 1I, 1807, and was of German and English ances- try. The father died in Williams County, Ohio, in March, 1871, but the mother is still living, and resides in that county with her children. He was a successful farmer throughout life. At twelve years of age he removed to Holmes County, Ohio, and, in 1832 to Williams County, same State. In 1829 he was com- missioned lieutenant of a company to protect the frontier from Indian depredations. In his political views he was a Democrat until 1855, when he became a Republican, which he remained until his death. He and wife became the parents of eleven chil- dren, seven of whom are living at the present time. Moses N. Neihardt was next to the youngest in the family, and received his education in the Northeast Indiana Institute, at Orland, Ind. In June, 1863, he enlisted in Company E, Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and served until October 28 of the same year, when he began devoting his attention to school teaching during the winter seasons and attending school during the summer months, and, after coming to Hickory County, Mo., in 1866, he continued the occupation of teaching for four years. He then returned to Orland, Ind., and learned photography, at which he worked for a number of years during the summer. In 1870 he came to Hermitage and formed a partnership with Amos S. Smith in the real estate business, and, at the same time, studied law, being employed, in 1872, in the county and circuit court clerk's office. In 1874 he was elected county and circuit court clerk, and was a faithful and efficient incumbent of that office for eight years. He then turned his attention to farming, and served as deputy assessor and deputy clerk. In 1886 he was elected probate judge of Hickory County. In 1871 he was admitted to the bar, but has never prac- ticed his profession. He is a Republican in politics, and is a

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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.

member of the G. A. R. He also belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity and the I. O. O. F. March 26, 1873, he was married to Miss Mary S. Pack, a daughter of J. R. and Rachel Pack, of Hickory County, by whom he has three children: Otto K., Ada and Melbern M.

T. J. and E. H. Noland, merchants, of Cross Timbers, Mo., were born in Polk County, Mo., in 1856 and November 6, 1852, respectively, being the sons of Robert G. and Charlotte (Hall) Noland, who were born in Kentucky and Tennessee. The father grew to manhood in the " Blue Grass State," and at an early day emigrated to Missouri, locating in Polk County, where he entered land and engaged in merchandising, being a member of the firm of Hall, Noland & Co. His father was born in the " Palmetto State," and, after emigrating to Kentucky at an early day and remaining there for a number of years, he came to Mis- souri, where he spent the rest of his days. T. J. Noland was the third of his parents' five children, and was reared to manhood in Polk and adjoining counties, obtaining a good education in the common and graded schools. He was engaged in farming and stock trading until about 1881, when he embarked in his present business. He is one of the original members of the firm of Heath, Noland & Co., and as such continues, their business net- ting them a good annual income. The Noland Brothers now own the Garden City Flouring Mills, which, through their skill and enterprise, have been changed to full roller process. They also own in two farms 400 acres of land. In 1878 T. J. Noland was married to Miss Sarah E. Nease, who was born in Indiana, and the following are their children: Bertie, Eugene, Vernon V., and Ross. Mr. Noland is a Democrat, and he and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. E. H. Noland, of the above firm, remained in his native county until twelve years of age, and, after residing in Illinois with his mother for some time, returned to Missouri and continued to attend school until he acquired a good practical education. Like his brother, he was first engaged in farming and stock trading, and in 1881 became connected with his present business, and is doing well financially. He was first married to Miss Fanny E. Ihrig, by whom he had one daughter, Fanny F. This wife died in 1882, and he took for his second wife Miss Ella Mohease, who has also borne him one child, Verde. He and family are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a Democrat.

Dr. James R. Pack, a prominent physician of Hickory County, Mo., was born in Buncombe County, N. C., May 5, 1826, and from his birth until the age of twenty-one years lived with his parents, Elias and Sophia (Bishop) Pack, who were born in the Carolinas in 1802 and 1805, respectively, and resided in those States about as follows: First in Greenville, S. C .; then in

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Haywood County, N. C .; thence to Pickens' District, S. C .; and then in Macon, N. C. The Pack family are of Irish descent, and settled in America previous to the Revolutionary War, in which struggle the great-grandfather took an active part. About 1849 the family removed to Monroe County, Tenn., and, after residing in that and other counties for some time, came to Leb- anon, Mo., where the mother's death occurred July 22, 1870. She had been a consistent member of the Baptist Church for many years. The father was a Democrat in his political views, and a farmer by occupation, and his death occurred in Hickory County, Mo., January 11, 1873. His father, James Pack, who was grandfather to the subject of this sketch, is supposed to be a native of South Carolina, and was a soldier of the war of 1812. His wife's maiden name was Woody. She came with her parents from Scotland to Virginia when she was about ten years old. Dr. James R. Pack received his rudimentary education in South Carolina, and, when about twenty-one years of age, went with a younger brother to East Tennessee, where he began working in what was known as the Coker Creek gold mines, remaining thus employed two years, after which, feeling the necessity of a better education, he again entered school, and for the next five years was engaged in attending and teaching school, and doing other work, as opportunity offered and necessity required. On the Ist of September, 1853, he was married to Miss Rachel Waren, near Loudon, Tenn., and the following year moved to Marion County, Ark., where he taught school two years, and then moved to Miller County, Mo. Having for the previous five or six years given all his spare time to the study of medicine, he now entered upon the practice of that profession in Miller County, and in 1859 moved to Douglas County, where he practiced until the Rebellion. When hostilities began between the North and South, he remained true to the Union, and denounced secession. He helped organize one of the first companies of Home Guards in Southwest Missouri, with which he served until 1862, when he was appointed surgeon, and assigned to duty at a place called Clark's Mills, twenty-five miles north of the Arkansas line, where, with four companies of militia and a battalion of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, a fort was erected, called Fort Stevison, in honor of Maj. Stevison, of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, who was chief in command. Dr. Pack remained post-surgeon until the place was besieged and taken by the rebels under Cols. Burbridge and Green. He then returned home, and did not again go into serv- ice during the war. In 1862 he had moved his family to Marsh- field, and from there, in 1863, he moved to Maries County, where he practiced medicine three years, then returned to Marsh- field. In 1870 he located in Lebanon, and two years later took up his abode in Hermitage, where he has since made his home.

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In 1881 he attended the practitioners' course in the Chicago Medical College, and the following year received the honorary doctorate degree of physician and surgeon from the St. Joseph Hospital Medical College. In 1884 he moved to Florida, but, not being satisfied with that country, he returned to Hermitage, his former home, in 1886, where he is at present residing. His wife is a daughter of Jacob Waren, one of the earliest settlers of Roane County, Tenn. By her he became the father of five children, of whom two survive: Mary S., wife of M. N. Nie- hardt; and Dr. George W., who is now residing at Preston, Mo.

Amos M. Paxton was born in the county in which he now resides on the 8th of December, 1845, being'a son of William and Rebecca (Shinabargar) Paxton, who were born in Washing- ton County, Pa., April 4, 1807, and Virginia, January 2, 18II, respectively. The former died December 19, 1862, at the age of fifty-five years eight months and fifteen days; but the latter is still living (1889), and resides with her children in Hickory County. William Paxton, when a child, was taken by his parents to Ohio, where he was reared, married and made his home until 1837, in which year he removed to Cooper County, Mo., staying there until 1840, when he removed to Benton (now Hickory) County, of which he was one of the first settlers. He was a millwright by trade, and erected the first mill in the terri- tory now comprising Hickory County. In 1852 he was elected circuit and county clerk, ex officio recorder and probate judge of the county, serving six years in succession. He was then elected public administrator, which position he held until the breaking out of the Rebellion. Although he only received a common school education in his youth, he was above the average in intel- ligence and business ability. At the beginning of the Civil War he was a stanch supporter of the Union, and through his influence many were persuaded to remain loyal to the Union who otherwise would doubtless have drifted into the Rebellion. Previous to the war he was a Whig in politics, and in 1860 voted for Bell and Everett. Seven of his eight children lived to maturity, and six are living at the present time. Ethan, born December 31, 1829, was second lieutenant of Company I, Eighth Missouri State Militia Volunteers, during the war; Hugh, born January 16, 1834; Nancy A., born April 13, 1838; Almina B., born April 3, 1842, wife of Samuel Dent, ex-county clerk of Hick- ory County; Amos M .; and Lucy D., born September 25, 1857, wife of John M. Sherman. Those deceased are: William, born April 9, 1832, who died in infancy; and W. J., born September 28, 1849, and died June 1, 1875. Amos M. Paxton, the immediate subject of this sketch, attended the common schools of Hickory County in his youth, and during the war served a short time in the Enrolled Militia, but, owing to the death of his father

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and the helpless condition of his mother and other members of his family, who had been burned out of house and home and robbed by Confederate marauders, he had to devote most of his time to caring for the family-mother, brother and sisters. During and after the war he was engaged in tilling the soil until 1876, when he was elected to the office of assessor, and served one term. In 1879 he engaged in merchandising at Wheatland, continuing there until January 1, 1889. In November, 1888, he was elected collector of Hickory County, by the Republican party, of which he has always been a member, and is now filling the duties of that office. July 27, 1881, he was married to Mrs. Hattie Jenkins, a daughter of Joseph Culley, of Cooper County, Mo. She was born in Illinois, November 15, 1856, and her union with Mr. Paxton has been blessed with a daughter, Maud C., born June 4, 1882. Mrs. Paxton is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, South.

W. S. Pickett is one of the successful husbandmen of Hickory County, Mo., and was born in Mason County, Ky., January 20, 1845, and is a son of Major B. O. and Mary L. F. (Bacon) Pick- ett, the former born in Mason County, Ky., and the latter in Virginia, in 1824. She is now living on the old homestead in Kentucky, with her children. The father was reared in his native State, was married there, and throughout life was a tiller of the soil. He was a major in the early State Militia of Kentucky, and died in 1874. Of their eight children, all grew to maturity and all are now living, with the exception of one son, John Bacon, who was killed or died from sickness during the Civil War, in which he was serving on the Confederate side, being under Breckenridge. The Pickett family are of French descent, and W. S. Pickett, our subject, is a first cousin of General John T. Pickett, and third cousin of General George Pickett. W. S. Pick- ett attained maturity in Mason County, Ky., and received the advantages of the common schools sufficient to fit him for per- forming the ordinary duties of life. He worked on the farm until . he emigrated West in 1868, and the same year located on his present farm, which now consists of about 500 acres, 400 acres being in one body. The country was extremely wild and unsettled at this time, there being only one house on the prairie besides his own. His father had previously entered 1,000 acres of land here, and W. S. came to take charge of it. He helped to lay out the town of Cross Timbers, was the second merchant in the place, being in partnership with John C. Brown, which busi -. ness was established in 1874, and the style of the firm was Brown & Pickett. Since 1884, Mr. Pickett has been retired from mer- cantile life, and has given his attention to his farm. He has been justice of the peace of Cross Timbers, and in his politics is a Democrat.

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James A. Pine is a son of Squire L. and Emeline Pine, who were born in Logan County, Va., and Montgomery County, Mo., respectively. At an early day the father removed to Missouri, and was married in St. Louis, Mo., locating with his wife, some time after, in Lincoln County, of the same State, where they made their home until 1852, since which time they have-resided in Hickory County. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in his political views Mr. Pine was for- merly a Whig, but is now a Republican. He served in the Mis- souri State Militia during the late war, and throughout life his enterprises have been attended with good results, he being now worth about $30,000, and is classed among the wealthy citizens of the county in which he resides. James A. Pine was born in Lincoln County, Mo., and from early life he has been familiar with farm labor. On the Ist day of January, 1889, he gave up this work to engage in mercantile pursuits in Wheatland, and for four years has served as assessor of Hickory County, now filling the duties of postmaster at Wheatland. In December, 1868, he was married to Dorinda A. Elliot, who was born in Kentucky. She and Mr. Pine are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are the parents of the following children: Mary E., Squire G., William F., Manda C., Lewis W., Rosa A., and Gussie C. James H. is deceased.

Nathan K. Pope is one of the prominent citizens of Hickory County, and is one who commands the respect and esteem of all who know him. He was born in Allen County, Ky., July 20, 1843, and is a son of John C. and Sarah (Lightfoot) Pope, who were also born on Kentucky soil, the father in Allen County, in 1822, and the mother in Simpson County about 1820. She died in Polk County, Mo., in 1874. They were married in Simpson County, but shortly after removed to Allen County, where they resided until coming to Missouri, in 1853. The father has been a farmer all his life, and is now a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Nathan K. Pope is the eldest of their nine children, six of whom are living, and received his education in the common schools of Polk County. He assisted his father in tilling the home farm until 1861, when he joined the Home Guards, and in September, 1862, enlisted in Company M of the Eighth Missouri Cavalry Volunteers, U. S: A., and served until August, 1865, when he was mustered out of service at St. Louis. He participated in the battles of Prairie Grove, Little Rock, Grand Prairie, Pumpkin Bend and many others, and, at the battle of Little Rock, was holding the rank of brigade orderly. After the cessation of hostilities he returned to the peaceful pursuit of farming and stock raising, and in 1876 came to Hickory County, and purchased his present farm, which consists of some of the best land in the county, and is well improved. November 15,

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History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri, Part 54

Author: Goodspeed, firm, publishers, Chicago (1886-1891, Goodspeed Publishing Co.) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co. Number of Pages: 998

Author: Goodspeed, firm, publishers, Chicago (1886-1891, Goodspeed Publishing Co.)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 998