USA > Missouri > Cedar County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 55
USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 55
USA > Missouri > Barton County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 55
USA > Missouri > Hickory County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 55
USA > Missouri > Polk County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 55
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 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
.
610
HICKORY COUNTY.
1866, he wedded Miss Mary J., daughter of Gideon Creed. She was born in Hickory County, February 5, 1843, and has borne eight children: Louella, wife of Jacob Edde; John G., Oliver, Walter, Stephen, Ivy A., Frank, and an infant son. Mr. and Mrs. Pope are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a Republican in his political views, and in 1879 was elected by that party judge of the Eastern district of the county, and served until 1882.
Uriah Proctor, one of the successful farmers of Weaubleau Township, Hickory County, Mo., was born in Jessamine County, Ky., April 28, 1816, and is the son of George M. and Elizabeth (Beasley) Proctor. George M. Proctor was born in Kentucky, April 17, 1781, grew to manhood in that State, followed farming, and there married Miss Beasley about 1808. He died in his native State about 1819. His wife was born November 20, 1789, in Kentucky, and is the daughter of James Dinwiddie. To Mr. and Mrs. Proctor were born five children, two now living, Uriah Proctor being fourth in order of birth. In 1834 the mother of these children moved with her family to Marion County, Mo., and here died in March, 1840. Uriah Proctor grew to manhood in Kentucky, came to Marion County with his mother and brothers in the above mentioned year, and was here married to Miss Almira Terrill in July, 1840. In 1857 they moved to Hickory County, and settled on the farm, where he now lives. He is a Republican in politics. He has taken an active part in school matters ever since coming to the county, and has been school director in his district for twenty years. The name " Proctor" is English, and the family were originally from that country. Mrs. Almira (Terrill) Proctor was born March 3, 1823, in Kentucky, and was the daughter of Robert and Mary Terrill. She came to Marion County, Mo., with her parents when six years of age, and to her marriage with Mr. Proctor were born six children, five of whom are living, viz .: Christopher C. (deceased); George R .; Mary E., now Mrs. Richardson; Julia M., Mrs. Wear; Eliza A., and Susan M. . (Mullen). Mrs. Proctor died in Hickory County, Mo., Novem- ber 8, 1887.
Judge Thomas F: Robinson, a successful farmer and stock- man of the county, is'in every respect worthy a place in these columns. He was born in Franklin County, Tenn., February 7, 1831, and is a son of James R. and Frances (Eliott) Robinson, who were born in South Carolina and Kentucky, in 1797 and 1799, respectively. Previous to attaining his majority, James R. Robinson emigrated to Tennessee, but in 1837 removed to Mis- souri, becoming one of the pioneers of Benton County, and here died in 1872, followed by his wife in 1881. Nine of the twelve children born to him and wife grew to maturity, of whom Judge
6II
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
Thomas F. Robinson is the seventh in order of birth. John Robinson, the third child, was a lieutenant in the Mexican War, and died near Santa Fé, New Mexico. Joseph Robinson and Thomas Eliott, the grandfathers, were born in South Carolina and Kentucky respectively, and were Revolutionary soldiers, and the latter died in his native State. Judge Robinson, our subject, was reared, educated and married in Benton County, Mo., the latter event being to Miss Elizabeth Jenkins, a native of Franklin, Tenn., born in 1831. The following family have been born to them: James W., Flavens J., Benjamin F., Elizabeth, Sarah F., Thomas F., living; and Nancy, Mary, John J., and Almedia, deceased. In the late Rebellion he joined Company A, Sixtieth Missouri State Militia, and was wounded in a skirmish with Joe Shelby on his raid through the State in 1863. He then received his discharge and returned home. He has held some office nearly ever since, and in 1868 was elected presiding judge of the county, serving in this capacity six years. He read law in the office of John G. Ferguson, of Osceola, and practiced law two years. In 1876 he came to Hickory County, and served as justice of the peace of Hermitage three years, having held this position in Ben- ton County numerous terms. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Lewis Cass. He owns about IIO acres of land, and is a church member.
Newton B. Sherman, one of the prominent citizens of Hickory County, Mo., was born at Palmyra, N. Y., November 30, 1826, and is one of the thorough-going, enterprising men of that county. His parents, Merritt and Emily M. (Rich) Sherman, were natives of New York and Connecticut, respectively. The paternal grandfather, John Sherman, was a native of Rhode Island, and was a farmer by occupation, and a lawyer by profes- sion. His son, Merritt Sherman, was a farmer, but also carried on merchandising on the Erie Canal for twenty-five years; in fact, was the first to run a merchant boat on that canal, and at this was very successful. During the great financial crash in the forties, he lost heavily. He filled various offices of trust in Wayne County, N. Y., and in 1848 moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and there resided five years. He then moved to Lenawee County, Mich., where he resided for a time, and then moved to Hillsdale County, where he died in 1880 at the age of eighty-one years. He married Miss Rich in Wayne County, N. Y., and she is now living in Hillsdale County, Mich., and was eighty-eight years of age on January 25 last. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren number ninety. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and she is now a member of that church. Mr. Sherman was formerly a Whig in politics, but, after the Republican party came into existence, he joined that party. The Sherman family are supposed to be descendants of Roger
612
HICKORY COUNTY.
Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Newton B. Sherman received his education at Palmyra, N. Y., and finished in Marion Academy, in Wayne County, N. Y. He remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, part of the time assisting his father in the mercantile business on the Erie Canal. After leaving his parents, he turned his attention to trading in stock, driving them West, and as a stock merchant he was very successful. During this time he was also engaged in teaching school in various parts of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. He made his home near Cleveland until 1854, when he moved to Lenawee County, Mich., and there resided thirteen years, or until 1867. He then moved to Missouri, locating in Hickory County, and there he has since remained. While in Michigan he was engaged in farming and stock raising, which has been his principal occupation since coming to Missouri. Also, while living in that State, he was elected by Republicans to the position of collector and treasurer of the county, and served one term. He also, at different times, held minor offices in the county. October 17, 1852, he married Miss Sarah Hilliar, a native of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, born fourteen miles from Cleveland, February 13, 1835, and a daughter of John Hilliar. Five children were born to this union, four sons living, viz. : Clarence E., John M .; Orlena, born January 15, 1858, and died November 3, 1878; George N., and Henry J. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman are members of the Christian Church, and are much- esteemed citizens. He has held the position of elder in the church for many years. In his political views, he affiliates with the Republican party. Mr. Sherman is now in charge of the business, in Hickory County, of J. D. Cook, who resides in Southern California. He was recently elected mayor of Wheat- land.
Jefferson B. Shoemaker, a leading citizen of Hickory County, Mo., was born in Logan, Hocking County, Ohio, March 15, 1836, and is a son of A. and Samantha (Bennett) Shoemaker, who were born in Scotland and New York respectively. The father was born in 1810, and came with his parents to the United States, locating in Ohio, where they lived and died. He was a shoemaker and school teacher, and for a number of years was surveyor of Hocking County. His death occurred in 1838, at the untimely age of 28 years. His father, Cornelius Shoemaker, was a farmer and Baptist minister, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. Samantha (Bennett) Shoemaker was born in 1815, and died in Jefferson County, Iowa, whither she had moved in 1849, being the wife of Jason Landpher at the time of her death. To her first union three children were born, Jefferson B. being the second child and the only one now living. He received his educa- tion in Ohio and Iowa, and at the age of fourteen years, left his
613
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
mother, and began farming, teaming and staging, following the latter occupation from Keokuk, Iowa, west to what was Fort Des Moines, but is now the city of Des Moines. He entered land in Iowa, and was engaged in farming until 1868, when he came to Hickory County, Mo., where he has since made his home, and followed the occupations of farming and stock raising. January 2, 1857, he wedded Miss Sarah Shepherd, a daughter of John and Eliza Shepherd. She was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., January 1, 1842, and their marriage resulted in the birth of twelve children, eleven living: John J., Rufus A., Russell, Laura, Leonidus, Lavaughn, Dickie, Samuel J. T., Willis A., Karan and Nora. Anna, the third child, died when nine months old. Mr. Shoemaker is a Democrat, and a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. Mrs. Shoemaker's parents, John and Eliza Shep- herd, were born in Indiana and Virginia, and died in Ten- nessee and Centerville, Iowa, respectively. After the father's death, the mother married Isaac Harris.
Jacob P. Stoll, a prominent resident of Hickory County, Mo., was born in Brognard, Doubs, France, June 10, 1830, his parents, Peter and Catherine (Graber) Stoll, being also natives of Doubs, his birth occurring January 1, 1799, and hers September 27, 1801. They died in Wayne County, Ohio, and Hickory County, Mo., November 9, 1867, and January 1, 1877, respectively. Their marriage took place in France when the father was twenty-four years of age, and they made their home in their native land until 1836, then they came to the United States, and located in Wayne County, Ohio, where they successfully tilled the soil. He was a Democrat, and both were members of the Old Mennonite Church. Mrs. Stoll came with her son Jacob P. to Hickory County, Mo., where she spent her declining years. Her son Christian died in Ohio, and Catharine is the wife of Jacob Stoll and residing in Wayne County, Ohio. Jacob P. received his education in that county, and, when twenty-one years of age, began to fight his own way in the world. In 1848 he took a trip to Lake Erie, visiting Milwaukee, Galena, the western partof Iowa, and thence home via Cincinnati and St. Louis, and in 1852 he went to Cali- fornia via the Isthmus of Panama. After working in the mines there for nearly two years, he returned home, the trip hav- ing been a success financially. He made Wayne County his home until 1864, then he made an extensive trip through Ken- tucky, Missouri, and other States, seeking a location, and, after residing in Allen County, Ind., until 1872, he came to Hickory County, where he owns a fine farm of 500 acres, the original purchase consisting of 320 acres. In 1854, after his return from California, he married Miss Mary Lichty, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, June 1, 1836, and was a daughter of Peter Lichty. To their union ten children were born, nine now living: Fanny,
614
HICKORY COUNTY.
Peter, Lydia, Katie, Mary, Adam, Louisa, Jacob and Amma. David died when two years of age. Mr. Stoll, wife and four chil- dren, are members of the church, the former belonging to the Chris- tian Church, and the rest to the Baptist and Mennonite denomina- tions. Mr. Stoll is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and politically has been a Democrat for many years. He is now engaged in mining both in Hickory and St. Clair Counties, Mo., for silver, lead, kaolin, etc., holding interests in three different mines, one in Hickory, and two in St. Clair County.
James T. Wallen, a resident of Wheatland Township, Hickory County, Mo., was born in East Tennessee, March 15, 1826, and is a son of Michael and Lucinda (Saulsberry) Wallen, who were born in North Carolina and White County, Tenn., respectively. When a young man, Michael Wallen removed to Tennessee, and, in 1830, located in Cole County, Mo., and died on the Gasconade River when about forty-five years of age. His widow afterward married William McKay, and, after residing in Miller and McDon- ald Counties, removed to Hickory County, where she died, aged about sixty-four years. To them were born six children, of whom James T. is the only one now living. Those deceased are Susan, Elizabeth, Andrew, Daniel, and Spencer. P. To the mother's last marriage one daughter was born, Maria J., who is also deceased. James T. Wallen received his education by his own exertions in Miller County, and made his home with his mother until twenty-five years of age, then turned his atten- tion to farming in Hickory County. During the Mexican War he attempted to enlist, but was prevented from so doing by his step-father, Mr. McKay; but, when the Rebellion broke out, he, in 1862, joined the Home Guards, Company I, Eighth Missouri State Militia, and served until April 21, 1865, and was mustered out at Springfield, having participated in many battles, among which were Fayetteville, Tomahawk, and many others. He was never wounded, and was taken prisoner once, but was only retained a short time. He is a Republican in politics, and, in 1872, was elected constable in Montgomery Township, and served, by re-election, until he finally refused to serve longer. In 1882 he was elected judge of the Western district, and was re-elected in 1884, being urged, at the expiration of this term, to become a candidate for re-election, but refused. On the 22d of July, 1851, he and Miss Sarah Mckenzie ran away from home, and were mar- ried. She was born in Monroe County, Tenn., May 24, 1831, and is a daughter of James McKenzie. To them were born five children, four of whom are living: Sarah E., wife of R. H. Gard- ner; Nancy C., widow of George W. Dixon, deceased, and William F. Blackwell, deceased; Minervia J. (deceased); Daniel R. R .; and Lucinda, wife of Charles Tillery, of Hickory County. Mrs. Wallen is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he of
615
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
the old Primitive Baptist denomination. He is a Mason, and belongs to the G. A. R. He owns some excellent land in Hickory County, the result of hard work and economy.
Dr. G. N. White. In briefly sketching the life of this gentle- man, it is but just to say that he is one of the eminent practition- ers of the county, and has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. In 1850 his birth occurred, in Gasco- nade County, Mo., and he was there reared to manhood, on a farm, receiving his education in the common, supplemented by an attendance at the graded, schools. At the age of eighteen years he became a teacher, and was alternately engaged in this occupation and going to school until he secured a position in the graded school in Urbana. He was for a number of years one of the popular local educators of Dallas and neighboring counties, and also won an enviable reputation as a teacher in Montgomery County, Kan., to which place he went in 1872, remaining one year. He read medicine under Dr. L. Coon, and for two years practiced that profession in Arkansas, and then (in 1881) entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated with the degree of M. D., in 1884. He then returned to Missouri, and, after practicing for some time in Eldon and Wheatland, he located in Cross Timbers, in November, 1887. He has built up a large practice, and, in connection with his pro- fession, is interested in a drug store. He owns property in Wheatland. He is a Prohibitionist and a member of the Christian Church. 'Miss Maggie Coon became his wife in 1874. She was born in Dallas County, Mo., in 1853, and she and Dr. White are the parents of three children: Fred C., Curtis R., and Grace.
J. W. White, M. D., a leading member of the medical frater- nity in Hickory County, Mo., and a successful druggist of Cross Timbers, is a native of Dallas County, Mo., and was born on the Ist of December, 1856. He was educated in the common schools and Lewisburg Academy, of his native county, and, from early boyhood, his ambition was to become a physician, and, while still in school, began the study of medicine, con- tinuing to pursue different branches of this science during the four years in which he was engaged in pedagoguing. He then entered a medical college at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was graduated from the institution in 1886 with the degree of M. D., but for three years previous to graduating he practiced medicine with his brother at Cross Timbers. His ambitious hopes in his boy- hood days have been fully realized, and he now ranks among the successful physicians of the county. In 1886 Miss Laura Lindsey, who was born in Hickory County, Mo., in 1864, became his wife, and their union has been blessed in the birth of three children: Eugene R., and Minnie and Nonie (twins). Jonah N. White, the Doctor's father, was born in East Tennessee, and, in 1843, moved
616
HICKORY COUNTY.
to Missouri, and, after residing in Gasconade and Dallas Counties, came to Cross Timbers, where he is now making his home, retired from the active duties of life. His wife's maiden name was Chloe Ruder, and she was born in St. Louis County, Mo., and died on the 17th of September, 1868. They were the parents of six sons and two daughters.
Pleasant H. Wilson, a successful tiller of the soil in Hickory County, Mo., was born in Miller County, Mo., October 22, 1842, and is a son of Isaac and Mary (Woods) Wilson, who were both born in Tennessee, the former in Knox County. They were married in that State, and there resided until 1834, when they came to Miller County, Mo., and there made their home for twenty years, then moving to Laclede County, where the father died in .1866 or 1867. The mother had died a number of years earlier, and the father had afterward married Mrs. (Mayfield) Jones, who is also now deceased. Pleasant H. Wilson was the ninth of ten children (six of whom are now living), and was only fourteen years of age when he started out in life for himself. He went to Maries County, and for one year was employed on a farm at five dollars per month. He made three crops in Miller County, and in 1861 enlisted in Company B, Tenth Missouri Cavalry, but at the end of seven months was honorably dis- charged on account of disability, and returned to Miller County, but joined the State Militia, serving ten months. He then mar- ried Sophia, a daughter of Asa Burlingame. She was born in Ohio in 1844, and became the mother of five children, four of whom survive; Asa B., who is married, and lives near Garden City; George W., Effie F. and Eliza J. James Pleasant died when an infant. After his marriage Mr. Wilson farmed for one year in Miller County, then one year in Hickory and two years in Laclede County. He then returned to Hickory County, and purchased forty acres of land, and has continued to add to this pur- chase until he now owns 720 acres of some very fine land, all of which he has earned by industry and good management and the aid of his faithful wife. He is a Republican politically, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and four of their children are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.
Francis Marion Wilson, clerk of the county court of Hickory County, Mo.,'was born in Callaway County, Mo., January 24, 1848. After reaching the age of eighteen in Miller County, he came to Hickory County and began the study of law, being admitted to practice in the courts of Benton County, Mo., June 27, 1874. In 1882 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the county on the Republican ticket, was re-elected in 1884, and in 1886 was elected to his present position, the duties of which he is discharging in a very efficient manner. March 28, 1872, he was married to Miss
1
617
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
Mary Alexander, who was born in Tennessee in 1853, and by her has the following family : Ulysses, Eudora L., Eugenie, Eunice E., Vide and George. The paternal great-grandfather was of Scotch and Swiss origin; his son Isaac, the paternal grandfather, was born in Kentucky, and died in Laclede County, Mo. George Wilson, the father of our subject, was born in Whitley County, Ky., November 8, 1827, but was taken by his parents to Illinois when quite young, finally back to Tennessee, then to Missouri, locating in Miller County, and is now keeping a hotel in Hermi- tage. He volunteered for the Mexican War, but did not go to the field, and during the late war he served in the Federal army (Tenth Missouri Cavalry) for some time. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Jones, was born in Wythe County, Va., July 19, 1827, and is a daughter of Hiram Jones, who came from Wythe County, Va., and died in Miller County, Mo., in 1867, having followed the occupation of farming throughout life. The family name was originally spelled Willson.
POLK COUNTY.
Flavius A. Affleck, circuit court clerk of Polk County, was born in St. Clair County, Ill., May 6, 1848, being the son of Robert G. and Martha (Million) Affleck. His father was born in Murfreesboro, Tenn., in 1817, and his mother, in West Vir- ginia, in 1820. When very young, both were taken to St. Clair County, and there met and married. Mr. Robert G. Affleck served an apprenticeship at three trades, those of cabinet-maker, blacksmith and carpenter. In 1850 he went to California, mined successfully for three years, and, although $10,000 worth of gold was stolen from him, he returned with enough to buy a farm. From 1864 to 1871 he operated a large mill in Columbia, Ill., and in 1872 moved to this county, and located in Bolivar, where . he and his son, the subject of this sketch, ran a mill till 1878. He was formerly a Whig, but is now a Republican, and he and his wife, both of whom still live, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Flavius A. is the fifth of eleven children. He received his education in the common schools of Illinois and in McKendree College. When fourteen years of age he was put into a mill to learn the business, and for fifteen years followed it. On December 19, 1872, he married Miss Rosalie A. Wilson, of Monroe County, Ill., and, as a result of this union, has had four children: Anne J., Elsie I., Irma and Martha. In 1878 .Mr. Affleck was chosen teacher in the Bolivar schools, and taught two years. He was deputy collector four years, book- keeper in the Polk County Bank two years, and, in 1886, was
39
618
POLK COUNTY.
chosen circuit clerk. He is a Knight Templar, holds the position of Deputy Grand Master and Lecturer of the Twenty-eighth Mis- souri District; is a Knight of Pythias, and a Republican. Both he and his wife are Methodists.
Capt. James J. Akard, clerk of the county court of Polk County, was born July 7, 1838, near, Fair Play, this county. His parents, Joseph and Keziah (Dunnegan) Akard, were natives of Middle Tennessee, but were married in Missouri. Having emigrated to the latter State in 1833, they located near where Fair Play now is, being among the first settlers of that section and having but few neighbors, and those from ten to fifteen miles apart. The father was a plain farmer, in politics a Democrat, and died in 1846, leaving his widow, who died in 1885 at the age of sixty-eight. In this family there were five children, of whom two are now living. James J., the oldest child and subject of this sketch, was raised on his father's farm and received his education in subscription schools held in the old-time log school- houses. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Fifteenth Reserve Corps, being commissioned first lieutenant. In Decem- ber he was transferred to Company A, Eighth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, and in May, 1863, was promoted to the captaincy of his company, and held that position till his discharge, January 25, 1865. In October, 1864, while skirmishing around Jefferson City, he received a musket ball in his right hip, which he now carries. In 1866 he was elected to the State Legislature, and held the position two terms, having also held important county offices; he was sheriff from 1876 to 1878; collector from 1878 to 1880, and has ably discharged his duties as clerk of the county court from 1886 to the present time. Captain Akard married Miss Adaline Akard, a native of this county, by whom he has had two children: Ella May and Dellie E. Mrs. Akard is a member of the Baptist Church. Capt. Akard has taken the Knight Templar degree in the Masonic order, is a member of the G. A. R., and, politically, is a stanch Republican. In connection with official duties, he is also interested in farming, owning a large farm adjoining Bolivar. He has been a well known resident of this county for fifty years, and the respect shown him is as wide as his acquaintance.
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.