USA > Missouri > Cedar County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 57
USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 57
USA > Missouri > Barton County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 57
USA > Missouri > Hickory County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 57
USA > Missouri > Polk County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 57
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Henry Brown. Intimately connected with the farming and stock raising interests of Polk County is the above mentioned gentleman, who was born in Broome County, N. Y., July 21, 1831, and is the son of James and Martha M. (William) Brown, the former born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1800. Grand- father Brown was cast away from an English vessel, it is sup- posed, off the coast of Rhode Island, and was picked up by a kind- hearted man by the name of Godfrey Brown, who named the child Caleb Brown James Brown followed a seafaring life along the coast of New York for some time, and at last, in Broome County, N. Y., met and married Miss William, who was born in that county in 1811. After marriage they lived there for some time, and then moved to Susquehanna County, Penn. Afterward they visited their son in Polk County, Mo. The father died in 1879, and lies buried in the Bolivar graveyard. The mother is still living, and is a resident of Auburn, N. Y. She is a member of the Methodist Church, as was also her husband. He was a farmer; a Democrat in politics, and was captain during militia days. In their family were twelve children, two sons and ten daughters. The second of these children and the only son now
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living, Henry Brown, worked during his boyhood days on the farm, and, although he had fair opportunities for an education, did not realize the benefit to be derived from a good schooling, and neglected these opportunities to a considerable extent. At the age of twenty-one he began for himself by hiring out, and for fourteen years was engaged in operating mills. In 1868 he, in company with others, came to this county, and February 10, 1876, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Louisa Tanner née Cordell, a native of Sangamon County, Ill., born February 24, 1839. By her previous marriage she had five children, three living: Jacob, Frances S. and William H. By the second union three children were born, one now living named Lillie. When he began life Mr. Brown had nothing, but with determination and pluck he went to work, and is now one of the leading farm- ers of his' community, being the owner of 360 acres of land. He is also considerable of a stockman. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and he is a member of the Wheel.
John W. Burks, attorney at law at Humansville, Mo., was born in Miller County, Mo., in 1854, and is the son of William G. and Louisa (Granstaff) Burks. William G. Burks was born in Wilson County, Tenn., in 1809, and was a farmer and stock- raiser by occupation. He attained his growth in Tennessee, and was there married to Miss Granstaff, who was a native of Middle Tennessee, born about 1831, and who is now living in Bolivar, Polk County, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Burks emigrated to Missouri in 1853, and settled in Miller County, there remaining until 1855, when they moved to Callaway County, Mo,, and here the father died April 7, 1886. He had been a member of the Baptist Church for many years. In their family were six children, three of whom died in infancy. John W. Burks passed his boyhood days in Callaway County, Mo., and received his literary educa- tion at Westminster College, Fulton, in which he took an irreg- ular course. He then entered the teachers' profession, followed this successfully for three years, and then began the study of law, which he continued for two years, with Hon. I. W. Boulware, of Fulton, Mo., after which he was admitted to the bar at Fulton in 1880. He then practiced law there until 1887, when he came to Humansville, Mo., and formed a partnership with C. W. Hamlin, of Bolivar, and remained one year, since which time he has practiced his profession alone. He was marriedin February, 1888, to Mrs. Johanna C. (Emmons) Key, a native of Callaway County, Mo. Mr. Burks has quite an extensive law practice, and confines his attention to this and to collections. He is now city attorney at Humansville; a member and agent of the board of trustees of the Southwest Baptist College, Bolivar, Mo., and is clerk of Freedom Association of Baptist Churches, composed of Dallas, Hickory and Polk Counties.
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William F. Burnes deserves honorable mention as one of the prominent citizens of the county, for it is but just to say that his good name has been above reproach, and that in business as well as in social circles he has won the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He was born in Greenville County, of the " Palmetto State," February 15, 1829, his parents being Thomas J. and Rebecca (Childress) Burnes, who were of Irish and Scotch descent, and born March 6, 1801, and September 16, 1803, and died April 13, 1876, and about 1863, respectively. They were married in their native State, and about 1831 removed to Georgia, locating first in Hall County, and later in Whitfield County, among the Cherokee Indians, where they made their home until 1855, at which date they took up their abode in Polk County, Mo. They were active members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and throughout life the father was a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation. He was first an old line Whig in politics, but afterward became a Democrat. His father, Edmund Burnes, was born in Scotland, it is supposed, and married an Irish lady, Miss Owens. Thomas J. Burnes and wife became the parents of five children, who lived to be grown and married: Martha Ann (deceased), wife of G. S. Pitner; William F., James W., Thomas J. (deceased), and Mary N., who died on the old homestead, the wife of Ira O. Parish. William F. Burnes, our immediate subject, had about thirty-six days' schooling as the principal part of his education, the facilities of Whitfield County, Ga., at that time being very poor as far as schools were con- cerned, and he learned to read at Sunday-school. He resided with his parents until August 20, 1848, when he was married to Malviney A., daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Singleton. She was born in Greenville County, S. C., January 1, 1830, and died in Polk County, Mo., April 10, 1858, having been a zealous worker in the Methodist Church for many years. Four of their five children are now living: Mary J., wife of Thomas David- son; Wesley J., a school teacher and farmer; Galloway W., a physician of Polk County, Mo .; and Elizabeth, the wife of L. Laramore. John Albert died at the age of five years. Sep- tember 16, 1860, Mr. Burnes wedded Mary Jane Parish, a daughter of Barnett P. Parish, one of the first residents of Polk County from Indiana. She was born in Polk County, March 13, 1841, and her union with Mr. Burnes has resulted in the birth of seven children, four living: Hazeltine, wife of W. W. Higgin- botham; Orlenea, wife of Dr. William Nicholas; Darinda A. Burnes, aged eighteen years; I. V., tilling his father's farm; and De Lacey at home. Those deceased are: Ann, who died October 23, 1883, aged nineteen years; Edward and Frank, the two last dying in infancy. In 1854 Mr. Burnes moved to Waco, Texas, where he lived until 1857, then came to Polk County, and began
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working at the carpenter's trade, which he continued until the commencement of the Civil War, and since that time has been engaged in farming and stock raising exclusively. On coming to Missouri he had but twenty-five cents, but by economy, industry and good managment he is now well-to-do. He has been a Mason in good standing for thirty years; is a Democrat in poli- tics, having served as justice of the peace one year, and for many years has been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
C. C. Burrell, stock-trader, of Polk County, Mo., and one of the enterprising citizens of the same, was born in that county June 4, 1859, and is the son of J. M. and Martha (Harvey) Burrell, native of New York and Illinois, respectively. J. M. Burrell was born in the year 1822, and passed his boyhood days in the Empire State. Later he emigrated to Illinois, where he married Miss Harvey, and from there moved to Missouri in 1857. He located in Bolivar, and has since been living in this county, residing at the present time in Humansville, and is engaged in the stock business. Mrs. Burrell was born in 1834. They are ' the parents of three children, C. C. Burrell being the eldest. He attained his growth on the farm, received an ordinary education in the common schools, and, November 18, 1880, he married Miss Alice Saddler, a native of Polk County, Mo., born in 1862. They have an interesting family of three children: Guy, James L. and Bessie. Mr. Burrell commenced trading in stock when about twelve years of age, and has been engaged in business for himself ever since he attained his majority. He is now actively engaged in trading in stock, and has bought and sold 842 head of hogs. He has a fine farm of 455 acres of land, and is one of the wide-awake, thorough-going farmers of the county. He deals in Poland China hogs, Shropshire sheep and Red Pole cattle. He is a Republican in his political views, and is a member of Lodge No. 310, I. O. O. F., at Humansville, Mo.
John P. Campbell. Among the early settlers of Polk County, Mo., were Ezekiel M. and Rebecca P. (Adkins) Campbell, both natives of Carolina, though the Campbell family were originally from Scotland. Mr. Campbell was a second cousin to James K. Polk. The mother was born in 1800. The parents were married in Tennessee, and afterward settled in Maury County, where the father carried on farming until 1832, after which he came to this county, and entered the land on which John P. now lives. At this time the neighbors were few and scat- tering, and the settlers were obliged to go to mill at Spring- field. Mr. Campbell built the first grist-mill in the county at Orleans, and soon after put up the first store at the same place. He carried a stock of goods valued at $10,000, going once or twice a year to buy goods, and was one of the principal men of that region. His chief occupation was farming, and he was one
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of the most extensive agriculturists in the county. He was county surveyor for some time, was a Democrat in politics, and he and wife were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Campbell died in 1874, and his wife two years later. In their family were ten children, four sons and six daughters, all of whom lived to be grown, and three sons and three daughters are now living. John P. Campbell was the second child born to this union, his birth occurring in Maury County, Tenn., September 5, 1823. He was reared to farm life, and received a fair educa- tion for his day. After remaining at home until 1850, he and D. S. Clark fitted up three wagons, and took a number of men, who were to pay for their passage after they arrived, and started across the plains to California. It may just as well be stated here that most of these men forgot their obligations and disap- peared, not to be seen again. For nineteen years Mr. Campbell remained in that State, dealt in stock and made several trips across the plains with cattle and sheep. In 1872 he returned to his home in Missouri. Here he married Miss Charlotte Jones, a native of Ohio, and this union resulted in the birth of two chil- dren : John M. and James. For his second wife Mr. Campbell chose Elizabeth Jones, sister of his first wife. Five children were born to this union: Lucy R., Laura, Golden, William W., and an infant unnamed. After marriage Mr. Campbell settled on the old homestead, where he has since lived. He owns about 2,000 acres of land, and is one of the wealthiest men of the county, and among its heaviest tax-payers. The most of this prop- erty is the result of his own business capacity. He is quite extensively engaged in raising cattle and mules. He is a Demo- crat in his political views. The Campbell family have been in Polk County for fifty-six years.
William Cary was born in Mercer County, Penn., July 18, 1832, his parents being Louis and Mary (Hull) Cary. His father was born in Virginia, but on reaching manhood went to Pennsylvania and married Mary Hull, where they spent the remainder of their lives. He was in the War of 1812, at the battle of New Orleans. William, the youngest of ten chil- dren, received his education in the old subscription schools, and at the age of thirteen began the saddler's trade, at which he worked for some thirty-six years. In 1853 he married Florinda P. Rogers, of Pennsylvania, and four years later came to this county, but on the breaking out of the war returned to Pennsylvania. Remaining in Henry County, this State, till 1867, he returned to Polk County, and the following spring opened a harness store, which business he conducted till 1877; he also opened a hardware store, in which he continued till a few weeks since, when he sold out to his son. He is also the owner of some 500 acres of land. He has held the position
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of county treasurer four years, is president of the board of trustees of Southwest Baptist College, is a member of the A. O. U. W., and a Republican in politics. He has been a Baptist for forty-six years. Though burned out twice, Mr. Cary has suc- ceeded in accumulating a good property.
Harry L. Cary, son of William and Florinda P. (Rogers) Cary, was born in Crawford County, Penn., October 3, 1856, and when eleven years of age came to this county with his parents. His education was received in the Bolivar public schools. He was a salesman in his father's store for about twelve years, be- coming a partner in 1878, in the business, under the firm name of William Cary & Son, dealers in general hardware. He con- tinued in the firm until 1889, when he purchased his father's interest and became sole proprietor. In 1878 he married Alice C. Mitchell, daughter of Columbus S. Mitchell; they have had four children, two sons and two daughters. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. In 1882 he was appointed county treasurer, and in 1884 was elected. He is a Mason, belonging to the Commandery, and in politics is a Democrat.
James Clark, one of the old and prominent citizens of Polk County, Mo., was born in Benton County, Ohio (then Ross County), December 2, 1824, being the second of eleven children born to William and Rachel (Starkey) Clark, who were born in Ross County, Ohio, and Virginia, in 1804 and 1800, and died in Kansas, and Polk County, Mo., in 1865 and 1856, respectively. They were married, and resided in the " Buckeye State " for some time; then came to Missouri, and located in Polk County, where they were residing at the time of the mother's death. The father afterward married Polly Hunter, who also died in Kansas. He was a farmer all his life, and was also deeply inter- ested in church matters, the first Methodist Episcopal Church in the county being organized in his house after his arrival in Polk County, Mo. His children who are living are: George, a resi- dent of Peru, Neb .; James; Enoch, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Miranda, a resident of Iowa; and Zara C., a farmer of Kansas. James Clark was educated. in Ohio, and worked on his father's farm until twenty-five years of age, and then worked as a farm hand for three years. He then engaged in farming and stock raising on his own account, and has con- tinued up to the present time, being counted one of the success- ful farmers of the county. In 1852 he was married to Miss Martha Jane Ragsdale, a daughter of Joel and Jane (Alread) Clark, who came from their native State of Kentucky to Cole County, Mo., at a very early period. Mrs. Clark was born in Logan County, Ky., May 13, 1834, and she and Mr. Clark became the parents of thirteen children: Rachel Jane, wife of
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John Vandeford, a farmer of the county; Mary Miranda, wife of Isaiah Rimbey, also a farmer; Thomas J., Sarah Ellen, William Joel, John W .; Hannah R., wife of Daniel Davidson; Susan V., Annie, Martha M., Esther M., Rosa L. and Margaret A. All the sons and sons-in-law are engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and have always been deeply interested in church affairs. He is a stanch Republican in politics. Their son, John W. Clark, was born in 1862, and received his education in the common schools, and supplemented this by an attendance in the Marionville Institute and the Southwest Baptist College at Bol- ivar, Mo., graduating in the course of letters. He has since been engaged in teaching school in Polk County. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been class-leader in the Methodist Episco- pal Church for about one year.
David S. Clark. Prominent among the enterprising citizens of the county, and among those deserving special recognition for their long residence in the county, stands the name of the above mentioned gentleman, who was born in Washington County, Tenn., December 26, 1824, being the son of William C. and Margaret (Moore) Clark. The father was born in Washing- ton County, Tenn., in 1776, and is said to have been the first white child born this side of the Alleghany Mountains. The mother was born in South Carolina in 1785. After marriage they settled in Washington County, Tenn., where they remained until 1833, and then came to Polk County, Mo., settling four miles southwest of Bolivar. Here the father died in 1845, and the mother in 1853. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father was quite fond of hunting, both in Tennessee and after coming to Missouri, where he and his sons killed the last bear seen in that section. He was one of the most extensive farmers of his day, and was the owner of extensive tracts of land. In politics he was a Whig until that party went down, and he then became a Democrat. He was the father of fourteen children, eight sons and six daughters, and the twelfth child was David S. Clark. He spent his boyhood days in assist- ing on the farm, and received the ordinary education to be had in the common country school; however it might be said that his education was rather above the average country boy. At the age of twenty he began for himself by farming, which has been his principal occupation during life, although he also ran a saw- mill for about four years in Douglas County. September 10, 1846, he married Miss Ophelia C. Campbell, a native of Maury County, Tenn., born July 27, 1828, and the daughter of Ezekiel M. Campbell. Six children were born to this union: William M., Rebecca P., Annie O., John P., David S., Jr., and Katie.
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After marriage, Mr. Clark settled in Cedar County, but in 1850 went to the State of California, where he remained two and a half years, mining most of the time, and meeting with fair suc- cess. He rode a mule back, and was sixty-seven days making the trip. He located on the place where he now lives, and there remained until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company E, of Shelby's brigade, and was about three years in the Confederate service. He was never wounded nor taken pris- oner. While he was in the army his house was burned, and his wife and children left homeless. Mrs. Clark and the children moved to Cooper County, then to Howard County, where they were joined by Mr. Clark at the close of the war. They then moved to Morgan County, made their home there until 1873, when they returned to their old home, in Polk County, and there they have since resided. Mr. Clark owns 360 acres of land, and his wife owns 320 acres, besides town property. Mrs. Clark is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Clark is ac- counted one of the most successful farmers of his community, and one highly respected by all who know him. He is a Demo- crat in politics.
Washington D. Coats, a prominent tiller of the soil of Jackson Township, who resides half a mile from Sharon Station, was born in Henry County, Tenn., September 30, 1825, emigrating to Mis- souri with his parents in the fall of 1833, and settling in what is now Polk County. He is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Coats) Coats (cousins), both natives of Tennessee, and born in 1795 and 1800 respectively. They were married about 1819, and afterward moved to West Tennessee, where they remained until 1833, when they settled in what is now Polk County, Mo. He followed farming in that county, and in 1859 took a herd of cattle of about fifty head to California. He died in that State in 1862. The mother died on the old home place June 30, 1870. They were the parents of eight children, four now living. Wash- ington D. Coats attained his growth in Polk County, and was married in that county in 1849, to Miss Matilda Rook, a native of Tennessee, born in 1832, and who came to Missouri with her parents at an early age. After marriage Mr. Coats followed agricultural pursuits until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company H, Phelps' Regiment Missouri Infantry Volun- teers, and served six months, and was mustered out in May, 1862. During his time of service he was in the battle of Pea Ridge. He enlisted in the Enrolled Militia, Company I, in 1862, serving six months, at which time the company was disbanded. He after- ward served four months under Lieut. Roberts at Bolivar. After the war he returned home and engaged in farming. He is post commander of Phil. Sheridan Post No. 398, G. A. R. and is also a member of the Baptist Church. To his marriage were
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born twelve children : Newton Marion, William Henry, Thomas B., James A .; Rebecca E., now Mrs. Neil; Mary, now Mrs. Pat- terson; Frantz S., Abraham L., John W., Edward S .; Sarah E., now Mrs. Slatter; and Charley C. Mrs. Coats is also a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. Mr. Coats is a well-read man, and takes great interest in educational matters. The paternal grand- father of our subject, Benjamin W. Coats, was born in Virginia, and died in Tennessee about 1840. His wife died about 1847. The maternal grandfather was probably born in Virginia, and died in Tennessee about 1835, and his wife in 1840.
Samuel W. Cossins, M. D., one of the eminent physicians of Polk County, Mo., located at Half Way, is a native of the county, and was born on the 27th of August, 1861, his parents, Thomas and Sarah Elizabeth (Hamilton) Cossins, being natives of Orange County, Ind., and Polk County, Mo., respectively. The father is still living at the age of about fifty-five years, but the mother died at quite an early day, and Mr. Cossins after- ward married Martha Barnes, a native of Polk County, who is still living. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits the greater portion of his life, but for some was in the grocery business. He has been an earnest worker in the Missionary Baptist Church for many years, and in his political views is a stanch Republican. When the Rebellion broke out he espoused the cause of the Union, shouldered his musket, and for four years was one of the " boys in blue," and participated in many battles and skirmishes, but was never wounded or captured dur- ing his entire service. Mr. Cossins was the father of two children by his first wife, Samuel W. and George W., the latter dying when about two years of age. His last union resulted in the birth of six children, two now living: William T. and Bertie. Dr. Samuel W. Cossins received his education in the Southwest Baptist College, and while still a student in that institution began the study of medicine under Dr. William Lemon, a physician of Greene County. During the winters of 1883-84 and 1884-85 he attended lectures in the Missouri Medical College, and was gradu- ated from that institution in the latter year, soon after locating at Half Way, where he has acquired a large practice and won an enviable reputation as a physician. He is a Republican in his political views, and is Noble Grand in the I. O. O. F. June 23, 1881, he was married to Miss Delphinia A. Brown, a daughter of Peter and Sarah E. Brown of Polk County, by whom he has three children, Walter M., Otta C. and Sarah E. The Doctor and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
W. R. Cowan, another prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Campbell Township, Polk County, Mo., and son of Robert and Mary J. (McConnel) Cowan, was born in Dade County, Mo., April 13, 1850, was reared there on a farm and received a fair
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education in the common schools. At the age of twenty years he married Miss Arminta J. Carlock, who was also a native of Dade County, Mo., born in 1854, and shortly afterward they moved to Polk County, settling on a farm half in Cedar and half in Polk County. He resided in the former county for about five years, and then, in December, 1888, moved to his present farm. To his marriage were born eight children: Mary F., Arthur L., Kate, Laura B., Ora, Amanda D., Lemuel and Doro-
thy Alice. Mr. Cowan is a Democrat in politics. Robert Cowan, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in East Tennessee in 1824, and remained in that State until seventeen years of age, when he moved to Cedar County, Mo., and after a short time there went to St. Clair County, and later moved to Dade- ville, Dade County. He was a Union soldier, and was first lieu- tenant in the regular service. Mary J. (McConnel) Cowan was born in Virginia, and became the mother of only one child, W. R. Cowan, and died when he was but four months old. The paternal grandfather, William Cowan, who was of Dutch descent, was a citizen of Tennessee. The maternal grandfather, Thomas McConnel, was a native of Virginia, and died in that State.
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