History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri, Part 58

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 58
USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 58
USA > Missouri > Barton County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 58
USA > Missouri > Hickory County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 58
USA > Missouri > Polk County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 58

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).

Hon. Thomas W. Cunnyngham, one of the old and much esteemed citizens of Polk County, Mo., is a native of Knox County, Tenn., born June 8, 1814, and is the son of William H. and Magdalene (Lewis) Cunnyngham. The father was born in Shenandoah County, Va., in 1765, and when a young man went to East Tennessee, where he was married to Miss Lewis, who was born in 1771. They were married in a fort where they had to remain on account of the Indians. Riding out one day, the father was shot through the thigh by Indians in ambush. He followed the occupation of a farmer all his life and was quite successful. In his political views he was first an Anti-Federalist, next a Democrat until after the election of Van Buren, when he became a Whig. His last vote was cast for Henry Clay. Both he and wife were members of the early school Methodist Church, when they were called " Babblers." He died in 1845, and she in 1846. In their family were twelve children, seven sons and five daugh- ters. The paternal grandparents of young Cunnyngham were natives of Ireland, and came to America in 1765. Thomas W., the subject of this sketch, attained his growth on his father's farm, and received a very limited education, never having studied arithmetic but two months. He cared for his parents as long as they lived, and on November 17, 1842, he married Miss Disa Wilson, a native of Sevier County, Tenn., born February 14, 1819. In 1850 they moved to Polk County, Mo., and the following year to the property where he now lives. By this union five children were born, four now living: James H. W., Robert W., John M. and Thomas W. Both Mr.

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and Mrs. Cunnyngham are members of the Southern Methoda ist Church. In politics he was formerly a Whig but is now - Democrat. During militia days he was captain, and during the war he was lieutenant-colonel of a regiment of Missouri Home Guards. For three years he was county surveyor, and in 1858-59 he represented Polk County in the Legislature. In 1862 and 1866 he was county clerk. The first two years he was county clerk, circuit clerk and ex-officio recorder. From 1852 to 1856 he held the office of county judge, and has been one of the prominent men and representative citizens of the county. He has farmed all his life, and is the owner of 450 acres of land; besides, he started all his children.

James H. W. Cunnyngham, hardware merchant at Morrisville, Mo., is the son of Thomas W. and Disa (Wilson) Cunnyngham, and was born September 13, 1843, in McMinn County, Tenn. He was reared on the farm, receiving a common school education, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-sixth Enrolled Missouri Militia, United States service, and upon the organization was appointed sergeant-major of his regiment. He served in all about two years, and after peace was declared he engaged in farming. November 15, 1863, he married Miss Ruyle, a native of Polk County, Mo., born July 3, 1844, and the daughter of Gideon Ruyle. To this union were born four children : Thomas B. (deceased); Albert G., died at the age of twenty years; Disa L., who is the only one now living; and Sallie M., also deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cunnyngham are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and, in his political views, he is a Demo- crat. Having farmed until 1883, he and S. B. Elzey built the Morrisville Mill, which he helped run a year. In 1885 he and the Lemmon Bros. opened a hardware store, which they continued until 1887, when Mr Cunnyngham purchased their interest, and has run it ever since. He has been quite successful as a business man, having made the most of his property by his own efforts. Besides his mercantile interest, he is also engaged in agricultural pursuits, and has 209 acres of land.

Edward H. Devin, an old settler and farmer of Polk County, Mo., is the son of William R. and Rebecca (Oliver) Devin. The father was a native Virginian, born in 1801, and when a young man went to Tennessee, where he married Miss Oliver. After making several moves, they settled in Lincoln County, Tenn., where they remained until about 1834, and then came to Mis- souri. They stopped in Pike County, but the following year came to Polk County, where the father followed farming for many years. Aside from this he kept store in Bolivar for four- teen years. He held the office of county treasurer of Polk County for a number of years, was collecter a term, was repre- sentative a term, and also filled the position of county judge for

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a number of years. In his political views he affiliated with the Democratic party. He died in 1876, and his wife about five years later, and both were members of the Primitive Baptist Church. In their family were twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Edward H. Devin was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., January 10, 1830, was reared to farm labor, and received a limited education in the old subscription schools. He remained at home until February, 1853, when he married Miss Mary E. Jarnagin, a native of Tennessee, born March 16, 1837. Four children were the fruits of this union- Unity O., Ida C., Nathaniel S., and Eddie E. After marriage Mr. Devin settled on his present property, and here he has since remained. He is the owner of 200 acres, and, although he commenced life with little means, he is now in very comfortable circumstances. In 1856 he moved to California, mined for some time, also handled stock, and returned home in 1858. He is a Democrat in politics, is a Mason, and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

William G. Drake, M. D., was born in Greene County, Tenn., March 5, 1845, his parents being Joseph and Blanche (McPher- son) Drake, both natives of Tennessee, the former of English, and the latter of Irish descent. In 1845 the family started for Texas, and in passing down the Chuffey River the boat struck a bridge, which fell, killing the father; the mother turned back, and still lives in Tennessee, at an advanced age. Both were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. He was a farmer, and in politics a Whig. The family consisted of three children, two sons and one daughter. One son died from wounds received in battle while in the Federal army. The subject of this sketch was raised on the farm, but was attending Greenville College when the war broke out, and, though but seventeen years of age, he enlisted în Company I, First East Tennessee Cavalry, U. S. A., in July, 1862, and served till the close of the war. Starting out as a pri- vate, he arose, step by step, till he held the office of second lieu- tenant, being the youngest officer of his regiment. He was in the battles of Chickamauga, Nashville, Franklin, and the Atlanta cam- paign. Having been taken prisoner at Atlanta, and while being marched to prison, he stepped behind a tree, allowing the others to pass, and thus escaped. After returning home he attended Tuscu- lum College for two years, and in 1867 married Virginia Robinson, a native of Tennessee, who died in 1870. In 1869 Mr. Drake moved to this county, and, having studied medicine, he took a course of lectures in the medical department of the University of Louisville, Ky., then practiced till 1875, when he again took a course of lectures at the St. Louis Medical College, graduating in 1876. In 1882 he removed to Bolivar from his former loca- tion at Fair Play, and has since enjoyed a lucrative practice. In 1875 he married Amanda L. Hendricks, by whom he has had five

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children: William T., Mamie R., Joseph A., Carl J. and Charles E. He has a farm of 780 acres. He is a Republican, a member of the G. A. R. and of the A. O. U. W. Both he and his wife are Presbyterians.

Judge Thomas H. B. Dunnegan, who resides at Bolivar, Mo., was born in Lawrence County, Mo., April 1, 1842. His paternal ancestors were of Irish descent. His great-grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, after which period, with his family, he emigrated from the State of North Carolina to the State of Ten- nessee. His grandfather served under Gen. Jackson in the War of 1812, participating in the battle of the Horseshoe Bend. His father, Matthew Dunnegan, was born in Tennessee, came to Missouri with his father in 1832, and to Polk County in 1835. In 1837 he married Priscilla Akard, also a native of Tennessee, whose parents settled in Polk County in 1831. She is still living at Dunnegan Springs, he having died there in August, 1871. The subject of this sketch received what little education was afforded by the old-time district and subscription schools of Southwest Missouri. Early in 1861 he enrolled in the Polk County Home Guards, and in December of the same year enlisted in Company A, Eighth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, serving until January 27, 1865. On his return from the army he located in Bolivar, where he engaged in merchandising for about a year, when he was appointed to fill an unexpired term as county clerk. For two years he was deputy sheriff and collector, and in 1868 was elected sheriff and collector, holding the office until January, 1873. From 1878 to 1882, he was associate judge of the county court, and in 1888 was again elected to the same position. For about fifteen years he has been a member of the Bolivar School Board. In 1872 he engaged in banking, in which business he has continued. He is also occupied in farming and stock raising. On April 5, 1866, he married Miss Sallie A. Beggs, daughter of the late Dr. Joseph Beggs, of Clarion County, Penn., by whom he had four sons, three of whom, Willard B., J. Matt. and Carl F., still survive. She died October 8, 1876. Four years later, June 15, 1880, he married Miss Ella A. Carothers, daughter of the late Judge Carothers, of Shelby County, Mo., by whom he has had four daughters, three of whom, Grace B., Bessie A. and Olive L., are living. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Master Mason, Knight Templar, member of the G. A. R. and A. O. U. W., and last, but not least, a Republican in politics.

M. W. Easley. Any sketch in the history of Polk County, Mo., would be incomplete without mention of Mr. Easley, who is one of the oldest living settlers of that county. He was born in Ray County, Tenn., in 1815, and grew to manhood in Grainger County, of that State. His parents, Warham and Catherine (Counts) Easley, were both natives of Tennessee. The father

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was a farmer by occupation, was married in his native State, and reared his children there. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, and was twice a member of the State Legislature from Grainger County, Tenn. He died in his native State at the age of eighty-seven years. To his marriage were born four children, M. W. Easley being third in order of birth. The latter came to Missouri in 1837, locating in Polk County, and began clerking in a store in Springfield, where he remained until the next spring, and then went to farming. At this time Indians were numerous, and the town of Bolivar consisted of two or three houses. Mr. Easley entered land, and followed farming for five or six years. In 1852 he engaged in mercantile pursuits at Oakland, and was postmaster for some years. He continued his mercantile pursuits for twenty-nine years, or until ten years ago, and in connection has always carried on farming. He has had goods hauled from St. Louis, Mo., on wagons, and has experienced all the hardships suffered by early settlers. On account of being postmaster at Oakland he did not go to the war. He was a Whig previous to that time, but since then has been a Republican in his politics, his first presidential vote being for William H. Harrison. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity. Aside from his mercantile interest, of which he has made a complete success, he is the owner of more than 700 acres of land, and has given much to his children. He was married in Polk County, Mo., to Miss Sophronia Akard, a native of Tennessee, born in 1829, and they had a family of three children: Warham, deceased; John, died. at the age of about twelve years; and James B., collector of rev- enue. Warham grew to manhood, married, and was the father of four children at the time of his death. They were named as follows: Shelton W., Magnes T., Mary E., and Booker, who died in infancy. Miller W. Easley, grandfather of our subject, was born in Virginia, and became an early pioneer of Tennessee, where he passed the remainder of his days. The paternal grandmother was of the Lyons family.

James B. Easley, the present efficient county collector, was born in Polk County, Mo., February 3, 1855. He is a son of Miller W. and Sophronia (Akard) Easley, both natives of Ten- nessee, though they came to this county when young, and here married; they still live in Madison Township. His father has been a farmer and a merchant; in politics he was a Whig before the war, and since then has supported the Republican platform. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a well respected citizen. The subject of this sketch, the only one living of a family of three sons, was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. He worked in his father's store till 1879, when he married Mary L. Renshaw, of Greene County, and by her had three children, Eugenia E., Frank B. (who is deceased), and Wil-

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lie R. His wife is a Presbyterian. He is a Republican, a Mason, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. When the railroad was put through, Mr. Easley and W. M. Potts were in business about a year at Fair Play, when they were burned out. In 1886 Mr. Easley was elected collector, which position he still holds. Though a young man, he fills one of the most important offices in the county. He is highly esteemed, and deserves the confi- dence reposed in him by the people of his county.

Jacob L. and Morris A. Ewing. Prominent among the pio- neer settlers of Polk County, Mo., were Arthur and Sallie (Mitchell) Ewing, the former a native of Virginia, born in 1802, and of Irish descent. He remained in his native State until quite a lad, and then moved with his parents to East Tennesee. In 1835 Arthur came westward, locating in Polk County, and five years later married Miss Mitchell, a native of East Tennessee, and the daughter of Rev. James Mitchell. Having established him- self as a farmer, Mr. Ewing followed that pursuit through life and was very successful. He never took a prominent part in politics, although he always voted the Democratic ticket. Both he and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. She died March 2, 1857, and he February 13, 1869. Their family consisted of five sons, of whom only two are now living: Jacob L. and Morris A. Both these sons were born on the old homestead, the former, December 2, 1848, and the latter, September 2, 1851. Jacob received very little education, owing to the breaking out of the war, and he has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He is a Democrat in his political prin- ciples, and, like his father, has always voted with that party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows' lodge, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Morris A. gave himself a good education, being the first to take the degree of A. B. from Morrisville College, in 1877. After graduating, he was selected as teacher in his Alma Mater, which position he held until 1878. September I of that year he married Miss Rebecca J. Hall, a native of Jasper County, Mo., and to them were born four children : Sallie J., Arthur W., Alice E. and Mary R. In 1875 and 1876 he held the office of county commissioner, and in 1877 he was licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which his wife is also a member. He is a Mason, and in his political views is also a Democrat. The brothers own 444 acres of good land, with about 265 acres under cultivation.

John W. Farmer, M. D., was born in Anderson County, Tenn., June 28, 1822. His parents were Luke and Jane (Williams) Farmer, both of Virginia, the former having been born in 1792, of English parents, and his wife in 1790, of Welsh parents. After marriage the father followed the life of a farmer

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till 1833, when he was killed by the falling of a tree, and his widow and children remained on the same farm till 1851, when they moved to Polk County, Mo., then to Cedar County, near El Dorado Springs, where she died in 1866. Luke Farmer was a soldier in the War of 1812. The family consisted of six chil- dren, four sons and two daughters. The subject of this sketch, John Williams Farmer, was raised on a farm and received a com- mon school education. Leaving the farm, he alternately taught and attended college till he reached the junior year in East Ten- nessee University. In 1851 he graduated at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, after which he returned to Tennessee, and, October 22, 1851, married Nancy A. Pruett, of Roane County, Tenn., by whom he had one child, which died. The same year he located some eight miles southwest of Bolivar, Mo. In 1853 his wife died, and, five years after, he married Mrs. Sarah S. Campbell, of this county, but a native of Carter County, Tenn., who died in December, 1888. By her he had two children, Mary E., who died young, and Trefilia Jane, who still lives. Dr. Farmer was chairman of the county court for several years, has always been a Democrat, and is a Mason. In connection with his practice he is interested in farming, owning 2,500 acres of land. From 1863 to 1865 he was assistant sur- geon of the Fifteenth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, Federal Serv- ice. He is now a member of the Board of Examining Surgeons for the Pension Department, at Bolivar, Mo.

Daniel W. Faulkner, president of the Bank of Bolivar, was born October 9, 1836, and is a son of Col. James and Rebecca (Woodard) Faulkner. His father was born in Richmond, Va., of English descent, and married Miss Rebecca Woodard, of Tennes- see, settling in Polk County in 1837, about twelve miles south in Bolivar. The subject of this sketch, a native of Davidson County, Tenn., was raised on his father's farm, received his education of the old subscription schools, and, having worked at home till twenty-two years of age, became an independent farmer. Sep- tember 28, 1859, he married Mary L. Corbin, a native of Ken- tucky, by whom he has had five children, three of whom are liv- ing: Marcella A., Nathan C. and Homer D. In 1862 Mr. Faulk- ner turned his attention to merchandising, in which business he remained about fourteen years, in the meantime taking contracts for railroads, his last work in that line being the building of the road into Bolivar. He was four years presiding justice of Laclede County Court, and ex-officio probate judge, doing good work for the county in reducing its indebtedness. In 1885 he became president of the Bank of Bolivar, a position for which he is ably fitted by reason of ability, good judgment and concise business methods, and is also a large land-owner. Mr. Faulkner

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is a Royal Arch Mason, a Democrat, and a member of the Christian Church, as is also his wife.

Jeremiah M. Fisher, farmer and stockman, is the son of Jere- miah and Catherine (Marshall) Fisher, both natives of Pennsyl- vania and of German descent. After marriage the parents moved to Ohio, locating in Logan County, where the father died in 1852, at the age of forty-one. In 1863 the widow and family moved to Ma- haska County, Iowa, and there the widow still lives, being seventy- five years of age. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and a Democrat in politics. Of the nine children born to their marriage, the fourth in order of birth was Jeremiah M. Fisher, whose birth occurred in Logan County, Ohio, January 1, 1842. He was reared to farm labor, and attended school but very little after he was twelve years of age, as his father died about that time. He remained with his mother, and with her went to Iowa, but before leaving Ohio he married, January 22, 1863, Miss Lucy A. Whitaker, a native of Morrow County, Ohio, born August 10, 1842. This union resulted in the birth of eight children, six now living; Emerson W., Charley W., Jeremiah W., Lucy R., Lee W., and Bessie W. After mov- ing to Iowa in 1863, they continued there one year, and then returned to Ohio, where they remained until 1866, and then came to Greene County. Here he farmed and handled stock until 1874, when he moved to Barton County, and there continued his agricultural pursuits for eight years. After this he kept a livery stable in Lamar until 1888, when he moved to Polk County, and is now the owner of 495 acres of land, besides other interests in Barton County. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a represent- ative citizen. Mrs. Fisher is a member of the Congregational Church.

W. N. C. C. A. Fox, one who is successfully engaged in farming and stock raising in Polk County, Mo., and who resides two miles southeast from Fair Play, was born in Polk County, Mo., October 15, 1844, and is the son of Silas and Martha A. (Akard) Fox. The maternal grandfather, who was a native of Germany, emigrated to the United States in childhood, and set- tled in South Carolina, moving from there to Tennessee. In 1831 he moved to Gasconade County, Mo., in 1832, to Polk County (then Greene County), and died soon after arriving here. The maternal grandmother was a native of South Carolina, and was married in that State. She was the mother of eleven children, four of whom survive. She died October 13, 1869. Silas Fox was born in Williamson County, Tenn., February 4, 1818, and grew to manhood in that county. He removed to Polk County, Mo., with his parents in 1834, and was married to Miss Akard in 1841. He was in the Seminole War a few months, and was also in the Enrolled Missouri Militia during the late unpleas-

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antness. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died April 4, 1877, at the old homestead, two miles south- west of Fair Play. His wife, Martha A. (Akard) Fox, born March 22, 1822, was a native of Tennessee, and was the daughter of Jonas and Elizabeth (Hopkins) Akard. She came with her parents to Polk County, Mo., when twelve years of age. She was the mother of six children, four now living: William N. C. C. A., Henry C., John A. and James A. The mother of these children died at the old homestead in Polk County, Mo., July 19, 1864. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. W. N. C. C. A. Fox grew to manhood in Polk County, Mo., and received a fair education in the common schools. He entered the Missouri State Militia, Company D, Eighth Regiment, March 1, 1862, and served four months and eighteen days, and was in the battle of Humansville; afterwards he served in the Twenty- sixth Enrolled Missouri Militia. After the war he returned home, and entered Bolivar Academy, where he remained one term. He was married July 18, 1868, to Miss Amanda Appleby, and removed to Cedar County, Mo., December 15, 1868, where he remained five years. He then returned to. Polk County, Mo., February 13, 1876, and has been a resident of this county ever since. After leaving Bolivar Academy he taught school for three years. He is a Mason, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and Union League, also belonging to the Method- ist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Fox was born in Polk County, Mo., November 28, 1845, and is the daughter of James and Nancy (Lane) Appleby. She taught school five years, from 1863 to 1868, and was very successful. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fox five children, of whom two, Ida A., born July 13, 1869, died February 9, 1886; Amy J., born January 10, 1871, died July 12, 1887. An infant daughter, born July 13, 1872, died the same day. James E., born September 8, 1874, and Robert S., born November 20, 1880, survive. Mrs. Fox is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as were Ida A. and Amy J.

Moses Gee, one of the leading citizens of Polk County, Mo., was born in Butler County, Ohio, June 14, 1828, being a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Vanderver) Gee, who were born in Ken- tucky and Virginia in 1795 and 1810, respectively, and died in Carroll County, Ind., in 1880. They were married and made their home in Ohio until 1831, then went to Indiana and spent their declining years. The father was a farmer the greater por- tion of his life, but in early life had learned the shoemaker's trade. He was a life-long Democrat. He and wife became the parents of twelve children who lived to be twenty-one years of age, the following of whom are now living: Moses; Alfred, a farmer and blacksmith of Carroll County, Ind .; Nancy Ann, whose husband is a farmer of Carroll County, Ind .; Ellen; Amos, a farmer of

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Hickory County, Mo .; Andrew and John, both farmers of Car- roll County, Ind .; Jane, wife of Lewis Landes; and Charles, of the same county and State. Elizabeth and Benjamin are deceased. Moses Gee remained with his father until twenty-one years of age, then started by ox-team to the " Golden Gate " in search of gold, and was at work in the mines there for four years, accumu- lating considerable means. He then returned home via the Isthmus of Panama and New York City, and, after farming for some time in Carroll County, Ind., went to Clinton County, of the same State, and in 1880 came to Missouri and located in Polk County. He was married to Catherine Maish in 1858, her father being Samuel Maish, of Pennsylvania, where she was born in 1837. She and Mr. Gee are the parents of five children: Eliza- beth, wife of Charles McCollough, a farmer and stock-dealer of Vernon County, Mo. : and Samuel, Anna, Rosa May and John, at home. Benjamin, another son, died in Texas in 1888 at the age of twenty-six years. Mr. Gee is the owner of 300 acres of as good land as there is in Polk County, the result of hard work and good management. He has been a life-long Democrat.

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History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri, Part 58

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