USA > Missouri > Cedar County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 61
USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 61
USA > Missouri > Barton County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 61
USA > Missouri > Hickory County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 61
USA > Missouri > Polk County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 61
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Asa Kerby, one of the prominent citizens of Polk County, Mo., was born in Howard County, Mo., in 1829 (October 4), his parents being John and Mary (Whorton) Kerby, who were born in Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. They were married in the " Blue Grass State," February 2, 1825, and there continued to reside until 1828 when they came to Missouri, and located in Howard County, where they spent the rest of their days. The father was born February 2, 1806, and died February 16, 1870. The mother was born the 17th of January, 1806, and died in 1882. They were members of the Missionary Baptist Church for many years, and took great interest in church work. During the late war Mr. Kerby served in the Confederate army, and was at the battle of Silver Creek, where he was wounded in the shoulder by a musket ball. He was soon after captured, and after taking the oath of allegiance returned to farm life, at which he was quite successful. He was a Democrat throughout life, but was never an aspirant for office. His father, John Kerby, was born in Vir- ginia, and died in Howard County, Mo., having followed the occupation of farming throughout life. The Kerby family are of English descent. Asa Kerby, the immediate subject of this
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biography, received his early education in the old log school of early times, and, as he has been very fond of reading all his life, he is now one of the intelligent and well posted men of the county. After remaining at home until he attained his majority, he hired out as a farm hand for eleven months, but since that time has successfully farmed on his own account in Howard, Randolph and Polk Counties. He moved to Randolph County in 1855, and to the latter county ten years later. Previous to the late war he was a Democrat in politics, but since 1860 he has affiliated with the Republican party, by whom he was elected to the office of pub- lic administrator in 1872, and held the position four years. Feb- ruary 13, 1851, he was married to Susan J. Warford, a daughter of John and Mary Warford. She was born in Howard County, Mo., November 28, 1832, and her union with Mr. Kerby has resulted in the birth of six children, four living: Mary A., wife of D. K. Griffen, a farmer of Meade County, Kan .; Sarah E., wife of George W. Edmiston, a farmer of Laclede County, Mo .; John W., farming near home; and Fanny M., wife of H. J. F. Cald- well, a farmer of Polk County, Mo. Those deceased are James B., who was five years of age at the time of his death; and Jen- nie M., who was about four years old. Since twenty-one years of age Mr. Kerby has been an earnest member of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which he has been a deacon for a number of years, his wife being also a member of that church. He belongs to the Agricultural Wheel. During the late war he espoused the cause of the Union, and for a short time served in the State militia. His family were all Southern sympathizers.
John Kim, collier or chief burner in the charcoal company, at Fair Play, Polk County, Mo., was born in the Republic of Switz- erland in 1852. The father, Bernhard Kim, was born in Switzer- land in 1816, and was educated there. He was also married there to Miss Catherine Fishler, who was a native of Switzerland, born in 1829, and who is now living in her native country. The father was a farmer, and served as a soldier. He died in 1866. They were the parents of six children, all now living. The grandparents on both sides were natives of Switzerland, and the maternal grandfather was a farmer by occupation. John Kim is the only one of his family who has emigrated to America, and he landed in New York October 6, 1880, where he remained about a week. He then went to Philadelphia, back to New York, then to Brooklyn, and then again back to New York, and from there to Hartford, Conn., where he worked on a farm for about two months, after which he returned to New York. He then got his first permanent situation in Vermont, engaging in the charcoal business, and at this he has continued to work. He has followed this business in Vermont, Alabama, and is now in Missouri. He filled the position of foreman in Vermont, and has worked as
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chief burner ever since. He gets seventy-five dollars per month, and is the owner of sixty acres of land in Cedar County. He was married in his native country to Miss Theresa Smith, who was born in 1852. They have two children, Rosa and Theresa. Mr. and Mrs. Kim are worthy members of the Roman Catholic Church.
J. H. H. Kincaid, stock-raiser, trader and farmer, was born in Greenbrier County, W. Va., September 6, 1830, and, when twelve years of age, was left an orphan. Since that time he has made his own way in the world. He remained in his native county until 1852, when he went to Cedar County, Iowa, and there, in 1853, was united in marriage to Miss Lydia A. Hanna, a native of the same county as Mr. Kincaid. In 1856 he and his wife moved to Livingston County, Mo., entered a prairie farm, and there remained till 1884, when they moved to Polk County. He is the owner of 222 acres of land one and a fourth miles west of Bolivar, and has one of the best improved farms in the community. When residing in Livingston County he served a long time as justice of the peace, and during the war he served in the militia, being commissioned twice as second lieutenant and once as captain. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Kincaid is a successful trader and farmer, and has made what he has by hard work and good business foresight. His educational advantages were very lim- ited, not attending school but a short time after the death of his parents. To his marriage were born eight children, five of whom are living; Ezbon, Gilvin B., Clark H., Orto T. and Annie. His parents, John D. and Mary (Hyde) Kincaid, were natives of Greenbrier County, W. Va., and he of Scotch, and she of Eng- lish-Irish descent.
Nelson N. Kinder was born August 14, 1852, in Tennessee, and is the son of James M. and Martha J. (Cates) Kinder. James M. Kinder was born May 1, 1824, in Grainger County, East Ten- nessee, and grew to manhood in that State. He was there mar- ried to Miss Cates, September 20, 1846, and afterward settled down and engaged in farming and teaching school, having, pre- vious to his marriage, attended Mossy Creek College a short time, and also taught for about four years. In 1860 he and family removed to Polk County, Mo., and afterward he enlisted in the Home Guards, served about one year, and during that time was disabled from a fall. After leaving the Home Guards he returned to his farm, where he is still living in the enjoyment of fairly good health. His wife was born in Grainger County, Tenn., January 13, 1829, and is the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Lloyd) Cates. To Mr. and Mrs. Kinder were born ten children, five of whom are now living. Mrs. Kinder is still living on the farm in Polk County. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Kinder,
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was born in Wythe County, Va., and was married in that county to Miss Mary Rouse. He emigrated to Grainger County, Tenn., in 1820, followed farming in that State, and died suddenly there when sixty-three years of age. The paternal grandmother, Mary Rouse, was born in Virginia, and died in Tennessee on the old home place soon after the death of her husband. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Charles Cates, was born in North Carolina in 1800. His wife, Elizabeth Lloyd, was a native of North Carolina, born in the year 1794. Six children were born to this union, five now living. Nelson N. Kinder was reared in Polk County, Mo., received his education in the com- mon schools, and afterward attended Bolivar Academy two terms. He then taught school for about ten years in Polk County, Mo., and was one of the prominent local, educators of that county. He was married June II, 1876, to Miss Elizabeth E. Runyan of Polk County, and the daughter of A. M. and Mary A. (Jarnagin) Runyan. After marriage Mr. Kinder settled on a farm, taught several terms of school, and there remained until 1879, when he removed to Humansville. He remained there but two years, and in that time was engaged in a carpenter and furniture store, after which he moved back to the farm. Seven years later he located in Aldrich, and in August, 1887, he embarked in the lumber business and also the hardware business at that place. He was sole proprietor in the former business, but was in partnership with W. J. Hensley in the latter. Mrs. Kinder was born June 30, 1859, in Polk County, Mo., and received her education in the common school. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Kinder is a member of the Methodist. He is a Democrat in politics.
Charles Koch, proprietor of the mineral springs at Fair Play, Polk County, Mo., is a native of Switzerland, born in 1819, and is one of the much-respected citizens of the county. He is the son of Jacob and Mary Koch, both natives of Switzerland, the father born in 1777. He was a mechanic by occupation, and died in his native country. The mother also died in Switzerland in 1835. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom lived to be grown. Charles Koch grew to manhood in Switzerland, and attended school fifteen years. He learned the carpenter trade of his father, and worked at contracting and building in his native country for thirteen years. In 1848 he sailed for America, landing in New York, and there worked at his trade for some time. He then emigrated to Missouri, located at St. Louis, and there worked at his trade until the breaking out of the late war, when he joined the Federal army, and was in service for three years, in Company G, Tenth Missouri Cavalry, and filled the rank of third sergeant. He lost $2,000 during the war. After the conflict he settled in Warren County, followed farming, and lived
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there for eighteen years, after which he moved to Springfield, followed his trade there, and remained in that city five years. He came to Fair Play in 1887, purchased a farm on a hill, and has discovered water which is strongly impregnated with medici- nal properties. This has been thoroughly tested, and many have been benefited by use of the same, viz .: Mr. Blair, of Fair Play, was cured of dyspepsia; Mr. McCarty, of kidney trouble; Mr. Yost, of dyspepsia; and Mr. Neal, of vocal trouble. Many with sore eyes have been benefited, and one, Mr. Grigsby, badly afflicted with dropsy, was cured. Mr. Koch has been married three times, and to his present wife fifteen years ago. One living child has been born to this union, Annie R., and one died in infancy. Mrs. Koch has also been married three times, and by her first husband became the mother of these children: Samuel Caldwell (deceased); John Caldwell, Emma Caldwell, wife of Samuel Sanders. Three children are deceased. Mrs. Louisa Koch is the daughter of John T. and Sarah (Howard) Hurt. John T. Hurt was born October 14, 1786, in North Caro- lina, and removed from that State to West Virginia with his par- ents at the age of eight years. Two years later he moved with his parents to East Tennessee, his father settling where Nashville now stands. He emigrated from Tennessee back to West Vir- ginia, and there John T. was married, in 1811, in Russell County, to Miss Sarah Howard. He died March 21, 1860. Miss Sarah Howard was born in West Virginia October 15, 1807, and grew to womanhood in her native State. She died in February, 1858. She was the mother of ten children, three now living, and Mrs. Koch being the sixth in order of birth. The paternal grand- father, Garland Hurt, was born about 1750, in North Carolina, and grew to manhood in that State. He married Miss Martishia Thurston, in North Carolina, in 1793, and died in West Virginia about 1840. The paternal grandmother was born about 1760, and died a number of years before the death of her husband. They were the parents of ten children. The maternal grand- father of Mrs. Hurt, Larkin Howard, was born about 1780, in North Carolina, and grew to manhood there. When about twenty-one years of age he emigrated to West Virginia, and about four years later returned to North Carolina, and was there married in 1800 or 1801. Soon after marriage he returned to West Virginia, but later emigrated to Indiana, and there died about 1829, a few months after reaching that State. The pater- nal grandmother, Miss Rachel Herndon, was born in England in 1785, and emigrated with her parents to America when about nine or ten years of age. In their family were ten children. She died in Indiana about 1855. The paternal great-grandfather was originally from England, and died in North Carolina about 1770, and was a grand-nephew of the Princess Rachel Howard, a
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descendant of the house of Stuarts. The paternal great-grand- mother was a Miss Nancy Taylor, who died in North Carolina. The maternal great-grandfather, Edward Herndon, was born in England, and was married in that country to Miss Hawkins. Mr. Koch is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the G. A. R.
Ed. M. Lappin, editor and proprietor of the Fair Play Flag, at Fair Play, Polk County, Mo., was born at Waterloo, Ill., April 25, 1866, and is the son of J. M. and Evaline (Brown) Lap- pin, and grandson of Knight Lappin, who resided in Ohio, and whose father was a native of the Emerald Isle. J. M. and Eva- line Lappin were natives of Ohio, born in 1837 and 1844, respect- ively. The father attained his growth in Ohio and Indiana, but was married in Illinois; was a minister in the Baptist Church until late in life, when he became minister in the Christian Church. He is now residing in Polk County, Mo. To his marriage were born seven children, four now living, and Ed. M. Lappin being the third in order of birth. He received his education in the State of Missouri, and, after completing the same, entered the office of the Neosho Republican as an apprentice to the printer's trade, continuing in this capacity for four years. In 1888 he became proprietor and editor of the Walnut Grove Bulletin, which he conducted until 1889, when he came to Fair Play, and is now editor and proprietor of the Fair Play Flag, a newsy sheet devoted to the interests of the county. Mr. Lap- pin's brother, Frank M., is a type-setter with him. Mr. Lappin was married to Miss Isa Buitt, a native of Illinois, but who was reared in Polk County, Mo. Two children are the result of this union, Harlan and Maud Lappin. Mr. Lappin is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
Prof. Julius M. Leavitt, president of the Southwest Baptist College, the oldest child of Sylvester and Mary A. (Whittemore) Leavitt, natives of Ohio, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, August 18, 1857. His father was a farmer, and in 1863 volun- teered with the 100-days men, and died in Westchester County, N. Y. His mother still lives in Ohio. In the family were two children. Prof. Leavitt was educated in the public schools and at Hopedale Normal College, graduating in 1879, from which time up to 1881 he was principal of Hopedale public schools. In 1882 he was principal of schools in Effingham, Ill., after which he took a post-graduate course at Ann Arbor, Mich. In that year he was elected professor of higher mathematics in the Southwest Baptist College, vice-president in 1884, and president in 1886, which position he still holds. . In addition to the regular college degrees conferred by the institutions from which he graduated. he has received the honorary degree of A. M. from Ewing College, Ill., and Ph. D. from Mt. Lebanon University, La.
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August 5, 1879, Prof. Leavitt married Miss Florence J. Baldwin, of Hopedale, Ohio, a graduate of the musical department of Hopedale Normal College and of Dana's Musical Institute, War- ren, Ohio, and who for some time had charge of the musical department of Hopedale Normal College. She is now principal of the department of music in Southwest Baptist College. They have two children, Thomas S. and Alpheus F. They are mem- bers of the Baptist Church, and he is a Mason.
Robert N. Leith, farmer, residing one-half mile northeast from Sharon Station, was born January 13, 1846, in Cooper County, Mo., and is the son of John and Mary (Walker) Leith, natives of Maryland, born July 5, 1807, and Rutherford County, Tenn., in 1814, respectively. The father followed farming in his native State, and in 1828 emigrated to Cooper County, where he was married in 1829. In 1858 he and family emigrated to Polk County, Mo., and settled about four miles from Bolivar, where he now resides. His wife moved with her parents to Cooper County, Mo., in 1828, and by her marriage became the mother of nine children, four now living, and Robert N. being the youngest. He came to Polk County with his parents in 1858, passed his boyhood days in that county, and had the advantages of a good ordinary school education. January 13, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Eighth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, as a private, and served in the ranks only for about one year, when he was detailed as clerk in the colonel's office at Springfield, and served until the close of the war. He was six months in the quartermaster's office, and was mustered out at Springfield, March 27, 1865. After the war he returned to Polk County, and entered Bolivar Academy, where he remained one year, and then worked in the probate judge's office about one year after leaving school. He served in the various offices of the county from 1869 to 1875, viz .: county clerk's office, circuit clerk's office and recorder's office, and is one of the representative men of the county. November 23, 1875, he married Pattie D. Graveley, a native of Cedar County, Mo., born in 1855, and who grew to womanhood there. Her early school advantages were good, having attended the Bolivar Academy three years, and also attended school at Stockton. Five children were born to this union: Nannie L., Robert N., Jr., Mary Alice, Joseph F. and Mattie E. Mrs. Leith is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and an excellent woman. In 1876 Mr. Leith moved to Orleans Postoffice, and engaged in merchandising for two years, and then in 1878 he moved on a farm, where he has remained ever since. He has taken an active part in school matters, and in fact has manifested a decided interest in all matters relating to the good of the county. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a bright, enterprising citizen, and universally esteemed.
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A. H. Lewis, one of the leading druggists of Bolivar, Mo., is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, born October 8, 1846. His scholastic training was received at the Western Reserve Seminary, West Farmington, Ohio, but failing health caused him to abandon his books at the age of fifteen, and he then began clerking in a store, where he remained for about nine years. In 1870 he started to go to California, but stopped in Bolivar, Mo., to see a friend, and, after remaining there a short time, bought a stock of boots and shoes, soon becoming associated with J. T. Odor in a drug store. This partnership did not last very long, and Mr. Lewis, not long afterward, became sole proprietor. In 1874 he returned to Ohio, and was there married to Miss Jennie S. Dunkerton, also a native of Trumbull County, Ohio. To this union were born two children, both now deceased. Mr. Lewis also had the misfortune to lose his wife March 8, 1887. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Lewis is a Knight Templar in the Masonic order, a member of the A. O. U. W., and also a member of the Jewelers' League. He has followed continuously one line of business longer than any other man in Bolivar, and enjoys a successful and a strictly honorable drug patronage. In his political views he is a Republican.
Jefferson Lemmon, M. D., one of the successful practicing physicians of Polk County, Mo., was born in Looney Township, Polk County, December 24, 1846, and is the son of John S. and Permelia (Wallace) Lemmon. The maternal grandfather, David Wallace, was a soldier in the War of 1812 and the maternal great-grandfather, William Wallace, was a native of England, and served in the Revolutionary War. John S. Lemmon and wife were born in Kentucky in 1811, the former born in Barren County, and the latter in Christian County. When about eleven years of age, each moved to Henry County, Tenn., with their parents, and there they were married when but eighteen years of age. The same year, 1828, they moved to Missouri, locating where Springfield now is, though there was no sign of a town there then, only the remains of a deserted Indian village, and remained there until 1832, when they moved to this county, and here the mother still lives. Mr. Lemmon was farmer, stock-raiser and miller, and was a very suc- cessful business man. He is a Democrat in politics. During the war he went South with his property, and was never heard from again. When first settling in Missouri, they were obliged to go to Boonville to trade, and experienced all the hardships and priva- tions incident to pioneer life. Mrs. Lemmon is a member of the Baptist Church. She is the mother of fourteen children, eleven of whom lived to be grown. She has over 100 direct descend- ants. Her son, Dr. Jefferson Lemmon, assisted his father on the farm and in the mill, and received his education in the common school, also a term in the high-school at Springfield. In October,
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1861, he enlisted in Company D, Fifth Missouri Confederate Vol- unteers, and served two years. He then became hospital steward of Cherokee Artillery, and his brother was surgeon. There he gained his first knowledge of medicine. Having returned, he studied medicine under his two elder brothers, and in 1874 entered Missouri Medical College and took one course of lec- tures, after which he located at Walnut Grove, Greene County, and practiced until 1878-79, when he took another course at the same school, and graduated in the last named year. He then returned to his old location and practiced until 1880, when he went to Texas. Three years later he came to Morrisville, where he has had a good practice since, and to which he has exclusively devoted his time. He is a member of the Polk County Medical Society, of the Southwest District Medical Association, and was president of the former one term. For a companion in life he chose Miss Mary M. Anderson, a daughter of Nathaniel Ander- son, one of the old teachers of the county. By this union seven children were born: Clara S., Waldo N., Laura L., Emma T., Mollie J., Bennie S. and Arthur E. Dr. Lemmon is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and his wife of the Christian Church. He belongs to the following organizations: Masonic fraternity, Odd Fellows and the A. O. U. W. Dr. Lemmon has practiced his profession in this county for sixteen years, and has had excellent success.
John Lightfoot. In sketching the life of this gentleman it is but just to say that his good name is above reproach, and that he has won the confidence and esteem of all who know him. His native birthplace was Allen County, Ky., where he was born on the 13th of May, 1820, his parents being Henry J. and Barbara (Lambert) Lightfoot, who were born in Virginia and South Carolina (it is supposed), respectively, and both died in Polk County, Mo., he in 1861, at the age of sixty-six years, and she four years later, aged also about sixty-six years. Their mar- riage took place in Warren County, Ky., after which they moved to Simpson County, where John was reared, and from whence they moved to Polk County, Mo., in 1853. The father was a natural mechanic, but gave the most of his attention to farming, and in his religious views was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. His thirteen children lived to be grown, but only six are living at the present time: David L., a farmer, residing near Joplin, Mo .; Melissa, wife of Marion Jackson, is residing in Polk County; Malinda, widow of Jack Pitts; Henry B .; Barbara, wife of Mer- edith Richards, deceased; and John. The latter was educated in Simpson County, Ky., and at the age of twenty-three years began farming for himself in Kentucky, and in 1851 moved to Polk County, Mo., and has since made his home in Green Town- ship, being engaged in tilling the soil, and at one time worked a
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considerable period at the wagon-maker's trade. In 1860 he obtained possession of what was then known as Bradley's Mill, which he operated for ten years, a part of the time being in partnership with Francis Hatler and D. W. Rush, but the greater part of the time was in business alone. Previous to the Civil War he served as justice of the peace, and during that struggle worked in his mill. On the 23d of June, 1842, he married Miss Keziah H. Chapman, a daughter of David Chapman. She was born in Monroe County, Ky., in 1822, and became the mother of five children: Henry J., a prominent citizen and ex-collector of Polk County; David M., merchant and trader, of Humans- ville, Mo .; John S., also at Humansville; William A., at Pitts- burg, a merchant and farmer; and Louisa F., wife of Jasper Creed, also a farmer of Polk County, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Lightfoot belong to the Baptist Church, and he is a deacon, and has been a member for over forty years. He takes great pride in sup- porting the cause of religion, education, and all other worthy enterprises, and as a public-spirited citizen ranks among the first in the county. He is a Republican in politics.
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