USA > Missouri > Cedar County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 66
USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 66
USA > Missouri > Barton County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 66
USA > Missouri > Hickory County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 66
USA > Missouri > Polk County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 66
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born in Arkansas, being a daughter of James and Lydia (Mes- sick) Wilkerson. They have one son, Homer. Doctor, and Mrs. Wann and their two eldest children are members of the Christian Church, in which he is an elder.
Lewis Warren. Prominent among the many noted farmers and stock-raisers of Polk County, Mo., stands the name of the above gentleman, who was born in Robinson County, Tenn., December 30, 1846, and is the son of Jackson and Winnie (Shaw) Warren, both natives of Tennessee, the father born in 1816, and the mother about three years later. After marriage, the parents lived in Tennessee until 1851, when they came to Polk County, Mo., and there made their home. The father's chief occupation in life was speculating in land, although he also carried on farm- ing, and he was a very successful business man. In politics he was for some time a Whig, but later a Republican. He was a member of the Methodist Church, as is also the mother, who is still living. In their family were four children, two sons and two daughters, the youngest of whom is Lewis Warren. Like the average country boy, he assisted his father in tilling the soil, and attended the common schools, where he received a good practi- cal education. At the age of twenty years, he began farming for himself, and November 17, 1867, he married Miss Nancy Brown, a native of Polk County, Mo., born September 4, 1849, and the daughter of Rev. William Brown. The fruits of this union were nine children, six now living: Lavenia, Winnie, Riley, Lillie, Zula and Opal. Mr. Warren is a Republican in politics, is a good farmer, and an honest, upright citizen. In 1869 he moved to the place where he now lives, and where he has 370 acres of land, all the result of his own labor.
James H. Watkins, another citizen whose chief industry is farming and stock raising, and who now resides three miles north- east of Fair Play, Mo., was born May 11, 1845, in Sumner County, Tenn., and is the son of Philip M. and Laura C. (Lay) Watkins, and the grandson of Robert Watkins, who died in Tennessee. Philip M. Watkins was born in Kentucky, in 1797, and emigrated at an early age to Tennessee. He married Miss Lay in 1825, she being, probably, a native of Kentucky, born in 1808. Thirteen children were born to their marriage, seven now living. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812, under Jackson, and was in the battle of New Orleans. He and family moved to Polk County, Mo., about 1849, and here he was engaged in tilling the soil, which he continued until his death, which occurred April 4, 1879, in Polk County. The mother also died in that county, in August, 1884. J. H. Watkins attained his majority in Polk County, Mo., and, like the average country boy, received his learning in the common schools. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Company D, Eighth Regiment Missouri State
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Militia, and was mustered out, on account of disability, at Jeffer- son City, in January, 1865. He was wounded at Jefferson City, in October, 1864, by a rifle ball in the right ankle. After he returned to Polk County he was married, in January, 1874, to Miss Hulda Pickle, of Polk County. She was born in Tennessee about 1849, and came to Polk County, Mo., at an early age, where she mar- ried Mr. Watkins, and bore him eight children, seven now living: John W., William L., George E., Louisa C., Mary E., Albert (deceased), Finia Q. and James C. Mr. Watkins is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and also of the Knights of Pythias. In his politics he affiliates with the Republican party.
John Whillock, proprietor of the National Hotel, and also the owner of a livery stable at Humansville, Polk County, Mo., was born in Washington County, East Tennessee, in 1827. His father, Enoch Whillock, was probably a native of Tennessee, and was married in that State to Miss Lucinda Irvin, who was of Irish descent, but was probably born in America. The father was a farmer by occupation, was a prominent politician, and a much respected citizen. He died in Jefferson County, Tenn., as did also the mother. They were the parents of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, John Whillock being fifth in order of birth. The paternal grandfather, John Whillock, was born in England, and emigrated to America, locating in Tennessee. The maternal grandparents were natives of Indiana, and emi- grated to Tennessee, where they died in Washington County. John Whillock, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in Tennessee, and was there married to Miss Harriet E. Gilbreath, a native of Roane County, of that State, born in 1837. They emi- grated to Missouri in 1856, locating three miles north of St. Clair County, but later came to Polk County, and have lived there ever since, with the exception of two years. During the Civil War Mr. Whillock took up arms in defense of his country, in the Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry, and served three years and four months. He received his discharge at Springfield, Mo., and still has the papers in his possession. He was at the battle of Big Blue, also in many others, and was in the battle of Newtonia just before he received his discharge. After the war he returned to his home, and farmed and kept hotel, commencing the latter business in 1863, and still continuing it at Humansville. He owns 472 acres of land in Polk and St. Clair Counties, and also owns consider- able town property. He is a Republican in his political views. Mrs. H. Emaline Whillock is the daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Henry) Gilbreath. Thomas Gilbreath was a native of Scotland, who emigrated to America, locating in Tennessee, and there spent the remainder of his days. He was a powerful man physically, and was a prize-fighter or pugilist. While fighting in a ring in Tennessee he had a blood-vessel broken, and died from the
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effects. After this his wife went to the Louisiana Purchase, and was there married to a man by the name of Dunlap, and by whom she had ten children. She was the mother of two children by her union with Mr. Gilbreath, Mrs. Whillock being the younger of the two. The mother died in Tennessee. The paternal grandmother of Mrs. H. Emaline Whillock was a native of Ire- land, who emigrated to America at an early date, and was among the pioneer settlers of Tennessee. He died in that State. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Whillock was married in East Tennessee in 1856, but previous to her marriage had been engaged in the hotel business, which she has since fol- lowed, and with great success. She attends to all the business herself, and is a lady thoroughly qualified to fill that position in a satisfactory manner. Mrs. Whillock is now fifty-two years of age, and is pleasant and sociable in her intercourse with the pub- lic. She has with her, at the present time, the first hired hand she ever employed. She has two acres of land in the center of the town, and meditates turning it into an orphans' home.
La Fayette Wilcox, one of the old and prominent citizens of Polk County, Mo., was born in Cabell County, W. Va., October 23, 1837, his parents being Erasmus D. and Jane (Stamps) Wil- cox, natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and Virginia, the former's birth occurring in 1803 and the latter's in 1811. The father left his native State when a young man and went to Vir- ginia, where he met and married Miss Stamps, and resided until 1844, when he came to Polk County, Mo., and located in what is now Benton Township, where he engaged in agricultural pur- suits, his capital at that time being very limited. He was also engaged in selling Seth Thomas clocks, and, too, followed steam- boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers as captain. In 1856 he turned his stock and farm over to his sons and embarked in mercantile pursuits on Lindley Creek, which he continued until his death, October 16, 1861, when he was killed by Federal troops, he having been a captain of a company in the Confeder- ate army. He was a finely educated man and was very success- ful in every enterprise in which he engaged, being one of the wealthy citizens of the county at the breaking out of the Rebellion. For many years he had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and was always very liberal in his contributions to churches and schools. He was a life-long Democrat. To him and his first wife, who died in Polk County, Mo., March 3, 1846, were born seven children, five of whom are living: R. H., a farmer of Audrain County, Mo .; William A., a resident of Bolivar; Cornelia, a resident of Texas; La Fayette; and Albert, a farmer of Boone County, Mo. His second wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Smart, bore him two children: H. B., a farmer of Boone County, Mo., and Mary J., a resident of Taylor County, Iowa.
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His last marriage (to Miss Martha Batton) resulted in the birth of a daughter, Irena, who resides in Carroll County, Ark. His widow is also residing there. La Fayette Wilcox received his rudimentary education in the common schools of Polk County, and finished his education in Danville College in Virginia. After completing his college course he returned to Polk County, Mo., and turned his attention to farming and stock raising, which he has very successfully continued up to the present time, the prop- erty which he now has being the result of good business ability and energy, as his father lost all his property during the war. February 12, 1860, he was married to Miss Mary E., daughter of William B. Hunter, of Bolivar. She was born in Washington County, Tenn., October 28, 1842, and her union with Mr. Wil- cox has resulted in the birth of quite a large family, these children living: William E., Charles S., Fanny, Minnie, Mary T., Bertie and A. J. All the sons are engaged in farming. James, another son, died when three years of age. Mr. Wilcox is a Democrat; a member of the A. O. U. W., and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of the county.
William O. Wilcoxen, of Bolivar, was born in Fulton County, Ill., February 22, 1842, being a son of James F. and Elizabeth (Bates) Wilcoxen, who were born respectively in Kentucky and Tennessee. In an early day they settled in Missouri, where the mother still lives, the father having died while the late war was in progress. William O. Wilcoxen received his education in the common schools, spending considerable time in work on the farm. In 1871, in connection with Mr. D. W. Faulkner, he opened a store at Brighton, this county, afterwards moving to Phillipsburg, Laclede County, and in 1880 came to Bolivar, and dealt in dry goods till 1885, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Wilcoxen entering the furniture and undertak- ing business. He also has a fine farm of 340 acres. In 1871 he married Nettie Corbin, daughter of Nathan Corbin, by whom he has three children, only one of whom is now living, Bertie. He is a Republican, a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Christian Church, as is also his wife.
Michael Wiley, M. D. Health is the most precious gift bestowed upon us by nature, and how to retain it, and how to regain it when lost, are matters of vital moment. Some seek for health in travel, others in physical recreation, and both are bene- ficial, no doubt, but do not always accomplish the object in view. Medical science must be resorted to, and the best physicians employed. Dr. Michael Wiley, who has been very successful in his treatment of patients, was born in Jasper County, Ill., Jan- uary 1, 1846, and is the fourth of eleven children born to Alex- ander and Louisiana (House) Wiley, natives of Cumberland County, Ky., born in 1819, and Monroe County, Ind., born in
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1 820, respectively. When young, Alexander Wiley went with his widowed mother to Indiana, and there he married Miss House. He and wife then moved to St. Louis, thence to Jasper County, Ill., and in 1858 to Texas County, Mo. About this time the war broke out, and they returned to Illinois, and remained there until 1870, when they came to Polk County, and have made their home here ever since. Both are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Wiley has always been a tiller of the soil, and at this has always been quite successful. He is a Democrat in politics. Dr. Michael Wiley was reared to manhood on the farm, and received a very limited education, not attending more than ten months altogether. Later, by self-study, he has become a well informed man. He followed farming until about nineteen years of age, when he began serving an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, and remained engaged in this for nearly three years in Coles County, Ill. While at Charleston, and while building a house for Dr. Silverthorn, the Doctor said to him that he should study medicine, and that he could make a success of it. He then read all the Doctor's books, and later went to Newton, where he studied under Dr. Frank, and afterward with Dr. J. H. Holliday, of Alton Junction. In 1869 he began practicing, and has been engaged in this ever since. In 1870 he came with his parents to this county, but with very little means, as all had gone to pay doctor bills. He borrowed a suit of clothes to go and see his first patient, and for some time he went on foot to see his patients. In 1871, November 26, he married Miss Elizabeth V. Gasset, a native of Roane County, Tenn., born June 29, 1853, and six children were born to this marriage, three now living: Alexander, John P., and Perry B. After marriage, Dr. Wiley located in Jackson Township, and in 1882 he removed to his present home, seven miles southwest of Bolivar. He has been very successful as a physician, as his many patients now living can testify, and has, perhaps, the most extensive practice of any man in the county. He is the owner of 122 acres of land, with eighty acres under cultivation, and is a fair sample of what can be accom- plished by a young man of energy and industry. He is a Dem- ocrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the Masonic order, Odd Fellows' fraternity, and is also a member of the A. O. U. W.
Conaway Willhite, who is forward in the ranks of the live farmers and stock-raisers of Polk County, Mo., is a native of Jefferson County, Tenn., born October 20, 1826, and is the son of James and Susan (Cates) Willhite. James Willhite was born probably in Virginia, in 1790, but attained his growth in Ten- nessee, having removed to that State at an early age. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and soon after that eventful period was united in marriage to a Miss Baker, who died several
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years afterward, and sometime in the twenties he married Miss Susan Cates, a native of Tennessee, born about 1801, and the daughter of John Cates. To this union were born four children, two now living, and Conaway Willhite being the elder. About 1866 James Willhite moved to Illinois, settling in Rich- land County, and there died about 1880. The mother died in Knoxville, Tenn. Conaway Willhite left his home at the age of eleven years, went with a cousin to Iowa, where he followed farming for about nine years, and then, at the breaking out of the Mexican War, he returned to Tennessee, where, October 2, 1847, he enlisted in Company H, Fourth Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, and went to Mexico with his company. He was dis- charged from service August 1, 1848, at Memphis, Tenn., and returned to East Tennessee in the fall of the same year, whence a few weeks later he emigrated with his father to Missouri. They located in Polk County, and there he remained until the spring of 1849, when he went with a company of men across the plains to the gold mines of California. He remained in Hamilton and Shasta Counties, Cal., for four years, engaged in mining, after which he returned to Polk County, Mo., via Central America, and reached home in the spring of 1853. Stopping there only about a year, he then returned to California with a train of cattle, and remained there until the spring of 1856, when he returned to Polk County by the former route. He was married April 19, 1857, to Miss Louisa J. Chandler, of Polk County, and settled near Bolivar, but removed to the southwest portion of the county in 1859. At the breaking out of the Civil War he was in the Home Guards until 1862, when he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-sixth Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia, as a private, and October II, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of captain. Afterward he organized Company E, Seventeenth Regiment En- rolled Missouri Militia, and served as its captain until the close of the war. He then retired from service by general orders in 1865, returning to Polk County, and resumed his agricultural pursuits, which occupation he has followed ever since. He takes an active interest in school matters, and, although not a church member, is also active in church matters.
He is a Republican in politics,
and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His wife, Miss Louisa J. Chandler, was born December 12, 1839, in East Tennes- see, and is the daughter of John and Catherine (Nicely) Chandler, who came to Polk County, Mo., in 1856. To Mr. and Mrs. Willhite were born ten children, eight now living: Laura A. (deceased); Charley S. (deceased); Lillian G., now Mrs. McDon- ald; Alonzo L., Claudius G., Alta M., now Mrs. Tarrant; Dollie V., William T. Sherman, Bennie Garfield and Harry Clide. Mrs. Willhite is a member of the Baptist Church.
Mrs. E. S. Williams, widow of W. J. Williams, one of Polk
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County's worthy residents, was born in Illinois, April 23, 1836, and is the daughter of Solomon and Mary (Hartly) Hopkins. Solomon Hopkins was born in Tennessee in 1812, grew to man- hood in that State, and at an early age moved to Illinois, where he was married in 1835 to Miss Mary Hartly, also a native of Tennessee, born in 1812. After marriage the father followed agricultural pursuits, a part of the time, in Illinois, and remained there until 1836, when he moved to Missouri and settled in Cedar County, where he continued to till the soil. Some time in the forties he moved to Polk County, Missouri, and there died in 1852. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom survive. The mother is still living on her husband's old home- stead in Polk County, and is enjoying very fair health. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Williams, a resident of Tennessee, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He left Tennessee at an early date, and emigrated to Illinois, where he remained until 1836, when he moved to Polk County, Mo., and there tilled the soil until his death, some time in the forties. Mrs. E. S. (Hopkins) Williams grew to womanhood in Polk County, Mo., her early education being confined to such instruction as could be obtained in the common schools. She was married in Polk County, Mo., in 1850, to Mr. W. J. Williams, and by him became the mother of six children, four of whom are now living: Mary M., Solomon E., Sarah (deceased), Josie (deceased), Elinor U., and Addie E. Mrs. Williams has been a life-long member of the Baptist Church, and has always taken an active part in church matters since a very early age, being instrumental in building the present Baptist Church at Fair Play. Her two daughters, Miss Elinor U. and Miss Addie E., are ladies of culture and refinement, the former being an accomplished musician. They are both active members of the Baptist Church, and lovers of truth and right, and, too, earnest advocates of the cause of prohibition. W. J. Williams was born in Tennessee in 1828, emigrated to Pike County, Mo., in 1829, and afterward moved to Polk County, of the same State, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. During the war he served two years in the Home Guards of Polk County. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in 1871.
Richard G. Wilkinson, Jr., a member of the mercantile firm of Furth & Wilkinson, of Pleasant Hope, Polk County, Mo., was born in Buffalo, Dallas County, Mo., January 28, 1856, and is a son of Richard and Keziah (Dodd) Wilkinson, and grandson of Richard Wilkinson, who came with his family to Dallas County, Mo., from Kentucky, being among the earliest settlers of that county. The father of our subject was engaged in farm- ing, and teaching school in his young days, but after a time turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, and later built the mill at Buffalo. He was vice-president of the Laclede & Fort Scott
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Railroad, but is now living a retired life. After his first wife's death, he married Mrs. Margaret (Stambaugh) Stark, who is still living. He is a consistent member of the Christian Church, and is a Mason. His children are as follows: H. M., engaged in farming near Buffalo, Mo .; Martha, wife of Mr. Glasgow; Rich- ard G .; Albert V., editor of a paper at Cambridge, Kan .; Fran- cis M., a printer in the Reflex office at Buffalo; and Emma, wife of N. B. Huff, were born to his first marriage. John, in the mail service between Kansas City and St. Louis, and Ella, wife of Albert Miller, editor of a paper in Dakota, were the children of his second marriage. Richard G. Wilkinson, Jr., received his education at Buffalo, and at the age of nineteen years leased some lead mines belonging to his father, which he operated for nearly two years, after which he went into the grocery business , at Buffalo, and in 1875 became a clerk in the mercantile estab- lishment of Frank Furth, continuing until 1884, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Furth, and opened a store at Pleasant Hope. Their stock of goods is valued at about $6,000, is well selected, and nets them a fair annual income. Mr. Wilkinson is a Democrat in his political views, and belongs to the I. O. O. F.
Richard C. Wilson, retired farmer, is the son of Samuel and Cynthia (Gibson) Wilson, both natives of Virginia. When young they went to Tennessee, were married there, and in 1844 they came to Missouri, where they lived in Jasper County for some time. They then moved to Arkansas, and there the mother died. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father was a successful tiller of the soil, and was a Democrat in politics. He was killed by Confederates at his home during the war. In their family were ten children, four of whom are now living, three sons and one daughter; our subject and a twin brother are the eldest living. Two of the brothers served in the Union army. Richard C. Wilson was born September 11, 1833, in Lincoln County, Tenn., attained his growth on the farm, and received his education in the old log school-house, and also attended a term in Arkansas County, Ark. At the age of seven- teen he started from home, and worked on a farm at five dollars per month, spending his earnings in college. In 1860 he mar- ried Miss Mary L. Hughey, a native of Carroll County, Ark., and they have three children, two now living: Riley T. and Frank C. Having moved to Texas, Mr. Wilson remained until 1863, and then went to Greene County, Mo., and was there until 1865, when he came to Polk County, Mo., and settled four miles north of Bolivar. Mrs. Wilson died in 1866, and the following year he married Miss Annie S., daughter of Clayton Devin. She was born in Obion County, Tenn., and when a mere child came with her parents to Polk County. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Wilson was reared under a
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Democratic roof, but he now holds to the Union Labor party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a prominent and successful citizen. He has twice commenced even with the world - when he first began, and after the war.
Judge James M. Zumwalt, a native of Polk County, Mo., was born on the, 17th of October, 1841, and is a son of Adam and Loretta M. (Byrnside) Zumwalt, who wereborn in Bath County, Va., and Pike County, Mo., July 1, 1807, and 1820, and died in Pike County in 1875 and 1885, respectively. The father came with his parents to Missouri when St. Louis was a small French village, and, after residing in several different counties, finally located in Polk County about 1837, and here spent his declining years. He was married, in Greene County, to Miss Byrnside, having been previously married in Franklin County to Miss Mahala Sups, who died shortly after. He was a life-long Democrat, and when a young man served in the Indian wars and also the Mexican War. He and his wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Baptist Church, respectively. His father, John Zumwalt, was of German birth, born in Little York, Va., and was a farmer and mechanic by occupation. While serving in the War of 1812, he was in the battle when the noted Indian chief, Black Hawk, was captured. While living in St. Louis he was engaged in ferry-boating on the Mississippi River. His death occurred in Polk County. His father was born in Germany, John by name, and came to America and assisted the colonists in their struggle for liberty. Andrew Zumwalt, the latter's father, came to America at an early day, and founded the town of Little York, Va. Judge James M. Zumwalt, whose name heads this sketch, was one of seven children, and received his education in the common schools of Greene County. He remained with his parents until nineteen years of age, and, after enlisting and serving in the Home Guards for some time, joined the Eighth Cavalry Federal service, with which he remained until the close of the war, holding the rank of corporal, and participating in the following engagements: Prairie Grove, Van Buren, Big River Bridge, Chalk Bluff, Bayou Meto Bridge, Little Rock, Dardanelle, Claradon, Lewisburg, Bull Creek, and numerous others. After the war he turned his attention to farming and stock-trading, and in 1879 engaged in mercantile pursuits, being the first business man of Polktown, and has been its first and only postmaster. From 1882 to 1889 he discontinued merchandising, but at the latter date resumed business, and has been thus engaged up to the present time, his stock being valued at about $3,000. This is an excellent trading point, and he has succeeded admirably in the accumulation of wealth. He is one of the enterprising citizens of the county, and for many years has been a Democrat in his political views, and in 1884 was elected to the office of county judge. Decem-
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