History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri, Part 74

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 74
USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 74
USA > Missouri > Barton County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 74
USA > Missouri > Hickory County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 74
USA > Missouri > Polk County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 74

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).

William Stark, dealer in general merchandise, Cedar Springs, whose stock of goods is valued at $1,700, and whose annual sales equal about $7,000, established his business at Lebeck, October,

781

BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.

1878. In 1884 he cut away the brush from where his present store is now standing, sold the first goods in the town, and is the oldest and most substantial merchant in Cedar Springs. He is also the proprietor of " Springs Hotel." He was born in Lincoln County, Mo., in 1839, and is the son of James and Matilda (Hop- kins) Stark, natives of South Carolina and Kentucky, and born in 1804 and 1807, respectively. They resided in Lincoln County, Mo., until 1868, and then emigrated to Cedar County, where the father died in 1873. He was of Welsh-Scotch-Irish descent, was left an orphan when very young, and, after growing up, fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer. The mother died in 1879, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. William Stark was the ninth of four sons and eleven daughters, and received a limited education in the subscription schools. Since then, by observation and study, he has improved his education greatly, and is considered a well informed man on the general topics of the day. At the age of seventeen he and an elder brother left home, went to an elder sister in Camden County, and one year after went to Cedar County. Here William Stark married Miss Lorinda Fisher, a native of Franklin County, Mo., and the daughter of William and Nancy Fisher, natives of Ken- tucky, but who spent the last of their days in Franklin County, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Stark were born eleven children, three sons and eight daughters - nine living. Mr. Stark farmed until 1878, after which he engaged in mercantile business. He has a good farm of 205 acres, and is also the owner of considerable property in town. In 1864 he joined Company M, Fifteenth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge at Springfield in July, 1865. He had pre- viously served in the Second Provisional service in Northeastern Missouri. He was justice of the peace from 1866 to 1867; is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Clintonville Lodge No. 482; and he and his wife have been members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church since 1866. Previous to that time he had been a member of the Baptist Church. He was postmaster at Lebeck for over two years, and is one of the prominent citizens of the county. He affiliates with the Republican party in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln in 1864.

A. W. Stearns, editor of the Tribune at El Dorado Springs, was born in Fulton County, Ill., in 1845, and is the son of Jeffer- son G. and Mary (Wilson) Stearns, natives of New York. The parents were married in Illinois, and in 1867 removed to Butler County, Kan., where they are residing at the present time. The father is a farmer by occupation, and has been quite suc- cessful in this industry. The Stearns family first made settle- ments in America in the sixteenth century. A. W. Stearns received a common school education, and started out for himself

782

CEDAR COUNTY.

at the age of sixteen years. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Company G, Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, Col. Robert Ingersoll's regiment, and served three years and four months in the Army of the Tennessee. He was discharged in August, 1865, at Springfield, Ill. In 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Geyer, a native of Illinois, and the daughter of Joseph Geyer, who was born in Germany. Mr. Stearns and family removed to Kansas in 1869, and there his wife died in February, 1887. To their marriage were born two children. Mr. Stearns followed agricultural pursuits the principal part of the time until 1886, when he removed to Wichita, Kan., and was there connected with various newspapers until his health failed, when he removed to El Dorado, Mo., in 1888. In March, 1889, he purchased the Tribune, which he has since edited and published, and which is a spicy sheet, well filled with news and

useful information. Mr. Stearns is Independent in politics and religion, is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and, although a late resident of El Dorado, he is already one of its prominent and influential citizens. He was married in October, 1888, to Mrs. Fannie Jett, née Parker, a native of Henry County, Mo.

Ex-Judge D. J. Thompson, another successful farmer and stock-raiser of Box Township, Cedar County, Mo., was born in Lawrence County, Ky., January 23, 1834, and is the son of Mar- tin and Annie (Large) Thompson, natives of Russell County, Va., born in 1802 and 1805, respectively. When quite small, each, with their parents, moved to Kentucky, where, after reach- ing mature years, they were married, and there made their future home. The mother died in February, 1869, and the father at the home of his son, Judge D. J. Thompson, September 13, 1887. Both were members of the Christian Church. Mr. Thompson was a successful farmer and stock-raiser. His father, James Thomp- son, was a native of Virginia, and his grandfather, Richard Thompson, was a native of Ireland, and came to America at an early day. He was an officer in the Revolutionary War, and died in Kentucky. James Thompson also died in Kentucky. William Large, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was an early settler of Kentucky, where he died. He, too, was a soldier in the early wars. He was of Welsh-Irish extraction. Ex-Judge D. J. Thompson, the sixth of ten sons and four daughters, nine of whom are now living, received a limited edu- cation in the country schools, and was married August 16, 1855, to Miss Fannie, a native of Kentucky, born June 9, 1839, and the daughter of William M. and Delila Pennington, also natives of Kentucky. Mr. Pennington died in his native State, Feb- ruary 20, 1862, and Mrs. Pennington is still living there. Mr. Pennington was a wealthy farmer, merchant and distiller, and was of Dutch descent. To Judge Thompson and wife were born

783

BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.

nine children, two sons and five daughters living. America was born January 14, 1859, and was married to John A. Jackson, Jr., January 27, 1876; Granville, born February 12, 1861, and was married to Miss Alice Beauchamp, December 19, 1880; Delila A., born March 31, 1864, and was married to Mr. Joe Everman February 4, 1884; Richard, born November 13, 1866, died De- cember 12, 1866; Josie, born December 13, 1868; Laura B., born May 15, 1871; Helen A., born December 12, 1872, died January 7, 1873; Cora E., born January 27, 1874; James S., born August 31, 1876. From November, 1861, to June, 1865, Judge Thompson was in the Confederate army, Company B, Tenth Kentucky Mounted Riflemen, and operated in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, held as partisan ranger in war in severe engagements, and had many hair-breadth escapes. He surren- dered at Chattanooga, Tenn., in June, 1865, and the same year came to Platte County, Mo., where he remained until the next year, when he moved to Hopkins County, Texas, and from there to Cedar County, Mo., where they have since lived. He resides about three and a half miles northwest of El Dorado, where he has 320 acres, 160 acres under cultivation, and all the result of his own industry. He is one of the leading farmers and stock- raisers of Cedar County. In 1874 he was elected associate judge of the county court, and served two years. In politics he has been a Democrat all his life, and his first presidential vote was cast for James Buchanan, in 1856. He and his son, Granville, are members of El Dorado Lodge No. 433, I. O. O. F., and he is also a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He and wife and five children are members of the Christian Church. He and family have improved nearly all the farm themselves, there being about thirty-five acres cleared when they located there.

Levi Vassar, a substantial farmer, residing seven miles west of Stockton, Mo., was born in Cannon County, Tenn., Novem- ber 9, 1825, his parents being Daniel and Ruthie (Lowry) Vassar. The former was born in Tennessee, and died in Arkansas in 1832 while there on a visit. He was a farmer and blacksmith by occu- pation. His father, Joshua Vassar, was an early settler of Ten- nessee .. Mrs. Vassar died in Gentry County, Mo., in 1850. Levi Vassar wa's the fourth of eight children, four of whom sur- vive, and made his home with his mother until eighteen years of age, when he went to Clinton County, Mo., but a year later returned to Gentry County, where he married, and resided seven- teen years. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Third Regiment Missouri Mounted Volunteers, U. S. A., and was in active service for about three years, being a participant in the battles of Lexington, Pea Ridge, Iuka, Champion's Hill, Grand Gulf, Corinth, Farmington and Vicksburg, being taken prisoner at the latter place. After his return home, he resumed farming,

784

CEDAR COUNTY.

and now owns 160 acres of land, of which 100 are under cultiva- tion. He has resided in Cedar County since 1875, and is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. His wife was a Miss Margaret Lucinda Bryson, who was in Tennessee in 1831, and by her he has eight children: Amanda P., wife of A. W. Martin; Narcissus P., William B., Robert E., Linda W., wife of C. N. Philpott; Alice, Maggie and Jessie. Mrs. Vassar's parents are Samuel and Isabel Bryson. Mr. Vassar cast his first vote for Fillmore for the presidency, and is now a Democrat in politics. He served for about seventeen months in the Mexican War, being in Company H, under Capt. Simmons. Owing to the death of his father when he was seven years of age, Mr. Vassar's educa- tional advantages were very limited, but he is considered a man of sound judgment, and is well informed on all the topics of the day.

G. L. Walker, ex-county clerk and collector of Cedar County, Mo., was born in Dade County, Mo., in 1841, his parents being Col. Benjamin F. and Nancy (Leeper) Walker, and his grandfather Thomas Walker. The latter was a native of Bucks County, Penn., and by profession was a physician, graduating under Benjamin Rush, of Philadelphia. He afterward located in Washington County, Va., and at the age of sixty years was married and had a family of four children, all of whom he lived to see grown and married. He lived in Claiborne County, Tenn., for several years, and in 1837 came to Dade County, Mo., and located one mile south of Arcola, where he died in 1845, at the age of ninety-seven years. He was a remarkably well preserved man for his years, and at the time of his death had not a decayed tooth in his head. He served in the Black Hawk War in 1832, and owing to this he was disinherited by his parents, who were Quakers. He practiced his profession through many years, and, although totally blind the last fifteen years of his life, still con- tinued his practice, his wife taking him to his patients and prepar- ing the medicine at his direction. He was in many respects a remarkable man. Col. Benjamin F. Walker was born in Claiborne County, Tenn., in 1820, and in 1836 came to Greene County, Mo., where he married and lived two years, going then to Dade County, in which he afterward became surveyor and represented it in the State Legislature. In 1848 he located in Cedar County, which he also represented in the State Legisla- ture several terms, and of which he was public administrator and surveyor. During the late war he raised the first company in Cedar County for the Confederate States Army, and at the organ- ization of the regiment was elected lieutenant-colonel, and at the death of Colonel Cawthon was promoted to the rank of colonel. In 1868 he located in Washington County, Ark., which he repre- sented in the State Legislature, and was also a member of the

785

BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.

Senate. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention which framed the present constitution for the State of Arkansas. Like his father, he was a man of marked characteristics, a deep thinker, and in private, as well as public life, has won the confi- dence and respect of all. His wife was born in Maury County, Tenn., in 1823, and died in 1846, after which he married again. Guian L. Walker was the eldest child by the first marriage, and grew to manhood on a farm. In March, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, Eighteenth Missouri Infantry, Confederate States Army, and served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Newtonia, Humansville, Prairie Grove and Helena, being captured in the latter battle, and was retained a prisoner at Alton, Ill., eight months, and at Fort Delaware twelve months. He was ordnance sergeant of his regiment, and in 1863 was transferred from Company G to Pindel's First Battery of Sharp Shooters. In September, 1865, he was married to Miss Mary A. Roberts, in Fannin County, Texas. She was born in Roane County, Tenn., in 1843, and by Mr. Walker became the mother of five children : Virgil L., Cora E., Susan E., Mary L. and John F. In 1866 Mr. Walker returned to Cedar County, Mo., and for one year was engaged in farming and teaching school, when he turned his attention solely to farming. In 1874 he was elected collector of Cedar County, serving two years, and in 1878 was elected county clerk, being re-elected in 1882. He is a Demo- crat, a member of the A. F. & A. M., the Knights of Pythias, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Bart Ward, a prominent agriculturist and stock-raiser of Box Township, Cedar County, Mo., was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1839, and is the eleventh of fourteen children born to Charles and Letitia G. (Fury) Ward, natives of Ireland, where they were reared and married. After coming to the United States they lived first in Ohio, and then in 1839 moved to Liv- ingston County, Mo., where they remained until about 1842, when they located in Cedar County, being among its very first settlers. The country was wild and unsettled, and wild animals of all kinds were numerous. They improved a good farm, and here Mrs. Ward died in 1865 and Mr. Ward one year later. Both were members of the Catholic Church. He was a farmer, and was a stone-mason by trade. Of their large family of children, only three are now living, viz .: Daniel, of Vernon County ; Phares, of Cass County ; and Bart, the subject of this sketch. The latter has lived in Cedar County since three years of age, and never attended school a day in his life. He began for himself at the age of twenty-three, and was married May 17, 1866, to Miss Zerelda Hawkins, daughter of David and Margaret Hawkins, natives of Tennessee, who moved to Indiana and from

786

CEDAR COUNTY.

there to Missouri, settling in Livingston County in 1840, and then moved to Cedar County in 1865. Here Mrs. Hawkins died in 1874, and Mr. Hawkins in 1880. By his marriage Mr. Ward became the father of four children, one son and three daughters. Since marriage he has lived in Box Township, and on his present farm since 1881. He is the owner of 200 acres of land, 170 under cultivation, is one of the pioneers of the county, and endured many of the privations incident to early times. He is a Democrat, voting for Douglas in 1860, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. When twenty-one years of age Mr. Ward could not spell nor write his name, but since then he has learned to read, is a fair scholar, and is well informed on general issues. From 1862 until the close of the war he was in the Government employ in New Mexico. Mrs. Ward belongs to the Christian Church.

John Wasson, a leading stockman and farmer of the county, residing at Cane Hill, nine miles southeast of the county-seat, was born in St. Louis County, Mo., on the 2d of January, 1844, and made his home with his parents until their death, receiving his education in the common schools of his native county. In 1874 he married Mrs. M. J. Ross, who was born in Kentucky in 1837, and is a daughter of Thomas and Lucinda Pyle, who came from Kentucky to Missouri in 1855, and died in Polk and Cedar Counties, respectively. To Mr. Wasson's marriage two children were born: Omer and Wallace. He owns 520 acres of land, 300 acres under cultivation, and 200 river bottom land, and his home farm is one of the finest in the county, being well adapted to the raising of grain, and stock growing. He has been a resident of Cedar County since 1872, and is an influential and highly respected citizen. He is a Democrat, and his first presi- dential vote was cast for Horace Greeley. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. His father, John W. Wasson, was a Scotchman, born about 1776, and when a young man he left his native land and came to St. Louis, Mo., purchas- ing a tract of land near that city, which was then a small French village. He died on this farm in 1862, aged eighty-six years. His wife was born near Lexington, Ky., in 1801, and died in St. Louis County in 1861, having borne a family of six children.

Henry P. Willett, a farmer residing one mile northwest of Stockton, Mo., was born in Roane County, Tenn., March 7, 1840, and is a son of Nathaniel and Charity (Russell) Willett, who were born in Tennessee and North Carolina in 1806 and 1812, respectively. In the fall of 1840 they emigrated to Callaway County, Mo., and ten years later became residents of Cedar County, where his wife died in 1876. In 1878 Mr. Willett gave up housekeeping, and has since lived with his children, whose names are as follows: Thomas, William, Church, Henry P .; Mary E., wife of Samuel Swingle;

787

BIOGRAPIIICAL APPENDIX.

and Ann, widow of John C. Leemaster. Henry P. Willett was an infant when his parents moved to Missouri, and ten years of age when they came to Cedar County. Until twenty-one years of age he resided with his father on the farm, and August 13, 1864, enlisted in Company A, Fifteenth Missouri Volunteer Cav- alry, and during his service of over eleven months participated in many skirmishes. He received his discharge July 1, 1865, and December of the same year married Miss Rebecca Wrenn, a daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca A. Wrenn. She was born in the State of Tennessee, June 10, 1844, and her union with Mr. Willett resulted in the birth of six children: Cordie, who died August 23, 1887, at the age of twenty years; James W., Lucy A., Nellie A., Minnie E., and Henry C. In October, 1866, he located in Stockton, and has since been engaged in farming, being now the owner of 160 acres of land, which farm he has owned since 1883. His property has been acquired by hard work and good management, and he deserves much credit for his success, and he started in life for himself a poor man. His first presidential vote was cast for Lincoln in 1864, and he has always been a Republican in politics. He is a member of the G. A. R., Hubbard Post No. 194, and his wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

William R. Williams is the second of seven children born to Larkin and Catherine (Koontz) Williams, and is a grandson of Samuel and Nancy Williams, who died in Illinois. Larkin Will- iams came from Tennessee to Polk County, Mo., in 1836, of which he was one of the early settlers, and owing to the newness of the country, suffered many privations and hardships while en- deavoring to make a home for his family. He was a prominent citizen of the county, and died in 1882, at the age of seventy- five years. His wife was of Dutch descent, born in 1806, and died on the 17th of January, 1889. William R. Williams was born in Knox County, Tenn., December 2, 1832, and until twenty-one years of age remained with his parents, receiving his education in the public schools of Polk County. In 1854 he married Miss Elizabeth Boswell, who was born in Henderson County, Tenn., in January, 1836, her parents being Matthew and Edith Boswell, who came to St. Clair County, Mo., from North Carolina, in 1837, and died in 1852 and 1854, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have twelve children: Larkin M., Minerva C., Susan A., L. G. W. and T. W. C. (twins), Elijah B., Leander Y., Samuel S., Charlotte E., Lorinda A., James C. and Lillie D. Since 1854 Mr. Williams has been a resident of Cedar County, Mo., where he owns 312 acres of valuable land, with about 180 acres under cultivation. In February, 1863, he enlisted in Capt. Sim- mons' company of Missouri State Militia, and was in the United States service twenty months, besides being in the State Militia.

788

CEDAR COUNTY.

He is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan. He has served as justice of his township, and he and wife are members of the Predestinarian Baptist Church. Mr. Williams' paternal great-grandfather lived to be 106 years old, and had a good set of teeth (his third) when he died. The ma- ternal grandparent came across the ocean, the grandmother being a Rhymer before she was married.

Harden M. Williams, who is classed among the prominent farmers and stock-dealers of Cedar County, Mo., was born on his present farm November 21, 1842, and is the son of Judge Robert and Lavica (Williams), and the grandson of Robert Will- iams, Sr., who was of Welch extraction, and who died in Cedar County, Mo. Mrs. Williams' father, John G. Williams, was also an early settler of Cedar County, Mo., and built a grist-mill on Cedar Creek, one of the first in Southwestern Missouri, and sup- plied the whole country with flour and meal. Judge Williams was born in South Carolina in 1806, removed with his parents to Middle Tennessee, and in an early day emigrated to Miller County, Mo., and in 1837 to what is now Cedar County. He settled in the woods on Cedar Creek, several miles from any other settlement, improved a good farm, and there spent the rest of his life, dying July 12, 1881. He had lived on the same farm for forty-four years, and was one of the very first white settlers in that region. He was fond of hunting, and, as the forest abounded with wild animals, he had abundant opportunities to test his skill as a marksman. He lived in three counties, and did not move. For about three years, from 1867, he was judge of the county court, and was one of the county's sturdy, honest pioneers. He was a man of considerable means, was very suc- cessful in all business operations, and for many years acted as banker in his vicinity, loaning money to all in need of it. Although born and reared in the South, he was a stanch Union man during the war, and held the rank of captain. He was married four times, and all the children living are by the first wife. Harden M. Williams is the fifth of four sons and two daughters -these living, viz .: Francis M., of Nebraska; Fer- netta, wife of James M. Preston; Harden M., and J. K., all of Cedar County. Harden M. received an ordinary education in the common schools, and August 15, 1872, he enlisted in Com- pany F, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service for three years. He was in the siege of Vicksburg, was at the capture of Little Rock with Steel's expedition, and was at , the capture of Camden. He was mustered out at Fort Gibson, I. T., and was discharged at Davenport, Iowa, August 15, 1865. He was never captured or wounded, and rode the same horse home which he had taken from home in 1861. In 1869 Miss Ida Sherman became his wife. She was born in Cass

789

BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.

County, Mo., in 1853, and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth Sherman, natives of Vermont and Ohio, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman were married in the last named State, and came to Cedar County, Mo., a few years previous to the war. There Mrs. Sherman is still living, but Mr. Sherman died in 1874. To Mr. Williams and wife were born four children, three sons living: J. Robert, Oscar E. and Freddie M. Mr. Williams lived five years in Box Township, and then moved to the farm of his birth, where he has 580 acres, 200 under cultivation. He is one of the leading farmers and stockmen of the county. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and his first presidential vote was for Lincoln in 1864. He has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity, Clintonville Lodge, since 1882, and is a member of the G. A. R., Col. Leonard Post, at El Dorado. He and wife have been members in good standing for nearly twenty years in the Baptist Church, and he has been deacon in the same for some time. His father served on the first grand jury held in St. Clair County when it included Cedar County.

J. K. P. Williams, youngest brother of H. M. Williams, was born in Cedar County, Mo., in 1845, and received a good prac- tical education in the common schools. He served two years, from April, 1863, in the Union army, in different commands, first in Company E, Sixtieth Volunteer Cavalry Enrolled Missouri Militia, in Southwest Missouri. He was afterward with Capt. Cook, and at last in Company D, Twenty-sixth Missouri State Militia. After the war he attended school at Brownsville, Neb., then taught school for several years, and was one of Cedar County's prominent educators. He was married in 1874 to Miss Martha Ann Metcalf, a native of St. Clair County, Mo., and the daughter of Rev. John T. and Susan C. Metcalf, natives of Vir- ginia. Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf were married in Chariton County, Mo., but moved from there to Cedar County, and still later, moved to St. Clair County, where Mrs. Metcalf is living at the present time. Mr. Metcalf is deceased. He was for many years a Baptist minister, and at one time represented St. Clair County in the Legislature. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born nine children, three sons and one daughter now living. Mr. Williams is now living one mile west of where he was born and reared. His home farm consists of 160 acres of well improved land, and he has two other tracts of eighty acres near by. He served a short time as justice of the peace, and was once elected coroner of Cedar County, but would not serve. Since Novem- ber, 1888, he has been postmaster at Ivy Postoffice, at his house. He is a Republican in his political views, and his first presidential vote was cast for Gen. Grant, in 1868. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, Stockton Lodge; is also a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and he and wife are members of the Baptist

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri, Part 74

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