History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri, Part 90

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 90
USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 90
USA > Missouri > Barton County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 90
USA > Missouri > Hickory County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 90
USA > Missouri > Polk County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 90

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 M. Major, farmer, stockman, and grain and hay merchant at Kenoma, Mo., was born in Polk County, Mo., March 2, 1842, being a son of Alfred and Agnes (Adams) Major, a history of whom is given in the sketch of Benjamin P. Major. He was reared in St. Clair County, Ill., and was married at Lebanon of that State to Miss Elizabeth Rowlett, who was born in 1842, and died in Golden City, Mo., in 1878, having borne five children, who are also deceased. After his marriage Mr. Major resided and farmed in St. Clair County, Ill., until 1877, when he came to Barton County, Mo., and lived near Golden City two years, moving to his present farm in the fall of 1880, where he first engaged in sheep raising, having at one time as many as a thousand head. After a time he gave up this work and turned his attention to general farming, and is now the owner of 280 acres of land. Since 1886 he has been engaged in shipping grain and hay at Kenoma, and owns a large hay barn, and an interest in a mill. He ships South about twenty tons of prairie hay per day, and has shipped timothy hay as far South as Augusta, Ga. Mr. Major took for his second wife Mrs. Mollie E. Gray, who was born in Holt County, Mo., in 1852, and by her has the following children: Peter (deceased), Agnes, Jennie, Roy and Willie. Mr. Major is a Democrat in his political views.

Benjamin P. Major is one of the successful farmers and stock-

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raisers of Barton County, Mo., his native birthplace being Polk County, of the same State, where he was born on the Ist of June, 1844. His father, Alfred Major, was born in Madison County, Va., in 1818, and when fourteen years of age moved with his parents to Christian County, Ky., where his father, who was a Virginian, died in 1856, and where he attained mature years, married, and became a wealthy planter and slave-owner. In the year 1832 he concluded to seek a home farther west, and accord- ingly came to Greene County, Mo., where he entered a large tract of land and began dealing in stock, shipping to New Orleans, but lost money in this enterprise, owing to the boiler of the ves- sel bursting on which his stock was shipped. He then returned to his home in Polk County, and in 1843 took a large drove of mules and horses to North Carolina, selling principally on time, in which speculation he also lost heavily, but, nothing daunted by these misfortunes, he again engaged in stock trading, his location at this time being at Belleville, Ill., where he was induced to settle by two Virginian gentlemen, Messrs. E. M. and Benjamin West, and here he amassed a considerable fortune in hotel-keeping, farming, and the live-stock business. When the Civil War broke out he began selling horses to the Government, and, while in the city of St. Louis, was assassinated near the Wedge House on the night of October 25, 1862, and was robbed of $1,800 in money, which was the proceeds of a sale of horses and mules. No clue to the murder was ever discovered. He left 900 acres of valuable farm- ing lands near Lebanon, but, when the estate was settled, it was all utilized in the payment of notes which he had indorsed for friends, thus leaving his widow and seven small children in desti- tute circumstances. His wife's maiden name was Agnes Adams. She was born in Christian County, Ky., September 15, 1814, and is a daughter of James and Charlotte (Moding) Adams, a grand- daughter of John Adams, and a great-granddaughter of John Adams, the second President of the United States, and one of the immortal fifty-six who signed the Declaration of Independence. John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States, was her grand-uncle. Her grandfather, John Adams, came West early in life, since which time this branch of the family has lived west of the Alleghanies. Owing to the early death of her parents, she was not able to get a very accurate history of her ancestry, but has always been aware of the facts here given. Several of her male relatives on both sides of the family were participants in the War of 1812, and also in the many Indian wars of early days. Mrs. Major is remarkably preserved for her years, and, although seventy-five years of age, enjoys the best of health, and is a fine specimen of the few remaining pioneer women of Amer- ica. She has resided in St. Clair County, Mo., for the past forty- two years, and her home is now in East St. Louis, 811 St. Louis

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avenue. Throughout her career she has come in contact with all sides of life, but says she feels as independent in her poverty of to-day as she did when living in affluence. She is now support- ing herself by selling tooth powders. She has four sons and two daughters living, five of whom are residents of Missouri, and one residing in the adjoining village of New Brighton. During the recent Centennial celebration of Washington's inauguration, her modesty forbade her making her identity known to the managers; but, when the procession was formed, her patriotism was aroused, and she fell into line and marched on foot with the procession a distance of three miles, and afterward listened to the speeches. Her son, Benjamin F. Major, whose name heads this sketch, was married in 1868 to Miss Rosa Lee Belcour, who was born in Belleville, Ill., in 1850, and was there principally reared. The following are their children: Alfred; Don, who died at the age of two years and eight months; Lawrence, Benjamin, Edward, and Louise. Mrs. Major is a daughter of Francis and Sarah (Dingle) Belcour, who were born in Missouri in 1824 and 1831, respectively. The father was a merchant and express agent at Belleville, Ill., and after locating in St. Louis was a bookkeeper for many years, in the employ of J. Clark. The grandfather, John Baptiste Belcour, was born in Canada, and came to St. Louis during the very early history of the place. His wife, Rosa Lecompte, was of Creole descent, and they were married in Can- ada. Mr. Major has a gold watch which was made for her by her husband after their marriage. In his political views the latter is a Democrat.

Dr. A. E. Mardick was born in the State of Virginia, in Feb- ruary, 1816. His parents were Andrew C. and Bell (Quigg) Mardick, who were of Scotch descent; the father was a stock- man, and, when our subject was young, the parents moved to Westmoreland County, Penn., where he was educated in the private schools. At the age of seventeen he commenced the study of medicine, and completed a course in medicine in the University of Pennsylvania, from which institution he graduated in March, 1837, as a physician and surgeon. He then took a trip to St. Louis, where he remained a few months, and, return- ing to Pennsylvania, he entered the United States Navy, on board the Missouri. He spent one year on the water, visiting South America and the West Indies, and, after his return, again went to St. Louis, where he opened an office and engaged in practice. The following year he received appointment as Assistant Surgeon of the United States Army, Second Dragoons, in which capacity he served seven years. He was wounded in the leg at Monterey, during the Mexican War, and was granted a furlough, when he returned to St. Louis, and resumed his practice there. In 1850 he moved to Charleston, Mo., where he devoted his attention to

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the profession until the outbreak of the late war, when he went to Helena, Ark., remaining one year, and, during the war, hav- ing passes from both armies, he did much to relieve the wounded, without compensation other than the gratefulness of those he cared for. Returning to Charleston, he remained there until 1865, spending the following two years on a farm in Mississippi County, Mo. He lived one year at Union City, Tenn., when he removed to Barton County, Mo., and, from 1874 to 1886, he was actively engaged in the practice of medicine. In the latter year he retired; on account of ill health, giving up a large and lucrative practice. The Doctor was married, in St. Louis, in 1848, to Miss Caroline O. Harra, a native of Canada, of English descent; she died in 1857, at the age of forty-five years. The children by this marriage were: Laura, wife of Robert B. Ward, of Harrisonville, Mo .; Alex. E., a resident of Golden City, Mo .; John W., a grocer in Golden City; and Margaret C., wife of Charles Ford, also of Golden City. In 1858 Dr. Mardick married Rebecca Kendrick, a native of Virginia. They have one child, John Y., now a shorthand reporter of Charleston. The Doctor is a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and of the A. F. & A. M.

S. N. Martin, M. D., physician and surgeon, of Newport, Barton County, Mo., has been a resident of this county since 1870. He was born in Gallia County, Ohio, June 27, 1845, and is the son of Presley and Lucinda (Halley) Martin, natives of Halifax County, Va., and Ohio, respectively. The father was a successful tiller of the soil, and this occupation continued the principal part of his life. Dr. S. N. Martin remained on his father's farm until sixteen years of age, as a boy being a very diligent student, and often, in the absence of candles, carrying pine knots to make a light by which he might study. March 9, 1862, he enlisted in the Union Army, Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company C, as a private, and served until November 10, 1862. In September of the same year he participated in the battle of Harper's Ferry, where he was taken prisoner in the sur- render of the post, under Col. Miles, to Gens. " Stonewall " Jack- son and A. P. Hill, September 15, 1862. By a fortunate parole on the field the prisoners escaped the tortures of a Southern pris- on and consequent horror. In November he returned to his home in Mercerville, Ohio, where he attended school one year. In the fall of 1863 he commenced teaching school, in which pro- fession he continued until 1875, but in the meantime studied med- icine under Drs. H. Halley and W. K. Patton, of Mercerville. He then attended the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons. Previous to this, in 1870, he came with his parents to Barton County, Mo., where the father rented a farm, and there resided until 1877, when he moved to Cedarville, near which town Dr.

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Martin had purchased a few acres. The Doctor followed teach- ing and stock-raising from 1871 to 1875, and the last-named year began the practice of his profession at Round Prairie (though physically very feeble from the effects of war service), where he continued until 1878, when he returned to Cedarville and practiced at that place two years. He then came to Newport, where he has continued ever since, and by industry and strict attention to business is the owner of several thousand dollars' worth of property. He was first married in 1874, to Miss Frances J. Higgins, of Benton County, Ark., and the daughter of Bryant Higgins. She was born January 19, 1855, and died June 25, 1880. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and a devoted Christian. Their family consisted of three children: Eva A., aged fourteen; Lee, aged twelve, and Freddie, aged ten, all at home. The Doctor was married again in 1882, to Miss Berthena E. Polley, a native of Mercer County, Mo., and the daughter of Lafayette Polley, who was born in Indiana, and who came to Mercer County in 1865. By this last marriage Dr. Martin became the father of two children: Nannie L., aged five, and Norman P., one year old. The Doctor is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife is a member of the United Brethren Church. He has held various township offices, and is at present township treasurer and township trustee for the second term. He is a Democrat in his political views. His father, Presley Martin, lives with him, and is sixty-six years of age. The mother died April 23, 1886, of paralysis, at the age of sixty-two years; both members of the Baptist Church. In their family were ten children, seven now living. Dr. Martin commenced life a poor boy, educated him- self and assisted in supporting his father's family. He is univer- sally respected, is a successful practitioner, and, aside from his practice, is interested in a general mercantile store at Newport. He takes an active part in public affairs, and assists in all laudable enterprises. The maiden name of the Doctor's mother was Hal- ley, and she was a great-niece of Gen. George Washington. She is a descendant of Col. Fielding Lewis, who married Elizabeth Washington, only sister of Gen. Washington. Her children were named as follows: S. N .; James M., now in Idaho; Elizabeth J., wife of J. C. Day, a stock-dealer at Leavenworth, Kan .; Fannie, wife of Orris A. Morehouse, who is a son of Judge Morehouse, of Barton County; Presley S., a farmer and school teacher of New- port Township; Emily D., wife of Joshua Bayes, of Cedarville, Mo .; Sarah C., wife of C. J. Higgins, who is a farmer and school teacher, of Milford Township, Barton County, Mo .; and Mary L., wife of T. M. Gaddy. She died in Arkansas, in 1879. There were five school teachers in the family. Dr. Martin's paternal grandfather, Obediah Martin, was born, reared and lived all his life in Halifax County, Va. Fourteen children were in his family.

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He died at the age of sixty-six; was of Irish descent, as was also his wife, formerly Tabitha Self, who, with eight of her children, moved to Gallia County, Ohio, in 1838, and there died when eighty-eight years old. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Hal- ley, a Virginian by birth, was an early settler of Gallia County, Ohio, where he reared fifteen children. He died at the age of seventy-eight. His wife, formerly Letty Thomas, was sixty-two years old at her death. Presley Martin and family moved to Leavenworth, Kan., in 1865, but, owing to sickness, returned to Ohio about one year after. S. N. then engaged in lumbering, but lost the small sum he had saved, and upon arriving in Barton County, Mo., was pecuniarily " down," and his father but a little better off. However, he soon secured a school at forty dollars per month, and thus helped the family at a time when assistance was appreciated.

Walter J. Miller, capitalist and money-lender of Lamar, Mo., is a son of John W. and Ida (Hendrickson) Miller, and was born in New York State July 5, 1852, his father being also a native of that State, and his mother of New Jersey. In 1871 he came to Jasper County, Mo., where he was engaged in merchandising two years, then moved to Lamar, and for the past fifteen years has been in the loan, insurance, and real estate business. He is now, however, chiefly engaged in looking after his own property, which consists of about 1,200 acres of well-improved farms, besides owning some of the best business houses in the town. He was admitted to the bar in 1881, but has never practiced the legal profession. In 1876 he was married to Miss Ella M. Foudray, a native of Kentucky.

Samuel J. Minnice, groceryman, and glass and queensware merchant at Lamar, Mo., was born in Benton County, Mo., December 20, 1845, being a son of David and Caroline (Bunch) Minnice, who were born, respectively, in Maine and Virginia, and were of Scotch and English descent. Both came to Missouri in their youth, and were married in Benton County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father opened a large farm, and became one of the wealthy residents of the county. He was a Democrat, and he and wife were members of the Baptist Church. Samuel J. Minnice is the second of their five children, and in boyhood received a limited education in the district schools, but by personal effort secured sufficient education to enable him to teach school, and this occupation he followed for nine years with good success. He then began merchandising at Mount View, and in 1882 came to Lamar, and opened a grocery store, which he managed alone for one year, then was in partner- ship for five years with J. E. Cleveland. He then purchased Mr. Cleveland's interest, and has managed his store alone ever since. His own industry and perseverance have accumulated his

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present property, and he gives every promise of becoming in time one of the wealthy men of the county. In April, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Seventh Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A., and served until April, 1865, participating in the battles of Prai- rie Grove, Cass Hollow, Springfield, Jefferson City, Marshfield, Independence and Mound City, and during his entire service was neither wounded nor taken prisoner. In 1871 he was married to Mollie Jones, a native of Missouri, and by her has five children. He and wife belong to the Baptist Church, and he is a member of the G. A. R. and the Masonic fraternity.

Mrs. Abbie Morris, proprietress of the Golden City Hotel, is the widow of Franklin Morris, who was born in Ohio on the 21st of January, 1839, his parents being Thomas and Elizabeth Mor- ris, the former of whom was born in England, in 1810, and the latter in Kentucky. At an early day Thomas Morris came to Ohio, and died on the 17th of October, 1873. He and wife were the parents of the following children: John Franklin, born Jan- uary 21, 1839; Richard A., born November 29, 1841; Matilda A,, born March 3, 1844; Nancy C., born February 16, 1847; Lycur- gus K., born May 23, 1850; and Emma Electa J., born December 29, 1853. The mother of these children died November 25, 1883, when in her sixty-eighth year. Franklin Morris, the husband of our subject, came to Missouri in 1867, and settled in Barton County, and engaged in farming and stock raising, continuing this occupation for several years. He was a leading member of the Republican party, and belonged to the Old School Presby- terian Church. In 1869 he'met and married Miss Abbie San- ford, and to their union six children were born: W. T., born August 14, 1870; Elizabeth, born July 22, 1873; Alfred, born March 8, 1875; Clara M., born August 20, 1877; Franklin S., born May 23, 1880; and one child that died in infancy. Mr. Morris died on the 28th of January, 1881, and his widow after- ward tried farming for one year, then moved to Golden City and began keeping hotel, which business is netting her a fair income. Her parents were E. and Sarah A. (Luper) Sanford, both of whom were born in 1810, in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively. In 1866 they came to Barton County, and settled on what is now a portion of Golden City, where they kept hotel. Mr. Sanford died May 12, 1885, having been an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife is yet living at the age of seventy-three years, and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Morris. Their children are: Amos, Jacob, Sylvester, Lydia Ann, David, Albert, Abbie and Franklin. Four sons served in the Union army.

Judge Charles A. Morrow, of Barton County, Mo., was born in Wayne County, Ohio, September 23, 1840, being one of four children born to David and Ruth (Mitchell) Morrow, who were

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BARTON COUNTY.

born in Carlisle and Lancaster Counties, Penn. When young they removed to Wayne County, Ohio, where they resided until 1850, then moving to Williams County, Ohio, where they are still residing. The father was engaged in farming for many years, and when the Farmers' National Bank of Bryan, Ohio, was established, he was chosen one of the directors, which office he has since held, and for a number of years was its president. For six years he was Commissioner of the Ohio Infirmaries, and in his political views was a Whig. He was a soldier in the Black- hawk War. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Grandfather Morrow came from Scotland to the United States, and served in the Revolutionary War. The mater- nal grandfather was bound out when a boy, but ran away from home and enlisted in the War of 1812, and also served in the Florida War and the Mexican War. When the late war broke out, although seventy-one years old, he made a speech to the men of his county in regard to answering Lincoln's first call for troops, and said: " I have served the Government in three wars, and am ready for another," and stepped forward, being the first man to enlist in his county. He served about six months doing camp duty. He lived to be ninety-eight years of age. Charles A. Morrow, the immediate subject of this sketch, received very inferior educational advantages in his youth, only attending school one summer when a small boy. At the age of eighteen he entered an academy, which he attended one year, and by pri- vate study he prepared himself for the profession of teaching. When the war broke out he served three months in the Ohio State Militia, then joined Company B, Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, U. S. A., for three years, and was elected first lieuten- ant, but on account of disability was never mustered into the service. He then taught school in Ohio and Indiana until 1865, then came to St. Charles County, Mo., where he followed the same occupation, and farmed on rented land for five years, paying five dollars per acre for the use of his land, which he says was one of the best bargains he ever made. November 14, 1866, he married Lydia A. Field, a native of Missouri, and in 1871 they moved to Greene County, and three years later to Barton County, locating near Golden City. They now own 1,200 acres of land, besides property in Lamar and Golden City and St. Charles County. He is one of the county's most successful farmers, and for his many good qualities is esteemed by all who know him. Politically he is a Republican, and in 1886 was elected presiding judge of the county court, and in 1888 was appointed to super- intend the construction of the Barton County court house. He is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. They are the parents of the following children: William E., Walter S., Vashti E. and Carrie R.

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Samuel Myers, the oldest butcher in Lamar, and son of Nicho- las and Catherine (Carr) Myers, was born in Norwich, Conn., March 9, 1847. The parents were both natives of Germany, but came to America in early life, and settled in New York City, where the father kept a butcher stall in the old Washington market. They moved from New York to St. Louis, and here the father died in 1876, at the age of fifty-nine years. The mother is still living, and makes her home in St. Louis. While living in the old' country the father served in the French army, and was a brave and gallant soldier. Their family consisted of four children, three sons and a daughter. Samuel Myers, the second child, was educated in the St. Louis schools, and while growing up learned the butcher's trade, at which he has worked almost continuously since. From St. Louis he went to Sedalia, where he married, May 6, 1874, Miss Mollie H. Crowder, a native of Charleston, Ill., though reared in Missouri. They have no children. Having moved to Nevada, they made that their home until 1881, when they came to Lamar. In 1883 he opened a shop in that town, and has run one since. Mr. Myers is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the A. O. U. W.

Horatio Nelson, dealer in general hardware and furniture, at Minden, Mo., has been the successor of S. F. Smith since Octo- ber, 1888, and was born in Fulton County, Ill., in 1854, being a son of Gen. H. C. and E. J. Nelson, who were born in Mary- land, married in Kentucky, and reared their family in Fulton County, Ill., whither they moved in 1842. They are still living, and are well-to-do farmers. When the war broke out, Mr. Nelson organized a company of cavalry, and was chosen its captain. He received various promotions until he arose to the rank of gen- eral, and did honorable and active service for three years and nine months. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Horatio Nelson is the fourth of three sons and four daughters, and was educated in the common schools, and reared on his father's farm. In 1878 he was married to Miss Emma J., a daughter of David Ferry, who is now residing in Chicago, Ill., engaged in cabinet making. Mrs. Nelson was born in Pennsyl- vania, and she and Mr. Nelson are the parents of four chil- dren. In 1880 they came to Barton County, Mo., and farmed until 1888 on a fine farm of 160 acres, which was in a wild state when they located, and while engaged in farming gave consider- able attention to raising a fine grade of cattle of the short-horn breed. He is now doing well in the business in which he is engaged, and is considered one of the prosperous citizens of the county. He is a Republican in his political views, casting his first presidential vote for Hayes in 1876, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.

John M. Nowlin, one of the prominent agriculturists of Barton

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County, Mo., was born in Jackson County, Mo., February 23, 1840, being the fourth of five children born to the marriage of John and Elizabeth (Nowlin) Nowlin, of Virginia, who were born, reared and married in that State, and had one child previous to removing to Kentucky. Later they located in Jackson County, Mo., where they lived many years, he being engaged in tilling the soil, and while residing here helped drive the Mormons farther westward. He and wife were members of the Regular Baptist and the Missionary Baptist Churches, and he died in Jackson County in April, 1857, his wife's death occurring August 4, 1886, in Barton County. John M. Nowlin received a very limited early education, for as soon as he was old enough he was com- pelled to assist in supporting the family, as his father's health was very poor. He cared for his father and mother as long as they lived. March 25, 1860, he was married to Miss Emily J. Vermillion, a native of Loudoun County, Va., born July 13, 1835, and by her became the father of these children: Margaret E., Mary J., John H., Rhoda A., Francis M. and Calvin W. Mr. Nowlin settled on a farm in Jackson County after his marriage, but during the war served a short term in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. After moving to Fayette County, in 1863, they returned to Jackson County, and in 1866 came to Barton County; in April, 1881, settling on the farm where he now lives. It consists of 245 acres, and is well cultivated and improved. He is a Democrat' in his political views, and he and wife are members of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Nowlin's parents, John and Margaret E. (Devine) Vermillion, were Virginians, he being a carpenter by trade, and died in Jackson County, Mo., whither they moved in 1849, when fifty-seven and seventy-one years of age, respectively.

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History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri, Part 90

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