History of Howard and Cooper counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages : together with a condensed history of Missouri, a reliable and detailed history of Howard and Cooper counties-- its pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens, general and local statistics of great value, incidents and reminiscences, Part 107

Author: National Historical Company
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1198

USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Howard and Cooper counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages : together with a condensed history of Missouri, a reliable and detailed history of Howard and Cooper counties-- its pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens, general and local statistics of great value, incidents and reminiscences > Part 107
USA > Missouri > Howard County > History of Howard and Cooper counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages : together with a condensed history of Missouri, a reliable and detailed history of Howard and Cooper counties-- its pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens, general and local statistics of great value, incidents and reminiscences > Part 107

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GEORGE A. ORMROD,

farmer and fine-stock breeder. Mr. Ormrod is a representative of the younger, well educated class of farmers of Cooper county, who find as much use for their heads in farming as for their hands. By these the old course of going to mill with a rock in one end of the sack and the corn in the other, and all similar crudities, have long since been dis- carded. They believe in farming on intelligent business principles. Hence he is a representative of this class. Mr. Ormrod, instead of conducting his fine farm of a section of land in a slip-shod sort of way, sows and plants the best qualities of grain and raises the finest class of stock, thus making his farming operations undoubtedly profitable,

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whereas otherwise they would probably result in actual loss, at least in no profit. He has a flock of 1,000 head of fine Merino sheep, among which are a large number of registered representatives of this breed. His cattle are also of the thoroughbred breeds, and some of them are of the very finest grades. Mr. Ormrod is a son of Joseph Ormrod, deceased, formerly a leading farmer of this county. The father was a native of England, and was a thoroughly educated man. He was born in 1791, and came to America in 1817. After stopping at Bedford, Pennsylvania, about four years, he came to Boonville, and here for a long time was engaged in editing a paper. Here subse- quently he engaged in mercantile pursuits and conducted important teaming interests. From these affairs he turned his attention to farm- ing, in which he proved a marked success, and which he followed un- til his death, August 22, 1854. He was twice married : First to Amanda Adams, in Boonville, November 7, 1824. She died April 17, 1846. By this union there were twelve children, but three of whom, however, grew to maturity. These also are now dead. His second wife, who still survives him, was at the time of her marriage to him a Mrs. Eliza A., widow of John L. Hickman. She was a daughter of Thomas Hutchison. They were blessed with seven children, five of whom are living, four of these being residents of this county and the other is in California. The only son, however, by this last marriage; is George A., the subject of this sketch. He was born February 2, 1848. He was educated in the common schools and spent three years in the high school at Boonville. February 18, 1880, he was married to Miss Florence Buchanan, born in California, but reared in this county. She is a daughter of Andrew Buchanan. One child was born to them, little Mary, who died in infancy. Mr. Ormrod's mother lives with them on the family homestead. All these are members of the Baptist church, and he is an active member of the I. O. G. T.

THOMAS J. PARRISH,

farmer, also constable of Palestine township. Mr. Parrish comes of an excellent Old North state family, but is himself a native of this county. His father, David Parrish, was a representative of the well- known Parrish family of North Carolina, where he himself was born and reared. But soon after his marriage in that state, in 1840, he re- moved to Missouri and settled in Cooper county, where he became a well-to-do farmer and lived until his death. He died in 1872. His wife was formerly a Miss Lively Waller, also of North Carolina. T. J., the subject of this sketch, was born the second year after the immi-

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gration of his parents to this county, viz., in 1842. Reared on a farm, he not unnaturally adopted the life to which he had been brought up when the time came for him to start out in the world for himself. In his early years he had attended the common schools of the district and succeeded in acquiring the practical rudiments of an ordinary educa- tion, so that later in life he has not only proven a good, intelligent- minded farmer, but is also a capable, elear-headed business man. Recognizing his qualifications for the discharge of the duties of con- stable of the township, the people by a highly complimentary majority elected him to that office, which he is now filling. In July, 1869, lie was married to Josephine, daughter of Ambrose C. George, a former citizen of the Blue Grass state. Five children have blessed their married life : Mollie Mand, Clarence H. and Samuel M. The other two, alas ! are dead, one in boyhood, the other in infancy. After his marriage Mr. Parrish settled on a farm near Bunceton, where he lived about five years, but in 1874 removed to his present place, a neat farm, comfortably improved. He and his wife are both members of the Christian church.

ANTHONY J. READ, DECEASED.

He whose name heads this memoir lived a life that was useful and just to those around him, and died a death unracked by regrets for the past, and unclouded by fears of the future. To have done this is to have fulfilled to the utmost one's mission upon the earth-to have accomplished the divine purpose of his creation. In the affairs of the world Anthony J. Read was upright and successful ; in the concerns of the future life he was a deeply pious man, an earnest, faithful Chris- tian. He was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, December 23, 1823, and was a son of Judge A. F. and Ellen C. (Ewing) Read, of that county, but later of Cooper county, this state, where both parents lived until their deaths. Judge Reed removed from Nelson county first to Todd county, Kentneky, in which he filled the office of sheriff, and in about two years afterward, in 1826, immigrated to Cooper county, Missouri. Judge Reed was a man of liberal ideas with regard to edu- cation, and gave his children good school advantages. Anthony J. was educated at Hanover college, Indiana, an institution of high stand- ing at that time in the west. Returning home after his college course, he remained on his father's farm until his marriage, immediately after which he settled on the farm where he continued to live through life, and where his family now resides. He was married January 14, 1847, to Miss Evaline, daughter of Robert Ewing, of Lafayette county. She

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is a granddaughter of Chatam Ewing, and a niece of Rev. Finis Ewing, the noted Cumberland Presbyterian divine. Eight children of their family are now living ; Rettie, wife of John Deeker; Eva, Ewing, wife of George E. Titsworth ; Finis C., Sally, Blanche, An- thony J. and Katie. Their homestead, at Mr. Read's death, contained 800 acres of land, but since that a portion has been disposed of. Be- sides farming, Mr. Read also gave his attention to dealing in stock, principally cattle, hogs and mules, in which he was extensively en- gaged. He was for many years prior to his death an earnest, active member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and contributed liberally of his means whenever necessary to advance the cause of religion. As a neighbor he was a friend to all around him, and always strove to keep peace and good feeling in the neighborhood by exerting himself to bring together those who had fallen ont. He took an ac- tive part in the grange, and was three times elected master of the grange in his township. He died July 25, 1876, sadly regretted by all who knew him, and deeply mourned by his family and a wide circle of friends. Mrs. Read and all her family, except the two youngest children, are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

A. J. REAVIS,

farmer, fruit grower and stock raiser. There are few, if any, neater, more business-like and successful farmers in Cooper county than Mr. A. J. Reavis. His place contains 400 acres, all within excellent fene- ing, and most of it subdivided into fields of forty acres each. In other respects, also, his place is exceptionally well improved. His residence is a spacious, well constructed and comfortable brick ; his barn is a large, neatly finished and substantial one ; his fields, mead- ows and pastures are in good condition ; in short, everything about him reveals the thorough, intelligent farmer that he is. He has an apple orchard of forty-two acres, bearing the best varieties of that class of fruit. Besides this, he has a peace orchard of some two hun- dred trees. His annual yields of fruit often amounts to twenty car- loads. He also raises and feeds stock for the wholesale markets, and grows large quantities of grain for shipment. The biography of such a farmer is well worth perusing. He is a native of the county, and was born in Kelly township, October 11, 1838. His father, W. T. Reavis, came to this county with his parents in 1821, when a lad ten years of age ; the family, however, removed from North Carolina (in Rutherford county of which W. T. was born September 14, 1811) to Missouri in about 1818, but stopped in St. Louis and Franklin conn-

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ties some three years. In Cooper county they settled in Kelly town- ship, near Vermont station. W. T., after he grew up, was married to Miss Mary A. McCulloch, originally of Culpepper county, Virginia, who came here with her parents when she was about thirteen years of age. Having entered a body of 480 acres of land, W. T. Reavis improved a large farm, and there both parents lived until their deaths ; she died January 13, 1877 ; he, November 18, of the same year. In youth A. J., their son and the subject of this sketch, received a good common school education. He was married March 28, 1865, to Miss Lotta A., daughter of Abner Bailey, of Howard county. Prior to this, he had been engaged in the mercantile business in this county, and afterwards in St. Louis. After his marriage he engaged in business at Tipton, and sold goods there about a year. During all this time he was a member of the firm of B. F. Reavis & Co., the former being his brother. In 1866 Mr. Reavis came to his present farm, where he has since resided. As a farmer he is a marked success. Over three years ago he had the misfortune to lose his wife, who died April 30, 1880. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and a woman of devout piety and of great personal worth. She left two children: Minnie L. and Benjamin F. November 17, 1882, Mr. Reavis was married a second time ; his present wife, a most amiable and excellent lady, is a daughter of James O. Nelson, and was for- merly Miss Nora R. She is a member of the Baptist church.

WILLIAM ROBERTS,

farmer and proprietor of saw and grist mill. Mr. Roberts is a native of Ohio, and was born in Muskingum county, October 17th, 1835. His father, Joseph Roberts, was born in Pennsylvania, but came out with his parents to Ohio in early youth, where he grew up aud was married to Miss Mary Berry, by whom he reared his family. In 1847 the family removed to Iowa, and settled in Davis country, where they still live, and where William, the subject of this sketch, was princi- pally reared and educated. On the 1st of May, 1856, William was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Abdel Parsons, of Clark county, Missouri. After their marriage, they continued to live in Davis county, Iowa, where Mr. Roberts was engaged in farming until 1865, when he sold his farm in that county and removed to near Arrow Rock, Missouri. There he lived nearly two years, following farming, and in the spring of 1867 came to his present farm, where he has 120 acres of good land substantially and comfortably improved. He also has a saw and grist mill, which he has been running with excel-

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lent success, since his removal here. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have a family of seven children ; Maggie, now the wife of John P. Sheets ; Ella, now the wife of Thomas Orr ; William E., Thomas M., Mary M., Florence and Edwin E. Both parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

E. H. RODGERS,

farmer and breeder of the Atwood merino sheep. Mr. Rodgers is a native of Virginia, and was born in Ohio county, December 6th, 1843. His parents, John G. and Margaret Rodgers still reside in that county. Their homestead is composed of land entered of the family several generations ago. His grandmother, of the fourth generation, on the father's side, was the first white woman that ever set foot in the county. His father is now seventy-one years of age, and is as hale and vigorous in mind and body as men usually are at fifty. He is a large and successful farmer of Ohio county, and still manages and conducts his farm himself. In the late war E. H. Rodgers, still a youth, espoused the Union cause, and in his nineteenth year, in August, 1862, enlisted in company D, 12th West Virginia volunteer infantry, and served until the close of the war, witnessing the final surrender of Lee at Appomattox, in 1865, in person. He was in the battle of Winchester, under General Milroy, and numerous other engagements. After the restoration of peace he farmed for two years in his native county, and then in 1868 removed to Missouri, and located in Pilot Grove township, Cooper county, where he lived for twelve years. In 1880 he sold his farm in Pilot Grove, and bought his present place, a splendid farm of 720 acres of land, principally under fence, and otherwise well improved Besides general farming he makes a specialty of breeding and raising the celebrated Atwood stock of merino sheep, of which he has a flock of 1,250 head. Mr. Rodgers was married in Ohio county, Virginia, to Miss Mary L., daughter of James Elliott, of that county, August 18th, 1870. They have one child, an interesting daughter, Mary M. A.

ROBERT ROE,

farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Roe is a native of Maryland, and was born in Caroline county, February 27th, 1815. He is therefore closely approaching the allotted age of three score and ten. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth ( Leith) Roe, emigrated from that state to Cooper county, Missouri, in 1827, and entering the land where Pilot Grove now stands, opened and improved their farm there. The

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

father continned to reside in this place until his death, in 1878, at the advanced age of ninety, having been born in 1788. He held various local offices, and was postmaster at Pilot Grove some fifteen years. He was also justice of the peace a number of years. Robert was a lad twelve years of age when his parents removed to this county. After he grew up he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, at Boonville, where he worked nearly three years. He then went to Calhoun, Henry county, where he carried on a shop two years, after which he sold out and engaged in farming, in that county. He followed farm- ing there for fifteen years, and returned to Cooper county, in 1857. locating on a farm two miles and a half east of Pilot Grove. This place he sold in 1869, and bought his present farm, which contains 200 acres of good land, and is in a good state of cultivation and improvement. Mr. Roe was married in Henry county, in December, 1840, to Miss Fanny, daughter of Bennett Harrelson, then of that county. She, however, is a native of Cooper county. Of their family of twelve children seven are now living : Martha, Anna, wife of William Annan ; Mary A., wife of E. F. Waller ; J. B., R. S., E. H. and O. L. Mr. and Mrs. Roe are members of the M. E. church.

ROBERT SEATON,

farmer and stock raiser, Mr. Seaton, who is a well-to-do farmer and highly respected citizen of Palestine township, is a native of Scotland, and commenced life for himself by learning the carpenter's trade, at which he worked in that county until his immigration to America, and afterwards in this country for about twenty years. He was born in May, 1797, and in boyhood and early youth, up to his fifteenth year, had the advantages afforded by the excellent free schools of Scotland, then, as now, one of the best systems of public education on the globe. In 1812 he became apprenticed in the carpenter's trade, in which he served, under a skilful master, for five years. He then cast his fortunes in the great city of Glasgow, the metropolis of his native country, and worked there at the ligneous art ten years. In the meantime he had met Miss Joan Lyle, a fair maiden of his native country, and a mutual attachment grew up between them, resulting in their marriage, in about 1829. This union proved a long and happy one, and was blessed with a numerous and worthy family of children. In 1833, Mr. Seaton, believing there were better opportunities to make himself comfortable in life in the new world than in the old and thickly settled country, where he was born and reared, immi- grated to the " virgin continent beyond the Atlantic," and landing

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at New York went from there, with his family, to Hartford, Connecti- cnt, where he followed his trade three years. About this time good carpenters were in great demand at Natchez, Mississippi, and he at once went to that city, where he worked three years, to good advant- age. During the " thirties" and " forties " there was an immense rush of immigration to the Boone's Lick country, in Missouri, and, Wisely in fact, to the whole Missouri river valley, in this state. divining that carpenters would command good wages here, he came to Boonville, in 1839, and in this city was kept busy at his trade for five years. By this time, however, his family of children were grow- ing up around him, and he was anxious to be settled on a farm, so that his sons might be reared in the country to the honest, industrious lives of farmers. Accordingly he bought a place in Palestine town- ship, and moved into it, where afterward his boys took the leading part in managing the farm for some years, and he continued working at his trade. He was a thorough carpenter, and was in great request all over the country, being constantly employed in his chosen occu- pation. Every where, in this section of the country, may be seen the honses that were built by his honest, industrious hands. But, as age began to slacken the vigor and steadiness of his activity, he retired from his trade and lives upon the farm, in the enjoyment of the fruits of his labors and the society of his family and friends. Of his family there were twelve children, three of whom died in infancy and two in mature years. Those surviving are John Seaton, of Cass county : Jeannette, wife of Henry Knaus; Jane, wife of James M. Moore ; Henry, Mary, wife of Robert Herst ; Martha, and Robert. Robert A, the youngest, conducts the farm, and is engaged in both grain grow- ing and stock raising. Robert Seaton, Sr., is a member of the Lone Elm Christian church.

REV. G. B. SERGEANT, DECEASED.

Rev. G. B. Sergeant was born in Trigg county, Kentucky, March 19th, 1844, and died at San Antonio, Texas, where he had gone from Cooper county, Missouri, his adopted home, for the benefit of his health, April 16, 1881. Within this period, of scarcely more than thirty- seven years, was lived a life of as little evil and as much purity as seldom mark the earthly career of man-a life free from the ambitions and vanities of this world, and devoted to the service of God and humanity. In the lives of such men there is a beautiful poetry, an inspiration, a sentiment that makes even the plainest sketch of their way through the world, strewn, as it is, with the

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flowers of tender, noble deeds, interesting and attractive to the reader - a subject upon which he loves to dwell with the sweet sadness that lingers in the heart after a gentle dream of the loved and lost has come and gone. His early youth was spent in his native county, and at the age of sixteen he became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, in the ministry of which he was destined to be a bright, but, alas ! so transient, an ornament. Soon he determined to devote himself wholly to the service of his maker and his fellow-man, and to become a light in the pulpit that should make bright the way of those around him on to the portal of Heaven. Accordingly, he entered regularily upon the course of study necessary to qualify himself for the ministry, and in due time became a matriculate in the university of Oxford, Mississippi, in which he remained until he received a com- plete ordination. This was consummated in 1873. For several years he was located in Mississippi, where he became noted as a deeply pious, earnest Christian minister, and as one whose eloquence in the pulpit, and activity in parish work, gave great promise of future use- fulness. From there he came to Cooper county, this state, where he soon won the affection of the church community, and, indeed, of all with whom he came in contact, such were his gentleness, his modesty, and his deep piety, and, withal, his earnestness and power as a min- ister. Here he was married to Miss Maggie A., the beautiful and accomplished daughter of Mr. R. M. Crenshaw, of this county. An interesting little daughter, Hortense M., blessed this happy union, a union destined to be soon broken by the hand of death. Already that grim messenger had given warning that he would soon knock at their door. Hard study in youth, and harder work in the ministry, had completely undermined Mr. Sergeant's naturally frail constitu- tion. He quit work entirely, hoping that rest would restore him at least to comparative health, but it did not. He then went to Texas, and there, in San Antonio, as we have said, he breathed his last. What more appropriate than the noble lines of Willis?

" How beautiful it is for a man to die Upon the walls of Zion; to be called, Like a watch-worn and weary sentinel, To put his armor off and rest in Heaven.

THOMAS B. SMITH, DECEASED,

late farmer and stock raiser. At the age of sixty-nine, on the fourth day of May, 1870, died, at his residence, in this county, Thomas B. Smith, a man who for over a generation had been one of the leading farmers of Palestine township, and for many years was a prominent

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stock dealer of the county. He was a man of more than an ordi- narily enterprising, active mind, and of great industry, and by his activity and energy, succeeded in acquiring a comfortable estate in life. Farming was his regular occupation, but while he was in the strength and vigor of middle age, he also dealt extensively in mules for the southern markets, to which he annually shipped large num- bers, Personally he was an open-hearted, frank, brave, generous- minded man, and among his acquaintances he could number his friends by the score, while he had but few, if any, enemies. He was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1801, and came with his parents, Daniel and Nancy ( Barker) Smith, to this county in an early day. His father settled in Palestine township, entering a large tract of land, which he improved, and where he lived until his death, in 1846. In July, 1842, Thomas B. was married to Miss Elizabeth Massie, a daughter of Sylvanus Massie, originally of Madison county, Kentucky, where she was born in 1822. Of this family of children, four are living, as follows : Sne L., wife of Charles H. Bradford ; Margaret E., wife of L. C. Todd ; Mary D., and M. M. Smith. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Smith located on the farm where his family now live, which continued his home through life. It is an excellent farm of over 300 acres, and is substantially and comfortably improved. In his family Mr. Smith was a devoted husband and a kind, affection- ate father, and as a neighbor he was hospitable and obliging to all around him, Politically he was a life-long democrat, and was earnest and active in support of his convictions, but never sought, nor would he accept, any political office. In religion he was the soul of tolerance, believing in and holding fast to the general great truths of religious faith, but discarding all narrow, exclusive tenets, which, if true, would have the effect to exclude any human being, whose life had been just and true, and characterized by good works, from Heaven. He was what God intended that man should be, an upright conscien- tious man of the world.

GEORGE W. SON,

farmer and miller. Among the enterprising farmers and millers of Palestine township, the name of George W. Son is worthy of special mention. His parents, William Son and Lue A. ( Burger) Son, both came to this county early in life, and were here married and reared their family. His father was from Kentucky, and his mother origi- nally from Tennessee. George W. was one of a family of eleven children, nine of whom are living, five sons and four daughters, and

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was born September 24th, 1828, in Palestine township. His mother died at the age of fifty-five, in 1865, and his father in 1873, at the age of seventy-two, in California. George W. became administrator of his father's estate, consisting of nearly 400 acres of land, about 160 acres of which were in California, besides considerable personal prop- erty. This duty he discharged with excellent business ability, and entire satisfaction to all concerned. He now has a neat farm in Pal- estine township, and also owns and conducts a saw mill, which he runs principally during the winter and spring months. Besides these interests he is the proprietor of a grain-thresher, which he runs with success and profit during the garnering season. Mr. Son has been three times married. His first wife, formerly Miss Martha J. Howard, to whom he was married August 25th, 1852, died the second year after their marriage, leaving a danghter, who survived her mother only a few years. Some time afterwards Miss Elizabeth Tray became his second wife. She lived to brighten and bless his home abont ten years, but was taken from him by death March 9th, 1867. By this union there are two sons and a daughter living, of a family of five children. His present wife was, before her marriage, a Miss Nancy A. Stark, of Monitean county. She has borne him three children, two of whom, a son and danghter, are living.

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Author: National Historical Company Publication date: 1883 Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1198

Author: National Historical Company
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1198