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 109

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 109
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 109

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).

1092

HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

to which occupation, James, the subject of this sketch was brought up. His mother was, before her marriage, a Mrs. Pool of the well known family of that name, of North Carolina; but she, herself, was a native of Tennessee. When James, the son, arrived at the age of his majority, he went to Texas, and for two years was employ- ed in the Lone Star state as a reporter for the Dallas Herald. He then returned to Missouri, and in 1881 bought an interest in the Rocheport Cornbread, of which he was associate editor with J. W. McQuilty until he established his present paper. On the 2d of last April (of 1883), Mr. Barton was married to a most excellent and accomplised young lady, Miss Ruth D. Gale, originally of Illinois. Mr. Barton is a member of the Baptist church.

JAMES C. DAVIS.

Mr. Davis was the second of a family of nine children, of Simon and Nancy ( Craig) Davis, both originally of Virginia, but subse- quently for many years residents of Ohio, to which state they emi- grated early in life. In the latter state J. C., the subject of this sketch, was born, in Morgan county, April 26th, 1841, and he was there reared and educated. His father, being a farmer and stock raiser, to these industries the son was brought up, and he followed them in his native state until 1856, when he came to Missouri and made his home in Cooper county. Here he engaged in the same pur- suits he had previously followed, and by industry and intelligent, business-like management, he has become one of the substantial, well- to-do farmers, and successful stock raisers and dealers of the county. He has a good stock and grain farm of 240 acres, and has it conven- iently and substantially improved. He makes somewhat of a specialty of sheep-raising, and has a fine flock of high grade merinos, one of the best in the county. In cattle he also has some fine grades. Sep- tember 28th, 1862, he was married to Miss Eliza E. Tavenner, of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are both members of the M. E. church, and he is also a member of the I. O. O. F.

MESSRS. JAMES F. ELLIS & CO.,

dealers in general merchandise, grain and farm machinery. The above firm, composed of J. T. Ellis and H. M. Ellis, Jr., carry on one of the principal mercantile establishments in Pilot Grove and in that sec- tion of the county. They carry a general stock of merchandise, and have a steady, profitable trade. Their store building is large and well constructed, and is arranged to the best advantage for conve-

1093

HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

nience in the keeping and handling of their different lines of goods. Besides this, they buy and ship grain, and also carry a stock of farm implements, particularly the McCormick reaper, mower, etc., of which they make a specialty. Both gentlemen are well educated, practical business men, and enjoy the unqualified confidence of all who know them for integrity and fair dealing. J. T. Ellis, the senior member of the firm, was born in this county, November 12, 1843, and was a son of Richard T. Ellis, who come from Virginia and set- tled in Cooper county in 1836. The father was a leading farmer and stock raiser of the county, and was for many years one of its most prominent and highly respected citizens. He died in 1863 at the age of fifty-one. J. T. Ellis grew up on his father's farm, and in youth received an excellent education in a private school kept near his father's house. When in his eighteenth year the war broke ont, and he became one of the first volunteers to uphold the new-born flag of the south-

"Where sabres were clashing and death-shot were pouring," continuing in that unfortunate struggle until the southern -" standard and banner alike were no more."

He was first a member of Captain Alexander's company of old state guards, and in January, 1862, become a member of company A, 2d regiment Missouri cavalry, C. S. A. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Corinth (the second one), Ft. Pillow, Memphis, and many others. After the war he returned to this state engaged in merchan- dising at Otterville, becoming a member of the firm of Zollinger & Ellis, where he continued until 1878, when he came to Pilot Grove and established his present business. June 4, 1872, he was married to Miss Anna Mccutchen, daughter of Judge Mccutchen, of this county. They have five children : Virgil M., Anna, Johnson, Vivian, and Edwin. Mr. Ellis is a member of the Masonic order and of the Methodist Episcopal church south. H. M. Ellis, the junior member of the firm, was born in this county February 22, 1859, and was edu- cated in the common schools and in Central college, at Fayette, Mis- souri. While still a youth he began to learn the merchandising busi- ness, and became a clerk for E. H. Harris, with whom he remained until 1876, when he went to Sedalia, Missouri, and became book- keeper in the house of Frank Crayeraff, of that city, He held that position until 1879, at which time he resigned it to become a member of the present firm at Pilot Grove. Jannary 4, 1882, he was married to Miss Sallie, daughter of Rev. J. L. D. Blevins. Mr. Ellis is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church south, and of the Ma- sonic fraternity,

1094

HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

WILLIAM P. HARRIMAN, M, D.,

physician and surgeon ; also interested in agriculture and milling. Dr. Harriman's father, Dr. William Harriman, was for over thirty- five years a prominent physician and highly esteemed citizen of this county. He died here, where the best years of his life had been spent, June 25, 1881. He was born and reared in New York city. His wife was formerly Miss Georgia A. Mayo. Early in his married life he was located at Vidilia, Louisiana, and there William P., the subject of the present sketch, was born, May 28, 1838. Two years afterwards he removed with his family to Woodford county, Ken- tucky, where he practised his profession six years, Informed of the great need of thoroughly educated and capable physicians in this sec- tion of the country, in 1846 he came to Missouri and located in Cooper county, where he soon became widely known as an able and successful practitioner. Here his son William P. grew up and se- cured a good education. Under the direction and instruction of his father, much of his youth was spent with study of medicine, and in 1863 he become a matriculate in the medical department of the uni- versity of Michigan, where he continued as a student during the remainder of that year and a part of 1864. In the fall of the last- named year he entered the St. Louis medical college, from which he was graduated the following spring. He then entered upon the prac- tice of his profession in Logan county, Illinois, but the succeeding fall returned to Cooper county and established himself in the prac- tice here. He soon built up an extensive and Incrative practice, and his career has been one of marked success, both professionally and pecuniarily. Besides doing his full duty in the practice of medicine, he conducts a large farm - his homestead containing 300 acres of fine land, well improved ; and he is also partner with J. W. Boles in a large steam flouring mill, which does an important and profitable business. Dr. Harriman was married April 5, 1866, to Miss Eliza Russell, a worthy and accomplished young lady. They have three children : Thomas Russell, Albert C. and Bessie ; one also is dead, Willie M., born April 29, 1867, died May 8, 1883.

" God's finger touched him and he slept."

Dr. Harriman and his wife are both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. The doctor, then a young man, served the first year of the war in the Confederate army, under Captain Alexander.

1095

HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

E. H. HARRIS,

general merchant, farmer and stock man, Pilot Grove. For forty years Mr. Harris has been a resident of Cooper county, and for many years has ranked among its most prominent farmers and stock men. Since 1866 he has been engaged in merchandising in addition to his other interests, and now has a large store in Pilot Grove, where he carries a full and well selected stock of general merchandise. As an old citizen of the community, where the best years of his life have been spent, and where his name is a synonym of honor and integrity, he commands an extensive trade of the better class of customers, which only long established and well proved public confidence can secure. He was born in the very sinus of the blue grass regions of Kentucky, Bourbon county, December 20, 1830, and there lived umtil he had attained his thirteenth year. In 1843 he came to Cooper county, this state, with an older brother, and during the remaining years of his youth attended the schools of his new home much of the time, completing his education at Kemper's well known family school at Boonville. After his school days were over he turned his attention to farming, in which he was not long in giving evidences of his energy and ability as a successful agriculturist. His farm of nearly 300 acres has for years been looked upon as one of the best in the county. This is devoted to both grain and stock raising, in which he has been very successful. He also has nearly a section of fine land in Barton county. On the 20th of December, 1855, Mr. Harris was married to Miss Mary Ellis, a lady of great personal worth, a native of the Old Dominion. Their union has been blessed with seven children : Rich- ard, Sallie, Maggie, Mary, E. H., Jr., William and Freddie K. Mr. Harris' father, Richard Harris, was originally of Virginia, but came west to Kentucky in early life, where he married and reared his fani- ily. His wife, E. H.'s mother, was previously a Miss Frances T. Wilson, of the Blue Grass state.

HENRY W. HARRIS,

general merchant, Pilot Grove. Merchandising has been a life occu- pation with Mr. Harris, and although still a young man, comparatively, he has achieved a measure of success in business that shows conclus- ively that, unlike many, he has not missed his calling in life. He carries one of the best and most complete stocks of general merchan- dise in the county, and, already deservedly popular and enjoying a rich and lucrative trade, both his popularity as a merchant and citi-

1096

HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

zen, and his trade, are rapidly increasing. He was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, July 24, 1848, and is a son of Doctor N. W. Har- ris, also originally of the blue grass state, who, however, removed to this state with his family in 1856, and settled in Linn county. Henry W. was then a lad eight years of age, and when he was sixteen years old the family came to Cooper county, and located where they have since lived. Prior to coming to this county, young Harris had had the advantages offered by the common schools of Linn county, and had already acquired the substantial elements of an ordinary educa- tion. lIere, however, he became a student in Kemper's widely and favorably known school, in which he became proficient in a more ad- vanced curriculum of studies. Equipped with an excellent education, and a quick, clear intelligence, as well as safely fortified with moral, industrious habits, he entered upon the activities of life at the age of twenty-one, with every promise of success. In 1869 he engaged in the general mercantile business in association with his father, and continued a member of that firm until 1874, when he sold out his interest in the store to Doctor Harris, and established his present store. His career from the beginning has been one of uninterrupted and striking success, and his future is still radiant with promise. October 19, 1875, he was married to Miss Leona, an accomplished daughter of T. C. Boggs, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere. They have an interesting family of three children : Enla, Nina and Henry They have lost one, Thomas B. Mr. Harris is a notary public and a member of the Masonic order.

PROF. C. B. JOHNSON,

principal Pilot Grove Collegiate Institute. One of the most valuable acquisitions to the citizenship of Pilot Grove is that of Professor Johnson, who became identified with this place as principal of the Collegiate Institute in 1881. Education is the very life-giving prin- ciple of all prosperity and of all human progress, and no community can reasonably hope to prosper that neglects it. In the proportion that the people of a place interest themselves in the cause of educa- tion, as induced by building up good schools in their midst, and gen- erally encouraging learning, in that proportion do they advance in all the higher and better attributes of a progressive, ennobling and Christian civilization, and hence the securing of a capable and worthy director to stand at the head of their educational interests, is a duty of the first importance. In the person of Professor Johnson, the people of Pilot Grove have secured the services of such an educator.

1097

HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

They have a scholar and a professional teacher, who, by his qualifica- tions and long experience, is eminently fitted to build up in their midst one of the best institutions of learning in the state. Professor Johnson was born in Owen county, Kentucky, October 27, 1824, and was the fourth of a family of seven children born to William C. and Harriet B. ( Dillon ) Johnson, of his native state. His father, how- ever, was originally of Ohio, from which state he removed to Ken- tucky, where he married and reared his family. The son, the subject of this sketch, had excellent educational advantages in youth, which he did not fail to improve. After an elementary course in the pre- paratory schools, he entered St. Mary's college, of Kentucky, from which he was gradnated with marked honor in 1854. He also had the benefit of a course in the military institute of that state. After his graduation he at once engaged in teaching, and for nearly forty years he has devoted himself to that noble calling, having during this time had charge of some of the best schools of both Kentucky and Missouri. In 1856 he came to this state, and located at Shelbyville, where he was afterwards chosen to the office of county school con- missioner, a position he filled for two years. He is widely known in northeast Missouri as an able, successful and pure-minded educator. Since his removal to Pilot Grove he has taken a high place in the esteem and confidence of the people by his modest, unexceptionable bearing, and by his personal worth as an educator, a citizen and neighbor. Professor Johnson was married May 15, 1849,. to Miss Hannah Walton, of Kentucky. She died in November, 1851. Three years afterwards, February 22, 1853, he was married a second time, Miss Elizabeth Ford then becoming his wife. They have but one child, W. F. Professor J. is a member of the I. O. O. F., A. F. and A. M., and of the M. E. church south.

JONATHAN JOYCE,

proprietor Hotel Joyce, Pilot Grove. Mr. Joyce came to Pilot Grove in 1878, and established his present hotel, building the house he now occupies expressly for that purpose. He keeps an excellent hotel, and he has established the reputation of being the right man in the right place in the hotel business. He was born in Patrick county, Virginia, August 20, 1835, and is a son of William Joyce of that county. His mother, previous to her marriage a Miss Hanley, died when Jonathan was but three years of age, but his father took special care in rearing the son, and gave him a good practical education as he grew up. Jonathan remained in his native state, following farming

1098

HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

until 1859, when he came to Missouri, and located in Cooper county. Here he bought the tract of land on which Bunceton is now situated, and there improved a farm. He lived on his farm until 1878, when he came to Pilot Grove. September 10, 1860, he was married to Miss Ellen Hall, a young lady originally of North Carolina. Mrs. J. is a member of the Baptist church, and Mr. J. of the I. O. O. F.

JOSEPH L. JUDD.

Mr. Judd is one of that class of neat, excellent farmers who make as much, and not unfrequently more, on a small place, than others, less careful and systematic, make on the largest farms. His place contains but 140 acres, yet it is so managed that he is regarded as one of the thrifty, successful and progressive farmers of the county. Personally, he is deservedly popular, for as a neighbor he is hospitable and ac- commodating, and as a citizen he is never indifferent to the best in- terests of the community nor to the public good. He was born in Clement county, Ohio, March 10, 1847. His father, Perry Judd, was a native of Pennsylvania, but his mother, formerly Miss Nancy West, was a Kentuckian by birth. Joseph L. was the seventh of their fam- ily of twelve children. When he was about eight years of age his parents emigrated from Ohio to Bracken county, Kentucky, where he grew to manhood. He remained in the Blue Grass state until 1867, but then came to Missouri and located in Montgomery county, where he followed farming for three years. In 1870 he changed his place of residence to this county, resuming farming here, and his industry and sagacity in his chosen calling have been rewarded with excellent suc- cess. On the 7th of December, 1871, he was married to Miss Susan Steger, a worthy young lady, a month and three days his junior. Their union has been blessed with three children : Ida May, Clifford and John Medley. Mr. Judd is a member of the M. E. church south, and of the Masonic fraternity.

CHARLES LONG,

of Long & Armstrong, dealers in hardware, agricultural implements, and manufacturers of wagons, plows, etc. ; also blacksmiths, at Pilot Grove. Mr. Long, of the above named firm, was born in Loudoun county. Virginia, October 4, 1842, and was a son of William and Lu- cinda (Crooks) Long, of that state. When fourteen years of age he came out to this state with James Long and located in Cooper county, where he grew to manhood. While still a youth, in his eighteenth year, he began to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he soon ac-

1099

HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

quired, and at which he worked until 1872, when he went to Cali- fornia. He remained on the Pacific coast but one year, and then returned to Pilot Grove, where he has since been engaged in business. The nature and extent of the business of the firm have already been given in the sketch of Mr. Armstrong's life, which precedes this. Jannary 11, 1874, Mr. Long was married to Miss Virginia Maddox, originally of Virginia. They have one child, Guy E. Mr. Long is a member of the M. E. church south, and of the Masonic fraternity.

JUDGE J. M. MCCUTCHEN.

Among the old and prominent citizens of Cooper county, without whose biographic sketches this work could hardly claim to be com- plete, is Judge MeCutchen, the subject of the present memoir. Now closely approaching the allotted age of three-score and ten years, for nearly half a century his name has held a leading place in the geo- ponic annals of the county, and for many years he was a prominent figure in its public affairs. John M. Mccutchen was born in Logan county, Kentucky, February 23, 1816, and was the fifth of a family of eight children of John and Anna ( Matherel ) Mccutchen, the father a native of Virginia and the mother natally of Tennessee. John Mc- Cutchen, Sr., the grandfather of Judge Mccutchen, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and a pioneer settler of Kentucky, where he princi- pally reared his family. So in keeping with the stirring, enterprising characteristics of his ancestry, John, the father of our subject, after he had reached matured manhood, pushed on to the then frontier of civilization, and became one of the early settlers of Cooper county, this state. Here he became a successful farmer, and one of the highly respected citizens of the county. Although school advantages were not the best in this new country while John M. MeCutchen was grow- ing up, yet such was his intelligent appreciation of the importance of an education, and his untiring perseverance even in youth, that, by diligent study in such schools as he could attend and at home, he sue- ceeded in acquiring an excellent education, in so far, at least, as ordi- nary business qualifications are concerned, and for the daily, practical needs of life. Arriving at the age when young men of spirit feel that they should look around them, and choose the best part of the country accessible for making a start in life, he visited Indiana, Kentucky and Texas, remaining in each a considerable time, and in the latter state he improved his stay by teaching school. He was there also made deputy clerk of the court, a position he filled with thorough efficiency. But, finding no country equal to that of his boyhood days as a place

1100

HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

to lead a prosperous, contented life, he returned to Cooper county, and has given to it the best energies of an honorable and vigorous manhood. Here he soon became a prosperous farmer and a promi- nent, useful citizen. His farm contains nearly a section of land and is finely improved - including a handsome brick residence, and other betterments to correspond. Six years he was judge of the county court, ten years publie administrator, and two years a member of the legislature. The character of these offices shows the position he oc- cupies in the esteem and confidence of those among whom, practically, his whole life thus far has been spent. For many years he has been a worthy and exemplary member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Judge MeCutchen was married over thirty-six years ago, on the 17th of August, 1847, to Miss Fannie, an accomplished daughter of Gabriel and Jane ( Gardiner) Tutt, originally of Virginia. Ten children have blessed his married life, nine of whom are living : Frank- lin G., John D., Anna J., wife of J. D. Ellis, James W., Henry R., Ettie B., Grace G., Willie Lee and Fannie T.

R. B. MADDEX.

farmer. Mr. Maddex, who is a substantial, well-to-do farmer of Pilot Grove township, owes all he has and the worthy name he bears as a citizen and neighbor, to his own industry, intelligence and personal worth ; for he started out in life for himself withont means or the in- fluence of relatives or friends to help him along. He came of excel- lent but not wealthy parents. At the age of eighteen he pushed his life-boat out into the current of human affairs, to make the voyage down the stream of time according to his own ability to guide his bark upon the journey. Already the perils of his early years have been safely passed, and now he is on the calm waters of the post- meridian of life, with a serene sky above him, promising a prosper- ous passage on to the ocean of eternity. He was born in Clarke county, Virginia, January 20, 1838. His father, John Maddex, was a native of Maryland, but married Miss Mariah Sweeney in Virginia and there reared his family. In 1856, R. B., the subject of this sketch, came to Missouri and followed farm overseeing in Boone county until the outbreak of the war. In 1872 he took charge of the university farm, and conducted it for ten years with excellent success. In 1882 he came to Cooper county and bought his present farm of 240 acres, on which he has since lived. It is well improved, and he is comfortably situated in life. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a highly respected citizen and neighbor.

1101

HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

JOSEPH R. MEREDITH.

Unless something phenomenal or out of the regular order of events happens to change the zoological annals of Cooper county with regard to animals, ferc naturc, from what they are at present, Joseph Meredith will go down in history to the remotest generation, as having killed the last wild deer that yielded up its final afflatus within the borders of this county. His father, Thomas Meredith, was one of the pioneer settlers of the county, and was himself second to but few in the chase in the early days of the country, when game of every description was abundant. Thomas Meredith was originally of Ken- tucky, as was also his wife, formerly Miss Susan Wooldridge, but here they reared their family and lived until their deaths, worthy neighbors, and as well respected as any family in the county. Joseph was the third of their family of ten children, and was born here Jan- uary 19, 1830. Farming became his life occupation, and he has fol- lowed it with satisfactory success. Except an absence of five years, during which he was farming in Mason county, Illinois, this county has been his constant place of residence. His homestead contains over 100 acres, and he has it comfortably improved. In December, 1857, he was married to Miss Rachel Leith, a native of Tennessee. They have five children : Fannie, Lewis, Ralph A., Mary S. and William H. Three, alas ! are dead : Eva, Anna and Jessie. Mr. M. is a member of the M. E. church south.

B. H. MEREDITH.

When Mr. Meredith was married, fifteen years ago, he entered upon the voyage of life as a farin laborer, and by his own industry, good management and personal worth has maintained his family in comfort, made a name for himself that is spoken of with respect wher- ever mentioned, and accumulated a substantial share of this world's goods upon which to rely in after years, and from which to give his own children a better start in life than he himself had. If the success of men should be measured by their opportunities, then few ought to be entitled to greater credit than he. The same ability and worth that in such circumstances accomplished what he has, in more favor- able conditions would undoubtedly have achieved more striking re- sults. He was born on the 25th of October, 1843, and was the sixth of a family of ten children of Thomas and Susan ( Wooldridge ) Mer- edith, old and respected residents of this county. His whole life has been spent in agricultural pursuits, except about three years spent in

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.

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