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 114

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 114
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 114

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).

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

versity and the Cayuga Lake academy, of Aurora, New York, but had to quit the latter before his graduation on account of his father's ill health. November 1, 1870, he was married to Miss Nellie R. King, of Cayuga county, New York, but she survived her marriage less than three years, dying April 3, 1873. Some three years afterwards Mr. Elliott was married, July 19, 1876, in Lafayette county, to Miss Alline E., daughter of George W. Jones, of that county. They have two children : Mary, born August 30, 1877, and Henry E., born Oc- tober 4, 1879. After returning from college, Mr. Elliott was engaged in farming two years, and then merchandised at Morrisville, Polk county, about two years. On the death of his father he settled on his present farm, where he has since lived. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for ten years, and is a Royal Arch Mason. Mrs. E. is a member of the Christian church.

C. E. ELLIS, M. D.,

at Big Lick. Dr. Ellis is a young physician who, after a thorough preparatory course of reading, and a regular graduation in medicine from one of the best institutions west of the Alleghanies, entered upon the practice of his profession in 1881, in this county, and, con- sidering the length of time he has been engaged in the practice, he has succeeded in building up an unusually good patronage. He is a native of this county and a son of Dr. William H. Ellis, an old physician and a highly respected citizen of Prairie Home township. His mother was formerly a Miss Ann M. Johnson, and C. E. is the third of a family of four children : William, Maine, C. E. and Anna. He was born in Prairie Home township, December 16, 1857, and his youth was employed with the ordinary duties about his father's home- stead and in attending school. The more advanced acquirements of his education were received at Prairie Home Institute and Parrish Insti- tute. After completing his education he began the study of medicine under his father, which he continued with diligence until he was pre- pared to become a matriculate in a medical college. He then attended a term of nine months in the medical department of the university of Louisville, and afterwards continued his course there until his grad- uation, which occurred in March, 1881. For the first six months after the completion of his medical education he practiced with his father at Prairie Home, but in July of the same year located at Big Creek, where he has since been. Dr. Ellis was married November 9, 1882, to Miss Bettie Winterbower, sister to Dr. Winterbower. She is a native of Hardin county, Missouri, and was born December 16, 1860.

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

CHARLES W. ERHARDT,

farmer, section 2. Mr. Erhardt is another of the many farmers of German birth, who have achieved success by their own personal worth. He was a son of Andrew and Mary ( Stein ) Erhardt, who emigrated from Germany, in 1836, to this country, and settled on the "Ginger " farm, in Saline township, this county. In 1849, the father went to California to dig a fortune out of the gold-decked Cor- dilleras. He died there, however, within a few months after his ar- rival. His widow, the mother of Charles W., resided with the latter until her death, in 1872. The other members of their family of chil- dren were, Augustus, who died December 25, 1881, in St. Clair coun- ty, where he then lived ; Albert died in the fore-winter of the same year in Henry county, of which he was a resident ; and William re- sides near Butler, Missouri. April 15, 1849, Charles W. Erhardt was married to Miss Margaret Burger, originally of Bavaria, Germany. They have seven children, Herman, Sophia, wife of Henry Suanch ; Mary, Charles, Caroline, Louis, and John. In 1844, Mr. Erhardt located on his present homestead, which contains nearly a quarter sec- tion of land. He is also interested in farming in St. Clair county, where he has u farm of 200 acres. He is a typical representative of his nationality, industrious, frugal and level-headed in his farming, as well as in other matters-a substantial, valuable citizen of the com- munity where he lives.

TYRE H. FARRIS,

farmer, section 7. Tyre H. Farris is a descendant of the third gene- ration of one of the early settlers of Cooper county. James Farris, his grandfather, came to this county with his family and settled in Jolly's Bottom as early as 1822. He died there in 1845, but his wife, formerly Miss Lydia Morley, survived him over thirty-five years, dying in August, 1881, at the advanced age of seventy-five. Of their family of seven children reared to maturity, James H., the father of Tyre, was the second. At the age of twenty-five, James H. Farris was mar- ried to Miss Zerelda .J. Bell, of Chariton county, after which he con- tinned to live on his parental homestead until his death, which occur- red August 5, 1871. His widow still survives him, and lives with her son, Tyre, on the farm. She has two other children living : Emma, wife of James Mitehell, and Lydia, at home. One, Daniel B., the eldest, is dead. Tyre was reared on the farm, and was married Sep- tember 25, 1879, to Miss Marian, daughter of James Powell, of Jolly's Bottom. She, however, was born in Bates county, where her father

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

had removed before the war. Tyre was born August, 3, 1859. They have one child, James W. Mr. Farris, although a young man, is an enterprising and successful farmer, and manages his farm of over 250 acres with as much business judgment and energy as a farmer far more experienced and advanced in years might be expected to do. He grows annually about 120 acres of wheat, besides raising large quanti- ties of corn and other products, and also considerable live stock. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church.

GEORGE F. FLUKE,

farmer, section 5. The subject of this sketch was born at Connor's Mill, in this county, May 27, 1850, and is the second of a family of three children of John and Louisa ( Fisher) Fluke, the other two being John W. and Mary E., wife of Z. R. Neal. The father is a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and a miller by trade. He came to this county in 1838, when about twenty years of age, and has followed milling here many years. Among other mills he has run is the Jewett mill, which he run with Jewett a number of years. The mother is a native of Monroe county, Illinois. When quite young she came to this county, and was partly reared in the family of Leven Cropper, then living near Overton. There she met and married Mr. Fluke, and they have since continued to reside in this county, where they have reared their family. George F., the second son, was brought up to the occupa- tion of a farmer, which he has since followed. He was married March 13, 1872, to Miss Eliza A., only daughter of Walter and Mary J. Givens. They have two children : Andrew Jackson, aged nine years, and Mary Lou, aged three years. The mother of these was born Jan- uary 7, 1852. He now has a farm of nearly 300 acres, about 200 acres of which is fine bottom land, the balance being on the bluff. He raises grain and stock in a general way, giving his attention princi- pally to wheat, of which he produces large quantities for the market. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

JAMES MADISON FREEMAN,

farmer and stock raiser, section 25. 'Squire Freeman settled in this county in 1840, and was originally from Madison county, Kentucky, having been born there August 19, 1813. When he was twelve years of age, however, he was brought by his parents, Jonathan and Anna (Coulton ) Freeman, to this state, who emigrated to Boone county in 1825, and settled near Columbia, where the mother died in 1837, and the father in 1853. They were both natives of North Carolina, but

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

came out to Kentucky early in life, and were married in the last named state. They had a family of nine children - six sons and three daugh- ters -but three of whom are now living, and of those 'Squire Free- man is the eldest. William, the next youngest to the 'squire and the fifth of the family, is a resident of Tipton, Missouri, and Caroline is the widow of Rolla West, and resides in Pettis county. 'Squire Free- man received a good education while he was growing up, and when he came to Cooper county taught school here five or six years. March 31, 1846, he was married to Miss Rebecca A., daughter of Michael Horn- beck, who came to this county in an early day and settled on the farm the 'squire now owns. He died before the war. He and his wife, Lydia, reared a family of nine children - eight sons and one daugh- ter. But one son, Robert, and Mrs. Freeman are all that are now living. Robert lives in Texas. 'Squire and Mrs. Freeman have a family of four children : James M., aged twenty-four years ; Lona, aged twenty-two years ; William Robb, aged twenty years, and Ho- gan, aged fifteen years. The two elder have received collegiate educa- tions. James M. graduated from Kemper's school, of Boonville. 'Squire Freeman's farm contains 320 acres, over 100 acres of which are devoted to grain growing. He also raises considerable numbers of stock, principally cattle and hogs. He has abundant water on the place for stock raising, and a good meadow. For twelve years prior to the war he served as justice of the peace, and until he refused to accept the position any longer. He has often been urged to offer him- self for public office in county offices, but has steadily declined to become mixed up in politics. He has been a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church for twenty years.

WALTER GIVENS,

farmer, section 8. Alexander Givens, the grandfather of Walter, the subject of this sketch, was one of the early settlers of this county, coming here from Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1818. He settled in section 1, township 48, range 16, where he died in 1833, and where Walter Givens was born, three years before, February 9th, 1830. Robert M. Givens, the father of Walter, was thirty-six years old when he came to this county, in company with his father's family, in 1818. He was twice married. First to Matilda, daughter of David Stevens, from Tennessee, by whom he had eight children, six sons and two daughters, and of these Walter was the fifth. His second wife was formerly Miss Susan Thomas, now a resident of Hickory county. By her he had four children, all sons but the youngest. He

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

died in 1859. His first wife died in 1837. Walter grew up on the old homestead, and at the age of twenty-one, was married, December 10, 1851, to Miss Nancy J. Vivian, of Moniteau county. She sur- vived her marriage only a short time, hearing her husband one child at her death - Eliza A., now the wife of George Fluke. In 1855 he was again married, Miss Nancy A. Norman becoming his second wife. Three children were born of this union, all of whom died in infancy, and their mother followed them to the grave in 1859. On the 3d of April, 1863, Mr. Givens was married to Mrs. Mary J. Norris, widow of John O. Norris. She has been spared for twenty years to comfort and brighten his home. They have three children : Richard Hubart, Walter Lee, and Warren Thompson. Mr. G. first lived on the farm adjoining his father's, but in 1863 settled on his present homestead. It contains 160 acres, and is devoted mainly to grain growing. Live stock is also raised for home use, except hogs, of which he fattens a number every year for the market. Mrs. G. is a member of the Bap- tist church. In 1864 Mr. Givens joined Shelby's command, under General Price, while in this state, but was captured the following fall in Greene county, and confined in Rock Island prison until the close of the war.

REV. ISAAC GOOD,

homestead, section 34. Rev. Mr. Good has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for the last twenty years, and in January, 1873, entered the ministry of that denomination, since which he has been actively and earnestly engaged in the work of his sacred calling, mainly in Cooper county. He joined the church at Pleasant Green in 1863, and began to preach ten years later at Oak Grove. He is a native of Tennessee, and was born in Washington county of that state February 15, 1835. His father, Emanuel Good, was originally from Pennsylvania, but his mother, formerly Miss Elizabeth Petman, was born and reared in Tennessee. Both were of German descent. They were in the " Rhomboidal State," and made their home there until their immigration to this county in 1843. They first located about five miles below Rocheport, but the following year removed to the neighborhood of Connor's mill, and five years afterwards settled in Moniteau county, where the father was taken off by death the 2d of September, 1852. The mother survived her husband about sixteen years, but on the 12th of October, 1868, joined her husband in the last long sleep of death. They reared a family of five children : Sarah became the wife of Jesse Driskill, but after his death in Cali- fornia in 1852, she married Jacob Rimel, and died July 6, 1877 ; Le-

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

vina, wife of Thomas Pate, of Moniteau county ; Martha died in March, 1843, aged sixteen years. Isaac, the subject of this sketch, and Adella, wife of James Maze, of Moniteau county. In youth Isaac attended such schools as were convenient, and also devoted much of his leisure to private study, thus acquiring as he grew up the more important essentials of an English education. On the 21st of June, 1854, he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Louisa Hampton, of this eounty. Ten children have been born to them, but they have been more than ordinarily unfortunate in their family, har- ing lost five of their children. Four died in infancy, and the fifth, a promising young man, died just after he had attained his majority. on the 18th of March, 1879. The five still spared them to bless and brighten their home are : Virginia L., Hugh L., Hester E., William J. and Missouri A. Hester is the wife of John C. Potter, of Moni- teau county. During the war Mr. Good served about ten months under General Price, but at the expiration of that time was honorably discharged on account of physical disability, having been confined to the hospital by ill-health during much of the time of his service. He has a neat farm and comfortable home, and is so situated that he is not compelled to rely on his ministerial work entirely, to supply the physical needs of life for himself and family. With him his services · for the Master and for the church are matters of love, regardless of the rewards of this world.

HENRY A. HOBERECHT,

farmer, section 36. Mr. Hoberecht is of German parentage, both his father, Frederick, and mother, formerly Christina Kuhn, having been natives of Prussia. His grandfather, Henry Hoberecht, was one of the earliest settlers of the county, and located on the farm where Henry Hoberecht now lives. Frederick and Christinia Hoberecht reared a family of eight children, of whom Henry, the subject of this sketch, was the eldest. He was born January 13, 1851. He had four sisters and three brothers : Paulina M., wife of Charles Beck, died February 19, 1877 ; Sophia L., wife of Herman Erhardt ; Frank H., Charles W., Rocenia H., Laura E., and John O. Henry A. was married June 11, 1874, to Miss Nancy J., daughter of James T. Wilson, originally of Adair county this state. Two children have blessed their union : Sadie May and Alma Bertie. Mr. Hoberecht's parents both died of the pneumonia within less than a week of each other, the father, April 10, 1871, and the mother the 16th of the same month. The old homestead farm contains over 400 acres of land, about a third of

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

which is fine bottom land. Mr. Hoberecht raises nearly 200 acres of grain, and also some live stock -cattle, hogs, horses, mules, etc. He and his wife are both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Highland.

II. BROWN HOPKINS,

farmer, section 14. Among those who have long been extensively engaged in farming in this county, the name of Mr. Hopkins justly claims a prominent place. His farm contains nearly 700 acres of fine land and he is one of the leading grain producers of the county. For several years before the war he was a prominent farmer and had on his place forty-one slaves, being thus amply supplied with labor to conduct his farming operations on a large scale. Mr. Hopkins was born in Jefferson (then Rodney ) county, Mississippi March 3, 1815, and was a son of Charles Hopkins, a native of Pennsylvania, and wife, previously Miss Susanna Stampley of the former state. His father died in 1833, while on the steamboat Memphis, and was buried in the city of that name on the Mississippi. H. Brown, the son, was then eighteen years of age, and a short time afterwards removed with his mother's family to Kentucky, where she subsequently became the wife of John B. Trueman. After this they went to Texas and re- maining there two years came to Cooper county, this state, in 1856, ' where after working a farm they had leased, they bought and made it their permanent home. However II. Brown, the subject of this sketch was married in Hardin county, November 22, 1856, to Miss Rebecca Burcham of that county and in December of the same year went to Texas, coming from that state the following year with Mr. Trueman and family to Cooper county. Since settling in this county, Mr. Hopkins has been engaged in farming, and although he suffered severe losses during the late war, he nevertheless is possessed of a com- fortable estate and is one of the substantial, responsible citizens of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins have a family of four children, one, Ida W., the eldest, being deceased. The other five are Emma, Susan, Hattie H., Trueman B. and Atlas Brown. Mr. Hopkins is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Highland and has been a member of Masonic order thirty-five years. His wife is a member of the Baptist church at Big Lick.

HERMAN KAISER,

farmer, section 27. Mr. Kaiser came to this country from Germany in 1860 and located in this county, where he engaged in farming and

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

soon bought a place of his own, 200 acres in Saline township on which he still resides. He has been satisfactorily successful as a farmer, and has improved his place in a comfortable and substantial manner. He was born in Hanover, Germany, June 30, 1837, and was the third of a family of five children of Henry and Mary (Wanett) Kaiser, both of whom are now deceased. The mother died in 1870, and the father in 1875. The other four children are : George, Henry, died in 1873; Lizzie, wife of Henry Otto, of St. Louis, and Catherine, wife of Doon Depe, of the same eity. During the war Mr. Kaiser served about three months in the militia. Feb- ruary 10, 1866, he was married to Miss Mary Gatchett, a native of Ohio. They have eight children : John, Lizzie, Millie, Henry, Emma, Louisa, Catherine, and Anna. Sophia died at the age of eight months. Mr. and Mrs. Kaiser are members of the Lutheran church at Pleasant Grove.

ALEXANDER LAMM,

farmer, seetion 22. Mr. Lamm was the youngest of a family of eight children of William and Mary ( Boren) Lamm, who came to this county in 1816. All these, save one, grew to maturity and married, but only two, besides Alexander, are now living. William Lamm, the father, was a native of North Carolina. Coming to this county in the pioneer days, when game of all kinds was abundant, he became a noted hunter in this section of the county, and his name is familiar to all early settlers as the hero of many adventures in the chase. He it was who shot a deer a quarter of a mile off, across a deep slough and then swam over to it and towed it baek by a plow line tied to his waist. Besides farming he also followed " flatboating " - floating grain down to the wholesale markets. He opened the farm ( having entered the and) on which Alexander now lives, in 1820, and lived there until his death in 1878. His wife had gone before to light his way to Heaven some thirty years prior to his death. Alexander, born on the family homestead, November 22, 1832, was married after he grew up, prior to the late war, to Miss Margaret J., daughter of William Smith, of this county. They have three children : James, now of Jefferson City ; George and Charles. Mr. Lamm has al- ways lived on the parental homestead, a neat farm carefully im- proved. He follows farming in a general way and with satis- factory success. He is now serving his second term of three years as school director. His wife is a member of the Baptist church.

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

JOHN H. MOLAN,

farmer, and of J. H. Molan & Co., proprietors marble yards, Gooch's Mills. Mr. Molan is a well-to-do farmer and prominent business man of the eastern part of the county, who commeneed for himself with- out anything, when a young man, and has risen to a comparatively comfortable situation in life, entirely by his own merits. He is of German parentage, but "was himself born in this country-in St. Louis - October 22, 1851. His father, Diederich Molan, and mother, formerly Miss Elizabeth Snuck, came to St. Louis from Asnabruck, Germany, in 1845, and eleven years afterwards removed to this county and bought a place of 163 acres of land on Saline creek, where they settled and lived the remainder of their lives. She died April 1, 1870, and he December 19. 1871. There are five of their family of children -John H., Catherine, Elizabeth, John William and Julia, the last being now Mrs. Hasp, of Clark's Fork, and Elizabeth is the wife of George Meyers. John H., the subject of this sketch was married February 7, 1872, to Miss Louisa Meyer. She died January 22, 1881, having been the mother of four children, but two of whom are now living : Louisa, aged eight years, and Emma, aged four. John H. died in infancy as did also Henry. April 19, 1882, Mr. Molan was again married, his present wife having been Miss Elizabeth Herth. She was born December 20, 1854, and is a daughter of Peter Herth, of Saline township. Mr. Molan's farm contains nearly 400 acres of good land on which he grows over 200 acres of grain, prin- cipally wheat. He also raises live stock, mainly cattle and hogs. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. The marble busi- ness in which he is a partner, was established in January, 1882, Mr. J. B. Kirkman, a skilful artisan in that line, and a capable, responsible business man, being his associate in the establishment. They carry a stock of stone valned at $1,000, and the first year did a business of over $2,200. Mr. Kirkman was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, March 19, 1850, and was a son of Thomas Kirkman, origi- nally of Maryland, and wife, a native of the Old North State. J. B. did service in the Confederate army during the war, and in 1866 came to Columbia, Missouri, where he learned the tombstone business and worked there until June, 1881, when he removed to Boonville. In January, 1882, he entered into his present partnership with Mr. Molan. Mr. Kirkman was married December 19, 1872, to Miss Emma F. Blanchard, at Columbia. They have three children-Ger. trude, Mandie and Huldah.

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

HENRY W. MILLS,

farmer. In the lives of its venerable yeoman citizens, such as the one whose name heads this sketch, is to be found the true source of the growth and prosperity of Cooper county. Their industry has pro- duced its wealth, their character and intelligence have given it its enviable reputation, and their sons and daughters are the rich legacy they have provided to guaranty its future. Born in Louisa county, Virginia, July 17, 1815, in 1842, Mr. Mills came to Cooper county, and, on the 20th of August of that year, was married to Miss Susan V., daughter of Charles T. Lewis, an early settler and worthy citizen of the county. First he lived on a part of the farm he now owns, and the following year after his marriage removed to the state of Missis- sippi ; but remaining there only two years returned to Cooper county and carried on the J. K. Ragland farm for one year. He then pur- chased forty acres of land in his own right, the nest-egg, so to speak, of his subsequent estate of nearly 1,000 acres. Possessed of the qualities and character he has always shown, success was as sure to come as fruit is certain to ripen on the tree when secure from injury. Up to 1866 he had added to his farm until it numbered 200 acres. Then he increased it to 536 acres. Again, he bought 300 aeres more, making an aggregate of over 900 acres. But, in the meantime, he and his good wife had been blessed with a large family of children, among whom he divided his land as they grew up, leaving himself only a comfortable homestead, on which he still lives. On this he raises over 100 acres of grain, and considerable quantities of live stock - cattle, sheep, hogs, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have given to the county thirteen worthy sons and daughters, ten of whom are still living, and nine became heads of families, the youngest being still at home : William H., married Miss Sallie L. Craig ; Charles T., died February 29, 1880, leaving a family, his wife having formerly been Miss Nellie Brosins ; James T., married Miss Bettie Tucker; Mary A., wife of George Adams, died in 1867; Hunter N., married Miss Ellen Thomas ; Augustus K., married Miss Sophronia Stiffler ; Walker M., died February 24, 1878, aged twenty-four years ; John A., married Miss Dora Campbell ; Susan II., wife of John Elliott ; Florence M., wife of O. C. Byler ; Carrie L., wife of Dr. J. D. Potts ; Earle S., at home. Mr. Mills himself was the fourth of a family of six children of William and Elizabeth (Gardiner ) Mills, of Louisa county, Virginia, as follows : Margaret E., wife of Dr. A. Kneekel- han, of Lamine township, this county ; Mrs. Mary J., widow of Ed-

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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