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 35
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 35
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
of four hundred days of actual duty in that body. He was married December 21, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth, a daughter of James Shepherd and Barbara, his wife, who were both early settlers in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Deatherage have had five children, James, John R., Magda line, Edward L., and Augustus B. His farm consists of three hundred and twenty acres of land, well improved, and as a farmer he is consid- ered one of the most energetic and enterprising in the county.
JOHN C. DENNY,
one of the leading farmers of Howard county, although now past fifty-five years of age, is a native of this county, having been born here June 13, 1828. Mr. Denny's father, Charles Denny, came to Howard county with his family in 1816. He was born in Garrett county, Kentneky, and was there married to Miss Jane Walker, of which union John C., the subject of this sketch, was born. In 1850 John C. went to California, where he was engaged in mining and trading until 1856, when he returned to Missouri, settling in Grundy county. There he followed farming until 1868, when he came back to this county and settled permanently on his present farm. He has a place of 360 acres, all well improved. In 1862 he was married, December 18, to Miss Martha, daughter of John Tolson and his wife, Rebecca, of this county, and of this union he has seven chil- dren - James R., Sarah J., Cora L., Mary F., John C., Jr., Bessie and Martha M.
FRANK DODD.
On his father's side, the ancestors of Mr. Dodd came from England to this country, and his mother was of Scotch origin. His mother, before her marriage, was a Miss Rachel Young, and both the Youngs and the Dodds, on coming to America, settled first in Virginia. His father, John W. Dodd, was born in that state February 1, 1814, and there, a few weeks before he was twenty-one years of age,- De- cember 9, 1834,- he was married to Miss Young, a native of the same state. They reared seven children, of whom Frank, the subject of this sketch, was the eldest. He was born in Loudoun county, Vir- ginia, April 27, 1837, and was educated at the Dover ( Virginia ) high school, in which he was also an assistant teacher during his scholastic course. A short time after completing his course at the high school, in the spring of 1858, he came west and stopped in Marion county, Missouri, where he taught school near Hannibal until the outbreak of the war. He then, in the spring of 1861, enlisted in the state guards service for six months, and during that time was on detailed duty in company D, 6th Missouri regiment. In the fall of 1861, he was appointed captain in the commissary department, where he served until taken prisoner in 1864, in St. Louis, while getting arms for the army. He was then confined in the military prisons of St. Louis and Alton until May, 1865. After his release he went to Leavenworth, Kansas,
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
and there, shortly afterwards, entered the quartermaster's service of the government and took a train of wagons to Fort Riley. He was in the quartermaster's service eighteen months, being sent to and sta- tioned at different points. Finally, in January, 1867, he came from Fort Kearney to Howard county, Missouri, driving the whole distance in a buggy. He then went to Saline county and farmed there eight years. From Saline county he returned to this county, and located permanently on the farm where he now resides. His farm com- prises 303 acres of the best quality of land, and his place is excellently improved. It is classed among the best farms in the county. In 1867 - February 7 - he was married to Miss Mary E., daughter of Thomas Tindall. She is a most worthy and excellent lady, and is highly esteemed by all who know her. They have two children - En1- ily V. and Rachel C.
WILLIAM A. DUDGEON,
of Dudgeon & Sweetland, druggists, at Fayette, one of the leading business men of Fayette, and present county treasurer, was born in Howard county, Missouri, March 30, 1840. His parents were from Kentucky and settled in this county in 1836. Captain Dudgeon, his father, was born in Madison county of that state, August 27, 1803, and was married December 13, 1825, to Miss Matilda Franklin. Seven children were born, five of whom reside in this county : Bernard F., Mrs. J. L. Settles, Alexander, William A., and John A. Captain Dudgeon died on his farm near Fayette in 1882, his wife having pre- ceded him about six years. He was one of the tried and true men of Howard county. After a life of nearly half a century in one neighbor- hood he was borne to his grave, leaving none but sad hearts behind. To have lived and died as he did, respected by all while living and mourned by all when dead, is a nobler tribute to his memory than sculptured marble or monumental brass could pay. William A. Dudgeon, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm, and there he formed the habits of industry and of close application to the work in hand that have contributed largely to his success in life. In early youth he had the advantage of the common schools of the neighborhood which he attended, and there he qualified himself to enter upon a higher course of study. Subsequently he entered Central col- lege, which he attended two years, thus acquiring an excellent educa- tion. After his course in college he returned to the farm, where he remained until 1864, when he engaged in the drug business at Favette, but shortly afterwards went to New York state. Returning from New York after a year's absence, he again engaged in the drug business, which he still follows. The house in which he is a partner, carries a large stock and is one of the principal drug stores in the county. In 1882 he was elected treasurer of Howard county, which position he now holds. He is also a prominent member of the Masonic order. In 1872 he was married to Miss Mary P. Patrick, daughter of Robert Patrick, one of the early settlers of the county.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
JOHN B. DUNCAN,
of Duncan & Howard, grocers, etc. Samuel J. Duncan, the father of John B., was a native of Amherst county, Virginia. He came to Missouri at an early date and settled in Howard county. He was here married to Miss Elizabeth Price, of this county, and here he lived until his death, which occurred in 1868. He was for many years a merchant in Fayette, and in this business John B., the son, was brought up, and afterwards became his father's partner. Samuel J. Duncan was a man of many excellencies of character, a progressive, enterprising business man and citizen, and his loss was deplored by all. His wife, the mother of John B., the subject of this sketch, died in 1852, a noble, gen- tle-hearted woman. John B. Duncan was born August 4th, 1850, and was reared and educated in this county. After a long business experience in different stores, including those of Boone, Duncan & Smith, Duncan & Aterbery, Duncan & Son - of which he was the junior partner - W. H. Smith, and others, in 1868 he engaged in the grocery business on his own account, and two years afterwards the firm became Duncan & Co. Continuing in this for eighteen months, at the expira- tion of that time he accepted a clerkship with J. B. Bell, with whom he remained until 1882, when he again began business on his own account, becoming a member of the present firm. Mr. Duncan's educa- tion and experience have been such as to make him a capable and successful business man, and with these he combines integrity and enterprise.
W. P. DYSART.
Nicholas Dysart, the father of William, was born in Tennessee, November 18, 1800, and emigrated to Howard county, Missouri, in 1818. After a residence in this county of two years he removed to Randolph county, where he now lives at the advanced age of 83. The mother's maiden name was Euphemia Givens. She was born in Kentucky. William was the fifth of nine children, and he was born in Randolph county, Missouri, December 28, 1835. He was reared in his native county and educated at McGee college, of College Mound, Missouri. After a thorough preparation, at the age of twenty- four he commenced teaching school, and continued this occupation eight years, and then engaged in farming. In 1873, he settled on section 32, and owns a fine farm of 280 acres. He was married April 23, 1870, to Mrs. Dora Patterson whose maiden name was Brown ; she was a daughter of Samuel Brown, one of Howard county's early pioneers. They have one daughter, Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. Dysart are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
GEORGE C. EATON,
section 23, is oue of the prominent farmers and stock raisers of Howard county, and a man well known in this vicinity, having been
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
born here February 27, 1821. His father, George Eaton, a native of Clark county, Kentucky, came to this county in 1820. The sub- ject of this sketch married Miss Mary J. Patrick, of Howard county, and their union has been blessed with eight children : Zipporah, Alice, John M., Mary, Ella, Benjamin F., Charles S., and Claiborne B. Mrs. Eaton is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Eaton's fine farm of 218 acres is well improved and is located about two miles from Fayette.
C. J. ELKIN.
The father of the subject of this sketch, John G. Elkin, was born in Kentucky, in 1799, and came to Howard county, Missouri, in 1825. He lived here until his death, which occurred in 1874. His mother, whose maiden name was Vina B. Embree, was also a native of Ken- tucky, and was born in 1804. C. J. Elkin, their son, was the fifth of a family of eight children ; he was reared and educated in this county. In 1854, he crossed the plains to the mining districts of California, and lived there until the summer of 1868, and then returned to his former home. In the spring of 1869, he settled on his present farm in section 7. He owns 228 acres of good land, well improved. He was married May 19, 1864, to Miss Lizzie E. Stinseyer, of Germany. They have six children - Joseph J., Laura B., Willis E., Romy L., and Nettie C. and Anna O., twins.
CHARLES L. EUBANK,
was the eighth of a family of nine children, born to and reared by Stephen and Nancy Eubank, of Clark county, Kentucky. Stephen Eubank was born January 9, 1790, and died May 9, 1869, aged seventy-nine years and four months. Mrs. Enbank, whose maiden name was Berkley, was born July 31, 1819, and died March 26, 1872. Charles L. Eubank, the subject of this sketch, came to Howard county from Kentucky, in 1859, when twenty-two years of age, having been born March 8, 1837. Since his emigration to Missouri in 1859, he has lived continuously in this county, and has followed farming. He now lives in Fayette. He was married November 20, 1862, to Miss Nancy, daughter of the late David H. Witt, and they have six children - Anna S., Leslie B., Mary E., Katie B., Witt D. H., and Charles L. Mr. Eubank is a member of the A. O. U. W. and of the Baptist church.
J. C. FERGUSON,
farmer and stock raiser. In scanning these sketches biograph- igue of Howard county, one fact must strike the reader with peculiar force - the high order of culture attained by its farming community. There is probably not a county in the state not containing a large city, nor in the whole west that has so many farmers who would grace
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
a college professorship, as has Howard county. And the sketch of Mr. Ferguson offers an additional and marked illustration of this fact. One of the leading farmers of central Missouri, and a farmer according to modern ideas and methods, he is at the same time one of the best educated men in the state, a fact which a diploma from each of two distinguished state universities attests. The influence of a high order of mental culture upon agricultural life is plainly visible all over the county - in the neatness and good taste displayed in the appearance of the farms, and in the intelligent, business-like manner in which they are conducted ; and nowhere is this more marked than on the handsome estate of which the subject of this sketch is the owner and proprietor. It is uo disparagement to any farm through- out the surrounding country to say that Mr. Ferguson has one of the handsomest and best places in the county. And while personally he has been more than ordinarily successful in his chosen calling, now ranking among the largest tax-payers of the county, he has done a great deal to promote its agricultural intersts - not only in encourag- ing by example the most approved and profitable methods of farming, but in introducing the best grades of stock and inducing others to improve the breeds of stock raised by them. Mr. Ferguson is a na- tive of the county of which he is now a prominent and useful citizen, and was born on the 14th of December 1836. His father, James Ferguson, born in Fairfax county, Virginia, October 11th, 1798, was reared in Jefferson county of that state, and as early as 1818 came out to Kentucky, making his home for a time in Woodford county. There he met Miss Kittie Singerfelter, to whom he was united in marriage in 1823. She was four years his junior, having been born in 1802. Two years after their marriage they came to Missouri and settled in Howard county. Here Mr. Ferguson, pere, became a lead- ing farmer and an influential citizen, and is remembered by all who knew him as a man of superior intelligence, upright character and generous impulses. He died September 29th, 1880. His wife still survives him. They reared but two children the subject of the pres- ent sketch being the younger. J. C.'s early youth was spent mainly on the farm and in the neighborhood school, but when he had reached the age to enter upon a higher course of studies, he became a student in the Howard high school, now Central college, where he continued until he was prepared for the university course. He then became a matriculate in the university of Missouri, from which he was afterwards graduated with marked honor. From Missouri he went to Virginia and entered the famous university of that state, re- ceiving, after a due course of study, a diploma from that time-hon- ored and distinguished institution. His education thus completed and thorough, he returned to his old home in Howard county, and at once became actively and prominently identified with the agricultural in- terests of the county. His subsequent career as an agriculturalist has already been outlined. On the 24th of August, 1858, Mr. Ferguson was married to Miss Margaret W., an accomplished daughter of Dr. S. T. Crews, an early settler and prominent physician of the county.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have a family of three interesting children, William W., James C. and Mary. The mother of Mr. Ferguson finds a pleasant and welcome home with her son. He is a Knight Templar of the Masonic order.
CHARLES K. FENTEM
was born in Pennsylvania, of English parentage, January 12, 1845. His father, Rev. George Fentem, was a native of England and a clergyman of the primitive Methodist church. His mother, whose maiden name was Ann Raines, was also born in England. In 1846 the family came to Pike county, Missouri, and lived in the state until 1858. After living two years each in Hannibal and St. Charles they, in 1862, came to Fulton, Callaway county, where Charles was partially reared and educated. In 1868 he began the study of dentistry with Dr. S. O. Fentem, of Jefferson City. After two years' diligent study he became a partner of his preceptor for one year and then practised his profes- sion at New Bloomfield, Missouri, until 1879, when he came to this city, where he has secured a large patronage and a well earned reputa- tion in his profession. He was married September 15, 1871, to Miss Cynthia J. Longley, of Missouri. They have had a family of three children, Alfred L., Mary R., Earl R. Mr. F. is a member of the A. O. U. W., and he and his wife are members of the M. E. church, south.
JACOB FISHER.
Mr. Fisher is of German descent. His grandfather, Daniel Fisher, was a native of Pennsylvania and was a soldier in the colonial army during the war for independence. After the close of the war he went to Augusta county, Virginia, where he settled and reared a family, and in that county, Jacob, his grandson, was afterwards born. Daniel Fisher, the grandfather, married a Miss Jones, a young lady of Welch extraction, and they reared a numerous family, of which Daniel Fisher Jr., was a member. Daniel, Jr., was a soldier in the warof 1812, and served in the American army throughout that struggle. He was mar- ried in Virginia to Miss Elizabeth Cornell, also a native of Augusta county, and of this union ten children were reared to majority, viz. : John and Robert came to this county in 1853, where they still reside ; Jane died here in 1842; Mehala is the wife of Wm Stipe of this county ; Dorcas married Wm. Phillips, and Mary married John Wiseman, and each with her family and husband live in this county ; George is a resident of Greene county, Indiana ; Addison died in Illi- nois ; Payton died in this county ; Daniel now lives in Oregon, and Jacob, the subject of this sketch, is a citizen of Fayette. Jacob Fisher was born in Augusta county, Virginia, October 14, 1819. Having learned the tanner's trade in 1838, he came to Howard county and here entered into the tanning business with Rudolph Haupe & Sons, in which he continued about seven years. In 1845, he conducted
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
a tannery in Cooper county, and in 1846 established a tannery between Boonsboro and Boone's Lick in this county, which he managed until 1854. From that date until 1830, he was engaged in farming and the saw-mill business, and he still owns several excellent farms. In the meantime in 1869, he had moved to Fayette for the purpose of edu- cating his children, and here he bought a hardware establishment to which he added a stock of family groceries, and at once sceured a large trade. Before coming to Fayette, however, in 1852, he was elected jus- tice of the peace of Boone's Lick township, which office he filled nearly consecutively for fourteen years. After he came to Fayette, he was elected to the responsible office of treasurer of the county, and the duties of this position he discharged with honesty and ability. He is now, and for two years has been, a member of the city council of Fayette, which he was induced to enter by the earnest solicitation of the citizens of the place. He now gives his whole attention to the management of his real estate interests, consisting of farms and town property, and to the care of his family and the education of his chil- dren. On the 18th of March, 1849, he was married to Miss Jane Allen and they now have five children living, James D., Elizabeth J., Emma S., Ellen E. and Rosalie V. The career of Jacob Fisher, from the apprentice boy at the tanner's trade to the position in life he now oc- cupies - that of an honest and honorable citizen, is an enviable one.
CHARLES W. FUCHS,
jeweler, silverware, etc. Mr. Fuchs is a native of Cooper county, Missouri, and was born February 23, 1854. He was educated in the local schools of Boonville, and when quite a young man engaged in clerking with J. P. Neef, of that city, which he continued until 1868. He then went to St. Louis, where he learned the jeweler's trade, and returned to Boonville in 1875. Remaining there until 1878, he that year came to Fayette, and here he has lived ever since. The same year he established his present business in this city, and his career thus far has been a very successful one. He carries an unusually large stock of goods in his line for a city the size of Fayette. He makes a specialty of the celebrated Rockford watches, and in addition to jewelry and silverware, he also makes a specialty of sportsmen's goods and of musical instruments. He has just completed a fine bus- iness house on the southeast corner of the public square, in which is constructed one of the best vaults in the interior of the state. Mr. Fuchs was married November 1, 1882, to Miss Mary H., daughter of Wm. F. Tieman, of Fayette. Mr. Tieman is a native of Hanover, Germany, and was born April 15, 1829. He remained in his native country until he was nineteen years of age, and then immigrated to the United States and settled in St. Louis, He resided there only a short time, and in March, 1849, came to Howard county and began working in the trade of wagon making, which he has since followed. He was married June 17, 1858, to Miss Helena Ruffel, a native of Germany. They have three children, Mary H., wife of C. W. Fuchs, Eddy and Charley.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
DR. HENRY K. GIVENS,
of the firm of Wright & Givens, physicians, is a young man who has grown up in this county since the war, having been a small boy, hardly five years old, at the commencement of hostilities. He is now twenty- seven years of age, and is well established in his profession. He was born in Howard conuty, July 17, 1856, and after attending the com- mon schools, entered Central college, where he completed his educa- tion. In 1874, then only cighteen years old, he began the study of medicine in Fayette, under Drs. Watts and Pile, and continued with them until 1875, when he went to St. Louis, and there studied under the celebrated Dr. J. T. Hogden four years, attending three terms of the St. Louis medical college, and graduating in 1879. In the spring of 1879, he returned to Fayette and commenced the practice of medi- cine, and, in 1880, formed his present partnership with Dr. Wright. He is a young physician of thorough training, and of great natural adaptability to his calling, and has already taken high rank in the medical profession of the county. He was married, April 26, 1881, to Miss Nannie Duncan, a lady of culture and many attractions, and they have two children - Mary L. and Charles E. Dr. Givens was elected coroner of Howard county, in 1878, which position he now fills.
FRANCIS M. GRIMES.
In 1819, there was perhaps a larger immigration to Howard county, than in any other year of its early history. In the almost endless train of wagons that poured into this county from Kentucky, in the year 1819, were those of William Grimes, the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Scott county, Ky., March 29, 1797, and, when a young man, married Miss Rebecca, daughter of William Snell, also a Kentuckian, but an early settler in this county. She was born in 1795. Francis M. Grimes was born of this marriage, March 30, 1829. Mr. Grimes, the father, first settled in this county near the place known as the " Salt Springs," but, in 1825, settled where Francis, his son, now lives. His wife died May 3, 1867, and four months afterwards, September 7, 1867, he also passed away. He was an honest, intelligent and successful farmer, and as a neighbor and citizen, he was withont reproach. Francis M. was reared on his father's farm, and received a good practical education from the neigh- borhood schools of the time. In 1856, then twenty-seven years of age, he was married, February 12, to Miss Addie, a daughter of Judge P. II. MeBride, of the Missouri supreme court. They have ten chil- dren -Mary E., Emma, Addie M., Fannie B., Priestly H., William H., Ann E., Laura P., Lizzie T. and Francis M. Mr. Grimes owns an ex- cellent farm of 3223 acres, where he now lives, besides 107 acres in Boone county, and another tract in this county of fifty-two and a-half acres. In 1852, he was elected county surveyor, which position he continued to fill sixteen years. Mr. G. is a member of the Christian church. As a farmer he is one of the most successful and enterprising
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
in the county, and as a neighbor and citizen no one is more highly re- spected and esteemed.
GEORGE S. GUSS,
livery and sale stables. Mr. Guss was brought up on a farm, which occupation he followed until he came to Fayette in 1882 and engaged in his present business. He was born in Pike county, III., August 23, 1851, where he was reared and lived until he came to Missouri. A year ago he engaged in his present business, buying out at that time the stables, etc., of Mr. S. Smith. He has a large amount of capital invested and is doing an excellent business. His barn is 64 by 118 feet in dimensions, and he has nine " rigs " and fourteen horses. Mr. Guss was married February 7, 1877, to Miss Rebecca Leaton, of Illinois, and they have one child - Lelah M.
CLAIBORNE B. HARRIS.
Thomas Harris, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a pioneer in Kentucky with Daniel Boone. William Harris, the father of Claiborne B., was born in Kentucky, May 15, 1793, and came to Howard county, Mo., in 1821. He married Miss Margaret Downing, who was born December 15, 1792. They reared a family of eleven children, of whom C. B. was the tenth child. He was born March 17, 1836. He was reared and educated in this county and remained with his father on the farm until 1861, when he enlisted in company A, Captain B. Cunningham's company of Missouri state gnards, and served until October, 1862, and then re-enlisted in General Clark's regi- ment and served until the surrender at Shreveport, La., in June, 1865. He returned home and resumed farming with his father until he located on his present farm, which in- 1875, when 1381 acres of well improved land. He married cludes
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