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 36
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 36
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Miss Susan E. Shores, September 19, 1872. She is a daughter of Rev. Wm. Shores, who come to Missouri in 1827. He died June 8, 1872. The mother of Mrs. Harris was Susan R. John- son ; she died June 24, 1872. Mr. Harris' mother died May 30, 1867, and his father died May 15, 1876. Mr. Harris' brother, Har- din, who was a soldier, died at Little Rock, Ark., February 1, 1863, and his brother William served in Johnson's army and participated in many of the most important battles of the campaign. He returned to the old homestead in 1877 to remain permanently, and died April 21, 1879.
ANDREW J. HERNDON.
Prominent among the men whose names have long been identified with the history of Howard county is Andrew J. Herndon. He came to this county with his father's family in 1835, when but eighteen years (26)
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of age, and has therefore been a resident of the county nearly fifty years. In public affairs and in the social life of the people, his name occupies a conspicuous position. For many years he has been in pub- lic life, either as a county officer or as a prominent attorney ; and, so- cially, he is connected with some of the leading families of the county - indeed, he is the founder of some of them - being connected with the Clarks, the Browns and others, and having now eleven children living and nineteen grandchildren, a number of whom are prominent citizens. Andrew J. Herndon was born in Orange county, Virginia, July 23, 1817. His father, George Herndon, was also a Virginian by birth, but died in this state, where he had removed in 1847, in his seventy-fourth year. His mother, Sarah Herndon, whose maiden name was Teel, a native of Pennsylvania, but of German parentage, died in this county in 1855, at the age of sixty-eight years. Shortly after arriving in Fayette, in 1835, Andrew J., the subject of this sketch, having in the meantime acquired the elements of an education from the common schools of his native county in Virginia, entered here the Fayette academy, a school of advanced studies, in which he remained as a student about two years. He then taught school one year in the country, and afterwards three and a half years in Fayette, and during the same time studied law, utilizing his otherwise unoccu- pied time in that way ; and in 1841 he was admitted to the har of the county, entering thereupon the active practice of his profession. In 1842 he formed a partnership in the law practice with General John B. Clark, in which he continued until 1857. He then entered into partnership with General JohnnB. Clark, Jr., and this firm was not dissolved until the outbreak of the war, in 1861. Twelve years later, in 1873, he became associated with Robert T. Prewitt in the legal bus- iness, and two years afterwards, his son, John C. Herndon, became his partner. In 1846 Mr. Herndon was elected clerk of the county court of Howard county, and was re-elected in 1853 and again in 1859. In 1865 he was appointed clerk of the court by Governor Fletcher, and in 1866 elected to the office, and was the fourth time elected to the same position in 1870, serving until 1874. Prior to 1847, however, he had been once elected and once appointed to the office of justice of the peace, his terms extending from 1841 to 1846. In 1838, on the 21st of June, Mr. H. was married to Miss Emily F. Brown, daughter of Major Brown and his wife, Ann B., both natives of Ken- tucky, who came to Missouri while it was a territory - about 1816. Mrs. Brown was a sister to General John B. Clark. By this union Mr. Herndon now has living eleven children - Portia A., wife of Thomas Owings ; Mary V., wife of Dr. F. B. Philpott, of Salisbury ; Martha H., wife of Dr. L. P. Tooley, of Colusa, California ; Camelia B., wife of Joseph H. Withers ; Emily M., wife of Dr. F. C. Collier, of Saline county, Missouri ; Dasie H., wife of A. C. Davis, of Salisbury, Mis- souri ; and John C., Justine, Lizette, Addie L. and Andrew J. Herndon.
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ADAM HENDRIX ( DECEASED ),
educator, financier and philanthropist. Among those whose names like stars brighten and beautify the past of Howard county, there is none whose name shines with a purer and more enduring light than that of the subject of these memoirs. A nobleman of nature in both mind and heart, his whole life was an unbroken chapter of duty faith- fully and well performed. Starting ont into the world at an early age, with but little education and no means, by the exercise of the virtues of his own character he became a more than ordinarily suc- eessful man, and rounded off a career, adorned with Christian graces from the beginning, by works of generous philanthrophy that will perpetuate his memory as long as the better qualities of human nature are esteemed among men. He came of eminently respectable families on both sides, and was brought up in a manner to strengthen a character naturally vigorous and upright. His grandfather, Colonel Adam Hendrix, was a prominent citizen of Pennsylvania, and repre- sented the people a number of times in the state legislature. His father, Joseph M. Hendrix, was a man of sterling integrity, superior intelligence, and of great energy and resolution. His mother, for- merly Miss Naney McDonald, was of a worthy family of the old Keystone state. Mr. Hendrix's parents reared a family of nine children, only two of whom are now living - John M., of Ohio, and Joseph W., of Pennsylvania. Adam Hendrix, the subject of this sketch, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, August 21, 1813, and was reared in his native county up to the age of twenty. In boyhood and youth he had attended the ordinary schools, but had acquired only a limited education. Of an energetic disposition and an aspiring mind, and believing that he could better his fortunes in Maryland, he accordingly went to that state and located in Frederick county, in about 1833. There he was in close proximity to Long Green aead- emy, a prominent institution of learning, and he determined to enter that school for the completion of his education. In pursuance of this resolution he spent three years within its walls, and rose from a junior to the position of a teacher. Quitting his alma mater at the expiration of this time, equipped with a thorough education and qualified to teach by practical experience, he then took charge of Middletown academy, in the same county, which he cond aeted with singular success and ability for five years. By this time the trans- Mississippi west had begun to attract flood-tides of immigration, and informing himself thoroughly as to the natural advantages of the new country, he became convinced that it was destined to become the abode of vast and prosperous communities, and that no other country then known offered opportunities for industry, intelligence and enter- prise, in almost every walk of life, equal to this. Accordingly, leaving his school in Maryland, he set out for the new country and landed at Quincy, Illinois, in the fall of 1838, coming thence by way of Palmyra, Hannibal, Paris, Huntsville, Keytesville and Brunswick, to Fayette, Howard county. This was more a prospecting journey than
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otherwise, but on reaching Fayette he was so pleased with the place and the beauty and fertility of the surrounding country, that he determined to make this locality his permanent home. He spent some six years in teaching in Fayette and vicinity. While thus occu- pied, there was one he had left behind who was taking a deep interest in his welfare and success, and she was kept faithfully informed of his progress and of all his hopes and objects. His wife she had promised to be, and in 1844 he was in a situation to return to Maryland and claim the fulfilment of that promise. It was happily redeemed upon his return, and with his young wife, formerly Miss Isabella J. Murray, he returned to his home in the west, where he spent the remainder of a long, useful and happy life. Here his progress was steadily up- ward and onward until at last his spirit passed beyond the skies. Among his fellow-men he rose higher and higher in their esteem, and in the pursuit of fortune he was not less favored. He became by pure methods and worthy enterprises a comparatively wealthy man. For two years after his marriage he taught school. So favorably had his char- acter and qualifications recommended him to those around him that at the expiration of this time, he was appointed to the responsible office of county treasurer, a position he filled by subsequent re-elections for twelve consecutive years. This fact alone is an eloquent testimonial to his purity, intelligence, and personal worth. While treasurer of the county, he also held the office of government pension agent, and discharged the duties of this position with the same fidelity and ability that characterized his performance of every trust. At the close of his county official term, he became cashier of the branch bank of the state of Missouri, at Fayette, and so continued until it was closed in 1866. He then bought the banking building of that company and established a private bank, which he conducted until the time of his death, While Mr. Hendrix was engaged in securing for himself and family a handsome fortune, he was also fully alive to all the benevo- lent and religions interests around him. He gave five hundred dollars towards the erection of Central college building, and five thousand dollars additional toward the endowment of the college. His interest in this noble institution of learning did not stop there. He became the treasurer of its board of regents, and discharged the duties of this office, free of charge, until the day of his death. He also gave liberally to the female college of Fayette, and ever proved himself a steadfast and active friend to education. For a great many years he was an earnest, exemplary member of the church, and was always generous of his means and active in his zeal for the cause of religion ; and it is but just to add in this connection, that in all good works, both benevolent and religions, his efforts were readily and hotly seconded by his excellent Christian wife, who still survives him, and who ever performed faithfully and with modest delicacy the duties of her relation in life. Nor can we forbear directing the attention of the young ladies of the present day to those good old mothers who stand among us as bright examples of an age gone by, and whose excellencies have been only brightened by the trials and vicissitudes
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of life. Five children were given Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix as Heaven's best benediction upon the marriage tie : Fremont M., the eldest, is now connected with the bank ; he was educated at the United States naval school at Annapolis, after which he spent four years in Europe engaged in naval service on the western coasts of the continent, and in parts of the Mediterranean sea. He was also often on the coasts of Africa. While in Europe he travelled extensively and visited most of the places of historic and landscape interest. He was pro- moted at varions times and now holds the position of master on the retired list, under act of congress approved August 3, 1861 ; Dr. Eugene R., the second son, now president of Central college ; Joseph C., now the Brooklyn manager of the New York Sun, with which paper he has been connected since 1873 ; William F., and Mary B., the only daughter, now the wife of A. F. Davis, Esq. After a residence in Howard county of a long period, Mr. Hendrix died at his home in Fay- ette, May 31, 1876. In his death Howard county lost one of its most valued citizens, and the community in which he lived, one of its most worthy members. His life had been useful and just, and his death was deeply mourned by those among whom he had lived for so many years. In every relation of life he had performed faithfully and well the full measure of his duty, and when the time came for him to quit this tenement of clay, and enter into that abode eternal in the heavens not made of hands, he was prepared for the change, and fell to sleep in death as one who wraps his mantle about him and lies down to pleasant dreams. In token of respect, every business house was elosed during the funeral service, and students and citizens in a body followed his remains to the cemetery.
EUGENE R. HENDRIX, D. D.
president of Central college at Fayette. Dr. Hendrix was born in Fayette, Missouri, May 17, 1847. His father, Adam Hendrix, was a banker, and during twenty-five years treasurer of the board of cura- tors of Central college. Religiously trained, Dr. Hendrix, when a lad of less than twelve years of age, made a profession of religion and became a member of the Methodist church south. Feeling called of God to preach, he determined, when sixteen years of age, to equip himself thoroughly for the work. During the suspension of Central college on account of the war, Dr. Hendrix entered the Wesleyan university, Middletown, Connectient, where he graduated with high honor in 1867. Later he pursued his theological studies at the Union theological seminary, New York city, receiving its diploma in 1869. Having enjoyed the best facilities for education the country could give, Dr. Hendrix at once began his ministry at the bottom, prefer- ring to have a mission church, that he might become fully familiar with the poorer classes. His first appointment, accordingly, in 1869, was at Leavenworth mission, Kansas. After the general conference of 1870 divided the Missouri conference, so as to make the western conference include Kansas and Nebraska, he joined his fortunes with
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the Missouri conference proper, where he has since labored. In 1870-72 he was pastor of the Macon City station. In 1872-76 he was pastor of the Francis street church, St. Joseph, Missouri. While there he awakened a deep interest in missions throughout the church by becoming personally responsible for two years for the support of the Rev. A. P. Parker, missionary to China, the first missionary who had been sent to China for seventeen years. The Francis street church, during his four years' pastorate, gave $2,000 for missions. In 1876-77 he accompanied Bishop Marvin on his missionary tour. His letters during that time attracted such attention that he was re- quested to publish them in a permanent form. This volume, " Around the World," has run through a number of editions, and has received the highest compliment for its literary qualities, as well as for its statement of facts. In 1877, while pastor at Glasgow, Mis- souri, Dr. Hendrix was unanimously elected president of Central col- lege, to succeed Dr. Wills, who had recently died. The degree of D. D. was conferred on him by Emory college, Georgia, at the early age of thirty-one, being, perhaps, the youngest divine on whom that degree has ever been conferred by any leading college in the United States. He is also one of the few American scholars who have been elected to membership in the Victoria institute, the philosophical society of Great Britain. Dr. Hendrix has been eminently successful as president of Central college, the endowment having been more than doubled during his administration and the number of students increased over a third. June 20, 1872, he was married to Miss Annie E. Scarritt, daughter of Rev. Nathan Scarritt, D. D., of Kansas City. Four children have blessed this union : Evangeline, Mary, Nathan and Helen.
JUDGE JOSEPH W. HICKERSON.
It has been truthfully and aptly said that " Some men honor their occupations ; others are honored by them." Mr. Hickerson is a striking example of the former class. He is a farmer, and is an orna- ment to his calling. He came to this county in 1849, with but little means, and by industry and intelligent management has placed him- self in the front rank of the progressive and enterprising farmers of the country. He has a farm of four hundred and ninety-seven acres, and the appearance it presents shows at a glance the character of man he is. He was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, December 2d, 1820. His father, Hiram Hickerson, and mother, whose name before her marriage was Mary O. Smith, were also natives of the Old Dominion. He was the second of eleven children, and in com- pany with his father's family came to Missouri in 1849. His father died in Carroll county, this state, January 13, 1877, his mother hay- ing preceded her husband in death about seventeen years. Mr. Hick- erson settled at once in Howard county on reaching this state, and has lived here ever since. He first located on a farm near Glasgow, but three years afterwards settled where he now resides. He was
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married December 29, 1850, to Mrs. Emily George, a widow lady of the most excellent worth ( her maiden name having been Hickerson ), and they have four children : Alfred P., Eveland D., William R. and Bettie M. During the war in 1862, Mr. Hickerson enlisted in Captain Cunningham's company of General Clark's command, but served only eight months on account of physical disability, having been honora- bly discharged at the expiration of that time. In 1872, he was elected one of the members of the county court, which position he filled with marked ability and fidelity to the interests of the county. He is a man universally respected, and as a neighbor and a friend none arc more highly esteemed by those who enjoy his confidence.
ISAAC N. HOUCK.
Mr. Houck is the proprietor and editor of the Missouri Independ- ent, one of the most substantial aud best edited county papers in cen- tral Missouri. Like most successful newspaper men, he is what may not improperly be called a self-made man. He commenced in the newspaper business at the bottom of the ladder, first learning to set type when a mere boy. From there he has come steadily up, notwith- standing the set-backs experienced during the war and other misfor- tunes, until now he occupies a practically independent position in his business. Isaac Newton Houck was born in Palmyra, Missouri, October 2, 1834. His father, Devault Houck, was a native of Ohio, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Hawkins, was born in West Virginia. His parents came to Missouri in an early day and settled in Palmyra, where Isaac N., as stated above, was born. From Pal- myra they went to Van Buren, Arkansas, and there the subject of this sketch was principally reared and educated. When quite a youth he commenced to learn the printer's trade, which became his regular oc- cupation, and with this and his books in school and at home, his boy- hood days were closely and profitably occupied. In 1856, then in his twenty-second year, he came to Missouri and worked in his brother's office until his death, in June of 1857. He then foremanized the Statesman for Colonel Switzler, in Boone county, for nearly one year. He afterwards returned to Van Buren. However, he remained in Ar- kansas but one year after his return and then again came to Missouri, this time to Fayette. He followed his occupation here until 1860, when he purchased the Howard county Banner and became the pub- lisher and editor of that paper. In this he continued through the three most exciting and perilous years of the war, and until 1864, when his office was destroyed by Federal soldiery. After the close of the war, in 1865, he reorganized the Banner office and General John B. Clark became his partner, but one year later he sold out to General Clark and went to Rocheport, Missouri, where he became identified with the Times of that place. Subsequently he went to Cooper county and started the Boonville Democrat, and afterwards, in 1879, re- turned to Howard county and established the Missouri Independent, which he has since published. In 1857, Mr. Houck was united in mar-
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riage to Miss Susan McClanahan, daughter of Wm. Robinson and niece of the late Gerard Robinson, of Howard county Missonri. They have three children, Minnie A., Jennie S., wife of Joseph Forbis, and William R. Mr. Houck is a strong independent thinker and writer, and as an editor he strives faithfully to keep the people informed in all matters of publie concern, regardless of fear or favor from any quarter.
THOMAS HOWARD.
The Howard family, of Howard county, as its name indicates, is of English descent. Its ancestry leads back to Thomas Howard, earl of Surry, and third duke of Norfolk, an eminent statesman and soldier of the time of Henry VIII, who distinguished himself in the battle of Flodden. Benjamin Iloward, a descendant of his, who set- tled in Virginia, in about 1660, was the founder of the family in this country. He left two sons - Thomas and Henry. Henry went to Baltimore, Md., and from him descended John Eager Howard, a dis- tingnished soldier in the revolutionary war, and afterwards governor of Maryland, and United States senator from that state. Thomas Howard remained in Virginia, and of his family came Gen. Benjamin Howard, of Kentucky, a member of congress, governor of the terri- tory of Louisiana, and a brigadier-general in the United States army. Branches of the Virginia Howards also settled in South Carolina and Ohio. Tilghman A. Howard, a member of congress from the former state, and William Howard, a member from the latter, were represent- atives of these branches. Thomas Howard, the subject of this sketch, . a leading citizen of Howard county, comes of the Kentucky branch. His father, Matthew Howard, who served in the war of 1812, son of Benjamin Howard, and brother to the mother of Judge Tolson, of this county, was born in Madison county, Ky., February 16, 1794. In 1816, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Tolson, then a young lady of Kentucky, but born in Virginia, in 1796. They had five children, of whom Thomas Howard, of this county, was the eldest. In 1819, the parents with their children immigrated to Howard county, and here, thirty-two years afterwards, in October, 1851, the father died, the mother following her husband in death in 1862. Matthew Howard was a man of strong character and superior intelligence, and although averse to public life, he was a recognized leader of the men among whom he lived ; and when he died he left an honorable name behind him. Thomas Howard was born November 16, 1817, also in Madison county, Ky. He was, therefore, but one year old when his father came to this county. His father being a farmer, he was brought up to thnt occupation, which he has ever since followed. In 1844, he settled on the place where he now lives, which embraces a tract of sixteen hundred acres of the best quality of land. His farm is one of the well improved farms of the county. Mr. Howard was married January 11, 1844, to Miss Elizabeth Shields, who was born and brought up in this county, a daughter of Frank Shields, who came to Howard county in 1819. Nine children are now living of this union - Mary
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E., Benjamin, Matthew, Sallie, James, Joseph, Thomas, Nellie and Paul. He has been a member of the Baptist church for many years, and not only as a church member, but as a neighbor and citizen he stands as well as any man in the county. Mr. Howard, although well qualified for any public position where sober good sense and sound judgment are required, has no political ambition, being content to live a quiet, honorable and Christian life, surrounded by a family where his whole heart abides, enjoying the friendship of neighbors and the confidence of all who know him.
ROBUCK HUDSON.
Mr. Hudson's grandfather was a Virginian and was one of the pioneer settlers of Woodford county, Ky. He came to that county when Thomas Hudson, the father of Robuck, was a small boy, and there he reared his family. Thomas, on attaining to manhood, was married in his native county to Miss Jemima Cavender, and of this union eight children grew up, of whom Robuck was the second. He was born in Woodford county, Ky., October 2, 1817. In 1826, the subject of this sketch then being but nine years old, the family came to Missouri and settled in Boone county and there the father died in 1844. Mrs. Hudson died twelve years afterwards in 1856. Robuck lived in Boone county until 1850, when he came to Howard county. Since his immigration to this county he has lived on three different farms including the one where he now resides. His present place consists of one hundred and four acres of good land. On the 17th of March, 1842, he was married to Miss Mary W. Preston, a young lady of Kentucky, fourth daughter of John Preston, of Clark county, that state. They have had seven children, four of whom are now living - Mary C., Cassander, Joeller and Ida L.
JOHN L. HUGHES
was born in Howard county, Mo., March 11, 1822. His parents were both natives of Kentucky. His father, William Hughes, came to this county in 1820 ; and his mother, whose maiden name was Anna M. Morrison, was a sister to Judge Alfred Morrison of this county. John L. was reared here on his father's farm, but his father being a tanner by trade he also learned that business, and followed it in con- nection with his father until the latter's death, after which he contin- ued it with J. Roper until 1850. He then went to California and engaged in saw-milling in Shasta City of that state, until 1852. Re- turning to this county, he settled on a farm near New Franklin, where he lived ten years. In 1862, he located on a part of the old home farm and followed farming there until in 1875, when he settled on the place where he now lives. He has an excellent farm of 220 acres. On the 22d of May, 1856, he was married to Miss Marcella Lelaud, a native of Virginia, and a most worthy and excellent lady. They have four children now living - Lawrence, John L., Virginia J. aud Nena L. Mr. Hughes is a member of the Episcopal church.
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