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 42

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 42
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 42

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JOHN CRIGLER,

farmer. Mr. Crigler is another of the many old and substantial citi- zens of Howard county who came from Madison county, Kentucky, where he was born July 26, 1812. His parents were originally from Madison county, Virginia. His father, whose name also was John, was a native of Madison county, Virginia, where he was reared and there married to Miss Sallie Hume. They reared a family of seven children, John, the subject of this sketch, being one of their sons. Jobn, Jr., was reared and educated in his native state. Farming be- came his permanent occupation which he has followed through life. In 1840, on the 20th of October, he was married to Miss Gabriella Farris, of Kentucky, born August 1, 1823. She died in October, 1866, and of this union six children survive - George C., Michael F., Joseph, William, Bethenia J. and Alice B. However, before his wife's death in 1854, Mr. Crigler immigrated to this state with his family, settling in Howard county, where he has since lived. He owns a farm of 240 acres. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M.

JOHN P. CUNNINGHAM.

Among the leading, energetic and progressive business men of Glasgow, is J. P. Cunningham, the present cashier of the Howard county bank. He was born in this connty May 31, 1844, and was reared and educated in the county. His father, John Cunningham, was a farmer by occupation and came to Howard county as early as 1817. He was a native of Virginia, but in an early day emigrated to Kentucky, and afterwards came on to Missouri and settled in this county. Here he was married to Miss Delina Padgett, a young lady of Kentucky birth, and they reared a family of eight children of whom John P., was the youngest. The names of the children were as follows : William F., Thomas H., Hannah E., Enoch B., George W., Henrietta F., Sidney B., and John P. Mr. Cunningham con-

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

tinued farming here until 1850, when, the California gold excitement having broken out the year before, he, like thousands of other enter- prising, resolute spirits, braved the dangers and hardships of an over- land journey to the Midiasian fields of the far-off Pacific coast. Arrived at his destination, he survived his journey but a short time, being cut off by death the following spring, in the very meridian of life and the flower and vigor of manhood. Mrs. Cunningham, who had thus been left a widow with a large family, continued to reside at her old home where she and her husband had parted in 1850, for the last time in this life, and finally in 1873, she too crossed the silent river to the unknown and echoless shore. Mrs. Cunningham's children were brought up to habits of industry, and she instilled into their minds the principles of integrity and morality that shown con- spicuously in their father's life, and all of them were given good practical educations in the ordinary schools of the times. In 1864, John P., the subject of this sketch, having then reached the age of early manhood, and being possessed in a large degree of his father's spirit of enterprise, himself made a trip to California, and in the land where his father sleeps : the

Sleep, that no pain shall wake, Night, that no noon shall break, Till joy shall overtake His perfect oalm.

The memory of his father doubtless had much to do with his visiting that country, the poetic, tender memory that a son cherishes of a noble father. He remained in California and Nevada, engaged in various lines of business until 1866, when he returned to his old home in Howard county, and here he has since lived. For a number of years after his return he was engaged in school teaching, for which he was well qualified, and subsequently in 1871, he embarked in the drug and grocery business, which he continued for four years. In 1875, he came to Glasgow, where he was appointed postmaster, serving until 1882, when he was elected cashier of the Howard county bank, the position he now holds. Mr. Cunningham is a thorough business man, accommodating and polished in his manner, and is popular with all who know him. He is a member of the Livingston lodge, No. 51, A. F. and A. M.

GEORGE F. AND WILLIAM P. DAUTEL,

composing the firm of W. P. Dautel & Bro., stoves, tinware, queens- ware, etc. These gentleman are sons of Christian and his wife Mary Everback Dautel, who came to Glasgow in 1857. Their father was a Pennsylvanian by birth, but their mother was a native of Ohio. Christian Dautel was a tinner by trade, and lived in Philadelphia some time after his marriage, where George F. was born February 3, 1852 ; William P. was born about three years afterwards, in Louis- ville, Kentucky, June 13, 1855. On coming to Glasgow Mr. Dautel,

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

the father, engaged in the tinner's business, and by industry and good management gradually built up the flourishing establishment to which his sons have since succeeded, and which they are so successfully conducting. In 1876, the father retired from the business, and William P. succeeded him. In March, 1883, George F. became his partner, thus forming the present firm of W. P. Dautel & Bro. Both sons were brought up to the tinner's trade in Glasgow, under their father, and having also received good educations in youth from the schools of this city they are, therefore, both well qualified for the business to which they have succeeded. They are energetic, enter- prizing business men, and are respected no less for their unquestioned integrity than for their business ability. From 1872 to 1877, George F. worked at his trade in St. Louis, and from that time until he became a member of the present firm, worked in Salisbury, Missouri. February 22, 1883, he was married to Miss Edmonia Hurt, a young lady of Macon county, Missouri. William P. married June 8, 1879, Miss Bertha Wagner becoming his wife. She died, however, in 1881, leaving him one child - Florence. George F. is a member of the I. O. O. F.

C. E. DENNY,

farmer. Mr. Denny, who has one of the finest and best improved farms in Howard county, his residence ranking among the very finest in the county, is a Howard county farmer by birth, education and occupation, and one that the county has no reason to be ashamed of. He has a splendid farm of 480 acres, well improved and kept in a neat business-like condition. His place is exception- ally well adapted to stock raising, to which he gives considerable attention, being abundantly supplied with water and thoroughly set with grass, where not in cultivation. He was born in this county, January 24, 1842, and was a son of James M. Denny, one of the pioneer settlers of Howard county. James M. Denny was a native of Kentucky, and was there married to Miss Elizabeth Best, whose parents came originally from Tennessee. Of this union twelve chil- dren have been reared to majority, C. E., the subject of this sketch, being the eleventh. In youth, C. E. attended the common schools of his neighborhood, entered Mt. Pleasant college at the age of twenty- one years, and received a good, practical education. On the 15th of October, 1865, he was married to Miss Mary B. Enyart, who was born in this county, January 30, 1850, and a daughter of Humphrey Enyart, one of the pioneer settlers of Howard county, he coming with his father, Silas Enyart, from Madison county, Kentucky in 1816. His parents came originally from North Carolina.

THOMAS G. DIGGES,

druggist. Mr. Digges, son of the late Judge Digges, is the oldest drug- gist in point of continuous business in Glasgow. Judge Digges was

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

himself in the drug business for many years and to this T. G. was brought up, which he has followed almost without interruption since. His present business was established in 1867, over sixteen years ago. He carries a large and well selected stock of goods and enjoys a lucrative and increasing trade. Mr. Digges was born in Callaway county, Missouri, March 16, 1844. His father, and mother, Jane C., were both natives of Virginia, but came to Missouri in 1837. They first settled in Callaway county, but three years afterward came to Glasgow, where both lived until their death. Judge Digges followed the drug business for a long time and was one of the leading citizens of the place. He was several times mayor of the city and was for a number of years a member of the county court. He died February 27, 1883. Mrs. Digges died in 1848. In 1876, Mr. Digges, the sub- ject of this sketch, was married to Miss Bettie Shouse, a young lady of Kentucky birth, and a most excellent and worthy lady. They have three children, Ethel, Howard G., and Haydon. Mr. Digges is a thorough druggist, an enterprising business man and a useful and highly respected citizen.

DR. WILLIAM T. DRACE.

farmer and stock raiser. Dr. Drace is a physician and surgeon of thorough education and ample experience, but on account of an unfor- tunate affliction - partial deafness - he has been compelled to give up the practice of his profession, and since 1869 has devoted his attention exclusively to farming, in which he is now engaged, including also stock raising. He came to this county from Franklin county, Missouri, in 1882, and now has a neat farm of 208 acres. His father, Silas Drace, was a native of Virginia, and came to Missouri at an early day, and was here married to Sarah Osborn, also originally of that state. Nine children of this union are now living, including the Doctor, who was born March 16, 1839. The family was reared in Franklin county, this state, and there William T. (the Doctor) was educated. He studied medicine under Dr. Nally, of Washington, in this county, and in 1864 was graduated from the St. Louis Medical college. He then served as surgeon of the 43d Missouri infantry and afterwards engaged in the general practice until 1869, when he was compelled to retire, as above stated. He followed farming in Franklin county successfully until he came to this county. He was married January 28, 1868, to Miss Frankie Chiles, of his native county. They have five children : Della, William S., Pearl, Frankie and Alvin. The Doctor and his wife are both members of the M. E. church south.

WILLIAM FRANKLIN DUNNICA.

That intelligent industry and frugality, united with upright con- duct, cannot fail to bring abundant success in life, is forcibly illustrated

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

by the career of W. F. Dunnica, one of the founders of the city of Glasgow, and now a retired banker and an eminently respected citi- zen of the place. He commenced his business career at the age of seventeen, in 1824, as a clerk in a general store, and, practically, without a dollar. In 1881, at the age of seventy-four, he retired from all the active duties and cares of life - and could have retired as well many years before - with an abundant competence for him- self and those who are to succeed to his estate, and with a name widely known in business and social life, and universally respected wherever known. The sketch of such a career will repay careful pe- rusal. William F. Dunnica was born in Woodford county, Ky., Sep- tember 3, 1807. He is of Irish and German ancestry. His mother, before her marriage, was a Miss Harper, a member of the well-known family of the name in Kentucky. His grandfather, on his father's side, came over from Ireland at an early day, and settled in Ken- tucky. His father, William H., was a soldier under General Harri- son, in the northwestern expedition, and was wounded in the battle of Tippecanoe. Subsequently, he returned to Kentucky and organ- ized a volunteer company, of which he was made captain. After the conclusion of the troubles in the northwest (the fall of 1817), he laid in a stock of goods, in Kentucky, suited to the pioneer trade of the west, and, loading them into a keel-boat, brought them down the Ohio, and up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers to Cote Sans Des- sien, an early French village in what is now Callaway county, where he arrived in the spring of 1818, after a journey of the greatest diffi- culty and hardships. Arrived at his destination, he opened his goods within the pickets put up to protect the inhabitants against the In- dians, and there commenced merchandising. Young Wm. F. accom- panied his father on this trip. In such a school of enterprise and hardships was he brought up. The father continned to merchandise at Cote Sans Dessien until his death, which occurred in 1822. How- ever, prior to that, he had brought his family out from Kentucky, and, in the meantime, had also been engaged to some extent in surveying and dealing in land. During his father's lifetime, in Cote Sans Dessien, William F. attended the local schools of the village, and after his father's death, returned to Kentucky, in order to have the advantages afforded by more advanced schools. By close application and hard study, in his native state, he soon acquired an excellent education, and, in 1824, came back to the home of his adoption, in Missouri, and at once began his active career in life, by entering as clerk for Anson G. Bennett. In this position he continued until 1826, when the question of the location of the state capital became an exciting issue in public affairs. He then went to Jefferson City, and, in con- junction with Calvin Gunn, established the Jeffersonian, the first paper ever published in that place, in which the claims of the present capital - for the location - were ably argued, and, as the result proved, with great success. Eighteen months after he went Jefferson, he was offered a clerkship in the state anditor's office, which he accepted and retained nntil 1831. While engaged in this office, he transacted con-

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

siderable business as land agent, and, in this business, became ac- quainted with many prominent men throughout the state. Among the many with whom he had business relations was Mr. George Col- lier, a leading citizen of St. Louis, who became interested in young Dunnica, on account of his well-known business qualifications and his strict integrity and sobriety. Through Mr. Collier's influence, he was appointed to a clerkship in the branch bank, at St. Louis, of the United States bank. He held this position with great credit to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of the officers of the bank, un- til the United States bank act lapsed, by the veto of President Jack- son, in 1833. On the dissolution of the bank, a copartnership was formed between Messrs. Dunnica and Collier, in the mercantile busi- ness, the house being located at Old Chariton, at the month of the Chariton river, which was then a promising business point, the busi- ness being conducted by Mr. Dunnica, who, for nearly twenty years afterwards, engaged in various mercantile pursuits at Chariton and Glasgow. However, in 1836, he, with thirteen others, bought the land and laid off and established the town of Glasgow, where he now lives. During this time, he also became largely interested in the to- bacco business, with Mr. W. D. Swinney. In 1858, a branch of the Exchange bank, of St. Louis, was organized at Glasgow, by the prominent citizens of the latter place, and Mr. Dunnica was, of course, chosen one of its officers, and, afterwards, its cashier. In this posi- tion he remained until the unsettled condition of the country, during the war, necessitated the removal of the bank to St. Louis, which was done in 1864. But, during the same year, he and Mr. Thomson organized a private bank, under the firm name of Thomson & Dun- nica, having also connections with other banks, which continued until it was merged into the Howard county bank, of Glasgow, in 1877, and in this Mr. D. became cashier, a position which he held until he retired from business, in 1881. However, he is now a member of the banking house of Cordell & Dunnica, but takes no active part in its business. Aside from his private interests, Mr. D. has been an en- terprising and public-spirited citizen, and has contributed very mate- rially to the general prosperity of Glasgow and surrounding country. He has never sought or desired office, although he has several times been induced to accept minor official positions that did not interfere with his business. His desire has been, so far as public affairs are concerned, to make himself a useful factor in the material develop- ment of the county with which he is identified. He has been twice married : First, in 1836, to Miss Martha J., daughter of Judge Shackelford, of Saline county. She died, in 1858, leaving him three children - two sons and a daughter. He was again married, in 1860, Miss Leona H., daughter of John Hardeman, becoming his second wife. Three children also have been born of this union - all daugh- ters. Mr. and Mrs. Dunnica are both members of the M. E. church south.

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

WILLIAM L. EARICKSON,

farmer. Except about five years, that Mr. Earickson was engaged in mercantile pursuits, farming has thus far constituted his regular oc- cupation in life. He now owns and lives on a farm of 200 acres adjoining the old family homestead, where he was principally reared. But in the meantime, like most men of an enterprising disposition, he has looked for a better country and changed his residence to another, only to return more satisfied to live in the neighborhood where he was brought up than ever. He was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, May 10, 1816, and was the second of a family of fourteen children. His father, Peregreen Earickson, was a native of Maryland, but grew up in Kentucky, where his parents had immi- grated, and there married Miss Laranie Stucky, of that state. In the spring of 1819 the family moved to Chariton county, Missouri, and six years afterwards settled in Howard county, where the chil- dren were reared. The father died in September, 1865, but Mrs. Earickson preceded him in death about ten years. Six of the chil- dren, including William L., are now living. He obtained a very good ordinary education in his youth, and when a young man began clerking in a dry goods and grocery store in 1838, which he continued in differ- ent stores for about four years, and then began business on his own ac- count. About this time, November 10, 1842, he was married, and a year afterwards concluded to go on a farm. His wife was formerly Miss Martha Dicken, born in Kentucky January 27, 1826, daughter of Richard Dicken. On quitting merchandising, in 1843, Mr. Earick- son moved to Carroll county, Missouri, and followed farming there for twenty-two years, and with excellent success. But even after so long an absence, the memory of the old neighborhood of his boyhood days, and -

" The land where his father died "

was not effaced from his mind, and accordingly he determined to re- turn and settle as near the old homestead as he could. He became the owner of the adjoining farm, and now he is spending the later years of his life amidst the same scenes that cheered and brightened the old age of his parents. He has an excellent place, well improved and in a good state of cultivation, and is in every way comfortably situated in life. Like his parents before him, he and his good wife have been blessed with fourteen children, nine of whom are now living and six are still at home -William W., Charles S., Emma B., John H., Oliver, Lou., James A., Kirk and Nattie.

JACOB ESSIG,

proprietor of the Glasgow city mills. Mr. Essig was born in Ger- many and was reared iu that country and in Switzerland, but has been a citizen of Glasgow for about seventeen years. He learned the mill- ing business before coming to America, and learned it with that thor- oughness required in every trade by European laws and customs.

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

After coming to this country he followed his trade for a number of years, and afterwards for several years was engaged in the saloon business, but in 1879 bought his present mill property, which he has had greatly improved, supplying it with the latest roller process ma- chinery, and otherwise reconstructing and refurnishing it. He now justly claims to have one of the best mills in the country, and is doing a large and increasing business. He was born May 27, 1835, and from Germany, his native country, went to Switzerland, coming thence to New York in 1866, and on to Glasgow, Missouri. He was married July 9, 1873, to Miss Mary Geiger, a native of Germany, and they have four children-Laura, Edwin, Tillie and Mary.

GEORGE R. ESTILL,

farmer and carpenter. Mr. Estill comes of the well known family of that name, of Madison county, Kentucky, and, also of this county. His father, Daniel Estill, was born in the first named county, October 1st, 1790, and his mother, formerly Miss Sallie Broaddus, was born in the same county in 1800. They were married in 1814, where they continued to reside until 1834, when they immigrated to this state with their family and settled in Chariton township, Howard county. Of their marriage four sons are living - George R., Ibgan, Sidney and Dudley, the last mentioned now a resident of Texas. The father died in this county in 1876, at the advanced age of eighty-six years, his wife preceding him to the grave in 1866. Robert R. Estill, the subject of this sketch, was born in Madison county, Kentucky, April 2d, 1822, and was reared in his native county. When a young man he learned the carpenter trade, which he has since followed in con- nection with farming. March 20th, 1855, he was married to Miss Susan M., daughter of Elder John Reed, for many years an able and zealous minister of the Christian denomination, in Morrison county, Missouri. For over forty years Mr. and Mrs. Estill have been earnest and faithful members of that church.

ALEXANDER GRISHAM,

farmer. Fountane Grisham, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Kentucky, and on reaching manhood married in that state, Miss Elizabeth Campbell becoming his wife. After his mar- riage, he emigrated with his family to Shelby county, Indiana, where he lived a number of years and where Alexander was born, April 13th, 1829, being one of a family of seven children, only two of whom are now living. In 1836 the family came to Randolph county, this state, thence a year later to Macon county, and in 1840 they set- tled in Howard county, where the son Alexander was principally reared. In the meantime, however, his mother died and his father was married again. By this second marriage two children are now living. Fountane Grisham died in 1834. Alexander attended the ordinary schools of the times and acquired a sufficient education for

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IIISTORY OF HIOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

all practical purposes. In 1850, then twenty-one years of age, he was drawn into the tide of emigration that swept across the continent to the gold-fields of California. He made the trip overland, as was the rule then, and endured the hardships and privations incident to such a journey. He remained on the Pacific coast three years en- gaged in mining, and although his experience was not such as to dis- courage him he concluded it to be as easy to plow for gold as it is to dig for it, and accordingly, in 1853, he returned to his old home in Howard county, since which he has followed farming, and with satis- factory success. He owns a neat place of one hundred and twenty acres of rich land, and has it done with a good class of improvements, all made by his own honest toil. He was married the 2d of March, 1854, to Miss Syuthian Dennis, and nine children have blessed their union : William, Seaton, Lulu, James, Martha, Zilpha, Fannie, Mary and Logan. Both parents are members of the Christian church.

O. M HARRISON,

of the milling firm of Harrison, Marr & Co. Mr. Harrison comes of a family of millers, both his father and his grandfather having followed that occupation through life. John Harrison, his grandfather, was a native of Pennsylvania, but came to Kentucky when a young man, and there in 1819, married Miss Elizabeth McClanahan, afterwards coming with his family to Missouri. Here he located in Howard county, and engaged in the milling business. His death occurred in 1825. John, Jr., his son, and the father of O. M., then took charge of the mill, and afterwards built up other mills until he became one of the leading millers of central Missouri. In 1830 he was married to Miss Pemala Marr, a young lady of Virginia birth. They had ten children, five now living : Sarah E. and Fannie, John W., Oriel M. and George B. John Harrison, Jr., died in 1875, leaving a large es- tate, being the owner at that time of the extensive flouring mills, of Glasgow, and other important property interests elsewhere. O. M., the subject of this sketch, was born in Howard county, Missouri, May 11th, 1841. He was brought up and lived mainly on the farm, until after his father's death, when he began his present milling busi- ness. He was married on the 29th of December, 1862, to Miss Eliza P. Way, of St. Louis, and they have been blessed with four children : Ada, Pemala, Clark and Lelia. Mr. Harrison is a thorough-going business man, is honest and enterprising, and reasonably hopes to be as successful as was his father before him.

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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