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 60
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 60
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JOHN A. EMBREE
was born in Howard county, Missouri, in 1822, and was the son of Isham T. Embree, a Kentuckian by birth, born in 1788. He came to this county in 1800, and in 1820 was united in marriage to Miss Martha Givens, also of Kentucky, her father being Benjamin Givens. To them were born ten children - Benjamin, John A., William, Susan, Sarah, Nancy, Mary, Martha, Fannie, and Jake. Seven of this number are now living. John A., the second child in the family, was married in 1844 to Miss Nancy Robb, a daughter of Jonas Robb. By this union there were six children - Sarah, Martha, Mollie, Joella, Isham and William, and of these Mollie, Joella and Isham are at home, the others being deceased. Mr. Embree owns 140 acres of fine land, in section 19. During the war he was in the Confederate service, being a member of company G (Perkins' com- pany ), and he served for two years. He is now a greenbacker in his political preference, but was formerly a democrat. He is connected with the Baptist church, and is also a member of Elm Grange No. 1372, Patrons of Husbandry.
J. R. EVANS
was born in Howard county, Missouri, in 1833, his parents being John and Eliza ( Roper ) Evans, the former boru in Kentucky in 1800. They had seven children : Mary C., William G., J. R., Lucy, Law- rence, Alfred W. and John. Of this family four are deceased. J. R., the third of these children, lost his father by death when eleven years old. He then lived with his mother until twenty-five years old, when he was married, in 1858, to Sarah N. Crews, a daughter of James and Lucinda Crews. To them were born seven children : Theodore F., Ada C., James, Jessie L., Eliza, W. Roper and Roscoe. Politically, Mr. E. is a republican. He has owned 342 acres of land, but has given his son eighty-seven of this, and a portion of 200 acres in Prairie township. His homestead is well improved, and his residence is a most comfortable one.
ALEXANDER FORBES,
a native of the city of Baltimore, Maryland, born in July, 1830, was the son of Alexander Forbes, originally from Scotland, who came to this country when twenty years old, subsequently being married to a
39
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
Miss Mash, of Maryland. Alexander, the youngest child of a family of three children, left home at the age of twenty and went to Vir- ginia, from whence he again moved to Maryland, thence to Pennsyl- vania, and later to Ohio. He returned after a time to Pennsylvania, and upon living in that state and Ohio at different periods, left and came to Missouri, landing in Randolph county in April, 1870. In one year thereafter he came to this county, which has since been his home. Mr. Forbes married Miss Sophia Sutliff, of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, whose father, F. Sutliff, was a native of England. To them were born nine children : Alexander, died when four years old ; Sutliff, died at the age of eight ; Susannah, James A., John H., Oli- ver S., Sarah A., William V. and Job. Mr. F. is actively engaged in farming, but also runs a custom . mill and operates a factory for carding and spinning wool. He owns' 125 acres of land in Burton township and some in Prairie township. His landed estate embraces 175 acres.
SARAH GEORGE,
the daughter of James Hardin, Esq., was born in 1828, and is a native of Howard county. She was married in January, 1851, to William A. George, who was also born, reared and educated in this county. His father was William George. Mr. G. served in the Mexican war under Doniphan, and he was also a soldier during the late civil war, and died in prison at St. Louis in February, 1865. To them were born nine children and six are now living : James L., John C., Wil- liam H., Colden W., Susan A. and Ameseta 11. Three died in in- fancy. John C. married Miss Melissa Jackson, Susan A. is now Mrs. Hiram McCafferty, and Ameseta H. is the wife of William Robb. Mrs. George is the owner of 160 acres of improved land.
DEMARCUS GEORGE,
farmer and stock raiser, was born on the 6th of November, 1830, in Howard county, Missouri. His father, William George, a native of Kentucky, born in 1794, married Miss Lucy Lyles, of the same state. By this marriage there were born seven children. William George, leaving Kentucky in the spring of 1816. came by keel boat to Mis- souri, and lived in Howard county until his death. His second mar- riage occurred to a Mrs. Reed. Demarcus George was the seventh child of his father's family. He was married in 1853 to Miss Henrietta Cunningham, of Howard county, and a daughter of John Cunning- ham. She was born in 1837. They have had cight children : Elbert B., Noah W., James M., Thomas B., Calvin, Are E , Orvil B., and Wilbur B. Of these all are living except the eldest. Mr. George is the owner of a farm of 160 acres of land in sections 27 and 28. In his political preferences he is democratic.
J. C. GREEN,
son of Samuel Green, was born in Howard county, Missouri, in 1850. The former, a native of the same county, born in 1818, was
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
married to Miss Serena Williams, and from this marriage eight chil- dreu were born, six of whom survive. J. C., the fifth child in the family, lived with his father until twenty years of age, then going to Whalen, Hall & Co.'s mill, where he operated the engine for one year. He soon commenced farming, and in 1874 was united in mar- riage with Miss Lucy Magruder. They have three children living : Maggie A., Euphrata B. and Lena P. Mr. Green is the owner of 120 acres of finely improved land in section 21. He is a carpenter and joiner by trade, and works at this occupation in connection with his farming operations. Politically he is a democrat. He is a mem- ber of the Grange, being master of Elm Grange No. 1372. He is connected with the M. E. church south.
THOMAS B. HARRIS,
a prominent citizen of Burton township, was born on May 2, 1818, and is a native of Kentucky. His parents were William and Marga- ret D. Harris, to whom were born twelve children, and eleven grew to manhood and womanhood. Thomas B., the second in the family, came to Missouri with his father in 1820, locating in Howard county. When twenty-one years old he went to Lincoln county, and two years later removed to what is now the Platte purchase, in 1840, remaining there until 1844. Returning to Howard county he purchased eighty acres of land, where his residence now stands. Mr. Harris was married January 16, 1845, to Miss Margaret M. Thompson, of this county, and they had fourteen children, of whom four died in infancy. Ten are now living : Elizabeth, William T., Olivia M., Millard P., Jerome W., Virgil Bates, Artiniesia, Martha T., Lenora B. and Mar- garet Price. Mr. Harris now owns 520 acres of land, all in cultiva- tion. He has given much property to his children. Politically he is a democrat. In his religious preferences he is a Cumberland Presby- terian. Mr. Harris is a man who never drank a glass of liquor.
MILLARD P. HARRIS,
a native of Howard county, Missouri, was born in 1853. His father, Thomas B. Harris, one of the largest farmers in the county, is a Kentuckian by birth, but emigrated to this county in an early day. Millard P. lived with his father until twenty-one years of age, at which age, leaving home, he spent some time in travelling. In 1880, he was married to Miss Florence Pemberton, a daughter of Tilford Pemberton, of Howard county. By this marriage they have had one child. Mr. Harris is the owner of 160 acres of land.
MATHEW HOWARD
was born in Howard county, Missouri, in 1857, and was the son of Thomas Howard, one of the largest farmers and most prominent stock raisers in the county. Mathew was brought up and received
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
his education in the county of his birth, and has made farming his principal occupation during life. His farm contains 210 acres of land on section 27.
FRANCIS M. KERBY,
the son of John Kerby, was born in Howard county, Missouri, in 1833. John Kerby, who was a native of Garrett county, Kentucky, born in 1807, was married in 1826, to Miss Mary A. Wharton, and by this union there were fifteen children, of whom Francis M. was the fifth in number. The senior Kerby died in 1870, his widow departing this life in 1882. When twenty-two years of age, the subject of this sketch went to Clinton county and from there to Carroll county. After returning from Carroll he entered the Confederate service, and served over three years. About a year succeeding the war, he spent his time in Arkansas, then retracing his steps to his former home. Here he was married in 1867, to Miss Sallie A. Cross, a daughter of John Cross, of this county. By this union there have been three children. Francis M. and Sallie A., now living, and the eldest son John H., deceased. Mr. Kerby is the owner of a fine farm of 260 acres, well improved, of which 130 acres are bottom lands. In poli- tics he is a democrat.
J. P. KETCHUM,
a leading agriculturist of Burton township, was born in 1824, in Hart county, Kentucky, and was the son of Joseph Ketchum, also a Kentuckian by birth, born in Louisville. His wife was formerly Miss Jane Sherl, of the same state as himself, and to them were born seven children, five boys and two girls. J. P., the third child in the family, remained at home until about twenty-two years of age, then coming to Howard county, Missouri. In 1844, he married Miss Julia A. Rains, a daughter of William Rains. They have had twelve chil- dren : Caroline, James, Julia A., Mary and Martha ( twins ), Johnnie R., Thomas, Medora, Millard, Lee, Susan and Robert. Six of these children are now living. Mr. Ketchum owns 390 acres of land, well watered and improved, making one of the finest farms in this locality. Politically he is a democrat, and during the war was a second lieuten- ant in a company of state militia.
CHARLES W. LAY,
the son of Franklin and Charlotte B. Lay, was born in Howard coun- ty, Missouri, in 1858, being the third of a family of seven children : Laura E., Dora A., Nellie, Katie, Joe, Ada and William F. Franklin Lay came to Missouri with his father, Daniel, and was among the earliest pioneers of the vicinity. In 1850 his marriage occurred, his wife being the daughter of Joseph and Rachel Carter, Virginians by birth. She was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, in 1828, and was fourth in a family of seven children. After living in her native state for quite a period of time, she accompanied her parents to Randolph
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
county, Missouri, they settling near Moberly. Franklin Lay is now deceased. Mrs. Lay owns 240 acres of improved land. Charles W. Lay was educated at Huntsville, Randolph county.
JUDGE JAMES McCAFFERTY,
farmer and miller. Deprived in boyhood, by the death of his father, of every advantage and opportunity to fit himself for a useful and suc- cessful life, except such as he could command by his own resolution and personal worth, Judge McCafferty has achieved a measure of suc- cess in the world which many in the most favorable circumstances have failed to equal. With perfect modesty it may be said that his life-record is one he may contemplate with satisfaction, and not with- out a pardonable degree of pride - one that his children and those who come after him may review with pleasure and to their own profit. An orphan boy without means or friends, and without education or family influence, who makes his way in the world and becomes an in- fluential, prosperous citizen, rears a worthy family, and attains to a position of prominence in the social and public life of his community, is one to whom none need be ashamed to trace their origin. James McCafferty, a son of Thomas and Rachel McCafferty, was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1816. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Hagerstown, in 1788, and was twice married. Mrs. Mc- Cafferty, of the first marriage, whose maiden name was Black, lived but a short time. Thomas McCafferty was then married to Miss Rachel Johnson. Of this union eight children were born, of whom James, the subject of the present sketch, was the fifth. The family having removed to Columbus, Ohio, in the meantime, eight years after the birth of James the father was taken away by death. The family was kept together, however, by the mother, a woman of great fortitude and energy, and entirely devoted to her children. James remained at home until his twenty-fifth year, but in 1841 came to seek his fortune further in the West, and stopped first in Linn county, this state, but the same year came on to Howard county, where he made his permanent home. Before leaving Ohio he had succeeded in acquiring a good practical education in the excellent public schools of that state. His youth was more than an ordinarily active one. But little time was given to rest, pleasure or amusement. When not at work he was attending school or occupied with his books at home. Thus the habits of industry and mental improvement were formed, which have proved the secret of his success in after life. Arrived in this county he soon resolved to devote himself to agricultural pursuits, and went to work farming with an energy and resolution that could hardly have failed to bring success. In 1844 he was married to Miss Matilda J., daughter of John Proctor, one of the pioneer settlers of Kentucky, and a participant in the unfortunate affair of Estill's de- feat. This union has proved a long and happy one and has been blessed with ten children, six of whom are living : Mary J., Sophronia, Hiram, Josephine, Lulu and Thomas. Two daughters are the wives
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
respectively of Dr. Scott and Mr. Jno. O. Winn. Those deceased are Elmira, John, Ada and James. As a farmer, Judge McCafferty is re- garded as one of the most energetic, business-like and successful in the county. His landed estate aggregates over 400 acres, lying in and around Burton, his place of residence. His homestead is excep- tionally well improved, his dwelling being one of the finest in the township, with which his other buildings and improvements corre- spond. In the milling business he has the second finest flouring mill in Howard county, a county noted for its large number of first-class mills. In point of machinery his is the very finest in the county. It contains the latest and most approved patterns of machinery in every department -a model, modern flouring mill in every respect. To describe it in detail would take more space than the nature of this work permits, for it has a score of different departments all supplied with the best " plant " that can be had in the country. It also does other classes of milling besides that of making flour. Judge Mc- Cafferty has always taken a lively interest in public affairs, including politics. In every movement looking to the material development and prosperity of the county, he is one of the first to lend it aid and encouragement. In politics, he has always been a democrat. Though firm in his own convictions, he is tolerant and considerate of the opinions of others, and is never offensive to those around him, what- ever their views may be. Several times he has been called upon to serve the people of his county in official positions. In 1858 he was elected to the responsible office of county judge, a position he held until after the outbreak of the war, when he refused to take the test oath required of all public officials, and retired from the office. After the close of the war he was again elected, and served as county judge for six years in succession. In every position in which he has been placed he has acquitted himself with the hearty indorsement of the public. As a neighbor, citizen and publie officer, he has always en- joyed the esteem and confidence of those among whom he lives.
RICHARD MAGRUDER,
farmer and stock raiser, section 29, was born in Howard county, Mis- souri, on the 25th of Jannary, 1852. Traverse Magruder, his father, was also a native of this county, and married in 1824 or 1825, Miss Nellie E. Graves, a daughter of David Graves. To them were born seven children- Nellia A., now the wife of William Nicholas; El- mira, now Mrs. D. W. Sunderland ; Richard, Thomas, married Miss Luella Pemberton ; Susan M., wife of J. B Robb ; Traverse and O. P. Richard, the eldest son and third child in the family, con- tinued to reside at home until twenty-one years old. In 1873, he was married to Miss Nancy E. Ware, a daughter of Franklin Ware, of this county. They have one child, William C., born in August, 1881. Mr. Magruder is the owner of 160 acres of finely improved land, well watered. He is democratic in his political preferences. He belongs to Elm Grange, No. 1372.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
JOSEPH W. MASON,
a native of Owen county, Kentucky, was born in 1837, and was the son of Samuel Mason, born in 1801, who married, in 1830, Miss Felicia Neal, who was born in 1808. Samuel Mason died when Joseph was about nine years old. He, the fourth in a family of nine children, lived with his mother until twenty-three years of age. Entering the army, he served in all about two years and eight months, returning from the war in May, 1865. In December following he was married to Miss Susan Smith, and they were blessed with five children - Felicia F., Charles, Eva Ennis, William L., and Samuel T. Mr. Mason came to this county in 1845, and now owns 206 acres of land. He raises stock to some extent, and is quite successful as an agriculturist. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church. He is connected with the Patrons of Husbandry, belonging to Burton Grange.
WILLIAM H. MORRIS.
On the 19th of May, 1821, there was born in Howard county, Mis- souri, to Nathaniel and Nancy ( Williams ) Morris, a son, the subject of this sketch. His father, originally from New Jersey, moved to Ken- tucky, and thence in 1818, to Missouri, being one of the earliest settlers of this county. His marriage occurred in Kentucky, his wife having been a daughter of Alfred Williams, who came to Howard county in 1817. Of the original family of twelve children, who grew to man- hood and womanhood, six now survive. William H. lived with his father until he was twenty years old, when Nathaniel Morris died. March 24, 1842, the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Eliza- beth Magruder, daughter of Thomas Magruder, now one of the oldest living pioneers of Burton township. By this union there were eleven children, four of whom are deceased. All are married except one child. Mr. Morris is a greenbacker in his political preferences, though not radical. Until recently he owned and cultivated a farm of 320 acres, but having lately sold it, is not now engaged in any active business, but is enjoying the result of years of his hard labor and toil.
HUGH B. O'BRIAN,
farmer, and the owner of 213 acres of laud, came originally from Rockingham county, Virginia, where he was born in 1827. His father, James O'Brian, was born in Dumfries, Virginia, but was raised in Richmond. He was in the war of 1812. He was also in the burning of the Richmond theatre. His wife was formerly Miss Mary Ireland, and to them were born five children, of whom Hugh B. was the second child. In December, 1860, he was married to Miss Mary E. Killby, of Culpeper county, Virginia. They have six children - Joseph Leroy, William Thomas, Walter E., Ernest Bolivar, Edward Hugh, and Mary Letitia. Mr. O'Brian in his political preferences is democratic. In 1872, he came from Rockingham county, Virginia, to Howard county, Missouri, which has since been his home.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
D. H. PAYTON,
a native of Madison county, Kentucky, was born in 1820, and was the son of Yelverton Payton, also a Kentuckian by birth, born about the year 1790. He married Mildred White, a daughter of Joel White, of Madison county, and they had eight children, six of whom survive. The senior Payton, leaving the state of his birth in 1843, came to Missouri and settled in Randolph county, where he subse- quently died. D. H. Payton, when nearly twenty-two years old, or in 1842, was married to Martha F. Best, of Garrett county, Ken- tucky, and a daughter of Eben Best, a noted stockman of that state, who was once owner of the celebrated stock farin bearing his name. Mr. and Mrs. Payton have had eight children, of whom five are living. Mr. Payton came from Randolph county to Howard county in 1871, and has since made this his home. He owns 220 acres of excellent land in section 28. Politically he is a greenbacker, but was formerly a democrat.
JEFFERSON C. ROBERTSON,
originally from Randolph county, Missouri, was born March 5, 1849. His father, Hiram Robertson (who died in December, 1880), was a Virginian by birth, and took for his wife Miss Sidney Wayland, a daughter of Henry and Ara Wayland. By this marriage there were nine children, of whom five are living. Jefferson C., the third in the family, was married in February 1876, to Miss May E. Rucker, a daughter of Joseph and Eliza Rucker. They have had four children, of whom Sidney I., Francis E. and Charles J. are living, and an infant is deceased. Mr. Randolph is the possessor of 279 acres of fine land, improved and watered, and within two and a half miles of Yatesville. Politically he is independent.
MRS. SALLIE E. ROBB
was born in Randolph county, Missouri, in 1838. Her father, James Leslie Robb, a Virginian by birth, born in 1778, married Miss Susan Huckell, originally from Kentucky, born in 1810. Their family con- sisted of nine children, five girls and four boys. Miss Sallie remained at home until 1855, when she was married to Samuel Robb, a son of Jonas Robb. To them were given eight children, of whom seven sur- vive : James B., born in 1856; Susan, born in 1858 ; Sarah N., born in 1859, (now deceased) ; John P., born in 1861; Jonas, born in 1863 ; Mary M., born in 1866 ; Lucy A. R., born in 1869 ; and George W., born in 1873. James B. married Miss Susan A. Magruder ; Susan is the wife of S. W. Creson, and John P. married Miss Mattie Morris. Mr. Robb's death occurred in 1876, he leaving a large circle of friends and relatives to mourn his loss. Mrs. R. owns 202 acres of land in this township, upon section 5.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
DR. J. B. SCOTT,
drnggist and physician, at Burton, owes his nativity to Henry county, Kentucky, where he was born July 29, 1848. His father, W. H. Scott, a native of Scotland, was born in Glasgow and emigrated to this country while young, locating in New York. He remained in that state for some time, learning the shoemaker's trade, after which, going to Kentucky, he married Miss Nancy McEndree, of Henry county, that state, and a daughter of Reuben McEndree, one of the earlier pioneers of Kentucky. To them were born five children, of whom J. B. was second. In 1866 W. H. Scott came to Missouri, settling in Monroe county, where he resided about eleven years, then locating in Howard county. The subject of this sketch lived with his father until twenty-one years old, then engaging in teaching and the study of medicine. He graduated in pharmacy and medicine from the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis, Missouri, in the fall of 1873. Dr. Scott then located at Burton, and the following winter, on the 23d day of December, 1874, was married to Miss S. A. Mc- Cafferty, second daughter of Judge James McCafferty. In 1877, in connection with his brother, he opened a drug store, which is now owned by Major Wilson and himself, and has conducted it to the present. This is the only drug establishment in the place, and they are enjoying a good patronage. The doctor has a lucrative practice, in which he has been very successful.
DAVIE R. SHORT
was born in Howard county, Missouri, in 1845. His father, a native of Boone county, Missouri, was born in 1817, and married Miss Mary Ann Young, of Howard county. D. R. Short, the eldest of a family of three children, remained with his father until the death of the latter, after which he made his home with his mother until twenty- one years old. In 1874 Mr. S. was married to Miss Mary E. Swear- ingin of Boone county, and a daughter of C. M. Swearingin. To them were born three children, Ethel, Josia and Sallie Marie. In 1881, upon leaving Boone county, Mr. Short came to Howard county, which has since been his home. Here he devotes his attention to the raising of stock. Politically he is a democrat.
JAMES SIMPSON,
a resident of Burton township, owes his nativity to Scotland, where he was born in 1841. Robert Simpson, his father, also originally from Scotland, was married to Miss Elizabeth Clark, and by this union there was only one child, the subject of this biography. He immi- grated to America in 1870, but in 1866 he was married to Miss Mary Innis, a daughter of John Innis, and also of Scotch ancestry. To them were born six children : Robert, ( who died in 1881 ), John, James, George, Alexander and Mary. Mr. Simpson has a farm of
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
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