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 87

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 87
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 87

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

nearly two years, or until in October, 1848. After the expiration of this service he returned to St. Louis and resumed his position in the same house he had previously worked for, and in Angust, 1849, was given charge of one of their stores, which he conducted until 1850, when he came to Boonville. Here he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness with his brother, Veit Eppstein, the firm being known as Eppstein & Brother. This firm continued until 1860, and he then became, by purchase of his brother's interest, sole proprietor. But when the war broke ont in 1861 he was among the first to rally to the defence of the union. He at once organized a company of one hundred and thirty- five men, every one of whom, with a single exception, was a German. This company was known as the " Boonville corps." He then organ- ized a battalion and a company of cavalry, but these were only for local service. Subsequently he organized the 6th battallion Missouri state militia, and after that a number of companies, both cavalry and infantry. From March 24, 1862, until in January, 1863, he was lieutenant-colonel of the 13th cavalry, Missouri state militia, and then, by consolidation of troops, he became the commander of the 5th Missouri state militia, and served until the close of the war. During the war he organized over a half dozen different companies. After the war he resumed merchandising in Boonville, and followed that, either alone or with his brother, most of the time until 1878, when he was appointed postmaster, the position he has ever since held. However, in 1867 and in 1868, he represented the Boonville district of Cooper county in the Missouri legislature, and served about seven years as treasurer of Boonville. On the 14th of June, 1846, he was married to Miss Terressa Bertrand, of St. Louis, but of French parentage. They have seven children living : Joseph M., William H., Emil M., Louis B., Alexander, Charles A. and Terressa G.

VEIT EPPSTEIN,

public administrator, and dealer in dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, hats and caps, notions, etc. It is thirty-three years since Mr. Eppstein established his present business in Boonville, and during all these years there has never been a time that he did not enjoy the con- fidence of the entire community and a large share of their patronage. He has one of the leading houses in his line in the city, and carries a more than ordinarily large and well selected stock of goods. Hand- ling merchandise of the above named classes has constituted his occupation for life, and, therefore, he can buy and sell to better advantage both to himself and his customers than those whose experi-

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ence has been comparatively limited. And it is largely due to this that his business career has been so successful, and at the same time so popular with those who deal with him He was born in Germany, February 15, 1828, and when thirteen years of age came to this coun- try with his parents Joseph and Barbara Eppstein, who settled in Cole, now a part of Moniteau county, Missouri, in 1840. Three years afterwards Veit came to Boonville and engaged as a clerk in the store of Bremmerman & Cnuo, with whom he continued until 1846, when he went to St. Louis and clerked there one year. From St. Louis he was attracted to New Orleans, Louisiana, whence he went, and re- mained in that city until the summer of 1849. He then made a visit to the dear old Fatherland beyond the Rhine, where he tarried among the scenes and associations of his boyhood days until the following summer, when he returned to Boonville, Missouri. Here the same year he and his brother, Colonel Joseph Eppstein, established the business in which Veit is now engaged. Since then they have together or singly conducted it without intermission until 1873, when Veit be- came the sole proprietor and has conducted it by himself ever since. He was married November 20, 1851, to Miss Fannie, daughter of Anthony Fox, who came to this county in 1835. They have seven children - Louisa, wife of David Woolridge; Rosa, wife of George W. Sahm ; Mary, wife of George Harris ; Veit, Jr., Fannie, Sallie and Laura. Mr. Eppstein was public administrator from 1872 to 1876, and was re-elected in 1880, his present term to expire in 1884. He has been a member of the city council a number of times. In church connection Mr. Eppstein is a member of the Catholic church.

COLONEL JOHN S. ELLIOTT,

president of the Commercial bank. Among the prominent and suc- cessful business men of Cooper and Howard counties, none are more deserving of special notice, by reason of their personal worth or what they have accomplished in life, age considered, than Colonel John S. Elliott, now of Boonville. A son of the late Colonel Newton G. Elliott, of Howard county, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, he had the training both of the schools in youth and afterwards in practical affairs, in early manhood, to fit him to more than an ordinary degree for a useful and honorable career. And his course thus far has fully borne out the expectations his early opportunities inspired. Already his experience and success have been such as not only to prove him a man of superior abilities, but to give him promise of an exceptionally bright future. John S. Elliott was born in How-

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

ard county, Missouri, March 16, 1844, and was educated in Central college in Fayette. Subsequent to leaving college he became inter- ested with his father in the stock business, in which he continued until 1869, when he became the contractor of the Teho and Neosho railroad company for the construction of the road from Moberly to Fayette, which he built, completing his contract in 1872. He still has the contract with the company - now the Missouri, Kansas and Texas, or Missouri Pacific -for furnishing that part of its line with ties, timber, etc. Both in the stock business and as a railroad contractor his excellent business qualifications, and his energy and good judgment were productive of the most gratifying results ; he was eminently suc- cessful in both ventures. In 1881 he engaged in the banking business in Boonville, becoming president of the banking house with which he is now connected, one of the strongest and most popular financial institutions in central Missouri. He is also president of the Boonville water works company, in which he is a large stockholder. Notwith- standing Colonel Elliott's life has been one of great activity in business matters, he has also found time to give some attention to public affairs. An earnest democrat in politics, but the farthest removed from intol- erance or narrowness of political views, his disinterested and valuable services to his party are everywhere recognized, and while he desires no public office, prior to the last election he consented to become a member of the democratic central committee of this congressional dis- trict, a position he now holds. In 1881 he was appointed lieutenant- colonel and an aid-de-camp on Governor Crittenden's staff. Colonel Elliott is a Knight Templar in the Masonic order. On the 15th of November, 1882, he was married to Miss Laura Speed, an accom- plished and amiable young lady, daughter of the late William P. Speed, for many years one of the most prominent and highly esteemed citizens of Cooper county.

W. B. ELLIOTT,

of Moore & Elliott marble yards, cemetery fixtures, etc. Among the young business men of Boonville who have worked their way up without having had any means to begin with is Mr. Elliott, of the above named firm, who, in connection with Mr. Moore, has a large marble and cemetery fixtures shop, with a full supply of tombstones, monuments, iron railings, etc. His present business was established in 1880, and has already become one of the leading establishments in this line throughout the surrounding country. W. B. Elliott was born in Marion county, Kentucky, July 7, 1857, and his father,

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

Berryman Elliott, and mother, whose maiden name was Nancy J. Prewitt, were also both natives of that state. However, when W. B. was but three years of age his parents came to Missouri and settled in Howard county, where they lived nine years, with the exception of one year, during which they resided in Schuyler county. In 1869 they went to Boone county, where they still live, his father being a farmer by occupation. In youth W. B., the son, attended the com- mon schools and worked on the farm, but when twenty years of age, in 1877, went to Columbia and commenced to learn the marble cutting trade, and worked there nearly three years, after which he worked a while in Boonville, and then for a short time in Fulton, but returned to Boonville in 1880, and became a member of the present firm. January 5, 1881, he was married to Miss Nelia O. Cobb, of Columbia. They have one child, Mary E. Both are members of the Episcopal church.

WILLIAM EDWARD EVANS, M. D.

Those who achieve success in life without having had the advan- tages of carly opportunities are undoubtedly entitled to great credit, but those who, having such opportunities, prove themselves worthy of them by making their lives a marked success, are entitled to not less respect ; for, unless one have the natural qualities to succeed, early advantages are of no avail, and if he have the qualities that win snc- cess, he would succeed whatever his early surroundings might be. The man, not the opportunities, as Franklin says, makes the success. Early advantages only aid him to accomplish that which he would accomplish sooner or later anyhow. Doctor Evans is one of this class of successful men. He had the advantage of comparatively early edu- cation, both general and medical, and his career, both as a physician and citizen, has been one of decided success. He is regarded as one of the most scientific physicians in Cooper county. His general edu- cation was acquired in the schools of Boone county and in the state university. Professionally he was graduated from the medical de- partment of the university of Virginia, in 1868, and afterwards, in 1869, he took the ad eundem degree in Bellevue hospital, New York. He was born in Boone county, Missouri, July 4, 1846. Thus, at the age of twenty-three, so far as general and technical education is con- cerned, he was one of the best qualified members of his profession in central Missouri. He at once entered actively into the practice, forming a partnership with Doctor G. W. Elliott, of Rocheport. He continued there until 1874, when he came to Boonville. Here his re- putation as an able and successful physician is so universally conceded

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

that it is unnecessary to speak of it. Doctor Evans was married on the 23d of May, 1871, to Miss Josie Grossman, an accomplished daughter of T. L. Grossman, a leading citizen of Boone county. They have one child, Clarence E. The doctor and his wife are both mem- bers of the M. E. church, and he is a prominent member of the A. F. and A. M., and of the A. O. U. W. Doctor Evans's father, Willis G., was a leading and worthy farmer of Boone county, and Mrs. Willis G. Evaus, whose maiden name was Van Horn, was originally from Virginia. They reared a large family, and the doctor was the second child. He was reared in that county, and lived there until he came to Boonville.

PETER J. FRANKEN,

farmer, section 33. Mr. Franken is a native of Germany, and was born June 14, 1835. At the age of nineteen, in 1854, he started to this country with his parents, but his father, Irwin, died on the way. The remainder of the family came on and settled in Cooper county. Up to 1882, Peter J. lived in Clark's Fork township, this county, where he followed farming ; but that year he bought his present place of nearly 200 acres of good land and moved on to it, since which he has devoted himself to cultivating and improving his new home. He is an industrious farmer, aad possesses the qualities that can hardly fail to bring him abundant success in life -energy, frugality and good judgment. November 4, 1863, he was married to Miss Mary Lessuth. They have two children, Robert F. and Katie H. Mr. Franken is a member of the Catholic church, and is the present township road overseer.

HENRY C. GIBSON, M. D.,

physician and surgeon. Dr. Gibson is the oldest practitioner of his profession as well as one of the ablest physicians in Boonville. He began the practice here in 1848, thirty-five years ago, and since that time, with but little interruption, has continued to visit the sick and relieve the suffering, wherever relief was not beyond the power of a skilled and faithful physician. Dr. Gibson's father, William Gibson, was a native of North Carolina, and came to this state with his parents when a youth, while it was still a territory. The family first settled near Potosi, but shortly afterwards moved to Cooper county, where William, after he reached manhood, married Miss Rhoda, daughter of Stephen Cole, formerly of Kentucky. Dr. Gibson was one of the family of children of this marriage. Mrs. Gibson died a number of

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

years afterwards, and her husband was married a second time. Henry C., now Dr. Gibson, was born in Cooper county August 25, 1825, and after remaining on his father's farm, where he attended the neigh- borhood schools, in 1843, when eighteen years of age, he began the study of medicine in Boonville under Dr. F. W. G. Thomas. He pursued his studies here until 1846, when he went to Lexington, Kentucky, and attended the Transylvania medical college during the session of 1846-47. He then entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, from which he was after- wards duly graduated. Returning thereupon to Boonville he at once entered actively upon the practice of his profession, and soon secured a Incrative practice, and established a wide reputation as an educated, successful physician. Devoted to medicine as a science, not less than to its practice, and desiring to keep up with the progress of the pro- fession as represented by the advancement of learning in the schools, as well as in experience, he went back to Philadelphia in 1852 and attended the university again, and also the Jefferson medical college of that city. Returning home in 1853, he has since made his profes- sion the sole object of his labor and study ; for, notwithstanding his practice occupies by far the greater share of his attention, he still takes time to study and keep up with the improvements in both the theory and practice. He was married January 11, 1856, to Miss Mittie Nelson, originally of Virginia, sister to James M. Nelson. She died in 1857, and fifteen years afterwards he again married, Mrs. Mary L. McCarthy, daughter of Caleb Jones, an early settler of this county, then becoming his wife. Of this union three children are living : Mary, Nannie J. and Martha S. The doctor is a prominent member of the A. F. and A. M. William Gibson's wife was a Mrs. Harris, daughter of Stephen Cole.

BENJAMIN F. GIBSON,

farmer. Stephen Cole, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Gibson, was one of the two first settlers with their families in Cooper county. William Gibson, the father of Benjamin F., came to this county in an early day, and here married Miss Rhoda Cole, of which union there are now living two sons : Benjamin and an elder brother. Benjamin grew up on his father's farm, and received his education in Kemper's family school of Boonville. Farming has constituted his occupation through life, and he now owns an excellent farm of 505 acres, sub- stantially and comfortably improved. He has been twice married. His first wife, formerly Miss Emeline Adams, to whom he was mar- ried December 17, 1856, died March 13, 1859. She was a daughter

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

of Wm. M. Adams. He was married to his second wife September 4, 1860. Previous to her marriage she was a Miss Kittie Bennett, daughter of General Bennett, of Boone county. Of this union three children are living : Levi W., Mary M. and Rhoda K. His last wife was also taken from him by death. She passed away October 28, 1872.

JOHN N. GOTT & SON,

manufacturers of plug and smoking . tobacco. To own and success- fully conduct a large tobacco manufactory, as is well known, requires no secondary order of business qualifications or small amount of means. The fact that Captain Gott & Son have one of the leading manufacturing establishments in this line in Central Missouri, and are conducting it with marked success, speaks enough, therefore, for their standing as capable and successful business men. And more than ordinary credit is due to Captain Gott, himself, for he started out in life without means or influential friends and has worked his way up by his own exertions and worth alone. He was born in Ionia county, Michigan, December 25, 1833, and was there reared and educated in the common schools. His parents, Charles and Maria Gott, were originally of New Jersey, but settled in Michigan in an early day. In 1856, John N. Gott came to St. Louis, secured a position in the wholesale hardware house of Wilson Bros. & Co., of that city, which he filled until the breaking out of the war. In 1861 he enlisted in the 33d Missouri infantry and served until the spring of 1866, rising by regular promotion to the rank of captain ; his last commission, however, being received after his discharge, having been confirmed as a special mark of distinction for long and meritorious service. In 1866, he came to Boonville and engaged in the brick business, in which he continued two years, when he was appointed receiver of public moneys in the United States land office of this city. He filled this office five years with marked ability and entire satisfaction to the government, and in 1874 became book-keeper in the Central National bank of Boonville, discharging the duties of that position two years. He then occupied the position of book-keeper in Brew- ster & Hillard's tobacco factory, the manufacturing establishment he now owns and conducts. On the death of Mr. Brewster, he bought out the establishment to which he has since devoted his whole attention. This factory makes the famous " Lone Star " and " Boss " smoking tobacco, also the " Nancy " twist and plug, "A 1" and the " Peach Juice." These goods have a wide reputation and the trade of the es-

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

tablishment is rapidly increasing. On the 13th of November, 1859, he was married to Miss Angeline, daughter of Dr. Edward Lawton, of Boonville. They have two children, Charles P. and Henry H. Mr. Gott has held various minor official positions.

EUGENE J. HALLER

was born on December 7, 1848, at Schwenningen, A. N., in the king- dom of Wurtemberg, Germany, the oldest of four brothers now all in this country. He received a fair education at the public school in his home and by private teachers. It was his intention, as well as his father's wish, to prepare himself for a school teacher, but the death of his father in 1861, leaving Haller's mother with four small boys in not the very best of circumstances, prevented him from entering a seminary. In 1869, young Haller found employment in a notary's office, and in 1865, after an experience of three years, he became a salaried clerk, holding, up to 1868, several positions in lower civil offices and in the circuit court of Tuebingen, to the full satisfaction of his employers. In 1868 his mother died and Haller concluded to em- igrate to the United States. He and one of his brothers, with others, left home on July 5, 1868, arriving at St. Louis, their point of destin- ation, on August 8, 1868. Not finding suitable work there, Haller came, recommended by F. W. Ludwig, Esq., of Boonville, then a member of the board of immigration, to Boonville, on October 15, 1868, and was installed as " printer's devil " at the Waechter am Mis- souri office, a new German paper started only a few months previous, working there till 1873, when failing health and other circumstances caused his withdrawal. Receiving an appointment as notary public, which has since been renewed repeatedly, he assisted F. W. Ludwig in his attorney and claim agency business. In the fall of 1874, the above mentioned paper became the property of said F. W. Ludwig, who changed its name to Central Missourier, and Haller was made foreman and assistant editor till October 15, 1877, when he bought the paper. He has been running it ever since as sole editor and pro- prietor very successfully. The paper has a large circulation, a good advertising and other patronage, is well supplied with types and presses, and compares favorably with any other German paper outside the large cities. It is published weekly ; size, 26 x 40; subscription price, $2 per annum. Mr. Haller can point with pride to his career ; he is one of our self-made men and his further success can not be doubted.

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

CAPT. GEORGE B. HARPER,

county treasurer of Cooper county. Captain Harper's life has been one of constant activity and industry, and few men have made their way in the world through so many years of vicissitudes and varying circumstances with less reproach. He was born near Petersburg, Virginia, August 16, 1826, and was the fifth of a family of eight chil- dren, reared by William H. T. Harper and wife, Sallie W., previously a Miss Moore. Both parents were of Dinwiddie county, Virginia, the county in which Petersburg is situated, and there the father died in 1832, and the mother in Missouri in 1857. In 1839, however, the family of children and their mother came to Missouri, and settled on a farm near Boonville. George B. was then thirteen years of age, and two years afterwards, having in the meantime acquired the rudiments of a good ordinary education, he began clerking for Hathaway & In- gram until 1845. He then became identified with the mercantile busi- ness in Miami, Missouri, but eight months afterwards was compelled to quit business on account of bad health. In 1847 he was able to return to store work, and clerked for a Glasgow firm a large part of that year, but in the fall went to New Orleans, Louisiana, and spent the following winter in the Crescent City. In the succeeding spring he came north, and travelled extensively on horseback through Illi- nois and Indiana, and thenee south again through Kentucky to Nash- ville, Tennessee, and back to Columbus, Kentucky, and theu returned home to Cooper county. After his return he resumed clerking in a store, and continued in that employment until 1849. He was twenty- three years old when the California gold excitement broke ont, and had already travelled more than most old men of that day, but, not- withstanding he knew what the hardships of a traveller's life were, he undertook the journey across the plains, and over the rugged heights of the Rocky mountains. He followed mining and other pur- suits on the Pacific coast about four years, or until 1853, and then returned to his old home again in Cooper county, where

" The honest watch-dog greeted him with a welcome bark."

In the following fall he and his brother engaged in merchandising in Ridge Prairie, Saline county, where they remained until 1856, when they sold out aud came back to Boonville, and established the drug and book business now carried on by J. A. Howard, which they had charge of until 1861. However, in 1859, George B. became teller and book-keeper in the Boonville branch of the bank of St. Louis, but when the war broke out he enlisted in company G, MeCulloch's

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

regiment, Confederate service, and continued under the three-barred flag until the final surrender, having been captain of company G, 2d Missouri cavalry, a considerable time before the close of the war. After the restoration of peace he clerked in the commission house of Dameron & Bros., of St. Louis, for about three years, and then be- came cashier of a bank in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, in which he con- tinued until 1878. From that time until his election as county treas- nrer of Cooper county, in 1880, he elerked in Boonville, and besides filling the office of county treasurer he is also assisstant book-keeper in the Central National bank of this city. The positions of private and public trust that Captain Harper holds among a people who have known him from boyhood, shows the character of man he is. Besides his spotless integrity, he is a man of superior business qualifications, and a gentleman in the best sense of the word.

ANTHONY HAYNES, A. M.,

principal of Cooper Institute. Anthony Haynes was born in King and Queen's county, Virginia, January 12, 1836, and was a son of Anthony Haynes, Sr., and wife, Lucinda, whose family name before her marriage was Randall. When Anthony, Jr., was in his infancy, his parents removed to Richmond, Virginia, and afterwards, in 1844, came to Missouri, and spent the ensuing winter in Dover, of this state. In the spring of 1845 they removed to St. Louis, for the purpose of educating their elder boys, and starting them in business. They re- mained there two years, after which they returned to Dover, leaving their two older sons established in business in St. Louis. From this time the family resided in Dover seven years, but during their resi- dence there the father died, and, in 1854, the widowed mother and the three remaining children removed to Columbia, in order that the children might avail themselves of the advantages afforded by the col- leges of that place. Anthony Haynes, the son, immediately entered the Missouri university as a student, where he remained four years, at the expiration of which he was graduated, July 4, 1857, with marked distinction. He then located in Georgetown, Missouri, and his mother with the two other children returned to Dover. In Sep- tember, 1857, he established the Georgetown Female Seminary, which he conducted with flattering success until interrupted by the civil war. While living in Georgetown, he was married September 10, 1861, to Miss Mary Montgomery, eldest daughter of Doctor T. J. Montgom- ery. On account of the unsettled condition of affairs in that section of the state during the war, and the virtual suppression of all kinds of

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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