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 93
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 93
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NICHOLAS WALZ,
dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, carpets, notions, etc. Mr. Walz' career is another illustration of the fact that close attention to business, economy and good management will eventually bring success.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
He has a large establishment in the above named lines, and has an extensive and profitable trade, which is steadily growing; all is the result of his own exertions, for he had nothing to begin on but his own disposition and ability to work. He was born in Germany, July 29th, 1838, but at the age of thirteen came over to this country with his parents, and located with them in Chicago, Illinois. He remained there until 1855, when he went to Mendota, Illinois, but stopped there only two years, coming thence to Boonville in 1857, where he has since lived. Here he engaged in clerking for Mr. Heimsen, and in less than three years had saved up enough to buy him out, which he did in 1855, and has since conducted the business alone, and with marked success. He was married January 22d, 1862, to Miss Julia Brenneisen, originally of Germany. They have eight children, John E., Louisa, Herman, Charles, Julia, Laura, and Henry. Mr. Walz was a member of the city council three terms, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Boonville Turn.
FREDERICK C. WENIG,
dealer in general merchandise. Mr. Wenig, who is a native of Germany, born February 1, 1834, was reared and educated in his native country, receiving more than an ordinary education, especially in the department of mathematics. When still a youth he was engaged by a mining company, in that country, in the capacity of surveyor, which position, together with clerical work in the office of the company, he continued in until he left for this country, in 1860. Arriving here he first stopped in Ironton, Ohio, and in 1861 came to Boonville, but shortly afterward went to Pella, Iowa, where he clerked about two years and a half, being a part of the time in a flouring mill. From there he went to Belleville, Ill., and followed clerking in business firms until 1865, whereupon he came to Boonville, and in a short time established his present business. He is a well qualified, energetic business man, and enjoys the unshaken confidence of the people, and no inconsiderable share of their patronage in his business. He was married, July 29th, 1861, to Miss Wilhelmina Boller, originally of Germany ; but she was taken from him by death, in April, 1882, and he has but one child living, Mary. Mr. Wenig is a member of the A. O. U. W.
WARNER WHITLOW,
railroad contractor, For over thirty years Mr. Whitlow has been a citizen of Cooper county. Commeneing as a teamster, as Erastus Wells commenced in St. Louis as a bus driver, he soon became a
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
trader or dealer in horses and mules, and then, in connection with this, engaged in the livery business in Boonville, which he carried on for fifteen years, with marked snecess, selling out in 1882 to Messrs. Ragland & Smith. Since then he has become a prominent railroad contractor, in which business he is engaged at the present time. He was born in Barren county (now Metcalf county ), Kentucky, April 25th, 1824, and was a son of Pleasant and Elizabeth ( Yates ) Whit- low, of that state. He was reared in his native state, where he remained until 1849, when, resolving to seek his fortune further in the west, he came to Missouri and located in Platte county. In 1852 he made a visit home, and, on returning to his adopted state the same year, changed his place of residence from Platte to Cooper county, since which he has been identified with the industrial and business life of this county. On the 25th of October, 1849, he was married to Miss Nareissa Hardin, of Kentucky. They have but oue child living, a daughter, Miss Addie Lee.
WILLIAM M. WILLIAMS,
of Draffin & Williams, attorneys at law. Among the comparatively young attorneys of this judicial circuit, who have already begun to take prominent and leading positions in their profession, is Mr. Williams of the above named firm. He has been engaged in the practice about ten years and has already made an honorable record as an able, successful attorney. He was born in Boonville February 4th, 1850, and is a son of Marcus Williams and wife, previously Miss Mary J. Lettlepage, both of this city, Young Williams was reared in Boonville, and was educated in Kemper's well-known school. When seventeen years of age he received the appointment of deputy collector of Cooper county, the duties of which he discharged so success- fully and with such satisfaction to all concerned that he was retained in the position five years, during which he also studied law. He then, of his own inelination, retired from the office of deputy collector and gave his whole attention to the study of law, availing himself of the tutorage of Mr. Draffin his present partner. One year after entering Mr. Draffin's office as a student he was admitted to the bar with marked distinction, sinee which he has actively practised his profession. As an indorsement of his qualifications and ability as a lawyer, is the significant faet that a short time after his admittance to the bar he became the partner in business of his former tutor, one of the oldest and ablest lawyers of the circuit. On the 16th of December, 1875, he was married to Miss Jessie, daughter of Dr. E. C. Evans,
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
of Sedalia, Missouri. They have two children, Bessie and Roy D. Mr. Williams is a member of the Presbyterian church and of the Masonic order, also of the Chapter and Commandery of that order.
THOMAS B. WRIGHT,
attorney at law. Thomas B. Wright was in his twentieth year, and still at the parental hearthstone in Howard county, when the signal shot that shook the Union was fired on Fort Sumter. But he re- mained not long afterwards at home. The same spirit of patriotism that animated the young soldiery of the Revolution, and of all the wars of the republic, prompted him to become a volunteer in the de- fence of his country's flag. He enlisted in company B, 5th cavalry, Missouri state militia, in 1861, and followed the victorious banner of stripes and stars until it waved in triumph throughout the length aud breadth of the land. In 1862 he was made lieutenant of the com- pany, and served in that capacity until about the close of the war. However, early in the spring of 1865, he came to Boonville, and, in conjunction with Captain George Miller, organized a company for home protection. But in June of the same year he was detailed for service as provost marshal of Greenfield, Missouri, which duty he discharged until the succeeding summer, when, peace having been restored, he returned to his home in Howard county. Like most of the young men in central Missouri, of his age, the war prevented him from getting as early a start in civil life as otherwise he would have done. He was born in Howard county, Missouri, September 27, 1841, and but for the war would have been well started on his pro- fessional career by 1865, for he had acquired an excellent education in the ordinary schools and in Mount Pleasant college, at Huntsville, Missouri, prior to 1861. Still, the rule that good soldiers make good citizens, has proved true in his case. He came to Boonville in 1866, determined to make up the best he could for time given to his country. Having devoted himself assiduously to the study of the law, for a number of years, he was admitted to the bar in 1868, with marked distinction. Since then he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in this circuit, with his office at Boonville. In 1874, he was elected mayor of the city of Boonville, serving two years. During the years 1872-73 and 1881-82, he was the city attorney of Boonville. Mr. Wright was married in June, 1870, to Miss Martha E., daughter of Doctor G. A. Williams, formerly of this county. They have two children living : Lucien and Alice. His father, Joseph Wright, was of Tennessee, born in April, 1799, and died in Howard
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
county, in 1879, whither he had moved in 1819. His mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Wilds, was at the time of her marriage to Joseph Wright a Mrs. Yount, a widow lady of Howard county. By her first husband she had three children, and by her second three also, of whom Thomas B. was the second. She died in 1854.
HENRY ZEIGEL,
farmer. Mr. Zeigel is of German parentage, his father, Andrew Zeigel, having been born and reared in Baden-Baden, Germany ; and his mother, formerly Miss Elizabeth Bassler, was of the same country. His parents, after coming to this country, settled in Jefferson county, New York, where Henry was born in September, 1843. Afterwards, in 1857, they came to Cooper county, this state, where they subse- quently died. Henry, however, was principally reared before his parents left New York, and was brought up to the occupation of a farmer, which he has since followed. His farm contains 160 acres of good land, and he is an industrious, frugal farmer. He served during the war on the Union side, and was under Colonel Eppstein, in com- pany A, 5th cavalry, Missouri state militia. In December, 1871, he was married to Miss Malinda MeGuyre, of this county. They have three children living : Oscar L., Henry W. and Frederick A.
BLACKWATER TOWNSHIP.
C. G. COOK
came originally from Jackson county, Tennessee, where he was born February 24, 1849. His father, William Cook, a native of the same state, born about the year 1810, lived there until his death. He mar- ried Miss Louisa Cunningham, of Tennessee, she having been born in 1818, and they had seven children - five boys and two girls - of whom six children are living : William, George W., Michael B., Ma- tilda, Henrietta and C. G. Mrs. Cook was married a second time, about the year 1861 or 1862, to Peter Wood, also born in Tennessee. They had five children : James, Milton and Lawson (twins), Clinton and DeWitt, all living in this county. In 1871, leaving his native state, the subject of this sketch emigrated to Missouri and settled in Cooper county, at the bridge on Blackwater creek. He then moved to Ridge Prairie, and subsequently came to his present place of residence. Mr.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
Cook learned the blacksmith's trade in Simpson county, Kentucky, and at this time follows that occupation in connection with farming, his present shop having been established about three years. He owns 100 acres of improved and cultivated land in this township. January 10, 1871, he was married to Miss Milly Cook, a daughter of James A. Cook, of Cooper county, who was born in 1830 or 1835. Mrs. Cook's birth occurred December 7, 1852. They have had five children : Dotia, born January 17, 1872 ; Rufus, born August 29, 1874 ; Daisy, born January 16, 1876 ; Iolia, born February 22, 1878, and Caroline, born August 5, 1881. Mr. Cook is a member of the M. E. church south, with which he has been connected for eighteen years. He also belongs to Hope lodge, No. 144, I. O. O. F., of Ridge Prairie. At present he is president of the board of school directors of this town- ship, and has held other minor offices.
MARTIN DORFLINGER,
farmer and stock raiser, section 18, was born in September, 1823, in Baden, Germany, his father being Frederick Dorflinger, also a native of Germany, born May 24, 1784. He lived there until 1846, when, . emigrating to the United States, he settled in Ohio, and in Mahon ing and Trumbull counties, where he lived for seven years. Subse- quently he came to Missouri and located near Pilot Grove, Cooper county, where he made his home until his death, on May 12, 1869. In 1811 he was married to Miss Verina Hurst, of Baden, Germany, born in 1784. She died on August 9, 1841. They were blessed with seven children, two of whom are living : one, Elizabeth, now in Ger- many, and the subject of this sketch. The latter remained with his father until his removal to this country, after which he spent seven years in travelling. In October, 1852, he took up his location in this county, which has since been his home. July 12, 1853, he was mar- ried to Miss Anna Baker, a daughter of Jacob Baker, of Germany, she having been born November 29, 1831. Of the original number of seven children born to them, six are living : Elizabeth, Fritz, Anna, Martin, William and George. One daughter, Elizabeth, is deceased. Mr. Dorflinger is the owner of 240 acres of land, so situated as to form almost a peninsula. This is well adapted for stock purposes.
W. S. HEIM,
a native of Pennsylvania, was born March 21, 1825, being the son of John and Magdalena ( Smith ) Heim, also of Pennsylvania. The former was born in 1784, and resided in the state of his birth until his death
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
in 1859. To them were born eleven children, of which number seven survive. The subject of this sketch remained at home until twenty- one years of age, and in 1847 Miss Caroline Reber, daughter of Samuel Reber, of Pennsylvania, became his wife. By this marriage there have been three children : Francis, Melissa and Milton. Mr. Heim is the owner of 103 acres of land in section 4. This land is well im- proved and watered, and will compare most favorably with any in this township. He is worthy of much credit for the manner in which he conducts his farming operations. Religiously he is a Lutheran.
C. T. RUCKER,
merchant at Blackwater, was born on the 3d of September, 1847, in Blackwater township, Cooper county, Missouri. His paternal grand- father, a Virginian by birth, was born May 22, 1797. His father, W. M. Rucker, originally of Randolph county, Missouri, was born July 22, 1824. The latter was twice married ; first, February 6, 1845, to Miss Eliza Bridgewater, a daughter of Nathaniel Bridgewater, who was one of the earliest settlers of this county. To them were born eleven children, all but four of whom died while young. James N., C. T., Carter M. and Lelia are now living. Mr. Rucker was married a second time to Miss Nettie Bridgewater, a niece of his former wife. He lived about three years after this marriage, dying August 12, 1876. On the 5th day of June, 1870, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Poindexter, a daughter of J. K. Poindexter, of Lamine township, this county, but formerly of Patrick county, Vir- ginia. They have had four children : James H., born February 26, 1871; Eliza, born October 8, 1873; Katie M., born February 11, 1877, now deceased, and W. M., born October 22, 1878. Mr. Rucker is the owner of 275 acres of land on section 2, of Blackwater town- ship, and is quite actively engaged in stock dealing, besides devoting much attention to the mercantile business. He is enjoying a most successful trade here, and is also connected with the general merchan- dise firm of Watson & Rucker at Ridge Prairie. He has been a meni- ber of the Baptist church for fourteen years. His grandfather figured conspicuously in the earliest history of the Baptist church in Missouri, and he founded and built the Hess creek church of Saline county, and was its pastor for many years in an early day. He was a man uni- versally respected by all, and had many friends.
JAMES THOMAS
was born about six miles south of Boonville, in Cooper county, Mis- sonri, in 1830, being the son of Jacob Thomas, who was born in Penn-
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
sylvania about the year 1763 or 1765. Emigrating to Tennessee, he lived there for several years and then came to Missouri before the land sales, being one of Cooper county's earliest settlers. He was by occupation a miller, and for many years operated day and night the first horse mill in the county, known as Thomas' mill. Mr. Thomas was twice married. His second wife was Jane Yarian, and they had seven children, of whom James was the youngest. The latter re- mained with his father until that person's death, when our subject was twenty-two years of age. He was married first in 1852, to Miss Nancy Woolery, of Palestine township, this county, and to them were born seven children : Amanda, Thomas, Mary F., George, John, Reuben and Jennie Bell. His second marriage occurred in Septem- ber, 1866, to Nancy O. Howell, of Saline county, Missouri. Mr. Thomas was married the third time to Mrs. Rebecca Howe, widow of Harvey Howe, of this county. He now owns eighty acres of land in this vicinity, well improved. Mr. Thomas is at present engaged in conducting a blacksmith shop, having learned the trade from his father. His father and two half-brothers, Isaac and Jake, voted at the first election held in the county.
CLARK'S FORK TOWNSHIP.
JOSHUA C. BERRY,
farmer. Mr. Joshua C. Berry was a son of Major Joshua H. Berry, an early settler and a highly respected citizen of this county, who died here, where he had spent the principal part of a long and useful life, in 1869. Major Berry was born in North Carolina December 25, 1797, and in youth received a superior education, particularly in the depart- ment of mathematics. His attainments in this science were such that, after he grew up, he was employed by the government in its civil en- gineer corps, and as early as 1816 he came out to this state as a mem- ber of a United States surveying commission, with which he was employed in making surveys along the Missouri river, between Lex- ington and Boonville. After this he returned to North Carolina, and was subsequently married to Miss Patsey A. Talbot, of Georgia. She was born March 9, 1802. Their marriage occurred February 15, 1821. Eight children were born to them, two of whom are deceased : John M., Eveline, Patsy A. (deceased ), William A., Mary E. Narcissa A.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
(deceased ) and Joshna C., the subject of this sketch. However, prior to his marriage Major Berry had become an adopted citizen of Missouri. He first located at New Madrid, and then came to Cooper county, where he settled on the tract of land now owned by Alexander Shannon. During the Indian troubles he was made major of a com- mand of pioneer volunteers, and was an able and efficient officer. He soon became one of the largest land owners of the county, and at his death left a large landed estate. His first wife died December 5, 1851. After her death Major Berry was twice married. His second wife, formerly Miss Eliza A. Wells, lived but little more than a year, leav- ing a child that survived its mother only a short time. His last wife, previously Mrs. Ellen R. Griggs, to whom he was married July 26, 1855, still survives him. Joshua C., the subject of this sketch, was born May 4, 1841. Farming has been his life occupation, and in his chosen calling he has been satisfactorily successful. He owns several hundred acres of fine land. His farm, numbering something over a quarter section of land, is an excellent homestead, and is comfortably and substantially improved. October 21, 1867, he was married to Miss Martha L., daughter of William and Edith Moore, of this county. His wife was born December 16, 1847. Seven children have resulted from this marriage : William M., born August 19, 1869 ; Alonzo W., born October 10, 1871 ; Augustus E., born September 22, 1873; Oliver C., born June 1, 1876 ; Alice S., born April 20, 1880, and an infant daughter, born October 12, 1882, now deceased, Mrs. Berry is a member of the Baptist church at Mount Herman. Mr. Berry is an enterprising farmer, and a highly respected citizen.
JOHN G. BURGER,
proprietor of Cedar Mound farm, section 13. Cedar Mound farm is situated about ten miles south of Boonville, and is one of the hand- somest farm sites as well as best farms in that part of the county. It contains 340 acres of fine land, and is exceptionally well improved. The residence is a more than ordinarily good one ; the other buildings are of a superior quality, and the fencing and general improvements are in keeping with the buildings, etc. Mr. Burger, the owner and proprietor, had but little to start on when he commenced in life for himself, but by patient, untiring industry, and good, practical manage- ment he was not long in placing himself among the best and most sub- stantial farmers of the county. He is a representative of two old and highly respected families in this county - the Burgers and Titsworths. His grandparents, on his father's side, came here in 1821, when his
61
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
father, Henry Burger, was but fifteen years old. They were origi- nally from Virginia, but directly from Tennessee. His mother, form- erly Miss Mary Titsworth, was a daughter of Gabriel and Nancy Titsworth, who settled in this county from Kentucky among its early pioneers. Gabriel Titsworth's father was one of the first settlers of the Blue Grass state, and Gabriel himself and a sister were captured by the Indians in that state when still quite young. Gabriel was scalped and thrown into a sink hole, as he was supposed to be dead ; his sister was held a captive for a considerable time. Mr. Burger's father was born December 15, 1805, and his mother December 26, 1817. They were married here in 1833. The father died March 23,
1883, but Mrs. Burger still survives her husband.
They had a
family of six children, of whom four sons and a daughter are living, John G. Burger, the subject of this sketch, being the eldest. He was born in Prairie Home township April 21, 1834, and brought up to the occupation of a farmer, which he has since followed. He has been twice married. November 9, 1858, he was married to Miss Nancy Howe. She died January 17, 1873, aged thirty-six, leaving a family of children, of whom five are living : Emma L., born February 5, 1863, wife of Robert Mason, resident of Dade county ; John W., born March 18, 1866 ; Ella E., born July 16, 1868 ; George, born April 24, 1870, and Lulu D., born June 26, 1872. Their first and second chil- dren, Mary L. and Joseph H., died early in life. His present wife, formerly Miss Hettie J. McKillip, to whom he was married June 23, 1874, was a daughter of James and Elizabeth McKillip, of Callaway county, Missouri, and was born September 29, 1849. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Clark county, Kentucky.
HENRY CRAWFORD,
farmer. Among the prominent young farmers of more than ordinary promise in this county is the young gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is a son of Mr. John Crawford, whose sketch follows this, and is worthy, in every sense, of the name and lineage. He was born of his father's first marriage, May 19, 1850, and in youth had excellent educational advantages. After the common schools he en- tered Kemper's well known and highly reputed school at Boonville, in which he completed his education. In 1874 he went upon a farm of his own of about a quarter section of land and began his farming career, which has been characterized by the most gratifying success ever since. Since he settled on his present farm he has added to his landed estate by purchase, until he now has nearly 300 acres of real
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
estate of his own. October 13, 1875, he was married to Miss Eliza- beth J., daughter of Henry and Martha A. Knaus. His wife was born December 30, 1852. They have lost two children : Johannie L., born July 15, 1876, died July 3, 1882, and Eva, born August 22, 1878, died August 28, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford are members of the Baptist church.
JOHN CRAWFORD,
proprietor of Airy-View farm. Airy-View farm is one of the most sightly, and at the same time, one of the best farms in Cooper county. While it is not so large as some, what it lacks in size it more than makes up in the fertility of the soil, the beauty of its location and topography, and the superior quality of its improvements. It is a neat, model, well kept farm of about 300 acres, and reflects credit upon its owner and upon the county. John Crawford, the proprietor and owner of this farm, was a son of Hon. George Crawford, for many years a leading farmer of the county and a prominent citizen in its public affairs, and was born in Kentucky, March 15, 1816. In 1819 Hon. George Crawford emigrated from the Blue Grass state with his family, and stopping for a short time in St. Geneva, St. Charles county, this state, came on and settled permanently in Clark's Fork township, of this county. His wife was formerly a Miss Elizabeth P. Embree, to whom he was married March 16, 1815. She was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, November 4, 1797, and he was born in Cum- berland county, Kentucky, March 8, 1795. They reared a family of five children ; John, the subject of this sketch ; William H., died at the age of fifty-three ; Harriett, died aged eighteen ; Henry, died aged twenty-three, and Mary E., now of Boonville. The father died July 29, 1852 ; the mother nearly a year previously, September 25, 1851. Mr. Crawford held various offices of trust and honor during his life- time, the most important of which was that of state senator, the honorable station he honored by his ability and worth for a term of four years, from 1824 to 1828. John Crawford grew up on his fa- ther's farm, and inheriting the latter's spirit and enterprise as well as his industry and personal worth, he was not long in carving out suc- cess in life. For years the son has held a prominent position among the best farmers and most substantial citizens of the county. He was married April 18, 1849, to Miss Eliza J. Greenhalge, of this county, a worthy and excellent lady. She was born September 28, 1830, and died August 10, 1855. She left him two children - Henry, who now has a family of his own, and George W., now deceased. March 20, 1862, Mr. John Crawford was again married. His second wife was
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