USA > Missouri > Lafayette County > History of Lafayette county, Mo. , carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, cities, towns, and villages > Part 61
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REV. W. B. McFARLAND,
pastor of M. E. church, south. P. O. Dover. Was born in Penn., near Pittsburg, February 9, 1820. Was reared and educated in his native state, graduating from Alleghany College, at Meadville, in 1841. He at once entered upon the high and honorable calling of an expositor of the scriptures, for which he is so eminently fitted, both by temperament and education. During an uninterrupted term of 35 years, in which he has been engaged in the ministry, he has been pastor of the following various churches: Fairmount, Marion county, one year; Harrison county Va., two years; Monroe county, Ohio, one year: Elizabethtown, Marshall county Va .; Caball county Va .; Charleston Va .; Point Pleasant and Buf- falo, in Mason county ; Charleston again, when he was transferred to the St. Louis conference: Independence, two years, Westport, Jackson county, Lexington four years, where he was the only minister allowed to preach during the winter of '62. Brownsville, Saline county, two years; Miami, two years; Independence again two years; Brownsville again two years, and Dover, where he now resides as pastor of the M. E. church south, of that place. He also preaches at Higgins- ville, Corder and Three Groves. While in Caball county, he was appointed
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principal of Marshall Academy, and afterwards acted as agent of Marshall College, in same county, superintending its erection. June 1, 1848, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Kayne, of Marshall county, Va., by whom he has two children, Florence V. and Lucy. His wife dying, he was married the second time, January 1857, to Miss Alvira Early, of Kanawha county, Va., a sister of Gen. Early. By this marriage he has four children, all living: Robert E., Hattie, William and Samuel. Mr. McFarland owns one of the finest libraries in the country. He is enjoying excellent health, notwithstanding his arduous duties and close application to the same. Has traveled quite extensively through the east, and is shortly intending to take a brief, much needed vacation, and visit the western coast. He is very popular with his people, preaching in practice as well as by precept.
J. C. WOODS,
farmer and stockraiser. P. O. Corder. The subject of the following sketch is a native of this state and county; born in 1841, October 10. Was raised on a farm and educated in the county of his birth. His father was one of the pioneer settlers of this county, coming here some 50 years ago. At the opening of the civil war,, he enlisted in the confederate ser- vice under Gen. Shelby. April 1868, he was married to Mary E. Slusher, a daughter of Henry Slusher, of this county. By this union he has six children: Olla, Francis C., John, Forrest, Mary E. and Martha. Mr. Woods has traveled quite extensively during his lifetime, and is now located on a fine farm of 120 acres; has a fine residence, convenient barn and outhouses, and all the appurtenances necessary to a well regulated farm. He has a splendid young orchard of 100 trees. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. Dover lodge, No. 122. Has been W. M. of said lodge for two years. Is also a member of the P. of H. Lafayette Grange, No. 305. Is an active and worthy member of the Baptist church at Dover.
REV. W. T. EASTWOOD,
local pastor of M. E. Church south, and merchant, P. O. Dover; a native of this state and county, born October 12th, 1841; was educated at the Masonic college at Lexington. After completing the prescribed course at college, he engaged as clerk in a grocery store at Lexington for a while, and afterwards in a hardware store. In September, of 1861, he enlisted as private in the confederate army, company A, Col. Bledsoe's regiment, under Gen. Raines; was engaged in the following battles: Pea Ridge, Cane Creek and other minor engagements; was mustered out during the summer of 1862. Returning home he engaged in a mercantile business at Dover. In 1869 he was married to Miss Sarah Ustick, a
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
native of this county. They have three children: Gertrude, Susan and Elizabeth. Mrs. Eastwood is a graduate of the Baptist college, at Lex- ington, Mo., in charge of Dr. E. S. Dulin, at that time. Rev. Mr. E. preaches at Three Groves, Higginsville and Corder; expects to join the S. E. Mo. Conference this fall and go into active service as a preacher of the gospel. His parents were natives of Virginia, and came to this county at an early day ; owns considerable property in Dover and has a hardware and grocery store at same place. Is a man of influence, and a hearty coadjutor in any enterprise of public interest.
JOHN P. HICKMAN,
merchant, P. O. Dover; born in Saline county, Mo., April 3, 1850. His parents went to Jefferson City when he was quite young, and from there moved to Lexington, this county, wnere they lived until 1877, at which time they went to Dover, this county; was educated at Lexington; fol- lowed the business of tanning and farming during the early part of his life,'afterwards engaging in the mercantile business which he is still fol- lowing. in Dover. August, 1877, he was married to Mattie B. Phleger, daughter of Mr. Allen Phleger, of Lafayette county. By this union he had two children, one of whom is now living, Clara Pauline. His father is a native of North Carolina, and is now living in Corder engaged in the hotel business; he was formerly at Lexington conducting a grocery busi- ness. Mr. H. spent the summer of '75 in Colorado, prospecting; is a member in good standing of I. O. O. F. Orion Lodge, 45; also a member of K. of P. of Lexington, and also of I. O. G. T. of Dover, and a member of the Baptist church of Dover; is superintendent of the Sunday-school.
ELIAS MIERS,
plasterer and farmer, P. O. Dover; was born in Frederick county, Va., October 29th, 1829; reared and educated in his native state. In his youth he learned the trade of plastering, which he followed for some time before leaving Virginia. In the spring of '57 he came to Missouri, settling in this county, where he has followed his profession in connection with his farming. In October, 1864, he enlisted in the confederate service, com- pany B, Col. Gordon's cavalry, under Gen. Shelby. He took part in the battles of Independence, Westport, Carthage and other engagements in which his command participated; was honorably discharged on the 13th of June, 1865. In 1860, February 9th, he was married to Miss Sally Love- lady, of this county, and whose parents were among the first settlers in Lafayette county, and also the first couple married in the county. Mrs. Lovelady gave birth to the first pair of twins born in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Miers have three children living: Mary E., Berty V. and Emma L. Mr. M. owns a splendid farm of 124 acres. Mrs. Lovelady, the
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
mother-in-law of Mr. M. is living with him; she is the daughter of Solo- mon Cox, who was one of the first settlers in the county, if not the first. She is now 88 years of age, in excellent health for a person of her age; rides horseback. Mrs. L. can tell many an interesting anecdote of "pio- neer life" in this county.
ALLEN PHLEGER,
P. O. Dover; of the firm of Hickman & Co., merchants and stock dealers, is a native of Missouri, born in this county, July 10, 1829. Was raised and educated in his native county. His father owning a large farm, he kept the young man out of mischief by training him in agricultural pursuits. At the age of 21 he engaged in operating a saw-mill, which business he followed at times for twenty years. Afterward was engaged in farming and stock raising. In December, 1877, he became identified with the firm of J. P. Hickman & Co., merchants. In 1856 he was united in marriage to Miss M. Fox, of this county. They have one child: Mattie B., wife of J. P. Hickman. Mr. P's parents were natives of Virginia, and came to this county in 1828, settling on Tabo creek, two miles west of the present site of Dover. They belong to that class who endured trials and hard- ships, in the early settlement of this county, of which the present genera- tion, in their comfortable homes, know very little of. " All honor to the hardy pioneers." His wife's parents came from Tennessee to Missouri in 1817 and in the spring of 1818, came to this county, therefore being one of the first families here. Mr. Fox died at the ripe age of 76, having lived beyond the full time allotted to man. He came here in the same year that Solomon Cox did, 1818.
JEREMIAH C. BUTLER,
carriage maker, P. O. Dover. The subject of this sketch is a native of Jefferson county, Virginia, born February 25, 1845. When J. was 17 years of age, his father moved his family to Lexington, this county. Being a miller and millwright, he erected a mill for McGraw & Bros., of Lexington, which he operated for a number of years. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the confederate army, company A, Gordon's regiment, under Gen. Price. Held the rank of first lieutenant. He participated in the following battles, in all of which he acquitted himself, as a brave sol- dier and an. honorable gentleman: Lexington, Springfield, Prairie Grove, Cowskin Prairie, Shreveport, Helena, Corinth, Ballstown and other minor engagements. Was mustered out at Shreveport May, 1865. He then returned to Lexington, and engaged in the carriage making business, which he followed there for ten years. In 1876 he went to Dover, where he has since resided engaged in the same business. October 10, 1872, he was married to Miss Anna Hill, of Greenton, this county. They have
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
four children: Della, Ferdie, Johnie, Otis. Mr. B's parents are natives of Virginia. His wife's were born in this state. While in the army he was chief musician, under Gen. Parsons. His talents in this line were of the highest order, in token of which he was presented with a beautiful drum with brass hoops and lignum-vitae sticks, while at Shreveport. He had the best field band in the trans-Mississippi department. The presentation was made by the general inspector of arms, of said depart- ment. Mr. Butler is a thriving, intelligent, business man, respected by his fellow citizens.
GEGRGE W. MARQUIS,
teacher, postoffice, Dover. Is a native of this state and county, born Oct. 23, 1840. Was educated at the Old Masonic College at Lexington. After leaving school he served an apprenticeship at blacksmithing, which trade he followed until the opening of the civil war. Located in Lexing- ton. May. 17, 1861, he enlisted in the confederate service, company G, Col. Mccullough's regiment, under Gen. Price. Engaged in the follow- ing battles: Wilson's Creek, Elk Horn, Corinth and various minor engagements. At the battle of Collinsville he was shot in the right side, the ball striking a rib and glancing around came out at the left side, a narrow escape. Was taken prisoner at Moscow, Tenn., and taken to Alton, Ills., where he was detained ten months. Was mustered out May 17, 1865, at Columbus, having served four years to a day. After the war he located at Oakland, engaged in blacksmithing. In 1866, he engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed for one year. He after- wards engaged in teaching, which occupation he followed until Sept. 1880, teaching a greater part of the time in Mississippi. At the time above men- tioned, he came to this county, locating at Dover. He expects to resume teaching again this fall. December 23, 1869, he was married to Miss Mary F. Bell, of Tallahatchie county, Miss. They have two children: Willie and Claude. Mr. M's father came to this county in 1819, at the age of twelve years being one of the pioneer settlers of this county. He died in 1861. Mr. M. is a member of A. F. & A. M., Glasgow Lodge, 354, Miss. Also a member of K. of P., Amity Lodge, 982, Pope Station, Miss. Also of I. O. G. T., Dover Lodge, 221. 'Is a worthy and consis- tent member of the Christian church.
JOHN McABEL,
blacksmith and merchant, postoffice, Dover. The subject of this sketch is a native of Marion county, Mo., born May 6, 1822. His parents moved from Marion to Polk county, Mo., in 1832, where his father opened up a farm, he being the second man to put in a crop of corn in the county. They lived in Polk county eight years. John then started out into the
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world for himself, going to Texas, where he remained for two years. He then returned to Hannibal, Marion county, where he learned his trade. serving an apprenticeship of four and a half years with John S. Herrick, of that place. In 1847, April 27th, he was married to Miss Lucinda Bry- ant, of Ralls county, a native of Virginia, hy whom he has one child: John J. His wife dying, he was again married to Mrs. Elizabeth Estes, nee Franklin. On account of his wife's ill health, Mr. McAbel spent the greater portion of the time until 1877, in travering through various coun- ties of the state, seeking a congenial climate. During his travels he loca- ted for a short time in each of the following places: Lexington, Waverly, Malta Bend, Arrow Rock, Jacksonville, Randolph county, Macon City, Macon county, Bloomington, same county, Waverly again and then in 1877 coming to Dover, where he now resides. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Dover Lodge, 122, and also of the I. O. G. T., Dover Lodge, 221. Is also a member in good standing of the M. E. church, south. Mr. McA. is the founder of the Alpha Lodge, at Waverly, and through his influence the lodge at Dover was formed. He has been a Good Templar since '37. Is the " village blacksmith " of Dover, and is doing a splendid business in his line. Is an influential man and a good citizen.
ALFRED O. DOWNING,
P. O. Page City, Mo. The young gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and who is one of the enterprising farmers of the vicinity of Page City, was born in Lexington, Ky., May 3, 1849. He is the son of Samuel Downing, Sr., who died in this county in 1876. His mother was Miss Amanda Offatt, a native of Kentucky, where she also died. His father then, in 1856, married Miss Margaret Combs, of Lexington, Ky., his sec- ond wife, who, after his death, married Judge Walker, of Lexington, Mo. In 1857, when between seven and eight years old, Alfred moved with his father to Boonville, Mo., and after a year's residence there, they moved to this county, and settled on a tract of 440 acres of land in Dover township, upon part of which Alfred now lives. He was educated at White's Semi- nary at Dover. He was too young to take any part in the civil war, though his sympathies were with the South, and a brother served four years under Shelby. On the 22d of September, 1880, he was married to Miss Lura Logan, daughter of Henry Logan, deceased, of Parkersburg, Va. They have one child, a daughter named Mary, born June 27, 1881.
SAMUEL DOWNING,
P. O. Page City, Mo. One of the old battle-scarred veterans of Shelby's famous command, was born in Lexington, Ky., August 12, 1842. Con- cerning his parents, Samuel and Amanda Downing, see biography of his
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
brother, Alfred Downing. He also came with his father to this state in 1857, and settled first in Boonville for one year, and then in this county in 1858, where he has since lived. He was partly raised and educated in Kentucky, and partly at Dover, in this county. He was raised on a farm and has never followed any other calling. In 1861 he volunteered in Com- pany " A," 3d Mo. Cav., the first company of Shelby's old brigade, which was organized by Shelby himself. The regiment was commanded by Col. Frank Gordon. About twelve months after he enlisted, the regiment was put into Shelby's brigade, mostly recruited from this county. His com- pany being the oldest and best drilled in the brigade, they generally had the brunt to bear in battle, and when picked men were chosen for special and daring service, they were generally taken from Company " A" of Gor- don's regiment. Mr. Downing served the entire four years under Shelby, being in nearly all the battles west of the river, Pea Ridge, Oak Hill, Little Rock, Prairie Grove, Hartsville, Springfield, Marshall, Lexington, the Big and Little Blue, Westport, etc., etc. He was altogether in about two hundred fights. He was never seriously wounded, and had his horse shot under him. He was twice captured, once in 1861 in Bates County, Mo., by Jim Lane, was paroled, and returned to this county on foot. He was then dragged, with his father, to Lexington and imprisoned in a dungeon by Capt. Clayton, of the Kansas troops, who refused to recognize Lane's parole. He was, however, released in a short time, and made his way at once to Shelby, considering that his arrest by Clayton released him from his parole. He was again captured, in 1865, at Duval's Bluff, Ark., taken to Little Rock, where he was at the surrender. He was released in April, 1865. and reached home in May, since which time he has lived on his farm, but a short distance from the home and farm of his old leader, Gen. Shelby. Mr. Downing has never been married. As he was a good sol- dier, so he has proved a good citizen, and stands high among his neigh- bors, who are, many of them, his old comrades.
FREDERICK D. FULKERSON,
deceased. Though no longer among the living, Mr. Fulkerson will long be remembered among the old citizens of Lafayette county. He was born in Lee county, Virginia, March 17, 1809, and was the son of Peter and Margaret Fulkerson. He was raised and educated in Lee county, and moved to Missouri in 1856. Being raised on a farm, he never followed any other calling. He operated a large farm in Virginia, and owned there a large body of slaves. Having sold his land in Virginia, in 1856, he moved his family and slaves to this county, where he purchased a large farm, on which his widow still resides. They moved from Virginia to Louisville, Kentucky, in wagons, and there embarked on the river, by which they came to this county, two and one-half miles southwest of Hig-
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
ginsville, where he continued to live until his death. He was twice mar- ried-first to Miss Nancy A. Dunn, May 31, 1842, daughter of John Dunn, a Scotch gentleman who had settled in Lee county, Virginia. She lived about seven years, and died December 5, 1849. His second mar- riage was February 16, 1851, to Miss W. Melissa Dunn, a younger sister of his first wife, who now survives him. By his first marriage he had one son and three daughters living; all married except one daughter. By his last union he had ten children, six of whom are living. Mr. Fulkerson took no part in the civil war, but remained quietly at home. He was always a union man and strongly opposed secession. He was driven from his home for a short time. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, as was also both his wives. He also belonged to the masonic order, though he attended no lodge after coming to this state. He suffered greatly with rheumatism prior to his death, but died peacefully July 18, 1868. In his death the county lost a first-class citizen, and his family a faithful husband and father.
BENJAMIN C. RIDGE,
P. O. Higginsville, Missouri; son of one of the oldest citizens of this part of the county where he now resides. His father, Wm. Ridge, died in May, 1874. He emigrated to this state and county in 1834, from Adair county, Kentucky, and settled on the farm where his son now lives, between two and three miles southwest of Higginsville. Benjamin C. was born in Adair county, Kentucky, September 20, 1833, and came with his father to this county the next year, 1834, where he was raised on a farm and educated. During the border war in Kansas, he went there to lay claims, and to assist the pro-slavery side in the struggle-was not, how- ever, engaged in any of the fights. In 1861 he volunteered in the 3d Mis- souri cavalry, Gordon's regiment, under Gen. Shelby. He served through- out the war, and was in the battles of Cathage, Wilson's Creek, Lexing- ton, Prairie Grove, Mark's Mill, Jenkins' Ferry, Little Rock to Camden, in Shelby's raid, and in the battles of Price's last raid. He was wounded in the Westport battle in 1864. After the war he returned to this county and to farming; in which he has since been engaged. May 8, 1866, he was married to Miss Winnie R. Warren, daughter of Anderson Warren, one of the pioneers of the county. He has had six children, five of them now living. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian church.
THOMAS SHELBY,
postoffice, Lexington, Mo. Was born in Marion county, near Lebanon, Ky., Sept. 23, 1818, and is the son of William and Nancy Shelby, (nce Edmonson). Both his parents were natives of Virginia. He was educa- ted and raised partly in Kentucky, and partly in Missouri. In 1836 he
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
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came with his father to this county, and shortly after purchased land between Lexington and Dover, on the old state road. He was raised on a farm, and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He took no active part in the war, many circumstances combining to keep him at home, but did what he could to aid the southern cause. He has had a large experience as a trader in negroes and mules, which he pursued before the war. His father had increased his landed possessions to 2000 acres at his death, of which Thomas now owns about 1100 acres, improved, with an elegant residence. He was married in January 1838, to Miss Nancy H. Gordon, daughter of Geo. H. Gordon, a native of Kentucky, who was once surveyor of this county. His first wife died, April 21, 1876. He again married in Dec. 1877, to Miss Margaret R. Huston, of Ohio. By his first marriage he had thirteen children, five of whom are now living. By his last marriage he has had no children. He is a member of the Christian church, and has been since 1848, to which his first wife also belonged. His present wife belongs to the Episcopal church. His child- ren are members of the Christian church.
TRAVIS BUFORD,
P. O. Lexington, Mo. The subject of this sketch was born Oct. 1, 1847, raised and educated in this county, and has always lived here. His father, Manville T. Buford, is a citizen of this county. His mother, Elizabeth Buford, was a daughter of Wm. Shelby, deceased. He was raised on a farm, which is now and has been his vocation. He has a fine farm of 325 acres six miles east of Lexington, and for years past he has been largely engaged in dealing in stock-buying, feeding and shipping. He was first married on the 9th of December, 1866, to Miss Alice Shelby, daughter of Thomas Shelby, who was also his cousin. She died in 1870, and he sub- sequently married Miss Mattie Gordon, daughter of Linn B. Gordon, of this county. By his first marriage he has one son named William, and by his second two sons: Linn B. and Manville T. He is not a church member, but is a Mason. Mrs. Buford is a member of the Christian church.
ANDREW J. SLUSHER,
P. O. Dover, Mo. Was born in the old Slusher homestead in this county, four miles west of Dover, March 5, 1829, and is the son of Christopher Slusher, who came from Virginia to this county in 1828. He was raised and educated here, and has lived here all his life, engaged in farming. He was a southern sympathiser, and joined the confederate army in 1864, dur- ing Price's last raid, and was engaged in nearly all the fights of the retreat. After the war closed he returned home and gave his attention to his farm. He had, of course, lost his slaves, and nearly all his personal property, and
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had to renew and build up his broken fortunes. He has prospered since the war, and now has his splendid farm of 867 acres in fine condition. He was married December 1, 1851, to Miss Susanah Jane Woods, daughter of Archibald C. Woods, deceased, of this county. They have had ten children, seven of whom, two sons and five daughters, are now living. He is a member of the Grange, and stands high as an energetic and enter- prising citizen.
YOUNG HICKLIN.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a native of this county and was born on the old James Hicklin homestead, two and one-half miles east of Lexington. He is son of James and Agnes Hicklin, and was born July 29, 1842. His mother was a daughter of Wm. Cross, of Howard county, Mo. His father was from Tennessee, and died in June, 1875. Young Hicklin was raised and educated in this county, and has lived here all his life, and since the war on the old homestead farm, where he was born. When about fifteen years old he left home and went to Texas, and after being there for a few months joined the Texas rangers on the fron- tier, and was with them under Gen. Ben. Mccullough when the civil war broke out, and entered the confederate service under Mccullough in 1861, but remained only a short time and then returned home. But the militia soon got after him, and he then went to Jackson county and joined the recruits under Capt. Hays and went south. His father sent for him to return and assist in getting his slaves to the south, which he did, being released for that purpose; but he was forced to take to the brush to save himself as soon as he got to this county. He then went into the regular ser- vice under Gen. Raine, and was in a battery, commanded by Capt. Rob- erts, at Pea Ridge, and was with this battery until after the battle of Jenk- ins' Ferry, where a section of the battery was captured, and most of the men and horses killed. The battery was charged by two negro regiments, who murdered the men promiscuously after the capture. Hicklin escaped by jumping into a lake-was afraid to surrender to the negroes. He then made his way to Shelby, and soon went into the recruiting service under Cols. Coffey and Crisp, with a captain's commission. He was in Price's last raid, but left the army on leave after it returned south. Went to Ellis county, Texas, where he remained until the surrender. He was in the battles of Lexington, Jenkins' Ferry, Prairie Grove, and numerous minor engagements, and in the battles of Price's raid. He was captured once, at Little Rock, but was exchanged in a short time. After he returned home in 1865 he still had trouble with the militia element, but held his own, until the times got quiet. While with a friend, Arch Clemments, in Lexington, they were attacked. Clemments was shot down, but Hicklin
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