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 65
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WILLIAM B. TAGGART.
Mr. Taggart was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, October 13, 1846. Was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1865 just before the war closed, he enrolled in the State militia, but was never sworn into service. In 1879 he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, consisting of fifty-five acres of very productive and well improved land. In 1880 he raised eighteen bushels of wheat and thirty- five bushels of corn to the acre. His farm is well watered and contains a fine orchard. Mr. Taggart is an excellent business man and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. His postoffice address is Concordia.
WILLIAM HILLANS.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Germany, born October 23, 1846. Was reared and educated there, obtaining his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-two years, he came to the United States, landing at New Orleans, where he remained for five and a half years. While there he was united in marriage to Miss Bridget Welsh. Five children have been born to them, two of whom are now living: Mary and Lizzie. Upon leaving New Orleans, Mr. Hillans came to Lafayette county, and located a short distance southwest of Concor- dia, where he lived two years. He then went to Johnson county and lived ten years in the northeastern part, after which he returned to this county, and purchased the farm upon which he now resides, situated five miles southwest of Concordia. His farm consists of 160 acres of well improved land. Mr. Hillans is a member of the Presbyterian church and Mrs. Hillans of the Catholic church. Postoffice, Concordia.
JOHN BUTTNER,
deceased. Mr. Buttner was born in Forsyth county, North Carolina, April 22, 1831, where he was raised and educated. At the age of twenty-one he came to Lafayette county and engaged in farming. In 1856, April 10, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth. F. Ray, a native of Lafay- ette county. Seven children were born to them, five now living, viz: Wm. D., Minnie L., John H., Mary E. and Cora A. In 1861 he enlisted in the confederate service, under Gen. Shelby. Participated in the battles of Lone Jack, Independence, Blues, Westport, Newtonia, Pine Bluff and numerous others. June 15, 1865, he took the oath at Shreveport and came home and re-engaged in farming. Mr. Buttner died July 20, 1879, and was buried at the Ebenezer cemetery. Mrs. Buttner is still residing
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
on the home place, situated six miles southeast of Aullville. Her post- office address is Concordia.
EDWARD H. SMITH.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Lincoln county, Kentucky, born June 2, 1830. Was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1854 he married Miss Nancy H. Bradley, a native of Ken- tucky. They have had nine children, six now living, three sons and three daughters, viz .: Martha J., John W., Susan M., Mary L., Benjamin H., and Elias E. In 1847 he enlisted for service in the Mexican war, in Capt. J. W. Brannan's company, under Zack. Taylor. Served sixteen months as a private. In 1854 he came to Lafayette county, and located in Lexington, where he lived six years. He then went to Freedom township, where he has since resided. During the civil war, he was appointed a sharp-shooter at the battle of Lexington, under Gen. Price. Was not regularly sworn into the army. When Major Grover was ordered to Lexington to rescue Cols. White and Grover, he took fifty-four prisoners, all citizens, six of whom were negroes. Not a soldier was among the lot, of whom Mr. Smith was one. They were marched from Lexington to the fair grounds and were there released. Mr. Smith's postoffice address is Aullville.
HARMAN BRAND,
is a native of Germany, born January 23, 1841, where he lived until seven or eight years of age, when he came with his parents to the United States and located in Lafayette county, where he has since resided. He com- pleted his education there. In 1865 he was united in marriage to Minnie Harwold, a native of Germany. Seven children were born to them, four now living, viz .: Ernest, Edward, Samuel and Daniel. In 1878 he pur- chased the farm upon which he now resides, consisting of 440 acres of excellent land. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising. During the season of 1880 he raised 5,000 bushels of wheat on 220 acres, and forty bushels of corn per acre. In 1861 he enlisted in the Home Guards-Cap- tain Baker's company-under General Mulligan. Was engaged in the battle of Lexington. After the surrender of the city he was paroled and allowed to return home. When Mr. Brand came to this county he had nothing but good health and energy, with a will to do something for him- self and family. By industry and economy he has become possessed of a splendid farm, well stocked with all the necessary apparatus for its culti- vation. He formerly owned the land upon which a portion of the town of Higginsville is located. He sold it to Messrs. A. E. Asbury, Harvey Higgins and Capt. Hugh Smith. Mr. B. and wife are members of the Baptist church of Higginsville. Postoffice, Aullville.
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
HENRY KOPPENBRINK.
Mr. K. was born in Germany, November 27, 1845, and when nine years of age came to the United States with his parents. His early education was obtained in his native country. After arriving in the United States he again attended school in Johnson and Lafayette counties-completing his education. In 1870 he left Lafayette county (to which he came imme- diately after landing) and went to Johnson county, where he lived five years engaged in farming. He then returned to Lafayette county and engaged in the hardware business with Mr. Thieman, at Concordia, where he remained three years, and then returned to his farm in Johnson county. In August, 1881, he came back to Concordia and in partnership with his brother John, purchased the livery stable of Meyer & Co., and has since been engaged in the livery business. In 1869 he was married to Miss Dina Stunkle, by whom he has had five children, three now living, viz .: Elenora, Albert and Edward.
JOHN H. WALKENHORST.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Lafayette county, born April 24, 1848. Was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. Was married to Miss Amelia Stoll, a native of Germany, in 1873. They have three children, viz .: Julius W., John M. and Horace W. Mr. W. is now engaged in farming, owning seventy acres, situated two miles south- west of Concordia. Is paying considerable attention to stock-raising, particularly swine, of the Poland China breed. In 1880 he raised 700 bushels of wheat on thirty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Walkenhorst are mem- bers of the M. E. church of Concordia. Postoffice address is Concordia.
REV. C. SCHOEMAKER.
The subject of the following sketch, pastor of the German Baptist church of Concordia, is a native of Holland, born in 1818. Was raised and educated there. In 1846 he crossed the Atlantic and came directly to St. Louis, where he lived six years and where he obtained his theological education. He preached four years in St. Louis, during which time he assisted his congregation in their project of building a church. He then went to Buffalo, New York, and occupied the pulpit of the German Bap- tist church there for nine years. From there he went to Muscatine, Iowa, where he remained eleven years; at the close of which period he came to Lafayette county and settled near Concordia, where he now resides. He has been married three times-the last time in lowa, to Miss Dora Nyen- house, a native of Holland. Seven children were born to them-six sons and one daughter, all living. He has two children by his second wife. Postoffice, Concordia.
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
AUGUST BROCKMANN.
Just forty-one years ago, in 1840, while the parents of the subject of this sketch were coming from Germany to the United States, Mr. Brock- mann was born in the vessel in which they sailed. They landed at New Orleans, and then came to Lafayette county, stopping for a short time in St. Louis. They arrived in this county in the spring of '41. August obtained his education in the German and English schools of this county; was raised on a farm. In 1863 he was united in marriage to Miss Sophia ' Oetling, a native of Lafayette county, Missouri. Seven children were born to them, five of whom are now living, three daughters and two sons: Anna, Martha, Emelia, August and Fritz. In 1868 he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, consisting of 140 acres, situated three and a half miles south of Concordia. In 1880 he harvested 1,500 bushels of wheat from fifty-five acres. Mr. B. and wife are members of the Lutheran Church of Concordia. During the late war he enlisted in the enrolled militia, Capt. Brum's company, D, under Col. Neill; was third corporal; was engaged in the fight with the bushwhackers. He was only two months in active service, the remainder of the time (two months) lying sick with the typhoid fever. Post-office, Concordia.
JOHN HOLTCAMP.
The subject of the following sketch is a native of Prussia, Germany, born March 2d, 1832, where he obtained his early education. In 1844 he came to the United States with his father, Casper Holtcamp, landing at New Orleans and going directly to St Louis, where they remained six months and then came to Lafayette county, where his father entered land near Concordia. They were the first emigrants from Prussia who loca- ted in this county. John lived with his father two years and then started out to "paddle his own canoe." In 1850 he was attacked by the "gold fever," which carried him off to California, where he remained until 1856, engaged in mining, meeting with a moderate degree of success, and returning with about $1,700, with which he purchased a farm a short dis- tance south of Concordia, on the edge of Johnson county. In 1858 he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Kolman, a native of Prussia; ten children were born to them, eight now living: Henry, John, Joseph, James, William, Lydia, Sarah and Mary. In 1865 he sold his farm in Johnson county, and purchased one of 297 acres of first-class farm land, located in this county, one and a half miles east of Aullville, where he is still residing, giving considerable attention to stock raising. In 1863 he enlisted in the enrolled Missouri militia, of Johnson county, Capt. Folk's. company, 40th regiment, serving eight months. His father died in 1875, at the advanced age of seventy-two years, and was buried in the Republi- can church grave-yard. Mr. Holtcamp's post-office ad dress is Aullville.
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
ROBERT T. LITTLEJOHN,
deceased. The subject of the following sketch, one of the pioneer set- tlers of Lafayette county, was born in Mason county, Kentucky, October 8, 1812, and died November 10, 1877. Was raised and educated in his native county, where he also learned the blacksmith's trade. About the year 1830 he came to Lafayette county and entered the employ of Mr. Jack Waddell, in which he remained until 1842, engaged first as overseer, afterwards as miller, for five years, and subsequently in the capacity of blacksmith. November 12, of same year, he married Miss Martha Payne, a native of Woodford county, Ky., and daughter of Thomas Payne, who moved to Lafayette county in 1841. Fifteen children were born to them, thirteen of whom are now living, three sons and ten dnughters: Mrs. Nancy Roberts, Mrs. Elizabeth Barnes, Mrs. Caroline Clary, Mrs. James Willis, Mrs: Georgia A. Wilborn, Julia, Ida, Jenny, Maggie, Mattie, Wil- liam H., Thomas and Augustus. In 184+ he purchased a farm of 500 acres, situated twenty-two miles south of Lexington, where he resided until his death.
CHARLES B. DOUGLASS,
deceased. The subject of the following sketch was born in Philadelphia, June 3, 1809. At the age of seventeen he went to Kentucky, where he lived until 1843. While in Kentucky he was married to Miss Rebecca Rawlings, a native of Fleming county, Kentucky. Eight children were born to them: William, Jonathan, Henry, Thomas, Charles, Nancy, Eliza and Sarah. In 1843 the family moved to Missouri, Johnson county, near Columbus, where they lived two years, and then removed to near Basin Knob, and afterwards to Oak Grove, living three years at each place. Then coming to Lafayette county, they lived here five years, and then returned to Johnson county where they remained until 1866. Sep- . tember 1, 1863, a company of the seventh Missouri cavalry and one of the eleventh Kansas cavalry came to Mr. Douglass' house and took him away to Davis' creek bottom, in Lafayette county, and there shot him together with Dr. William Dobson, and left the bodies lying in the grass, which was as tall as a grown person. On the afternoon of the following day a company of forty men, among whom were Thomas Douglass, Stout Burton and Daniel Dobson, started in search of the missing. They found the bodies after some search, and buried them at Oak Grove Cem- etery. Mr. Douglass, politically, was a constitutional Union man, but took no active part in the war. He had three sons, however, in the con- federate army. Neither Mr. D. nor his family ever knew why he was thus taken away and shot. There was but one wound on his body and that was directly through the heart. Mrs. Douglass and one son are now living about three miles south of Aullville, engaged in farming.
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
JESSE HARGRAVE.
Mr. Hargrave is a native of Guilford county, North Carolina; born June 24, 1827. Obtained his early education there and at the age of twelve came to Lafayette county with his parents. Completed his education at Browns- ville "Sweet Springs College, " Dr. Lapsley Yantis, president. In April, 1867, he married Miss M. E. Patrick, a native of this county, and daugh- ter of James J. Patrick. Five children were born to them, four of whom are now living, viz: Horace M., Anselm J., Ida M. and Almeda A. His father Anselm Hargrave, bought a farm near were Concordia now stands, where Jesse lived until 1862, when he went west, traveling through Wash- ington territory, Idaho territory and Oregon, where he remained until 1866, when he returned, and in 1868 bought the farm where he now resides, consisting of 160 acres, situated six miles south of Aullville. In 1880 he raised 900 bushels of wheat on forty acres and forty-five bushels of corn per acre. Mr. H. and his father were among the early pioneers of that part of the county. Game, such as deer, wild turkeys, etc., was plenty. At that time their milling was done at Dover and their trading at Lex- ington and Boonville-taking their swine to the latter place. Wheat was hauled from where Concordia now is to Lexington and sold for twenty- five cents a bushel. Post office, Aullville.
W. K. SAUNDERS.
The subject of the following is a native of Davidson county, North Carolina; born Nov. 16, 1833. There he was raised and educated, attend- ing the common schools, Was raised on a farm. At the age of twenty- three he came to Lafayette county and settled on the place known as the Franklin Mock farm, where he has since resided. He was married Sept. 6, 1857 to Miss Lydia R. Field, a native of North Carolina. They have had four children, three of them now living, as follows: Emma J., Frances A. and William L. Aug. 16, 1862, he enlisted as fourth sergeant in Company C, Seventy-first E. M. M. He participated in the Wellington fight with the bushwhackers. Was color-bearer and at the time the enemy charged, he was in the stable getting feed for his horse and had left the flag on the outside, which was captured, he, however, succeeded in mak- ing his escape to Lexington. In this engagement there were about sixty Federals and about 160 bushwhackers. He was discharged in December of 1862, but was called out once or twice afterwards. In August, 1864€ he re-enlisted in the 100-days service under Col. Rout; but on arriving at St Joe, finding his company with sixty-five more men than its quota, he was sent home. Post office address, Aullville.
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
URIAH FARRELL.
Mr. Farrell was born in Lincoln county, Ky., June 23, 1834, and at the age of five years came to Missouri with his parents, stopping one year in Saline county, and then moving into the southeastern part of Lafayette county, where Uriah was educated-attending the public schools. In 1857 he was united in marriage to Miss Julia Word, a native of North Caro- lina. Nine children were born to them, seven now living, viz: Emma F., Minnie L., Bernetta M., Harry A., William A., Charles and John C. In 1858 he purchased the farm where he now resides, consisting of 100 acres. Is engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1862 he enlisted in the Fed- eral service-Capt. Taggart's company, Seventy-first Enrolled Missouri Militia-in which he remained five months. In 1851 his father William Farrell, and his (Uriah) oldest brother, Lapsley, went to California with the gold fever. They both died within three months after arriving and were buried there. Mr. Farrell's Post office address is Aullville.
ROBERT S. SITTINGTON.
The subject of the following sketch is a native of Highland county, Va .; born February 25, 1848. He there obtained his early education and at the age of eleven years came to Pettis county, Missouri, where he completed it. In 1865 he came to Lafayette county, and in 1870 pur- chased the farm upon which he now resides, consisting of 160 acres of excellent land. . Is engaged in farming and stock-raising. During the season of 1880 he raised 1,000 bushels of wheat of fine quality on fifty acres, and in 1881-when the wheat crop was comparatively a failure -he raised 750 bushels of No. 2 wheat on 48 acres. In December of 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Susan M. Handley, daughter of Joseph Handley, a native of Lafayette county. They have had two children, one now living, Emma J., the other dying when quite young. Mr. Sittington is one of the substantial business men of the county and one who looks after the interests of the public with a watchful eye.
B. WHITWORTH.
The subject of the following sketch-probably the oldest settler of Lafayette county now living-was born in Guilford county, North Caro- lina, July 7, 1819. Was educated at a subscription school. At the age of eighteen, he and his mother, brother and two sisters, came to Missouri, and located in Freedom township, where Mr. W. worked five years for Dr. Davis, in the Davis Mill, near what is now known as Kirkpatrick's Mill -attending school a portion of the time. He afterwards rented the mill, which he operated for two years. In 1844, he entered the farm upon which he now resides, where he lived three years, and then went to Lex-
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
ington, and operated a mill for nearly a year, and then returned to his farm, where he has since resided. Owns 108 acres. He was first mar- ried, February 2, 1843, to Miss Margaret J. Mock, daughter of David Mock, Sr., and a native of North Carolina. They had three children, of whom two are now living, viz: Margaret J. Perdue, and Mary A. Webb. His first wife died July 23, 1850, being killed by lightning, and was buried at Freedom Chapel graveyard. August 19, 1852, he was again united in marriage, to Miss Phœbe Farrell, a native of Kentucky. They have eight children, viz: Thomas A., William R., George W., Charles, Bevill W., Margaret J., Clara M., and Annie. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the federal service-Capt. Taggart's company, Seventy-first regiment, E. M. M., in which he served three months, and was then honorably discharged. In 1843, the county court appointed him an over- seer, to open and put in order the Lexington and Knob Noster road, run- ning from Merritt's ford, on Davis creek, to a point on the Johnson county line, near John Scott's, which appointment he filled in a creditable manner. In 1844, he was appointed deputy constable of his township, and was afterwards appointed by the magistrates, to fill a vancancy caused by the resignation of Alexander Wilborn. Mr. W, has long been a resident of this county, and to him its present state of progress is due, to a great extent. Post-office, Aullville.
EDWARD H. HANDLY.
The subject of this sketch is a native of this state and Lafayette county; born March 12, 1856. Obtained quite a liberal education in the common schools; spent two years in the State University, at Columbia, and, in 1876, graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, at St. Louis. In 1878, he went to the mountains, and engaged in mining, near where Leadville now stands. He, George Tremble, and Simon H. Foss discovered the "Winnemuck," now part of the " Pittsburg Consoli- dation Mine." Was engaged in the law-suit which finally resulted in the consolidation, and sold out his interest for $5,000. He remained there until 1880, mining and keeping a feed store. In February of that year, he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, situated two and a half miles south of Aullville, consisting of 240 acres of first-class land, upon which he is engaged in farming and raising stock. In October, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss J. Parker, a native of Johnson county. Post- office, Aullville.
DR. JAMES BELT.
Dr. Belt is a native of Loudon county, Virginia; born July 20, 1821. He spent three years in school, at Rockville, Montgomery county, Mary- land, and two years in the University of Virginia, from which he gradu-
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
ated in the medical department. He also spent six months in hospitals of Philadelphia, in order to perfect himself in surgery, etc., and afterwards practiced ten miles south of Frederick City, Maryland. In 1851, he came to Lafayette county, and settled in Wellington, where he opend the first drug store in that place, which he operated in connection with his prac- tice. In 1854, he went to Napoleon, which, in 1836-7, had been a thrifty town, but in consequence of the money crisis, which occurred during the latter year, had become sadly demoralized. When he went there the town itself could not be found, the lines and corners having been obliter- ated. He was married, April 18, 1854, to Miss Sarah E. Snouffer, a native of Maryland, and educated at Urbana. Eight children were born to them, seven of whom are living, viz: Charlotte E., (Mrs. Sittington), Georgi- anna S. (Mrs. Wilson), Mary E., Florence, James A., Ida W., and William C. The doctor laid out the town where Napoleon formerly stood, and called it " Lisbon," the original name, however, being retained for the post- office. He remained there, farming and practicing, until 1876, when he removed to Lexington, for the purpose of educating his children. In 1877, he purchased and removed to the farm upon which he now resides, consisting of eighty acres. , The doctor is intending to make a specialty of raising fine stock, and fish culture. He has one pond already well stocked with German carp. The doctor and Mrs. Belt are members of the Baptist Church, with membership at Aullville. P. O. Aullville.
JOAB WORTHINGTON.
Mr. Worthington was born in Davidson county, North Carolina, June 5, 1831. His early education was obtained at a private school. In 1841, he came with his parents to Lafayette county, having spent the previous winter in Indiana. The family settled upon a farm located one half mile east of where Mr. W. now lives. March 2, 1862, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Eliza J. Allkire, a native of Hampshire county, Va. They became parents of nine children, seven of whom are now living, viz: Charles M., Edward S., Annie B., Bettie E., Abba C., Hannah D., and an infant son. In July, 1862, he enlisted in the federal service, Capt. Tag- gart's company, 71st regiment, E. M M. Was commissioned 2d Lieut., Oct., 15, 1862. In the first campaign he served about four months and was called out again in 1863. In 1864, he re-enlisted in Capt. Bundrum's company, in which he served only thirty days. He participated in the fight with Poole and Anderson's bushwhackers at Wellington. In this " brush " he had his horse shot under him, but finally succeeded in mak- ing his escape to Lexington. Returned home at the close of the war and resumed his occupation of farming. His farm consists of 140 acres of excellent land, well improved, containing a fine orchard, a never failing spring near his house, etc. Commencing about 1850, he acted as mail
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY. .
carrier for several years on the route between Freedom, on the Warrens- burg and Lexington road, and a point nine miles west. Mr. Worthing- ton's postoffice address is Aullville.
JOSEPH M. HANDLY.
Mr. Handly was born in Greenbrier county, Va., Sept. 21, 1818, where he .vas raised on a farm and educated in a subscription school. In 1839, he came to Lafayette county, with his father's family and located in the southern part, about twenty miles south of Lexington, where his father, Robert Handly, entered 240 acres of land. At this early day the county was very sparcely settled and Indian trails were still to be seen. Mrs. Handly died Sept. 8, 1843, and Mr. Handly, Oct. 10, 1845. Both are buried in the " Scott " grave-yard. After his father's death the property was divided between his brother John, and himself. Mr. Handly owns at present 240 acres of land. April 14, 1847, he was married to Miss E. J. Brown, a native of Logan county, Ky. They have been parents of nine children, six now living, viz: Susan M., Louisa F., William E., Mary R., Eugene S., and Annie L. Postoffice address, Aullville.
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