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 66
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LUCIEN M. MAJOR.
Mr. Major is a native of Woodford county, Ky .; born Sept. 22, 1831. Was raised and educated there, and in 1847, came west with his parents, and settled in Lafayette county, where his father, Joseph M. Major, pur- chased land, 18 miles south of Lexington. Lucien finished his education in this county, and Feb. 10, 1853, was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Ridge, a native of Lafayette county. This union is blessed with ten children, nine of whom are living, as follows: Wm. H., Lucien S., Benj. W., Isaac R., Joseph T., Earl E., Mary E., Georgia M., and Ada H. In 1861, he enlisted in Missouri State Guards, company E., Col. Shelby's regiment, in which service he remained about three months. In August, 1862, he re-enlisted in the contederate service, in company I, Col. Elliott's regiment. In 1864, Mr. Major was commissioned captain of company H, which was organized at Boonville, in that year. Was engaged in the fol- lowing battles: Lexington, Springfield, Newtonia, Cane 'Hill, Coon Creek, Hartsville, Helena, Cape Girardeau, Jenkins' Ferry, Prairie Grove, Prairie de Ann, Duvall's Bluff, Pilot Knob, Ironton, Independence, Blues, Westport, one where Marmaduke was captured, and Drywood. At the second battle of Newtonia he was shot through the left lung, which disa- bled him for two months. He was left on the battle field was captured paroled and ordered to report at Springfield when able. He did so, and was sent to St. Louis, and afterwards to Alton, where he remained until about the 20th of May, when he was released upon taking the oath of alle-
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giance to the federal government. He then returned home and has since been living on a farm of 215 acres, situated four and a half miles south- west of Aullville, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising. During the season of 1880, he raised 2,500 bushels of wheat on 110 acres, and sold $5,000 worth of stock. Postoffice, Aullville.
ERASMUS L. BENTON.
Mr. Benton is a native of Scott county, Ky .; born Feb. 3, 1819. He obtained his education in that county, where he lived until 1836, when he moved, with his parents, to Lafayette county, and settled four miles south of Lexington, where he lived until 1859. In same year .he bought the farm upon which he now resides, engaged in its cultivation. In 1844, he returned to Kentucky, and married Miss Isabel Lackland, a native of Scott county. Ten children were born to them, eight of whom are now living, viz: George D., Ellen A., Mary E., Louisa B., Fanny S., Sallie G., Mattie P., and Emma L. Mr. Benton's postoffice is Aullville.
HON. JAMES B. HORD.
Mr. Hord is a native of Mason county, Ky .; born Oct. 20, 1819. Was raised and educated there, completing his course of study, by attending Augusta College for two years. Upon arriving at his majority, he went into the mercantile business at May's Lick, continuing in it until a short time previous to his advent into the state of Missouri. In 1840, he mar- ried Miss Mary A. Morris, a native of Kentucky. They have had thir- teen children born to them, ten now living, viz: Mrs. D. M. Swan, Mrs. Louisa Major, Mrs. Mary J. Mock, Adelia, Harriet R., Katy, Prudence B., Emma, Flora and Edward. The deceased are as follows; Mrs. Eliz- abeth Gibbons, Mrs. Fanny Snyder and William M. Mr. Hord also has a grand-son living with him, James Gibbons, whom he has taken care of since the age of eleven. About 1846, he was elected, by the whig party to represent Mason county, Ky., in the state legislature, in which he served.one term with credit. In 1850, he removed to Lafayette county, Mo., and in 1851, located upon the farm where he now resides, consisting of 320 acres of excellent land. In about 1855, Mr. Hord received the nomination for state senator, from the district consisting of Lafayette and Johnson counties, at the hands of the whig party, but declined the honor. In 1875, without his knowledge or consent, he was appointed a member of the county court of this county, and was afterwards elected to same office. In Nov. 1880, he was elected probate judge for this county, by an overwhelming majority, which office he now fill's in a manner calculated to render impartial justice to all. Postoffice, Aullville.
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CAPT. GEORGE H. MILLER,
P. O. Aullville. Son of Maj. John and Susan Miller, of Buckingham county, Virginia, was born in Fluvanna county, Virginia, January 2, 1836, where he was raised. He taught school in Virginia until 1856, when he came to this county, and in 1857 was employed by Gen. Joe Shelby in selling goods at Berlin. In 1858 he married Miss Mary A. Corder, and engaged in teaching until the war broke out, when he visited Virginia and joined the confederate army as a private. Was adjutant of the Third Virginia cavalry, state service; was promoted to captain Company A, Nine- teenth confederete cavalry. After the fall of Richmond he was a prisoner, but escaped, and returned home to this county. He has eight children: John, Thomas J., Mary C., Elias C., Paulina B., George H., Jr., Ida L., and Louisa C.
M. A. DYER,
P. O. Aullville. Second son of Manoah W. Dyer, was born December 22, 1838, in Warren county, Kentucky. While yet an infant he came to this county with his parents, locating three miles west of Aullville, where he was raised and educated. At the age of eighteen he entered the Masonic college in Lexington; in the second session he was taken with fever, brought home in a wagon, and came near dying; never went back. He then went to teaching, and taught to the beginning of the war. Did not join either army. May 28, 1861, he married Miss Melissa Brown, of Johnson county, by whom he had two children, Sallie and Lucinda: the first died in 1865. His wife dying, he was married the second time-to Miss Emily Hoffman, of Johnson county, Missouri, March 25, 1867, and by this union he has six children living: Lydia, Nettie, Carter, Freddie, Mattie M., and Carrie. Mr. Dyer lives on his farm of 200 acres, the farm lying mostly in this county, but a portion of it in Johnson. He is a mem- ber of the Christian church, a good citizen and a good farmer.
SAMUEL J. MORGAN,
P. O. Aullville. Is the son of Samuel Morgan, and was born in Owen county, Kentucky, three miles north of the county seat, December 18, 1817. January 8, 1841, he was married to Miss S. Long of Lexington, Kentucky. He then settled in Grant county, Kentucky, where he lived some years, then moved to ,Carroll county, Kentucky, where he lived two years, and then moved back to Owen county. In October, 1855, he moved to this county, and settled in Freedom township, the spring of the next year. He first built on a part of his land; after living on it thirteen years sold it, and built on the northern part of his land, making it a farm of 260 acres; this he sold to J. R. Avitt. His only son, Peter, built a short
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distance west, adjoining his tract of 320 acres. Peter has an excellent farm northwest quarter section 6, township 48, range 25, and the east one . half of the northeast quarter of section 1, township +S, range 25, and eighty acres in township 49. This farm of fine Davis Creek bottom is in a good state of cultivation and improvement, and one of the best farms in the county. Mr. Morgan is noted for raising good horses, and has raised nine colts from one mare, which averaged him $150 each. His son, Peter, married Miss Inez Brock, of Kentucky, April 17, 1873. He was then twenty-seven years of age, and his wife fifteen. They have three chil- dren: Samuel P., William G., and George K. Peter is a member of the Baptist church, a good citizen, husband and father.
H. C. BRUNS,
P. O. Concordia, Missouri. Was born in this county February 8, 1848, and was educated at the German and English schools of Freedom township. He was raised on a farm and in 1871 was married to Miss Wilhelmina Lantz, a native of Germany, by whom he has had four children, three of them now living: Mary, Alvine, and Ida. He is now engaged in farming, owning 163 acres of excellent land. During the war he belonged to the home guards, in Capt. Pepper's company, and was one of the party which was attacked by the bushwhackers in their raid of October, 1864. He escaped by dismounting and crawling under a corn crib. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church of Concordia.
REV. H. P. WILLE,
P. O. Concordia. Was born December 18, 1843, in Hamburg, Ger- many, and came to this country with his parents when only three months old. They landed at New York city, and moved to Wisconsin, near Mil- waukee, where he was raised and educated. He was educated for the ministry, partly at Buffalo, N. Y., and partly at St. Louis, Missouri, where together, he spent four years. He first engaged in teaching in New York, then went to California to preach in 1870, where he staid four years. In the fall of 1874 he came to the Cross church near Concordia, in this county, of which he is now pastor.
HENRY WEHRS,
P. O. Concordia, Missouri. Was born in Germany, December 19, 1841, and at the age of six years, came with his parents to the United States. They came directly to this county, where they have lived ever since. He was educated at the German and English schools of the township. On the 28th of February, 1866, he was married to Miss Doretta Oetting, a native of this county. They have had eight children, six of them now living, four girls and two boys: Amelia, Martha, Lena, Lilly, William, and
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Henry. Mr. Wehrs is now engaged in farming, owning 249 acres of fine land. Both himself and wife are members of the Lutheran church, at the Cross church. In 1862 he enlisted in the 71st regiment, E. M. M., and was corporal in his company. He was in the fight at Wellington in this county. He had been asleep, and when he woke up the rest of his com- mand were gone. He took the only gun left, jumped on his horse and escaped amid a shower of bullets from the confederates, who had come up while he was asleep.
HENRY MILLER, ESQ.,
P. O. Concordia. Was born in Bavaria, Germany, January 26, 1833. At the age of eleven he came to America with his parents, landing at New Orleans, where they lived two years. In June, 1846, they came to Lafayette county, Missouri, where they lived until 1865. He then went to Illinois, where he lived three years, and returned to this county, where he has since continued to live. In 1857 he was married to Miss Sophia Wehrs, a native of Hanover. They have had five children, three of whom are living: John T., William H., and Mary. In December, 1875, his wife died and was buried at Cross church. At present he owns 181 acres of land, which he is engaged in farming. In 1838 he was elected justice of the peace for Freedom township, but refused to serve. He was re-elected in the fall of 1859, and served until 1865. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the enrolled militia in Capt. Ehler's company, 71st regiment. He was orderly sergeant of his company.
A. H. DANKENBRING,
P. O. Concordia, Missouri. Was born in Germany, April 26, 1846. When he was but a year old his parents came to the United States, and lived for a time in St. Louis. They then came to Lexington, in this county. They then moved to the farm three miles east of Concordia, where he now lives. He was educated at the country schools and raised on the farm. In 1868 he was married to Miss Mary Dickenhorst, also a native of Germany. They have seven children, all living: Emily, Anna, Eliza, Flora, Mary, William and George. Mr. Dankenbring owns 100 acres of good farming land, upon 52 acres of which, in 1880, he raised nine hundred bushels of wheat. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, Rev. Wille, pastor. His father, Henry Dankenbring, died in 1873 and was buried at the Church of the Cross.
HENRY DIERKING,
P. O. Concordia, Missouri. Was born in this county, January 31, 1849, and here he was also raised and educated. In 1871 he was married to Miss Lena Willa, a native of Germany, she being six years old when she came
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to this country with her parents. They have had five children, four of them now living: Charlie, Martin Lena and Bertha. Mr. Dierking resides six miles southeast of Corder, and owns 116 acres of fine land. In 1880 he raised 700 bushels of wheat on 40 acres. Both he and his wife are members of the church, near Concordia. His father, G. F. Dierking, was one of the early settlers of the county, coming here from the old country thirty-three years ago. He died April 28, 1880, and was buried at St. John's church.
FERDINAND ERDMANN,
P. O. Concordia, Missouri. Was born near Berlin, in Prussia, December 2, 1833, where he was raised and educated. At the age of twenty he came to the United States, and lived in New Jersey four years, at Egg- Harbor City, being one of the pioneers. While there he married Miss Josephine Fisher, a native of France. They have four children, all living, three boys and one girl: Ferdinand, William, Margarette and Bismark. In 1857 he went to Cincinnati, where he lived until the war broke out. In 1861 he enlisted for three months' service. in company E, 2d Kentucky infantry. While in this company he was promoted to 3d sergeant. Was in the battles of Bowling Green, Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Tuscumbia, Mur- freesboro, where he was taken prisoner by Forrest, and kept two weeks and paroled. He re-enlisted in the 4th Indiana, and was in the battles of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Jackson, Blackwater, Jackson again, Look- out Mountain, Resacca, Dallas, Marrietta Mountain, Jonesboro, Big Sandy and in Sherman's march to the sea, and at Nashville and was discharged in 1865. After the war he lived for awhile in Kansas. In August, 1867, he moved to this county, where he has since lived, engaged in farming and stock raising. Has 200 acres of land and some fine horses of the Mor- gan and Norman stock. In 1875 he was elected constable of Freedom, and was re-elected in 1877.
FRITZ STROSBERG,
P. O. Concordia, Missouri. Was born in Prussia, March 14, 1834, where he was raised and educated at the common schools. At the age of nine- teen he came to the United States and settled in St. Louis, Missouri, for one year. He then came to this county where he still lives. He learned the tailor's trade in his native land and followed the same in this country until the breaking out of the war. In 1858 he was married to Miss Mary Slaman, a native of Germany, and they have had ten children, eight of them now living: Edward, Samuel, Daniel, Julia, Amelia, Lydia, Ida and Mary. Since the war he has been engaged in farming, five miles southeast of Concordia in this county, owning 190 acres of land. In 1861 he enlisted in company C, 26th Missouri volunteer infantry, and was dis-
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charged in 1862. He re-enlisted in the 7th Missouri state militia cav- alry. This regiment was afterward consolidated with the 1st Missouri, in which he was in company M. Battles: Springfield, Mark's Mills, where he was taken prisoner to Tyler, Texas; exchanged at the end of thirteen months. He was discharged at Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1865. Both he and his wife are members of the German Baptist church of Concordia.
JOHN KRESSE.
Mr. Kresse is a native of Lafayette county, Missouri, born June 5, 1854. Was raised on a farm and educated in both German and English. In 1875, he was married to Miss Annie Heinbrook, a native of Chariton county, Missouri. Two children were born to them, both now living, viz: Otis and Josie. Mr. Kresse is now living on his father's farm, situated about two miles south-east of Concordia. His father, Charles Kresse, is a native of Germany, where he was married to Henrietta Miller. He came to this county in 1848 and has since resided here. His youngest son John, is the only one of his children now living with him. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist church of Concordia. In 1880 he raised 1000 bushels of wheat on forty acres, and forty bushels of corn per acre. Postoffice, Concordia.
J. WHITE WADDELL,
P. O. Tabo, Missouri; son of John T. and Nelly Waddell, was born Janu- ary 19, 1836, in Mason county, Kentucky. His parents were of Scotch descent, and came to Missouri when he was nine months old. They first. settled in Lexington in this county, where his father died. His father built one of the first mills in this section, and died there. He received his education in Lexington, at the Masonic College. He served an appren- ticeship at the tinner's trade, and afterwards worked at the trade. Janu- ary 31, 1861, he married Miss Mattie G. Waddle, of Lexington, daughter of J. J. Waddle. They have one daughter, Hannah Lee, who is now at the Baptist Female Seminary, Lexington. From 1863 to 1865 he was. deputy sheriff under Jake Price. He has a fine farm of 407 acres, which he has made by his own industry.
WILLIAM B. DOUGLASS,
P. O. Aullville, Missouri; son of Charles B. and Rebecca Douglass, was born December 19, 1839, in Fleming county, Kentucky. He came to Missouri when Wm. was but five years old, and settled in Jackson county in 1844. In 1850 they moved to this county and settled in Freedom town- ship, where he was raised and educated mostly. He was raised on a farm, which has been his occupation in life. In 1862 he enlisted in the confede- rate army and served to the end of the war as a private. After the war
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closed he farmed for twelve years in Tennessee. He was married August 30, 1866, to Miss Annie E. Flemming, of Monocacy. They have five children living: Ada R., Nannie, Carrie A., Mary, Stover. He then returned to this county, and where he is now living.
JOHN B. MAJOR,
P. O. Aullville, Missouri; was born November 20, 1852, in Wellington, in this county. His father having moved here from Kentucky. He was raised and educated in this county. All his life he has pursued the hon- orable and independent calling of a farmer, in which he has prospered. December 24, 1873, he was married to Miss Sarah E. Brown, also of Freedom township, in this county, a daughter of Capt. J. W. Brown. They have two children living, Wm. E., and Claud B. He has a fine farm of 160 acres which is in a high state of cultivation, and underlaid with coal. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church. He is a good farmer, and as a citizen is respected by all.
CITY OF LEXINGTON. THOMAS L. BOLTON, M. D.
Dr. Bolton was born in Caswell county, North Carolina, April 16, 1820. In 1830 he moved with his parents to Jefferson City, Missouri. He was educated primarily at Forest Hill Academy, in Cole county, Missouri, a noted school at that time. At an early age he acquired a taste for the study of medicine and his father having several medical works in his pos- session, their contents were eagerly devoured by the young student. He followed farming until 1851, when he attended his first course of lectures at the Reformed Medical College, at, Cincinnati. He was afterwards associated for two years with Dr. Brockman, of Miller county, Missouri, after which he entered the B. and M. Medica! College, at Memphis, Ten- nessee, from which he graduated in 1854. He then practiced in Callaway and Miller counties until 1859, when he came to Lafayette county and purchased a farm near Mayview, which he cultivated in connection with his practice. In 1865 he located in Lexington, where he has since resided giving his entire time and attention to the practice of his profession, in which he commands the confidence and respect of his contemporaries. His enviable position has been reached by his indomitable energy coupled with a determination to succeed. The doctor makes a specialty of rectal diseases. He has been a member of the Baptist church since 1845, of which he has been a deacon for seven years. Was married September 17, 1845, to Miss Margaret Glover, of Cole county, Missouri, who died in June of 1851. Three children were born to them, only one now living,
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the Rev. De Witt C. Bolton, pastor of the Baptist church at Lamar, Mis- souri. For his second wife'the doctor married Miss Margaret B. Palmer, of Jefferson City, Missouri, the wedding occuring December 20, 1855. By this marriage nine children were born to them, five now living, viz: William, Mary Bell, Thomas, Horace, and Benjamin V. Mrs. Bolton has been a member of the church since fourteen years of age.
JUDGE ELDRIDGE BURDEN.
Judge Eldridge Burden was born in Nicholas county, Ky., December 27, 1802, being the youngest child of James and Mary (Brain) Burden, of Virginia. His father was a soldier of the revolution, and served, in com- pany with his brother, Joel Burden, under Gen. Washington. After the war Joel Burden settled at Philadelphia, where his descendants now reside. The parents of Eldridge settled in Nicholas county, Ky., where they died, leaving him, at the age of seven, a penniless orphan. Gov. Thomas Met- calf, of Kentucky, assumed his guardianship, and he was adopted as a member of the governor's family, receiving from the teaching and exam- ple of his noble benefactor those principles of probity and ambition for usefulness, which distinguished his after life. He qualified himself to commence the study of law by laboring in his youth for the means with which to defray his expenses at school. He was educated at Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky., where he graduated with honors in the year 1833, and the same year removed to Lexington, Mo., where he has since resided, in active practice of the law, his chosen profession. He was mar- ried on the 26th day of October, 1837, to Miss Patsey Triplett Waddell, daughter of John T. Waddell, one of the founders of Lexington, Mo. Mr. Burden was an old line Whig, and found, when he settled in Lexing- ton, only fifty members of his party to oppose an overwhelming Demo- cratic majority in Lafayette county. In 1838 he entered the political arena as champion of the Whig cause in his section, and in a few years enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing his party largely in the ascendancy. During the war, and since, he has affiliated with the Democratic party. He served eight years in the Missouri Legislature, from the session of 1842 at inter . vals until 1860, during which time he was thrice elected president of the State Bank at Lexington, on joint ballot of that Democratic body, over prominent candidates of the dominant party. For twelve years he was . judge of the Probate Court of his county-a court at that time of exten- sive jurisdiction-and served with marked ability, having but one appeal from his decisions. During the late war an earnest unionist, he declined the tendered appointment as judge of the sixth judicial circuit, made by Gov. Gamble, because at the time he was under parole of honor from the confederate government. He was one of the originators and champions of the bill abolishing imprisonment for debt, and the success of that meas-
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ure in Missouri was mainly attributable to his able efforts in its advocacy. In the halls of legislation and in the Federal and State courts, he was the compeer of Doniphan, Ryland, King, Rollins, Leonard, and other emi- nent men of the state. He is a Mason, and a member of the Christian church. He was vice-president of the first horticultural society of Mis- souri, and the first mayor of Lexington, and has served in many official capacities of a public nature; in fact, since his location in Lafayette his history may be said to be that of the county, for he has been identified with every event of a political and municipal character. Judge Burden, although past the meridian of life, is possessed of a vigorous constitution and great physical strength, remarkably well preserved by his temperate life and moral habits, eschewing the use of tobacco and ardent spirits. His judicial qualifications are of the first order, enabling him with com- parative ease to follow the thread of law through all the subtleties of com- plicated legal questions. His life presents an example of more frequent occurrence in our own country than any other, where men without the extraneous influences of wealth and high connections, by their unaided efforts raise themselves to the highest positions of honor, and acquire the esteem and confidence of their countrymen in consideration alone of their own intrinsic merits. In all the walks of public life Judge Burden served his country with zealous fidelity, and expects to pass his remaining days with those among whom he has grown gray in honorable usefulness.
JOHN E. BURDEN,
attorney at law, son of Judge Eldridge Burden, is a native of Lexington, Mo., where he grew to manhood and was educated primarily, completing a very liberal education at Bethany College, Virginia, from which institu- tion he graduated with high honor. He held the office of clerk of Pro- bate Court from 1862 to 1867, and the office of county recorder from 1867 to 1874. In the meantime he also studied law with his father, a man who enjoys a high reputation as a successful practitioner, and a profound jurist. In 1875 he began the practice of his profession, entering into partnership with his father, the firm being styled " Burden & Son." This firm stands among the leading ones of Lexington, the acquisition of which position is due largely to the ability and enterprise of the junior member. He is regarded among his legal associates as one of the rising young lawyers of the age. December 15, 1862, he led to the marriage altar Miss Isadore Ewing, daughter of Col. Thompson M. Ewing, of this county. Their wedded happiness was of brief duration, his wife dying in April, 1873, leaving him with three children to mourn the loss of wife and mother. The children are named as follows: Patsey A., Isadore M., and Eldridge. November 10, 1875, he was again married to Miss Ella D. Harrison, of Danville, Ky., where their nuptials were celebrated in magnificent style.
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