History of Lewis, Clark, Knox, and Scotland counties, Missouri. From the earliest time to the present, together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and mumerous family records, Part 109

Author: Goodspeed, firm, publishers, Chicago (1886-1891, Goodspeed Publishing Co.)
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: St. Louis, Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1308

USA > Missouri > Scotland County > History of Lewis, Clark, Knox, and Scotland counties, Missouri. From the earliest time to the present, together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and mumerous family records > Part 109
USA > Missouri > Lewis County > History of Lewis, Clark, Knox, and Scotland counties, Missouri. From the earliest time to the present, together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and mumerous family records > Part 109
USA > Missouri > Clark County > History of Lewis, Clark, Knox, and Scotland counties, Missouri. From the earliest time to the present, together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and mumerous family records > Part 109
USA > Missouri > Knox County > History of Lewis, Clark, Knox, and Scotland counties, Missouri. From the earliest time to the present, together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and mumerous family records > Part 109

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

David W. Meriwether is a son of James and Elizabeth (McMurry) Meriwether. [See above sketch. ] He was born in Marion County, Ky., Feb. 9, 1835. He received his education in Kentucky and Knox County, Mo., living with his parents when young, and returning their care and devotion now that they are becoming advanced in years. He helped pay for his father's farm, which he now owns, and is remarkably successful in his dealings in stock, of which he probably handles more than any other man in the township. His property is the result of hard labor and economy, combined with good management, and he is now considered one of the leading and prominent citizens of the · county. He, like his father, has always been a Democrat, but has never aspired to or held office, being better content with his quiet farm life. December 31, 1864, he married Eliza Shacklet, daughter of Maj. B. W. Shacklet. This lady was a native of Hardin County, Ky., and died near Sandhill, Knox County, in 1867. She bore our subject one son, Edgar M., who died at the age of six years. Mr. Meriwether remained a widower until June, 1869, and then married Sarah Brewer, daughter of Hilra and Elizabeth Brewer, born in Colony, Knox County, in 1841, and there are three living children by this union, viz .: Georgiana, Luella May and Lillian Maud. Our subject is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and his wife of the Presby- terian. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and ranks among the enterprising and active men of the county, taking great interest in all public enterprises, to which he is a liberal donator.

Joseph W. Meriwether, son of ex-Judge Meriwether, was born and raised in Knox County, Mo., upon a part of the farm he now owns. His primary education he received in the district and neighboring schools which prepared him for college, which he attended in La Grange, Mo., being a student there for three years. After finishing his studies here, he taught for several years in Lewis and Knox Counties, Mo., although he followed farming during the summer months. About three years ago he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Hinkson, daughter of Harvey Hinkson, a prominent farmer and stock raiser in Lewis County, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Meriwether have one child, a daughter, Myr- tle, named in honor of Myrtle Township, in which her father was born and raised. Our subject like his father [ See sketch. ] is a strong Democrat, and a member of the G. P. C. He now

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owns a fine farm of 160 acres, under good cultivation, and prom- ises to become one of the most prominent men of the township.

Philip Miller, of Edina, Mo., is a native of Germany, where he was born April 20, 1839. He came to America in 1852, set- tled in Stephenson County, Ill., where he learned the wagon- maker's trade. He was married in 1865; he moved to Edina in 1867, where he established a small wagon shop; he has increased his business from time to time, and after twenty years of hard work, and close attention to his affairs, he has built up one of the best wagon manufacturing establishments in Northeast Missouri. he employs quite a number of men the year around; does most of his work by machinery, which is run by steam; he manu- factures farm wagons, spring wagons, and buggies, of which he always has a good assortment on hand, and for which he gener- ally finds a ready sale, as all of his work gives the best of satis- faction. Mr. Miller is a Republican. Himself and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are considered among the eminent and well-to-do people of the county.

Frank M. Miller, clerk of Knox County Court, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, January 28, 1856, and is a son of Andrew W. and Emily (Spencer) Miller, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The father removed to Knox County, Mo., with his family in 1866. He was a well-to-do farmer, and resided here until his death February 19, 1885, at which time he was a wid- ower, his wife having died about ten years previous. His sur- viving children are David H., Florence (the wife of L. F. Cot- tey) and our subject. Frank M. was reared in Knox County, and received his education at the State Normal, at Kirksville, Mo. He has been employed in various offices in the courthouse for the past six years. In 1886 with his partner he established a drug and grocery house in Edina, under the firm name of Reid & Miller, which they are now conducting very successfully. March 15, 1887, he was appointed clerk of the county court, to fill the unexpired term of Samuel Ennis (deceased), and is now engaged in the faithful and efficient discharge of his duties. February 25, 1886, he was united in marriage to Miss Florence Kell, of Lewis County, Mo. Mr. Miller has never belonged to any political party but the Democratic. He is one of Knox County's most enterprising and successful citizens, and a popular public official.

William T. Mitchell, a well-to-do farmer of Knox County, was born in Lewis County, Mo., in 1848. His father, Hartwell H. Mitchell, was born in North Carolina, and was partly of Scotch origin. At the age of sixteen he accompanied his widowed mother to Union County, Ind., where he resided until he became

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of age, and soon after was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wil- lis, a native of Union County, Ind .. Soon after this he emigrat- ed west, and farmed in Marion County until 1841 or 1842, when he moved to Lewis County, Mo. In 1852 he changed his resi- dence to Shelby County, Mo., and there lost his wife, who was, at the age of fifty-five, a Christian lady, and a member of the Meth- odist Church. For twenty-seven years Mr. Mitchell was a resi- dent farmer and stock raiser of Shelby County, but in 1879 removed to Phillips County, Kas., where he resided until his death, which occurred January 24, 1883, at the age of sixty-six. He had been ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and part of his life was devoted to that high calling. William T. Mitchell is the second son of the above mentioned family. Of ten children, nine grew to maturity, and seven are now living and residing in Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri. Our subject was reared principally in Shelby County, and at the age of twenty-one began life for himself. He was employed by Samuel Murphy, a prominent farmer in Knox County, for two years, and then went to Nebraska, remaining about a year. He then returned to Knox County, and worked for Mr. Murphy another year, and in 1876 married Rowena A. Murphy, daughter of Samuel and Eleanor Murphy. Since his marriage he has been a resident of Jeddo Township, and is now numbered among Knox County's most industrious and enterpris- ing farmers, owning 425 acres of valuable land, well stocked and improved, which is mainly the result of his own thrift and economy. September 7, 1887, was the eleventh anniversary of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, and to them have been born Samuel G. and Lida K. In politics our subject is a Republican, and is a man of honor and character, highly esteemed by those who know him. Both he and his wife are connected with the church.

Joseph Monroe, an old settler and substantial farmer of Knox County, was born January 31, 1836, in Rush County, Ind., and is the only child of George Washington and Elizabeth (Seright) Monroe, natives of Indiana and Kentucky, respectively, and married in Decatur County, Ind., where the mother came with her parents when a mere child. After marriage they moved to Rush County, Ind., and there settled upon a farm, but when our subject was five years old immigrated to Knox County, Mo., settling upon a farm the father had entered, and where our sub- ject is still residing. There the father died in 1857, having spent his life in farming, and his widow followed him in 1878. Our subject was educated at the common schools of Knox County, but his schooling was limited to the meager opportunities of those

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early days. After his father's death, and before he became of age, our subject assumed control of the farm, and cared for his mother; at the age of twenty-three he married Emily G., daugh- ter of Thomas R. and Catherine M. (Anderson) Lair, and who was born in October, 1841, in Shelby County, Mo., and came to Knox County with her parents when a little girl. Her marriage with our subject took place March 11, 1860, and after giving birth to five children, she died March 27, 1869. December 12, 1872, our subject was married to Martha, daughter of William and Sarah Wait. This lady was a native of Kentucky, and born September 14, 1831. This union was blessed with one child. The children of our subject are as follows: George W., Thomas P., Sarah E., Martha A. and James H. by the first marriage, and Cynthia A. Della by the second. Mr. Monroe has been active and industrious, and still retains the farm of 240 acres originally entered by his father, which he has, however, greatly improved. Our subject has been a resident of Knox County since the time he came here a mere lad, and has won the confidence and esteem of the entire community, having been elected justice of the peace of Lyon Township, which office he satisfactorily filled for twelve years. Heis, and has always been a stanch Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan, in 1856. His first wife was an active member of the Baptist Church, and his present wife is an active and devout member of the same church.

John Moore, an old and respected citizen of Colony Town- ship, was born in Allegany County (afterward known as Living- ston County), N. Y., June 15, 1830, and is the son of Isaac and Matilda (Sears) Moore. The family is of German descent. Isaac was a native of Orange County, N. Y., and died in Livingston County, of that State, about 1870, at the age of sixty-one. He was a farmer by occupation. The Sears family is of Scotch descent. Matilda was born in Orange County, N. Y., and died in Livingston County, in 1867. Both she and her husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and to them six children were born (five living) of which our subject is third, and the eldest son. He received his education at the schools of Livingston County, and worked upon his father's farm until 1867, when he came to Knox County, Mo., and the following year went to Rock County, Wis., where he remained a year, and then returned to Knox County, of which he has been a resident since, with the exception of a year spent in Lewis County, and has lived upon his present place since 1877. In September, 1862, he en- listed in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, being in the battles of Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Look-

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out Mountain, Mission Ridge, and was with Sherman during his celebrated march to the sea. After the war he returned to New York, and went to Missouri in 1867. In 1868 he married Mary (Bailey ) Stafford, daughter of William T. Bailey, and widow of Sears Stafford. This lady is a native of Indiana, and her union with our subject has been blessed with four children: Julius, Jerome, Lua and Emmet. In politics Mr. Moore is a Republican, and he is a hearty advocate of all educational and religious enterprises. His wife is a Methodist.

G. G. Morris, a leading citizen of Knox County, was born in Darke County, Ohio, December 6, 1834. He is a son of Thomas G. Morris, a native of Fluvanna County, Va., where he was born January 23, 1806, and came to Ohio in 1833, where he resided until the spring of 1840, and then moved to Henry County, Ky., living there until the spring of 1854, and then went to Missouri, and resided one year in Monroe County, and in the spring of 1855 came to Knox County, Mo., and settled on a farm in Fabius Township, where he remained until his death, which oc- curred August 7, 1874. The mother of our subject, Frances A. (Williams) Morris, was born in Louisa County, Va., March 17, 1811, married December 5, 1832, and is now living with our subject. G. G. Morris came to Newark, Knox Co., Mo., in 1856, and clerked with Lear & Tucker in a general store until the fall of 1858, when he engaged in the drug business in which he continued until July, 1862, when he enlisted in Company D, Fourth Battalion Kentucky Mounted Rifles, in the Confederate Army. He served until Gen. Lee's surrender, 1865, and then re- mained in Bland County, Va., until February, 1866, and then came home to Knox County, Mo. He then remained on the farm with his father until January 12, 1867, when he again went into the drug business in Newark, which business he has followed very successfully ever since, and now has a stock that will compare favorably with that of any druggist in the county. Mr. Morris was married, September 22, 1872, to Elizabeth Hamilton, daughter of Edmund Rutter, of Shelby County, Mo., and Jane (Hollyman) Rutter, of Kentucky, and to this union two sons and one daughter have been born, of whom two are living, viz .: Edmund G. Stone- wall and Mable K. Claude is the one deceased. Mr. Morris has been engaged in the drug trade above mentioned for the last twenty-five years, devoting his time exclusively to that business, with the exception of the time he served as cashier of the Newark Savings Bank, in connection with his business; but when that institution was disorganized he again devoted his entire attention to his drug store. He is an honest and shrewd financier, and dur- ing his years of business life has amassed quite a fortune. In

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connection with drugs he carries a fine line of paints, oils, per- fumery, notions, coal oil, lamps, etc., and in compounding physi- cians' prescriptions is very careful and reliable. His wife is an active member of the Baptist Church, and both are honored and. respected citizens of the county. For fourteen years our subject has been the treasurer of the Union Agricultural and Mechanical Association of Lewis, Knox and Shelby Counties, which has been held at Newark, Knox Co., Mo.

Benjamin F. Morison is a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and was born November 7, 1820. He is a son of John and Betsey E. (Richardson) Morison. The Morison family is of Scotch-Irish descent; the father of our subject was a native of and died in. Bourbon County, Ky., and spent his latter days as a farmer and mechanic, although his early life was spent as a teamster. The mother was a native of Kentucky, and died in Henry County, in that State, a member of the Christian Church. Our subject is the second child of five, and has a sister still living. At twenty years of age he left the parental roof, and for the next seven years engaged in any work that was offered. He then rented land and began farming, which occupation he has since followed. In 1851 he came to Knox County, Mo., and purchased the land he now owns, which is beautifully located. In 1843 he married Sarah . Carson, a native of Lexington, Ind., born in 1822, and to this union ten children have been born, of whom six are living: John W., George T., Noah A., Amanda J., Benjamin T. and Emily. Those deceased are Ann F., Nancy E., Isaac and James P. Dur- ing his youth he became inured to hardships, and by industry and economy has become possessed of the property he now owns. During the war he participated in the fight at Palmyra, being a member of the Home Guards. Himself and wife are members of the Christian Church. Previous to the war he was a Whig, and cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay, but was afterward identified with the Republican party. He now votes for the best man, regardless of party ties.

Clark J. Mote, farmer, was born in Darke County, Ohio, April 5, 1829, and is a son of J. Mote and Elizabeth Mote. The father was born in Georgia, and immigrated to Ohio when young, remaining there until 1833, when he removed to Illin- ois, where he lived until 1856, when he went to California, and engaged in farming and working at the tanner's trade. While on a visit to his children in Illinois and Missouri he died in the latter State in 1885. His wife was a native of Tennessee, married in Ohio, and died in September, 1849, in Illinois. When sixteen years of age our subject left home, with no earthly pos- sessions but the clothes on his back, and 50 cents in his pocket.

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He was strong and ready to work and soon found employment, and helped build the deaf, dumb and blind asylum at Jackson- ville, Ill. He then went to Naples, Ill., and worked on a farm two years, and at the expiration of that time, having saved $300, he then purchased a farm of sixty acres, which he cultivated for two years, after which he disposed of the farm and came to Knox County, Mo., and located upon a farm he had pre-empted and entered in 1855, and upon which he now lives. In 1853 he was married to Elmira Dutton, daughter of Moses and Rebecca Dutton, and to this marriage ten children were born, of whom are living: Lieuary, wife of Dr. Cottingham; Martha A., wife of L. J. Huling; Viola, wife of L. J. Turner; Mary E. and Mar- cellus. When Mr. Mote came to Missouri in 1855, the country was a vast wilderness, inhabited by wild game and beasts, and he is now the oldest settler in the vicinity in which he lives. He has always been a hard worker and an economical man, and now owns 260 acres of some of the best land in the county, well improved and under a good state of cultivation. During the late war our subject fought for his country in the State militia of Missouri from 1861 to 1864, and served in the regular service under Gen. Fiske, about two months. He is a strong Republican, but has never sought or held office. He was a firm opponent to the building of the M. & M. Railroad, and, had many others been as decided in the matter as he, Knox County would be in a better condition to-day. Mr. Mote owes no man anything, and himself and family are regarded as among the most prominent and substantial citizens of the county.

Edward Muder, proprietor of the Edina Woolen Mills, lo- cated in West Edina, on the Q., M. & P. R. R., near the Edina Roller Mills, is one of the most enterprising men of this region. The plant above described was built, and the business estab- lished, by William Bowen, who sold it to Mr. Muder in 1883. The mills are equipped with one set of cards, and 120 spindles, one roll card being run by a steam engine. One loom is used for making jeans, and one for blankets; flannel is woven, and they also have a twister for doubling yarn. This is the only industry of the kind in the county, and the goods manufactured here are of superior quality and durability. Seven or eight hands are busily employed the year around. Mr. Muder was born in Quincy, Ill., September 23, 1850, and is a son of John and Martha (Clye) Muder, natives of Germany. Our subject accompanied his parents to Edina in 1856, where the father en- gaged in wagon-making until his death. in 1874. Edward engaged in grist and saw milling until he embarked in his present occu- pation, which business he has since very successfully conducted.

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July 30, 1882, he married Mary Bell, a native of Ohio, by whom he has two children: Josephine and Edward C. Mr. Muder is a Republican in politics.

Dr. James Myers, a leading physician of Knox County, was born in Kentucky February 11, 1848. His father, Rev. William Myers, was born in Pendleton County, Ky., in 1806; came to Scotland County, Mo., in 1837, and located upon a farm, but has since lived at various places in Knox, Clark and Scotland Counties, and is now living with his son in Greensburg. He is a minister of the United Baptist Church. The mother, Paulina T. (Hogan) Myers, was born in Garrard County, Ky., in 1809, and died in Scotland County, Mo., in 1876. Our subject began to study medicine at Memphis, Scotland Co., Mo., at the age of twenty-one, and there remained for five years, after which he at- tended a course of lectures at Keokuk, Iowa, and then practiced his chosen profession until 1872, when he again attended lectures, and in that year he graduated. He then practiced until 1883 in Adair County, but is now in Greensburg Township, Knox Co., Mo., where he enjoys a large practice, and is considered one of the first physicians of the county. In 1870 he was mar- ried to Georgie A. Pettet, daughter of George and Elizabeth Pettet, and to this union six children were born, five of whom are living, viz .: Anna E., Della, Ednie, Arthur and Ross. Our subject is a Democrat, but has never aspired to political office. He is a pub- lic-spirited man, and interested in the general welfare of the county. Himself and wife are members of the Missionary Bap- tist Church.

Louis F. Nelson, M. D., a resident of Edina, was born in Frederick City, Md., June 21, 1827, and is a son of Madison and Josephine (Marcilly) Nelson, both natives of Maryland. The father was an eminent lawyer and jurist of that State, and was for twenty years one of the judges of the supreme court of that State, where he died some fifteen years ago. The mother was of French descent, and died there in 1882. They were the parents of seven sons and three daughters. Our subject was reared to manhood in his native State, and finished his education at St. John's College, Maryland. At the age of seventeen he began to read medicine with Dr. William Tyler, a prominent medical prac- titioner of. Frederick City. He also attended lectures at the University of Maryland, in Baltimore, in 1848-49, and was a house student in the Baltimore infirmary during this time. He gradu- ated at the head of his class from the first named institution in 1849, and commenced to practice in Frederick City, but in 1850 went to Chicago, where he practiced for two years. In 1853 he came to Marion County, Mo., and purchased a farm near Palmyra,

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upon which he lived and successfully followed his profession continuously until 1875, with the exception of a short time spent in Quincy, Ill., and Chicago. He then came to Edina, where he practiced for four years, and then went to Faribault, Minn., where he remained four years, but in 1884 returned to Edina, and is now in possession of a fairly large and lucrative practice. In 1852 he married Mary Jefferson, a native of Vermont, and is now the father of four children: Arthur (a dentist, in Chicago), Clara, Elizabeth H. and Louie Lee. In politics the Doctor is an uncom- promising Democrat. Himself, wife and family are members of the Catholic Church. As to our subject's ancestry, the following sketch, written by a talented lady relative in Chicago, speaks for itself: "Dr. John Nelson, an English gentleman of means, with a university education, came to Maryland about 1703, and settled in what became Frederick County. His son, Dr. John, and the latter's son, Dr. Arthur, inherited the love of medicine from the above, and also inherited the family landed estate. His son, Dr. Arthur, owned large tracts of land on the Potomac, in Mary- land, and upon the Shenandoah River, in Virginia. He was an ardent patriot, and served with honor as one of the committee of safety, and a member of other patriotic organizations. The Nelson homestead of 1,000 acres adjoined the Point of Rocks, Md. There Roger Nelson, our subject's grandfather, was born. He was an ardent patriot, and enlisted in the Revolutionary war, being lieutenant of the Fifth Brigade of the famous Maryland Line. He was wounded in thirteen places at the battle of Cam- den, and left on the field as dead, but recovered and served until the end of the war, becoming brigadier-general. After the war he filled various high positions, and practiced law successfully in Frederick, Md. He was for several years a member of the Maryland Senate, and represented the State in the National House of Representatives from 1804 to 1810, when he was ap- pointed judge of the Upper District of Maryland (a life posi- tion ), and died in office June 7, 1815."

Joseph S. Nelson, a substantial and prominent citizen of Knox County, was born in Fayette County, Ind., July 3, 1838, and is a son of Robert and Ann (Ryburn) Nelson. The Nelson family is of German and Irish descent. Robert was born in Ohio, February 4, 1806, and when a child moved with his parents to Iowa, making his home there until 1839, when he located in Knox County, living there until his death, October 3, 1880, upon the farm where our subject now lives. His wife was born in Indiana, in 1813, before it became a State, and died in Knox County, February 16, 1882. She was a member of the Presby- terian Church for many years. Our subject is the fourth of a

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family of nine children (five now living), and was educated at the common schools of Knox County. December 17, 1862, he mar- ried Sarah Anderson, who was born and reared in Lewis County, Mo., and a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Anderson. This lady was born October 11, 1841, and died in Knox County, April 5, 1868, a member of the Christian Church. To her union with our subject one child, Robert, was born, and is now living. November 30, 1870, Mr. Nelson married Miss Sarah Leland, daughter of Abner and Elizabeth Leland, and a native of Kalamazoo County, Mich., born October 27, 1846. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson the following six children were born: Hubert A., Claude E., H. Roscoe, Roy, Fred and Mary. When. first married Mr. Nelson moved to Bourbon Township, but after sixteen years' residence there, returned to Fabius Township, and purchased the old homestead which consists of 200 acres of good land. At that time he was far from rich, but by industry and economy has been prosperous and successful, and is now one of the substantial farmers of the county. During the late war he served in the State Provisional Militia for several months, as corporal. He is a strong Republican in politics, but has never held nor sought office. Himself and wife are worthy members of the Christian Church, and enjoy the respect and esteem of their neighbors and friends.

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History of Lewis, Clark, Knox, and Scotland counties, Missouri. From the earliest time to the present, together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and mumerous family records, Part 109

Author: Goodspeed, firm, publishers, Chicago (1886-1891, Goodspeed Publishing Co.) Publication date: 1887 Publisher: St. Louis, Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co. Number of Pages: 1308

Author: Goodspeed, firm, publishers, Chicago (1886-1891, Goodspeed Publishing Co.)
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: St. Louis, Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1308