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 71

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 71
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 71
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 71
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 71

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).

N. M. Dacon, of Dacon & Hull, druggists and hardware mer-

733

LEWIS COUNTY.

chants, was born in this county in 1851, the son of John and Mary (Hamner) Dacon, the former of German-Irish descent, born in Bath County, Va., in 1811, and the latter a native of the same State. After his marriage the father came to this county some time in the "thirties," and a few years later bought an estate of 160 acres in Reddish Township. He died in 1857, four years after the death of his wife. Their children are Thomas and N. M. The latter was six years old at the death of his father, and was reared to his eighteenth year by L. A. Rodefer. When twenty-one he became a painter, and so continued four years. July 20, 1879, he married Mira, a daughter of William and Lucy (Caplinger) Fible, and born in Shelby County, Ky., in 1855. Their only child is Victor F. In 1878 our subject became a sales- man in Lewiston, and in September, 1886, he and W. E. Hull es- tablished their present business. Mr. Dacon is the only reg- istered druggist in Lewiston. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. His wife is a member of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church.

Isaac W. Day, farmer, was born in Sangamon County, Ill., in 1828, the son of John and Sarah (Lycan) Day, natives of Cul- peper County, Va., and born in 1786 and 1796, respectively. The father moved to Morgan County, Ky., in 1816, and with the exception of two years in Sangamon County, Ill., he lived there until his death in 1855. He was a prominent justice, and a sheriff of Morgan County two terms. The mother died in Moorehead, Ky., in 1883. Our subject, the eighth of twelve children, lived in Kentucky from his second year until his father's death, and in October, 1857, came to Adair County, and two years later to this county. In October, 1860, he married Martha, the daughter of William L. and Eliza J. (Dunlap) Graves. She was born in 1846 in this county. Their children are John W., Polonzo, Charles, George W., Samuel and Dora A. He then located on his present estate, where he has lived ever since, with the exception of five years in Williamstown. The farm embraces 180 acres of fine land. He is a Democrat, whose first vote was cast for Pierce. His wife has been a member of the Christian Church for the last sixteen years.

Dr. William B. Dement was born in Cincinnati in 1820, son of Richard Dement, a native of Maryland, of French origin. The mother, Catherine (McDaniel) is of Scotch stock, and a native of Maryland. The father spent thirty years of his life in the Government service. Both parents are now deceased. Our subject is the second son of eight children. The father went to Washington, where he was employed, and where our subject received a good education. William B. then came to this county,

734

BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.

and was a successful farmer for some time, and after his property was destroyed by fire he began reading medicine under Dr. Hughes, of Canton. Two years later he entered the medical department of the State University, and took a two years' course. Since a short practice in Iowa he has been in this county. He has a fine and lucrative practice, and besides owns a large tract of land. His estate consists of 200 acres in one body, and about the same amount in another, near Canton. Soon after his medical studies were finished he married Catherine, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Threlkeld, a Welsh family. After his wife's death he married her sister, Sarah A. Their children are Sue, William, John, Edward and Stonewall J. The Doctor is a Democrat, and a member of the Masonic lodge.

George O. Devilbiss, farmer, was born in Washington County, Md., July 21, 1813, the son of John and Mary (O'Ferrall ) Dev- ilbiss, whose sketch appears in that of Henry Devilbiss. He was reared on the farm, and when sixteen attended school at Winchester, Va. After studying law awhile, he went to Wash- ington County, Md., and learned the tanner and currier's trade, at which he worked until 1839, when he came to Missouri, and continued at his trade for ten years. He then went to Carroll County, after marriage, and the following year returned to this county, and bought land now owned by the county. He fol- lowed farming and stock raising, and in 1872 came to his present farm, a fine estate of about 200 acres. In 1846 he married Eliz- abeth Barnett, a native of Hannibal, and who died December 22, 1881. Their children are Mary, Anna (wife of W. Beau- drew ) and Rebecca. Our subject is a Democrat, and his entire family are zealous Catholics.

Henry Devilbiss, farmer, was born July 9, 1823, in Allegany County, Md., one of nine children of John and Mary (O'Ferrall) Devilbiss, the former of Swiss origin, born in 1775, in Maryland, and the latter of Irish stock, born in 1784, in Virginia. They left Maryland in 1839, and came to this county, settling where our subject now resides, and where they farmed until their respective deaths, in 1846 and 1847. Our subject assumed control of the farm, and at the age of twenty-seven married Amanthis E., a daughter of Lucien and Elizabeth (Bourne) Durkee. She was born in July, 1830. Their children are Louisa (the wife of C. Mays), Josephine (the wife of O. M: Towles), Francis M., Elizabeth (the wife of S. J. Mudd), Henry, Mary, Nellie, Katy and Julia. Our subject now has a fine estate of 360 acres, mostly improved. He has filled the office of justice for the past sixteen years. He is a Democrat, but was formerly a Henry Clay Whig. His family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

735

LEWIS COUNTY.

F. M. Devilbiss, farmer, was born August 7, 1855, on the place where his father still lives. The sketch of his parents, Henry and Amanthis E. Devilbiss, appears above. Our subject was reared on the old homestead, and finished his education at the Franciscan College, Quincy, Ill. He then returned to the farm in 1876, and the following year began railroading in Saline and La Fayette Counties. In 1879 he returned home, and in 1881 was married, on October 20. His wife, Emma, the daughter of Elisha and Joanna (Bland) Cowgill, was born August 15, 1856, in Clark County. Their children are Joseph F. and Bernard C. His wife was a teacher of the Canton schools for four years, be- sides one year elsewhere. They continued on the farm until the spring of 1884, when they moved to the farm where they now re- side. Our subject now owns a farm of 130 acres north of Canton. He is one of the prominent young farmers of his county. He is a Democrat, and first voted for Tilden. In religion he and his wife are devoted Catholics.

S. P. Doran was born in Iowa in 1853, the son of Simon and Susan (Spicknall) Doran, natives of Ohio. The parents were married in 1847, and the mother was a daughter of Rev. Richard and Annie (Miller) Spicknall, the former a prominent man in church affairs and politics. The parents moved soon af- terward to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and in 1854 to Des Moines. The mother came to this county in 1875 with eight children, all of whom are now married. Our subject is the fourth son, and was twenty-two years old when they came to this county. He educated himself by paying his own way in college, and for several years was a successful teacher of Lewis County. He was one of the founders of the La Belle Journal, and is now owner and editor of the Williamstown Banner. He married Mollie, a daugh- ter of Elisha and Sallie (Selsor) Hicks, natives of Virginia. Their children are Winfield, Elisha, Richard, LeRoy and Mollie B. Our subject became a Mason in 1876. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while his po- litical principles are Republican.

Harrison Dowell, farmer, was born in Hardin County, Ky., in 1&26, the son of Elijah and Mary (Haden) Dowell, the former of English descent, born in 1800 in Virginia, and the latter of German stock, born in Pennsylvania in 1803. The father went to Meade County, Ky., when about ten years old, and, after his father's death, was reared by his brother-in-law, Robert Hall. After his marriage he moved to Hardin County, in 1859 came to Knox County, and in 1881 came to Lewis County, where he died in 1885. Our subject, the second of seven children, left home at twenty years of age, and worked as a carpenter. In 1848

736

BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.

he came to this county, and began his trade in Canton. He was married, in May, 1852, to Margret, a daughter of Howard and Margaret Brown. She was born in Nelson County Ky., in 1829. Their children are Annie, the wife of J. D. Million, and Bessie, the wife of J. R. Burgess. In 1853 he came to Knox County, and farmed and worked at his trade until 1865, when he bought 177 acres, where he now lives. His estate now embraces 337 acres. He is a Democrat, and first voted for Gen. Cass. He is a Mason, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having been so since 1863 and 1857, respect- ively. He is a trustee of the church, and a highly esteemed man.

E. A. Dowell, lawyer, was born in Knox County, in 1858, the son of Elijah B. and Elizabeth (Henry) Dowell, the former born in Wade County, Ky., in 1828, and the latter in Virginia, in 1835, the daughter of Hugh Henry. The father lived at home until twenty-seven years of age, and in 1855 married and went to Knox County. The mother died in 1866. The father bought an estate of 300 acres in Knox County, and in 1866 located near Williamstown, this county, and three years later married Susan Luckett. Their only child is Mary B. He now owns an estate of 327 acres. He served in the Confederate Army from 1862 till the close of the war, and also served in Shelby's raid of 1863, and Price's raid of 1864, and also served in the quartermaster's department. Our subject, the only child, was educated at Monticello Seminary, and at Kirksville Normal. In 1880 he became a teacher, and two years later was appointed deputy collector by J. T. Hutton. He began law in 1878 under O. C. Clay and J. T. Lloyd, of Monticello. He was admitted in March; 1884, and the following month became a partner with R. Minter, at La Belle. The latter attended to real estate and in- surance, and the former gave his attention to law. He was the first attorney of La Belle, and in 1884, was made notary public. December 24, 1886, he married Minnie, a daughter of Joseph Glover, of Newark, and born in Knox County, in December, 1864. Our subject is a Democrat, a member of the I. O. O. F., and Methodist Episcopal Church.

J. W. Duncan (deceased) was born in Boone County, Ky., in 1833. He is the son of Hon. John Duncan, of Scotch origin, and a native of the same State. Our subject was educated at Georgetown College, and in 1853 began reading law under Senator J.Green. He returned to his native State afterward, and finished his studies at the Louisville law school. He then went to what is now Des Moines, Iowa, where he was admitted, and practiced about a year. During this time he married Mattie E., a daughter of Robert and Eliza (Price) Morris, natives of Ken-

737

LEWIS COUNTY.

tucky, and of Scotch and German descent, respectively. Her father afterward became one of the leading stock raisers of this county. He died in 1858, a member of the Presbyterian Church, while her mother is still living. Before the war our subject practiced law in Alexandria and Monticello. In 1861 he entered service in the Confederate Army, fell ill in Arkansas, and died in 1864. Their children were Joseph, deceased; Selden, a bank cashier, in Compass, Tex .; J. L., druggist, of Denison, Tex. ; and Zeta, the wife of Harry Barkelew. Our subject's widow owns a small farm, where her nephew and his wife live with her.

Thomas L. Durkee was born in this county, April 7, 1834, the son of Chauncey and Lucy A. (Lewis) Durkee, natives of Vermont and Kentucky. The father, born in 1803, came to this State with his father, Roswell, in 1808, and located in St. Charles County, where he was killed by the Indians in 1812. He assisted in the surveying of the county, and was one of the company who laid out the town of Canton in 1845. He first helped to lay out the town of Monticello, and was a merchant there, and afterward a miller in this city. He was also a general in the Black Hawk war. His children are Napoleon B., of Lincoln, Neb .; Thomas L .; Julius E., of Los Angeles, Cal. ; and Annie E., the wife of Mr. Tasker, of Tombstone, Ariz. The father died in December, 1853. Our subject was fairly educated; in 1846 became a clerk in Canton, and in 1854 established a mercantile business, which he conducted until July, 1861. He then joined Martin E. Green's Northeast Missouri Regiment, serving until September, the following year. In 1867 he became a partner with M. C. Hawkins & Bro., merchants, and in 1870 the firm became Hawkins & Durkee, but in 1876 our subject assumed entire con- trol. He has occupied his present large storehouse since 1870, and has a large stock of staple and fancy goods, notions, hats, shoes, carpets, trunks, etc .; has one of the leading trades of the county, and is probably the oldest pioneer merchant of Canton. October 29, 1856, he married Annie M. Eads, a native of St. Louis County. Their children are Alice B. and Henry K. Our subject is a Democrat, a Knight Templar, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

L. B. Durkee was born January 9, 1842, near Wyaconda Creek, and is the third son of Roswell and Caroline (Hawkins) Durkee. The father was born in this State, and the mother in Kentucky. Our subject lives in this county, as does also one of his brothers; another brother lives in Indian Territory. Our subject lived with his parents until after the death of his father, in 1859, and then entered the Confederate service for three years. He received seven wounds at Oak Ridge, on account of his horse

738

BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.

being shot under him and falling on his leg. He offered to sur- render, but the captain ordered them to kill him. They captured him, however, and he, with nine others, was in prison and sen- tenced to be shot. He cut through the wall with a concealed knife, and for four days traveled without anything to eat except hazel nuts. He is said to be the only man in the county who never took the oath of allegiance. He crossed the plains three times, and worked in the mines in Montana until 1866. In 1867 he married Lucy, a daughter of Nancy (Travirs ) Baker. Their children are Pearly, John and May. Then for several years he engaged in the dry goods business, and also farmed from 1868 to 1882. Since then he has been a merchant at Williamstown, and carries a stock of over $3,000. He has also one of the finest residences in this county. He is a Mason, and politically is a Democrat, while his wife is a member of the Christian Church.

William G. Ellis, farmer, was born in Louisville, Ky., in 1828, the son of William and Sarah (Casseday) Ellis, the former of Welsh origin, born December 27, 1804, and the latter of Irish stock, born in January, 1805. The father lived in Oldham County, Ky., after his marriage in 1827, and was engaged as a merchant there and at Louisville, but in 1836 came to Monti- cello, and resumed merchandising. He also owned an estate of 160 acres, now owned by J. H. Leeper. Beforethe war he came to Canton, and established a lumber yard. He followed this un- til a short time before his death, in 1879. In 1840 he was a member of the Legislature, and also in 1844. He became county judge ten years later, and was re-elected in 1862. January 31, 1830, he laid out the first addition to Canton. He was the first president of the La Grange College, which was organized in 1858. He was also a trustee of Christian University for several years. His wife died in 1874. Our subject, the eldest of eight children, was eight years old when they came here, and he lived with his parents until twenty-five years of age. He was educated at Monticello, and afterward made a trip to California. He drove a herd of cattle through, remained about a year, and returned by way of Panama. December 23, 1853, he married Susan F., a daughter of Howard Roberts, a county judge. She was born in 1832, in Harrison County, Ky., and came to Pike County, this State, in 1834. There children are Joshua B., Mary K., Sal- lie M., Lorena G. (the wife of M. Kurtz), William H., John P. and James W. Since his marriage he has lived on his present estate, now increased from 240 acres to 404 acres, and is one of the oldest residents of the county. In politics he is independ- ent. He is an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been steward for the past

739

LEWIS COUNTY.

quarter of a century, while his wife belongs to the Church of Christ. He is postmaster at his home.

George Ellison, attorney at law, is the son of Hon. James Ellison, whose sketch appears elsewhere. He was born in this county December 9, 1841, and was educated at the Christian University of Canton. He read law with his father, and in 1866 was admitted to the bar. Since then he has been in successful practice. In 1874 he became judge of the probate court, and served four years, but declined re-election. He was elected as a · Democrat, of which party he is a loyal member. July 10, 1866, 1 he married Elizabeth (Bland) Duncan, who died August 29, 1877, leaving one child-Nillie.

William W. English, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Cul- peper County, Va., in 1829, the son of Frosty S. and Nancy A. (Resser) English, the former of English origin, born in Fau- quier County, Va., in 1787, and the latter a native of Culpeper County, Va. The father was a saddler and afterward a farmer. In 1833 he came to Ohio, near Zanesville, and eighteen months later came to Marion County, this State. The following year he came to Canton Township, and spent the last twenty years of his life near Williamstown. He died in 1865, and the mother in 1836. His second wife was a Mrs. Brown, nee Morrow, also deceased. Our subject, the third of six children, was three years old when they came from Virginia. He lived with his father until his majority, then became a farm hand, at a salary of $10 per month. He continued this one year. February 16, 1853, he married Sarah A., the daughter of George and Nancy Tate, and born in Culpeper County, Va., in 1833. Their chil- dren are Mary C., the wife of W. Anderson; Nancy, A., the wife of B. Craig; Martha E., the wife of J. Glaves; Frances L., the wife of J. Thrasher; Sarah E .; William L .; Elisha W. and Eliza B. He then began farming independently, and since 1865 has lived on his present estate. He began with 160 acres at that date, and now owns 225. He is a Democrat, who first voted for Pierce, and is largely a self-educated man. He, his wife and six children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he has belonged thirty-nine years, and of which he is class leader and steward. He served in Gen. Green's and Gen. Price's commands, from June, 1861, and served six months at Lexington, Athens, and other places.

Hardin N. Eversole was born in Washington County, Mo., in 1822. He is the son of Abraham and Barbara (Dean) Ever- sole, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. The family of Abraham Eversole, consisting of four boys and two girls, first. came as far west as Indiana, and afterward to this State, locating

740

BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.

in Washington County permanently. Our subject lost both par- ents when quite young, but remained in that county twelve years after his parents died. While a mere boy he made his start in the world working for 25 cents a day, and saved the same till he had $60, with which he purchased a pony he had long wanted; still worked at the same rates till he saved $25, and pur- chased with it a saddle and bridle. He went, some time after, to what is now Texas County, and began hauling logs with an ox team; was afterward engaged in the saw mill business, which he followed till 1848, when he went to St. Louis, and the next year drove a commissary team to Salt Lake City, and after a winter in the saw mill business there went to California, and engaged in mining for two years, 1850-51. He then crossed the ocean, and returned to St. Louis, by way of New York City, in 1853. In 1854 he married Maria, daughter of Joseph and Francis (Bramble ) Fleak, of St. Louis. They moved to Lewis County in 1855, and have from that time lived on his present farm, which consists of about 700 acres of well improved land. Their children are Georgie, the eldest, who in 1879 married W. S. Rodefer, of Lewiston, Mo. ; Josie, the second daughter, in 1885, married J. R. Gregory, of Kansas City, Mo .; Willie H., the next in age, in the same year married Aggie Blair, a relative of ex-Gov. Blair. The two youngest of the family are still at home, namely, Nettie and Lula. Hardin N. Eversole, as was his father, is a Mason, also an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Anti-Horse-Thief Association. He is a Democrat, and he and wife and their two eldest daughters are members of the Christian Church.

J. W. Ewart was born in Summit County, Ohio, in 1839. He is the third son of Josiah and Elizabeth ( Zerbie) Ewart, natives of Pennsylvania. He crossed the plains (to the Rocky Mountains ) when eighteen years of age; after returning from the mountains went to Texas. After a short time in Texas he returned to St. Louis, and brought with him some Spanish cattle. After teaching awhile in the southern part of the State, he then went to Tipton, and to Syracuse, where he engaged in the lumber business. While in Syracuse he had charge of the business of McAlister & Beedies, while they were at St. Louis, and succeeded so well that he ac- cumulated several thousand dollars to their credit, which was the beginning of his success. He then engaged in the lumber busi- ness at Sedalia, and at the breaking out of the Rebellion went to St. Louis. He then tried to find employment in Alton, Blooming- ton and Peoria, and finally succeeded at Ottawa, Ill. He then joined the Union Army (Company E, Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry ), and reported at Camp Butler, where he was mustered in by Grant. He was sent out with another man to capture a de-

741

LEWIS COUNTY.

serter, but were themselves captured by the Confederates, held prisoners several months, and then paroled. He served at Corinth and Shiloh. He then went to Nashville, and was in the quarter- master's department, where he served until about the close of the war. He then went to Ohio, and persuaded his father to sell out and come to Missouri. He settled in Lewis County, Mo., where he has resided ever since, and married a daughter of Samuel Matlick, who came to this county in 1865; their children were Florence E., Thomas S., Shirley (deceased) and Claude H. He owns 260 acres of fine land, and pays particular attention to stock raising. He is a Republican, and a member of the G. A. R.

Charles P. O'Ferrall was born in Washington County, Md., December 25, 1814, the son of John and Alice (McKernan) O'Ferrall, natives of the above county and Ireland, respectively. Our subject was reared on a farm, with but little education, and in 1837 came to what is now the Long estate, where the father died in 1846, and the mother the year previous. Our subject is the eldest of four children, and after his father's death, man- aged the home farm with his brother until the latter's death in 1848. Our subject went to Old Tully, and was engaged in the livery and hotel business two years. He bought 700 acres of timber land in 1840, upon which he still has some valuable tim- ber, and furnished steamers with fuel for four years. Janu- ary 17, 1855, he married Mary A. Barnett, a native of Ralls County. Two years later he bought 160 acres where he now lives, and has been engaged in farming and stock raising. He has increased his estate to 455 acres, almost all highly improved. He also owns farms in Carroll and Livingston Counties. His children are John C., a Kansas City lawyer; Charles, a St. Joseph physician; Otho G., a real estate man of Kansas City; Alice, the wife of E. S. Monehan, of Kentucky, and Andrew L. and Peter S., farmers. Our subject is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. He is a well-informed man, and fluent in conversation.

N. Ford was born in Clark County, in 1859, son of William and Mary J. (Fretwell) Ford, both of whom were of English descent. The father was married at the age of twenty-four, and, of the ten children born to this union, there were three pair of twins, our subject and Jasper Ford being the second pair. The parents came from Kentucky, and settled in Northeast Missouri, at an early date, where our subject received a fair education. He remained under the parental roof until he reached man's estate, and then taught school for two years in Clark County. After this he engaged in business with his brother, Elijah, in a drug and grocery store at Williamstown, and at the end of three

742

BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.

years he bought out the latter, and has continued independently ever since. His store and a finely selected stock of goods are worth about $2,500. Besides this he has a neat residence. He was married May 8, 1884, to Sarah R., daughter of David and Fannie (Richard) Hamilton, of Kentucky. Their only child is named William Raleigh. Mr. Ford is a Democrat in politics, is an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Ford is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 71

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