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 87
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 87
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 87
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 87
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O. S. Cross, a good citizen and blacksmith of Luray, is a na- tive of Ohio, born in the year 1826. At the age of sixteen he began learning his trade, and has followed this in connection with farming ever since. In 1857 he came to Clark County, Mo., and the next year was united in marriage to Miss Virginia Dabyns, a native of Missouri, born in the year 1839, and the daughter of Samuel and Sarah Dabyns. The result of our subject's mar- riage was the birth of four children, two of whom are deceased. Mrs. Cross died in 1871, and in 1876 he was united in marriage to Frances Dabyns, sister to his first wife. She was born in 1829, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. H. T. A. He is the son of Abram and Priscilla Cross, both natives of the State of New York, but their death occurred in Ohio. Our subject has a farm of sixty-eight acres, well improved and well cultivated, joining the town of Luray. He is a Republican in his political views, and is a good citizen and neighbor.
William H. Cull, a native of Henry County, Ky., was born in the year 1823, and is the son of Nathan and Rebecca (Raw- lings) Cull, both natives of Henry County, Ky., and of Irish and Welsh descent, respectively. The father was a farmer, and was also engaged in the lumber business, sawing with the old-fash- ioned " whip saw." In politics he was a Democrat, " dyed in the wool." In religion he was a member of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church. He died in September, 1844, at the age of forty-five. His widow remained on her farm until 1851, when she sold her share of the estate and immigrated to western Clark County, Mo., where she now resides in her ninetieth year. She makes her home with her son, H. G. Cull. She was also a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject made his home with his mother in Henry County, Ky., until twenty-seven years of age, when he moved to Clark County, Mo., and purchased property in Washington Township. In 1851 he moved on his farm, where he has ever since lived. Previous to this, in 1848, he had married, and he now brought his young wife to share his
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humble home, which consisted of a log house with one room, made by his own hands. As the country gradually began to settle up, he too began gradually to improve his farm, and it now numbers several hundred acres. To our subject and wife were born eight children, four only of whom are now living: Martha L., Susan A., John W. and Mary L. Our subject, in his thirty years' residence in Clark County, has gained the respect and esteem of all his acquaintances. After seeing that his children were well provided for in life, he still owns 240 acres of valuable land in Washing- ton Township, five miles from Fairmont, where he first settled. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.
Jacob Dewald, farmer, was born February 24, 1849, in Rhen- ish Prussia, one of eleven children of Henry and Catherine (Back) Dewald, both natives of Germany. When our subject was six years old they crossed the Atlantic, and settled at Keokuk, Iowa. The father worked at his trade of shoemaking there until his death in 1857; the mother still survives him, and is living with our subject. The latter began for himself at ten years of age, in Clark County, doing anything he could find, and was thus deprived of an education. At the age of seventeen he rented a farm in Lewis County, and. two years later returned to Clark County, where he farmed about five years. He next bought a farm in Lee County, Iowa, and continued there six years. He then returned, and soon after bought his present farm, which is one of the finest estates in the region. It em- braces 140 acres of bottom land, and has a fine residence. In spite of his being scarcely able to read, and entirely deficient in writing, he has succeeded remarkably. He first voted for Tilden, and still holds to that political faith.
Frank M. Dewey was born in Lee County, Iowa, in 1855, and is the son of George H. and Chloa (Butler) Dewey, natives of Massachusetts. George H. came to Iowa in 1838, where he pur- chased a farm, returning to Massachusetts, however, to celebrate his marriage with Chloa Butler, after which he returned to his newly purchased home, upon which he and his wife are now living a quiet life, with his son Siar, who owns the homestead. The father is now in his seventy-first year, and his wife is but two years his junior. Our subject remained at home until 1880, and then came to Clark County, Mo., where he purchased his two brothers' shares in the farm on which he is now living. It con- sists of 230 acres of land, well improved. He deals in stock rais- ing, making the rearing of good stock a specialty. Our subject was married in 1881 to Deborah E. Porter, daughter of Alexan- der and Mary (Thompson) Porter. He is a Republican, and also
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a strong believer in Prohibition. He is an energetic member of the A. H. T. A., and is also an active member of the church and Sunday-school.
J. W. Dunbar, postmaster and general merchant, was born on the original site of Winchester, May 25, 1844. He is the eldest of three children of W. and Jane (Lockhart) Dunbar, natives of Kentucky, and born in 1815 and 1809, respectively. The mother came to Missouri with her first husband, and the father came when he was a young man. Her first husband, Mr. Thomas, was "the father of Winchester." After a residence there for some time his death occurred, and in 1843 his widow married our subject's father. They died in 1867 and 1885, respectively. The father had been a distiller in Kentucky, but followed agriculture in his western home, where he owned considerable property in and about Winchester. He was a prominent man in his community, and was honored with positions of trust up to his death. Our subject was educated at Bloomington High School, and at the age of twenty years began his career as a teacher, which extend- ed over a period of ten years. He was also a collector during the war, and had many amusing experiences. He was collecting in Macon, Chariton and Randolph Counties during the time when Price made his raid up through Missouri, when in a day's ride you would not see a man on either side (blue or gray) un- less he was disabled or too old to go into the army. He remained about three years in that vicinity, visited Kansas a few times, and then spent about two years in Trenton as an advertising agent. He returned to his native place in 1867, located on his father's estate, and followed farming and teaching for about seven years, since which time he has been a merchant at Win- chester. He was commissioned postmaster November 21, 1885. His wife Ella (Vertrees), to whom he was married February 5, 1871, is a lady of French origin, and was born July 7, 1853. Their children are Mary, Minnie and Susie; two others are de- ceased. Our subject now owns a fine home, a store building, a good stock of goods, besides other town property, and is one of the leading men of Winchester. He is a Democrat; in religion his wife holds to the faith of the Christian Church.
Alfred T. Dunn, one of the old citizens of Clark County, was born in Ohio in 1832, and is a son of John W. and Mary Dunn, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. The former died in Ohio in 1872, while the latter died in 1857. In 1853 our subject was married to Julia A., daughter of Elias and Mary C. Weekly. The father died in Ohio in 1862, but the mother is still living. Our subject was married in Ohio, and lived in that State until 1858, when he took a trip to Georgia, but returned
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to Ohio in 1862, making that State his home until the following year, when he came to Clark County, Mo., living in different places for about two years, when he purchased the farm upon which he now lives, which contains about 200 acres of good land, well improved. Mr. Dunn is one of the old settlers of Clark County, having come here when it was but a wilderness. Mr. Dunn is the father of eleven children, ten of whom are living,- as follows: William L., John E., Edward T., David H., Marion U., Joseph I., Alfred C., Margaret C., Sarah A. and Mary E. Our subject served in Company C, Sixty-ninth Missouri Regiment, for six months during the war, but at the end of that time received an honorable discharge, and returned home. During his early life he endured many hardships and privations, and worked hard, but now is enjoying the fruits of his early labor, and living the remainder of his life in ease.
Joseph T. Druse was born in Ohio in 1819, and is a son of Stephen and Anna (Denslow) Druse, natives of New York, who moved to Ohio, and engaged in farming until the death of the former, which occurred soon after their arrival. Our subject left that State in 1846 and went to Fort Madison, Iowa, where he re- mained about fifteen years, or until he came to Clark County, Mo., in 1860, when he settled upon his present farm of 183 acres, and has since been very successful. In 1858 he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Elida T. Davis, daughter of Abial and Nancy (Cook) Davis, natives of Rhode Island. Five sons and five daughters have blessed this union, namely: Lillie, Arthur, Charles, Harry, Mittie, Fannie, Hiram, Lucy, Ora and George, all of whom are living at home. Mr. Druse enjoyed the advantages of a good education. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Jesse Edmonson, postmaster and merchant of Chambersburg, was born August 16, 1851, in McDonough County, Ill., and is the youngest of six children (one deceased) born to James and Sarah (Waymick) Edmonson. The parents were natives of Indiana, but were married in Illinois, where they came when young. Soon after marriage they located in our subject's native county, and there remained until about 1855, at which date he moved to Missouri, and two years later to Scotland County, of the same State. In 1861 they moved to Clark County, where they resided one year, after which they returned to Illinois. In 1864 or 1865 they again returned to Clark County, Mo., and located on the farm, where they have since resided. Our subject received his education in the common schools of Clark County, and at the age of seventeen left the parental roof, and May 23, 1868, Miss Mary Toops became his wife. She was born June 9,
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1852, near Louisville, Ky., and is the daughter of Henry and Nancy (Combs) Toops. Three children were the result of our subject's marriage: James Henry, Emma Jane and Annie May. Our subject began farming soon after marriage, and continued at the same exclusively until 1882, at which date he purchased an interest in the general store at Chambersburg, becoming a mem- ber of the firm of Edmonson & Bro., but remained in the store only five months, when he moved to Athens, and established him- self in the grocery business under the firm title of Edmonson & Fincher. He remained at Athens until February, 1884, when he returned to Chambersburg, and again engaged in merchan- dising with J. M. Toops, under the firm name of Edmonson & Toops. Since April 15, 1886, our subject has had control of the business alone, and is sole proprietor. In connection with mer- chandising our subject has also managed a farm, and is an in- dustrious and enterprising young merchant. He is a Democrat in politics, but cast his first presidential vote for Horace Greely. He is a worthy member of the I. O. O. F., and has passed through all the chairs. His wife is an active member of the Baptist Church.
S. B. Ellison, farmer, was born March 24, 1820, in Monroe County, Va., and is the sixth of thirteen children. His par- ents, Matthew and Mary A. (Campbell ) Ellison, were natives probably of Monroe County, Va., and Ireland, respectively; at least, Monroe County was the scene of their marriage. The father continued his agricultural pursuits until his death, when our subject was about ten years old, but the mother survived her husband until 1884, in about her ninety-seventh year. Our sub- ject was educated in Virginia, and in his twentieth year began his career independently, and came to Grundy County, Mo. He was occupied there in various things about two years before he came to Clark County. He was married in 1843, but his wife died soon afterward, and in 1845 he remarried, and has been farming ever since, excepting about two years spent in Cal- ifornia, in the mines. His wife, Sallie, a daughter of William Reed, was born in 1828, in Mason County, Ky., and was but a small girl when her father adopted Missouri as his home. Their children are William, Samuel, Mary, Josephine, Ida V. and Sal- lie. After her death he married Catherine, a daughter of Jacob Tryan, who was born in Maryland in 1832. Our subject has been a successful man in his career, and now owns 343 acres of fine land, in a high state of cultivation. His political principles were those of the Whigs before the war, and his first vote was cast for Taylor, but he now holds Democratic ideas. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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William Ethridge, an honest and respected citizen of Clark County, Mo., is a native of England, born in the year 1831, and came with his parents to the United States in the year 1845. They located in Iowa, a portion of their farm being in Lee County, and a part in Van Buren County. He spent from 1852 to 1856 in the State of California, and after returning located in Clark County, Mo. In December of the latter year he chose for his life companion Miss Jane Bristow, daughter of James Bristow. Her father having died when she was but a child, her mother afterward married William Bateman. Mrs. Ethridge was born in England, and after her marriage to our subject she became the mother of ten children, eight of whom are living-all girls. She and five daughters are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Ethridge located or his present farm, which consists of 460 acres, in the year 1856. His land is in a high state of cultivation, and is well improved. His large and commodious dwelling has everything necessary to make it convenient, and his brick building, built for fruits, vegetables, milk. ice, etc., is perfect. He is the son of John and Mary Eth- ridge, both of whom are natives of England, but who came to the United States, and died in the State of Iowa. Our subject was not in actual service during the war, but belonged to the State militia. He is an excellent citizen, and has the respect of all his acquaintances.
John Ewing was born in Pendleton, Ky., December 1, 1821, and is the son of Elijah and Susanna (MaKamson) Ewing, both natives of the same county in Kentucky, and of German and Irish descent, respectively. They were married in Kentucky, and the father farmed here for some time, when an anxiety to go west came over him; consequently he immigrated to Northeast Missouri, and located in Lewis County in 1835, where he was numbered among the pioneer settlers. In 1836 he moved to Clark County, and remained here for thirty-three years, or until his death in 1869, at the age of seventy-two. He was a Demo- crat in politics, and was for many years a worthy and useful member in the Baptist Church. His wife was a member of the same church. Our subject was but fourteen years old when brought to Clark County. His father and others of his neigh- bors built a rude log house, split logs for seats and desks, and hired a teacher for the winter term of three months' school. These advantages our subject had for an edu- cation. He had property which he improved up to the age of twenty-eight, when he left the paternal roof, and immi- grated to California during the first gold fever excitement. After remaining in the Pacific State for two years he returned
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to Missouri, where he has ever since lived. He married Miss Mary Frances Cornelius, daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth Cornelius, both natives of Kentucky. By hard work and econ- omy he has reared and educated his three sons, all of whom are intelligent, enterprising men. The eldest son, James H., was married in November, 1884, to Miss Elmira I. Suter, of Clark County. J. S. and B. F. are single, and make their home with their parents. Our subject is one of Clark County's most enter- prising farmers. He has over 240 acres of land well stocked and well improved. During the war he was in the militia for a few months, and in several skirmishes in Northeast Missouri. Our subject is a Democrat in his political views, but was formerly a Whig. He is a member of the Grange society, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
Talma D. Faxon was born in St. Francisville, Clark County, Mo., in 1847, and is the son of Allen M. and Delia S. Faxon. The father was a native of New York, and was born in 1809. He taught school in Granville, Ohio, for three years, and also organ- ized a brass band there. He then taught school in Cleveland, Ohio, and was assistant under Dr. Bruster for a number of years. During the Black Hawk campaign he was the private secretary of Lieut. Wade, and was also Johnson's private secretary in his canvass for Vice-President. He finally came to St. Francisville, and took charge of the only school in the county. There he re- mained until 1865, when he moved to Athens, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1884. Our subject received his education from his father, and afterward assisted him in teaching. He came to Athens with him, and has remained there ever since, being engaged as a mechanic, and is living with his mother and aunt. He is a Democrat.
Peter Fetter, farmer, was born February 13, 1813, in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, the son of Philip and Mary (Hardman) Fetter, natives of Germany. They came to this country when our subject was eighteen years of age, and located in Butler County, Penn. The father was engaged in farming until his death in 1877, in that county, where the mother survived him for three years. Our subject was partly educated in his native coun- try, and on his arrival here began mining in our eastern mountain system. At his majority he married and moved to Kentucky, and, after five years at his old occupation, moved to Clark County, Mo., and rented some land. Soon after he bought his present farm, which is a fine estate of about 300 acres, and in good con- dition. He is a respected man and citizen, holding to the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, and advocating as his political principles the platform of the Democratic party. He first voted
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for Harrison. His wife, Nancy Daily, a native of Ireland, was born in 1815, and immigrated to America when a young lady. She was married at her home in Pennsylvania, and lived until 1863. Their children are Philip, Kate, Nicholas and Annie.
George W. Fleming, a Clark County farmer, was born in Virginia, January 23, 1836. He is the eldest of seven children born to Joseph and Sarah (Anderson) Fleming, natives of Virginia, and born, respectively, in 1805 and 1816. They en- gaged in farming and stock raising until the father's death in 1869; the mother is still living. Our subject was educated in the common schools of his native State, and came to Missouri after he reached his majority, and settled in Jackson Township. After two years of married life on a rented farm, he came to his present home, at about the age of thirty years, and has since been actively engaged in farming and stock raising. His good busi- ness qualities have acquired him a fine farm of 240 acres, which is well improved and cultivated. His wife, Mary A., the daugh- ter of Hiram and Margaret (Helferstein) Beeson, was born Feb- ruary 6, 1838, at Circleville, Ohio. She came to Missouri in 1853, and in June, nine years later, was married. Their children are Sarah A., William A., Hiram B., Joseph A., Edgar, Georgia G., Nellie C., Charles W. and Henry R. Our subject has filled several township offices, and for the last twenty years has served as school clerk. He is a prominent Democrat, and is now chair- man of the county central committee. His daughter, Sarah A., is a Methodist, while Hiram B. and Edgar are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Benjamin A. Fleshman, was born in Harrison County, Ind., in 1838, and is the son of William and Delila (Hulls) Fleshman, also natives of that county and State. Here they were married, and here the father followed the carpenter's trade for a number of years. In 1847 they moved to Clark County, Mo., and here the father followed his trade for over thirty years. In 1877 he moved to the extreme northeastern part of Missouri, and there he now re- sides. Although he is seventy years of age he is hale and hearty, and his wife, who is a few years younger than he, also enjoys good health. Our subject is the elder of two children. His sister, who is a widow, is living in Atchison County, Mo. He was only nine years of age when brought by his father to Clark County. He received his education in the pioneer log cabins of that early day, and notwithstanding all these disadvantages he is, to-day, one of Clark County's most enterprising farmers and stock trad- ers. The latter business he has made a specialty, carrying his stock to Chicago, St. Louis, etc. In September, 1858, he married Miss Sarah A. Stephens, a native of Harrison County, Ind. To this'
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union were born seven children: Emma, Nettie, May, William (deceased), Edward, Thomas and Cora. The first three are mar- ried. Mr. Fleshman was in the Federal Army nearly four years, and was a brave and gallant soldier. He is a Republican in principle, but votes for the man instead of for party, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He owns over 500 acres of valuable land in Clark County, and property in Fairmont.
James Foley, merchant, grain and hay dealer, was born April 13, 1828, in New Ross, Ireland, the eldest of eight children of John and Margaret (Nolan) Foley, natives of Ireland, and born in 1802 and 1803, respectively. The father was engaged as a grain mer- chant at New Ross until 1856, when they crossed the Atlantic, landed at Quebec, and came to Alexandria directly. After about eighteen years at this place he went to St. Louis, where he died at his daughter's home in 1875. The mother died in 1868. Our subject was educated in Ireland, and at the age of twenty-one years came directly to Alexandria, where he spent two years as a general laborer. He was next a member of Maxwell & Foley's commission house at Alexandria, but during the war abandoned that for farming. In 1867 he came to Gregory's Landing, and after three years of farming he began mercantile life. He has continued this in various partnerships ever since, and also is en- gaged extensively in the grain and hay business. Besides this he owns 180 acres of land adjoining the town, and nearly all the buildings in the village. His wife, Elizabeth (Nevitt), was born in 1828 in Indiana, and was married about 1871. Their only child is John P. She died December 14, 1877, and in September of 1882 Margaret Gibbons became his wife, a lady who was born in 1850 in New York. James E. and Charles F. are their only chil- dren. Our subject is a Democrat, while in religion his entire family are united in the Roman Catholic faith. He has been post- master since 1882, and is a well-respected citizen.
J. W. Fonda, dealer in general merchandise, lumber, grain, etc., at Luray, is a native of New York. He came to Clark County in 1878, and established his present business in which he has been quite successful. He started with a small stock, but his trade has been gradually increasing, which is owing to his honesty and fair dealing. Before leaving New York, permanently, he was engaged in business at Three Rivers, Mich., where he remained a short time. In 1879 he married Miss M. G. Brady, of Albany, N. Y., and the daughter of Charles and Anna M. (Schryver) Brady. Our subject is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is a man well known and much esteemed throughout the county. He is the son of James and Henrietta (Vandenberg) Fonda, natives of New York, and at present residents of the
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State of Michigan, being prominent citizens of the neighborhood in which they live.
Hon. James H. Fore, representative of Clark County, was born in Bedford (now Fulton) County, Penn., April 21, 1845, the son of Henry H. and Hannah (Hoke) Fore, natives of Bedford and Adams Counties, Penn., respectively. The father, Hon. Henry H. Fore, whose portrait appropriately appears in these pages, was a prominent man of this county, and also served in both Houses of the Legislature of Pennsylvania. He came to this county in 1847, and located at St. Francisville. He died in 1879, and left a fine estate of 1,200 acres. He was a Whig in ante bellum days, but afterward a Democrat. His surviving children are James H., Allen, Charles P., Mary E. (the widow of Weston Johnson), Ann R., Louisa, Sophia (the widow of Dr. Hicks) and Margaret C. The mother died in 1859. Our subject was reared on the farm, and received a fair English education, which his public life has greatly improved. February 23, 1882, he married Kate C., a daughter of J. Z. Barnett, a former citizen of this county until 1881, when he removed to his present home in Van Buren County, Iowa. Our subject has followed farming and stock raising very successfully, and has an estate of 210 well-cultivated acres, and one of the finest residences in the county. He is a Democrat, and as such was elected, to represent Clark County, in November, 1866. He served with distinction in the Legislature of the fol- lowing winter, and acted on the committees of agriculture and immigration.
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