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 99

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 99
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 99
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 99
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 99

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).

John Atkinson, a substantial farmer of Knox County, was born in Kentucky, in 1842, and is a son of John and Alice (Flemming) Atkinson. The father was born in England July 17, 1793, and at the age of twenty-five left his native country for the United States. He located in Kentucky, where he followed the car- penter's trade until 1831, when he came to Missouri, and worked at his trade until his death, which occurred in 1874. The mother was born in Pennsylvania, in 1791, of Scotch descent, and survived her husband's death, living with her children until July 8, 1887. Our subject remained in Missouri with his parents until he was united in marriage to Mary M. Crawford, daughter of Harrison P. and Margaret Crawford. Mrs. Atkinson's father was born September 23, 1813, in Ohio County, Ky., and died in Scotland County, Mo., January 12, 1887. The mother was born December 6, 1816, in Nicholas County, Ky., and died in Greens- burg, Knox Co., Mo., December 17, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Atkin- son have been blessed with four children, the only living one be- ing Barton H. Atkinson. Our subject has been a resident and well-to-do farmer of Knox County for over twenty-two years, and during that time has won the respect of the entire community in which he lives. He has been a stanch and active Democrat all his life, but has never aspired to political office. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and for twenty years has been a charter member of the lodge at Greensburg. He and his wife belong to the Christian Church.

John T. Aucutt, a prominent citizen of Knox County, was born in Brown County, Ill., March 6, 1843, and is a son of John and Catherine (Hall) Aucutt. The father was born in Ohio, and in 1842 came to Brown County, Ill., where he farmed about thir- teen years, and then came to Knox County, Mo., settling upon a farm in Section 35, Township 60, Range 13. There he died in 1877. Mrs. Aucutt, the mother of our subject, was a native of Vir- ginia, married in Illinois, and died in Knox County, Mo., in 1877, only nine days after the death of her husband. Our subject lived

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at home until 1864, with the exception of the time spent in the serv- ice of his country in the Thirty-ninth Missouri, from August 13, 1864, to March 21, 1865. After returning home he was married, December 5, 1867, to Laura Bowen, daughter of William and Sarah (Bradford) Bowen, and to this union nine children were born, all living, viz .: William, Suphrona, Edgar, Ethel, Maude, Alta, John, Ellen and an infant. After the war Mr. Aucutt farmed in Section 35, Salt River Township, until January, 1886, and then moved upon his present farm, which consists of 320 acres of good land-160 in cultivation and 160 in woodland and pasture. Mr. Aucutt is a strong supporter of the Republicans, but has never aspired to political office. He is also an honorable member of the I. O. O. F., and is one of the most worthy and public-spirited citizens of the county, being a liberal patron of all laudable public enterprises.

Thompson C. Baker, of Edina, Mo., was born in Knox County, June 22, 1845, his parents being James W. and Martha A. (Con- nelly) Baker. The father was a brother of Joshua Baker, one of the first settlers of Northeast Missouri, and came to Missouri in 1833, settling on a farm one and one-half miles South of Edi- na. He was for many years a magistrate, and also an efficient and able member of the county court. He died in 1859, and the mother died in 1872. Of the nine children born to this pair, there were raised to maturity Mary J., wife of L. W. Gordon; Hester W., wife of T. D. Cahalan, of Idaho; Thompson C .; Har- riett A., wife of William Bowen; Henrietta, deceased wife of Thomas Green; William H., of California; and James, of Kan- sas. Our subject lived upon a farm until 1873, when he moved to Edina, and engaged in the hardware business, in which he con- tinued successfully until 1886. Upon the organization of the Roller Mills, of Edina, he became a stockholder, and in 1886 be- came the secretary and treasurer of the company, which posi- tion he now holds. Mr. Baker has always belonged to the Demo- cratic party, and as a member of such, was elected County Treas- urer in 1880, and faithfully served a term of two years, when he was re-elected, and served in that capacity until 1885. October 24, 1881, he married Sarah Ann Ennis, a native of Marion County, Mo., and Mr. and Mrs. Baker have five living children: Ennis, James, May and Bessie (twins), and Anna. Mr. Baker was a charter member of the Edina Creamery Company. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is one of the prominent and well-to-do citizens of Edina.

George Robert Balthorpe, attorney at law, of Edina, Knox County, is a Virginian by birth, and a son of Napoleon B. and Elizabeth (Marshall) Balthorpe. He was born in Fauquier .

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County, August 22, 1841, about forty-five miles from Washing- ton, D. C. Both his parents were also born in the Old Domin- ion State. His grandfather, John Balthorpe, came from Glas- gow, Scotland, and was a captain of Virginian troops during the last war with England. The father of Elizabeth Marshall was a relative of Chief Justice Marshall, and also served in the war just mentioned. Capt. Balthorpe was the inventor of the axle- tree for field artillery, which is said to be still in use. He had a good deal of inventive talent, and also invented the double shovel-plow. George Balthorpe came to this State with the fam- ily in 1857, and completed his literary studies at the Hannibal Institute. He then engaged in farming with his father, until 1861, when he joined the Confederate Army, as a private, in Col. Burbridge's regiment, Gen. J. B. Clark's brigade. In the spring of 1862 he went to Virginia, and became a lieutenant of Company A, Maj. Richardson's battalion of scouts, guides and couriers, serving in that capacity until the war ended. Mr. Balthorpe returned to Missouri in the fall of 1866, was licensed to practice law at Palmyra, and settled in Knox County in January, 1867, and there established a good reputation, which he still retains. In 1880 Mr. Balthorpe was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney. He was re-elected in 1882, and again in 1884. Mr. Balthorpe is a Democrat in politics, as were his father and grandfather. The principles of that party have been thoroughly ingrained in his nature. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the Knights of Honor. May 20, 1868, he was married to Miss Elizabeth V. Pierce, daughter of Michael P. Pierce, of Knox County, Mo. To this union three sons and two daughters were born, viz .: Lulu L., Robert S., Marshall P., Bes- sie B. and John Florus F.

William M. Beal, of Edina, Mo., is a native of Butler County, Ohio, and was born December 13, 1819. He is a son of Daniel and Amy (Morris) Beal, natives of Kentucky. Our subject was reared to manhood, and educated in his native State and county, and there married Sarah McClamroch, and in 1843 came west to Indiana, where he followed the occupation of farming in Mont- gomery County for eight years. In 1851 he came to Knox County, Mo., and purchased a farm in Benton Township, where he resided until the last few years, since when his residence has been in Edina, having retired from active life. He was elected a member of the county court in 1857, and served six years. He. was a Democrat up to 1860, and during the war was a Union man. In 1863, during the war, he was elected to the State Legis- lature on the Republican ticket, and was re-elected two years. later; he served with honor and distinction, voting for the

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amendment of the constitution of the United States, serving on committee of ways and means; was also appointed on a spe- cial committee to investigate the sale of the railroad, and in other ways rendered much valuable service. Mr. Beal has four living children: Daniel D., James M., John F. and Mary P. (widow of Dr. P. G. H. Barnett). Mr. Beal is a Master Mason, and him- self and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is recognized as one of Knox County's most successful and highly respected citizens.

Daniel F. Beal, a well-known citizen of Knox County, and & resident of Benton Township, was born in Butler County, Ohio, September 5, 1842, and is the son of Judge William M. and Sarah (McClamloch) Beal. William M. was a native of Butler County, Ohio, born in 1819, and of German descent. He moved to Montgomery County, Ind., when our subject was but a child, and there he remained seven years. He has been a farmer all his life. About 1854 or 1856 he was elected judge by the Democratic party, and held that office until the breaking out of the late war. In 1864 he was elected by the Republican party to represent them in the Legislature, and in 1866 was re-elected. In 1886 he was the Republican candidate to the same office, and was defeat- ed by about forty votes, when the Democrats had a very large majority in the county. He is now a resident of Edina. The mother of our subject was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1821, and is also living. She is of Scotch descent, and both she and her husband are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is the eldest of four children, all living. He re- ceived a common education, but it was cut short by the breaking

out of the late war. He left his books, and in 1861-62 served in the State militia. In 1863 he volunteered in Company E, of the Twenty-first Missouri Infantry, and was in the Federal service until April, 1866, and was in many battles and skirmishes. Among these were Tupelo, at Fort Blakeley, Ala., and others. After his discharge he returned to Knox County, Mo., and has since been a resident of that county, engaged in farming and stock raising. April 8, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Evylin E. Fow- ler, a native of Brown County, Ohio, and a daughter of S. K. Fow- ler. To this union have been born five children, four living : Ever- ett O., Fred W., Mary A., Winniford M. and Austin (deceased). Our subject is a Republican in politics; his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

John F. Beal, treasurer of Knox County, Mo., is a native of the county, born July 18, 1854, and is a son of William M. and Sarah (McClamroch) Beal. [See sketch. ] Our subject passed his youth in his native county, and received his education

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at the State Normal, at Kirksville. After completing his studies he engaged in the mercantile trade, being employed as & clerk for two years. He then established a business of his own at Kirksville, and in 1879 changed his place of business to Edina, where he has remained ever since, having met with good and well deserved success. At his store, on South Side Square, he carries a full and well selected stock of staple and fancy dry- goods, notions, gents' furnishings, hats, caps, boots, shoes, etc., and controls a large country and city trade. In politics Mr. Beal has always been an unswerving Democrat, and in 1884 was elected on the Democratic ticket to serve as treasurer of Knox County; after serving a term of two years he was re-elected in 1886, and is now faithfully discharging the duties of his office. March 5, 1879, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Estelle V. Biggerstaff, daughter of R. M. Biggerstaff, of this city. To this union one son, Ralph H., has been born. Mr. Beal is a member of the A. O. U. W. He is also treasurer of the Fair Association, and is recognized as one of the most important and prominent citizens of Knox County.

Joseph F. Biggerstaff, of Edina, is a native of Maryland, and was born October 26, 1826, his parents being Andrew and Sarah Biggerstaff. Our subject was reared to manhood in Ohio, serv- ing an apprenticeship at the saddlers' trade, and also followed mercantile pursuits early in life. His education was acquired in the public and high schools. In 1850 he came west to Edina, where he farmed and speculated in land. He was the first man to fire a gun in Knox County, and took the first pris- oner in this county, during the late war. He served as first lieu- tenant, in the Union cause, in the Third Missouri Cavalry, but declined to accept the captaincy to which he was elected about 1861. He established his first mercantile business in Edina, and has been thus engaged more or less ever since, on a large scale, owning not only a large store in Edina, but a large business in Greensburg, Kas. He first married Miss V. R. Guille, a lady of French descent, whose father was a surgeon under Napoleon, . in the French Army. This lady died leaving five children now living: Arthur, Mary (wife of Dr. William Rodman), Milton G., Clarence and Virginia (wife of N. M. Powell). Mr. Bigger- staff's present wife is Ella McDowell Slaughter, a native of Culpeper County, Va., by whom he has had one child-Alice M. Mr. Biggerstaff has always been a Republican, and has served two terms as county treasurer of Knox County. He is a member of the G. A. R., and is one of Knox County's most successful business men and citizens.

I. J. Bitler, a prominent citizen of Knox County, was born

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August 4, 1843, and is a son of Samuel and Catherine (John) Bitler. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and a resident of Ohio for about forty years, but came to Missouri in 1857, and located upon the farm where our subject now lives. Mr. Bitler died August 4, 1872. Mrs. Bitler was also a native of Pennsyl- vania, and was married to our subject's father in her native State. She is now living with her son. I. J., our subject, lived with his father until his death, taking care of him through his sickness, and afterward remained with his mother, and still lives upon the old home place which consists of 185 acres of good land, well improved and under a fine state of cultivation. December 20, 1866, he was united in marriage to Martha E. Clark, daugh- ter of John L. Clark, and they are highly respected citizens. Our subject has always manifested an interest in political affairs and issues, and has held several offices of minor impor- tance. In 1886 he was the regular nominee of the Republican party for the office of county sheriff, but was defeated, which, however, did not affect him materially as he was not an aspirant for political honors. He is an honorable member of the I. O, O. F. and G. A. R., and himself and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an enterprising and prosperous citizen, and greatly interested in public enter- prises, to which he is a liberal contributor.

Thomas J. Black, farmer and stock raiser, was born Febru- ary 12, 1838, in Quincy, Ill., and is the fourth of nine (four deceased) children born to John and Sarah (Taylor) Black, natives of Kentucky, but married in Quincy, where they came. after reaching maturity. The father was a carpenter, and remained in Quincy, employed at his trade until 1839, when they moved to Knox County, Mo., and settled upon a farm where the father died in 1867. The mother still lives, and makes her home with our subject. The father was a skillful mechanic, but after coming to Missouri engaged in agricultural pursuits, in which he was successful, and at the time of his death was the owner of from 300 to 400 acres of land. Our subject was educated in the com- mon schools of Knox County, and at the age of twenty, although he made his home with his parents, began life for himself by working on farms by the month, which he continued to do until he became twenty-two years old, when he married, and settled upon a portion of his father's farm. His wife, Eveline (Taylor) Black, was born in 1842 in Iowa, and was married to Mr. Black in October, 1860. By her he had seven children ( two deceased), and this lady died January 16, 1876. In 1879 he was united in marriage to Jennie Ross, daughter of Enoch Ross, and who gave birth to one child, and died in March, 1880. The living children

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of our subject are John W., Henrietta (the wife of C. Beck), Ella, Thomas Edward and Ambrose Everett by his first wife, and Zora by his second. After his first marriage he remained upon his father's farm about two years, and then purchased one upon which he lived until March, 1885, by which time he had acquired all of Section 23, and a quarter of Section 26. When he moved to the farm, he had also purchased land in Sec- tions 12 and 13, Township 61 north, Range 13 west, where- he has since resided. He now owns the vast amount of 1,440 acres of land, 1,360 acres of which are enclosed and, principally, cleared and improved, and under a good state of cultivation; 840 acres are situated north of Hurdland, and the remainder is in one tract upon which he lives. He has been remarkably successful in his undertakings, and has accumulated most of his wealth by dealing in stock. He has 150 head of cattle upon his farm at present, and regards this as a very small number. He is one of the leading stock dealers of Knox County, and is a well respected citizen, hon- ored and esteemed by the community. He is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. His son, John, is a member of the Catholic Church, and his daughter, Ella, is a Methodist.

Asa Blanchard was born in Edgar County, Ill., August 17, 1832, and is a son of Horatio and Rebecca A. (Hannah) Blanchard, natives of Ohio, and born in 1806 and 1813, respect- ively. The father is now a resident of Illinois, but the mother died in that State in 1864. Our subject lived at home until twen- ty-three years of age, during which time he learned to operate a wool-carding machine, and also learned the trade of plastering, in which occupations he was engaged until 1864, when he enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Missouri Regiment, serving as first lieutenant from August 13, 1864, until March 21, 1865. He then went to Goodland, Knox Co., Mo., and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, in the fall of 1865, in which he continued until the spring of 1868, at which time he had a large trade. In 1868, wishing to retire to a more.quiet life, he sold his stock, and purchased a farm of eighty acres, which he at once began to improve, and where he has ever since resided, and has increased to 217 acres of good land, well cultivated and improved. August 4, 1861, he was married to Sarah E. Ausmus, daughter of Philip and Martha Ausmus, and to this marriage, one son-Edmond A.,-has been " born. Mr. Blanchard lost his first wife April 3, 1863, and March 17, 1867, was united in marriage to Mary E. Bradford, daughter of Stephen S. and Margaret J. Bradford. In politics he was a Democrat before the war, but since has become a Republican, and is now a strong Greenback supporter. He has been interested

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in political issues since he became of age, and always does a good day's work at election times. He is a member of the Masonic order; himself and wife belong to the Christian Church, and are worthy and respected citizens of Knox County.

Albert G. Bostick, of Edina, Mo., was born May 29, 1841, in Benton, Holmes Co., Miss., and is the son of Absalom and Mary (Patton) Bostick, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. The father was a merchant by occupation, and followed that business in Tennessee, and a short time at Cape Girardeau, Mo. The mother still resides in Nashville, Tenn. Of the six children born to them there are now living Robert F., of Gainesville, Tex .; Angeline, wife of Thomas T. Jordan, of Los Angeles, Cal .; Cordelia, wife of W. D. Covington, attorney at law, of Nashville, Tenn., and our subject, who was reared to manhood in Tennessee, near Nashville, securing a good education, which he completed at the Cumberland University, at Lebanon, Tenn. In 1864 he came to Quincy, Ill., and followed the mercantile business several years. In the spring of 1868 he came to Edina, where he was principal of the public schools for eight years. He then engaged in the grocery business, at his present stand on the west side of the public square, in which he has met with good and well-deserved success, being one of the most substantial and well-to-do business men and citizens of Edina Township. March 16, 1865, he married Mary E. Hines, a native of near Lexington, Ky. No children have been born to this union. Mr. Bostick is a Democrat, a member of the I. O. O. F. and encamp- ment; and a Master Mason.

Charles E. Bowen, a leading citizen of Knox County, was born in Shelby County, Mo., October 1, 1838, and is a son of William and Sarah L. (Bradford) Bowen, natives of Maryland, and born in 1814 and November 22, 1813, respectively. They were married in 1834, and four years later settled upon a farm in Shelby County, Mo., two years later removing to their present farm in Knox County. Our subject was reared at home, and at the age of twenty-two was married, but still lived at home about two years, and then moved upon a farm in Shelby County, where he lived about a year. He then settled upon the farm where he now resides, in Knox County, which contains 210 acres of land, mostly all well improved and cultivated. Frances Hoofer was united in marriage to our subject March 13, 1861, and this union was blessed with six children, of whom five are living: Ann Marie (wife of Samuel Shores), Charles F., Rosa B., Laura E. and Luella. Our subject was once a Democrat, but is now a Prohibitionist. He has never held office, although he is greatly interested in the general welfare and prosperity

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of the country, and his family is one of the most honored and respected in the county.

Thomas B. Bowen, one of the prominent citizens of Knox County, and a resident of Salt River Township, is a native of Knox County, born March 31, 1841. He is a son of Charles Bowen, who was born in Maryland January 11, 1813, and .came to Mar- ion County, Mo., in the spring of 1838, settling on a farm where he remained two years, and then removed to Shelby County, Mo., living there about a year, and then making a final move to Knox County, locating upon a wild prairie farm in Salt River Township, which he improved, and where he now resides, engaged in farming and stock raising. Mahala (Bradford) Bowen, the mother of our subject, was also a native of Maryland, and was born Febru- ary 8, 1813. She was married, in her native State, to our sub- ject's father, in 1838, and they at once came to Marion County, Mo. She is now spending her days with her husband in Salt River Township. Our subject remained at home with his parents until the birthday of his twenty-second year. Soon after, he married, lived upon his father's farm about two years, and then moved upon a farm of sixty acres his father had deeded him, which he afterward traded for the place he is now a resi- dent of, paying the difference in cash. To this farm he has added land, until he now possesses 295 acres of well-improved and cultivated land, making him one of the prosperous and enterpris- ing young farmers of the county. He is also engaged in stock raising, in connection with his farming. March 31, 1863, he was married to Sarah E. Hodges, daughter of John and Malinda (Stone) Hodges, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Bowen was born November 2, 1834, in Kentucky, and to her union with our sub- ject eight children have been born, of whom six are living: Florence E. (wife of William T. Cloyd), Margaret J., Charles W. S., James K., John T. and Archibald T. During the war our subject served in the Thirty-ninth Missouri Infantry, Com- pany F, from August 11, 1864, until March 23, 1865, but after- ward returned home immediately, and resumed his home duties. He was a hearty Republican after the war until after Hayes was elected, and since then has belonged to the Greenback party. He is a worthy member of the I. O. O. F., and himself and wife rank among the honored and respected citizens of the county.

William W. Brewington, one of the substantial and promi- nent farmers of Knox County, was born in Dearborn County, Ind., in 1834. His father, Benjamin B., was born and reared in Mary- land, and at the age of twenty-four immigrated to Dearborn County, Ind., where he resided about three years, actively engaged in farming. In 1850, while in that county, he was mar-

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ried to Miss Martha Bennium, daughter of William Bennium, a native of Dearborn County. Soon after the war Mr. Brewington moved to Kirksville, Mo., where he lived a retired life with his children. He was a man of remarkable constitution, and lived more than the allotted three score years and ten of man. In early life he was a Democrat, but after the war became a Repub- lican. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. Our subject was reared in Indiana, and lived with his parents until he became twenty-five years of age, when he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Bruce, a native of Dearborn County, Ind., and daughter of Isaac and Julia Ann (Farand) Bruce, natives of the same county. Our subject, his mother and mother- in-law were all educated in the same county and schools. In 1859 Mr. Brewington came to Benton Township, Knox Co., Mo., where he resided eight years, and then lived in Lewis County until his removal to Knox County, in 1882, having been engaged in farming all this time. Mr. and Mrs. Brewington have been blessed with four children, all of whom are living: Frank V., Laura E. (Scott), Perry and Robert N. During his life Mr. Brewington has always enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow men, and is now one of the enterprising farmers of this region, owning 100 acres of good land, well improved. He is a Republican, and his wife is a member of the church.

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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 99

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