USA > Missouri > Lincoln County > History of Lincoln County, Missouri, from the earliest time to the present > Part 47
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Joseph L. Duncan is a son of Rev. Lewis and Harriet (Kin- niard) Duncan, and was born in Waverly Township, Lincoln Co., Mo., April 29, 1840. His early days were spent on the farm and in attending the district schools. At the age of twenty years he began farming for himself, and in 1861, after serving six months in the State service, he enlisted in Company A, First Missouri Infantry, Confederate States Army, which company was afterward known as Company B, Second Regiment. He served four years, and participated in the battles of Lexington, Pea Ridge, Corinth, Iuka, Franklin, and was before Sherman on the Georgia campaign from the beginning, as far south as Atlanta, Ga. He enlisted as a private, and six months later was chosen second lieutenant, and after another six months was chosen first lieutenant, which office he filled until the close of the war. He was slightly wounded three times, and at the battle of Franklin
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was taken prisoner, and held six months and seventeen days at Johnson's Island. Having been released at the close of the war he returned home, and has since followed the peaceful pursuit of farming, owning 647 acres of land in Lincoln County, on which is one of the finest dwelling houses in the county. On Decem- ber 12, 1867, Kate, a daughter of Nathan and Patience (Bryant) Gillum, of Pike County, became his wife. She was born May 3, 1841, and is the mother of two sons and three daughters. Mr. Duncan is a Democrat, and belongs to the A. O. U. W., and he and wife are members of the Triple Alliance. Both also are members of the church, he belonging to the Missionary Bap- tist, and she to the Methodist. He has been president of the board of trustees of Olney Institute and also of the Stock Com- pany since their foundation.
Hon. George T. Dunn, an able attorney of the Lincoln County bar, dates his birth March 26, 1840. Although Calla- way is his native county, he has been identified with the people of Lincoln County most of his life. His father, William F., of Greenbrier County, .W. Va., immigrated to Missouri at an early day, and became one of the substantial farmers of Callaway County. He was a man of considerable prominence, having been judge of the county court of that county for six years. He chose for his companion in life Miss Sarah H. Patton, who became the mother of our subject. George T. Dunn received, in addition to a common school education, training in a private school, suffi- cient to qualify him for the profession of teaching: Having fol- lowed this occupation for eight years, and having in the mean- time read law, he was admitted to the Lincoln County bar in 1872. Four years later he was chosen prosecuting attorney of Lincoln County, which position he held for two years. In 1884 he was elected to represent Lincoln County, Mo., in the State legislature, and was re-elected in 1886. At the first session of the legislature he introduced four bills, which passed both houses of the legislature, and are now laws, the most important being one making homicide, committed in attempted robbery, burglary, arson, etc., murder in the first degree, instead of the second, as formerly. At the second session he prepared and introduced two bills, which also passed both houses of the legislature, and
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are laws of the State, one making it a punishable offense for rail- roads to furnish public officials with free passes. This supple- ments and enforces the State constitution which makes it punish- able for public officials to receive free passes. The other defines a lawful fence, and virtually makes it obligatory for railroads to fence against all kinds of stock. In 1888 Mr. Dunn was returned to the legislature, thus showing how highly his services have been appreciated. He has always been a stanch Democrat, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Frederick Duvel was born in Hanover, Germany, February 29, 1840, and is a son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Westfall) Duvel, and at the age of twelve years came with his parents to America, locating in Lincoln County, Mo., in 1852. The mother died in Warren County, Mo., in 1852, while on the way here, and the father died about two years later. Thus Frederick was left to fight his own way in the world. He worked for wages during the summer time, and in the winter attended school. He contin- ued to work in this manner until twenty years of age, when he started out for himself as an independent farmer, and has suc- ceeded well in his undertaking, being now the owner of 500 acres of land, and is a member of the merchandise firm of Mason, Duvel & Co., of Olney. Emma F. Owings became his wife De- cember 27, 1850. She was born in Kentucky, and when a child was brought to Missouri. They became the parents of eight children, only seven of whom are living, and are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Duvel's father was a carpenter and cabinet-maker by trade. When twenty-three years old he first married Hannah Albert, who died at the age of thirty-five years, leaving five children, and he afterward married Miss Westfall, and by her became the father of four sons and two daughters.
David A. Dyer is one of seven surviving members of a family of twelve children born to John S. and Martha A. ( Bassett) Dyer, and was born in Monroe County, Mo., in 1844. The father and mother were born in Henry County, Va., in 1819 and 1818, respectively, were married in 1839, and in 1840 came to Missouri, locating first in St. Charles County, and later in Warren County, then in Monroe, and finally came to Lincoln County in 1852. The father was a farmer, and died in 1880, leaving his children.
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well supplied with worldly goods. He was a brother of Col. D. P. Dyer, of St. Louis, who was once a Republican candidate for governor of Missouri, and served during the late war in Capt. Thomas Carter's company as second-lieutenant, and was a par- ticipant in the battle of Lexington. While on his way home he was captured and taken to St. Louis, where he was kept in prison about four months. He was a man of good business ability and an honest, upright citizen. David A. Dyer was educated in the common schools, and in 1864 joined Capt. Wood's Company, Shel- by's Brigade, and operated in Arkansas and Texas until the close of the war. In 1869 Laura M. Wright became his wife. She is a daughter of Marion Wright, of Virginia, and became the mother of the following children: Hattie M., John, George, Nannie, Otis, Mattie, Alexander, Dadin and Shapley. Mr. Dyer owns 250 acres of land in different tracts, and in his political views supports the principles of the Democratic party. Mrs. Dyer's grandparents, John and Caroline (Ross) Geiger, were born in Kentucky, and came to Missouri in 1812, there being but three white families in the county at that time, and the woods were full of Indians.
Benjamin T. Elliott, farmer, is the son of Elisha and Sarah (Collins) Elliott, both natives of Albemarle County, Va. The mother had previously been married to a Mr. Eddings, who died in Virginia. After the death of her first husband she came to St. Charles County, Mo., where she and Mr. Elliott were married. Both died in that county. He was a farmer and a soldier in the War of 1812. In their family were four children, three sons and one daughter. The mother had three sons by her first marriage. Benjamin, the second child by her second marriage, was born in St. Charles County in 1834, and was about six years old when his parents died. He was reared by his grandfather Collins, received a limited education, and when about eighteen years of age started out for himself, farming and "baching." In 1856 he married Miss Susan E. Guthrie, a native of Virginia, born in 1834. To this union six children were born, three sons and three daughters: William James, George T., Josephine Lee, Ann Arrenah, Delana Othelo and Maud. Three years later they moved to Henry County, but soon returned on account of sick- ness. and settled in this county. In 1861 they went to Audrain,
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and in 1868 came to Lincoln County, Mo., where Mr. Elliott has farmed ever since. He owns 225 acres of land, of which about 150 are under cultivation. Although starting with a very small capital, he now owns one of the best farms in his community, the result of his own efforts. He occupies the farm once owned by his wife's father, Silas Guthrie, who moved here from Virginia, in 1837, and died in 1844. His widow remained on the farm until her death in 1885, aged seventy-five. Mr. Elliott purchased the farm in 1867, his mother-in-law finding a pleasant home with him the remainder of her life. He was a Whig in politics before the war, and since then has been a Democrat.
Isaac Ellis (deceased) was born in Shelby County, Ky., March 19, 1823, and when about twelve years of age he went with his parents to Indiana, but returned about six years later. After reaching manhood (1845), he married Miss Sarah A. N. Sullen- ger, who was also a native of Kentucky, born February 23, 1825. After their marriage they moved to central Indiana, and in 1850 came to Lincoln County, Mo., and here the father died, February 5, 1888. He was a hard-working farmer all his life, and when he first came to Lincoln County he had nothing. He set to work, cleared a fine farm in the woods, and gave all his children a good start. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a good citizen. His wife, a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, is still living, and is in full possession of her accustomed vigor of body and mind. Their family consisted of seven children, three sons and four daughters, of whom all are married with the excep- tion of Jefferson S., who lives with his mother and runs the farm. The old homestead consists of 230 acres, of which about 200 acres are tillable; this all falls to Jefferson S. Another son, Clark S. Ellis, was born in Lincoln County, Mo., September 16, 1853. He was reared on a farm, and received a common school educa- tion. After working for his father until twenty-one years of age he began for himself. In 1875 he married Miss Virginia Mc- Dowell, a native of St. Charles, Mo., who bore him three chil- dren, two sons and a daughter. In 1882 his wife died, and two years later he married Miss Virginia Wilson, a native of Mont- gomery County. One daughter was born to this last union. Mr. Ellis has met with success as a farmer. He purchased the
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farm where he now lives, which consists of 223 acres, in 1877. He is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also his first wife.
John A. Elmore was born in the "Old North State" on the 18th of September, 1809. His parents, John and Mary (Lee) Elmore, were born in North Carolina and Virginia, respectively. The latter moved to North Carolina when she was quite young, and there she afterward married Mr. Elmore. He was a tiller of the soil, and both were members of the Presbyterian Church and lived to a ripe old age. Of their three sons and five daugh- ters, our subject is the only one now living. He received the education and rearing of the average farmer's boy, having to walk three and one-half miles to his first school. At his dying father's request he cared for the family until the youngest was of age. In 1834 he and Ann Eliza Roper united their fortunes, and four years later came to Lincoln County, Mo., where they entered land in 1840, and by industry and economy became the owners of 323 acres of land. In 1862 the wife died, having borne twelve children. His second marriage, with Permelia Thomas, was consummated in 1871, and their union has been blessed by the birth of five children. Mr. Elmore has been a Whig and Dem- ocrat in his political views.
Robert T. Elsberry is one of ten children-seven living- born to William N. and Lydia P. (Owen) Elsberry, who were born in Maryland and Kentucky, in 1792 and 1800, and died in Missouri in 1871 and 1882, respectively. The father was an early resident of Kentucky, and there married and lived, until 1837, when he became a resident of Lincoln County, Mo. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was an honest and upright citizen of the county. His eldest child, Robert T. Elsberry, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in 1818, and was educated in the pioneer schools of that State. In 1839 he was married to Julia Ann, daughter of Thomas Buchanan, of Lincoln County, and after a happy married life of thirty-seven years, the mother died. In 1882 Mr. Elsberry married Mrs. Ella (Martin) Fra- zier. He is a prosperous farmer, and has accumulated a fair property by his industry and frugality. Since 1859 he has lived in the town of Elsberry, which was built on his land and was
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named in his honor. He owns about 300 acres of land, and is a strong advocate of prohibition. Town lots which he has dis- posed of have all been sold with the understanding that no liquor of any kind should be sold on them. Previous to the war he was a Whig, but since that time has been a supporter of Democratic principles. In 1880 he was one of the company who built a large flouring-mill at Elsberry, and since 1883 he has been a one-third owner of the same. Mr. Elsberry is very public spir- ited and may justly be considered one of the prominent and hon- ored citizens of the county.
John A. Eversmeyer is a son of John A. and Anna M. (Schaper) Eversmeyer, who were born in Prussia September 25, 1829, and May 2, 1832, respectively. They were both brought to America when children, and were reared in Lincoln County, Mo., where they afterward married and lived. The father was an extensive agriculturist, and in politics endorsed and supported the principles of the Republican party, and he and wife wor- shipped in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died February 8, 1888. Seven of his nine children are living, and John A. is the eldest son. He was born in Lincoln County on the 22d of October, 1856, and received the education and rearing of the average farmer's boy. After remaining with his parents until February 23, 1887, he, at that date, married Minnie P. Gillmore, a daughter of Judge J. T. Gillmore. She was born in the county August 17, 1865. John A. is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and supports the Republican party. He owns 160 acres of fertile land and is a successful and wide-awake young farmer.
Sebastian Fares was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1818, and is a son of Michael and Savannah Fares, who came to the United States in 1835 and settled near Dayton, Ohio, where they lived until their respective deaths, in 1846 and 1847. The father was a wealthy farmer, and had an uncle who was Chief Justice of Bavaria. Sebastian Fares is the fifth of eight children, and attended the common schools of his native country and also attended the night school of Cincinnati, Ohio, after locating in this country. For six years after coming to the United States he was employed on the Miami Canal, buying provisions,
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etc., for the employes. In 1843 he went to Cincinnati, where he clerked in a stove factory for eighteen years and then became one of the firm of Fares & Miller, and until 1876 was one of the prom- inent foundry men of that city. At that date he moved to Lin- coln County, Mo., where he has since lived on his farm of 1,500 acres. He is a successful business man, and during his short residence in Lincoln County has made himself many friends, and is prominent among the leading men of the county. September 24, 1859, he was married to Alma, a daughter of Isaiah and Diana Bacon, who were born in Vermont, where the mother died when Mrs. Fares was a child. Mrs. Fares was born in Vermont, and when about twenty-three years of age went to Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Fares has been a life-long Democrat, and was formerly a member of the A. O. U. W. He and wife are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Fares takes considerable interest in breeding short horned cattle and fine horses, and has one of the finest farms and one of the most beautiful residences in the county.
Andrew Finley, a well known farmer and stock raiser of Lin- coln County, comes of a family whose name is a familiar one in connection with the early pioneers and representative citizens of this locality. His father, Cyrus Finley, was born in Virginia in 1799, but when a child, owing to the death of his parents, he was taken to Kentucky, where he continued to make his home for many years. While living in that State he met and subse- quently married, in Shelby County, Miss Jane Shannon, a Ken- tuckian by birth, and some ten years younger than her husband. This happy union was blessed by the birth of ten children, eight of whom, six sons and two daughters, still survive. In 1829 Mr. Finley and wife left Kentucky and sought a home in the then thinly populated district of Lincoln County, Mo., where they con- tinued to make their home until death, esteemed, respected mem- bers of society. The father died in 1861, his companion sur- viving him until 1837. Among their children is the subject of this sketch, a native-born resident of the county, whose birth occurred in Hurricane Township, January 20, 1833. While growing up he applied himself to the duties about the home farm, receiving a common school education, and about 1859 he and a
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brother purchased the farm of 220 acres which he still owns and cultivates. In 1869 he was married to Miss M. Jennie Finley, a daughter of Andrew Finley. She was born in Shelby County, Ky., April 8, 1835, and accompanied her brothers to this county in 1860. Their family consists of two children, Jane E. and Georgie S. Mrs. Finley is a member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Mr. Finley is school director and road overseer. and politically is a Democrat. For fifty-five years he has made this county his home, gaining a reputation and success which account him a deserving citizen.
Cyrus Finley, a leading merchant of Briscoe, was born in Lincoln County. December 4, 1841, and is one of ten children, eight living, born to Cyrus and Jane (Shannon) Finley, whose births occurred in Virginia and Kentucky, in 1799 and 1809, and who died in Missouri in 1861 and 1887, respectively. The father's parents died when he was a child, and he was taken to Kentucky by an uncle. There he afterward met and married Miss Shannon, and in 1829 came to Lincoln County, Mo. Young Cyrus Finley attended the old subscription schools of Missouri, and assisted his parents in tilling the farm. After attaining his majority he began doing for himself, and farmed and followed mercantile pursuits in Illinois for some time; then returned to Missouri, where tilling the soil occupied his attention until 1883. At that date he erected his large store room at Briscoe, where he has since been in partnership with Mr. Broyles, the firm name being Finley & Broyles for some time, but is now Finley, Evers- meyer & Co. In 1884 he was married to Sarah M. Finley, who was born in the county, December 20, 1856. They have one daughter. Mr. Finley is a Democrat, and is post master of Bris- coe. Mrs. Finley is a member of the Associate Reformed Pres- byterian Church.
Walker Finley, farmer, of Lincoln County, Mo., and native of the same, was born in 1848, his parents being Cyrus and Jane (Shannon) Finley, who were born in Virginia and Kentucky in 1801 and 1809, and died in Missouri in 1862 and 1887 respect- ively. The father went to Kentucky when a young man, and was married in Shelby County in 1828, and the next year came to Lincoln County, Mo., where they cleared a large farm, and were
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among the prominent citizens of the county. Two of their ten children are dead. Walker Finley is the youngest of their chil- dren. He received such education as could be obtained in the schools of his day, and was married in 1876 to Mary Ann, a daughter of Gilmore Finley, of Kentucky. She was born in Lincoln County, and Cyrus Gilmore, Cynthia N., Justina May, Charles Walker and an infant are the children born to her union with Mr. Finley. The latter has always resided on the old home farm, and is the owner of 253 acres of good land. He supports the principles of the Democratic party, and his first presidential vote was cast for Horace Greeley. His wife is a member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Thomas M. Fisher, contractor, builder and lumber dealer, was born in Shelbyville, Ky., March 28, 1841, and is one of seven children born to Horace H. and Hannah M. (Eads, cousin of Capt. J. B. Eads, of world wide reputation ) Fisher. The pa- rents were natives of Baltimore, Md., and Simpsonville, Ky., respectively. They were married in Kentucky, and became the parents of two children, remaining in that State until 1842, when they moved to Troy. He was a watch-maker, a gold and silver- smith, having served seven years as an apprentice. He died in 1857. The mother afterward married I. T. Nelson, a Virginian by birth, who had settled in Lincoln County, Mo., at an early date. Both are living, she seventy-eight years of age and he ninety-one. Grandfather Fisher was a soldier in the War of 1812. The mother was a member of the Christian Church, and the father was a life-long Democrat. When about a year old, our subject was brought to Troy, Mo., and educated in the town schools. At the age of sixteen he returned to Shelby County, Ky., and served three years as an apprentice. In 1861 he vol- unteered in Company A, Fifteenth Kentucky Infantry, United States Army, and served three and a half years. He partici- pated in the following battles: Stone River, Chickamauga, the Atlanta Campaign, Resaca, and was discharged at Louisville, Ky., without a scratch, or having been taken prisoner. He worked in Shelbyville until 1865, when he moved to Lincoln County, Mo., and there has worked at his trade since. He has built some of the best business blocks and residences in Troy,
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also barns and residences in this county. In 1869 he married Miss Laura V. Nicklin, a native of Pennsylvania. Six children were born to this union, five now living, three sons and two daughters. He is a Democrat in politics, is a member of the I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. He has followed his trade all his life, and has by honest work gained the confidence of the people.
John Fleener, farmer, is the son of Nicholas and Nancy (Johnson) Fleener, who were born in Virginia and Indiana respectively. At an early day the father went to Indiana, was married there, and followed agricultural pursuits in that State until 1851, when they moved to Lincoln County, Mo., where the father died in 1872 at the age of eighty-one. He was a Democrat in politics, and an officer under Gen. Harrison. He was wounded at the battle of Tippecanoe, and drew a pension. His wife was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in 1884, at the age of eighty-three. In their family were fifteen children, twelve sons and three daughters. Their son, John Fleener, was born September 25, 1840, in Monroe County, Ind., was reared a farmer boy, and received a very limited education, being obliged to go five miles to secure any schooling. At the age of fifteen he began learning the bricklayer's trade, but soon turned his attention to carpentering. From that he went to giving enter- tainments in sleight of hand and ventriloquism, and was quite successful at this. In 1871 he married Miss Drucilla J. Mur- phy, who bore him seven children, two sons and five daughters, two of the daughters being twins. Mrs. Fleener died in 1883, and in 1885 he married Mrs. Margaret J. Cartwright, nee Skin- ner, daughter of Rev. William J. Skinner, of Jonesburg, and the widow of Rev. T. L. Cartwright, by whom she had no issue. Mr. and Mrs. Fleener are members of the Christian Church, and he is a Democrat in his political views. After marriage he set- tled upon his present property, which consists of 212 acres of good land; beside this he has eight lots in Louisville. He has a nice home just at the edge of town. He has been a resident of this county for thirty-seven years.
Lee Frank, postmaster and general merchant at Burr Oak Valley, Mo., was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1846, and is a son
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of Gideon and Charlotte (Lippmann) Frank, who have spent their entire lives in their native country. Lee Frank is the youngest but one of eight children, and until thirteen years of age attended the common schools, and the following two years was a student at Furth Commercial College. He then learned the tailor's trade, and when eighteen years of age, to avoid mil- itary service, came to the United States, and located at Alexan- dria, Mo., where an elder brother was living. He remained here about two years, and after spending a short time in Warsaw, Ill., went to St. Louis, where he clerked for about two years. From that time until 1872 he clerked and peddled goods in different parts of the country, and then established his present business at Burr Oak Valley. He has also a store at Foley, Mo., and both his establishments are doing a large and profitable business. He also owns real estate at both of these places, and has a good farm of 225 acres near Burr Oak Valley. He is an energetic and persevering business man, and fully deserves the success that has attended his efforts. He affiliates with the Democratic party in his political views, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. His marriage to Emma Tiller took place in 1871. She was born in Lincoln County, and is the daughter of John Tiller, and the mother of three children: Anna, Sophia and Viennah. She is a member of the Christian Church.
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