USA > Missouri > Lincoln County > History of Lincoln County, Missouri, from the earliest time to the present > Part 52
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married Miss Elizabeth E. Dyer, a native also of Charles County, Md., and to them were born ten children; only two are now liv- ing. In 1839, with his wife, one child and a few servants, he moved to St. Charles County, Mo., and the following year located at Millwood, where he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. Two years later he was chosen assessor of that county, which position he held for four years. From 1847 to 1849 he held the office of sheriff, discharging his duties in a fearless and satis- factory manner. His mercantile career dates from 1853, when he opened a store at Millwood, and has continued in the same business ever since. In June, 1855, he lost his first wife and in June of the following year married Miss Mary O'Brien, an edu- cated lady, born in Ireland of most respectable parents; she came to this country with her father and mother when about six years of age, and was reared and educated in Washington County, Mo. To this union eight children were born, five of whom are living, all sons. Two of his sons graduated in medicine, Dr. George Alton Mudd, in the St. Louis Medical College, and Dr. James Theodore Mudd, at the University of Maryland, in Baltimore. The rest of his sons are farmers and business men. Daniel H. is a legal partner of his father in the store at Millwood, and also in the store and lumber yard at Silex, being a wide-awake young business man, with a good prospects of success. In 1875 Mr. Mudd was elected county court judge, and for six years held that position with exceptional ability. We find that during his term of service in the court a compromise was offered by the railroad bond holders, which he and his associates in the court at that time most earnestly recommended to be accepted, and had such a course been pursued and accepted by the people of the county and the committee of their appointment, many thousand dollars, as well as much trouble, litigation and cost, would have been saved to the people of Lincoln County. He always held that the county should pay its just debts the same as an individual, and although at that time the majority of the people stood against him, and he was unable to carry out his views for the benefit of the people, all now acknowledge the righteousness of them. The Judge was a Whig until the dissolution of that party, and since then has been a firm and consistent Democrat. He is one of the
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founders and main-stays of the Catholic Church at Millwood, and a liberal supporter of all worthy and charitable enterprises. He has been successful as a business man, having the full con- fidence of the people, and is one among the larger tax payers of the county. His means, however, have been accumulated by no miserly course through life, but he believes most firmly in the scriptural injunction that it is more blessed to give than to re- ceive.
Robert Mudd, another successful farmer of Lincoln County, was born in Washington County, Ky., October 9, 1817, and is the son of Nicholas and Martha (Janes) Mudd. The father was a native of Maryland, and when a boy went with his parents to Kentucky, where he married Miss Janes, a native of Kentucky, though her parents came from Maryland. The father was a farmer, and died in Kentucky at a good old age. He was a Whig in politics and a member of the Catholic Church, as was also his wife. She died in Lincoln County, Mo., when quite old. Their son, Robert, who was the eldest of a family of seven chil- dren, five now living, was reared on a farm and educated in the old field schools. In September, 1835, he married Miss Eliza Mudd, a native of the same county as himself, born July 11, 1816. Her ancestors, however, came from Maryland. By their union Mr. and Mrs. Mudd became the parents of eleven children, six of whom are now living, two sons and four daughters. After farming in Kentucky until 1843, they moved to Lincoln County, Mo., settling near Millwood, where they have lived ever since. In 1845 they moved to their present property which con- sists of 290 acres, and here he has since resided. He has been quite successful, as when he landed in Lincoln County he had only an old horse and $25 in money. For about eight or ten years he served as constable of Millwood Township. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church and he is a Democrat, although a Whig until the dissolution of that party.
Benjamin S. Mudd, farmer and son of Francis L. and Emily A. (Berry) Mudd, was born in Charles County, Md., March 4, 1825. His parents were both natives of Maryland, where they were married and where ten children were born to them. After farming in that state until 1835, they moved to Pike County,
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Mo., and seven years later to Lincoln County of the same State, where they passed the remainder of their lives. The father was a lieutenant under Gen. Barney in the war of 1812, was a Demo- crat in politics, a member of the Catholic Church, and lived to be sixty-six years of age. His wife was also a member of the Cath- olie Church. Their son, Benjamin F., was about ten years old when his parents moved to Missouri. He grew up on the farm, received a very limited education, and when about twenty-one years of age he began for himself, by working for Judge H. T. Mudd at $85 a year. After farming for some time he began learning the carpenter trade, and thus made a start. Having saved about $800 he purchased the farm where he now lives. In 1834 he married Miss Mary Hammonds, a native of Lincoln County, born April 24, 1838, being the daughter of William Hammonds, one of the early settlers of the county. The result of this marriage was the birth of one daughter, who is now the wife of J. E. Mudd. Mr. Mudd now owns 200 acres of good land and has made all his property by his own industry and good management. He is a Democrat in his political views, and he and Mrs. Mudd are members of the Catholic Church.
A. N. Mudd, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Marion County, Mo., March 12, 1841, and is the fifth of eight children born to Atha N., Sr., and Priscilla N. (Jamison) Mudd, both of whom were natives of Maryland, where they attained their growth, married and lived until 1839, when they moved to Missouri and located in Marion County. Ten years later they moved to Lin- coln County, Mo. The father followed merchandising in Mary- land, and after coming to Missouri taught school. He was a man of delicate health, and died in the prime of life. He was well educated, was a graduate from a law school, but never practiced. He was a Whig in politics, and he and wife were members of the Catholic Church. Their son, Atha N., attained his growth on the farm and received a limited education. Being the eldest son, and his parents poor, he had to aid in supporting the family, and remained at home until twenty-four years of age. In 1865 he went to California, and after working by the month ou a farm for about two years he began farming for himself, following this occupation successfully for seven years. In 1873 he returned,
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purchased a farm, and in February of the same year he married Miss Sophia Dyer, a native of Lincoln County, and daughter of George Dyer. This union resulted in the birth of seven children, four now living. In 1883 Mr. Mudd located where he now lives and is the owner of 450 acres of land. He is a Democrat in his political views, and he and wife are members of the Catholic Church. He is a good citizen.
James Edwin Mudd, stock breeder and farmer, and son of Judge H. T. Mudd, was born near Millwood, May 13, 1844. He was reared chiefly in his father's store, and educated in the com- mon schools. He worked for his father, receiving wages for the same, until thirty-two years of age, and in 1876 he married Miss Hester E. Mudd, daughter of Benjamin S. Mudd. She was born in Lincoln County, Mo., in 1860, and by her marriage became the mother of five children, two sons and three daughters. Soon after marriage Mr. Mudd began farming and keeping breeding horses. In 1878 he moved to his present farm, which consists of 160 acres. He has, perhaps, done more than any other man in this county to improve the horses thereof. He owns three fine horses-a Percheron and Clydesdale, a Morgan and English- shire, and a Clydesdale. Besides these he owns three jacks. He is accounted an enterprising, wide-awake young man, and al- though he has met with misfortune in the loss of stock, and in the destruction of his house by fire, with undaunted courage is still working away. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Catholic Knights of America, and he and wife are members of the Catholic Church.
James P. Mudd, another successful farmer of that name, was born in Lincoln County, Mo., January 27, 1848, and is the eld- est of six children, four sons and two daughters, born to Thomas W. and Mary ( Mattingly) Mudd. The father was born in Ken- tucky in 1809, although his ancestors were from the old Mary- land stock of Mudds. The mother was also a native of Kentucky, born in 1807. They were born in Washington County, Ky., where they lived until 1847, when they came to Lincoln County, Mo., and located near Silex, on a farm. The father was a Whig until the dissolution of that party, when he advocated the princi- ples of the Democratic party. He died in 1864, and his wife in
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1870. Both were members of the Catholic Church. James P. Mudd was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools. He was but sixteen years old when his father died, and he thus became the main dependence of the family, and managed with the skill of a man. In 1878 he married Miss Alice Hammonds, a native of this county, and the daughter of William and Rose Ann (Wells) Hammonds, both natives of Kentucky, born in 1808 and 1818, respectively. They came to Lincoln County when quite young, were married here, and here the father followed the occupation of a brick-mason and farmer. He died in 1872, but the mother is still living, and is a member of the Christian Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Mudd were born three children, all daughters. Mr. Mudd is a Democrat in his political principles, is a member of the Catholic Church, and of the C. K. of A. He owns a good, although a rather small farm, and is accounted a successful farmer. He has made this county his home all his life, and has won a place of high esteem among his neighbors.
Alphonsus H. Mudd, farmer, is the son of Dr. Hillery P. and Clare (Mudd) Mudd, who were both born in Maryland, where they grew up and were married. The father had been previously married to a Miss Mudd, by whom he had one child. After her death he married the mother of our subject, who was a sister of Judge H. F. Mudd. In 1839 the father and mother moved to Missouri, locating near Millwood, and here the Doctor practiced medicine, farmed, and was also engaged in merchandising. He and a partner kept the first store in Millwood, secured the first post-office, named it Millwood, and Mr. Mudd was the first post- master. He was a Democrat in politics, and he and wife were members of the Catholic Church. To his second marriage were born eight children, all of whom lived to be grown, and Dr. Joseph A., who wrote a brief history of Lincoln County for the county atlas, is one of his sons. Alphonsus H. Mudd, another son, and the subject of this sketch, was born in Mill- wood, September 11, 1849, attained his growth on the farm, and received his education in the common schools. After reaching manhood he taught school for about two terms, although his chief calling has been farming. In 1877 he married Miss Mary E. O'Brien, a native of Lincoln County. To this marriage have
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been born four children, two now living, and both daughters. Mr. Mudd has lived in this county all his life, and owns a good farm of 160 acres.
William Murphy, an enterprising farmer of Lincoln County, Mo., was born in County Wexford, Ireland, April 12, 1819, and is the eldest of a family of seven children born to Garret and Mary (Roster) Murphy. The parents were both born in County Wexford, Ireland, about 1788. After marriage the father en- gaged in the dairy business for many years, and then tilled the soil until 1849, when he set sail for America, the voyage taking seven weeks. They landed at New Orleans, and came by steamer to St. Louis, which they reached New Year's day, 1850. They then came to Lincoln County, and here the remainder of their days were passed. Both lived to be seventy-five years old, and both were members of the Catholic Church. The father was a Democrat in politics. Their son, William Murphy, came to St. Louis with his parents, and there met Judge H. T. Mudd, to whom he hired out for a year, at the rate of $95 per year. Soon he pre-empted a piece of land, and has added to this until he now owns 425 acres. In 1854 he married Miss Ann Murphy, also a native of Ireland, who came here a short time after her future husband. To them were born four children, all of whom lived to be grown, but only three now living, one son and two daughters: Mary (wife of Michael Dunn, a farmer), Michael (also a farmer, married to Miss Georgie Roby), and Josephine (wife of Beuford Shocklee). Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are mem- bers of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat in politics.
Clinton T. Nash is one of three sons and six daughters born to the marriage of William M. and Naomi M. (Menifee) Nash, who were natives, respectively, of Virginia and Kentucky. The father was a saddler by trade, and a very wealthy man. In his political views he was an old line Whig, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. Both parents died in Kentucky, leaving their children well provided for. Clinton T. Nash was born in George- town, Ky., January 16, 1826. Not liking the idea of being com- pelled to go to school, he ran away from home in 1844, and tak- ing a boat went down the Ohio and up the Mississippi River, until he came to Clarksville. Here he kept bar on a boat for some
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time, and also a confectionery store opposite the Planters' House, in St. Louis. He afterward returned to Kentucky, and engaged in the grocery business at Great Crossings, but in a few months sold out his interest and returned to Lincoln County, Mo. He loaned out his money and worked on a farm for wages, then went to New Hope, in Lincoln County, where he opened a grocery store and managed it for some time. In 1854 he began dealing in apples, his trade extending up and down nearly all the tributa- ries of the Mississippi River. After a time he turned his atten- tion to farming which occupation he has continued up to the present time. In 1858 he married Martha J. Haislip. She was born in Lincoln County, June 23, 1839, and became the mother of three sons and one daughter. Two children are living: Susie S. (Mrs T. M. Rose) and Clinton T. Mr. and Mrs. Nash are mem- bers of the Christian Church, and he is a Democrat in politics. He has been a Mason since 1849. Mrs. Nash's parents were R. W. and Susan S. Haislip, who came from Virginia to Lincoln County at an early day. The father was accidentally killed, and the mother died in 1876.
Richard H. Norton, one of the leading attorneys of Troy, and son of Elias and Mary ( McConnell) Norton, and grandson of William and Sarah (Harlan) Norton, was born in Troy, Novem- ber 6, 1849. The grandparents moved from Kentucky to Scott County, Ind., at an early day and were there married. The grand- father was a cabinet-maker by occupation, and was for a number of years county judge. He was a Democrat in politics, and both he and wife lived to a good old age, dying in Indiana. In their family were two sons, both of whom found their way to Lincoln County, Mo. The only one now living is Elias Norton, father of
our subject. He was born in Scott County, Ind., August 1, 1820, and while growing up worked a short time in his father's shop, after which he went to school, but only for a few months. In 1842 he came to Lincoln County, Mo., drove the stage for some time, and then turned his attention to hotel keeping. In 1860 he was chosen sheriff and collector of this county, which position he held until the breaking out of the late war. He took no part in this, except to save a company of Germans from slaughter, and thereby prevented retaliation on his own community. For about
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fourteen years after the war he was engaged in merchandising, but retired in 1883. Many years previous, in 1844, he married Miss Mary McConnell, a native of Virginia. By this union he became the father of three sons. After the death of his first wife Mr. Norton married Miss Carrie Williams, a native of Pennsyl- vania. She lived but six weeks. In 1871 Mr. Norton married Miss Ella Turner, a native of Pike County, Mo., and to this union were born five children, all sons. His first wife was a Methodist, the second an Episcopalian, and his present wife is a Presbyter- ian. He is a Democrat, and one of the board of directors of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Savings Bank. When he came to Lin- coln County he had a little over a dollar and, notwithstanding the fact that he has lost about $30,000, he now owns between 8,000 and 10,000 acres of land. On this he has a fine prospect for coal, though, as yet, it has not been developed. His son, Richard H. Norton, was educated in the Troy schools and St. Louis University. At the age of twenty he began reading law under A. V. McKee, and graduated from the law department of the Washington Univer- sity in 1870, after which he located at Troy, where he has practiced ever since. In 1874 he married Miss Annie Ward, daughter of Dr. James A. Ward, by whom he has a daughter. Mr. Norton is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the A. O. U. W., and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. He is also one of the board of directors of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Savings Bank of Troy. and has always been a Democrat in politics. In 1884 he ran for the nomination as Representative in Congress from the Seventh Dis- trict. Several candidates were in the field, of whom he and Elijah Robinson, of Pike County, were the strong candidates, too strong indeed, for either to be elected. Again, in 1886, when the race tor the nomination to the same office was made, he and Mr. Rob- inson found themselves pitted against each other. The nomi- nation again fell to an obscure candidate, scarcely known in the race, but like Hector and Achilles, neither would succumb, and the friends of each did their utmost to have their favorites nom- inated in August, Mr. Norton proving to be the successful candi- date. He is accounted one of the leading lawyers of this section.
John A. Overall, farmer and stock raiser, of Lincoln County, of which he is a native, was born in 1838, and is the seventh of
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ten children born to William O. and Elizabeth (Crenshaw) Over- all. They were born in Nelson and Bullitt Counties, Ky., and were reared and married in their native State. They came to Lincoln County, Mo., about 1837, and here spent the remainder of their days, dying in 1869 and 1877, respectively. John A. Overall, their son, attended the district schools of his county in boyhood, and remained with his parents until he attained his majority, when he began farming for himself, and in 1868 was married to Ellen Argent, and by her became the father of seven children, six living: John William, Ida E., Albert S., Rolly H., Francis M. and Jessie B. Mr. Overall has spent his entire life on the farm of his birth, and now has over 1,000 acres in dif- ferent tracts. He takes great interest in raising fine cattle, hogs and sheep, and is one of the extensive and prosperous farmers of the county. He votes the Democratic ticket, and his first pres- idential vote was cast for Breckinridge in 1860. His wife died in 1881. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and was an earnest Christian, and devoted mother and wife. Her parents, John and Nancy Argent, were born in England and Maryland, respectively. The father's birth occurred in 1808 near London, and at the age of twelve years he came with a married sister to the United States, settling in St. Louis, and later in Troy. He was married in St. Charles County, and was twice married after his first wife's death. He died in 1871.
James Wiley Owen was born in Halifax County, of the "Old North State," in 1843, and is the eldest of three children born to William H. and Lucy A. (Jones) Owen, also North Carolinians, where they resided until 1847, when they came to Lincoln County, Mo. Here the mother died two years later, and the father in 1850. Sheridan Owen the grandfather, served as a colonel in the Revolutionary War, and James Wiley Jones, the other grand- father, was also a Revolutionary soldier. James Wiley, the sub- ject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools, and after his parents' death lived with Joel Blanks until he was twenty-two years of age, but had worked for himself after he had attained his nineteenth year. He was married in 1866 to Sarah C., a daughter of Lorenze D. and Mary Ann Hill, natives of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Owen have one daughter living, Clara
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Belle, and three children dead, W. H., L. A. and T. Owen. Mr. Owen has a well-cultivated farm of 326 acres of land, and in connection with farming he is quite an extensive stock dealer, and has a fine herd of short-horned cattle. He has been a Dem- ocrat in his political views all his life, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. When Owen Station was established it was named in his honor.
Richard H. Owings is one of the firm of Mason, Dubel & Co., of Olney and was born in Warren County, Mo., March 2, 1844. His parents, George W. and Mary O. (Willnot) Owings, were born, reared and married in Kentucky, and there resided until about 1837, when they moved to Warren County, Mo., and settled on a farm, where they yet live. The father is a Democrat, and has held the office of justice of the peace for many years. Both parents are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Rich- ard H. Owings is the fifth of eight children, and received very limited educational advantages in his youth. He assisted his parents on the farm until nineteen years of age, and then went to Nevada, where he remained until 1867, when he returned and located in Warren County, and in 1874 came to Lincoln Coun- ty. Here he has a fine farm of 357 acres of land, and is well fixed financially. Addie Eams, a native of this county, became his wife in 1870. She has borne him seven daughters, the last two being twins. Mr. Owings is a Democrat, and a member of the A. O. U. W., and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Frederick W. Page is a native of Orange County, Vt., where he was born in 1831. He is a son of Ephraim Page and Miran- da (Tillottson) Page, who were natives of Vermont. The former was born in 1806, and in 1840 came with his family to Ogle County, Ill., where the mother died. In 1856 he came to Lin- coln County, Mo., and in 1864 died in St. Louis while serving his country. He was of Scotch descent, and his father, Reuben Page, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Frederick W. Page received a common school education, and was married in Illinois, in 1856, to Susan Kauffman, who died in 1859, leaving two chil- dren. Ten years later Mr. Page married Lydia Cannon. He owns 536 acres of land, and his wife owns eighty acres. From
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fifteen to twenty-three years of age Mr. Page followed the sea, and made one trip to Havre de Grace and one to Rio Janeiro. In 1862 he joined Company A, Third Missouri Cavalry, State Militia, and served until the close of the war, and since that time has been engaged in farming and stock raising. He is a Repub- lican in his political views, but was formerly a Democrat. His wife belongs to the Christian Church and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His only son, Frederick Ephraim, is married, and lives on the old farm.
Joseph N. Palmer is a son of Henry and Mary A. (Flood) Palmer. The father was born in Virginia in 1814, and when about ten years of age moved with his parents to Kentucky. In 1830 he came to Pike County, Mo., where he married Nancy E. McGowen, who bore him one son and two daughters. After her death he returned to Kentucky and married Mary A. Flood, and by her became the father of three sons and three daughters. After his second marriage he returned to Missouri, and in 1848 located in Lincoln County. In 1871 his second wife died, and two years later he wedded Mrs. Lydia J. Hutchison, nee Yeater, who is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Palmer has been quite successful in his business ventures through life, and has become a man of wealth and influence. Joseph N. Palmer was born in Ralls County, Mo., March 28, 1846, and spent his early days on a farm. He worked for his father until twenty-one years of age, and then began fighting the battle of life for himself, as a farmer. In 1870, the same year he was married, he located on his present farm of 236 acres of land. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and in his political views is a Democrat. His wife's maiden name was Nancy E. Giles. She was born in Lincoln County, April 9, 1847, and is a daughter of Williamson C. Giles. She became the mother of two sons and two daughters. She is a member of the Christian Church.
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