USA > Missouri > Lincoln County > History of Lincoln County, Missouri, from the earliest time to the present > Part 54
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Judge William W. Reid was born in the house where he now
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lives, in 1842, and is the son of Hon. Alexander and Elizabeth (Duff) Reid. The former was born in Shelby County, Ky., in 1797, and he was there reared and was first married to Mary Shannon, who died a few years after, leaving one child. After her death Mr. Reid came to Missouri and purchased a farm, and then returned to Kentucky and married Miss Duff, who was born in Madison County, Ky. He then returned to Missouri, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying in January, 1851, at Jefferson City, while a member of the State Legislature. He was an honest, upright citizen and an able and conscientious official. His remains were interred in the cemetery at Jefferson City. His widow spent the remainder of her days on the old home- stead, and died in 1884 at the age of seventy-six years. Both were members of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Judge Reid is their only child. He has spent his entire life on the farm where he was born, and in his boyhood days received such education as the schools of that day afforded. Elizabeth Finley became his wife in 1866. She was born and married in Shelby County, Ky. Her parents, Andrew and Icyphena Fin- ley, lived and died in Kentucky, but several of her brothers and sisters came to Lincoln County. Mr. Reid owns one of the best farms in the county, consisting of 230 acres, and is a suc- cessful agriculturist. He is a Democrat, and in 1886 was elected associate judge of Lincoln County. His wife belongs to the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
John E. Richards is a native of St. Charles County, Mo., where he was born in 1846. His parents, Charles and Louisa (Eddens) Richards, were born in the " Old Dominion," but were married in Missouri in 1844, and there reared a family of three sons. The father was a farmer and tobacco manufacturer, and was a prosperous business man. His death occurred May 3, 1855, followed by his wife's death March 30, 1875. At the breaking out of the war John E. Richards enlisted in the Confederate army, but only served a short time when he was captured and paroled. He returned home at the first opportunity, again en- listing in the Confederate service. This was, however, the latter part of the war. Mr. Richards has resided on his present farm of 400 acres since 1876. His property is well improved and
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situated about seven miles from the county seat. Besides his residence property he has another farm of 200 acres. In 1874 he was married to Ida A. Carter, who was born in Lincoln County in 1856, and is the mother of three daughters and one son. One daughter died when about one year old. Mrs. Richards is a daughter of Col. Thomas M. Carter.
James Riley is one of the successful farmers and stock raisers of Lincoln County, and was born in the "Emerald Isle" about 1829, being one of seven children born to Patrick and Rose (Teffe) Riley. The father lived and died in the old country, where he had followed the life of an agriculturist, but the mother came with her children to the United States, and from 1848 to 1849 were residents of New Orleans. At the latter date they moved to St. Louis, where the mother and two sisters died of cholera the same year. James Riley received but little schooling in his youth, and during the time he should have been attending school, he served on board a boat that plied on the lower Missis- sippi, as dish-washer. From that he arose to the position of watch- man. At the end of thirteen years he gave up this life and be- gan farming, and succeeded beyond his expectations, being now the owner of 150 acres of fertile land, besides assisting his son in many ways. He was married in 1856 to Bridget Costillo, who was also born in Ireland. They have two children, Rose and Thomas. The family worship in the Catholic Church, and Mr. Riley is in sympathy with the Democratic party.
Benjamin F. Robertson, farmer, stock dealer and merchant, of Lincoln County, Mo., was born in Shelby County, Ky., in 1823, and is the sixth of nine children born to Horatio and Nancy (Gill) Robertson. Both parents were born in Virginia and re- moved to Kentucky with their parents when quite young, and were married in Shelby County, after reaching maturity. They came to Lincoln County about 1826, where the father died in 1840. The mother then went back to Union City, Ky., where her death occurred in 1860. Mills Robertson, grandfather of Ben- jamin F., was also a Virginian, and Thomas Gill, the maternal grandfather, was an Englishman. Benjamin F. obtained his ed- ucation in the old log school-houses of early times, and at the age of seventeen years began working for himself and learned the
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carpenter's and cabinet-maker's trade. In 1854 he married Mary Elizabeth Gilham. She is a daughter of Tandy and Mary, Gil- ham, of Virginia, and was born in Pike County of that State. She is the mother of four children: George (a hardware mer- chant at Montgomery City), Ardena T. (wife of C. C. Williams, a broker at Nevada, Mo.), Alice (wife of Samuel Marks, a merchant at Foley), and Martha E. (wife of Joseph Varnum, a merchant at Montgomery City). In 1857 Mr. Robertson settled on his present farm of 306 acres, in Lincoln County. He owns considerable property at Foley, which town he established, and since 1879 has had a store there. Soon after locating on his farm he erected a steam saw and flour-mill which he ran for fifteen or sixteen years. He was engaged in the agricultural implement business from 1872 to 1876, and is counted one of the prominent citizens of the the county. He is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Owen C. Robinson, retired farmer, is the son of Benjamin and Rebecca (Lakin) Robinson, natives of Maryland and Penn- sylvania, respectively. After marriage they settled in Maryland. In early life the father was a sailor, but in later years he fol- lowed farming. From Maryland they moved to Virginia, and in 1840 to Pike County, Mo., where they both died, he at the age of sixty-eight, and she also about the same age. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the father was an old line Whig in politics. Their family consisted of nine children, three now living. Owen C. was born August 4, 1814, in Alleghany County, Md., and when about nine years of age was taken to Virginia, and to this State about 1840. He re-
ceived a limited education, and when in Virginia he assisted his father in running a stage line. After coming to Missouri he followed agricultural pursuits chiefly. He remained with his father until twenty-eight years of age, when, in 1843, he came to this county and located on a farm in the northern part of Lin- coln County. In 1848 he married Miss Elizabeth Salmonds, a native of Lincoln County. The result of this marriage was the birth of five children, three now living, two sons and a daughter. Their son Elijah is one of the ablest lawyers of this section of the State. He is now making his third race for Congress. Mr.
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Robinson has been a resident of this county for forty-five years, and has always been a peace-loving and highly respected citizen.
Dr. Robert L. Robinson, physician and druggist at Troy, is the son of Owen C. and Elizabeth (Salmonds) Robinson. [For sketch of parents see above. ] The Doctor was born April 14, 1854, in Lincoln County, Mo., and was the second child born to his parents. He remained on the farm until about sixteen years of age, and secured a good education in Watson Seminary and Mc- Gee College, near Macon City, Mo. He then spent some time in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, at St. Louis. Hav- ing studied medicine under Dr. W. S. Hutt, of Troy, he entered the St. Louis Medical College, graduating from the same in 1876. He then began practicing at Troy, and continued in ac- tive business until 1881, when he purchased a stock of drugs, and has since had an office practice. Dr. Robinson has made this county his home all his life, and is one of Troy's useful, stirring business men. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is a Democrat in politics. He is a single gentleman.
Judge William Webb Shaw is a son of William and Martha (Webb) Shaw, who were born in Virginia in 1784 and 1793, respectively. After their marriage, which occurred in 1811, they lived in their native State until 1833, when they came to Mis- souri and located in Pike County, where they spent the remain- der of their days. The father was quite skillful in the use of tools, and found plenty of work to do, at that early day, in mak- ing furniture and shoes for his own and the neighboring families. He was an extensive farmer, and had twenty-one tobacco barns on his farm. He was a Democrat, and died while visiting in Vir- ginia in 1846. The mother died in Pike County in 1845. Judge William Shaw is the eighth of their ten children. He was born in Bedford County, Va., November 14, 1830, and his early days were spent on the farm and in the district and select schools. At the age of sixteen he was left alone in the world, and two years later taught his first school, and continued to teach the "young idea" during the winter months for ten years. When out of the school room he farmed and handled stock. He has been quite successful in his business ventures, and owns 320 acres of land, and deals extensively in stock. He is a member
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of the Masonic fraternity and the A. O. U. W., and supports the principles of the Democratic party. He served two years as justice of the peace, and in 1860 was chosen judge of the county court, being, perhaps, the youngest judge the county has ever had. From 1872 until 1875 he served as collector of Lincoln County, and, as an official, has given the best satisfaction. He is now filling the office of notary public, and is a wide-awake and highly respected citizen.
Jesse J. Shaw, county court clerk, is the son of William W. and Mary J. (Stewart) Shaw. The father was born in Bedford County, Va., in 1830, and when three years of age was brought to Pike County, Mo. In 1847 he moved to Lincoln County, Mo., where he now resides on a good farm. The mother was born in Montgomery County, Ky., in 1829, and was brought to Missouri when an infant. In 1830 her parents moved to Lincoln County, and here she met and married Mr. Shaw in 1850. She was the daughter of Gen. David Stewart, who represented Lin- coln County in the Legislature of 1846. In 1860 Mr. Shaw was elected judge of the county court, and served until he refused to take the iron-clad oath. In 1872 he was chosen collector, be- ing the first to hold that position after the office of sheriff was divided. He served two years and then retired to farm life. In politics Mr. Shaw has always been Democratic, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. Their family consisted of eight children, Jesse J. being the fourth child. He was born December 6, 1857, in Lincoln County, Mo., and was reared on a farm. He attended the district school, the Troy High School and the State University. He then taught school three years, clerked in a store, and in 1881 he came into the county clerk's office as deputy and served until 1886, when he was chosen county clerk, receiving the largest majority of any man in the county running for an official position. Since 1881 he has been clerk of the probate court. In 1884 he married Miss Annie M. MeKay, a native of Lincoln County and a member of the Chris- tian Church. Mr. Shaw is a Democrat in politics, is Past Master of the A. O. U. W., is Master of the Troy Lodge of the A. F. & A. M., and is also a member of the Chapter.
Peachy G. Shelton, farmer, is the son of Abraham C. and
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Mary L. (Claiborne) Shelton, both natives of Virginia, he of Pittsylvania County and she from near Richmond. To their mar- riage were born seven children, only two of whom are now living. The mother died at the age of thirty-five, and in 1837 the father, with his four sons, moved to Lincoln County, Mo., and located on a farm. He had prepared himself for the legal profession and followed the same for many years in Virginia, but failing health caused him to abandon it. He was a Whig, and died in 1840. The mother was a member of the Episcopal Church. The youngest child but one, Peachy G. Shelton, was born in Pittsylvania County, Va., September 20, 1832, and came to this county in 1837. He was reared on a farm and his education was acquired at the old subscription schools of long ago. After the death of his father he was cared for by his uncle, and after attaining his majority he engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1853 he married Miss Susannah C. Shelton, also a native of the same county. To this marriage four children were born, two now living-Willie C., wife of Charles Martin, attorney of Troy,
and Robert S., a rising young man. In 1858 Mr. Shelton was elected sheriff of Lincoln County and held this position one term. In 1874 he was elected collector and re-elected in 1876. In 1882 he was again called to that office and re-elected in 1884. Besides this he has been deputy collector for about three years. He is a Democrat in his political principles, is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a member of the A. O. U. W. He has been a resident of Lincoln County for fifty-one years, and is an excellent citizen.
Capt. Aylett M. Shults, of Moscow Mills, was born in Flint Hill, Rappahannock County, Va., in the year 1835, and is the sixth of thirteen children, all but one of whom lived to be grown, born to the marriage of Thompson Shults and Axe Anna Nicol, who were born in 1803 and 1806, respectively, in Virginia. They located in Indiana about 1835, and in 1853 came to Lincoln County, where they spent the remainder of their days, dying in 1879 and 1885. Their ancestors were supposed to be German. Capt. Aylett M. Shults began keep- ing a nursery near Moscow Mills in 1860 on his father's; farm, but in 1867 removed to his present location, and although
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beginning the nursery business on a small scale at that time, has now about forty acres which he devotes to raising all kinds of nurs- ery products. He began this work without any experience, but by industry and good business management has been quite successful. His home farm consists of 200 acres, and with his other farm his total amount of land is about 600 acres. He has a very hand- some residence, which is nicely and comfortably furnished. In 1865 he was commissioned by Gov. Fletcher as captain of Com- pany H, Sixty-fourth Missouri State Militia. He had previously served as corporal. Lucy Vertrese became his wife in 1864. She was born in Illinois, and is a daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Vertrese, who were formerly of Kentucky, and by them was brought to Lincoln County when quite small. Mr. and Mrs. Shults became the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are living: Clara E., Henry Thompson, Isaac F., Aylett A., Albert J., Lucy M., James L. C., Mary A. E., and John William. Mr. Shults is a Democrat, and he and wife are faithful and consistent members of the Christian Church. On one of Mr. Shults' farms are the celebrated sulphur and mineral springs, one-half mile west of Moscow Mills.
Charles Shumate, junior member of the firm of Kabler & Shumate, was born in St. Louis County, Mo., September 26, 1846, being the son of Rev. W. D. Shumate, of the Methodist Episco- pal Church South. The father was born in Culpeper County, Va., and there married Miss Susan Quisenberry, whose grand- father came to St. Louis County, Mo., about 1844, and kept the Fee Fee post-office and the stage stand on the St. Charles and St. Louis route. The parents of our subject came about the same time. The father was engaged in his ministerial duties all his life, and in connection with this followed farming. At one time he traveled as an agent of a colonization society through this country. The mother died in 1848, and afterward the father married again, and lived until 1869. To the first union were born three children, the second child being Charles Shumate. He received his education in the common schools and at Des Peres, and at Henderson & Stewart's Commercial College at St. Louis. He then returned to the farm, and engaged in tilling the soil in St. Louis County until 1876, when he moved to Lincoln
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County, and purchased a farm one and one-half miles south of Troy. `In 1886 he moved to Troy, and one year later he became a member of the present firm. In 1865 he married Miss Corne- lia H. McHaney, who was born in Tennessee, but who was reared in this county. Six children were born to this marriage, three sons and three daughters. The eldest son, Albert, is a graduate of the California State Normal School, and is corresponding agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. The second son, James W., is salesman in a dry goods store in Eugene City, Oregon. The youngest son, Thomas D., is in a wholesale drug store at San Jose, Cal. As a business man Mr. Shumate has been quite successful. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is strongly Democratic in his political views.
James M. Sitton was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1811, and is a son of William and Anna (Gray) Sitton, who were born in South Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. They were mar- ried in Smith County, of the latter State, and lived in Lincoln County until 1819, when they removed to Missouri, locating near Auburn. The mother died in 1844, and the father about seven years after. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was a captain in the War of 1812, and was at the battle of New Orleans. James M. Sitton is the sixth of sixteen children, fifteen of whom lived to be grown, but only three are now living, and distinctly remem- bers the hardships the family had to endure after coming to Mis- souri. His education was received from Judge James Wilson, who received his pay in labor from the farmers. He was mar- ried in 1833 to Matilda, a daughter of Clifford Gray, a native of Smith County, Tenn., and six children were born to their union, only two of whom are now living: Lucy, wife of William Doty, and John R. During 1846-48 Mr. Sitton lived in Dubuque County, Iowa, and in 1861-62 in California, mining lead in Iowa, and gold in California; with these exceptions he has lived in Lincoln County for nearly thirty years, and is the owner of 118 acres of land. He has been a life-long Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for Jackson. Mrs. Sitton is a member of the Baptist Church.
John W. Skurlock. Among the prosperous farmers of Lin- coln County may be mentioned the subject of this biography.
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He is a native of the county, and was born January. 1, 1849, and owing to the death of his parents, when he was very young, he was reared by an uncle, David Barley, who gave him plenty of work to do, but few educational advantages. On attaining his eighteenth year he began working for wages, and continued un- til 1869, when he was united in marriage to Mary E. Bryant, a native of Lincoln County, and their union was blessed in the birth of five children, two of whom are living: Joseph W. and Maggie O. Mr. Skurlock began farming soon after his marriage, and by proper management and industry is the possessor of 360 acres of land. He deals quite extensively in stock, and is accounted one of the honest farmers of the county. His parents were Will- iam and Chaney (Barley) Skurlock, who were early settlers of Missouri. The former died about 1851, and the latter about 1856.
Abbott W. Slaughter, M. D., of Whiteside, was born in West- port, Mo., December 1, 1860, his parents being Alfred and Laura (Abbott) Slaughter, natives of Virginia, where they attained their growth and were married. The father was well educated, and came to Missouri in 1858. He was principal of the Wellington High School, Missouri, for five years; of the Lexington High School, nine years ; Prairie Home Institute, Cooper County, Mo., eleven years; McCune College, Louisiana, Mo., and is now president of Blandville Institute, Kentucky, where both live. Four children were born to this union, two sons and two daughters. Abbott W. Slaughter was educated at Prairie Home Institute and at McCune College, graduating in 1880. He then studied medicine under Drs. Ayers and Dreyfus, of Louisiana, Mo., for three years and then took a course of lectures at St. Louis Medical College, graduating from that institution in 1884. He then located at Silex, and moved to Whiteside in November, 1887. In 1886 he was married to Miss Ruth Reeds. To this union one child, Alfred, was born. Dr. Slaughter is a rising young physician, and justly deserves the patronage with which he has been met. In December, 1887, he opened a neat drug store at Whiteside. He is a Democrat in his political views, is a Mason, a K. of H., and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Jacob F. Srote. Among the early settlers of Pike County,
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Mo., may be mentioned Jacob F. and Elizabeth ( Willhoit) Srote, both of whom were born in 1808, the former in Kentucky, and the latter in Virginia. They were married in the latter State, whither the mother had come in 1810, and there resided until 1838, at which time they took up their residence in Missouri. The father was a Democrat, and died in 1877. The mother still lives, and resides with her children. Although eighty years of age she has never seen a railroad car. She is the mother of five children, and Jacob F. Srote, whose name heads this sketch, is her youngest child. He was born in Pike County, Mo., Decem- ber 27, 1842, and assisted his father on the farm until twenty- one years of age, at which time he began tilling the soil on his own responsibility. In 1869 he married Alice Haislip, who was also born in Lincoln County, May 6, 1849. Their union has re- sulted in the birth of two children: William E. and Lester E. Both parents are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a Democrat. He owns 143 acres of land, having made the most of it since he came to Lincoln County. During the war he served in the militia, and belongs to the A. O. U. W.
F. C. Stoker was born in St. Louis County, Mo., on the 23d of September, 1863, and is a son of Fritz and Mary Stoker, who were born in Germany. After reaching manhood and woman- hood they came to America and located in Missouri, and still reside in Lincoln County on a farm. In their family were five children, of whom F. C. Stoker is the fourth. He spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, but received meager educa- tional advantages. When about seventeen years of age he began working at the blacksmith and wagon-maker's trade, and in 1884 came to Olney, where he has a fine business. He usually has two assistants and sometimes more. Mr. Stoker never served an apprenticeship at his trade, but notwithstanding this is a fine workman, and has a commodious and convenient workshop of three rooms, one for blacksmithing, one for wood work, and the third for a paint shop. He supports the principles of the Repub- lican party, and he and wife, Harriet (Davis) Stoker, whom he married in 1884, are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. They have two children-one son and one daughter.
Capt. Joseph Story was born in 1822, and is the son of Joseph
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and Ruth (Davidson) Story, who were born, reared and spent their lives in New Jersey. The father died about 1833, and his father, Joseph Story, was of Scotch origin and was a Revolution- ary soldier. The mother died in 1864. Capt. Joseph Story was the fourth of seven children, and was educated in the common schools. When about thirteen years of age he went with a cousin to Illinois, where he made his home until 1846, at which time he joined Company I, First Illinois Volunteers, and served under Gen. Taylor in the Mexican War. After the close of the war he returned to Illinois, and in 1849 was married in Jersey County to Abigail B., daughter of Basil Griggs, by whom she became the mother of seven children, six living: John G., Joseph, James P., Filmore, Capitola (wife of J. E. Witcher ) and Mary A. (wife of Lafayette Pendleton). After coming to Adair County, Mo., in 1855, he resided here until 1863, when he returned to Illinois, but located permanently in Lincoln County, Mo., in 1875. He owns a good farm of 276 acres, and is well fixed finan- cially. In July, 1861, he organized Company B, Twenty-first Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and commanded the same until July, 1862, when he resigned on account of disability. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, and since the war has been a stanch Republican in politics. Previous to that time he was a Whig. Mr. Story is an enterprising farmer and a good citizen.
Jefferson Sullenger, a leading farmer of Lincoln County, is the youngest of seven children born to John and Lucinda (Berry) Sullenger, who were natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively, the former having been born in 1789. They were married in the latter State, and soon after moved to Henry County, Ky., and in 1852 to Lincoln County, Mo. The father was a house carpenter, but also carried on farming with the assistance of his sons. He was a life-long Democrat and died in 1872, followed by his wife two years later. Jefferson Sullenger was born in Henry County, Ky., November 29, 1834, but came with his parents to Missouri and worked on the farm and attended the old subscription schools, where he received but a limited education. When the late war broke out he went to Kentucky and volun- teered in the Confederate Army, but not being supplied with guns the regiment disbanded, and every man was told to get south of
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