USA > Missouri > Pettis County > History of Pettis County, Missouri > Part 57
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Mr. Sims was united in marriage June 26, 1906, with Miss Edna T. Morris, a daughter of Wilber T. Morris, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Sims have been born two children, Wilber Morris and Elouise.
Mr. Sims is a Republican and a member of the First Baptist Church of Sedalia and is one of the deacons of the church. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
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George E. Spears, a prominent farmer and stockman of Prairie township, who has won a wide reputation as a successful breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, is the owner of 336 acres of well-improved and valuable land in Pettis County.
Mr. Spears was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, June 29, 1851, and is a son of Dr. Hugh C. and Susan M. (Munday) Spears, both natives of Kentucky, the former of Jessamine County and the latter of Wood- ford County. In 1854 Doctor Spears left his Kentucky home with his family, came to Cass County, Missouri, and when the Civil War broke out he went to southern Tennessee.
Dr. Hugh C. Spears was a physician and surgeon, having been educated in the Lexington Medical School at Lexington, Kentucky, receiving much of his medical instruction from Dr. Berg Dudley, a cele- brated surgeon of that day. After returning South, at the outbreak of the war, Doctor Spears served as surgeon in General Forrest's Confed- erate command. At the close of the war he returned to Kentucky, remaining there from 1865 to 1868. He then returned to Missouri and settled in Pettis County, where he followed farming, and also practiced medicine until 1885. He then went to Williamson County, Texas, where he remained for a time, when he removed to Hill County, Texas, and spent the remainder of his life there. He died May 18, 1906. His wife, the mother of George E. Spears, died January 14, 1876. Doctor Spears was a prominent Mason, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a Democrat, and a member of the Christian Church.
George E. Spears was one of a family of eight children born to his parents, two of whom are living. The other living member of the family is John C., and resides in the northern part of Pettis County. George E. Spears received his education in the public schools, and was engaged in farming with his father in early life. In 1879 he bought his first land, in Heath's Creek township, and followed farming there, and also stock raising, with uniform success until 1918, when he sold his place and bought 336 acres, most of which is situated in Prairie township. This place was known as the Clay Whitzel farm, and is now called the "Prairie View Farm."
Mr. Spears was united in marriage December 5, 1878, with Miss Lucy B. Burford, a native of Webster County, Missouri, born July 25, 1858. She is a daughter of Daniel W. and Mary (Clark) Burford, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of North Carolina. They
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GEORGE E. SPEARS.
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were married in Webster County, Missouri, and a few years later, or about the close of the Civil War, they came to Pettis County and settled in Heath's Creek township, where they both spent the remainder of their lives. Daniel Burford was a Methodist minister and an early-day circuit rider. He was born July 22, 1818, and died January 27, 1888. His wife was born April 30, 1822, and died December 5, 1886. To George E. Spears and wife have been born the following children: Mary, married T. J. Todd, Sedalia, Missouri; Sidney, deceased; Alexander Campbell, was educated in Hill's Business College, Sedalia, and lives near Otterville, Missouri; Sallie, married J. K. Barley, and is deceased ; Hugh C., who was educated in the Sedalia Central Business College and the Auto School of Kansas City, Missouri, enlisted in the United States Aviation Corps, and in 1917, and at this writing, is in England with the United States Army; George V., lives near Cliffton, Missouri; Anna, resides at home; Lee, married Gilbert Rains, and lives in Heath's Creek township; and two children died in infancy; Roy F., youngest, at home.
Mr. Spears is a staunch supporter of the Democratic party, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Spears is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of the Maccabees. Mrs. Spears holds membership in the D. of H. and the A. O. U. W. The Spears family is one of the highly respected families of Pettis County, and Mr. Spears is a substantial and progressive citizen.
Wilber T. Morris, of the Morris Real Estate and Loan Company, of Sedalia, Missouri, is a native of this State. He was born near Arm- strong, Howard County, September 15, 1860, a son of Rev. William H. and Sarah Elizabeth (Williams) Morris, who settled in Missouri about 1830, coming from Virginia. The following children were born to them: Mary E., married Joseph H. Robertson, now deceased, and she resides in Sedalia; William Clay, deceased; Anna, married Frank Payne and is now deceased; Wilber T., the subject of this sketch; Maggie, died in infancy ; Melvin H., a member of the firm of Morris Real Estate and Loan Company ; Sarah E., married W. M. Hayden of Sedalia ; Edwin, deceased; Edward R., a farmer and stockman near Sedalia, and Lassie, married Charles Powell of Renick, Missouri, and to her union two children were born, a son and daughter, the son, C. Chester, now in France in the Medical Corps.
Wilber T. Morris was educated in the public schools, the Roanoke High School at Roanoke, Missouri, and William Jewel College at Liberty,
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Missouri. He then engaged in teaching and for three years was thus en- gaged in the public schools at Clark, Missouri. In 1881, Mr. Morris came to Pettis County and engaged in farming and stock raising four miles north of LaMonte in Blackwater township on what is now known as the A. O. Teeter farm. Mr. Morris owned this farm for several years. In 1872 he moved to Sedalia, where he engaged in the real estate and loan business. He was first associated with John West and later the firm became known as Morris and Shultz. In 1900 his brother, Melvin H., became a member of the firm and since that time it has been known as the Morris Real Estate and Loan Company. This company does an extensive loan business and during its existence has handled some of the most important real estate transactions of this section of the State. Mr. Morris is also interested in farming and stock raising and owns a valuable farm of 400 acres in LaMonte township. This place is operated under his personal supervision. He makes a specialty of raising Jersey and Holstein cattle and at this writing has about seventy-five head on his place.
Mr. Morris was united in marriage November 11, 1879, with Miss J. Ella Whitfield, a native of. Pettis County, born in Blackwater town- ship. She is a daughter of James E. and Hixie (Winston) Whitfield, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Tennessee.
James E. Whitfield was a son of William Whitfield, who was a native of North Carolina and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. William was the son of James E. Whitfield, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. James E. Whitfield, father of Mrs. Morris, was born in Granville, North Carolina, August 9, 1817. In the spring of 1849 he came to Pettis County and settled in Blackwater township and spent the remainder of his life there, engaged in farming. He was an active worker in the Bap- tist Church and was a Democrat. During the Civil War he served in the Confederate army. He was married June 12, 1844, to Miss Hixie Winston, a native of Franklin County, North Carolina, and a daughter of Jesse Winston of North Carolina. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Morris is the youngest.
To Wilber T. Morris and wife has been born one child, Edna T., who is now the wife of John W. Sims, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Mr. Morris is a Republican and while he takes an active part in political affairs, has never aspired to hold political office. He is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church at Sedalia and is one of its trustees. He takes
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a commendable interest in promoting all worthy public enterprises which tend to the betterment and upbuilding of his city and county. He takes a special interest in the advancement of agricultural methods and the betterment of the public school system. He is one of the worthy and substantial citizens of Pettis County. He is an advocate of good roads, and has always taken an active interest in that movement.
Peter Hoffman, one of Sedalia's leading hardware men and dealer in sporting goods, is a veteran merchant of this city. Mr. Hoffman is a native of Texas. He was born in Austin, April 15, 1855, a son of Philip and Mary (Meyer) Hoffman, who were the parents of five children, one of whom died in infancy. Philip Hoffman was born in Nassau, Germany, and when a young man left his native land and went to Texas. Here he worked at his trade, which was that of a wagonmaker, and conducted a wagonmaking and repair shop at Austin, Texas. In 1865 he came to Sedalia with his family, driving through from Texas in a covered wagon, or what was known as a "prairie schooner." Here he worked at his trade as a wagonmaker about ten years, and later engaged in the grocery busi- ness. He spent his latter years in retirement and died in 1889, aged sixty- nine years. Mary (Meyer) Hoffman died when Peter Hoffman was about five years of age.
Peter Hoffman was educated in the public schools of Sedalia, and in early life began work in a drug store for J. H. Mertz, and later worked for Mertz & Hale until 1876. He then went to St. Louis and worked in a drug store, and at the same time attended the Pharmaceutical College of St. Louis, where he was graduated with honors. In 1881 Mr. Hoffman returned to Sedalia, and the following year engaged in the hardware busi- ness, which he has since continued. He has built up a large trade, and carries a complete line of hardware, including shelf hardware, stoves, sporting goods and, everything usually found in a first-class hardware store. His stock averages about $20,000.00. The business is located at 305 South Ohio street, Sedalia, and occupies the basement, main floor and upper floors of the building. Mr. Hoffman began the hardware business here with his brother Frank, and they conducted a store for about eight years, when he bought Frank's interest. For the past six years Mr. Hoff- man's sons have been with him in the business, and the firm is known as P. Hoffman Hardware Company.
Mr. Hoffman was married October 1, 1883, to Miss Sophia Mayer, a native of Cooper County, Missouri, and a daughter of Victoria Mayer.
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The father was a farmer, and they later removed from Cooper to Pettis County. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have been born the following children : Arthur M., Sedalia; Edward, Sedalia, and Victoria, resides at home with her parents.
Mr. Hoffman is a Republican, a member of the Congregational Church and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has had a long and honorable career in the mercantile business in Sedalia, and by his square dealing and upright methods he has built up a business that is based on nearly forty years of honorable dealing.
Ben H. Nash, who is now living at LaMonte, is a successful farmer and stockman, and, with his two daughters, Constance and Ethel, is now the owner of 208 acres on section 36, LaMonte township. Mr. Nash was born in Kentucky, January 29, 1852. He is a son of James and Sarah E. (Wilson) Nash, both natives of Kentucky. James Nash was a farmer, and fairly successful in his undertakings, and did well, consider- ing the opportunities of the pioneer times in which he lived. He died in Mason County, Illinois. Sarah E. (Wilson) Nash, mother of Ben Nash, belonged to a prominent Kentucky family, and was a direct descendant of George M. Wilson. He held the first land grant, granted by King George. This grant of land was eight miles north of Marysville, Ken- tucky, and Sarah E. Wilson fell heir to a part of this estate.
When Ben H. Nash was about four and a half years old his mother died, and he was reared by an uncle, Ben M Bush, after whom Ben H. Nash was named. Mr. Bush was in the railroad service prior to the Civil War, and during the war he was a captain of a United States government towboat, the name of which was "Crescent City." He was engaged in transporting supplies to federal troops at various places along the great waterways of the South. Capt. Ben M. Bush was present and saw the engagement at Palmyra, and transported the guns which were captured from the Confederate army on his boat, the "Crescent City."
Ben H. Nash remained with his uncle until he was twenty-one years old. He received his education in the public schools and the Aurora High School, at Aurora, Indiana. In early life he worked at the carpenters' trade in Cincinnati, Ohio, and later in railroad shops at Indianapolis, Indiana. After that he went to Boone County, Kentucky, and worked on a farm with a brother-in-law. In 1868 he returned to Aurora, Indiana, and worked in a chair factory, as a chair finisher. In 1880, Mr. Nash came to Missouri, settled at El Dorado Springs, where he clerked in a
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general store, and was also deputy postmaster there. In 1883 he went to Kansas, but shortly afterwards returned to Missouri, and settled in Pettis County and since that time has been engaged in farming and stock raising. For a number of years he was well known as a successful breeder of Poland China hogs. His farm is well improved and is one of the valuable places of the county. It was entered from the Government by Mrs. Nash's grandfather, Marion G. Pemberton. In 1911 Mr. Nash retired and re- moved to LaMonte, where he now resides.
April 29, 1885, Mr. Nash was married to Miss Zora A. Pemberton, a daughter of M. M. and Sophronia (Robinson) Pemberton, who were pio- neer settlers of Pettis County, the Pemberton family having come here in 1832. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nash, as follow: Constance H., who resides at home with her parents; Ethel M., also resides at home with her parents, and Sophronia Z., married C. L. Clingan, a prominent auctioneer of LaMonte. The Nash family met its supreme bereavement in the death of the mother, in 1898. She was born in Pettis County in October, 1868.
Mr. Nash is a Democrat, and has always consistently advocated and supported the principles of that party. He is a member of the Methodist Church and a steward of the LaMonte congregation. He is one of Pettis County's substantial citizens who has made good, and the Nash family are prominent members of the community.
Scott Mahin, a prominent farmer and stockman of LaMonte town- ship, is a native of Illinois. He was born February 9, 1867, in Lawrence County, Illinois, and is a son of Samuel Taylor and Letutia (Claggett) Mahin, the former a native of Jessamine County, and the latter of Todd County, Kentucky. They were the parents of four children, as follow: James M., deceased; Ira C., a sketch of whom appears in this volume; Addie, married Charles M. Reed, Warrensburg, Missouri, and Scott, the subject of this sketch.
The Mahin family settled in Pettis County over sixty-three years ago. The parents of Scott Mahin were married in Kentucky, and in 1855 came to Missouri. They made the trip by steamboat part of the way, and completed the trip in an old prairie schooner type of wagon, which was well-known to the pioneers of the West. They settled at Knob Noster. Johnson County, where Samuel Taylor Mahin worked at the carpenters' trade until the war broke out. In 1861 he went to Illinois and located in Lawrence County, where he followed farming until 1873, when he returned
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to Missouri. In 1878 he bought a farm in LaMonte township, Pettis County, where he remained until his death, in 1915, at the age of eighty- three years. His wife was born February 12, 1833, and died June 5, 1905. Samuel Taylor Mahin was prominently identified with the affairs of western Pettis County, during his lifetime, and met with success in his private undertakings. Politically, he was a Democrat, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was an active worker in the Sunday school, and was superintendent from the organization of the Sunday school at LaMonte for many years. He left his imprint on society, and made the world better for having lived in it.
Scott Mahin was educated in the public schools and the University of Missouri. He began farming on his own account, on rented land, when he was twenty-one years of age. In 1891 he purchased a small tract of land in LaMonte township, and he has added to his original purchase, from time to time, until he now owns a valuable farm of 200 acres, where he carries on general farming and stock raising, and is meeting with well- merited success. His farm is well improved, with good farm buildings and a fine residence.
Mr. Mahin was united in marriage in 1894 to Miss Laura Dorrance, a native of Pettis County, Missouri. She departed this life in 1899, at the age of twenty-five years, leaving two children, Roy E., who was one of the brave boys to give up his life for democracy in the World War. He enlisted in the United States Aviation Corps in 1917, and on December 3 of that year sailed for overseas. He died at Narze, France, Decem- ber 27, 1917, and his remains are buried there. He was born August 28, 1895. The youngest son born to Mr. Mahin's first marriage is Guy W., who married Goldie Shull, of Hughesville, and is on the home place with his father. Mr. Mahin was married the second time, in 1905, to Miss Gussie B. Wharton, of Wheeling, West Virginia, whose parents came to Pettis County in 1878.
Mr. Mahin is a Democrat, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Church. He is one of the progressive farmers of Pettis County, and his success in this life is no accident. He is a hard worker, and a man of sound business judgment and keen foresight.
An interesting historic fact in connection with Mr. Mahin's place is that there is a very fine spring there, which in the early days was a favorite camping place for the Indians. Many arrow heads and other Indian relics have been found in the vicinity of this spring.
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George S. Patterson, a well-known stock dealer, who is also engaged in farming and stock feeding, is one of the progressive citizens of LaMonte. Mr. Patterson was born in Rush County, Indiana, July 19, 1874. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Parker) Patterson, who were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, George S. being the youngest of the family.
James Patterson was born in Ohio February 4, 1834, and died at Lynnville, Iowa, October 1, 1908. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. His widow now resides at Oskaloosa, Iowa.
George S. Patterson was reared in Iowa and educated in the public schools at Lynnville and Highland Park University, at Des Moines, Iowa. After leaving school he was engaged in farming and stock feeding in Iowa, and owned a farm there. In 1904 Mr. Patterson came to Missouri, and located in Blackwater township, Pettis County, where he was engaged in farming and stock raising until 1910. He then removed to LaMonte, where he was employed in a mill about a year, when he engaged in farm- ing again. He has owned a number of farms in this vicinity which he has bought and sold, and now owns ninety-six acres just east of LaMonte. Here he carries on general farming, stock raising and feeding. In 1915 he engaged in buying and shipping stock, which he has continued to the present time. He handles a great deal of stock, and has established a reputation as a square dealer and honest buyer, which is a man's greatest asset in this or any other industry.
September 21, 1899, George S. Patterson was married to Miss Mari- etta Parker, who was born near Greenfield, Hancock County, Indiana, December 29, 1872. She is a daughter of Eli G. and Mary M. (Thomas) Parker, the former a native of Wayne County, Indiana, and the latter of Randolph County, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have been born one child, Francis W., born December 26, 1901, in Jasper County, Iowa. Eli G. Parker, Mrs. Patterson's father, is now deceased, and her mother makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Patterson.
Mr. Patterson is a Republican, and takes an interest in local affairs, and has served as treasurer of LaMonte. He is a stockholder of the Hol- stein Friesian Company. He and Mrs. Patterson are members of the Methodist Church, and Mrs. Patterson is active in missionary society work and takes a deep interest in Red Cross work. She is also a member of the W. C. T. U. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are well known in Pettis County, and have many friends.
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William Duke, now living retired in LaMonte, after an active and successful career, is a native of Ohio. He was born at Woodville, Ohio, December 12, 1841, a son of John and Nancy (Burnham) Duke, who were the parents of seven children, three of whom served in the Union Army in the Civil War, and five of the family are now living, as follow: Mathew, lives in Texas; Isaac, lives in Iowa; Mrs. Mary Hiser, also lives in Iowa; John, New Mexico, and William, the subject of this sketch. John Duke was born in North Ireland, in 1807. He settled in Ohio at an early day, where he made farming his life's occupation. He died in 1852. Nancy (Burnham) Duke died in 1855.
Mr. Duke was reared and educated in Ohio, and spent his early life in the same manner as the average boy of his time, until the Civil War broke out. On October 16, 1861, he enlisted at Woodville, in Com- pany D, 72d Ohio Infantry, under Capt. Andrew Nuhfer, Col. R. P. Buck- land and Lieutenant-Colonel Canfield. The latter was killed at the battle of Shiloh. His company was sent to Camp Crogan, Fremont, Ohio, and after being drilled there and at Camp Chase, Ohio, until March 1, 1862, they were ordered to Cincinnati, and from there down the Ohio River and up the Tennessee to Pittsburg Landing, where they went into camp as a part of General Sherman's army. Shortly afterwards they partici- pated in the battle of Shiloh, and later at Corinth. After that battle they were marched to Memphis, Tennessee, where they did guard duty until the fall of 1862. In the early part of 1863 Mr. Duke was with his command in a number of skirmishes in Kentucky and Tennessee, and in the spring of 1863 they were ordered to Vicksburg, Mississippi. On the way they were in the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, and proceeded to Vicksburg and took part in the memorable siege there, which ended July 4, 1863. They then returned to Jackson, and followed the Confed- erates from there to Brandon and, after a skirmish with the enemy, returned to Jackson, remaining there about six weeks. About this time the term of enlistment of this company had expired, and Mr. Duke, with the other members, re-enlisted as veteran volunteers, and they were given furloughs for thirty days, after which they reassembled at Mem- phis, Tennessee. In May, 1864, they were ordered to Guntown, Mis- sissippi, in a raid under command of General Sturgess, and on June 11, 1864, about 200 of the regiment were taken prisoners, including Mr. Duke. They were sent to Andersonville, and experienced all the horrors of that notorious place, and in September of that year an exchange of
WILLIAM DUKE.
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prisoners was arranged between Generals Hood and Sherman. The terms of the exchange were not exactly known to all the prisoners, so a great many more than exchanges had been contemplated for, rushed out of the prison and were allowed to go to "Rough and Ready," the place of exchange on neutral ground, and those that were not included in the exchange, were compelled to return to Andersonville. Those who were being returned were forced to ride on the tops of freight cars, and while enroute to the prison Mr. Duke and a comrade, Charley Gurnsey, dropped from the train while it was in motion and succeeded in making their escape, and immediately started to make their way back to the Union lines. They experienced many hair-breadth escapes. At Jonesborough they stumbled over a guy rope of a tent in the dark, which was occupied by some Confederate soldiers who were asleep. They traveled at night and hid in the daytime, and were not far from the Union lines when they suddenly came to the end of their journey by running ito a Confederate picket post, who captured them. After being sent to headquarters they were taken to Savannah, Georgia, and later to Lawton and Blackshire, and in December, 1864, they were marched across the country some sixty miles to Albany, and from there sent to Andersonville again, reaching there on Christmas Day, 1864. Here they were confined until the close of the war. On April 24, 1865, they were put on board the steamer Sultana, and while on their way up the Mississippi River, when a few miles above Memphis, the boilers of the Sultana exploded, and, out of 2,300 persons on board, mostly paroled prisoners, only 600 were rescued. Mr. Duke was sleeping not more than ten feet from the boilers when the explosion took place, and he was severely scalded and otherwise injured. He was sent to Overton Hospital until he recovered from the shock. He was then taken to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he was sent to the hospital again for a time. He was discharged in May, 1865, having attained the rank of sergeant.
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