History of Randolph County, Missouri, Part 32

Author: Waller, Alexander H
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 940

USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 32

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To Peter L. and Margaret B. (Mitchell) Menke were born the follow- ing children: Charles H., born March 28, 1852, at Eaton, Ohio, and died Dec. 4, 1902; Mary E., was born July 20, 1854, and died Sept. 4, 1855; Perry D., the subject of this sketch; Francis N. and Benjamin F., twins, born Sept. 8, 1859, and Benjamin F., died Sept. 10, 1914; George L. and John H., twins, born at Grandview, Ill., Dec. 27, 1861, and John H., died May 4, 1865; Thomas D., born March 17, 1869, is an abstractor at An- tonito, Colo .; James Edward, born Oct. 24, 1860, was an employee for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and was killed by his own train at Ottawa, Kan., Nov. 4, 1887; Ida N., born Jan. 1, 1870, married Frank Constant,

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and lives in Chicago; Jessie B., born March 1, 1872, married Charles L. Sweet, and resides in Hutchinson, Kan.

Perry D. Menke was reared in Paris, Ill., and attended the public schools. When he was 18 years of age, he began his railroading career at Paris, Ill., as night baggageman and also yard and billing clerk. Later he entered the train service of the Indianapolis division of the I. and St. L. railroad, which is now the St. Louis division of the New York Cen- tral railroad system, with Mattoon, Ill., as his headquarters. In 1883, he went to Sedalia, Mo., where he was in the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company as conductor for one year. He then came to Moberly and worked for the Wabash as brakeman for a few months, when he was promoted to freight conductor and in 1887 became a passenger conductor and since 1890 has had a regular passenger run. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Menke has had many years experience as a practical railroad man and has a good record to his credit.

July 30, 1907, Perry D. Menke was married to Miss Mildred Cevor, of Kansas City, Mo. She was born in Florida. Mr. and Mrs. Menke have no children.

Mr. Menke is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Shrine, Ararat Temple, Kansas City, Mo., and the Order of Railway Conductors, No. 49, Moberly, Mo. He is a Republican and a member of the Presby- terian church. Mrs. Menke is a member of the Episcopal church. They are well known in Moberly and Randolph County and are highly regarded represented citizens of the community.

James S. Horner, father of Mrs. R. G. Terrill of Moberly, was a pioneer merchant of Huntsville and prominently identified with the early development of Randolph County and belonged to one of the very earliest pioneer families of Missouri. He was born in Howard County, Oct. 7, 1832 and was a son of Major and Keturah (Morgan) Horner.

Major Horner was one of the prominent early settlers of this state. He was born in Chesterfield County, Va., Dec. 19, 1789 and was married in that county. Nov. 7, 1812. He came to Missouri in 1819 and settled in Howard County where he bought land and some negroes and in Febru- ary, 1839, he came to Randolph County and here owned over 600 acres of land northwest of the present site of Moberly. During the Civil War on account of condition prevailing here he removed to St. Louis and after the war he made his home at Columbia and died at the home of his son, James S. Horner, in Huntsville. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving in Capt. Wilson Bryan's Company, 19th regiment, serving with

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the Virginia troops. He served as sergeant in Capt. Benjamin Goode's company, Colonel Joseph Brown's regiment, Virginia Militia from Aug. 28th to Nov. 30, 1814, after having served as private as above stated. After coming to Missouri he was conspicuous in military affairs in this state. He was made Lieut .- Colonel of the 10th Regiment, 21st Division of Missouri Militia in 1822 by Governor McNair, and was appointed colonel in 1824. In 1837 he was apointed paymaster general of the State Militia by Governor Boggs and after having paid the men the first time he had a small amount of money left which he promptly returned to the treasurer which up to that time was an unheard of procedure. This was during the Morman War. He also acted as paymaster for the Missouri troops during the Black Hawk War. He was prominent in the political affairs of Randolph County and the state. In 1850 he was elected a representative to the state legislature and again in 1858 and in 1860 was elected state senator. He was a strong Southern sympathizer and voted for secession at the special session of the legislature, called by Governor Jackson which convened at Neosho, Mo. He rode from Moberly to Neosho on horseback to attend that convention. He was a Methodist and a life long Democrat. He was a strong temperance man and a prominent mem- ber of the Masonic Lodge.

James S. Horner was educated at Fayette, Mo., attending school there after his parents moved to Randolph County. He engaged in the dry goods business at Huntsville prior to the Civil War and was in part- nership with his brother-in-law George Dameron. He was in business here when the Civil War broke out and being a Southern sympathizer, his store was looted by the Federal troops and he shortly afterwards dis- posed of his business to a Northern man and went to St. Louis. After the war he returned to Huntsville, where he died Feb. 22, 1871. He was a member of the Methodist church and the Masonic Lodge. He was mar- ried Sept. 4, 1860 to Louisa Jane Kingsbury and to this union three chil- dren were born: Laura Shirley Horner who resides at Moberly, Mo .; Lena, married R. G. Terrill a sketch of whom appears in this volume. After the death of James S. Horner his widow married Judge John R. Hull, who was a prominent lawyer of Randolph County. He served as prosecuting attorney and probate judge of this county and for a time published a newspaper in Huntsville. He and his wife are now both deceased. He died in 1892 and she departed this life in 1901.

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Anthony J. Rother, the well known merchant tailor of Moberly is one of the best designers and cutters to be found anywhere in the country. He comes from a family of high class tailors and has made extensive study of the science of designing and the art of cutting and tailoring. Mr. Rother is a native of Missouri. He was born at Washington, Mo., Jan. 16, 1886 and is the son of John and Ann (Boehm) Rother who were the parents of the following children: Anthony J., the subject of this sketch; Julia Rother, Washington, Mo. and John, deceased. The mother died in 1890, having been accidentally burned to death on July 4th of that year. Her clothes caught fire from fireworks which were carelessly ex- ploded by some boys as she was passing along the street.

John Rother, father of Anthony J. Rother, was born in Prussia- Poland or what is now known as Germany. He came to America at the age of ten years, in 1870, and now lives at Washington, Mo. He was one of the finest tailors in the state of Missouri and has one brother who is a high class tailor of St. Joseph, Mo. He learned the trade from his brother John. Two of Mrs. Rother's brothers were also high class tailors : Chas. Boehm, St. Louis, Mo .; Frank Boehm, in business with John Rother at Washington, Mo.

Anthony J. Rother was educated in the Notre Dame Convent and then attended the Franciscian Brothers Dormitory and afterwards at- tended the University of Missouri at Columbia. For eight years he was · connected with G. W. Harrell and Son, merchant tailors at Columbia. Later he was employed by Patt Brothers, tailors of St. Joseph,'Mo. From there he went to New York and completed a course in designing men and women's garments. After completing this course he went to Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H. and had charge of the tailoring department of a large men's furnishing store which catered to the students and professors of the college. He then went to Boston where he was engaged in design- ing and cutting for a time when he returned to New York City. In 1915 he came to Moberly and engaged in his present business and owing to the excellency of his workmanship, the style of his designing and the re- liability of his representation, he has built up one of the largest high class tailoring establishments in this section of the state. Mr. Rother follows the Mitchell system of which he has made a thorough study. This is a short standard measure of cutting and designing and is the foundation of all systems employed in this work. A designer who understands the Mitchell system thoroughly can easily handle any other system of cutting.

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Mr. Rother graduated from the Mitchell School of Cutting and Designing of New York on Sept. 5, 1914.

Anthony J. Rother was married in 1916 to Miss Mary G. Noonan of Moberly ; she is a daughter of Richard and Genevieve Noonan. Mr. and Mrs. Rother have two children: Jane Ann and Richard John.

Mr. Rother is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Tailors and Cutters Association of America.

E. O. and G. N. Blood, well known and prosperous stockmen and farmers of Cairo township, Randolph County, are the sons of N. L. and Laura (Blood) Blood, the former a native of Wisconsin, born Jan. 5, 1847, and the mother was born in Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer and moved to Iowa where he was a farmer and stockman for many years. He came to Randolph County in 1909, and purchased the Arthur Roberts farm of 160 acres in Cairo township. He died in Septem- ber, 1915, being survived by his wife until Dec. 9, 1918, when she too passed away. Both were laid to rest in Grand Prairie Cemetery. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Blood; E. O., of this review ; Mrs. Edna Austin of Cairo township; G. N., of this sketch, and Marcia.

The Blood brothers were educated in the public schools of Iowa. They were reared on their father's farm and early began to assume many of the duties on the home place so that by the time their schooling was over they were both good practical farmers. They came to Randolph County in March, 1909 and bought a farm a half mile north of Cairo, where they were associated in business with their father until his death. The farm is one of the well improved places in this section of the county ; has two good residences on it, good barns, machine shed, poultry house, calf barn and many other buildings for farm uses. Since coming to Mis- souri the Bloods have handled pure bred stock almost entirely, owning 10 pure bred Polled Shorthorn cows with Scottish Victor 2d, 17484-695098, at the head of the herd. He was bred by F. A. Murray & Son of Mason, Ill. That they have been successful in the breeding and rearing of cat- tle is attested by the fact that six animals which they raised were sold on March 23, 1920, at Kansas City, at the American Polled Shorthorn Breeders Association sale to other breeders. They also keep a herd of 35 well bred Shropshire sheep with a registered male at the head of the flock.

On Jan. 26, 1912, E. O. Blood was married to Miss Ora Mckinney, of Cairo township, a daughter of J. L. and Nancy Mckinney, both deceased.

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Nancy Huntsman Mckinney was born near Cairo and reared in Randolph County. Mrs. Blood is a member of one of the old pioneer families of the section.

G. N. Blood and his sister, Marcia, live together in one of the two farm houses. Miss Blood is a chicken fancier and raises the Brown Leg- horn variety, having met with success in this branch of farm inlustry, usually having about 150 hens on hand.

Both Blood brothers are members of the Grange and considered progressive and practical farmers and men of industry and thrift which qualities are bringing them to the front of the agricultural producers of Randolph County, which does not lack for able farmers.

J. P. Stinnett, owner of Fairview Stock Farm, Cairo township, is one of the progressive and enterprising farmers and stockmen of Randolph County. He is a native of Kentucky, born near Lexington, Fayette County, March 16, 1877. His parents were James P. and Sarah L. (Tay- lor) Stinnett, both of whom are now deceased. They were the parents of two children: J. P., the subject of this sketch and Scott Stinnett, of Fulton, Mo. The father died and after his death the mother was married to A. C. Duggins. She came to Missouri about 1893 and died here in 1896.

J. P. Stinnett was reared and educated in Kentucky and came to Mis- souri when he was about 16 years of age. He bought 7014 acres, one and one-half miles north of Cairo which he sold in 1919 and bought his present place. This farm consists of 106 acres and is situated one mile south of Cairo and known as Fairview Stock Farm. Since purchasing the place Mr. Stinnett has made a number of valuable improvements, in- cluding an addition to the barn and after he has carried out some of his other plans of improvements, Fairview Stock Farm will be one of the conveniently arranged and attractive places of the county. Mr. Stinnett is a successful breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs. He has been engaged in breeding Duroc Jerseys for the past eight years and his present splendid herd of 23 hogs is headed by "Cairo Colonel," a valu- able registered male hog. Mr. Stinnett is meeting with success and estab- lishing a reputation as a breeder.

Nov. 24, 1903, Mr. Stinnett was married to Miss Bell Boyd of Cairo. She is a daughter of J. M. and Mollie Boyd, both of whom are now de- ceased and their remains are buried in Grand Prairie cemetery. Mrs. Stinnett was born in Macon County, Mo. and came to Randolph County with her parents when she was a girl, and here she was reared and edu-

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cated. To Mr. and Mrs. Stinnett have been born eight children as fol- low: Irene, a student in the Cairo High School; Sibert, Ida May, Ell- wood, Willa Maud, Charles, Stella B. and Mildred Ruth.

Mr. Stinnett is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. The Stinnett family is well known in Cairo and vicinity and are among the leading citizens of that section.

J. F. Mckinney, one of the successful farmers and stockmen of Ran- dolph County, was born in that part of Salt River which is now Cairo township, Jan. 11, 1849. He is the son of Daniel and Eliza (Brown) Mc- Kinney, both natives of Lincoln County, Ky., further mention of whom is made in this volume. They were pioneer settlers of Missouri and are now both dead and were buried in the cemetery of Liberty church. Of their family the following children survive: H. S., J. F., of this review, and Mat.

J. F. Mckinney spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm and received his educational advantages in the public school of Highland district. John Cottingham was his first teacher and the second teacher under whom he received instruction was Jonathan Bailey, followed by Reuben Weaver, all well known educators of that early day. After his schooling was over the young man began to farm, first on the home place and then independently. More than 40 years ago, Mr. Mckinney bought the farm where he now resides, from his father, Daniel Mckinney who entered the land from the government. The home place consists of a 40 acre tract which has a good farm home, large convenient barn and many other good improvements. He has engaged in general farming and stock raising for many years and been successful in his business, due to his own hard work and ability.

On Jan. 20, 1875, Mr. Mckinney was married to Miss Mary E. Hunts- man, who died March 6, 1904. She was the daughter of George M. and Euphemia Huntsman. There were three children born to this marriage: Glenn, who married Nora Ridgway, and Pearl, who live at home with their father. Pearl married William Baker, who with Glenn, now man- ages the farm; and Euphia married William Baker and is deceased. Mr. McKinney has two grandchildren: Armel and Roy F. Baker, who when war was declared against Germany enlisted in the United States navy. He was sent to the Great Lakes Training School, then transferred to the naval base at Norfolk, Va., where he was stationed until assigned to

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service on the battleship Indiana. Later he was transferred to the re- cruiting ship at Bay Ridge, N. Y., but finally was sent to the U. S. S. Southbend, a transport, and crossed the ocean three times during the war. He was mustered out of the service on Sept. 5, 1919.

Mr. J. F. Mckinney is one of the substantial and progressive citizens of Randolph County who has done his part in stock and food production and aided in the development of this section for more than three-quarters of a century. He is now past 70 years of age, a hale, hearty man who retains all of his mental vigor; a man of intellect and education, who has been a close friend of the editor of this history many years.

Abraham S. Hines, a successful stockman and farmer and sterling citizen of Randolph County, was born in Culpeper County, Va., July 19, 1853, the son of Peter S. and Fannie F. (Stover) Hines. Peter S. Hines was also born in Culpeper County. July 16, 1810, and died July ,7 1895. He was reared and educated in the east, where he lived until 1852, when he came west. Mr. Hines made the trip from the old home in Virginia to Missouri in a covered wagon, on which were loaded the necessities for the home to be established in the new country. He had a four horse team which drew the wagon and its burdens the long journey to Prairie township, Randolph County, where the family established a home. For 10 years the family lived near Higbee, then moved to the farm now owned by Abraham Hines, where the father died. Fannie Stover Hines, also was born in Culpeper County, Va., Feb. 22, 1812, and died in February, 1889.

Abraham S. Hines was reared on the pioneer farm, and was one of a family of ten children. He attended the public schools, When old enough he began farming and has followed this vocation practically all his life, though for 10 years he also ran a saw mill and farmed at the same time in Audrain County, Mo. At one time Mr. Hines bought a threshing outfit, which he ran, but as he expresses it, "It nearly broke me up," and he disposed of it. In 1892, he bought the farm of 140 acres from the Hines heirs, which he now owns and farmed there until 1900, when he sold it to good advantage, but bought it back two years later. Since then he has made permanent improvements on the place and has began breeding Shorthorn cattle in which he has been successful, and has made exhibits of his stock at local shows. For some time Mr. Hines has been improving the strain of his cattle and has a valuable herd. He and his sons are in business together. In 1918 they sold a cow and bull calf which brought $1,025 each. He also raises hogs and mules. The Hines

ABRAHAM S. HINES AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

men are today considered some of the most substantial men of Randolph County.

Jan. 28, 1886, Mr. Hines was married to Miss Mary C. Rupard, a native of Kentucky, the daughter of Lewellen E. and Millie (Easter) Rupard, both natives of Kentucky, who came to Randolph County, in 1868, and engaged in farming. Both are now dead. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hines: Claud, deceased; Ezra, of East St. Louis, Ill .; Mattie M., the wife of Guy Jackson, of Prairie township; Virginia, de- ceased; William Rex, and Eugene, at home.

Mr. Hines is a Democrat and belongs to the Christian church. His wife is a member of the Baptist church.

W. L. Landram, one of the honored pioneers of Missouri, who settled in Cairo township, Randolph County, when most of the land was raw unbroken prairie and has witnessed many changes that have taken place since he came here. Mr. Landram has contributed his share to county upbuilding and food production for more than 63 years. He was born in Bourbon County, Ky., March 18, 1833, the son of Reuben and Nancy (Dingle) Landram, the former a native of Virginia, who enlisted during the War of 1812 from Bourbon County and served until peace was de- clared. He came to Missouri in 1837, locating first in Marion County and remained there one year before settling in Macon County, where his chil- dren were reared. Both the parents are deceased and were buried in Macon County. The following children were born to Reuben and Nancy (Dingle) Landram: Frances, married Buck Skinner and died on the way to California and the corpse was brought back to Missouri by her husband in a wagon; Nancy D., married John Speak and is deceased; James E., deceased: W. L., the subject of this sketch; Abner P., de- ceased ; Lucy, married Samuel Shaffner and is deceased; Carter, Merced, Calif .; John and Alfred, both deceased.

WV. L. Landram spent his boyhood days in Macon County with his parents and became a practical farmer. In 1851, at the age of 18 he came to Randolph County and began to work by the month to earn money enough to attend the McGee College at College Mound, Mo. When he finished his course he taught school for 12 years. Mr. Landram became heir to 80 acres of land which then was all unbroken prairie in 1857 built his first home. From time to time he bought more land until he has 152 acres in the home farm and a tract of 40 acres of timber a mile west. There is one piece of 25 acres on the homestead which has never been

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broken and the original blue grass remains to this day. For over 63 years this farm and house has been the home of the Landram family and it is one of the best kept places in the county. The two story house is well painted and attractive; there are two good barns and sheds, also other buildings for the stock, hogs and chickens. All the home place is good arable land and is cultivated. Two never failing wells furnish excellent water for household and farm use. In 1857 Mr. Landram planted some locust trees, which are still living and furnish good shade; one is now over eight feet in circumference.

On Sept. 11, 1856, Mr. Landram was married to Miss Betsey Jane Boney, the daughter of J. T. and Elizabeth (Carr) Boney. They were early settlers of Randolph County, coming here from North Carolina and bought a farm in Cairo township. Both are deceased and are buried at Grand Prairie. This historic old burying ground was laid out by Mr. Landram in 1865. The land and the church ground were given by Wil- liam King and the first burial was of Leela Landram, who died Dec. 31, 1865, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Landram of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Landram have lived on this farm and in the same house for more than 63 years. Sept. 11, 1919, they celebrated their 63d wedding anniversary. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Landram: Orpha Ann, deceased; John Carr, died in California in 1901; James Logan, of Moberly; Leela Kate, deceased; Luella Bell, the widow of E. G. Kennedy, lives with her parents; William Edward, of Merced, Calif; Nellie, deceased; Finis Lee, of Merced, Calif .; Hugh Carter, de- ceased, and Oscar, deceased.

During the later years Mr. and Mrs. Landram have enjoyed six trips to visit their relatives in California. They have 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

William K. Towles, Sr., now deceased, was a prominent citizen and well known stockman and farmer of Cairo township, Randolph County, and one of the honored pioneer settlers of this county. He was born in Howard County, May 29, 1843, and came to Randolph County with his parents that same year. They were Stokley and Mary (Ellis) Towles, both of whom passed the rest of their lives here and were buried on the home place. They had five children: William K., Sr., Port, Thomas, Mrs. Nannie Grady and Mary, married George Towles and all are deceased. William Towles, Sr., was reared in Cairo township and when his school days were over engaged in farming. At the outbreak of the Civil War

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he enlisted in the Confederate army and served four years, being wounded three times, first with a saber during a skirmish at Independence, Mo., and he was shot twice at the battle of Lexington, Mo. After peace was de- clared, Mr. Towles returned to Randolph County and resumed farming. On Sept. 24, 1871, he married Miss Martha Goodding and they had the following children: Richard, of Batesville, Ark .; William K., Jr., of this review; Mollie, the wife of William Sims, of Moberly; Jennie, at home; Jackson, at home, and Annie, the wife of A. W. Hinton, of Moberly.

William K. Towles, Sr., devoted his time and energies to his farm endeavors and became one of the prominent stockmen and feeders of this section of Missouri. With his sons William, Jr., and Jackson, they owned 970 acres of land. Wm. K., Sr., Towles died March 24, 1920, and was buried at Oakland cemetery. He was a member of the Baptist church for more than 30 years, being a member at Pleasant Hill. He was a Demo- crat.

William K. Towles, Jr., was reared on the home farm, received his education in the district schools and then with his father and brother Jackson, began farming on an extensive scale. For 15 years this part- nership continued until the death of the father and since that time the two brothers have continued the business. They are wide awake stock- men and feeders as well as progressive farmers and keep about 150 head of cattle each year, 30 head of horses and mules and now have 150 head of Shropshire sheep, and about 300 head of cattle. The place is well improved. One barn, 80x120 feet has a concrete foundation and is con- sidered one of the best barns in the county. It has a loft with a capacity of 100 tons of hay and a basement 100 feet long for stock. A second barn was built with a silo and the third, 60x80 feet, has a basement under the entire structure with a silo built on the inside. In addition there are several smaller barns on the farm and other buildings. The Towles land lies in three townships, Salt River, Cairo and Chariton and the brothers also own the John Mason farm of 125 acres. Recently the Towles brothers purchased a fine coach stallion, "Ulex," and they have registered males at the head of their herd. There are six residences on the various pieces of land used by the family and for tenant farmers.

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History of Randolph County, Missouri, Part 32

Author: Waller, Alexander H Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Topeka : Historical Publishing Company Number of Pages: 940

Author: Waller, Alexander H
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 940