USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 37
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
A. G. Lea was reared on a farm and received his education in the district schools and the public schools of Clifton Hill. He began life as a farmer and stock man and has had a successful career. He is the owner of a splendid farm of 280 acres which is well improved with a good farm residence and two good substantial barns. During recent years, he has rented his farm out and practically devoted his entire attention to buying and shipping stock and does an extensive business in that line. During the year of 1919, he shipped about 100 carloads of cattle, hogs and sheep to the market. Considering the price of live stock, that volume of business involved the handling of an enormous amount of capital.
Mr. Lea was married in 1902 to Miss Lillian A. Pollard, a daughter of J. W. and Eliza (Winn) Pollard, of Chariton County. Eliza Winn was a daughter of Hampton Winn, a pioneer of Salisbury, Mo. He and his wife are both deceased and their remains are buried in the Roanoke ceme- tery. Mrs. Lea is one of the following children born to her parents: E. J. Pollard, Isabelle, S. D .; M. H. Pollard, of the same place; Lillian, wife of A. G. Lea of this review; Katy, married Duke Monyhan, Sturgeon, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Lea have been born two daughters: Maurine A., and Mary Frances, both students in the Clifton High School.
Mr. Lea is a progressive business man and through his activities in the live stock business, has made Clifton Hill the banner live stock ship- ping point of Randolph County.
W. T. Reed, of Clifton Hill, is a native of Randolph County and a descendant of early pioneers of this section. Mr. Reed was born near Huntsville, Mo., May 3, 1850. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Owen) Reed, both members of pioneer families of Randolph County.
Henry Reed was also born near Huntsville about 1830 when this sec- tion of the country was properly considered on the frontier border and Indians were still numerous in this vicinity. His father was a native of Ireland and one of the first settlers in Randolph County. He died just south of Huntsville and his remains were buried on the old homestead. Henry Reed went to Colorado some years before his death and after spending eight years there returned to Missouri on a visit and died at Sedalia, Mo., while on his way back to Colorado and his remains were buried at Sedalia. His wife died in 1850 and her remains are buried on the old home place near Huntsville. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children: John, died at the age of 45 years; Mary married Samuel Alderson and died in Grundy County, Mo .; Martha married Levi Beckley
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and died at Moberly, Mo .; Sarah, married Tom Hardesty and died near Higbee, Mo .; and W. T., the subject of this sketch.
W. T. Reed was reared near Huntsville and attended the Oliver dis- trict school which was held in one of the pioneer log school houses of the early days. The building was of the primitive type, and Mr. Reed recalls among his early teachers Henry Jackson and Becky Jones, who were among the pioneer teachers of Randolph County. Mr. Reed began farming in early life and was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising until 1919 when he sold his place in September of that year, and for three months lived in Huntsville. On March 3, 1920, he removed to Clifton Hill where he bought the George Morris property where he now resides.
W. T. Reed was married Nov. 10, 1871 to Mary J. Tillerson, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Kitchen) Tillerson. Mrs. Reed was born four miles southwest of Clifton Hill, May 1, 1850. Her parents were pioneer settlers in this section of Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Reed has been born one son, Michael Reed, who is now a motor mechanic at Columbia, Mo. He married Leora Buchanan of Clifton township and they have six chil- dren as follows: Otis, married Willy Martin and they live at New Franklin, Mo., where he is a motor mechanic; Russell, further mention of whom is made below; Louie, Bertha, Clarence and Beulah.
Russell Reed, above mentioned, is a veteran of the World War. He enlisted at Columbia and was first sent to Nevada with the Missouri troops and after a period of training there and elsewhere was sent to France with his command and took part in some of the most severe fighting in France, including the battle of Argonne Forest and others. He spent about two years in the service and now resides at Columbia, Mo.
W. T. Reed is a high type of the American pioneer citizen and one of the substantial men of Randolph County.
Homan H. Malone, a well known farmer and stockman of Salt Spring township, is a native of this township and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Randolph County. He is a son of Judge A. M. and Betsey (Bradley) Malone, and was born in Salt Spring township April 8, 1870. Judge A. M. Malone was a native of North Carolina, born Nov. 17, 1822 and was a son of Thomas Malone. Thomas Malone was a native of North Carolina and came to Randolph County with his family in 1827. He entered 160 acres of land in Silver Creek township and spent the re- mainder of his life there. His remains are buried in Smith cemetery.
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Judge A. M. Malone was about five years old when he came to Randolph County with his parents. He was reared and educated in this county and during his active career was engaged in farming and stock raising in Salt Spring township. He took a prominent part in local affairs and was elected judge of the county court. He died during his term of office, Aug. 24, 1892. Betsey (Bradley) Malene was a daughter of Squire Brad- ley, a native of Kentucky and an early settler in Salt Spring township She was born June 5, 1827 and died June 18, 1901 and her remains are buried in Smith cemetery.
To Judge A. M. and Betsey (Bradley) Malone were born the fol- lowing children: Louis G., died at the age of 60 years; Mrs. Cordelia Jane Bradley, died at the age of 30 years; Martha Susan, married B. L. Cockrell, Huntsville, Mo .; George Mitchell, Kirksville, Mo .; Katy May, widow of William Thomas, Stansbury, Mo .; Liensetta, deceased; Alex- ander. deceased; Sebastin Cabot, deceased; Squire Boone, deceased ; Alonzo, Muskogee, Okla .; Homan H., the subject of this sketch and Yewel Ford, lives in Howard County, Mo.
Homan H. Malone was reared in Randolph County and attended the Gill district school and with the exception of two years spent in Howard County and two years in Montana, he has lived in Randolph County all his life. He bought his present place which is located two and one-half miles southwest of Huntsville in 1894. The place contains 96 acres and G. T. Burton was the former owner. This land was entered from the government by William Richardson, July 30, 1828. Mr. Malone has im- proved the place and has a good comfortable farm residence and suitable barns and other buildings. 25 acres of his farm is under blue grass. He raises stock and carries on general farming and is meeting with success.
Mr. Malone was married Dec. 25, 1892 to Zettie Ellis, who died in 1897, leaving one child who is now Mrs. Clara Williams, of Salisbury, Mo. Mr. Malone was married the second time March 30, 1904 to Miss Myrtle Cubbage, of Yates, Mo. She is a daughter of Henry and Clara (Higdon) Cubbage, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Malone have been born two sons, Ellis B., deceased, and Waldo Emerson, born July 7, 1907.
Mrs. Malone is one of the successful poultry breeders of Randolph County and is making a distinct success in that field of endeavor. She raises pure bred Brown Leghorns, pure bred White Leghorns and Barred Plymouth Rock chickens and also Bronze turkeys and has met with re- markable success. Her champion gobbler weighed 33 pounds.
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Mr. Malone is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Huntsville and is one of Randolph County's substantial citizens.
Sippel Brothers .- This enterprising and progressive firm which con- ducts a garage and blacksmith shop at Thomas Hill, Mo., is composed of Emil F. and Charles W. Sippel. The Sippel Brothers began business here with their father, Adolph Sippel in 1894 and he is now living retired at Thomas Hill and his sons continue the business.
Adolph Sippel is a native of Germany and came to America when he was 17 years old and first located at Harrisburg, Pa. In 1881 he came to Macon, Mo. and remained there until 1894. He then came to Thomas Hill, Randolph County, where he engaged in blacksmithing, a trade which he had learned when a young man and followed all his life. He re- mained in business at Thomas Hill until 1915 when he retired and has since lived at Thomas Hill.
Adolph Sippel was married to Emily Shultess, a native of Switzerland who came to America when she was 18 years old and settled at Macon, Mo., where she was married to Mr. Sippel. She is now 73 years old and Mr. Sippel is one year her senior. To Adolph Sippel and wife have been born the following children: John, who was accidentally killed on the rail- road at Bevier, Mo., where he was foreman of a mine shop; Lizzie, mar- ried Charles R. Fowler, of Atchison, Kan .; Adolph, died at the age of 16 years ; Emil F. and Charles W., the last two names composing the firm of Sippel Brothers.
Emil F. Sippel was born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 27, 1880. He received his education in the public schools and on June 25, 1900 he was married to Agnes Scott, a daughter of J. N. and Ella Scott. J. M. Scott died at Portland, Oregon and his remains were sent back to Belleville, Ill., for interment. His widow now resides at Moberly, Mo. To Emil F. Sippel and wife have been born three children as follows: Edward, Hazel and Howard, all 'attending school at Thomas Hill.
Charles W. Sippel was born at Macon, Mo., Sept. 14, 1883. He was married July 30, 1905 to Miss Minnie Bunnell, a daughter of Thomas Bunnell and to this union have been born three children: Gladys, Rus- sell and Ralph, all students in the Thomas Hill school.
Emil F. and Charles B. Sippel have operated in partnership since 1894. In 1919 they built a new shop which is constructed of tile blocks and is 40x40 feet in dimensions. Here they have all kinds of modern machinery and devices for automobile repair work as well as general
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blacksmithing. They deal in automobile accessories and keep Ford parts in stock.
The Sippel Brothers are both expert mechanics, having learned the trade under their father and have worked at blacksmithing and machine work all their lives. They are reliable business men and have won the confidence of the public, both for their honesty and integrity and their skill and ingenuity as mechanics. They are both members of the Masonic Lodge at Clifton Hill and belong to the Modern Woodmen of America at Thomas Hill.
Julius Dunn, an honored pioneer settler of Randolph County Mo., bears the unusual distinction of having served in both the Mexican and Civil Wars and he is one of the few surviving veterans of that early day conflict with the Mexican government. He was born in Boone County, Mo., Aug. 5, 1829 and is a son of William H. and Phoebe Dunn, both natives of Kentucky.
William H. Dunn came to this unsettled region in 1800 and was one of the very first white settlers in what is now the state of Missouri. When the Mexican War broke out, he was commissioned captain and was en- gaged in mustering soldiers into the service.
Julius Dunn was reared amidst the pioneer surroundings of frontier life and his early life was spent not unlike that of the average frontiers- man and farmer of his time. When the Mexican War broke out and he enlisted in Boone County, Mo. and was detailed as a teamster, serving about one year. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Union army at Huntsville and after a period of service of over two and one-half years, he was mustered out and honorably discharged.
In 1852, Julius Dunn located on Government land six miles east of where the city of Moberly now stands and was required to go to Palmyra, Mo., where the nearest government land office was located, to enter his claim. There were very few settlers in this section at that time and he was the first man to settle on the prairies in the vicinity of where Moberly now stands. The first log cabin which he erected on his place is . still standing and is used as the kitchen of the present Dunn farm residence and many memories of pioneer days cluster about this historic old build- ing which has been this veteran pioneer's residence for 68 years. Mr. Dunn has added to his original holdings from time to time until he has acquired 360 acres of valuable land which he improved and brought under a high state of cultivation. He has disposed of 120 acres but still owns
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MR. AND MRS. JULIUS DUNN AND RESIDENCE
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
240 acres of rich productive farm land where, for these many years he has been successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has been engaged in mixed farming which he has found to be the safest and most profitable plan. His place is well stocked with horses, cattle, hogs and sheep and he also keeps a large number of chickens with profit.
Mr. Dunn was united in marriage in January, 1853 with Miss Sarah Turner who died in 1913 at the advanced age of 80 years. They were the parents of four children as follows: John, Cairo, Mo .; Bessie, mar- ried Robert Fountain, of Centralia, Mo .; and Ebley and Mary, deceased.
Mr. Dunn, although in his 91st year, is still active in body and mind and is one of the remarkably well preserved men of his age and experi- ence to be found. He recalls with some merriment, that his mother pun- ished him for using tobacco when he was a small boy and at the same time severely reprimanded him and impressed upon him that the use of tobacco was very injurious. He was not a bad boy, as boys go gen- erally, however he has continued the use of tobacco all these years and still enjoys it as much as ever; and in these latter years he is rather in- clined to think that his mother, although honest in her conviction, might have been slightly mistaken as to the immediate fatal effect of the mild, although persistent use of tobacco. It is too early to render final judg- ment as to the fatal effect of the "weed". However, time will tell. Mr. Dunn is still active in the management of his farming operations and is one of the prosperous and substantial farmers of Randolph County.
Thomas McGinnis, now deceased, was for many years successfully identified with the interests of Randolph County and was one of its leading farmers and stockmen and a man who contributed his part to the upbuilding and development of Randolph County. He was a native of Ireland and came to America with his father, Thomas McGinnis, Sr., in 1846. They settled on a farm near Yates which is now known as the Pitts Farm. Thomas McGinnis settled on the farm where the family now re- side, in 1876 and here spent his life successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. During the Civil War, he was a member of the state militia. He was an upright and honorable citizen and successful in his undertakings.
Thomas McGinnis was married Nov. 19, 1876 to Miss Mary M. Tomp- kins and to this union were born two sons, T. T., born March 26, 1879 and J. J., born March 3, 1881. The McGinnis brothers now operate the
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home farm which is known as "The McGinnis Stock Farm", and is located in Salt Spring township five miles south of Huntsville. It is one of the valuable farms of Randolph County and consists of 432 acres, much of which is under blue grass and here the McGinnis brothers are success- fully engaged in raising cattle, horses, mules, sheep and hogs in addition to general farming. They are extensive producers of hay. The father, Thomas McGinnis, died Jan. 5, 1909 and since that time the mother and the sons have continued on the home place and she now resides with her son, T. T., being his housekeeper.
J. J. McGinnis was married Sept. 24, 1919 to Miss Mollie Chesser, of Moniteau township.
Both T. T. and J. J. McGinnis are members of the Masonic Lodge at Huntsville and T. T. is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Moberly. They are progressive citizens and are meet- ing with success in their undertakings.
Dawkins Brothers .- The Dawkins brothers are among the pro- gressive and successful farmers of Randolph County and descendants of one of the early pioneer families of this section of Missouri. William J., Levi H. and Levin Showard Dawkins are all native sons of Randolph County and were born in Salt Spring township on the place where they now reside and which they operate in partnership. This place was entered from the government by Levi Dawkins, grandfather of the Daw- kins Brothers in 1838. He was born near New Castle, Henry County, Ky. and came to Missouri in 1838. After entering land in Salt Spring township he spent his life here engaged in farming and stock raising and became one of the successful and prosperous pioneer citizens of this county and at the time of his death in 1874 he was the owner of 640 acres of land. His remains are buried in the cemetery at Higbee, Mo. Levi Dawkins, upon settling in Salt Spring township, built a log cabin and the present Dawkins residence now stands on the foundation which was built at that time. He was promient in the early day affairs of Randolph County and was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
The Dawkins Brothers are sons of Levin S. Dawkins and Isabella (Pogue) Dawkins, the former a native of Henry County, Ky., and the latter of Jessamine County, Ky., both now deceased. The father died in 1905 and the mother in 1915 and they are buried in the Higbee ceme- tery. Levin Dawkins was a farmer and stockman and also worked at building some. He and his brother, George Dawkins built the first brick
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building in Moberly, Mo. and the Dawkins Brothers now have in their possession, a trowel which was used in the work. To Levin S. and Isabella (Pogue) Dawkins were born the following children: William J., of this sketch; Mary Ella, W. B. Jackson and Levi H. and Levin, twins, whose names also introduce this sketch.
The Dawkins Brothers were reared on the farm which was entered by their grandfather and upon which they now live. They attended the Walnut Grove school which was held in a primitive log school house and their first teacher was Polk Witt. The brothers have co-operated in the conduct of the home place since they grew to manhood and have met with success. They have a valuable farm of 320 acres which is well improved with a good residence, a new barn which they built in 1908. The old log house which was built by their grandfather and which was the two room log cabin as been succeeded by a modern residence which was built by the Dawkins Brothers. They carry on general farming and also raise stock.
The Dawkins Brothers are highly respected citizens and stand high in Randolph County. Levi H. and Levin S. are members of the Masonic Lodge at Huntsville and also hold membership in the Order of the East- ern Star.
George L. Johnson, who is now engaged in the general mercantile business at Thomas Hill, has for many years been successfully identified with farming and stock raising in Randolph County. He was born in Minnesota, Oct. 15, 1863 and is the son of W. C. and Lucinda (Lanning) Johnson.
W. C. Johnson was a native of Kentucky, born in 1834. When the Civil War broke out, he was living at Minnesota and enlisted in the Union army at Fort Snelling, Minn. After the close of the war he came to Missouri with his wife and family and settled in Chariton township where he engaged in farming and stock raising and prospered. He carried on general farming and stock raising and also fed cattle extensively for the market. At the time of his death in 1901 he was the owner of about 600 acres of land. After his death George L. and his mother continued the operation of the home place and carried on the business with marked success and increased their land holdings to 1,100 acres which they later sold. Lucinda (Lanning) Johnson, mother of George L. Johnson was born in Indiana in 1837 and died in Chariton township in 1913.
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George L. Johnson was engaged in farming and stock raising until 1920. He purchased his present store at Thomas Hill in 1918 and has given the business his personal supervision since August, 1919. The store building is 20x60 feet with an additional building of 16x40 feet. Mr. Johnson carries a very complete line of general merchandise, his stock averaging about $12,000. This store commands an excellent trade over a large scope of territory and in addition to the regular line of merchandise, Mr. Johnson buys and sells all kinds of country produce. He uses an auto truck for transporting his goods between Thomas Hill and the railroad station.
George L. Johnson was married Jan. 16, 1887 to Miss Bettie Ficklin, a daughter of H. B. and Pemelia (Baker) Ficklin early pioneers of Char- iton township, both of whom are now deceased. The father died in 1908 at the age of 74 years and the mother died in 1910 at the age of 75 years and their remains are buried in the Henry cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born the following children: W. C., who is engaged in farming and stock raising six miles west of Huntsville; Horace F. was engaged in the mercantile business at Kaseyville and Grand Center and is now engaged in farming and stock raising in Macon County ; Rev. George ยท L., Jr., is pastor of the Baptist church at Callao, Mo. and principal of the high school there and is also editor of the Callao Journal and Effie Lou, a student in the high school and resides at home.
Mr. Johnson is a director in the Ciifton Hill Banking Company and he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and one of the progressive, enterpris- ing and public spirited citizens of Randolph County.
Mr. Johnson has just completed a splendid modern two story resi- dence which is equipped with Delco lights and a complete water system and all other modern conveniences. It is perhaps the finest country resi- dence in Randolph County.
W. E. Agee, a leading farmer and stock breeder in Chariton town- ship, is the owner and proprietor of Hillside Stock Farm which is one of the attractive and valuable farms of Randolph County. Mr. Agee is a native of Missouri. He was born in Macon County, Nov. 12, 1861 and is a son of Andrew E. and Sallis (Minor) Agee.
Andrew E. Agee served in the Union army during the Civil War and at the close of the war he engaged in farming until his death. He died in 1871 at the age of 37 years and his remains are buried in the Thomas
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Hill cemetery. His widow is now 80 years old and resides at Rothville, Chariton County. Andrew E. and Sallie (Minor) Agee were the parents of four children as follows: Mrs. Theodosia Bradley, Mangum, Okla .; W. E. Agee, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Lutie Richeson, Rothville, Mo .; and Mrs. Edna Sears, Hereford, Tex.
W. E. Agee was educated in the public schools, attended school in the Epperly district and at Thomas Hill. In early life he engaged in farming and stock raising and has made a decided success. He has lived on his present place for 28 years and his improvements are substantial, modern and convenient. He has a good residence and three stock barns. His farm consists of 573 acres and is one of the valuable blue grass farms of the county. About 400 acres of which is under blue grass. The place is well watered and an ideal stock farm in every particular. Mr. Agee keeps on hand about 60 head of grade cattle and in recent years he has given special attention to breeding big type Poland China hogs of the pure bred registered variety. His male hogs "Farmer's Friend" and "Agee's Tim Wonderer" are splendid types of pure bred registered ani- mals and he also has twelve registered pure bred brood females. He also has 200 head of Shropshire sheep and pure bred registered bucks. He also raises standard bred Leghorn chickens. He has won a place among the leading breeders on Randolph County.
Mr. Agee was married Jan. 20, 1891 to Miss Blanche Baker, a daughter of Nathan and Sarah D. Baker who were early settlers north of Hunts- ville and are both now deceased. They were about 75 years of age at the time of their deaths and their remains are buried in the Huntsville cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Agee have been born the following children : Delora, married Lloyd T. Barnes and they have one daughter, Audrey Lee and they live adjoining the home place; Bussie, married Lloyd Palmer and they live adjoining the home place and have one daughter, Nadine, and Elbie is a student in high school at Fayette, Mo.
Mr. Agee is an enterprising citizen and takes a commendable interest in public affairs and has been especially interested in the welfare of the public schools and for 21 years has been a member of the local school board. He is a substantial and highly respected citizen. The farm resi- dence and barns are electric lighted by the Delco system.
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