USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 44
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Mr. Halliburton was married the second time on April 17, 1895 to Miss Alma Hutchinson, a daughter of J. N. and Sallie (Whitfield) Hutch- inson and the following children were born to that union: Gladys and George D., Jr., both at home with their parents.
Mr. Halliburton is a member of the Masonic Lodge; he is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist church. He takes a keen interest in the various enterprises and movements which tend to upbuild and better the community. He is president of the Randolph County Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company and has contributed much to the success of this well known and important local institution.
William R. Davis, a prosperous merchant of Renick, Randolph County, is a native son of Missouri, born in Howard County, Sept. 23, 1877, the son of R. D. and Elizabeth (Walters) Davis. The father was born in Wales in 1843 and died in 1899. He was reared and educated in his native land and learned the blacksmith's trade. He came to the United States after the Civil War and located in Missouri, lived several places in this state and then settled in Randolph County. About 1885, he opened a general store in Renick. He built the store building and was
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engaged in business here until his death. Elizabeth Walters Davis, also a native of Wales, born in 1846, accompanied her husband to America and was his companion until his death. She died in 1915. They had the fol- lowing children: David, of St. Louis; Anna, of Renick; William, of this review ; A. G., of St. Louis; A. H., of Renick; and three are deceased.
William Davis was reared in Randolph County and received his edu- cational advantages in the public schools of Renick. When he was old enough he went into the store to assist his father, and soon became a practical business man and merchant and at the death of his father took over the township and management of the business which is known as the R. D. Davis Mercantile Company. Mr. Davis is not married and lived at home until the death of his mother. He is a Republican and a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Miss Anna Davis is a partner with her brother in the store which is one of the modernly equipped and up-to-date mercantile establishments of this locality.
James H. Littrell, one of the prominent and worthy citizens of Ran- dolph County who is now living retired at Renick, was for many years a farmer and lumber merchant and was successful. He was born in Audrain County, Mo., Jan. 1, 1841, the son of George and Eliza Jane (Hocker) Littrell, the former a native of Scott County, Ky., born in 1809 and died in Audrain County, Mo., in 1897. He came to Missouri at an early day and entered land in Audrain County. His wife was also born in Scott County, Ky. They had 12 children of whom three are living: James H., of this sketch; George F., of Sturgeon, Mo., and Kittie, the wife of W. H. Turner, of Mexico, Mo.
Mr. Littrell was reared on his father's farm and received his edu- cation in the district school and a select school in Howard County, then attended high school in Boone County. He began teaching district school in Howard and Audrain counties, a vocation he followed for five years and engaged in farming for a year in Howard County before moving to Audrain County where he farmed four years. In 1873, Mr. Littrell came to Randolph County and became a well known farmer here. He started a lumber business in Renick in 1883 which he owned and managed 12 years, then sold out, to start farming again and remained in this busi- ness until 1913 when his wife died and he retired from the active busi- ness.
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In 1867, Mr. Littrell married in Howard County, Mo. to Miss Nettie Gashwiler, of Randolph County, the daughter of J. W. and Louisa (School- ing) Gashwiler, natives of Kentucky and of German descent. She died in November, 1901, leaving six children, only one of whom is now living, Frederick H., a lumberman of DeRider, La.
In 1902, Mr. Littrell married Mary Vance Palmer, a widow, who died in 1913.
Mr. Littrell is a Democrat and served as constable for two years and justice of the peace for 16 years. He is a member of the Baptist church and is a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 186 at Renick.
Ralph Mitchell, a leading dealer of hardware, agricultural implements and harness of Renick, Randolph County, who also conducts a general re- pair shop in connection with his store, is also a stock holder in the Farm- ers Bank of Renick. He was born at Medora, Ill., Nov. 6, 1881, the son of William P. and Mary Mitchell, who had eight children of whom Ralph was the youngest. The father was a native of Richmond, Va. and the mother of Shipman, Ill. In 1886 the father came to Randolph County and bought a farm of 160 acres near Clark in Prairie township where he farmed until his death in 1908 at the age of 73 years. The mother died in Illinois in 1886.
Ralph Mitchell was reared on the farm and received his education in the district school near his home and in Renick. After leaving school he engaged in farming, a vocation he followed until 1911. though he spent two years, 1903-1904, working in a packing house in St. Louis, but re- turned to rent a farm from his father and in 1911 bought his present business. Mr. Mitchell is well liked and has many friends. He has a reputation for honest dealing and is a man who lives up to all business obligations.
On Dec. 29, 1908, Mr. Mitchell was married to Miss Nelsie Pearl Rags- dale, who was born in Randolph County, the daughter of William and Nannie Ragsdale, now residents of Prairie township. One child has been born to this union, Helen Doris.
Mr. Mitchell is a Democrat and belongs to the Masonic Lodge and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is one of the pro- gressive business men of the county and is ever ready to help in its development.
Robert H. Bassett, a retired farmer and stockman now residing at 626 South Clark street, Moberly, Mo., is a representative of one of the
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pioneer families of Missouri and a native of this state. He was born one mile east of Middlegrove in Monroe County, June 2, 1850. He is a son of George H. and Columbia R. (Staples) Bassett, pioneer settlers of Mon- roe County. George H. Bassett was born in Henry County, Va., Oct. 18, 1806 and in 1825 came to Missouri and first settled in Randolph County four miles east of Moberly. Later he sold out here and removed to Mon- roe County where he entered land from the government and from time to time added more acreage to his holdings until he was the owner of 1200 acres which he divided among his children. In 1882, he retired and removed to Middlegrove where he died Oct. 9, 1895. During his active career he was a successful man of extensive business affairs and prior to the Civil War owned a great many slaves. His wife, Columbia Staples, was also a native of Henry County, Va., born Dec. 7, 1814. She died in Monroe County in September, 1900.
Robert H. Bassett was one of a family of 11 children born to his par- ents and he was the ninth in order of birth. He was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools and in the schools at Middlegrove where he received a good common school educa- tion. In early life he taught school for a few years and then engaged in farming and stock raising on land which he received from his father's estate. He improved this place and sold it about 1876 and during suc- ceeding years he owned a number of different farms and carried on stock feeding on an extensive scale and met with success. Oct. 6, 1901 he dis- posed of his farming and stock business and removed to Moberly where he has since resided.
Mr. Bassett was married Aug. 27, 1874 to Miss Lena T. Stephens. She is a daughter of Thomas N. and Mary (Sindell) Stephens, early set- tlers in Monroe County, Mo. Thomas Stephens was born in Benton! County, Ky., July 11, 1808. He was an early settler in Monroe County and became a large land owner and well to do. At the time of his death, Dec. 6. 1887, he was the owner of 1300 acres of land. His wife was born in Virginia, Aug. 27, 1817 and died in Monroe County, Aug. 31, 1895. Her parents were also early settlers in Missouri.
To Robert H. Bassett and wife have been born the following children : Virginia, married Hugh D. Nave of Moberly, Mo .; Homer Bassett, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; Mrs. Jewell Williams of St. Louis; Sadie, married Herbert B. Lamb, Moberly, Mo .; Ida S .. deceased, and Joseph H .. deceased.
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Mr. Bassett is a member of the Christian church and the Bassett family is one of the representative families of Moberly and Randolph County.
Homer Bassett, cashier of the freight department for the Wabash Railroad Company, is one of the well known and progressive citizens of Moberly and for many years has been identified with the Wabash Rail- road and its many patrons in this city. He was born in Monroe County, Mo., Feb. 2, 1879 and is a son of Robert H. and Lena T. (Stephens) Bas- sett. a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Homer Bassett was reared on his father's farm and received his edu- cation in the public schools and Middlegrove College. In 1902 he entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company as a freight trucker and later became a clerk in the freight department and has held various clerical positions in the freight department of that company and is now serving in the capacity of cashier of the freight department.
Mr. Bassett was married April 20, 1904 to Miss Lydia J. Hager. She is a native of Hannibal, Mo. and a daughter of George and Lydia (Camery) Hager, both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Bassett have been born one son, Harold W. Mr. Bassett is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is a Democrat. He and Mrs. Bassett are mem- bers of the Christian church and have a wide acquaintance in Moberly where they have many friends.
Guy Cottingham, president of the Farmers Bank of Renick and a leading stock dealer and buyer of Randolph County, who owns a farm of 345 acres in Prairie township, was born in Monroe County, Mo., Oct. 27, 1877. He is a son of George T. and Anna (Gonser) Cottingham, the former a native of Kentucky, born in 1822 and died in 1892. He was reared and educated in his native state and became an early settler of this section of Missouri as he located here when only 15 years of age.
George T. Cottingham made his home first in Monroe County where he lived and farmed until 1880 when he came to Randolph County and bought land near Renick where he engaged in general farming, owning 300 acres of good rich land and there passed the remainder of his days. Anna Gonser Cottingham was born in Ohio in 1847 and died in 1919.
Guy Cottingham was reared on the home farm, attended school in Renick and when 20 years of age began to farm independently. In 1892, he bought his present land where he at once began permanent improve- ments. At different times he has owned farms in various parts of the
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county which he has improved and later sold at a profit. He began to handle stock at the same time that he began to farm and found that it was a profitable business. In association with H. D. Wilcox, Mr. Cot- tingham formed a business partnership in 1916 to handle live stock on an extensive scale. They buy, feed and ship. Mr. Cottingham was one of the organizers of the Renick Bank, bought a large block of its stock and became president of the institution in 1914, one year after its estab- lishment. He is a stockholder in the Randolph Trust Company of Mob- erly and of the Beggs Automobile Manufacturing Company of Kansas City, Mo.
Dec. 23, 1898, Mr. Cottingham was married to Miss Laura L. Boul- ware, the daughter of Fleming and Hannah (Owen) Boulware, natives of Indiana and Randolph County, respectively. Mrs. Cottingham was born in Cooper County, Mo. Three children have been born to this union: Guy, Jr., George T., deceased and Marjory.
Mr. Cottingham is one of the progressive business men and agricul- turists of this section of Missouri.
Byrd Marshall, for many years known as a prosperous farmer and conservative banker is now a leading merchant of Renick. He is a native son of Randolph County, born in Prairie township, a mile west of Renick, May 14, 1873, the son of George and Nealey (Harris) Marshall. The former was born near Middlegrove, Mo. and reared in Randolph County and became a well known and well-to-do farmer here. Mrs. Marshall was born in Renick and reared, educated and married here. She died in April, 1910, aged 65 years. They had the following children: Charles, of St. Louis; Byrd, of this sketch; Midge, on the old home place; Opal, the wife of J. S. Littrell, deceased; Nannie Belle, deceased; Ollie, deceased and two children who died in infancy.
Byrd Marshall was reared on his father's farm and attended the dis- trict school and was graduated from the Renick schools. Soon after this he was engaged in farming. In 1914 Mr. Marshall came to Renick to ac- cept the position of cashier of the Farmers Bank, a position he held four years, when he resigned and engaged in farming for a year. He then purchased his present business, a general mercantile store, formerly owned by Genola Brothers & Company. From the first Mr. Marshall met with success in this enterprise and is one of the leading merchants of the county.
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On April 3, 1908, Mr. Marshall was married to Miss Edna Hubbard, who was born near Renick, the daughter of Sale and Jane (Cedars) Hub- bard, both natives of Randolph County. The father was a farmer and is now deceased and his widow resides in California.
Mr. Marshall is a Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Methodist church. They are two of the progressive citizens of Renick.
Wiley D. Marshall, a well-to-do farmer and stockman of Prairie town- ship, who is also a successful breeder of Shorthorn cattle and spotted Poland China hogs, is a native of Randolph County. He was born at Renick, Prairie township, and is a son of Rice and Kate (Harris) Mar- shall and is the eldest of seven children born to them. The others are as follows: Claude, a teacher in the Moberly schools; Etheta, married Henry Owens, who is the sheriff of Randolph County and resides at Huntsville; Melvin, chief of police of Moberly; and Fannie, married Exie Noel, of Oklahoma City, Okla., and two died in infancy.
Rice Marshall was born in Westmoreland County, Va., in 1841, and died in Prairie township, Feb. 14, 1895. He was a son of Wiley Mar- shall, who married a Miss Mason, and they were both natives of West- moreland County, Va. They came to Randolph County about 1847 and here spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of five boys, all of whom were blacksmiths, except one, who was a woodworker. During the Civil War, Rice Marshall and his brother George served in the Confederate army under General Price. While on a raid in Louis- iana, they became separated from their command and before they were able to rejoin their regiment the war ended.
Rice Marshall was about six years old when his parents settled in Randolph County and here he was reared to manhood, and in early life worked at the blacksmith trade for about 14 years, later he engaged in farming and stock raising and followed that vocation until the time of his death. Kate (Harris) Marshall was born at Renick, Randolph County, in December, 1851, and now resides in Moberly. Her parents were Charles and Etheta (Rorer) Harris, natives of Virginia and early pioneer settlers of Randolph County.
Wiley D. Marshall was reared on the home farm in Prairie town- ship and attended the district schools and later the Moberly High School and the State Normal School at Warrensburg, Mo. He taught school for a number of terms, 84 months in all and for ten years served as postmaster of Elliott, at the same time making his home on the farm.
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For seven years he was a street car motorman in St. Louis. In No- vember, 1907, he returned to Randolph County and engaged in farm- ing and also continued to teach. He is operating the old home place and during the threshing season he operates a threshing outfit and threshes for his neighbors in the vicinity of his home.
Mr. Marshall was married Dec. 25, 1896, to Miss Dora Lee Brad- ley. She was born in Sugar Creek township, Randolph County, and is a daughter of D. T. and Martha (Jennings) Bradley, both natives of Ran- dolph County and members of old pioneer families of this section. To Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have been born the following children: Lucile, married William Christian, and they live south of Moberly; Wilena, mar- ried Denny Graves of Higbee, Mo .; Maude, Helen, Charles and Etheta, all of whom reside at home with their parents. Mr. Marshall's children have all had the advantages of good educations and the three older daughters have all been teachers.
Mr. Marshall is a Democrat and a member of the Christian church. He holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America.
Charles A. Manning, a leading farmer and stockman of Salt River township who is one of the well known and successful breeders of Ran- dolph County, was born in Salt River township, four miles southwest of where he now resides. He is a son of John W. and Martha I. (Vaughn) Manning, who were pioneer settlers of Missouri.
John W. Manning was born near Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 7, 1831 and came to Missouri with his parents who settled in Cooper County in 1840. He was a son of Douglas and Mary (McDuffy) Manning. Douglas Mann- ing died in Cooper County and later his widow, with her children removed to Macon County where she spent the remainder of her life. John W. Manning was educated in McGee College which was located in Macon County at what is now known as College Mound. He was a well educated man and for 29 years followed the profession of teaching in Randolph. Monroe and Macon counties. He served as treasurer of Randolph County from 1894 to 1898, having been elected to that office for one term. He purchased the farm in Salt River township where Charles A. Manning and some of the other members of the family now reside in 1871. Here he was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising for many years and which was his home until the time of his death, Feb. 25, 1914. He was one of Randolph County's leading citizens who contributed his part towards the upbuilding and development of this county. His wife, Martha
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JOHN W. MANNING
MRS. MARTHA I. MANNING
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I. (Vaughn) Manning, was born in Monroe County, Mo., Nov. 16, 1837. She was a daughter of William and Eliza (Poague) Vaughn. She died on the home place in Salt River township and her remains are buried by the side of her husband in Grand Prairie church cemetery.
To John W. and Martha I. (Vaughn) Manning were born the follow- ing children: Eliza E., died at the age of 16 years; Mary L., resides on the home place in Salt River township; Mattie G., also resides on the home place; Charles A., whose name introduces this sketch; James F., a suc- cessful farmer and stock man of Cairo township; Logan H., who died in infancy ; Ida A., married William Smith and now resides in Cairo town- ship and Viola, died at the age of 16 years.
Charles A. Manning was reared on the home farm in Salt River town- ship and educated in the district schools. He remained at home and as- sisted in the operation of the home farm until his father's death and since that time he has operated the home place which consists of 273 acres, 1021/2 acres of which he and his brother, J. F., are the owners. The Manning farm is one of the valuable and well improved places of Ran- dolph County. The residence is a large eight room structure and the place is amply supplied with other farm buildings. There are two large barns, 46x60, and 42x60 feet. Mr. Manning carries on general farming and stock raising and specializes in the breeding of White Faced Hereford cattle and is the owner of a valuable herd of pure bred registered cattle of this breed. He began breeding White Faced Herefords in 1900 and during the past 20 years has exhibited his stock at a number of local stock shows and fairs.
Mr. Manning takes an active part in the Grange organization and is a progressive farmer and stockman. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and is a Democrat.
Ira S. Hamilton, a progressive citizen of Prairie township and a well-known farmer and stockman who is also extensively engaged in the dairy business, is a native of this county. He was born in Prairie town- ship, Jan. 31, 1877, and is a son of Hezekiah and Cordelia (Hamilton) Hamilton. They were the parents of five children: Ira S. and Ida, twins, the former of whom is the subject of this sketch and the latter the wife of James H. Cleeton of Renick, Mo .; Sallie, deceased; Thomas, deceased; and Ethel, married Charles I. Butts of Prairie township. By a former marriage of Hezekiah Hamilton to Susan Garvin, six chil- dren were born, two boys and four girls.
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
Hezekiah Hamilton was a son of ยท William Hamilton and came to Randolph County with his parents when he was seven years old. He was born in Kentucky, May 9, 1827, and his parents were natives of that state. He grew to manhood in Randolph County, where he was engaged in farming and stock raising and became very well-to-do and was an extensive land owner, owning about 808 acres. He died at Renick, Jan. 26, 1911.
Ira S. Hamilton was reared on his father's farm in Prairie town- ship and was educated in the district schools. He remained on the home farm and assisted his father and when the latter died Ira S. Ham- ilton inherited 80 acres of the home place. He has made improvements and carried on general farming and stock raising and also dairying. He has about 30 heads of milk cows and delivers his milk to Moberly.
Mr. Hamilton was married Feb. 2, 1898, to Miss May Ragsdale, a native of Randolph County. She was born in Moniteau township, and is a daughter of John W. and Rosa H. (Dixon) Ragsdale, the former a native of Randolph County and the latter of Rockbridge County, Va. Mrs. Ragsdale is deceased and Mr. Ragsdale is now retired. To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have been born five children as follows: Garnett Easton, resides at home; Eunice Belle, deceased; Ora Rivers, Lurlene May and Florence Lorene, all residing at home with their parents. Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat and a member of the Christian church of which he is a deacon. He is a member of the Grange and one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of Randolph County.
James H. Bagby, a prominent farmer and stockman of Randolph County, who owns 180 acres of valuable land in Moniteau township, was born in Chariton township, this county, June 26, 1864. He is a son of William H. and Mary S. (Wisdom) Bagby, and on his paternal side is descended from a long line of Virginia ancestors. His father was born here in Randolph County and died here in 1884, aged 47 years, having been a farmer all his life. He was the son of William Bagby, a native of Virginia, who was a pioneer settler of this locality.
James H. Bagby spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, at- tended the district and the Huntsville schools. He engaged in farming in early life and bought his first farm in 1889, five miles southwest of Huntsville. Here he made improvements and followed farming until 1896. After selling this first place, Mr. Bagby moved to Huntsville, where he was engaged in the livery business until 1899. He then was em-
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ployed by John N. Taylor and remained in his employ eight years. Mr. Bagby spent 90 days in New York City with a herd of Herford cattle that Mr. Taylor had imported from England.
Mr. Bagby purchased his present farm in 1907 from Cleve Hargis. Since acquiring the property he has made many substantial improve- ments on the place which is one of the best stock farms in the county. Mr. Bagby has made a specialty of breeding Hereford cattle and has exhibited his stock at the local fairs with success. He started with one pure bred cow and has raised 22 head from that cow, all pure bred Herefords.
Feb. 15, 1888, Mr. Bagby was married to Miss Mary E. Smith, a native of Moniteau township, Randolph County. She is a daughter of William and Mary (Owens) Smith, both deceased. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bagby: Mary N., the wife of Carl Davis, of Prairie township.
Mr. Bagby is a Democrat and in 1908 was elected constable of Moniteau township. He is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of Ran- dolph County.
William F. Jones, a successful auctioneer of Higbee, who is also the owner of a valuable farm of 120 acres, adjoining the city limits of Hig- bee, is a Kentuckian. He was born in Madison county, May 1, 1860, and is a son of Joseph and Minerva (Ferrell) Jones; the father born in Fayette County, Ky., was a farmer all his life in his native state and died in 1892. The mother is also deceased. They were the parents of the following children: W. S., of Lexington, Ky .; two who died in in- fancy ; Thomas A., a farmer of Moniteau township; Dovie, married John West, who is now deceased and she lives in Richmond, Ky .; Joseph D. of Peoria, Ill .; and William F., of this review. By a second marriage to Mrs. Allender of Independence, Mo., Joseph Jones had two children, a girl, deceased, and Jonathan, who lives in Lexington, Ky.
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