USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 53
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Mr. Mayo is a Republican and served as postmaster at Clifton Hill during President Harrison's administration and lived on his farm while he held that office. He voted for Abraham Lincoln for president and has voted for every Republican candidate for president since that time. He was elected justice of the peace of Silver Creek township three times and says that he was elected by the Democrats. He is a member of the Bap- tist church and one of Randolph County's honored pioneer citizens.
J. Will Graves, a former judge of the county court of Randolph County now living retired at Clifton Hill, is a native of Virginia. He was born in Lawrence County, Va., Oct. 16, 1838 and is a son of Jonathan and Anna (Glass) Graves, both natives of Virginia. Anna (Glass) was a member of the same Virginia family as Senator Carter Glass of Virginia. Jonathan Graves was the son of Jacob Graves, a Virginian who spent his life in his native state. Jonathan Glass came to Missouri in 1839 and first settled in Johnson County. He remained there until the Civil War broke out when, for the safety of himself and family, on account of local conditions in Johnson County, he removed to Randolph County and spent the remainder of his life here. He was engaged in the mercantile busi- ness here for many years and died in 1885. His wife died in 1893. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are living: J. Will, the subject of this sketch; John lives in Oklahoma and Mrs. Ella Henderson, also lives in Oklahoma.
J. Will Graves had just about reached the age of manhood when the Civil War broke out and he enlisted in the 6th Missouri Regiment under
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Colonel Eugene Irwin, General Green's brigade and Price's division. He participated in the Battles of Fort Gibson, Big Black and Corinth, Miss., as well as a number of other engagements and skirmishes. In 1863 he was captured at Fort Gibson and taken to the Federal prison at Alton, Iil. His health was bad and he was released from prison and went to Lincoln County, Mo. with a friend. In 1865, he went to Montana and was suc- cessfully engaged in gold mining for two years and made money. He' then returned to Randolph County and was married. Here he began farming and taught school during the winters for about seven years. In the meantime he had become the owner of a small farm and later acquired more land until, at one time, he was the owner of 500 acres northeast of Clifton Hill and was extensively engaged in stock raising and feeding as well as general farming. In 1916, he sold out and removed to Clifton Hill where he has since been living retired.
Mr. Graves was first married in 1867 to Rosalee Brockman, a daugh- ter of Lindsey Brockman of Randolph County. To that marriage were born five children as follows: Edwin, a farmer northwest of Clifton Hill; Lindsey, a farmer southwest of Huntsville; Rolla, who lives on the old home place; Mrs. Gussie Anderson, who died in 1890, and one child died in infancy. The mother of these children died in 1912. In November, 1917, Mr. Graves was married to Rilla Harlow, a native of Randolph County and a daughter of Albert Thomas and Mary Ann (Reed) Harlow, natives of Virginia. Albert Thomas was born in 1837 and came to Ran- dolph County when a young man and died here in 1890. His wife was born in 1834 and was brought to Randolph County by her parents in 1837. She died in 1916.
Judge Graves has been a life long Democrat and has always taken an active interest in political affairs. In 1894 he was elected judge of the county court and at the expiration of his term of office was re-elected, serving two terms. He is a member of the Christian church and has been an elder for 25 years. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and bears the distinction of being the oldest Mason in the state of Missouri. He was made a Mason at Columbus, Johnson County, Mo., in 1860 becoming a member of Mitchell Lodge No. 86. The building and records of this lodge were burned during the Civil War. Mr. Graves is now a member of the Clifton Hill Lodge No. 161 and was master of that lodge for eight years. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Salisbury, Mo. He is one of Randolph
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County's honored pioneer citizens and is held in the highest esteem by his many friends throughout the county.
Charles C. Brown, a prominent farmer and stockman of Silver Creek . township and a former judge of the county court is a native of Randolph County. He was born in Silver Creek township, Feb. 7, 1854 and is a son of John and Arminta (Martin) Brown. John Brown was born in Ger- many in 1821 and when a young man came to America and finally settled in Randolph County, Mo., where he engaged in farming and met with success. He died in 1905. His wife was born in 1832 and died in 1912. They were the parents of 11 children, six of whom lived to maturity; George, lives in Schuyler County; Julius, deceased; Charles C., the sub- ject of the sketch; James, Schuyler County, Mo .; William, Howard County and Hurley, deceased.
Charles C. Brown was educated in the public schools and remained at home until he was 21 years old. He began his independent career as clerk in the general store at Yates, Mo. and was shortly afterwards mar- ried and leased a farm from J. H. Yates. He next became interested in timber cutting, getting out railroad timber for railroad companies and furnished large quantities of bridge timbers and ties for the Wabash and Chicago and Alton railroad companies. He did an extensive business in this line which proved profitable. At the same time he kept up his interest in farming and stock raising and invested in land. He now owns 360 acres in his home place three miles south of Clifton Hill, Mo. and a farm of 365 acres about five miles south of Clifton Hill, Mo., in Silver Creek township, besides 150 acres in Howard County. His land is all well im- proved and he has a good residence on the home place which was re- modeled in 1905 and the other buildings about the place are well kept and substantial. In addition to carrying on general farming, Mr. Brown is extensively engaged in stock raising and feeding. He feeds and mar- kets from 150 to 200 head of cattle and raises from 160 to 200 head of hogs each year.
On Jan. 23, 1884, Charles C. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Nolie E. Dameron. She was born near Randolph Spring and is a daughter of Louis G. Dameron. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born five chil- dren as follows: Mrs. Ora Stocker resides in Silver Creek township; Elbert C., a Federal highway engineer, served as captain in an engineer- ing corps during the World War and is now located at Jackson, Miss .; Mrs. Addie B. Brockman, of Clifton Hill, Mo .; Aubrey E., enlisted in the
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students training school at Columbia during the World War and is now a student in the University of Missouri; Reba Lee, a student in the Clifton Hill High School.
Mr. Brown is a stockholder and a member of the board of directors . of the Clifton Hill Banking Company. He is a Democrat and takes a prominent interest in political matters and is a member of the Demo- cratic Central Committee from Silver Creek township, having served in that capacity for a number of years. In 1912 he was elected judge of the county court and held that office in a capable manner for a term of four years. He is a member of the Baptist church at Clifton Hill and is recog- nized as one of the successful men of affairs of Randolph County whose career has been marked with success.
Everett Edward Hurt, assistant cashier of the Clifton Hill Banking Company, is a representative business man of Randolph County and a descendant of one of the very early pioneer families of this section of Missouri. He was born on a farm south of Clifton Hill, Oct. 5, 1377 and is a son of Nathan Perry and Virginia Ella (Moore) Hurt.
Nathan Perry Hurt was a native of Kentucky, born March 22, 1822, and died June 28, 1905. He was a son of Allen and Mary (Lowry) Hurt, both of whom were natives of Kentucky and early settlers in Missouri. The Hurt family settled in Howard County in 1829 where Allen Hurt spent the remainder of his life successfully engaged in farming. Nathan Perry Hurt acquired a great deal of land in Randolph County and at the time of his death, was the owner of about 860 acres which he divided between his children.
Virginia Ella (Moore) Hurt, mother of Everett Edward Hurt, was born in Illinois, Sept. 22, 1852 and died May 18, 1917. She was a daughter of William Wilson and Eliza (Craig) Moore, natives of Virginia who left their native state and first located in Illinois and in 1857 came to Missouri and settled in Howard County. Later they went to Chariton County. Mo. and from there came to Randolph County where they spent the remainder of their lives.
Nathan Perry and Virginia Ella (Moore) Hurt were the parents of the following children: Eugene H .; Everett Edward, the subject of this sketch ; Olivia, died in 1881; Lurlene Burch Richeson of Clifton Hill, Mo.
Everett Hurt was educated in the district schools, Salisbury Academy and the Chillicothe Business College. He entered the Clifton Hill Bank- ing Company's employ in 1900 and for 20 years has been connected with
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that institution. Mr. Hurt is the owner of a valuable farm of 210 acres which is located in his old home neighborhood.
On Nov. 6, 1913, Mr. Hurt was married to Miss Mable Snoddy. She is a native of Howard County and a daughter of George F. Snoddy of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hurt have been born one child, Olivia.
Mr. Hurt is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist church. He is a Knights Templar Mason, being a member of the Commandery at Mob- erly the Council at Centralia and the Chapter at Clifton Hill. He is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
William D. Clifton .- The name Clifton has more than an ordinary historic significance in connection with the history of Randolph County, from the fact that Clifton Hill was named in honor of David Clifton, grandfather of William D. Clifton. He was the owner of the present site of Clifton Hill and one of the pioneer settlers in this locality. William D. Clifton, who is a successful farmer and stockman and breeder, was born on a farm one and a half miles east of Thomas Hill, in 1870 and is a son of Minor and Catherine (Ficklin) Clifton.
Minor Clifton was born in Owen County, Ky., in 1848 and died in Randolph County Nov. 27, 1902. He was a farmer and stockman and was engaged in that business practically all his life. He was a son of David Clifton, a Kentuckian, who settled in Randolph County with his family in 1858. He was also a farmer and stockman. During the Civil War he served in the Confederate Army in General Price's division and at the close of the war, was with General Price when he surrendered at Shreveport, La. Catherine (Ficklin) Clifton was born in Randolph County in 1836 and now resides in Moberly. To Minor and Catherine (Ficklin) Clifton were born the following children: William D., the subject of this sketch; Hugh, Moberly, Mo .; Horace, Long Beach, Calif., and Daniel Boone, Moberly, Mo .; and Leonard lives at Fort Henry, Mo.
William D. Clifton was educated in the public schools and in early life engaged in farming and stock raising in which he has met with suc- cess. He is the owner of 80 acres of valuable land and operates 200 acres, 120 being a part of the old home place. He is well known as a successful breeder of Spotted Poland China hogs.
Mr. Clifton was married in 1895 to Miss Mildred Vaughan, of Char- iton township. She is a daughter of Lewis and Mallie Vaughan, early settlers of Randolph County. Mr. and Mrs. Clifton have one daughter, Kathryn, who married Robert Heifner, Jan. 18, 1920 and they reside four miles northwest of Huntsville, Mo.
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Mr. Clifton is a member of the Baptist church and is a Democrat. He holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America Lodge and is a highly respected and substantial citizen of this county.
Alguin S. Asbell, one of the well known and successful farmers of Salt Spring township and proprietor of what is known as Sweet Spring Stock Farm, located about two and one-half miles south of Huntsville, is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Madison County, Nov. 30, 1869 and is a son of A. D. and Margaret (Barnes) Asbell, both natives of Kentucky.
A. D. Asbell was born in Estill County, Ky., and died in Randolph County, Jan. 1, 1919. His wife was born in Madison County, Ky. and died in December, 1910 and their remains are buried at Huntsville. A. D. Asbell was a son of Joseph Asbell, a native of North Carolina who came to Kentucky at an early day and settled in Estill County, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a blacksmith and lived to be over a hundred years old. A. D. Asbell came to Missouri and settled in Ran- dolph County, Dec. 2, 1879. He bought 80 acres of land in Salt Spring township which is now owned by his son Alguin S. Asbell. He followed general farming and also worked at the blacksmith trade. He added to his original purchase of land and at the time of his death was the owner of 120 acres.
Alguin S. Asbell was one of five children born to his parents as fol- lows: William, Huntsville, Mo .; Mrs. Sallie Alverson, Lockwood, Mo .; Henry, Huntsville; Mrs. Mollie Wright, deceased; and Alguin S., the sub- ject of this sketch. Alguin S. Asbell was about ten years old when he came to Randolph County with his parents and here grew to manhood. He has always been engaged in farming and in addition to owning the old homestead of 120 acres, he owns another 120 acres. He carries on gen- eral farming and is one of the successful stockmen of Randolph County. For the past 20 years he has raised Duroc Jersey hogs at a time having as many as 300 head on hands. He also raises good grade cattle. His place is well improved and an excellent stock farm as well as being adapted to general farming. His residence is a good substantial six room house and he has another four room house on the place for a tenant and three good substantial barns and other buildings.
Mr. Asbell was married March 4, 1895 to Miss Kittie Martin, a daugh- ter of T. M. and Mary Martin, both of whom are deceased. The father died about 1900 and the mother in Aug. 31, 1911 and they are buried at
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Huntsville. Mr. and Mrs.' Martin were the parents of the following chil- dren: Mrs. Maggie Davis, Effingham, Kans .; J. W. Martin, Salt Spring township; Mrs. Nellie Barron, Huntsville, Mo .; Charles T., Salt Springs township; Mrs. Sadie Williams, Liberty, Mo .; Mrs. Alguin S. Asbell, of this sketch; Joseph, Huntsville; Mrs. Mada Wood, Harrisonville, Mo., and Robert E., Salt Spring township. To Mr. and Mrs. Asbell have been born four children : Margaret, a graduate of the Huntsville High School, who has taken an extensive course in music and is highly accomplished in that art, is now a teacher and resides at home with her parents; and Clinton, a student in the Huntsville High School who is making special study of agriculture; and the other two children died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Asbell are members of the Providence Christian church and stand high in Randolph County where they are well known and highly respected.
Joseph F. Heifner, a prominent farmer and stockman of Salt Spring township, who operates a valuable farm of 204 acres, in that township, is a native of Missouri and belongs to one of the pioneer families of this state. He was born in Macon County, Dec. 19, 1865 and is a son of John and Mary Elizabeth (Baker) Heifner.
John Heifner was born in Kentucky, Sept. 2, 1827 and died in Febru- ary, 1906. He was the son of Bartholomew Heifner, a Kentuckian who came to Missouri with his family in 1834 when John Heifner was about seven years old. John Heifner came to Randolph County in 1873. He operated a carding machine and was engaged in carding wool for many years in the early days. Mary Elizabeth (Baker) Heifner was born in Missouri in 1831 and died in 1906. She was a daughter of Isaac Baker, a Kentuckian, who was one of the very early pioneers of this section of Missouri. He was a great hunter and an Indian fighter and was one of the first pioneers who came to Randolph County. He had many encounters with the Indians during the days of the early settlement in this county and he also had many thrilling experiences in hunting large game such as bears and wolves. He was a man of great courage and an expert in the use of firearms. He possessed unusual physical strength and endurance and lived to the advanced age of 98 years.
John and Mary Elizameth (Baker) Heifner were the parents of the following children, who lived to maturity: . Mrs. Louisa Tompkins, of Moberly; Mrs. Lelia Marvin, deceased; Pressly, Darksville; Belle, de- ceased; Joseph F., the subject of this sketch; Hugh, died at the age of
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40 years; William, lives on an adjoining farm to Joseph F., and Eva also lives on an adjoining farm.
Joseph F. Heifner was educated in the public schools and in early life engaged in farming and is now the owner of 204 acres of land where he is successfully carrying on general farming and stock raising and is one of the substantial farmers of Salt Spring township. Mr. Heifner was married March 27, 1890 to Miss Julia Clifton. She was born in Randolph County, Jan. 19, 1871 and is a daughter of Rev. Daniel Boone and Mary (Kinman) Clifton.
Rev. Daniel Boone Clifton was a native of Kentucky, born in 1841 and died April 17, 1918. He was a son of David Clifton, after whom Clifton Hill was named and further mention of whom is made in con- nection with the sketch of W. D. Clifton. Rev. Daniel Boone Clifton was a Baptist minister and in the early days preached the gospel in Howard, Macon, Randolph and Boone counties. He was, perhaps, the best known of the pioneer preachers in this section of Missouri and dur- ing the course of his career had charge of many churches. He baptized a great many people during his time and preached a great many funeral sermons and performed marriage ceremonies without number. He re- mained vigorous and was active in the ministry until two years before his death. Mary (Kinman) Clifton was born in Kentucky in 1839 and died Dec. 18, 1916. She came here with her husband Rev. Daniel Boone Clifton shortly after their marriage in 1866, he having returned to Ken- tucky for her. They were the parents of the following children: Fannie, deceased; Hugh, deceased; Julia, the wife of Joseph F. Heifner, the sub- ject of this sketch and Ollie, deceased.
To Joseph F. Heifner and wife have been born the following children: Opal, born March 16, 1891, married Frank L. Miller and to this union was born one daughter, Lillian Odell; and Robert Heifner married Mallie Kathryn Clifton, a daughter of William B. Clifton, Jan. 18, 1920.
Mr. Heifner is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist church. He is a progressive and enterprising citizen and is well known in Randolph County and is held in high esteem.
David Turner, one of the very early pioneer settlers of Randolph County, was prominent in the early days affairs of this county and now has a number of descendants in Randolph County and central Missouri. He was born in Virginia, June 2, 1795 and died in Randolph County, May 29, 1876. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Turner, the former of
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whom died when a young man and the mother lived to the advanced age of 99 years. The Turners came from Virginia and are descendants of an old and highly respected Colonial family of Virginia.
David Turner came to Missouri in 1820 when he was about 25 years old and after remaining for a short time in Howard County, he moved to the town of Smithlan which is now Higbee. He bought land on the prairie and in 1823 established himself on the place which he made his future home. The place was timbered with walnut. He proceeded to build a home and clear his place and engaged in farming. He was a slave owner and carried on farming on a large scale and accumulated 860 acres of land, all of which is still owned by his sons except 100 acres. David Turner was one of the pioneers of Randolph County and was a member of the first jury of the new county. He was a member of the Christian church and was a charter member of that organization at Huntsville. He was a splendid Christian man and contributed his part to the political, industrial and spiritual development of Randolph County in the days of its formative period.
David Turner was first married in Madison County, Ky. to Jane Cloyd, Feb. 24, 1820 and to that union were born eight children as fol- lows: William Miller, born May 27, 1821, was married and died on the home place; James Madison, born Dec. 22, 1823, went West in early life and later returned to Randolph County and died here; John Cloyd, born Dec. 13, 1824, died on the home place; Samuel, born Oct. 21, 1826, de- ceased; Richard, born June 16, 1829, died in California; Hudson, born May 5, 1831, died on the home place; Mrs. Martha Jane Terry, born Feb. 21. 1834, and David Allen, born Sept. 21, 1836, and died at Hood River, Ore., Dec. 25 1919. Jane Cloyd Turner died Jan. 28, 1839 and David Turner married for his second wife Mrs. Elizabeth (Clayton) Payton. She was a native of Barron County, Ky., born June 15, 1817 and was the youngest daughter of George and Martha Clayton. She was previously married to Joseph W. Payton and they settled on a farm eight miles from Huntsville where Mr. Payton died, Aug. 5, 1844. The following year his widow married David Turner. She died Nov. 19, 1900.
To David Turner and Elizabeth Clayton Turner were born the fol- lowing children: Clayton, born April 17, 1846 served in the Confederate army under General Price and died Feb. 10, 1880; Sarah Almyra, born March 31, 1848, married T. C. Jackson and is now a widow and resides at Higbee; Warren Franklin, born Dec. 25, 1849, is engaged in farming on
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the home place; Harvey Scott, born May 2, 1852, and Miss Miller Vaughn, born June 14, 1855. The two brothers, Warren Franklin, Harvey Scott, and Miss Miller Vaughn are engaged in operating the old home place in Salt Spring township.
The Turner brothers are successful farmers and stockmen and also are extensive stock feeders. They market about two car loads of stock annually. They raise the general farm crops of this section, including wheat, corn and oats. They are members of the Methodist church and are Democrats and are representative of Randolph County's best citizen- ship.
John H. Reed, a successful farmer and stockman of Salt Spring town- ship, is a native of Randolph County and a descendant of a prominent pioneer family. He was born one mile south of Huntsville in 1857 and is the son of Capt. Thomas B. and Rachel E. (Denny). Capt. Thomas B. Reed was born in North Carolina, July 20, 1819. He was a son of John D. Reed who was a soldier in the War of 1812, whose father, Henry Reed, served in the American army in the Revolutionary War. Henry Reed was a native of Ireland and came to America in Colonial times and set- tled in Guilford County, N. C. Here his son, John D., was born. John D. married Elizabeth Jenkins, the daughter of a Methodist clergyman.
Capt. Thomas B. Reed, son of John D. and Elizabeth (Jenkins) Reed was born in North Carolina, July 20, 1819. He was brought to Howard County, Mo. by his parents when a baby. The family moved to Randolph County in 1822 and here John D. died in 1869. Capt. Thomas B. Reed was educated in the common schools and the University of Missouri and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1847 and was vale- ยท dictorian of his class. He taught school in Huntsville for a time and studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1851. He was engaged in the practice of law when the Civil War broke out and he enlisted in the Union Army and was commissioned captain of Company G, 9th Missouri Infantry. He served until the close of the war during which time he was detailed to military duties in various capacities. He served as provost marshal at Rolla, Mo. and was judge advocate at Macon City, Mo. At the close of the war he returned to the practice of law. His first partner was Judge Arthur P. Terill and later he practiced with Judge William A. Hall. He was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party, after which he was a Republican. In 1866, he was elected a member of the Missouri State Senate and reelected in 1868, serving four years as a member of
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that body and was a prominent and influential member. In addition to his profession and political activities, he was also engaged in operating coal mines in a company with W. T. Rutherford and Judge Burkhartt and he was treasurer of the company. They did an extensive business in Randolph County for several years. He was a member of the Christian church and an advocate of prohibition.
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