USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 55
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On Nov. 23, 1854, Francis Marion Hammett was married to Mary S. Robertson, a daughter of Hiram Robertson, a prominent pioneer citizen of Randolph County and to this union were born ten children as follows: Joella, Benjamin H., William F., Sidney A., Stonie, James L., John H., Clarence J., Susan A., Edwin De Young.
Francis M. Hammett and wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Mr. Hammett's life was a success and he has many descendants in Randolph County who are worthy descendants of honorable ancestors.
George W. Gross, a prominent farmer and stockman who owns and operates a farm of 220 acres in Salt Spring township, is a native of Mis- souri and a descendant of very early pioneers of this section of the state. George W. Gross was born in Macon County in 1849 and is a son of Noah and Mary (Sears) Gross.
Noah Gross was born in Kentucky in 1816 and was a son of Abraham Gross who was one of the very early pioneer settlers of Howard County, Mo .. coming to this section in 1818. He was one of the first pioneer set- tlers in Silver Creek township, Randolph County. Mary (Sears) Gross was a daughter of Hardy Sears who was also a pioneer settler of Silver Creek township, locating there about 1820.
Noah Gross and Mary Sears were reared in Randolph County and married here and shortly after their marriage, removed to Macon County. They were the parents of 11 children, nine of whom lived to maturity as follows: Mrs. Louisa Atterbury, deecased; J. F., lives in Macon County ; Mrs. Dicy Elizabeth Talbert, deceased; George W., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Sarah Frances Goodson, lives in Macon County; John H., Macon County ; Thomas Jefferson, Macon County; Mrs. Minnie Nora Truitt, Macon County and Lucius, deceased.
George W. Gross was reared and educated in Macon County, and in 1884 engaged in farming and stock raising at Thomas Hill, Randolph
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County. Shortly afterwards, he went to New Mexico but returned to Randolph County in a short time and bought his present place in Salt Spring township where he has since been successfully engaged in farm- img and stock raising. He owns 220 acres of land upon which he has placed substantial improvements which includes the neat, modern farm residence, a large barn and other buildings of a substantial character. He carries on general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Gross was married in 1884 to Miss Martha Baker, a native of Macon County, born in 1856. She is a daughter of Nathan and Irene (Mathis) Baker, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Mis- souri. The mother died when Mrs. Gross was only three years old, in 1859. To Mr. and Mrs. Gross have been born two children: Earl, married Goldia Nicholson and Constance, who resides at home with her parents. By a former marriage to Alberini Bernard, Mr. Gross has one son, O. C., who married Ethel Wedding and has three children: Albert Wesley, Phillip and Melrose. Mr. Gross is a Democrat and attends the Baptist church. He is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of Salt Spring township and Randolph County and the Gross family is well known and highly respected in this section.
Anthony J. Weber, a leading business man of Moberly, who owns and manages the Weber Ice Cream Factory and Bottling Works at 513-17 West Coates street is a native of Illinois. He was born at Joliet, Ill., Dec. 23, 1892, a son of John Jacob and Ida (Brenley) Weber.
John Jacob Weber was born in Switzerland and received a good edu- cation in his native land. He served in his canton as a justice of the peace. In 1840 John J. Weber immigrated to the United States and set- tled in Illinois, near Schanohan. He remained there two years engaged in farming before going to Joliet to work as a millwright in iron work. Later he purchased a cow, sold milk, made some money, purchased more cows and soon was running a dairy herd of 30 cows. He continued this business for 15 years and met with success until he turned the business over to his sons and retired. At the time of his death, Mr. Weber was a wealthy man. Ida (Brenley) Weber was also born, reared and educated in Switzerland and now lives in Jefferson City, Mo., at the advanced age of 76 years.
Anthony J. Weber spent his youth in Joliet, Ill. and attended the public schools there and was graduated from the Joliet High School in 1911. He soon secured a position as verification clerk in the American
A. J. WEBER
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Steel and Wire Company where he remained two years. In 1913, Mr. Weber was appointed private secretary to J. A. Weber, representative of the Sixth District to the State Legislature, but soon decided to go into business for himself. His brother, John J. Weber had purchased an ice cream plant at Jefferson City, Mo. in 1913 and he became a partner in that enterprise. In 1917, the brothers bought the plant in Moberly, en- larged it and today ship their products all over central and northern Mis- souri and into southern Iowa. Their present building in Moberly which they erected to care for the increasing business is modern in every way. The Weber Company is incorporated for $20,000 and they conduct the two independent plants, John J. Weber is located at Jefferson City and Anthony J. Weber lives in Moberly.
On Oct. 16, 1916, Anthony J. Weber was married to Miss Ruth Elain Murphy, a native of Callaway, Mo. She is a daughter of Judge R. J. and Susanah (Sugget) Murphy. One child has been born to this union, Robert A.
Mr. Weber is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the St. John's Catholic church and Mr. Weber belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Beneovlent and Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is a member of the United Commercial Travelers Association and the Travellers Protective Association.
L. M. Crose .- No proper alignment of the farmers of Randolph County could be made without placing L. M. Crose the owner-manager of the Green Hill Stock Farm in the front rank. Green Hill Farm is the home of pure bred Holstein cattle and well known throughout this sec- tion of Missouri. L. M. Crose is a native son of Randolph County, born on the farm where he now lives, March 11, 1887, the son of Marion and Etta (Jones) Crose, the former a native of Indiana and the latter was born at Green Hill Farm, was reared and attended the school near her home and was married here. They both now live in Moberly.
L. M. Crose spent his youth on the old home place, was educated in the district school near his home and the schools of Moberly as the farm lies just a mile and a half east of the city limits. The Crose brothers bought this place in 1905 and operated it together until 1917, when L. M. took over his brother's interest. This tract consists of 309 acres of rich soil; there is a fine modern residence, with electric lights, running water and other conveniences. Two large barns are on the farm and a silo of 225 tons capacity. The 100 foot well can not be pumped dry and a wind
-
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mill is used for the pumping. Mr. Crose feeds about 40 head of hogs annually, has a herd of 30 Holstein cattle, 15 of them registered and in the future intends to have only registered cows. He owns a registered bull from the Four Square farm of Wellsville, Mo., which was owned by L. H. Mueller and is registered under the name of "Count Cornicopia Ormsby", No. 216170, said to be one of the finest Holstein bulls in the county. In addition he raises standard bred Barred Plymouth Rock chickens, annually keeping about 200 hens and is regarded as one of the most substantial farmers and stock men of this section.
On April 15, 1913, Mr. Crose was married to Miss Edna Ratliff, of Sugar Creek township, the daughter of Judge George Ratliff, a prominent man of the county. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Crose : Dorothy, Roy Pollard and Frank, all at home with their parents.
Mr. Crose is a member of the Baptist church and is a Democrat. He is a member of the school board, District 52, and is president of the same.
Alfred Terry, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Salt Spring town- ship where he now resides and is a descendant of one of the prominent pioneer families of Randolph County. Alfred Terry was born July 31, 1858 and is a son of Josiah and Martha Jane (Turner) Terry. Josiah Terry was a native of Kentucky, born in 1832 and died in November, 1896. He was a son of William Terry, a Kentuckian who settled in Randolph County in 1836 when Josiah Terry was four years old. He took up land in Salt Spring township, improved it and here spent the remainder of his life.
Josiah Terry was reared amidst the early day surroundings in Ran- dolph County and when the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the Con- federate army. During the course of his service, he was captured by the Federals and sent to the military prison at Alton, Ill. After the war he returned to farming and stockraising and became well-to-do and acquired a great deal of land, becoming the owner of about 685 acres.
. To Josiah and Martha Jane (Turner) Terry were born the following children: Mrs. Thresa J. Mason, who is now a widow and resides at Mob- erly; Mrs. Fannie Baker, of Neosho, Mo .; Alfred, the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Joella Rutledge, lives in Idaho; Talton, deceased; Arthur, Spokane, Wash .; Mrs. Jennie Klink, resides on a farm in Salt Spring township.
Alfred Terry was reared in Salt Spring township and educated in the district school. In early life, he bought a farm and began his independent
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career as a farmer and stock raiser. Later he sold that place and bought another near Cairo, where he lived until 1894. In 1898 or after the death of his father, he bought the home place after having rented it for one year. This farm consists of 369.89 acres and is valuable and productive land. It is well improved and the farm residence which is a neat white cottage in the center of 160 acre tract gives the place an unusually at- tractive appearance. The barns about the place are substantial build- ings and well kept. In addition to general farming, Mr. Terry is also engaged in raising cattle and hogs.
Alfred Terry was united in marriage Jan. 29, 1885 with Miss Flor- ence L. Terrill of Darksville. Mo. She is a native of Randolph County and a daughter of Dr. Robert and Anna A. (Hall) Terrill, pioneers of Ran- dolph County. Dr. Robert Terrill was a native of Kentucky, born July 1, 1824. He was left an orphan when he was only four years old and in 1830, when six years of age, he was brought to Missouri by an uncle, John Terrill. who settled in Howard County. Robert Terrill, after obtaining a good education, attended the Eclectical Medical College at Cincinnati and later took a course in the St. Louis Medical College and also a course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Ia. For many years he was engaged in the practice of his profession at Darksville and his practice extended from Bloomington to Fort Henry and from Mussel- fork to Grand Prairie. He was one of the best known and most success- ful physicians of the pioneer days in this section. He was a Baptist and one of the organizers of Mt. Shiloh church. He was also a prominent Mason. To Alfred Terry and wife has been born one son, Preble, born March 15, 1891 and died Oct. 5, 1917.
Mr. Terry is a Democrat and one of the well known and substantial citizens of Randolph County and Mrs. Terry is a member of the Baptist church.
George Preston Wright, now deceased, was during his life time prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Randolph County and became well-to-do. He belonged to one of the pioneer families of Randolph County and was born in Chariton township Jan. 15, 1845, and died June 11, 1916. He was a son of Johnson and Eliza J. (Trimble) Wright. Johnson Wright was a son of Evans and Rebecca Wright and was a native of Kentucky. He was prominent in the early day affairs in Randolph County and served as justice of the peace for a number of years. He was also a member of the State Legislature at one time. He
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was married to Eliza J. (Trimble) in 1840. She was a native of Mont- . gomery County, Ky. and a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Trimble, both also natives of Kentucky.
George Preston Wright was one of a family of ten children born to his parents. He was reared in Chariton township and educated in the public schools and always followed farming and stock raising and met with more than ordinary success in his undertakings. At the time of his death, he was the owner of 470 acres of valuable land which was divided between his widow and children. Mrs. Wright now owns 252 acres of the original Wright homestead.
George Preston Wright was united in marriage in 1880 with Miss Ella P. Crisman. She was born in Chariton township Jan. 16, 1862 and is a daughter of Austin and Mary Frances (Coleman) Crisman, natives of Virginia who settled in Randolph County in 1858. They settled in Salt Spring township. To George Preston and Ella P. (Crisman) Wright were born the following children: Mrs. Mittie Frances Summers, who has 3 children, Esther, Susie and Herbert and resides in Chariton township; Charles J. married Ada Stephens of Randolph Co., Mo. and has no chil- dren and lives in Chariton township; George Roscoe married Ruth E. Grey and has one son, Harold; Ella Coleman, married Roscoe Palmer and has two sons, Charles Robert and Frank Leslie.
George Preston Wright was a Republican and always took a com- mendable interest in public affairs and was one of the well posted men of the county. He was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and well known and highly respected in the community. Mrs. Ella P. Wright, his widow, now resides with her children in Chariton township and is one of the highly esteemed pioneer women of Randolph County.
Mr. G. P. Wright was first married about 1875 to Mittie Austin Cris- man, a sister of Mrs. Wright, and one son was born to that marriage, James Welford, now deceased. He was married to Zula Gray and son was born to them, Churchill Wright.
Henry Barber Cavanaugh, a Civil War veteran and a well known farmer and stockman of Chariton township, has been a resident of this township for over 35 years. He was born in Howard County, near Roa- noke, Jan. 26, 1845, and is a son of Thomas Brooks and Sarah Elizabeth (Young) Cavanaugh, both natives of Kentucky and pioneer settlers of Howard County.
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Henry Barber Cavanaugh remained at home with his parents until after the Civil War broke out when he enlisted in the Confederate army, Aug. 10, 1862. He served in Gen. Sterling Price's division for two years and ten months and was with that command at Shreveport when the war ended. He participated in the battles of Pleasant Hill, La., Prairie Grove. Ark., and Helena, Ark. and a number of other engagements and skirmishes. His health was bad during the course of his military career and he was incapacitated for military service about one-third of the time.
After the close of the war he returned home in 1865 and began farm- ing for himself in 1867. He first located near Darksville and operated a place adjoining the village for three years. He bought and sold other places where he was engaged in farming until 1885, when he purchased his present place where he has since been engaged in farming and stock raising. He owns 145 acres upon which he has placed substantial im- provements and made of it one of the valuable farms in that section.
Mr. Cavanaugh was married April 21, 1867 to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Broaddus, a native of Logan County, Ky., born Jan. 1, 1842. She is a daughter of Edwin and Hettie (Campbell) Broaddus. They settled in Randolph County in 1854 and here spent the remainder of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh have been born the following children: Min- nie Elnore, who died at the age of seven years; Edwin Seymour, married Ollie Woolburton and has three children, Lillian, Leroy and Lloyd; Georgia Alice, married Lawrence L. Crisp and they have one child, Iris Marie; William Thomas, died at the age of 20; Charles, who is engaged in farm- ing southeast of Darksville, married Idene Foster and they have one child, Charline; Henry H., of Moberly, married Idris Foster and has two sons, Jack Milton and Henry Foster and Andrew B. died in infancy.
Mr. Cavanaugh is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist church. He is a substantial citizen and is highly respected in Randolph County.
Clarence J. Hammett, an extensive farmer and stockman and a large land owner of Salt Spring township, is a member of one of the prominent pioneer families of Randolph County. He was born Oct. 28, 1868 on the Hammett home place in Salt Spring township and is a son of Francis Marion Hammett, a biographical sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.
Clarence J. Hammett was reared on the home place in Randolph County and educated in the schools of Fort Henry and the Huntsville High School. He then attended the Christian Brothers College at St.
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Louis and the Terrill School in Tennessee. Since early manhood he has been engaged in farming and has become one of the most successful farmers and stockmen of Randolph County. He is now the owner of 780 acres of land, 300 acres of which comprises his home place and 480 acres in another farm. His places are well improved with three good substantial sets of farm buildings and improvements. He carries on gen- eral farming and stock raising and employs progressive methods and up-to-date machinery and labor saving devices.
Mr. Hammett was united in marriage Sept. 9, 1895 with Miss Rosa Patterson, of Boone County, Mo. She is a daughter of Hiram and Mary Elizabeth Patterson, both natives of Holt County, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Hammett have been born the following children: Dorothy, who is a graduate of the Huntsville High School, resides at home with her par- ents; Rachel, a graduate of the Huntsville High School and the Gem City Business College of Quincy, Ill. resides at home with her parents and Fred Patterson, also a graduate of the Huntsville High School and dur- ing the World War, in August, 1918, was inducted into the Training Camp of the University of Missouri at Columbia and now resides at home with his parents.
Mr. Hammett is a Democrat. He is one of the enterprising and sub- stantial citizens of Randolph County.
Jim Will Swetnam, an extensive live stock dealer who is also engaged in farming and stock raising in Salt Spring township, is a native son of Randolph County. He was born Aug. 8, 1863 and is a son of William and Hannah (Carter) Swetnam. William Swetnam was born in Kentucky in 1825 and died in Randolph County in 1890. He was the son of William Swetnam who came to Howard County, Mo. from his native state of Ken- tucky in 1827, and shortly afterwards came to Randolph County with his parents where they spent the remainder of their lives. Here William Swetnam, father of Jim Will Swetnam, was reared to manhood, engaged in farming and stock raising and spent his entire life. The Swetnams were one of the very early pioneer families of Randolph County. Hannah (Carter) Swetnam was also a native of Kentucky. She was born in 1827 and died in this county about 1900.
To William and Hannah (Carter) Swetnam were born the following children: Matie, deceased; Billie, deceased; Jim Will, the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Mamie Jackson, who resides south of Huntsville; Mrs. Fannie Collins lives in Chariton township; Isaac resides at Albany, Mo .; Mrs.
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1
Lula Johnson, of Randolph County; Mrs. Jennie Darr lives near Moberly and Mrs. Gertrude Malone also lives in Randolph County.
Jim Will Swetnam was educated in the public schools of Darksville and has been interested in farming and live stock since early manhood. He bought his first farm in 1891 and during the course of his career has bought and sold a number of farms in Randolph County from time to time. He now owns 62 acres of well improved and valuable land in Salt Spring township where he carries on general farming and stock raising in addition to devoting most of his time to buying and shipping live stock in which he has met with uniform success. He is one of the well known live stock dealers of Randolph County.
Mr. Swetnam was married Dec. 28, 1884 to Miss Louisa May Ether- ton, a native of Randolph County, born Oct. 3, 1865. She is a daughter of Allen and Louisa (Webster) Etherton, both natives of Randolph County. Allen Etherton was born Feb. 15, 1839 and died in 1904. He was a son of Benjamin Etherton, a very early pioneer of this section of the state. Louisa (Webster) Etherton was born in 1836 and died in 1871. She was a daughter of Jesse Webster, a pioneer settler of Randolph County and a native of Virginia who came to this state at a very early day. To Allen and Louisa (Webster) Etherton were born the following children: Samuel, deceased; Louisa May, the wife of Jim Will Swetnam, the sub- ject of this sketch and Major who resides in Kansas City, Mo. After the death of the mother of these children, Allen Etherton married Mattie Swallows and the following children were born to that union: Judd, Joseph, Benjamin, Jack and Ella.
To Mr. and Mrs. Swetnam have been born the following children: Willie, died in 1904, and Myrtle, who married Ernest Ficklin and they have three children, J. W .. Leroy and Maybelle.
Mr. Swetnam is a Democrat and a member of the Midway Baptist church. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and a pro- gressive and enterprising citizen who takes a commendable interest in public affairs.
Dr. O. F. Hatton, a well known physician and surgeon of Darksville, was born near Columbia, Boone County, Mo., May 13, 1866. He is a son of F. B. and Mary M. (Westlake) Hatton, both natives of Missouri who spent their lives in Boone County. The mother was a native of Randolph County. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Anna Gertrude Maupin who died, leaving three children: Claudia May, of
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Columbia, Mo .; Mrs. Lula Maude Schwabe of Columbia, Mo. and Dr. O. F., the subject of this sketch.
Doctor Hatton was reared in Boone County and attended the public schools where he received a good preliminary education. He then entered the University of Missouri at Columbia an dwas graduated in the class of 1891 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He also took post gradu- ate work in Chicago later. In 1891, Doctor Hatton engaged in the prac- tice of his profession at Rolling Home, Randolph County where he re- mained three years. He then returned to Boone County and practiced at Columbia for ten years. From there he located at Sedalia, Mo. and for three years was engaged in the practice of his profession in that city. From Sedalia, he returned to Randolph County and was at Thomas Hill for eight years. In 1916 he located at Darksville where he has since been engaged in practicing. Upon locating at Darksville, he bought the old Dr. McCormick home which consists of ten acres.
Doctor Hatton was first married in 1892 to Miss Naomi Sears, a daughter of Levi Sears. She died in 1908, leaving one child, Evelyn, who is now attending school. In October, 1909, Dr. Hatton was married to Mrs. Agusta Jean Lemon. By a former marriage, Mrs. Hatton had two children: Hatton Lemon, Denver, Colo. and Mrs. Ariel Burton Lemon, a teacher. Mrs. Burton has one child, Eleanor, who makes her home with her grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Hatton.
Doctor Hatton is a member of the Randolph County Medical Society and the Missouri State and American Medical Association. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Knights of the Maccabees and the Knights and Ladies of Security. He is a Democrat and a mem- ber of the Methodist church. Doctor Hatton is engaged in the general practice of medicine and during the course of his career has met with uniform success.
Winfield Scott Campbell, general merchant and produce dealer at Darksville, Mo., is one of the live progressive business men of Randolph County. He is a native of Kentucky, born March 19, 1851, and a son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Martin) Campbell, both also natives of Kentucky. The father was a farmer and both parents spent their entire lives in Kentucky.
Winfield S. Campbell was reared to manhood in his native state and received an education in the public schools. He came to Missouri in 1874, and for six months lived at Higbee. He then came to Darksville
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where he was engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1916 when he engaged in the mercantile business. He carries a clean stock of general merchandise and has built up an extensive trade over a broad scope of rich territory. He also buys and ships all kinds of produce and does a large business in that line.
Mr. Campbell was united in marriage in 1876 to Miss Mary Broaddus, a daughter of Edwin and Hettie P. (Campbell) Broaddus. The Broaddus family are old settlers in Randolph County. To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have been born two children, Horatio P., of Darksville, Mo. and Hettie V. resides at home with her parents.
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