USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 62
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Mr. and Mrs. Huntsman are members of the Christian church and the Huntsman family is widely known and highly respected.
Walter D. Fifer, of Salt River township, a well known farmer and stockman of Randolph County, was born in Monroe County, Mo., Nov. 27,
-
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1854. He is a son of James M. and Alice C. (Phillips) Fifer. James M. Fifer was born in Indiana in 1809 and when a young man came to Mis- souri and settled near Woodlawn, Monroe County. He was a plasterer by trade and after coming here, he taught school and also followed farm- ing. He died in 1864 and is buried near Duncan's Bridge, Mo. His wife was a native of Kentucky, born in October, 1833. They were married at Duncan's Bridge, Mo., in 1852 and she now resides at Jacksonville, Mo. They were the parents of three children as follows: Walter D., the sub- ject of this sketch; Jennie, married Fletcher Wood, of Jacksonville, Mo. and Mary, died in 1880.
Walter D. Fifer was educated in the early day schools of Monroe County, attending school in a pioneer log school house near Duncan's Bridge. He remained on the home place in Monroe County until he was 27 years old when he bought his present place of 80 acres in Salt River township. He has improved his place since coming here, having built a six room residence in 1884, and in 1915 built a barn 32×48 feet. He carries on general farming and stock raising to which his place is well adapted. He raises high grade Hereford cattle and also breeds draft horses.
Mr. Fifer was married Dec. 28, 1881 to Miss Mary D. Peyton, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Spaulding) Peyton. John Peyton was born in Alabama in 1822 and when a young man came to Missouri and settled on a farm in Macon County. In 1865 he came to Randolph County and settled in Salt River township on the place where Mr. Fifer now re- sides. He served in the Mexican War and took a prominent part in local affairs in the early days in Randolph County. He served as justice of the peace of Salt River township for several years. He was an ordained minister of the Methodist Church, South, and preached in various churches in this section. He died at Clarence, Mo., Feb. 24, 1890 and is buried in the Salem church cemetery. His wife was born in Bardstown, Ky., Dec. 26, 1826 and they were married in Shelby County, Mo., in 1843. She died in Houston, Tex., March 15, 1919 and is buried there. They were the parents of the following children: Dr. J. A. Peyton, Excello, Macon County ; Henry C., deceased; Kitty, married Jack Halliburton, Shelby County ; Susan, married J. B. Switzer, Houston, Tex .; Maggie L., and Mary D., the wife of Walter D. Fifer.
To Mr. and Mrs. Fifer have been born four children, as follows: Jessie E., born Dec. 17, 1882, and died Oct. 21, 1911; Harry M., born
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
April 11, 1884, resides in Moberly; Bertie, born Jan. 15, 1888, married Major Raymond E. Scott, Chicago, Ill., and Cecil, born July 21, 1901, lives in Moberly.
Mr. Fifer and his wife are members of the Methodist church, south, and he is a Democrat and since boyhood has taken a keen interest in political matters. Since he was old enough to vote he has not missed an election.
J. A. W. Halterman, a well known and successful farmer and stock- man of Salt River township, is a member of one of the pioneer families of Randolph county. He was born in Macon County, Mo., March 8, 1845, a son of Samuel and Dorothy (Barnhart) Halterman, both natives of Shenandoah County, Va. Further details of the Halterman family his- tory are given in connection with Cyrus Halterman in this volume.
J. A. W. Halterman was reared in Salt River township, where his parents settled when he was a child, and here he attended such schools as were provided during the pioneer days in that section. He remained at home with his parents until he was about 18 years old, when he began working out by the month. Shortly afterwards, he bought his first place in Salt River township which he soon sold and after spending one year in the West returned to Salt River township and purchaser his father's old home place, which he still owns. He has made extensive improve- ments. The first house built on the place was erected in 1889. This was an eight-room structure and was destroyed by fire in 1895 and the same year Mr. Halterman built his present seven-room residence. The other farm buildings are in keeping with the general improvements of the place. A large barn, 55x55 feet, was built in 1885. The place is amply supplied with good water which is pumped from a well 306 feet deep. In addition to general farming, Mr. Halterman is quite extensively engaged in stock raising. He raises a good grade of Shorthorn and Jersey cattle and also Poland China hogs. Earlier in his career. Mr. Halterman operated a sawmill 'and gristmill in the vicinity of Salem Church. He operated that mill for 30 years. He has also done consider- able.mechanical work in the nature of millwright work. In the early days he set up a still at Glasgow, Mo., and also installed one at Macon City, Mo. He has also been interested in horticulture and at one time had an orchard of about 500 trees, which has been redurced for various causes to 200 trees.
Mr. Halterman was married March 29, 1863, to Miss Josephine Rob- erts, a native of Randolph County, born in Salt River township, May 29,
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
1849. She is a daughter of Wesley and Julia (Lawrence) Roberts, both natives of Kentucky. Wesley Roberts was born in 1812, and came from Kentucky to Missouri and settled in Hannibal in 1832. Later he came to Randolph County, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1900 and is buried in Phelps Chapel Cemetery. He was married at Hannibal in 1838. Mrs. Roberts was born in 1817 and died in 1873 and is also buried in the Phelps Chapel Cemetery.
J. A. W. Halterman and wife are the parents of the following chil- dren : Samuel, born in August, 1864, died in infancy ; Georgia, born June 18, 1867, married Robert Reynolds, Cairo township; Dolly, born Feb. 14, 1870, married Henry Taylor, Salt Springs township; Ida, born Dec. 26, 1872. married Symser Taylor, Salt River township; Nina, born Nov. 26, 1885, married Robert Ridgeway ; Nona, born July 27, 1889, married James Dean, Salt River township; Eliza, born Feb. 11, 1880, married Nimrod Fifer, and resides in Monroe County ; Robert Lee, born Jan. 8, 1877, died in infancy, and Margaret, born Feb. 11, 1888, and died in infancy. There are 23 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren in the Halterman family.
Mr. Halterman is a member of the Presbyterian church and is a Democrat.
Richard R. Campbell, a prominent farmer and stockman of Salt River township, is a native of Randolph County and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of this section of the state. He was born on the farm where he now resides, March 3, 1847 and is the son of Gaines G. and Sallie (Wright) Campbell. Gaines G. Campbell was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky in 1811. He was reared to manhood in his native state and was there married and in 1836 came to Missouri and settled in what is now Salt River township, Randolph County. He first owned 160 acres of land and finally became the owner of 400 acres. He cleared his land and improved it and became an extensive tobacco raiser; he died in 1883. Sallie Wright Campbell was also a native of Lincoln County, Ky., born in 1816, and was married to Gaines G. Campbell in Lincoln County, Ky., Feb. 7, 1833. She died on the home place in Salt River township.
Gaines G. and Sallie (Wright) Campbell were the parents of ten children as follows: Bennett, born April 19, 1834, died in 1909; Eliza Jane, born June 25, 1836 and died in 1856; Samuel G., born Feb. 4, 1838 and died in 1904; William A., born Oct. 9, 1839, and now resides in Moberly ; Amanda F., born Jan. 27, 1842; John G., born April 23, 1844 and died during the Civil War, while serving in the Confederate army ;
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
Richard R., the subject of this sketch; James R., born Oct. 17, 1849, re- sides at Hunter, Okla .; George W., born June 6, 1852 and died Dec. 5, 1875 and Sarah R., born Jan. 11, 1855 and died July 24, 1880.
Richard R. Campbell was reared in Salt River township and received most of his education in the subscription schools of the early days. He remained at home during his father's lifetime and after the latter's death he continued to operate the home place and in 1878 purchased the interest of the other heirs and has spent his life on this place. He has made ex- tensive improvements and has a good productive farm. He lived in the old log house which was built by his father until 1888, when he built his present seven room residence. He has good substantial barns and other farm buildings.
Mr. Campbell is well known as a successful stock breeder as well as a general farmer and he is one of the pioneer breeders of pure bred Short- horn cattle of Randolph County. He introduced pure bred Shorthorn cattle on his place 40 years ago, at that time buying a pure bred Short- horn bull in Kentucky. His stock has been exhibited at a number of local fairs and stock shows and he has won a great many blue ribbons. He also raises pure bred Poland China hogs; he carries on farming by mod- ern methods and up-to-date machinery and is one of the progressive men of the county.
Jan. 1, 1878, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage to Pantha Brock, daughter of Harvey and Matilda (Jones) Brock. Harvey Brock was in Lincoln County, Ky., April 25, 1809 and came to Missouri in 1836. He settled in Salt River township. Randolph County, where he was en- gaged in farming until his death, Jan. 18, 1859. His wife was also a native of Lincoln County, Ky., born Jan. 5, 1813. They were married in that county in 1833; she died in Salt River township, Jan. 22, 1892. They were the parents of the following children: James W., born Aug. 26, 1834, lives in Madison, Mo .; Sarah E., born March 24, 1836 and died in 1905; Miles, born Sept. 7, 1838, died Oct. 20, 1880; Anna E., born Jan. 5, 1841 resides at Cambria, Mo .; Mary, born April 24, 1843, died in 1894; Archibald, born Nov. 9, 1845, lives in Cairo township; Talitha C., born Feb. 8, 1849, died in 1904; Matilda, born April 22, 1852, resides at Ex- celsior Springs, Mo .; Pantha, born Feb. 12, 1855, the wife of Richard R. Campbell, of this sketch; and Harvey, born Oct. 17, 1857, died in 1888. To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have been born two children, Arthur, born Jan. 24, 1882, died in infancy and Ethel A., born March 12, 1884, married
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
Harris Bennett, Sept. 24, 1902 and resides on the home place. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have one child, Ruby Lee Bennett, born Aug. 12, 1906.
Mr. Campbell is a member of the Christian church and has been a life long Democrat. He is one of Randolph County's substantial old pioneers.
John D. Alexander, a successful farmer and stockman of Salt River township, is a native of Randolph County and a descendant of a pioneer Missouri family. He was born in Salt River township, Sept. 9, 1855, a son of Francis and James (Stephens) Alexander. Francis Alexander was born in Garrard County, Ky., Nov. 18, 1809. He was reared to man- hood in his native state and on Dec. 27, 1831, was married to Miss Jane Stephens who was also a native of Garrard County, Ky. They remained in Kentucky about four years after their marriage and in 1835 came to Missouri and first settled in Monroe County. They remained there for two years and in 1837 came to Randolph County and here Francis Alex- ander entered a large tract of government land in section 13, township 55. Here he was engaged in farming and stock raising during the re- mainder of his life. He died June 30, 1861 and his wife departed this life Aug. 3, 1858 and their remains are buried in the Alexander cemetery in Monroe County, Mo. They were the parents of three children as fol- lows: Mattie, widow of W. A. Alexander, now living in Salt River town- ship; William F. Alexander, who was born in Randolph County, Aug. 16, 1848 is a retired merchant and farmer now living at Duncans Bridge, Monroe County, Mo. and John D., the subject of this sketch.
John D. Alexander was educated in the district schools and remained on the home farm until he was 21 years old when he was married and re- mained on the home place for three years. He then bought 60 acres, which is a part of his present farm, Nov. 29, 1881. On Aug. 23, 1892, he purchased 58 acres more and in Oct. 4, 1909, he bought 40 additional acres and is now the owner of 158 acres of valuable land. He had made sub- stantial improvements, including an eight room residence which he built in 1886. In 1884, he built a barn 50x64 feet, and in 1910 he built another barn, especially designed for stock which is 24x30 feet. His place is well supplied with water which is pumped from a well 328 feet deep by a wind mill and the water is piped to various convenient points about the place. Mr. Alexander, in addition to being extensively engaged in general farm- ing, raises a good grade of Aberdeen Angus cattle and Poland China hogs. His place is equipped with all modern machinery and bears ample evidence that its owner is a progressive and up-to-date farmer.
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
Mr. Alexander was married in Salt River township Dec. 2, 1877, to Miss Sallie E. Bennett. She was born July 27, 1858 and was a teacher of Avington and Louisa (Lilly) Bennett. Mrs. Alexander, died March 24, 1915 and her remains are buried in Hickory Grove cemetery, Monroe Co., Mo. To John D. Alexander and wife were born two children: Maud Bell and Bertha D., both of whom reside at home with their father.
Mr. Alexander is a Democrat and one of the enterprising and suc- cessful citizens of Randolph County.
James and George Bennett, successful farmers and stockmen of Salt River township, are both natives of Randolph County and were born on the place where they now reside. George was born May 18, 1856 and James, June 10, 1865. Their parents were Avington and Louisa (Lilly) Bennett.
Avington Bennett was born in Oldham County, Ky., Nov. 14, 1821 and in 1841 came to Missouri with his parents and located in Marion County. Two years later they came to Randolph County and settled in Salt River township. Here Avington Bennett bought 120 acres of land and cleared away the timber, improved his place and was successfully engaged in farming until the time of his death, April 20, 1884. Louisa (Lilly) Bennett was also a native of Oldham County, Ky, and was born Aug. 27, 1821. She died Jan. 17, 1913 and is buried by the side of her husband in Hickory Grove cemetery. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children: John W., deceased; Bell M., born Nov. 27, 1853 and died April 13, 1920; George W., of this review; Sallie E., born July 7, 1858 and died March 24, 1915 and James of this review.
George and James Bennett attended school in Salt River township and at the death of their father they assumed the management of the home place and since that time they have carried on farming and stock raising in partnership. They have added to their acreage and now have a farm of 195 acres which is well improved with a good residence, two barns and other farm buildings. The place is well watered and adapted to both general farming and stock raising. The Bennett Brothers, in addition to general farming, raise Shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and also a good grade of draft horses. They are both members of the Baptist church and are Democrats. James Bennett is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Madison, Mo. The Bennett Brothers are progressive and enterprising and rank among Randolph county's leading citizens.
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
John M. Webb, a well known and prosperous farmer and stockman of Salt River township who is recognized as one of the successful breeders of Randolph County, is a native of Indiana. He was born in Vermillion County, Ind., July 8, 1849 and is a son of John J. and Emily (Crider) Webb. They were both natives of Washington County, Md. The father was born in 1821 and in early life removed to Indiana where he lived for a number of years when he went to Iowa. Later, he removed from that state to Missouri and settled in Marion County where he and his wife spent the remainder of their days and their remains are buried in the Providence Baptist church cemetery in Marion County. They were the parents of ten children as follows: John M., the subject of this sketch; Hattie, married Joe Harrop, Quincy, Ill .; Emanuel, deceased; Susan E., lives in Marion County, Mo .; Hamilton T., Marion County ; Annie, Marion County ; Catherine, a widow lives in Marion County ; Nettie; Alexander, Phelps County, Mo .; William N., Marion County.
John M. Webb received the principal part of his education in the pub- lic schools of Marion County, Mo. and remained at home with his parents until he was 21 years of age. He came to Randolph County and pur- chased his present place in Salt River township in 1882. He had lived in this county, however, since 1874. He has a well improved farm of 155 acres with excellent buildings. The residence is a seven room struc- ture and was built in 1905. The barn and other farm buildings are well arranged to the general purposes of farming and stock raising and the place is well supplied with water. Mr. Webb keeps a herd of high grade Aberdeen-Angus cattle which is headed by a pure bred bull. He is one of the successful and up-to-date farmers and stockmen of Randolph County.
Mr. Webb was united in marriage in Salt River township, Aug. 25, 1875 with Miss Jennie Smith. She is a daughter of John B. and Sarah E. (Greathouse) Smith, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Kentucky. Mrs. Webb was born Aug. 27, 1855 and is one of eight children born to her parents. To Mr. and Mrs. Webb have been born four children as follows: William H., born Feb. 2, 1876 and lives in Mon- roe County, Mo .; James E., born Jan. 15, 1879 resides in Salt River town- ship; Hallie P., born April 8, 1874, married John H. Pollard of Monroe County, Mo .; and Callie E., born Jan. 11 1892 married Ernest Taft and resides in Salt River township.
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
Mr. Webb and his wife are members of the Christian church and he is a Republican. He is an industrious and progressive citizen and what he has accomplished in the way of success has been by hard work and his own unaided efforts.
Orley Halliburton a progressive and enterprising young farmer and stockman of Cairo township is a native of Missouri. He was born in Monroe County, May 23, 1885 and is a son of George D. and Eliza (Ben- nett) Halliburton, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Orley Halliburton was reared in Randolph County and educated in the public schools at Prairie Hill, Mo. He remained at home with his father until he was 21 yars of age when he was married and purchased his present place in Cairo township. His farm consists of 771/2 acres and is well improved with good farm buildings. In 1919 he erected a large modern barn 56x60 feet.
Mr. Halliburton carried on general farming and stock raising and is one of the successful breeders of pure bred Duroc Jersey hogs of this county. He also raises Shorthorn cattle and a good grade of sheep. He uses modern agricultural methods and is a successful and up-to-date farmer.
Mr. Halliburton was married in 1906 to Miss Maggie Roberts. She is the daughter of John and Ellen (Ellis) Roberts, natives of Missouri and both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Halliburton have been born two children, Mildred, born Feb. 9, 1908 and Ellis R., born Oct. 14, 1914.
Mr. Halliburton is a member of the Christian church and his wife be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Democrat.
William A. Bobbitt, who for many years has been successfully en- gaged in farming and stock raising in Cairo township, is a native of Vir- ginia. He was born in Carroll County, Aug. 3, 1860 and is a son of James and Sarah (Carroll) Bobbitt, also natives of Virginia.
James Bobbitt was born in Carroll County, Va., Dec. 22, 1814. He followed farming in his native state and was thus engaged when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted in the Confederate army and after serving throughout the war again engaged in farming. He came to Missouri with his family in 1870 and settled in Cairo township, Randolph County, on the place which is now owned by his son, William A. Bobbitt, of this review. James Bobbitt followed farming here and spent the remainder of his life. He died Jan. 6, 1892. His wife was born in New Richmond, Va., and died on the home place in Cairo township in March, 1894 and she and her husband are buried in the Union church cemetery.
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
James and Sarah (Carroll) Bobbitt were the parents of seven chil- dren, the eldest of whom died in infancy. The others are in order of birth as follows: Margaret, deceased; William A., subject of this sketch; John, deceased; Joseph, deceased; Missouri, deceased and Theophilus, de- ceased.
William A. Bobbitt was educated in the public schools and remained at home with his parents until the death of his father when he and his brother John bought the home place. Here they carried on general farm- ing and stock raising until the death of his brother which occurred March 20, 1904. Mr. Bobbitt has made extensive improvements, including a large ten room house, which was built in 1904 and the barn which is an elaborate structure 60x72 feet, was erected in 1902.
In addition to general farming and stock raising, Mr. Bobbitt is well known as a successful breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle. He began breed- ing this type of cattle in 1909, and now has a large herd headed by a registered male which he purchased from the well known herd of E. E. Lawrence. Mr. Bobbitt also raises Shropshire sheep and Spotted Poland China hogs. The Bobbitt farm is well adapted to stock raising and is especially well supplied with good, pure water which is distributed by a force pump to various convenient points about the place.
Feb. 22, 1901, William Bobbitt was united in marriage with Miss Emma Morrison, a daughter of E. S. and Susan (Boney) Morrison, both of whom now reside in Cairo township. 5
Mr. Bobbitt is a Democrat and one of Randolph County's well known and substantial citizens.
Albert J. Hunker, of Silver Creek township, is a native of Randolph County and was born in the township where he now resides Oct. 26, 1873. He is the owner of 165 acres of land and is a successful farmer and stock- man. He is the son of Leonard and Catherine (Morelock) Hunker.
Leonard Hunker is a native of Germany and a son of Joshua and Ursula (Deher) Hunker, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, where the father was born in May, 1800. He was a farmer and died in his native land in 1872. His wife was born in 1808 and died in 1877. They were the parents of the following children: Matthews, Lewis, John, Magdalene, Agnes, Leonard, Christine, Jacob, Anna Catherine, and Joshua, all of whom are deceased except Leonard and Joshua.
Leonard Hunker was reared and educated in Germany and immi- grated to America in 1869. After landing at New York he came to Mis-
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
souri and settled in Randolph County. After working by the month for one season, he bought 80 acres of land in the fall of 1869. He sold that farm in 1885 and bought 160 acres and in 1891 he bought 187 acres more. He is a successful farmer and stockman and has prospered and become well-to-do.
April 11, 1871, Leonard Hunker was married to Miss Catherine More- lock, daughter of G. A. and Christine C. (Unger) Morelock, natives of Germany, who settled in Missouri in 1854. The father served in the Union army during the Civil War and both he and his wife are deceased.
To Leonard and Catherine (Morelock) Hunter were born the fol- lowing children: Emily C., born April 2, 1872, married S. L. McCully of Silver Creek township; Albert J., born Oct. 26, 1873, the subject of this sketch ; George W., born Aug. 18, 1875, lives in Butte, Mont .; Lizzie, born Oct. 25, 1877 and died March 15, 1912; Leonard, born July 7, 1879, re- sides at home with his parents ; J. Martin, born Sept. 30, 1881, died May 14, 1899; Harry C., born Dec. 15, 1883, lives at Marshall, Mo .; Ella M., born March 2, 1887, married Sam Burkhart, Butte, Mont .; Samuel Leslie, born Dec. 2, 1889, died July 3, 1894; Clara C., born Aug. 23, 1892, lives at Butte, Mont .; and Ernest Y., born Aug. 23, 1899, at home with par- ents. Leonard Hunker is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a Democrat and a member of the Presbyterian church.
Albert J. Hunker, whose name introduces this review, was reared in Silver Creek township and educated in the public schools. He remained at home until he was 22 years old and then worked by the month in various places for six years. In 1901 he bought a farm of 85 acres and six years later purchased 80 acres more. He has a valuable farm of 165 acres where he is successfully carrying on general farming and stock rais- ing. He was married at Excelsior Springs, Mo., Aug. 19, 1917 to Miss Lizzie Miller; they have no children. He is a Democrat.
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