USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 63
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William D. Lockridge, an extensive farmer and stockman of Silver Creek township, is a native of Randolph County and a descendant of one of the earliest pioneer families of this section of Missouri. He was born on the place where he now resides Nov. 2, 1874 and is a son of William Y. and Loretta (Harvey) Lockridge.
William Y. Lockridge was also a native of Randolph County. He was born about a mile south of where William D. Lockridge now lives. Nov. 10, 1829. He was the owner of 160 acres of land which he im- proved and cultivated during his life time. He was a successful farmer
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and stockman and was well known throughout this section as a successful race horse man and won many prizes at the early day fairs with his fast horses. He was a son of William Lockridge, who was one of the first settlers in this locality. William Y. Lockridge died Dec. 10, 1875. His wife was a native of Howard County, Mo., born near Armstrong, Sept. 29, 1837. Her parents were also among the early settlers of this part of the state. She now resides with her son, William D. Lockridge.
To William Y. and Loretta C. (Harvey) Lockridge were born six chil- dren as follows: Jewell, born Sept. 29, 1855, died Aug. 5, 1917; Louette, born Jan. 9, 1858, married Hickman Wallace, residing in Howard County ; Mollie, born July 3, 1860, married Henry Taylor, Armstrong, Mo .; Samuel, born June 5. 1863, died Feb. 24, 1891; Florence, born Feb. 17, 1868, mar- ried James Cross and lives in Howard County and William D., the subject of this sketch.
William D. Lockridge was reared in Salt Creek township and educated in the public schools at Roanoke, Mo. He was about a year old when his father died and after he had reached his majority he bought the interests of the other heirs in the home place and later bought additional land and is now the owner of 239 acres of well improved land, where he is success- fully carrying on general farming and stock raising. He feeds cattle ex- tensively and keeps a good grade of stock.
Nov. 13, 1895, Mr. Lockridge was married to Miss Katie Feiring, a daughter of Conrad and Catherine (Furhman) Feiring, natives of Ger- many. Conrad Feiring was born Oct. 30, 1836 and immigrated to the United States in 1861, settling in Howard County, Mo. He was a wagon- maker and woodworker and followed his vocation at Roanoke until his death, April 3, 1889. His wife was born Oct. 4, 1848, they were married at Glasgow, Mo. and she now resides in Kansas City, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Lockridge have been born three children: Samuel, born Feb. 9, 1899, at home with his parents; Edwin C., born May 8, 1903 and William Louis, born June 12, 1905.
Mr. Lockridge is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist church and Mrs. Lockridge belongs to the Presbyterian church.
John J. Morris, of Silver Creek township, is a well known farmer and stockman of Randolph County and a descendant of a prominent old pioneer family of central Missouri. He was born in Howard County, Sept. 20, 1868 and is a son of Alfred W. and Mary (Ware) Morris.
Alfred W. Morris was born in Howard County, Aug. 12, 1833 where he was reared to manhood and in early life engaged in farming in his
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. native county. He owned 160 acres of land there which he sold and re- moved to Saline County and bought 80 acres. The town of Slater, Mo., is now located on 30 acres of that place. After disposing of his property in Saline County, Alfred W. Morris came to Randolph County and settled in Silver Creek township, on the place now occupied by John J. Morris. He died on this place in 1898. He served in the Union army during the Civil War. His wife was also born in Howard County, Sept. 24, 1836 and they were married in that county in 1857. She died at Excelsior Springs, Mo., June 10, 1893, and she and her husband are buried in Sharon ceme- tery, Howard County. They were the parents of three children, the eldest of whom died in infancy. Martha E. is also deceased and John J., the subject of this sketch.
John J. Morris was educated in the public schools of Randolph County and remained at home and assisted his father until the death of the lat- ter in 1888. He then inherited 79 acres of land and on Aug. 3, 1906 bought 80 acres adjoining his home place, and now owns 150 acres of well improved and valuable land where he has been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising.
Mr. Morris was married Jan. 18, 1900 to Miss Bettie Sheaves, a daughter of William and Rebecca (Vaughn) Sheaves, of Chariton County. William Sheaves was born in Virginia, Sept. 23, 1837. He came to Mis- souri at an early date and settled in Chariton County where he has been engaged in farming and stock raising for a number of years. He is a Confederate veteran. Rebecca (Vaughn) Sheaves was born in Kentucky, Nov. 10, 1840 and she was married to Mr. Sheaves in Audrain County, Mo., Jan. 10, 1862. They were the parents of 11 children, two of whom died in infancy and the others are now living. Mrs. Morris was born June 24, 1876.
Mr. Morris is a Democrat and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
John Price Robb, a large land owner and extensive farmer and stock- man of Silver Creek township is a native of Randolph County and a descendant of one of the prominent pioneer families of Missouri. He was born near Renick, Oct. 7, 1861 and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Leslie) Robb.
Samuel Robb was born in Howard County, Mo., Dec. 26, 1832. He was a son of Jonas and Sallie (Morris) Robb. Jonas Robb was a native of Jessamine County, Ky. and came to Missouri in 1818, and entered a
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large tract of land in Howard County. He was prominent in the early day affairs of this section and was an extensive farmer and also operated a distillery on his place. He died in 1870. He married Sallie Morris in Howard County in 1821 and nine children were born to them as follows: Fannie, Nancy, Lizzie, Samuel, John, Nellie, Mary, Joel and Martha, all of whom are deceased except Joel and Martha who reside in Howard County.
Samuel Robb was about 17 years old when the country was stirred by the gold excitement in California and in 1849 he made the trip over- land to the Pacific coast with ox teams. He was six months in crossing the plains and mountains and after reaching the Mecca of the gold seekers he was more fortunate than the average adventurer and met with suc- cess. After remaining in California for a time, he returned to Randolph County and bought 200 acres of land near Renick. He traded this farm for 202 acres in Howard County in 1865. Here he was engaged in farm- ing and stock raising during the remainder of his life. He died March 10, 1876. While in California in 1852, he served in the army for a time against the Indians who were on the warpath. He was married to Sarah Leslie at her home near Higbee in 1854. She died March 11, 1919 and is buried by the side of her husband in the Sharon cemetery in Howard County.
To Samuel and Sarah (Leslie) Robb were born eight children as fol- lows: James, deceased; Susie, married S. W. Cresone of Moberly ; Sallie, died in infancy; John Price, the subject of this sketch; Jonas, deceased; Mattie, married John Morris and lives in Randolph County; Lucy, mar- ried C. L. Snider, of Howard County ; and George W., Howard County.
John Price Robb was reared to manhood in Howard County and cdu- cated in the district schools. He remained at home until he was 18 years old when he bought a farm of 80 acres in Saline County, near Slater. He was engaged in farming there for three years when he came to Ran- dolph County and bought 80 acres which is a part of his present place. He engaged in farming and stock raising and bought adjoining land from time to time and is now the owner of 530 acres. Most of his land was heavily timbered. He cleared away the timber and improved his place which is now one of the best farms in the county. He carries on general farming and stock raising and is one of the progressive farmers in this section. He employs modern methods and machinery, using a tractor in the cultivation of his land.
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Mr. Robb was married March 2, 1879, near Burton, Howard County to Miss Ellen Morris, a daughter of Alfred W. and Mary Ann (Ware) Morris and to this union were born two children, Robert C., born Aug. 13, 1885, is on the home place with his father and Jonas A., born Jan. 17, 1895, also on the home farm with his father.
Mr. Robb is one of Randolph County's successful men of affairs. He has been president of the Yates Savings Bank since its organization. He is a member of the Baptist church of which he is a deacon and he has been a life long Democrat.
Leslie Robb, of Salt Creek township, is a progressive farmer and stockman and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of central Mis- souri. He was born in Burton, Howard County, Aug. 14, 1887, and is a son of Jonas and Stella (Moses) Robb.
Jonas Robb was a native of Randolph County and a son of Samuel and Sarah (Lesley) Robb. When Jonas Robb was a small boy his par- ents removed to Howard County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. In 1889, Jonas Robb returned to Randolph County and purchased a farm of 240 acres and was here successfully engaged in farming until his death, Aug. 22, 1914. He was prominent in the affairs of Randolph County and served for two terms as judge of the county court from the western district. His wife was born near Burton, Howard County, and is now living at Mount Zion, Henry County, Mo. They were the parents of two children, Leslie, the subject of this sketch and Mary, who married J. G. Wright and lives in Kansas City, Mo.
Leslie Robb was educated in the district school of Randolph County and the Beasley Business College. He remained on the home farm until his father's death in 1914 and since that time he has been operating rented land and is meeting with success. He is now farming 320 acres of land in Salt Creek township, which is owned by J. W. Alexander.
Mr. Robb was married May 1, 1907 to Miss Anna Foster Wier, daugh- ter of William W. and Margaret (Markland) Wier, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Howard County, Mo. William Wier is now deceased and his widow resides at Armstrong, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Robb have been born two children: Avanelle, born Jan. 8, 1909 and Eleanore Davis, born Aug. 31, 1915.
Mr. Robb is a member of the Baptist church and is a Democrat. He holds membership in the Masonic Lodge and is well known as one of Randolph County's progressive citizens.
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Thomas J. Bagby. of Silver Creek township, is recognized as one of the successful farmers and breeders of Randolph County. He is a mem- ber of one of the honored pioneer families of Randolph County who were among the very first to settle in this section of Missouri over a hundred years ago when it was then an unbroken wilderness. Mr. Bagby was born in Silver Creek township on a farm adjoining his present place June 16, 1843. He is a son of Owen H. and Maria J. (Yaegar) Bagby.
Owen H. Bagby was born near Owensburg, Ky. and was a son of John and Mildred (Ward) Bagby, who came to Missouri with their family at an early day. He bought and entered land near Roanoke, Mo., where he was the owner of 500 acres and later owned 620 acres. He followed farming and stock raising and met with success. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and died on his place near Roanoke.
Owen H. Bagby came to Randolph County from Kentucky with his parents where he was extensively engaged in farming and stock raising during his entire career. He was the owner of over 600 acres of land. He died in November, 1902. His wife, Maria J. (Yaegar) Bagby, was a daughter of Thomas and Francis (Watts) Yaegar. She was born in Vir- ginia and came to Randolph County with her parents and was married here. She died in Salt Spring township in 1906.
Owen H. and Maria (Yaegar) Bagby were the parents of ten chil- dren of whom Thomas J. of this review is the eldest. The others are: William, deceased; Zebulon, living with Thomas J .; Clarinda married Frank Shipp and is deceased; Mary E., deceased: Jacob W., Benton County, Mo .; James R., deceased; Benjamin F., Sugar Creek township.
Thomas J. Bagby was educated in the district schools and remained at home with his parents until he was 26 years old and then bought a place of 130 acres which he improved and farmed for 15 years when he sold it. He is now the owner of 217 acres which he has improved ex- tensively and which is one of the valuable farms of Silver Creek township. He has a large eight room residence and five barns on the place. He carries on general farming as well as stock raising and breeding. He is a successful breeder of Poland China hogs, registered Hereford cattle and for 30 years has been a successful breeder of registered draft horses and also registered jacks.
Mr. Bagby was married in Silver Creek township, May 5, 1864, to Miss Emma Hale, a daughter of I. F. and Elizabeth V. (Keepers) Hale, the former a native of Hartford, Conn., born in 1804 and the latter of
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Maryland and both are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Bagby have been born the following children: William E., Huntsville, Mo .; Andrew J., Huntsville; one died in infancy; Mattie married C. B. Fullington, Ran- dolph County ; Herald, lives in New Mexico; Arthur, at home and Thomas, deceased.
During the Civil War, Thomas J. Bagby enlisted in the Confederate army and for nine months served under General Price. Mr. Bagby is a member of the Baptist church and has been a life long Democrat. Mrs. Bagby is also a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Bagby is one of the valued and substantial citizens of Randolph County and the Bagby family is highly respected.
Eugene H. Hurt, of Silver Creek township, is one of the best known and most successful breeders of Randolph County. He was born in the township where he now resides, Oct. 20, 1875 and is a son of Nathan and Virginia E. (Moore) Hurt, both natives of Missouri and descendants of pioneer families.
Nathan Hurt was born near Glasgow in Howard County, April 11, 1822. He dealt extensively in cattle in the early days, shipping a great many through southern markets and during the course of his career he owned a great deal of land. He came to Randolph County in the spring of 1866 and bought a farm near Vaughn school house in Silver Creek township. His first place there consisted of 160 acres, to which he after- ward added until he owned 810 acres in that locality. He improved this place and spent the remainder of his life there. He died July 28, 1905 and is buried in the Clifton Hill cemetery. He was married Nov. 3, 1874 to Virginia E. Moore, a native of Missouri, born near Yates, Sept. 8, 1852. She died June 21, 1917 and is buried at Clifton Hill. They were the par- ents of four children: Eugene H., the subject of this sketch; Everett E., assistant cashier of the Clifton Hill Banking Company; Olevia, died in infancy and Lurrine, married Joe E. Richardson and they reside on the old Hurt homestead in Silver Creek township.
Eugene H. Hurt was educated in the district school and the Salis- bury Academy. When he was 19 years old his father gave him 280 acres of land. He began improving this place and engaged in farming and stock raising and later became interested in pure bred stock and for the past 20 years has made a notable record in this important department of animal husbandry. He began breeding pure bred Shorthorn cattle in 1900 and at the same time began breeding pure bred Duroc Jersey hogs and also
.
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registered jacks and jennets. He met with success in all departments of breeding. He sold one jack, "Hurt's Big Ike" for $1,000. Mr. Hurt discontinued breeding Shorthorn cattle in 1910 and disposed of his herd. In 1916 he began breeding Hereford cattle. His first herd buil was "Hesiod Lad the 17th", No. 506764, a line-bred Hesiod bull on Anxiety 4th and Wilton foundation. His second herd bull was "Cy Bolton" No. 520383, a grandson of the celebrated "Domino" No, 264259 of the well known herd of Gudgell and Simpson. Mr. Hurt's present herd bull is "Dandy Fairfax" No. 724485 and a double great grandson of Warren T. McCray's celebrated herd leader, "Perfection Fairfax" No. 179767, on his sire's side. And his dam was "Correlioe 21st", No. 536522, a line-bred "Anxiety 4th" cow. Mr. Hurt has recently established a herd of pure blood registered Hampshire hogs. He has, perhaps, done more to raise the standard of various kinds of stock in Randolph County than any other breeder. Some ·breeders attain success in one line and some in another, but few can claim the distinction of being successful breeders in as many kinds of stock as Mr. Hurt.
Eugene H. Hurt was united in marriage Dec. 30, 1896 with Miss Annie Laura Spotts ; she is a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Fray) Spotts, both natives of Randolph County and now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Spotts were born the following children: Adolphus, lives in Randolph County ; James L., Silver Creek township; William F., Clifton Hill, Mo .; David O., Silver Creek township, and Annie Laura, the wife of Eugene Hurt. To Mr. and Mrs. Hurt has been born one son, Nathan H., born Feb. 18, 1898 and resides at home with his parents. He is following in the footsteps of his father and is engaged in breeding spotted Poland China hogs.
Eugene H. Hurt and his son are both members of the Masonic Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons No. 161, Clifton Hill, Mo. and the Eastern Star and Mrs. Hurt is also a member of the Eastern Star, Amethyst Chapter. Mr. Hurt has been master of the Clifton Hill lodge for the past six years. He is a member of the Salisbury Chapter No. 133, and Centralia Council, No. 34. He is a Democrat and Mrs. Hurt is a mem- ber of the Methodist Church, South.
Mr. Hurt was the organizer of the Central Missouri Shorthorn Breed- ers Association. He was the first secretary of that association and later served as its president. He has always been active in all movements which had for their purpose the raising of the standard of stock and the
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promotion of the breeding industry. He is one of the progressive citizens of Randolph County and occupies a prominent place in the community.
Hugh Lamb, the well known and efficient county assessor of Randolph County, is a native of this county and a descendant of one of its pioneer families. He was born in Salt River township in 1873 and is a son of H. F. and Margaret S. (Halliburton) Lamb. H. F. Lamb was born in Macon County, Mo. He was a son of James Lamb, a native of Virginia, who settled in Macon County at a very early date, and after remaining there for a short time removed to Randolph County with his family and settled in the vicinity of Jacksonville where he spent the remainder of his life.
H. F. Lamb spent the greater part of his life in Salt River township, Randolph County, and died in April, 1910 and his remains are buried at Liberty church and his widow now resides in Moberly. They were the parents of the following children: Charles resides at Cape Girardeau, Mo .; Fred, Salisbury, Mo .; Hugh, the subject of this sketch; Porter, Worland, Wyo .; Mary, married R. E. Bennett, Moberly, Mo .; Curtis died at the age of 23 years ; Gilbert, Salisbury, Mo .; and Annie, married Arthur Howard, Moberly, Mo.
Hugh Lamb received his education in the public schools of Randolph County and was engaged in farming until he was 25 years of age. He then entered the employ of the McAfee Wholesale Flour and Seed Com- pany and for 15 years was engaged in that business. In 1908, he made the race for the office of county assessor, but was defeated by George Thornburg. He was again a candidate in 1912, without opposition, and after serving four years was reelected in 1916 and is now serving his second term in that office. Mr. Lamb is a capable and conscientious pub- lic official and has ever given his best efforts to the faithful performance of the duties of his office and the carrying out of the trust imposed in him by the people. He has the assistance of only one deputy and for four or five months during each year, Mr. Lamb is about the busiest man in Randolph County. He has almost become accustomed to working night and day without noticing it.
Mr. Lamb was married Feb. 6, 1896 to Miss Maude Smothers, a native of Randolph County and a daughter of D. J. and Lucy J. (Elsea) Smothers. D. J. Smothers was born in Randolph County in 1850 and died in Mob- erly in 1883. He was the son of Daniel Smothers, a Randolph County pioneer, who settled about three miles north of where the present city of
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Moberly is now located, long before Moberly was thought of. Lucia J. Smithers now resides in Moberly at the age of 68 years. Mrs. Lamb is one of the following children born to her parents: Letha, married F. C. McAfee, Moberly, Mo .; Ira P., died at the age of 30 years and Mrs. Hugh Lamb.
Mr. and Mrs. Lamb have made their home in Moberly since 1899 and reside at 319 East Rollins street. Mr. Lamb is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
Arthur O'Keefe, of the firm of O'Keefe Brothers Wholesale Grocer Company and the founder of that business is one of the pioneer mer- chants in Moberly and for 41 years has been actively engaged in business here.
The O'Keefe Brothers Wholesale Grocer Company is composed of the brothers, Arthur, John C., William C. and Joseph C. O'Keefe. The business was started in 1879 as a retail grocery concern by Arthur O'Keefe who was joined soon after by John C. The first store was located on the corner of Reed and Clark streets. Some years later, the business developed into a wholesale house and the retail department was abandoned altogether and for many years past the O'Keefe Brothers Grocery Com- pany has been one of the leading wholesale grocery houses in central Missouri. Their trade extends over a large scope of territory and has been constantly increasing as the years have passed. The firm occupies an entire block on West Coates street, their business being located in a thoroughly modern concrete and brick, fire proof building, 135x252 feet and five stories high. This is one of the important business institutions of which Moberly is justly prized.
Arthur O'Keefe was born in New York in October, 1851 and is a son of William and Margaret (O'Connell) O'Keefe, both of whom were born in Ireland and came to America with their respective parents and were married in New York. Shortly after their marriage, they removed to Iowa and in 1858 came to Missouri and first located in St. Charles County. In 1860 the family settled at Renick, Randolph County, and later moved to Moberly where William O'Keefe and his wife both spent the remainder of their lives. He died in 1888 at the age of 74 years and his wife died in 1918 at the age of 92 years and their remains are buried in St. Mary cemetery at Moberly.
William O'Keefe and wife were the parents of the following chil- dren: Arthur, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Dr. Christian who is now
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deceased; Elizabeth O'Keefe, Moberly ; John C. Moberly; Mrs. R. C. Mur- ray, Moberly; W. P., Moberly; Mollie O'Keefe, Moberly; Joseph C., Mob- erly ; Maggie O'Keefe, Moberly, and Anna O'Keefe, Moberly.
Arthur O'Keefe received his education in the public schools and in early life was engaged in railroading prior to engaging in business in Moberly. In 1879 he engaged in the grocery business and since that time has been identified in the mercantile business of Moberly and is one of the widely known wholesale merchants of this section of the state.
Mr. O'Keefe was united in marriage in 1886 with Miss Mary Agnes Hurst, of Chillicothe, Mo., and they reside at 204 South Williams street, Moberly. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and one of the substantial and progressive citizens of Moberly.
Warran L. Barr, treasurer and general manager of the Moberly Pav- ing Brick Company, is at the head of one of Randolph County's most important industrial institutions which is the largest paving brick manu- facturing plant west of the Mississippi River. The annual output of the Moberly plant is 20,000,000 bricks. The superior quality of the product of this plant is a recognized fact and the demand covers a large scope of territory, including Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. To give an idea of the enormity of the product of this plant, there is manufactured enough brick each year to construct a motorcycle road four feet wide, from St. Louis to Kansas City. Wherever the Moberly bricks are used, the city of Moberly is advertised for on the surface of each brick is moulded the word "Moberly."
The Moberly Paving Brick Company employs in the brick plant, 110 men and in addition to this the company operates its own coal mines in Randolph County. Previous to 1917, the coal used in the manufacture of brick here was imported from Illinois. In 1917, the Company acquired the W. H. McKiernan coal mine which has been developed and improved by the installation of modern machinery and two miles of railroad con- struction from the mine to the brick plant and since that time they have mined their own coal and Randolph County people have received the benefit of this additional pay roll. Thirty men are employed in this mine.
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