USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 70
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Mr. Packwood was married June 28, 1899, to Miss Rose Hulen, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Roberts) Hulen. William Hulen was born in 1854. He has served as councilman of the city of Moberly and he and his wife reside at 519 Bertly street in Moberly. To Mr. and Mrs. Packwood have been born two children, as follows: Welcome, de- ceased, and Mildred, a student in the Moberly High School.
Mr. Packwood is a Democrat and he and Mrs. Packwood are mem- bers of the Christian church.
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Charles D. Blake, one of the skilled machinists employed in the Wabash railroad shops at Moberly, Mo., was born in Barry, Ill., Dec. 29, 1867, the son of Albert and Amelia (Steel) Blake. The father was born in Bangor, Me., in 1816. He was an early day preacher and also worked as a carpenter. He went west during the gold rush in '49 and after coming back to the middle west, enlisted in the Confederate army at the outbreak of the Civil War, and served until it was over and then returned to Illinois, where he was a pioneer settler of Pike County. He was one of the first men to build a flour mill in that county and was also the builder of the first elevator at Barry, Ill., which was erected before the Civil War. He spent the last years of his life in that town and died there in 1900, being buried in the local cemetery. Mrs. Blake was born .in 1828, married at Barry, in 1854, and died there in 1873. There were the following children in the family: Effie, Alexander, Lulia and Thomas, all deceased, and Charles, of this review.
Charles D. Blake was reared in Barry, Ill., attended the public schools and when 14 years of age began to learn the potter's trade. He finished his apprenticeship and followed that vocation for eight years, before coming to Moberly from Macomb, Ill. Here he took a position in the shops of the Wabash railroad and learned the machinist trade, which he has followed to the present time. Mr. Blake is a skilled workman and stands high in his line.
May 22, 1888, Mr. Blake was married to Miss Mollie Newton, the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Trantham) Newton, of Moberly. The ceremony was performed by Squire Robertson. Benjamin Newton was born at Stillwater, Ark., in 1837, and died in Moberly in 1901. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having entered the service of the Con federacy. Mrs. Newton was born in Tennessee, in 1839, and died in St. Louis in 1913, and was buried beside her husband in Oakland cemetery at Moberly. Mrs. was the eighth of the ton children born to her parents and was born April 25. 1870. Three children have been born to Charles D. Blake and wife: Anna, the wife of John Clutch, of Kansas City ; Ralph N. and Arthur L., both machinists now employed in the Wabash shops. at Moberly.
Mr. Blake is a member of the Modern Woodmen, the Mechanics' Union and the Methodist church, south. He is an Independent voter. Mrs. Blake belonged to the Maccabees, the Royal Neighbors, the Auxiliary of the Ma- chinists' Union and the Methodist church.
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
William D. Epperson, a well-known Wabash conductor of Moberly, Mo., is a native of Missouri. He was born in Macon County, Mo., June 16, 1877, and is a son of Henry and Julia (Riley) Epperson. Henry Epper- son was also a native of Missouri, born in 1858. He was reared and edu- cated in this state and in early life became a farmer. He located in Macon County in 1865 on an 80 acre farm which he later sold and moved to Mercerville, to become a partner in a blacksmith shop where he was en- gaged in Business until his death in 1880 and was buried at Steele Ceme- tery. Julia (Riley) Epperson was a native of Macon County, Mo., born in 1850; was married at Macon City in 1870 and died at Salisbury, Mo., in 1902, and her remains are buried by the side of her husband. Three children were born to Henry and Julia (Riley) Epperson: Mettie, the wife of Emmit Waite, a farmer near Salisbury and William, the subject of this sketch, and Arzella, the wife of Goerge T. Wright, a farmer near Salisbury.
William D. Epperson was reared in Mercerville and educated in the public schools of Macon County. His mother was an invalid and he was reared by W. J. Owens, with whom he lived 12 years. The Owens family lived on a farm near Calio, and when old enough Mr. Epperson began work as a farm laborer of that locality and remained there until 1896. He then went to Elmer, Mo., to work on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad with the section gang. Later he went to Iowa, where he took a position as brakeman on the Burlington railroad, where he remained until 1900, when he went to Oklahoma in the same capacity. In 1903, Mr. Epperson located at Arkansas City, Kan., and again entered the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad Company and was there until 1904, when he came to Moberiy. Mo. He worked on the Wabash railroad as brakeman until 1908, when he was promoted to conductor and has been serving in that capacity to the present time.
Mr. Epperson was married to Miss Sarah M. Moody, a daughter of George B. and Martha J. (Jones) Moody in May, 1897. The former was a native of Kentucky and now deceased. The mother was born in Tennessee and resides with her children. Mrs. Epperson was the youngest of the 12 children born to her parents. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Epperson : Deward and Madge, the wife of Hartley Johnson, of Los Angeles, Cal.
Mr. Epperson is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors, and is a Thirty-second Degree Mason and a member of the Shrine, Ararat Temple,
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
Kansas City, Mo. He is also a member of the Eastern Star and belongs to the Methodist church and is a Democrat. Mrs. Epperson belongs to the Auxiliary of the Order of Railway Conductors and the Brotherhood of Rail- way Trainmen. She is a member of the Maccabees and the Eastern Star and is also a member of the Methodist church.
William F. Byrd, a stationary engineer who has been in the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company in one capacity or another for the past 17 years, during which time he has been a resident of Moberly, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Knox County, Aug. 25, 1867, and is a son of Daniel and Margaret (Elliott) Byrd, natives of Virginia. They came from Virginia to Missouri at an early day and first settled in Knox County. They both died at Hunnewell, Shelby County, Mo. They were the parents of the following children: Emma married William Nelson, who is now deceased, and she resides at Bennett, Neb .; William F., the subject of this sketch, and John D., Darby, Mont.
William F. Byrd was reared in Shelby County, Mo., and educated in the district schools. He remained in Shelby County until 1903, when he came to Moberly and entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Com- pany as stationary engineer and is still in the employ of that company.
Mr. Byrd was married at Shelbyville, Mo., Sept. 22, 1881, to Miss Katie Spencer, a daughter of Samuel P. and Nettie C. Wilcox. Samuel P. Spencer was born in Kentucky and came from that state to Marion County. Mo., and later removed to Shelby County, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a farmer. Nettie C. (Wilcox) Spencer was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and was married to Mr. Spencer at Palmyra, Mo. She died in Moberly. They were the parents of six children: Katie, the wife of William F. Byrd, the subject of this sketch; Edwin A., Oak- land, Cal .; Omie, married William Gardner, Shelby County; Frank H., Shelby County ; Urban, Shelby County; and Jessie, died in infancy.
To William F. Byrd and wife have been born the following children : Maye, resides at home with her parents; Frank H., and Bessie, who mar- ried O. G. Maggard, of Columbia, Mo. The Byrd family are all members of the Methodist church.
Frank H. Byrd was educated in the public schools at Honeywell, Mo., and the Moberly Commercial College and in 1904 he entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company as machine helper. In 1907 he became private secretary to the road foreman and is now serving in the capacity of chief clerk to the trainmaster. He was married in Moberly April 3,
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1907, to Miss Reda Buhalt of Moberly. She is a daughter of L. F. and Etta (Rominger) Buhalt. Mrs. Byrd died June 25, 1917 and her remains are buried in Oakland Cemetery. To Frank H. Byrd and wife were born one child, Evelyn, born in Moberly May 18, 1911.
Frank H. Byrd is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Metho- dist church and is a Democrat. He is an enterprising man and a sub- stantial citizen.
George A. Smith, who is a well known and successful farmer and stock raiser of Salt River township, has been identified with the develop- ment of Randolph County for 36 years. He was born in Hancock County, Ill., Sept. 1, 1849, and is a son of Austin and Mary (Gibson) Smith. Austin Smith, the father, was also a native of Hancock County, Ill., born in 1826. He was a farmer and died while a young man in his native county in 1849. Mary (Gibson) Smith, the mother of George A. Smith, was also a native of Illinois. She was born in McDonough County, Ill., in 1830, and several years after the death of her husband, came west and died near Iola, Kan., in 1888.
George A. Smith was one of two children born to his parents. The elder, Chester H., died in Pittsburg, Kan. George A. Smith was reared and educated at Hancock County, attending district schools, and remained at home with his mother until he was 23 years. He then went to Iowa and bought a farm of 80 acres, where he was engaged in farming and stock raising until 1884. During that year he came to Missouri and bought his present place in Salt River township, where he owns a well improved and productive farm of 120 acres. He has placed all the im- provements on his farm and has one of the valuable and highly culti- vated farms of northeastern Randolph County. He built a modern seven room residence in 1913 and the other buildings about the place are large and well arranged for general farm purposes and stock raising. His barn, which he built in 1906, is a 40x50 structure. Mr. Smith carries on general farming and stock raising, specializing in Whiteface cattle and Spotted Poland China hogs.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage at Moberly, Mo., Dec. 26, 1878, with Miss Mary E. Holder. She was born April 5, 1856, and is a daugh- ter of John M. and Elizabeth (Ash) Holder, the former a native of Bar- ren County, Ky., and the latter of Missouri and both now deceased. They were the parents of one other child, besides Mrs. Smith, Ewing E., who resides at Richland, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born three
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
children, as follows: Ewing J., born Dec. 8, 1879, resides on the home place in Salt River township; Ida Mabel, born June 15, 1881, and died Nov. 13, 1892, and Harmon H., born Oct. 23, 1882, and died Nov. 15, 1892.
Mr. Smith is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist church. He is a substantial citizen and stands high in Randolph County.
Orion V. Boucher. a well-known citizen of Moberly, who has been a locomotive engineer on the Wabash railroad for the past 16 years, is a native of Randolph County and a descendant of some of the earliest pio- neers of this section. He was born in Moberly, Nov. 20, 1869, and is a. son of Isaac W. and Mary Pearl Boucher.
Isaac W. Boucher was born in Randolph County near Sugar Creek, Sept. 8, 1828. He was a son of Robert Boucher, a native of Kentucky who was one of the very first settlers in Randolph County. His wife, grand- mother of Orion V. Boucher, bore the maiden name of Wilcox and from all available reports obtainable, she was the first white woman north of Sugar Creek. Isaac W. Boucher lived at old Allen, before the days of Moberly, and he was one of the first to come here from old Allen when Moberly was founded. Prior to that time, however, he crossed the plains with ox teams in 1850, and remained on the coast about 15 years and re- turned to old Allen and in 1865 settled in Moberly, or what is now the city of Moberly. After locating here he took a prominent part in the civic life of the new town. He served as policeman, justice of the peace, police judge. He was engaged in the grocery business for a time. He died near Milton, Sept. 2, 1882, and is buried in the Antioch Church Cemetery. His wife was born near old Milton, Jan. 16, 1833, and they were married July 17, 1866. She died June 13, 1893, and is buried in the Antioch Cemetery.
Orion V. Boucher is one of a family of five children born to his parents, as follows: John R., born April 25, 1867, died Feb. 12, 1868; Bettie ; Pearl, born Nov. 23, 1868, and died Feb. 21, 1869; Orion V., the subject of this sketch; William Boone, born May 28, 1871, was a locomotive engineer for a number of years and is now operating a ranch in Idaho, and Mallie Allen, born July 23, 1872, married Charles E. Fox, a locomotive engineer of Columbia, Mo.
Orion V. Boucher was educated in the district schools of Union town- ship and the public schools of Moberly. He remained on the home farm until he was 21 years old and in 1890 came to Moberly and entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company in the round house. In 1892,
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
he began firing on the road and when the strike of 1894 came on, he en- gaged in farming, dairying and teaming, until 1899, when he returned to the Wabash railroad as fireman. In 1904, he was promoted to engineer and since that time has been employed in that capacity.
Mr. Boucher was married July 26, 1893, to Miss Lizzie Lee, a daughter of Henry L. and Lucy A. (Mallory) Lee. Henry L. Lee was born in Monroe County, Mo .. April 2, 1846, and followed farming in Audrain, Monroe, and Randolph counties, and during the last years of his life he lived retired at Moberly and in 1895 represented the first ward in the city council. He died May 11, 1896, and is buried in Oakland Cemetery. He was a son of Henry L. Lee, a native of Kentucky, who settled in Missouri in the early part of the last century. Lucy A. (Mallory) Lee was born in Henry County, Mo., Nov. 20, 1848. She and Mr. Lee were married in Monroe County and made their wedding trip to old Milton on horseback May 31, 1865. She died in Moberly, May 15, 1888, and is buried in the Antioch Cemetery in Monroe County. The following children were born to Henry L. and Lucy A. (Mallory) Lee: Laura, married Jim Hutsell of Randolph County ; Lizzie, the wife of Orion V. Boucher, of this sketch; Willard T., Moberly ; Etner, deceased ; Elmer L., lives near Oakland, Calif .; Frank C., deceased ; Robert E., lives in Randolph County ; Lucy A., married Ollie Reed, Lafayette, Ind .; Mrs. Boucher was born in Monroe County, Mo., May 10, 1870. After the death of his first wife Henry L. Lee was married to Miss Bessie Chapman, in September, 1893, and to this union were born two daughters: Anna Louis and Mary Virginia.
To Orion B. Boucher and wife have been born the following children: Virgil L., born in Moberly, Feb. 18, 1895, a switchman in the employ of the Wabash railroad and lives at Moberly; Lucy Pearl, born in Moberly, July 2, 1900; Hubert Kring, born Oct. 28, 1904; one died in infancy and Mary Elizabeth, born Jan. 15, 1908.
Mr. Boucher is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi- neers and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. She is a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
Church A. Basset, who is now engaged in farming on his place, two and one-half miles southeast of Moberly, has been a resident of Randolph County for 40 years and is one of the old time employees of the Wabash Railroad Company. Mr. Bassett was born in Winslow, Maine, Dec. 17, 1845, and is a son of William C. and Nancy (Pickins) Bassett.
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
William C. Bassett was born in Bridgewater, Mass, and during his lifetime was extensively engaged in buying and selling cattle, an occu- pation which was known as a drover in the early days. He bought and drove more cattle out of the state of Maine than any other buyer of his time. There were no railroads then for the shipment of cattle and he drove them to market at Brighton, Cambridge, and other Massa- chusetts towns. In later life he came west and died in Shelbyville in June, 1873. Nancy (Pickins) Bassett was born in Middleboro, Mass., and was there married to Mr. Bassett. She died in Moberly at the home of her son, Church A. Bassett.
Church A. Bassett was one of a family of nine children born to his parents and was the seventh in order of birth. He was educated in the public schools of Winslow, Maine and Waterville Academy. He remained at home with his parents until he was 28 years old when he was married and some time afterwards came west and lived in Illinois for a time. In 1880, he came to Moberly and entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company and served in various capacities with that company and was a locomotive fireman for a number of years. He is the owner of 160 acres of land and in recent years he has resided in Moberly and operated his farm two and one-half miles southwest of Moberly.
Mr. Bassett was married at Maumee, Ohio, Nov. 13, 1873, to Chloe A. Emery, a daughter of Samuel and Henrietta A. (Reese) Emery, both natives of Ohio and now deceased. Samuel Emery was a union soldier during the Civil War. Mrs. Bassett was born in Ohio, March 2, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett have one adopted daughter, which they reared as their own child, Clara. She married Oscar Koblitz, manager of the shoe department of the Henry Levy Company of Moberly.
Mr. Bassett is a Republican and one of the old time members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers. During the Civil War he served in the 131st Ohio Regiment, which was known as the home guards, for 90 days. He is one of the substantial and highly re- spected citizens of Randolph County.
Mr. Bassett made a trip to Alaska, of which he gives the following brief account: "I left Moberly the 1st day of March, 1898, went on the steamer Seattle from Seattle to Skagway. From Skagway we started for the scales and went over the summit the 9th of April, then on to Lake Bennett. Made a boat there to hold 11 tons, sawing our own lum- ber, and reached Dawson the 24th of April. I went to Eagle City, reach-
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
ing there the 1st of July, and located, then went more than 2,000 miles with dog teams. When I left Eagle City I was the oldest resident there. Later I went to St. Michaels and Nome. Went 80 miles from Nome to Fisk river, which empties into the Arctic, carrying our packs on our backs. We sailed on Behring Sea, then Pacific Ocean, back to Seattle, after spending 21/2 years in Alaska. While there I took dinner with Indian Chief Sam. Had ticket No. 1 at the big dinner at Eagle City, which I still have. United States soldiers were stationed at the mili- taly post. '
Marvin R. Lawrence, of Silver Creek township, is a progressive and enterprising farmer and stockman. Mr. Lawrence is a native of Ran- dolph County and was born in Silver Creek township on the farm where he now resides, June 21, 1880. He is a son of Robert M. and Sarah (Barber) Bradsher Lawrence.
Robert M. Lawrence was born in Clark County, Ky., Nov. 9, 1841. He was a son of Robert and Lucy (Ecton) Lawrence, both natives of Kentucky. The Lawrence family came from Virginia to Kentucky and the Ectons were among the pioneer settlers of Kentucky. Robert M. Lawrence was 20 years old when the Civil War broke out and he was one of the first to enlist in the Confederate army and served for three years. He served under General Morgan and was in Morgan's raid through Ohio and after the battle of Buffington Island in Ohio, he, with 17 others. were captured while trying to cross the Ohio River. He was held a prisoner at Camp Chase for a time when he was transferred to Camp Douglas at Chicago, where he was confined until March, 1865, when he was exchanged at Aikens Landing, on the James River. He then returned to his home in Kentucky and in the fall of 1865 came to Missouri and set- tled four miles southwest of Huntsville in Silver Creek township. He bought land there and spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming and stock raising. He was married Feb. 7, 1868, to Sarah (Barber) Brad- sher, daughter of Augustine Bradsher. She died March 2, 1882.
The following children were born to Robert M. Lawrence and wife: John M., Salt Lake Springs township; Ecton, Perryton, Texas; Frenchie, lives in Texas ; Lulu B., deceased, and Marvin R., the subject of this sketch.
Marvin R. Lawrence was reared in Silver Creek township and edu- cated in the district school. He remained at home until he was 21 years old; he then purchased 47 acres of land and engaged in farming on his own account. He settled on his present place in 1913, where he is en-
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gaged in general farming and stock raising. He raises pure bred Short- horn cattle.
Mr. Lawrence was married at Clifton Hill, Mo., Aug. 18, 1905 to Miss Lillie Minor, a daughter of Josephus and Minerva (Bradley) Minor, both natives of Randolph County. The father was born Feb. 19, 1847 and died Nov. 11, 1908, and the mother was born Oct. 16, 1857 and is now living in Randolph County. Mrs. Lawrence is one of seven children born to her parents, as follows: Anna, married Henry Carroll, Huntsville, Mo .; Thomas, Newton, Okla .; Edna N., married Wade Dunivent, Silver Creek township; Joe Billy, deceased; Loyd, Randolph County, and Lillie, his twin sister, who is the wife of Marvin R. Lawrence; and Grace, married Frank Edwards of Randolph County. To Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have been born two children: Oleta, born Sept. 13, 1906 and Juanita, born Oct. 16, 1917.
Mr. Lawrence is a Democrat and Mrs. Lawrence is a member of the Baptist church. The Lawrence family stand high in Randolph County and Mr. Lawrence is a substantial citizen.
Marion Murry, one of the well known and successful farmers of Silver Creek township, is a native of Ohio. He was born at Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio, April 24, 1844. His parents were Adam and Eliza (Huggins) Murry. The father was born near Pittsburg, Pa., in 1815. He was a painter and stone mason in early life and when a young man, went to Ohio, where he was married, and after living for a time in Sandusky County, he removed to Elkhart County, Ind., where he bought a farm of 92 acres and followed farming there during the re- mainder of his life. He died in 1878. Elizabeth (Huggins) Murry, mother of Marion Murry, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio. She was married in this County and died there in 1846. Adam and Eliza (Hug- gins) Murry were the parents of the following children: Ethel M., de- ceased ; Eliza J., deceased; Lawrence, deceased; William, deceased; and Marion, the subject of this sketch.
Marion Murry was about two years old when his mother died. He was educated in the district schools of Indiana and when a youth, learned the trade of plastering and stone mason, although he followed this line but a short time. He came to Missouri in 1869 and settled in Scotland County, where he was engaged in farming on rented land for about one year. In 1871 he came to Randolph County and farmed rented land across the line in Chariton County. Shortly afterwards, he bought 160 acres of land in Silver Creek township, which is a part of his present
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holdings. He purchased more land from time to time and is now the owner of 240 acres in Silver Creek township. He has improved his place and it is one of the valuable farms of this section of the county. In 1917 he built a modern residence. He carries on general farming and stock raising and is meeting with success.
Mr. Murry was first married in Scotland County, Mo., Feb. 28, 1869, to Miss Lucinda Watts, who died in 1880. The following children were born to that union: Eva May, born May 6, 1870, died in infancy ; Ami D., born July 15, 1871, died Jan 6, 1874; Marion Terrill born Jan. 25, 1873. and lives in Oklahoma, and Matthew, born Aug. 15, 1877, lives in Oklahoma. In 1884, Mr. Murry was married to Miss Luro Munsell and to" this union one child has been born, Jennie, born July 4, 1886, married Arthur Bagby and resides in Randolph County.
Mr. Murry is a Democrat and a substantial citizen.
David R. Denny, a progressive and well-to-do farmer and stockman of Silver Creek township, is a native of this county. He was born on the place where he now resides in Silver Creek township, April 4, 1864, ' and is a son of Humphrey B. and Margaret E. (Snoddy) Denny.
Humphrey B. Denny was born in Howard County, Nov. 27, 1827. He was a son of James and Elizabeth (Best) Denny, natives of Kentucky, who settled in Howard County in 1818 and spent the remainder of their lives here. Humphrey B. Denny was reared in Howard County and early in life moved to Randolph County, where he was engaged in farming and met with success. At one time he was the owner of over 900 acres of land. He was married to Margaret E. Snoddy, Dec. 10, 1857. She was the daughter of Joseph Walker Snoddy, an early settler of Howard County.
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