USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 74
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In politics, Mr. Klein is an independent and with his family belongs to the Catholic church. He is a member of the Elks, Knights of Columbus and the Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. Klein is one of the old substantial residents and business men of Moberly and his stores are landmarks in the history of the city.
Joseph S. Crews, a well known passenger conductor of the Wabash Railroad between Moberly and Omaha, is a member of a well known family of Randolph County. He was born in Randolph County, April 12, 1864 and is a son of Samuel T. and Sallie (Gaswaller) Crews. Samuel Crews was a native of Howard County, Mo., where he grew up and was later engaged in farming. Subsequently the family came to Randolph County, where he was engaged in farming.
Joseph S. Crews was one of five children born to his parents. He was reared on his father's farm and attended the district school and later entered the high school at Renick and was graduated from the four year course. He then took a commercial course in Spaulding's Business Col- lege at Kansas City, Mo. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper for the Renick Coal Mining Company where he remained for five years. He then began as brakeman on the Wabash Railroad and his first run was between Moberly and St. Louis in 1889. In 1898 he was promoted to conductor of a freight and 1908 he was given a passenger run from Mob- erly to Omaha and for the past 12 years has been on this run.
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On Oct. 26, 1886, Mr. Crews was married to Miss Kate Patton Martin, a native of Randolph County. She is a daughter of James and Sallie (Stephens) Martin, natives of Monroe County and early settlers of Ran- dolph County, where Mr. Martin became a well known and prosperous farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Crews have an adopted daughter, Ruth, who mar- ried R. A. Manard, who is engaged in business in Moberly.
Mr. Crews is a Democrat and he and Mrs. Crews are members of the Christian church. He is a member of the Order of Railway Con- ductors.
William H. Eckard, superintendent of the Moberly division of the . Wabash Railroad, is a native of Illinois. He was born at Topeka, Ill., Aug. 3, 1878, a son of William and Amelia J. (Bandeen) Eckard and is the third of a family of six children. His father was a railroad agent in Illinois and also a grain dealer, owning a string of elevators on the Jack- sonville & Southern Railroad. The grandparents were Moses and Sarah (Sommons) Eckard, natives of Pennsylvania, who were reared and edu- cated in their native state. They came west at an early day. They were pioneer settlers of Mason County, Ill., and became prominent in that sec- tion where they spent the remainder of their lives. Amelia J. (Bandeen) Eckard was born near New Albany. Ind., and died in 1908 at the age of 64 years.
William H. Eckard spent his boyhood days at Topeka, Ill. and at- tended the public schools and acquired a good practical education. While yet in school he learned telegraphy, a vocation at which he began work when quite young. He soon began to realize that the best equipment that a man could have for the battle of life was a good education and after working as operator until 1899 he entered Alma College, Alma, Mich., where he remained a year. After leaving college, Mr. Eckard again accepted a position as telegrapher, was transferred from one town to another until he became associated with the Quincy, Omaha & St. Louis Railroad, now a part of the Wabash system. He was stationed at Quincy, Ill. for six months before being transferred to Kansas City and later to Stanberry, Mo., as train dispatcher. There he remained from 1900 to 1904. He was sent to Brunswick, Mo. in the same capacity and from there came to Moberly in 1905 as dispatcher for this division. Four months after coming here he was offered and accepted the position of night chief train dispatcher at Decatur, Ill. In 1910 he returned to Stansberry as train master where he remained until 1915 when he was
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promoted to superintendent of the Moberly division and has since held that position.
On June 17. 1916, Mr. Eckard was married to Miss Blanche Enyart, of Gallatin, Mo. She is a daughter of John Enyart who was a lumber- man and banker of that town. He died Dec. 20, 1919. His widow now resides at Stansberry, Mo.
Mr. Eckard is a Democrat and a Knight Templar Mason and a mem- ber of the Shrine. He is one of the efficient and progressive railroad men who has climbed to his present position by hard work and natural inherent ability.
Amos L. Crumrine, known to all his many friends as "Al", has been . a resident of Moberly for more than a quarter of a century and during almost all that time has been associated with the Wabash Railroad. He was born in Adams County, Pa., Nov. 14, 1856 and is a son of John and Eliza (Schley) Crumrine. They were the parents of 13 children of whom he was the youngest son and the tenth child in order of birth. John Crumrine was also a native of Pennsylvania and was a farmer.
Amos L. Crumrine was educated in the district school and the public schools of Middleton. When only 10 years old he began to learn the harness maker's trade and after serving his apprenticeship, followed that calling for five years before accepting a position with the buggy manu- facturing concern at Indianapolis, Ind. While still a young man he began checking freight on the old Jeffersonville & Madison railroad at Indi- anapolis, Ind. This road afterward was absorbed by the Pennsylvania system. For 12 years he was associated with railroading and during that period he worked as breakmen and yardman. Leaving Indiana in 1894, Mr. Crumrine came to Moberly and began breaking on the Wabash rail- road. He was soon promoted to conductor and ran freight and passenger trains for 16 years. He finally resigned to engage in the implement and hardware business which he disposed of to advantage four years later and returned to the Wabash Railroad as switch tender, a position which he has filled to the present time.
In 1893, Mr. Crumrine was married to Miss Julia Cashen, a native of Canada, who died in 1894. One child was born to them, Albert J., who is at home with his father. On Nov. 5, 1915, Mr. Crumrine married Lena Christian Beheler, a native of Randolph County, born at Huntsville, Mo., Feb. 22, 1872. She is a daughter of James P. and Martha E. (McDavitt) Christian, both of whom now reside at Renick where Mr. Christian is post-
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master. Mrs. Crumrine was the widow of James J. Beheler of Roanoke, Randolph County, at the time of her second marriage. Two children have been born to this union: Paul L., of Canon City, Colo. and Shirley Eliza- beth, at home.
Mrs. Crumrine was reared and educated in Randolph County and later attended the State Normal School at Chillicothe, Mo., and taught for three years here. She and Mr. Crumrine have a host of old friends in Moberly and Randolph County. Mr. Crumrine is a Republican.
William P. Vandegrift, one of the well known business men of Mob- erly, with a plumbing and heating establishment at 420 West Coates street, was born in Odessa, Del., June 1, 1863. He is a son of Perry and Maria (Cosgriff) Vandegrift and is the sixth of their nine children. Perry Vandegrift was born in Cecil County, Md. He was a farmer and merchant and spent his life in these vocations. He died at Philadelphia, Pa., in 1913, aged 86 years. Mrs. Vandegrift was born in Ireland and came to America when young. She died in 1910 at the age of 79 years.
William P. Vandegrift spent his boyhood days at Wilmington, Del., where he attended the public schools. While still living on his father's farm, he learned the plumber's trade in Wilmington, Del. Mr. Vande- grift has been in business for himself in different parts of the country, having been located at Washington, D. C., Los Angeles, Cal., and in 1901 came to Moberly. On April 28 of that year he engaged in business at his present location. From the first, Mr. Vandegrift has met with success.
On July 11, 1904, Mr. Vandegrift was married to Miss Anna A. Neth, of Moberly. She is a daughter of John and Mary (Gringrich) Neth. The father who is now retired was one of the pioneer cigarmakers of Mob- erly and can tell many interesting early day experiences of this section.
The Vandegrifts are of Holland descent and its members have been identified with this country for many years. The first members of this family came to the United States in 1665, locating in Maryland and Dela- ware; then a branch went to Pennsylvania. Mr. William Vandegrift's parents are descended from the Maryland branch. Members of the family have taken part in all the wars of the United States from the Revolution to the present day. Mr. Vandegrift takes a keen interest in all historical material and today has standing on his property at Moberly, the only log cabin left of the original structures of the first settlement of the present thriving city of Moberly.
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Otto S. Fowler, now living retired in Moberly, who maintains his home at 312 South Williams street, is the owner of nearly 300 acres of valuable land in Prairie township, where for many years he was engaged in farming and stock raising and was one of the leading breeders of Duroc Jersey Hogs and Hereford cattle of this county. Mr. Fowler is a native son of Randolph County, born on a farm near Clark in Prairie township Aug. 9, 1875. He is a son of William and Nancy J. (Hamilton) Fowler and one of the following children born to them: Sarah, who mar- ried Joseph McCune, is deceased; Matilda, is the widow of Mr. McCully .of Moberly ; Frances F., deceased; Flora and Ann F., also deceased ; Louella, the wife of Doctor Mangus, lives in Florida, and Otto, the subject of this review.
William B. Fowler was born near Lexington, Aug. 24, 1823, the son of Elijah and Matilda (Burris) Fowler, both born and reared in their native state. Their son was also reared and educated in Kentucky and after reaching maturity became a farmer. He met and married Nany Hamilton who was born and reared near Lexington, Ky. and came to Missouri with her parents. The Fowlers took up government land in Prairie township, paying $1.25 an acre which at that time was considered a good price. William B. Fowler filed on a section of land which he broke, cultivated and in time became a rich productive farm. He spent his entire life on the farm and died March 16, 1905. His wife died Jan. 29. 1913.
Otto S. Fowler spent his early days on his father's farm in Prairie township and attended the district school, laying the foundation for a good practical education. He engaged in farming and stock raising and at. his father's death, he inherited 100 acres of land. He invested in other land adjoining until he had one of the largest and most productive farms of Randolph County. Mr. Fowler studied agricultural problems and was one of the first to recognize that the control of the meat produc- ing business had passed from the hands of the great cattle barrons with the passing of the open range and that henceforth this great industry was to lie in the hands of the small farmer who would raise high grade beef and hogs, so he invested in well bred animals and that his vision was wise needs not to be told when one learns of his successes in the live stock business. In 1920, Mr. Fowler retired from the active man- agement of his business and has since resided in Moberly.
On Jan. 14, 1894, Mr. Fowler was married to Miss Maud M. Hamil- ton, of Randolph County. She was born near Higbee and is a daughter
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of Theodore R. and Sarah F. (Cleeton) Hamilton, both natives of Howard County, Mo. and to this union two children have been born, Osie F., the wife of R. T. Hulette of Renick and Opal M., the oldest daughter who is at home with her parents. Mr. Fowler has run the gamut of pioneer experi- ences in central Missouri and has accumulated his competency by farm- ing and stock raising. He early took a prominent place as one of the progressive farmers of his district and made a marked success.
Ambrose C. Burton, deceased, was prominent in the affairs of Ran- dolph County for many years. He was a representative of one of the oldest families in this county and state. Judge Burton was born on his father's farm near Higbee, Mo., Sept. 23, 1846, and died Jan. 26, 1920. He was the eldest of the two children born to his parents, Judge May Medley and Minerva (Brooks) Burton; the former was born in Moniteau township, Dec. 14, 1822, and died after passing his life in Randolph County, Feb. 6, 1916.
Judge May Medley Burton was reared on his father's farm near Hig- bee, received a good education and in time became a large landowner, being engaged in stock raising and general farming until 1870. Mr. Bur- ton was a man who took an active part in the civic life of his generation and in 1856 he was elected to the state legislature where he served with such marked ability that in 1870 he was elected a member of the county court. He engaged in the mercantile business at Higbee but in 1878 moved to Sweet Springs, Mo., where he lived three years. However, in 1881, he gave up business and retired to the farm where he lived a retired life the rest of his days. Judge Burton's first wife was a Miss Minerva Brooks, who died in 1881, at the age of 45, leaving two children and on July 5, 1883, Judge Burton married Sarah A. Lassiter Gilman, widow of Robert Gilman, who served as county treasurer of Randolph County for a number of years. Mrs. Burton was the daughter of Henry Lassiter, a native of Kentucky.
Ambrose C. Burton spent his boyhood days on his father's farm near Higbee and attended the district school and then attended the public schools in Higbee. After reaching maturity, he engaged in farming and also conducted a livery business in Higbee for three years. He was a man of considerable property and substantial standing in the community. Mr. Burton was a Democrat and with his family belonged to the Christian church.
Oct. 24, 1867, Ambrose C. Burton was married to Miss Frances A. Baker, who was born in Randolph County, Jan. 5, 1846 and died Feb. 11,
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1899. She is a daughter of Perry and Elizabeth Baker, natives of Ken- tucky. Five children were born to this union: Anna M., who married J. T. Perkins, is deceased; Dora A., the wife of J. T. Perkins, Waverly, Tenn .; Oliver P., is deceased ; Mary D., the wife of N. N. Dysart, Armstrong, Mo .; and Leslie, who now resides on the old Burton homestead in Moniteau ' township. This place is located just a mile south of Higbee.
Leslie T. Burton, like his father and grandfather, passed his youth on the old home place and attended school in Higbee and after graduating from the high school, began an independent financial career when only 18 years old. He soon made money enough to invest in land of his own and on Oct. 12. 1881, purchased the old homestead. He has adopted modern methods and today is one of the leading farmers and stockmen of Ran- dolph County.
On April 17, 1912, Leslie Burton was married to Miss Ella S. Ma- gruder, a native of Howard County, Mo. and a daughter of Rev. Notley A. and Ada (Pemberton) Magruder.
Leslie Burton is a Democrat and though he has never taken an active part in politics, is one of the public spirited men of Randolph County who supports all worthy movements for the improvement of the county and the town of Higbee. He and Mrs. Burton are members of the Baptist church.
John H. Benton, now living retired at Renick, Mo., was for many years a successful farmer and stock raiser in Prairie township, where he now owns a valuable farm of 150 acres. Mr. Benton was born in Calla- way County, Mo., June 9, 1869 and is a son of Thomas. H. Benton and Nancy (Brown) Benton.
Thomas H. Benton was a native of Kentucky and an early settler of this section of Missouri. He never was a land holder, but he settled in Callaway County and married Miss Hopper and to their union was born six children, three girls and three boys, three of whom are now living. After the death of his first wife, he married Miss Nancy Brown and there were born to that union two children: John H. Benton and Louella Ben- ton. Thomas H. Benton lived in Callaway County for several years until after the death of his wife. He then moved to Boone County and mar- ried Miss Mollie Folley and there were born to that union three children.
John H. Benton was reared in Boone County until he was grown up. At the age of 23 years he married Miss Mary Elizabeth Varvel in the year of 1890; she was a native of Kentucky and came to Missouri at the
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age of three years and settled in Boone County and was reared and edu- cated in the public schools there. They were married in Boone and to this union eight children were born, the eldest born in Boone County in 1891, Elmer Roy, who was married to Mrs. Pearl Hamilton and now re- sides on the Benton farm one and one-half miles south of Renick.
In the year of 1892 Mr. Benton moved to Randolph County and bought 55 acres of timbered land with not one dollar to pay down. Here the other children of the family were born, reared and educated. By good luck and good management and the hard work that he and his wife and family could do they bought more land as they were able to pay for it, and they now own 150 acres in prairie township and also a home in Renick. There are no incumbrances whatever against any of Mr. Benton's property. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Benton in Randolph County after settling here are: Elsie Irene Benton, married G. H. Dougherty ; William Elbert, married Miss Edith Farris; Effie Lee, married Sterling Farris ; James Floyd, Myra Elia, and Ruby Evalin are unmarried and re- side with their parents; Anna May died May 12, 1910, aged 13 months.
Mr. Benton retired from the farm Aug. 6, 1919 and moved to Renick and is now living retired.
Mr. Benton was given very little educational advantages in his boy- hood, but he is possessed of good business judgment and good common sense and all his life he has been a close observer of men and affairs. He has acquired a good education in the hard school of experience and is a dependable man and a substantial citizen. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and he is a Democrat.
Richmond Ray Correll, State food commissioner with offices located in Moberly, Randolph County, is a native son of Missouri, born at Rich- mond, May 23, 1884, the son of James G. and Jane (Nelson) Correll. James G. Correll was a Virginian, born in 1857 and died in 1886. He was reared and educated in his native state and came to Missouri when a. young man, locating in Saline County where he engaged in farming in his later years. All during his early life, Mr. Correll was engaged in mining, being fore- man of the mine at Richmond. Jane Nelson Correll was born in Indiana and now resides at Armstrong, Mo., aged 56 years. She was married a second time to Leighton Yancey, a merchant of Armstrong, who is now retired. There were three children in the Correll family: Edward, of Kansas City, Mo., a Federal grain inspector; Richmond, of this sketch, and James G., deceased.
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Richmond Ray Correll spent his boyhood days in Armstrong, Mo., attended the public schools there and entered the high school where he spent three years. After leaving school,, Mr. Correll entered a news- paper office and learned the printing business, both the mechanical end, where he became a master printer, and also the editorial branch, as he worked on the Armstrong Herald and later the Clark Chronicle, of which he became editor, a position which he held 15 years. Later he purchased the paper and was owner and editor.
After selling the Chronicle, Mr. Correll assumed the duties of State food inspector for this district with offices in Moberly, where he has re- . sided since 1919. Mr. Correll is a Democrat and from first starting his paper took an active and interested part in civic and political affairs of his locality and 1912 was elected to the State Legislature where he served three terms. In 1919, Mr. Correll was appointed assistant secretary to Governor Gardner and served nine months. He is a member of the Democratic state committee, having been recently elected from the Second Congressional District.
May 12, 1906, occurred the marriage of Mr. Correll and Miss Susie Burke of Higbee, Mo. She is the daughter of William and Mary (Pigot) Burke, whose history appears upon another page of this volume.
Mr. and Mrs. Correll are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Correll is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He takes an active part in the life of Moberly and is one of the progressive and con- structive citizens of this section who supports all the movements of im- provement of county, state and nation.
Obediah Brooks, an experienced and successful stock raiser and farmer of Prairie township. Randolph County, who owns 285 acres of valuable land on which are many substantial improvements, breeds high grade stock on his place and feeds for the market. Mr. Brooks is also a stock holder in the Farmers Bank of Renick and is known as a man of business ability. He was born on the farm where he now lives April 29, 1880. His parents were William Cleve and Sallie Brooks.
William Cleve Brooks was born in Randolph County, April 12, 1844 and was reared and educated here and when old enough engaged in farm- ing and at the same time employed in a sawmill. At the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Brooks enlisted in Troop C, of the Union cavalry from Randolph County and served until peace was declared. He was a member
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of the Grand Army of the Republic until his death which occurred in 1896. Sallie Brooks was born on a farm just north of her son's farm and spent her life here. She died in 1884.
Obediah Brooks spent his youth on the farm and attended the dis- trict school where he laid the foundation for a good practical education. When his father died he began an independent financial career, being next to the youngest in the family of nine children. Mr. Brooks engaged in farming, a vocation with which he was familiar from his work on the home place. He inherited his share of the old home place, to which he has added from time to time as his capital permitted and is now the owner of 285 acres. He is one of the progressive farmers who makes a study of his business and has adopted many of the modern ideas and methods. His farm is equipped with labor saving machinery which also increases production.
Mr. Brooks has his sister Ardenia living with him as he is not mar- ried. He has taken a prominent part in the affairs of his district and is a Republican. He belongs to the Methodist church and is interested in the finances of the county as he was one of the organizers of the Farm- ers Bank of Renick in which institution he purchased a large block of stock.
Timcthy Freeman, who resides at 419 Ault street. Moberly, Mo., has been identified with Moberly and Randolph County for over 40 years. He was born in Queens County, Ireland, June 3, 1848, and is a son of Miles and Anna (Degan) Freeman and was the fourth in order of birth of five children born to them. Miles Freeman was a merchant tailor and emigrated from Ireland and came to Moberly, Mo. in 1880 and died here five years later at the advanced age of 93 years. Thus it will be seen that he made the voyage from Ireland to America at the unusual age of 88 years. He was a man of remarkable physical and mental vitality and retained his unusual vigor up till nearly the time of his death. His wife died in Ireland in 1863 at the age of 63 years.
Timothy Freeman received his education in his native land and when a youth began an apprenticeship at the tailor's trade there. In 1864, when he was about 16 years of age he came to America and settled in New York City where he finished learning his trade. Two years later he went to New Haven, Conn., where he was a journeyman tailor for ten months. He then went to Chicago, Ill. and worked at his trade until the great Chi- cago fire in 1871 in which he lost all his personal belongings. At that
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time he was working for John Beers. After the Chicago fire, Mr. Free- man went to New Orleans, La., where he remained about a year and in 1872 came to Missouri and located at Columbia. He remained there until the fall of 1879 when he came to Moberly and opened a tailor shop and was in business for himself about four years. He then accepted a posi- tion as cutter for a mercantile establishment and followed that line in Moberly for 20 years. In 1917, he engaged in farming and since that time has devoted himself to that occupation. He owns and operates 81 acres of land which is situated two and one-half miles southwest of Moberly where he carries on general farming and stock raising and is meeting with success.
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