USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 69
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ROBERT A. PRICHARD.
The subject of this sketch is one of the leading business men of the town of Camden. He was born in Ray county, Missouri, near the city of Richmond, June 24, 1853. His father, William W. Prichard, was a farmer and he was reared to the same vocation. After finishing the course taught in the public schools, he spent several years at the Rich- mond College, and there finished his education. After leaving school he remained for about a year on the farm with his father, and then engaged as clerk, for a period, in the drug store of Dr. Taylor, at Richmond. He has, at various times since, been clerk in different business houses in that place. While with Drs. Taylor and Jacobs, he acquired a knowledge of the drug business, and, in 1873, opened at Camden, a drug store on his own account. He has made the business so successful as to require the aid of a clerk. Mr. Prichard was married in 1874, to Miss Alice V. Jones, daughter of Mr. Ammon Jones, now deceased. Mr. Prichard
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resides and continues to conduct his business in Camden. He is very popular with all his acquaintances and is doing a thriving business.
ASA BROCKMAN.
Asa Brockman is an old settler of Ray county, and was born in Clark . county, Kentucky, in the month of April, 1826. While he was yet an infant, his father, Mr. Joseph E. Brockman, immigrated to Missouri, and after stopping about a year in Howard county, settled in Ray (section 22, township 51, range 28), and here has been the home of our subject ever since. Asa Brockman received his education in the district schools of this county, and remained at home working upon his father's farm until he was twenty-two years of age, and then, fired by the excitement of the dis- covery of gold, he, in 1849, went to California. He made the trip over- land with an ox team. He engaged in mining in California, and remained there about eighteen months, returning at the expiration of that time, to Ray county, by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New Orleans. On his return home he took charge of his father's place, and has since con- ducted and managed the farm. Mr. Brockman was married in the autumn of 1852, to Miss Sarah F. Hudgens, daughter of B. A. Hudgens, Esq., of Ray county. Ten children have been born as the result of this union; eight are now living: Joseph E., John C., H. M., Nancy Jane, wife of J. Rosell; Lou Isabel, wife of Joseph Brown; James A., Sarah A. and Asa B. Mr. Brockman lives on the old homestead of his father, a fine tract of 280 acres of valuable upland. He pays most attention to grain growing. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, at South Point, near Albany.
JAMES M. SUITS.
James M. Suits was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, on the 1st day of May, 1845. Here he received his education, and lived until the year 1861, when he went to Richmond, Virginia, and engaged in coal and lead mining. Two years later he left the mines and enlisted in the Confederate army, under Major Bridgeford, who commanded the first Virginia battalion of infantry, known as the "Irish battalion." They had been United States regular troops before the war. After the close of the war Mr. Suits returned to the coal mines of Virginia, and remained about three years, and then leaving there, he worked, successively, for short periods, in West Virginia, Ohio, and Kansas. On the 14th day of Novem- ber, 1870, he came to Camden, Ray county, Missouri, and again resumed work at the coal business. He engaged with J. C. McGrew, and has been chief operator and manager for him ever since coming to Camden. James M. Suits was married in 1863, to Miss Eliza M. Chandler, of Black- burg, Virginia. Eight children have been born of this marriage, of whom .
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six survive at this time: James Anderson, Minnie Lee, William, Francis, Earle, and Frederick. Mr. Suits is a member of Masonic Lodge, No. 444, at Albany. He is a member of the town council of Camden, and an influential and valuable citizen.
ANDREW J. JACKSON.
This gentleman was born near the town of Camden, in Ray county, Missouri, and was educated in the schools there. He began the business of merchandising at the age of fifteen years, in his father's store. In 1875 he clerked for Messrs. Dorton & Pigg, at the neighboring town of Orrick. In the year 1876 he went to Texas and engaged for a time with a firm who were in the clothing business, at the town of Sherman. Subsequently he clerked in a grocery house in the same place. At the expiration of his engagement at Sherman, he returned to Camden, Ray county, Missouri, and entered, with his brother, a general merchandise business at that place. In 1878 he bought out the interest of his brother, Mr. Walter A. Jackson, in this store, and conducted it on his own account for about a year longer, when he formed a partnership with his father, and this firm, styled C. R. Jackson & Son, still continues to control a good local trade at Camden. Mr. Jackson is a rising young merchant, and, with his practical experience and long training, coupled with his sound judgment and busi- ness acumen, cannot fail of future abundant success.
WILLIS MERIDETH.
Willis Merideth is a native of Kentucky. He was born on the 10th day of March, 1844, in Edmondson county, that state. His father, Lewis Merideth, removed in 1857 from Kentucky to Missouri, and settled at Napoleon, in Lafayette county. Six years later, in 1863, he came to Ray county, and located about three miles above the town of Camden. Our subject received his education in the common schools in Kentucky, partly, finishing the course in Lafayette county after the removal of the family to Missouri. Mr. Merideth was married at Cam- den on the 17th day of March, 1865, to Miss S. Thomas, daughter of James M. Thomas, Esq., of Camden. Five children, three girls and two boys, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Merideth, three only of whom are now living: James Lewis, Allie, and Emma, aged respectively fourteen, twelve, and two years. Mr. Merideth is a prosperous and popular mer- chant, and a good citizen of the town of Camden.
JAMES R. AKERS.
Was born in Ray county, Missouri, on the 24th day of December, 1829. His father, Joseph E. Akers, was a farmer, and owned and conducted a farm three and a half miles west of Camden. Upon this place James
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
was born and reared. He was educated in the district schools of the neighborhood. His father died while he was yet a boy, and as soon as he was old enough to manage the farm, the care of the family devolved, in a large measure, upon him. He remained with his mother on the old homestead until he was twenty-two years old, and then, in 1852, went to California. There he was engaged as a teamster, at ninety dollars per month, for about a year, and then he began mining, until December, 1854, when he returned to Ray county, Missouri, and resumed the occupation of farming until 1866, and then began keeping store at Camden, and has ever since continued that business there. Mr. Akers was married on the 9th day of December, 1857, to Miss Melinda M. Cooper, daughter of Mr. Loyd Cooper, a prominent resident of Ray county, but now deceased. The issue of this union was five sons and three daughters: John T., born October 7, 1858; George R., born February 28, 1860; Walter, born January 13, 1862; Melissa, born February 7, 1865; Albert, born Decem- ber 25, 1866; Rebecca E., born November 18, 1868; Mary E., born November 14, 1870; William, born November 19, 1873. Albert died September 2, 1867, and Rebecca on the 24th of February, 1870. The others are still living, and all of them at home with their parents. Mr. Akers is a member of Ada Lodge No. 444, A. F. & A. M., at Albany. Himself and son, John T., are conducting a prosperous grocery business at the town of Camden.
GEORGE W. THOMAS.
The subject of this article was born in Greenup county, Kentucky, on the 8th. day of April, 1845. His father, Mr. J. M. Thomas, removed to Missouri in 1857, and settled at Camden in Ray county. Here he grew up and received his education. He was married, in the year 1869, to Miss Alice V. Galle, daughter of Mr. Peter Galle, of Ray county. They became the parents of three children: Alfred Edgar, Murtie Belle, Lieu Ella and Jesse D. Lieu Ella and an infant are dead, the others still sur- vive. Mr. Thomas began the business of coal mining in the year 1869, and has ever since pursued that calling. During the late war he was a Union soldier, and participated in a number of the leading battles. Mr. Thomas has a comfortable home in Camden, and is doing well in business.
CAPTAIN JOHN SACRY.
John Sacry was born in Lafayette county, Kentucky, December 15, 1825, and lived there until his sixteenth year, when he went, with his father, George Sacry, Esq., to Garrard county, Kentucky. After several other subsequent removals to different parts of the state of Ken- tucky, he came, in 1854, to Ray county, Missouri, and located at Camden. He has made his home in Ray county ever since. The fall after his
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
coming to Camden, he took charge of his uncle's, Mr. James W. Sacry's, farm, and conducted that for a time. Before leaving Kentucky he learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1856, he resumed work at his trade, and con tinued it for several years. Since that time he has been variously occu- pied in handling tobacco and live stock, and in farming. In the year 1846, Mr. Sacry, then in his twenty-first year, enlisted in the second regiment of Kentucky Infantry, for the war with Mexico. This regiment was com- manded by Colonel Wm. R. McKee, and Lieutenant Colonel Henry Clay, junior. William T. Willis was captain of the company in which our subject was enrolled. All of these officers were killed at the battle of Buena Vista. Mr: Sacry was discharged, on account of physical disability, near Berita, and he at once returned to Kentucky. He also, served dur- ing the civil war, in the Union army with the rank of captain. Captain Sacry was married, on the 19th of December, 1856, to Miss Sarah E. Ballew, daughter of Joseph Ballew, who is now deceased. Five children have been born of this union, four of whom (two of each sex) are living at the present time: George Edwin, Mattie C., John A., and Pearl. Captain and Mrs. Sacry are both members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is, also, a member of the order of I. O. O. F. Captain Sacry has been a resident of Camden for twenty-five years.
THOMAS M. COOPER.
Thomas M. Cooper was born in Jefferson county, Tennessee, on the 2d day of July, 1822. His parental ancestry were of Irish origin, his grandfather, Isaac Cooper, having immigrated from Ireland to North Carolina, at a very early day. His mother's people were of Welsh descent. The father of oursubject, Mr. Lloyd Cooper, removed from North Carolina to Tennessee in his early manhood, and there married and raised a family. Thomas M. Cooper was educated in his native state, and lived there until his twenty-fourth year, and then, in 1846, he came to Missouri and settled in Ray county with a Mr. Bird Smith, for whom he managed a farm during his first year in the county. The next year he was engaged with Captain John Richardson, as overseer of his slaves and farm. The following year he took charge of a large number of negroes belonging to Mr. William Moore, who owned and cultivated a large plantation in the river bottom, between Lexington and Richmond. He remained in the employ of Mr. Moore for seven years, and then began farming on his own account, and continued in that business for the space of three years. He then moved to Camden, and in company with his cousin, Mr. Seth H. Moore, he erected a large warehouse, and began a general shipping and commission business. This was before the time of railroads, and Camden was at the zenith of her prosperity. In 1866, he started three other enterprises in connection with his commission business,
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a dry goods store, pork packing and handling tobacco. He substituted the business of dealing in live stock, in the year 1873, for pork packing, and purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres two miles east of Camden, which he has conducted in connection with his other business ever since. Mr. Cooper was first married in the year 1856, to Miss Ellen Campbell, of Lexington. She only lived about a year after her marriage, and he was again married in 1858, to Miss Elizabeth Willis, daughter of Wm. Willis, Esq., of Lexington. Six children have been born to them, but only three, Mary B., Thomas L. and Elizabeth P., now survive. Mr. Cooper has been a member of the M. E. Church South, since 1876. Mrs. Cooper belongs to the Missionary Baptist denomination. He is also a member of the order of A. F. & A. M.
JAMES MCENROE.
This young gentleman is one of the principal coal operators of Cam- den. He was born in Carrollton, Illinois, on the 14th day of June, 1852. His father, Franklin McEnroe, was accidentally killed when James was but three years old, and our subject received his early training and counsel from his mother. He was educated in the schools of Carrollton, and remained at home with his mother until he was twenty years of age, when he was engaged by the Chicago & Alton railroad company, as bag- gagemaster at Carrollton. While in this position he learned the art of telegraphy, and in 1870 was placed in charge of the station at Summit, on the C. & A. railway, and remained in charge of the duties there until 1872. He was then night operator of telegraph, for a short time, for the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern railway, at Centralia, Missouri. He was subsequently agent at Wentzville for four years; at High Hill, in a similar capacity, for a time, and finished his career in railroad business with a three and a half years' term of service at the Camden (Ray county,) station. Mr. McEnroe was married at Camden, in the month of June, 1879, to Miss Ida Craven, daughter of John N. Craven, of that place. About a year after his marriage, Mr. McEnroe opened a very rich coal mine, which had been unsuccessfully worked by a party some fifteen years previous, upon the land of his father-in-law, Mr. Craven. His mining operations have been very successful, and he has built up an extensive and lucrative business in coal. Only one child was born to Mr. and Mrs. McEnroe. It died in infancy, and its mother surviving it but a short time, died also, in the beginning of the present year (1881). Mr. McEnroe is a member of Cyrus Royal Arch Chapter No. 36, A. F. & A. M., at Richmond. Though young in years, he has already acquired, by his own unaided efforts, an enviable reputation and position among the enterprising and successful business men of Camden.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
JOSEPH MILLER.
Was born in Clay county, Missouri, January 19, 1843. His father removed the year after the birth of Joseph, with his family to Camden, Ray county, Missouri. His father was a cooper, and from him our sub- ject learned that trade. Joseph Miller worked at the cooper's trade until 1878, when he began coal mining. During the late civil war he was a soldier in the Union army. He was married, in 1876, to Miss Laura E. Armstrong, daughter of Mr. Wesley Armstrong, of Moniteau county, Missouri. They became the parents of five children, two boys and three girls. Only three are now living: Mary A., Edith A. and William H. Mr. Miller has a neat, comfortable home, in Camden, and is, at present (April, 1881), engaged as weigh-master of mine No. 5, owned by J. C. McGrew, of Lexington.
CAPTAIN ANDREW ELLIOTT.
Andrew Elliott was born in Ray county, Missouri, near where he now lives, on the 8th day of September, 1822. He received his educational training in Ray county, and has always lived here. The family, from whom our subject is descended, was of Irish origin, his great grandfather having been a native of Ireland. Captain Elliott has been a farmer and stock raiser ever since he began business for himself. He enlisted in the service of the Union, and commanded company A, 3d regiment, Missouri state militia, in the civil war. John Elliott, father of the [subject of this article, was collector of revenue for Ray county, for the year 1827. Capt. Elliott was married in the autumn of 1868, to Miss Martha Ann Ballew, daughter of Mr. Joseph Ballew, now deceased. One child, Catharine Susie, is the issue of this marriage. Captain Elliott sold his own farm, consisting of 160 acres, and his interest in his father's 500 acre estate, to his brother in 1880, and intends retiring from active business cares during the remainder of his life.
REV. WILLIAM T. BROWN.
William T. Brown is a native of Ray county, Missouri, and was born on a farm owned by his father, Thomas A. Brown, situated about four miles northwest of the town of Camden. The date of his birth was October 7, 1847. He received his education in the schools of his native county, and has all his life made his home here. In the month af Janu- ary, 1865, at the age of eighteen years, he left home to avoid troubles growing out of the war, and went to Nebraska, and the summer follow- ing, to Colorado. He spent about nine months in the west, and then returned to his home in Ray county. Mr. Brown was married on the 6th day of December, 1866, to Miss Sarah E. White, daughter of Wm.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
A. White, Esq., of Ray county. Soon after he bought a farm (section six, township fifty-one, range twenty-eight,) and began the work of farm- ing. About the age of twenty-two years, Mr. Brown began preaching, and in 1870, was ordained as a minister of the regular Baptist Church. He has preached, very successfully, in many of the counties of western Missouri, and also, in several other states. Mr. and Mrs. Brown became the parents of seven children, six now living, named as follows, viz .: Charlie Alvin, Melinda Ellis, Mary Frances, Lucy Jane, Jesse Dudley, and an infant daughter. Anna Eliza, the second in order of birth, died when six months old. Mr. Brown was elected, in November, 1880, on the democratic ticket, by a handsome majority of eleven hundred votes, to represent Ray county in the thirty-first general assembly. He now (April, 1881,) has pastoral charge of four churches: New Hope, Crooked River, Fishing River and Mt. Zion, the latter is in Clay county. He is a popular, successful minister, and a prominent and influential citizen.
ADRIEL KING.
The subject of this sketch was a Kentuckian. He was born in Gar- rard county, Kentucky, on the 21st of May, 1801. He grew up and was married there. Miss Jane Graves became his wife on the 21st day of September, 1824. A few years after his marriage he removed to Mis- souri, and, after stopping a short time in Boone county, settled in Ray county, three miles southwest of Richmond (sections 11 and 12, township 51, range 28). To the extent of land first entered, he afterwards added by purchase, until at the time of his death, he owned 320 acres of land there, besides other tracts in other parts of the county. Mr. and Mrs. King became the parents of eleven children, six of whom are now living: Lydia Ann, wife of Thomas Bryant, of Chillicothe; Angeline, wife of Frank Davis, of Daviess county; Mary, wife of George Williams, of Ray county; Brunette, wife of Peter Ford; William G. and Henry C. Mar- garet and Martha both died in infancy; Emma, wife of A. B. Elliott; Matilda, wife of Henry Jacobs, and Elizabeth, wife of Whit. Lyle, are all dead. Mr. Henry C. King, at present the representative of the family on the old homestead, has 240 acres of land, including the residence. He was married in the month of March, 1868, to Miss Jane Thompson, daughter of Mr. Joseph Thompson, of Ray county. The issue of this union was four children, two of each sex. Mr. Adriel King died on the 12th day of July, 1869. He was widely and prominently known and greatly respected.
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JOHN L. HARRISON.
Was born in Flemingsburg, Fleming county, Kentucky, on the 22d day of April, 1840. His father, Mr. James B. Harrison, removed, in Septem- ber following, to Missouri, and located, temporarily, in Callaway county. In the spring of 1841, he came to Ray county, and settled near the city of Richmond. The next year he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, three miles west of Richmond, and removed to it with his family. On this farm our subject was reared. He finished his education with two years' study, at Richmond College, in December, 1859, and soon after went to Denver, Colorado. After spending about nine months in the Rocky mountains, he returned to his home in Ray county, but remaining but a short time. He enlisted, in the cause of the south, for the war, and was with the Confederate army until taken prisoner, on the Gasconade river, in 1862. He was held as prisoner of war, and transported from prison to prison until 1864, when he was pardoned, by President Lincoln, through the influence of ex-Governor Austin A. King. He never re-en- tered the service. After the war was over he engaged in the milling business, and then commenced farming, and has since pursued the latter calling. Mr. Harrison was married, January 16, 1867, to Miss Mary M. Magill, daughter of William Magill, Esq., of Ray county. One child, Minnie Lee, has been born of this marriage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Har- rison are members of the M. E. Church South. He is also a Free Mason, with fellowship in Myrtle Lodge No. 338, at Millville. Mr. Harrison is an obliging and hospitable neighbor, a courteous gentleman, and a good citizen.
ARTHUR B. ELLIOTT.
Was born in Ray county, Missouri, on the 17th day of September, 1842, and was reared and educated here. His education he received prin- cipally at Richmond College. He is a son of Richard S. Elliott, deceased. His occupation has always been farming. He entered the Confederate army at the age of fifteen years, and fought throughout the four years of civil war. Mr. Elliott was married in the year 1865, to Miss Emma King, daughter of Adriel King, deceased. One child, named Henry Lee, was born to them. Mrs. Elliott lived only a short time after her marriage, dying in 1868. Mr. Elliott was subsequently married to Miss Mattie Lyle, daughter of Mr. Whit. Lyle, deceased. They became the parents of two children, named respectively, Robert and Emma. Mr. Elliott is a prosperous, well-to-do farmer, and a respected and valuable citizen of the county of Ray.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
WILLIAM PINCKNEY.
Was born in Durham county, England, on the 2d day of July, 1834, and was educated there. He lived in his native country until he had attained his majority. He then came to America, and has been engaged, either in coal or lead mining, ever since. Mr. Pinckney enlisted in the Union army at Lexington, Missouri, and served throughout the war. He has never been married. He came to Camden, Ray county, Missouri, in the year 1881, and now holds the responsible position of superintendent of the coal mines belonging to J. C. McGrew, Esq. Mr. Pinckney is an experienced and practical miner, and is thoroughly honorable and trust- worthy, as his appointment to the position of superintendent bears testi- mony.
JAMES C. ENDICOTT.
The subject of this sketch was born in Clay county, Missouri, on the 22d day of November, 1835, and lived there until January, 1855, when he came to Ray county, Missouri, and has lived here ever since. Mr. Endicott was married, the first time, on the 28th day of November, 1861, to Miss Margaret Remley, a native of Ray county. They became the parents of one child, Clara B. Mrs. Endicott died in the month of March, 1877, and Mr. Endicott was married again, on the 29th of November, 1877, to Miss Amy Barbers. The issue of this marriage was one child: Amanda M. Mr. Endicott is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Rich- mond. He owns a farm of two hundred acres of excellent land, one hun- dred and fifty acres in fine state of cultivation, and his busines is very prosperous.
THOMAS MCGINNIS.
Thomas McGinnis was born September 26, 1827, in Anderson county, Kentucky. He received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood, and at Versailles, in Woodford county. He was married in November, 1847, before he was twenty-one years of age, to Miss Rebecca Boggess, of Anderson county, Kentucky. Soon after his mar- riage with Miss Boggess, he removed to Missouri, and settled in Mont -- gomery county, but remained there only one year, till he came to Ray county, January, 1848, where he has ever since resided. After locating in Ray county, Mr. McGinnis engaged in teaching school, at the same time superintending a farm in the botton near Hardin. After three years he abandoned the school-room, and devoted himself exclusively to farm- ing and dealing in live-stock. His first wife died while he was engaged as teacher, and two years after her death he married Miss Laura I. Shaw, daughter of T. L. D. W. Shaw, now deceased. His second wife died in
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