USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 74
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JAMES BUIST.
James Buist was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, April 21, 1835. His parents, David and Robino Buist, were also natives of Scotland. His parents both died when James was quite young, and he lived in the family of his uncle until he was eighteen years of age, when he began to earn his own liveli- hood. When nineteen years old our subject emigrated to America, land- ing at New York on the 15th day of May, 1857. He went to Philadelphia and remained there until 1860, and then came to Missouri, locating first in Clay county, for a short time, and then coming to Ray where he has since had his home. Frem 1862, to 1863, Mr. Buist was a teamster in govern- ment employ, connected with a supply train. He was married May 16,
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1865, to Miss Margaret E. Smith, daughter of Philip and Jane Smith. Her father was born in the north of Ireland, and her mother in Missouri. She was born in Platte county Missouri, June 26, 1849. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Buist: David, born in December, 1867; Wil- liam, born December 13, 1869; Mary, born November 4, 1873. Mrs. Buist died February 16, 1877, and Mr. Buist was married again, June 7, 1878, to Mrs. Mary E. Harris. They became the parents of one child, Annie, born in May, 1879. Mr. Buist lived unhappily with his second wife, and they are now separated by divorce. He is a well-to-do farmer, and a valuable citizen.
S. A. PAXTON, M. D.
Dr. S. A. Paxton was born April 24, 1847, in Lincoln county, Kentucky. His parents were William and Matilda J. Paxton.' His father was born in 1808, and his mother in 1818. When our subject was quite young, his parents removed to Missouri, stopping, for a time, in Pike county, and then went to Montgomery county, and, in the year 1868, came to Ray county. Remaining here but a short time, they went to Colorado, thence to Texas, and various other localities, finally returning here to settle permanently. Dr. Paxton graduated from the McDowell Medical College, at St. Louis, in February, 1877, and has since been engaged, very successfully, in the practice of his profession. He is now located at the town of Orrick, and is a popular rising young physician, and a leading citizen of the town.
SAMUEL TARWATER.
Samuel Tarwater was born in Tennessee in the year 1806. His parents removed to Ray county, Missouri, in the autumn of 1816, and settled among the Pottawattamie Indians, who then dwelt in this county. They endured all the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life. Our subject remained at home with his parents until he was eighteen years of age and then began working for himself. He was married in the year 1824, to Miss Polly Broadhurst, by Rev. W. Turnadge. They lived happily together for a quarter of a century, and then Mrs. Tarwater died, and in 1852, Mr. Tarwater was again married to Mrs. Elizabeth Orphet. After seventeen years of wedded life, she, too, died. Mr. Tarwater was married the third time in 1869, to Miss Sarah E. Mills. She lived only about two years after her marriage, and Mr. Tarwater was left alone by death the third time. His fourth marriage was with Mrs. Malinda E. Brown. She died two years after her marriage and our subject was for the fifth time married May 15, 1881, to Mrs. Mary A. Scott, the daughter of Thomas and Psyche Keeny. Her father was a native of North Caro- lina and her mother of Tennessee. Mrs. Tarwater was born March 20, 1831, in this county. Mr. Tarwater is the father of nine children by his
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first marriage, seven by the second and one by the third marriage. Of these, only three of his first wife's and three of his second wife's children and the one of the third wife are now living. Mr. Tarwater is one of the oldest and best citizens of Ray county. As early as the age of eighteen years he engaged in numerous skirmishes with roving bands of hostile Indians, who, not infrequently raided the settlements for purposes of theft or murder. He was also engaged in the Heatherly and the Mormon wars. In a fight with Mormons on Crooked river, two of them attacked him at once with corn knives and nearly cut him to pieces. He received a terri- ble gash in the skull, through which the brain was plainly visible, was cut about the throat and one terrible blow across the face severed the jaw bone and destroyed all the upper teeth. From the effects of these wounds, Mr. Tarwater was compelled to keep his bed nearly six months and has never, entirely recovered, for the wound on his head affected his memory and the injury to his mouth caused an impediment in his speech. Samuel Tarwater, now venerable with nearly four score years, has been closely identified with and assisted in the progress of Ray county from an almost primeval wilderness to her present proud position of wealth and population in the front ranks of the sisterhood of counties that go to make up the grand old commonwealth of Missouri.
CYRUS D. GANT.
Cyrus D. Gant was born in Ray county, Missouri, September 10, 1839. He is the son of Joshua A. Gant, a native of North Carolina. At the age of twenty years, he began to work for himself, and was, September 17, 1866, married to Miss Ella M. Hughes, daughter of John and Deborah Hughes, natives of Kentucky. They have six children: William, born September 2, 1867; James N., born November 17, 1868; Leila, born March 1, 1874; Ora L., born January 10, 1876; Maud, born September 3, 1878; Ella, born March 13, 1881. When the civil war commenced, Mr. Gaut enlisted in company C, Third Missouri Confederate cavalry and served with that regiment for six months, and was then transferred to the Third Missouri infantry, in which he served throughout the remain- der of the war. He participated in the battles of Lexington, Pea Ridge, first and second Iuka, Corinth, Vicksburg, Grand Gulf, Black River, Atlanta, Kenesaw and Franklin or Stone River. At the last named bat- tle he was wounded five times, and being left on the field, fell into the hands of the Union troops. He was kept at Franklin two months and was then sent to the hospital at Nashville, where he remained about the same length of time. He was released at Camp Chase in Ohio the same day that President Lincoln was assassinated. He walked to St. Louis, and there meeting a friend who kindly furnished him with the necessary means he was enabled to take passage on the steamboat up the river and
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thus reached home again after an absense of more than three years. Mr. Gant is now engaged as a trader and dealer in live stock. He does a thriving, paying business, and is a valuable member of the community of Vibbard, where he resides. He is highly respected by his neighbors and friends, and is a leading and influential citizen.
JAMES GREENE.
James Greene was born in the state of Tennessee, April 15, 1811. His parents were David and Jorissa Greene, natives of White county, Ten- nessee. Our subject came to Ray county, Missouri, in the year 1832, and engaged in farming, which has been his life-long avocation. In the year 1845, James Greene was married to Miss Mary Hough, daughter of Absolom Hough, a native of Germany. She was born November 20, 1824. They have six children, living: Martin V., born October 2, 1842; David, born November 25, 1844; Nancy, born August 4, 1848; Samuel, born June 6, 1853; Martha, born March 11, 1858; James, born January 8, 1869. Mr. Greene served eighteen months at the beginning of the late civil war, as a member of Colonel King's staff (Union army). At the expiration of that term of service, he re-enlisted in the 44th regiment of Missouri volunteer infantry, and served in the battles of Pea Ridge and Spanish Fort, as well as all other engagements in which his regiment parti- cipated. At the last named battle he was under fire for eleven days. At the close of the war he was discharged at St. Louis, and returned to his family in Ray county. Both Mr. Greene and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He is an industrious, thrifty, and successful farmer and a good citizen.
H. D. HATFIELD.
The subject of this sketch was born in Campbell county, Tennessee, in the year 1837, and was brought by his parents when four years old, to Knoxville, Ray county, Missouri. His father was a farmer, and our sub- ject was raised on a farm. Having completed the course of study taught in the common schools, he began teaching at the age of nineteen years, and pursued that profession with good success during eight years. He then entered the drug and grocery business at Haller, and continued it, at that place, for about six years, and until his removal to R. & L. Junction. There he was occupied in the same line of business for about two years, and then selling out at the Junction, he removed to Lawson, this county, and built a large and commodious store house there, in which he conducts a very profitable trade in drugs and groceries. Mr. Hatfield was mar- ried at Lawson, in the month of June, 1878, to Miss Fannie Potter, of Gentry county, Missouri, by the Reverend Mr. Roote. They became the parents of two children, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Hatfield is a rising, popular merchant and a public spirited man.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
G. W. MONTGOMERY.
G. W. Montgomery was born in Gallatin county, Kentucky, July 31, 1833, and received his education and grew up there. At the age of twenty-one years, he left home and went to California, where he staid about eighteen months, and then returned to his native county, and again attended school for one year. At the expiration of that time he came to Missouri, and, stopping first in Clinton county, taught school there for one year, and then came to Ray county. He taught school for a time after his arrival in this county, and then engaged in farming until the outbreaking of the civil war. In 1861 he enlisted in company F, Hughe's regiment of state guards, Slack's brigade, and served for three months, and then return- ed home. In the winter of 1861, he enlisted in company A, second Mis- souri regiment, Confederate States army, and remained in the service until March, 1862, and then went to Kentucky, where he remained until 1865, and then, returning to this county, engaged in farming until 1870, and then entered the hardware and lumber trade, which he continued until Feb- ruary, 1881, when he established his present business, that of furniture, undertakers' goods and agricultural implements, at the town of Lawson. Mr. Montgomery was married in the year 1858, to Miss Agnes Clevenger, who was born in Ray county in the year 1843. They became the parents of two children, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Brock, and Robert E. Mr. Mont- gomery was married the second time, in 1872, to Flora Childs, who was born in the state of New York, in 1849. He is a member of the Bee-Hive Lodge, No. 393, A. F. & A. M., at Lawson, and is also a leading mem- ber of the M. E. Church South.
F. BROCK.
The gentleman whose name heads this article was born in Franklin county, Kentucky, December 26, 1820. He left Kentucky when seven years of age, with his parents, and coming to Missouri, locating first in Clay county, where he remained until 1854, and then came to Ray county and located upon his present farm, in section thirty, township twenty-nine, range fifty-four. He owns a fine farm of 278 acres, well improved and in an excellent state of cultivation. He is also engaged in raising stock, and has a fine herd of blooded cattle, and also a flock of well-bred sheep. Commenced dealing in lumber, at Lawson, in the autumn of 1871, and in 1873 added a stock of hardware to his business, and has since continued both lines in addition to his farm. He owns a fine store-house at Law- son, and is doing a prosperous business. Mr. Brock was engaged in the local war against the Mormons, and was also in the state militia, under command of Colonel Doniphan. He was married March 17, 1853, in Clay county, Missouri, to Miss Diana Moore, by the Reverend Mr. Price,
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of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Brock was born in Franklin county, Ken- tucky, February 13, 1826, and her parents moved to this state soon after her birth. Mr. and Mrs. Brock have two children: W. H. and George E. Mr. Brock is a member of Bee-Hive Lodge No. 393, A. F. & A. M., and was one of the charter members when the lodge was organized, in 1865.
J. C. WEAKLEY.
James C. Weakley was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, May 29, 1844. His father, William S. Weakley, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born March 1, 1816; died September 1, 1848. Our subject learned the trade of a tinner at the age of eighteen years, and has since devoted his attention to that avocation. During Morgan's raid through Ohio and Virginia, in 1863, he responded to the call for volunteers for one hundred days, and served through that campaign. March 1, 1863, he enlisted in company G, 145th regiment of Pennsylvania, and served until July 4, 1865, when he was discharged at Cincinnati. He was engaged at the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, North Ann River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg. At the last named battle he was so badly wounded as to disable him for service, and he was dis- charged, and returned home to Pennsylvania, where he remained until September, 1865, and then, coming to Missouri, engaged, during the suc- ceeding winter, at his trade in Hamilton, Caldwell county, Missouri, and then came to Knoxville, Ray county. From the latter place he removed to Lawson in 1870, and has since been doing a good business in stoves, tinware, etc., at that place. Mr. Weakley was married January 27, 1867, at Knoxville, this county, to Miss Mary E. Vinsant, a native of Tennessee, born October 17, 1846. They have six children: William R., John, James, Charles D., Esther, and Mary E. Both Mr. Weakley and his wife are members of the M. E. Church South. He has held the position of secretary of Bee-Hive Lodge No. 393, A. F. & A. M., for several years.
ISAAC COOK.
Isaac Cook was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, July 3, 1817, and learned the blacksmithing trade there, which business he has pur- sued ever since. Came to Missouri in 1844, and worked at his trade first for awhile in Clinton county, and'then removed to Ray county; is now located at Lawson. During the late civil war he was first lieutenant of company B, 6th Missouri cavalry, commanded by Colonel E. C. Cather- wood. Mr. Cook was married in 1839, in North Carolina, to Miss Han- nah E. Woodburn. They became the parents of ten children: Elizabeth A., Jane, John, Tabitha, Margaret, Susan, James, Henry, Frances, and an
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infant (dead). Mr. Cook's second marriage occurred May 17, 1865, when Mary E. Barrow, of Green county, became his wife. She bore him three children: Isaac S., Addie, and Charles F. Mrs. Cook died in the month of June, 1880. Mr. Cook is a member of the Christian Union Church. He is an excellent blacksmith, and has a large and lucrative busi- ness. He is a man of good character, and is a valuable addition to the town of Lawson.
J. W. ASBURY.
J. W. Asbury was born in Todd county, Kentucky, February 8, 1840. His parents removed to Missouri in 1843, and located, first in Dade county, where they lived for three years, and then came to Ray county. His father, who was a blacksmith, located in Richmond, and worked at his trade there, until 1852, and then removed to Camden, this county. From Camden he went to Lexington, Lafayette county, and after remain- ing there for a period, returned to this county. Our subject learned the trade of blacksmithing, and pursued that business until the beginning of the civil war. He enlisted, in 1861, in company A, 3d Missouri Regi- ment, Confederate army, and was engaged at Pea Ridge, Mansfield raid, Jenkins' Ferry, Lexington, and Independence. He was discharged at Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1865, and went to Nebraska, where he engaged for two years, at his trade. He then went to Wyoming territory, and to Colorado, working successively at different places. At Cheyenne, Wyo- ming, he set up a shop of his own. He returned to Missouri in 1868, and began merchandising at the town of Hainesville,land at the end of two years, came to Lawson, this county, where he and his brother, J. S. Asbury, opened a large business in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes. They have conducted the business very successfully, at that place, ever since. Our subject was married in 1872, at Plattsburg, Missouri, to Miss Tilly Barrett, of Clinton county, who was born at Parkersburg, Virginia, December 27, 1857. They have two children living. Mr. Asbury is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
P. H. CATES.
Was born in Jefferson county, east Tennessee, July 9, 1821, and at the age of twenty years left there and came to Ray county, Missouri, locat- ing near Richmond, where he lived for six years, and then bought land and settled in Caldwell county, and engaged in farming and stock dealing there, until 1879, when he returned to Ray county and located at Law- son, where he has since been engaged extensively and profitably in buying and shipping live stock. Mr. Cates still owns a fine farm of 240 acres in Caldwell county. He was married February 11, 1841, to Miss Edith
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Joiner, in Jefferson county, east Tennessee. Mrs. Cates was born in the month of September, 1821, in Tennessee. The issue of this union was twelve children: Mary, Ellen, John, Samuel, Margaret, William, Mar- tha, Stephen, Melsina, George, Florence and Pleasant. Mrs. Cates died June 5, 1877, and Mr. Cates was again married in July, 1876, to Sallie Robinett. Mr. Cates is a deacon and an active and influential member of the Baptist Church. He has served for several years as justice of the peace, and is a prominent and respected citizen.
JAMES M. CROWLEY.
James M. Crowley was born in Fishing River township, Ray county, Missouri, April 26, 1857. He was educated in the district schools of this county, and when he had grown up engaged in farming, which is his present occupation. He was married at Lawson, in 1879, to Miss Bettie Whitsett, by Rev. Mr. Linn. Mrs. Crowley was born in Ray county, in the year 1858. The issue of this marriage has been one child: William, born May 26, 1880. Mr. Crowley is an enterprising, industrious and rising young farmer and a good citizen.
G. W. JAMES, M. D.
Was born in Union county, Illinois, October 6, 1837. Moved to Welling- ton, Lafayette county, Missouri, in 1853, and was educated there. After leaving school he began the study of medicine, and afterwards attended and graduated from Rush Medical College, at Chicago, Illinois. He has practiced very successfully in Lafayette, Clay and Ray counties; he is now located at Lawson, and associated in the practice of his profession with his brother, Dr. J. C. James. They also own and conduct a drug store at Lawson. Dr. G. W. James was married December 11, 1872, at Lawson, to Miss Susan Immell, of Pennsylvania. She was born in 1848. Three children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. James: Tem- perance Immell, William and Arthur. Both Dr. James and his estimable lady are members of the M. E. Church South. He is a good physician and enjoys a lucrative practice.
W. C. JAMES, M. D.
Was born in Union county, Illinois, October 7, 1841. He attended medical college at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and afterwards graduated from the medical department of the Iowa State University, and began the practice of his profession in July, 1864, in Clay county, Missouri. In the year 1872, he located at Lawson, this county, and with his brother, also a physician, opened a drug store at that place, in connection with his prac- tice. Dr. W. C. James was married May 28, 1874, in Clinton county, Missouri, to Miss Alice Estill. She died the 15th of May, 1875, having
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lived less than one year after her marriage. Dr. James is a leading mem- ber of Bee-Hive Lodge, No. 393, at Lawson, and is also a member of the M. E. Church South, at that place. Dr. James is an able and popular physician, and James Bros. are doing a prosperous drug business. They are valuable citizens of the thriving little city of Lawson.
C. N. PALMER, M. D.
Dr. C. N. Palmer was born in Scott county, Kentucky, February 25, 1831. His parents removed to Independence, Jackson county, Missouri, in 1836, and there our subject attended school. He subsequently gradu- ated from the State University at Columbia, in 1850, and began the study of medicine. He attended the St. Louis Medical College, graduating in 1853, and the next winter attended a post-graduate course of lectures at Philadelphia. He located for the practice of his profession in Clay county, Missouri, in the spring of 1854, and remained there until 1870, when he came to Lawson, in this county, and has since practiced there. Dr. Pal- mer was married in 1853, in Clay county, to Miss Susan Cook, who was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, in 1840. They became the parents of three children: Lutie C., Fanny A., Mary B. Mrs. Palmer died in 1869 and the Doctor was again married in 1873, to Josephine Hollingworth. They have three children: Patracia, Charles H., and Grace. Dr. Pal- mer enlisted in the Confederate army in 1861, and served throughout the war .. He held the rank of lieutenant-colonel and participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, Seven Pines and the seven days fight at Rich- mond, Virginia, under General Robert E. Lee, besides numerous minor engagements. After the war was over he went to the west and traveled through the different states and territories to the Pacific ocean, returning after an absence of two and a half years, to Liberty, Clay county, Mis- souri, where he remained as above stated, practicing his profession, until his removal to Lawson. Dr. Palmer is an accomplished, experienced and successful physician, and a prominent and influential citizen of Ray county. He is a member of the Christian Church, of the Masonic fraternity, and of the I. O. O. F.
ROBERT M. HUNTER.
Robert M. Hunter was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, December 3, 1841, and lived there until 1869, when he removed to Ray county, Mis- souri, and located upon his present farm. He has been a farmer and stock-raiser all his life. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of good land in a fine condition of cultivation, and well improved. He is also engaged in raising the best breeds of stock, among which are some thor- ough bred short-horn cattle. Mr. Hunter was married, October 3, 1871, in Ray county, Missouri, to Miss M. C. Rippy. They are the parents of
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two children: Cora A., born December 27, 1872; Nannie A., born December 31, 1874. In the summer of. 1863, Mr. Hunter enlisted in company B, 8th regiment Kentucky cavalry, C. S. A., and served until he was captured, in the summer of 1864, near Salineville, Ohio, during Morgan's raid, and held a prisoner of war at Camp Chase, Ohio, where he was finally discharged, and returned home to Kentucky. During the time he was in the army he engaged in the battles of Hartsville, Tennes- see; Nashville, Elizabethtown, Rolling Fork, Louisville, Richmond, Win- chester, Mt. Sterling, and Green River bridge, besides other less impor- tant ones. Mr. Hunter is a leading farmer, and a valuable and highly respected member of the community, and citizen of Ray county.
BENJAMIN STURGIS.
Benjamin Sturgis was born in Madison county, Ohio, October 14, 1830. At the age of ten years he came with his parents to Caldwell county, Missouri, and lived there until 1878, when he came to this county. He was reared upon a farm, and has been all his life engaged in the business of farming. Mr. Sturgis was married, first, in 1854, in Caldwell county, Missouri, to Miss -- Filley, by Rev. Mr. Kirkpatrick. The issue of this marriage was two children: George and Lucy Jane. His wife died in 1856, and in 1858, Mr. Sturgis was again married by Rev. Mr. Williams, to Lucy Violet, of Clay county. They are the parents of seven children: William, Nero, Benjamin, Oliver, Clara, living, and Matthew and Phœbe, dead. The second Mrs. Sturgis died in 1876. Mr. Sturgis is a leading member of the Christian Union Church.
GRIFFIN I. WINGER.
Griffin I. Winger was born in Roanoke county, Virgina, May 1, 1849. His parents removed to Ray county, Missouri, when our subject was but three years old, and settled upon the same place where he now resides. He owns one hundred and forty-three acres of good farming lands, well improved and in a fine state of cultivation and productiveness. Mr. Winger was married in the month of March, 1870, to Miss Mary E. Ray, a native also of Roanoke county, Virginia. She was born May 21, 1850. They have three children: Bertha A., born August 19, 1872; Marcus B., born April 13, 1874; James W., born August 11, 1880. Mr. Winger and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The parents of our subject were natives of Virginia; his father died Janu- ary 8, 1859; his mother is living with him on the old homestead. Mr. Winger is a well-to-do farmer, and a respected citizen of Polk township.
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