USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 76
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A. P. SWICKARD.
Andrew P. Swickard was born in the state of Ohio, August 29, 1855. Removed with his parents to Ray county, Missouri, in 1858, and has lived here ever since, occupied in farming from the time he was large enough to work. Mr. Swickard was married in this county February 24, 1877, to Miss Nancy Jane Cleavenger, by Rev. O. D. Hyder. Mrs. Swickard was born in Ray county, Missouri, March 14, 1856. Three children have been born of this union, only one of whom, Charles Bradford, born Sep- tember 27, 1878, is now living. Mr. Swickard is an industrious, active and energetic farmer, and a good citizen.
W. H. BROCK.
William H. Brock was born in Ray county, Missouri, August 5, 1854, and has spent his life to the present time here. He was reared on a farm, and was engaged in farming until January, 1881, when he commenced dealing in hardware, agricultural implements and lumber, at the town of Lawson. Mr. Brock was married in this county, October 9, 1879, to Miss Mary A. Barbee. She was born in Ray county, Missouri, May 31, 1863. They became the parents of one child: Willie F., born July 27, 1880,
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died September 18, 1880. Mrs. Brock died September 17, 1880. Mr. Brock is doing a good business, and enjoys the respect of the community.
WESLEY M. ALLISON.
Wesley M. Allison was born in Greenfield, Dade county, Missouri, September 19, 1846. He remained in his native county until fifteen years old, and then came to Richmond, Ray county, and entered the store of Thomas Casey in the capacity of clerk. He remained in the employ of Mr. Casey and others until 1868, when he commenced business, on his own account at Millville. He conducted his store at Millville for eight years, and then sold out, and going again to Richmond, entered into a co-partnership with Jacob Mann, and they continued merchandising at Richmond under the firm name of Mann & Allison, until 1870, when our subject sold out his interest in the business, and going to Lawson estab- lished himself in business in that lively little city, and has since remained there. Mr. Allison was married at Richmond, Missouri, in 1868, to Miss Mary L. Brown, daughter of Col. B. J. Brown, by Rev. G. W. Hand. They have six children, viz: Flora B., born January 11, 1869; Charles H., born January 9, 1871; Arden D., born January 12, 1873; Lillian, born March 12, 1875; Carl S., born March 24, 1877; Carrie, born August 29, 1878. Mr. Allison is a member of the M. E. Church South, and also of Bee-Hive Lodge No. 393, A. F. & A. M. He has held the office of notary public for ten years in this county. By polite and gentlemanly bearing, fair and equal treatment of all, Mr. Allison has become deservedly popular as a merchant, and highly respected as a man and citizen.
EDWARD P. TIFFIN.
Edward P. Tiffin was born in Ross county, Ohio, November 24, 1839. At the age of five years he came with his parents to Ray county, Mis- souri, and settled in the town of Knoxville. He has lived in the vicinity of that place ever since. Mr. Tiffin owns 1,500 acres of excellent land, all under fence, and about 1,000 acres in a fine state of cultivation and productiveness. These lands are improved with good houses, barns, and other buildings; are well irrigated by running streams of pure water, besides ponds, wells, and springs, for the accommodation of stock. They are diversified by groves, green pastures, fertile fields, and thrifty orchards and gardens, yielding abundantly of fruit and vintage. The broad roll- ing pastures are filled with the best breeds of horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep, and the whole estate, in its appearance and the completeness of its appointments and arrangement, evinces the masterly management and sound judgment of its owner. Mr. Tiffin was married in this county in the year 1861, to Miss Margaret Campbell, a native of Jackson county,
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Missouri, born in 1846. The issue of this union was four children, two of whom only are now living: Mary F. and Aeda.
WILLIAM G. ESTILL.
William G. Estill was born in Clinton county, Missouri, January 16, 1860, where he lived until 1877, and then went to Liberty, Clay county, Missouri, and engaged as clerk in a dry goods store for two years. At the expiration of that time he came to Vibbard, this county, and engaged as clerk and salesman in Doctor Donoven's drug store, commencing at the same time the study of medicine under the instruction of Doctor Don- oven. During the winter of 1880-81 he attended lectures at the Missouri Medical College, St. Louis, and intends completing the course and grad- uating from the same institution. He is a young man of good character, with steady, studious habits, and the prospect of his future is one of great promise.
J. F. SPENCER.
Joel F. Spencer was born in Sullivan county, Missouri, September 17, 1845, and lived there until he was eighteen years of age, and then trav- eled for several years through different states and territories of the west. He came back to Linn county, Missouri, and lived there for three years, during which time he learned, and worked at the trade of a carpenter. He came to Ray county in the year 1870, and has lived here ever since. He is now located at Vibbard, and is dealing in furniture in addition to his carpentering business. Mr. Spencer was first married in Linn county. in the year 1866, to Elizabeth James. One child, Demaris, was born of this union, June 22, 1867, Mrs. Spencer died March 1, 1875, and our subject was again married in 1877, to Sarah J. Goodman. They have two children: Bertha, born February 14, 1879, and an infant, yet unnamed, born October 2, 1880. Mr. Spencer and his wife are members of the Christian Union Church.
W. J. SCANTLING.
William J. Scantling was born in Clay county, Misscuri, September 8, 1845, and lived there until the age of twenty years, when he went to Clinton county, Missouri, and engaged there in farming until 1877, when he began to work in a flouring and saw mill. He continued in that busi- ness till 1880, and then came to Ray county, and located at Vibbard, where he is now working at the blacksmithing trade. Mr. Scantling was married in Clinton county, Missouri, in 1867, to Miss Mary A. Rog- ers, by Rev. G. S. Huffaker. Mrs. Scantling was born in Platte county, Missouri, in the month of October, 1847. The issue of this marriage has been five children: Alice E., born July 12, 1869; John H., born Octo-
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ber 21, 1870; Lewis J., born August 8, 1873; William B., born Novem- ber 23, 1875; Franklin P., born August 29, 1878. Both Mr. Scantling and his wife are members of the M. E. Church South.
ELIAS HIGHTOWER.
Elias Hightower was born in Ray county, Missouri, November 5, 1832. His father, Joseph Hightower, was born near Charleston, South Carolina, in the year 1812, and when eighteen years old, went to Virginia, and from there to East Tennessee where he was married to Miss Elizabeth Cleav- enger, a native of that state. He came to Ray county, Missouri, in the year 1828, and settled near the old town of Bluffton. He subsequently removed to a farm near Fredericksburg, upon which he died, in Septem- ber, 1869. His wife (Elizabeth), is still living on the old homestead in this county, at the age of sixty-seven years. Elias Hightower attended the schools of his father's neighborhood during the winter, and worked on the farm in summer until he attained his majority, and then began farming on his own account. With the exception of about four years, he lived in Caldwell county, and two years spent in California, he has always resided in Ray county. He settled on the farm he now occupies, in the year 1856. He owns, (besides two hundred acres in the state of Kansas), a fine farm of two hundred and eighty-six acres, one hundred and sixty acres of which are in cultivation. This farm is inclosed by good, strong fences, is well improved, and supplied with an abundance of pure water, a fine, thrifty orchard, and everything necessary to the successful man- agement of a model farm. Mr. Hightower is giving attention also to raising the best breeds of live stock. He was first married in 1855, to Miss Nancy Ann Wyman, daughter of Christian Wyman, of Ray county. One child, Nancy A., (now wife of Thomas P. Montfort), was born of this union, July 3, 1856. Mrs. Hightower died the same year, and our subject was again married in January, 1857, to Mary F. Wyman, by Rev. Samuel Cleavenger. She was born in Ray county, Missouri, October 5, 1842. They became the parents of ten children, six of whom are now living: Cornelia J., born July 23, 1857; Harriet C., born August 11, 1859; Mariah E., born June 2, 1866; Robert E., born March 4, 1869; Mary M., born January 24, 1871; Oran L., born August 8, 1873; William A., born August 13, 1861, died April 22, 1862; Colona A., born February 27, 1865, died August 28, 1865; Fanny E., born August 11, 1859, died June 11, 1872; Ninon A., born August 30, 1876, died January 3, 1878. Mr. High- tower is a leading member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and of Harmony Lodge, No. 384, A. F. & A. M. He is a leading farmer, a prominent and useful citizen, and a man universally respected and esteemed by all who know him.
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HISTORY OF KAY COUNTY.
LEVI A. HOLMAN.
Levi A. Holman is a native of Ray county, Missouri, born January 24, 1843, and has lived in the county all his life except the time he was absent in the late civil war. He enlisted, in the fall of 1862, in company F, tenth Missouri cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He partic- ipated in the battles of Cherokee Valley, Tupelo, Corinth, Selma and a number of others. He was discharged in June, 1865, and returned to his home in this county, and resumed his former business of farming and stock raising. Mr. Holman was married, December 28, 1865, to Miss Mary Teegarden, a native also of this county, born July 31, 1846. The issue of this marriage has been six children: Celia C., born April 21, 1867; Hardy, born March 21, 1869; Fanny B., born November 24, 1871; James, born January 9, 1873; Nancy, born December 9, 1878; Julia, born December 24, 1880. Mr. Holman and his wife are both members of the Christian Union Church, and he is a member also, of the Farmers' Club, Mr. Holman is a prosperous farmer and a valuable and leading citizen.
GEORGE A. GORDON, M. D.
Was born in Todd county, Kentucky, on the 28th day of October, 1822. He began the study of medicine in the year 1845, with Dr. Vaugh. of Todd county, Kentucky, as his preceptor, and graduated from the Louisville Medical College in 1848, with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. He came to this county in 1850, and has practiced his profession with good success here, ever since. Dr. Gordon was married in Ray county, Missouri, in 1851, to Miss Martitia Hargrave, by Rev. D. H. McClure. Mrs. Gordon was born in Alamance county, North Carolina, in 1830. Three children were born of this marriage: Howard S., born August 2, 1852; George A., born May 11, 1861; Mary A., born August 8, 1863, died August 11, 1864. Dr. Gordon is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is now located at the town of Vibbard, this county, where he owns valuable property. His practice is very extensive, and his atten- tion is entirely given to it. He is an able and popular physician and lead- ing citizen.
THOMAS A. SLOAN.
Thomas A. Sloan was born in Bledsoe county, Tennessee, August 28, 1848. He came, with his parents, to Ray county, Missouri, in the year 1853, and has had his home here ever since, and has been engaged chiefly in farming. Mr. Sloan enlisted, May 2, 1862, in company A, 3d Missouri cavalry, Captain Elliott, Colonel King, and General Schofield command- ing, and served during the remainder of the war. He was captured by General Jo. Shelby's men, at Neosho, Missouri, and taken to Little Rock,
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Arkansas, and paroled. He returned to his regiment, and was subse- quently captured by a guerrilla band, under Captain Johnson, but suc- ceeded in making his escape, and rejoining his comrades the night follow- ing his capture. He participated in the battles of Lone Jack, Springfield, Cane Hill, Camden, Little Rock, Ft. Smith, Van Buren, Pilot Knob, and others. He was discharged, May 11, 1866, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan- sas. Mr. Sloan was married, June 21, 1868, in Ray county, Missouri, to Miss Susan M. McGaugh, by Reverend D. H. McClure. Mrs. Sloan was born in Warren county, Missouri, April 15th, 1846. They are the parents of three children: Joseph S., born April 15, 1869; William H., born July 4, 1871; Frederick H., born July 10, 1874. Mrs. Sloan is a member of the M. E. Church South. Mr. Sloan located at Vibbard, Sep- tember 1, 1880, and opened a livery stable in that place, which he is at present (April, 1881) conducting. He is a very popular gentleman, and a useful citizen of Vibbard.
JOSHUA B. GANT.
Joshua Butler Gant is a native of Ray county, Missouri, born April 15, 1848. He was reared on a farm and engaged, after growing up, in farm- ing, until the age of twenty-nine years, when he and his brothers entered the mercantile business at the town of Vibbard, Ray county. This business they have ever since conducted, and now have a flourishing trade besides owning the handsome store house in which their stock is kept, and other valuable property in Vibbard. Mr. J. B. Gant is a practical experienced business man, a good citizen and a valuable member of the community in which he lives.
S. N. CROWLEY.
Samuel L. Crowley was born in Ray county, Missouri, May 20, 1850. He grew up on his father's farm, which was the present site of the town of Vibbard, and has spent the greater part of his past life here, engaged for the greater time in buying and shipping live stock to market. From 1873 to 1879 he lived in Vernon county, Missouri, occupied in farming and dealing in stock. He returned to Ray county in 1879, and is now located at Vibbard, where he owns and operates a large flouring and saw mill, and his business is in a highly prosperous condition. Mr. Crowley was married in the month of June, 1869, in Vernon county, Missouri, to Miss Fannie Hughes, by Rev. W. Ditzler. She was born in Ray county, Missouri, May 27, 1851. The issue of this union has been four children: James W., born April 9, 1872; Eugene, born January 9, 1874; Robert and Frank dead. Mr. Crowley is a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 384, A. F. & A. M., and his wife is a member of the Christian Union Church. Mr. Crowley is a man of great energy, industry and enterprise
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in business, and he has, in consequence, been more than ordinarily suc- cessful. He is respected and esteemed for his many excellent qualities as. a man and a citizen, by all who knew him.
THOMAS H. LILE.
Thomas H. Lile was born in Warren county, Missouri, January 1, 1845, and at the age of ten years came with his parents to Ray county, and has had his home here ever since. He enlisted in 1861, in company B, 3d Missouri regiment of volunteers, but was soon afterward trans- ferred to the 6th Missouri, commanded by Colonel Catherwood. He served during three years and was discharged at St. Louis, in 1864. He participated in the battles of Springfield, Lone Jack, Pineville and Syca- more, Arkansas, besides many skirmishes. Mr. Lile was married in 1871, in Ray county, to Miss Mary Meyers, a native of this county, born Sep- tember 17, 1847. They became the parents of five children: Matthew W., born August 22, 1872; Robert, born January, 1874; Etta May, born March 1, 1879; Henry T. and George E. dead. Mr. Lile and wife are members of the Christian Union Church, and he is also a member of the Farmers' Club. He owns a neat, well cultivated farm, and is very popu- lar among his neighbors, the respect of whom he enjoys.
STEPHEN SAVAGE.
Stephen Savage was born at New-castle-upon-Tyne, England, April 29, 1842. He came to the United States at the age of twenty years, and enlisted in company A, Fifth New York artillery, and rose from the rank of a private to that of seeond lieutenant. He was discharged at Har- per's Ferry, Virginia, in 1865. He was in the battles of Piedmont, first and second Winchester, Snicker's Gap, and others. Was twice wounded. After the war he was engaged at the watchmaking trade, in New York city, and afterwards in different places in Illinois. He was married December 31, 1870, in Illinois, to Miss Anna LaPlaunt, a native of St. Joseph, Missouri, born May 16, 1849. They became the parents of four children. Mr. Savage and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He is now located, engaged at his trade, in Vibbard.
J. R. HOLMAN.
James R. Holman was born in Ray county, Missouri, August 15, 1849. After finishing the common school course here, our subject attended col- lege at Columbia, Missouri, and subsequently took a commercial course at St. Louis. Mr. Holman has been dealing in stock during the past fifteen years, and is now, perhaps, the largest shipper in the county. He owns one thousand acres of land, about four hundred acres in the prairie, all fenced, handsomely improved, and stocked with the best
I & Smith
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breeds of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. He is one of the most promi- ยท nent and successful farmers in Ray county. Mr. Holman was married, in 1868, in this county, to Miss Eliza Lanier. The issue of this union was one child. Mrs. Holman died in 1872, and our subject was again married, March 11, 1874, to Miss Martha Johnson, by Rev. Hardy Hol- man. They have one child. Mr. Holman is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a highly respected and influential citizen.
JOHN KNIGHT.
Was born in the county of Mayo, Ireland, May 16, 1817. Came to the United States in 1840, landing at Baltimore. He settled in the Shenan- doah Valley, Virginia, where he lived until 1855, and then removed to Boone county, Kentucky. From Kentucky he came to Missouri, in 1857 or '58, and stopped first in Macon county, where he secured a contract on the Hannibal & St. Joe railroad. He worked on the railroad also in Platte county, and then engaged in building a turnpike road. He came to Vibbard, this county, where he now lives, in 1876. Mr. Knight was married in Shenandoah county, Virginia, in 1850, to Miss Catharine Jen- kins, a native of Shenandoah county, Virginia, born in 1830. They became the parents of nine children, six of whom are now living: Mary J., born May 16, 1852; William, born December 16, 1853; Ellen, born December 26, 1856; Michael and Amanda, twins, born June 4, 1860: Annie, born November 11, 1868.
WILLIAM KNIGHT.
William Knight was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, December 16, 1853. He left his native state, when quite young, with his parents, and lived for a time in Kentucky, then in Macon and Clinton counties, Missouri. He came to Ray county in 1876, and settled at the town of Vibbard, where he is now engaged, very successfully, in business.
JOHN W. TURNER.
John W. Turner was born in Clay county, Missouri, July 25, 1843, and has lived there all his life, except two years, spent at Denver, Colorado. He owns a very valuable farm, just across the Ray county line, well improved and in a fine state of cultivation, with an abundance of water for stock, and a good bearing orchard. This farm is partly in the prairie, with just enough timber to afford material for buildings, fences and fuel. Mr. Turner is very extensively engaged in buying and shipping cattle, hogs and sheep to market. His business extends through the counties of Ray, Clay, Clinton and Caldwell. By his good management and excel- lent judgment, he has made the stock-dealing branch of his business very
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY
profitable and successful. By an accident in the summer of 1867, Mr. Turner had the misfortune to lose his left arm. While carrying a sharp scythe, on a mule, the animal took fright and threw him, cutting his wrist so severely on the scythe as to necessitate amputation of the arm below the elbow. Mr. Turner is a leading member of the M. E. Church South, and an honorable, highly respected and influential citizen.
JAMES T. HURT.
The subject of this sketch was born in Ray county, Missouri, October 12, 1849, and has lived here all the time during his past life. He was engaged in farming prior to 1870, when he began merchandising at Law- son in company with Mr. Robert Clark. In 1876, he bought a store in Lisbonville and lived there for four years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Lawson, and in the beginning of 1881, entered in partner- ship with Mr. Allison, forming the firm of Allison & Hurt, dealers in gen- eral merchandise. Mr. Hurt was married December 15, 1874, to Miss Allie E. Crithfield, by Rev. W. C. Campbell. Mrs. Hurt was born November 22, 1849, in Ray county. The issue of this marriage has been three children: Austin, born May 22, 1876; Thomas, born October 21, 1878; Arthur, died in infancy. Mrs. Hurt died February 10, 1881, deeply mourned by her friends and relatives. Mr. Hurt is a member of the M. E. Church and also of the Masonic order.
J. B. TOMPSON.
Was born in Ray county, Missouri, February 4, 1859, and has lived there all his life, engaged, since he was old enough to work, in farming. Mr. Tompson was married in this county, in 1879, to Miss Susan Glass- cock, by Rev. Hardy Holman. Mrs. Tompson was born August 26, 1860, in Ray county, Missouri. She is a member of the Christian Union Church. Mr. Tompson is a member of the Farmers' Club, and owns a neat, pleasant home of ninety-six acres, and is an industrious, rising young husbandman, with a promising start in life.
J. R. BERTEN.
John R. Berten was born in Caldwell county, Missouri, February 26, 1857. He is the son of Thomas J. and Celia (Cravens) Berten, who were married at Knoxville, this county, in 1843, by Solomon Cravens, J. P., and became the parents of a family of eight children, five boys and three girls. When John was yet a small boy his parents removed to Ray county, Missouri, where he was reared on a farm and has since lived. He removed to the town of Lawson, 1873, where he now lives, engaged in the livery stable business. At the age of eight years, Mr. Berten had
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a severe fever, which left him a permanent cripple. He has a good Eng- lish education and is fond of books and study. He is a very popular young gentleman and enjoys the esteem of all who know him.
WILLIAM HANNAS.
William Hannas was born in Hampshire county, West Virginia, Octo- ber 8, 1836, and lived there until the age of twenty-two years, when he removed to Green county, Ohio, and remained there five years. He then went to Pike county, Illinois, and lived there about the same length of time. In 1870, he came to Missouri, and settling in Carroll county, remained there until April, 1881, when he came to this county. He has been a life-long farmer. He owns two hundred and sixty acres of land, principally prairie, well fenced and cultivated, improved with a good resi- dence, barn and other buildings and bearing a neat, prosperous appear- ance. Mr. Hannas was married in West Virginia, in the year 1859, to Miss Mary M. Williams, a native of Hampshire county, Virginia, born May 26, 1842. The issue of this marriage has been the following named children, viz: Philip W., born September 2, 1860; Edgar, born July 6, 1864; Mordacai, born February 27, 1866; Mollie, born December 5, 1869; Daniel A., born April 27, 1871; Rosa E., born September 30, 1874; Mar- garet, born October 26, 1876; Virginia, born February 19, 1879. Daniel Hannas, the father of our subject, was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, in October, 1812, died January, 1875. Jacob Williams, the father of Mrs. Hannas, was born in Frederick county, Virginia, January 7, 1792. Mr. Hannas is a successful farmer and an active, influential citizen.
JOSEPH A. SMITH.
Joseph Addison Smith was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, September 23, 1822. His parents removed to Ray county, Missouri, in 1838, settling within two miles of where Mr. Smith now resides. Here our subject lived, occupied with duties on his father's farm, until 1846, when he enlisted in company C, 1st Missouri cavalry, under Col. A. W. Doniphan, for the war with Mexico. From Leavenworth, Kansas, the 1st Missouri marched to Santa Fe, and thence across the Rio Grande river into Mexico. Mr. Smith served twelve months, and was discharged at the old Mexican town of Monterey. He participated in the battles of Brazito (near El Paso, New Mexico,) Sacramento, marched to Chihua- hua, and thence to Monterey, where he was detailed to the care of the sick, and remained while his regiment marched on, to be discharged at New Orleans. After the war, Mr. Smith returned to this county, and commenced improving a farm on the open prairie, which at that time was not settled and hardly thought to be habitable, building a small log cabin where his residence now stands. His friends wondered at his going so
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
far away on the prairie, and ridiculed the idea of improving a farm in that wild and untried region. But he was not dissuaded from his pur- pose, and in time made those lands, that were regarded with so much dis- favor then, to "blossom as the rose." But this was not a speedy trans- formation. There were long years of labor and cultivation before the place assumed its present prosperous and thrifty appearance and condi- tion. For years his lone cabin, standing in bold relief on a high ridge, served as a guide and a landmark for travelers crossing the prairies. Mr. Smith was married in Grundy county, Missouri, December 18, 1849, to Miss Catherine Miller, by Reverend William McCameron. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Judge Jesse and Mercy Ann Miller. She was born in Franklin county, Ohio, January 12, 1832, and came to Missouri, with her parents, at the age of eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have eleven children, viz: Joseph C., born October 2, 1851; William W., born November 1, 1853; Nora J., born October 23, 1855; James A., born November 15, 1857; Victoria, born January 8, 1860; Maggie S., born March 16, 1862; Clement L. V., born August 4, 1864; Stephen D., born January 1, 1867; Angie S., born March 20, 1869; David C., born August 24, 1871; Mary M., born October 16, 1874. Mr. Smith owns 955 acres of excellent land, 700 acres of prairie land, enclosed by good, substantial fences, and in a high state of cultivation, with a large, thrifty orchard, bearing abundantly many of the best varieties of fruit. His residence, a large, handsome brick structure, is situated upon a high, rolling plateau, commanding a view of the towns of Lawson and Vibbard, with the sur- rounding country for miles away. He also has good, roomy, well- arranged convenient barns, sheds, and granaries, for the shelter of stock, feed, grain, and farming implements. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church, at Lawson. He has been an elder and an active, leading member of that church for eighteen years. When Mr. Smith first came to this county there was an abundance of deer and other game here, and in his youth he was a great hunter, and had many interesting experiences in the chase. Joseph A. Smith is one of the most highly respected and prominent citizens of the county.
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