History of Ray county, Mo., Part 78

Author: Missouri historical company, St. Louis, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: St. Louis, Missouri historical company
Number of Pages: 864

USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 78

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.

war he was in the battles of Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg, Petersburg and Chancellorsville, besides many others. Mr. Huntsman was married in Clinton county, Missouri, in May, 1875, to Miss Mollie J. Easton, by Rev. Mr. Searcy. Mrs. Huntsman was born in Clay county, Missouri, April 17, 1854. Mr. Huntsman is a worthy member of the order of Good Templars. He is an excellent workman in all the different branches of his trade, and has a large and lucrative patronage. He is a generous, charitable, fair minded, honorable gentleman, and enjoys the confidence and respect of the community in which he lives.

CHAS. B. BACON, M. D.

Charles B. Bacon was born in the town of Spencer, Tioga county, New York, March 24, 1829. Began his medical studies in 1849, in the office of Doctor G. H. Preston, where he continued until 1853, and left off to teach school awhile in order to supply himself with the necessary funds for the further prosecution of his studies. In 1855 he went with Doctor Preston to Brantford, Canada, and practiced medicine there until 1859, when he attended, at Rochester, New York, a branch of the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College. Then, in consequence of the failure of his health, he went to the mountain regions of Colorado and to Denver and Golden City. He came to Ray county in the fall of the same year, and has lived here ever since, engaged in the practice of medicine, farming and dealing in live stock. Doctor Bacon owns a fine well improved farm of two hundred acres, in section twenty-eight, township fifty-four, range twenty-nine. He is in a very prosperous condition and is highly esteemed by the good peo- ple among whom he lives and practices. Doctor Bacon has never been married.

J. M. STOCKWELL.

James M. Stockwell was born in Chenango county, New York, May 13, 1834, and at the age of six years, left there with his parents, George W. and Elsie I. Stockwell, and removed to Ohio. His father was born in Massachusetts in 1788, and died August 14, 1863. His mother was born in Massachusetts, in 1798, and died in 1865. The family remained in Ohio during three years and then removed to Ray county, Missouri, and settled upon a farm near where our subject now resides. Mr. Stock- well lived in this county until the year 1849, and then taking the tide of immigration at its flood, went to seek his fortunes in the gold fields of California. After a journey of great hardship, privation and suffering, he reached the land of gold, and remained there for two years, and then returned to Ray county. He made a subsequent trip to California, and was absent from here about the same length of time as upon the former trip. Mr. Stockwell was married May 3, 1856, in Ray county, to Miss

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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.

May E. Bisbee, who was born May 27, 1834, in Ohio, and came to Mis- souri in 1838. They became the parents of five children: Rosina A., born February 5th, 1857, now the wife of John Buchanan; Arza, born Novem- ber 3, 1859; Iola E., born November 14, 1865, now the wife of E. Boyd; David P., born 1867, died when a child; Harry W., born June 3, 1872. Mrs. Stockwell's father, Arza Bisbee, was born in the state of New York, December 25, 1807, and died in 1867. Her mother, Harriet M. Bisbee, was born April 21, 1816, and died May 18, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Stock- well are both members of the Christian Church. He owns a farm of five hundred and fifteen acres of excellent farming lands in a fine state of cul- tivation and well improved. He is a practical successful farmer, and a respected member of the community.

JESSE T. ROBERTS.

Jesse T. Roberts was born in Madison county, Kentucky, December 9, 1839. He is the son of A. J. and Eliza Roberts. His father was born in Madison county, Kentucky, January 10, 1814, and is now living in Clay county, Missouri. His mother was born in Boone county, Missouri, in the year 1820. Our subject remained in his native county until 1863, and then removed to Hendricks county, Indiana, and was there engaged in farming until October 1, 1868, when he came to Ray county, this state, and bought the farm he now lives upon. Mr. Roberts was married in Gar- rard county, Kentucky, in the year 1863, to Miss Mary C. Wiley, daugh- ter of Harvey and Ruth A. Wiley, natives of Kentucky. She was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, September 1, 1842. They have five children : William L., born July 2, 1865; Martha E., born March 21, 1867; Nora A., born July 12, 1869; James A., born February 15, 1874; Charles H., October 24, 1877. Mrs. Roberts' father, Harvey Wiley, was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, February 12, 1809, and is yet living in the same county. Her mother was born in Madison county, Kentucky, May 1, 1812, and is also yet living. Mr. Roberts and wife are leading mem- bers of the Christian Church, and he is also a member of Bee-Hive Lodge No. 393, A. F. & A. M., at Lawson.

JOHN E. LINVILL.

Is the son of Thomas and Martha Linvill, and was born in Ray county, Missouri, February 10, 1845. He was educated in the schools of this county, and remained at home with his father, working on the farm, and dealing in stock, until he was twenty-five years of age. Mr. Linvill was married on the 24th of March, 1870, to Miss Kate Grimes, the daughter of Major John and Nancy Grimes. She was born in the state of Tennessee, June 21, 1847. The issue of this marriage has been one child: Thomas G., born June 29, 1872, in this county. Soon after his

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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.

marriage, Mr. Linvill settled on a farm near Knoxville, and after remain- ing there for some time, removed to another place in the same vicinity, where he lived until 1879, when he purchased and located upon his pres- ent farm (section thirty-three, township fifty-four, range twenty-eight). He owns about one thousand acres of land, all of which is enclosed by good fence, except about one hundred and fifty acres. The farm is hand- · somely and finely improved, well watered and stocked with the best varieties of live stock. Mr. Linvill is a leading, successful and prosper- ous farmer and stock-raiser, and a highly respected citizen.

LEVI MORRIS.

Levi Morris was born in Kanawha county, Virginia, August 3, 1835. He came with his parents to Missouri, and settled in this county, in 1839. His father died when he was sixteen years of age, and, being the oldest son, it devolved upon him to assist his mother in managing the farm and providing for the rest of the family. In 1877, the youngest heir having attained his majority, the estate was divided, and his mother and our subject have continued to live upon the homestead, their combined shares of the estate. January 9, 1873, Mr. Morris married Miss Nancy C. Grimes, daughter of Joseph C. and Julia Grimes. She was born in Ray county, Missouri, January 11, 1853. They became the parents of four children, all of whom are now living: Lulu G., born November 9, 1873; Minnie C., born September 29, 1875; Gracie E., born September 11, 1877; Joseph B. F., born May 1, 1880. In 1859 Mr. Morris went to California, where he was engaged, with very fair success, in mining for about four years, after which he went to Idaho, and spent some time in mining there. While out west, he went into British America, and remained during one summer. He returned home to Ray county in 1872, and has lived here ever since. Mrs. Amanda J. Morris, the mother of our subject, was born in Clark county, Ohio, October 5, 1812. Her parents, John and Sarah Hamilton, both died when she was very young, and she was taken to Virginia and reared by her grandparents, who lived in that state. September 29, 1829, she was married to Mr. Benjamin Morris. The issue of this union was eight children, seven of whom are yet living: Octavia N., born September 11, 1830; Sarah M., born Janu- ary 3, 1838; Mary J., born October 13, 1840; Benjamin F., born April 21, 1843; James W., born April 1, 1848; John B., born October 1, 1851, and Levi, our subject. Mrs. Morris is living now on the old homestead, section 26, township 54, range 28.

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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.

JOHN MILSTEAD.

Is a native of Ray county, Missouri, and was born July 4, 1836. His father, John, Sr., was born in Virginia, February 18, 1786. His mother was a native of North Carolina. His parents had a family of nine children of whom he was the youngest. The family came to Ray county from Virginia, three years before our subject was born, and settled on the same place upon which he now resides, section fourteen, township fifty-four, range twenty-eight. John Milstead, Sr., owned several other farms, in different parts of the county, which he divided among his children. He died May 1, 1872. His wife died in August, 1865. Our subject is an industrious, prosperous, and successful farmer and stock-raiser, and is highly regarded and respected among his large circle of friends and acquaintances. He is a valuable addition to the community in which he lives, and an active worker for the development of the material resources of his native county of Ray.

CLAYTON TIFFIN, M. D.

Clayton Tiffin was born February 12, 1837, in Ross county, Ohio. At the age of five years he came with his father, Dr. John C. Tiffin, to Knoxville, Ray county, Missouri, where he has ever since resided. He attended school at Knoxville, till he was thirteen years of age, when his father sent him to Frankfort, Ross county, Ohio, to attend school. He was entered a student at the old Frankfort Seminary. On leaving school he resolved to make a physician of himself, and commenced studying with his father, and pursued his studies under the latter's instruction, till he went to St. Louis, Missouri, to attend medical lectures, and at that time he was placed under charge of Dr. L. P. Perry, his uncle, a promi- nent physician of St. Louis. Dr. Perry was a graduate of the Virginia University, and left that institution with the highest honors. Dr. Tiffin

graduated at the St. Louis Medical College, receiving the degree of M. D., and returned home and entered upon the practice of his profession with his father. After graduating Dr. Tiffin spent one winter in attend- ing lectures and hospital at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia; and also one winter at the Bellevue Medical College and hospital of dhy- sicians and surgeons, New York. He visited the medical colleges at San Francisco, and while there formed the acquaintance of Dr. J. S. Potts, a prominent physician of San Jose, California, and agreed to take a trip with him to Europe, in order to acquire a more thorough knowledge in the general practice of medicine aud surgery, as well as of the different specialties. They met in New York in September, 1880, and having obtained letters of introduction to prominent physicians and surgeons in Europe, embarked for that country. They visited London, Paris,

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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.

Vienna, Berlin, Edinburg and Dublin. Dr. Tiffin spent most of his time in London and Paris, but attended the medical colleges and lectures in all the other cities mentioned, including that of Prof. Billroth, Vienna; of Prof. Longenbeche, Berlin, and of Dr. Brown-Sequard, Paris. While in London he purchased the finest set of surgical instruments that could be found, and also instruments for special diseases, at a cost in the aggregate of over $800. There is not a medical institution, hospital or infirmary, of any considerable importance in Europe, that he did not visit. In 1861 Dr. Tiffin enlisted in the enrolled Missouri militia, and the following year was made captain of his company. He did active and efficient service in Ray and other counties of northwest Missouri. In 1865, by order of Governor Fletcher, he recruited an independent company for purposes of defense against bushwhackers and other lawless, marauding bands. In the engagement at Glasgow, Howard county, he was captured by the enemy, but was exchanged after a short time. October 6, 1865, Dr. Tiffin was married to Miss Julia A. Larrison. They have one child living: Alexis F., born December 28, 1871. Dr. Tiffin is one of the leading physicians of Ray county, and perhaps no man in the state has been at greater pains or expense to gain a thorough knowledge of his profession in all its branches. He has an extensive practice and is a genial, hospitable gen- tleman.

HENRY ZEISENESS.

This gentleman was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 22d day of May, 1825. In his youth he received the advantages of the excellent schools of his native land, and acquired a good education. Prior to leav- ing Germany he was engaged in the business of weaving. He came to America in the year 1849, landing at New Orleans, where he remained for about one year. From New Orleans he came to St. Charles, Mis- souri, and there worked on a railroad for a time, and then at farming. After remaining in and around St. Charles for about a year, he went back to New Orleans, but staid only a short time, and then went to McLean county, Illinois. Worked on a railroad there, for a short time, and then returned again to New Orleans. Went back again to Illinois and lived there until 1856, when he came to Missouri, and, after stopping tempo- rarily in Caldwell county, settled in 1857 upon his present place (section two, township fifty-four, range twenty-seven,) in Ray county. He owns four hundred acres of very fine land, well fenced and watered, improved with comfortable and substantial buildings, and stocked with the best varieties of live stock. Mr. Zeiseness was married on the 22d of Novem- ber, 1852, to Miss Magdalena Deger. She bore the following named children: Conrad L., born March 14, 1855; Mary F., born February 25, 1857; Joseph A., born June 8, 1860. Mrs. Zeiseness died September 22,

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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.

1864, and Mr. Zeiseness was afterwards married to Mrs. Mary Mohn, also a native of Germany, and born November 30, 1838. She came to America in 1855. Her father, Nicholas Emerich, (now living with her) was born in Germany in 1805. She became the mother of four children by her first marriage, two of whom are now dead. The issue of Mr. Zeiseness' second marriage was three children: Mary M., born October 14, 1867; Henry and Martin L., twins, born May 5, 1869. Mr. Zeiseness was on the Union side, and enrolled among the state militia, during the late war. He speaks and reads both the German and English languages. He is a valuable citizen, and a successful, prosperous farmer.

JOSEPH D. CRAVEN.

Joseph D. Craven was born in Davison county, North Carolina, on the 4th day of August, 1822. His parents, Thompson and Mary Craven, had a family of twelve children. At the age of four years he was taken by his parents to Randolph county, and lived there until 1854, working, after he grew up, at carpentering and farming. He then went to Potta- wattamie county, near Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he lived until 1870, and then came to Ray county, Missouri, and has lived here ever since, engaged in farming. (Section twenty-two, township fifty-four, range twenty-seven). He enlisted in the Union army while living in Iowa, in the autumn of 1864, company B, 17th Iowa infantry, commanded by Colonel Newcomb. The first battle in which our subject engaged was at Nashville, Tennessee. He was discharged from the army in the spring .of 1865, and returned home in the month of August of the same year. Mr. Craven was married on the 14th of July, 1844, to Miss Bethenia Arledge. She was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, on the 16th day of August, 1821. The issue of this union was ten children, six of whom are now living: Jessie T., born October 16, 1847; Sarah J., born July 18, 1850; Elkana, born February 4, 1856; Amelia S., born October 6, 1858; Elcym, born August 18, 1860; Charles J., born January 18, 1864. Mr. Craven is an elder of the Church of Latter Day Saints, and has been presiding elder of the Missouri conference since 1872.

ALBERT P. ALSPAUGH.

Was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, on the 18th of October, 1857. His parents removed with him to Adams county, Illinois, in the year 1861, and lived there for six years. Then went to Iowa for a time, and thence to Kansas. Came to Ray county, Missouri, and settled on a farm in section three, township fifty-four, range twenty-seven. Here our sub- ject engaged in farming, until the beginning of 1881, when himself and an elder brother established a general merchandise country store, under the firm name of Alspaugh Bros. They are very popular young men, and are doing a brisk trade.

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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.

SAMUEL H. STEPHENSON.

The subject of this sketch was born in Todd county, Kentucky, Sep- tember 15, 1826. His parents, James and Catherine Stephenson, removed with him in his infancy, to Greene county, Illinois, where they lived during two years. They then came to Ray county, Missouri, and settled upon the same farm upon which our subject now resides, section one, township fifty-four, range twenty-seven. This was in 1833 or 1834. James Stephenson died in a few years after coming to this county. His wife died in 1862. During the civil war our subject belonged to the enrolled militia of the state. He was engaged in the skirmish at Albany, in this county. He was discharged from the militia in 1865. Mr. Stephen- son was married on the 27th day of March, 1857, to Miss Hily C. Claw- son. She was born in North Carolina, April 24, 1833. She came to this county with her parents, Eli and Dicey Clawson, in 1842. They settled near Knoxville. Her father died July 17, 1852, aged forty-six years. Her mother died in the same year, at the age of fifty-three years. One child, Parthenia C., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson, on the 8th day of May, 1852. She was reared on the old homestead, and, on the 12th of April, 1868, was married to Henry Blevins. He was a native of Ray county, Missouri, born August 2, 1846. He enlisted September 9, 1864, in the Union army, under Captain William D. Fortune, of General Smith's command. He participated in the battles of Franklin, Tennessee, and Spanish Fort, Alabama. He was disabled by disease after the last men- . tioned fight. Received his discharge from service August 15, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Blevins had one child, Flora Grant, born September 5, 1869; . died December 13, 1872. Rosetta Mulligan, an orphan niece, born in this county, in December, 1867, lives with the family.

JOHN SWITZER.

John Switzer is a native of Lincoln county, Ohio. He was born on the 9th day of November, 1806. His parents were Jacob and Sophia Swit- zer. He received his education in his native county, and remained there, with his parents, until 1814. The family then removed to Richland county, Ohio. Our subject lived there, engaged in farming, until 1839, when he came to Ray county, Missouri, and, buying land, settled one and a half miles west of the village of Millville, and lived there during eleven years. He then sold his farm and moved to his present location, section four, township fifty-four, range twenty-seven, where he has ever since resided. Here he owns three hundred and seventy-eight acres of rich land, all in cultivation but about twenty-five acres of timber land, well improved and watered. He has a fine orchard of two hundred and forty trees. Mr. Switzer was married on the 14th of February, 1828, to Miss Elizabeth

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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.

Alexander. She was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on the 16th of Janu- ary, 1809. Her parents were Peter and Jane Alexander. Mr. and Mrs. Switzer became the parents of ten children. Their names and date birth follow: Samuel C., born March 12, 1830; Matthew A., born August 14, 1831; Andrew J., born August 22, 1833; Peter A., born December 10, 1835; Mary J., born March 27, 1838; Jacob J., born October 8, 1840; John F., born December 17, 1844; James R., born June 2, 1846; George A., born March 2, 1848; Marion B, born July 7, 1850. The five eldest were born in Ohio, the others in Ray county, Missouri. The son, George A., now has charge of the homestead. Mr. Switzer is is a member of the M. E. Church.

JACKSON WALTERS.

Was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, December 29, 1834. He was edu- cated in the public schools of his native county, and at the age of eighteen years commenced working on his own account. He hired as farm laborer at first, but by economical and saving habits was enabled to purchase land. He came to Ray county, Missouri, and now owns about fifty-five acres of excellent farming land, well fenced and improved, with convenient and comfortable buildings. This land is situated in section eight, township fifty-four, range twenty-seven. Mr. Walters was married on the 1st day of July, 1860, to Miss Annie M. Slough. She was born February 17, 1841, in Franklin county, Ohio. Her parents were Frederick and Mary Slough. Mr. and Mrs. Walters became the parents of ten children, six of whom are now living: Their names with dates of birth are: Charles W., born May 2, 1861; Tallman E., born January 26, 1863; Delbert T., born September 30, 1866; Albert M., born October 31, 1871; Thomas E., born September 5, 1876; Olen O., born April 5, 1880. The father of our subject, Nimrod Walters, died in 1869, aged 59 years. His mother, Mar- garet, is yet living in this county at the age of sixty-five years. Mr. Wal- ters has made his way up to the position of a successful farmer by his own unaided efforts. He is highly regarded by his neighbors and friends.

JOHN TAIT.

Is a native of Scotland. He was born in Kirkintiloch, December 18, 1826. He attended school there, and worked with his father at the business of weaving until he was thirteen years of age, and then immi- grated to America. He stopped first in Saratoga county, New York, and was employed in a woolen factory there for about three years, then went to Canada West and was engaged in the same business there. In Kent county, Canada, he learned the milling business. He remained in Canada until the year 1866, and then, coming to Missouri, stopped for one year in Caldwell county. In 1867 he came to his present location, Taits-

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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.

ville, in Ray county. In connection with his brother James, he purchased the Taitsville Mills, and has since been engaged there very successfully, in conducting a flouring and grist mill. Mr. Tait was married on the 7th of November, 1850, to Miss Ann E. Simpson. She is a native of Brock- ville, Canada, and was born March 11, 1835. Her parents were Thomas and Mary Simpson. Eight children have been born to Mr. Tait and wife, named as follows: James T., born June 16, 1852; Thomas H., born April 5, 1855; William G., born June 30, 1858; Maccay D., November 9, 1861; Mary D., born October 30, 1865; Ann E., born July 1, 1869; Beulah, born September 29, 1873; Daniel J., born July 4, 1877. Thomas H., was mar- ried in 1877 to Miss Margaret Berbee. She died August 3, 1880, leaving one child, Lula M., born June 17, 1878. Mr. Tait's father, James, is yet living in Canada at the age of eighty-four years. His mother, Mary, died in 1835, aged thirty-nine years.

HENRY W. SATER.

Was born on the 30th day of September, 1830, in Baltimore county, Maryland. His parents were John and Catherine Sater. He was edu- cated in Maryland, and remained at home, engaged in carpentering, until he was twenty-four years of age. He began to learn the millwrighting business at the age of twenty years. Mr. Sater was married, December 20, 1855, to Miss Mary A. Rony. She was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, December 14, 1835. Her parents were John and Jane Rony. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sater, seven boys and six girls. Ten of them are now living: Catherine J., born Septem- ber 14, 1856; Ruth A., born October 20, 1857; Sarah V., born November 5, 1860; Thomas G., born August 20, 1863; William S., born August 10, 1865; Margaret E., born October 14, 1867; Henry N., born February 9, 1870; Mary E., born February 27, 1872; Alexander, born February 1, 1874; Mar- tha C., March 3, 1876. Mr. Sater remained in Maryland, working at his trade until 1867, when he came to Ray county, Missouri, and settled on the Wakanda river. Here he remained about a year, and then removed to a place on Mud creek; after living there about the same length of time he went to Carroll county, and remained for a year. He removed to his present farm (section thirteen, township 55, range 27), in Ray county, in 1875. Here he owns a model stock-farm, of two hundred and fifty acres, two hundred and twenty acres of which are in a fine state of culti- vation. His farm is watered by fine springs of pure, unfailing water. Mr. Sater enlisted, September 13, 1861, in company F, Pernell legion, Maryland volunteers, and served fourteen months in the Union army. He was discharged in November, 1862, on acccount of physical disability for military service.

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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.

MARTIN COFFMAN.

Martin Coffman was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, on the 12th day of September 1830. He is the son of John and Susan Coffman. He received his education in Fairfield county, and remained at home with his parents until he attained his majority. In 1854, he leased a woolen factory in his native county, and conducted that busi- ness until 1857. He then engaged in farming for a while, after which, in connection with his brother Jesse H., he bought a steam saw mill and operated it for about three years. He then leased the same factory again, which he previously had, and conducted the business, in partnership with other gentlemen, for about two years. He then built a factory of his own, and operated it for the space of three years, when he sold it to Mr. Randall, and returned to the factory he originally leased, and managed it until 1871, when he went to Franklin county, Ohio, and rented a woolen factory there. At the end of two years he quit this business, and went to farming again. He came to Ray county, Missouri, in 1877, and the next year occupied his present farm (section 13, township 54, range 27), and has lived there ever since. On the 19th day of May, 1853, Mr. Coffman was married to Miss Mary L. Markwood. She was born, on the 9th day of January, 1833, in Frederick county, Virginia. Her parents were David and Elizabeth Markwood. Mr. and Mrs. Coffman became the parents of seven children, named as follows: Sylvester F., born November 15, 1854, (died March 27, 1859); Seymour F., born October 10, 1856; Charles M., born September 30, 1858; John D., born March 30, 1861; Ulysses G., born June 16, 1863; Jacob L., born August 16, 1865; Xenia B., born November 15, 1871. Mr. Coffman and three of his family are members of the Church of United Brethren.

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History of Ray county, Mo., Part 78

Author: Missouri historical company, St. Louis, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: St. Louis, Missouri historical company Number of Pages: 864

Author: Missouri historical company, St. Louis, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: St. Louis, Missouri historical company
Number of Pages: 864