USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 82
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JOHN L. BARHAM.
The subject of this article was born in North Carolina in the month of December, 1820. He was educated in his native state, and pursued the business of farming there, until he was about twenty-seven years of age. In the spring of 1848 he came to Ray county, Missouri, and located on a farm near Albany. After living there about six years, he came to his present farm, section two, township fifty-three, range twenty-six, and has lived there ever since. He owns two hundred and nineteen acres of excellent land, well improved and watered, a fine orchard bearing an abundance of choice fruit, and all under good fence. Mr. Barham is in a highly prosperous condition, and has entirely recuperated the heavy dam- ages and losses of property he sustained during the civil war. He was married, in 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Frazer, a native of the state of North Carolina. They have thirteen children: William F., Frances M., James N., Balaam, John, Ann, Robert L., Joseph, Thomas, Elizabeth, Lutie, Charles and George. Mr. Barham's father, Balaam Barham, was a native of North Carolina. He died about the year 1850, aged sixty-three years. His mother, Elizabeth, was a native of the same state. She died
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
at the age of seventy-four years, after coming with her son to Ray county, Missouri. Ever since the year 1859, our subject has been devot- ing especial attention and care to raising, feeding and shipping live stock. He has made the business very successful and profitable. He is a mem- ber of Myrtle Lodge No. 338, A. F. & A. M., at Millville, and also of Cyrus Royal Arch Chapter, No. 36, at Richmond.
SILAS C. ROBINSON.
This gentleman is a native of Kentucky. He was born October 24, 1832. His father, Michael Robinson, was a native of Virginia. He was born December 14, 1804, and died December 27, 1861. His mother, Mar- garet Robinson, was born in Kentucky, on the 1st day of April, 1812, and is still living in that state at this time-April, 1881. Our subject lived in Kentucky until after he had acquired his education, and attained man- hood's estate. In the spring of 1854 he came to Missouri, and, locating in Jackson county, remained there for about three years. He then went back to Kentucky, but, remaining there only a few months, came to Ray county, Missouri, in the spring of 1857, and bought land here. Soon after he went again to Jackson county, Missouri, and lived there about eighteen months. Returning to Ray county in 1860, he located upon his present farm, section ten, township fifty-three, range twenty-six. Here he owns two hundred and seventy acres of good land, two hundred and forty acres of which is in cultivation, under good fences of rails and hedge. The farm is well watered, having one running spring and a half dozen wells. Mr. Robinson has a handsome and commodious dwelling house, a good barn and other buildings; also, a fine bearing orchard, and an abundance of small fruits and berries. He is devoting his attention largely to raising and dealing in the best classes of live stock. Mr. Robinson was married on the 17th day of January, 1861, to Miss Margaret J. Bright, a native of Lincoln county, Kentucky. They have seven children, named as follows: Lillian, .WilliamF., John Bright, Mollie M., Lucy May, Lot- tie Belle, and Charles Edgar. Mr. Robinson is a member of Wakanda Grange, No. 935, P. of H. He is a successful, prosperous farmer and stock-raiser, and a valuable citizen.
REUBEN VANTRUMP.
Is a native of Rockingham county, Virginia. He was born in the year 1826. He was reared and lived on a farm till he was twenty years old, and then learned the blacksmithing trade, though he never pursued it, as a business, in after life. In the year 1854, he went to Indiana, and engaged in farming there for about six years, and then, in 1860, began operating a saw-mill, and followed that business for eight years. He then sold his saw- mill property and bought a farm, and lived upon it until the fall of 1875,
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
when he came to Missouri. He stopped the first winter after coming to the state, in the town of Norborne, in Carroll county, but the next spring came to Ray county, and settled where he now resides, section fifteen, township fifty-three, range twenty-six. Mr. Vantrump was married, in the year 1848, to Miss Diana Carnes, a native of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Vantrump have three children living: John C., Americus V., and Medici Belle. John Van- trump, father of our subject, was a native of Virginia; born in 1799; died in 1870. He was a member of the German Reformed Church, for a great number of years prior to his death. The grandfather of our subject came across the Atlantic in the same ship with Peter Stuyvesant, the "last and best governor" of New Amsterdam (now New York). Reuben Van- trump's mother was a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, and was born in 1806. She died in 1874. Mr. Vantrump is a member of the I. O. O. F. He owns a valuable farm of very productive land, which he manages very successfully. He is a good neighbor, and a very valuable citizen.
BENJAMIN B. GENTRY.
Benjamin B. Gentry was born in Columbia, Boone county, Mo., in the year 1828, and lived there until ten years of age, when his parents removed with him to Monroe county, Missouri. There he received his education and lived about twelve years. Mr. Gentry was married in the year 1847, to Miss Narcissa E. Wallard. Three children were born of this union: Susan F., Nancy Jane, Mary C. In the spring of 1850, he came to Ray county, and leaving his wife at Richmond, started overland to California. He was one of a large company, and they made the journey to the land of gold, in just four months from the date of starting, reaching their destina- tion on the 1st day of September. They had the good fortune to escape the cholera which was raging at that time in a very virulent form through- out the country, and especially on the route to the west. Mr. Gentry remained in California, mining, for about fourteen months, and then returned to Missouri by water, reaching Richmond Christmas night, 1851. He soon after bought a farm just west of Russellville, and lived there eighteen years, engaged in farming and stock-raising. He then moved to his present location, section four, township fifty-three, range twenty-six, where he owns five hundred and ten acres of excellent land, nearly all in one body, well watered and the principal part of it in cultivation, well improved, handsome comfortable residence, two fine orchards, a very con- venient, large roomy barn, other out-buildings, and everything necessary to the full equipment of a first-class modern farm. Mr. Gentry devotes a great deal of attention to raising and feeding live stock, and has done so for many years. His first wife died in 1858, and he afterwards married Miss Sarah Mckenzie, a native of Virginia. The result of this union was
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
nine children, named as follows: Alelia E., Benjamin Mc., James S., Alice Belle, David J., John S., William Edward, dead, Charles N., and Effie Maud. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gentry are leading members of the Christian Church. He is also a member of Myrtle Lodge, No. 338, A. F. & A, M. at Millville, and of Wakanda Grange No. 935, P. of H. He is a prominent farmer and an influential citizen.
CHARLES L. BOWEN.
Charles L. Bowen was born in Ohio, in the year 1830. He received a liberal education in his youth, and continued to remain at home until the commencement of the civil war. He enlisted about the first of June, 1863, and by the middle of the month was commissioned captain of com- pany F, 7th Ohio volunteer infantry. In July following, he was promoted to a lieutenant-colonelcy and assigned to the same regiment, and remained with the 7th Ohio until their term of service expired. He was discharged from the army in April, 1864. He suffered an injury to his right eye while in the service of the Union. At the close of the war he went back to farming in Ohio, and continued that business there until the spring of 1869, when he came to Missouri, and first stopping for a few months in Carroll county, settled permanently where he now resides, in Ray county (section five, township fifty-three, range twenty-six). Here he owns a good farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres of land, mostly in cultiva- tion, with an orchard of about two hundred trees bearing choice vari- eties of fruit. Charles L. Bowen was married in the year 1858, to Miss Almina Slough, a native of Ohio. They have seven children, named as ยท follows: Annie A., wife of Armstead Waters,) Susan J., Ida May, Albert Wilmot, Pauline M., Mary Almina, and Maud Bertha. Mr. Bowen's father, Robert W. Bowen was a native of Maryland. He died in March, 1865, aged seventy-two years. His mother, Susan L., was also a native of Maryland. She died in 1863, aged seventy-two years. The father of Mrs. Bowen, Frederick Slough, was a native of Ohio. He died March 11, 1846. Her mother, Mary, was born in Ohio; died July 14, 1853, aged forty-one years. Mr. Bowen's father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his grandfather served seven years under General George Washing- ton, in the war for American independence. He was with the army on their terrible march to Valley Forge. Our subject has been postmaster at Willmott ever since the office was established, in 1874. He is a mem- ber of the order of Odd Fellows.
REV. E. W. CATO.
This gentleman was born in Wayne county, Mississippi, in 1819. When eight years old his father moved with him to the state of Alabama, and there he was educated and grew up. He pursued farming and other
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
branches of business in Alabama for a number of years. In 1858 he began working at the wagon-making trade, and continued that business, but with some interruptions, until 1865. He enlisted in August, 1864, in company -, 4th regiment of Alabama reserves, and served in the Con- federate army until the close of the war. After the war he began work- ing at his trade, and also conducted a farm in connection with it. In the spring of 1868 he left Alabama, and came direct to Missouri. He stopped first for a few months in St. Louis county, and then went to Lafayette county, where he remained about a year, at the expiration of which time he came to Ray county, and has made his home here ever since. In the month of February, 1877, he removed to his present location, section 32, township 54, range 26. Mr. Cato has about two acres in orchard and vineyard, and intends devoting his attention to grape-growing and wine- making. He was married in the year 1840, to Miss S. A. Booker, a native of Alabama. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cato are members of the Church of Latter Day Saints, and he is a minister of that denomination. Mr. Cato's father, Allen Cato, was a native of North Carolina. He died a few years ago, aged eighty years. His mother has been dead for a long while; she was a native of Mississippi. Mrs. Cato's father, Willis Booker, was a native of North Carolina. He died in 1866, aged about seventy years. Her mother, Sarah, died a few years ago, at the age of seventy- six years. Mr. Cato is very popular as a preacher among his people, and is much esteemed and respected.
GEORGE W. CLEMENS.
Was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in the year 1845. He is the son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Clemens. His father was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother in Kentucky. They are both yet living, in the state of Illinois. At the age of nine years our subject left Virginia with his parents, going to Madison county, Illinois, where he remained until 1864, and then removed to Putnam county, Illinois. He began farming on his own account in 1865, and continued it in Illinois, until the year 1870, when he removed to Ray county, Missouri, and located upon the farm where he now resides (section thirteen, township fifty-three, range twenty-six.) This farm comprises four hundred and thirty-four acres of rich land, improved with a comfortable residence and good barn, and abundantly watered with good springs and wells, besides running streams. The farm is enclosed by hedge fences chiefly. Mr. Clemens is largely engaged in raising live stock, and has his farm principally in pasture for that purpose. He intends in future to make a specialty of raising fine-bred sheep. Mr. Clemens was married on the 8th day of Feb- ruary, 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Larcher, a native of Ohio. They are the par- ents of six children: Joseph, Mary Elizabeth (dead), Emma Jane John,
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Wesley, Jeremiah and Matthias. Mrs. Clemens' father, Mr. Matthias Larcher, is a native of Germany. He came to this country at an early day. He and her mother, Elizabeth, are now living in the state of Indiana, both at the advanced age of about seventy-one years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Clemens are consistent and leading members of the German Baptist Church.
S. V. ENDSLEY.
Son of John and Hannah Endsley, was born in Ray county, Missouri, in the year 1836. His parents were both natives of North Carolina. His father was born October 26, 1796, in Gifford county, North Carolina; died September 26, 1874, aged almost seventy-eight years. His mother died in March 1880, aged seventy-two years. Our subject was reared on a farm and received the advantages of the district schools in acquiring an education. He continued farming until the year 1859, when he went to California, arriving in the month of September, after having been about five months on the way, and remained there and engaged in mining until the month of March 1865, when he went to Nevada and remained in that state eleven months. He then returned to California, but remaining only a short time started to the Frazer river country in the north. He suc- ceeding in getting only as far as Victoria, and returned to Portland, Oregon. Thence he went to the Blackfoot country in Montana, and after mining there for a time, returned to Missouri in October, 1868. Remain- ing but a short time in this state, he returned to Montana, via New York and San Francisco, and followed mining until the fall of 1869. He then returned again to Ray county, Missouri, and located permanently here. Early in the spring of 1870, he removed to the place upon which he now resides, section fifteen, township fifty-three, range twenty-six. Here he owns five hundred and fifty-one acres of good farming pasture and timber lands, well watered and under good fencing. He has a handsome and comfortable residence, erected in 1876-7, at a cost of more than $2,500, a good barn and other buildings, and also a fine thrifty bearing orchard. He is devoting much attention to raising cattle and mules, and is also engaged in feeding stock for market. Mr. Endsley was married in 1871, to Miss Jennie Brown, a native of Carroll county, Missouri. Mrs. Endsley's father, William Brown, was a native of Tennessee. He died October 17, 1880, aged seventy years. Her mother, Sarah A., is a native of Salem, Stokes county, North Carolina. She is now in her sixty-eighth year, and is living with her daughter, Mrs. Endsley. Mr. Endsley is a very prosperous farmer and a prominent citizen.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
DANIEL H. STRATTON.
Daniel H. Stratton was born in Ray county, Missouri, in 1840. He is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Stratton. His father, a native of Ken- tucky, died in the month of June, 1866. His mother, who was born in Virginia, is yet living in Ray county. She is now seventy-two years of age. Mr. Stratton was raised on a farm, and has followed that business all his life. He commenced farming, on his own account, in 1861, and removed to his present location, section twenty-three, township fifty- three, range twenty-six, in the spring of the year 1868. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of rich land, well improved and watered, and in a fine state of cultivation. He is engaged, quite extensively, in raising and feeding hogs and cattle for market. This branch of his business is very profitable. Mr. Stratton was married in the year 1863, to Miss Elizabeth C. Bowman, a native of Virginia, but reared, principally, in Missouri. Seven children have been born of this union, named as fol- lows: Joseph Jackson, Samuel D., (dead) Alice C., Annie E., Florence R., Daniel H. and Sarah. Mr. Stratton holds the office of steward in Prai- rie Grange No. 1084, P. of H. He is a successful farmer, and is highly esteemed among his neighbors.
JOHN H. McCUISTION.
Was born in Ray county, Missouri, in the year 1847. He was edu- cated and reared in his native county. In the spring of 1868, he com- menced farming on his own account, and two years later removed to the place where he now lives, section twenty-two, township fifty-three, range twenty-six. Here he owns two hundred acres of good, productive land, well fenced and improved. His farm is nearly all sown in grass. Forty acres are in blue grass, and one hundred and twenty acres in timothy and clover. Mr. McCuistion has, for some years, been engaged very exten- sively in feeding and handling cattle. He feeds from one hundred and fifty to two hundred head every year. In the spring of 1865 he went to Iowa, and, after remaining there for a short time, thence to Nebraska, where he lived about three months. From Nebraska he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and after staying there for a short time, returned to his home in Ray county, Missouri. Mr. McCuistion was married on the 27th day of September, 1870, to Miss Mollie J. Wollard, a native of Ray county, and the daughter of Thomas H. Wollard, Esq. The issue of this union was three children, only two of whom, Blanche Leonora and William Thomas, are now living. Mr. McCuistion is a good business man, a successful farmer and stock dealer, and a valuable citizen.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
ADDISON HARPER.
Addison Harper is a native of Augusta county, Virginia. He was born on the 15th day of September, 1809. While yet a child his parents removed with him to Rockingham county, Virginia, where he lived for some years. Between the age of twelve and fifteen years he lived at Philadelphia, and then returning to Virginia, shipped as a sailor on the United States ship Vandalia, Captain Gallagher. The afterwards cele- brated Admiral Farragut was second lieutenant of the ship, and our sub- ject became quite well acquainted with him. Mr. Harper remained on ship board more than three years, and during that time sailed all along the coast of South America, and visited many of the important sea-ports of that country. At the expiration of his service as a sailor, he returned to Virginia, and, subsequently, in the years 1849-50, represented Rocking- ham county in the state legislature. During his residence in Virginia, he met the distinguished French marquis and general, De La Fayette, on the occasion of one of his visits to America.", "In the year 1839 Mr. Harper engaged in merchandising, at Brock's Gap, Virginia, and followed that business in connection with farming until the commencement of the civil war. Enlisting in the Confederate army, in the month of May, 1861, Mr. Harper recruited a company of volunteers, afterwards known as company A, 7th Virginia cavalry. He was a captain in the same regiment with Captain (afterwards general) Ashby. Colonel Mosby, then a private, was also a member of same regiment. Mr. Harper was engaged in the bat- tles of Manasas, Bull Run, Cross Keys, Port Republic and many others. He was promoted to a colonelcy, but afterwards resigned, and, returning home, engaged in the peaceful occupation of farming, until the month of October, 1869, when he removed to Ray county, Missouri, and located where he now resides, section 27, township 53, range 26. He owns 220 acres of good land, 200 acres of which is in cultivation and well improved. Mr. Harper was married November 9, 1837, to Miss Susan A. Cottrell, a native of Rockingham county, Virginia. They became the parents of thirteen children, six of whom are living at present, named as follows: Nancy B., Martha S., William A., Samuel M., Emma and Benjamin F, Both Mr. and Mrs. Harper are members of the German Baptist Church. and he is also an elder of that denomination.
JAMES M. PUGH.
This gentleman was born in Ray county, Missouri, in the year 1841. His father, David Pugh, was a native of Davidson county, Tennessee. He died in 1852, aged fifty years. His mother (Serena) is, also, a native of the state of Tennessee. She is yet living in Vernon county, Missouri. Our subject was reared and educated in this county and has lived, during
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
his entire life here. Locating where he now resides, (section 29, township 53, range 26), in 1869, he commencing the business of farming for himself .. He is the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, under good rail and hedge fences, and improved with a large, comfortable resi- dence, a good frame barn, and other necessary buildings. During the last four or five years, Mr. Pugh has been giving much attention to the raising of live stock, especially cattle. James M. Pugh was married on the 1st day of October, 1874, to Miss Huldah F. Wollard, a native of Ray county, Missouri. They are the parents of two children, Laura Temple and Thomas Wollard. Mr. Pugh is a member of Lodge No. 322, A. F. & A. M., at Hardin. He is a good citizen and a practical, successful farmer.
DAVID B. BOWMAN.
David B. Bowman is a native of Rockingham county, Virginia. He was born April 22, 1817. He was raised on a farm, and, after he grew up, pursued the business of farming in his native county until the year 1857. Early in the spring of that year he started to Missouri. He traveled with teams as far as Wheeling, Virginia, and came from there by river, landing at Lexington, Lafayette county, on the 4th day of May, 1857. Soon after he came to Ray county, and located upon his present farm, in section thirty-two, township fifty-three, range twenty-six. He owns here two hundred and forty acres of prairie land, in a fine state of cultivation, well improved, and inclosed with hedge fences. He has, also, an excellent orchard. Besides this homestead, Mr. Bowman owns one hundred and thirty-one acres in Crooked river bottom, fifty acres of it timber land, and under fence. Mr. Bowman is engaged, also, in raising and feeding a superior grade of cattle for market. He was married in 1840, to Miss Anna Showalter, also a native of Rockingham county, Virginia. They became the parents of twelve children, all now living but one. Their names follow: John H., Elizabeth C., wife of D. H. Stratton; Ann E., wife of J. Vantrump; Jacob F., Rebecca, wife of Oscar Dana; Virginia F., David B., Benjamin D., Sarah M., Ida F., and Emma.
Mrs. Bowman died January 23, 1878, at the age of about fifty-six years. She was an estimable lady, greatly esteemed during life, and her death was much lamented throughout a large circle of friends. Mr. Bowman is a consistent member of the German Baptist Church, as was, also, his wife.
JOHN H. EVANS.
Was born in Ray county, Missouri, in the year 1838. He received his education in the district schools of his native county, after the manner usual with other farmers' boys at that time. His father, Lorenzo D.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Evans, is a native of Tennessee. He immigrated to Missouri at an early day, and is now living here at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His mother, Susan, is also a native of Tennessee, and is yet living. After our subject attained his majority, he engaged in farming in this county until the outbreaking of the civil war. He enlisted June 4, 1861, in com- pany F, 4th Missouri regiment of General Sterling Price's command. He was engaged in the battles of Carthage, Wilson's Creek and Lexington. Having taken sick, he was left at Rose Hill, Johnson county, Missouri, where he remained until the time for which he enlisted had expired. He was slightly wounded twice in battle. From Rose Hill after his recovery, he came home to Ray county, but remaining only a short time went to Illinois, and remained in that state about a year. Returning again to his home, he resumed the business of farming, and in the month of February, 1866, removed to his present location, section thirty-five, town- ship fifty-three, range twenty-six. Here he owns one hundred and four acres of farming and timber lands, well improved and watered by running streams. Mr. Evans gives special attention to raising good breeds of hogs and cattle. He has been twice married, first in February, 1866, to Miss Mary A. Long, a native of Missouri. The issue of this marriage was four children: Effie F., Robert S., Fannie E., and Susan Estella. His wife died July 13, 1877, and Mr. Evans was again married November 3, 1878, to Miss Alice E. Chrisman. They have one child, Henry L. Mrs. Evans is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Evans has been, for three years past, secretary of Prairie Grange, No. 1084, P. of H.
DAVID B. RHODES.
The subject of this sketch was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1828. He received his education in the common schools, and grew up in his native county. At the age of eighteen years he learned the carpen- tering trade, and pursued that calling, constantly for ten years afterwards. Mr. Rhodes was married in the year 1856, to Miss Sarah Zigler, a native of Rockingham county, Virginia. In the year, 1858, he partly quit car- pentering and engaged in farming, which business he followed, in his native state until 1868. He then left Virginia, and came to his present farm, (section 35, township 53, range 26), in Ray county, Missouri, where he has ever since resided. He owns a neat place of ninety-six acres, of good land, well watered by a running stream and spring. He has a com- fortable residence, a conveniently arranged barn, and a fine young orchard. He is engaged, also, in raising and feeding stock, chiefly cattle. During the war, Mr. Rhodes was living in the " burnt district " of the Shenan- doah valley, and in consequence, suffered considerable loss of property. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes became the parents of eight children: Minnie, wife
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