USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 83
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
of Samuel A. Sandy; Emily F., wife of John Vantrump; Laura A., wife of Samuel K. Rhodes; Lizzie A., wife of Samuel Hogan; John M., Sydney A., Jacob S. and Iva May. Both Mr. Rhodes and wife, with three of their daughters, are members of the German Baptist Church.
SAMUEL B. SHIRKY.
Was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, on the 1st day of Septem- ber 1840. He attended the common schools of the neighborhood, and after he grew up remained at home, working on the farm until the begin- ning of the war between the states. He enlisted in the Confederate army in August, 1861, company H, 10th Virginia cavalry, Hampton's brigade. He was engaged in the battle of Gettysburg, the seven days fight around Richmond and at Spottsylvania court house. He was paroled after the surrender of General Lee, at Appomattox court house, and returning home resumed the business of farming. In the spring of 1869, he came to Missouri and located where he now resides, section twenty-six, town- ship fifty-three, range twenty-six, in Ray county. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of very productive land, all in a high state of cultivation except about twenty acres of timber land. Upon this land is a large spring affording water sufficient for hundreds of head of stock. He has two thrifty young orchards, besides small fruits and grapes in great abundance. He has a handsome commodious residence, and a barn unusually large, well arranged and convenient for the accommodation of all his live stock, hay, grain and agricultural implements. For the past four years Mr. Shirky has been seeding his fields successfully in blue grass, timothy and clover, in order to convert them into a stock farm exclusively. He now handles all the live stock the size of his farm will allow. He has some very fine graded cattle and is constantly improving his herd. Samuel B. Shirky was married in the year 1865, to Miss Catharine Zigler, a native of Rockingham county, Virginia. They are the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living: John H., Anna C., Gideon E., Joseph B., Sallie V., and Emma F: Mr. Shirky and his wife are both members of the German Baptist Church. His parents, David and Catharine Shirky, are both natives of Rockingham county, Virginia, and both still living. Mr. Shirky has a model farm, and he conducts it very successfully.
THOMAS H. WOLLARD.
Thomas H. Wollard was born in Ray county, Missouri, in the year 1827, upon the land whereon the town of Richmond is now situated. His father, John Wollard, a native of the state of North Carolina, came to Ray county when it was almost a wilderness, and pre-empted and improved the land where Richmond now stands. He died in May, 1877, aged seventy-six years. Our subject's mother, Mrs. Nancy Wollard, was
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a native of Tennessee, she died in 1873, aged seventy years. Thomas H. Wollard grew up on a farm immediately east of Richmond, and lived there until he enlisted in the army for the war against Mexico. He started out in Captain Israel Henley's company, with Colonel Sterling Price's regiment. They marched from Richmond to Sante Fe and thence to El Paso, Chihuahua. In the meantime, however, the company had been organized and placed under command of Captain Thomas Hudson, and assigned to Colonel A. W. Doniphan's regiment. Mr. Wol- lard engaged in the battles of Brazito and Sacramento, then marched to Buena Vista and Monterey, thence to New Orleans, where he was dis- charged from service. From New Orleans he returned home, in July, 1849. In the year 1849, he came to his present location, section 28, township 53, range 26, and has lived there ever since. He owns more than 1,300 acres of most excellent land in one body, besides other farms adjacent, amounting in the aggregate to about 2,000 acres. His home place is in a very fine state of cultivation, improved with excellent buildings, hand- somely appointed for comfort and convenience. He has about 1,000 acres of blue grass and timothy, enclosed with good hedge fences, chiefly in 40 acre fields. He has three large orchards bearing the best kinds of fruit, and berries and the smaller fruits in almost endless variety and profusion. Mr. Wollard has, for twenty-five years, been making a specialty of raising cattle and mules. At present he is giving his atten- tion almost entirely to cattle. He was married in the month of January, 1850, to Miss N. C. Prichard, a native of Ray county, Missouri. They are the parents of five children: Huldah F., wife of J. M. Pugh; Mary J., wife of John H. McCuistion; John M., Laura I. and Thomas J. Mr. Wollard is one of the best and most successful farmers, as well as one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Ray county.
WILLIAM W. NELSON.
Was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, October, 1825. His father, John Nelson, a native of East Tennessee, came to Missouri in a very early day and settled in Lafayette county, before Lexington was laid out. He died about four years ago, aged eighty-four years. Our subject attended the district schools and lived in Lafayette county until the beginning of the war with Mexico. On the 6th day of June, 1846, he enlisted in com- pany B, Captain William Walton, of Colonel Doniphan's regiment, and marched from Lafayette county to the seat of war in Mexico. He was engaged in the battles of Brazito and Sacramento, and, after doing much hard marching, was discharged at New Orleans, about the 1st of July, 1847, and returned home. He staid in Lafayette county until the spring of 1848, and then went again to Mexico. He remained only a short time and came back to Missouri. In the month of August, 1849, he started
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to California, by the southern route, and, after traveling nearly all winter, reached there on the 22d of January, 1850. He lived there, engaged in mining for nearly four years, and then returned, by water, to Lafayette county. After remaining one year longer in his native county, he came, in 1855, to Ray county, and settled where he now lives, section thirty- one, township fifty-three, range twenty-six. He is the possessor of two hundred and sixty acres of fertile land, in a fine state of cultivation, improved with good buildings and well watered by living springs. Mr. Nelson was married in the month of June, 1856, to Miss Keziah S. Grant, a native of Daviess county, Missouri. The issue of this marriage was nine children: John W., George C., Sterling P., Leonidas, Cora A., Lavina B., Franklin Y., Leila and Clarence. Mrs. Nelson is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
MOODY MANSUR, M. D.
Dr. Moody Mansur was born in the township of Temple, Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, on the 3d day of February, 1808. In the win- ter of 1813, his parents removed to Windsor county, Vermont, where he remained on a farm until the month of November, 1827. He then went to Boston, Massachusetts, and engaged as clerk in a hotel with his older brother, Stephen, where he remained about two years. In February, 1829, he engaged with his brother Alvah, and one Ransom Reed, in a wholesale store, at Lowell, Massachusetts. Here he remained nearly three years. From 1832 to 1835, during the scholastic year, he attended an academy at Hampton, New Hampshire, making great advancement in English literature and the classics. After leaving this school, he went to Lowell and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Elisha Bartlett, as preceptor. He continued with Dr. Bartlett for three years, and in the meantime attended three courses of lectures in Boston, at the medical college of Harvard University. In August, 1836, he received his diploma from this institution, conferring upon him the graduates' degree of Doctor of Medicine, and entitling him to membership in the Massachusetts Med- ical Society. He returned to Lowell and began the practice of his pro- fession there, which he continued until September, 1837, and then went to Philadelphia. From there he went out as physician and surgeon, to the army in the Florida war. So efficient were the services he rendered, that not a man whom he treated died from sickness. The army was dis- banded at New Orleans, and Dr. Mansur reported at Washington City for settlement of his claim for professional services. In October, 1838, he established himself in Jefferson City, Missouri, and the next year opened a drug store in connection with his practice. He continued this business there until 1841, and then went to Weston, in Platte county. There he remained until the autumn of 1844. He suffered greatly from the flood
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
of that year, both in property and the health of his family. In the month of November, the health of his family being sufficiently restored, he removed to Liberty, Clay county, Missouri. Here he remained until the spring of 1845, and then removed to Ray county and settled upon a part of the lands he owns at present. In 1849, he went to California, over- land, with an ox team. So great were the hardships he endured on this trip, that his health was entirely destroyed, and he was prostrated with a long spell of sickness after reaching San Francisco. He remained in California until 1851, and his experiences there were varied and interest- ing, but our space will not permit our recounting them here. In Febru- ary, 1851, he started home by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New Orleans. He spent forty days on an ocean sail vessel between San Fran- cisco and the Isthmus. He crossed Panama on foot, and shipped in a steamer for home via New Orleans, arriving in Ray county, in the month of May. He soon after removed to his present location, section eighteen, township fifty-three, range twenty-six, and has, ever since, lived there. He owns two hundred and thirty-eight acres of good land, about half of which is in a fine state of cultivation, well improved, with handsome, comfortable residence, fine orchard and small fruits etc., of great variety and abundance. Dr. Mansur was married in the month of June, 1839, at Jefferson City, Missouri, to Miss Mary M. Basye, a native of the state of Missouri, and the daughter of Major Alfred and Frances R. Basye. Her father was a native of Kentucky, and her mother of South Carolina. Eleven children have been born to Doctor and Mrs. Mansur. Seven of them are now living, named as follows: Louisa Frances, wife of James Tinsley; George G., Elismon, Basye Gertrude, David A., Richard H., and Edward A. In politics Dr. Mansur, for twenty-nine years prior to the civil war, was a democrat. When the war broke out he sided with the cause of the Union, and since that time, until 1876, he affiliated with the republican party. Since 1876, he has been an active promulgator and supporter of the principles of the greenback-labor party. In religion Dr. Mansur is, and has been for fifty-four years, a member of the Baptist Church. His wife, one daughter and two sons, belong to the Christian Church.
LEONARD G. OSTER.
Was born in Richland county, Ohio, in October, 1838. When he was but two years of age, his parents removed with him to Caldwell county, Missouri. Here he was educated and grew up. In 1857 he went to the state of Kansas, but, remaining only a short time, removed from there to Santa Fe, New Mexico. From there he soon returned to Missouri, and remained here until 1860, when he went to Colorado, and engaged in mining for about six months. Then came back again to Mis-
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
souri, and remained here until the beginning of the civil war. About the first of December, 1861, he enlisted in company K, 22d regiment of Mis- souri volunteers, Union army. He was twice wounded and finally cap- tured by the enemy, at the battle of Shiloh. After remaining a prisoner in the hands of the Confederates for some days he was re-taken by the Union troops. He was discharged, January 22d, 1863, at Benton bar- racks, St. Louis, and immediately returned home. He joined the army again, in 1864, and was engaged in the fight near Albany, Ray county. Soon afterward he was discharged from the service, and returned to farm- ing in Caldwell county, Missouri. In 1873 he made a trip to Arkansas, and brought back with him a herd of cattle. In the year 1874 he sold his property in Caldwell county, and removed to his present location in Ray county (section thirty, township fifty-four, range twenty-six). He owns three hundred and sixteen acres of productive land, improved with a hand- some new residence and other buildings, also a thrifty orchard. In addi- tion to farming he is engaged in raising, feeding, and shipping live-stock. Mr. Oster was married, in the month of January, 1864, to Miss Rebecca A. Phillips, a native of Indiana, but reared chiefly in the state of Illinois. They have eight children living: Ada D., Anna M., Herbert U., Charles, Daniel, Myrtle, Daisy, and Rosa B. Mr. Oster is a member of Myrtle Lodge, No. 338, A. F. & A. M., at Millville. Mrs. Oster is a member of the Christian Church.
JOHN A. ROSS.
The subject of this article was born in Kosciusko county, Ohio, on the 11th day of February, 1839. While he was in infancy his parents removed with him to Brown county, Ohio, and there he lived until he was nineteen years old. In the month of April, 1858, he came to Ray county, Missouri. While at St. Louis, on his way from Ohio, he attended the funeral of the distinguished Missouri senator and statesman, Thomas H. Benton. He taught school for a short time soon after his arrival in the county. In the spring of 1859 he started to Pike's Peak, Colorado, but, on arriving at St. Joseph, changed his mind and went to Des Moines, Iowa. After visiting several places in that state, he returned to Missouri, and taught school for a short time in Mercer county. From that time until the beginning of the civil war he traveled through western Mis- souri, pursuing the business of sign writing. On the 19th day of June, 1861, he enlisted in company A, 1st Missouri battalion mounted infantry, 8th division, Missouri state guards, captain, David Boone; lieutenant-col- onel, John W. Payne; division commander, General James Raines. He was engaged in the battles of Dug Spring, Wilson's Creek, Dry Wood, and Lexington. At the latter place, after the battle, the command was 47
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re-organized, called the 6th cavalry, and placed under the command of Colonel John T. Coffee. Mr. Ross was appointed ordnance master, in which position he continued until he was discharged from the service. He was engaged in the battles of Pea Ridge, Shiloh, and Farmington. Mr. Ross was the first to reach and raise the Union general Lyon after he was shot, at the battle of Wilson's Creek, early in the war. Having been sick and unable to do duty, and, in consequence, committed to the hospital at Mobile, Alabama, Mr. Ross was discharged from that institution in the summer of 1863, and went to Fort Laramie, to Denver, and to Montana, where he engaged for about two years in mining. From there he went to Nevada, thence to California, from California to Mexico, and from there to Central America, and thence into South America, where he remained, in Quito, a short time; thence he came back to the coast, and from the coast to the West Indies. Here he remained a short time, and then sailed for New York. Arriving there, he spent some time in that city. Then he came west, and stopped for a short time in Brown county, Ohio. From there he came to Ray county, Missouri, arriving in the month of March, 1866. The succeeding year he started again to Cali- fornia, but being taken sick at Rock Bluff, he returned to Lafayette county, Missouri, and remained there about three years. In the fall of 1869 he came to his present location in this county, section 22, township 54, range 26. He owns a fine, fertile farm of four hundred acres, all inclosed by good fences, and well improved. Mr. Ross was married in 1876, to Miss Sarah I. Cato, a native of the state of Alabama. They have three children: John A., Anna, and Samuel R. Mr. Ross is a mem- ber of Dover Lodge No. 122, A. F. & A. M.
JACOB VANTRUMP.
Jacob Vantrump was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in the year 1845. He lived there on a farm until 1859, and then came to Ray county, Missouri. In 1867 he moved to his present location, (section 23, township 53, range 26,) where he owns ninety acres of excellent land, enclosed with good hedges, and well improved. He has a very fine orchard, two good wells, and an unfailing spring. He enlisted August 1, 1864, in company F, 44th Missouri infantry, Union army. He participated in the battle of Mobile, Alabama. In November, 1864, he was attacked by sickness, and lay in the hospital for several months. He was discharged from the army August 1, 1865, at St. Louis, and at once returned home to Ray county. Mr. Vantrump was married June 10, 1866, to Miss Eliza Ann Bowman, a native of Rockingham county, Vir- ginia. They became the parents of six children, named as follows: Mary E., John H., Sarah A., Rebecca F., Temperance M., and Madissa
-
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Belle. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vantrump are members of the German Bap- tist Church. He is a valuable citizen, and an enterprising and prosperous farmer.
W. T. WILSON.
This gentleman was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, on the 10th day of July, 1822. There he was educated, and lived upon a farm until he was twenty years old. In 1842 he came to Ray county, Missouri, and settled on a farm about two miles south of Richmond. He was living there during the flood of 1844, and sustained great damage from the overflow of the river. In the month of March, 1855, he moved to his present farm, section thirty-four, township fifty-three, range twenty-six, and has continued to live there ever since. He owns one hundred and fifty-seven acres of good land, well fenced and improved. It is watered by the Wakanda. He has a large orchard of some seven hundred bear- ing trees. This orchard yields an immense and valuable crop. Mr. Wil- son was married July 4, 1844, to Miss Nancy E. Pritchard, a native of the state of Tennessee, but came to Missouri early in life. They became the parents of seven children: Sarah J., Robert (died in 1872, aged twenty- five years), Virginia F., the wife of George W. Temple; Mary E. (died in May, 1878), Ida, Lee, and Oleita. Both Mr. Wilson and his wife are leading members of the Christian Church, and he is also lecturer of Prairie Grange, No. 1084, P. of H. Mr. Wilson's farm is particularly well adapted to raising tobacco and hemp. He has produced some as large crops of these commodities as have ever been grown in the county. Mr. Wilson is a leading, prosperous farmer, and an influential and valua- ble citizen of Grape Grove township.
HENRY RENFRO.
Henry Renfro is a native of Ray county, Missouri. He was born on the 5th day of February, 1835. His father, Mr. John Renfro, came from Kentucky in 1833, and settled on a farm about four miles north of Mill- ville. When our subject was fifteen years old, his father sold this place, and removed upon the one he now owns, a mile or two east of the former place. Here Henry attended school in his youth, and worked on the farm until he was twenty-two years old, and then went to Chillicothe, Missouri, where he spent a year. Returning home, he took entire man- agement of his father's place, and conducted the farm for two years. He then went to Colorado, and, after spending six months, mining for gold there, he returned home in the autumn of 1859. The following winter he was married, at the age of twenty-five years, to Miss Martha McCuis- tion. After his marriage he was engaged in farming until the beginning of the civil war. Leaving his young wife and infant daughter in the care
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
of his father-in-law, Mr. Renfro joined his fortunes with the cause of the south, and enlisted for three years in the Confederate army, company C, Colonel Reeves' 3d Missouri volunteers. Before the expiration of the time for which he had entered the army he enlisted for the whole war. His experiences were interesting and varied, but the scope of this work will not admit of following him through them all. At the siege of Vicks- burg, Mississippi, he received a wound, which necessitated the amputa- tion of his left leg below the knee. . After the surrender he was paroled, June 26, 1865, and returned home to Ray county, arriving July 19, 1865. His wife had managed to save about five hundred dollars from the wreck of his property by the war, and on this amount he again began the life of a peaceful, law-abiding citizen. During the first three years after his return from the war he farmed, and then, going to Millville, entered the drug trade with Doctor W. M. Quarles. In 1873 he bought Doctor Quarles' interest in the business and has ever since conducted the business very successfully alone. Mr. and Mrs. Renfro are the parents of nine children, seven girls and two boys, all living at home with their parents. Mr. Renfro is a worthy member of the Christian Church, at Millville.
JAMES B. NOEL.
This gentleman is a native of Monroe county, Missouri. He was born on the 1st day of March, 1840, and spent the first twenty years of his life in that county, at home with his parents, in the manner usual with the sons of farmers. In 1861 he enlisted, at Governor Jackson's first call, in the army of the Confederacy, joining the company of Captain James John- son, who had been a soldier in the war with Mexico. After the battle of Springfield, Missouri, the term of service for which he had enlisted having expired, Mr. Noel returned to his home, but was compelled to flee the same night of his arrival at home, to escape being killed by bitter partisans of the other side. He went to Arkansas and enlisted in the state guards. He subsequently left Arkansas, and during the remainder of the war, lived a "life on the wing," going from point to point in the states of Mis- souri, Iowa and Nebraska. He was compelled to live in this migratory manner to avoid entering the Union service. After the war was over he kept a feed and sale stable one year at Nebraska City. He has been engaged, at different times in life, in a variety of employments. The most profitable of these was freighting goods between Canon City and Lead- ville, Colorado, soon after the opening of the latter place. Mr. Noel had previously (1862) made his home in Ray county, and he returned here in the autumn of 1879, and has since that time been engaged here in farming, trading and freighting. He was first married in the spring of 1863, in Ray county, to Miss Alice Davis, daughter of Mr. Van. Davis. Three children were born of this marriage, but only one, Hiram Tucker, is now
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
living. Mrs. Noel died in April, 1870, and Mr. Noel was married again in September, 1872, to Miss Sarah Risley, of Ray county. The issue of this union was three children, two boys and a girl, all now living. Mr. Noel is now (April, 1881,) proprietor of the only hotel at Millville.
RICHARD C. CRAVEN.
Richard C. Craven was born in Ray county, on the 21st day of August, 1843. His father, Solomon Craven, was an early settler of that county, having come from Tennessee here in 1829, and settled upon a farm near Knoxville, where our subject was born, and where he lived until twenty- two years of age. He attended the district schools of his father's neigh- borhood during the winter season, and assisted with the farm work in summer. In 1865 he went to Colorado, and was there occupied in min- ing for about three years in the locality of Central City. He then removed to a ranch, in the southern part of Colorado, and lived there for one year. After spending the succeeding summer in the Indian Territory, he returned to Ray county, Missouri, and engaged in farming for three years. He then, in 1873, began merchandising at Millville, in partnership with Mr. Graham Fletcher. They continued in the business together, until the month of May, 1880, when Mr. Fletcher sold his interest to W. R. Cra- ven, and the brothers have since conducted the business together, under the title of R. C. & W. R. Craven. Mr. Craven was married on the 9th day of January, 1870, to Miss Emma Wood, daughter of Robert A. Wood, who resides near Millville. They became the parents of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are now living Mr. Craven became a member of the M. E. Church South, in 1871, and is also a member of the Masonic order. He was, for six years prior to 1880, master of lodge No. 338, at Millville. He joined the I. O. G. T. lodge when it was organized in 1879. He is a prosperous business man and a good citizen.
J. F. CRAMER.
Is a native of Ray county, Missouri. He was born on the 4th day of March, 1856. He worked on his father's farm in summer, and attended school in the winter, until he had completed the course usually taught in the common schools. He then entered Central College at Fayette, Mis- souri, and remained a student in that excellent institution for two years. After returning home from college, he began merchandising, in 1878, with his brother-in-law, Mr. John P. Grimes, under the firm name of Grimes & Cramer, at Millville, Ray county, Missouri. In this business, Mr. Cramer is, at present engaged. He was enumerator, in his locality, of the tenth United States census. He is a gentleman of steady business habits,' and a member of the Good Templar lodge at Millville. Grimes & Cramer are very popular, and they are doing a lively and prosperous business.
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