USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 85
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J. S. MATHENA.
Jeptha S. Mathena was born in Ray county, Missouri, on the 17th of September, 1847. His father was Robert Mathena, a native of Ken- tucky, who had emigrated to Missouri in the early history of Ray county. Our subject was educated in the common schools of Ray county. Mr. Mathena was married on the eighth day of February, 1877, to Miss Mol- lie Hutchinson, daughter of William J. Hutchinson, of Ray county. The
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issue of this union is one child, Eva, born November 25, 1878. He is not a member of any church or secret organization except the Patrons of Husbandry, which order he joined in January, 1874. Mrs. Mathena is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, which worships at Liberty school house. Mr. Mathena is a thriving, prosperous young farmer, and contemplates soon the purchase of an addition to his already valuable farm, from a neighbor. He is a good, kind-hearted, accommodating neighbor, and a highly esteemed citizen of Grape Grove township.
JOHN GUY.
This gentleman, one of the most successful farmers and stock-raisers of his neighborhood, was born in Anderson county, Kentucky, in the year 1829. When he was but ten years old his father moved to Missouri, and settled in Ray county, and two years later died, leaving a widow and seven children. John continued living with his mother for about two years after his father's death, and then he began to work for one John McGhee, for the purpose of learning the tinner's trade. McGhee subse- quently failed, and young Guy was thrown out of work. In his nineteenth year he commenced to learn the trade of a blacksmith, under John Light- ner, at Richmond. He mastered this trade, and in the year 1850, went with Mr. Lightner to the state of California. Here Mr. Guy mined for a short time, and then, going to Sacramento City, he again engaged at his trade, and continued it during the remainder of his sojourn in the Golden State. Having accumulated some money, he returned in 1858, to Richmond, Ray county, and entered the seminary to finish his education. Leaving school he opened a shop in the town of Richmond, and worked at his trade for about a year. He then moved upon a farm in the county, near Liberty school house, and erecting a shop continued the work of a neighborhood blacksmith, with farming. Here he lived until 1863, when, to avoid the war troubles with which the country was at that time rife, he went to Colorado, where he worked for a while at his trade, and then commenced freighting with wagons between Atchison, Kansas, and Denver, Colorado. This business was very remunerative, but Mr. Guy was compelled to abandon it on account of the hostility of Indians. He sold his wagons and teams at a very handsome profit over the amount paid for them, and returning to Ray county, bought a farm with the proceeds of his labors in the west. Mr. Guy was married in the month of March, 1853, to Miss Susan B. Mizner, daughter of Jerry Mizner, Esq., formerly of Ray county, now deceased. Nine children were born of this union, seven of whom are still living. Mrs. Guy died from the result of injuries received by a fall through a bridge over a small stream near Millville. Mrs. Guy was in a wagon with seven other persons, and as they were crossing the bridge, it gave way, precipitating the wagon and its load of human
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freight to the bottom of the stream. Several of the party were severely injured, though none mortally but the wife of Mr. Guy. This accident occurred on the 4th of August, 1874. Mr. Guy was married again, April 30, 1878, to Miss Susan C. Mathena. By her he has one child, an infant son. Mr. Guy has been a consistent member of the M. E. Church South, for about six years, and the present Mrs. Guy for twelve years. Mr. Guy has a good farm, and is pleasantly and happily situated to enjoy a long life and green old age.
W. H. BRIGHT.
William H. Bright was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, October 10, 1839. His father was a farmer, and young Bright was reared on a farm and taught to work. His education was acquired in the manner common with so many farmers' sons, by attending school during the winter and working on the farm in the summer. When he reached his twenty-first year, Mr. Bright left Kentucky, in company with two brothers and a number of other persons, to come to Missouri. They came overland with a train of wagons direct to Ray county, and here our subject com- menced farming for himself. Mr. Bright was not engaged on either side during the war of the rebellion. He was drafted for the Union service just before the close of the war, but was never ordered out for duty. He was married in the year 1864, to Miss Nannie Frazier, daughter of Mr. James Frazier, a resident of Ray county. The issue of this union was seven children, five of whom, four girls and one boy, are now living. Mr. Bright and his excellent lady are both worthy members, and have been for many years, of the Christian Church. Mr. Bright is a good, prac- tical, intelligent, and industrious farmer, and has done much toward the improvement of that branch of industry to which he belongs.
ISAIAH MANSUR.
This gentleman is one of the largest land owners, and was one of the earliest settlers of this county. He was born in Ludlow, Windsor county, Vermont, February 19, 1815. His father, Stephen Mansur, was a native of New Hampshire, born December 18, 1773. The grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the old French and Indian wars, and also the war of the Revolution, entering the latter war with the battle of Lexington, and fighting until peace was declared and the freedom of the American states established. The maiden name of Isaiah Mansur's mother was Miss Hannah Felt. His parents were of Scotch-English descent, and their family consisted of eight sons and four daughters, whose names with dates of birth follow: Stephen, born August 25, 1799; Alvah, born March 25, 1801; J. T. Gilman, March 12, 1803; Charles, November 24, 1805, Moody, February 3, 1808; Harriet Augusta, May 22, 1811; Isaiah,
yours Truly Isaiah Mansur
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
February 19, 1815; Mary Catherine, June 12, 1817; Stilman January 17, 1820; Porter, April 4, 1822, and Harriet Newell, August 17, 1826. Five only of these are now (April, 1881) living, of whom Dr. Moody Mansur is the oldest. Isaiah Mansur received his education in the country schools of Vermont and New Hampshire. He removed to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1836, and for about one year was in charge of his brother Charles' drug store there. This was the first drug store opened on Third street, in that city. The business was very prosperous under Mr. Mansur's manage- ment, but the brothers, preferring life in the country, sold out their busi- ness in St. Louis, and removing to Ray county, began merchandising in a country store, located upon what is now known as the " old Nuckols place." The brothers continued this business till 1842, when they dis- solved partnership, and divided the lands, which they had entered, and purchased during their association in business. To Isaiah's share, fell chiefly, the unimproved lands, and he was compelled to clear the timber and brush away, in order to make fields, and build a home. Mr. Mansur farmed until about the year 1849, when he again opened a store on the farm now owned by Mr. R. H. Ellis. He conducted this store until 1852 when he built a store house in the town of Millville, and removed his stock of goods to it. This store he operated until the war, keeping a clerk in the store, while he remained on the farm. During the war, Mr. Mansur was a Union man, and voted for delegates to the Union conven- tion held at Jefferson City. Though strongly opposed to the rebellion, he took no active part in the war, and did all in his power to preserve peace and harmony among his neighbors and friends, and keep them out of diffi- culties arising from their strong partisans feelings and sentiments. Mr. Mansur was married, first, in the year 1844, in Ray county, Missouri, to Miss Susan Smith. They became the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, six of whom are still living, and all but one married. Mrs. Mansur died on the first day of June, 1856, and Mr. Mansur was married again, on the 3d day of January, 1871, to Miss Mary E. Lane, of Atchison, Kansas. By her he is the father of three children, Julia, Har- riet and Isaiah. Mr. Mansur has been a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church for the space of thirty-five years. His first wife also belonged to that church. The present Mrs. Mansur belongs to the Episcopal Church. Mr. Mansur is a prominent citizen of his community, a successful business man, and is highly esteemed for his good qualities as a neighbor and a gentleman.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNT)
RALPH OLIPHANT.
A native of Ray county, Missouri, was born on the 20th day of Septem- ber, 1840. He is of Scotch-Irish extraction, his father having been born in Scotland and his mother in Ireland. His father, Alexander Oliphant, came to Ray county in the year 1838. His business in the Old World not pay- ing as he desired, he resolved to emigrate to the United States. Land- ing at New Orleans, he at once turned his face toward the great north- west, and coming to Ray county bought the farm upon which our subject at this time resides. Here he planted a vineyard which was the second in the county, only one having been previously planted within its borders Upon this farm Mr. Alexander Oliphant died, in the year 1878, and his son, Ralph, who had finished his education and been for some years in charge of the place, succeeded him as its owner. Here he still continues to reside, cultivating and improving his fine place of four hundred acres. Mr. Oliphant was married on the 7th day of December, 1869, to Miss Catharine Mansur, daughter of Isaiah Mansur, a prominent farmer of the county. The result of this marriage has been four children, two boys and two girls. Their parents take great pride in these children, and intend having them well educated and trained, especially in that much neglected accomplishment, the knowledge of music. Mr. Oliphant's aged mother resides with her son upon the old homestead. He is one of Ray's most sterling citizens, and a successful, prosperous farmer, blessed with a prom- ising happy family, and a handsome, comfortable home.
MICHAEL W. CRISPIN.
Was born in Fayette county, Ohio, September 4, 1844. His father removed, when he was five years of age, to Highland county, in the same state, and engaged there in farming and operating a distillery. In this part of the state Mr. Crispin acquired his education in the common schools. At the age of fifteen years our subject began the battle of life for himself, working for various farmers until the beginning of the war of the rebellion. In 1863 he enlisted in the 2d Ohio regiment of Union troops, Colonel Gibson commanding, and served until after the surrender of the Confederate armies. After the war he again returned to Ohio, and continued farming. Mr. Crispin was married on the 14th day of February, 1867, to Miss Eliza E. White, daughter of Mr. Joseph L. White, of Highland county, Ohio. Determined to try his fortune in the new country west of the Mississippi river, Mr. Crispin, immediately after his marriage, started with his bride to Missouri. He landed from a steamboat at Lexington, Missouri, and rented a farm about seven miles northeast of Richmond, in Ray county. The following summer he bought land on the road from Richmond to Utica, which he soon after sold and purchased
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
the place upon which he now resides, two and a half miles southeast of the town of Millville. This place Mr. Crispin has improved until it is one of the best farms and most pleasant and comfortable homes in the county. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Crispin, three of each sex, all now living. Mr. Crispin was one of the charter members of the Ray Grange, P. of H., which was afterward consolidated with - Crooked River and Morton Granges. Mrs. Crispin is a worthy member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Crispin owns three hundred acres of well- improved land, and is one of the most energetic, industrious, and success- ful farmers and stock-raisers in Grape Grove township. He is also a practical and experienced trader and dealer in live stock.
CHARLES F. BATES, SR.
The subject of the following sketch was born in Halifax county, Vir- ginia, on the 6th day of June, 1830. His father died when Charles was but four years of age, and in 1838, the whole family removed Missouri, set- tling in Ray county, where his mother purchased a farm, three and a half miles west of Richmond. This farm young Charles and his brothers worked, maintaining the family. Their mother died here about 1847, and the brothers continued to conduct the place and support the family for about two years longer, when our subject went to live with a brother- in-law. Himself and this brother-in-law, Mr. Henry E. Owen, pur- chased the old homestead and farmed there, in partnership, until Mr.
Bates was married. His marriage took place November 18, 1852, Miss Melissa A. Elliott, daughter of Richard S. Elliott, of Ray county, becoming his bride. He remained on the old homestead one year after marriage, and then selling his interest to Mr. Owen, he rented a farm for one year. At the expiration of this time he purchased and improved the place upon which he has since lived. This farm is seven miles north of Richmond. Mrs. Bates, after becoming the mother of three children, died in 1868, and Mr. Bates was subsequently married to Miss Mary V. Lamar, by whom he is the father of, three children. Mr. and Mrs. Bates are both members of the M. E. Church South. When he was nineteen years old Mr. Bates gave ten dollars, half of all he had in the world, to help in building Todd's Chapel. Mr. Bates has been a hard worker, and justly merits the success in his business that he has achieved. He is a kind husband and an indulgent parent, greatly interested in the educa- tion of his children, to whom it is his chief desire to leave the priceless inheritance of a thorough education.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
KEDAR WALL.
An old settler and prominent farmer of Ray county. Was born in Anderson county, Kentucky, on the 26th of July, 1830. His father, who was a farmer, sold his property and removed to Ray county, Missouri, in 1833, and settled on a farm two miles and a half northeast of Richmond. Here he lived for about two years, and then removed to the farm upon which Kedar Wall now lives, seven miles northeast of Richmond. Mr. Wall enjoyed such opportunities as the schools of the neighborhood at that time afforded, for acquiring an education. He inherited the old homestead at his mother's death, and has worked industriously to improve it, and to enhance its value. The original tract contained about fwo hun- dred and forty acres, but he has continued to extend it by purchasing additional land from time to time, and it now comprises about four hun- dred acres of most excellent farming lands. In December, 1855, Mr. Wall was married to Miss Sarah E. Pugh, a daughter of Henry H. Pugh, Esq., of Ray county. Of this union eleven children have been born, only seven of whom are now living. The eldest child, Henry, is now in his twenty-third year. Mr. Wall was one of the charter mem- bers of the Millville Lodge, No. 338, of the order of A. F. and A. M. Mrs. Wall is a very worthy member of the M. E. Church South, and worships with the congregation at Liberty school house. Mr. Wall has never taken much interest or a prominent part in politics, preferring to live quietly in the discharge of his domestic duties.
AMBROSE YOUNG.
Ambrose Young was born in Ray county, Missouri, on the 16th day of May, 1831, and has always been a resident of his native county. He was educated in the common schools, often walking the distance of four or five miles to reach the school-house, and frequently not reaching home on his return until long after dark. Mr. Young lived on the place that his father settled until his marriage. He was married on the 29th day of September, 1853, to Miss Frances Graham, daughter of William Graham, Esq., a resident of Carroll county. Five children were born to bless this union; three boys and one girl are yet living. Odus G. Young, the eldest son, is a practicing attorney-at-law in Carrollton, Missouri, and Alonzo F., the second son, is in charge of his father's farm, both doing well. Mr. Young is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Lodge at Millville, and both himself and his wife are members of the M. E. Church South at that place. He was for three years postmaster at Millville, and was also, during the same time, engaged with Fletcher Graham in merchandising there. His fine farm of three hundred acres of good land lies two and a half miles south of Millville, on the Richmond road.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
SEBRON S. YOUNG.
This gentleman was born in Ray county, Missouri, on the 8th day of February, 1829, about two miles from the present town of Morton. Soon after his birth his father entered a large tract of land, something over eleven hundred acres, eight miles north of the town of Richmond, and moved upon it. Mr. Young received his education in the log school- houses of that primitive time in the manner common with the sons of farmers. He spent about sixteen years on the farm with his father, and then went to Richmond and began clerking in the dry goods store of J. S. Lightner. He remained in this position about three years, and then, in 1849, he went with a party of gold hunters to California. He lived in California only about a year, and then returned home to Ray county. His father and Isaiah Mansur formed apartnership about this time, and began selling goods at Millville, and he was employed as clerk in their store. At this business he continued for about three years, and until the death of his father, when he gave his attention to farming, and this has been his principal occupation ever since. He has taught school some during the winter in connection with his farming. Mr. Young was married on the 16th of November. 1851, at Millville, to Miss Catherine C. Rainwater, daughter of Rev. Moses F. Rainwater, now of St. Louis. They became the parents of ten children, all but one of whom still live. He is a mem- ber of the order of Free Masons, and both himself and Mrs. Young belong to the M. E. Church South, at Millville. In 1862 he took the contract for carrying the mails between Richmond and Utica, which was, on account of the war troubles, a perilous undertaking, but Mr. Young accomplished the task, and discharged every duty in a manner highly sat- isfactory to the officials of the national postal service. Since the war Mr. Young has given his undivided attention to farming, and is to-day a pros- perous business man and a useful citizen.
JOHN TAYLOR YOUNG.
Although the gentleman whose name heads this page has been dead for nearly twenty-seven years, the part that he so well performed in the early settlement and improvement of the county, justly claims a place in her history. John Taylor Young was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, January 12, 1800, and lived in his native state until he was about twenty- seven years of age, when he resolved to seek a home in Missouri, at that time comparatively a new state. He first came to Independence, in Jackson county, and remained there for about a year, when he removed to the Ray county bottom, and entering a small body of land, improved it and estab- lished his home, for a short time, upon it, In 1829, he removed about eight miles north of Richmond to a tract of about eleven hundred and
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
sixty acres of land which he had acquired by entry and purchase. Here, after greatly improving his farm, Mr. Young continued to reside until the time of his death. He was married on the 10th day of May, 1828, to Miss Louisa, daughter of John Sneed, Esq., of Clay county. Eight chil- dren were born to them, but only four are now living: Sebron, Ambrose, Eliza, wife of H. C. Kell, and Warren, who lives with his family on the old homestead. Mr. Young was, for a number of years prior to his death, a consistent and worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died on the 7th of August, 1854, loved and honored by his children, and respected by his neighbors and friends.
MARION M. CRITHFIELD.
Is a native of Tennessee, born in Claiborne county, on the 8th day of August, 1827. His father, Joshua Crithfield, removed to Ray county, Missouri, in the year 1844, and settled on a farm about three miles west of Millville. Mr. Crithfield received only limited opportunities for obtaining an education, being compelled, as soon as he was large enough, to work upon the farm. When the storm of civil war broke over the land Mr. Crithfield left home to espouse the cause of the land of his birth. He enlisted in the 11th Missouri regiment of Confederate infantry, and fought throughout the entire war. After peace was declared he returned to his old home in Ray county. In the month of February, 1870, Mr. Crithfield was married to Miss Lizzie J. Hanna. Three children were born from this union, only one of whom, a bright little girl of eight years, named Ruth Ezzado, now lives. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Crithfield removed with his bride to a place he had purchased, one mile from Millville, and here he has made his home ever since. Mrs. Crith- field lived only five years after her marriage, dying May 12, 1875, and Mr. Crithfield has never married again. His sister, Mrs. Schooler, lives with and keeps house for him. She and her brother are both members of the M. E. Church South. Mr. Crithfield, like many another of Ray's best citizens, has, by his own efforts and industry, acquired a good home, and everything necessary to spending his life in comfort, and with the esteem and respect of his neighbors.
NATHAN H. SCHOOLER.
A prominent farmer and old settler of this county. Was born in Bed- ford county, Tennessee, on the 31st day of March, 1828. Eight years afterward his father, Nathan H. Schooler, Sr., emigrated from Tennessee to Missouri, locating on a farm one mile and a half west of Millville, Ray county. Upon this farm our subject spent the time until the year 1850, when, fired by the gold excitement, he went to California. Here and in
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. HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Oregon, together, he spent about two years, and then returned to his father's farm in Ray county, where he lived until the death of his father, which occurred in the month of July, 1854. In November, of the same year, Mr. Schooler was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daugh- ter of Henry F. Graham, Esq., of Ray county. The issue of this mar- riage was four children: Luther Scott, Altie, Addie, and Ella. The last named died in infancy. The others are yet living, and all of them are married. Mrs. Schooler died on the 17th of July, 1861, and the war being then in progress, Mr. Schooler determined to drown the poignancy of his grief for her loss in the activity and excitement of the soldier's life. He joined the Confederate army, and remained in the war until its close, receiving a wound, the effects of which he still feels at times. After the surrender of the southern forces Mr. Schooler returned to Ray county, and resumed the management of his farm. Mr. Schooler is a member of the order of Patrons of Husbandry, and also a Good Templar. He con- tinues to reside upon and superintend operations upon his farm, which he has finely improved and stocked with everything necessary to successful farming. He enjoys the esteem and respect of his neighbors, and is a good citizen, and an honorable, upright gentleman.
WARREN YOUNG.
Warren Young is the youngest living son of John T. Young, a pioneer settler of Ray county, whose biography is given upon another page of this work. He was born in Ray county, Missouri, on the 22d day of September, 1838, and received such an education as the schools of the times afforded. He early began work on his father's large farm, about eight miles north of Richmond, and has been all his life engaged in the same occupation. Mr. Young was married November 26, 1865, to Miss Harriet, daughter of Mr. William Foushee, now a resident of Richmond. The issue of this marriage was seven children, all of whom are now, April, 1881, living. Mr. Young's mother, now quite old, resides with her son on the old homestead, which he inherited from his father's estate. Mr. Young has been in every way successful in the management of his business affairs, and is doing a good work for the advancement and improvement of the agricultural interests of the grand old county of Ray.
ROBERT A. WOOD.
The subject of this sketch is a Kentuckian. He was born in Woodford county on the 26th day of September, 1821. His father was Edward B. Wood, an extensive farmer and slave owner, who had emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky. He acquired his education in the schools of his native state. His father died while he was a small boy, and after his death our subject resided upon the plantation, assisting his mother in its
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