USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 88
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786
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Seven Pines, Petersburg, Hatcher's Run, Richmond, and Appomattox, besides many other minor engagements. Mr. Bryan was wounded at the battle of Jourdan Ridge. He surrendered with the army of Virginia at Appomattox court house, April 9, 1865, having served bravely and well in defense of the cause he believed to be just and right. Per- haps no other man now living in this section of the country was in so many of the principal and hard-fought battles of the war, and followed so closely the fortunes of the side he had espoused. When the banner of "stars and bars" he had followed to so many battle-fields, and learned to love so well, was "furled forever," Mr. Bryan returned to the quiet walks of peaceful life, and resumed the cultivation of his farm. He was mar- ried in the month of April, 1867, to Miss Fannie Fridley, of Rockingham county, Virginia. Three children were the issue of this marriage, but one of whom, Birdie, is now living. Mr. Bryan owns a fine farm of one hundred acres in Crooked River township, Ray county. He is a sub- stantial and prosperous farmer, and enjoys the universal esteem and respect of all who know him.
JOHN F. CUNNINGHAM.
The gentleman whose history follows is a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, and was born on the 14th day of March, 1848. His parents immi- grated to Missouri in 1854, stopping in Chariton county, where he made his home until 1879. His educational advantages were unusually good, being given a five years' course in the literary department of the Wes- leyan University of Ohio. After leaving school he returned to Chariton county, Missouri, and entered the drug business. He was also engaged at the railroad business for about twelve years, being station agent and telegraph operator at different points. He was operator in the office at Hardin for about a year, and then established the drug and grocery trade, in which he is now engaged. He entered the Union army from Chariton county, in 1861, and was with General Grant at the battle of Shiloh, where he was so severely wounded as to necessitate his discharge from the service. This was in April, 1862. He came home, and, recovering from the effects of his injury, joined the state militia, and participated in several skirmishes. He was discharged with the 35th regiment of Mis- souri volunteers, at Laclede, Missouri, and returning home again, resumed the business that was broken off by his going to the war. Mr. Cunning- ham was married, June 14, 1868, at Keytesville, Chariton county, Mis- souri, to Miss Bettie L. Grubbs. Their union is blessed by four children : Arthur W., Jennie E., John F., Jr., and an infant. Mr. Cunningham's father, a native of New York, is yet living in Chariton county, Missouri. He, too, is a druggist, as well as an extensive land owner there. In poli- tics, our subject is a prominent republican, and raised the first republican
787
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
banner in the county after the war. He is a leading member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 134, Brunswick, and also of the Encampment. He is highly respected by the good citizens of Hardin, among whom he lives, and is well and favorably known throughout the county.
L. B. WRIGHT.
Few indeed, are those who accord to the man who spends his life in the cause of common education, his due measure of credit and praise. L. B. Wright was born in Owen county, Kentucky, December 5, 1838, about twenty miles northeast of Frankfort. His parents came to Missouri, in 1849, and settled in Lafayette county. Here he finished the course taught in the neighboring schools, and then entering Nelson's Commercial College at Cincinnati, graduated in 1864. He returned home, and lived with his parents until his 21st year. Since then he has been engaged in teaching, and other branches of work connected with schools. He was commissioner of public schools of Ray county for four years. He has taught during almost every winter, for twenty-two years, engaging in
" That delightful task, to rear the tender thoughts,
To teach the young idea how to shoot, And pour fresh instructions o'er the mind,"
from four to nine months in each year. He has taught in Lafayette, Carroll and Ray counties, and also in Kentucky. Taught five years in the schools of Morton. During the civil war he was attending commercial schools at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was in consequence, engaged but a short time in the Confederate service. After he left school there he was book-keeper for a time in the establishment of Messrs. Smith & Shaw, wholesale grocers, of Cincinnati. He left that city in April, 1866, and spent the following sum- mer traveling, principally on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Mr. Wright came from Lafayette county to Ray, in the fall of 1869, and has had his home here since that time. He was married October 11, 1868, to Miss Kittie Renick, of Lafayette county. They became the parents of four promising children: James S., Kate R., John A. and Ora E. Mr. Wright enlisted under General Sterling Price, in the Confederate army, in July, 1862, and belonged to General Raines' division. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Lexington, Missouri, and placed at the disposal of General Lane, who banished him to Indiana, from whence, having obtained a pass from the governor, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, until after the cessation of hostilities, when he returned home to Missouri. Mr. Wright owns and conducts a good farm in conjunction with his teaching. He has done a good work for the upbuilding of schools, and educational advancement in this, the county of his adoption.
788
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY,
JOHN H. BOWMAN.
Was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, on the 8th day of April, 1845. His father left Virginia in 1857, coming directly to Ray county, Missouri. He was principally educated in the schools of his native state. He is now, and always has been, a farmer. In 1864, he enlisted in the Union army, under General Smith, from Ray county, and engaged in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and Mobile, Alabama. He was discharged from the service at St. Louis, Missouri, August 15, 1865. Miss Fannie Vantrump, of Ray county, a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, became the wife of Mr. Bowman, on the 3d day of June, 1866. She is the mother of three children: Joseph F., John D. and Ida Virginia. Mr. Bowman owns a good farm of ninety acres, well improved, a fine residence, good outbuildings and fences, and a young and thrifty orchard of bearing trees. His farm is in a most excellent state of cultivation. Mr. Bowman is a good man and a worthy citizen.
THOMAS H. KEYES.
The subject of this sketch was born in Ray county, Missouri, in the year 1849, and educated in the schools of his native county. Since he attained to manhood's estate, his occupation for the greater part of the time has been farming and stock-raising. During two years he was engaged in the nursery business. Mr. Keyes owns a farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres of excellent land, well improved and cultivated, with a neat, comfortable dwelling house, good barn and thrifty orchard. He was married, in the month of November, 1870, to Miss Sarah C. King, of this county. They have four children, named as follows, viz: Thomas A., John C., Laertis B. and Allen T. Mr. Keyes is a leading member of the Masonic Lodge at Hardin, and is a highly respected and valuable citizen.
ISAIAH METTS.
Isaiah Metts was born in the year 1822, in Champaign county, Ohio. He attended the district schools of his father's neighborhood, and after leaving school engaged in farming in his native state, until 1868, when he came to Missouri and settled in Ray county, where he has ever since resided, occupied in the avocation of farming and stock-raising. Mr. Metts owns a neat, comfortable homestead on Crooked river, and is doing well in business. He was married in Ohio, in the month of August, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth Boothe, a native of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Metts have eight children, viz: Laurette, Sarah C., Samantha I., Jeanette, Lemuel, Mary E., Ara and Martha H. Mr. Metts is an industrious man of steady habits and good morals, and is much esteemed by his neighbors.
789
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
JOHN T. BANKSTON.
John T. Bankston was born in the state of Tennessee, January 26, 1835. At the age of sixteen years he came to Missouri, and settled near the town of Carthage, where he lived during seven years, engaged in farming. In 1859 he went to Jackson county, Missouri, and lived there on a farm until 1863, and then came to this county. The first year, after coming to Ray county, he lived in the city of Richmond; the next three years on a farm about two miles northeast of that place. At the expiration of that time he purchased and removed to his present place, where he has since resided, occupied in farming and stock-raising. Mr. Bankston was married in Jasper county, Missouri, in 1854, to Miss Mary M. Peak. The issue of this union has been eleven children: George N., Giles B., Sarah E., John S., Hettie A., Austin G., James P., Charles A., Mary E., William F., Emily P. Mr. Bankston owns a good farm and is a prosperous, well-to-do farmer, and a useful citizen.
H. J. SITTERMAN.
Henry J. Sitterman is a native of Franklin county, Missouri, and was born on the 5th day of March, 1850. In 1865 he went to St. Louis, and learned the trade of carriage making, which business he still follows to some extent. He staid in the city of St. Louis until 1873, and then went to Kansas City, Missouri, and thence to Johnson county, working all the time at his trade. From Johnson county he came to this county, and engaged in the Sharondale mills, at Richmond and Lexington Junction of the Wabash railroad, and continued in the milling business until the year 1878, since which time he has been actively occupied in buying and ship- ping grain. This business he has made very successful and profitable by his sound judgment and good management. Mr. Sitterman was married October 14, 1873, to Miss Minnie Voss, of Wyandotte, Kansas, a native of Franklin county, Missouri. They have two children: Ida K. and John H. Mr. Sitterman's parents are natives of Germany. They are both yet living in Franklin county, Missouri. His father was born February 7, 1800, and is now the oldest settler living in Franklin county. Mr. Sitter- man is a good business man and a valuable citizen.
W. A. WILLIAMS.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Ray county, Missouri. He was born in the town of Camden, August 16, 1856. He received his education here, and has resided all his life in this county. He was reared on a farm, and spent the earlier part of his life in farming. In the year 1874 he entered the drug trade at the town of Hardin, and continued it there until 1879, when he removed to R. &. L. Junction. He has been
790
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
conducting a drug store very successfully, in that place ever since. His is the only business of its character at the junction, and he receives all the patronage that comes to the town. Mr. Williams is an intelligent, active, young gentleman, and the outlook for him is one of great promise.
R. H. GEORGE.
Reuben H. George was born in Iredell county, North Carolina, June 16, 1847. His parents were natives of North Carolina, and his father represented Iredell county in the general assembly during two terms of office, and was also a member of the state constitutional convention after the war. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received his education in his native county. In the year 1867, he engaged in mer- cantile business in the town of Wilkesborough, Wilkes county, North Carolina, and remained in that place until 1869, when he immigrated to Missouri, and settled in Ray county, where he has since resided. He engaged at R. & L. Junction in merchandising, in company with Mr. Chenault, during two years, and then his partner having withdrawn, he continued the business for a number of years alone. Mr. Chenault again entered the business and they now conduct the store in partnership, and do a fine business. Mr. George was married in the month of July, 1872, to Miss Lucy Campbell, of Ray county. They have three children: William Everett, Joseph Clinton, Julia. Mr. George is a rising young merchant, a good business man, and a popular gentleman.
ALEXANDER STARR.
Was born December 15, 1823, in Highland county, Ohio, and received his education there. He early began the work of a farmer, and has always followed that calling. He removed from Ohio to Illinois, and lived there for about sixteen years. He came from Illinois to Missouri in 1865, and settled in Ray county, where he has always since lived. He was married in the year 1842, to Miss Isabella A. Campbell, a native of the state of Pennsylvania. They became the parents of six children, now living: James C., John A., Marilla J., Rebecca A., Mattie, and Anna Belle. Mr. Starr took no active part in the civil war, preferring to remain quietly at home in the discharge of his domestic duties. His oldest son, James C., was in the Union army for about eighteen months. Mr. Starr owns a comfortable home of seventy acres, well improved and stocked with good breeds of the different varieties of live stock. He is a good citizen, and a highly respected man.
791
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
JOHN A. STARR.
Is a native of Illinois. He was born in Knox county, that state, on the 8th day of December, 1857. His father, Alexander Starr, removed to Ray county before he was ten years old, and in the excellent public schools of this county he received his education. Mr. Starr is now (April, 1881), engaged at work on his father's farm. He is a very intelligent and promising young man.
F. J. WALKER.
F. J. Walker was born in Woodford county, Kentucky, on the 25th day of September, 1843. His father removed to Missouri, when he was but twelve years old, stopping for a time in Clay county, but afterwards settling permanently in Ray county. Here he received his education, and has since made his home. He enlisted in the Confederate army at Lexington, Missouri, December 10, 1861, and was with General Price for nearly two years, then crossing the Mississippi he was engaged, under General Van Dorn and others, in the battles of the eastern campaign. Mr. Walker participated in the battles of Elkhorn, Corinth, Iuka, Baker's Creek and Grand Gulf Mississippi, at Farmington and many other points. He was engaged for three months in the closely contested campaign of Georgia. Received a severe wound at Corinth, Mississippi, in 1862. He was discharged, when the war was over, at Meridian, Mississippi, May 4, 1865, and returned home to Ray county, Missouri, where he has ever since made his home and occupied his time in farming and stock raising. Mr. F. J. Walker was married on the 9th day of February, 1870, to Miss Martha J. Hudson, of Ray county. Their chil- dren are three: Albert Curry, Emma Lelia and Alice. This gentleman is the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of good land, has a com- fortable home, is a very successful and prosperous farmer, and a pro- gressive, spirited and highly respected citizen.
JOHN R. GOSNEY.
Is a Kentuckian, born in the year 1841, in Kenton county. He received a common school education in the neighborhood of his birth. Soon after leaving school he entered the Confederate army for the great civil war, enlisting in September, 1862, under General Buckner. This division of the Confederate forces was ordered east to West Virginia, and was chiefly occupied with operations in that state. Mr. Gosney was engaged in the battles of Chicamauga, Blountsville, Jonesville, and a great many minor engagements, sometimes skirmishing for many days. He was a member of company C, Third Kentucky cavalry, and was paroled at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, in the month of April, 1865. Imme-
792
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
diately he returned to Kenton county and began to farm, in which occu- pation he continued there for about four years. In the fall of 1869, he immigrated to Lafayette county, Missouri, and soon after to Ray, loca- ting about one mile from the town of Hardin, where he lived for ten years. He then moved into Hardin and yet lives there. In the year 1865, Mr. Gosney was married to Miss Arabella Daugherty, a native of Kenton county, Kentucky. The progeny of this union is three children, living: Olive May, Franklin R. and Charles. Mr. Gosney is the happy possessor of a fine, fertile farm of two hundred and forty acres, well improved and stocked, and is one of the best and most substantial men of his community.
GEORGE W. LAVELOCK.
Was born in Ray county, Missouri, on the 15th day of January, 1860. He attended the common schools of his native county until he completed the course usually taught in them, and then entered the State University at Columbia, Missouri. He is now a member of the class of 1882, in the law department of that excellent institution. When he has finished his legal studies he will enter the office of his brother, F. M. Lavelock, Esq., who is a prominent attorney of Richmond. Mr. Lavelock is an intelligent industrious student, and his future is bright and promising. No doubt he will rise to a position of distinction in his chosen profession, and be a credit and honor to his family and to his county in the years to come.
WILLIAM W. FERREE.
Was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, November 18, 1851. His parents came to Richmond, Ray county, when he was yet a small child. They lived at Richmond for about five years, and then moved to Daviess county, Missouri, where they remained for two years. They then came again to Ray county and located in the town of Morton, then known as Shaw's Shop, where Mr. Ferree was educated. After leaving school he learned the trade of blacksmithing, and has always worked at that busi- ness since. Mr. Ferree was married on the 3d day of February, 1876, to Miss Louise J. Weeks, a resident of Caldwell county, Missouri, and a native of Virginia. The offspring of this marriage is two children: Fred W., and Urah Pearl. Mr. Ferree is an excellent mechanic, and enjoys the proceeds of a large and constantly increasing patronage. He also con- ducts a wagon manufactory in connection with his blacksmith shop. He is a good citizen, and an indispensable adjunct to the town of Morton.
793
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
OLIVER S. CUNNINGHAM.
This gentleman is one of Missouri's sons, born in Clay county, on the 30th day of October, 1845. He finished his education at the schools of Richmond, Ray county, Missouri, and after leaving there, taught school for three years. In the year 1866 he began the work of a farmer, and has ever since devoted his time to that branch of industry. He was married in December, 1865, to Miss Martha L. Martin, of Ray county. The issue of this marriage is one child, living: William Edward. In 1881 Mr. Cunningham purchased the farm upon which he has established a comfortable home, and is prospering finely. He is a rising farmer, and a valuable accession to the reliable, industrious and substantial men of the neighborhood.
AUSTIN THOMPSON.
Was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, in the month of November, 1836, and received his education there in the common schools. After growing up he was, for some time, a trader in live stock. Leaving his native state, he spent about six months in Richmond, Virginia. He came to Missouri in November, 1856, landing at Lexington, Lafayette county. He engaged with Thomas A. Brown, of Ray county, as an overseer of negroes and general farm manager for two years, after which he pur- chased the place upon which he has since been engaged in farming. Mr. Thompson was in the Missouri state guard, under command of General Sterling Price, for six months, at the beginning of the rebellion. During this time he participated in the battles of Carthage, Wilson's Creek and Dry Wood. He was discharged at Osceola, Missouri, in the fall of 1861, having served the time for which he enlisted. Austin Thompson was married on the 2d day of November, 1861, to Miss Adelia T. Hudson, of Ray county. The issue of this union is three children: Leonora, Wil- liam K. and Lula M. Mr. Thompson traveled extensively through the west, in the years 1864 and 1865. He was, during this time, " boss " of several large wagon trains. He now owns a farm of 200 acres of rich, productive soil in Crooked River township, in this county, and is in a very prosperous condition. He is well esteemed and respected among his fellow men.
NATHAN A. LENTZ.
Is a farmer and stock-raiser. He was born in May, 1836, in Bedford county, Tennessee, and was educated in the common schools, and trained to the farmer's vocation. His parents removed from Tennessee to Ray county, Missouri, in the year 1850, and settled the homestead now owned and occupied by our subject. Mr. Lentz continued his farming until the 50
794
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
summer of 1861, when he entered the Confederate army under Colonel Slack, who was commanding at that time a regiment of state troops. Mr. L. was at the battles of Carthage, Springfield, and Lexington, and then, the six months for which he had enlisted having expired, he was dis- charged at Osceola, Missouri. Going south to Fort Smith, he volunteered for the war, entering General Parsons' division of the regular Confederate army. This was in June, 1862. He was engaged at the siege of Little Rock, Arkansas, in the autumn of 1863; at Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and at Jenkins' Ferry. At the latter battle he suffered an accident which dis- abled and rendered him unfit for active service with the army. He was, in consequence, given work in the blacksmithing department of the mili- tary laboratory near Marshall, Texas. Recovering his wonted strength, he returned to the army. The division to which Mr. Lentz belonged gave up their arms to the Union commander at Shreveport, Louisiana, and were ordered to report at Alexandria, Louisiana, where the con- ditions of their surrender were entered into June, 1865. He took the oath of allegiance to the Union at St. Louis, Missouri, and returned home to Ray county. Mr. Lentz was married on the 16th day of January, 1860, to Miss Mildred Cox, daughter of Mr. L. Cox, of Ray county. They have four children living: May, Minnie, Ella, and Neva. Since returning from the war, Mr. Lentz has devoted himself to his farming, and is now the owner of a farm of one hundred and eight acres, with a nice residence, good fences, and other valuable improvements. He is one of the most substantial farmers and oldest citizens of his community.
MARSHALL M. SPURLOCK,
A prominent farmer of Ray county, was born in Cabell county, Vir- ginia (now West Virginia), in the year, 1826. He was educated in the common schools of his father's neighborhood, and spent his vacations working on the farm. In 1833 both his father and mother died, with cholera, which was, at that time, sweeping through the country, carrying death and desolation to many a happy home. Six years afterward he left Virginia, with his brother-in-law's family, and came to Ray county, Mis- souri, where he has, all the time since, been engaged in farming, with the exception of a few years given to merchandising, in the town of Morton. Mr. Spurlock was first married, in 1845, to Miss Eliza Bates, then liv- ing in Ray county, Missouri, but who had been reared and educated in the state of Kentucky. They became the parents of four children: John W., James H., Onysky, and Urmanella, all of whom are still living except John W., who died on the 17th day of April, 1881. He had been circuit clerk of Ray county for the space of six years, and his memory is held in universal respect and honor by all who knew him. Mrs. Eliza Spurlock died, deeply lamented by a large circle of relatives and friends, and Mr. S.
793
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
was again married, in 1856. The lady becoming his bride this time, was Miss Margaret Morris, a native of Ray county. By her he became the father of five children. Their names are: Kate, Mattie, Virginia, Lucy, and Benjamin. Mr. Spurlock owns a good farm of two hundred acres of very productive land, with a fine residence and other substantial improve- ments. He also deals quite extensively in live stock. He is one of Ray's most enterprising men and best citizens.
JAMES F. BATES.
Was born in Ray county, Missouri, in the year 1851. He attended the public schools of his native county, and in them received his education. His father owned a large farm, the same upon which Mr. Bates now lives, and after leaving school he commenced work on his father's farm, in which business he has ever since continued. He was married in 1876, to Miss Ella Morrison, a native of Ray county, and a most excellent young lady. The issue of this marriage is two children: Edward T. and Emily V. Mr. Bates owns one of the very best farms in the county of Ray, comprising four hundred acres of most excellent land, highly improved, having a handsome, commodious dwelling house, a good roomy barn, a fine orchard, and all in a fine state of cultivation, under good and substan- tial fencing. He is also extensively engaged in breeding and raising fine stock, and yearly feeds and ships large numbers of cattle and hogs to the eastern markets. Mr. Bates is highly esteemed in the community in which he lives, for his many excellent qualities as a neighbor and a citi- zen. He has done a good work tor the improvement and advancement of the agricultural interests of the county.
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