USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 89
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JAMES T. YATES.
The subject of this article is a Kentuckian, having been born at Shelby- ville, in that state, on the 15th day of November, 1851. His parents removed from Shelby county to Scott county, when he was quite young. He attended school for a time at Stamping Ground, in his native state. Then his parents immigrated to Ray county, Missouri, and located upon the same farm where Mr. Yates now resides. He has been a farmer all his life, and is now the owner of a fine and very valuable farm upon which he is at present making great improvements, which will add much to the beauty and comfort of his home, as well as very greatly enhancing its value. James T. Yates was married on the 8th day of February, 1876, to Miss Janie Richardson, a native of Hart county, Kentucky. This union is blessed with two promising children: William F. and Mary E. Mr. Yates is a brother of Doctor Yates, of this county, and is rapidly advancing to the front ranks among the substantial farmers and promi- nent citizens of his adopted county.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
JOHN C. PORTER.
John C. Porter is a native of Lexington, Lafayette county, Missouri, where he was born on the 12th day of December, 1854. He had the advantages of the excellent public schools of his native state for the acquirement of an education. He entered upon the work of farming, and, after some time spent in pursuit of this calling, he went west with the tide of emigration in 1874, and was engaged for about two years in the cattle business in Colorado. He afterward returned to Missouri, to the county of his birth, and, becoming the possessor of a fine farm, again went to farming, in Clay township, near Wellington. He removed to Ray county in 1880, and has since made his home and been engaged in farm- ing here. Mr. Porter was married on the 23d day of September, 1880, . to Miss Mary D. Mallory. He is,a rising, prosperous young farmer, an industrious and honorable man, well thought of and popular among his friends, of whom he has scores.
ROSS P. BELL.
The gentleman whose name heads this article is a native of the Old Dominion state. He was born at Harper's Ferry, Jefferson county, Vir- ginia, in the year 1852. His parents removed with him to Ray county, Missouri, in 1860, and here he acquired his education in the public schools. After attaining his majority he was occupied for a considerable time in farming. Then he went to Texas, and, during the years 1872-'73 and '74, was engaged in the cattle trade in that state. Returning to Ray county, he again devoted his time and attention to farming for the space of about two years. Subsequently he went into the mercantile business in the town of Hardin, where he is yet engaged in a prosperous and lucrative trade. Mr. Bell was married to Miss Ella Johnson, a native of Ray county, on the 24th day of February, 1879. They have two children, Frank and Susan, who are twins. He is a rising, public-spirited, and pop- ular young man.
JOHN H. GROVE.
John H. Grove is a farmer and stock-raiser. He was born in Highland county, Ohio, in the year 1839. He received the advantages of a com- mon school education in his youth, at home, and was reared in the man ner usual with the sons of farmers in those days; and followed in after- life, of choice, the avocation to which he had been reared. He owned a fine, well-stocked farm in Ohio, and was also engaged for a number of years as a stock-dealer. Mr. Grove was married in the year 1859, to Miss Lydia R. Cowman, also a native of Ohio. They became the happy parents of six children: Laura V., Eva M., Charles Grant, Maggie,
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Mattie, and John, who are at present living. He removed to Ray county, Missouri, in 1871, purchased land, improved and beautified his home, and has lived here ever since in the enjoyment of the fruits of his industry, surrounded by a happy family and many warm friends. Mr. Grove has been justice of the peace for several years, and yet holds that office in his township. He is one of Ray's best and most substantial farmers.
GEORGE H. BUSH.
A native of the state of Kentucky. Was born in the month of Sep- tember, 1847, in Hart county. He attended the schools of his father's neighborhood, and in them received his education. After he was grown he devoted his time to farming in his native state until about the year 1864. In the month of October of that year he emigrated from Kentucky to Missouri, and established his home in Ray county, since which time he has been engaged in his favorite avocation of farming. Miss Amy D. Lentz, of Ray county, became the wife of Mr. Bush on the 27th day of September, 1866. The result of this union is nine children, still living. Their names are as follows: Mary L., James H., George E., Elmer N., Myrtie A., Charles T., Philip W., Houston A., and Monroe P. Mr. Bush received the substantial evidence of his popularity among the peo- ple of his township by receiving their almost unanimous support for the office of constable, which position he now holds. Mr. Bush has a good, comfortable, and handsome home, a fine productive farm, and is highly regarded by his friends and neighbors.
GEORGE B. HINMAN.
George B. Hinman is a native of the state of Illinois, born in Pike county, in the year 1839. His early education was received in the district schools, and in the schools of Quincy, and finished by a commercial course in one of the best business colleges of Chicago. After leaving school he was occupied for some time in buying and shipping stock from Pike county, Illinois, to St. Louis. Subsequently he came to Ray county and bought the farm where he now lives, and where he has been engaged since, in tilling the soil, and in feeding and shipping live stock to market. Mr. Hinman was married on the 9th day of April, 1863, to Miss Arabella Lindsay, of Elizabethtown, Hardin county, Kentucky. The issue of this marriage was seven children: Arthur B., Anna M., George W., Fred L., Lena B., Ella M. and Mary F., now living. Mr. Hinman owns one of the largest, best, and most desirable farms in Ray county. It is well sit- uated, high, rolling and fertile, in a healthful section of the country, with a fine large residence, and other necessary improvements upon it. He is a good neighbor, an honorable man, and a good citizen.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
THOMAS M. DEACY.
The subject of this sketch is a public school teacher, and a native of Ray county, Missouri. He was born on the 3d day of March, 1851. The foundation of his education was laid in the common schools of this county, where he early evinced a fondness for books, and established a reputation for studious habits. After leaving school he entered the pro- fession of teaching and continued his studies unaided by teacher, during the evenings and such leisure times as he could find to devote to them. He has ever since, engaged almost constantly, at his chosen profession in his native county. The fact that he has taught school almost interrupt- edly, in one district for eight years, and is now engaged for the succeed- ing year, is a strong proof of his popularity and efficiency as a teacher. He was, in 1877, elected to the honorable and responsible office of com- missioner of public schools for Ray county, and discharged the duties so well and so acceptably that he was re-elected in 1879, and again, by a handsome majority, in 1881. Mr. Deacy was married December 23, 1875, to Miss E. Hawkins, a native of Ray county, and a lady in every way worthy of her excellent husband. They are the parents of one child, named James M. Mr. Deacy is a rising, justly popular, and highly esteemed young man, with a bright future ahead of him.
WM. H. FLOURNOY.
Was born on the 23d day of December, 1824, in Washington county,. Kentucky. He received his education at Springfield Seminary, and spent his youth and early manhood in his native state. In the spring 1843 he immigrated to Missouri, settled in Ray county, and engaged in the pursuit of farming. About two years and a half afterwards he returned to Ken- tucky and remained there for some time. Again in 1846, he left Kentucky and came back to Ray county, Missouri. In the summer of the same year, he volunteered under Colonel Price, in the American army for the war against Mexico. After arriving in Mexico, General Price ordered a detail of one hundred men as escort to conduct him to conference with General Wool, supposed to be at that time quartered at Chihuahua. Ten of these men were from the company to which Mr. Flournoy belonged, and he himself was one of them. This little band met with General Doniphan, then their commander-in-chief, one hundred and fifty miles south of Santa Fe, who ordered them to halt and wait for him to finish preparations to join them. Proceeding on with Doniphan they fought two battles, one at Brazito, near El Paso, and the other at Sacra- mento, near Chihuahua. When they reached the last named place, they found that General Wool had not arrived there, and sent to General Tay- lor at Monterey, for further orders, which when received, were found to
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the effect that they should report as soon as possible to him at that place. From there Mr. F.'s company was sent to New Orleans, Louisiana, and discharged. Chartering Captain Chamber's boat, they came up the Mis- sissippi to St. Louis, and thence Mr. Flournoy returned to Ray county by river. The company to which he belonged captured nine peices of artil- lery at the battle of Chihuahua, which were afterwards distributed to dif- ferent points on the Missouri river. One of them, a nine pound gun, was bored out and made a twelve pounder for use in the civil war. It was called the Sacramento, from the name of the place where it was captured. One of the ingredients in its composition was $8,000 worth of silver. It was cast in Spain more than 300 years ago. To prevent the enemy from capturing it at the battle of Corinth, the Confederates, then its owners, dismounted and sunk it in the river, and it has never been recovered. Mr. Flournoy was married in the year 1849, to Miss Malinda Clark, a niece of the late General John B. Clark; two children, the result of this union, are yet living: Matthias and Hugh C. After the Mexican war Mr. Flournoy was engaged in farming until the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, when he volunteered under the "stars and bars," entering General Price's army to battle for the cause of the south. His health failing, he was not kept regularly on duty, but engaged in some battles, and remained in the service to the end of the war, being discharged at St. Louis, Missouri, in 1865. Returning home to Ray county, he found his house had been burned, and his fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres, confiscated. He then went west and spent one year upon the plains of Nebraska, after which he came back to Ray county, and has been farming here ever since. He was married the second time, in 1868, to Mrs. Louisa Hawkins, of Ray county. They have one child: Nannie F. Mr. Flournoy now owns a fine farm, and is in a highly prosperous condition.
HENRY BOGGESS.
A native of Kentucky, was born twelve miles southwest of Frankfort, Anderson county, on the 23d day of February, 1805. His advantages for early education were limited to the common schools, but being possessed of a strong intellect, a practical turn of mind, and gifted with the faculty of imbibing knowledge from passing events, from mingling with men and intercourse with the world, Mr. Boggess has become more thoroughly educated than would have been possible, perhaps, by the superficial course usually taught in our high schools and colleges. He followed the business of farming, to which he was reared, and in the year 1833, came to Ray county, Missouri, where, purchasing a farm, he settled, and has continued ever since to live, except one year he spent in the state of Illi- nois. Mr. Boggess was married before leaving Kentucky, in the year 1830, to Miss Lucinda Wall, also a native of Anderson county, that state.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Five children came to bless this union, Wade, Thomas A., William V., Nancy and Sallie. Mr. B. lived for twenty-one years in the river bottom, seven miles below Lexington, occupying the farm now owned by Mr. G. Frazier. He owned eight hundred and seventy acres of land, in township 54, range 27, upon which the great oil well was situated. Mr. Boggess is. one of the oldest and best farmers in his section of the county, and owns one of the best and most highly improved farms in the county. Although now advanced in years, he is still strong and active, and his memory remarkably good. He yet retains a vivid recollection of many incidents of interest connected with the war of 1812. In politics Mr. Boggess is a staunch and life long democrat. He voted for General Jackson both times he was a candidate, and was elected to the presidency of the United States. He is highly esteemed, and regarded for his ' excellent qualities of head and heart, " by all who know him.
LOUIS C. BOHANNON.
Louis C. Bohannon was born October 24, 1812, in Green county, Ken- tucky, but his father removing to Woodford county when he was quite young, the greater part of his early life was spent in the latter county. He received his education chiefly at Pisgah, which was the oldest high school in the state of Kentucky, afterwards called Transylvania Univer- ty, and now located at Lexington. He afterwards began a course of study with the view of entering the legal profession, but, becoming dis- gusted with some forms of malpractice that came under his observation, he renounced all connection with the practice of law, and determined to become a farmer. He at once threw away his law books, and turned his attention to farming, and salt making. This business he followed for a number of years, and was also, during this time, justice of the peace. He was afterwards appointed, by the governor, brigadier general of the 18th brigade of Kentucky militia; raised a regiment for the Mexican war, and, reporting with them for duty, was informed that the requisition had been filled by the call for twelve months men. The governor bade him hold his regiment in order, and at the next call he should have preference. The next proclamation was issued for volunteers for three years, and as Mr. Bohannon's regiment had only enlisted for twelve months he could not, of course, force them into three years service, so he did not go to the war at all. Colonel Bohannon was married in 1833, to Miss Cynthia Haddix, of Kentucky. From this union seven children were born, five of whom, Sarah A., Mary D., Nancy D., Simeon and Susan, are now living. In the year 1847 he removed to Missouri, stopping for a short time in Pettis county, but in the latter part of the same year settling in Ray county, upon the farm where he now resides. He has been three times elected to rep- resent Ray county in the state legislature. In the political canvass of his
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adopted county, he has been very successful, once beating the distin- guished Governor King for representative. He served through six ses. sions of the legislature, one adjourned and two called sessions in addition to the regular work of the legislature. When the troubles of 1861 came, he joined his fortunes with the cause of the south, entering the Confeder- ate service in the Missouri state guard, with the rank of captain. He was soon promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and when the time for which he first enlisted, six months, had expired, he entered the regular service as colonel, and remained to the close of the war. He was engaged in many battles, the hardest fought being those at Independence and Lone Jack. Subsequently he was sent from Arkansas as one of a party of six recruit- ing officers, to Missouri, four of whom, Colonel J. T. Hughes, Major Hart, Colonel Boyd and Captain Clark, were killed; and one, Colonel Thompson, wounded; Colonel Bohannon himself being the only one of the party to escape unhurt. Finally he was wounded in an engagement in Arkansas, and was, in consequence, discharged at Little Rock, from the service. He went from there to Texas until after the surrender and restoration of the country to peace, when he came back home to Ray county, and has ever since occupied and tilled his farm here. Colonel Bohannon owns about 440 acres of excellent land, a finely improved home, and is one of the oldest and most highly influential and respected citizens of Ray county, and has done much to assist in her upbuilding and advancement.
CHARLES W. BROWN.
Was born in Carroll county, Missouri, on the 9th day of January, 1831. He received his education in the district schools of his native state, and early began the occupation of farming with his father, then a prominent farmer of Carroll county. This vocation he followed for some years. He removed to Breckenridge, Caldwell county, Missouri, in 1875, and engaged in merchandising with Messrs. McWilliams & Russell. Three years later he left Caldwell county, going to Kansas City, and entered the wholesale hat and cap business, with McWilliams, Crook & Co. He afterwards bought Defevers & Sons' dry goods store in the town of Morton, four miles north of the line of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad, and has ever since conducted that branch of business there. Mr. Brown was married on the 24th of February, 1881, to Miss Rosie E. Keyes, of Ray county, Missouri. Mr. Brown is doing a large and lucrative business at Morton, and is highly respected for the fair, honorable and impartial treatment he gives to all alike, and for his many good qualities as a mán.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY
ROBERT V. WALL.
The subject of this sketch is a native Missourian. He was born July 1, 1849, in Ray county. His father owned a large farm four miles north of Morton, where the son was raised with the advantages of the schools of the neighborhood for getting an education. Here he worked on the farm for a number of years. In the month of June, 1874, he came to Morton and entered the drug business, in which he is at present engaged. Mr. Wall owns the only drug store in the town of Morton, and is doing a flourishing business. He was married in September of the year of 1876, to Miss Ella B. Yates, daughter of Dr. Yates. This union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Donald Leslie by name. Mr. Wall holds the position of postmaster at Morton, the duties of which office he has discharged very efficiently and satisfactorily for the last seven years. He has always been a resident of Ray county, and by his industry and close attention to business, has built up a good and lucrative trade. He is one of the prominent and influential citizens of his section of the county.
WM. F. YATES.
To the honest, efficient, able, and thoroughly qualified man, of what- ever profession, the respect and gratitude of the people of the commu- nity in which he moves, is due. This is particularly true of the physician, and of none more so than of Wm. F. Yates, who is a native of the state of Kentucky, and was born on the 5th day of March, 1833. He received an academic education at Shelbyville, in his native state, and then began the study of medicine with Dr. George S. Burbridge, of Scott county, Kentucky, for his preceptor. Entering the Louisville College of Medicine, he finished the course, graduating with honor in 1854, when not yet quite twenty-one years of age. After leaving college he practiced his profes- sion some two or three years in Kentucky, then came to Missouri and established himself where he now resides, in Ray county. Dr. Yates was married the first time, on the 13th day of December, 1856, to Miss Susan J. Nelson, a native of Kentucky. Of this union were born three chil- dren: Ella B., Maggie B., and Flora C., who are still living. Mrs. Yates died, greatly lamented by her numerous friends, and the doctor was subsequently married, November 1, 1876, to Mrs. Mary R. Mayfield, a very estimable, intelligent, and accomplished lady of St. Joseph, Mis- souri. Dr. Yates owns a fine farm near Morton, and upon it has erected a large, commodious and beautiful residence. His farm is in a high state of cultivation, finely improved, well stocked with horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep, of the best breeds, and equipped with all necessary machinery of approved and modern kind. He devotes his attention chiefly to the prac-
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tice of his profession, in which he is so successful and popular that his constant efforts can hardly meet the demand for his services. The doc- tor is just in the prime of life now, and his active outdoor exercise and horseback riding, in going about among his patients, joined with a natu- rally strong and robust constitution, will, no doubt, prolong his life even past the three score and ten years allotted to man to live, and give the benefits and blessings of his professional skill and experience to the sick of his community. Dr. Yates is one of the very best physicians in Ray county, and well and favorably known far and wide. As a man and a citizen his character is irreproachable.
RILEY V. SEWARD.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Indiana, having been born in Mt. Vernon, Posey county, in the year 1850. His parents immigrated to Missouri when he was but three years old. After growing up he was. engaged in farming until 1873, when he entered the State Normal School at Kirksville, in which excellent institution he spent two consecutive years. At the end of that time he was, like many another worthy young man has been, compelled to leave and teach school to secure the money neces- sary to finish his education. He taught for a year, and then return- ing to Kirksville, graduated in 1877, with honor. Afterwards he went to California, and was for two years principal of the graded school in Trinity county, that state. Returning to Missouri, he settled at Har- din, in Ray county, and opened a drug store. Here, by strict attention to business, polite, gentlemanly bearing, and fair and honorable dealing withal, his business has rapidly grown in extent, and he, to-day, though yet a young man, is one of the leading business men of the county, and highly esteemed for his many excellent qualities as a citizen and a man. Mr. Seward may properly be termed a self-made man, and with the enviable position he has already won for himself, his future can be but pregnant with abundant success.
JAMES H. LENTZ.
A native of Ray county, Missouri. Was born October 21, 1850. He was reared on a farm, and, until he attained his majority, was engaged in the performance of the duties common to the sons of farmers. He was educated at Carrollton, and, after leaving school, taught for four years in the common schools of Ray county, receiving a salary of fifty dollars per month. After serving an apprenticeship with Rogers & Co., apothe- caries, of Carrollton, he became a retailer of dry goods for two years. He then entered the drug business at Hardin, Ray county, where he still conducts a drug store. Mr. Lentz was united in marriage to Miss Katie
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E. Sinclair, of Ray county, February 18, 1877. Two children, Myrtle and Hale, have been sent to bless their lives, both of whom still live. Mr. Lentz is rapidly winning a position in the front ranks of the staunch busi- ness men and respected citizens of his native county.
JOHN S. KING.
John S. King was born in Ray county, Missouri, September 5, 1852. His early life was spent on a farm, and his education acquired in the dis- trict schools of his father's neighborhood. He followed farming for some time, and then turned his attention to buying and selling grain. Later he entered the dry goods and general merchandise trade at Hardin, in which he is now engaged. Mr. King was married in the year 1876, to Miss Theodosia Happy. One child, named Ford, is the result of this union. The subject of this article is one of the first business men of the town of Hardin, and is held in high esteem for his many good qualities by those who know him. He is comparatively a young man, and his past achieve- ments show that he will fight well and truly the battle of life, which opens before him.
ROBERT A. KING.
This gentleman is a native of Missouri, born in Ray county, July 22, 1854, where he has ever since resided. Mr. King early displayed a taste for books, and rapidly progressed with his studies when at school. After finishing the course as usually taught in the common schools of the county, he continued his studies without the aid of a teacher, and in this way acquired a good, practical education. He has taught school at Mor- ton, Hardin, and various other places in the county. Mr. King is now connected with his brother in running a grocery store at Hardin, under the firm name of King Bros. Mr. King, being engaged in the high and honorable vocation of teaching, is one of Ray's most worthy sons, and in future years will, no doubt, win for himself, by his energy and industry, a high position among her citizens.
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