USA > Missouri > Saline County > History of Saline County, Missouri > Part 78
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JOHN WHETSLER, farmer, P. O., Malta Bend. Is a native of Green county, Pennsylvania, born in the year 1824, April S. Was brought up on a farm. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Mon- roe, in the year 1848, she being a native of same state and county. They became parents of four children, three of whom are now living: Albert, Carrie and George. In the year of his marriage, he moved to Franklin county, Indiana, where he lived until the fall of 1865. From there he moved to this state and county, locating on the farm where he now resides, near Laynesville.
B. W. MARCUM, farmer, P. O., Malta Bend. Is a native of Johnson county, this state. Was born May 16, 1840. He was educated at Chapel College. Was raised on a farm. In 1859, he married Miss Elizabeth Hull, of same county, a native of Kentucky. She died in the spring of 1861, leaving an infant, which died a short time after. In 1862, he was again married, to Miss Harriet B. Hanley, of Saline county, and a sister of Messrs. John and Joseph Hanley, of same county. His family consists of nine children, eight of whom are now living: Sallie D., wife of M. H. Stafford; Edmond E., John W., Kate D., Samuel F., Archibald C .; Hattie May and Mattie M., twins. In the same year of his marriage he went south with Gen. Shelby, returning shortly after, on detailed duty, which consisted of carrying dispatches to Quantrell, whom he joined at that time, remaining with him until the fall of 1864. From this time up to 1867, he traveled through the north and west, engaging in the livery busi- ness for a short time in Keokuk, Iowa, and in wagoning while on the plains. He then returned to Johnson county, sold his farm and moved to this county, where he has resided since, engaged in farming.
JAMES A. TOBIN, farmer, P. O., Malta Bend. The subject of this sketch was born in Rappahannock county, Virginia, in 1847. In 1848 his father, Benjamin, and family went to Hocking county, Ohio, where they lived until 1866, when they moved to Ross county, same state. James A.
45
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received his education in Hocking county; was reared on a farm. In October, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary B. Kelly, of Ross county, by whom he had two children: Samuel C. and William B. In 1873 Mr. Tobin came to this state and county, locating on a farm about one and one-half miles north of Malta Bend, where he has resided ever since.
WILLIAM B. JOHNSTON, farmer, P. O., Malta Bend. Is a native of Hardy county, Virginia; born April 21, 1832. His early life was spent on a farm and in attending school. His father went to Ohio in 1842, where he remained until 1860, when he moved to this state with his whole family, with the exception of William B., who came here in 1866, locating near Malta Bend on the farm of Mr. George Davis. In the year 1859 he was united in marriage to Melinda Armstrong, a native of Pike county, Ohio. His wife died in July, 1864, leaving two children: Mary J. and Clarissa C. In 1865 he was again married, to Miss Jennie M. Pinkerton, a daughter of Thomas Pinkerton, who is a brother of Messrs. Collin and William Pinkerton, of this county. Two children were born to them: Elizabeth O. and T. J. His second wife died in 1868. In Sep- tember, 1870, he was married for the third time, to Miss Alice C. Collins, of this county, originally from Virginia. Mr. Johnson is a large land- owner, and deals quite extensively in stock. The farm upon which he resides is one of the oldest and best improved in the county.
JAMES RANDOLPH, deceased. Was born in New Jersey May 22, 1819. His father, Jacob, moved with his family to Chariton county, Missouri, while the subject of this sketch was quite young. He settled near Old Chariton, where he resided for a few months, finally removing to this county, locating on a farm. James was educated in the common schools of this county. In 1857, he married Miss Elizabeth Van Meter, daughter of Jacob Van Meter, and a native of West Virginia. Three children were born to them, two of whom are now living: Alfred, and James. Mr. Randolph died December 2, 1868. His widow, with her two sons, is still living on the home place and is cultivating the farm.
WM. E. STURGESS, farmer, P. O., Malta Bend. Is a native of Clinton county, Kentucky, born March 9, 1845. He lived in this county until twelve or thirteen years of age, receiving his education principally from the tutorage of Prof. Jesse P. Murrell. Was reared on a farm. In 1861, he enlisted under the command of Brigadier General John C. Breckenridge. (For further information see Soldiers' Record). Having received an honorable discharge, he returned to care for his mother, his father having been killed by the Federals during the war. In 1864, he moved to Glasgow, Barren county, Kentucky. In 1867, he came to this state and county, where he has resided since. July 4, 1869, he was mar-
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ried to Mrs. Mary V. Payne, nee White, widow of Cyrus D. Payne. They have four children, all living: Olive, John W., Alice E., and Franklin H.
V GENERAL G. W. LEWIS, deceased. The subject of this brief sketch was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, in the early part of the present century. He obtained his education in the com- mon schools, and spent his life in following agricultural pursuits. He was united in marriage to Harriet Duff, November 10, 1825. They had twelve children, five of whom are now living: Edwin H., Daniel W., Kenny, Fannie and Mollie. In the fall of 1830, he, with his family, moved to this state and county, locating in Grand Pass township. He was appointed brigadier general of the district state militia, during the admin- istration of Governor Boggs. He took quite a prominent part in driving the Mormons out of Clay county, this state, in the year - , afterwards returning to his farm. He was also in command at the breaking out of the Mexican war, but was not called into the field. At the time of his death, which occurred September 10, 1856, he was the owner of 640 acres of land, upon which he resided. He lies buried on the farm of Major William Lewis.
A. J. McROBERTS, farmer, P. O., Malta Bend. Was born in Ross county, Ohio, 1830. Was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. He came to this state and county in 1856. In 1860, he was married to Miss Mary Sisk, of Pickaway county, Ohio. His family con- sists of seven children: Nannie V., Benjamin L., John D., Alex H., Ernest, Grace and Andrew. Mr. McRoberts is a man of influence in the neighborhood in which he resides, and takes quite a prominent part in public affairs.
WILLIAM H. HANDLEY, farmer and sawyer, P. O., Laynesville. Was born in Greenbriar county, Virginia, December 12, 1836. When about five years old, moved with his parents to Hawkins county, Ohio, stopping only one year, and then moved to Callaway county, Missouri, where they lived five years. They then moved Independence, in Jackson county, and lived there two years, the next move was to Saline county, where they have lived since. He was raised mostly on a farm. He was married April 2, 1859, to Miss Mary F. Godman, and to them have been born one son, William A., living, and two daughters, dead. In the autumn of 1862, Mr. Handley enlisted in the Confederate army, and served until the war closed, 1865. Was never wounded. Since the war, he has . been mostly engaged in sawing, being head sawyer for twelve years, and running his own mill for the last four years. Is now engaged in farming.
ANDREW G. BAILEY, P. O., Laynesville. Mr. A. G. Bailey, the chief merchant in the town of Laynesville, was born in Abingdon, Wash- ington county, Virginia, October 12, 1840, where he was reared; and was
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educated at Mossy Creek Baptist College, East Tennessee. In 1860 he went to Knoxville, Tennessee, and engaged himself as hotel clerk until 1861, when he was employed as sutler in the 4th Tennessee regiment, C. S. A. In 1862 he enlisted in company K, 64th North Carolina regulars, C. S. A., and was made orderly sergeant at the organization of the com- pany. Was promoted step by step, until he reached the captaincy of the company. He was captured in December, 1864, near Warm Springs, on the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee, taken to Fort Dela- ware. He was released on parole June, 1865, and returned home, the war being over. In 1866, he came to this county, and it has since been his home. He settled in Laynesville in 1869. He was first clerk in one of the warehouses, and then steamboat clerk for about one year. For two years he was constable of Grand Pass township. For several years he has been in the grain commission business, carrying also a general stock of merchandise, and the postmastership. Mr. Bailey has stuck by Laynes- ville, though many business men have deserted it in consequence of the high waters. He is now doing a good business, and clearing as much money, perhaps, as any business man in the county, unless the floods of this current year of 1881, have again given him a serious backset. He was elected justice of the peace for Grand Pass township in 1874, and in 1876 declined a re-election. In 1875 he was married to Mrs. Nannie W. Mor- ris, widow of George Morris, deceased. Mrs. M. is a daughter of Isaac Wade, late of this county. They have two children: Charles Cole, and Florence, both living. Mr. Bailey is a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the I. O. O. F.
WILLIAM HOWERTON, was born in Adams county, Illinois, about the year 1830. His occupation there was farming. With his parents he lived alternately in Missouri and Illinois during his childhood until his eighteenth year, when he settled permanently in Saline county, having heen raised principally in this county and Pettis. He was married in November, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth Smith, a native of Jackson county, Missouri. They had but one child: William. Mr. Howerton was killed October 18, 1864, near his residence in Grand Pass township, an account of which will be found elsewhere.
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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
JOHN M. RIGGINS, P. O., Herndon. Was born near Jefferson City, in Cole county, Missouri, in 1827, and in 1851 married Miss Eliza Henly, daughter of John Henly, formerly of Cole county, now dead. He was raised in Cole county and lived there until 1858, and then moved to Ver- non county. In 1863, he moved to Arrow Rock, in this county, where he stayed until the war closed, and then returned to Vernon county. In 1866, he sold out in Vernon, and moved to the vicinity of Herndon, in this county, where he is permanently settled, and engaged in farming and stock feeding. He has had eleven children, nine of whom are living: Thomas M., in Col- orado; J. T., at home; Elizabeth B., wife of T. S. Huston, of Herndon; John P., Cora L., William H., Josephine, California, Pinkie, Marvin, all at home. Mr. Riggins is a member of the M. E. Church, South; of the Masonic lodge, at Herndon, and of the I. O. G. T. lodge, at Herndon. He started in life with nothing, and has now a fine, well-improved, well- stocked farm of 130 acres of land. In 1861, he joined the Missouri state guard as a lieutenant. Quit the service at the end of his time, six months, and did not join either army afterwards. His father, James Riggins, was one of the earliest settlers of this county; settled where Waverly now stands; first, in 1819, where he assisted in building a block-house, and then moved to old Franklin. Was a carpenter by trade, and a farmer from choice.
CHARLES BISHOP, P. O., Herndon. Was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, in 1840, where he lived until 1851, when he moved to Pettis county, Missouri, with his widowed mother, and stayed there until 1862, when he married, and moved to this county. He married Miss Mary C. Masters, daughter of Harrison Masters, of this county. He has had five children, four of them now living: Laura M., Mattie P., William T., John S., all now at home on the farm. Mr. Bishop is a member of the M. E. Church South, with membership at Bethel. During the war he was at home most of the time; served for a month or two in the militia at Mar- shall, in Capt. Corum's company, Col. Wilson's regiment, 71st E. M. M. He had little when he started in life, and now, by good management and industry, has an excellent farm of 200 acres.
WILLIAM J. HERNDON, P. O., Herndon. Was born in Madison county, Kentucky, in 1827, and came to Missouri with his parents in the fall of 1830. His father was born in Virginia, and moved to Kentucky in 1813, and then to Missouri in 1830, and settled in Cooper, not far from the line of Saline, and lived there until his death, 1873. The subject of this sketch lived in Cooper county until 1853, when he moved to this county and bought eighty acres of land, part of the farm he owns and
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lives on at present, and has lived there ever since. He was married in 1853, to Miss Mary E. McMahan, daughter of S. W. McMahan, of Cooper county. He has had thirteen children, nine of whom are now living: Susan F., wife of R. P. Mathias; John T., Harriet E., Martha E., wife of T. M. Fisher; Lucy C., William T., Leveret, Benjamin W., Della Maud, all living in Liberty township. at this time. Mr. Herndon is a member of the Baptist Church, and has been a member for twenty years. He is also one of the charter members of Masonic lodges in Mar- shall and Herndon. Except about three years engaged in merchandising, he has followed farming all his life. During the war he joined neither army, but lost fourteen good horses and other personal property, all the same. Mr. Herndon started in life without capital, but by dint of work and good management has now a farm of 400 acres of finely improved land. He has also an interest in the old home place in Cooper. Mrs. Herndon died in 1877.
WILLIAM G. BOATRIGHT, P. O., Herndon. Was born in Boone county, Missouri, in 1830, and at an early age moved with his parents to Cooper county, then to Howard county, and finally to Saline county, in 1840, and settled near Arrow Rock. In 1844 the stress of waters drove him out of the bottom on to the prairie. He next moved to the vicinity of Miami, where he lived until 1857, when he moved to the place on which he now lives. In 1857 he was married to Miss Fannie Buie, daughter of Daniel Buie, a C. P. preacher, said to have been the first in the state. He has ten children, all living: John W., Lewis, Finis H., George F., Mary F., Charles R., Annie, Inez, Callie and Leslie. Mr. Boatright is a member of the M. E. Church, South, with membership at Hazel Grove church. During the war he entered the Confederate service, in Marma- duke's escort, and then in the 10th Missouri cavalry. He started in life with nothing, but by his industry and management has now a fine farm of 200 acres, well stocked and improved.
HARDIN WITCHER, P. O., Herndon. Was born in this county in 1841, on a farm, and lived there until he was twenty-four years old. He then moved to the farm near Herndon, on which he now lives. In 1861 he married Miss Martha F. Ramsey, daughter of H. Ramsey, formerly of this county, and was murdered in Pettis county, in 1865, by militia. He has five children: Minerva E., Edward, Ethor, Ada and Ida, all living at home. Mr. Witcher is a member of the Christian Church, at Antioch church, and a member of the Masonic and the I. O. O. F. lodges, in Herndon. During the war he joined Gen. Marmaduke's escort company a private, in the Confederate service, and was at the battles of Lexington, Little Blue, Independence, Westport and Newtonia, and after Marma- duke's capture the company acted as escort to Gen. Clark to Texas, and surrendered at Skipper's landing, on the Mississippi. Was one of the
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three who fired the first guns at the Meries De Cygnes. In 1874 and '75 went to Colorado and New Mexico for his health. He is now engaged in breeding Cotswold sheep, and takes great interest in fine stock gener- ally. Has made all he has by his own energy and industry.
RICHARD KEETH, P. O., Herndon. Was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, in 1849, and came, with his parents, to Saline county, in 1850. They first settled south of Herndon, where he now lives. He has been engaged in farming all his life. On the 29th of December, 1869, he married Miss Mary Frances Elliott, of Saline county. He has five chil- dren: Ada Lee, Benjamin F., Daisy, Olie Myrtle, and the baby. His farm contains 100 acres of fine land, well-improved. His father, Isaiah Keeth was born in Edmonson county, in 1827, and came to Saline county in 1847, and in 1850 entered eighty acres of land, near Herndon, where he now lives. He, the old gentleman, is the father of six children, of whom the eldest is the subject of this sketch.
ISAAC HAMILTON, P. O., Herndon. Was born in Boyle county, Kentucky, in 1833, and lived there until 1849, when he came with his father to Howard county. His father left him with relations in Howard county, and went on to California, where he died in 1854. He lived in Howard county until 1871, on a farm, and was an overseer for fifteen years after he became of age. In 1871 he came to this county, first locating on the old Gilchrist farm; then, in the spring of 1874, on the farm where he has lived to the present time. Mr. Hamilton is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, having joined the same while living in Howard county. He had no start in life; and all he has he has made by his own industry and perseverance. In 1867, he married Miss Lizzie A. Pierce, of Howard county, Missouri. He has had six children, four of them now living: Marie Belle, John Henry, Leona, Charles Richard-all of them at home. During the war he joined the southern army-Poindexter's command-and was at the battle of Silver Creek, and several others. Surrendered in 1865. He was also in the Kansas war of 1856, and had some pretty hard times.
FRANCIS M. CHRISTY, P. O., Herndon. Mr. Christy was born in Lawrence county, Illinois, in 1831, where he was raised on a farm and lived until 1861. Worked on a farm until he was twenty-one, then entered a store as salesman. In 1861 he went to St. Louis, where he attended a commercial school. He went to Washington City, where through his uncle, he got employment as collector on a ferry. His uncle, Andrew Christy, one of the early residents of St. Louis, and largely interested in the Wiggins Ferry Company, died about this time, leaving an estate of nearly one and one-half millions of dollars, and being one of the executors, he returned, of course, to St. Louis. In 1871 he was elected a director of the ferry company, and, except one year, remained one until 1880, when
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he moved to this county and located on a farm. In 1863 he married Miss Margaret M. Carr, daughter of Wm. C. Carr, of St. Louis, who was also connected with the ferry company for some years. Mr. Christy is the father of nine children: Franc C., Halley W., Rose Lee, Elsie May, Ver- non, Gregg Bemis, William Andrew, Douglas, Margaret, and the baby, who are all at home, at the farm in this county. He is a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church, membership at Dr. Brook's church in St. Louis. The farm is large and well improved, and in the manage- ment of it, Mr. Christy proves he has not forgotten his early training.
WILLIAM H. FENWICK, Fenwick & Surbaugh, P. O., Herndon. Mr. Fenwick was born and raised in Cooper county, Missouri, in 1840, and moved with his parents to this county in 1849. His father was born in Maryland, and was a graduate of Georgetown College, D. C. Came to Missouri in 1835, and surveyed a great portion of Cooper county, and a good portion of this county. In this county he was county surveyor for a number of years. Was justice of the peace and notary public at Arrow Rock for twenty years. The subject of this sketch received his education from his father, who was a fine Greek and Latin scholar. He has filled the offices of justice of the peace, and of constable, at Herndon, for nine years. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. lodges at Herndon. He was married in 1862 to Miss Mary J. Brownlee, daughter of A. Brownlee, of this county. Has had seven children, six of which are now living: Eleanor, William, Florence, Enoch, Charles, and Elizabeth. He made all he has by his own industry. Has farmed most of his life, but is now engaged in business at Herndon. During the latter part of the war he went to Mon- tana, engaged in mining for two years, and then returned to his present location in Herndon.
JAMES H. FAULCONER, P. O., Herndon. Was born in Nicholas- ville, Jessamine county, Kentucky, in 1830, and moved at an early age, with his parents, to Fayette county, Kentucky, and lived there until he was fifteen years old, when he moved with his father to Missouri, and settled in Pettis county, near Longwood, where he learned his father's trade, that of a blacksmith. In 1850, he married Miss Elizabeth Moore, daughter of Nathan Moore, who died in the same year. He lived in Pettis county until 1857, and then moved to Johnson county and lived there until 1861. In 1861, he moved to this county and bought a farm near Blackwater, but he was soon broken up with security debts, and was in the army dur- ing the war. After the war, he removed to Pettis county, but got into trouble with his landlord, and went to Lafayette county, then to Texas, then to Kansas, and finally back to Saline county. He is the father of eight children: William Harrison, living near Herndon; James Edward,
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John P., in Colorado; George, Jeff. Davis, T. F., Sarah 'F., and Mary E., all at home.
THOMAS W. TAYLOR, P. O., Brownsville. Mr. Taylor was born December 5, 1834, in Saline county, Missouri, and is the son of Thomas and Margaret Taylor. His early life was spent on a farm. Mr. Taylor has been engaged in farming all his life. He now lives about five miles east of Brownsville, where he owns a good farm of 245 acres. Mr. Taylor was married December -, 1857, to Miss Julia A. Coy, of Saline county. They have six children, James H., Margaret E., Ida J., Virginia A., Sarah May and Thomas J. Mr. Taylor enlisted in 1862, in M. S. M., in Captain Ben Wilson's company, Col. John F. Phillip's regi- iment. He was discharged April 15, 1865. He was in the battles of Jef- ferson City, Marshall, Big Blue, Mine Creek and Pine Bluff.
JAMES M. WILLIAMS, P. O., Brownsville. Mr. Williams is the son of Lemuel B. and Attry Williams, and was born November 28, 1838, in Christian county, Kentucky. When a small boy his parents came to Missouri, and settled in Pettis county in 1841, and remained there until 1844, when they settled in Saline county. Mr. Williams now lives about six miles east of Brownsville, where he has about 150 acres of good farm- ing and timber land. Mr. Williams was married March 28, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth Haley, of Saline county. They have seven children: Mrs. Mary Eustacia, Artamecia A., Ida May, Charles Edgar, Lemuel, Leon- ard and Sophronia.
MONROE KEETH, P. O., Herndon. Mr. Keeth is the son of Isaiah and Polly Keeth, and was born February S, 1852, in Lafayette county, Missouri. His early life was spent on a farm. Came with his parents to Saline county, shortly after his birth. His father settled on a farm, where the subject of this sketch was raised. He now lives about four and a half miles south of Herndon, where he owns 110 acres of choice farming and timber land. Mr. Keeth was married May 18, 1871, to Miss Virginia C. Davenport, of Saline county. They have two children, Otha D. and Walter.
WILLIAM JOHNSON, P. O., Herndon. Was born January 14, 1831, in Edmonson county, Kentucky, and is the son of Henry. and Elizabeth Johnson. His early life was spent on the farm. He moved with his parents to Missouri in 1846, and settled in Cooper county. He remained there until 1848, when he came to Saline county. He now lives four miles south of Herndon, and owns about 700 acres of good land. Mr. Johnson was married December 26, 1852, to Miss Caroline E. Short, of Saline county. They have eight children: William D., Mary E., Benj. R., Mrs. Minerva Rothark, Josephine, Carrie, Septema, Parilley.
HENRY R. JOHNSON, P. O., Herndon. Is the son of Henry and Elizabeth Johnson, and was born in Edmonson county, Kentucky, April
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19, 1833. Came with his parents to Missouri, 1846. His father settled in Cooper county, where Otterville now stands, and remained there two years, then moved to Saline county. Mr. Johnson now resides three miles south of Herndon, where he owns 160 acres of good farming land. He was married December 1, 1854, to Miss Susan Yager, of Saline county. They have five children: Mrs. Lou Killion, Maggie C., Sarah E., Laura J., and Sophronia. Mr. Johnson enlisted in the E. M. M., in Capt. Lee's company, Col. Neal's regiment. Remained with them until the fall of 1864, when he was conscripted by Price's men, and went south, acting as captain of a company. He was in the battles of West- port, Big Blue, and several skirmishes on the way south. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Baptist Church.
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