USA > Missouri > St Charles County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 77
USA > Missouri > Montgomery County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 77
USA > Missouri > Warren County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 77
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Mr. Davault's father, Peter Davault, was one of the early settlers of Montgomery county, Mo. He and his young wife, Mary (nee Hoss ), emigrated from East Tennessee and settled in this county in the fall of 1831. He was a successful farmer, a man of sterling integrity, a well known and highly respected citizen. He died at the home of his adoption in 1872, and his wife in 1883. They were both humble and consistent Christians, having been converted under the preaching of Rev. Andrew Monroe, in 1835. They had nine children, of whom Abraham, the subject of this sketch, was the second. Abraham was born March 3, 1835, in Montgomery county, Mo. He received a lib- eral education, and inheriting the characteristics of his father - a desire to do good in an humble way - devoted many years to teach- ing, with eminent success. Mr. Davault was united in marriage, July 14, 1868, to Miss Medora E. Jones, daughter of Thomas and Catharine Jones. Mrs. Davault was for several years in charge of the department of music in Central Female College, Lexington, Mo., and has since held places of distinction. Mr. and Mrs. Davault have had four children, of whom only two are living, Juliet Emma and Anna Theresa. In 1883 Mr. Davault engaged in the general hard- ware business, in Jonesburg, a town of Montgomery county, named for Mrs. D.'s grandfather. Striving to merit the confidence reposed in him, Mr. D. has had a constantly increasing trade.
DAVID C. DRYDEN
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, High Hill).
The Dryden family, wide and favorably known in north-east Mis- souri, settled in this section of the State in an early day, among the pioneers of the country ; and representatives of the family are found in most of the counties between the two rivers up to the Chariton and in other parts of the State, particularly in St. Louis, Saline county, etc. The branch of the family of which the subject of the present sketch is a representative has been settled in Montgomery county for more than half a century. Mr. Dryden was a son of Judge Nathaniel
729
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Dryden, originally of Virginia. Judge Dryden was reared in Virginia, and was a gallant soldier from that State in the War of 1812. He was a captain in the army, and led his company with conspicuous bravery in more than one of the hard fought battles of the war. Married in Virginia, he continued to reside there until 1830, when he removed to and settled in Montgomery county, Mo. Here he became a successful farmer and one of the prominent citizens of the county. He served as county judge and held other positions of local prominence, includ- ing that of sheriff, etc. One of his sons became a judge of the Supreme Court of the State and a lawyer of eminence. Judge Dryden, the father, was married a second time, his first wife having been taken from him by death. She was a Miss Ellen Laughlin, of Virginia. She left no children at her death. His second wife was a Miss Mar- garet Craig, by whom he had 13 children, eight now living. Judge Dryden, pere, died on his homestead in this county in 1858, widely and deeply mourned. David C. Dryden, the subject of this sketch and the fifth in Judge Dryden's family of children, was born in Wash- ington county, Va., August 2, 1829. He was, therefore, in infancy when the family came to Missouri, and was reared in Montgomery
county. In 1858 Mr. Dryden (David C. ) was married in Warren county to Miss Belle Hutton, a daughter of William Hutton, of that county, but formerly of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Dryden have one child, Stella N. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Dryden, who was reared a farmer, has followed that occupation continuously from boyhood. He has a neat farm in section 28, where he resides.
NINIAN M. EDWARDS
(Farmer, Post-office, Jonesburg).
Mr. Edward's father, John Edwards, was one of the early business men of St. Louis, and was engaged in the grocery trade there until his death. He died during the small-pox epidemic of 1836, of that dread disease. He was from Virginia to St. Louis, but was married at the latter place. His wife's maiden name was Miss Catharine Hoss. She was originally of Maryland. They had but one child, the sub- ject of this sketch. The mother afterwards married Joseph Denoe and the family removed to Monroe county, Ill., where Ninian was reared. He was the only child of the family and was brought up to the occu- pation of a miller, and afterwards followed farming for some years. In 1852, having come to Montgomery county in the meantime in 1852, he engaged in farming in this county, and has ever since fol- lowed that occupation. In 1854, Mr. Edwards was married to Miss Lucy A. Skinner, a daughter of Francis and Lucy Skinner, of this county. Ten children have been born of this union, eight of whom are living, namely : Annie E., Felitita J., Francis H., Sylvanus W., Lucy M., Robert N., Thomas H., Julia W. F., Sallie L., Lola L. Mr. and Mrs. E. are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Edwards has a good farm of over 200 acres, situated in section 30, near Jonesburg.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
He was born in St. Louis, April 19, 1833, and is now, therefore, fifty- one years of age.
FRANCIS M. ELLIS
(Farmer and Breeder of Pecheron Horses and Essex Pigs, Post-office, New Florence Mo).
Mr. Ellis' father, Benj. Ellis, was one of the pioneer settlers of Montgomery county, or rather his parents were early settlers here, having come to this county from Tennessee as early as 1818. Benj. Ellis was married in this county on the 30th of May, 1829, to Miss Catharine McGarvin, formerly of Ohio. In 1858 they removed to Callaway county, where they made their permanent home. Mrs. Catharine Ellis died there July 20, 1881, and Benjamin, her husband, died August 24, 1881. They had a family of three children : Francis M., Sarah A. and Elizabeth C., all of whom are living. Francis M. Ellis, the subject of this sketch, was born on his father's homestead in Montgomery county, June 13, 1834. He was reared on the farm and on the 5th day of January, 1860, was married to Miss Ann Eliza Leach, daughter of Regin and Catharine Leach of this county. His wife died October 5, 1861, just 21 months from date of marriage. At that time the great Civil War was raging, which perhaps caused him to remain a widower until January 25, 1866, when he was married again to Miss Matilda E. Leach, youngest sister of his first wife. They have four children : Harmar, Jewett P., Rosa Lee and Benj. R. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. E. has been continuously engaged in farming since previous to first mar- riage ; he has a well improved prairie farm, in section 19, township 48, range 4 west, two miles due east of New Florence, where can be found some as fine colts and pigs as Montgomery county affords. In fact Mr. E. has done more towards the improvement of draft horses than any man in the county.
DAVID FLEET
(Farmer, Post-office, Montgomery City).
This old and respected citizen of Bear creek township, has been residing on the farm where he now lives for over 25 years. His tract of land contains 330 acres, 300 of which are fenced and in a good con- dition of improvement. He is a native of New York, born in Schuy- ler county, February 24, 1819. His father was Abraham Fleet, formerly of New Jersey, and his mother's maiden name Elizabeth Wood, her parents also being from New Jersey. Mr. Fleet was reared in New York, and in 1843 was married to Miss Rachel Boyce, of New York, but of an old New Jersey family, a daughter of Leonard Boyce. In 1856 he removed to Ohio and two years later came to Missouri, settling in Montgomery county, on the land where he now resides, which he bought unimproved at $6 an acre. He improved his farm himself and from that time to this has been one of the industrious, energetic
731
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
farmers of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Fleet have had five children : Samuel H., who died February 27, 1884, in the forty-first year of his age; Alice, the wife of C. C. McCarty ; Susie E., who died at an early age ; Addie, the wife of A. M. Kibler, and Amy.
JAMES M. FOREMAN, M. D.
(Physician and Surgeon; and of Foreman & Dyer, Druggists, Jonesburg).
Dr. Foreman graduated at the Jefferson Medical College, of Phila- delphia, in the class of 1851-52, and at once engaged in the practice of his profession in Jefferson county, Va., where he was born and had been reared. He had received an excellent general education, and afterwards took a thorough preparatory course of study under an able and successful physician of Jefferson county before entering the med- ical college. His first term of lectures was attended at the medical department of the University of Virginia. He went to Philadelphia, however, to take a second term at the well known Jefferson Medical College. Possessed of a marked natural aptitude for the medical profession, and having qualified himself so thoroughly for the intelli- gent discharge of his duties as a physician, his success in the practice was assured from the beginning. Believing that this section of North Missouri afforded better opportunities for the useful and successful expenditure of his energies and talents as a physician than could be had in Virginia, he came West in 1853 and located in Montgomery county, where he has ever since been busily engaged with the duties of his calling. For over 30 years he has visited the sick and admin- istered to the suffering in this vicinity of Montgomery county, and has become widely known as an able and successful physician, and has an established practice that could be separated from him only by his death or removal. Dr. Foreman is greatly esteemed in this commu- nity, and well he may be, for his life has been one of value to the people and without reproach. As has been intimated, he is a son of the Old Dominion by nativity, born in Jefferson county, April 13, 1829. He was one in a family of 14 children, five of whom are liv- ing. His father, Jacob Foreman, died in Hickory county, Mo., in 1876. His grandfather was a Revolutionary patriot, and was with Washington through the struggle for independence. After the war he settled in the Shenandoah valley, from whence the family scat- tered. J. M.'s mother, who was a Miss Eliza Locke, died in 1862. She was of one of the oldest and most noted families of Virginia. In youth, or when about 17 years of age, Dr. Foreman studied civil en- gineering, but from that afterwards turned his attention to the medi- cal profession. He was married in Lincoln county, Mo., in 1853, to Miss Rachel M. Dyer, a daughter of David Dyer, formerly of Vir- ginia. The Doctor has been a member of the American Medical As- sociation for many years, and is one of the five physicians who organized, and is now President of the Linton District Medical Asso- ciation, one of the most promising societies in the State ; the present membership being over 300. As a surgeon he ranks high. He is the
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
inventor of the "sand box" for the treatment of fracture of the lower extremities, and is the author of numerous monographic articles on medicine and surgery.
JOHN GARDNER
(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Stock-dealer, Post-office, Price's Branch) .
Throughout the eastern part of the county Mr. Gardner has long been known as one of the leading farmers and stockmen of his vicin- ity. He came to Montgomery county in 1857, where he bought land and improved a farm. A man of industry, energy and good business qualifications, he has accumulated a large property, principally in land and stock. Notwithstanding he has set off to his children some 600 acres of land, he still has over 1,400 acres in his own name, all fenced and in a good state of improvement. Besides raising grain and grass on an extensive scale, he also raises large numbers of stock, and has an excellent grade of short-horn cattle on his place. Mr. Gardner also buys and ships stock to the wholesale markets. He is a Kentuckian by nativity, born in Garrard county, December 19, 1829. Reared in his native county, he was brought up a farmer, and in 1851 was married to Miss Lucy A., a daughter of William and Barbara Pearl, formerly of Lincoln county, Ky., but later of this State and now deceased ; she was born November 2, 1834. Some six years after his marriage, Mr. Gardner continued to reside in Kentucky ; he then removed to Missouri and settled in Montgomery county. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have nine children : William I .. James H., Azariah W., Barbara E., Matilda L., Mary E., Virginia L. and Lucy S. Two others, John T. and Annie, are deceased. James, Barbara, Matilda and Mary are married and reside in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are members of the Christian Church. Wm. I. Gardner is also an extensive buyer and feeder and shipper of cattle. He owns 1,000 acres of land.
HENRY M. GODFREY
(Blacksmith, Jonesburg).
Mr. Godfrey was born in Montgomery county June 19, 1839, and is a son of George Godfrey, a native of England, who came to America in 1834, and after a residence of three years located at Jonesburg, where he established a blacksmith shop and also followed farming near by. Mr. Godfrey, Sr., is still living and is now in the eighty-sixth year of his age. His wife (now deceased ) was a Miss Mary Ostick, of England, and they were married on the other side of the Atlantic. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom are living, all grown to years of maturity and most of them the heads of families themselves. Henry M. was the seventh in their family, and was reared to the blacksmith's trade. After working under his father for some years, he then established a shop of his own, and a number of years ago engaged, also, in the manufacture of agricultural implements. He has had measurable success and his plow and other
733
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
implements have a good sale. January 29, 1863, Mr. Godfrey was married to Miss Rachel Thomas, a daughter of John Thomas, of this county. His first wife survived her marriage about 10 years and prior to her death had borne him four children, but one of whom is living, Lee. To his present wife Mr. Godfrey was married in 1875. She was a Miss Hattie McClure, a daughter of Philemon McClure, of this county. They have had four children, but only two are living : Emma M. and Edward E. Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of the M. E. Church South.
HUGH G. GOODRICH
(Of Logan & Goodrich, Proprietors of Jonesburg Flouring, Grist and Saw Mill).
Mr. Goodrich's father, Robert Goodrich, has been a resident of Montgomery county for 30 years, and is still living on his farm, 12 miles south-west of Jonesburg, one of the worthy and highly respected citizens of Danville township, where he has a good farm. He is a Virginian by nativity, and came to Missouri over half a century ago. He first located in Monroe county, where he resided for nearly 25 years. From there he came to Montgomery county in 1854, where he has made his home ever since. His wife's maiden name was Miss Margaret E. Hart, also originally of Virginia. They became the parents of 14 children, three of whom died in infancy and 11 are still living. Hugh G. Goodrich was the second in their family of children, and was born in Monroe county September 29, 1852. He was there- fore principally brought up in Montgomery county, and was reared on his father's farm. His primary education was received in the district schools, and subsequently he took a course at the State Normal School in Kirksville, and also a course at the State University. Mr. Good- rich followed the occupation of teaching with success for some eight years, and became widely and favorably known as a teacher in Mont- gomery and neighboring counties. Desiring, however, to engage in a more active life, in 1883 he became a partner with Mr. Logan in the milling business, in which he has since continued with satisfactory success. Their mill does a general custom business in flour and meal, and also has a good sawing patronage. October 8, 1882, Mr. Good- rich was married to Miss Lizzie Loens, daughter of Moritz and Bertha Loens. Mrs. Goodrich survived her marriage, however, less than two years, dying March 28, 1884. She left him one child, Loens. She was for 20 years a consistent and exemplary member of the Presby- terian Church, and died as she had lived - a true Christian.
HARRISON K. GORAM
(Farmer, Post-office, Jonesburg).
Mr. Goram is a native of the Old Dominion, a son of Harrison Goram, Sr., and wife, nee Mary Kelley, both of old Virginia fami- lies. They had but two children, of whom Harrison K. is the only one living. He was born in Fairfax county April 8, 1807, and was
734
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
reared in his native county. His father, who served in the War of 1812, was a wagon-maker by trade, and to this occupation Harrison K. was brought up. The father died, however, while in the army, during the War of 1812. Reared in his native county, he then came to Missouri and located, first, in St. Louis county. A year or two later he came up to St. Charles county, where he followed his trade, and in 1852 settled in Montgomery county, where he engaged in farming. Here he continued to follow the occupation of a farmer, and a few years ago retired from active work on the farm. He is now a resident of Jonesburg. Mr. Goram has been married twice. To his first wife, Miss Nancy Locke, he was married in Jefferson county, Va. She was a daughter of John Locke. She bore Mr. Goram seven children, only two of whom are living : Asbury W., the subject of the next sketch, and Harrison M. She died in 1858. Mr. Goram's second wife was a widow lady, Mrs. Evan Pitman, and to her he was married on the 19th of January, 1862. She died August 19, 1863. Mr. Goram is a man whose life has been one to which as little blame has attached as seldom falls to the lot of men in this world, and now in his old age he has the respect that is due such lives.
ASBURY W. GORAM, the eldest son living of Harrison K. Goram, was born and reared on his father's farm ; growing up on which he acquired the taste for farm life, and particularly for handling stock, which influenced him to adopt these pursuits as his permanent calling in life. He has, therefore, ever since been engaged in agricultural life, especially in the stock business. In 1858, however, he went to Colorado, where he was employed for a short time in mining ; but returning in a little while he resumed his favorite pursuit. In 1871, in addition to his stock business, he became a member of the mercan- tile firm of Beagle & Goram at Jonesburg ; but he is still handling stock, and has the name of being one of the best judges of stock in this part of the county. In 1865 Mr. Goram was married to Miss Elizabeth King, a daughter of Isaac King of this county. Mr. and Mrs. G. have been blessed with eight children, six of whom are living : Greene, Mattie N., Mamie, Georgia, Locke and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of the M. E. Church.
DANIEL R. HOWELL
(Merchant and Farmer, Price's Branch) .
Young and Christian Howell came to Missouri from Kentucky, in 1830, and settled in Lincoln county, where they made their perman- ent home and reared their family of 10 children. Daniel R., who was the eighth child ( seven older and two younger) in their family, was born on the farm in Lincoln county, December 2, 1848, and re- ceived an ordinary district school education as he grew up. At the age of 21 he engaged in mercantile business at New Florence, in this county, where he continued for about 10 years. He then located at Price's Branch, and has been at his present location ever since. For
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
a time he was a member of the firm of Howell & Purl which carries an excellent stock of general merchandise and does a good business. Early in 1882, however, he sold out his interest in the store and en- gaged in handling the stock. He is now postmaster at Price's Branch and is still carrying on the business of the store He also has 20 acres of good land near this place, which is improved and in cultivation. November 24, 1880, Mr. Howell was married to Miss Ada R., a daughter of John H. and Mary Purl, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. H. have two children : John A. and Henry M. He and wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church, and he is a superintendent of the Sun- day-school at this place. Mr. Howell is an active member of the A. F. and A. M.
JOHN JACKSON
(Retired Contractor and Builder, Jonesburg).
Mr. Jackson is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Fayette county, December 11, 1818. His parents were James and Mary ( Hurrystone ) Jackson, his father a native of Virginia, but his mother originally of Ireland. They had a family of seven chileren, two of whom are living. The father was a farmer by occupation, and both parents were members of the Presbyterian Church. John Jackson was the fourth child in their family, and when quite a young man learned the carpenter's trade. In 1851 he was married at Pittsburg, Pa., to Miss Elvira Chalfant, a daughter of David and Eliza Chalfant. Mr. Jackson continued to reside in Pennsylvania until 1852, when he came to St. Charles county, Mo. From there he subsequently removed to Warren county, and after a residence of several years in the latter county, he came to Montgomery county, where he has ever since re- sided. An experienced and skillful carpenter, he followed contract- ing and building in this county for many years, and during this time put up some of the best houses in this part of the county. On the 25th of February, 1882, Mr. Jackson lost his wife by death. They had been married for 36 years, and her death was the heaviest be- reavement that could have befallen her sorrowing husband in this life of partings and sore trials. She had borne him six children, five of whom are living : Lewis, William, George, Anna and Jennie. Mr. Jackson had previously been married, but his first wife, a Miss Mary Danks, lived only four years. He has one child by his former union, Mary E. ; another is deceased.
THOMAS B. JONES (Teacher, Jonesburg).
Mr. Jones, who was educated with a view of becoming a profes- sional educator, took a thorough course in the excellent schools of St. Louis, where he was reared, and immediately thereafter entered upon his career as a teacher. His parents, William B. and Elizabeth (Hodgins) Jones, were both of England by nativity, but each came
736
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
over to this country while yet young and unmarried. They met in New Jersey and were married in 1836. The father was a mechanic by occupation, and had come to America the year before his mar- riage. The family resided in New Jersey for 20 years, and Thomas B., the subject of this sketch, was born there, in Morris county, December 12, 1848. In 1856 the family removed to St. Louis. After a residence of seven years in that city they went to Cleveland, Ohio, but nine years afterwards they returned to Missouri and lo- cated in Montgomery county. However, the parents and younger children went back to St. Louis in 1875. The father died there the year following. There were six children, but two of them are de- ceased. The father was a member of the Episcopal Church, as was also the mother. Thomas B. Jones has been a resident of Mont- gomery county for over 10 years. He has been continuously en- gaged in teaching, and has an enviable reputation in his chosen profession, looking more to substantial results in the way of impart- ing knowledge than to theories and fine-spun methods.
JOSEPH S. JONES, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Jonesburg).
Dr. Jones was a son of the man who was the founder of Jonesburg. He came here in 1829 and located on the site of this place. In North Carolina Mr. Jones, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, and he was en- gaged in that pursuit for some time after his removal to Missouri. However, here he became interested in business and after building up the North Missouri Railroad became ticket agent at this place. Dr. Jones' mother was a Miss Julia A. Cant before her marriage, formerly of Kentucky. The Doctor's parents had a family of eight children, all of whom are living. The father died November 2, 1882, but the mother still survives. Dr. Jones was born at Jonesburg, March 29, 1856. His education was concluded at the Central College, in Fay- ette, Howard county, where he took a course of three years. He then learned pharmacy by practical experience in a drug store and study, devoting about a year to that branch of medical science. In 1877 he began the regular study of medicine under Dr. H. W. Pittman, and after instruction under him matriculated at the St. Louis Medical Col- lege, which he attended two terms, graduating in the class of '80. Dr. Jones thereupon returned to Jonesburg and entered upon the practice of his profession. He has built up a good practice and is regarded as a skillful and successful physician, having every promise of an honorable and useful future in his profession, and in all the affairs of life with which he becomes identified.
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