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 85

Author: National Historical Company (St. Louis, Mo.)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1166

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 85
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 85
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 85

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

804

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Lee, Florence M., Emma D., Alice, Dora T., George W. B. and Mag- gie. Mr. Powell's three brothers were : John W., who was killed, to- gether with Capt. D. Bryan and John M. Bryan near Lamar, in Barton county, by the militia, or " Kansas Jayhawkers," whilst en route to join the Confederate army, and who left a family which now resides in Montgomery county ; James W., who died in Iowa in 1879, leav- ing a family, now residing in Iowa; and William L., who died in Audrain county, also leaving a family of which only one child is liv- ing, a daughter, who is married to Rev. J. D. Robinet, a Baptist min- ister of the Gospel, who is now living at Brownwood, Tex. All of the children of Thomas J. Powell are now living in Montgomery county, except Mrs. Davault, who is in Leesburg, Tenn., her husband being a practicing physician at that place.

HARVEY E. SCANLAND

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Mineola).

Mr. Scanland, the founder of Mineola, and one of the leading agriculturists of the county, and useful, public-spirited citizens, started out for himself a young man practically without a dollar ; but, by industry and economy, directed by good management and sustained by unremitting perseverance, he has come, in a comparatively short time, to occupy the enviable position in affairs he now holds. He has- a fine stock farm where he resides of over 400 acres, improved with exceptional excellence and good taste. He also has another handsome stock farm of 340 acres, which includes the site of the thriving little watering place village of Mineola, meaning in the Indian tongue, from which it was adopted, " healing waters." The waters of the springs at Mineola have a wide reputation for their healing proper- ties, and Mr. Scanland, with characteristic enterprise and public spirit, and with liberality and generosity, has fitted them up for public use free of charge. The waters of these springs are free to all, and are being hauled and shipped to all parts of the county and are proving many wonderful cures. Mr. Scanland, in order to get good business men to locate and build up the town of Mineola, has donated lots free, and by so doing has located mostly good citizens in the place. Mr. Scanland comes of an old Virginia family, and is a son of Charles and Margaret (Kerr) Scanland, of Augusta county, Va. They came to this State, however, away back in 1818, and settled in Ralls county. Mr. S. was born in Ralls county, October 26, 1832. When he was a lad four years of age his parents removed to Pike county, where they resided until their deaths. His father, who had been a soldier in the War of 1812, was a farmer by occupation and later along established the Walnutdale nursery in Pike county. He died there February 16, 1861. The mother died March 26, 1872. There were' 13 children, of whom four sons and four daughters lived to mature years, and themselves became the heads of families. Their names were John F., Sarah H., Alexander K., Nancy J., Elsina M., Harvey E., Charles B. and Augusta S. Harvey E. was the ninth in the family, and grew

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

to manhood and lived with his father till 25 years old. His younger brother, Charles B., being in poor health, he stayed on the farm in Pike county. On the 24th of February, 1859, he was married to Miss Sue E. Llewellyn, a daughter of Judge John W. and Jane (Trabue ) Llewellyn, of Clarke county, Mo. Mrs. S. was educated at the Christian University in Canton, Mo. Soon after his marriage Mr. Scanland moved to Audrain county. Seven years later he came to Montgomery county, in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Scanland have five children, namely : Cora B., Edgar B., Minnie M., Nellie and Gracie. Edgar is a merchant at Mineola. Mr. S. and oldest daughter, Cora, are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. S. is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. S. has been an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for more than 20 years. He is unusually temperate ; has never danced, played cards or sworn an oath, and neither smokes, chews, nor uses intoxicating liquors of any kind. He is very fond of good coffee, and good things in general: Mr. S., having an eye to the welfare of posterity, is a member of the A. O. U. W. ; believes in supporting the church ministry, and help- ing the poor, and letting the rich take care of themselves.

EDGAR B. SCANLAND

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Mineola).

Mr. Scanland, an enterprising young business man of Mineola, is a native of Audrain county and a son of Harvey E. Scanland, a leading farmer of this vicinity and the proprietor of the Mineola Springs. Mr. Scanland, Jr., was born September 18, 1862, and was reared on his father's farm. In youth very obedient to his parents, he was also affectionate to his sisters, ever being ready to divide with them the last cent he had. He received a good common school education in the Prairie Fork district school, and among his fellow-schoolmates he was an universal favorite. Upon leaving this institution of learning he engaged in farming with his father on the family homestead in this county, known as Valley Farm, where he continued to farm and handle stock with untiring zeal until embarking in his present line of business at Mineola. Though starting in business life when quite young, he always preferred to push his business rather than let his business push him. When Edgar arrived at manhood his father, thinking him not physically able to continue the pursuits of the farm, started him in the mercantile business at Mineola, as above stated, in the winter of 1883. He is now located at the corner of Main and Maple streets in a commodious building, a story and a half high, erected at a cost of $600. He has a good trade, which is steadily on the increase, and is likely to continue, as his manner of doing business gives general satisfaction. He is perfectly temperate, keeps no boisterous company, and has a good word for all. Both parents are members of the church. His father and sister Cora are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His mother is a member of the Baptist Church. His father is a member of the A. O. U. W.

806

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

JACOB SEE

(Retired Farmer and Stock-Raiser, New Florence).

For nearly half a century this old and favorably known citizen has been identified with the history and agricultural affairs of Montgomery county, and with its growth, development, and prosperity. His life has been one of industry and energy, and one, withal, rewarded with abundant success. This position he has occupied not through any effort of his own to make himself conspicuous, but by his generally recognized personal worth, and by his plain, unassuming way, in the private affairs of life. He is a Virginian by nativity, and comes of an old and highly respected family in that State, the founder of the family in this country having settled there prior to the Revolution. Jacob See was a son of Michael See, who was the youngest of three brothers in the family of 10 children of George See, of Hardy county, Va. (now a part of West Virginia ), the other two brothers having been Adam and George, all of whom lived to reach years of maturity and married. The families of the seven sisters made their homes in Kentucky. The eldest brother, Adam, became a leading lawyer of Northern Virginia. Michael See, the father of Jacob See, was born and reared in Hardy county, W. Va., and was married to Miss Kittie Baker of that county. Subsequently, he removed to Randolph county, W. Va., where he made his permanent home. He enlisted from that county, and was first lieutenant in the War of 1812, of Capt. Wamsley's company, which was stationed at Norfolk during the war. He reared a family of eight children, namely : Mary, Adam, Elizabeth (Hart), Barbara (McClary), Anthony, Jacob, John and Noah. Jacob See, the sixth of these, was born in Randolph county, W. Va., September 1, 1810, and was reared on his father's farm in that county. His opportunities for education were very lim- ited, but he succeeded in obtaining a sufficient knowledge of books for all ordinary, practical affairs. In the spring of 1833, he was married in Randolph county, W. Va., to Miss Rachel Morrison, a daughter of Samuel Morrison of that county ; and four year later, he removed to Missouri, bringing his family, settling on land adjoining the town of Danville, where he engaged in farming, and also kept a tavern. He continued there with success for some 13 years. After the outbreak of the California gold excitement he fitted out a train for the gold regions, the men agreeing to work for him in the mines on shares. Out of this, however, he made little or nothing, but by his own industry and management he had fair success. After his return in 1852 he gave his tavern or hotel property to his son-in-law, Daniel Nunnelly, and bought a farm about a mile west of New Florence, on which he settled and where he engaged on a more extensive scale in farming and stock-raising. He continued on his place near New Florence until a few years ago, and there gave his attention largely to stock-raising, and it was on that place that he

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

raised the famous steer " Stonewall Jackson," known as the largest ox in the world, and exhibited at a number of the leading cities of the Union. This steer weighed over 4,000 pounds, and, although a monster in size, was a handsomely formed animal. Mr. See became a large land-holder, and although he has given each of his numerous family of children a comfortable property, he still has an ample com- petency. Less than a year ago, September 26, 1883, he had the mis- fortune to lose his good wife, - she, who for over 50 years had shared with him his labors and trials, his sorrows and joys, his hopes and dis- appointments. She had just passed her seventy-first year. Five of his family of children are living: Michael, Cecelia, the wife of Nathaniel Patton ; Charles, Samuel, Randolph and Thomas. The others, ex- cept Kittie, who died whilst the wife of Daniel Nunnelly a few years ago, died at tender ages. Three of his sons are comfortably settled on farms near New Florence, and the other is engaged in merchandis- ing at Montgomery City. In 1864 Mr. See was successfully prevailed with to become a candidate for the State Legislature, and was elected. He served during two sessions. Though now passed his seventy- fourth year, he still has remarkably good health, considering his age, and, notwithstanding his life has been one of hard work, he is quite active for a man of his years.

NOAH SEE

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Real Estate Owner, Post-office, Montgomery City).

The name that heads this sketch is one as familiar to the people of Montgomery county as a household word. The wealthiest man in the county and one of the largest land-owners in North Missouri, these facts, and that he has made substantially every dollar he is worth, serve not so much to make him a prominent character in the history of the county as the further fact that wherever he is known his name stands a synonym for integrity, personal worth, and for abundant successes in agricultural affairs by honest toil and regular, steady, irreproachable methods. Mr. See has made what he possesses by the plain, honest methods of industry, economy, good management and fair dealings. He came to Montgomery county nearly half a century ago with only a small amount of means; and the years since have been spent by him in labor both as energetic and untiring as have characterized the career of any man in this part of the country. Mr. See is a brother to Jacob See, whose sketch precedes this, and a worthy prominent member of the old and respected Virginia family whose name he bears. He was born in Randolph county, now of West Virginia, September 19, 1815. Like his brother his advantages to secure an education were extremely limited. But he more than made up for this by his own personal application to study in private and without an instructor. Indeed, later along he became well ad- vanced in mathematics, and thoroughly proficient in the science of surveying, and became a surveyor after coming to Missouri. While a resident of West Virginia, he was married to Miss Margaret W.

808

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

See, a daughter of Adam See, his first cousin, January 8, 1838, and of Randolph county, that State. Brought up a farmer, he followed that occupation in West Virginia, and in April, 1838, removed with his family to Missouri. He had also learned the carpenter's trade and he followed this at Danville for some time after coming to this State. Mr. See's wife becoming dissatisfied with her surroundings in this new country, returned to her father's family in West Virginia. Mr. See having identified all his property interests with the country, found it impossible to return with her and hence a legal separation took place between himself and wife. Steady and substantial progress pros- pered him in the accumulation of property here. He engaged in farming and in raising and handling stock on a somewhat extensive scale, and with good success. In a word, he became one of the wealthy men of this part of the State, and at one time owned over 8,000 acres of fine land, and he still owns some 7,900 acres in Montgomery and other coun- ties, besides large tracts he has given to his children. Most of his lands are in the shape of improved farms, and are occupied by tenants. His homestead contains 920 acres, and is one of the leading stock farms of the county. . It is excellently improved, including a hand- some two-story residence that he has just completed. Mr. See has given but little attention to public affairs, though in politics he is a life-long, consistent Democrat. Many years ago he was appointed deputy surveyor of the county, and was afterwards twice elected to that office, serving for eight years, but refused a further service. It is a fact in the history of the county, greatly to his credit, that no survey he ever made has been successfully questioned, although they have come up for controversy in the courts several times. In 1853, some 15 years after his settlement in Montgomery county, and after living a lonesome life for 12 years, Mr. See was married to Miss Mary A. Sailor (October 18, 1853), of this county. This has proved a long and happy union, and has been blessed with a numerous and worthy family of children. Eight of their nine children are living, namely : Anna M., now the wife of Roger W. Weeks ; Millard F., Virginia Missouri, the wife of Samuel T. Weeks; Robert E. Lee (named for the great general) ; Thomas J. Jackson (named for Gen. " Stonewall " Jackson) ; George W. Sylvester Clay, and Edward Everett. The three older of the children who are married are com- fortably settled in life. The others are still at home. Mrs. See is a worthy member of the Christian Church. She was a daughter of James and Sibbe (Cobb ) Sailor, of Montgomery county, but originally of Kentucky, and was the third in their family of 11 children, nine of whom are living : Nancy M., the wife of Richard Keel ; Mary A. (Mrs. See) ; Sylvester J., Cyrenus C., Margaret M., the wife of An- drew Lorton ; Lucy V., James M., John T. Salanthiel E., George W. and Virginia R., the wife of Arthur Scott. Mrs. See's grand- parents on her father's side were Emanuel Sailor and wife, who, before her marriage, was a Miss Anna Hollett, of New York City, but after- wards of Kentucky, where she was married. The grandparents reared three children : James (Mrs. See's father), John H. and Thomas.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Mrs. See's daughter, Mrs. Roger W. Weeks, is somewhat noted in the community for her fondness for and success in floriculture. She has over 1,000 varieties of flowers, and a summer-house which con- tains over 460 varieties.

DANIEL P. TAYLOR

(Farmer and Fruit-grower, Post-office, New Florence).

Mr. Taylor is a native of New York, born in Franklin county, August 6, 1828. The family, however, came originally from Rutland county, Vt. His grandfather, Samuel Taylor, was a farmer of that county, and also subsequently engaged in the manufacture of agri- cultural implements. This industry was subsequently continued by the four sons, namely : Samuel, Elias, John and Zadock. John Taylor finally bought out his brothers and ran the manufacturing business for a number of years. He was married in 1826 to Miss Philenda Trumbull, a daughter of Horace Trumbull, of Rupert, Rutland county, Vt. In 1827 he removed to Rutland county, N. Y., and located at Malone, where he carried on the same business. Four years later he returned to Vermont and settled at Middletown Springs. He reared a family of five children, of whom Daniel P., the subject of this sketch, was the eldest. He was twice married, Daniel P. being born of his first marriage. His second wife was a Miss Mary Good- rich, of Washington county, N. Y., and the three younger children, namely, Charles, Philenda and Jane, were by this union. The father died in 1877 and his second wife in 1882. Daniel P. was reared in Vermont and in 1852 went to California, where he engaged in mining and afterwards clerked in a store. Two years later he returned to Vermont about $3,000 better off than when he went. He soon came West again and visited different States, following from time to time various lines of business. In 1866 he was married in Lake county, Ill., to Miss Charlotte, a daughter of Stephen Darrell. He was en- gaged in hotel keeping at Waukegan, in that county, for about three years. He then came to New Florence, Mo., and engaged in the hardware business. In 1870 he went to Oregon, but returned to New Florence the same year and settled on the farm where he now resides. His place is largely devoted to fruit raising. "He has over 2,000 trees and runs two evaporators in connection with his fruit. Last year he realized nearly $2,000 from his orchard. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have five children : John P., Mary, Fannie, Charles and Dora.

FREDERICK UTZ

(Farmer, Post-office, New Florence).

Mr. Utz is a native of Switzerland, born in 1846. He was one of a family of eight children, and was reared in the old country. In 1866 he was married in Switzerland to Miss Magdalina Beuther, and con- tinued to reside there afterwards until 1871, when he emigrated to America, locating in Montgomery county. In 1874 he bought a

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

small place of 40 acres and by industry, economy and good manage- ment has added to this from time to time, until he now has a hand- some place of nearly a quarter of a section of land. Mr. Utz is an energetic, intelligent, thrifty farmer, and is rapidly coming to the front as one of the substantial farmers of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Utz have six children : Frank, Caroline, Ida, Annie, Mary and Charlie. Mr. Utz's parents, John A. and Ferana ( Martin) Utz, were both of old families in Switzerland. The father died there in 1884.

JAMES C. WHITESIDE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Danville).

A substantial and enterprising young agriculturist of Montgomery county is Mr. Whiteside, a young man of high character and marked natural intelligence, and one who has been favored with the advan- tages of thorough college training and valuable experience in business affairs. He has followed agriculture since leaving college, in 1879, with a degree of energy and enterprise that could hardly have failed of favorable results. Mr. Whiteside has what is justly considered one of the most valuable farms in the community, of 900 acres. He is also introducing good grades of stock, to the breeding and raising of which he expects to give his attention. Mr. Whiteside was born and reared in this county and was a son of John C. Whiteside, well known to all old citizens of the county, but who has long since been deceased. Mr. Whiteside's mother, before her marriage, was a Miss Polly Wade, and he is the only child by this marriage. His father had previously been married, but had lost his first wife, who was a Miss Caroline M. Stewart, of this county. She died soon after her marriage, and her only child lived but a short time. Mr. Whiteside's mother, some years after his father's death, was married to Mr. William Quick, of this county. He afterwards died, but his widow, Mr. White- side's mother is still living, and now finds a welcome and pleasant home with her son, the subject of this sketch. James C. Whiteside was born in Montgomery county September 11, 1857, and was reared here on a farm, his time being employed to good advantage in assisting on the farm and attending the neighborhood schools. Later along, after a course at preparatory school, he matriculated at McGee College, in Macon county, for the completion of his education. He took an elec- tive course at McGee and remained there for three years. A short time after leaving school he entered actively into farming and stock- raising. However, for about six months he was traveling as a busi- ness representative of Lacy & Brown, tobacconists, at Montgomery City. On the third of April, 1883, Mr. Whiteside was married to Miss Minnie C. White, a daughter of ex-Sheriff Arch. H. White, of this county. Mrs. Whiteside was educated at the High School in Danville, taking an advanced general course and also a course of music. Afterwards she taught school for some three years. She is a sister to Mrs. Gupton, the wife of William L. Gupton, county clerk of this county. Miss Ida White, another sister, is engaged in teach-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ing, and is a young lady of finished education. She took a musical course of six years, and is a pianist of high order of talent and pro- ficiency. Misses Sallie and Rose White, the two younger sisters, are now completing their educations at Danville. Mrs. Whiteside is an earnest member of the M. E. Church South. She is a lady whom it is a pleasure to meet, not less on account of her engaging manners and conversation, than of the many excellent, true womanly qualities of her heart. Mr. and Mrs. W. have one son, Clark Herndon. Mr. Whiteside is a prominent member of the Masonic order. He is also a member of the Baptist Church.

ALIA S. WHITESIDE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Danville).

Mr. Whiteside is a cousin to James C. Whiteside, whose sketch precedes this, and in which an outline of the family history has been given. Alia S. was born in this county June 13, 1837. His father, Maj. H. Whiteside, being a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation, Alia S. was therefore brought up to these occupations. In early youth he attended the common schools of the vicinity where he was reared, and also later along studied at home under private instruction. Thus receiving a good general education, he supplemented it with a course at commercial college, graduating at Jones' Business College, of St. Louis, in 1858. From commercial college he returned home, and was shortly employed as book-keeper for Craig & Bros., High Hill. He remained with that firm for several months, and in 1861 was married in Lincoln county to Miss Mary D. Carter. Shortly afterwards he enlisted in the Missouri State militia and served until the fall of 1861, when he was elected justice of the peace, and there- fore honorably discharged from militia service to enter upon the duties of his office. For the last 20 years or more Mr. Whiteside has been actively engaged in farming, and to some extent in raising stock. For the last 10 years he has served as deputy assessor of the county, and has made a popular and thoroughly efficient officer. Mr. and Mrs. W. have eight children.

BENJAMIN E. WILSON

(Dealer in Hardware, Tinware, Stoves, Agricultural Implements, Etc., Etc., New Florence, Montgomery county, Mo.).

Mr. Wilson engaged in his present line of business at New Florence . some 15 years ago, and has been in the same business at this place continuously ever since, having previously had practical experience in business life and also a course at commercial college, his qualifications were such as to bespeak for him a successful future. By close atten- tion to business, fair dealing and good management, he has made his house one of the representative establishments of this line in the county, and has long bad a large trade. Mr. Wilson, the subject of the present sketch, was trained in the school of hard experience in

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

establishing himself in life. He had practically nothing to begin on, but went to work with energy and resolution to accomplish something for himself. Reared in St. Louis, after having been employed in mercantile business there for a time, he located on a farm in St. Charles county, where he remained up to 1869. By this time he had accumulated some means, and preferring a business life to farming, he came to New Florence, and established his present hardware house, believing this point to be an excellent location for this line of business. At first he and his brother, Jno. M., were together as partners, but the latter withdrew from the firm, January 1, 1881. Mr. W.'s success has been all that he expected. He carries a good stock and keeps a gen- eral assortment of the different classes of goods in his respective lines. He also has a tinshop in connection with his business and a commo- dious warehouse for agricultural implements, in connection with his store. Mr. Wilson is a man of family. He was married in 1866 to Miss Elizabeth M. McClure, a daughter of A. McClure, of St. Charles county. Mr. and Mrs. W. have six children : Nellie M., Lillie M., Charles M., Edward A., Bertha L. and Lula. Mr. Wilson was born in St. Louis county, August 9, 1841, and was a son of Benjamin C. Wilson and Priscilla J. ( Hall ) Wilson, of that county, his father form- erly of Ohio, but his mother originally from Virginia. His father was a son of John Wilson, one of the pioneer settlers of St. Louis county, the owner of Wilson's Island, a few miles above St. Louis, and for whom the island was named. Mr. Wilson's mother was a daughter of Benjamin Hall, a well known citizen of St. Louis county, and a grand-niece on her mother's side of Judge Stewart. Mr. Wil- son's father, Benjamin C. Wilson, was a successful farmer of St. Louis county until 1854, when he started to California with a drove of stock. But selling the stock on the way, at Salt Lake City, he started to return home, and was murdered for his money a short time afterwards in the vicinity of Fort Laramie. He was twice married, and Ben. E. was the eldest of three children by his first wife. Ben. E. was only 13 years of age at the time of his father's death. The other children were John M. and Sallie P. Wilson.

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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 85

Author: National Historical Company (St. Louis, Mo.) Publication date: 1885 Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company Number of Pages: 1166

Author: National Historical Company (St. Louis, Mo.)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1166