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 98

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 98
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 98
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 98

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).

CALEB J. COX

(Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

It was in 1854 that Mr. Cox removed from Warren county, Ky., where he was born and reared and was married, and located in Frank- lin county, Mo. But the following year he came to Montgomery county and bought the land, or a part of it, where he now resides, 53

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

and improved a farm. He now has 280 acres, all in a good state of improvement and cultivation, except a 40-acre tract of timber. Mr. Cox has a good two-story brick dwelling house on his place and other good improvements. He was a son of George Cox, of Warren county, Ky., and Eliza Stump, both reared and married in that county. He was born February 8, 1830, and after he grew up was married March 10, 1853, to Miss Katie, a daughter of John Stagner. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have four children : Finis, who is married and farming in partnership with his father; Margaret A., a young lady still at home; John, now in Colorado; and Sterling, who is also married and farming with his father. Mrs. Cox is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. C. is a member of the Chapter and Blue Lodge in the Masonic order. Mr. Cox is a thoroughgoing farmer, and one of the worthy and well respected citizens of Upper Loutre township.

JUDGE MILTON COX

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

Mr. Cox's family, of English descent, were early colonists in the Old Dominion, and afterwards early settlers in both Kentucky and Missouri. His grandfather, John Cox, settled in Scott county of the Blue Grass State, from Virginia, in about 1803. His father, James Cox, was then a lad some 12 years of age, and there grew up and was married to Miss Sarah Moore, also from Virginia and of English ancestry. After his marriage James Cox removed to Missouri with his family, and located in Pike county in about 1819. The following year he crossed over into Ralls county, where he entered land and improved a farm. He died there, one of the pioneer citizens of the county, widely known and highly respected, in 1879. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and at Winchester's defeat was taken prisoner, but was shortly exchanged. For many years he was an earnest and active member of the Baptist Church, and was deacon of his congregation. He and his good wife had a family of 12 children, six sons and as many daughters, all of whom lived to mature years. Milton, the fourth son, and the subject of this sketch, was born in Ralls county March 9, 1830. He was reared to a farm life. He had some school advantages, but mainly educated himself at home. He · subsequently became a teacher himself, and taught for several years with increasing success and reputation, becoming, in fact, one of the most popular teachers of Ralls and other counties. November 25, 1856, he was married to Mrs. Mickey C. Fike, relict of Robert Fike and daughter of John Helm, formerly of Kentucky. About the time of his marriage, Mr. Cox, having previously bought land in Montgomery county, settled in this county and began the improvement of a farm, which he has actively continued. The place on which he now resides he removed to in 1869. Here he has nearly 500 acres of fine land. In about 1863 he was appointed a justice of the peace by the county court, and served for several years. He was then elected public administrator, and filled that office with satisfaction to

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the public for four years. In 1874 he was elected county judge, and occupied the bench for one term. He and his excellent wife have reared six children : James A., Larue, William H., John M., Walter C. and Samuel S. They have lost two: Sarah E., who died at the age of 17, 1878, and Mary F., who died in infancy. Judge Cox and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a mem- ber of the Masonic order at Wellsville.

GEORGE W. CROUCH

(Dealer in Drugs, Medicines, Paints, Oils, Stationery, Etc., Wellsville).

George W. Crouch, who has one of the leading drug stores of Wellsville, has been engaged in business here in his present line for the last 12 years, and has had a gratifyingly successful business ex- perience. He owns his own business house, a first-class three-story brick building, 60x22 feet in dimensions, and occupies the first floor as a store room, where he has an unusually fine display of everything in the drug line. He is a man of excellent business qualifications, a thorough druggist, justly popular with all who know him, and is fairly entitled to the success he has achieved. January 3, 1883, Mr. Crouch was married to Miss Fannie B., a daughter of Jesse E. King, a highly respected citizen of Callaway county. Mrs. Crouch is a lady of rare grace and superior accomplishments, and is a grad- uate of Camden Point Female College. Mr. Crouch was born in Osage county, February 9, 1845, and was a son of W. H. and Eliza- beth (Williams) Crouch, his father formerly of Virginia, but his mother originally from Virginia. She died, however, when George W. was yet in infancy, and he was taken by an aunt in Montgomery county to rear. He grew up in this county on his uncle's farm and received a good common-school education, supplemented with a course at the Montgomery City High School. He then followed farming for about five years, and in 1872 came to Wellsville and became a partner with W. H. Graham in the drug business. About 18 months after- wards he bought out Graham and has ever since been in the business alone, with the result mentioned above. Mr. C. is a member of the Masonic order.

A. J. DAY

(General Merchant, Druggist and Dealer in Hay, Wellsville).

Mr. Day has been identified with the business interests of Wells- ville for nearly 20 years almost continuously. A man of good busi- ness qualifications, and energetic and enterprising, his close attention to business and good management have not been without substantial results. Mr. Day has valuable business interests at Wellsville, in Farber, of Audrian county, and at Auxvasse, in Callaway county. He has long been recognized as one of the thorough-going, progressive business men of this place, and has done much for the growth and prosperity of Wellsville. The Day family, of which Mr. Day is a representative, was one of the Colonial families of Massachusetts.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

His father, Alanson Day, was a native of that State, but when still young removed to Pennsylvania, where he was afterwards married to Miss Patience Bolton, formerly of Maine. Of this union, A. J. Day, the subject of the present sketch, was born, at Herrick, in Susque- hanna county, of the Keystone State, July 20, 1836. He was reared in his native county to the age of 16, when, in 1852, the family re- moved to St. Croix county, Wis., where he grew to manhood. He was brought up to a farm life and received a good common school education. When a young man, 23 years of age, in 1859, Mr. Day came to Missouri and located at La Plata, in Macon county, where he engaged in merchandising. He continued in business at La Plata until after the war was well under headway. Meanwhile, however, he himself had enlisted in the Union service, but did not enter into active service until 1862. He was a member of Co. I, Seventh Missouri cavalry, under Col. Huston, and he served until honorably discharged in the fall of 1864. He was in that severest of the minor battles of the war, Lone Jack, where the Union forces were commanded by Maj. Foster, who, himself, with two of his brothers and a large percentage of his men, were riddled with bullets while gallantly upholding the standard of the Union in the face of an enemy of superior numbers and under the disadvantage, also, of a surprise. It was there that Cockerill's men met Foster's men. Prisoners were taken on both sides, and among the rest the subject of this sketch was captured. He was soon afterwards exchanged, however, and accordingly resumed his place in the ranks of his comrades. After his discharge Mr. Day engaged in the dry goods business at Cameron, in partnership with his brother, C. H. W. E. B. Day, who is now deceased. The follow- ing year they came to Wellsville, in the spring of 1865, where they resumed business in the dry goods line, which was continued until after the brother's, C. H. W. E. B.'s, death, in the fall of 1866. The following winter Mr. Day sold out, and the next fall he and John Reed engaged in general merchandising at Wellsville, which they carried on for about three years. He then continued the business alone for about a year, and in 1871 he and Mr. Gilliland established a store at Farber, under the name of Day & Gilliland, which they still conduct. In 1878 Mr. Day also established a drug store at Wells- ville, which he carried on for about five years. Some two years ago he established a drug store at Auxvasse, in Callaway county, which is doing a prosperous business. Neither at Farber nor at Auxvasse, how- ever, does he take any part in the management of the business. The firm of Day & Gilliland also does a large hay-pressing and shipping business at Wellsville and at Farber. Mr. Day has been successfully engaged in this line of business for the last 10 years. On the 20th of September, 1866, Mr. Day was married to Miss Missouri, a daughter of Samuel Gilliland, a prominent farmer of the vicinity of Wellsville. They have one child, a daughter, and now a young lady, Miss Mamie. Mr. Day is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge and Chapter at Wellsville. His father, now retired from active business pursuits, makes his home with the subject of this sketch at Wellsville.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

He was engaged in the hotel business at this place some eight or ten years before his retirement.

JOHN J. DOUGLASS

(Carpenter, Contractor and Builder and Architect, Wellsville).

Mr. Douglass was brought up to the business in which he is now engaged, and of which he has become a thorough master and achieved marked, unqualified success. He has been a resident of Montgomery county since 1868, coming here when a young man 20 years of age, and he has resided at Wellsville for the last nine years. For some years past he has held the position of the leading builder and archi- tect of the north-western part of the county, and has built more than half the houses now standing in Wellsville, and of the six church buildings in the place, four have been put up by him. He also built

the public school building, and other as creditable works. Mr. Doug- lass is a Kentuckian to this State, born near Downingsville August 19, 1848. He was reared there, and up to the age of 14 spent his time principally at school. Even before that he had begun to work at the carpenter's trade under his father, and since that time he has worked at it continuously for a period now of 36 years. He came to Mont- gomery county in 1868, and resided in Montgomery City until 1875, but seeing that Wellsville was destined to be the town between Mexico and St. Charles, he came to this place to profit by the growth of the town and grow up in business with the improvement of the place. December 4, 1868, Mr. Douglass was married to Miss Mary J., a daughter of Willford Hayden, recently of this county, but now of Callaway and originally of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. D. have six children : Robert O., Stella L., Edgar, Lucy J., James W. and Dollie. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.

JAMES ENSLEN

(Banker and Capitalist, Wellsville).

Mr. Enslen is by nativity from the old Keystone State, though he was reared in Audrain county, Mo. He is a son of Conrad Enslen, one of the old, substantial and highly respected farmers of that county. Mr. Enslen's mother was a Miss Mary Sox before her mar- riage, also of Pennsylvania. James Enslen was born in Wayne county, of that State, June 21, 1833, but whilst he was yet in his early boyhood his parents removed to Missouri, and in 1837 settled in Audrain county. Three years afterwards his father bought land there and improved a farm, where Mr. Enslen, Sr., still resides. He is now an old gentleman past 82 years of age, but is still well pre- served mentally and physically, and is exceedingly bright in conversa- tion, and quick and active, considering his years. He has been very successful in life, and is one of the well-to-do, responsible property- holders of the county. He lost his wife in 1870. James Enslen, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm in Audrain county, and had only limited educational opportunities. About the time of attaining

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

his majority he went to California in company with his brothers, William, James and Simon, and two other young men, his cousins. They took a drove of about 100 head of cattle, and also a number of horses and mules, and were on the road over 150 days. They located in Stan- islaus county, and soon afterwards James Enslen engaged in mining. In about five months he went to Tuolumne county, where he was en- gaged in the dairy business and in mining in partnership with his brother, Simon Enslen, for nearly three years. In the spring of 1857 Mr. Enslen, in partnership with his brothers, entered largely into the stock business, buying nearly a thousand head of cattle and opening a ranch on Tuolumne river. They also carried on the butchering busi- ness extensively in connection with their stock interests, supplying large quantities of meat at good profits to the mines. After a suc- cessful experience of nine years in the cattle business Mr. Enslen then turned his attention to sheep-raising, and began the latter busi- ness in 1866 with a flock of nearly 20,000 head. This was continued with uninterrupted success for over 15 years, or until 1882, when Mr. Enslen's brother and partner, Simon Enslen, having died a couple of years before, he sold out in California and returned to make his permanent home in Missouri. He is largely interested in real estate, and he and the estate of his deceased brother own about 23,000 acres of fine land, nearly all farming land of the best quality. He is also interested in banking, and is a leading stockholder in the bank at Modesto, the county seat of Stanislaus county, Cal., a bank with a capital of $250,000. The earnings of the bank last year showed a net dividend of 25 per cent on the capital. Mr. Enslen is also engaged in loan- ing money in large amounts from his own private means. While in California he made three visits home to Missouri, one in 1868, another in 1870 and a third in 1881. While at home on the first visit he was married to Miss Belle Payne, a daughter of Joseph Payne, of Audrain county. She was an invalid, however, most of the time after her marriage, and he came back in 1870 on account of the precarious condition of her health. She died at her father's house soon after their return. In 1881 he was married in that county to Miss Sudie M. Cornett, a daughter . of William Cornett, an early settler of Au- drain county, from Kentucky. Mrs. E. was educated at Hardin Co - lege and at St. Charles. Mr. Enslen located at Wellsville in 1883. Since then he has built a handsome dwelling at this place, probably the finest in the county, a commodious two-story house, built in the latest style of residence architecture. Mrs. Enslen is a member of the Baptist Church.

JOHN FIELDS

(Farmer, Section 12, Township 50, Range 6, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Fields is a man who is entitled to more than ordinary credit for the position he occupies, both as a farmer and citizen, for the rea- son that he has come up solely by his own exertions, good manage- ment and personal worth; and as every one knows who knows him

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

at all, he is one of the valued citizens and thorough-going farmers of this township. He was born and reared in Montgomery county, and has made this county his home from boyhood. He is a son of Joel D. Fields, who early came here from Kentucky, and soon afterwards married Miss Matilda Johnson, also formerly of Kentucky. There- were by this union two sons and two daughters, the latter of whom are deceased. Albert and John are the sons, and Albert is also a resi- dent of the county. The mother died there when John was yet in boyhood, but their father is still living. John Fields was born Sep- tember 21, 1846, and was brought up to a farm life, receiving an ordinary common-school education in youth. At the age of 19, Sep- tember 13, 1865, he was married to Miss Sarah Noble, a daughter of John Noble, Sr., an early settler and wealthy farmer and stock dealer of this county, from Virginia, but who died when Mrs. F. was in in- fancy. Mrs. Fields' mother's name was Laviria, and she was of one of the old and wealthy families of Virginia, and is closely related to numerous distinguished families of that State and Maryland. Mr. Fields, when he was married, at once rented land and he and his wife went resolutely to work to get a start in life. Subsequently he bought a small piece of land and made a farm where he resided until two years ago, when he bought his present place, to which he at once re- moved. Here he has nearly a quarter of a section of improved prai- rie land. His commodious residence is deserving of extended notice. Mr. and Mrs. Fields have five children : Albert S., Cora L., Johnnie (a daughter), Alphonso and William H. Mr. and Mrs. F. are mem- bers of the Baptist Church.

MARK H. GARWOOD

(Of J. Mosby & Co., Dealers in General Merchandise, Wellsville).

For 20 years Mr. Garwood had been identified with the history and growth of Wellsville. He came here in 1864 and took charge of the railway office at this place as agent and operator, and he continued in charge of the office for some 10 years, at the expiration of which time he resigned his position in order to give his attention to other interests. Since then, up to two years ago, he was engaged in busi- ness at this place, except a short time, during which he was farming ; and since 1882 he has been a member of the firm with which he is now connected. This firm carries a large stock of general merchan- dise, and is one of the leading firms in this line throughout the north- western part of Montgomery county and the two contiguous vicinities of Callaway and Audrain counties. While with the railroad Mr. Garwood was regarded as one of the most efficient and popular local agents on the line of the road, and since leaving the railway he has won a not less enviable reputation as a business man. Mr. G. was a son of Joseph Garwood, an old and prominent citizen of Atlantic county, N. J., and his mother before her marriage was a Miss Judith Somers, also of New Jersey. Judge Garwood was a soldier in the War of 1812, and afterwards a judge of the Atlantic county court for

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

a number of years. He died at his homestead in that county in 1868. Mark H. Garwood was born in Atlantic county, N. J., in 1832, and was reared in his native county. He received a good common and high school education, and after completing his studies engaged in merchandising at Wyoming, Pa., where he continued for four years. He had been brought up to a mercantile life, and in 1852 went to Cali- fornia and was engaged in mercantile clerking out there for three years. Returning home then, four years later, in 1859, he came West to St. Louis, and in a short time began railroading on the North Mis- souri road. In a little while he was put in charge of the office at Wellsville, and his record from that time has been briefly outlined above. In the fall of 1866 Mr. Garwood was married to Miss Amanda Petty, a daughter of J. S. Petty, Esq., of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Petty have no children, but have lost four, all of whom died at tender ages. Mr. G. is a member of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the Masonic Chapter, and is worshipful master of the lodge at this place.

JAMES W. HANCOCK

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

On his father's farm, in Licking county, O., was the place of Mr. Hancock's birth, and the 22d of January, 1850, the date. He was the second in a family of five children of Archibald and Margaret Han- cock, both parents born and reared in Ohio, and still residents of Lick- ing county. Up to the age of 17 James W.'s youth was spent on the farm, and in the neighborhood schools. At the age of 17 he entered a drug store at Johnstown, O., to learn the business, taking a position as clerk. While at Johnstown he also attended the Central Ohio Nor- mal school. After this he engaged in teaching in Ohio, and followed it continuously until 1871, when he entered Holbrook's National Nor- mal School, a well known institution in Lebanon, O., where he took a teacher's course of two years. He then accepted a position as clerk in a general store at Lock, Knox county, O. In 1874 Mr. Hancock came to Missouri and engaged in teaching in Montgomery county. He subsequently taught in Montgomery, Audrain and Callaway counties continuously for about six years. In 1880 he was married to Miss Nannie Peery, a daughter of Dr. Thomas Peery, of. Montgomery county, but originally of Tazewell county, Va. He is now deceased, however, having died in 1875. After his marriage, Mr. Hancock set- tled on the farm where he now resides, a good place of 120 acres, where he is engaged in farming and raising stock. He also teaches during the winter months of each year, and is regarded as one of the thoroughly capable and successful teachers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Hancock have two children, Rex and Roy, the Latin and Old English names for king, respectively, so that both are kings in name as well as of their parents' hearts in fact. Mr. H. is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. During former vacations of school, Mr. Hancock has traveled somewhat extensively over the

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

West, visiting among other States, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Indiana, etc.

ELISHA S. HAYDEN

(Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Hayden has resided on his present farm continuously for over 30 years, and is one of the well respected citizens of Upper Loutre township, as well as one of its energetic and substantial farmers. He was born in Logan county, Ky., July 31, 1824, and was a son of Elisha Hayden, Sr., and wife, nee Mary A. Harrison. While he was yet in infancy, in 1828, the family removed to Missouri, and after stopping four or five years in Pike county, Mo., settled in Montgomery county where the father entered land and improved a farm. He successively entered and improved, or partially improved, different places in this county, to which he removed, selling his former places, and finally, in his old age, he went to Pike county, Ill., to spend his last days with his eldest son, Lewis E. Hayden. He died there in 1860. His wife died in May, 1861. Elisha S. Hayden, the subject of this sketch, grew up in Montgomery county and on the 26th of Decem- ber, 1850, was married to Miss Cynthia A. Fields, a daughter of James Fields, one of the early settlers of Montgomery county, but formerly of Maryland. After his marriage Mr. Hayden bought land and improved a farm in Audrain county, where he resided for about three years. Meanwhile, in about 1852, he bought a part of his present tract of land, and the following year located on this place. His tract contains 120 acres and his place is well improved, including a good new frame dwelling he has just had built. Mr. and Mrs. H. have seven children : Stephen T., John H., David J., Mary C., Joel L., Martha J. and Annie T. The older ones are married, except Stephen T. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Christian Church, both having been baptized on one occasion in 1860 by Elder John T. Brooks. Mr. H. is the only one living of seven children, and he has had a family of seven, never having lost a child.

DANIEL B. HUDSON (Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Hudson was born in Montgomery county, New York, in 1827, and was reared on his father's farm in that county up to the age of 16. He then went to Ohio, but returned to New York two years later, in 1846. He completed his ephebiage in New York, working during the time at the milling business, and afterwards when he had attained his majority. In 1856 he was married in New York to Miss Mary Horth, a daughter of John and Mary Horth, of Montgomery county, that State. Meanwhile Mr. Hudson had been engaged in farming, and made a specialty of dairying and making cheese for the markets. He continued this in New York until 1870, when he removed to Missouri with his family, locating at Jonesburg. In a short time he settled on a farm near Garrett's mill, where he resided until 1884, when he re-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

moved to his present place, known as the Bethel farm. This is a good place of 212 acres. Mr. Hudson is engaged generally in growing grain and raising stock. Mr. and Mrs. H. have five children : Ida, Hattje, Jane, Daniel and Amanda. One other, Charles, died in in- fancy. Ida is the wife of Charles H. Thompson, and Hattie the wife of Charles Gifford. Mr. Hudson's parents were Jason and Catherine ( Ames ) Hudson, both natives of New York.

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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 98

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