USA > Missouri > Vernon County > History of Vernon County, Missouri : past and present, including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county Vol. II > Part 16
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with various interests whose influence extended throughout Ver- non county. For some years prior to his decease, which occurred in 1906, he had associated with him in his business his son, Henry F., under the firm name of Birdseye & Son.
On January 4, 1866, Mr. Birdseye married Miss Mary U. Manahan, a woman of high intellectual attainments, and they had a family of five children, named respectively, Mary P., Henry Fred, Violetta, Emma and Natalie.
Henry Fred Birdseye, the only son, was born June 20, 1880, in Vernon county. After closing his studies in the public schools of Nevada in 1898, he entered the law department of the Uni- versity of Missouri, where he was graduated with the class of 1902 with the degree of bachelor of laws. Soon after his grad- uation he succeeded Mr. J. B. Harris as a partner with his father in his extensive and constantly growing business, to which he succeeded after his father's death and which he still carries on under the name of Birdseye & Son, it being the oldest business in its line in Nevada. Mr. Birdseye is not only an earnest, wide- awake and thorough business man, but also is active in numer- ous fraternal, social, civic and military affairs. He is identi- fied with the Knights of Pythias, the Order of Elks and Modern Woodmen of America. During 1907-8 he served as captain in command of Company H, Second Regiment of Missouri National Guards Infantry, and in 1909 was appointed to Gen. H. C. Clark's staff and still holds that position.
Horace H. Blanton was born in what is now Washburne, Barry county, Missouri, April 20, 1860, and came of Southern ante- cedents on the side of his father, William H. Blanton. The latter was a native of Alabama, an attorney by profession, who came to this state and county in 1855, and subsequently he became a prominent and influential citizen, representing the county in the legislature in 1857 and 1858. He died at Nevada in 1872. The mother of Horace, whose maiden name was Martha J. Harbin, was born in Barry county, Missouri. The five children born of their marriage were: Horace H., Willie, Mattie, Mrs. Charles H. Prewitt, of this place; Mary, Etta and James W. Horace H. Blanton passed the greater part of his youth within the limits of this county. and, while not one of her native-born residents,
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Vernon is entitled to him as one whose career has been so closely connected with the affairs of the community. The principal part of his education was received at the State University, Columbia, Mo., after leaving which he began the study of law under the preceptorship of Hon. C. G. Burton. May 2, 1881, he was ad- mitted to the bar and immediately embarked in practice, and before long he was made city attorney, serving in that capacity four years. In 1884 he was selected as the nominee of the Democratic party for prosecuting attorney over some of the most- prominent attorneys in the county, and in November following was elected. His subsequent career is familiar to all readers of this volume. Miss Florence Mims became Mr. Blanton's wife December 2, 1885; she was a daughter of John Mims, and was born in London, England.
Edward C. Bobbett, an enterprising and wide-awake business man of Nevada, Mo., was born at Fairfield, Ill., March 29, 1868, and is a son of Dr. N. and Harriet E. (Bing) Bobbett, natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. The father went from Ken- tucky to Illinois at an early day and entered from the govern- ment land that forms part of the site of the present city of Champaign, and lived there till 1881. Removing then to Mis- souri with his family, he settled first in Richland township, Ver- non county, but in 1886 moved into Nevada, where he died in 1894. The mother passed away in 1889.
Edward C. acquired his education in Nevada public schools, and in 1889 began clerking in the clothing store of Mr. J. J. Abell, with whom he spent nine years in faithful service. The store and business then changed owners, Mr. W. E. Clark becoming its pro- prietor, and Mr. Bobbett continued his services for the new owner till February, 1909, when he joined Mr. Robert B. Moore and organizing the Moore-Bobbett Clothing Company, they purchased the stock and business from Mr. Clark, under this new concern, Mr. Moore being president and Mr. Bobbett secretary. The busi- ness has taken on new life and ranks among the progressive and up-to-date mercantile establishments of the city.
Mr. Bobbett is interested in fraternal organizations and for sixteen years has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is decidedly a man of affairs and takes a com-
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mendable interest in whatever relates to the betterment of the city and community.
On August 12, 1896, Mr. Bobbett was united in marriage with Miss Carrie E. Kohler, of Nevada. Of two children born to them, viz., Edward Clark and Brooksey, the last named died in 1904.
James E. Boughan, a prosperous farmer of Osage township, Vernon county, Missouri, was born in Essex county, Virginia, October 21, 1857, and comes of Scotch lineage on the paternal side. His grandfather, Henry Boughan, who was descended from an ancient Scotch family, was an extensive slave owner and planter in Virginia. He was a devout member of the Baptist denomination and died while kneeling in prayer in church.
Our subject's father, Edward R. Boughan, was born in Vir- ginia and reared on his father's plantation and acquired a good college education. After leaving college he was employed as auditor by a large mercantile company, having charge of the books and accounts of its three stores at Springfield, Osceola and Booneville, Mo., and traveling on horseback from one place to the other. After five years thus employed he returned to Vir- ginia and married Miss Sarah E. Croxton and settled on a planta- tion, given to his wife by her father, and lived there till the opening of the Civil War. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate army under Colonel Rice, for whose staff he served as bookkeeper till the surrender of the Confederate forces at Appomattox, and then returned to his plantation, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death being followed by that of his widow, three years afterward. They were both Baptists in religious faith and fellowship. Of three children born to them, one son besides our subject survives, viz .: Henry E. Boughan, a farmer of Mount Zion, Va.
James E. acquired his education in the public and "sub- scription" schools of his native place, and remained on the plantation with his parents till December, 1878, when he came to Carbon Center, in Osage township, Vernon county, where for twenty-one years he managed a ranch of 1,800 acres owned by his uncle, Col. Richard A. Boughan, who settled in Vernon county in 1844. In the spring of 1900 Mr. Boughan leased 265 acres of the "Falor" farm in Osage township, where he has ever since carried on general farming, giving special attention
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HOME OF DR. WESLEY MELICK AND FAMILY.
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to buying, feeding and selling cattle, horses and hogs. He has taken an active interest in the affairs of the Democratic party, but has never cared for official position for himself. He is a member of Osage Lodge, No. 69, Knights of Pythias, at Rich Hill, and also belongs to Pine Camp, No. 34, Woodmen of the World, of the same place, and is affiliated with the Christian church at Carbon Center.
On June 22, 1876, Mr. Boughan was united in marriage with Miss Myrtle H. Harford, who was born in Montrose, Westmore- land county, Virginia, October 25, 1858, the eldest of four chil- dren born to Henry and Marian (Sisson) Harford, who were born and passed their lives in that county. The father, a mer- chant, served four years as a private in the Confederate army.
Of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Boughan. Bertha Lee, born June 5, 1877, is the wife of Mr. Walter Madding, of Kansas City, Mo .; Lena M., born October 5, 1884, is married to Mr. Harry Kelso, and lives at Novinger, Mo .; Estelle and Lorelle, twins, born March 1, 1888, both live in Kansas City, Mo., the former being the wife of Mr. Earl Williams; and Henry Edward, born May 3, 1891, and Muriel Harvey, born August 20, 1893, both live at home with their parents.
Richard A. Boughan. Among the highly esteemed and re- spected citizens of Vernon county, Col. R. A. Boughan justly held an enviable position, for besides being a man of marked intelli- gence and culture, he was an active business man and one of the county's public-spirited, useful citizens. Born in Essex county, Virginia, December 13, 1822, he was the son of Henry H. and Julia (Wood) Boughan, both of whom were Virginians by birth, where their lives were passed until death. Richard A., the eldest son and second child of the family of five children, was brought up to the occupation followed by his father, that of farming, becoming thoroughly familiar with all its details. In November, 1844, he went to Alabama and up to the time of his removal to Cooper county, Missouri, in the winter of 1845, his home was in Demopolis, Marengo county. After leaving Cooper county Mr. B. resided in Osceola, St. Clair county, until the fall of 1846, following which he lived at Harmony Mission, Bates county, and from there he went to Papinville in 1848. Going thence to Balltown in 1850, he became associated in a general
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business with Col. R. W. McNeil and S. H. Loring, under the firm name of R. W. McNeil & Co., the trade which they then car- ried on probably being unexcelled at the time. Mr. Loring sub- sequently disposed of his interest in the concern to Mr. Boughan, who in turn afterward sold out to Colonel McNeil in 1855. From that time until the breaking out of the war he gave his atten- tion to farming. When the noise of war was first sounded he enlisted in the cause of the Confederacy and became lieutenant- colonel of the Vernon county battalion, which took part in the battle of Carthage. Upon the reorganization of this command it was joined to Hunter's regiment and Mr. B. received the ap- pointment of lieutenant-colonel; at Corinth, Miss., they were joined to General Price's army and from there Colonel Boughan, together with Col. Waldo P. Johnson, R. W. Musser and A. W. Slayback, received orders from Price to proceed to Arkansas to meet Missouri recruits and form them into a regiment. The regiment was formed by Colonel Johnson and Colonel Boughan was made quartermaster, serving as such until Jackman's bri- gade was formed, when he was appointed brigade inspector. In this capacity he served until the close of the war, taking part in numerous severe battles. After the war closed Colonel Boughan was engaged for two years in the real estate business at St. Louis, but in 1867 he embarked in milling at Belvoir, Vernon county, continuing to be so occupied until his election to the position of county clerk in 1872. He filled this position for two terms and for one term was presiding judge of the county court, discharging his official duties in a most satisfactory manner. May 31, 1850, Colonel Boughan was married to Miss Rosalie Carter, of Kentucky, and they had three children: Ella, who married J. H. Maus, of Schell City; Mollie and Farley. In 1850 Colonel B. took the census of this county and Bates and at that time knew every man within their borders. Colonel Boughan died September 15, 1898.
William M. Bowker is a substantial citizen and successful lawyer of Nevada, Mo. He is a native of Carthage, Ill., and was born May 2, 1865, to M. L. and Fannie (Desher) Bowker, who moved from New York, their native state, to Illinois more than half a century ago, and thence moved to Barton county, Missouri, and settled on a farm, where they still reside-1911.
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William M. attended the public schools in his native place and supplemented his preliminary education with courses of study at a Lutheran college and Craddock College, of Quincy, Ill. Ile then turned his attention to the study of law, becoming a student and clerk in the office of Judge Scofield, of Carthage, Ill., and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of that state. Mr. Bowker settled in Nevada in 1889 and began his professional career, which has been eminently successful and satisfactory. Since 1905 he has been associated with Mr. Levi- L. Scott under the firm name of Scott & Bowker, which ranks among the leading law firms of Vernon county.
Mr. Bowker, while devoted to his profession, also is inter- ested in other things; he is a director of the Bank of Nevada. He takes an active part in fraternal orders, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
In 1893 Mr. Bowker married Miss Nadine, daughter of Judge C. R. Scott, of Nevada, who departed this life in 1910.
Dr. James L. Brand, a successful physician and farmer, is now living in retirement, enjoying the well earned fruits of his labors. He was born in Monongalia county, West Virginia, October S, 1822, of Scotch-English ancestry. His grandfather and his father, both named James, were soldiers in the Revolutionary and the War of 1812 respectively. The doctor's mother was Sarah Bur- rows Brand, and, like her husband, was a native of Virginia. They located in this county in 1870, and engaged in farming until the death of the father in 1883, the mother having died in 1880. The doctor was the fourth in a family of seven children, and after spending the first twenty-three years of his life in farming and acquiring a preliminary education. he commenced his medical studies under the tutelage of Dr. Ellis, then entered the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, Pa., where he com- pleted an exhaustive course, after which he located in Marion county, Virginia, in partnership with Dr. Campbell, and continued in successful practice for over twenty years. In 1869 he removed to Vernon county, Missouri, and after one year's practice turned his entire time and attention to the management of his farms. The doctor has taken great interest in the development of the natural resources of Vernon county, especially the gas and oil,
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and is thoroughly informed on all conditions incident to this industry.
In 1852 Dr. Brand was married to Miss Delia M. Furbee, of Marion county, Virginia, who died on August 26, 1878, leaving a family of eight children. Socially the doctor is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow orders.
Fred Brandt, a sturdy son of Denmark, was born there May 30, 1842, to Peter and Sophia (Fitzcare) Brandt, both natives of that country. He left his native land in 1859 and came to this country, settling first in Iron Mountain, Mo., and going thence in 1860 to Greenville, in Mountcalm county, Michigan, where he was employed as a clerk in the store owned by Mr. Joseph Sherr. In 1862 young Brandt enlisted in Company F, Twenty-first Regiment Michigan Volunteers Infantry, and en- tered the Union army. He fought in numerous battles, among others, Perryville, Stone River and Chickamauga and was with Sherman on the famous "march to the sea." He served till the close of the war and never received a wound, but was taken prisoner in North Carolina. After the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox and his honorable discharge he returned to Michi- gan, but soon afterwards went to New Mexico and there was engaged in the cattle business till 1884. Coming thence to Ver- non county, Missouri, Mr. Brandt bought 160 acres of land in section 36, Walker township, established a home and has since given his attention to general farming with marked success, ranking with the prosperous farmers of the township.
He is a stanch Republican in political opinion and action, and is a member of Harwood Post Grand Army of the Republic.
In 1885 Mr. Brandt was united in marriage with Miss Mary Smith, a native of Leavenworth, Kan.
Mr. and Mrs. Brandt have four children, named respectively, Grace, George, Fred and Francis.
Robert Broeker was born in Germany August 22, 1851, to Rein- hart and Henrietta (Wienebröker) Broeker, both natives of that country.
The father was a son of Herman and Lottie Broeker, of Ger- many and a merchant tailor by occupation.
Robert acquired a good education in the public and private schools and also studied Latin and French and during his boy-
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hood learned the tailor's trade, working four years with his father and then taking a three years' special course, for which his father paid $25, and receiving a medal, giving him the rank of journeyman tailor. After spending some time at Hanover as a journeyman, he returned home at Christmas time, 1869, and on April 24, 1870, left the homeland for America, reaching New York on May 11; thence he went to Philadelphia, where a former school friend was living, and worked at his trade there till No- vember 10, 1878, and then went to Parsons, Kan. Here he con- ducted a tailor shop one year and then purchased from Adolph Wunderlich the Hotel Germania and conducted it four years. Selling that, he next became proprietor of the Centropolis Hotel and carried it on till November 1886, when he sold out his in- terests in Parsons, on account of the prohibition laws then in force in Kansas and removed to Nevada, where he has since made his home. While at Parsons, Mr. Broeker acted as agent for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company, and after his settlement at Nevada he resumed that relation and so has been in the em- ploy of the company continuously since 1878. On coming to Nevada he purchased the business formerly conducted by Messrs. Sherman Bros. at No. 105 West Cherry street, which soon became quite popular on account of "Bob's" fine Dutch lunches and famous hamburg steaks prepared by him for lunches. This re- tail business he sold out to Arthur McConel in 1890. but he still carries on his business as a wholesale beer dealer, and is also the wholesale agent of the so-called "Tony Faust" Dutch hinches. In addition to his regular business Mr. Broeker, assisted by his wife and family, has, since 1900, given much time to raising fancy poultry and registered Jersey cows.
In Angust, 1873, at Philadelphia, Mr. Broeker was united in marriage with Miss Christina Sachs, a native of Hessen Cassel, Germany, and they have a family of eight children, viz .: Rein- hart, who lives in Oelwein, Iowa; Clara, who lives in Nevada; Edward, who resides in Montana; Adolph, of Bartlesville, Okla., and August, Lena, Eugenia and Elsie, all of whom live at home.
Mr. Broeker is a Democrat in political sentiment and action, is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. and in religious fellowship is connected with the Episcopal church.
Benjamin Brokaw, who traces his paternal ancestry to Hol-
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
land, is a native of Washington county, Ohio. He was born De- cember 7, 1836, and is a son of Benjamin and Marietta (Gifford) Brokaw; the father was born and passed his life in Ohio, his death occurring in 1839, when our subject was three years of age. The mother survived till 1899 and passed away in Vernon county, Missouri, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. They had a family of ten children, our subject being the fourth in or- der of birth. He lived in his native state till he was thirty years of age, and in 1866 moved from Morgan county to Vernon county, Wisconsin, where he spent thirty years as a farmer and wagon- maker. In 1896, with a ready capital of several thousand dol- lars, accumulated in working at his trade, he moved to Vernon county, Missouri, and bought and settled with his family on a quarter section of land in section 12, Center town- ship. A year and a half later he purchased 160 acres in section 24 and moved his home thither. This farm is beautifully located in the eastern part of the township, and with the fine improve- ments made by its thrifty owner, is thoroughly up-to-date and one of the beauty spots of the county. Mr. Brokaw is a man of progressive ideas, who keeps abreast of the times and who takes a commendable interest in public affairs. He is a Republican in political principle and somewhat active in the local affairs of his party. On April 12, 1860, Mr. Brokaw married Miss Mary M. Hoopes, of Morgan county, Ohio, who was born April 4, 1842. They have a family of six children, viz .: Joseph C., born March 1, 1861; Clark, born June 2, 1863; Ella, born November 16, 1865; Carson, born August 4, 1868; Caroline, born April 3, 1871, and Julia, born August 23, 1873, all of whom are prosperous, thrifty and well to do.
Charles B. Brooks, who was for many years a successful farmer of Vernon county, Missouri, and who since 1909 has con- ducted a restaurant in Nevada, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Litchfield, September 6, 1856, and is the youngest of a family of eight children born to Benjamin and Deby (Hatfield) Brooks, who were natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. They settled in the thirties, in Morgan county, Illinois, being among the early settlers, and passed their lives there. Charles B. had but limited advantages in the way of schooling in his early life, and as a boy worked in the coal banks in Montgomery
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county, Illinois, and also in trapping, being thus employed some ten years. He was also employed in the lead mines eighteen years. In 1886 he removed to Vernon county, Missouri, and bought a farm in Center township, which he improved and culti- vated till his removal to the city of Nevada in 1904. In 1909 Mr. Brooks purchased the restaurant business, formerly owned and conducted by Messrs. Smith and Getz, situated on the east side of the public square, and has since carried on a successful trade, making it one of the popular places in its line in the city. Mr. Brooks takes an active interest in fraternal orders, being identi- fied with the Woodmen of the World and also being a charter member of the local body of Modern Woodmen of America.
On December 25, 1890, Mr. Brooks was united in marriage with Miss Addie A. Woods, a daughter of Mr. George W. Woods, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have a beautiful modern home, recently built, on South Cedar street, Nevada, and live in the enjoyment of the well-earned fruits of their labors. They have two children, named, respectively, Charles Herbert and Cora.
J. F. Brooks was born in Washington county, Maryland, in 1838. His father, Joseph Brooks, was a native of England, though he came to America when young, and afterwards worked at his trade (that of gunsmith) for the government at Harper's Forry. He married Miss Catharine Miller, of Maryland, subse- quent to which he moved with his family to St. Louis county, Missouri, in 1844. Eight children were born to himself and wife. Of these, J. F., the sixth child, was brought up in St. Louis county, living there until the Civil War. In 1862 he enlisted in the Tenth Missouri infantry, taking part in the battles of Prairie Grove, Helena and others. He was captured during his term of service, and for eight months was confined at Alton, Ill., later spending a year in prison at Fort Delaware. After the war was over he returned to St. Louis in May, 1865, but four years later, or in 1869, he took up a location in this county. In 1876 Mr. Brooks was married to Miss Sarah Finch, a native of Buchanan county, Missouri, and an estimable lady.
Patrick F. Brophy, active in the business circles of Nevada, Mo., was born at Syracuse, N. Y., March 20, 1855, and is the fourth
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child of a family of eight children born to John and Ellen (Ryan) Brophy. The parents were natives of Thurles, Ireland, and came to the United States about 1845, and in 1858 settled in Pike county, Missouri, where they both died, he at the age of seventy- three and she at the age of sixty-two. He was a stonemason by trade. Their other children are: Anna, who is married to Mr. C. C. Kling, of Nevada ; James Brophy, of Nevada, and Mary, the wife of Mr. John De Groodt, of Pike county, Missouri.
Patrick F. attended the public schools at Louisiana, Mo., and early learned the cigarmakers' trade, which he followed till 1888, when he settled in Nevada. Here, he purchased an interest in the marble and granite business of C. C. Kling, which was thereafter conducted under the firm name of Kling & Brophy, some fifteen years. In 1903 Mr. Brophy purchased his partner's interest, and has since carried on the business under the name of the Nevada Marble Works. This business occupies a new modern building, sixty by twenty-seven feet in dimension and two stories at No. 129 South Main street, with well-equipped workrooms and offices, and is known as the headquarters in Nevada and vicinity for the manufacture and installing of fine monuments, corner- stones and every variety and class of marble and granite work. Improved machinery and appliances for careful execution of work in accordance with designs which are furnished at moderate prices have been installed in the workrooms, and all work turned out is wrought in the highest style known to the craft by com- petent and experienced workmen.
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