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 22
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Francis A. Dorris was born in Ross county, Ohio, October 12, 1841, to James A. and Margaret (Read) Dorris, the former a native of Ohio, born February 28, 1805, and the latter born in Delaware, February 28, 1808. The father spent his life as a farmer and died in Ohio in 1853. The mother passed away. on June 11, 1872 in Missouri. Of nine children born to them, those beside our subject were: John Dorris, now deceased; Rachael, who was born in 1834, married Mr. Henry Law, and now lives in Joplin, Missouri; Robert, who died in infancy; Lear, who was married to Mr. John S. Moore, and died in 1905; William, who died in 1863; Mary and Freeman, both deceased; Hannah, who is
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married to Mr. Lewis Deavor and lives in Joplin, Missouri, and James Austin Dorris, of Joplin.
Our subject's grandfather, Robert Dorris, immigrated from Ireland with his wife and spent his life as a farmer.
Francis A. acquired his education in the district schools and grew up on his father's farm. At the age of nineteen he en- listed in Company H, Eighty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteers, Infantry, and entered the Union Army. But after ten months' service, on August 2, 1862, he was discharged for disability caused by serious illness. He was in the battles at Fort Donald- son and at Chattanooga, besides several minor skirmishes. Re- turning home, Mr. Dorris lived in Ohio, engaged in farming till 1866, then moved to Illinois, and in 1869 went to Newton county, Missouri, moved to Vernon county in 1876, and settled in Mound- ville township and gave his attention to farming, cultivating leased land some eight years. In 1886 he purchased property in the little settlement of Bronaugh, and built the third house erected in the place, and there has made his home since, retired from active work by reason of impaired health. Mr. Dorris has served on the local school board twelve years. He belongs to General Lew Wallace Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and for forty years has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
On March 3, 1873, Mr. Dorris was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Elizabeth Horner, a daughter of Mr. William Horner, who lived near Fort Scott, Kansas. Of five children born to them, the eldest, William W. Dorris, born in Newton county, January 31, 1874, has been editor and proprietor of the Bronaugh Journal since February 7, 1905, soon after the paper was established ; Margaret, born November 22, 1876, lives at home; Robert, who was born February 10, 1880, and died the same day; Eva Lee, born March 18, 1884, lives at home, and James A., who was born July 2, 1888, died five months later. Mrs. Dorris passed away August 8, 1906.
Mannen Duren was born in Benton county, Missouri, Septem- ber 10, 1834. His father was also named Mannen, and originally of Georgia nativity. He was a farmer by calling, moved to Ten- nessee when young and was reared in Nashville, from whence he came to Missouri in an early day, locating in the northern part
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of the state, from whence he moved to Benton county in 1825. His wife was formerly Margaret L. Gibbs, of Christian county, Kentucky. Mannen was next to the youngest of their eight children. He was reared in early life on a farm but later com- menced a mercantile experience at Warsaw, Benton county, re- maining so engaged until 1856, when he began to preach in the M. E. Church South as a member of the St. Louis Conference. Thus he was occupied until the year before the war broke out, but owing to impaired health he was forced to settle permanently and chose a location in Clinton, Henry county, where he entered into the mercantile business, continuing for one year. When the war came up his store was robbed by Jim Lane & Co. He then returned to Benton county but later came to this county, engaging in farming and trading in cattle until his removal to Fort Scott, where he lived four years. Upon coming back to Vernon county he purchased a farm and soon entered into the real estate busi- ness. In 1870 he was re-admitted into the Southwestern Missouri Conference, and for twelve years traveled over a wide section of country, until on account of his health he took supernumerary relations and again resumed the real estate business. Besides this he also conducted an insurance and loan agency. In 1858 Mr. Duren married Miss Samantha J. Austin, of Platte county, Mis- souri, daughter of Daniel Austin. They had two children : Kate, wife of Dr. Profitt, and George.
Fauntleroy Dye, who has been prominent in the development of Nevada, Missouri, during the past thirty years, is a native of Gainesville, Texas, and was born September 8, 1854, to James and Anna (Bozarth) Dye, both natives of Missouri. The father is a farmer and now lives in Monroe county, Missouri. The mother, who was of one of the oldest families of Missouri, died in 1861.
Our subject is the eldest of a family of four children, the others being Elias Dye, of Howell county, Missouri; James D. Dye, of Monroe county, and Eliza, a half-sister, now dead, who was married to Mr. William Glasscock, who resides in Okla- homa. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Fauntleroy Dye, for whom he was named, was a native of Kentucky, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812.
Our subject grew up on his father's farm in Monroe county and attended the district schools, and during his early years
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learned the carpenter trade, which he followed there. On settling in Nevada, in 1880, he established himself as a contractor and builder and has held a leading place among the prominent build- ers in the city ever since. He conducted a lumber yard from January, 1898, to March, 1899, and also for five and a half years was in the hardware business with Mr. Quinton T. Moore. Among other important buildings, Mr. Dye, in connection with J. B. Beagles, the firm being Beagles & Dye, had the contract for erecting the Vernon county court house, work on which was commenced in 1906 and completed in 1908. The building cost approximately $80,000 and ranks among the finest structures of its kind in Missouri, and it stands as a fitting monument to Messrs. Beagles' and Dyes' ability and skill as builders and contractors, and is pointed to with pride, alike by the citizens and taxpayers of Nevada and Vernon county.
Mr. Dye has devoted himself closely to his business and has had little time for outside affairs. He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a Democrat in political sentiment and action, and in religious faith and fellowship is affiliated with the Christian Church. He has been three times elected a member of the school board and has served in that ca- pacity eight years.
In 1876 Mr. Dye was united in marriage with Miss Cynthia A. Harbit, a native of Indiana, and daughter of Isaac G. and Winey (Brown) Harbit, of Monroe county, Missouri.
They have one daughter, Ella J., who is married to Mr. L. A. Sears, of Lamar, Missouri, and an adopted daughter, Ethel Dye, who lives at home.
Thomas Dygard is a prosperous and popular business man of Nevada, Vernon county, Missouri. A native of Denmark, he was born at Varde, February 10, 1867, and is a son of Soren and Bertha (Thomsen) Dygard, natives of Denmark. They reared a family of ten children, Thomas being the fifth, in order of birth. He attended the public schools in early life and when fourteen years of age began learning the tailor's trade. At the age of twenty, in 1887, he came to this country and worked at his trade one year in New York. Thence he went to Omaha, Nebraska, and worked until 1894, and from there went to St. Louis and followed his trade some five years. In 1899 Mr. Dygard
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took up his residence in Nevada and in partnership with Mr. E. P. Smith bought the business formerly conducted by Joseph Doom and under the firm name of Smith & Dygard conducted a successful merchant tailoring establishment for three years. Mr. Dygard then purchased his partner's interest and has since car- ried on the business in his own name. The business is located at No. 117 East Cherry street and stands among the foremost in its line in the city. Mr. Dygard does his own cutting and fitting and his years of varied experience in his special line of work insures to his customers correct style and perfect fit, while his full and complete line of finest woolens and imported nov- elties, comprising all grades, at prices to suit all, leave nothing to be desired. So that it is but natural that his place should be the headquarters of those who are particular and discriminating in the matter of the clothes they wear.
On October 11, 1888, Mr. Dygard married Miss Birgitta Hau- sen, a daughter of Jens and Katherine Hausen, of Horsens, Den- mark. Mr. and Mrs. Dygard have four children, named re- spectively, Fred S., Bertha K., Thomas J. and Paul H. Dygard. Mr. Dygard is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America.
George H. Earhart is one of the substantial farmers of Dry- wood township, Vernon county, Missouri. He was born in Lamar county, Texas, May 22, 1855, and is a son of Dr. Michel and Vir- ginia Candle Earhart, the former a native of Ohio, and the lat- ter of Alabama, and is the second child of a family of seven children born to his parents, of whom six are now living-1911. His paternal ancestors were of German-English lineage. The father was a soldier in the Mexican War, also the late war and took part in all the leading battles fought on Mexican soil. He was a successful physician and surgeon, a graduate of the State University at Athens, Ohio, and of the Cincinnati College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he received the degree of M. D. On his return from the Mexican War he went to New Orleans, and thence up the Red river to Lamar county, Texas, where he bought a tract of land and lived eighteen years. He next moved to Henry county, Missouri, and lived there three years, and, in the spring of 1870, bought and settled on a tract
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of 180 acres in Drywood township, Vernon county, where he lived till his decease, in 1891. Dr. Earhart practiced his profession in Texas, in Henry county and in Vernon county, and throughout his long and active career was held in the highest regard by all who knew him. He was a kind-hearted, sympathetic man of generous impulses, and withal charitable and benevolent. A Democrat in political belief, he was active in the local affairs of his party and served one term as a trustee of Drywood township and several years on the local school board. He was also identi- fied with the Masonic order.
George H. acquired a good English education in the common schools of Henry county and lived at home till he attained his majority. Mr. Earhart, in 1880, bought and settled in Section Two, Drywood township, and has made his home there ever since. He is a thorough farmer, progressive in his ideas and alive to the necessity of keeping pace with modern improvements and methods. The place is improved with a beautiful and com- modious farm house, a fine barn, and out houses all kept in per- fect order and repair, is well stocked with a high grade of cattle, horses and swine, and thoroughly supplied with all the facilities and equipments required in the conduct of a modern, model farm, and, with its beautiful location and environments, forms one of the beauty spots of Vernon county.
On September 20, 1877, Mr. Earhart married Miss Margaret Brown, of Drywood township, whose womanly qualities well fit her for the place she fills in their happy home. Of two children born to them, the elder, Virginia, is married to Mr. E. A. Patton and has two children. Their home is in Pittsburg, Kansas. The younger, James M., married Miss Jennie E. Leonard and they have two children. Their home is in St. Louis. Both Mr. and Mrs. Earhart are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he adheres to the principles of the Democratic party.
Augustus J. Earl, the popular proprietor of the leading hotel at Milo, Vernon county. Missouri, is a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. He was born July 4, 1852, and is the tenth child of a family of thirteen children, of whom four are now living. born to Dr. R. T. and Julia Ann (Myers) Earl. both natives of Pennsylvania.
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The father was a dentist and practiced his profession at Hughesville, Pa., some ten years. Removing with his family of five children to Illinois, he lived at Kewanee for a time, and then, in 1866, settled at Grinnell, Iowa, where he practiced den- tistry till 1874, and where he lived till his decease, in 1889. He was a high-minded man, a great reader and fond of literary pur- suits, and always maintained a high standing in the community where he lived. Augustus J. acquired a good English education, attending the public schools in Illinois till he was eighteen years old. He remained with his parents till his twenty-fourth year and then, going to Denver, Colorado, was engaged a short time in mercantile business. His father and family having settled at Grinnell, Iowa, he went there, and, with his brother, opened and carried on a grocery store. This he afterward sold and in 1874 went to Anita, Iowa, and there conducted a general store four years, after which he turned his attention to raising cattle and hogs until 1904. Mr. Earl then closed out all his interests and disposed of his possessions in Iowa and removed to Milo and took charge of the hotel business, which has since engaged his chief attention. In 1908 Mr. Earl was elected mayor of Milo and at the end of his two years' term was re-elected and now holds that office. He is known as one of the public spirited men of the town and as a thorough man of affairs, interested in all that relates to the welfare of the community. In 1908 Mr. Earl was elected vice-president of the Bank of Milo, one of the prosperous financial institutions of Vernon county.
On September 30, 1879, Mr. Earl married Miss Lillian G. Pat- ton, of Des Moines, Iowa, and they have four children, viz., Rob- ert G., born June 12, 1881 ; Ford P., born March 9, 1883; Imogean, born October 21, 1887, and Gladys, born January 31, 1894.
In politics Mr. Earl holds to the principles of the Democratic party and takes an active part in its local councils and affairs.
William Lee Earp was born in Montgomery county, Missouri, April 30, 1863, to Jonathan Douglas and Dorcas Earp, both na- tives of Warren county, Kentucky, whence they moved to Mis- souri in 1856. The father was a farmer and stock raiser, also served as local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and when a young man taught school. The parents moved to Lamar, Barton county, in 1869, and the father passed away
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at Sheldon, in Vernon county, October 23, 1900. Surviving him his widow, who is now eighty-five years of age, and ten children.
William Lee acquired his education in the public schools, and, growing to manhood on the home farm in Barton county, had the experiences common to the farmer boy, and a desire to sell merchandise that possessed him in early life was realized in later years. Remaining on the homestead till he was twenty-four years old, he then, in August, 1887, went to Lamar and remained there two years in the mercantile business, after which he was en- gaged in the same line of trade at Omer, in Cedar county, till February, 1893. Selling his interests. he moved to Sheldon, in Vernon county, in order to have the benefits of convenient rail- road facilities, and further impelled by the business enterprise of the thriving town. Mr. Earp conducted a successful business at Sheldon fourteen years and was one of the wide-awake and public-spirited men of the place. He served two terms on the local school board and for several terms was a member of the city council.
In the fall of 1906 Mr. Earp was elected on the Democratic ticket treasurer of Vernon county, and, closing out his affairs at Shel- don, moved to Nevada in the spring of 1907. At the expiration of his term of office he was re-elected without opposition. In the spring of 1910 Mr. Earp purchased a half interest in the Southwest Mail Publishing Company at Nevada and has since given to it much of his attention. He is an active man of affairs, of superior execu- tive and business abilities, kind-hearted, social and of pleasing personality, and wherever known is esteemed for his upright, manly character. He is active in fraternal matters and since 1890 has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and has passed through all of the chairs of his lodge. He also is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, hav- ing joined the order in 1898. Since 1907 he has been connected with the Knights of Pythias and in 1902 joined the Modern Woodmen of America, and in all of these orders has filled various offices.
Mr. Earp has been affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, since his early boyhood.
On October 11, 1885, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Isabelle Callahan, a daughter of William H. and Lettitia Callahan, who moved from Pennsylvania, their native state, to
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Iowa, when young, and thence, in 1880, moved to Barton county, Missouri. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Earp, of whom three are now living, viz., Claude C., Wilma Lettita and Halburt Hale.
George H. Eaton, who, for thirty years has been an honored citizen of Drywood township, Vernon county, Missouri, is a native of Woodford county, Kentucky. He was born June 3, 1838, and is the eldest of a family of four children born to James W. and Lutitia (Johnson) Eaton, the former a native of Kentucky, where he passed his life, and the latter, a native of Virginia. George H. grew up on his father's farm and lived in his native state till he was 31 years of age, and had been married some eight years. In 1869 he moved to Pettis county, Missouri, and four years later went to Henry county, and after a residence of eight years there, in 1881, with a family of three children, settled on a quarter section of land, which he bought, in section two, Drywood township, Vernon county, where he has since made his home. Mr. Eaton has always devoted himself to farming with gratifying success; and now that he has reached the sundown side of life, practically retired from active work, he is able to pass his declin- ing years in the well-earned enjoyment of the rich fruits of his years of toil. Wherever he has lived he has been respected as an upright man, a good neighbor, kind hearted and considerate to all and withal, a true and faithful friend. On May 28, 1861, he married Miss Luvina Hughes, of Anderson county, Kentucky, who was born March 19, 1842, and who passed away September 14, 1908. She was an honored and worthy member of the Bap- tist Church.
Of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Eaton, two survive, and they are, James W., who married Miss Nora Hight, January 24, 1910, and Mary E., who is married to Mr. J. A. Huffman, and with their family of nine children, live in Oklahoma.
In politics Mr. Eaton is a "Free Silver" Democrat.
Daniel W. Eliot, of the firm of Eliot & Son, veterinary sur- geons, of Nevada, Missouri, is a native of Edgar county, Illinois, and was born September 24, 1850, the youngest child and one of a family of sixteen born to Palmer D. and Sophia (Jared) Eliot, natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. The father set-
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tled in Illinois about 1820 and was an extensive farmer and stock raiser all his life. He passed away in 1876 in his eighty-first year, and his wife died in 1874 at the age of sixty-eight. Their other surviving children are Ira K. Eliot, of Warren, Indiana; Eveline, wife of David Ross, of Paris, Illinois; Angeline, wife of James McMartie, of Tacoma, Washington, and Harriet, the wife of Mr. John F. Myres, who lives on the homestead farm near Paris, Illi- nois, which the father entered from the government.
Daniel W. acquired his education in the public schools of his native place and early engaged in farming near Paris, where he also was a successful stock raiser. Going to Clinton, Missouri, in 1877, he continued farming and also, after a course of studies and lectures at Kansas City and St. Louis, gave his attention to the veterinary profession. In 1901 he sold his farm, and, to give his children better educational privileges, moved to Appleton City, Missouri. where he remained some five years.
In 1906 Dr. Eliot, in company with his son, succeeded to the business of Dr. Albert Knowles, of Nevada, and have since con- ducted what has become widely known as one of the important institutions of the city. At their veterinary hospital and tran- sient feed barns at No. 118 South Main street veterinary surgery in all its various branches is practiced, every case being under the exclusive care of the proprietors, both of whom are expert veterinarians, thoroughly conscientious and painstaking in their work.
On February 18, 1874, Dr. Eliot was united in marriage with Miss Alice E. Anthony, a daughter of Mr. John N. Anthony, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and who, at the time of her marriage, was a teacher in the public schools at Paris, Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Eliot have three children, viz., Howard Chester, who is a graduate of the Kansas City Veterinary College; Ina C., a teacher, now a student at Missouri Wesleyan College, Cameron, Missouri, and Berniece, who is a student at Cottey College, Ne- vada, Missouri.
Dr. Lewis O. Ellis was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, Sep- tember 3, 1847, the second of seven children in the family of his parents, Jesse H. and Elizabeth (Riddell) Ellis, both originally from Kentucky. The former during life was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. In 1849 he joined the caravan of overland
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travelers to the gold fields of California, but after returning settled with his family in Missouri, first in Randolph county, on what was known as the Hancock Jackson farm, from which place he moved to Chariton county, remaining there until after the Civil War. Young Lewis accompanied the family on the various moves above enumerated, passing his time at farm work until the breaking out of the war. When less than 17 years of age he enlisted in Searcy's battalion, Colonel Mitchell's brigade, and among other engagements in which he took part was the fight at Drywood. Leaving the battlefield, Mr. Ellis located in Mon- roe county and for a time attended school at Middle Grove, there also commencing the study of dentistry. In 1870 he came to Vernon county and during the session of 1870-71 he took a course of dental lectures at St. Louis. From 1875 until 1881 he was closely identified with the professional interests of Sedalia, but in the year last named he returned to Nevada and in November embarked in practice here, which has since been continued, with gratifying success. In 1873 Dr. Ellis was united in marriage with Miss Emma Hoss, of Pettis county, Missouri, daughter of Samuel B. Hoss. The Doctor is prominently connected with the Masonic order, and while living in Sedalia was master of Sedalia Lodge, No. 239. He is also past master of Argyle Lodge, No. 451, of Nevada, and is a member of Nevada R. A. C., No. 56.
Robert T. Ellis. On about the first of November, 1866, he came to Vernon county, and some four years later his recognized ability and qualifications for the position led to his election as county judge. He also discharged the duties of justice of the peace, filling most acceptably these official positions. Mr. Ellis was born in Barren county, Kentucky, December 16, 1817. His parents were Eleazer and Jane Ellis, both Virginians by birth, and of their seven children Robert T. was the youngest. He grew up in his native state, after which, in 1840, he came to Mis- souri, settling in Macon county, where he was also identified with the interests of the county in an official capacity. In 1858 and 1859 he served as sheriff, and later on was made justice of the peace. In 1838 Mr. Ellis was united in marriage with Miss Virgin Mary Ford, a native of Barren county, Kentucky, who died in October, 1848, leaving two children : John E. and Frances J. His second marriage occurred in February, 1849, when Miss
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Nancy Jane Dale, of Randolph county, Missouri, became his wife. Ten children were born of this union: William H., Martha J., wife of William C. Pryor; Robert L., Julia A., wife of Zechariah Walker; Stephen A., Idress A., wife of I. S. Conner; Abram T., George T., Emma R. and Cassendany.
William B. Ellis is a native Missourian, born in Cooper county January 21, 1846, his father, James M. Ellis, also having been born in that county in 1825, In 1845 the latter married Miss Jane Scott, whose birth occurred in Pettis county, Missouri, in 1830, and to them the following children were given, the dates of whose births are as given: Almarinda, 1847; Angeline, 1851; H. L., 1853; George R., 1857; Amanda, 1861; J. O., 1863; Eliz- abeth, 1867 ; and Isaac S., 1870, and William, who was the eldest. William B. Ellis devoted the principal part of his life to farm- ing and kindred pursuits. December 19, 1869, he married Miss Elizabeth M. Bacon, who was born in St. Clair county, Missouri, January 27, 1853, the daughter of James L. Bacon, from whom Bacon township, this county, took its name. He was born in this state, while his wife, formerly Lydia J. Birth, was a Vir- ginian by birth. Mrs. E.'s grandparents were John Park and Elizabeth C. Bacon, nee Brackenridge.
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