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 24
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of a character of unimpeachable integrity. He has for years been an active worker in the Sabbath School and Temperance cause and his influence is always on the side of morality and right.
He was married in 1861 to Miss Mahala Cox, who was born in Illinois in 1839. Their family consists of two sons, George and Frank, and an adopted daughter, Mollie. Mr. Faith has been called on frequently to report the agricultural interests of the county to the State Agricultural Department and these reports are noted for their reliability and conservativeness, underrating rather than overrating the estimated product. Mr. Faith's opinions in regard to fruit and berries are authorities in this sec- tion and his name is a synonym of integrity and honor.
Charles Falor is a leading man of Metz township, Vernon county, Missouri; he was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, May 28, 1857, and is one of a family of five children born to Elias and Mary (Akers) Falor, the former a native of Stark county, Ohio, and born in 1830, and the latter born near Indianapolis, Indiana, about 1828.
The parents were married in Tazewell county, Illinois, whither their families had moved about 1850, and lived on a farm there till 1869: The father then came to Vernon county, and bought twenty-three hundred acres of prairie land in Osage and Metz townships. This he fenced and broke and planted to corn, whichi he fed to cattle and hogs, being the first man in the county to feed stock for the market. He visited his home in Illinois twice each year and in 1876 erected a commodious farm house in Metz township and brought hither his wife and children and estab- lished the family home.
In 1880 he built at Rich Hill, in Bates county, what was said to be the first roller flouring mill ever constructed, the ma- chinery alone costing $25,000. The business, however, was not satisfactory to his son, our subject, and this fact, coupled with his own impaired health, led to trading the mill for property in Kansas in 1888. He continued raising, feeding and marketing stock and carrying on his farming operations till his decease, March 27, 1896, and left his estate of twenty-three hundred acres of land in entail, during the lives of his children-our subject having a life interest in six hundred and eighty acres, the final division to be made according to value and not acreage.
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His widow, our subject's mother, survived till December, 1901. Of their other children, one died in infancy, and the names of the others are Norman Falor, now deceased; Alice, who was mar- ried to Mr. John Hogan and passed away April 1, 1880, and Myra, who was born in November, 1859, and is married to Colonel Harry Mitchell, of Nevada, Missouri.
Charles acquired his education in the public schools of his native place, and when but twelve years of age began feeding cattle on his own account in Illinois, and, after coming to Vernon county, continued in that line of business. While yet a boy he shipped the first trainload of cattle east from Sedalia over the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway. Some years prior to his marriage Mr. Falor bought a half section of land in section 29, Metz township, and afterward bought the other half of the section 240 acres in an adjoining section , making 880 acres in one body, only eighty of which has ever been broken with the plow. Mr. Falor assisted his father in his business affairs, after coming to Vernon county, and has also carried on his own extensive opera- tions feeding and marketing stock, the present annual average of each, cattle and hogs, being 250 head.
He has added to his landed possessions from time to time and now owns in Metz and Osage townships 1,723 acres, 480 acres being in Bates county, Missouri, all of which is in addition to his 680-acre holding from his father's estate. At the time of his marriage Mr. Falor leased a half section near the family home- stead in Metz township and lived there four years, when failing health led him to go to Colorado, where he spent a year and then lived a year at Eldorado Springs. In 1893 he returned to his farm and began the construction of his magnificent residence, one of the few model farmhouses in the district. It is furnished with all modern conveniences, is lighted with gas, and is supplied with hot and cold water, and in all its appointments is arranged with a view to utility, convenience and comfort. The house is situated on an eminence overlooking not only the entire farm but also a vast stretch of country in every direction, so that the place is aptly named "Prairie View," and with its picturesque environments to be seen is to be admired and long remembered.
On December 21, 1887, Mr. Falor was united in marriage with Miss M. Edith Crabb, who was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, January 29, 1861, to Willis and Mary (Forsyth) Crabb. The
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Charles Falar
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BIOGRAPHICAL
father was born January 7, 1823, while the family was en route from Ohio to Illinois. The mother was born at Vandalia, Ill., April 9, 1830. They were married in St. Louis February 19, 1848, and for a time made their home in St. Clair county, Illinois, then moved to Tazewell county and lived there till their removal, in 1884, to Bates county, Missouri, where the father had bought 240 acres of land twelve years before. He now-1911-owns nearly a thousand acres, but, with his family, lives in Rich Hill. Mr. Falor is the sixth child of eleven children born to them, nine of whom are living. She is a woman of fine attainments, highly edu- cated, and before her marriage was a successful teacher in Bates county. Mr. Falor is a Republican in political sentiment and action, but has never sought or held political office, finding in his own line of work more congenial employment.
Norman Falor was a prosperous farmer of Metz township, Vernon county, Missouri, for many years, and his decease on March 27, 1894, was mourned as that of one of the community's most valued citizens. A native of Tazewell county, Illinois, he was born December 11, 1853, and was a son of Elias and Mary (Akers) Falor, the former a native of Stark county, Ohio, and was born in 1830, and the latter born near Indianapolis, Indiana, about 1828. He was educated in the common schools in his native place and grew up there, engaged in farming and raising and marketing cattle. He came to Vernon county, Missouri, in 1871, and a few years later bought a quarter section of land in section twenty- five, Metz township. Here he resumed farming operations, and raising, feeding and marketing stock, and devoted his chief attention to those lines till his decease. He prospered financially and owned at the time of his death two hundred and forty acres of fine land and other property.
He stood high as an upright man of high Christian ideals and was esteemed and beloved by all who knew him. He was a Knight Templar, and carried Masonic insurance for $5,000, which amount was paid his widow immediately after his death.
On October 23, 1879, Mr. Falor was united in marriage with Miss Emma Yeates, a native of Chariton county, Missouri, born February 7, 1857, and a daughter of William H. and Mildred (Medley) Yeates. Of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Falor, Nellie M., the eldest, lives on the home farm; Archie M. lives in
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
Metz township ; John A. and Laura A., twins, died in infancy, and LeRoy N. lives on the family home farm with his mother.
Mrs. Falor, as was also her husband, is a worthy and con- sistent member of the Baptist Church, at Bethel, near her home.
Emory Farley was born in Berrien county, Michigan, March 19, 1850. Amos A. Farley, his father, was born October 2, 1813, near Montreal, Canada. In 1815 his father moved to Geauga county, Ohio, and in 1830 to Michigan, from an early age fol- lowing agricultural pursuits. In 1850 he removed to Illinois, settling in Mercer county, where he made his home for nearly twenty years, coming thence to this county in 1869, and settling on section 30, of Henry township. This homestead embraced 240 acres. Mr. Farley died July 8, 1886. Mrs. Farley, before her marriage, was Miss Ally Ann Moore, also of Ohio nativity. The five children in their family were named Emory, Edwin, Marion, George W. and Lucy J. December 29, 1880, Miss Laura B. Lawrence became his wife. Mrs. Farley was born in Cass county, Missouri, a daughter of Frank M. Lawrence, of that county.
O. C. Farmer, who has been a resident of Vernon county, Mis- souri, since the year 1884, is a native of Knox county, Ohio, and was born January 12, 1852. His parents, Van and Catherine Farmer, were both natives of Ohio, and the father passed his life in Knox county.
Our subject grew to manhood in his native state and was mar- ried at Mt. Vernon, in Knox county. He moved from Ohio to Montgomery county, Kansas, and in 1882 removed thence to Vernon county and settled with his family on a farm of eighty acres near Katy. Later he sold the farm and moved into the town of Katy in 1903 and engaged in mercantile business, carrying a general stock of goods and has built up a large and prosperous trade. Mr. Farmer also deals largely in hay and grain and does a thriving business in that line. He is a wide-awake business man and as a citizen is always ready to do his part toward fur- thering the best interests of the town and community.
Mr. Farmer is a Democrat in political opinion and holds the views promulgated by William Jennings Bryan, but has never sought or cared for political office. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
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On January 1, 1878, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Critchfield, and they have four children, named, respect- ively, Lura, who was born December 8, 1880; Verna, born October 15, 1881, and Harold and Herbert, twins, who were born July 27, 1892.
Joseph Fergus. A member of the first family to locate within the boundaries of Clear Creek township. A sketch of his parents and their children will be read with interest by the many to whom their name is familiar. James Fergus, Joseph's father, was born October 19, 1813, near Newburn, Virginia, as was also his wife, formerly Jemima Ingrum. She was born November 22, 1813; their marriage occurred November 5, 1835, immediately after which they started for Missouri, settling first in St. Clair county, and after a year came to Vernon county, then a part of Bates county. Entering 440 acres of land upon his arrival in the fall of 1837, he at once commenced its improvement, putting up a cabin, etc., and tasting the bitter experiences of true pioneer life. Here Mr. Fergus finally died October 13, 1859, sincerely mourned. While this was a part of Bates county he was elected sheriff, and in 1859 he was reëlected, holding that position when he died. The children of himself and wife, besides Joseph, were Virginia, who was the first child born in the township, born May 19, 1839 ; James I., born November 26, 1840; Margaret, born January 9, 1843; Elizabeth Ann, born October 20, 1845; Mary J., born October 3, 1848; and Edwin, born October 27, 1853. Only an infant when brought to this county, Joseph grew up here and obtained such educational advantages as could be had, and during his father's term as sheriff he acted as deputy. During the war he took part in the fight at Lexington, though physical disability prevented his serving regularly, and owing to the destruction of almost all the property about home he removed the family to a place of safety, first in Cooper and then in Howard county, his mother having previously died March 30, 1862. While in the former county he was captured by the Federal troops and held as a prisoner at Sedalia, for five weeks, also being taken prisoner at Calhoun and robbed of his horse and started out on foot. In the spring of 1864 Mr. Fergus went to Boise City, Idaho, engaged in mining, and in May, 1866, left for Montana, arriving at Helena on July 4, where he remained two years, part of the time being
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
employed on a ranch and also in a butcher shop, with a very meagre mining experience interspersed. In the summer of 1868 he left for home and finally reached here in October, his mar- riage occurring sometime after. Miss Margaret E. Broom then became his wife, her birth having taken place in North Carolina July 25, 1849. Her parents, Noah and Louisa Broom, nee Steigall, who were married in 1846, were also natives of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Fergus have had two children: Ida May, born September 8, 1871, died March 5, 1875, and Charlie Quantrell, born May 24, 1874.
Benjamin E. Ferry is a native Missourian, his birth having occurred at Boonville, Cooper county, July 9, 1853. His father, Benjamin E. Ferry, was also of Missouri origin, born in St. Charles county, at Fort Dardenne, in 1810. He was a man of good education and above the ordinary in intelligence, having studied law and also acquired considerable prominence as a politician. He edited one of the first papers in Missouri, west of St. Louis, at Fayette, Howard county, and after selecting Cooper county as his permanent home was engaged in the publi- cation of a journal at Boonville for some time. For twenty years he filled most acceptably the office of county clerk of that county and was also for eight years its sheriff, besides these posi- tions of trust and responsibility representing the county in the state legislature. In 1861 he entered the Confederate army, served faithfully during his term of service, and upon returning from the war practiced his profession until 1868, when he came to Vernon county, here making his home until his death in 1875. He married Miss Harriet T. Thompson, adopted daughter of Major Triggs, of Frankfort, Ky .; she died at Boonville in 1866, leaving two children living, William T. and Benjamin E. Benjamin was brought up until sixteen years of age in his native town, attending school most of the time. Subsequently, in 1868,. he came with his father to this county, and since then has devoted his time to farming and stock raising. March 12, 1878, Mr. Ferry was married to Miss Annie E. Earhart, daughter of Dr. M. Earhart. She was born in Red River county, Texas. Their four children are Michael E., William T., Benjamin E. Jr., and Harriet V.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
William J. Finley* has been a resident of Vernon county, Mis- souri, more than thirty years, was born in Howard county, Missouri, February 10, 1847, and is the only son, and one of a family of six children, born to Benjamin and Jane (Looney) Finley, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Ten- nessee. Of their other children, Mrs. Elizabeth Winn, who lived in Washington, is deceased. Mrs. Polly Hargis resides in Belton, Mo. Mrs. John Burris died in Moberly, Mo. Louisa married Mr. John Vinyard, now deceased, and had one daughter. By a second marriage to Mr. Plez Oglesby, she had two daughters; Nannie, their fifth daughter, also is deceased. The mother passed away in 1854, and the father in 1862. From the time he was ten till he was fourteen years old, William lived with one of his sis- ters, and then lived with his sister, Mrs. Hargis, in Jackson county, some two years. Going then to Moniteau county, he, on October 31, 1873, married Miss Nannie Newkirk, who was born in that county March 20, 1851, to Harrison and Margaret (Ren- shaw) Newkirk, the former born in Kentucky, and the latter in Cooper county, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Newkirk had a family of ten children, viz .: Absolom Newkirk, of Moniteau county. The second child married first, Mr. Ferd Cook, and later Mr. Alexander Ashcraft. Mrs. P. T. Gates, who lives in Montana. W. J. Finley. Laura married Mr. Sellers, and lives in Montana. Mrs. Jennie McClanahan, of St. Louis. Sallie, the wife of Mr. Finley, of Moniteau county. Drake, of Kansas City. Willard, of Moniteau county, and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Finley came to Vernon county in 1880, and cultivated a leased farm in Walker township two years. In 1882 he bought ninety acres of land in section 6, Clear Creek township, and since then has bought other land, owning at present-1911-180 acres in Clear Creek and forty acres in Bacon township. Mr. Finley has been a life-long farmer and stock raiser and dealer, and in his operations has achieved marked success. He is a Democrat in political opinion, but has had no desire for office, finding in his regular work enough to fully engage his attention. Both he and Mrs. Finley are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Mr. and Mrs. Finley have had six children, three of whom are living. These are: Mrs. Moss, who was born September 7,
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
1877 ; Harry Finley, born August 18, 1882; and William, who was born August 9, 1891.
William E. Fisher was a resident of Michigan when the firing upon Fort Sumter first attracted attention, and on October 14, 1861, he enlisted in the Twelfth Michigan Infantry, afterwards serving in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, where he was taken prisoner. For fourteen days he was confined at Tuscaloosa, and for four months and sixteen days at Macon, Ga., and one month and fourteen days at Raleigh, N. C., after which he was taken to Richmond and paroled. On leaving there he went to Mobile, Ala., and thence to the blockade fleet at the mouth of the Missis- sippi, later reaching New York. Detroit was subsequently reached and then St. Louis, thence returning to Detroit, from which place he went to Camp Chase, in Ohio. From this point he ran away and returned home, remaining there until March, 1863. when he went back to Detroit and afterwards to Haines' Bluff, on the Yazoo river, where he joined his regiment after an absence of just one year to a day. Subsequently he participated in the siege of Vicksburg, then being transferred to the Seventh Army Corps, going to Helena, Ark., and with Steele to Little Rock, where he served out his time in the Trans-Mississippi department. After being mustered out Mr. Fisher returned home. In 1865 he came to Vernon county, Missouri Mr. Fisher is a native of Sandusky, O., born November 23, 1845. Ilif Fisher, his father, of Portage county, Ohio, followed lumber manufac- turing as his calling in life; his wife was of German nativity, formerly Miss Christina Lochinaw. In 1846 the family removed to Michigan and there William was reared, attending to the lumber business and running a saw mill in connection with his father. He (Ilif) died in 1858. May 1, 1868, Mr. Fisher married Miss Sarah J. Pierce, of Grayson county, Kentucky.
Columbus C. Foland is a prosperous and well-to-do farmer of Washington township, Vernon county, Missouri, where he was born May 10, 1867. He is the fifth child and one of two sur- vivors of a family of seven children born to Jacob and Sarah (Jones) Foland, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The father, who was a cabinetmaker, followed his trade all his early life. He moved from Virginia to Tennessee in an early day and
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BIOGRAPHICAL
thence went to Vernon county, Missouri, in 1857 and settled on a farm in sections 3 and 4, Washington township. He was a pros- perous farmer and stock raiser and an active man of affairs, self- educated and alive to all that pertained to the welfare of the community, and at the time of his decease, in 1898, was the owner of 500 acres of well-improved land. He was an ardent Democrat and especially active in the local conventions and councils of his party.
Our subject acquired his education in the public schools of Vernon county and grew to manhood on the home farm, living with his parents till he was twenty-four years of age. As a farmer Mr. Foland is practical, up-to-date and thoroughly abreast of the times in the matter of improved methods, and besides 240 acres of land in Washington township owns six houses and lots in Nevada. He adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, with progressive tendencies, is identified with the Modern Wood- men of America and Modern Brotherhood of America, and, with his wife, is affiliated with the Christian Church. On October 23, 1892, Mr. Foland married Miss Minnie Smith, daughter of Mr. J. E. Smith, of Vernon county. Mr. and Mrs. Foland have six children, viz., Ruby, born February 6, 1894; Dee, born February 22, 1896 ; Elbert, born February 22, 1898 ; Fannie, born December 28, 1899; Alice, born October 18, 1902, and Daisy Dean, born January 19, 1904, and girl baby born July 27, 1911.
John Fonburg. The following brief facts will serve to give an idea of the manner in which his successful life was spent. He was born November 17, 1836, in Switzerland, the son of Lewis Fonburg (of French origin) and wife, the latter of Swiss birth. John remained in his native country until some 12 years of age, when, with his father, he emigrated to the United States, settling first in Cook county, Illinois. in 1849. In growing up he was made familiar with the details of agricultural life, and this oc- cupation he continued to follow for some time, later entering the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, in which he continued four years. The three following years were passed in steamboating on the Mississippi, and after this he re- sumed farming in Illinois, remaining so engaged for five years in Macoupin county. In 1861 he was married to Miss Francis Gen- ser. originally from Germany, and in 1867 they moved from their
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
Illinois home to Vernon county, Missouri, where they ever after lived. Mr. Fonburg from that time devoted himself to his chosen calling and became recognized as one of Vernon county's substan- tial citizens. He owned a fine farm of 320 acres, well improved, the surroundings of which indicated the good farmer that he was. His convenient, commodious buildings were kept in good repair, as was, indeed, everything about the place. One thing to which he gave no little attention, and one so universally neglected by the average farmer, was the raising of small fruits. He, by his energy and the aid of his estimable wife and worthy family, secured a comfortable competency and desirable home-the abode of taste and refinement. He and his wife were blessed with a family of six children: Charles E., Henry P., Leona, John B., James M. and Frank Albert. Mr. Fonberg died on June 26, 1906.
Pierce Fonburg, one of Vernon county's prosperous farmers, comes of Swiss lineage. He was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, July 8, 1866, to John and Frances (Genser) Fonburg, who immi- grated from Switzerland, their native country, to Cook county, Illinois, in 1849. The father there worked for a railroad com- pany and later moved to Macoupin county and lived till his removal with his family to Vernon county, Missouri, in 1867. Here he bought and settled on forty acres of land and kept adding to this until he had 560 acres. Three years before his death he moved to Nevada and lived there until his death, which occurred January 26, 1906.
Pierce acquired his education in the district schools of Vernon county, which he attended till he was twenty-two years old, and lived and worked on the home farm till he was twenty-six, when, on June 19, 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Taylor, near Bronaugh. After his marriage Mr. Fonburg culti- vated leased land two years and then bought eighty acres in sec- tion 29, Harrison township, where he has since made his home with his family, having added another eighty-acre tract to his original purchase. In his farming operations Mr. Fonberg has given particular attention to breeding and raising horses and hogs, and in this, as in all his work, has been eminently successful.
He is a Democrat in political opinion, but has taken little part in matters outside his regular business more than to perform his
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BIOGRAPHICAL
duties as a good citizen. He is identified with the Masonic order, and also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. and Mrs. Fonburg have had four children, of whom the two surviving are: Jessie, who was born July 8, 1898, and Allen, who was born December 11, 1905.
Judge William F. Ford was born in Shelby county, Ken- tucky, September 13, 1816. He was the son of William W. Ford, of South Carolina nativity, who, when 12 years of age, accom- panied his father to Shelby county, Kentucky, where he remained until his marriage in 1806 to Miss Elizabeth Metcalf. Mr. Ford was a minister of the Baptist denomination, and after a period exceeding thirty years, he served as pastor of the Christiansburg church ; also at various times filling appointments throughout the surrounding country. To himself and wife the following family of children were given: James, who died in early youth; Eliza, James W., Zerilda, William F., Emmarine, Louisa, John M., Nineon M., Elizabeth and Cassandra. William F. received his education in his native county where he graduated when twenty years of age. On December 24, 1835, he married Miss Malinda Powell, the daughter of John and Dorcas Powell, and after this event took up the occupation of farming, in which he met with good success. Upon leaving the Blue Grass state, Mr. Ford moved to Andrew county, Missouri, and during his residence there was elected as judge of the county court, his official duties extending over two terms. Leaving Andrew county, Judge Ford moved to Clay county, in 1864, and in October, 1868, he came to Vernon county. The Judge named his homestead "Pleasant View Farm." He and his wife had the following children: Cassandra P., William F., John H., James T., Edmund P., Henry C., Minerva A., Elizabeth, Shelby, George M., Emaline B., Lucy A., Sarah C., Yancy B., and Malinda C.
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