USA > Missouri > History of southeast Missouri : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 85
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Mr. Johnson married, in 1875, Louisa Bailey, who died five years later, leaving three children, namely: Corrinner V., is the wife of Joseph Tackeberry, of Dunklin coun- ty, and they have five children: James A., Katie, Ernest P., Minnie B. and Dudley ; Minnie B., wife of Henry Jones, until her father's demise lived with him, presiding over his household wisely and well. They have had eight children: Stella, Della, Clarence and five who died young; and Jennie who died at five years of age. Like himself, Mr. Johnson's children are respected and prom- inent and very loyal to the institutions of Dunklin county.
HONORABLE ROBERT GIBONEY RANNEY. Al- though the man without ancestors, who suc-
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ceeds in making his own way in the world has doubtless a great deal to contend with, he is without the obligations which are im- posed on the descendant of a family which has always amounted to something. The feel- ing of noblesse oblige determines many ac- tions. If a mau is conscientious this feel- ing is his safeguard, although he may chafe under the obligations at times. The Honor- able Robert Giboney Ranney has not only lived so as to satisfy his family and his fel- low men, but has also lived up to the standard set forth by his father and his grandfather; he has made his life count for something; he has not only made a competency for him- self and his family, but he has done honor to the name; he has been of assistance to individuals; he has aided in the advance- ment of his state and his country.
He was born at Jackson, Cape Girardeau county, Misouri, December 15, 1849. His grandfather was Stephen Ranney, a native of Connecticut, who served in the Revolu- tionary war and also in the war of 1812. He held the office of Attorney General under Governor Hendricks. He spent the last years of his life in Cape Girardeau county and was buried at Jackson, Missouri. He had a large, powerful frame and was phys- ically a very strong man. He was married four times, his last wife, grandmother of our subject, being Elizabeth Hathorn of Salem, Massachusetts.
William C. Ranney, father of Robert and son of Stephen, was a native of Whitehall, New York. He came to Cape Girardeau county, Missouri, about 1826, where he soon made his presence felt, being a lawyer by profession. He was the first common pleas judge in the county, having been appointed by the legislature,-a most unusual occur- rence. He was a member of the legislature and was state senator. During the whole of his residence in Cape Girardeau he was active in public affairs, feeling the deepest interest in the growth and advancement of the state in which he was one of the early settlers. He lived to be eighty-three years old and was hale and hearty up to the time of his death. He, like his father, was possessed of a very strong physique and weighed two hundred and seventy-five pounds. He mar- ried Elizabeth Giboney, a native of Missouri. Her father, Robert Giboney, came to Mis- souri with his father, Alexander Giboney, about 1796 from their home near Harper's
Ferry, in Virginia. They came by wagon to Cape Girardeau county, bringing with them the few necessities of life. They were pi- oneers to Cape Girardeau county, where they obtained grants of land and located there. These tracts of land are still in the owner- ship of the descendant's. Mrs. William C .: Ranney lived to the age of eighty-one, hav- ing borne four sons to her husband, three of whom are living now. The eldest son was Stephen, named after his grandfather; Rob- ert Giboney was the second; William Alex- ander, named after his father, the third, and Herbert Hathorn, the youngest.
When Robert was a baby his parents moved to a farm five miles southwest of Cape Girar- deau; there Robert was brought up and as soon as he was old enough he attended the district school. He learned how to do all sorts of farm work, thereby laying a founda. tion for conscientious fulfilment of duty that. has been of good service to him through life. He was sent away to attend the Kentucky Military Institute when he was seventeen years old. He remained there four years and when he returned home he taught one, year. He had by this time made up his mind that he wished to study law as had his father and uncle, Johnson Ranney before. him. He was desirous of starting in their footsteps but would make others for himself, branching out in other directions from those. taken by his ancestors. After reading law with Louis Houck he attended the law school. at the Missouri University, graduating in the. class of 1873. Louis Houck had formed such a high opinion of his ex-scholar's abilities that he took him into partnership. The two. did business together until 1880, when Rob- ert's state of health compelled him to retire, from the practice of law. He moved on to a farm and continued to actively superintend its management until 1894. He found the. outdoor life was just what was needed to build up his health, but was in no hurry to, return to his professional life, rather pre- ferring the quiet, simple life of a farmer., In 1894, however, the interests of his family decided him to move to Cape Girardeau and: again practice law. His knowledge and capa-' bilities were such that he was eminently suc- cessful. In 1908 he was elected judge of the Common Pleas Court, which position he now fills. He had previously been a Justice of the Peace, while he was engaged in farming.
In 1876 he married Lizzie Giboney, by
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whom he had five children, two of whom ived to maturity, viz., Louise, wife of Clyde Harrison of Cape Girardeau, and Robert Clifton, also living in Cape Girardeau. Mrs. Ranney died in 1892. In 1894 Mr. Ranney married Emma Wathen, by whom he also lad five children, all of whom are living, as follows: Wathena, Roberta, Ralph G., Mary ind Maud.
The Judge is one of the oldest born citi- ens of southeastern Missouri, where he has spent the whole of his life, with the excep- ion of his school days, when he went both south and east. He has always been a firm pholder of Democratic principles, believing hat in them are the principles of good gov- ernment. He believes in party spirit, not be- cause he is prepared to endorse everything that is done by his party, but he does heart- ly endorse its great principles. He thinks ind reasons for himself and is most tolerant of the opinions of others, to whom he grants the same right of free thinking and acting. Although he is decided in his own views he does not necessarily think all others are wrong. He is a man with a keen sense of justice and right, a man who has helped to make of Cape Girardeau the power that it now is in the state.
HORACE D. BENEDICT. Americans are be- ginning to realize the moral as well as the historical significance of genealogical founda- tions. A nation which relies upon the rec- ord of its homes for its national character cannot afford to ignore the value of genealog- ical investigation as one of the truest sources of patriotism. The love of home inspires the love of country. There is a wholesome influence in genealogical research which can- not be overestimated. Moreover, there is a deep human interest to it. The Hon. Horace Dryden Benedict, present mayor and promi- nent business man at Fredericktown, Mis- souri, is a scion of an old, old English family, his genealogy in England being traced back to the eleventh century. The original pro- genitor of the name in America settled at Rotterdam, Connecticut, having immigrated to that place at a very early day. Subse- quently members of the family removed to Canada and on their return to the United States settled in St. Lawrence county, New York, where they were engaged largely in surveying. The great-grandfather of him whose name forms the caption for this re-
view was killed in the war of 1812 by In- dians and a number of his forebears were gallant soldiers in the war for independence.
The career of Horace D. Benedict has been varied and interesting in the extreme, as will be noted in ensuing paragraphs. He was born in Jefferson county, New York, on the 11th of January, 1843, and is a son of Amasa and Waty (Reynolds) Benedict, botlı natives of New York. When the young Horace was two years old his parents re- moved from the east to northern Ohio, where he was reared to adult age. During his life time he had resided in twenty-six different states and for a time he also maintained his home in Canada. As a young man he learned the trade of telegraph operator and for a number of years he was in the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, also doing construction on that and other roads.
At the time of the inception of the Civil war Mr. Benedict was fired with boyish en- thusiasm for the cause of the Union and enlisted at the first call for volunteers, be- coming a member of the Fourteenth Ohio Regiment. Three months later he enlisted for three years in the Third Ohio, and while a member of that regiment was captured at the battle of Iuka and sent to prison at Vicksburg, where he was held in duress for uearly three months. He saw much hard service but was never seriously injured. He participated in the Atlanta campaign and received his discharge and was mustered out of service in November, 1864. After the completion of his military service Mr. Bene- dict returned to Ohio, whence he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, in the following year. In the latter city he entered the Military telegraph service and later engaged in rail- road construction work, as previously noted. On the 1st of July, 1888, he located at Fred- ericktown, where he engaged in contracting and building work, having a large number of men in his employ and also handling all kinds of building supplies. In the early '90s he became interested in the old Madison County Bank at Fredericktown, serving as vice-president and manager of that institu- tion for a number of years. This concern was later disposed of to the trust company. For several years past Mr. Benedict has lived retired, contenting himself with a gen- eral supervision of his extensive holdings. He is the owner of nine beautiful residences
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in St. Louis, the rental from which is a snug fortune in itself. He is also the owner of two fine residences at Fredericktown.
In October, 1866, Mr. Benedict was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hallett, who was born and reared in Ohio. Concerning their children the following record is here of- fered,-Truman L. is owner of the telephone exchange at Clarendon, Texas, and he is mar- ried to Maud MeAlpin, of Gurdon, Arkan- sas, and has four children, viz., Myrle R., Grace T., Mary H. and William R. He was formerly connected with railroad construc- tion work. Russell Pope is connected with a telegraph company at St. Louis. He mar- ried first Miss Katie Hill, of Fredericktown, Missouri, who died January 25, 1908, leav- ing one daughter, Mary H., aged eleven years in June, 1911. His present wife was Miss Anna Weatherwax. Horace, Jr., married Carolyn Brock, of Frankfort, Kcn- tucky, and travels for the Thomas Law Book Company, of St. Louis. Norma is the wife of Louis F. Alt, who is in the license col- lector's office of St. Louis. They have one child, Benedict Alt, aged two years.
Mr. and Mrs. Benedict were married in Lucas county, Ohio, and for thirteen years followed farming near Toledo, Ohio. Then, in 1880, they removed to Marshall, Texas, where Mr. Benedict was engaged in con- struction work, under his half-brother, C. W. Hammond, who was superintendent of the whole Gould system, telegraph and con- struction work. He was a prominent man in those circles and was an old resident of St. Louis. He died in 1899, at his home at St. Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Benedict had little to start with except energy and ambition, and their united efforts have been crowned with success.
In politics Mr. Benedict is a stanch ad- vocate of the cause of the Republican party in national issues but in local affairs he main- tains an independent attitude, voting for men and measures meeting with the approval of his judgment. In 1910 he was elected mayor of Fredericktown, being incumbent of that office at the present time. He is proving a most efficient administrator of the munic- ipal affairs of the city and has instituted · many improvements during his regime. In the time-honored Masonic order he has passed through the circles of both the York and the Scottish Rite branches, being a member of the Commandery and Consistory at St.
Louis. He retains a deep and abiding in- terest in his old comrades in arms and signi- fies the same by membership in Hiram Gavitt Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He and his family are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. The life history of Mr. Benedict is certainly worthy of commendation and emulation, for along , honorable and straightforward lines he has : won the success which crowns his efforts and which makes him one of the substantial resi- dents of Fredericktown.
MOSES H. TOPPING, M. D. One of the emi- nent citizens of Flat River, Saint Francois county, Missouri, is Dr. Moses H. Topping, a physician widely known for his high attain- ments in his profession, and who in addition to his general practice is extensively engaged in surgery among the miners. Dr. Topping is also president of the Bank of Flat River, and it is largely due to his discrimination and well directed administrative dealing that this institution has become one of the sub- stantial and popular smaller banking houses of the state of Missouri.
Dr. Topping is a Virginian by birth, the place of his nativity having been Elizabeth City county, of the Old Dominion, and its date November 6, 1874. His father, James S. Topping, was also born in Virginia, and like most of the young men of his day and gen- eration lie was a soldier in the Civil war, hav- ing entered the army of the Confederacy at the early age of sixteen years. He saw some of the most active service of the war and par- . ticipated in some of the closing events, hav- ing been with General Lee at the fall of Richmond. After the war he adopted the Republican policies and was throughout his , life a useful and public-spirited citizen. He engaged in the wholesale wood, coal and stock food business and followed this actively until his demise, March 16, 1895, in Eliza- beth City county, Virginia. He was mar- ried at about the age of twenty-nine years to Alice Jane Hawkins, daughter of Captain James Hawkins, of Elizabeth City county, Virginia. The Hawkins family is of English descent. Dr. Topping was the youngest of three children born to these worthy people, the others being James B., of Harriston, Vir- ginia; and Alice Virginia, now Mrs. M. T. Webber. The father was a consistent mem- ber of the Baptist church and a popular and prominent lodge man, his fraternal affilia-
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tions extending to the Knights of Pythias, the Masons and the Redmen.
The preliminary education of Dr. Moses H. Topping was received in the public and high schools at Hampton, Virginia. His higher training was of a varied and exten- sive character, including attendance at the Suffolk Military Academy; a year at Wil- liam and Mary College at Williamsburg, Vir- ginia; and two years at the Physicians and Surgeons College at Richmond. It was while he was a student at the latter institution that its name was changed to the University College of Medicine. He finished his prep- aration for his profession at the Louisville Medical College, there graduating and re- ceiving his degree. He went to Oklahoma to begin active practice, but remained there but a short time, in 1897 removing to Missouri and settling in Desloge, Saint Francois county. After a residence in that town he came on to Flat River, where he has ever since remained, and where his ability has received enthusiastic recognition. Dr. Topping is president of the Bank of Flat River, as men- tioned previously, and he has held this high position ever since its organization, in which he was instrumental. He is likewise presi- dent of that flourishing concern-the Lead Belt Amusement Company. Dr. Topping is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, of which he is a disciple by inheritance and personal conviction, and he is a valued mem- ber of the Baptist church, assisting to the best of his ability in its good works. No movement calculated to result in bettered conditions for the whole of society fails to secure his support, and he is in truth at the head of many such. He has social pro- clivities, finding pleasure in association with his brethren, and his lodge affiliations ex- tend to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias.
On May 4, 1898, Dr. Topping established a happy household by his union with Amanda C. Blue, daughter of John W. Blue, a promi- nent Saint Francois county agriculturist and one of the pioneer settlers of southeastern Missouri. Her grandfather, John W. Blue, was mayor of Farmington previous to the Civil war. The union of Dr. and Mrs. Top- ping has been blessed by the birth of three children, Vannesse, Virginia and Norman H., and their home is the center of gracious hos- pitality.
GEORGE T. DUNMIRE, the postmaster at Kennett, has had a most interesting career. The educators of the present day are urging military training as a means of making bet- ter citizens. What Mr. Dunmire might have been without his military service it is hard to say, but at least the lessons he learned while in the army have been of more value to him than any experience gained before or since.
He was born in Mercer county, Pennsyl- vania. April 21, 1837. He received his edu- cation in his native town and when the Civil war broke out he joined the One Hundred and Forty-second Pennsylvania Regiment, serving from August 8th until the close of the war. He was in the battle of the Po- tomac and at Appomattox, serving as Com- missary Sergeant for a time. After the war was ended he went back to Pennsylvania, where he stayed until 1866, when he located at what is now known as Cumberland City, Kentucky, the Coal Company having estab- lished the postoffice there. In 1870 he left there to go to Springfield and a year later returned to Pennsylvania. After three years there he went to Indiana, remaining about a year, and thence to Birmingham, Kentucky, where he remained until 1878, when he came to Malden, Missouri, where his brother-in-law, C. P. Phillips, had been in the mercantile business from its start. After remaining with Mr. Phillips for a year and a half, Mr. Dunmire went to Paragould, Arkansas, but his stay there was short lived, only lasting one year. He came to Kennett in 1884 and has been here ever since. For two years he was in the general store business, then he became a building eontractor, continuing thus until 1901, when he was with his son in the drug store. In 1907 he was appointed post- master under President Roosevelt. He has fitted up a nice postoffice and has one rural free delivery. During the four years of serv- ice he has devoted himself to the dnties of postmaster and has fulfilled them to the sat- isfaction of the people in general.
In 1868 Mr. Dunmire was married in Ken- tucky to Vienna M. Phillips. Three chil- dren were born to the union, two of whom reached maturity, but only one is living now, John H., the druggist at Kennett. In addi- tion to his drug business Mr. John Dun- mire is the assisting postmaster and has re- ceived the appointment as postmaster. Hat-
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tie E. married Leonard Loeffeler of Hayti, Missouri, and died when a young woman.
Mr. Dunmire has been connected with the Masons for forty-four years, having joined the order iu Kentucky in 1867. He is still a worker in the lodge. He is affiliated with Kennett Lodge, No. 68, A. F. & A. M., Helm Chapter, No. 117, of Kennett, and Camp- bell Council, No. 30, of Campbell, Missouri. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Kennett. Mr. Dunmire is what is known as a Black Republican in St. Louis, but he has hosts of friends with the Demo- cratic party, notwithstanding the active work he has always done for the Republicans. During the years that Mr. Dunmire has been in Kennett he has seen many changes in the county, most of them for the better. He is one of the most loyal citizens of Kennett, standing ready at all times to do his best for its betterment. He began his life in the service of Uncle Sam in the army and hopes to end it in the same service in the postal department.
BURWELL Fox. One of the native Ohioans transplanted to the great state of Missouri is Burwell Fox, a prominent educator now serving as county superintendent of schools, and a gifted writer and editor. He is a man not only of ability, but also of high ideals of citizenship, and although a Democrat in politics, at the election for his present office he received a large majority in a strongly Republican county,-assuredly an eloquent tribute. He was educated for the law and practiced his profession in Lebanon, Ohio, in which city he also served as mayor and police judge.
Professor Fox was born near Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, December 8, 1849, and his father, John C. Fox, was born in the vicinity of Lebanon. The grandparents were of Scotch-English stock. John C. Fox lived in the Buckeye state in the days when the wilderness had but recently yielded to the strength and daring. of the first brave pi- oneers and he himself grew to manhood on a farm in his native county and there acquired those habits of industry and thrift which dis- tinguished his later life. He answered to the two-fold calling of carpenter and farmer, and subsequently he removed to Indiana, his farm being practically the forest. In 1857 he died from the effects of a horsekick. He married Anne Wayne Brownley, a native
of the Old Dominion. Three children were born to them. The eldest died in infancy; Sarah F. is now Mrs. John T. Barr; and Burwell is the subject of his brief biograph- ical record. The mother died one month af- ter the death of her husband, and the two children were left alone in the world at a very early age. In religious conviction the elder Mr. Fox was a Baptist and he was a stanch Whig.
Burwell Fox was but seven years of age when he became fatherless and motherless. The home in Indiana was of course broken up and he went to live with an aunt and uncle, Burwell and Catherine Bassett, who resided ! in his native Lebanon. He received an edu- cation in the public schools of Lebanon and through the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Bassett found it possible to prepare for the legal profession, to which he was inclined. His studies in this line were pursued at Lebanon, Ohio, and in 1870 he was admitted to the bar at that place and shortly afterward he com- menced to practice, and took his place among the representative members of his profession. In 1872 he gave Lebanon an excellent admin- istration as mayor and he held the office of police judge until 1876, in which year he departed for Missouri.
Professor Fox located at once in Washing- ton county and since coming here his field of most active usefulness has been the ped- agogical. From 1893 to 1897 he was United States commissioner at Ironton, Missouri, and he subsequently resumed teaching. In 1909 he was elected to his present important office as county superintendent of schools and in : 1911 was reelected to the same office. The triumph of his personality over politics has been previously told. He is a splendid, enlightened officer and well maintains the dignity and responsibility of the superinten- dency. He has the work exceedingly well systemized and can instantly look up the record of any teacher or school. His career as an instructor has also included three years as principal of the Potosi schools.
Professor Fox was first married November 13, 1878, Miss Kitty I. Harguss, a member of a Kentucky family, becoming his wife. She died in 1889, at Arcadia, Missouri, and the one child born to the union is also deceased. On June 29, 1892, he was united to Miss Maria A. Russell. of Ironton, daughter of Theodore P. and Emily (Guild) Russell, and they share their delightful, cultured home -
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with a son, who bears his father's name. A younger son, Pitkin, died at the age of hree. They are members of the Presbyterian church and act in harmony with all salutary measures.
Professor Fox's literary talent has been before alluded to. IIe has been successful as magazine writer, being particularly gifted n the field of fiction and he at one time assisted in the editing of the Iron County Register and the Potosi Independent.
JOHN J. MAUTHE. Among the prominent ind representative citizens of Pacific, John J. Mauthe holds deservedly high place in pop- ilar confidence and esteen, his fellow towns- nen having paid him the highest compliment within their power of considering him a worthy son of that splendid and honorable citizen, the late William Mauthe. He holds he office of cashier of the Citizens' Bank of Pacific, having held this position since 1909, und has proved himself an efficient, alert ind well-trained banker, whose discrimina- ion and well directed administrative deal- ng have been of no inconsiderable value in building up its fortunes. He comes of Ger- nan stoek and in him are to be discovered chose excellent characteristics which make he Teutonic one of our most admirable sources of citizenship. In addition to his banking interests he is identified with the mercantile life of the place.
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