History of southeast Missouri : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 28

Author: Douglass, Robert Sidney. 4n
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 802

USA > Missouri > History of southeast Missouri : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 28

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On the 5th of November, 1891, was sol- emnized the marriage of Dr. Hempstead to Mrs. Betty Russell Shaner, widow of Wade Shaner and a daughter of Elam Russell. By her first marriage Mrs. Hempstead became the mother of one daughter, Marie Shaner, who is now living at home. To Dr. and Mrs. Hempstead were born three children: Mary D., Gertrude Fay, and James Elam. In his religious faith Dr. Hempstead was a de- vout member of the Presbyterian church and in this connection it is interesting to note that Edwin Hempstead, great uncle of the Doctor, was instrumental in establish- ing the first church of this denomination west of the Mississippi river, he having come to the city of St. Louis as early as the year 1811.

In politics Dr. IIempstead was an uncom- promising advocate of the cause of the Dem-

ocratic party and at the time of his death he was a member of the city council of Cape Girardeau. While a resident of Egypt Mills he was the popular and efficient incumbent of the office of postmaster in that place for a period of fourteen years. In fraternal channels he was affiliated with the Masonic order, having completed the circle of the York Rite branch and being a valued and appreciative member of the lodge, chapter and commandery.

H. A. SUGG. A man of superior business intelligence and judgment, H. A. Sugg, of Kennett, is prominently identified with one of the foremost industries of Dunklin county, being president and manager of the Plant- ers' Gin Company, which owns several plants and gives employment to many men. Born at Dyersburg, Dyer county, Tennessee, H. A. Sugg grew to manhood in the cotton belt, and as a young man became familiar with cotton ginning in his native state, having been there engaged in the cotton trade fifteen years be- fore coming to Dunklin county to assume charge of the affairs of the company with which he is now associated.

In 1906 the Planters' Gin Company was organized with a capital of twenty-five thou- sand dollars, and with its present efficient officers. H. A. Sugg being president, and manager, and George Ferguson secretary and treasurer. It was started with three plants, one at Hàyti, Pemiscot county, one at Hol- comb, and one at Kennett, where the main office is also located. The business increased with such wonderful rapidity from the very beginning that other plants were soon re- quired, and have since been established in the following-named places: at Gibson, Frisbee, Octa and Senath, in Dunklin county, and at Nimmons, Arkansas. These various plants have an average capacity of from eight hun- dred to one thousand bales each, or a business amounting to about three hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year. Each plant main- tains its own gin, buying cotton from local growers, and also carrying on a custom trade, and in the ginning season one hundred men, mostly from Dunklin county, are employed, the Company's monthly pay roll in each plant amounting to nearly one thousand dol- lars. The head office of the firm is at Ken- nett, and the cotton is sold direct from that office. The ginning property is now valued at fifty thousand dollars or more, and is one

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of the most extensive and prosperous of the kind in Missouri.

ALONZO T. HARLOW. The late Alonzo Thomas Harlow was for many years a valued factor and an honored resident of this sec- tion. He was born, March 24, 1840, in Har- risonville, Illinois, and there received his early education. He subsequently entered Shurtleff College, at Upper Alton, Illinois. and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1861. About the time of the at- tainment of his majority he went to St. Louis and there secured a position with the firm of Harlow & Wall, commission merchants, as bookkeeper. When he severed his connection with that firm it was to engage in business independently, embarking in the commission business in St. Louis. Eventually he took in a partner, and the firm became known as that of Harlow, Gelston & Company, and later, with the retirement of Mr. Gelston, he organ- ized the firm of Harlow, Spencer & Company. He encountered very definite success, his career continuing very interruptedly for several years, until failing health made it necessary for him to retire from the firm and go to California to recuperate.

In 1885 the firm of Harlow & Spencer failed, and Mr. Harlow, with the fine cour- age which characterized his every relation, assumed the indebtedness of the firm. He then became associated with the Nanson Com- mission Company and continued with them for eight years, and at the end of that period he and Mr. Spencer again went into partner- ship, the Spencer-Harlow Commission Com- pany taking its place among the important concerns of its kind. This arrangement, however, preceded the death of Mr. Harlow by only one year, his summons to the Great Beyond occurring January 31, 1894, when he was virtually in the prime of life and use- fulness. He was a man who enjoyed the con- fidence of all those who knew him and he held high place in mercantile and commission cir- cles, as well as in social and civic life.

In 1881 Alonzo T. Harlow was elected vice president of the Merchants' Exchange, and just before his demise he was elected to the office of president. He was a member of the Masonie lodge, and the high principles for which this ancient organization stands were with him far more than a rhetorical expres- sion, for he exemplified them in his daily liv- ing. He also fraternized with the Knights of Honor. He was a stanch Republican, one

of the leading ones of the section, in fact, and at one time made an unsuccessful candidacy for state representative, certain local condi- tions bringing about his defeat. Some twenty-five years previous to his death he founded the Windsor-Harbor Presbyterian church, of which he remained an active mem- ber throughout his life.

Mr. Harlow was twice married, his first wife being Miss Rhoda Israel, who died twenty years after their union. In 1886 Miss Lettia B. Waters, of Kimmswick, Jefferson county, was united to him in marriage, and their ideally happy companionship was only of about eight years duration. Two sons were born into their home-Alonzo W. and Logan S. Mrs. Harlow, a lady of admirable char- acter and charming personality, still resides at Kimmswick, with her two sons. She, too, is a member of the Presbyterian church. It was in about the year 1868 that the late Mr. Harlow came to Kimmswiek, where he built the beautiful family home, but he continued in business in St. Louis.

Alonzo W. Harlow, the elder of the sons, is engaged in the surety bond business in St. Louis, but he also retains his residence in Kimmswick, his birthplace and the scene of the greater part of his young life.

BARTON HAYES BOYER. Although still a young man, Barton Hayes Boyer, prosecuting attorney of Saint Francois county, is one of the prominent and representative citizens of Farmington. With an equipment which has gained him recognition as one of the ablest of lawyers, he has no inconsiderable fame in local courts and, successful as he has been in the past, it is firmly believed that the future holds still greater honors.

Mr. Boyer was born October 10, 1877, at French Village, Saint Francois county. His father, Francis A. Boyer, was born in Jeffer- son county in 1856 and passed his entire life until he became of age upon a farm. He took advantage of such simple educational advantages as were proffered by the district schools and when he came to manhood's es- tate he for a time engaged independently in farming. He subsequently engaged as a miner at Bonne Terre and when the Doe Run property was first opened he helped sink the first shaft in the same. He continued in the mines for a great many years or up to the death of his wife, which occurred in 1891. After that much lamented event he remained for about one year at Knob Lick and in the

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HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

intervening time has lived in various places, not having settled upon a permanent habita- tion. He is now virtually retired from active labor. The senior Mr. Boyer was married in 1876 to Sarah E. Shumaker, daughter of William G. Shumaker, a farmer located at French Village. To this union the following five children were born: B. H. Boyer, the subject of this record; Samuel G., located at Grandin; Charles B., who is a citizen of Grandin; Nora E., widow of Mr. Garland; and Mary E. In politics the head of the

FREDERICK THIELE. Mr. Thiele's parents are natives of Germany. The father, John Thiele, came to this country when only house is an adherent of the policies and prin- . eleven, and his mother, too, left the Father- ciples of the "Grand Old Party;" his church faith is Baptist; and he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

To the public schools of Saint Francois and Jefferson counties is Barton H. Boyer indebted for his educational training. In 1893 he bade farewell to his desk in the school room and went to Jefferson county, where until 1897 he made his livelihood by working on the farm and when opportunity offered continuing his studies. In the year men- tioned he matriculated at Carleton Institute, where he studied for a twelvemonth and at the end of that time he joined the Navy and remained in the same for two years, his con- nection with that national institution taking him to various interesting quarters of the country. He then returned to Carleton In- stitute, where he continued his studies, being graduated in 1901, with the degree of Bach- elor of Literature. During the years of study and adventure he had gradually determined to become a lawyer and the last year at col- lege he studied law under a private in- structor, Mr. James A. Abernathy, receiving additional council and instruction from Judge Carter and Messrs. George W. Wilson, Jerry S. Gossom, Jerre B. Burks and F. M. Carter. On March 17, 1902, he was admitted to the bar at Marble Hill and ever since that time he has been in active practice, and with the exception of a short time when he was located at Elvine, he has been established at Farmington. In 1902 he made an unsuccess- ful run for prosecuting attorney on the Re- publican ticket, the county, as was its wont, going strongly Democratic. Nothing daunted, in 1908 Mr. Boyer made a second run on the Republican ticket and this time was elected, and at the election of 1910 suc- ceeded himself. He is the present incumbent of the office of prosecuting attorney and he has ever brought ability and faithfulness to the discharge of its duties.

On the 7th day of June, 1902, Mr. Boyer was united in marriage to Rosetta White, of Elvins, daughter of W. R. White, of St. Louis, a stationary engineer. Mr. and Mrs. Boyer share their pleasant and hospitable home with a little daughter, Hiawatha, and hold high place in popular confidence and esteem.

land when only a child. They settled in Cape Girardeau county and were married there, where they brought up a family of seven children, of whom Frederick is the youngest.

On August 20, 1853, in Cape Girardeau county, Frederick Thiele was born. Until he was eighteen, he remained at home and then for two years worked out on the farms of the district. At twenty he was married to Adeline Hahs, daughter of Jesse Hahs, of Bollinger county. At the time of his mar- riage Mr. Thiele came into possession of one hundred and twenty-two acres of land in Bollinger county, which he held until 1906. This land is now partially divided among the children of Jesse Hahs. Mr. Thiele now holds one hundred and twenty-five acres on Whitewater creek, all under cultivation. His live stock comprises four horses, eight cat- tle, forty sheep and five hogs.

Five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thiele are now living. These are Eli, born in 1879; Joseph, 1883; Elizabeth, 1885; Dayton, 1886; and Octavia, in 1887. Joseph makes his home with his father. He is married to Daisy, daughter of John M. Johnson. The Thiele family are members of the Lutheran church.

Mr. Thiele's nephew, Ora Hahs, son of Eli and Priscilla Crane Hahs, was born in 1886. In 1905 he was married to Minnie Statler, and they have three children, Clara Marie, born in 1907 and twins, two years younger, Pauline Elsie and Aline Elsie.

JACOB DAY. In the agricultural life of Saint Francois county, which plays a part so important in the achievement of that pros- perity which distinguishes it, Jacob Day is an important factor. His property is at once extensive and eligibly situated, and he is an advocate of the new scientific methods in agriculture which have reduced the great basic industry to a sounder basis than ever

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before. Then, too, the development of the lead resources of this section have had most important bearing upon the fortunes of Mr. Day, who recently sold three hundred and fifty-seven acres to the Potosi Mines Com- pany. In addition to his Saint Francois county holdings he also owns land in Wash- ington county.

Jacob Day was born November 18, 1853, in the vicinity of Leadwood. His father, George W. Day, was born in 1820, in either Kentucky or Illinois, but at the age of eight he came to this county with his parents, who located near Leadwood and engaged in the cultivation of the soil. The father secured a limited education in the public schools and then conducted farming operations, being engaged as a farmer during his entire life- time. He was married in 1849 to Sarah Mitchell, and when she died she left a son, George T. The father married again, in 1851, Mary Wallen becoming his wife and three children being born to them, namely : Sarah, Jacob (immediate subject of this re- view) and Mary H. Mr. Day was left father- less at the age of two years, for the head of the family died in 1855 and the young mother was left with the care of four small children. This brave and worthy woman sur- vived her husband for more than half a cen- tury, going on to the Undiscovered Country in 1909. The elder sister of the subject, Sarah, first married J. W. Carter, by whom she had six children, and after his demise married Joseph Kirkpatrick, one child hav- ing been born to the second union. The younger sister, Mary Helen, lives with her brother upon the old homestead, which is dear with the associations of many years. The brother, George T., is a resident of Seattle, Washington.

Jacob Day spent his early life on the farm, in his youth learning the many secrets of seed-time and harvest, and even in boyhood coming to the determination to make agri- culture his own occupation. He received his education behind a desk in the country school house, but through much reading and keen observation has repaired many deficiencies which the opportunities provided by the state did not reach. He has been exceedingly suc- cessful and now conducts one of the largest farms in the locality, while at the same time directing the affairs of his Washington county property.

Mr. Day is unmarried. In politics he is a Democrat, and has subscribed since his ear-

liest voting days to the measures and prin- ciples for which the party stands. He is the friend of good government and is interested in all public issues. He is a loyal Odd Fel- low and very popular in lodge circles.

THOMAS LUTHER HODGES, M. D. Although born in the state of Kentucky, Missouri has been the home of Thomas Luther Hodges, M. D., for a large portion of his life, although at one time Arkansas came in for a share of his citizenship. He is now a successful prac- ticing physician of Esther, Saint Francois county, and holds high prestige with both laity and fraternity. The birthdate of the subject was January 17, 1868, and his young eyes first opened upon the pleasant scenes of Rowan county of the Blue Grass state. Both of his parents were also born in Kentucky, the father, William S. Hodges, having been taken by his parents to this state as a small child in 1835. The family located in north- ern Missouri and there engaged in farming until about the close of the Civil war, when they returned to Kentucky. Throughout the desolate period of the conflict between the states, William S. was in the militia service. In 1870 he returned to Missouri and located in Knox county, where he conducted a farm until his demise some four years later. Thus the subject had the misfortune to be left fatherless when only about six years old. His parents were married some time prior to 1860, the maiden name of his mother being Elizabeth Humphrey, of Kentucky, and to this union was born but the one son. The mother is still living in Knox county. an admirable and venerable lady over eighty years of age. The elder Mr. Hodges, like his son, was a Republican and his church mem- bership was with the Universalists.

The early life of Dr. Hodges was spent in Knox county, Missouri, and there he grew to manhood. After securing such educational benefits as were offered by the public senools of the locality, he entered Hurdland Academy at Hurdland, Missouri, and after a course of study there became a student in the Western College at LaBelle. He was graduated from both academy and college, from the latter with the class of 1889. For five years after this he taught school and for one year was engaged in the newspaper business, which has often been called the best general education in the world. It was after this that a long gathering ambition to become a physician came to the point of crystallization and he

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entered the Barnes Medical College at St. Louis, from which he took the degree of M. D. with the class of 1898. When it came to choosing a suitable location, Dr. Hodges first located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he carried on a general practice and where he remained until 1905, when he went on the road as a pharmaceutical salesman. In 1908 he came back to the state, whose charms had ever remained vivid to him, and took up his location in Esther, in the busy lead helt. Here he now resides and carries on a large general practice.

Dr. Hodges laid the foundation of a happy married life when on the 21st day of April, 1899, he was united to Mrs. Molly Greene, nee Snyder, of Dexter, Missouri. The doctor takes great interest in the affairs of the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he stands as a fine rep- resentative of the most excellent type of citizen.

ISAAC J. PIRTLE. Southeast Missouri is one of the greatest producers of lead in the world, and no man in the region is better known than Isaac J. Pirtle, state mine in- spector. His residence is at Fredericktown, Missouri, and his headquarters are at the Bureau of Mines and Mine Inspection, Jef- ferson City, Missouri, and he and his sons are particularly identified with the develop- ment of the famous Mine LaMotte, a few miles to the northeast of Fredericktown, but various members of the Pirtle family for sev- eral generations have been strong agents in the general progress of St. Francois county as well.

State Inspector Pirtle was born in St. Francois county, February 2, 1853, and is a son of Isaac N. and Susannah (Wilson) Pirtle. In 1845, when thirty-six years of age, his father came from Indiana to Missouri and located on Castor river, that county, where he continued until his death, in the early nineties, to farm and to work as a black- smith. He was a firm Republican and an in- dustrious, good-hearted man, and was a most earnest believer in Universalism, which, in his younger days, was subject to much unde- served ridicule. But Isaac N. Pirtle was a man of convictions which could not be shaken by such means, and held to his faith in the midst of all the wickedness of the world, dying in peace and with the confidence that all would be well in the great everlasting future.

A brother, Abner Pirtle, also came to St. Francois county at a somewhat later date than Isaac N., prior to the Civil war, and engaged there in farming.

Susannah Wilson (as Mrs. Isaac N. Pirtle was known before her marriage) was born in Kentucky in 1807, and not only proudly claimed the state of Daniel Boone as her own, but also relationship with the great western pioneer, woodsman and hero. Her mother, who died in the eighties, at the age of one hundred and two, was a second cousin of Mr. Boone, the family name being the same. Mrs. Susannah Pirtle had two brothers, John and Allen Wilson, who were . well known as sub- stantial farmers, solid Republicans and earnest Masons.

Isaac J. Pirtle is the youngest of four sons and six daughters born to his parents, of whom one brother and five sisters are liv- ing. It is remarkable that all of the family reaching maturity should have lived to be over sixty years of age, except Isaac J., of this biography, who hids fair to far exceed that span of life. The following facts are adduced as links in the family record, relat- ing to the ten children of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac N. Pirtle: Jane is the widow of a Mr. Cox of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Mary Ann (Hale) of Southeast Missouri, is also a widow, with several mature children; Cynthia A. (War- ren), whose husband is likewise deceased, re- sides in Joplin, Missouri; Ellen, who has been twice married, is a widow living in In- diana; Hannah T. Gatewood, also a widow, resides in Joplin, Missouri; Rebecca died young; Thomas Jefferson, a Union soldier in the Civil war, was killed hy guerrillas, and left a wife and four children in St. Francois county ; William Henry, a retired farmer of that county, has been thrice married and is now a widower with several children; James M. went to Washington county, Illinois, in 1861, and engaged in farming, married and reared a large family and died at the age of sixty-eight years; and the further sketch of the tenth and last-born follows:

Isaac J. Pirtle was educated and reared in St. Francois county, obtaining the train- ing which fitted him to buffet with the ad- verse things of this life both in the public schools and the common, but invaluable, school of experience. He is largely self-edu- cated, but is widely read and closely ob- servant to seize that knowledge which will be of practical use to him. The consequence is that he carries about him no useless tools ;

Isaac J. Pirtle

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each are kept in readiness for some definite purpose-which is surely the secret of "Get- ting on."

At the age of fourteen young Pirtle began to work at Mine LaMotte, in the northeastern part of Madison county, famous as being the oldest lead, nickel and cobalt mine in the United States, having been worked continu- ously since 1717. On this historic mining ground the industrious and ambitious boy commenced to climb from the bottom of the ladder. Round by round he climbed to his first broad and prominent platform, where he took his stand as mine superintendent of the great mine, and the thorough and broad knowledge which he evinced in that position, as well as his marked executive ability, in- duced Governor Hadley to honor him with the inspectorship of lead and zinc mines in eastern Missouri on the 15th of February, 1908. While he had been active in Republi- can polities for many years, his bitterest po- litical enemies have ever conceded his abso- lute fitness for the responsible office which he holds and honors.

On August 2, 1871, Inspector Pirtle mar- ried Miss Amanda P. Scott, and in the fol- lowing year moved to Mine LaMotte, which remained his home until his present appoint- ment necessitated his residence at Fredericks- town. At the time of assuming office he built the fine residence in which he lives with his wife and the younger children.

' Mrs. Pirtle is a Tennessee lady, born March 2, 1853, and is but one month younger than her husband. She is a daughter of John W. and Lucetta (Bennett) Scott, who became settlers in St. Francois county in its pioneer days. The father was both a farmer and a carpenter, and both he and his wife are de- ceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Isaac J. Pirtle have had twelve children born to them, of whom seven are living. One son, Medford, died at the age of sixteen years, and four others in in- fancy. The seven who survive are as fol- lows : Carrie Rosetta, now the wife of Charles H. Berry, is the mother of three children, the family residing on Castor river, Madison county ; Arthur Barton married Miss Lizzie Tinkler and resides at Mine LaMotte with his wife and two children; Armenius Frank- lin is a foreman at Mine LaMotte and by his union with Miss Mary Combs is the father of three children; Augustus Theodore mar- ried Miss Emma Head, has two children, and is a contractor located at Mine LaMotte;

Flossie Mabel, Edward Benson and George Sterling are all at home attending school.

Other facts connected with older genera- tions may also be added. Mr. Pirtle's ma- ternal grandmother lived to be one hundred and two years old, and the men of the fam- ily, while not attaining any remarkable age, have always showed marked patriotism, from the paternal grandfather, who was wounded at the battle of Tippecanoe, to the brothers, James M. and William H., who were gallant soldiers of the Union army.

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History of southeast Missouri : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 28

Author: Douglass, Robert Sidney. 4n Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 802

Author: Douglass, Robert Sidney. 4n
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 802