USA > Missouri > Livingston County > Past and present of Livingston County, Missouri : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 10
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Mr. Decker married, at Dawn, on the 13th of April, 1887, Miss Charlotte Barry, a daughter of J. L. and Lena Barry, the former for
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many years prominent in agricultural circles of Livingston county. He lived retired for some time before his death, which occurred in July, 1906. He was survived by his wife until 1910. Both are buried in Elliott cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Decker are the parents of five children : Alfa, who married Charles Kromeich, who farms near Braymer, Missouri; Alma, who became the wife of Thomas Har- grave, of Breckenridge, Missouri; Ralph, who resides at home; and John and Winifred, who are attending school.
Mr. Decker is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Encampment, of which he is past grand and chief patriarch, respectively. He is also identified with the Rebekahs and is a Modern Woodman. He is a deacon in the Baptist church, of which he has long been a devout adherent, and politically gives his allegiance to the progressive party. He has never been desirous of official recognition but when called upon to do so has served his fellow citizens with ability and energy, being at the present time clerk and assessor of his township. Always public-spirited and progressive, he is an ardent advocate of good roads and has been road overseer in his district for the last eighteen years, having done much for the improvement of the public highways. Mr. Decker has made good use of his opportunities. He has prospered from year to year, has conducted all business matters carefully and ably and in all his acts displays an aptitude for successful management.
JOHN A. RYAN.
John A. Ryan is engaged in the abstract and real-estate busi- ness in Chillicothe and his efforts have been a factor in the general business development of the city. For ten years he has been a partner in the firm of Gill & Ryan and previous to that time was identified with public life and known also as a successful general merchant. He is a native son of the city, born August 12, 1863, his father being Thomas Ryan, now living in Chillicothe and also a native of Livingston county.
John A. Ryan acquired his early education in the public schools of his native city and supplemented this by a course in a com- mercial college at Quincy, Illinois, from which institution he was graduated in 1880. Afterward he established himself in the mer- cantile business in Mooresville and conducted here a profitable
JOHN A. RYAN
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enterprise for some years, disposing of it when he was elected cir- cuit clerk. This office he filled for eight years, working diligently in the interests of the public. In 1902 he formed a partnership with B. V. Gill and the firm of Gill & Ryan opened an abstract and real-estate office. The business expanded rapidly, owing to the honorable methods and straightforward dealing of the firm and its prosperity is to a considerable extent due to the sound business judgment which Mr. Ryan has at all times displayed and his energy, which has ever been an important factor in his business advancement.
Mr. Ryan married Miss Ida Wright, of Avalon, and to their union were born four children, Martha, John S., Paul and Frank W. Mr. Ryan gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and while his public spirit never takes the form of office seeking, it is yet an active element in his character. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has gained a prominent place in the camp of the Modern Wood- men of America. He is a representative business man of Chilli- cothe, identified with its growth and development, and is well known in this community as one of its progressive citizens.
S. A. BROWNING.
Foremost among the merchants of Livingston county is S. A. Browning, who conducts a well stocked general store at Avalon, Missouri, having been engaged in that occupation and in the same place since November, 1897. Moreover, his interests connect him with financial circles, for he plays an important role in the commercial life of the community of Avalon as vice president of the Citizens Bank.
Born in Livingston county, August 20, 1874, he is a son of Robert H. and Eliza Browning, the former being one of the early pioneers of Howard county, Missouri, where he settled in 1828, coming from Winchester, Kentucky. In 1852 he made removal to a place two miles south of Avalon and took up a farm there after his return from the Mexican war. On that farm he made his home until his death in 1888, following successfully agricultural pursuits and gaining not only material wealth but the respect and esteem of his neighbors. His last resting place is in the Arkadelphia cemetery in land which was donated by him in former times. He was a man prominent in the Vol. II-7
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community and closely identified with the political life of the section, having been at one time a candidate for the legislature and having served with strict fairness and impartiality as county judge. Mrs. Eliza Browning survives her husband and now resides at Hale, Mis- souri, in her seventy-third year. Her maiden name was Alexander and she is a native of Livingston county, her father having been one of the very early settlers, taking up land near Bedford, Missouri, in 1833.
S. A. Browning received his education at Avalon and Albany Colleges, both in Missouri. At the age of twenty years he laid aside his text-books and, being drawn by inclination toward a commercial career, engaged in the mercantile business in eastern Kansas. After two years, however, he returned to his old home and established in a small way the large establishment which he owns at present. There he carries a number of well selected and complete lines of such stock as is adapted to the need of his customers and has built up a store that is in size and equipment second to none in the county outside of estab- lishments in Chillicothe. That Mr. Browning has been largely instru- mental in building up this section by his mercantile activities needs no further mention, but he has also become interested in other lines. He is one of the founders of the Citizens Bank of Avalon, of which institution he now serves as vice president, being largely responsible for the progressive policies that are followed and the success that has been attained.
On January 20, 1897, in Cameron, Missouri, Mr. Browning was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Watson, a daughter of A. and Mary Watson, the former a retired farmer of Cameron, where he is well and favorably known and highly respected. His wife has passed away and is buried at that city. Mr. and Mrs. Browning are the parents of two children : Robert Watson, who at the age of thir- teen is attending school; and Roger M., eleven years of age.
Public-spirited in the best sense of the word, Mr. Browning takes an active interest in all matters of public importance, although he has never cared to accept office. His political faith is that of the democratic party and his lodge connections are with the Masons, in which organization he belongs to the blue lodge, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which connection he has served in all the chairs. His interest in education is evident by the efficient service he gives as a director of the school board and as such he has been one of the men who has been largely responsible in establishing the high school in Avalon.
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Mr. and Mrs. Browning make their home in one of the most hand- some houses of the town, which Mr. Browning has recently remod- eled, and there both he and his wife extend warm-hearted hospitality to their many friends. A native son of Livingston county, of which it may well be proud, Mr. Browning has become a forceful element in the community and while he has attained well merited success for himself, has been one of the foremost factors in advancement and development not only in commercial and financial expansion but also along educational lines.
J. W. BEAUCHAMP.
J. W. Beauchamp, a descendant of a family of distinguished French origin, owns a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 16 and 22, Fairview township, Livingston county. Com- ing here from Indiana in 1873, Mr. Beauchamp was born in Ver- milion county, that state, October 16, 1870, and is a son of G. W. and Mary (Piper) Beauchamp, the father upon his arrival here purchas- ing land which was partly improved. At an earlier date he offered his services as volunteer soldier to his country and fought with distinction practically throughout the whole of the Civil war. Promi- nent and well known, he subsequently was honored with election to the position of judge of the county court of the eastern district of Livingston county, serving in that office with such fairness and im- partiality that he earned but the highest commendation. He now resides with his wife and family at Longbeach, California, after a long and successful career.
J. W. Beauchamp, being brought to Livingston county as a boy of three years, received his education in the neighboring schools of the father's farm and subsequently attended Avalon College, laying aside his text-books definitely when twenty-six years of age, al- though he had assisted his father in the farm work during a great part of that time. He then moved westward to California and there worked for a time at a hop ranch, making his home in that state for about two years. For several years subsequently he engaged in farming on rented land and also worked by the month and, having by thrift and industry acquired the means, then leased the home farm from his father, purchasing the property three years later. He has since been successful in the cultivation of the place, having
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brought the same to a high state of productivity, engaging in mixed farming and paying considerable attention to stock-raising. He has instituted all such equipment as he considered necessary to modern agriculture and made a number of improvements that have largely enhanced the value of the property. He also is to some extent en- gaged in dealing in live stock.
On April 20, 1900, Mr. Beauchamp was married to Miss Mary Barnhart, a daughter of Nicholas and Catherine Barnhart, the former a prominent farmer of Fairview township, but the latter deceased, having passed away October 13, 1910, and finding her last resting place in Avalon. Mr. and Mrs. Beauchamp are the parents of two children : Vera, attending school; and Buel.
Progressive and modern as Mr. Beauchamp is in his farming methods, he has also embraced the standards of the progressive party as his tenet, as he believes that the realization of its ideals will bring about such changes in government as will prove most beneficial to the majority. In his religious affiliations he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, giving his active cooperation thereto and to the allied societies of the organization. Individually successful, he has become a factor of importance in this agricultural community and, while he has attained his own success, has been a force in the general development of Livingston county.
REUBEN BARNEY, M. D.
Dr. Reuben Barney, who for fifteen years has successfully en- gaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Chillicothe, is a native son of the city, born January 9, 1869, his parents being Dr. Reuben and Mattie (Prindle) Barney, the former of whom died July 15, 1903, and is buried in Chillicothe.
Dr. Reuben Barney of this review acquired his education in the public schools of his native city and in St. James' Military Academy of Macon, Missouri, later entering the medical department of the University of Kansas City. He supplemented this by a course in Bellevue Medical College of New York city, from which he re- ceived his degree of M. D. Immediately afterward he located in Chillicothe, where he still resides, making his home in the same house in which he grew to manhood. He has a large and lucrative practice which is steadily increasing and he is now numbered among the
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leaders of his profession in this section of the state. Aside from his private practice Dr. Barney has been coroner and county physician for a number of years and also president of the board of health. He is also serving as surgeon for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Wabash, and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads, and is physician for the Industrial Home for Girls, these connections show- ing something of his professional standing in the community.
Dr. Barney was married at Chillicothe to Miss Anna R. Reynolds, a daughter of R. W. and Mildred (Towner) Reynolds, of that city. Dr. and Mrs. Barney have two children, Reynolds and Olive, both at home. In his political views the Doctor is affiliated with the repub- lican party and takes an intelligent interest in the affairs of the city, although his important professional duties allow him little time for political activity. He has, however, served as member and secretary of the board of regents of the Kirksville State Normal School and along professional lines is beside his connection with the Girls' Home examiner of pensions. He is president of the Missouri Vineyard Company and secretary of the Masonic Temple Association, and his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Episcopal church. He keeps in touch with the most advanced thought of his profession through his membership in the State and County Medical Societies, the American Medical Association and the Grand River Medical Society, of which he is an ex-president. His ability and skill have been demonstrated in the expert handling of a number of com- plex medical problems, and he is highly esteemed, not only as a pro- fessional man but as an upright, straightforward and progressive citizen.
WILLIAM MCCARTHY.
William McCarthy, the owner of an excellent farm of two hun- dred and forty acres on sections 24, 25 and 26, Jackson township, Livingston county, is entitled to be ranked as a pioneer, for he has wrested his valuable property, upon which he has made all improve- ments, from the wilderness, having come to this county in 1866. Born in Pennsylvania, August 20, 1858, he is a son of William and Margaret (Shaner.) McCarthy, the father upon his arrival in this state purchasing a farm in Jackson township. William McCarthy, Sr., had the distinction of three years' service in the Civil war, during
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which great conflict he was seriously wounded and at the end of which he was honorably discharged. His political faith was with the democratic party and he passed away in 1890, well known and well beloved in these parts, and is buried in the Catholic cemetery at Chil- licothe, in which city his wife is now residing. The family is of Irish descent, the father having been born in that country.
In the acquirement of his education William McCarthy attended public school and the Catholic parish school in Chillicothe, Missouri, laying aside his text-books at the age of twenty years. During his vacation time and in other leisure hours, however, he assisted his father with the duties on the home place and gave his entire time to the work on the homestead until twenty-two years of age. He then purchased two hundred acres of land, of which he subsequently sold forty, and afterward bought another tract of eighty acres. He de- votes his land largely to general agricultural purposes but specializes in raising horses, cattle, swine and also mules, employing progressive methods and having become an expert in stock breeding. Beside his important farming interests he is also a stockholder in the Bank of Chillicothe.
On March 28, 1883, Mr. McCarthy was united in marriage, in Jackson township, this county, to Miss Louisa Nothnagle, a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Nothnagle, the former a prominent farmer and well known mechanic in Livingston county, who passed away in 1872, his wife following him in death twenty years later. They are buried side by side in the Curtis cemetery of Sampsell township. Mrs. McCarthy's family is of German extraction, the father having come to Livingston county at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. William McCarthy are the parents of six children, namely: Alva R., giving his time and attention to the old home place in Jackson township; Lena, a student of the Kirksville State Normal School and a school teacher; Howard, assisting his father with the work of the farm; Chester F., who is also attending the Kirksville State Normal School; and Lilly and Grace, both residing at home and attending school.
The success Mr. McCarthy has attained along agricultural lines must be entirely attributed to his good judgment, his hard work and his progressive methods, although he personally gives great credit to the efforts of his faithful wife. The family home is a handsome residence which Mr. McCarthy erected some time ago, as well as all the other buildings on the farm and such improvements as he con- sidered necessary to up-to-date agriculture. Being progressive in every sense of the word, he has installed such equipment as would
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result in better financial returns and facilitate the labor on the place. In his political affiliations he is a democrat and, always interested in the issues of the day and public matters, he has for ten years served efficiently as township trustee. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic body, in which organization he is a member of the blue lodge. Interested in general progress, he has not only been a wit- ness of the changes that have occurred but a helpful and cooperant factor in the general advancement and has become recognized as a forceful element in the locality, his activities having been of con- structive value in raising the standard of agricultural methods.
W. H. JACKSON.
W. H. Jackson is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war and a pioneer settler in Livingston county, dating his residence here from 1866. He now owns and operates a fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres on section 28, Jackson township, and in addition to carry- ing on the work of the fields is engaged to some extent in stock-rais- ing. He was born in Laurel county, Kentucky, November 24, 1845, a son of Humphrey and Adeline (Parl) Jackson, the former a well known farmer in Kentucky. The family is of English origin but has been in America since pre-Revolutionary times. The father of our subject joined the republican party upon its organization and from that time until his death gave stalwart support to its principles and doctrines. He served as justice of the peace for twenty years and was otherwise influentially connected with public life. He passed away in 1864 and was survived by his wife for some years, both being buried in the family cemetery in Laurel county.
W. H. Jackson acquired his education in the public schools of his native section and at the age of eighteen laid aside his books in order to enlist for service in the Civil war. He joined the Fourth Kentucky Mounted Infantry and fought in many hotly-contested bat- tles, coming at the close of hostilities with a creditable military record to Livingston county, where he has since remained. He made his home in Jackson township, hiring out as a farm laborer until after his marriage, when he purchased his first twenty acres of land. By hard work, strict economy and untiring perseverance he was able to increase his holdings from time to time until they now aggregate three hundred and sixty acres of land. It lies on section 28, Jack-
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son township, and is improved with a comfortable residence, good barns and outbuildings and modern, labor-saving machinery. In ad- dition to general farming Mr. Jackson engages to a great extent in stock-raising and has made both branches of his work important and profitable.
On the 5th of November, 1868, Mr. Jackson was married on his present farm to Miss Catherine Kessler, a daughter of Christian B. and Mary A. (Smith) Kessler, the former a pioneer farmer in Liv- ingston county. Both have passed away and are buried in the Kessler cemetery, named in honor of members of their family. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are the parents of four children: Christian, a farmer in Wallowa, Oregon; John, who is operating a farm adjoining that of his father; D. C., who assists his father and also farms for him- self; and Walter, who is conducting a business college.
Mr. Jackson is a member of the Christian church, and for many years gave his political allegiance to the republican party, severing his connection with it in 1912 to join the ranks of the progressives. He has been a resident of Livingston county for forty-seven years and during this period has witnessed much of the growth and devel- opment of this district. The success he now enjoys is well merited, for he has ever followed the most honorable business methods in his dealings with his fellowmen and therefore has gained the high regard of all with whom he is brought into contact.
LEWIS McCOSKRIE.
Lewis McCoskrie, cultivating the farm upon which he was born, on section 32, Mooresville township, is a representative of one of the oldest and most honored pioneer families in Livingston county and is today a prominent and successful agriculturist and stockman. His birth occurred January 31, 1866, and he is a son of Andrew and Minerva A. (Fryar) McCoskrie. The grandfather of the subject of this review, Isaac McCoskrie, came to Livingston county in 1818 from Kentucky and lived here alone until 1821, struggling against pioneer conditions and obstacles and finally gaining a sufficient degree of prosperity to enable him to bring his family into the state, his wife joining him in Clay county in that year. The father of the subject of this review was five years of age when he made his first settlement in Livingston county
ISAAC MCCOSKRIE
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and he grew up on the family homestead, afterward becoming its owner. He was a man of upright, straightforward and kindly characteristics and became in the course of years widely popular in this section of the state. He possessed probably more influence than any other one individual and was often called upon to settle disputes arising among his neighbors, gaining by his work along this line the honorable title of "The Peacemaker." He died Feb- ruary 16, 1912, at the age of eighty-one, after a long, useful and honorable life, his activities and accomplishments having found a place in the history of the agricultural development of Livingston county. He was buried in the McCoskrie cemetery, called in honor of the founder of this family in Missouri, the site of which was selected by the grandmother of the subject of this review and who was laid to rest in the first grave dug therein in 1839. The mother of our subject passed away February 7, 1912, and rests be- side her husband.
Lewis McCoskrie acquired his education in the Livingston county public schools but his advantages along this line were ex- tremely limited and he is to a great extent self-educated, having supplemented his early training by constant reading and observa- tion in mature years. He was reared to the occupation of farm- ing and has made this his principal interest all during his life, standing today among the men whose experience and practical knowledge constitute them standard authorities upon all matters pertaining to general agriculture. He has been the owner and manager of the family homestead of one hundred and thirty-five acres on section 32, Mooresville township, for twenty-six years and has made it by his care, well directed labor and practical methods one of the most valuable and most highly productive properties in this section of the state. He has made substantial improvements upon it, replacing the original home by a modern and well equipped residence. He does general farming and is also extensively interested in stockraising, both of these branches of his work having become extremely profitable under his able man- agement, as is also his poultry-raising, in which he is interested to a considerable extent, having sometimes as many as twelve hundred fowl. Everything about the place is kept in excellent condition and reflects the care and supervision of an able, expe- rienced and practical agriculturist.
On February 17, 1885, Mr. McCoskrie was united in marriage to Miss Emma F. Bryan, a daughter of J. S. and Camma (Parker)
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Bryan, representatives of old pioneer families. They make their home in Monroe township. Mrs. McCoskrie passed away Feb- ruary 9, 1912, leaving six children : Florence C., the wife of Claude Hinote, of Kansas City ; Rena, who resides at home; Irwin, Ensel and Cole, who are attending school ; and Evelyn.
Mr. McCoskrie is a democrat in his political beliefs, and fra- ternally is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He stands today among the successful and prominent men of this locality as a prosperous farmer and as a representative of one of the earliest pioneer families. His life has not been without its reverses and discouragements, among which have been sickness and death, but these have been met bravely and faced with con- fidence and courage-qualities which have ever distinguished Mr. McCoskrie in his struggle upward to success.
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