USA > Missouri > Livingston County > Past and present of Livingston County, Missouri : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 11
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J. LEWIS BOYLE.
A descendant of a distinguished pioneer family of Livingston county, J. Lewis Boyle, who today lives in his seventy-first year in well earned retirement at 1309 West Bryant street, Chillicothe, him- self represents a link between the past and present, having been born in Jackson township, March 2, 1842, and having been a witness of the advancement and development that has taken place here as pioneer conditions have given way before the onward march of civilization. During his active life one of the representative agriculturists of the section and still owning two hundred and sixty acres of valuable land which he rents out, he has been one of the forceful factors in the agricultural progress as well as in bringing about the prosperous conditions that the present generation enjoys. Born in a little log cabin covered with clapboards, he is a son of John W. and Zerelda (Barbee) Boyle, the former of whom settling here in the frontier days and here spending an active and useful life, was occupied with agricultural pursuits until he passed away on June 26, 1893, at the age of eighty-three years, eight months and twenty-two days. His wife preceded him in death on April 8, 1883, aged sixty-six years, six months and thirteen days.
John W. Boyle, who was a native of Clark county, Kentucky, born October 4, 1809, married Zerelda Barbee in Paris, Kentucky, November 9, 1830, the latter a daughter of Captain Lewis and
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Catherine Barbee, of Bourbon county, Kentucky. Mrs. Boyle was born in Fayette county, that state, on the 25th of July 1816, and in 1837 the young married couple removed to Monroe county, Missouri, coming in 1838 to Jackson township, Livingston county, settling near Spring Hill. Unto them were born ten children, eight daughters and two sons, of whom two daughters died in infancy and another, Catherine, was long a helpless invalid before passing to the home beyond. William S. Boyle, one of the sons, is now deceased. She was born in Monroe county, August 31, 1837, and at the age of seven was stricken with rheumatism, being severely afflicted until the time of her demise. A faithful and devoted member of the Church of Christ, she endured her fate patiently and in a Christ- like spirit. Her last illness was short and her death took place early Sunday morning, December 20, 1891. Other members of the family are: Mrs. J. P. Hutchison, Mrs. L. H. Christison and Mrs. T. G. Phelps, of Livingston county ; Mrs. Howell Smith, of McPaul, Iowa; and J. Lewis, of this review. Another sister who has passed away, well known in Livingston county, was Mary, the first wife of P. H. Lilly. John W. Boyle, the father, at the age of nineteen united with the Christian church and remained a true and faithful member thereof until his death, serving as an elder for forty years. Upon coming to Livingston county he settled on a tract of one hundred and sixty acres and there witnessed many hardships in his struggles to gain a living, but by good management and industry made a suc- cess and when he retired from active farming was blessed with plenty to enjoy in his declining years. His last few years he spent mostly with his daughter, Mrs. J. P. Hutchison, enjoying the high respect of old and young throughout the entire county. The funeral discourse was delivered by Elder J. E. Pardoner, at the Lilly Grove church, on June 28, 1893, a large and sincerely mourning audience be- ing present, after which his remains were taken to the old home- stead and laid to rest in the family graveyard by the side of his wife. Mrs. Zerelda (Barbee) Boyle was affectionately beloved by all who knew her for her many sweet, womanly qualities. Kind, hospitable and an obliging neighbor, she was a faithful member of her church and it is said of her that no one took a greater interest in the in- stitution.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were James Boyle, who was born in Virginia, August 12, 1776, and Jane (Froman) Boyle, who was the widow of his brother John. The grandparents origi- nally came from Virginia to the Blue Grass state and subsequently
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died in Missouri. They came to this state when the Indians were numerous, settling in Linn county, where the grandfather died Sep- tember 29, 1845, the grandmother passing away in Livingston county, January 21, 1854, both having been faithful members of the Christian church. The marriage of John Boyle, the brother of James, to Jane Froman, took place at the home of her father, William Froman, April 15, 1800. A few months later, after the death of John Boyle, she was married on July 25, 1800, to James Boyle. The great- grandparents of our subject were Stephen and Martha Boyle, the latter of whom passed away February 7, 1823, at the age of seventy years. Among members of the Boyle family who are still living in Chilli- cothe is Amanda Leeper, ninety-six years of age, and Cynthia Lauder- dale, aged ninety.
J. Lewis Boyle received his education in the old-fashioned school- house typical of pioneer times with its split puncheons, and his first teacher was Stillman B. Snow. Subsequently he received instruction from Paris Pepper, a private teacher, for a few terms and then from William F. Miller. The education was continued by J. P. Boyle and these courses complete what educational advantages could be procured for him under those trying times of pioneer life. Although his edu- cation had been spasmodic and interrupted, he was a studious lad and retained no mean part of his lessons. Early he assisted in his leisure hours in the work on the farm and became acquainted with agricultural methods and details under the able guidance of his father, remaining on the home place until twenty-one years of age. In 1863 the spirit of the west took possession of him and decided him to cross the plains, he making the trip under difficulties and hardships by means of ox teams to Denver, where he engaged in mining operations for a summer, returning in the following winter to his home. In 1864 he farmed with his father in partnership, continuing in that connection until he was married. In 1866 his forbear gave him one hundred and twenty acres of land, to the improvement of which he gave his assiduous attention, bringing it to a high state of productivity and there making his home until 1880, being for the next two years or until 1882 engaged in business. He then bought another one hundred acres of land, which he also improved and where he profitably followed his occupation until 1905, when he retired in the enjoyment of a well earned and highly merited competence, com- ing to Chillicothe in that year. Since, he has lived in retirement, deriving a handsome income from two hundred and sixty acres of land which he rents out.
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On November 20, 1864, Mr. Boyle was united in marriage, in Daviess county, Missouri, to Miss Josephine B. Ballinger, with whom for twenty years he lived a happy domestic life, the faithful wife passing away April 27, 1884, her burial taking place in the Gallatin cemetery. Of this union were born four children : Mary L., who has passed away; Barbee, the wife of W. C. Hutchison, an agriculturist of Jackson township; Ethel L., who married Thomas Hichlin, who cultivates one of the farms of our subject; and Cama J., the wife of E. F. Anderson, who farms in Jackson township. On April 4, 1889, Mr. Boyle married Miss Laura E. Miller, a daughter of J. W. and Mary Miller, the former one of the pioneers of Livingston county who has passed away and is buried in Edgewood cemetery, his wife now residing in Chillicothe. Of this union was born one daughter, Mary K., who is now studying at Manhattan, Kansas, is a graduate of the Chillicothe high school and has attended the Missouri State University. Highly respected in his evening of life as one of the men who has participated most actively in making Livingston county what it is today, public-spirited and not selfishly concerned in his own prosperity alone, Mr. Boyle receives high esteem and confidence from all who know him. A democrat in politics, he has served with distinction as a member of the Jackson township board and for four- teen years has filled the position of justice of the peace, showing such impartiality and fairness in his decisions that his service in that con- nection has not been forgotten. For twelve years he also was a notary public. He joined the Church of Christ under the teachings of J. D. Willmot in 1860 and still retains his membership in the Lilly Grove church in his old neighborhood. A man strongly marked by character, he is yet a forceful element in the community although he has passed the biblical age of three score and ten, for the years have proven the worth of the labors of one, whose life record reflects credit and honor upon Livingston county.
A. SLIFER.
A pioneer of Livingston county and a resident of Chillicothe township since 1896, A. Slifer has been one of the foremost agri- culturists of this section for twenty-five years, during which time he owned one of the most prosperous farms of two hundred and forty acres, of which, however, he has since disposed, giving now his atten-
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tion to fifteen acres of rich and bearing orchard and finding a well earned rest in the lesser duties of tending to this property. Not only is he known in Livingston county but even in surrounding terri- tory, for, during a long period, he was successfully engaged as auc- tioneer in this part of the state and has earned high reputation in that capacity. Even these occupations, however, do not exhaust the con- nection of Mr. Slifer with the county, for he served for four years efficiently as the sheriff thereof, making in this important position a record that entitles him to high public commendation.
A. Slifer was born in Sulphur Springs, Crawford county, Ohio, November 3, 1833, a son of John and Magdalene (Wolf) Slifer, and came to Livingston county immediately after the war in 1865. The father, a native of Maryland, was a miller by trade and successful along that line. Both of the parents are deceased, the mother being buried in Champaign county, Ohio, and the father in Sulphur Springs, that state, and both were of German origin. The parents were highly esteemed in the communities in which they lived and enjoyed there the confidence and good-will of their many friends.
A. Slifer was reared under the parental roof, receiving but a meager education such as could be procured for him in the early days of the settlement of this country. Leaving school at the age of fifteen, he thereafter rented a farm for several years, being so occu- pied until 1865, when he came to Livingston county, taking up a property of two hundred and forty acres in Sampsell township. He is also well known as an auctioneer, a line which he followed for nearly sixty years with continued and gratifying success. At the same time he gave his attention to the improvement of his farm, upon which he erected a number of suitable buildings, and to the cultivation of the soil of which he paid painstaking and careful atten- tion. In 1892 high honor came to him in his election to the office of sheriff of Livingston county, which position he filled to the great satisfaction of all concerned for four years. In 1896, upon the expi- ration of his official term of office, he purchased his present prop- erty of fifteen acres located on section 21 of Chillicothe township, putting the land to the use of an orchard.
A. Slifer was married in Logan county, Illinois, in 1864, to Miss Sarah M. Carlisle, who passed away after a happy married life of thirty years, in 1894, leaving the following children: Maude, the wife of John Cunningham, of Pawnee county, Oklahoma; and John, who is the proprietor of a laundry in Chillicothe, Missouri. Mrs. Slifer found her last resting place in the Edgewood cemetery.
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Politically Mr. Slifer is a republican and, although nearing his eightieth birthday, takes still active interest in the issues and candi- dates of his party. Having resided in Livingston county for nearly half a century, he has become well known and wherever he is known is highly esteemed for his many qualities of character which entitle him to distinction. Usually one thinks of old age as a period when mental as well as physical powers weaken, but there is an old age which grows stronger and brighter as the years go by and gives out of its rich store of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. Such has been the life of A. Slifer, who is not only one of the most venerable but also one of the most honored citizens of Livingston county, respected wherever known.
MRS. SARAH METILDA (GEE) WHITTECAR.
A native of Livingston county, Mrs. Sarah Metilda (Gee) Whit- tecar, the widow of Hiram Whittecar, is a representative of the farm- ing interests of this section, although her properties are not confined within the county. She owns a valuable piece of land of forty acres in Lincoln township, Daviess county, making her residence, however, west of Hickory on a farm in Jefferson township, Grundy county. Born in Jackson township, September 11, 1850, she is a daughter of William M. and Tabitha (Arbuckle) Gee, the father also a native of Livingston county and one of its early pioneers, becoming promi- nent as a farmer and being well liked by all who knew him. He passed away August 15, 1906, at the age of eighty-four years, his wife having preceded him, passing away February 9, 1905, at the age of seventy-seven years and six months. She was greatly beloved for her many accomplishments and esteemed as a good Christian woman and what a wife and mother should be. The parents are buried side by side in the Dockery cemetery in Jackson township. The Gee family is of Scotch origin and the grandfather of Mrs. Whittecar was holding the rank of general in the Mexican and Mor- mon wars.
Sarah Metilda Gee received her education in the district schools of Livingston county, acquiring such knowledge as was available under pioneer conditions. She subsequently supplemented her learn- ing by a course in the Des Moines Central College of Des Moines, Iowa, and on September 1, 1867, was united in marriage to Hiram
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Whittecar, entering upon a period of a happy domestic life which con- tinued until the demise of the husband and father, who passed away at the age of sixty-one years on December 3, 1907, and found his last resting place in the Bratten cemetery north of Hickory, Mis- souri. He was a son of Nathaniel and Sarah Whittecar. Industrious, energetic and thrifty, he became one of the substantial agriculturists of the section and at the time of his death left his family well pro- vided for.
Mr. and Mrs. Whittecar had four children: Tabitha, the wife of Othoe Prothero, an agriculturist of Grundy county ; George A., who assists his mother in the management of her farm properties; Myrtle, the wife of William Moore, an agriculturist residing at Plattsville, Colorado; and Cecil E. Since the demise of her husband Mrs. Whit- tecar has ably superintended the labor upon her properties, which under her management have greatly increased in value. She has made a number of improvements and instituted such equipment as she con- sidered indispensable to the better cultivation of the land and has thereby greatly enhanced the value and productivity of the soil. A woman of high character and many lovable qualities, she enjoys the friendship of many and is held by all who know her in high esteem.
JOSEPH P. HOSIER.
Joseph P. Hosier, who follows general agricultural pursuits in Monroe township, where he owns a well improved property comprising two hundred and nine acres on section 32, was born in Adams county, Illinois, April 5, 1843, and is a son of William and Nancy (Hanks) Hosier, both of whom have passed away and are buried at Plymouth, Missouri. In the acquirement of an edu- cation he attended the public and high schools of Quincy, Illinois, and laid aside his books at the age of twenty, enlisting as a private in the Federal army. He fought for one year during the Civil war and after his honorable discharge farmed in his native state until he came to Livingston county, where he purchased two hun- dred and nine acres on section 32, range 25, Monroe township, whereon he has since resided, giving his attention to general farming. That he has prospered in his undertakings is indicated by the fact hat he is now the owner of one of the finest agricultural properties in this section. He has made all of the improvements,
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MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH P. HOSIER
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including a good residence, barns and substantial outbuildings, and he has one hundred and fifty acres under cultivation, from which every year he gathers abundant harvests as a reward for his well directed care and labor. In addition he keeps about three horses, the same number of cattle and a fine herd of thirty-two swine, his stock-raising interests constituting a gratifying source of income to him.
At Fairfield, Michigan, Mr. Hosier married Miss Elizabeth Spooner, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Spooner, both of whom are deceased and buried in Canada. Mrs. Hosier passed away August 13, 1908, leaving two children, Liela and Wayne, both at home. Mr. Hosier is a republican in his political beliefs and an active supporter of the party at the polls, although he never seeks political preferment for himself. He has an attractive home, the hospitality of which is enjoyed by the many friends of- the family, while in business relations he has gained the confi- dence and high esteem of all with whom he has been in any way associated.
GEORGE H. JACKSON.
To unceasing effort and industry it can be ascribed that George H. Jackson has become one of the most prosperous farmers of Jack- son township where he owns a valuable farm of nearly two hundred acres located on sections 8, 9 and 14. Coming to Livingston county in 1896, he was born in Laurel county, Kentucky, October 21, 1858, and is a son of H. A. and Lucinda (Kirby) Jackson. The father came to Livingston county in 1865 and was engaged along agricult- ural lines on rented property for about twenty years before he bought land of his own. He resides near the farm on which our subject lives, on property upon which he raised his family of whom our subject is the eldest. Of the others Lulu has passed away and is buried in the Lilly Grove cemetery, and John has also died, find- ing his last resting place in Fulton cemetery. Henry is a clerk in Jamesport, Missouri; Humphry resides in Oklahoma; Elmah, the widow of John Sandwich, resides in Chillicothe; J. P. follows agri- cultural pursuits, residing in Green Ridge township; Addie is the wife of G. Hartmann, of Kansas City; and Frank has passed away Vol. II-8
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and is buried in the Lilly Grove cemetery. Joseph, the remaining member of the family, lives on his farm in Jackson township.
George H. Jackson acquired his education in the district schools which he left at the age of seventeen years, assisting during his vaca- tions and at leisure hours his father with the work of the farm. He subsequently hired out as a farm hand and for nine years worked for a man by the name of Kesler, for six weeks of which period he and his father both were in the employ of that gentleman. He then rented a farm in Daviess county, Missouri, and by thrift and energy acquired the property on which he now makes his home. Following modern methods his endeavors have been followed by success and, largely engaging in grain farming and stock-raising, his labors re- turn to him gratifying and substantial results. He has made a num- ber of improvements upon the property, including buildings and equip- ment, and has purchased such machinery as is considered essential to modern agriculture.
On December 22, 1882, Mr. Jackson was united in marriage to Miss Melissa K. Hutchison, a daughter of Thomas and Permissa (Black) Hutchison. The father was a pioneer farmer of this sec- tion, whose father came here on horseback and brought with him the first blue grass seed which ever came to the county. The grandfather lived to the remarkable age of one hundred years, ten months and two days. The Hutchison family is of old English extraction and for many years was prominent and highly respected in Livingston county. The father passed away in 1907 at the age of seventy-six years, his wife surviving him for about three years, her death occurring on December 26, 1910. They are buried side by side in the Black ceme- tery. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson became the parents of six children of whom one son, William, passed away in infancy. The others are : Stella, the wife of Frank Wideman, a farmer and produce buyer re- siding in Jamesport, Missouri; Frankie L., who married Howard Harris, a farmer of Daviess county; J. Vernon, who is assisting his father with the work of the farm; and Chester and Georgia, both attending district school.
Public-spirited and always interested in matters that affect the general welfare, Mr. Jackson has for a number of years done active service as a director of the school board and in that capacity has been in a position to contribute in no mean way to the general educational advancement of this section. His political affiliations are with the democratic party and although he is not an office seeker he takes decided issue on all questions that come before public decision and is
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well and intelligently informed upon the current subjects affecting the public weal. His fraternal relations are confined to the Knights of Pythias, in the local lodge of which organization he is prominent. At all times actuated by laudable ambition, Mr. Jackson has attained to success and occupies a position in the agricultural community of Livingston county that assures him of the high regard and confidence of all those with whom he comes in contact.
NOAH S. WARNER.
Noah S. Warner, well known in commercial circles of Ludlow, Missouri, as a successful business man, is a native of Livingston county, where he was born August 25, 1874. His parents were H. C. and Emeline (Ackenback) Warner, old settlers of Livingston county and both of German ancestry. They still make their home on the same farm on which they settled on coming to this section, the home place being located near Ludlow.
Noah S. Warner acquired his education in the Warner school in Livingston county and at the age of fourteen laid aside his school- books in order to assist his father with the work of the farm. He spent three years on the homestead, so occupied, and then went to Indiana, where he was for two years connected with the butcher business. He then spent thirteen months on the Indianapolis police force, subsequent to which period he joined the United States army, being assigned to Company A, Eighth Infantry, and after serving for three years was honorably discharged as company quartermaster sergeant. At the end of this period he returned to his home near Ludlow and farmed for three years in the vicinity of this city.
Mr. Warner, in September, 1901, was united in marriage to Miss Matie E. Haughton, and after the ceremony they removed to Car- roll county and there lived on a farm until February, 1904, at which time Mrs. Warner passed away, leaving one son, Russell. Mr. War- ner then engaged in the general mercantile business in Quote, Car- roll county, and success attended his efforts. He was again married, his second union being with Miss Minnie E. Caseldine, of Carroll county, and to them one child was born, Melvin E. Until August, 19II, he continued his connection with mercantile interests there but at that time returned to Ludlow and engaged in the grain business and is at present erecting an elevator for public use in connection with
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Joseph and Elmer Dusenberry. While his own prosperity is an achievement worthy of notice, his success has been of benefit and general and practical value to the community in many ways.
Mr. Warner is a devout member of the Baptist church and in his political belief followed the republican standard until the split in the party occurred, when he chose to follow the progressive banner. He thoroughly believes in the ideals of the new party and is active in bringing about the realization of much needed reforms, showing his interest while serving as committee man. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His entire life has been guided by the most honorable principles and his self-reliance and unfaltering industry, combined with his integrity, constitute the salient features in his success.
JOHN H. PEERY.
A valuable and highly productive farm of six hundred acres lo- cated on section 18, Jackson township, Livingston county, is evi- dence of the life work of John H. Peery, who in its cultivation at- tained a success which places him among the few most successful farmers of the neighborhood. His property is improved with a handsome and commodious residence which Mr. Peery himself has erected and on his farm can be found extensive and high-class im- provements of all kinds and also such equipment and machinery as are considered indispensable to productive and intensive farming, as it is conducted in these modern days.
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