USA > Missouri > Livingston County > Past and present of Livingston County, Missouri : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 17
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A practical man and a Christian gentleman, Mr. Dowell is highly respected and well beloved by all those who know him and are appre- ciative of his many distinctive qualities of mind and heart, which make for him friends wherever known. He has only one fraternal association, which connects him with the Masonic body, in which he is a master Mason, and he exemplifies the beneficent tenets which are professed by the brethren of that order in his daily life. Truly helpful and ever ready to cooperate in matters undertaken to benefit the people, he has not only been an interested witness of the changes which have occurred here, but a forceful factor in upbuilding and development.
ADOLPHUS ROBERTS.
On the roster of county officials in Livingston county appears the name of Adolphus Roberts, now serving his second term as county treasurer. Moreover, for twenty-one years he was closely associated with farming interests in this section and his record both as an agri- culturist and official is such that it has brought him in large measure the confidence, good-will and friendship of all with whom he has come in contact. Mr. Roberts is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Clarion county, November 6, 1851, a son of John G. and Catherine (Frasier) Roberts, natives of the Keystone state. The father was born July 13, 1819, and the mother on September 20, 1826. Their marriage occurred on the 18th of May, 1847, and to their union were born ten children. The parents moved from Pennsylvania to Jack- sonville, Illinois, in 1856 and remained in that section until 1870, when they came to Livingston county.
Adolphus Roberts acquired his education in the public schools of Jacksonville, Illinois, and had completed his course when he moved
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to Utica, Missouri, with his parents. He here engaged in various occupations until the time of his marriage, after which he settled on a farm near Avalon, being continuously connected with farming interests for twenty-one years. In 1904 he left the farm and took up his residence in Chillicothe, having been elected in that year to the office of county treasurer. His able work won him reelection in 1908 and he is still serving, proving himself a capable and reliable official as well as a resourceful financier.
On January 10, 1884, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Sadie McCloughan, a daughter of Charles H. and Mary (Smith) McCloughan. The father was born near Akron, Ohio, and went from that state to Warsaw, Kosciusko county, Indiana, where he married Miss Mary Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are the parents of two children: Mary Agnes, who was born October 13, 1886, and who is the wife of Harvey McCrum, of Ottumwa, Iowa; and Charles Alfred, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri. The family are devout adherents of the Baptist church.
Mr. Roberts is affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Livings- ton county where he has long made his home. His record is indeed a commendable one and no word of reproach has ever been uttered against his official service. In all the relations of his life his course has been characterized by the strictest fidelity to principle, and his fine traits of character and his genial personality have won for him many warm friends.
HERMAN BONDERER.
That this is the land of opportunities for the sons of all nations is evident in the life record of Herman Bonderer, a native of Switzer- land, who came to Livingston county in 1882 and whose efforts along agricultural lines have been attended with success to such a degree that he today owns a valuable farm of one hundred and forty rich and bearing acres on sections 17 and 8, adjoining Utica. Herman Bon- derer crossed the Atlantic in May, 1882, coming from the Canton St. Gallen, Switzerland. His birth occurred at Vattis, September 8, 1851. His parents were August and Ursula (Yager) Bonderer, both of whom spent all their lives in their native country and are buried at the
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Vattis cemetery. He received his education in the excellent schools of his native country and left school at the age of fifteen years. He then became connected with one of the principal manufactures of the little land of the Alps-the making of cheese and butter-and was so occupied until he came to this country, where he found employment along the same line, using the valuable experience which he had gained in his native land. By industry and thrift he had succeeded in saving a sufficient sum of money in the old country, to enable him to purchase eighty-five acres of his present property in 1883, and he began to engage thereon in mixed farming, raising principally corn and hay, which he fed to his cattle. Gradually he extended his activities and engaged in the manufacture of cider, also operated a corn grinder and ran a sawmill. He added to his farm and as the years have passed he has brought his land to a high state of cultivation and by his progressive spirit and systematic methods, and careful selec- tion and rotation of crops, has improved his property to such an extent that today it is considered one of the most valuable in this locality. He has made extensive improvements, erecting such buildings as were necessary, and his farm bespeaks careful management and prosperity.
Mr. Bonderer married in Utica, Missouri, on May 21, 1885, Miss Annie Meier, a daughter of Andreas and Lucia (Lotsher) Meier, both natives of Switzerland who never left that country, and are both deceased and buried at Schiers, Canton Graubuenden, in that coun- try. Mr. and Mrs. Bonderer were the parents of eight children, of whom six are living: Marie, who assists her mother in the house- hold; Herman, Jr., who helps his father in the operation of the farm; Theodore, who teaches in the public schools of Utica; Betty, who is employed as clerk in a general store in that city; Anthony and Josephine, attending school; August, who passed away in 1887, in infancy; and Louisa, who died in 1888 while quite young. The two last named are both buried in Chillicothe.
The political affiliations of Mr. Bonderer are with the demo- cratic party. Although he has never aspired to public office, he takes an interest in public affairs and especially in the growth and development of this section, in particular in relation to agriculture. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church, which serv- ices they attend. Mr. Bonderer, by his industry and energy, has found substantial reward in this country, to which he turned for such opportunities as his native land could not give him. From year to year he has advanced and by husbanding his resources and earnings has attained to an important position among the agricul-
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turists of this section and has not only attained individual success but through his progressive methods has been constructive in the development of agriculture in general. From morn till night he has daily labored to reach the goal and finds today his reward in having attained that which he set out to encompass.
WILLIAM M. GIRDNER, M. D.
Dr. William M. Girdner, physician and surgeon, who for a num- ber of years has been practicing continuously and ably in Chilli- cothe, was born in Livingston county, on September 21, 1867, a son of David and Martha (Smith) Girdner. The grandparents of our subject, David and Elizabeth (Perman) Girdner, were both natives of Pennsylvania and went from that state to Greene county, Tennessee, and thence to Kentucky, coming finally as pioneers to Liv- ingston county in 1834 and residing here until their deaths, the grand- father passing away on the 3 Ist of January, 1864, and the grandmother in November, 1862. David Girdner was a soldier in the War of 1812 and served through the entire period of hostilities as drum major of his regiment. In his family were thirteen children: David. Mrs. Mary White, Mrs. Nancy Blakely, Granberry, Michael, Charles G., Mrs. Mahala Yates, Joseph, James M., Mrs. Elizabeth Darr, Eliza, Samuel and Elizabeth A. David Girdner, the father of the subject of this review, was born in Whitley county, Kentucky, on May 3, 1826. He had always been a farmer and stock-raiser and at one time was a very extensive land owner, holding title to one thousand and thirty-five acres. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Martha Smith, was a daughter of Jonathan and Martha Smith, who were the parents of six children : Martha, the mother of the sub- ject of this review; Sophronia, who became the wife of Louis Clark; Rebecca, who married Charles Girdner; William; Sarah, who became the wife of William Webster; and Jemima, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. David Girdner became the parents of six children : Michael P., whose birth occurred on the 3d of February, 1860; Jonathan C., born on the 22d of July, 1861 ; Sarah E., born October 30, 1863; Louis M., whose birth occurred on the 13th of July, 1865 ; William M., the subject of this review; and Jemima, born December 20, 1870.
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Dr. William M. Girdner was reared upon his father's farm in Livingston county and acquired his education in the public schools. After completing the usual course he studied medicine and located for practice in Chillicothe, where he has since resided, being num- bered among the most able, conscientious and efficient members of the profession in the city. Reading and research keep him in touch with the most advanced thought of the profession and he is most careful in the diagnosis of a case and judicious in his application of scientific principles. Aside from his private practice he is serving as president of the Chillicothe Board of Health and as state physician of the Industrial Home for Girls.
Dr. Girdner was married on July 19, 1896, to Miss Frankie Black, a native of Livingston county and a daughter of James F. Black of Jackson township, and of this union has been born one son, Flavel, who is sixteen years of age. The Doctor gives his allegiance to the democratic party and is interested in all that per- tains to the welfare and upbuilding of his city, although his public spirit never takes the form of office seeking. He has throughout his life made wise use of his time and talents and his ability and attain- ments have placed him in a leading position among the physicians of this part of Missouri.
FRANK T. STEVENSON.
Frank T. Stevenson, engaged in general farming upon one hun- dred and twenty acres of land on section 32, township 59, range 22, Medicine township, is also well known in this locality as a suc- cessful auctioneer. He was born in Linn county, May 22, 1884, and is a son of John T. and Frances (Kirby) Stevenson. The mother passed away in April, 1911, and is buried at Mount Olive. The father survives her and makes his home in Linn county.
Frank T. Stevenson acquired his education in the country schools of Livingston county, whither he came with his parents when he was three years of age. At the age of seventeen he laid aside his books and for seven years thereafter assisted his father with the work of the farm, becoming familiar in this way with the details and methods of modern farm operation. At the end of that time he bought his present one hundred and twenty acre tract on section 32, Medicine township. He has about fifty acres under cultivation and
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engages in mixed farming, raising grain and keeping fine stock. At the present time he has five horses, seven head of cattle and twenty- four brood sows, his stock-raising interests being very important and profitable. Mr. Stevenson is a progressive and practical farmer and in addition a resourceful and able business man, and his success has come as a natural result of his industry and well directed labor.
At the Leopolis Catholic church, in Medicine township, in Sep- tember, 1906, Mr. Stevenson was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet Raney, a daughter of James C. Raney, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson have two children, Frances and John. Fraternally, Mr. Stevenson is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in 1912 he joined the progressive party. He is well known throughout this section as a representative agriculturist and a citizen whose support can be relied upon to further any measure or movement that will promote the welfare and prosperity of the county.
GEORGE W. RICE.
George W. Rice occupies a foremost position in agricultural circles in Livingston county as the owner of a one hundred and twenty acre farm near Utica, known as Hillside Ranch, and is prominent in the section not only as a successful farmer but also as a merchant and hotel keeper. Whatever line of endeavor he has followed he has made a success of, and he is considered today one of the sub- stantial men of the locality and wherever known is highly regarded. His farm, part of which was the homestead owned by his father, is under high cultivation, bringing him gratifying financial returns.
George W. Rice was born near Detroit, Michigan, July 20, 1853, and came with his parents to this section about 1866, when he was thirteen years of age. He is a son of H. J. and Sarah M. (Johnston) Rice. After settling here the father engaged for many years in the hotel business and invested his earnings also in land, becoming prom- inent and well known. He was very popular and everyone who had the pleasure of his acquaintance spoke highly of him. He passed away in 1906, having survived his wife for about fourteen years, she passing away in 1892, and both found their last resting place in Utica cemetery. The Rice family is one of the old eastern American families of Pennsylvania Dutch descent.
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George W. Rice pursued his education partly in Michigan and completed the same in the public schools of Utica, graduating from the Chillicothe College. To prepare himself for a commercial career and to become acquainted with practical ideas of life he entered upon a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College of Detroit, Michigan, where he pursued a commercial course. At the age of twenty years his education was completed and he started out well equipped with theoretical knowledge to take up the battle of life. His first employment was as a bookkeeper for a wholesale produce com- pany and he relinquished this position to become clerk in a general store. The life of the open appealing strongly to his nature, he made a change in his vocation and for five years subsequently engaged in farming. He then became connected with the Rice House, a hotel which he managed for several years, and in the conduct of which he acquired sufficient means to enable him to establish himself in the general mercantile business in Plymouth, Missouri, where he conducted a store for seven years. At the end of that time he returned to Utica to look after the farm property which had become his and there he specialized in the raising and feeding of stock, giving particular attention to sheep farming and milch cows. Since he acquired his property he has remodeled the residence which had been built thereon and has instituted numberless improvements, rebuild- ing and refitting barns and outbuildings and acquiring all such equip- ment which is considered necessary in the conduct of a modern agri- cultural establishment.
On July 2, 1874, Mr. Rice was united in marriage in Chillicothe, Missouri, to Miss Lizzie Rogers, a daughter of J. W. and Adeline Rogers, the former of whom for many years was the proprietor of the Rogers House and after disposing of his hotel interests became prom- inent as a shipper of live stock. Prosperity attended his efforts and he was one of the substantial citizens in this section, highly esteemed and greatly honored. He passed away in August, 1887, and is buried in Creston, Iowa, while his wife survived him for a decade, dying in 1897, in July, and finding her last resting place in Colo- rado Springs, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have three children : Carl L., who is married and lives on one of his father's farms; Harry D., who resides at Brookfield, Missouri; and Ralph L., who is a telegraph operator in the general offices of the Rock Island Railroad Company.
Mr. Rice is interested in various other institutions which have con- tributed to the growth and development of Livingston county and
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among others is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Chilli- cothe. His political convictions incline him toward the republican party, for the candidates and measures of which he has always stood steadfast. For seventeen years he has acted in the capacity of justice of the peace and is a member of the National Americans, a fraternal insurance order. The religious faith of Mr. Rice is that of the Episcopal church, which he attends and in the work of which organi- zation he takes an active and helpful interest. Mr. Rice has always led a busy and useful life to which indolence and idleness have been foreign, and thereby has not only achieved his own success, but has contributed to the development of the resources of Livingston county and the particular section in which he makes his home, and his labors have been largely constructive in the development of agriculture in this section. He is willing and even glad to bear his share in making this one of the richest and most prosperous portions of the state and is actuated in his undertakings by a spirit of contagious enthusi- asm and unabating energy that has inspired others to do likewise. Industry and energy, guided by the wisdom of his experience and by his seldom failing judgment, have made him one of the substantial and influential men in these parts, and through the position which he holds and by virtue thereof he has become a serviceable factor in the growth and upbuilding of Livingston county.
ARTHUR J. SIMPSON, M. D.
Dr. Arthur J. Simpson, a prominent and successful representative of the medical fraternity in Chillicothe, is a native son of the city, born July 18, 1874. John Simpson, the grandfather, came originally from Tennessee, and the grandmother from Virginia. The parents of our subject are William Robert and Arabella (Hoge) Simpson, both of whom were born in Livingston county. The father acquired his early education in the public schools and later studied medicine in St. Louis, graduating from the St. Louis Medical College, in 1871, (now the medical department of Washington University) and after- ward taking post-graduate courses in Chicago and New York city. He was for seven years physician to the State Industrial Home for Girls and for eight years on the board of examining surgeons for pensions.
Dr. Arthur J. Simpson began his medical studies in the University
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Medical College of Kansas City, Missouri, from which he graduated in 1895, since which time he has taken courses of study in medicine and surgery in Chicago, New York and in European medical colleges. The principal part of his professional labors is in the line of general and special surgery and his skill and success have attracted universal attention. He has resided continuously in Chillicothe.
Dr. Simpson was united in marriage to Miss Alta Taylor, in ยท 1895, and their circle of friends is an extensive one. Dr. Simpson gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is active and progressive in all matters of citizenship. He is well known in the Masonic order and belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
CHARLES F. ADAMS.
Charles F. Adams, who for the past twenty years has been closely and influentially associated with the business interests of Chillicothe as a member of the firm of Adams & Sons, wholesale grocers, was born in Vermont, August 25, 1863, and is a son of Charles A. and Eliza (Peabody) Adams, both of whom have passed away, the mother's death having occurred in 1902 and the father's in 1904. They are buried in the Chillicothe cemetery.
Charles F. Adams was still a child when his parents came to Livingston county and when he had reached the usual age he en- tered a little country school known as Oakdale school, and later attended the Adams schoolhouse. After pursuing the usual course of studies he laid aside his books at the age of sixteen and for twenty years thereafter assisted his father with the work of the farm and engaged also in the creamery business. He then went to Browning and for four years engaged in business there, at the end of which time he disposed of his interests and opened his present wholesale grocery store, with the management and control of which he has since been identified. He conducts one establishment in Chillicothe and a branch at Brookfield, Linn county, both enterprises being managed under the firm name of Adams & Sons. From the beginning Mr. Adams inaugurated a policy of courtesy, fair dealing and reasonable prices and upon this substantial commercial foundation has built up an important and lucrative trade which increases constantly year by year. He has also found time to devote to other interests, being president
CHARLES F. ADAMS
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of the Chamber of Commerce and holding the same position in the Chillicothe Factory Site Association, while he is also a stock- holder in the Citizens National Bank.
Mr. Adams was married in Chillicothe in 1888 to Miss Mary Jones, a daughter of Thomas E. and Janie (Hutchins) Jones, who have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have six children : Alice and Forrest, who live at home ; Mildred, who is attending Hosmer Hall in St. Louis; and Charles Jr., George and Dorothy, all at home.
Mr. Adams is a republican in his political views and has been called upon by his fellow townsmen to fill a number of important official positions. He has been mayor of Chillicothe and also president of the Hannibal & St. Joe Highway Commission and at present is serving as president of the local board of public works. He has membership in the United Commercial Travel- er's Association, being a charter member and holds the same dis- tinction in regard to the Elks' lodge. His religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Methodist church, South. He is recognized as a leader in both public life and in business circles and is deeply interested in any good work that tends toward the development of his town and county. Few men are more promi- nent or more widely known in Chillicothe than Charles F. Adams, for throughout a long period he has been an important factor in its business life and in everything which pertains to its expansion and development.
MILLARD C. GREGG.
Millard C. Gregg, a well known and representative agriculturist of Medicine township, where he owns one hundred and twenty acres on section 28, was born in Shelby county, Illinois, September 3, 1870. He is a son of George W. and Mary (Westcott) Gregg, the former a veteran of the Civil war and for many years prominent and well known in Laredo, Missouri, where his death occurred in 1910.
Millard C. Gregg acquired his education in the public schools of Illinois, laying aside his books at the age of eighteen. He afterward assisted his father with the work of the farm for about four years and then worked for three years as a farm laborer. At the end of that time he rented land and carried on general agricultural pursuits in this Vol. II-12
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way for eight years. He then left Illinois and came to Missouri, buying a farm in Linn county which he operated for about five years, after which he came to Livingston county, where he has since resided. He purchased one hundred and twenty acres on section 28, township 59, range 22, in Medicine township, and with characteristic energy has carried forward the work of development, having now about seventy acres under cultivation. He engages in mixed farm- ing and is also interested in stock-raising, keeping twelve horses, five head of cattle, sixty swine and about fifty sheep. He has always been strictly up-to-date in his farming, has made use of modern imple- ments and scientific methods and in this way has gained success.
In Grundy county, Missouri, on February 13, 1900, Mr. Gregg was united in marriage to Mrs. Comora Schumacher, a daughter of Eli and Ellen (Sallee) Boudro, the former of whom died in 1895. His widow survives him and makes her home with the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg have two children, Tressie and Ethel. Mrs. Gregg also has a daughter, Gladys Schumacher, by her former marriage.
Mr. Gregg is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his fraternal connections are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has for two years been a school director. His success has been by no means the result of fortunate circumstances; it has come to him through energy, labor and perseverance directed by business ability and has been so worthily used that no man in the township is held in higher regard than Mr. Gregg.
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