USA > Missouri > Livingston County > Past and present of Livingston County, Missouri : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 19
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ings Bank and on January 1, 1910, retired from active life, having earned rest and comfort by well directed work in the past.
On the Ist of March, 1866, Mr. Hawkins married in Livingston county Miss Nancy Ethaline Hicklin, a native of this county, born December 25, 1845. Her paternal grandfather was Thomas Hicklin, probably a native of Ireland, who was reared in Virginia and there followed farming. His death probably occurred in Missouri. He married Miss Rebecca Graham, a native of either Ireland or Vir- ginia, and to their union were born ten children, John, James, Thomas, William, Moses, Robert, Elizabeth, Margaret, Rebecca and Jane, all of whom have passed away. On the maternal side Mrs. Hawkins' grandparents were John and Mary (Johnson) Kenney, the former a native of Kentucky, who followed farming in that state for a number of years. He gave his allegiance to the whig party and was a stanch supporter of its doctrines and principles. He died in Ralls county, Missouri, about 1828. His wife was a native of Virginia and a relative of General Joseph E. Johnson, of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Kenney had thirteen children, James, Moses, Isaac, Willis, Jonas, Nicholas, Edith, Mary, Nancy, Jack, and three other children whose names are not now remembered. Mrs. Hawkins' parents were William and Nancy (Kenney) Hicklin, the former of whom was born near Frankfort, Kentucky, November 17, 1789. He removed to Ralls county, Missouri, about 1824 and from there came in 1839 to Livingston county, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1857. He was a whig in his political principles, and his religious views were in accord with the doctrines of the Baptist church. He married about 1827, in Ralls county, Missouri, Miss Nancy Kenney, who was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, April 25, 1802. She removed to Missouri about 1824 and died in Livingston county, August 21, 1882. In this family were seven children. Caroline, the eldest, was born in 1829. She married William Arnold and died in St. Louis, Missouri, January 16, 1912. William was born January 13, 1831. Joshua F. was born August 13, 1833, and died at Springfield, Missouri, April 12, 1908. He was an able lawyer and practiced his profession for a number of years, serving as probate judge of Gallatin, Missouri. Thomas was born November 6, 1836, and died August 6, 1862. Francis J. was born March 20, 1839. He is engaged in farming and resides in Livingston county. Mary Ann was born September 2, 1842. She married Porter Mass- engill and they reside near Springfield. Nancy Ethaline, the youngest child in the family, married the subject of this review. To Mr. and
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Mrs. Hawkins were born six children: Lydia, who married Dr. Jud- son O. Roberts, a physician in Denver, Colorado; Frank, a carpenter and builder in Chillicothe; Reuben, Jr., who married Miss Minnie Kittredge and who is engaged in the real-estate and insurance busi- ness in Chillicothe ; Margaret, at home; and Wyley and Adelaide, both of whom have passed away.
Mr. Hawkins is affiliated with the democratic party and as a pub- lic-spirited and progressive citizen has taken a commendable interest in public affairs, although he never seeks nor desires office. Trust- worthy and faithful in business, progressive in citizenship and loyal to the claims of friendship, he has thus displayed many good qualities which have gained him high regard.
JAMES N. ROBERTS.
James N. Roberts is one of the foremost representatives of agri- cultural interests of Livingston county, where he owns one thousand acres of rich and fertile land on section 4, Mooresville township. By close attention to his affairs and modern and up-to-date methods he has succeeded in becoming one of the largest landed proprietors of this section and the success which he has attained is of much more credit to him as he has achieved it entirely through his own efforts. He is a native of Kentucky, being born March 1, 1858, and is a son of Thomas and Jane (Harlow) Roberts, the former for many years a prominent farmer of that section and a member of the Home Guards during the Civil war. He passed away in 1901 and his wife followed him in death in 1904, both being buried in the Field ceme- tery of Mooresville township. The family is of Scotch-Irish extrac- tion and came to the United States at an early day.
James N. Roberts was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of his education attended the district schools of the vicinity, but to a large extent he is self-taught, as he was always of studious mind and complemented his knowledge by reading and study wherever he could find it. After he had completed his school course he started out to make his own way in the world by canvassing for a United States map, soliciting orders for a short time. In 1881 he had by thrift and industry secured the means to buy a farm west of Mooresville, the property comprising sixty acres, and by intelligent application and earnest toil was enabled in time to greatly extend the
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boundaries of his farm to the present extent. He engages in mixed farming, following progressive and up-to-date methods, and makes an important branch of his business the raising and feeding of cattle and hogs, while most of his land is carefully tilled and devoted to such cereals that are the most profitable under the climatic and soil conditions. As a side line he is also engaged in sawmilling and has from this industry received gratifying financial returns. In his various enterprises success has attended his efforts as a result of his progressive ideas, his incessant labors, his energy and his experience. He has made a number of important improvements on his property as he has gradually acquired it and has provided such equipment as is considered necessary to the modern farmer in the profitable cultiva- tion of a large tract of land.
On the 14th of December. 1880, near Mooresville, Missouri, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Rosalia Baron, a daughter of Lewis and Rosalia Baron, the former of whom was a contractor resid- ing in Mooresville. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have become the parents of four sons and four daughters : R. W., an engineer living at Columbia, Missouri, who was the architect for the Chillicothe courthouse and is professor at Columbia College; J. H., a graduate of Breckenridge high school, now engaged in farming in Mooresville township; Frank E., who graduated from Breckenridge high school and is also a farmer; E. C., a graduate of the Mooresville high school, who is en- gaged in agricultural pursuits; Gertrude, the wife of Charles Mc- Creary, a farmer of Sampsell township; Hazel, living at home; Nellie, attending school; and Bonnie, also pursuing her education. The family residence is a commodious and comfortable house, well furnished and modernly equipped.
Mr. Roberts is a stanch adherent of the democratic party, the principles and candidates of which he unfailingly supports. His fra- ternal association is with the blue lodge of Masons. He has made a creditable record along agricultural lines and his course has been marked by steady progress, his industry and energy having found substantial reward in a most gratifying degree of prosperity. His labors, however, have not only brought individual success but his life work has been of constructive value in the development of the agricultural resources of his section as he has not only been an inter- ested witness of the changes that have occurred but has been a help- ful factor in general advancement. Personally he is a man of genial manners, pleasant to meet, yet of strong character, and his sterling qualities have won him the high regard and confidence of all those
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with whom he has come in contact. To express in few words the reason of his success would be to say that he has done well anything he has found to do and that his laudable ambition has carried him to the position which he now occupies as one of the foremost agricul- turists of his section. His life record has no spectacular phase but plainly shows what may be accomplished when energy and industry lead the way.
WILLIAM E. PAYTON.
William E. Payton, cashier of the Exchange Bank of Chula and a man well and favorably known in financial circles of the city, was born at Lindley, Grundy county, October 21, 1869. He is a son of George W. and Mary A. (Cook) Payton, the former a native of Grundy county, who from 1866 to the time of his death was engaged in the grocery business there. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served through practically the entire four years as a member of a Missouri regiment, and he later gave stanch support to the democratic party during the remainder of his life. He was postmaster under Cleveland and in many other ways took an active part in the public life of his native section. He died in 1909, at the age of sixty-eight, and is buried in Laredo, Missouri. He was a representative of one of the earliest pioneer families in Grundy county, his father having come to that section at a very early date.
William E. Payton acquired his education in the public schools of Laredo and laid aside his books at the age of eighteen, after which he assisted his father in the grocery store until he was twenty-two. He then purchased the Laredo Tribune and was its editor for three years, during which time he was also con- nected at intervals with the Commercial Bank. Later he gave his entire attention to this work, becoming bookkeeper and lay- ing during the two years of his activity the firm foundations of his present success. When he left Laredo Mr. Payton went to Gault and there again became identified with journalism, pur- chasing a half interest in the Gault Herald. After one year he became a traveling solicitor, working in the interest of the country circulation of the Kansas City Star and resigning after five years in order to accept his present position as cashier of
WILLIAM E. PAYTON
SCENES ON THE BAKER ESTATE
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the Exchange Bank of Chula, an institution in which he is also a stockholder. He is known in banking circles as a shrewd, able and resourceful financier, of good business and executive ability, and he manages the important affairs under his charge ably, promoting the interests of the bank along safe and reliable but progressive lines.
Mr. Payton married, in Laredo, September 21, 1892, Miss Bessie Conrads, a daughter of Adolphus and Amanda Conrads, the former a pioneer in Grundy county. He died in 1880 and was survived by his wife until 1896, both being buried in the Laredo cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Payton became the parents of a daughter, Fern A., who is a graduate of the Chula high school and now a student in Liberty Ladies' College.
Mr. Payton is a republican in his political beliefs and is intelli- gent and broad-minded in matters of citizenship, giving his hearty cooperation to progressive public movements. His life has been one of well directed activity, resulting in the attainment of a fair measure of success, and wherever he is known he is respected and esteemed by reason of his genuine personal worth.
WILLIAM H. BAKER.
Among Livingston county's native sons, who by industry, practi- cal methods and well directed labor have won success in agricultural pursuits, is William H. Baker, who operates the fine farm of nine hundred and thirty-five acres in Cream Ridge township known as the Baker estate. The land lies on sections 3 and 4, range 24, and has been in the possession of the Baker family since 1864. Mr. Baker was born in Livingston county, August 13, 1868, his parents being Henry and Mary (Knowlton) Baker, both of whom have passed away, the mother in 1901 and the father in 1909. The latter was one of the most prominent men in Livingston county and a pioneer in the state, having bought the Baker Estate in 1864. Upon it he engaged in general farming and stock-raising on an extensive scale.
William H. Baker acquired his early education in the Livingston county public schools and supplemented this by a course in the Ohio State University, from which he was graduated in 1892. Immedi- ately afterward he returned to the home farm and assumed charge of its operation, and has been engaged ever since in the development of Vol. II-13
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its resources, having substantially increased both the area under cul- tivation and the yields per acre. He has at present about six hundred acres under cultivation, the remainder being devoted to pasture. He engages in general farming and stock feeding, and usually carries in stock about twelve head of work horses, one hundred to one hun- dred and fifty head of cattle and one to two hundred head of swine.
Mr. Baker married, in Franklin county, Ohio, in 1898, Miss Emma Almieda Slyh, a daughter of Daniel M. and Rosaltha Slyh, the latter of whom died in 1895. The father, D. M. Slyh, is still operat- ing his own farm in Franklin county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have four children, Rose Altha, Ruth Beryl, Henry Hollister and Clarence McArthur. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Baker is a progressive. He is well known in Livingston county, having resided here all his life, and his high principles and his upright and honorable character make him a native son whose life record is a credit to the community.
LEONARD M. DOME.
Leonard M. Dome is among the prosperous merchants of Utica, Missouri, where he has conducted a general mercantile establishment since 1904. As the years have passed his patronage has increased, as he uses modern and up-to-date methods in carrying on the business and supervises all its details carefully, carrying a line of first-class merchandise which he sells at a reasonable profit. His name and his store have become a synonym for fair dealing and he treats his cus- tomers and patrons with that courtesy which never fails to appeal.
Leonard M. Dome is a native son of Livingston county, where he was born May 16, 1876, and is a son of Frank and Elizabeth Dome, the former one of the prominent pioneer farmers of Livingston county. He came here from Indiana in 1866, taking up land which he put under cultivation and which he has since transformed into a valuable property, where he reared his children and is still living. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Dome consists of Ralph, a farmer in Green township; Leonard M., of this review; Charles, who is a busi- ness partner of our subject; and Susie, who makes her home with her parents.
Leonard M. Dome was reared on the home farm and acquired his education in the Utica public schools, which he left at the age
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of eighteen years, making himself useful during that time on the farm in assisting his father in his daily labors at such times at which he was not occupied with his lessons. He then became apprenticed to the painting and plastering trade, which he followed for a short time, but later returned to his parents and assisted in the operation of the farm until he engaged in his present business. Ever since he began his operations in Utica success has attended his efforts and gradually his business has increased in trade and importance and now assures him a gratifying annual income.
On April 4, 1904, Mr. Dome married Miss May Musson, a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Musson, the former a retired farmer, whose wife has been deceased for some time and is buried in the Utica cemetery. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dome, Bessie and Evelyn.
Mr. Dome is a man of new ideas and his aggressive spirit finds expression in his political affiliation, which is with the progressive party, as he sees in the platform and principles for which this organi- zation stands the salvation from many evils which the two older established factions have countenanced too long. Public-spirited and interested in the growth of the community, he has rendered public service as constable for two years and during that time has dis- charged his duties in such a manner that high commendation of his constituents has come to him. His fraternal affiliations are confined to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Dome is one of the younger business men of Utica who has proved by his ability to attain results what can be accomplished by energy and industry, if these qualities are directed along progressive lines. He has made a credit- able record as a business man, and for his private character is well liked wherever known, and is one of the popular younger members of society in Utica, where both he and Mrs. Dome enjoy the esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
NEAL KIRTLEY.
Neal Kirtley, a prosperous agriculturist owning a farm of one hundred and fifty acres on sections 15 and 16, Mooresville township, Livingston county, is a descendant of an old Welsh family that came to America at an early day from the little rock-ribbed country on the western coast of Britain. It was in the very house in which he now
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makes his home that he was born on the 17th of May, 1867, a son of Marcus and Mary K. (Stuckey) Kirtley. The father was only a boy of nine years when he came to this section in company with his father, Asa T. Kirtley, who settled here in 1842, being one of the early pioneers of Livingston county. Marcus Kirtley was well liked and popular in Mooresville township where he made his home all of his life, and here he passed away on the 15th of July, 1882, finding his last resting place in the Moorsville cemetery. He left a widow and five children, namely: Homer, a prominent farmer of this county; Melvin, who also followed agricultural pursuits but died in March, 1897, his remains being buried in Mooresville cemetery; Leora, the wife of Julian Rockhold; and Gertrude, who died in 1884 at the age of four years and who is also buried in the Mooresville cemetery.
The other member of the family, Neal Kirtley, received his edu- cation in Brush College and after he laid aside his text-books re- mained at home where he continued to reside for some time. On the death of his father he inherited the property but soon thereafter dis- posed of the same and bought the farm on which he was born and where he now follows mixed farming, specializing in stock-raising. He is well acquainted with all of the details of the business and em- ploys the most modern and scientific methods, feeding annually about fifty head of cattle and as many as one hundred head of hogs. He is one of the most extensive raisers of the latter animal and his cattle are also favorably known for their quality in the markets in which they sell. He has made a number of important improvements upon his property, has his buildings well repaired and has provided such equipment as is considered necessary in the conduct of an up-to-date agricultural enterprise.
On November 21, 1900, Mr. Kirtley was married to Miss Juda Herrold, a daughter of J. W. and Martha (Van Buren) Herrold. Mr. and Mrs. Kirtley are the parents of four children : Robert, attend- ing school; and Mary Gertrude, Helen Catherine and John Marcus.
Mr. Kirtley by his industry and energy has become one of the sub- stantial men of the locality and outside of his farming interests is a stockholder of the First National Bank of Chillicothe, Missouri. In politics he is an adherent of the democratic party of which he is a stalwart supporter. He is public-spirited and any measures under- taken to benefit the community in which he resides find in him a warm friend. He has served for a time on the township board and mani- fests his interest in educational advancement as a director of the local school board. Membership in the Modern Woodmen of America
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constitutes his only fraternal affiliation. Mr. Kirtley is a man of strongly marked character and has come to be recognized as a forceful element in the community where his sterling qualities have won the confidence and high regard of all those who have become acquainted with him. Not only has he witnessed the wonderful trans- formation which has taken place in this section but he has been a' constructive factor in bringing about general advancement, especially along agricultural lines. At all times he has been actuated by lauda- ble ambition to succeed and this ambition, combined with industry and energy, have launched him to success.
A. B. MACDONALD.
Livingston county is proud to number among its citizens such an upright, progressive and public-spirited man as A. B. Macdonald, who for many years has been prominently connected with those enter- prises which directly affect growth and development. He is at pres- ent proprietor of one of the finest jewelry stores in Chillicothe, fully equipped in every detail, with a modern optical department and all of the most improved instruments for the scientific treatment of the eye. Mr. Macdonald has in addition been closely connected for many years with the public life of the city and as alderman for the second ward has accomplished many things of lasting and practical benefit to the community. His public and private life have alike been above re- proach and he well deserves the confidence and high regard in which he is uniformly held. His career has been characterized by honor- able dealings and straightforward methods and he today occupies a most enviable position as a progressive business man and public- spirited citizen.
EDWARD E. HERRIMAN.
Edward E. Herriman is a descendant of an old Welsh family, members of which at an early date emigrated from the rock-ribbed little principality on Britain's west coast to Canada. The father of our subject was a native of Canada and, crossing the border, made his home for a time in different states of the middle west, eventually
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coming to Livingston county, Missouri, where he spent the remainder of his life. Edward E. Herriman occupies himself in the dual posi- tion of farmer and telegraph operator, owning forty acres of valu- able land on section 16, township 57, range 25, Mooresville township, Livingston county. He was brought by his parents to Livingston county in 1871 and is a native of Illinois, where he was born in Erie, October 25, 1866, a son of R. B. and Julia (Mathews) Herriman. After the father left his native land, Canada, he followed the trade of carpenter and wagon manufacturer for a time at Belle Plaine, Iowa, and also remained for some time in Illinois before coming in 1871 to Mooresville township, Livingston county, where he acquired the farm which our subject now owns and to the cultivation of his property he devoted the remainder of his life. He passed away June 30, 1903, and is buried in Mooresville cemetery. The mother, who is surviving, still makes her home on the old farm with our subject. In their family were three children: Edward E., of this review; Carrie, the wife of L. P. Vadnais, who follows agricultural pursuits in Mooresville township; and Luther A., who resides in Chicago, where he fills the position of manager of the Knickerbocker Ice Company.
Edward E. Herriman was reared under the parental roof and, as he was only five years of age when brought to Missouri, received his education in the public schools of Mooresville township, laying aside his text-books at the age of eighteen years. In 1903, upon his father's death, he took charge of the farm and has since devoted a great deal of his attention to its cultivation and improvement. At the age of twenty-one, however, he began to work in the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad as telegraph operator and he has ever since held a similar position in connection with this or some other road.
Edward E. Herriman is a member of the Christian church, the services of which he attends regularly and in the work of which or- ganization he takes an active and helpful interest. His political affiliations are with the progressive party, as he is in favor of those principles which are embodied in its platform and believes that by its efforts will be brought about the ultimate salvation of the country from corrupt political practices. Fraternally he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which organization he has passed the third chair and he also is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America. As a trusted employe of railroad companies, with which he has been connected since 1887, he has gained the full con- fidence of his superiors in the service. Having lived in this section
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for over forty years, he has not only been an interested witness of the changes that have occurred but has been a factor in the general ad- vancement of the section. Privately he is a pleasant man, genial of manner and agreeable, and enjoys the friendship of many.
ELMER R. ROBERTS.
Farming interests of Cream Ridge township find an able and pro- gressive representative in Elmer R. Roberts, who owns a fine prop- erty of eighty acres on sections 21 and 33. He has lived in Living- ston county since his infancy but was born in Daviess county, Novem- ber 14, 1873, his parents being Luellyn and Ida (Critten) Roberts. The father came from his native country, Wales, when he was a young man and settled in Missouri before the Civil war. He volun- teered for service in that conflict, serving as a member of Company L, Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, going to the front as a private and re- ceiving his discharge after much active service as a corporal. In 1873 he settled upon a farm in Cream Ridge township and there carried on general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred one year later, on May 15, 1874, when he was forty-four years of age. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1907, at the age of fifty-six, and both are buried in the May cemetery, in Livingston county.
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