USA > Missouri > Livingston County > Past and present of Livingston County, Missouri : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 25
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Charles M. Powell acquired his early education in Sullivan county, completing his studies at Humphrey's College, from which he was graduated. Immediately afterward he opened a lumberyard in Chula, which was the first enterprise of this kind in the community and which is the only one in operation today. Mr. Powell erected his business building upon a tract of land which was at that time a corn field but which is now in the center of the business district of the city. He has been very successful, for he understands the lumber business in principle and detail and has met with the reward of well applied industry. He is also part owner of a hardware store here and in addition to his interests in Chula owns a lumber- yard and a farm implement business at Laredo, Missouri. He is recognized by his associates as a substantial and competent business man, whose word is as good as his bond and whose record has been untarnished.
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Mr. Powell married, in Chula, November 12, 1893, Miss Rebecca Woods, a daughter of W. C. and Wilmot (Maupin) Woods, the former a pioneer farmer of Grundy county. They reside at Alpha, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Powell became the parents of two chil- dren: Chester C., who is assisting his father; and Marian, who is attending public school.
Mr. Powell gives his allegiance to the democratic party and fra- ternally is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having gone through all the chairs in that organization. He is con- nected also with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Modern Wood- men of America. A man of upright character and honorable prin- ciples, his business dealings have ever conformed to the highest standards of commercial ethics and he is honored and respected by all with whom he comes in contact.
THOMAS HUTCHISON.
Thomas Hutchison, a representative agriculturist of Livingston county, was born near Bolton, Ontario, February 10, 1848, and is a son of George and Nancy (Irwin) Hutchison. The father was a sailor and a farmer and followed these occupations for a number of years. He died in 1899, having survived his wife since 1857, and both are buried in the Bolton cemetery.
Thomas Hutchison acquired his education in the public schools of his native community and at the age of nineteen laid aside his books, securing work as a farm laborer. He remained in Canada for some time and then came to Missouri, settling near Stewartsville, where he resumed his former occupation as a farm laborer. He spent some time in Jamesport, and there rented land, upon which he remained until he came to Livingston county. Here he carried on agricultural pursuits upon a rented farm for five years and then purchased eighty acres on section 34, Cream Ridge township. He later sold that tract and is now cultivating forty-three acres on section 19, on which he has made a number of improvements. In addition he has for the past thirty-five years worked as a well digger and is considered one of the most skilful men in this line of work in Livingston county.
On April 8, 1875, Mr. Hutchison was united in marriage to Miss Permilia Conover, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Conover, both of whom have passed away and are buried in Daviess county.
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Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison have four children: Edwin, who resides near Trenton; Annie C., who is the widow of William Allan and who is engaged in teaching school; Margaret E., the wife of Jesse Mallet, a farmer in Chariton county; and Jarvis D., a resident of Jackson township.
Mr. Hutchison gives a general allegiance to the republican party but often votes independently, preferring to support the men and measures which he considers best fitted to promote the public wel- fare. He is a member of the Baptist church and in his honorable and upright life exemplifies its doctrines, being well known through- out Livingston county as a man of high moral principles. One of the strong elements in his success is his ability to recognize oppor- tunities. He has utilized his advantages in the best possible way and as the years have gone by has advanced to a position among the more successful citizens of Livingston county, where he has made his home for forty-four years. He deserves great credit for what he has accomplished, for he started out empty-handed, but he possesses a courageous spirit and that strong determination which will brook no obstacles that cannot be overcome by earnest and indefatigable labor.
MRS. JENNIE COLE.
Nowadays we find women successful in many lines of endeavor and Mrs. Jennie Cole, the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres on section 3, Sampsell township, gives evidence of the fact that woman, when called upon, readily takes her place in the strife of the world and is often as successful as man, if not more so, in managing extensive affairs. Mrs. Cole, who came to Livingston county in 1870 from Cincinnati, Ohio, when a young girl of four years, was born in the latter city in 1866 and is a daugh- ter of Andrew and Kate (Donahue) Cusick, both of whom have passed away, the father dying in June, 1912, and the mother pre- ceding him many years in death, passing away in 1878. Both found their last resting place at Chillicothe, Missouri.
Mrs. Cole received her education in the public school in Jackson township, making ready use of the advantages that were offered and laying aside her books at the age of twenty-one years. Many years before that time, however, she assisted in looking after the parental
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household and after the death of her mother a great deal of the responsibility of caring for the family fell upon her shoulders.
In Chillicothe, Missouri, in 1889, she married Wilson Cole, a son of Moses and Sarah (Wilson) Cole, the former of whom passed away in 1900, while the latter is still residing in Jackson township at the age of eighty-one years, making her home with her son Willis, a brother-in-law of Mrs. Cole. After twenty-two years of a happy domestic life Wilson Cole passed away on May 14, 1911, being buried at Mount Pleasant cemetery in Sampsell township. He was one of the foremost agriculturists in this section and a man well liked and highly thought of in Livingston county. Mr. and Mrs. Cole were the parents of seven children, all of whom are at home. They are Kate, Alice, Ellen, Grace, Harry, Minnie and Mary. Mrs. Cole is largely responsible for many of the important improvements that were made upon the property, of which she has taken entire charge since the demise of her husband. A handsome residence is the family home and such other equipment as is to be found on the farm bespeaks the prosperity of its owner. Mrs. Cole evenly divides her duties between bringing up her large family and looking after her farming interests, and her deep conscientiousness in attending to her duties secures her the appreciation and good-will of all those who have the honor to know her. A woman of high qualities of mind and character, she stands as an example of what a mother should be to her family and of what a woman can do if she is called upon to exert her powers.
L. S. TAYLOR.
L. S. Taylor, a progressive and representative farmer of Cream Ridge township, was born in Maryland, August 16, 1867, a son of Samuel C. and Mary A. (Day) Taylor. The father settled in Livingston county in 1869 and from that date until his death in December, 1895, was engaged in farming, becoming during that time a widely known and prominent agriculturist. He was a man of broad education and winning personality. He had the misfortune to lose his eyesight eighteen years before his death. He was survived by his wife until 1899, both passing away at the age of seventy- three. They are buried in Ward cemetery, in Cream Ridge township.
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L. S. Taylor acquired a limited education in the public schools of the district but before he had advanced very far in his studies his father was stricken with blindness and the boy was obliged to assume heavy responsibilities. He aided in the management of the homestead until he was twenty-one years of age and then purchased land of his own which he cultivated for some time, later disposing of the property to engage in the real-estate business. He has now re- sumed his farming operations and has a fine property of one hundred and twenty acres in Cream Ridge township, highly improved and developed. He follows always the most progressive methods' in the conduct of the farm and has been rewarded by abundant harvests for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
In Cream Ridge township, September 2, 1891, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Mary Broyles, a daughter of Michael and Rachel (Siler) Broyles, the former an early settler in this part of Missouri. He makes his home with his son-in-law, his wife having passed away in 1900. She is buried in the May cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are the parents of five children: Ernie, a farmer in Cream Ridge township; Leister, who is residing at home; Emmett and Samuel, who are attending school; and Marie. Mr. Taylor is a democrat, but has never desired public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, which are very capably conducted, so that he is justly classed with the prominent farmers of the county.
JOSEPH B. LEAVELL.
After a long and useful career as an agriculturist Joseph B. Leavell is living in Chula, enjoying the comforts provided by many years of honest and zealous labor and giving some attention to the hardware firm of Wallace & Leavell, in which he owns one half interest. He was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, January 4, 1855, and is a son of J. H. and Lucinda (Milner) Leavell, the former an early settler in Livingston county. In 1856 he purchased a farm upon which the town of Chula was afterward built and he became very prominent and widely known throughout the county. He died about 1898, at the advanced age of eighty-two, and was survived by his wife until March 19, 1907. Both are buried in the May cemetery.
Joseph B. Leavell acquired his education in the public schools of
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Maple Grove and Chula, attending during four months of each year and spending the remainder of his time assisting with the work of his father's farm. At the age of twenty he laid aside his books but still continued upon the homestead, where he remained until he was thirty-seven years of age. At that time he and his brother, Samuel, purchased a farm and cultivated it for many years. Mr. Leavell of this review now owns one hundred and twenty- seven acres on section 16, Cream Ridge township. This is a highly cultivated farm divided by substantial fences into convenient fields and improved with a modern residence, erected by Mr. Leavell, and barns and outbuildings, and is equipped with all modern accessories. During his period of residence there Mr. Leavell engaged in general farming and was also extensively interested in stock-raising, keeping horses, cattle, sheep and swine. On February 1, 1913, Mr. Leavell purchased a half interest in the hardware firm of Wallace & Leavell and now gives some of his time and and attention to the interests of this concern.
Mr. Leavell married, near Meadville, Linn county, on December 2, 1891, Miss Susan Littrell, a daughter of Joseph and Derinda Littrell, the former a pioneer farmer of Linn county. He died in March, 1889, at the age of sixty-six, and is buried in the Botts graveyard. His wife survives him and resides upon the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Leavell became the parents of a son, O. B., who is a graduate of the Chula schools and who received the degree of B. A. from Jackson University.
Mr. Leavell is a democrat in his political beliefs and his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Presbyterian church. Since moving into Chula he has erected another fine home here, where he resides in comfort, honored and esteemed for his pro- gressive spirit and many fine qualities of character which have won him the confidence and respect of the community.
J. S. HOPPER.
J. S. Hopper, a well known and representative agriculturist of Livingston county, was born in Clarence, Missouri, September IO, 1880, a son of S. P. and Mary E. (Riley) Hopper. The father came to Missouri from Illinois and is owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land in this county, on which he resides.
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J. S. Hopper acquired his early education in the district schools and later attended the Chillicothe Normal School. After his gradu- ation he taught for one year but at the age of twenty-two he returned to the homestead and has been identified with farming since that time. He owns a fine farm of fifty acres and in addition manages a property comprising three hundred and fifty acres. The land lies on section 33, Cream Ridge township, and on section 4, Rich Hill township, and is improved with a modern residence, barns and outbuildings. Mr. Hopper has always been strictly up-to-date in his operations, has made use of modern implements and scientific methods, and in addi- tion to general farming is extensively interested in the breeding and raising of cattle and swine. He is a director in the Exchange Bank of Chula and actively interested in the affairs of that institution.
Mr. Hopper was married in Chillicothe, Missouri, March 8, 1905, to Miss Addie Price, a daughter of Aaron and Catherine Price, the former a pioneer farmer in Livingston county. He died in 1899, at the age of forty-four, and was survived by his wife until 1904, she having passed away when she was forty-two years of age. Both are buried in the Edgewood cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Hopper have three children, Otho J., Leo and Juanita. Mr. Hopper is affiliated with the progressive party in politics and has done able work as school direc- tor. He is one of the well known agriculturists of Livingston county, yet his prosperity is not the outcome of propitious circumstances, but is the reward of honest labor, good management, ambition and energy.
JO DUSENBERRY.
Jo Dusenberry, cashier of the Farmers National Bank of Lud- low, has been so closely and intimately associated with various business interests in Livingston county that no history of this portion of the state would be complete without a record of his career. He has constantly followed the most progressive meth- ods and adhered to the highest business standards, all of his undertakings having been characterized by a practical spirit which has produced far-reaching and beneficial results. Mr. Dusenberry was born in Dawn, July 27, 1875, and is a son of Frank and Emma (Essig) Dusenberry, the former a well known physician and sur- geon in Richmond and Lexington Junction, where he passed away at the age of thirty-eight years. He is buried in Coller
JO DUSENBERRY
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cemetery. He was survived by his wife until 1888. The father was of Pennsylvania Dutch origin, while the mother came from German parentage.
Jo Dusenberry acquired his education in the public schools of Braymer, leaving high school at the age of seventeen in order to enter the Chillicothe Normal School, where he remained for three years. He fitted himself for teaching and followed that profession in the public schools of Livingston county for eight years, after which he turned his attention to business interests, accepting the position of manager of a lumberyard at Humphreys. After two years' able work in that capacity he bought an interest in the Farmers National Bank and was appointed assistant cashier, an office which he held until 1905, when he was promoted to that of cashier, in which capacity he is still serving efficiently and con- scientiously, being also a director in the institution. His judg- ment has come to be regarded as a standard authority on all mat- ters of banking and finance, for his progressiveness is tempered by a safe conservatism and based upon a thorough understanding of the conditions which govern all phases of modern business life.
In Humphreys, on the 6th of May, 1903, Mr. Dusenberry was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Stringer, a daughter of Dr. D. K. and Anna (Russell) Stringer, the former a veteran of the Civil war and for many years one of the prominent physicians and surgeons of Humphreys. He is now practicing at Gault, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Dusenberry have a son, Victor Lee.
In politics Mr. Dusenberry was until 1912 affiliated with the republican party but in the latter year he joined the progressive movement, of which he is a stanch and earnest supporter. He is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in the blue lodge in Masonry and serving as junior warden. He belongs also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is past grand in that organization, and in addition belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Braymer. His career furnishes many examples of the power of industry and perseverance in the accomplishment of a successful career, for all that he has he has acquired by his own industry and well directed efforts. After he had mastered such learning as his parents could afford to give him he worked upon a farm for ten dollars a month and out of this salary saved enough to pursue his further studies. A man of indomitable energy, strict integrity and liberal views, he has been to a great extent identified Vol. 11-17
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with the growth and progress of the city in which he lives. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has the esteem of his friends and the entire confidence of those who have business relations with him.
JAMES T. ENGLAND.
James T. England, engaged in the conduct of a first-class grocery and meat market in Chillicothe, is numbered among the well known and prominent merchants of the city, the wise management and capable control of his interests winning him a most gratifying suc- cess. Missouri numbers him among her native sons, for he was born in Grundy county, on the 23d of December, 1861, his parents being Socrates and Elizabeth (Smith) England, both natives of Kentucky. They took up their residence in Missouri in the year 1858 and there the father followed the blacksmith's trade for a number of years, finally locating in Chillicothe in 1865. There he established him- self in buisiness and continued active until his retirement in 1907. In this family were eight children: Lulu and John, who died in infancy ; Sarah, who lives at home; James T., of this review; Albert, who is in the insurance business in Chillicothe; Lillie, who became the wife of C. E. Walton, of this city; Mont L., a jeweler of Chillicothe ; and Della, who has passed away.
James T. England acquired his education in the public schools of Chillicothe and for some time attended high school. When he was sixteen years of age he obtained a position as clerk in a local dry-goods store and held this until 1891, laying the foundation for his future success in hard labor, intelligent study of methods and conditions and earnest endeavor. In 1898 he opened a grocery and meat market near the railroad station and has recently established another meat market on the square. He keeps his stock always fresh and of a high quality and the equipment of both stores is full and complete, his establishment being profitable and well patronized as the result.
In June, 1887, Mr. England was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Wittich, and to their union were born three children. Walter, a registered pharmacist in Chillicothe; Marvin, who is in business with his father; and Fenelle, who is attending Missouri University.
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Mr. England is a stanch democrat and progressive and public- spirited in all matters of citizenship, being a force in local politics. He was the first mayor of Laredo, Missouri, and served also as post- master at Laredo, under appointment of President Cleveland. He has been a member of the Chillicothe city council for four terms, being now councilman at large. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Presbyterian church. He realizes the fact that success in business comes as a logical result of well directed effort and intelligently applied labor and his dili- gence, integrity and executive force have brought him to the credit- able place he now occupies in business circles.
M. W. MILLER.
M. W. Miller, who is living in retirement after having spent upwards of forty-three years as a resident of Livingston county, was born seven miles south of Canton, Ohio, December 26, 1835. He is a son of Samuel and Rachel Miller, the former a weaver by trade, who passed away in the spring of 1860, at the age of sixty- two. He is buried in Stark county, near Sparta, while his wife, who passed away in 1870, rests in a graveyard near Mogadore, Ohio. The family is of old German origin but its representatives have been in America for over one hundred and fifty years.
M. W. Miller acquired his primary education in the district schools and completed his studies in the Mount Union College near Alliance. He laid aside his books at the age of nineteen and after- ward taught for many years in the village and country schools, becoming well known as a force in educational circles in his dis- trict. He came to Missouri in 1870 and worked as a clerk in Alpha, after which he started in business for himself, conducting a mer- cantile enterprise for two years. After he came to Chula he built a store and was successful for some time as a general merchant, trading his enterprise after three years for a farm in Livingston county, which he developed and improved successfully. This he also sold after five years and again moved into Chula, accepting the positions of cashier and bookkeeper for the Exchange Bank. After four years he sold out his interests in that institution and assisted in organizing
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the Farmers & Merchants Bank, of which he became bookkeeper and assistant cashier, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1906. His work during the period of his activity was of that pro- gressive and constructive kind which affects general business interests and it had an important influence upon the development of the com- munity. Mr. Miller's industry and close application have been rewarded by a substantial competence, which enables him to spend his later life in rest and comfort.
Near Sandyville, Ohio, on April 3, 1862, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Swank, a daughter of Phillip and Catherine Swank, who came to Livingston county in 1866. Both have passed away and are buried in the Edgewood cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had six children: Clement S., a barber at Sprague, Washington; Olive C., who became the wife of Taylor Fossett, of St. Joseph, Missouri; Elsie L., who married D. A. Smith, of South Omaha; Nettie R., who married Joseph Johnston, of Shafter, Mis- souri; Burt M., a barber in Kansas City; and Charles P., who died in infancy and is buried in Sandyville.
Mr. Miller is a member of the Methodist church and is one of its trustees. Politically he is affiliated with the republican party and has served as assessor in Ohio and in Chillicothe, Missouri. He also was employed for three years in the county clerk's office at Chilli- cothe, doing effective work under William H. Gaunt. He is an honored veteran of the Civil war, having served in that conflict as a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-second Ohio Regiment, and in all the relations of his life is loyal, progressive and straight- forward, his worth as a man and as a citizen being widely acknowledged.
JAMES H. KIRK.
At the venerable age of eighty-three years James H. Kirk lives in well earned retirement on his well cultivated farm of two hundred and sixty acres on section 4, Sampsell township, which he still owns, although he leaves its management and operation largely to others. Coming to Livingston county in 1843, he is entitled to be called one of the early pioneers of this section, finding when he came here from Virginia but primitive conditions such as usually prevail in frontier districts. He was born in 1829 and is a son of Thomas
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and Ruth (Howe) Kirk, the former of whom participated in the War of 1812, holding the commission of major and distinguishing himself in that sanguine conflict by gallantry and bravery. Both parents are dead, the father passing away in 1866, finding his last resting place in California, and the mother dying about the same time.
James H. Kirk received his education largely in Springhill, Livingston county, where he had come at the age of fourteen years, and attended school until he had reached his eighteenth birthday, after which he assisted his father in his labors on the farm until he was twenty-five years of age. Energetic, industrious and paying close attention to the smallest detail, Mr. Kirk followed agricultural pursuits for many years and attained thereby to prosperity. His property is in a high state of cultivation and the residence and build- ings thereon bespeak the prosperity of its owner. At present, how- ever, he rents out his farm and in well earned rest enjoys the fruit of his labors.
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