USA > Missouri > Livingston County > Past and present of Livingston County, Missouri : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 28
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during the troublous time of the war great difficulty in keeping them from being sequestered by the militia. He would hide them in the timber south of his house and by this means saved them, as the mi- litia would seldom enter the woods to hunt for anything. One day, while his wife was assisting him to water the horses and while she was riding on one of them, the animal stumbled, causing her to fall, and she unfortunately broke her thigh near the hip joint. Carrying a heavy purse containing twenty-five dollars in silver, this struck her against the thigh and caused the injury. She was carried home and everything that doctors and kind friends could do was done, but the injury never healed properly, making her a cripple. Two of her chil- dren were away in the war which was still raging and the affliction she had sustained caused her such grief that gradually she pined away and breathed her last July 1, 1865, and was laid to rest in a spot she had herself selected for burial, about a half mile from her home, on the land of her oldest child, W. W. Black. After his wife's death the grandfather lived in one room of his house, giving up the others to renters who would attend to his farm and look after his meals. When he had no renters to till the land he would make his home with his oldest son, who lived about three-quarters of a mile from the home- stead. About five hundred dollars which he had in gold and which he wished to keep secure he buried at the commencement of the Civil war, in a field, but becoming suspicious that the hiding place might become known, he later took it up and, placing it in a jar, buried it in his stable under the manger where he daily fed his horses, and there his gold remained until a few days before his death. A man of strong character, forceful, decisive, yet kindly and genial, he was greatly be- loved by all who knew him and died at the residence of his daughter on March 9, 1877, being laid to rest in the family cemetery.
His brother, Adam Black, was born September II, 1801, and died July 14, 1890, at his home in Jackson township, at the remarkable age of eighty-nine years. He was one of the honored and respected pio- neer citizens of the neighborhood and at the time of his death one of the oldest living residents of the county, following, during his active life, the occupation of farming and living in his retirement on a highly improved farm of fifty-six acres, surrounded by many com- forts and conveniences which he had made possible by incessant efforts. He was born in Henderson county, Kentucky, and came to Missouri with his parents in 1819, living near Boonville, Cooper county, whence they soon removed to Ray county, which at that time included Carroll, Livingston, Grundy, Mercer, Harrison, Daviess and
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Caldwell counties. In 1833 he settled near the present site of Jame- son in Daviess county. Previously, in 1824, he was elected sheriff of the territory above mentioned and during his term of office took the census, his work in that connection taking him in all twenty-four days, inclusive of making his returns. In 1826 he also served as assessor and he also taught school for a number of years. On Sep- tember 6, 1825, he was married in Ray county, to Miss Mary W. Morgan, a daughter of Ira and Abigail Morgan, by whom he had nine children. Subsequently he was married to Miss Margaret Grooms, of which union there was no issue, and on October 15, 1857, he contracted a marriage with Miss Sallie Kelly, a daughter of Edward Kelly, and to them were born three children. Various achievements distinguished the life of this granduncle of our subject, for he was one of the first settlers in Daviess county, shortly after the organization of which he served as justice of the peace and also was county judge for four years. In 1844 he went to Gentry county and there also was elected to the position of justice of the peace and later to that of judge, filling the latter position for four years and dispensing justice fairly and impartially. When Gentry county was divided it left him in the new county of Worth and he was appointed by the governor one of the first commissioners to organize the county. In 1861, on account of his southern proclivities, he left and came to Livingston county, which then became his home. For three years he here served as one of the county judges. An old-time whig, he always took a remarkable inter- est in all matters affecting the public weal and also participated in the Black Hawk war, helping to forever terminate the sway of the red man in these regions.
During the time of the Mormon troubles he was located in Daviess county and suffered heavily from their depredations, his losses being a great drawback to him financially, but he soon recovered. He again, however, underwent reverses when he went security for a friend who failed in business, leaving him the debt to pay. It took all of his prop- erty to discharge his obligations, but he rather would stand penniless than have even the breath of taint attach to his honor. He then started out anew at the commencement of the Civil war and had accumulated nearly sufficient land to let each of his children have a good home when he was driven from his property by the soldiery, who were especially hard on any man whom they thought had the slightest sympathy for the South although he was an honest and law-abiding citizen. Having gotten well along in years, he was never quite able to recoup from his
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last heavy losses and at his death was but in moderate circumstances. He served in the Mexican war and his wife later received a pension on account of the valiant service rendered by her husband. At the time of his death he left seventy descendants, comprising children, grand- children and great-grandchildren. They were scattered all over the United States from Missouri to the Pacific ocean. His youngest daughter, Cecilia Black, was a school teacher by profession and made highly creditable records wherever she taught. When he moved to Livingston county he settled on a small farm about a mile and a half northeast of Springhill and there set out a fine orchard, of which he took the greatest care, being a lover of high-grade fruit. During the time of the Civil war he sustained the most heavy losses, as he con- stantly suffered from raids made upon his house and home by the soldiery, these constant visits making heavy demands upon his re- sources. Even their horses were driven away at that time to Chil- licothe, although they were later recovered. At another time, while the family was absent, a company of new militia men entered the house and plundered it from garret to cellar.
James A. and Mary A. (Hutchison) Black, the parents of our subject, were natives of Missouri and Kentucky, respectively. In their family were six children, only two of whom are now living, James F. and J. S. A brother of the father, Alexander Black, had during the war times to hide many days to save his life, and once while he was going to a neighbor, a company of militia overtook him and, thinking him to be his brother, demanded his surrender, at the same time leveling their guns at him, the hand at the trigger ready to fire. The captain, however, recognized him in time and saved his life. Some time later this same Alexander Black and a cousin found shel- ter in the brother's home and while they were eating their dinners placed on guard James Black, our subject, who was then a little boy, to notify them if any one should appear ; and he was not long waiting until a company appeared on the hill within a few hundred yards of the house and he gave the alarm. The two cousins made for their horses, which were hitched at the barn a few yards from the house, and by keeping between two buildings and the militia made their way to the woods and were soon out of sight. They, however, left their revolvers behind them on the floor in their flight to safety, and Mrs. Black, not knowing what to do, buckled them on to her dress and, taking a seat and keeping on sewing, the weapons were not found and in a few days were returned secretly to the men. Many were at that time the hairbreadth escapes run by different ones in order that they
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might be with their families for a short time or give them a little help.
James F. Black, our subject, was reared under the parental roof and grounded in the old-fashioned virtues of industry and honesty by his good parents, acquiring his education in the district schools near his father's farm. Relinquishing his lessons at the age of twenty- two years, going up to that time off and on to school, but assisting in the meantime his father with the work on the farm, he became acquainted with thorough methods of agriculture. After having passed his twenty-second birthday he started out to farm for himself on the father's homestead, on which he has continued to follow agri- cultural pursuits ever since. He has remodeled and greatly added to his residence, making it modern and convenient in every respect, so that it is now considered one of the finest and most up-to-date coun- try homes of the section. A man of progressive ideas, he has insti- tuted such equipment and machinery as is considered indispensable to modern farming and by which he has greatly increased the pro- ductivity of the soil. As the years have passed prosperity has come to him as the result of his incessant labors and of late years he rents the larger part of his land, receiving therefrom a gratifying income, enabling him to live with more ease and in comfort. He also has other interests, being a stockholder in several banking institutions.
In Jamesport, Daviess county, Missouri, on September 18, 1873, Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Nancy K. Williams, a daughter of Robert and Ellen (Gillen) Williams, the former a well known pioneer farmer of Daviess county who was prominently con- nected with the public life of the section, having been county judge and a representative in the legislature for several terms. He died and is buried in Jamesport, Missouri, his wife also having passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Black have two children: Frankie O., the wife of Dr. Girdner, of Chillicothe; and Nellie, who married Roy Tim- brook, an agriculturist of Dawn, Missouri.
Public-spirited and progressive, Mr. Black carries on worthily the family name and is one of the men representative of the prosperous agricultural conditions prevailing in Livingston county. Not only has he been an interested witness of the changes that have occurred here and transformed frontier conditions into those of the present time, but he has been an active and cooperant factor in bringing about gen- eral advancement along material and moral lines. In his political faith he is a democrat and keeps intelligently informed upon all issues of the day. An ardent champion of the cause of education, he
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has been a force in bettering school conditions in this section and his service as director of the local school board, an office which he held for many years, has been conspicuous. His fraternal relations are confined to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which organi- zation he has served in all the chairs. His sterling qualities, such as have been traditional of the family for generations, are such as have ever commanded for him the respect, confidence and good-will of all with whom he has come in contact and as the years have passed he has become more firmly entrenched in the affection of those who know him. A man strongly marked by character, he is recognized as a forceful element in the locality, where by his labors he has not only attained to the position of one of the most substantial men but by his methods has contributed toward raising agricultural standards. In his life has rolled back the tide of adversity that beset his father and in its wake has come to him a prosperity of which he is well worthy.
CHARLES T. HOYT.
Charles T. Hoyt is a leading merchant of Blue Mound, who owns and conducts a general store and is meeting with gratifying success because of his honorable business methods, his earnest desire to please his patrons and his close application. He is a native son of Living- ston county, born October 16, 1872, his father being John H. Hoyt, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work.
In the acquirement of an education Charles T. Hoyt attended the Vaughn schoolhouse in Fairview township and laid aside his books at the age of eighteen in order to assist his father with the work of the farm. He remained upon the homestead for seven years there- after but at the end of that time established himself in his present business in Blue Mound. He carries the most complete line of gen- eral merchandise in the city, having a store which would be a credit to a community of much larger size. The neat and tasteful arrange- ment of the stock and the excellent line of goods which he sells have secured for him a gratifying patronage which has increased rapidly as the years have gone by. In addition to his mercantile interests Mr. Hoyt owns also an attractive residence in Blue Mound, in which he lives with his wife and family.
On the 12th of March, 1899, Mr. Hoyt was united in marriage to Miss Eva McKerow, a daughter of Andrew and Susan (Stagner)
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McKerow, both of whom have passed away and are buried in Blue Mound cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt have two sons, Earl and Lawrence. Mr. Hoyt gives his allegiance to the democratic party and is active and progressive in all matters of citizenship, although he never seeks public office. He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, holding a high place in fraternal circles of the city. He is very popular in Blue Mound where he is respected and honored for the many sterling qualities in his character, and he well merits the success which has come to him, for it has been won through business methods which neither seek nor require disguise.
ERNEST C. ALLEN.
Ernest C. Allen is the owner of a farm of one hundred and forty- two and a half acres on section 17, Jackson township, and carefully cultivates his fields with the result that he annually gathers good har- vests. He is a native of Caldwell county, his birth having occurred within its borders on the 20th of May, 1869, his parents being Joseph D. and Louise C. (Seitters) Allen. The father was a physician and located in Kansas during the infancy of his son Ernest. The mother afterward married Anthony F. Bonderer, of Utica, Missouri.
Ernest C. Allen acquired his education in the public schools of Utica which he attended to the age of fourteen years. He then assisted his step-father at cabinet-making until he was thirteen years of age, spending the rest of his time until twenty-two in the cultiva- tion of the farm. He then started out independently in business and in the southern part of Missouri purchased a farm which he sold some years later. At that time he bought the property which he now owns on section 17, Jackson township, and has since devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He follows mixed farming, cultivat- ing his fields, developing his orchards and also raising stock. He has won success in these various branches, owing to his unremitting dili- gence and energy.
On the 30th of October, 1894, in Utica, Missouri, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Fuchs, a daughter of Christian and Anna Maria Fuchs, who came to this state in 1882 from Switzer- land, in which country the father had followed the occupation of farming. He died January 12, 1911, and was laid to rest in the
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Roman Catholic cemetery in Chillicothe. His widow is residing in Utica. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have become the parents of nine chil- dren : Joseph A., a graduate of the Utica high school; George F., who is attending the public school of Utica; and M. Louisa, August C., Ernestine C., Francis H., Thomas Lawrence, Frank A., and E. Grace, all yet at home. The family occupy a pleasant residence which Mr. Allen has remodeled. He has made many substantial improvements upon the farm and has erected thereon all buildings which are ade- quate to the needs of the place, furnishing ample shelter for grain and stock.
In politics Mr. Allen is independent, voting as his judgment dic- tates. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. He attributes his success to hard work and close attention to his business and to the assistance of his wife, who has, indeed, been a helpmate to him through all of his struggles and hardships-struggles which have brought him at length to a creditable position among the substantial farmers of Livingston county.
JAMES J. MARTIN.
James J. Martin, a native son and a lifelong resident of Livingston county, has been engaged in farming since the beginning of his active career and is now the owner of one hundred and thirty-five acres of good land in Rich Hill township. He was born on the 10th of March, 1871, on the family homestead on section 16 and is a son of Joseph and Ellen Martin, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1850 and located on a farm in Livingston county. The father had been a farmer in his native country and was, therefore, well equipped to begin his life in the new world. He developed a fine property in this section, following the most practical and modern methods, and before his retirement gained a high place in agricultural circles. He has now given up active life and makes his home with his son. His wife died in 1906.
James J. Martin is the only son born to his parents. He was edu- cated in the public schools of his native county and in his childhood he aided with the work of the homestead. After he had attained his majority he continued farming and has now for many years been developing the home farm in his own interests and those of his father. As an agriculturist he is known as one of the most pro-
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gressive and prosperous in this vicinity, his work having proven profit- able as the years have gone by, and his holdings now comprise one hundred and thirty-five acres. A man of resourceful business ability, he has capably conducted his labors and his keen discernment and enterprise have constituted the basis of a most desirable success.
Mr. Martin married Miss Agnes Murphy, a daughter of John and Margaret (Kennedy) Murphy, early settlers in Livingston county, who are now residing in Chillicothe. During his active life the father was a well known cattle feeder and general farmer and gained grati- fying success along both lines of his interests. Among their chil- dren were: Timothy, who resides in Chillicothe; Patrick J., judge of the county court in Great Bend, Kansas; John, who makes his home in Chillicothe; and Robert J., a resident of Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Martin became the parents of three children: Emily Ellen, born on the 5th of August, 1906; Mary Margaret, whose birth occurred on the 24th of September, 1908; and Dorothy Agnes, born in November, 19II. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Martin gives his allegiance to the democratic party and is now serving as township assessor. He has often been called upon to fill public positions of responsibility and importance and for the past ten years has been continuously in township offices, his work proving one of the dominating forces in local political development. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is active in the affairs of the Knights of Columbus and belongs to the Anti Horse Thief Association. Mr. Martin needs no word of commendation to the residents of Livingston county, where he has spent his entire life, for the upright and manly principles which have ever governed his actions, constituting him one of the valued and honored citizens of the community, have won for him the confidence and regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
LOUIS M. KILBURN.
A spirit of enterprise and progress actuates Louis M. Kilburn in all that he does. He has worked diligently and persistently to develop and improve his farm, which is today a good property of seven hun- dred and fifty-four acres on sections 10 and II, Cream Ridge town- ship. He has lived in this part of Missouri since his birth and has Vol. II-19
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Decome widely and favorably known, making for himself an enviable place in the regard of his fellow citizens.
Louis M. Kilburn was born upon his father's farm in Grundy county, April 5, 1861, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Crawford) Kilburn, pioneers in that section. The father made his home there at an early date, coming from Kentucky, and for a number of years was identified with agricultural interests. He was a successful, able and enterprising man and in the course of his honorable and upright life gained high regard and a wide circle of friends. He died in Sep- tember, 1892, at the age of seventy-three years, having survived his wife since 1864. Both are buried in the Stucker graveyard, Grundy county. The family is of old German origin, but its representatives have been in America for centuries.
Louis M. Kilburn acquired his education at the Prairie Valley schoolhouse, attending during the winter months and in the sum- mers assisting his father. After he had attained his majority he began his independent agricultural career upon a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres, which was presented to him by his father. This he has added to from time to time as his financial resources justified and now owns seven hundred and fifty-four acres, one of the finest farms in this part of the state. Upon it Mr. Kilburn has built a mod- ern residence and fine barns, which he has equipped with scales and feeders. He has also built the necessary sheds and has fenced his entire place, making it a model farming property. The latest im- proved machinery is used to facilitate the work of the fields and everything about the place is kept in excellent condition. Mr. Kil- burn raises and feeds stock on an extensive scale, this branch of his interests forming an important addition to his income. He is a direc- tor in the Exchange Bank of Chula and this and all of his other busi- ness affairs are capably conducted, so that he has now reached a posi- tion of affluence, being numbered among the substantial citizens of the community.
Mr. Kilburn has been twice married. His first union occurred on the 13th of March, 1883, when he wedded Miss Susan Tidrich, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Tidrich, the former one of the early settlers in Grundy county. Mrs. Kilburn passed away in November, 1904, and is buried in the Stucker graveyard. She left to mourn her loss five children : Albert, who is a real-estate dealer in Kansas City, Missouri; Charles, a farmer of Livingston county; Grace, the wife of Brock Smith, who is also engaged in farming in this county; Naomi, the wife of E. Taylor, a farmer in the same township; and Mont, who
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is attending school. Mr. Kilburn's second marriage occurred on December 3, 1908, on which date he wedded Miss Myrtle Grimes, a daughter of John and Rachel Grimes, of Livingston county. Mr. Kilburn gives his allegiance to the democratic party and fraternally is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America.
WILLIAM W. BAGLEY.
William W. Bagley is one of the active and progressive farmers and stock-raisers and one of the extensive landowners of Livingston county, his property embracing three hundred and twenty acres on section 27, township 57, range 24. A resident of this county since 1868, Mr. Bagley is familiar with a great deal of its development, for he has been an interested witness of events which have shaped its history, while his business interests have been a strong element in its agricultural prominence. He was born in Putnam county, Ohio, in 1847, and is a son of Nathaniel H. and Jane (Rice) Bagley, the former at one time a prominent and progressive resident of that section. He was well known in local republican circles there, being a stanch sup- porter of the principles and policies of his party and an ardent admirer of Horace Greeley. He made his public spirit effective through twelve years of service as justice of the peace, and his death on the 14th of April, 1896, removed from that part of Ohio one of its most representative citizens. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1851 and is buried at Pandora, Ohio.
In the acquirement of an education William W. Bagley attended public school in Pandora and after laying aside his books at the age of twenty spent one year assisting his father with the work of the homestead. At the end of that time he bought his present farm, which he has cultivated ever since, a period of about forty-three years. He has improved the place by erecting a substantial modern residence, good barns, granaries and outbuildings and by installing all the modern accessories and equipment of a model farm. In con- nection with tilling the soil Mr. Bagley engages extensively in stock- raising, keeping about one hundred and twenty-five head of cattle, thirteen horses and seventy swine. In addition he is interested in raising poultry and has several hundred fowl.
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