USA > Missouri > Livingston County > Past and present of Livingston County, Missouri : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 9
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Mr. Fair was married in Holmes county, Ohio, in October, 1881, to Miss Elizabeth Scheu, a daughter of Jacob and Katherine Scheu, the former a shoemaker in that section of Ohio. He died August 17, 1882, and was survived by his wife until 1894. Both are buried in Pleasant Grove cemetery, in Holmes county, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Fair were born three sons. The eldest, Daniel W., resides in Chillicothe. Alonzo D. had grown to manhood and achieved a prom- ising degree of success when his life was cut short by his death at the hands of a murderer in Kansas City, Missouri, in November, 1910. He is buried in the Mooresville cemetery. The youngest son in this family, Lloyd S., is assisting his father with the work of the farm.
Mr. Fair gives his allegiance to the demorcatic party and has been a director of the school board. His religious views are in accord
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with the doctrines of the Christian church, and fraternally he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen. He is a most loyal and public-spirited citizen and in all of the phases of his life, whether in business, social or private relations, is ever found to be a reliable and upright gentleman who well deserves the high regard and esteem which is uniformly given him.
PERRY INFIELD.
Perry Infield is living in honorable retirement, after many years of close identification with agricultural interests of Livingston county, where he owns a fine farm of ninety-seven acres on sections 5 and 6, Mooresville township. He has lived in this locality for many years and is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Somer- set county, October 3, 1838. He is a son of John and Eve (Shulz) Infield, the former for many years a prosperous farmer. Both have passed away and are buried in the Sandusky cemetery, in Ohio.
The success which Mr. Infield has attained in agricultural pur- suits is the more remarkable and the more creditable to him by reason of the fact that all the education he ever received was acquired in eleven days' attendance at a country school. He was prevented from further pursuing his studies by the demands of the pioneer times in which he lived and by the necessity of helping his father clear the timber and hew a farm out of the wilderness. As a small boy he assisted in cutting down trees from six tracts of timber land and engaged in this line of work until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he offered his services to the Federal government. He was, however, soon afterward discharged on account of an injury received on the battlefield and which disabled him for some time thereafter. When he had fully recovered he came to Livingston county and purchased a farm of ninety-seven acres on sections 5 and 6, Mooresville town- ship, and from that time until his retirement gave all of his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits. He improved his property in every possible way, building a fine residence, barns and outbuildings and making it one of the most attractive and valuable places in this section of the county. He has lived in retirement for twenty-one years, enjoying in well earned rest and comfort the fruits of his former toil.
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In Holmes county, Ohio, on February 28, 1861, Mr. Infield was united in marriage to Miss Jane Moore who passed away in 1898 and was buried in the Mooresville cemetery. To this union were born six children : Mason, who is engaged in farming in Oklahoma; Collis, a farmer near Breckenridge; Homer, who met death by an accident in 1896; Mary, who became the wife of C. J. Johnson, a farmer in Washington; Addie, who married John Higgins, a farmer in Okla- homa; and Maud, the wife of Allan Mercer, a farmer in Mooresville township. In April, 1899, Mr. Infield was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Fraser, of Cedar county. He is a mem- ber of the Christian church, and politically affiliates with the progress- ive party, being a stanch and loyal supporter of the men and measures for which it stands. Although he has now reached the age of seventy- five he possesses the health and vitality of a man of much younger years and can look back over a well spent, active and honorable life, richly meriting the respect and esteem which are uniformly accorded him.
CLARENCE J. EDMUNDSON.
Clarence J. Edmundson, engaged in farming and stock-raising upon three hundred and sixty acres of land on section 21, Medicine township, is known as one of the progressive and representative agri- culturists of this locality. He is a native of Morgan county, Illinois, born June 14, 1867, a son of William D. and Emmeline (Buckner) Edmundson, the latter a niece of ex-Governor Buckner of Kentucky. She died February 18, 1911, and is buried at Wheeling, Missouri. Her husband survives her and makes his home in Wheeling, where he is well known and prominent. He served as postmaster for eight years and was otherwise active in public affairs.
Clarence J. Edmundson acquired his education in the public schools of Chillicothe, having come to Livingston county with his parents in 1871. After laying aside his books he obtained a position as sales- man for Wallbrun & Berg, general merchants in that city, and worked in their interests for three years, after which he turned his attention to farming, purchasing three hundred and sixty acres on section 21, range 22, Medicine township, upon which he has since resided. Be- cause his methods have been progressive and practical and his business dealings always straightforward and upright he has won a gratifying
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degree of success, owning at the present time one of the best improved farms in this vicinity. About two hundred acres are planted in corn and other grain and the remainder in pasturage. He has twenty horses, forty head of cattle and eighty swine, his stock-raising inter- ests being an important and profitable source of his income.
Mr. Edmundson has been twice married. His first union occurred in Medicine township, November 26, 1891, when he wedded Miss Josephine Kilbrun, a daughter of William and Ann (Lightner) Kil- brun, both of whom have passed away and are buried in the Wallace cemetery. Mr. Edmundson's first wife died in 1893, leaving one daughter, Alta J., who is the wife of Stephen Monroe, a farmer of Wheeling township. On April 28, 1895, Mr. Edmundson was again married, his second union being with Miss Nora A. Long, a daughter of Andrew and Abbie (Stephenson) Long, residents of Linn county. Mr. and Mrs. Edmundson have four children: Reuben, Joseph, Herbert C. and Herman, all of whom are assisting their father.
Mr. Edmundson is a democrat in his political beliefs and fra- ternally is identified with the blue lodge in Masonry. His religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Baptist church. During his forty-one years of residence in this county his genuine personal worth and sterling traits of character have won him the unbounded confidence and esteem of the entire community and the respect and admiration of all with whom he has come in contact.
ARCHIBALD McVEY.
In December, 1865, after four years of honorable and loyal service in the Civil war, Archibald McVey came to Chillicothe and has since been closely and influentially identified with busi- ness interests of the city as a successful general merchant, stand- ing today among the men who have been active in inaugurating business policies and in shaping commercial history here. He was born in Wyoming county, New York, in 1836 and is a son of Scot- tish parents, the father having been born in Scotland in 1806 and the mother in 1808. The former came to America in early man- hood and settled in western New York, where he engaged in farming.
Archibald McVey acquired his education in the public schools of the Empire state and when not engaged with his books aided
ARCHIBALD MOVEY
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his father with the work of the farm, continuing thus until the outbreak of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused and he offered his services to the Federal government, enlisting in the naval service. Captain McVey was connected in 1862 and 1863 with the West Gulf Squadron under Admiral Farragut and in 1864 and 1865 served as paymaster in the South Atlantic Squad- ron for the flagship John Adams, upon which he was stationed and which was then standing off Charleston. In addition to his duties on the flagship he had charge of the accounts of ten mortar schooners and tugs and a naval battery on Morris Island number- ing one hundred men, making in all the largest number of men and officers carried on the books of any volunteer naval paymaster in the service. Among other responsible duties he had charge of the provisions for the fleet off Charleston and an idea of the im- portance of his duties can be formed when it is stated that this fleet never numbered less than thirty vessels, some of them being the largest in the service. Considered from all points of view, the position which he filled was about the most important held by any officer of his rank away from a home station. A unique feature among the duties which fell to his lot and the only incident of the kind occurring during the war was his paying off a month's salary by flag of truce to the naval officers in the prison in Charleston. This money was taken charge of by General Ripley, who was in command at Charleston at the time, and every dollar of it was scrupulously paid by the General to those for whom it was in- tended. General Ripley was a man of the highest sense of honor and a West Pointer, and this package of money which was given to him for transmission was of more actual value than all the Con- federate script in the city of Charleston. Captain McVey was the first to land at that city after the surrender and he received his honorable discharge in 1865 and in December of that year he arrived in Chillicothe, still wearing the blue naval uniform of his service.
Here he engaged in the general merchandise business, con- ducting a small establishment, but with the development of the city his success grew and he is now one of the substantial and representative merchants of the community, owning one of the finest dry-goods establishments in Chillicothe. He has erected a modern double store building with every conceivable improve- ment in the way of fixtures, well lighted with electricity, heated by steam and thoroughly up-to-date in every particular. Mr. Mc-
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Vey carries an exceptionally fine line of merchandise and has built up a gratifying prosperity upon the substantial foundation of his hard work, industry and enterprise.
Mr. McVey is married and resides in one of the most beautiful homes in Chillicothe, presided over by his charming wife. He has two daughters: Mrs. Vincent, of Spokane, Washington; and Mrs. J. H. Barclay, of Chillicothe, whose husband is associated with Mr. McVey in business.
Mr. McVey's principal attention is concentrated upon the con- duct of his store but in the course of time he has become interested in many important enterprises in the city, the success of which has been due in a large measure to his untiring and well directed efforts. He has been especially active in inducing western cap- italists to invest here and in commercial, industrial and business fields the city has felt the stimulus of his work and enterprise. He has long been an active politician and was twice a member of the city council and held the office of mayor for some time. He belongs to the Masonic order, holding membership in the lodge, chapter and commandery, and belongs also to the Loyal Legion and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Public-spirited to a marked degree, he never withholds his support from any enterprise which he believes will prove of benefit to the community and he has always been found true to every trust reposed in him, whether of an official or private nature.
L. F. HUDGINS.
Few men are more prominent or more widely known in agri- cultural circles of Livingston county than L. F. Hudgins, who owns two hundred and eighty acres on sections 32, 5, 7 and 18 in Moores- ville township, and who, throughout the years of an active and honorable career, has gained a success which places him among the leading forces in the agricultural development of this section of the state. He is a native of Livingston county, born near the farm he now operates, January 28, 1864, a son of John and Susan (Stamper) Hudgins. The father came to Missouri in pioneer times, settling in Livingston county when it was yet undeveloped land and becoming one of the great forces in the early development of the sec- tion and in its later agricultural growth. His land was thickly
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covered with trees and these he felled by hand, building a rough log shanty in which he and his family resided for a number of years. He interrupted his agricultural labors only to serve as a volunteer in the Mexican war and at the close of hostilities resumed them, finally transforming a wilderness into a model farm. He achieved popularity and widespread esteem by his honorable and upright life and gained the confidence and respect of many friends, and his death, which occurred November 27, 1910, was widely and deeply regretted. His wife was a splendid example of a true Christian woman, active in the discharge of her many duties and actuated at all times by a spirit of charity which led her finally to give a great deal of attention to nursing the sick, not with the hope of any material compensation, but through the beneficient Christian spirit which dominated her life. She died August 10, 1893, and rests beside her husband in the Mooresville cemetery.
L. F. Hudgins acquired his education in the Livingston county district schools, but his advantages along this line were limited, as he could attend only during the winter months, being occupied during the summer season in assisting his father with the work of the farm. The homestead was very large and a great deal of stock was kept upon it, and the duties connected with the care of the animals and the cultivation of the fields left Mr. Hudgins very little time for outside pursuits. He remained with his father until he had reached the age of thirty and then purchased from his uncle one hundred and thirteen acres of land in Mooresville township, the nucleus of his present extensive holdings. To this he has added from time to time until the property now comprises two hundred and eighty acres on sections 32, 5, 7 and 18. Mr. Hudgins has made substantial improvements upon it, building a fine residence, barns and outbuildings, and he has today one of the finest and best improved agricultural properties in the township. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and by his progressive and busi- nesslike methods has made both branches of his work profitable.
On the 4th of October, 1899, Mr. Hudgins was united in marriage to Miss Mertie Gray, a daughter of Thomas and Melissa (Stanley) Gray, the former a native of Livingston county and one of its pros- perous and representative agriculturists. His wife passed away Feb- ruary 14, 1902, and is buried in the Thomas Field cemetery, which was named in honor of Thomas Field, a prominent representative on the paternal side of the Gray family. Mr. and Mrs. Hudgins have
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four daughters: Alice, who is attending school; and Helen, Agnes and Frances Rhea.
Mr. Hudgins has attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry, holding his membership in Breckenridge. He is also indentified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is active in local demo- cratic politics and has held several important township offices, having been trustee and roadmaster and also a director of the school board. Residing in this part of Livingston county during his entire life, he is widely known here and the measure of respect accorded him indi- cates that his life has been an honorable and upright one. In his career he has placed his dependence upon the substantial qualities of perserverance, determination and industry, and in the operation of his farm has met with well deserved success.
J. W. HERROLD.
At the age of seventy-five J. W. Herrold is still an active factor in the world's work and a force in agricultural circles of Livingston county, where he owns eighty acres of land on section 29, Moores- ville township. He was born near the White river, in Hamilton county, Indiana, April 2, 1838, and is a son of Daniel and Frances (Fierce) Herrold, the former of whom engaged in farming. He came to Indiana from Ohio in his early days and later moved to Knox county, Illinois. He supported the principles of democracy until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he became affiliated with the republican party, continuing his connection with it until his death. His wife has also passed away and both are buried in Victoria ceme- tery, Knox county, Illinois.
J. W. Herrold was still a child when his parents moved to Knox county and he acquired his education in the public schools of that section, laying aside his books at the age of twenty in order to assist his father with the work of the farm. He began his inde- pendent agricultural career as the owner of a farm in Illinois, which, however, he sold in 1869 and came to Livingston. county, buying eighty acres on section 29, Mooresville township, whereon he has since resided. He has bent all of his energies to the further develop- ment and cultivation of this property and as the years passed made many improvements upon it, building a fine residence and substantial
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barns and making it one of the most attractive and well equipped properties in this part of the state.
On the 23d of January, 1862, Mr. Herrold was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Van Buren, a daughter of Peter and Charity, Van Buren, the former a pioneer in Illinois and one of the most prom- inent farmers in the vicinity of Victoria. His death occurred in that section, and that of his wife also, and they are buried side by side in the local cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Herrold have had a rarely happy and contented married life extending over a period of more than fifty years, they having already celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. To their union were born five children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are: Mary, the wife of Samuel Gaines, a farmer near Ottawa, Kansas; Jerusha, who married Neil Kirtley, a prominent farmer in Mooresville township; and John Van Buren, who is also engaged in agricultural pursuits in this township.
Mr. Herrold is affiliated with the Masonic order, holding mem- bership in the blue lodge, and his political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party. He served as director of the school board for many years. He is a faithful and devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a trustee of that insti- tution and a member of the board of managers. He and his wife are well known and highly respected throughout Livingston county, where they have lived for almost half a century and where their fine qualities of mind and character have gained them many friends.
REV. T. M. GRIFFITHS.
Rev. T. M. Griffiths, whose home is on section 18, Blue Mound township, is one of the public-spirited citizens and progressive farm- ers of his locality and has in addition a wide acquaintance by reason of his long service as a minister of the Missionary Baptist church. He has lived in Livingston county since 1891 and his home is upon a farm of one hundred and forty-three acres, which by its neat and attractive appearance is proof of a life of energy, activity and use- fulness. Mr. Griffiths is a representative of an old Welsh family and was himself born in the parish of Eglwyswrw, Wales, July 21, 1856. He is a son of John and Elizabeth Griffiths, natives of Llainfawr, the former for many years a prominent farmer in that section, where he cultivated land upon which members of his family had resided for
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over one hundred and twenty-five years. Both parents have passed away, the mother dying in 1877 and the father in 1891. They are buried in the Eglwyswrw graveyard.
In the acquirement of an education T. M. Griffiths attended the North Wales Baptist College and was graduated from that institu- tion in 1879. In August, of the same year, he was ordained a min- ister of the Missionary Baptist church at Darranfelen and officiated there for some time. He afterward left Wales and came to Amer- ica, settling first in Braceville, Illinois, where he resumed his duties as a minister of the gospel. Coming to Missouri, he purchased eighty-three acres of land in Livingston county, to which in 1907 he added sixty acres. He has since remodeled the attractive residence and has made many other substantial improvements, including a silo, a substantial barn and fences which divide his land into convenient fields. He raises stock of all kinds, keeping thirty head of cattle and eight horses and making a specialty of pure-bred Shropshire sheep, of which he has twenty-five high-grade animals.
On December 28, 1880, Mr. Griffiths married, at Blaenconnin, Wales, Miss Theodosia Williams, a daughter of John and Mary Williams, of Brynmaen, Pembrokeshire, South Wales, where the father cultivated land upon which the family had resided for hun- dreds of years. John Williams passed away in 1900, his wife surviv- ing him for three years, and both are buried in Llandisillio, South Wales. Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths became the parents of six children : Mary E., a graduate of the Dawn high school and the Kirksville (Mo.) Normal School, who is now a teacher in the rural schools; Henry M., who is a graduate of the Dawn high and Warrensburg normal schools and who is now a student in the Kansas City Law School; Anna J., a graduate of the Dawn high school and the Kirks- ville Normal, who married Morris Copple, of Ludlow; John W., who is a graduate of the Dawn high school and the William Jewell College of Liberty, Missouri, and who is assisting his father; Rev. Thomas M., who was graduated from the Dawn high school and the William Jewell College and who is now a student in the seminary at Rochester, New York; and Theodosia, who was graduated from the Dawn high school and the Kirksville Normal School and who is teaching school. The family are members of the Missionary Baptist church and Mr. Griffiths has served as a minister of that denomina- tion for twenty-one years, during which time he has labored with untiring zeal and devotion for the upbuilding of the cause of Chris- tianity. He is a progressive in his political beliefs and has been for
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many years active in local public life, serving as justice of the peace and as a committeeman of the progressive party in this township, an office which he still holds. He is deeply concerned in the material, intellectual and moral development of his community and at all times his life has been actuated by high and honorable principles and char- acterized by kindly actions. He realizes fully the obligations which devolve upon him and finds it a privilege and a pleasure to bring his fellowmen to a knowledge of the truth and to an understanding of those principles of life which lead to more harmonious relations with the divine law.
JAMES MONROE DECKER.
James Monroe Decker, prominently connected with the interests of Dawn as proprietor of the business conducted by the Dawn Tele- phone Company, is a native of Missouri, born in Chillicothe, March 29, 1864. He is a son of A. J. and Electa (Hosea) Decker, the former a pioneer farmer in Livingston county, who came to this sec- tion of the state about the year 1845. At the outbreak of the Civil war he offered his services as a member of Company G, Forty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of hostilities. He died November 5, 1878, and was survived by his wife until April 16, 1906. Both are buried in the Utica cemetery.
In the acquirement of an education James Monroe Decker at- tended the Dawn public schools and completed the course then taught at the age of seventeen years. For a number of years he engaged in farming, developing his father's property until 1887, in which year he engaged in business for himself. He owns forty acres of land, on which he lives and also a brick business building in Dawn. He is a successful and representative farmer, developing his property along modern and progressive lines. Since 1903 he has been proprietor of the Dawn Telephone Exchange which demands a large amount of his time and attention in his endeavor to give good service to his large number of telephone patrons. His business career has been marked by consecutive advancement and his efforts have resulted in a gratify- ing degree of success, which places him among the men who are fac- tors in the general growth of the community.
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