USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume I > Part 41
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In 1850 Doctor Lafayette came to the United States with the intention of making this his future home, though he subsequently made several visits to his native land. His first location here was at Reid's Landing, Minnesota, an Indian mission, where he spent several years, acquiring a good reputa- tion because of his success in the practice. The outbreak of the Southern rebellion aroused in Doctor Lafayette's breast the same patriotic sentiments that, years before, had animated that distinguished member of his family. the Marquis, and he enlisted in a Minnesota infantry regiment, with which he served faithfully throughout that terrible struggle. He served as assistant regimental surgeon, with the rank of captain, and took part in a number of the most hotly contested battles of the Civil war, including the sanguinary engagement at Pittsburg Landing. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1866, after which he resumed his professional practice, locating now at Faribault and Morristown. Minnesota, where he remained for several years. He then located in St. Louis for awhile, and was also located at what is now known as Oronogo, near Joplin, Missouri, in the mining country. While engaged in the practice at the latter place, a terrible tornado passed over that section, the buildings destroyed including a hotel. sixteen dwellings, a ten-thousand-dollar library and the Doctor's office. including his library and equipment. Doctor Lafayette then came to Hopkins, where he has since re-
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mained, and, despite the fact that he is in extremely advanced age. he is still in the enjoyment of a large office practice, having practically re- linquished all outdoor work, owing to his advanced age. The Doctor has at all times retained the intense love for his profession which impelled him in his earlier years of practice and he has kept closely in touch with the most advanced ideas and theories relative to the practice of medicine. Personally he is of pleasing address and courteous of manner and he enjoys a well- deserved popularity in the community where he lives.
Politically, the Doctor has rendered a stanch allegiance to the Repub- lican party. His religious creed is embraced in that broad and comprehen- sive thought expressed in the Golden Rule. He has ever maintained his high standing, never descending beneath the dignity of his profession nor com- promising his usefulness by countenancing any but noble and legitimate prac- tice. Among his professional brethren he is held in the highest esteem and he is frequently consulted in cases of unusual difficulty.
JOHN WILLIAM SMITH.
Coming to us from the remote pioneer days, so unlike in every respect those of the present. John William Smith, one of Green township's honored residents, should be given conspicuous mention in the history of Nodaway county for diverse reasons, partly because of his long record of unassailable relations with his fellow men and partly owing to the prominent part he has played in the development of local conditions. He was born in what was Green township, now part of Monroe township, this county, in 1849. His parents were William Vinson and Jane Lockhart (Holt) Smith, the former born in Tennessee, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Smith, and the latter born in North Carolina. She was a sister of William R. Holt, whose sketch, which contains her ancestry and her early history, appears elsewhere in this work. John W. Smith was one of nine brothers and two sisters; two of the sons died in infancy; the others were: Elmer died when four years old : Redmond died when about three years old : Michael Holt married Betsy Nichols, and his death occurred on December 9. 1887, at the age of forty- seven years, leaving one daughter; Lewis Bowan died unmarried on April 12, 1904, when sixty-one years old: Willard Payton, who married Eva Nash, who has borne him five children. lives at Delta. Colorado: Sterling
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Price lives at Broken Bow. Nebraska, is married to Maggie Young and has two sons, Floyd and Francis: John William. of this review; Elizabeth Ellen married John D. McDonald. a near neighbor of Mr. Smith; she is now de- ceased; Sarah Catherine Smith married John D. Hess, lives at Loveland, Colorado, has five children, three sons and two daughters. Emma, Carrie, Jesse, Willard and Charley ; Mr. Hess died April 2, 1908.
The father of John W. Smith, of this review, came to Missouri about 1835 and located in Andrew county, where he lived until about 1846. then moved into what is now Monroe township. Nodaway county. He bought some land from another early settler there. but got most of his farm from the government. He was a Mason. His death occurred in Skidmore on January 24, 1892 : his wife died March 25, 1892, and both are buried in the Masonic cemetery at Skidmore.
John W. Smith grew to maturity in Monroe township and lived there un- til he was twenty-three years old. He was married in 1872 to Barbara Jane Bowman, a native of this county, born and reared north of Quitman: she was the daughter of Jonathan and Rebecca Bowman and was a sister of Henry Bowman, whose sketch appears herein. In 1871 John W. Smith purchased the farm where he still lives, five miles southeast of Quitman. where he now has one hundred and eighty acres of excellent and well-kept land. He has lived here ever since 1872.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith: Roy died when two years old; William Vincent married Clara Rebecca Owens and lives one- half mile west of the home place, has had two children. Ferris, who died in infancy. and Helen Barbara : Mary May married William Watson and lives in South Dakota: Rebecca J. L. married Riley Long and lives five miles west of the home place, has one son, Leslie Alvin: Lucretia (usually called Lulu) married Sam Clark McGinnis and lives two miles west of Skidmore. and has two children, Hazel Barbara and Edna May.
The mother of these children was called to her rest on September 22. 1896, and on February 28, 1907. Mr. Smith married Mrs. Rose (Abbey) Barker, widow of A. C. Barker. She was born in Black Hawk county, Iowa. and is the daughter of William Henry and Charlotte Abbey. Her father died in 1881. her mother having preceded him to the grave in 1880. William Henry Abbey was born in England in 1820. and when eight years old came to America with his parents, William Wallace Abbey and wife. Mrs. Smith's mother. Charlotte (Orton) Abbey, was reared near Painesville. Lake county. Ohio, in which state her parents settled upon coming from the
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state of New York, when young, and there, near Painesville, were married and lived several years, later coming to Page county. Iowa, where they lived until 1868. Subsequently, they came to Nodaway county, Missouri. the father, Silvil Orton, dying on May 8, 1881, and the mother on April 29, 1880.
Mrs. Smith is one of a family of six girls and one boy, namely : Sarah Jane, who married Franklin Carver, of this county, he being now deceased. leaving one daughter, Alwilda: Mary Minnie married C. W. Dwight, after whose death she married William Sanders, and they live in this county ; Charles F. married Luella Veach, and after her death he married Etta Yates and has one son and one daughter, he being her second husband, and they are living on the parents' old home place in this county; Emma Ann. who lives in Elmo. is married to J. J. Snodderley, has two sons living and one daughter deceased: Rose A., now Mrs. Smith, first married A. C. Barker. August 15. 1889, and to them were born two sons, Ray Edgar and Howard Lewis, both at home with their mother, their father having died December 16. 1903 : Lillie M. married Victor Cain and lives near her father's old home in this county, and they are the parents of four daughters and two sons: Carrie Belle died when three months old.
CHARLES A. HAWKINS.
The most elaborate history is perforce a merciless abridgment, the his- torian being obliged to select his facts and materials from manifold details and to marshal them in concise and logical order. This applies to specific as well as generic history. and in the former category is included the interesting and important department of biography. So in giving the interesting life record of Charles A. Hawkins, the popular superintendent of city schools of Maryville, only a brief resume can be set forth, the details of such a life being too myriad to marshal in a compendium of the one at hand, however interesting or salient.
Mr. Hawkins was born in Hancock county. Illinois, near Carthage, July 24, 1860. the son of Edward W. and Lucinda M. (Elden) Hawkins, both natives of Kentucky where they grew to maturity, were educated and mar- ried. They devoted their lives to farming and in 1869 came to Marvville. Missouri, locating on a farm two miles north of the city, where the father
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died a few years later. He was a pioneer in breeding Poland-China hogs and became widely known as such. He exhibited his fine stock at fairs and carried away many prizes. His widow survived thirty years, dying about eight years ago in Maryville. She was left to rear a family of five children ; but two of the sons were soon able to carry on the farm and the family was kept together, and all lived in Nodaway county until ten years ago, and three still live here. A. W. Hawkins is engaged in the mercantile business in Mary- ville, and a sister, Mrs. O. R. Sanders, also lives in Maryville.
Charles A. Hawkins remained on the home farm until he was seventeen years of age, having been eleven years old at the time of his father's death He attended the public schools in Maryville, the Academy and the Normal at Stanberry, also Drake University at Des Moines. He was an ambitious lad and studied hard, making a splendid record for scholarship. Fitting him- self for a teacher, he began his life work at the age of twenty-one, and at- tended school the next three years. He taught country schools continuously in Nodaway county for four years; he taught eight years in Hopkins and fourteen years in Maryville, his services being in great demand, popular alike with patron and pupil, for he had thoroughly prepared himself for his chosen vocation and is known as both an able instructor and an entertainer in the class room, a good organizer and disciplinarian, and no better cri- terion could be found than his long continued service in the local schools. In 1895 he came to Maryville as principal of the high school. In the mean- time he very successfully discharged the duties of the office of county school commissioner for a period of three years, while principal of the Hopkins schools, and he completed his four-years term after leaving Hopkins. He was principal of the high school at Maryville for seven and one-half years, and he is now superintendent of the Maryville schools. He has long taught in the summer normals, and he is known as a loyal and influential worker in the state and national teachers' associations.
Professor Hawkins married, on June 9, 1891, Eva L. Andrews, a teacher of Maryville, a lady of culture and refinement. She was born in Minnesota and educated in the Maryville schools. Two interesting children have graced this union, Winfield W .. now in the University of Missouri at Columbia ; John Ruskin, attending school at Columbia.
Professor Hawkins is a member of the Christian church, and the Masonic fraternity at Hopkins; he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen. He is an advocate of athletics and encourages physical culture among his pupils.
As a teacher, Professor Hawkins has met with merited success and in his capacity as principal or superintendent his record presents a series of
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successes and advancements such as few attain. He pursues his chosen call- ing with all the earnestness of an enthusiast, is thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the work and has a proper conception of the dignity of the pro- fession to which his life and energies are so unselfishly devoted. A finished scholar, a polished gentleman and possessing the traits of character neces- sary to insure success, the services thus far rendered and the laurels gained bespeak for him a wider and more distinguished career of usefulness in years to come. should he see fit to continue the noble calling which he has heretofore followed with such signal and happy results.
HENRY N. MOORE.
The qualities which have made Henry N. Moore, of Polk township. Nodaway county, one of the successful agriculturists of this locality have also brought him the good will and esteem of his fellow-citizens, for his career from the beginning has been one of well directed energy, strong de- termination and honorable methods. He was born in Fremont, Dodge county, Nebraska. May 20. 1875, the son of William and Mary (Jensen) Moore. The father was a native of Norway and the mother of Denmark. In those northland countries they grew to maturity and were educated, com- ing to America when young. Penetrating to the interior, they finally located in Nodaway county, Missouri, locating at Maryville, where Mrs. Moore died. The father is now deceased also. They were people of many sterling qual- ities, and their family consisted of seven children, five of whom grew to maturity, namely : Nettie M., deceased : Henry N., of this review : Josephine. deceased : Addie L., deceased : Charles A. is living in Maryville.
Henry N. Moore was but five years old when his parents came to Maryville ; they had lived in Nebraska some time prior to this. He was reared to manhood in this county, and for a period of twelve years after com- ing here he made his home with an uncle. Andrew Jensen. He then worked out as a farm hand until the spring of 1898. He had been economical and had saved his money. Although he had rather limited opportunity to attend school, he made proper use of his time and has a good education.
Mr. Moore was quick to manifest his patriotism when the United States found it necessary to expell the Spaniard from our shores, and in order to add his little mite of influence in this humanitarian work, Mr. Moore en-
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listed in Company E. Fourth Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, in the spring of 1898, and served ten months in the Spanish-American war. He was commissioned sergeant and served as such from the date of his enlist- ment. He performed his duties as a soldier in a very creditable manner, and after receiving an honorable discharge he returned to Nodaway county and has since pursued the peaceful life of the husbandman. Farming and stock raising has received his undivided attention ever since. He first bought eighty acres in Polk township, which he later sold, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres, all well improved and well kept. He has a very neat little home and is very comfortably situated in every respect.
Mr. Moore was married near Clearmont, this county. October 30, 1901, to Louisa Amrine, who was born in the Chickasaw Nation, Indian Terri- tory. August 16, 1877. She is the daughter of Mahlon and Charlotte ( Hart) Amrine, both natives of Illinois. They lived for some time on a small farm in Nodaway county and then moved to Saline county, Missouri, where they now reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore three children have been born, namely : Nettie L., Emerson E. and Oakley H.
Mr. Moore is a member of the American Yeomen and the Modern Woodmen of America.
ALFRED E. COCKAYNE.
To Alfred E. Cockayne, a well established farmer of Polk township, Nodaway county, the reward that is always vouched to honest and persistent industry is a sufficient recompense, and this is his, as is shown in his present comfortable circumstances in life. He is a native of the Hawkeye state. having been born in Des Moines county, Iowa. February 26, 1872. His father was John E. Cockayne and his mother was Catherine Riffel before her marriage. The former was born in Virginia and the latter in Ohio. The elder Cockayne devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and is at pres- ent residing in Crawford county, Kansas, where he has a very good farm and a comfortable home. To Mr. and Mrs. John E. Cockayne eight chil- dren were born, of which number Alfred E., of this review, was the third in order of birth. He grew to maturity in his native community, remaining at home until he was twenty years of age. He received a good education in the common schools.
Mr. Cockayne left Iowa in 1892 and after casting about for a location of future promise, his parents, who also left Des Moines county then, selected
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Nodaway county. Missouri, as their place of abode, and here young Cockayne remained with his father, assisting with the general work on the farm, for a period of six years. He thus learned the art of agriculture first handed. and after leaving his parental rooftree worked out as a farm hand until the spring of 1904. when he rented the farm where he now lives, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. He has always followed farming and is re- garded as an adept at this line of endeavor.
Mr. Cockayne was married in St. Joseph, Missouri. on April 2. 1902. to Mrs. Barbara Wilson, who was born in Woodford county. Illinois, Novem- ber 13. 1873. She was the daughter of A. J. and Rachael Craig and the widow of Hiram Wilson, by whom she became the mother of three chil- dren. Vida May, Walter J. and Arthur J.
Mr. Cockayne is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic church at Mary- ville, and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
CHESTER SELAH MARTIN.
In the death of the honored subject of this memoir. January 6, 1909. at his home in Hopkins, Missouri, there passed away another member of that group of distinctively representative business men who were the leaders in industrial and commercial interests in this county. His name is familiar. not alone to the residents of the city to whose development he contributed so conspicuously, but to all who have been informed in regard to the history of this particular section. He was identified with the growth of Nodaway county for nearly forty years and contributed to its material progress and prosperity to an extent equaled by few of his contemporaries. He early had the sagacity and prescience to discern the eminence which the future had in store for this great and growing section of the commonwealth. and, acting in accordance with the dictates of faith and judgment, he reaped, in the fullness of time. the generous benefits which are the just recompense of indomitable industry, spot- less integrity and marvelous enterprise. Prominently connected with the business history of Hopkins and Nodaway county, the career of Chester S. Martin is one eminently worthy of permanent record. Larger fortunes have been accumulated by others, but few lives furnish so striking an example of the wise application of sound business principles and safe conservatism as does his. The story of his success is not long nor does it contain many ex-
6.8 Martino
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citing chapters, but in it lies one of the most valuable secrets of the prosperity which it records ; his business and private life are replete with interest and incentive, no matter how lacking in dramatic action-the record of a noble life, consistent with its highest ideals.
Chester Selah Martin was born at Troy, Wisconsin, on the 5th day of September, 1846, and was a son of Lathan and Dolly ( Bliss) Martin. These parents were natives of the state of New York and the father was a wagon- maker and farmer, enjoying the respect and esteem of the entire community where he lived. He died at Palmyra. Wisconsin, in 1897. being survived a number of years by his widow, whose death occurred in 1904.
Chester Martin was reared under the parental roof and received the major part of his education in Troy, completing the same in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when twenty years old. After leaving school he learned the carpenter trade, at which he was employed until 1870, when, in company with John A. Stewart. he came to Hopkins, Missouri. the trip being made overland by team. On their arrival here, being impressed with the future prospects of this section of the state, Messrs. Martin and Stewart embarked in the grocery and bakery business, besides which they established a broom factory. In 1878 they sold the business and Mr. Martin erected a substan- tial frame building and went into the hardware and furniture business. The enterprise met with marked success and in 1881 Mr. Martin built the present well arranged and attractive brick store building, adding a large line of implements, buggies, etc. He also carried on undertaking, being the only person here engaged in that line of work. During these years he was associated in business with the following gentlemen : Sidney Frame, three years; Mr. Jeffers, three years : J. Speidle, six years, and L. J. Smith, ten years. In 1903 the business was sold to Seeley & Evans, and the same year Mr. Martin bought six hundred and forty-five acres of fine land in Iowa. He was at one time interested in the lumber business now controlled by Dalby & Company. In 1900 Mr. Martin and S. Stewart organized the Farmers and Merchants Bank, Mr. Martin owning two-thirds of the stock. They erected a bank building and the enterprise met with splendid success from its inception. Mr. Martin disposed of his interest in the bank in 1906. Mr. Martin was also the instigator of the establishment of the brickyard at Hopkins, the main industry of the place, and where the most of the brick was made which have been used in buildings in this city. He maintained an active interest in commercial affairs, exerting a potent and widely-recog- nized influence, until about 1907, when, because of failing health, he re- linquished active participation in business affairs and devoted his atten-
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tion to an effort to regain his health. However, the ablest medical treat- ment and the most loving attention were alike futile, and it was with feel- ings of genuine sorrow that the community heard of his death, which oc- curred at Excelsior Springs, where he had gone in the hope of obtaining relief. In estimating his life and character, one who knew him intimately said : "I never heard any one question his judgment, integrity, or ability. and a man must possess rare qualities indeed to hold such a position among the people, of a community. He was to us all a friend, and to many. a friend such as we cannot often know. In his home he was always cheer- ful and happy : in business, always respectful, kind and just."
On September 26, 1872. Mr. Martin was united in marriage with Mary E. Stewart, who was born December 19, 1849, in Walworth county, Wiscon- sin, the daughter of James and Margaret (Gutherie) Stewart. These parents were natives of New York state, the father being a successful farmer, and they are both deceased. the father dying in 1887 and the mother the preceding year. Mr. and Mrs. Martin became the parents of one son, Archie, of Hopkins.
Politically, Mr. Martin was a Republican and took a live interest in local public affairs, having served for a number of years as a member of the town council. in which position be rendered efficient service to the community. Fraternally he was a member of Hopkins Lodge. No. 333. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Religiously. he was originally a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. but some time after coming to Hopkins he transferred his membership to the Presbyterian church, to which he gave an earnest and generous support. Though unosten- tatious in his religious life, he was sincere and conscientious and his daily life was a potent influence for good. He was trusted and esteemed through- out the community with which he had been identified for so many years and his uniform kindness and ready helpfulness were matters of common knowl- edge. His record as a husband. father. citizen and business man was without the shadow of wrong or the suspicion of evil and his memory is held sacred by those who knew him.
JAMES MONTGOMERY McDONALD.
An admirable Southern gentleman of the old school who wins friends easily and retains them without effort is James Montgomery McDonald, who was born in Mason county, Kentucky, February 22, 1847. He is the son of Hugh Douglass and Mary ( Wheeler) McDonald, his father having been
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born on June 24, 1806, in Pennsylvania, but he was reared in Ross county, Ohio. He is of Scotch descent. His grandfather, Hugh Douglass McDon- ald, who was the great-grandfather of the subject, was born on the ocean while his parents were voyaging to America from Scotland. Mary ( Wheeler) McDonald was of Dutch descent; she was born December 19, 1810, and reared in Kentucky. Hugh Douglass McDonald, Sr., was born June 18, 1775. he being the son of the one born at sea mentioned above. The death of Hugh D. McDonald, Sr., occurred in Mason county, Kentucky, April 7, 1841. Hugh D. McDonald, Jr., died October 4. 1878. in Green township. Nodaway county. Missouri, in the house now the home of James M. McDon- ald. The death of Mary ( Wheeler) McDonald occurred September 5, 1870.
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