USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume I > Part 47
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Mr. Dougherty was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, on April 28. 1857. and is the only child born to William A. and Mary ( Vallandingham) Dough- erty. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Kentucky, and both are now deceased, the former dying at Louisville, Kentucky, and the latter at St. Louis, Missouri. The subject spent the first six years of his childhood in Leavenworth, and the following seven years in St. Louis, where he attended the public school. In December, 1869, he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and from that time until 1887 his attention and efforts were devoted to agricultural pursuits chiefly, and with a gratifying measure of success. In 1887 he accepted a clerkship in a store at Graham, filling this position until 1898, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Graham
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on his own account, and in this enterprise he has been eminently successful. He carries a large and well-selected line of general merchandise, and his courteous treatment of his patrons and recognized business ability have gained for him a splendid reputation in the community.
Mr. Dougherty was married in Hughes township, on October 5, 1892, to Alta M. Cramer, who was born in Forest City, Holt county, this state, on February 8. 1871, being a daughter of William H. and Dollie (Goodwin) Cramer, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Illinois. They came to Nodaway county about 1880. settling in Hughes township, where they have since resided. Of their eight children, Mrs. Dougherty was the second child in order of birth. To the subject and his wife has been born one child. Gladys M., her birth occurring at Graham on January 22, 1896.
Fraternally, Mr. Dougherty is an appreciative member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, in the work of which he takes a deep interest. He has erected a neat, attractive and comfortable residence at Graham, where he and his family delight to entertain their many friends. Because of his genial disposition, public spirit and genuine worth, he is deservedly popular among his acquaintances.
SYLVESTER L. BOSLEY.
No Monroe township farmer is better advised or better equipped for successful twentieth-century farming than Sylvester L. Bosley, who repre- sents one of the sterling pioneer families. He was born in Will county, Illinois, in 1867, and is the son of Sylvester and Laura M. (Johnson) Bos- lev. The father was long one of the prominent farmers and stock raisers of Monroe township. He was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, April 4, 1826, and was the son of Elisha and Clarissa (Wilber) Bosley, natives of New York, who settled in Trumbull county, where they lived until their deaths. Their son, Sylvester, spent his boyhood days on the home place and was ed- ucated in the schools of that community. On July 1. 1846, he and Laura Johnson were married. The latter was a native of Onondaga county, New York, born there April 2, 1825, and was the daughter of Charles M. and Mary ( Bennett) Johnson, natives of New York. Her father was born in 1796 and died in July, 1881. They were married in 1820, locating soon afterwards in Onondaga county, New York, thence moved to Geauga county.
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Ohio, thence to Joliet. Illinois. in 1847, where he bought and improved a farm and lived there until the spring of 1870, when he sold out and moved to Nodaway county, Missouri, and bought the farm where his son. Sylvester L .. now resides, about four miles east of Skidmore, owning there one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, on which he spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1898. the mother of the subject having passed to her rest in 1888. They were both members of the Lutheran church. Eight children were born to them, namely: William R., Edward, Alonzo, Melissa L., Laura, Lodema, Sylvester L., and Julia, who was born October 2. 1862, died in April, 1863.
Sylvester L. Bosley of this review, grew to maturity on the homestead here and, with the exception of three years, has lived here ever since coming to this county. When about twenty-two years old he began farming for him- self. On December 26. 1894. he married Lillie D. Chrisman. daughter of John and Mary Melissa (Middaugh) Chrisman. She came here from Cam- eron, Missouri. Her father was killed in a runaway accident when she was a child. She lived at Cameron until her marriage to Mr. Bosley. Her mother is a resident of St. Joseph, Missouri, and her maternal grandparents are both living, past seventy-five years of age, making their home in St. Joseph. On September 7, 1903, they celebrated their golden wedding at the home of Mr. Bosley : they are both active and in good health at this writing.
A year after his marriage Sylvester L. Bosley went to farming on the farm north of that owned by his father and there remained three years, then moving back to the home place. He has kept it well improved and his labors here have been amply rewarded. In addition to general farming. he is ex- tensively engaged in handling livestock, raising hogs, cattle and some sheep. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, subordinate lodge and encampment.
It is deemed advisable to here enter brief record of Edward L. Bosley. brother of Sylvester L., owing to his prominence in agricultural affairs of Nodaway county. He was born in Will county, Illinois, August 27. 1850. In 1896 he married Rosa Chrisman. of Cameron, Clinton county, Missouri. She later in life lived at Skidmore, this state. From 1892 to about 1900 Mr. Bosley engaged in the grain business at Skidmore, Maitland and other places. In the spring of 1900 he moved to his farm four miles east of Skidmore. Since 1877 he has owned an eighty-acre tract and since 1900 he has devoted his attention to its management with gratifying results. He likes farming best, having been reared on a farm and been more or less connected with farm- ing interests all his life. Fraternally. he belongs to the Woodmen of the World.
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CLARENCE R. LEEPER.
Among the citizens of Hughes township. Nodaway county, who have achieved a definite success along legitimate lines of endeavor stands the sub- ject of this sketch, who has spent his entire life here and who has for many years enjoyed the unbounded confidence of his fellow-citizens. He was born here on November 26, 1877, and is a son of the late Judge William Leeper, a native of Indiana, who attained to considerable prominence in the early life of this section of the state. The subject's mother, whose maiden name was Elmira Francis, was a native of Ohio. William Leeper came to Noda- way county, Missouri, in the spring of 1865 and in 1867 he and Elmira Francis were married in Hughes township, where they made their future home, the father's death occurring there on April 18. 1906. His widow, who survives him, is numbered among the best known and most highly respected women of the community. They became the parents of four children. Wil- liam F., Fred E., Clarence R. and Hiram L.
Clarence R. Leeper was reared on the family homestead in this town- ship and he was given a good practical education, having supplemented his common school education by attendance at the State Normal School at Peru, Nebraska. Since taking up the active duties of life he has consistently ap- plied himself to agricultural pursuits, in which line his efforts have been uni- formly rewarded with a due measure of success. His farm comprises five hundred acres of splendid land, all of which is improved and under culti- vation and Mr. Leeper stands in the front rank among the farmers of Hughes township, and indeed of Nodaway county, where his entire life has been spent. Thoroughly practical and progressive in his methods, he keeps in touch with the most advanced ideas relating to the science of husbandry and hesitates not to adopt new ways of doing things when their feasibility has been demonstrated by experiment. He has a comfortable and attractive resi- dence, large and well arranged barn and other outbuildings and everything about the place indicates the enterprising spirit of the owner. He carries on general farming and stock raising, in both of which lines he has pros- pered.
On August 26. 1902, at Lincoln, Nebraska, Mr. Leeper was united in marriage with Elizabeth Heidtbrink, who was born in Germany on April 28 1880, and to them have been born two children, Clarence H. and Frances L.
Politically. Mr. Leeper supports the Republican party and he takes an intelligent interest in local public affairs, especially as relating to educational matters, being at the present time a member of the board of school direc-
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tors. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Wood- men of the World, while his religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church, to which he gives an earnest and liberal support. In all that goes to make good citizenship. Mr. Leeper is the peer of any of his fellows and because of his sterling qualities of character and his upright life he enjoys the sincere respect and confidence of the entire community. He is public spirited and gives earnest and effective support to all movements having for their object the general welfare of the locality in which he lives.
HON. S. R. BEECH.
One does not have to carry his investigations far into the history of . Nodaway county to find that Hon. S. R. Beech, the present popular and efficient postmaster of Maryville and long a well-known member of the local bar. has figured conspicuously in the affairs of this locality. He is a man whose aim has always been to do the right as he sees and understands the right and it is to such as he that our county is indebted for the stability of its insti- tutions and for the large measure of prosperity which it enjoys, for he has always been a leader in movements calculated to be of benefit to the com- munity at large and has ever stood ready to perform his full duty.
Mr. Beech was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, December 25. 1846, the son of O. O. and Ruth ( Baker) Beech. The father was a carpenter and contractor and died when S. R. was fourteen years of age. he being one of eight small children. Mrs. Beech, after an heroic struggle to rear them in comfort and respectability, passed to her rest in 1878.
S. R. Beech worked out on farms during his youth in order to get a start. His early education was thus interrupted, but, being ambitious and unwilling to permit obstacles to thwart him. he studied at home and became a well-informed man. In 1864, when seventeen years of age. he showed his patriotism by enlisting in Company E. Eighty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in which he served very creditably for one year, taking part in some of the hottest contests of the war. He was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, a bullet having passed through his left arm and his body ; he was also wounded in the legs. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned to Crawford county. Pennsylvania, and attended the academy there. later taking a course at Eastman's Business College. at Poughkeepsie. New
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S. R. BEECH
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York. He held the office of postmaster at Cambridge, Pennsylvania, for two years, when he resigned and came to Nodaway county, Missouri, locating eleven miles west of Maryville ; there he led a very busy life for some time. farming. teaching school and mining coal.
Mr. Beech always took a great deal of interest in political matters. and in 1872 he was elected sheriff of this county on the Republican ticket. and he made such an excellent record that he was re-elected at the expiration of his term, he being the first individual to be elected two terms successively as sheriff in Nodaway county. He began studying law during his leisure moments and was admitted to the bar in 1877, having commenced the practice of the legal profession in Maryville, and from that time to 1906 successfully applied him- seld to its severe and exacting labors and duties in this city. During the years of his practice in our midst he acquired a compensating and increasing clientele, which widened with his experience and more intimate acquaintance with the public. In his profession he was characterized by signal industry. plodding investigation, scrutinizing research, a determination to familiarize himself with the legal principles involved in the trial of cases, and in what- ever court he had occasion to appear his careful and discriminating prepara- tion assured him early in his career of the highest probabilities of success and afforded him a solid vantage ground against the ingenuities and assaults of adroit and tactful adversaries. In recognition of his high legal attainments. Mr. Beech was appointed circuit judge of Nodaway county, filling the unex- pired term of Judge Kelly ending in 1886. In 1892 he was his party's can- didate for this office, but was defeated by twenty-two votes, though many con- tended that he was unjustly deprived of the honor through political manipula- tion.
Mr. Beech served ten years as chairman of the Republican central com- mittee, and he served very ably as city attorney for one term. In 1880 he was elected mayor of Maryville, serving until 1882. during which time he did many things for the permanent good of the community. He has been identi- fied with the educational interests of the city for many years. In 1906 he was appointed postmaster by President Roosevelt, and so satisfactorily did he discharge the duties of the same that President Taft re-appointed him to this important position on March 17. 1910.
As might be expected, Mr. Beech is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was married in 1866 to Matilda Burdick, daughter of Henry E. and Sophia (Hamlin) Burdick, natives of Pennsylvania. This union has resulted in the birth of five children, Minnie. Charles, Guy L. (died in infancy ). Ernest and Scribner L.
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STEPHEN O. KEEVER.
From two sterling old families is descended Stephen O. Keever, one of the hustling farmers of Nodaway county. He was born in Randolph county, Indiana, October 17. 1869, and is the son of Elias and Melinda (Hunt) Keever. The father was born in 1808. The Keevers came from Ohio: the Hunt family originated in England, having come to America in an early day. Malinda Hunt's parents were Miles and Mary (Botkin) Hunt and she was born near Knoxville, Tennessee. The father of Miles Hunt and two brothers came together from England: two remained together, the third trying his fortune alone. The father of Miles Hunt and one brother located in Fleming county, Kentucky. The parents of Elias Keever were Stephen and Mary (Crammer) Keever. She was born in New Jersey and was said to have been heir to a large estate in New Jersey that was granted to an ancestor of hers by George III.
Stephen O. Keever, of this review, is one of a family of four children. of whom Albert Ora died in childhood ; those living are Mrs. Mary Emma Stevenson : Mrs. Rachael Belle Hart, wife of J. E. Hart, whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this volume; and Stephen O., of this review. When the last named was about eleven years old his parents came to Atchison county, Missouri, where he lived until about 1902, the father having bought a farm there. about six miles west and nearly a mile south of Quitman. Elias Keever's death occurred on May 19, 1887. He took a great deal of interest in public schools and other public affairs. He was a Mason and a believer in the Christian faith. In the early days he was a Greenbacker in politics, but was later independent. After his death his widow continued to live on the old place until after her son. Stephen O., of this sketch, removed to Nodaway county, Missouri, and she now makes her home with him. The son here mentioned grew to manhood on the home place and was educated in the neighboring schools. He was married in July. 1890. to Anna Knepper, daughter of Hiram and Fredrica (Stull) Knepper. Her parents came from Ogle county. Illinois, when she was about four years old and she grew up in Atchison county, Missouri. Her father died June 30. 1901 ; her mother is still living, making her home with her children. Mrs. Keever has three brothers living. David. Clinton and Edgar, also Mrs. Emma Turner, Mrs. Mollie Keever and Mrs. Alice Hayes, wife of Milton R. Hayes, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work: one brother. George, died in infancy.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Keever went to live on the Keever homestead, left by his father. In 1902 he went to Oklahoma and lived
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about one and one-half years near Fort Cobb. He had three farms, two at Fort Cobb and one at Oklahoma City. Eighteen months later he came back to the old home place in .Atchison county. He has since sold both his farms in Oklahoma. In the fall of 1907 he bought a farm in the northeast part of Monroe township, Nodaway county, and in January, 1909, moved to the same. It is well improved and has a good dwelling and other buildings, in fact, everything that makes farm life comfortable and desirable. He has two hundred and forty acres of as good land as the county affords. It is located in one of the best communities of the county in every respect.
To Mr. and Mrs. Keever six children have been born, four sons and two daughters, namely: Elmer Ora, Henry Clay, Carl Frederick, Gladys Malinda, James Oliver Ray and Beulah Ann.
RICHARD KYLE.
The subject of this sketch has for many years ranked among the mod- ern and up-to-date agriculturists of this section of the state, where his entire life has been spent. resulting in the accomplishment of a comfortable living for himself and family. He is a native of Hughes township, where his birth occurred on the 21st day of April. 1858. His father was James Mad- ison Kyle, who was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee, in 1813, while his mother, also a native of the old Volunteer state, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Anderson. They were reared and married in Hawkins county and remained there until 1849, when they removed to Buchanan county, Miss- ouri, where they remained a short time, their next place of residence being in Andrew county, this state. In 1850 they came to Nodaway county, settling in what is now known as Hughes township, where they continued to reside. James M. Kyle died in 1899, his widow surviving him at an advanced age. The father was a successful farmer and stock raiser and was highly respected in the community where he lived. They were the parents of eleven children. seven sons and four daughters, the subject of this sketch being the sixth child in the order of birth.
Richard Kyle spent his boyhood days under the parental rooftree and he has always been a resident of Hughes township, his education being re- ceived in the common schools of the neighborhood. He has always devoted himself to the pursuit of agriculture and has met with pronounced success, as is evidenced in the fact that he is now the owner of six hundred acres of fine
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land in this township, all of which is improved and under cultivation. He has erected one of the finest residences in Nodaway county and is very com- fortably situated as regards this world's goods. Stock raising has re- ceived some attention from Mr. Kyle, who has met with splendid success in all his operations. He is thoroughly practical and progressive in his methods and has achieved definite results by the most honorable and praiseworthy means.
Mr. Kyle was married in November, 1880, to Carrie Scott, who was born in Hughes township on October 16, 1858, a daughter of George and Jemima (Baugher ) Scott, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. These parents were among the early pioneers of Hughes town- ship. Nodaway county, where they both died, the father's death occurring in August, 1864. To Mr. and Mrs. Kyle have been born two children, Robert E., of Hughes township, and Ora, the wife of Dr. H. Campbell, of Logan, Utah.
Politically, Mr. Kyle renders a stanch allegiance to the Democratic party, believing that the platform of that party most nearly represents what is best for the American people. In local affairs he takes a commendable interest, though he is not an office seeker. He is keenly alive to current events and gives his support to those movements which promise to be of the greatest benefit to the people generally. He is genial and courteous in his re- lations with others and because of his high personal character he enjoys universal respect in the community.
CHARLES E. BALLENGER.
Perhaps as many Hoosiers are to be found in Nodaway county as rep- resentatives of any other state. Of recent years the number who have cast their lot here has been small. for they seem to have a tendency to pass through this state to the far West, but when northern Missouri was first settled the enterprising citizens of the Hoosier state were quick to realize the oppor- tunities here and they have been of great value in the development of the localities where they have located. Of this number Charles E. Ballenger, a farmer of White Cloud township, should be mentioned. He was born in Henry county, Indiana, May 2, 1838, and he is the son of Elwood and Hannah ( Berkshire) Ballenger. The father was a native of New Jersey. These parents, after living in several different places, finally settled in Jack-
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son county, Kansas, where they died. Eight children were born to them, of whom Charles E., of this review, was the oldest in order of birth. When he was four years old his parents moved to Missouri and settled in Platte county, where he grew to manhood and attended the district schools. He remained there until 1856, when he went to Kansas with his father and the rest of the family, and located in Jackson county where he lived for about ten years, then went to Leavenworth county, Kansas, and remained there two years After spending two years traveling through the West he came to Platte county, Missouri, where he married and lived about twelve years. and then came to Nodaway county, in 1880, and he has since been a resident here, living in White Cloud township since 1893 He has devoted his at- tention to farming and stock raising. He is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of improved land and he has a good residence and other build- ings.
Mr. Ballenger was married in Platte county, Missouri, January 28: 1868, to Mary Tanner, who was born in Virginia on January 31. 1844. She is the daughter of Levi B. and Mary B. Tanner, who were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Ballenger was the fourth in order of birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Ballenger six children have been born, namely: Ella L., Robert O., Mary M., the wife of C. E. Baker: Emma P., Joseph Claude and Grace Alice.
Mr. Ballenger takes a lively interest in the affairs of his township and county, and has been a member of the township board and justice of the peace. Politically, he is a Democrat. He and his wife are active members of the Baptist church.
LEWIS C. MILLER.
Although primarily interested in his own affairs, his large farm claim- ing the major portion of his attention, Lewis C. Miller, one of Nodaway county's successful agriculturists, manifests an abiding regard for the ad- vancement and welfare of the community and for any measure or enterprise by which his fellow-men may be benefited. He encourages churches and schools, is a respecter of law and order and has no use or sympathy for any calling or business which tends to lower the moral status of the county or degrade the youth of the land.
Mr. Miller is one of the large number of citizens of Nodaway county who were natives of McDonough county, Illinois, his birth having occurred
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there on September 3, 1861. He is the son of Isaac and Martha J. (Berry) Miller, both natives of Indiana, from which state they moved to McDonough county. Illinois, thence to Nodaway county. Missouri, in the fall of 1868, and settled in Hughes township, where they established a comfortable home. owned a good farm on which they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom Lewis C., of this review, was the eighth in order of birth. He was seven years old when his parents came to Nodaway county and he was reared to manhood in Hughes township and educated in the common schools of the same, and lived there until 1909. successfully engaged in general agriculture and stock raising, which has been his chief life employment.
In December. 1909. Mr. Miller moved into Maryville, where he now resides in an attractive home. He owns the old Miller homestead and has excellent farming land in this county to the extent of two hundred and forty acres. all improved land, and as valuable as any in the locality.
Mr. Miller was married in Andrews county, Missouri, on January 5. 1888. to Sophia P. Ingman, who was born in Ohio, on April 22, 1861 : she is the daughter of Henry E. and Rebecca ( Brandt) Ingman, both natives of Fairfield county. Ohio.
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