USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume I > Part 55
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
Mr. Wray took more or less interest in political affairs and was always ready to promote the interests of his county. At one time he was justice of the peace. and he served very ably as county judge. He was faithful in his support of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, he was a Mason. His marriage occurred on April 30. 1859. to Mary Carmean, and this union resulted in the birth of six children, Rosa, Alice, Curtis (publisher of The Tribune at Maryville). Bertha, Howard, Florence. Mrs. Stephen K. Wray. now advanced in years. is living at Hopkins.
Howard Wray is cashier of the bank at Pickering. the duties of which
572
PAST AND PRESENT
he discharges in a manner that stamps him as a business man of high rank. He was born on June 12. 1876, and after being educated in the home schools. took up work with his father in the hardware store, continuing there, with the exception of one year spent in the bank at Hopkins. In the fall of 1900 he helped organize the Bank of Pickering, and became its first cashier, con- tinuing as such to the present time. being very largely responsible for the excellent prestige of this sound and conservative institution. He takes an abiding interest in the affairs of his community.
Howard Wray was married on September 25, 1907, to Kate Beckwith. of Chicago, a lady of education and refinement. This union has resulted in the birth of two children ( twins ). Florence and Katherine, born on September 17. 1909.
Mr. Wray is a Master Mason and is prominent in business and social circles of the county.
CAPT. ELLIS SUMNER COOK.
Not many men have the initiative, the force of character and the power of concentration and application to win even mediocre success and recogni- tion in one or more of the relations of life while yet in their twenties, this being primarily the formative period of life when the individual is casting about in a tentative manner for an opening that will insure future success and notoriety. But it seems that Capt. Ellis Sumner Cook. of Maryville, has been fortunate in striking the keynote of success while yet young in years, as the following paragraphs will attest.
Ellis S. Cook was born on a farm near Clearmont, Nodaway county. March 19, 1883, and he is the son of Mark and Rosa (Cassel) Cook, the father a native of Terre Haute, Indiana, born there on August 20, 1855. He devoted his life to farming, coming to Missouri in 1874, locating near Clearmont, Nodaway county. He was married on October 2, 1881, to Rosa Cassel, and two children were born to them, one dying young in years, and Ellis Sumner, of this review. Mark Cook was a Republican in politics, a man highly respected by all who knew him, and his life work was attended with a due measure of success. Mrs. Cook, who was born on December 24, 1861, at Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of early pioneers of that section of the state, is still living, making her home with her son, Ellis S.
Ellis S. Cook attended the common schools in his native vicinity, gradu- ating from the Clearmont high school in 1899, and in 1900 he was gradu-
573
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
ated from the Stanberry Normal, and the normal at Chillicothe in 1902, and the same year from the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, and he did post-graduate work in all these institutions, thus receiving an excellent education and well qualifying himself for the profession of teacher, which he followed one year in the Stanberry Normal and two years at Brown's Business College at Davenport, Iowa ; also taught for two years in the Metropolitan Business College in Chicago, giving eminent satisfac- tion in all these noted schools.
In 1906 Mr. Cook returned to Maryville and organized the Maryville Business College, which started with twelve pupils. He proved to be a good organizer and promoter and soon his school became widely known and recognized as one of the best in the country, thorough, up-to-date and where the ambitious student could be quickly equipped for his particular line, and during the past four years of its existence over twelve hundred pupils have passed through this school and have taken responsible positions in many parts of the United States, able to compete with the graduates of any insti- tution. new pupils being constantly placed in positions of trust and respon- sibility and invariably giving success-in fact, there is a greater demand for first-class, high-grade employes from the various departments of this insti- tution than the management can supply.
In 1908 this college was incorporated under the name of the Western School Company, for five thousand dollars, Mr. Cook being president and manager. This school is well located, properly equipped with all modern furnishings and appliances found in any up-to-date institution of a like nature, and it is under splendid system, its prestige rapidly growing and the enroll- ment gradually increasing.
Mr. Cook is captain of Company F. Fourth Regiment Infantry, Mis- souri National Guard, and he takes a great interest in military affairs. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Christian church.
Captain Cook was married on August 16. 1908, to Edith Inman, a young lady of culture and education, the daughter of J. C. and Della Inman, a well- known family of Maryville, and this union has been graced by the birth of one child. Edith M.
WILLIAM HAMILTON BROWN. D. O.
Prominent in the professional circles of Nodaway county and dis- tinguished as a citizen whose influence is far extended beyond the limits of the community honored by his residence. the name of Dr. William Ham-
574
PAST AND PRESENT
ilton Brown stands out conspicuously among the successful osteopathic phy- sicians of northern Missouri. Characterized by a deep insight into his special line of endeavor and actuated by none but the noblest humanitarian motives, he has won the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of patients. friends and acquaintances.
Doctor Brown was born December 18, 1867. near Mexico. Missouri. and is the son of William and Margaret C. (Curry) Brown, the father born May 28, 1838. near Bloomfield. this state, the son of Charles H. and Amanda ( McKamey) Brown. Charles H. Brown was born August 18, 1812. in Mercer county. Kentucky, and was the son of William and Margaret (Hamilton) Brown. William Brown engaged in farming in Mercer county, Kentucky, until his death. His family consisted of seven children. two of whom still live. The father was a Whig in politics and a Presbyterian. His wife survived until 1867.
Charles H. Brown, grandfather of the Doctor, came to Calloway county, Missouri, when a lad and worked on a farm. Later he entered three thousand acres of land near Mexico, where he farmed, raised stock. bought and sold cattle on a large scale. He and Amanda McKamey were married in 1836. She was the daughter of Robert and Susan ( McAfee) McKamey, early settlers of Missouri and natives of North Carolina, of old blue-blooded stock. They reared eight children, three of whom are now living. Charles H. Brown's death occurred on April 12, 1897. He was a Democrat and a Presbyterian. Mrs. Brown died February 12. 1892.
The Doctor's father, William Brown, worked on the farm during his early life, and became the owner of a large farm in Calloway county. He married Margaret C. Curry on July 3. 1862 : she was born May 20. 1841. and is still living: Mr. Brown died on February 13. 1908. Nine children were born to them, all living at this writing.
Dr. William H. Brown received a good primary education in the com- mon schools and spent his boyhood on his father's farm. He owned one hundred and twenty acres of good land in Calloway county and began life as a farmer, but believing that his talents lay along other lines he sold out and entered the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville. Missouri. where he made a splendid record for scholarship and from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1902. This noted school is conducted by Doctor Still, and, together with other schools of osteopathy over the country, has done a great work in revolutionizing the science of medicine during the past decade and the osteopathic physician is now recognized everywhere as a very necessary individual in a community, and Doctor Brown, like most of his
575
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
professional brethren, enjoys an extensive patronage, which is constantly growing. He first began practicing at Moberly, Missouri, later opened an office at Mexico, this state, but for the past seven years he has been in Maryville, maintaining a well-equipped and neatly-arranged office over the Nodaway Valley Bank.
Doctor Brown was married on June 10, 1891, to Minnie T. Miller, daughter of a well-established family of Calloway county, Missouri, and this union has resulted in the birth of two children, Bessie I., now eighteen years old, attending high school. and Robert L., fourteen years old, also in school.
Mrs. Brown is a granddaughter of Hon. Henry Larimore, of Calloway county, one of the world's best known Shorthorn cattle dealers. Additional details of the Miller family, which has long been a prominent one in north- ern Missouri, will be found on another page of this work, under the caption of Ulysses Telemachus Miller.
ULYSSES TELEMACHUS MILLER.
One of the best known residents of Calloway county, Missouri, of a past generation, who was also well known in Nodaway county, was Ulysses Telemachus Miller, born on Miller's creek, Calloway county, on July 26, 1826, and he died at his residence near McCredie, that county, on February 15, 18co. For several years of his early life he followed the trade of his father, that of cooper; but upon his marriage to Fanny Larimore, in September, 1855, he moved to the farm which was thenceforth his home. to the successful management of which he devoted the remainder of his life. Although deprived in early life of the advantages of extensive edu- cation, he was one of those who, by an early education no less real than that of the schools, win for themselves the honorable distinction of "self-made" men. By indefatigable industry and business tact he secured for himself an ample competence. and placed himself in the front rank of influential men in the community of which he was a citizen. In this respect he re- sembled his father, Abraham Miller, one of the honored pioneers of Callo- way county. who lived near Millersburg. He took more or less interest in the political affairs of his county and he was assessor of the county from 1849 to 1853. In 1872 he became a member of the White Cloud Presby- terian church. and he was one of the colony from that church which after-
576
PAST AND PRESENT
wards organized the Mt. Olive church. Subsequently he became a member of the then newly organized Westminster church, where his membership remained until his death. As in other things, so in his religious life. Mr. Miller was a modest, unobtrusive man, but those who knew him best could not but be aware of his deep concern for the welfare of the church and all movements looking to the general good of his community. His family consisted of thirteen children. all of whom survived him. Two brothers also survived. Dr. Lee Miller, of Knobnoster. Missouri, and Lycurgus Miller, of Nowaday county.
JOHN COLLET.
Among the citizens of Hughes township. Nodaway county, who have built up a comfortable home and surrounded themselves with landed and personal property, none has attained a higher degree of success than the sub- ject of this sketch. With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made an exceptionable success of life, and in his old age he has the grati- fication of knowing that the community in which he has resided has been benefited by his presence.
John Collet was born in Cole county. Missouri, on the 23d day of September. 1833. His father. Abraham Collet, was a native of Tennessee. while his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Gilliam, was born in North Carolina. After their marriage they resided for a time in Platte county, Missouri, but in 1845 they came to Nodaway county, locating north- east of Maryville, in Polk township. Here they successfully carried on agri- cultural operations for many years, eventually leaving the farm and making their home in Maryville, where the father's death occurred at the age of seventy-seven years ; his widow died in Andrew county, this state, when ninety- one years old. They were people of high character and enjoyed the highest degree of respect in the community where so many years of their lives were spent. They were the parents of six children, of which number John was the youngest.
John Collet was reared by his parents and accompanied them on their removal to Nodaway county in 1845. securing his education in the common schools of this and Cole counties. Since coming here he has remained a resident continuously of this county, a period of sixty-five years, and has thus been an eye witness and an active participant in the wonderful development
Penseia Collet-
John Collet
577
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
which has characterized this section of the state. Farming has been his chief occupation during his active years, though for fourteen years he was suc- cessfully engaged in the blacksmithing business at Maryville. He settled in Hughes township about 1868 and devoted himself closely to the tilling of the soil until 1908, when he retired from active labor and is now living in Graham, enjoying a well-earned rest. He is the owner of three hundred and seventy acres of as fine land as can be found in Hughes township, all of which is under cultivation and producing abundant crops. Mr. Collet during his active years was numbered among the most energetic farmers of his section and his efforts were characterized by a spirit of enterprise and progress that insured success along his line.
On December 27, 1865, Mr. Collet married Pernecia Saunders, who was born in Polk township, this county, on September 16, 1848, the daughter of William and Arethusia (Courtney) Saunders. These parents were natives of Kentucky and were among the early settlers of Nodaway county, their deaths occurring at Maryville, at advanced ages. Of their three children, Mrs. Collet was the second in order of birth. To the subject and his wife has been born a daughter, Mary E., who is the wife of James A. Kavanaugh. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Collet are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church South, to which they give an earnest support. Their lives have been actuated by the highest motives and been characterized by a kind- liness and charity which have gained for them the good will and esteem of all who know them.
LAFE CARL ALLENDER, D. D. S.
It is scarcely less than supererogation in outlining the leading facts in . the biographical record of Dr. Lafe C. Allender, one of the youngest but most successful dentists of northwestern Missouri, to refer to him as a doctor of dentistry in the ordinary phraseology which meets requirements when dealing with the average member of this profession, for it is not too much to refer to him as a master of his profession and is eminently worthy of the large and growing practice which he today enjoys at Maryville, his patients coming from remote parts of Nodaway county and other localities.
Doctor Allender was born September 29, 1884, in Bloomfield, Iowa, and is the son of John C. and Nellie (Linnaberry) Allender. The birth of John Charles Allender occurred on July 24, 1856, in Centerville, Iowa, and he was the son of Richard B. and Elmira (Frazie) Allender. Richard
(37)
578
PAST AND PRESENT
B. Allender was born March 27, 1816, in Pennsylvania, the son of a pio- neer miller, for whim his son, Richard B., teamed over the mountains. Hs afterwards became a school teacher and later a minister. His death occurred in Bloomfield, Iowa, in 1898 at an advanced age. He was a Mason, a Re- publican and a Methodist. It was in 1838 that he married Elmira Frazie, a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born August 16, 1820, and who died in 1883 in Bloomfield. Iowa. To this union nine children were born, two of whom were living, namely: Dr. J. C., of Maryville, and Dr. D. R., of Ft. Scott, Kansas.
. Dr. John C. Allender was educated at Bloomfield, Iowa. In his youth he learned the printer's trade, at which he worked ten years. At the age of twenty-seven he entered the State University of Iowa, and graduated from the dental department in 1886. He practiced at Bloomfield. Iowa, and Ft. Scott, Kansas, later at Eldon, Iowa, coming to Maryville, Missouri, in 1890, and he has been actively engaged in practice here ever since, enjoying a liberal patronage at each place. In 1907 he took his son, Lafe C., in as a partner and the firm name is now Allender & Son, which is one of the best known dental firms in this locality.
Dr. John C. Allender is a Royal Arch Mason, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Maccabees and the Yeomen. Po- litically he is a Republican and in religious matters a Methodist. On Jan- uary 20, 1883. he married Nellie Linnaberry, of Bloomfield, Iowa. She was born June 24, 1864. This union has resulted in the birth of two chil- dren, Lafe C., of this review, and Roland B., who is practicing dentistry in Boone, Iowa.
Dr. Lafe C. Allender graduated from the Maryville high school in 1903, then entered Northwestern University at Chicago, graduating from the dental department of the same in 1907. receiving the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, having made a splendid record in that institution. Re- turning to Maryville soon afterwards, he formed a partnership with his father, which still exists. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason, being secretary of the local lodge: he also belongs to the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks; politically he is a Republican and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
OSCAR K. HERNDON.
Characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality, and in all his undertakings actuated by noble motives and high resolves, the suc-
579
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
cess and achievements of Oscar K. Herndon, one of Nodaway county's most prominent business men, but represent the result of fit utilization of innate talent in directing effort along those lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination lead the way.
Mr. Herndon was born on August 21, 1874, near Parnell. Nodaway county, Missouri, the son of Benjamin Franklin and Mary (Dean) Herndon. the father born in 1840 near Lexington, Kentucky. He was the son of John Herndon, a farmer and a native of Virginia, from which state he came to Kentucky when quite small. There he grew to maturity, and he served in the war of 1812 with his father. In the seventies he moved from Kentucky to Nodaway county, Missouri, leaving his old homestead-a large tobacco plan- tation-behind forever, and came to this county to spend the remainder of his life with his children here. He reached the remarkable age of one hun- dred and four years. Benjamin F. Herndon worked on a farm until the late fifties, when he moved to Indiana. He enlisted in the Union army, September 18, 1861, in Company A, Thirty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infan- try. in the department of the Cumberland, and served with distinction until he was mustered out in November, 1864. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and was twenty-two miles south of Jonesboro, Georgia, when his time of enlistment expired, but was sent back with his regiment to Indianap- olis, where they received their final discharge.
In 1865 Mr. Herndon left Indiana and came to St. Joseph. Missouri, and with a kit of shoemaker's tools walked to Oxford, a distance of fifty miles, where he followed his occupation for a number of years. Land was very cheap at that time and he invested his surplus cash in a few acres. and added to his holdings from time to time, owning at the time of his death over four hundred acres of good rich soil. On October 6. 1866. M :. Herndon was married at Oxford to Mary M. Dean. To this union nine children were born, seven of whom are still living, as follows: James W., of Maryville, Missouri: Amanda Powers, Parnell, Missouri: Oscar, of this review ; Mary Wilson, Asa, Granville and Horace. all of Parnell. Mrs. Herndon also survives.
Benjamin F. Herndon's death occurred on February 3. 1905. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, being an honored member of Grant City Lodge. He also belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic. While he was not a member of any church organization, he was a believer in the one true and living God.
Mr. Herndon was a man highly respected by all who knew him. He probably never made a promise that he did not fulfill. No man in this
580
PAST AND PRESENT
vicinity was more accommodating to his fellow-men than he and he did much in assisting to upbuild his town and county in general. He had erected during his residence in Parnell several substantial dwellings and . was always willing and ready to do anything for the advancement of the town. He was a school director at the time of his death and took con- siderable interest in educational matters. While living in Worth county he filled the office of judge of the county court two terms, and won the hearty commendation of his constituents.
Oscar K. Herndon, of this review, received a very serviceable edu- cation in the country schools, and worked on the farm until he was twenty- one years of age. He then left his parental roof-tree and farmed for him- self for two years; then engaged in the real estate business, having been active in this line of work in this county ever since and is one of the best known real estate men in this and adjoining counties, controlling a large business. He recently sold nineteen thousand acres of land in Louisiana to one party, for a consideration of over three hundred thousand dollars. Through him a deal was consummated whereby C. I. Black, a wealthy retired Omaha merchant, became the owner of the residence of the late F. G. Shoemaker, in Maryville, for a consideration of twenty-five thousand dollars, one of the most beautiful residence properties in this city.
Mr. Herndon, in 1909. purchased as an investment, from H. H. Culver. of Omaha. a twenty-five-hundred-acre farm near North Platte, Nebraska, in Lincoln county. The ranch is situated twelve miles from the famous Buffalo Bill ranch. The price paid was thirty-two thousand dollars. This ranch is of excellent farming and grazing land.
Under the firm name of the National Sales Company, Mr. Herndon and George White, with offices in the Andrews building on Fourth street. Maryville, are building up a large special sales business covering several states. Mr. Herndon being the president and manager and Mr. White is advertiser and traveling solicitor. Unique methods characterize the busi- ness of this company. Its customers are merchants in town or city who are desirous of turning a portion of their stocks into cash in a short time-business men who find themselves overstocked or who are under the necessity of meet- ing heavy obligations that can not be handled through the ordinary chan- nels of income from the business. Right here the National Sales Company takes charge and advertises a special sale for a limited number of days. Extra clerks are employed, large advertising contracts are made and at the end of the sale the merchant finds himself in possession of a goodly amount
581
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
of cash. odd and shop-worn goods have been cleared out in the rush sale, and he is in position to stock up with fresh, clean goods. The firm has been conducting some big sales all over the country and their prestige is rapidly growing.
Mr. Herndon's domestic life began on April 3. 1899, when he married Frauline Kennedy, the accomplished daughter of John W. and Susan M. Kennedy, a prominent family of this county. This union has been graced by the birth of one child, Adolph K., who is now in school.
Politically Mr. Herndon is a Republican, a thirty-second-degree Mason, a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he belongs to the Christian church. He is deserving of the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him, owing to the fact that he started out in business life with only a few dollars cash capital. but by the exercise of rare talents and persistency he has forged his way to the front while yet young in years. He seldom makes a mistake in forecasting the outcome of a present transaction, is keen of perception and discernment. He is straightforward and honorable, gentlemanly and genial.
JAMES ARTHUR WRAY.
A man who would win his way in any locality where fate might place him is James Arthur Wray, one of the best known citizens in local industrial circles, for his career shows that he is a man of sound business judgment, coupled with great energy and tact, together with upright princi- ples, all of which make for success wherever and whenever they are rightly and persistently applied. He has won a host of friends in Nowaday county by reason of these principles.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.