USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume II > Part 29
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ERNEST BOYER.
The life of Mr. Boyer has been one of unceasing industry and perse- verance, and the systematic and honorable methods which he has followed have won for him the unbounded confidence of his fellow-citizens of Nod- away county. Ernest Boyer was born in Williams county, Ohio, in July, 1864, and is a son of David and Harriett (Schieffer) Boyer, the former a native of Huntington county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of southern Ohio. David Boyer was born on November 13, 1831, and was a son of John and Margaret (Shontz) Boyer, natives of Huntington county. Pennsylvania, where the father followed blacksmithing from boyhood. He remained there until 1835, when he removed to Ashland county, Ohio, and there continued to work at his trade. From there he moved in 1851 to Williams county, the same state, where his death occurred in 1888. his wife having died in 1883. They were the parents of thirteen children, of which number twelve grew to years of maturity. David Boyer was reared by his parents and re- ceived his education in the schools of Ashland and Williams counties, Ohio. He later engaged in teaching school to a limited extent, and eventually took up farming in Williams county, where he had bought eighty acres of good land. Subsequently he traded that for sixty acres of land more highly improved, which he operated until 1888, when he sold out and removed to Missouri, locating in Lincoln township. Nodaway county, where he bought
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eighty acres of land. He still owns this land, though he has retired from active labor and is now living retired in the attractive little city of Burling- ton Junction, to which he removed in 1899. Politically, he is a Republican, and while living in Ohio was several times chosen to fill official positions. serving as township assessor four years, justice of the peace six years and township trustee. Religiously, he is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In October, 1855, Mr. Boyer married Harriett Schieffer, and to them were born the following children: Ida Alice. of Los Angeles, California ; Herman Henry, of Pensacola, Florida ; Mary Margaret, of Ver- non City, Missouri: Bertha Rebecca, of Long Beach, California: Ernest. the immediate subject of this sketch: Edith, who lives near Elmo. Missouri : John T., of Nodaway township, this county; Adeline Elizabeth, who lives south of Burlington Junction: Silas D., who lives on the home farm: Ger- ald, of this county; Amy, of Burlington Junction ; Lestie, of Howell county, Missouri. This large family circle has never been broken by the hand of death, and all of the children are occupying honored and respected posi- tions in life.
Ernest Boyer was reared to the life of a farmer and is indebted to the common schools for his education. On attaining mature years he took up farming in his native state, remaining the most of the time with his father. In March, 1889. he came to Nodaway county. Missouri. locating in Lincoln township, where he was engaged in raising corn for Judge Enos Fast for one year. He then bought eighty acres of land two miles south of Elmo, which he operated two years and then sold this place and bought one hun- dred and forty acres of land situated five miles east of Bradyville, to which he subsequently added eighty acres more. He remained there until 1905. when he changed his base of operations to a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres located one and a half miles east of Burlington Junction. In 1907 he bought eighty acres known as the Bert Kester place, which he sold in August of the same year. He then bought the William Davis farm of eighty acres adjoining his farm at Burlington Junction, making his total holdings two hundred and forty acres. He energetically applied himself to the tilling of the soil until 1908, when he bought good residence property in Burlington Junction and has since resided there, in order to provide his children with superior school privileges. In addition to the general farm work which he has carried on, Mr. Boyer has also given much attention to the feeding of livestock for the market. and is now extensively engaged in the buying and shipping of stock, in which he is quite successful, being a good judge of animals on the hoof.
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In 1886 Mr. Boyer was married to Hannah Maltby, who was a native of England, being at the age of three years brought to America by her parents, who located in Williams county, Ohio, where she grew to woman- hood. To Mr. and Mrs. Boyer have been born the following children: Ray Herman, who is a farmer east of Burlington Junction, married Elma Nich- olas, and they have one child. Ralph Nicholas; Bertha R., Harry B., Ruth E., Dewey Ernest and Beatrice M., who remain at home with their parents.
Politically, Mr. Boyer renders a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, and he gives his unreserved support to every movement having for its object the advancement of the best interests of the entire community. He is a gentleman of sound views on public questions and is considered a man of good judgment and excellent discrimination. Because of his estimable qualities he is held in high esteem throughout the community.
O. F. WILSON.
Each man who strives to fulfill his mission in life is deserving of recog- nition, whatever may be his field of endeavor, and it is the function of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record con- cerning those represented in its pages whose lives are worthy of emulation. like that of the subject of this sketch.
O. F. Wilson is a native of the state of Iowa, having first seen the light of day in Bremer county in 1860. He is the son of J. E. and Elizabeth (McElroy) Wilson, both of whom are natives of Ohio, but who in an early day removed from that state to Illinois, subsequently removing to Bremer county. Iowa, where the father successfully carried on agricultural pursuits. In the spring of 1866 the family came to Nodaway county, locating near where now stands the thriving town of Burlington Junction. Buying a tract of land, the father there carried on farming operations until seven or eight years ago, and then retired from active labor. He was energetic and progres- sive and at one time operated nine hundred acres of land. to which he gave his entire attention, carrying on general farming and stock feeding.
To J. E. and Elizabeth Wilson were born six children, of whom four are living. Politically. Mr. Wilson is a Democrat. Fraternally. he is an apprecia- tive member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
O. F. Wilson was reared on the parental farmstead and secured his preliminary education in the public schools, supplementing this by attendance at the Maryville Academy, under Prof. A. D. Workman. During the fol-
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lowing three years he was engaged in teaching school, in which he was suc- cessful, but he wisely concluded that the life of a farmer offered better oppor- tunities for a young man of energy and ambition, and he took up the opera- tion of the home farm. He now operates about six hundred acres of his own in partnership with his father, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and also gives considerable attention to the feeding of stock. meeting with a gratifying measure of success in both lines of effort. In 1904 Mr. Wilson removed to the town of Burlington Junction, where he is now residing, though still giving due attention to his landed interests. He has been thoroughly practical and up-to-date in his methods and has kept closely in touch with the most advanced ideas relating to the science of husbandry, being considered one of the leading farmers of his section of the county.
In 1892 Mr. Wilson was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Ada B. Kester, formerly of Marcellus, Michigan, and they have become the par- ents of one son, Harry Turner.
In his political views Mr. Wilson is in accord with the platform of the Democratic party and takes an intelligent interest in the trend of current public affairs, though not a seeker after public office. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, in which he has attained to the degrees of Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar in the York rite, being also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a man of genial personality, makes friends easily. and is esteemed highly by all who know him.
CHARLES D. CALDWELL.
Among the up-to-date farmers of Nodaway county, who are carrying on diversified farming in a successful manner and at the same time more firmly establishing a reputation for honorable living among his neighbors. is Charles D. Caldwell, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, February 4, 1857. the son of Edwin and Martha J. (Davis) Caldwell, both born in Ross county, Ohio. The paternal grandparents. Smiley and Anna Eve ( Ritenour) Caldwell. were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively, the former born in 1805 and the latter in 1792, Mrs. Caldwell coming to Ross county, Ohio, in an early day. The maternal grandparents, H. and Elizabeth (Strong) Davis, were both reared in Ohio, from which state they moved to Missouri in 1859,
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locating on a farm where Burlington Junction now stands. Later, Mr. Davis sold this farm to Edwin Caldwell and Wm. H. Davis, the former the father of Charles D. of this review. The subject later bought the place and, together with William H. Davis, laid out the town of Burlington Junction.
Mr. Caldwell was educated in Ohio, attending the common schools in his native vicinity and later attended Ohio Wesleyan College, receiving a good education : he then took up farming and moved to Missouri in February, 1879. devoting his attention to this line of work up to. that time.
Mr. Caldwell married, in December. 1881. Mary A. Jones, of Burling- ton Junction, the daughter of Fletcher and Mary A. ( Ring) Jones, natives of Ross county. Ohio, and in 1871 they moved to Burlington Junction, where they have since made their home. In July of the year in which Mr. Cald- well came to Nodaway county, the town of Burlington Junction was laid out and both railroads were built through here at that time. Aside from real estate, Mr. Caldwell has given most of his attention to farming and stock raising, operating five hundred and fifty acres of as choice land as the county affords. located just north of Burlington Junction, owning in all two thou- sand and seventy acres. He keeps his land well improved in every respect. being well tilled and so skillfully managed as to produce abundant crops from year to year. With his son, under the firm name of C. D. Caldwell & Son. he is a breeder of Polled-Angus cattle: aside from this line, the senior Caldwell is a general farmer and stock raiser. His stock is admired by all who see it. he being an exceptionally good judge of all kinds of livestock, especially cattle. He purchased an interest in the First National Bank at Burlington Junction in January, 1907. and became president of the same, and much of the prestige of this solid and conservatively managed institution is due to his wise counsel and judicious management.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell. Edwin F. and Charles H., both living at home. Edwin spent three years in the Missouri State University, taking an agricultural course. together with extra work. He then attended the University of Illinois two years, graduating from the agricultural department of that institution, standing high in his class. Charles H. has completed the course in the Burlington high school. They each give promise of bright business careers.
Politically. Mr. Caldwell is a Republican, but he has never been an aspir- ant to political honors, being too busy with individual affairs. He is a man whose word is regarded by everyone who knows him best as being as good as his note. In all the relations of life he has been found faithful to every trust reposed in him and because of his sterling worth. courteous manners, liberal-
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ity. pleasing address and his honesty he has won and retained the friendship of the people of Nodaway county and they are unstinted in their praise of his splendid business ability and reproachless character, his hospitality and for the good he has done in building up the township in general. In their beauti- ful home Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are often hosts to the best people of the county and always pleasant and kindly disposed to the less fortunate with whom they come in contact. thus meriting. winning and retaining the good will and admiration of all classes.
DANIEL HOUSER MCFARLAND.
It is stern philosophy, but true, that in the colossal spot called the world, failure and success are not accidents, but strict justice. The world is a buffer. set up for mankind to hit. A man strikes it with all his might : his mark may be twenty thousand a year, a seat in the senate, a name in law, literature. science, or art. but in almost every instance his mark will be accurately de- termined by the force or the skill with which the blow is struck. Into the world a man brings this personality and his biography simply catalogues its results. There is here inscribed the record of a gentleman in whose life is illustrated some of the reflections which are here indulged. a young, active and energetic newspaper publisher, Daniel Houser McFarland, who is the moving spirit behind the Maryville Daily Republican, one of the brightest and best of northern Missouri papers ; who, among his professional brethren, is noted for his thorough knowledge of the laws governing journalism and the publishing business. not only of their great underlying principles, but also of the niceties and exacting details, and for his faculty of clearly presenting through regular news channels questions and problems of vital import to the people.
Mr. McFarland was born in Butler, Missouri. April 7. 1880, the son of James and Caroline (Houser) McFarland. the former born in St. Clair county, Illinois, in 1846. the son of Capt. James McFarland. The latter organized a company during the Civil war and took it to the front, where he did excellent service for the Union for a time, but died of fever on the field of Shiloh. James McFarland has devoted, in this and his native state, with no small degree of success, most of his life to agricultural pursuits, farming in St. Clair county, Illinois, until 1878, when he came to Butler, Missouri. and there resumed this line of work. In 1886 he purchased the electric
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plant there and for two years operated the same. In 1888 he went to Kansas City and engaged in the grocery business, but is now a commission merchant. He is a Republican and a Methodist. He and Catherine Houser were married in 1867, in St. Clair county, Illinois, and this union resulted in the birth of six children.
Daniel H. McFarland was educated in the public schools at Kansas City, graduating from the Central high school in 1900, after which he took a course at the University of Missouri, graduating in 1905 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Early in life he decided to devote his attention exclusively to journalism and he has been unusually successful in this line of endeavor. He first worked on the Daily Tribune at Columbia, Missouri. for a period of two years, giving eminent satisfaction as city editor. In 1907 he came to Maryville as editor of the Daily Republican. He took stock in the company and is now president and treasurer of the Maryville Publishing Company. which he has managed in such a judicious manner as to greatly increase its prestige as a news and advertising medium, improved it not only in the quality of its news service but also in mechanical appearance and its circula- tion is being rapidly extended.
During the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis in 1904. Mr. McFarland was employed in the press bureau, and during his vacations he worked on the Kansas City papers, thus furthering his knowledge of repor- torial work. Politically he is a Republican, a Mason and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in religious matters. he is a Methodist. He is trustee of the library board.
J. A. BARR.
The subject of this sketch, who, during his lifetime, enjoyed the un- bounded confidence and respect of all who knew him, was a native of York county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1854, and he was a son of John and Leah (Brown) Barr. These parents were both born in Pennsylvania. and were there reared, educated and married. In 1857 the family removed to Illinois, where the father operated a farm. later following the same calling in Stark county. In 1880 they came to Lincoln township, Nodaway county. Missouri, and located on a farm, where the parents spent the remainder of their earthly life. the father dying in January, 1884, and the mother in August, 1905. They were the parents of eight children. six of whom they
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reared to maturity. The oldest of these. William, was a member of the One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, mounted, and was captured and confined in Andersonville prison, where his death occurred. The father of these children was a Democrat in politics and a member of the United Brethren church.
J. A. Barr received his elementary education in the public schools of Stark county, Illinois, after which he took a business course in Northwestern College. at Libbyville, graduating in 1874. after which he took one term in the scientific department of the same school, being thus well qualified by education to take up the active duties of life. On leaving school he applied himself to agriculture as a life vocation. In 1880 he came with his father to Nodaway county and located in Lincoln township, where he lived until 1909. when he came to Burlington Junction, where he now resides. He is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of good land, lying half each in Atchison and Nodaway townships. He there carried on general farming, giving special attention to the feeding of cattle and hogs.
In 1879 he was united in marriage to Sarah A. Kendig, of Libbyville, Illinois, the daughter of C. and Julia A. (Dunlap) Kendig, and to this union have been born the following children: John C., who is now engaged in operating the home farm in Lincoln township; Fannie, the wife of Frank Potts, a farmer in Green township, this county ; Nellie R., the wife of William Guyette, of Burlington Junction, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Bessie J., deceased.
Politically, Mr. Barr is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and he takes an intelligent interest in local public affairs, though he has never been induced to run for office. Religiously, he is a member of the United Brethren church, to which he gives an earnest support. He is a man of fine personal qualities and because of his upright life and genial disposition he has won and retains the warm personal esteem of all who know him.
WILLIAM GUYETTE.
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There is little that interests one more than to observe how different men begin and continue the duties of life. Some commence in hesitation and seem to hesitate at every obstacle they encounter. Other begin boldly, but after a time show by some defect in execution, that they have not properly mastered their tasks. Still others commence with steady grasp-of the situa-
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tion and show by their subsequent accomplishments that they have compassed the problem of life: to the last class success always comes and they are the men to leave behind them good names and large properties honorably won in life's struggle.
William Guyette was born in Ogdensburg. New York, in April, 1874, and at the early age of four years he was bereft of his parents by death. In this situation he was placed in an orphans' home in New York city, where he remained three years, at the end of which time he was sent to Burlington Junction. Nodaway county, Missouri, and placed with William Johnson, by whom he was reared. His educational privileges were somewhat limited and he early became inured to the labors of the farm, at which work he was em- ployed until attaining mature years. He then engaged in farming on his own account on an eighty-acre tract six miles west of Burlington Junction. Here he was engaged successfully in general farming for about six years, excepting two years when he engaged in the same line in Colorado. In 1908 Mr. Guy- ette came to Burlington Junction and has since given his attention mainly to buying and selling stock, principally horses. He is a splendid judge of equine flesh and enjoys a widespread reputation as a successful horseman. He owns an imported Belgian stallion, also a thoroughbred Percheron stallion and a fine Kentucky jack. He handled horses to a considerable extent before leav- ing the farm and is thoroughly qualified in his line. and. furthermore, he is absolutely to be trusted with a commission to buy, as his qualifications as a judge of horses and his absolute honesty in every transaction are unques- tioned. He enjoys a large patronage and is numbered among the successful men of Nodaway township.
On April 20, 1904. Mr. Guyette was united in marriage with Nellie Barr. a daughter of J. A. and Sarah (Kendig) Barr, whose sketch appears else- where in this work, and their union has been blessed in the birth of two children. John William and Mildred Esther. Politically. Mr. Guyette is a Republican and is serving acceptably as a member of the township board. His religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he gives a generous support. In every relation of life, Mr. Guyette has ex- hibited those qualities which insure success in any undertaking-indefatigable industry, wise application and sterling honesty-and today no one in the com- munity enjoys to a more marked degree the confidence and respect of all who know him.
William Johnson, with whom Mr. Guyette lived until he was twenty- one years of age. was born in Ross county, Ohio, in March, 1818, and was a son of George and Nancy ( Johnson) Johnson. These parents were natives
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of Virginia, who came to Ross county. Ohio, in 1799. spending the rest of their days on the farm on which they located there. They were the parents of fifteen children, of which number eleven grew to maturity. William Johnson received his education in the common schools of his native county and was reared to the life of a farmer. In October. 1863, he came to Missouri and located south of where Burlington Junction now is. He at first secured two hundred and forty acres of wild land, which he improved and developed into a splendid farm. He devoted his attention to general farming and fruit growing. in both of which he was successful.
In March. 1844, in Ross county. Ohio, Mr. Johnson married Elizabeth Jones, of that county, and they became the parents of the following children : John enlisted as a member of Company H., Eighteenth Regiment Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, during the Civil war, and was captured and confined in the notorious Andersonville prison, where he died: Nancy: Rachael. deceased. was the wife of George T. Gibbs : Emma, at home : Genevieve, deceased, was the wife of James Westfall; Zeffrina, at home; Henry. of the San Luis val- ley, Colorado; Anna died in infancy.
Religiously, Mr. Johnson was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as were the members of his family. His political affiliation was with the Republican party. Mr. Johnson died in November. 1887. his death being considered a distinct loss to the community in which he had lived.
ISAAC W. COLER.
The old Buckeye state has furnished myriads of enterprising citizens to the newer sections of the United States which they have reclaimed from a primitive state and placed on an equality with the older East : these men are true empire builders, fearless and seldom quail at obstacles, the spirit of the early pioneers still dominating them and furnishing the incentives whereby they have gone out into the world and done things worth while.
Of this vast number. Isaac W. Coler, a farmer of Hughes township, Nodaway county, is worthy of special mention in this connection. He was born in Pike county. Ohio, February 4. 1868. and he is the son of Henry and Matilda ( Williams) Coler. both natives of Ohio. They grew to maturity there, were educated in the early schools and were married there. They came to Nodaway county, Missouri, in the early seventies and settled three and one-half miles west of Maryville where they lived several years and then
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moved to Rooks county. Kansas, and lived there about four and one-half years and then returned to Nodaway county and settled in the south part of White Cloud township where Mrs. Coler died, October 25, 1904, when up- wards of seventy years of age. Mr. Coler survives at an advanced age. Six children constituted their family, of which number Isaac, of this review, is the fourth in order of birth. He lived at home, assisting with the general duties about the place. until he was twenty-four years of age, attending the common schools in the meantime.
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