USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume II > Part 32
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
On January 26. 1871, Mr. Woods was united in marriage with Sallie Paine, the union being blessed with three offspring. Mary E .. Rosa Belle and J. Grace. Mary E. became the wife of James E. Hagey. Rosa B .. who died on July 21, 1904, was the wife of Jeral Boyer.
Politically, Mr. Woods is a Republican and has taken an active part in the campaigns of his party. He was honored by election as county judge. and at the expiration of his first term was re-elected, thus serving two terms. to the eminent satisfaction of the voters of the county. His religious faith is embraced in the creed of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. to which he belongs. Fraternally, he is a member of the time-honored order of Ancient
896
PAST AND PRESENT
Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has taken many degrees. He belongs to the blue lodge of Master Masons, the chapter of Royal Arch Masons and the commandery of Knights Tempiar in the York rite, while in the Scottish rite he has taken all the degrees up to and including the thirty-second, having been the fifth person in Nodaway county to take this exalted degree. He is also a Shriner and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
This sketch should not be closed without reference to the military service of the subject. On August 13, 1862, he enlisted in Company K. One Hundred and Sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served con- tinuously until August, 1865. a period of three years. He proved a valiant and courageous soldier and took part in a number of the most hotly con- tested battles of that great conflict.
ALBERT WILSON.
Among the citizens of Independence township. Nodaway county, Mis- souri, who have attained to a definite measure of success through the exer- cise of the talents of industry, sound judgment and stanch integrity, must be numbered the subject of this sketch, who owns a fine and attractive farm and who is numbered among the representative farmers of his community. Mr. Wilson is a native son of Missouri, having first seen the light of day in Worth county, on November 30. 1867. He is a son of W. A. and Harriet (Sharps) Wilson, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Iowa. When a young man, W. A. Wilson came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and purchased a large tract of land, but, through misfortune, he lost it, and sub- sequently went to the Black Hills, where he successfully carried on extensive mining operations. After remaining in the Black Hills for twenty-five years, he returned to Nodaway county and again bought the land he had formerly owned here, comprising a tract of eight hundred and ten acres. Of this, he has since given to each of his five sons one hundred and twenty acres. He and his wife became the parents of eight children, of whom seven are living. In politics he was aligned with the Democratic party and he and his wife were members of the Christian church. The subject's paternal grandparents were Jerry and Elizabeth (Lockett) Wilson. The latter was born in Bortetourt county, Virginia, on March 2, 1813. and her death oc- curred at Sheridan, this county, on March 13. 1905. at the age of ninety-two years, eight months and ten days. She was a consistent member of the
MR. AND MRS. ALBERT WILSON
897
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Methodist Episcopal church from girlhood. Mr. Wilson died at Sidney, Iowa, about 1882.
Albert Wilson spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and re- ceived the advantage of a good common school education. He was brought to Nodaway county in boyhood and has remained a resident of this county since. He is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of fine land in Independence township, where he carries on general farming operations with pronounced success. He also gives considerable attention to the breeding and raising of livestock, giving special attention to Hereford cattle and Poland China hogs. Practical and progressive in his methods, he keeps in touch with advanced ideas relating to husbandry and stock raising and has gained an enviable reputation among the leading agriculturists of the county. He owns an attractive home, the surroundings of which present a pleasing aspect.
In politics, Mr. Wilson has always supported the Democratic party, while his religious membership is with the Christian church, to which his wife also belongs.
On May 14. 1902. Mr. Wilson married Della Risser, a native of Colo- rado and a daughter of Jacob and Jane Ann (Lock) Risser, who are men- tioned elsewhere in this work in the sketch of Sanford L. Wilson. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born two children, Glennon and Retha, who are at home. In every avenue of life's activities in which he has engaged. Mr. Wilson has performed his full part, having always been deeply interested in whatever tends to promote the prosperity of his township and county and to him as much as to any one man is the community indebted for the material development for which it has long been noted. He has also used his influence in behalf of all moral and benevolent movements. His career has been that of a devoted husband. kind father and upright citizen. in whom the commun- ity reposes the utmost confidence.
COLIN JOHNSTON.
The subject of this sketch has devoted his life mainly to farming. having maintained his home in Nodaway county for over forty years. He has pros- pered and has done much for the upbuilding of the community at large, and as a result of his honorable record, his public spirit and his genial disposition. he has won a position of honor and trust in this county that will be permanent.
(57)
898
PAST AND PRESENT
Colin Johnston was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1857. and is a son of James and Jane ( Maxwell) Johnston. the former having been a native. of Ross county. Ohio, and the latter born in Springfield. West Virginia. In 1863 the family removed to Monticello, Piatt county, Illinois, where they re- mained four years, moving in 1867 to the farm in the northeast part of Nod- away township now owned by the subject of this sketch. The original pur- chase consisted of two hundred and eighty acres of wild land, one hundred acres of which had been broken though not put in cultivation. At that time Maryville was the nearest market and Savannah the nearest railroad point. and from the latter point Mr. Johnston brought his family by team to their new home. On this place James Johnston maintained his residence until his death, which occurred in 1903. He was a hard working man and a successful farmer, having made many permanent and substantial improvements in his farm, which eventually was numbered among the best farms of the township. He was a broad-minded and public-spirited man and took a leading part in local public affairs, though he never sought public office for himself. In his earlier years he had been identified with the Knownothing party, being a man of pronounced views and true to his honest convictions. At the age of seventy- two years he turned his attention to religious thoughts and identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he became an earnest supporter. To James and Jane Johnston were born eight children, of which number three lived to mature years.
Colin Johnston was reared by his parents and secured his education partly in Piatt county, Illinois, where the school was conducted in his father's house, but the major part of his school attendance was at Clearmont, Mis- souri. He has always resided on the home farm, he and the other heirs operat- ing the place conjointly. Mr. Johnston gives considerable attention to the breeding and raising of Poland-China hogs and Durham cattle, which he has found to be a profitable source of income, along with his other farming opera- tions. He is progressive in his methods, keeping in close touch with the most advanced ideas relating to the science of husbandry and is considered a thoroughly up-to-date farmer.
In 1889 Mr. Johnston married Julia Clark, whose death occurred in 189.4 or 1895. To them were born two sons, Elmer C. and one who died in in- fancy. The former remains at home with his father. In matters political. Mr. Johnston is aligned with the Republican party and takes a deep interest in general public events, being a close reader and honest thinker. His relig- ious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is an
899
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
earnest supporter and to which he gives generously of his means. He belongs to that class of citizens who by their support of the moral, political and social status for the general good. promote the real welfare of their respective communities.
C. I. HANN. :
Although well known and highly esteemed, the subject of this sketch is inclined to be averse to any notice savoring of adulation and prefers to let his record rather than the fulsome praise of the chronicler speak for him, and in giving this sketch only facts meriting recognition are adhered to.
C. I. Hann was born at Des Moines, Iowa, on the 13th day of September, 1868, and is a son of John and Nancy (Ramey) Hann. His parents were natives of the state of Ohio, the father being a well driller by trade. and they came to Nodaway county, Missouri, in 1879. on the first train that ar- rived at Burlington Junction on the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy railroad. Mr. Hann here established himself in his regular occupation and was so en- gaged until his retirement from active business. He was a Democrat in politics and, with his wife, belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of six children.
The subject of this sketch received his education in public and private schools at Burlington Junction, and in his young manhood he was employed as stenographer in the law office of M. T. Banley, of Burlington Junction. While is this office he took up the study of law and, after forming a sufficient acquaintance with Kent and Blackstone. he was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-one years. In 1892 Mr. Hann entered the Commercial Bank. at Burlington Junction, which was then located where the First National Bank now is. He served efficiently as assistant cashier of that institution four years, when the Northwestern Bank of Burlington Junction purchased the Commercial Bank, the subject being retained for two years in the position of assistant cashier. Then for a short time he was in Iowa, but in 1900, when the Junction Bank was formed at Burlington Junction. Mr. Hann was chosen cashier. In 1902 this bank became the First National Bank, Mr. Hann re- tained the cashiership of the new institution and being the present incumbent. The bank has enjoyed remarkable prosperity since its reorganization, and much of its success is directly attributed to the sound business judgment and executive ability of its cashier. He is courteous and accommodating in his - dealings with the public and has made many warm friends.
900
PAST AND PRESENT
In 1893 Mr. Hann was united in marriage with Elizabeth White, and they became the parents of four children, Jennie. Dortha, Berry and Ray- mond. Mrs. Hann died in 1898 and in 1908 Mr. Hann married Mrs. Effie F .. Crane, a lady of culture and refinement, and they move in the best social circles of the city of their residence, both being deservedly popular.
Politically. Mr. Hann is aligned with the Democratic party and keeps in touch with the trend of public affairs, though he is not in any sense a seeker after public office himself. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Re- ligiously. he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which they give an earnest and liberal support.
Mr. Hann is known as a man of sterling integrity of word and deed, courteous and a gentleman of the highest address and honor and owing to the fact that he is yet a comparatively young man and has achieved such a position of honor and trust the future augurs good things for him.
LEONARD U. HOUSTON.
The subject of this review is a gentleman of high standing, to whom has not been denied a full measure of success. He is distinctly one of the rep- resentative citizens of Nodaway township, and has long been a recognized factor of importance in connection with the agricultural interests of the county of Nodaway. He is a son of John and Sarah (Orme) Houston, both of whom were natives of the state of Indiana, the former born in 1841 and the latter in 1844. These parents, on coming to Missouri. settled first in the northern part of Nodaway county, being variously employed, and subsequently the father entered forty acres of land, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his attention. following farming during the rest of his life. About 1870 he located on a farm northeast of Burlington Junction, where he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, though his total hold- ings eventually amounted to between five hundred and six hundred acres. He carried on general farming and stock raising, and met with gratifying suc- cess in both lines. Much of the land he purchased was wild prairie land at the time, and this he improved and erected good farm buildings thereon. To him and his wife were born five children, four of whom were reared to mature years. Politically, he was a stanch adherent of the Republican party. in the success of which he always took an active interest, though never aspir-
90I
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
ing to hold office. In religion, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he gave an earnest support. He had two brothers in the army during the Civil war, one of whom, Robert, was killed in battle. Mr. Houston died in 1907 : his wife had preceded him to the silent land a number of years, her death occurring in August, 1871.
Leonard U. Houston was born in Nodaway township, this county, on March 7, 1869, and was reared by his parents. He attended the common schools, and then took a business course in Tarkio College, where he graduated in January, 1890. He was then a student in Stanbury College, but did not complete his course there. On attaining mature years he took upon himself the burden of the farm work and he since devoted himself to that line of effort. He is not a specialist, but raises all the crops common to this section of the country, and also feeds some livestock for the market, giving special attention to Poland-China hogs. He is progressive in his ideas and keeps in touch with advanced ideas relating to farming and stock: raising, thus insuring a maximum of success. His place is well improved and its general appearance reflects great credit on the owner.
In January, 1897. Mr. Houston was united in marriage to Elithe C. Winemiller, of Worth county, this state, and to them have been born the following children : Harold J., born in November. 1897, died in the follow- ing December: Elsie H., born in January, 1899: Mary A., born in October, 1901 : Mabel C., November, 1903 : Lois F., April, 1905: Ruth .A., November, 1906; Hubert Arthur, July, 1908: Helen E., August. 1909.
Politically, Mr. Houston is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, in the success of which he is deeply interested. while his religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church. He is essentially public-spirited and he is found in support of all movements which promise to benefit the con- munity in any legitimate way. He enjoys a wide acquaintance and is well liked by all who know him.
JOHN HALASEY.
The old Empire state has furnished many of its best citizens to the newer localities of the West and Middle West, and Missouri-rightly alluded to in this age as the Empire state of the West-has received her full quota of these enterprising citizens from New York. They, as a rule, have assisted very materially in the development of whatever community they have chosen as their place of abode, have become home builders and have been welcomed in all sections.
902
PAST AND PRESENT
Among this vast horde of progressive citizens the name of John Hal- asey should be included, as we shall see by a study of his career. He was born in Rochester, New York, October 20, 1857, and is now a resident of Polk township. Nodaway county, Missouri. He is the son of John and Jo- hannah (Brennan) Halasey, both natives of Ireland, from which country they came to America when young. finally making their way into the interior to Nodaway county, Missouri, and they settled in Polk township, where the father died about 1882.
To the elder Halasey and wife six children were born, of whom John, of this review, was the fifth in order of birth, being born in what is now Rochester, New York. When thirteen years old he accompanied his par- ents to Nodaway county, Missouri, and has resided here ever since, having taken part in the many radical changes of the locality during his citizenship here of forty years. Mr. Halasey has devoted his life exclusively to farming and success has attended his efforts. He has eighty acres of well-improved land on which is a good home.
Mr. Halasey was married in Maryville, on August 30. 1891. to Carrie E. Swinford, who was born in Polk township, this county, October 24, 1872. She is the daughter of James and Angeline E. (Lee) Swinford, and re- ceived a certificate to teach when just fifteen years old, and taught school in Nodaway county for several years. The mother died in Independence town- ship. September 7. 1897. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Swin- ford, of whom Mrs. Halasey was the third in order of birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Halasey eight children were born, seven of whom survive, named as follows: Nellie J .. Mary C., Anna M., James C., Francis R .; Angeline J. died in her fifth year ; Leo J. and Paul A.
Mr. Halasey is a Democrat in politics and he takes a great deal of inter- est in all matters of importance relating to his county. He is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic church at Maryville. At one time he was elected county assessor, but did not serve : he was also elected justice of the peace, but did not serve in that capacity either.
ARTHUR ALLAN LEET.
Among the successful, energetic young men of Nodaway county whose efforts and influence have contributed to the material upbuilding and gen- eral business activity of their respective communities, the gentleman of whom the biographer writes in this connection occupies a conspicuous place. Being
903
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
ambitious from the first, he has accepted and overcome all discouraging situations without a murmur and, resolutely facing the future, gradually sur- mounted the difficulties in his way and has risen to a prominent position in the industrial circles of Nodaway county, besides winning the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has been brought into contact.
Mr. Leet was born in Elmwood, Illinois, September 22, 1875, and is the son of John M. and Sarah J. (Tucker) Leet, the father having been born in Connecticut in 1834. He farmed at his old New England home until eighteen years of age, when he followed the advice of the great editor of his period, Horace Greeley, and struck out for the West, and settled near Elm- wood, Illinois, and went into the stock brokerage business. He went to Chi- cago in 1876 and established himself in the commission business, and there he became prominent in trade circles, being president of the Chicago Board of Trade for many years, the affairs of which he managed in a very able and satisfactory manner. By the exercise of excellent business qualities he ac- cumulated a competency, and in 1881 purchased a farm of eight hundred acres in Polk township, Nodaway county, Missouri, and stocked it with thoroughbred race horses, and he became known as one of the leading horse- men of northwestern Missouri, his fine stock taking numerous prizes and winning several important races all over the United States. He sold a num- ber of high-priced horses, some of which were sent to England and France. He was active in business in Chicago in 1900.
Fraternally, Mr. Leet was a thirty-second-degree Mason; a Congrega- tionalist in religious matters and politically a Republican; he was also a member of several large clubs. He was a genial, forceful character whom to know was to respect and admire. In 1860 he married Sarah J. Tucker, who was born in the state of New York in 1838, the daughter of a sterling old family of that state. This union resulted in the birth of children named as follows: Horace F., Fred T., Arthur A. (of this review) and Mary L., wife of C. L. Gaim, all of Maryville.
Arthur A. Leet was educated in the Chicago schools, graduating from the high school there in 1892, and then attended the University of Illinois for two years. He came to his father's farm in Nodaway county, Missouri, in 1894, and worked there until 1899. He then opened a feed store in Mary- ville, which he conducted one year; then, in partnership with W. H. Hudson, he opened a hardware store, which they successfully conducted for a period of four years, during which time they built up a large trade with the town and surrounding county. In the meantime he acquired a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Nebraska, and, selling out
+06
PAST AND PRESENT
his hardware store, he went to farming. In October, 1908, he opened a china store in Maryville, which he has continued in a very successful manner and is enjoying an increasing trade, having a neat and well-arranged store, care- fully stocked with a complete line of china, cut glass, queensware, wall paper, picture frames, stationery, sporting goods, magazines and postal cards.
Politically, Mr. Leet is a Republican, and he was councilman from the third ward two years, being president of the council during that time, and he made a very commendable record in the same. Religiously, he is a Methodist, and he belongs to the Masons, having attained the thirtieth de- gree ; he is a member of the chapter, also, and he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Leet was married on August 13, 1902, to Caroline Anderson, a native of Ohio. She was born on June 12, 1876.
ROBESON CRAVEN.
Fame may look to the clash of resounding arms for its heroes ; history's pages may be filled with a record of the deeds of the great who have de- stroyed kingdoms and created dynasties: the poet may sing the short and simple annals of the poor; but there have been few to sound the praise of the brave and sturdy pioneer who, among the truly great and noble, is cer- tainly deserving of at least a little space in the category of the immortals. To him more than to any other is civilization indebted for the brightest jewel in its diadem, for it was he that blazed the way and acted as van- guard for the mighty army of progress that within the last half century has transformed Missouri into one of the fairest and most enlightened of the American commonwealth's domains. Among these early comers must be numbered the members of the Craven family, who have been potential factors in the development of the resources of this favored section of the state.
Robeson Craven, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, on August 16, 1853, and is a son of An- derson and Frances (Gilliland) Craven. Anderson Craven, who was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, on November 26, 1816, was the son of Thompson Craven. On attaining mature years he took up farming in his na- tive state, and also operated a distillery, until 1855. when he brought his family to western Iowa. There he entered upon agricultural pursuits, but a year later he came to Nodaway county, locating on a fine farm of four
905
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
hundred and eighty acres in Polk township, where he remained until his death. He was a man of fine personal qualities and was an enterprising, hard-working and successful farmer, giving also considerable attention to the handling of livestock, in both of which lines he became widely known. His death occurred on March 31, 1894. Politically, he was a stanch Demo- crat, while in religious faith he was a member of the Christian church.
On April 27, 1843, in North Carolina, he was married to Frances Gilli- land, who was born October 16, 1820, and died April 17, 1903. They be- came the parents of eight children, of whom seven are living.
Robeson Craven was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the country schools. At the age of twenty-one years he en- tered upon the active duties of life on his own account, buying one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in Polk township, Nodaway county, and enter- ing at once on its improvement and cultivation. He had had good practical experience under the wise direction of his father, and he gave to his work a thoughtful and intelligent direction and a persistent and well-applied energy which insured his success from the start. Besides carrying on a general line of farming, he also devoted considerable attention to the raising and handling of livestock, with marked success. He followed these pursuits actively until 1903, when, having accumulated a fair share of this world's goods, and having given about thirty years of earnest labor to the tilling of the soil, he relinquished the hard work of the farm and moved into Mary- ville, where he is now enjoying that rest which he had so richly earned. Aside from his farm, which is a valuable asset, he has other interests, being a stockholder in the Bank of Ravenwood, one of the solid and influential financial institutions of Nodaway county.
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.