USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume II > Part 36
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 March 15, 1893, Mr. Grundy was united in marriage with Cora A. Martin, the daughter of Griffin Martin, and to them have been born seven children, Cleo, Leland, Marie, Mildred, Edith, Dorothy and Otho, all of whom are living at home with their parents, the older ones attending school.
Politically, Mr. Grundy is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and takes an active and intelligent interest in public affairs, though not in any
936
PAST AND PRESENT
sense a seeker after public office. Fraternally, he is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. His religious connection is with the Methodist Episcopal church and he takes a live interest in the advance- ment of the various activities of that society. Personally, Mr. Grundy is friendly and genial and makes friends easily, enjoying the confidence and es- teem of the entire community, where he is widely known.
ยท WILLIAM CLARK WOOD, V. S.
It requires almost as much painstaking effort and as much innate ability to become a successful veterinary surgeon as it does to equip one's self for a general medical practitioner, and he who gains a name in this profession is unquestionably the possessor of strong characteristics. No more success- ful or better known veterinary is to be found in Nodaway and adjoining counties than William Clark Wood, whose record is herewith set forth in brief outline, but sufficient to show that he is eminently deserving of a high rank among his fellow practitioners of the state. He was born on October 30. 1864, at Ringgold, Morgan county, Ohio, and is the son of Dr. Charles S. and Sarah E. (Barnhard) Wood. The great-grandfather, Aaron Wood, who was a Pennsylvanian by birth, was a veterinary surgeon, and his wife practiced midwifery, being a graduate and having a diploma. She was Elizabeth Stanley before her marriage; she was an excellent horsewoman and a good rider, being able to mount any colt and ride anywhere. She was also a well known root and herb doctor, and she had many calls and a wide practice. Often. at the dead of night, she would be compelled to ride eight or nine miles, often over very bad roads, to see a patient. Fre- quently she was compelled to travel a rambling pathway through the woods in lieu of a road, but she was a brave and ingenious woman of the old-time pioneer type that delighted in overcoming all obstacles. In the fall of 1834 she rode to Belmont county, Ohio, on a visit and while there took sick and never reached home again. She and her husband were highly esteemed and widely known, being leading people of their community.
Grandfather Zachariah Wood was also born in the state of Pennsyl- vania, the date of his birth being December 11, 1800. When six years old he was brought to Ohio, the family settling in Belmont county, and there he grew to maturity and in 1826 married Ruth Gadd, to which union three children were born. He practiced veterinary surgery, having begun the
937
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
same when a lad of only ten years. He became a man of influence in his locality, and his death occurred on August 17, 1874. Ruth Gadd was born March 2, 1808, in the state of Virginia within four miles of Wheeling. Her father, William Gadd, was born in Scotland, from which country he emi- grated to the United States and settled in Maryland in 1773, and in 1775 he enlisted in the patriot army, serving through the entire Revolutionary struggle, or loyally bore arms for our flag for eight years. His death oc- curred in 1835. After the war he returned to Maryland and in 1784 married Mary Stevens, and he lived there until 1801, during which time nine children were born to them. On the last date mentioned he moved to Virginia, locating about four miles from Wheeling, and there three more children were born to them, making a family of twelve children. Their mother, Mary (Stevens) Gadd, departed this life in 1817.
Dr. Charles S. Wood, father of Dr. William C. Wood. of this review, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, June 26, 1834. and when only eleven years old he began the practice of veterinary surgery and has made this profession his chief life work, having been eminently successful in the same, a practitioner for a period of sixty-five years. When he reached maturity he married Sarah Emily Barnhard, who was born on July 14, 1840, in Morgan county, Ohio, and there she grew to maturity, marrying Dr. Wood on Oc- tober 24, 1858. To this union six children were born, namely : John M .. Zachariah W., William C., Joseph C., Ruth E. and Oscar O.
Dr. William C. Wood was educated in the common schools in Ringgold, Ohio. Deciding to continue the practice of veterinary surgery, that his ancestors had taken up long ago and had been so successful in, he began studying under his father, and later attended the McDonald School of Vet- erinary in Columbus, Ohio, where he made a splendid record. He began practicing at Ringgold, that state, and continued there eight years. during which time he had an extensive practice. In 1893 he went to Elliott, Iowa, where he remained two years. In 1895 he came to Maryville, Missouri. and practiced with his usual success until 1904, then returned to Elliott, Iowa, where he remained until 1909, in which year he returned to Mary- ville, where he is now located and is enjoying a large patronage.
Doctor Wood married Anna E. Wilson on March 10, 1888; she lived in Malta, Ohio, and is of an excellent family of the Buckeye state. Two children have been born of this union, Scott S. and John S., both attending school.
Politically Dr. Wood is a Republican and in religious matters is a Methodist.
938
PAST AND PRESENT
BENJAMIN VANCE PRATHER.
The Prather family, which is extensively mentioned in other parts of this work, has long been one of the best known and most widely esteemed in Nodaway county, and one of the most popular, whole-hearted and whole-souled members of this family of a past generation was Benjamin Vance Prather, who has been summoned to close his earthly accounts and take up his journey to "that undiscovered bourne" of which Shakespeare wrote, leaving behind him many who sorrowed because one of such amiable traits should be called away early in life.
Mr. Prather was born in Maryville, Missouri, July 17, 1875, and was the son of James B. and Emma Frances ( Holt) Prather. The father was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, April 6, 1834, and was the son of Col. I. N. and Marie (Prater) Prather, mention of whom is made in the sketch of Mr. Baker. James B. Prather was reared on a farm in White Cloud township, and he assisted his father in the general work of the same, attending the neighboring schools. He very early began manifesting an in- terest in the political affairs of his county, and when only twenty-two years old was elected sheriff and three years later was elected circuit clerk, filling both positions with much credit. In 1866 he went into the drug business and enjoyed a reputation of being the leading druggist in northwestern Missouri. He was also extensively interested in stock breeding, owning a large ranch in Nodaway county on which he bred some of the best race horses in the past two or three decades, and became known as one of the leading authori- ties on horses in this part of the state. His death occurred on February 23, 1891. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He married Emma Holt, of this county, on November 16, 1873, and to this union four children were born, two of whom are living at this writing, namely: Elizabeth was born October 19, 1879: Mary is the wife of Francis Oakes, of Boston, Massa- chusetts : Benjamin Vance, of this review, and Elizabeth.
Benjamin Vance Prather was educated in the Maryville schools and spent his youth in much the same manner as other contemporary young men of his community. being popular with a wide circle of friends, and he spent his life in Maryville, his death, however, occurring in St. Louis whither he had been taken to a hospital in December, 1909, suffering from a complica- tion of diseases. Failing to. rally from an operation, his death occurred on January 26. 1910, at the age of thirty-four years. He bore his suffering with courage and fortitude.
939
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Mr. Prather was married on January 4, 1905, to Gertrude O'Riley, daughter of Patrick C. and Martha K. O'Riley, a well known family of Maryville, and to this union one child was born, Elizabeth. His wife and child survive him, living in Maryville; also his two sisters, mentioned above. His mother died in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sunday, April 17, 1910.
Mr. Prather was prominent in lodge circles and he sought to carry the altruistic precepts taught by the following orders, to which he belonged, into his daily life among his fellow men : Masonic, consistory of Western Mis- souri, Scottish rite of Kansas City ; Moila Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. St. Joseph ; St. Joseph Council, No. 9. Royal and Select Masters, St. Joseph: Maryville Commandery, No. 40, Knights Templar ; Owens Chapter, No. 96, Royal Arch Masons : Maryville Lodge, No. 165, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; also Tancred Lodge, No. 84, Knights of Pythias. and Maryville Lodge, No. 760, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
ADOLPH F. LIPPMAN.
One of the most enterprising of Maryville's business men and best known citizens of Nodaway county is Adolph F. Lippman, who is an Ameri- can by adoption only, but just as loyal to our institutions as any native-born son. His birth occurred in Hanover province. Germany, on February 27. 1855, and he is the son of George and Gesina Lippman, both natives of the Fatherland, where they spent their lives, George Lippman having engaged in the cooperage business ; he and his wife both died about ten years ago.
Adolph F. Lippman came to America when twelve years of age and he first worked on a steamboat on the Ohio river, later learning the cabinet- makers' trade, at which he worked until 1880. In 1875 he came to Mary- ville where he continued the same line of work, building up an excellent patronage. On May 1, 1880, he opened a saloon and a cafe on West Fourth street, just west of the Maryville National Bank, and was successful from the first. February 1. 1889, he opened "The Oak." which he has managed ever since, enjoying a very liberal patronage. In 1906 Mr. Lippman, in company with six others, organized the Turner Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. Lippman is now the largest stockholder, and its increasing success is due in most part to his judicious management. Here is manu- factured the famous "Perfection Halter Leads," which represents the fea-
940
PAST AND PRESENT
ture and foundation of their "Perfection" line of rope goods, which are second to none in the land and which sell readily all over the country.
This specific article represents a complete piece of rope in its original length. It differs from the ordinary rope in that it has not been cut, has no ends to unravel, has no wire ring or fasteners to prevent unraveling or to injure the hands. Both ends being perfect, one could not unravel it, how- ever hard he might try. "Perfection" rope is made of one unbroken strand of long fiber rope yarn or twine which is drawn back and forth in the No. 16 size until sixteen strands, and in No. 24 until twenty-four strands, and in No. 32 until thirty-two strands are drawn, when the whole is twisted into a finished piece of rope, which is complete and ready to attach to the ring in the halter. Halter leads are coming in great demand in every store where rope is sold, since they meet the demand for a halter rope, which is so often called for and so unsatisfactorily made by cutting a piece of rope from a coil and fastening a wire ring around one end and then braiding the other into the halter ring or tying in with a knot. With Perfection Leads there is no shrink, no overweight, making a certain profit to the merchant, and gives universal satisfaction.
Mr. Lippman is loyal in his support of the Catholic church, and polit- ically he is a Democrat, and he has long taken more or less interest in the local affairs of his party. Under Cleveland's first administration he served very ably as collector of customs afloat, covering the Pacific coast.
Mr. Lippman was married on November 6. 1894. to Emma D. Brody, of Maryville, daughter of a well known family here. This union has re- sulted in the birth of one child, bearing the name of Estella M.
CHARLES VILAS MARTIN, M. D.
A man who has gained marked precedence in the work of one of the noblest of professions is Dr. Charles Vilas Martin, of Maryville, having devoted his undivided attention to his extensive practice for many years, gaining a high position on the scroll of Nodaway county's able professional men, being well grounded in the science of medicine and the possessor of the many noble personal traits necessary to win success in this somewhat exacting profession. Besides his ability as a physician, he is admired for his well regulated life and public-spirited nature.
94I
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Doctor Martin was born May 3. 1879, at LaHarpe, Illinois, and is the son of Dr. Francis Marion and Sarah S. (Westfall) Martin, the father born on November 6, 1850, in McDonough county. Illinois, on a farm, and he was the son of Jesse and Paulina C. (Kirk) Martin. Jesse Martin was born April 8. 1824, in Green county, Kentucky, the son of Reuben and Delilah (Morris) Martin, the birth of the father having occurred on June 14. 1801, in Halifax county, Virginia ; he was the son of William and Eda (Broomfield) Martin. William Martin was a farmer; he married Sarah Broomfield during the Revolutionary war, in which he took part.
William Martin was very successful in his business life, being the possessor of a considerable competency at his death, which occurred shortly after the birth of his son. Reuben.
Reuben Martin also devoted his life to farming and in 1822 he mar- ried Delilah Morris. In the spring of 1823 they emigrated from the Old Dominion to Kentucky, walking the entire distance of five hundred miles, bringing with them a feather bed, a two-year-old horse, an oven and their six-months-old child. They settled in Green county, Kentucky, where they established a comfortable home in due course of time and where they remained until on October 12, 1845, when Reuben took his family to McDonough county, Illinois, where he secured two hundred acres of land and there farmed successfully until his death. June 14, 1864. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat and a strict Baptist: His wife died on July 5. 1851. They reared three children.
Jesse Martin was a farmer all his life. He was twenty-one years old when he went to McDonough county, Illinois. He married Paulina C. Kirk December 2. 1849. She was born November 10, 1832. in Adair county, Kentucky. Jesse Martin was a Democrat, a Baptist and a great Bible stu- dent, a man whom all admired for his exemplary life. He reached an ad- vanced age, dying on March 23. 1908, having been preceded to the "nar- row house" only a few weeks by his faithful life companion, Mrs. Martin dying on February 10, 1908. They reared ten children, six sons and four daughters, all living at this writing.
Francis Marion Martin was educated in the common schools of Mc- Donough county, Illinois, and when eighteen years old entered the Macomb Normal and Scientific College at Macomb. Illinois, where he remained two years. He then taught in country schools for three years and was then principal for three years in the Colchester high school. reading medicine in the mean- time. He then entered Hahnemann Medical College. in Chicago. from
942
PAST AND PRESENT
which institution he was graduated in 1877 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He practiced his profession at LaHarpe, Illinois, for ten years, and in 1887 moved to Maryville, Missouri, and has since been engaged in the practice here, being regarded as one of the leading homeopaths of northern Missouri. Politically he is a Democrat, and he served very faithfully as coroner of Nodaway county from 1891 to 1895, two terms. He was county physician for three years. In 1908 and 1909 he was president of the Home- opathic Medical Society of Missouri. He is a third-degree Mason, and has been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America for a period of twenty- three years. He and his family are Presbyterians.
Doctor Martin and Sarah Westfall were married on August 24, 1871, in Macomb, Illinois, and this union resulted in the birth of four children, namely : Beverly Raleigh, a lawyer of St. Joseph, Missouri; Mabel P .. of Maryville ; Dr. Charles V., of this review ; and Alice Almyra, of Maryville.
Dr. Charles V. Martin was educated in the public schools and the Maryville Seminary. Desiring to follow in the footsteps of his father, he read- medicine under him and in 1897 entered Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago, graduating with honors from this institution in 1901. He was admitted to practice in the state of Missouri in 1900. He was interne at the Hahnemann Hospital for fourteen months. He began practicing in Chicago, where he remained until 1909, being a member of the surgical staff and professor of diseases of children in Hahnemann Medical College. His services here were eminently satisfactory to all concerned and won for him the admiration of both his professional brethren and medical students.
Doctor Martin returned to Maryville in 1909 and is now in partnership with his father. They make a specialty of diseases of children and surgery and they have quite an extensive patronage from all parts of the country, their reputation being second to none in this line of work. The junior doc- tor is at present very ably holding the important position of county physi- cian. and is health officer of Nodaway county.
Doctor Martin was married in Chicago. on May 9, 1904, to Margaret J. Forrest, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin ; she represents an excellent family and is a lady of culture and refinement. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Samuel Forrest and Beverly Alice.
Doctor Martin is a Democrat and a Presbyterian. Fraternally he be- longs to the Royal Arch Masons, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
943
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
BERNEY HARRIS.
In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way over the rugged path of life to success, we find an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character which not only can endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. The gentleman to whom the biographer now calls the reader's attention was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by per- severance, industry and a wise economy, he has attained to a comfortable station in life and is today numbered among the leading and successful business men of Maryville, Nodaway county, Missouri.
Berney Harris was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 8th day of June, 1863, being a son of Isaac and Rebecca (Jacobs) Harris. The subject's father was a native of England, having been born in the city of London, on August II, 1822. In 1850 he emigrated to the United States, settling in New York city, where for a year he was employed as shoemaker. He then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where, in partnership with a brother, he en- gaged in the clothing business, their establishment being located at Fifth and Main streets, directly opposite the Federal building. For over thirty years he remained engaged in business at that point, and in 1889 he went to St. Louis and engaged with his sons, David M. and Berney Harris, in the wholesale clothing business, in which he met with success and in which he was engaged until 1906: his death occurred on March 24, 1909, in his eigh- ty-seventh year. He was a member of the Masonic order for over sixty- three years, having been raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in London, England, in 1846. He was married to Rebecca Jacobs in June, 1847, in London, and they became the parents of fourteen children, nine of whom are living. His religious affiliation was with the Reformed Jewish church, to which he rendered a stanch allegiance.
Berney Harris was reared by his parents and received a good prac- tical education in the public schools of Cincinnati. At the age of sixteen years he went to Malden, Dunklin county, Missouri, with two of his broth- ers, and opened a general store, in the conduct of which he was engaged until 1888. In 1887 he was elected treasurer of the town, re-elected in 1888, but resigned, and sold out and went to St. Louis, where he became a member of the firm of I. Harris & Company, wholesale manufacturers of clothing and furnishings and well known in the trade throughout the coun- try. In 1909 Mr. Harris disposed of his interests and came to Maryville,
944
PAST AND PRESENT
purchasing the store of N. Sturn & Son. He proceeded at once to remodel and refit this store and now has the best store in his line in Maryville and it is known as "The Store Beautiful of North Missouri." He carries at all times a large and well selected stock of clothing and gents' furnishing goods and numbers the best people of the city and surrounding country among his patrons. Among the goods carried by him are "Sincerity" clothes, made by Kuh, Nathan Fischer & Co., Chicago, also Levi Mann & Company's "Dress-Well" clothes for young men, Hackett, Carhart & Co., New York, fine children's suit line, and Stetson and Rothschild Brothers hats, all stand- ard makes of underwear, complete line of furnishings, shoes and trunks. Mr. Harris has inaugurated a "one price, plain figure" system, which has met with a large measure of success, and his motto. "Money's worth, or money back," has won for him the confidence of the community, so that he is in command of his full share of the public patronage.
On November 23, 1896, Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Leah Scharff, of St. Louis, the daughter of Benjamin and Bettie Scharff, and they have become the parents of five children, four sons and a daughter.
Fraternally, Mr. Harris has emulated the example of his father and is an appreciative member of the time-honored order of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. Religiously, he belongs to the Reformed Jewish church. Genial in disposition, courteous and accommodating in his dealings with customers, Mr. Harris has won a host of acquaintances, among whom he numbers many warm and loyal personal friends. He takes a live interest in the wel- fare of the community generally and is numbered among the progressive and enterprising business men of his adopted city. He regards as the car- dinal principles necessary for a successful business career-first, making your word good, whether to a customer or employee ; second, buying only cor- rect, reliable merchandise; third, selling same right and at same price to all.
PATRICK GORMAN.
Among the honored citizens of Nodaway county whose lives have been closely identified with the material progress and development of the county, the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch has occupied a prominent position. After years of strenuous effort, he is now able to live in the enjoyment of the fruits of a busy life, and at Maryville, where he now lives, he is highly esteemed by all who know him.
945
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Patrick Gorman was born in county Monahan, Ireland, on the 15th day of August, 1846, and was reared by his parents, receiving his educa- tion in the schools of his neighborhood. In 1864 he accompanied the fam- ily on their emigration to the United States, settlement being made in Boone county, Illinois, where he remained until 1871. when he came to Nodaway county. At that time the section in which he located had not been settled to any great extent, there not being a house within twelve miles of him on the north or east, though three miles southeast were Ira Moore and Press Sephas, and south were the Casteel family and that of John McKee. Of these, Sephas still remains on his farm. Mr. Gorman purchased eighty acres of land, for which he paid ten dollars an acre. He entered at once on the task of improving and developing this land and in the course of time became the possessor of as fine a farm as can be found in Nodaway coun- ty. His father, James Gorman, also lived on this place up to the time of his death about 1898. at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. Prior to coming here James Gorman had engaged in buying and selling stock, but after locating in this county he gave no attention to active business affairs, owing to his advanced age. His wife had died when her son Patrick was but three years old, the other children of the family being a sister who went to New Orleans to reside, and Margaret. Ann and Kate, who came to this county. Margaret was the wife of John McMahan, who operated a farm in close proximity to that of the subject and both are now deceased; Ann married Fred Fogan, of Polk township: Kate, who married Patrick Shortle. moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, where her death occurred in December, 1909.
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.