USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume II > Part 42
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
Politically. Jonathan Wohlford has always been aligned with the Repub- lican party and has taken an active and intelligent interest in public affairs. and, though not a seeker after office, he has been at different times prevailed upon to serve in official capacities, in which he gave eminent satisfaction to the voters of the township. He is a man of broad ideas and sound business judgment and is numbered among the representative men of his county.
JOHN C. CURNUTT.
Among the native sons of Missouri who have had an active part in the business and agricultural affairs of Nodaway county must be numbered the subject of this sketch, who owns and operates a fine farm in Grant township. He is descended from worthy pioneer stock and has been an eye-witness of the wonderful development which has transformed this section of the country from a wilderness to one of the most advanced and progressive sections of this great commonwealth.
Mr. Curnutt was born on December 29. 1843. in Platte county, Missouri, and is a son of Preston and Elizabeth A. (Campbell) Curnutt. The father and mother were both natives of the state of Tennessee, the former born on October 13, 1818, and the latter on December 24, 1818. They were reared and married in their native state and in 1839 they came to Platte county, Mis- souri, where they remained until 1844, when they came to Nodaway county. The father pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 14 and began the improvement of a farm, but his labors were cut short by his death. at the early age of twenty-eight years. Preston Curnutt was an intelligent and well educated man and engaged in teaching school in both Platte and
995
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Nodaway counties, among his pupils in this county having been Judge Myers. who paid his tuition with a hive of bees. Elizabeth Curnutt died in 1890, at the home of her son. in Barnard. To these parents were born four children. Pheriba J., Thomas J .. William and John C., of which number only the two last named are living. William being a resident of Barnard, where he is identified with the Farmers' Co-operative Lumber Company.
John C. Curnutt was but a lad when his father died and he was reared by his widowed mother, receiving a fair education in the common schools. the school house which he attended having stood where his present residence now stands, the building having been also used for church purposes. After his marriage. in 1865. he remained a year with his mother, then moved to Buchanan county, moving again soon afterwards to Johnson county. this state, and then back to Buchanan county. In 1873 Mr. Curnutt returned to Nodaway county and for several years engaged in the operation of rented land with fair success. In 1880 he moved to Barnard and engaged in the drug business, with which he was identified for fifteen years, and then. in 1894. he bought eighty-two and a half acres of land in section 13, where he has since made his home. He has here been engaged in general farming and his efforts have been rewarded with a fair measure of success. In 1895 he erected a comfortable and attractive residence and in other ways the place has been permanently and substantially improved, he being now numbered among the leading farmers of Grant township.
Mr. Curnutt has been married twice. On January 8, 1865. he was mar- ried to Louisa M. Patton. the daughter of Robert and Lucinda Patton, of this county, whose farm was a part of that now owned by Mr. Curnutt. Mrs. Curnutt died on May 4. 1872. and on September 30. 1885. Mr. Curnutt mar- ried Margaret A. Conlin. the daughter of Francis and Dorothy J. Conlin, who were among the early pioneers of Nodaway county and in whose family were nine children, all of whom married in this county. Mr. Conlin saw military service during the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Curnutt were born five chil- dren, namely : Grace Agnes, deceased : Elizabeth J., the wife of Clyde Turner : Hazel, Ruth and Thelma M., who remain at home and are attending school at Barnard.
In politics. Mr. Curnutt has given a stanch support to the Democratic party and has taken an active part in local public affairs, having served two terms as township trustee, collector of taxes and school director. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Barnard, to which they give an earnest support. Mr. Curnutt enjoys a splendid reputation through- out the community because of his high character and the stand he has always taken for the best interests of Grant township.
996
PAST AND PRESENT
JOHN A. C. GOFF.
It is proper to judge of the success and the status of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow-citizens. After a long course of years of daily observation it would be out of the question for his neigh- bors not to know his worth, because, as has been said, "Actions speak louder than words." In this county there is nothing heard concerning the subject of this sketch but good words. He has passed so many years here that his worth is well known, but it will be of interest to run over the busy events in his life in these pages.
John A. C. Goff was born on January 20. 1845, in Hamilton county. Illinois, and is a son of John R. and Sarah M. (Edwards) Goff. The for- mer was born in Green county, Kentucky, March 26, 1812, and the latter in Barren county, the same state, on September 1, 1816. The subject's paternal grandfather, Nathan Goff, of Kentucky, lived to the remarkable age of ninety-nine years. John R. and Sarah Goff were reared in their native state, and were married there. In 1838 they moved to Illinois, where they resided in various localities, the father having bought and sold a number of farms. Eventually they located on two hundred and sixty acres of land in Logan county, that state, where they spent their remaining days, the mother dying on January 29, 1885, and the father on May 30. 1890. John R. Goff was a carpenter by trade and followed this occupation for many years, until he turned his entire attention to farming and stock raising, in which he met with fair success. He served a number of years as a commissioner of Logan county, and in the Christian church he was an elder for many years. He was a good man and greatly devoted to his family. John R. and Sarah Goff became the parents of ten children, of which number five are living, namely : Emma A., Edward H .. William R .. John A., James A., Elizabeth H., Milton C .. Isaac T., Charles C. and Mary S.
John A. C. Goff spent his boyhood days on the paternal farmstead, and received a good common school education. At the outbreak of the Civil war he and his brothers, Edward H. and William R., volunteered in defense of their country, the two latter serving three years each and John A. C. one hundred days as a member of Company K. One Hundred and Thirty- third Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Goff. while taking part in no heavy battles, was in a number of skirmishes, and did his full duty as far as opportunity offered. After his marriage, in 1870, Mr. Goff commenced operations on his own account on a leased farm in Illinois, where he re- mained five years, then went to Kansas and bought one hundred and sixty
997
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
acres of land. Four years later he sold this place and returned to Illinois, remaining there until 1889, when he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and located in White Cloud township, where he purchased a tract of land. He has been prospered in his efforts here, and is now the owner of two hundred and seventy-five acres of as good land as can be found in the town- ship. He is now residing in his attractive residence in the beautiful little town of Barnard, though he still retains the home farm and directs its operations. His life has been characterized by industry, perseverance and correct methods, so that his success has been fairly earned. The farm property is well improved in every respect and is a source of good income to its owner.
On December 1, 1870, Mr. Goff married Jane Wilson, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Chesser) Wilson, of Illinois. The latter's mother lived to the advanced age of one hundred and five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Goff have been born the following children: Charles E., born September 15, 1871, married Edna Crawford, and they have two children, Leon and Gladys; James T., born February 28, 1876, who, after graduating from a business college at Quincy, Illinois, became cashier and director of the Arkoe Bank, married Ora Melvin; Ida A., born April 20, 1879, who became the wife of W. E. Thompson, is the mother of three children, Ross E., Bessie Margaret and Russell; Mr. Thompson is cashier of the Nashua Bank, at Nashua, Missouri; Edith L., born May 7, 1883, is the wife of W. H. Fan- non, and they have two children, Alice V. and Gannice May.
Politically, Mr. Goff has always given his support to the Democratic party, and has taken an intelligent interest in public affairs, though in no sense an office-seeker. He is a stockholder in the Arkoe Bank. of this town- ship. Religiously, he and the members of his family are identified with the Christian church at Barnard, to which they give an earnest and gen- erous support. Mr. Goff gives his support to every worthy cause, and is numbered among the leading men of his township.
SAMUEL J. SMITH.
In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a solid career, there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational chapter ; but to a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of hu- man existence there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of an
998
PAST AND PRESENT
individual who, with clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and unerring judgment, conquers adversity, and. toiling on. finally wins, not only pecuniary independence, but, what is far greater and higher, the deserved respect and confidence of those with whom his active years have been spent.
Samuel Smith is a native of Nodaway county, Missouri, having first seen the light of day here on September 15, 1859. He is a son of Jackson and Marian (Brown) Smith, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Clinton county, Missouri. They are both now deceased, the father hav- ing died on January 30, 1888, and the mother in February, 1908. At the age of sixteen years Jackson Smith came to Clinton county, Missouri, and took employment as a farm hand. In 1865 he came to Nodaway county and bought eighty acres of farm land, for which he paid ten dollars an acre. There was a house on the land and some minor improvements otherwise, and he gave his attention to the tilling of the soil, in which he met with, a fair measure of success. He was a carpenter by trade and was employed at this work when not engaged in his farm work. Five years after coming here he bought one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land, at five dol- lars an acre, and six months later he sold half the land for ten dollars an acre. When he died he owned three hundred acres of fine land, with a com- fortable home, the entire property being well improved. His widow re- mained on the home ten years after his death, and then moved to Barnard, where she spent the remainder of her days. At her death she was laid be- side her husband in the cemetery at Graham. They were members of the Church of Christ and enjoyed the respect of all who knew them. They were the parents of eight children, of whom six are living, namely: Sarah, Samuel J .. Benjamin F., Mary, John W., Selvina. Alice and James, both de- ceased.
Samuel J. Smith spent his boyhood days on the home farm and secured a good practical education in the common schools. On attaining mature years he farmed his father's farm for a short time, and then bought eighty acres of unimproved land, for which the consideration was fifteen hundred dollars. Mr. Smith had but fifty dollars to pay on the purchase price, but he was energetic and ambitious and he went to work with a will to improve the land and get it into cultivation. He built a small frame house, into which he moved, and such was his success and so well satisfied was he with the conditions and outlook that in less than a year he bought forty acres adjoining, and within three years he had discharged his entire indebtedness. This was a testimonial to the productiveness of Nodaway county soil,-but
999
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
it was more than that: It was evidence of the qualities that entered into the young man's makeup and which gave promise of his future success. He carried on his operations with continued success and added to his possessions from time to time until he is now the owner of two splendid farms, one of one hundred and sixty and another of two hundred and forty acres, four hundred acres altogether, each of which contains a good residence and is otherwise thoroughly improved and productive. He is also the owner of some good farm land in Texas. He lives in a comfortable and attractive residence in the town of Barnard, going back and forth to his farms, and a number of men are employed in the operation of the same. Mr. Smith is one of the principal stockholders in the Barnard State Bank and has served as its president for many years, much of the success which has attended the institution being due to his good business judgment and favorable influence.
On December 25, 1879, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Mar- garet Clare, the daughter of James and Sarah Clare, natives of Kentucky who were among the early settlers of Andrew county, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have become the parents of six children, namely: Mariam Alice, born July II, 1881, is the wife of Morgan Kling and they have one child, Jesse; George W., born in 1883; Thomas Jackson, born September 16, 1885, employed in the Commerce Trust Company, Kansas City, married Elizabeth Hilton; Jesse Oren, born November 3, 1886, died January 10, 1887; Myrtle, born April 1, 1888, married George Adams, a farmer, and they are the parents of one child. Kenneth: Mary Florence, born September I, 1890, is the wife of Leonard Mendenhall, a farmer.
Politically, Mr. Smith is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, though not an office seeker. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, holding membership in the blue lodge at Bar- nard. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Church of Christ, of which her hus- band is an attendant and to which he contributes liberally. Mr. Smith is regarded as one of the enterprising and progressive business men of his township and because of his long residence here he is widely known, being regarded as one of the substantial men of the community.
MARTIN V. BAKER.
Among those citizens of Nodaway county who have had an important part in advancing its material prosperity is the subject of this sketch. who owns a fine farm in Grant township, where he is widely known and highly
1000
PAST AND PRESENT
respected. Mr. Baker is a native son of Missouri, having been born in Daviess county on November 7, 1836. He is a son of Losson and Priscilla (Rama) Baker, the former a native of North Carolina, born on June II, 1805, who came to Missouri in 1819, and the latter born in Kentucky on December 10, 1807, coming to Missouri in 1815. They were married in Clay county, Missouri, in 1828, after which event they went to Clinton county and bought forty acres of land. Subsequently they sold that and moved to Daviess county, where they bought land and made their home for several years. In the spring of 1837 they sold their home there and went to Platte county, where they pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land. Here they built a house and improved a good farm, on which they made their home for nine years. Later they sold this farm and bought two hundred and forty acres of land in Andrew county, which was afterwards traded for five hundred and twenty acres of land, part of which was im- proved, in Nodaway county. Here the father spent his remaining years, his death occurring on April 14, 1870. The mother remained on the home farm a number of years and then made her home with her son, Martin V., until her death, which occurred in 1886. Both were buried in the family burial ground on the farm where they spent the closing years of their life. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Elizabeth, Nathan, Christopher C., Mary J., John W. and Rachel, all of whom are living excepting Eliza- beth and Andrew. Losson Baker was a good business man and a successful farmer and, while not a member of any church, gave his support and finan- cial help to the Methodist church.
Martin V. Baker remained on the home farm with his father and se- cured his education in the subscription schools of the day. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the service of his country, serving in the state troops for two and a half years and one year in the United States army. He was commissioned second lieutenant of Company K, Forty-third Regiment Missouri Infantry, with which command he remained until receiv- ing his honorable discharge on June 30, 1865. He was a valiant soldier and took part in a number of hotly contested engagements and many minor skirmishes.
In the fall after leaving the army Mr. Baker was married and be- gan his married life on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres which he had bought in section II, Grant township, and for which he paid ten dollars an acre. He was prospered in his efforts and added to this purchase until he became the owner of two hundred acres of good land. He erected one of the
IOOI
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
best residences in Nodaway county and in other ways maintained his farm at a high standard of excellence. He followed general farming and stock raising and acquired the reputation of being one of the best farmers in the county. It is said that no man in the township is better known nor none more highly respected than he. He is public spirited. generous and kind-hearted and withholds his support from no movement having for its object the ad- vancement of the community's best interests.
About ten years ago Mr. Baker had a very narrow escape from death. He descended into a well to sink a tile and when twelve feet from the top the stone wall fell in on him, completely covering him. Two men who were helping him gave the alarm and practically every able-bodied man in Bar- nard came to the rescue of the man so well known and liked by them all. The work of removing the stone was slow and laborious and had not pro- gressed far when a weak voice was heard from below, saying, "I'm alive. boys, but I don't know how long I can stand this torture." It was more than two hours before he was released from his perilous situation. Several ribs were broken and his face and head badly cut, but he felt glad to escape with his life.
On September 10, 1865, Mr. Baker was united in marriage with Mary M. Jobe, the daughter of Iraby S. and Mary (Chilton) Jobe, the former having been a veteran of the Black Hawk war. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baker, but out of the kindness of their hearts they have served as foster parents to several children. Among these were twins. William T. and Sadie Thompson, who they took at the age of six years and who remained with them until their marriages. William H. married Ida Jobe, and they had two children, Charlie and Bessie. The father of these children died and their mother now makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Baker. Charlie Thompson graduated from a business college and is now a railroad operator. Sadie Thompson became the wife of John E. Sneider. who owns and operates a farm adjoining Mr. Baker, and they have six chil- dren, Martin V., Lowell, Ruth, Mary, Opal and John. Others who found homes with Mr. and Mrs. Baker were Hattie Gary, Addie Pickard, Malissa Hollenbeck and Jennie Hollenbeck, each of whom remained with their fos- ter parents and were treated as members of the family until their marriage to worthy young men and the establishment of homes of their own.
Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, to which they give an earnest support. Fraternally. he is a member of Barnard Lodge, No. 282. Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
1002
PAST AND PRESENT
JOHN C. GOFORTH.
If one desires to gain a vivid realization of the rapid advance in the civilization which the last few decades have brought, he can listen to the stories that men who are still living among us can tell of their early experi- ences when the country was new and social conditions in this part of Mis- souri were in their formative period: Conspicuous among these veterans of the past is the highly respected citizen to a brief review of whose career the following lines are devoted.
John C. Goforth was born November 14, 1839, in Clark county, Indi- ana, and is a son of William and Sarah (Rhodes) Goforth. The paternal grandfather, William Goforth, was a native of Kentucky and moved to Clark county, Indiana, in the early settlement of that state. In that locality the subject's father was reared and married and in 1842 he came to Noda- way county, Missouri, and entered eighty acres of land in section 23, on which he built a log house and entered at once on the task of improving and developing a farm. He was an expert carpenter by trade and also owned and operated a sawmill on his farm. He ran the mill and worked at his trade for a number of years and acquired a good reputation on account of the high class of his work. He took much pride in his work and was kept bus- ily employed during his active years. He became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good land and the original log house was replaced by a comfortable and attractive frame residence. He was fifty-eight years old at the time of his death and was survived five years by his widow, both be- ing interred in the Jackson graveyard in this county. Mrs. Goforth was a member of the Christian church and Mr. Goforth was a Republican in poli- tics. They were the parents of thirteen children, Adam, Martha. Caroline, Mary, George, Jane, John D., Rebecca, Vina, Francis, Ephraim, James H. and John C., all of whom are deceased excepting the five last named.
John C. Goforth remained with his parents until attaining his majority and received a good common school education. When twenty-two years old he volunteered his services and enlisted in Company H, Twenty-fifth Regi- ment Missouri Infantry, under the command of Captain Dill. At the battle of Shiloh he was taken sick and spent the two following months in a hos- pital at St. Louis, at the end of which time he was honorably discharged and sent home.
On his recovery to health Mr. Goforth engaged in the cultivation of land which he owned in Grant township and also engaged in the sawmill business for three years. His farm, located in section 26, required his at-
1003
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
tention, however, and he thereafter devoted himself to it. He was successful in his efforts and carried on a general line of farming, in addition to which he also gave considerable attention to the raising of livestock, which also proved to be a profitable source of income. A few years ago he sold his farm and is now eligibly located on a farm adjoining the town of Barnard on the north, where he has a very attractive home. He is a carpenter by trade and everything about his place indicates the owner to be a man of method and system, everything being kept in the best possible condition and everything in its place. His has been a busy life and his efforts have been rewarded with a due measure of success.
Mr. Goforth was married, on March 15. 1866, to Mary Smith, the daughter of Elijah and Susana (Cooper) Smith. of Andrew county, Mis- souri, and to them have been born the following children : William H., who married Mary Lucas and they have eleven children, Emmett, Ethel. Hugh, Robert. Dale. Don, Hazel, Homer, Florence and Chester ; James E. married Ora Hagan and they have six children, Myrtle, Lowell, Veldren, Robert, Homer and Charles F., the latter being deceased; Myrtie became the wife of Edward Tift and they have one child, Charles E .: Etta B. is the wife of Willis Hazelwood and they have three children, Ovilla, Loretta and Mary Catherine : Maud M. became the wife of George Sell and they have two children, Vilas and Hildred; Grace P. is an accomplished young lady who graduated from the Barnard schools and is now attending a music school at Maryville.
Politically Mr. Goforth is a stanch Republican and has served several terms as a school director, having taken a commendable interest in educa- tional affairs. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Church of Christ, to which they give an earnest support. Mr. Goforth stands "four square to every wind that blows" and because of his high character and per- sonal worth he is numbered among the representative citizens of his com- munity.
RAFFAIL P. NELSON.
Success in this life comes to the deserving. It is an axiom demonstrated by all human experience. that a man gets out of this life what he puts into it. plus a reasonable interest on the investment, and the man who starts in the world unaided and by sheer force of will, controlled by correct 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.