USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume II > Part 44
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On July 5, 1867, Mr. Wolfers was united in marriage to Eliza A. Cran- dall, a native of Belmont, Allegany county, New York, where her birth oc- curred on October 27, 1849. To this union have been born the following children: Edward C., the immediate subject of this sketch; Annice E .; Mary; Roy H., of Pickering, and Fred R., who is attending school at Co- lumbia, this state.
Edward C. Wolfers received his education in the public schools at Pickering, this county, and upon completing his education he entered the store of his father in the capacity of clerk, retaining this position continu- ously until, in 1889, he assumed the management of the business, which is conducted under the name of the Wolfers Mercantile Company, having stores at Pickering and Hopkins. The Hopkins store, which is under Mr. Wolfers' supervision, is one of the principal mercantile houses of the town
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and is well stocked with a large and carefully selected line of such goods as is generally to be found in a department store. Sound business principles have always governed the conduct of the business, which has assumed large proportions, and the trade is constantly increasing, being drawn from a large radius of neighboring territory. Much of the success of the business is due to the careful and conservative management of Mr. Wolfers, who possesses considerable business ability and whose personal popularity also draws cus- tomers to the store.
On May 20, 1888, Mr. Wolfers was united in marriage to Mary C. Graves, of Pickering, the fruits of this union being two children, Mildred and Maurice, who are attending school. Politically, Mr. Wolfers is identi- fied with the Republican party, in the success of which he takes a deep in- terest. though his business affairs have precluded his taking a very active part. In his religious belief he is a Methodist, holding membership in the local church, to which he gives a generous support. He is a man of generous impulses, public spirited in his attitude towards local improvements and whose life actions are governed by high ideals. Possessing a genial dispo- sition. he easily makes friends and is well liked throughout the community.
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JOHN KEAT.
Among the enterprising and successful farmers of Nodaway county, Hopkins township has its full share, and not the least among these is the gen- tleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. By persistent indus- try, wise direction of his business affairs and fair dealings, he has won a respected position among his fellow agriculturists and is now numbered among the representative citizens of his part of the county.
John Keat was born at Harwell, Berkshire, England, on August 3, 1859. and is a son of John and Sarah Ann (Lay) Keat, the latter's death occurring in her native land. The subject's father was a farmer in Eng- land, but in 1865, feeling that America afforded larger opportunities for ad- vancement, he came to this county, locating in Illinois. About five years later, the subject and a brother and sister were brought to this country by an uncle and joined their father in Illinois. In the latter state the subject was reared and, with the exception of one year spent in northern Iowa, he lived there continuously until 1896, having received meanwhile a good practical education in the public schools. In 1896 he came to Missouri and
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was here employed by the month for a while. In the fall of the following year he purchased seventy acres of land in what is now Hopkins township, and in 1904 he bought fifty-five acres across the line in Iowa. He is a thoroughly practical farmer and gives an intelligent and discriminating di- rection to his efforts. He raises all the crops common to this section of the country, usually meeting with very satisfactory results, and up to 1908 he was an extensive breeder of thoroughbred Poland China hogs, though he now crosses them with other breeds, believing that he secures better final results. He also keeps other stock and, all in all, has gained an enviable po- sition among his fellow agriculturists. His place is well improved, being adorned with an attractive and comfortable residence, commodious and sub- stantial barn and other necessary outbuildings and the place presents an inviting appearance.
In 1888 Mr. Keat was united in marriage to Carrie Coomer, who was born just south of Hopkins, this county, the daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Morehouse) Coomer, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They have be- come the parents of three children, Arthur John, Gladys Hilda and Charles Ormond.
Politically, Mr. Keat is allied with the Republican party and his sup- port is given to every movement which has for its object the welfare of the community. Mrs. Keat is an earnest and consistent member of the Chris- tian church, to which she gives a generous support. In 1894 Mr. Keat made a trip to his native land and visited his birthplace, which he had left in early youth. He is a man of excellent qualities of character and stands high in the esteem of the community.
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MRS. ELIZABETH S. LANE.
The many friends of the estimable lady whose name introduces this biographical review will doubtless be glad to learn more of her individual characteristics, for she has long occupied a conspicuous place in the social and other affairs of her community and is highly esteemed by all who know her for her pleasing and kindly attributes. Mrs. Elizabeth S. Lane, whose maiden name was Brown and who first married Charles Hiltibidal, and who is now living on an excellent farm in Grant township, Nodaway county, was born in 1837, in Knox county, Tennessee. In 1838 she was brought
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by her parents to Platte county, Missouri. Mr. Brown entered land there and the family remained on the same until 1844, when they came to Noda- way county. At one time he was the owner of twelve hundred acres of land. Here Elizabeth S. grew to maturity and was educated in the pioneer schools. In December. 1856, she married Charles Hiltibidal, who, when the Civil war began, enlisted in Company H, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and while on his way home on furlough, accompanied by twenty-three of his com- rades, the train was surrounded by Anderson's band of guerrillas at Cen- tralia, Missouri, and were all ordered out and were shot.
Nathan Lane was born in Scott county, Virginia, in 1836 and there he grew to maturity. In 1866. he came to Buchanan county, Missouri, and in 1867 he married Mrs. Hiltibidal at St. Joseph. Her father, Thomas A. Brown, was well known in Buchanan county, and for twenty-four years he served as county judge of that county. He was a man of commanding pres- ence, his tall and erect figure attracting attention wherever he went. He was born in Knox county, Tennessee, in 1812, and he came with his parents to Platte county, Missouri, in an early day, and located a few miles south of St. Joseph. He assisted in the survey of the Platte purchase and after its completion he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres, on which he lived until 1844, when he removed to Nodaway county. He prospered and at one time was the owner of twelve hundred and fifty acres. He was a member of the first county court of Nodaway county and served on the bench for a period of fourteen years, and he was elected to the Legislature in 1846. 1852 and 1854 and made a very creditable record as champion of the rights of his constituents. He was an able and learned judge and was one of the best known and most influential men of northwestern Missouri for upwards of a half century. When the gold craze was at its highest Judge Brown drove an ox team from here to California, remaining there two years. Politically he was a Democrat, and fraternally a Mason. He was three times married. first to Mrs. Margaret Blakely, second to Mrs. Leanna Leonard; his third wife was Mrs. Mary E. Deacon. He was a stanch Presbyterian. He reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years. His children, deceased, are; Joseph. Napoleon and Margaret ; those living are, Sarah Jane, Phelix, Eliza- beth, Gideon, Thomas, Cynthia and John C. The last named was on the police force in St. Joseph for a number of years : Thomas is a very successful business man in that city; Gideon is a wealthy farmer in Platte county : Cynthia is the wife of George Young, of St. Joseph.
Judge Brown's favorite driver was a mule, which he purchased when three years old and which he used for many years. When it was thirty-two
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years old he placed the animal in the care of the county farm, where it died and the superintendent of the farm had a taxidermist stuff its hide and it was on exhibition at the St. Louis World's Fair.
Mrs. Elizabeth S. Lane has lived in Grant township for a period of fifty-one years, her residence being one of the first homes established in this county and is a beautiful old place, surrounded by every rural comfort.
Three children were born to Mrs. Lane by her first husband, Phelix, Jacob and Thomas; the last named, being the only one living, is unmarried and has charge of the home farm and is taking care of his inother. By her second marriage three children were born, Cora Lee, William and Margaret, the latter the wife of Lee Guisinger, and they are the parents of one child, Leo, which is Mrs. Lane's only grandchild.
Nathan B. Lane was a farmer, having bought the present farm of Mrs. Lane and built the house there. During the Civil war he was a soldier in Company H. Eighteenth Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry.
IRA C. ROELOFSON.
The Roelofson family has long been one of the best known in Noda- way county, and Ira C., of this review, although yet a young man, has made his influence felt in the various relations of life. He was born October 30, 1872, in McLean county, Illinois, and is the son of Robert S. and .Amy E. Roelofson, both natives of Illinois, the father born in 1832 and the mother in 1843. There they grew to maturity and were married, and in 1881 came to Polk township. Nodaway county, Missouri, buying one hundred acres. There were some improvements on the place, but a good house was soon erected and everything placed in proper shape, Mr. Roelofson being a good farmer and stock man, raising various kinds of stock and becoming known as one of the best citizens of the township, throughout which he numbered many friends. Finally selling his farm, he moved to Maryville and bought property there and now makes this his home. Politically he is a Democrat, and he and the other members of his family belong to the Christian church. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Roelofson, as follows : Mary is the wife of Robert Lyle, of this county; J. F. is a prominent busi- ness man of Maryville; Clara is a trained nurse; Eva L. is the wife of E. E. May, of Buchanan county; Harry and George died in infancy, and Ira C., of this review.
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Ira C. Roelofson received a common school education, then attended business college at Maryville. He was married on June 24, 1896, to Ida B. Shanks, daughter of William and Sarah Shanks, of this county, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio. They came to Nodaway coun- ty, Missouri, in 1863, and are now both deceased. Their family consisted of nine children.
Mr. and Mrs. Roelofson began their married life on a rented farm, and after a period of four years they bought, at different times, two farms, sell- ing each at a good profit within five years. He purchased two hundred and forty acres in Grant township. Finally moving his family to Maryville, he lived there two years and bought eighty acres of land which now consti- tutes his home farm; to this he has since added eighty acres, having one hundred and sixty acres in section 1. this being one of the best and neatest farms in Grant township. He is an up-to-date farmer and his ability to handle livestock successfully is recognized by everyone. He holds annual stock sales which are well attended and he gets excellent prices for his stock owing to their fine quality. Although well equipped with outbuildings, he is now building a very large and substantial barn in addition to what he al- ready has, with a view of extending his breeding of horses and cattle. His place is known as "Cloverdale Stock Farm" and is one of the "show" places of the community, and no less attractive is his other farm of two hundred and forty acres, known as "Plain View Stock Farm." He has now (1910) a large herd of good stock for his forthcoming annual stock sale. His sale in February of this year brought him the sum of five thousand dollars. These sales are very popular and are attended by purchasers from all over the county. His Percheron breeding horse is one of the best in the county.
Mr. Roelfson is a public-spirited man and, being desirous of seeing his county second to none in the state. he may be depended upon to support all worthy measures looking to the general good. Politically, he is a Demo- crat, and both he and his wife are members of the Christian church at Bar- nard. They have had but one child, born July 25, 1906. who died in in- fancy.
Mr. Roelofson is a member of a musically inclined family, members of which possess marked natural talent in this art, and she was a well known teacher of instrumental music for a period of twenty years in this county. She graduated from the Western Conservatory of Music at Kansas City and is a lady of culture and refinement. popular with a wide circle of friends.
Mr. Roelofson has been very successful in his business operations and
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is deserving of his large achievements, for he is a truly self-made man and has depended upon no one for aid in any way. Personally he is a very obliging and genial gentleman, straightforward and honorable in his deal- ings with his fellow men, consequently has both their confidence and re- spect.
WILLIAM H. DITAMORE.
He who devotes his attention as closely to agricultural pursuits as does William H. Ditamore, of Jackson township, cannot help but succeed,-in fact, it is very rarely the case that one succeeds in any line without persistent effort and painstaking care. This is perhaps true in a larger sense with the farmer than anyone else. for unless he vigilantly watches his fields, fences and build- ings they will very soon present a deplorable appearance. Realizing this, Mr. Ditamore has looked carefully to his place and it is well up to the standard in every respect. He was born on August 11, 1868. in Coles county, Illinois. and is the son of Henry and Margera ( Varvil) Ditamore, natives of Indiana, the father having been born September 13, 1837, and died September 22. 1888: the mother was born April 3. 1838. and died September 29. 1909. They were married April 1, 1858, in Indiana, in which state they grew to maturity and were educated. They came to Nodaway county, Missouri, in 1880 and purchased a one-hundred-and-forty-acre farm in section 31. Jackson township, paying twenty-two dollars per acre for the same. It had been partly improved. Mr. Ditamore devoted his life to farming and stock raising and became very comfortably established. He and his wife were the parents of four children, namely: Angie M. is the wife of John Ludlow: James, Joseph and William H. The parents of these children were well and favor- ably known in this section of the county and were highly respected for their even tempered lives.
William H. Ditamore, of this review, received a good common school education and grew up on the home farm, which he assisted in developing. On March 23, 1903, he married Vesta Ames, daughter of William and Amanda Ames, of Kansas, and they soon afterwards began their married life on their present farm, which was Mr. Ditamore's father's homestead, William H. having bought out the other heirs. He has added many substantial im- provements on this place and keeps some good livestock from time to time. raising and feeding them for the market. In 1908 he built a substantial and attractive barn and everything about his place is kept up in good shape.
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Mr. Ditamore is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being one of the charter members of the Ravenwood lodge. His wife be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Democrat.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ditamore, namely : Hazel A., born March 10, 1906: Edgar O., born September 1. 1909, and Elda, born February 4. 1904, died on January 16, 1909.
M. CARTER, M. D.
Few medical men of Nodaway county have become more widely known or have been more uniformly successful in their profession, enjoying the esteem and confidence of the public, than the well known physician whose name introduces this sketch.
Dr. M. Carter, although a man not old in years, has been in continuous practice in Nodaway and adjoining counties thirty-three years. He was born in Union county. Ohio. November 20, 1854. the son of Joseph and Anna (Wilson) Carter, both born and reared in Ohio, the father a successful agri- culturist. The Carter family originally came from England and settled in the Carolinas in the early colonial days. The Wilsons were of Scotch descent who settled in Pennsylvania during its early history and the subject is a lineal descendant of James Wilson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence.
The Carter family located southeast of Burlington Junction in 1865. where they purchased a farm and the father lived the remainder of his life. dying in August, 1905, at the age of eighty-six years, highly respected for his exemplary life, sterling honesty and integrity.
Doctor Carter remained on the farm until he was seventeen years old. acquiring the best education the limited resources and opportunities presented in those days. He then began teaching in the public schools of this county for a period of three years with marked success. In 1877 he took up the study of medicine with Dr. J. B. Morrison, of Maryville, Missouri, with whom he remained one year. He then entered the Louisville Medical College. from which he was graduated in 1877. He then entered upon active practice of medicine in the northwestern part of Nodaway county, removing to Blanch- ard, Iowa, in 1880, where he built up a large and remunerative practice. In 1884 he entered the post-graduate department of the University of Pennsyl- vania, the oldest and best medical institution in this country, where he took a
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special course in medicine and surgery, thus thoroughly equipping himself for the practice of his chosen profession. In 1888 he located in Burlington Junction, where he has since been successfully engaged in general practice.
Doctor Carter was married in 1878 to Emma Winn, of Maryville, Mis- souri, where her people were well known and where she was reared and edu- cated. The family consists of one son and three daughters, who have grown to manhood and womanhood. The son Glen engaged in the drug business in Burlington Junction ; Audrey L .. a teacher in Burlington Junction high school ; Marie S., a graduate of Liberty Ladies College and Northwest Normal School ; Lucile M., who graduated in Burlington Junction high school in 1910. The Doctor is a member of the State and American Medical Societies : he is also medical examiner for the leading old-line insurance companies.
ROBERT J. PETTIGREW.
Among the Jackson township farmers none seem to understand better the relation of soil, climate and the various products which the husbandman must strictly observe if he would achieve more than mediocre success, than Robert J. Pettigrew, a glance at whose well improved and neatly kept farm being sufficient to prove this. He was born July 3, 1856. in county Tyrone. Ireland, and he is the son of Charles and Margaret (Jenkinson) Pettigrew. His parents grew to maturity in their home country and were educated there. They landed in America on January 1. 1864. The father was born in April, 1833. and died on April 15. 1895 : the mother was born on July 27, 1836, and she is now living at Bolckow. Missouri, at the age of seventy-four years. She married Mr. Pettigrew in 1853, and they located in Nodaway county in 1866, first purchasing a farm of forty acres. Selling this, they bought sixty acres, selling it at a profit, as they did the former place, and they were thereby en- abled to purchase a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and on this Mr. Pettigrew made his home until his death. He always devoted his attention to farming and was very successful in this line of work. He proved his loyalty to his adopted country in 1864 by enlisting in the Union army and remained in the service until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and his wife belonged to the Baptist church. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom are living, namely : William J., Robert J., Elizabeth is the wife of Isaac Lanning :
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Margaret J. is the wife of W. R. Thompson; Mary A. is the wife of Samuel Cummins : John C., Hugh T .; Letitia is the wife of Daniel Skidmore : Cam- eron L. and Oliver P.
While living at home on the parental acres here, Robert J. Pettigrew, of this review, assisted with the work and found time to obtain a fairly good education in the common schools. He was married on November 5. 1882, to Mary E. Harper, daughter of Joseph and Jane A. (French) Harper. na- tives of Ohio. Her father died in 1873, and her mother is living in Colorado.
Mr. and Mrs. Pettigrew began their married life in Central City. Colo- rado, and they came to Nodaway county, Missouri, locating on rented land and in 1890 purchased a farm of eighty acres, to which forty acres was later added, his present farm comprising one hundred and twenty acres. In 1890 Mr. Pettigrew built a very comfortable and attractive residence. the location being ideal for a home. Most of his land lies in the bottoms, is level and very fertile. He keeps a general grade of all kinds of livestock, and is an up-to- date farmer, a well read and progressive citizen. He is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, having filled all the chairs in the local lodge. He is also an active member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a Republican. He has faithfully served as school director for eighteen years. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is an attendant and contributor.
Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pettigrew, named as fol- lows: Frank G., born November 19, 1883; Alvin C., born April 19. i886; Robert E., born November 15, 1888: Nellie A., born February 16, 1891 ; Charles P .. born July 9. 1893 : Bertha M .. born September 29. 1895 : Grace E .. born March 1. 1898; Rosetta, born March 5. 1900: Ernest P., born December 6. 1902; Stella B., born March 16, 1907.
THOMAS WOODBURN.
The Woodburn family has been represented in America for more than two centuries, having come here from Ireland., and so far as known the many descendants of the original emigrant, scattered over a number of states, have played well their parts in our citizenship, being, as a rule, law abiding and comfortably established in the various walks of life. These characteristics are true in a marked degree with Thomas Woodburn, a resident of Jackson township. Nodaway county. He was born January 18, 1837, in West Vir-
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ginia, and is the son of Peter and Mary (McCrary) Woodburn, the former born December 25. 1813. and died July 30. 1873; the mother was born in 18II, spent her life in West Virginia and died in 1882. The paternal an- cestor, Thomas Woodburn, was a native of Ireland, who came to America about 1700. The family of Peter Woodburn consisted of six children, Sarah. Lenora, William, James. John and Thomas ; the last two named are living.
Thomas Woodburn, of this review, remained with his father until he was twenty-four years old, assisting with the general work about the home place and attending the common schools. On October 20, 1861. he was married to Elizabeth J. Peirpoint, daughter of Zackquill and Vylinda Peirpoint. of West Virginia, and in that state they began their married life and after eighteen years' residence there moved to Nodaway county, Missouri, and located on a farm in Jackson township where they have since resided.
Mr. Woodburn has devoted his life to general farming and has been re- warded by a reasonable degree of success. He has brought his place up to a high state of improvement, and in 1903 he built a very comfortable, convenient and well located residence. Mr. Woodburn's farm ranks with the best in the township and he is one of the best known pioneers of this part of the county, enjoying the respect and confidence of all. In politics he is a Repub- lican.
Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Woodburn, named as fol- lows : John : Isaac N .: Eliza J., the wife of John Sparks; Effie E., the wife of Harry Martin ; William Z., James H. : Mary V., the wife of John Grimit ; Christopher J., Charles T. and Rosa May are deceased. Their grandchildren are : Ollie. Ethel and Louise Woodburn, Bertha, Loyd. Glen. Elmer. Lola. Edith and Grace Woodburn : Ivy and Fay Sparks : Morris and Pearl Wood- burn.
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