USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume II > Part 5
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D. C. Moore, president of the company, was born in Zanesville, Ohio, January 12, 1861, was reared on the farm, and educated in the public schools. He worked on the farm and followed various pursuits until the organization of this company in 1900. He first married, in 1892, Lillie McNeal. who was born in Illinois, but reared in Nodaway county, having lived here since she was two years of age to the time of her death, which occurred fourteen months after her marriage, leaving one daughter, one son, a twin, dying at that time. D. C. Moore was married in January, 1898, to Theresa McNeal. sister of his first wife. To this union six children have been born : Sylvia, deceased : Inez ; twin boys died in infancy ; Ivan and Aaron are living. D. C. Moore is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic fra- ternity, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist church.
E. V. Moore, vice-president of the company, was born on October 18. 1865, in Zanesville, Ohio, was reared on the home farm and educated in the country schools. He married Ada Charles, who was born in Maryville.
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Missouri, and to this union one child, Eli V., has been born. E. V. Moore is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
G. J. Moore, treasurer of the company, was born at Zanesville, Ohio, January 12, 1867. Like his brothers, he grew to maturity on the parental acres which he helped to till, attending the local schools during the winter months. He married Nellie Galbreth, in 1892. She was born and reared in Andrew county, Missouri, and received a common school education. To this union five children have been born, named as follows: Edna, Hope, Varnetta : Louis and David are twins. G. J. Moore is a Mason in his fra- ternal relations and he belongs to the Methodist church.
The Moore brothers are popular in all circles in Maryville and since coming here they have done their full share in forwarding the interests of the place.
MARVIN A. PEERY.
One of the leading attorneys of the younger generation in this section of Missouri is Marvin A. Peery, the present popular city clerk of Maryville. He is one of Nodaway county's public spirited citizens and withholds his co- operation from no movement which is intended to promote public improve- ment. What he has achieved in life proves the force of his character and illustrates his steadfastness of purpose. He is influential in various circles and his advancement to a creditable position in business and political circles is the direct outcome of his own persistent and worthy labors.
Mr. Peery is a native of Albany, Missouri, the son of John B. Peery, of St. Joseph, Missouri, who is also a native of Albany, this state. He is interested in the Chambers & Marney Dry Goods Company of St. Joseph and is regarded as a progressive business man who stands high in the commercial life of northwestern Missouri.
The Peery family is of Southern origin. Grandfather William A. Peery. a native of Tazewell county, Virginia, was a large slave owner during the Civil war and noted for his high sense of honor and his old-time hospitality. He came to Missouri about 1850 and settled in Gentry county. He engaged in the mercantile business with John B. Hunley and John D. Vincil. his brothers-in-law. He also had large land interests. Grandfather Peery mar- ried Eliza Witten. of Tazewell county. Virginia, and to them ten children were born, three of their sons being in the Union army and an equal number
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in the Confederate army. The father of these children was killed in a runaway in 1873. His efforts both as a farmer and merchant met with a reasonable degree of success.
John B Peery married Lavinna Shafer, who was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, in 1856. the daughter of Joseph and Catherine Shafer, the latter living at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. John B. Peery, named as follows: Marvin A., of this review ; Pauline is the wife of Forest Tracy, of Wichita, Kansas ; George M., of Albany, Missouri, is a traveling salesman: Jacob O. lives in St. Joseph, Missouri ; Dale F. and Waive are living at home.
Marvin A. Peery received his primary education in the Albany schools, later attending Northwest Missouri College, a Methodist institution located at Albany, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1896 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, making a very creditable record there. At the annual oratorical contest of the college he was awarded the gold medal as first honors. That entitled him to enter the inter-collegiate contest of the state, comprising fifteen institutions, and a criterion of his rare powers as a public speaker may be gained when we learn that he took second prize in this contest.
After leaving college Mr. Peery first engaged in the abstract business at Albany, from September 13. 1897. where he remained until June, 1898. when he came to Maryville and went to work the following 4th of July, taking a position with Sisson & Sons, with whom he remained until January 1, 1905. when the firm was incorporated as the Sisson Title & Loan Company, and Mr. Peery became a member of the firm. He had been studying law at his leisure for some time, and on September 18. 1903. was admitted to the bar in Gentry county, Missouri, and he began practicing in connection with the firm's busi- ness, as title examiner. He is regarded as accurate. painstaking, persistent and well versed in the law.
Mr. Peery was married on February 9. 1898. to Oleva DePrist, daugh- ter of Hiram and Cynthia DePrist. an influential Gentry county family. Hiram DePrist came from Indiana and his wife from Gentry county, Mis- souri. Mrs. Peery was born September 16, 1876, in Gentry county and was educated in the same college which her husband attended, graduating with the same class. She, too, won recognition as a speaker, carrying off the orator- ical honors among the girls of that institution. She is a woman of talent and refinement and popular with a large circle of friends. This union has re- sulted in the birth of two children, Alice, born June 12, 1901, and Louise, born November 4, 1905.
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Mr. Peery was appointed city clerk of Maryville, May 1, 1907, and so faithfully did he discharge his duties that he has been re-appointed every year since. He has long taken an abiding interest in the affairs of the Democratic party and he was secretary of the Democratic county central committee from 1902 to 1906 and chairman of the same from 1906 to 1908, during which time he did a very commendable work for his party. While chairman he elected more offices than ever had been known in the local history of the party, surpassing any other chairman in this respect. He has a large acquaintance in this and adjoining counties and is regarded as one of the local leaders in his party and his counsel is often sought in Democratic affairs.
Mr. Peery takes an active interest in fraternal affairs. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen, the Woodmen of the World, the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the subordinate and the encamp- ment lodges, and is worshipful master of Lodge No. 470, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church South.
JAMES W. HOWARD.
This is an age in which the farmer stands pre-eminently above any other class as a producer of wealth. He takes advantage of nature's gifts, in the way of wind, air, sunshine and rain, and, supplementing this by his own energy and skill, he creates grain, hay, livestock, etc., all of which are abso- lute necessaries to the inhabitants of the world. The commercial world has come to recognize his importance and has surrounded him with many con- veniences not thought of a hundred years ago. And the farmer has not been slow to take advantage of the improvements and aids thus invented and of- fered. Among the up-to-date farmers of Nodaway county is the subject of this brief sketch, who owns and operates successfully a fine farm in Monroe township.
James W. Howard was born in Green county, South Carolina, on the 16th day of February, 1846, and is a son of John and Tempy (Crane) How- ard. The subject's paternal grandfather, John Howard, was a native of England, who came to the United States and reared his family in South Carolina. The maternal grandfather, Shadrach Crane, was a native of bonnie Scotland and left the land of hill and heather in an early day, settling also in South Carolina, Green county. James W. Howard lived with his parents in the South Carolina home until he was sixteen years of age, when the family moved to Green county, Tennessee. Four years later, in June.
James w alber, Howard, and Family
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1872, he married Mary Settle, a native of that county, near Greenville, and a daughter of John and Nancy ( Howe) Settle. In October of the same year he and his wife came to Atchison county, Missouri, locating near Rockport. where they lived until 1904. While there he first lived on a rented farm, but subsequently he bought a farm, which he sold four years later. In August, 1903. Mr. Howard bought one hundred and thirty-two and a half acres of fine land, located two and a half miles southeast of Skidmore, prac- tically all of which is under cultivation. In the spring of 1904 he moved to this place, and is now residing there. He is a thoroughly up-to-date agricul- turist, keeping in touch with the most advanced ideas relating to the science of husbandry and not hesitating to adopt new methods when their practicability has been demonstrated by experiment. The place is well-improved, compris- ing a comfortable and attractive residence, substantial and commodious barns and outbuildings, while the general apearance of the place indicates the owner to be a man of sound judgment and excellent taste.
The year after Mr. Howard came to Missouri, his parents also came and located near Rockport. where they lived until their deaths. Mrs. Howard's parents came at the same time as the subject, settling in the same neighbor- hood, and there they lived the rest of their lives.
To Mr. and Mrs. Howard have been born eight children, all of whom are living, namely : Nancy, the wife of Ed Minerley, living five miles north- west of Quitman, this county, and they have three children, Clarence. Ethel and Harold; Tempy is the wife of James Madden, of Atchison county, and they have nine children. Herman, Elsie, James, Elgiva, Hazel. Isaac. Ralph. Ivy and Ida, the two last named being twins ; Essie is the wife of Will Catron. of Atchison county, and they have three children. Virgil. Edward and Rich- ard; John, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, married Maggie Moore and they have one child. Glenn : James, of Colorado Springs, married Florence Shull and they have one son, Richard ; Dovie became the wife of Lyttiton Rhodes, of Mound City. Holt county, this state, and they have four children, Ruth, Eugene, Glesner and Henry: Bertha is the wife of Ear! Busby, living five miles west of Burlington Junction, and they have two children, Cledith and May : Walter is unmarried and remains at home with his parents, helping on the farm.
Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Howard are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church South, to which both allied themselves at the age of thirteen years, and they now hold membership in the church at Skidmore, to which they give a generous support. Mr. Howard is a man of sturdy integrity and stanch qualities of character and because of his genuine worth and his high charac- ter he enjoys the respect and esteem of the entire community.
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PATRICK L. GROWNEY.
To win success in any line of human endeavor requires definiteness of purpose, concentration of effort and indomitable courage, and to succeed in as exacting a calling as the law requires all these and many other sterling at- tributes. Patrick L. Growney, who seems to possess all these requirements to a marked degree, being regarded as one of the leading members of the Nod- away bar, has long had the interests of this locality at heart, and has, while advancing his own welfare, done much toward promulgating the civic, polit- ical, industrial and moral tone of the vicinity. His career has been one of hard work, and, being a man of integrity; is eminently deserving of the success he has attained and the respect which is accorded him by everyone.
Mr. Growney was born four miles northwest of Conception, Nodaway county, Missouri, August 25. 1858. the son of Phillip Growney, a native of county Meath, Ireland, where he grew to maturity and was educated and from which country he came to America in 1848, locating in Brooklyn, New York. where he got a foothold and remained for a period of ten years. His father, Patrick Growney, also a native of Ireland, accompanied him to this country. They worked principally as laborers and various kinds of honest work after arriving on our shores, both coming from the agricultural class. They decided to cast their fortunes in the West and in 1858 came to Nodaway county. Missouri, and began farming in a small way, settling on land in what has since been termed the "Conception Colony," and there the paternal grand- father and grandmother and the father of Patrick L. Growney, of this review, passed to their rest, the father dying in 1884, at the age of fifty-two years. Grandfather Growney died in 1876. his widow surviving until 1894, reach- ing an advanced age. They were the first of that class of settlers in the vicinity of Conception. That was before the Catholic church was established there. Grandfather Growney married Mary Monahan, a native of Ireland. Five children were born to them, all of them coming to America.
The mother of Patrick L. Growney was known in her maidenhood as Margaret McCabe. of county Louth, Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Philip Growney ten children were born, seven boys and three girls, all living at this writing, namely : Patrick L., of this review : James C., an attorney at Mary- ville, is married but has no children; John D., a farmer near Conception, is married and has eight children; Philip R., who has remained single, lives at Conception Junction : Laurence F., a farmer near the old homestead at Con- ception, is married and has seven children; Dr. Joseph J., of Kansas City. Kansas. is married and has four children : Charles M. is living with his mother
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at St. Joseph, Missouri : Mary E. is the wife of Michael McQuinn and lives at St. Joseph. Missouri: Margaret is the wife of Patrick Hays, an attorney at Atchison. Kansas, and has three children: Anna is single and living with her mother in St. Joseph.
Patrick L. Growney, of this review, was educated in the district schools, and reared on the home farm where he early began assisting with the general work about the place : he also spent one year in St. Mary's College, from 1875 to 1876, St. Mary. Kansas, also one year at the University of Missouri, from 1877 to 1878. in the academy class. He decided to devote his attention to the law and when not engaged in the prosecution of his regular studies he read law. later taking it up in earnest and was admitted to the bar in 1888 and he has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Maryville ever since, or for a period of twenty-one years, meeting with well merited success, now en- joying a large clientele which is not confined to the local courts. January I, 1879. he took up his duties as deputy circuit clerk and recorder under Laur- ence J. Growney, his uncle, who was again elected recorder in 1886, when Patrick L. Growney again assisted him as deputy.
P. L. Growney was married on November 23, 1882, to Mary Murrin, who was born in Belvidere, Illinois, the daughter of Owen Murrin, now of Maryville, Missouri. This union has resulted in the birth of the following children : Philip L., of St. Benedict's Abbey, of Mt. Angel. Oregon ; Eugene Emmett, Mary N., Patrick L., Jr., all of Maryville. Beatrice is living with her grandfather. Two other children died in childhood. Mrs. Growney was called to her rest in 1901.
Mr. Growney has the distinction of being the first Catholic child born and baptized in Nodaway county. This family are faithful supporters of the Catholic church and, like their progenitors, bear untarnished reputations.
FRED P. ROBINSON.
Some writer, who is no doubt well informed upon the subject, has writ- ten that the first requisite for a citizen who shares the work of public life is. that he act disinterestedly, and the second is efficiency. Fred P. Robinson. the subject of this sketch, is the possessor of both of these attainments. It would be an agreeable pastime to write a record of the lives of such men as Mr. Robinson. comprehensive in detail and complete in scope. However, the best decades of a life in so short a sketch must be ignored, through the lim-
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itations of space. The subject of this sketch has been an earnest worker and his life is one of human progress, written in characters that are lasting.
Mr. Robinson was born in Maryville, Missouri. December 13, 1874. His father was Theodore Robinson, a native of Callaway county. Missouri, who came to Nodaway county in about 1848, locating at Maryville. Theodore Robinson was one of the rich contributors of mental and physical activity that the state of Missouri has given to the business classes of the West. Orphaned early in life, he was the founder of his own fortune through untir- ing perseverance. He commenced life as a clerk, and later established himself in the mercantile business. Those who knew him speak of his devotion to principles, his unswerving fidelity and great patience. During the last thirty years of his life he was identified with the Nodaway Valley Bank of Mary- ville, first as cashier, and later as its president. He was for many years pres- ident of the school board, and took an active interest in every branch of progress, especially with that affecting the community of Maryville. He died in May, 1894, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca J. Ray. came to Missouri with her parents at the age of seven. the family locating on the present site of Maryville. Mrs. Robinson survived her husband and is now a resident of Maryville. Seven children were born to this couple, and three only are living. namely: James B., president of the Nodaway Valley Bank : Fred P., the subject of this sketch, and Jennie. The- odore Robinson's private life was characterized by generous charities and a love of hospitality, which welcomed his friends to his home. His ability and faithful interest made his loss greatly felt in the community.
The father of Fred P. Robinson left the imprint of his active intellect and tireless industry upon his son. The education the latter received in the public and high schools of Maryville, supplemented by the experience and study of maturer years, made of him an active citizen, precise in business, in- flexible in integrity and thoroughly respected. He went into the Nodaway Valley Bank as a clerk at the age of nineteen years and three years later he became its cashier, which position he held until he was elected mayor of the city. April 3. 1907. Mr. Robinson is, at the present time, vice-president of the bank. He was elected mayor as an independent, and he has been a force- ful executive in administering municipal affairs. Innumerable improvements have been made during his administration. Concrete walks have been placed where unsightly board structures were formerly and public interest has been served conscientiously. Mr. Robinson served in the city council during the years of 1901-2 and, as chairman of the street committee, he directed twelve miles of brick paving. He was first elected mayor to fill an unexpired term
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and his re-election followed for a full term of three years, which expired in April. 1910. After leaving the mayor's chair. Mr. Robinson took up the practice of law, having taken the state bar examination and being admitted to the bar in May, 1910.
Mr. Robinson was married April 23, 1895, to Mary Miller, daughter of John S. and Catharine Miller, she having been born near Guilford, Nodaway county, this state. Three children have been born to them, of whom Mildred and Virginia are living.
Mr. Robinson and wife are members of the Christian church. He is congenial and companionable in his nature, and belongs to Lodge No. 760, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is past exalted ruler ; he is also a Mason of high degree, being present eminent commander of Mary- ville Commandery. No. 40, Knights Templar, also worshipful master of Nod- away Lodge. No. 470, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and a member of Chapter No. 96. Royal Arch Masons.
The "set up" of Mr. Robinson (as a soldier would say) is distinctly pleasing. His face shows a contented mind and indicates that envy is a stranger to his heart. He is today the possessor a well-earned competence. but his greatest possession is the esteem and respect of a large number of friends.
SAMUEL H. WILLIAMS.
Occupying no mean position in public and political affairs in Nodaway county is the well-known gentleman whose name introduces this article. His has been a busy and successful life and the record is eminently worthy of perusal by the student who would learn the intrinsic essence of individuality and its influence in moulding opinion and giving character and stability to a community.
Samuel H. Williams, the present popular treasurer of Nodaway county. is a Hoosier by birth. having been born in Ripley county. Indiana. March 13. 1854. the son of James Williams, who was born in Ohio and who came to Indiana when a young man, settling in Ripley county. He followed farming all his life and was fairly successful wherever he took up his work. From Indiana he went to Wapello county, Iowa, the family remaining there three or four years, then moved to Fountain county. Indiana, when Samuel H. was twelve years old. The latter's mother was Ann McNew, who was born in
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Indiana and who died about 1859 when about forty-eight years old. In this family were seven children, only three of whom now survive, Isaac Williams. Samuel H., of this review, both in Nodaway county, and Joseph Williams, of Tulare, California.
Samuel H. Williams was born on the parental farm and he early learned the art of husbandry. attending the common schools in Fountain county, Indiana, during the winter, and he continued to farm all his life up to March, 1909, when he became treasurer of Nodaway county, having been elected in 1907. He removed to Iowa with his parents, then back to Indiana. When twelve years old his father died, his mother having died a few years previous. He then went into the homes of strangers, among whom he lived for four years-that of David Frazier, of Fountain county, Indiana. Upon the death of Mrs. Frazier, Mr. Williams was again thrown among strangers. He began work on a farm, working a year for one man at thirteen dollars per month and did not miss a day. In February, 1873. he left Indiana and went on horse- back to Tazewell county, Illinois, where he soon began working on a farm at twenty-five dollars per month. While here he was married to Ellen E. Bever, who was born in Fountain county, Indiana, but was reared in Illinois. Mr. Williams remained in Tazewell county eleven years, during which time he was engaged in farming on his own account after the first year. In 1884 he left Illinois, moving to Pawnee county, Nebraska, remaining there and in Gage county for five years, engaged in farming. In February, 1889, he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, locating in Nodaway township, about three miles northeast of Burlington on a farm which he rented and operated for about ten years, then moved on a farm which joined the town of Burlington, where he lived six years, then purchased forty acres in Nodaway township on which he lived until he was elected treasurer. He has met with fair success as a general farmer.
Mr. Williams has always been a loyal Democrat and he was the nominee of his party in 1905 for county treasurer, but was defeated by fifty-five votes. His election in 1907 met with general approval and he is very ably discharg- ing the duties of the office, which he will occupy four years from April, 1909, He was collector of Nodaway township and also justice of the peace before being elected treasurer.
In 1896 Mr. Williams was granted a United States patent on a burglar- proof express car, an invention of great merit. showing exceptional inventive genius and which is attracting much attention in the scientific world. It is pronounced by experts to be practical and in every way plausible.
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Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, namely : Rose married John Williams and lives on the farm belonging to her father in Nodaway township: Joseph Henry is pressman on the Gazette, St. Joseph. Missouri; Samuel R. is a farmer in Nodaway township: Anna May is the wife of Charles Nicholas, of Nodaway township: Phrana Adelia, widow of H. B. Harris, lives with her father; Maude is the wife of Monroe Hudson, of Nodaway township: Emma is the wife of William Kinniman, a fireman on the Chicago Great Western railroad, with headquarters at St. Joseph, Missouri ; Edna and Lulu are living at home.
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