USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume II > Part 54
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Mr. Skidmore was married twice. In June. 1845. he married Mary J. Jessup. the daughter of William Jessup. Her death occurred in March, 1858. By this union were born three sons, namely : George, born in 1850. died in October. 1872: Samuel, born in 1854. died January 12. 1884: Wil- liam J., born September 1. 1857. The latter came to Missouri with his par- ents and completed his education at Amity College. College Springs, Iowa. On July 19. 1899, while on a trip to Pike's Peak, he met. at the "timber line." Miss Margaret Haines, of Philadelphia, a native of Lancaster county. Pennsylvania, this acquaintance eventually resulting in their marriage on
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March 20, 1900. Both of Mrs. Skidmore's parents are dead, though she has five brothers and two sisters living, the brothers being the owners and incor- porators of an elevator construction company. To Mr. and Mrs. Skidmore has been born a son, William Jessup, Jr., his natal day having been May 26. 1904. William J. Skidmore has always made his home on a farm, to the operation of which he has devoted his chief attention, though he has at the same time been interested in other enterprises to some extent. When on a jury at Maryville, a few years ago, he was asked the question, "What is your occupation?" To his reply that he had several, he was asked what they were, and he replied. "I am a banker for honor, run a newspaper for fun, and raise pumpkins for profit!" Being a man of comparatively inde- pendent means, Mr. Skidmore has been enabled to indulge himself to some extent. Most every man has a fad of one kind or another, and in the case of Mr. Skidmore it is to travel. He has visited every state in the Union excepting Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and the New England states, and through this means and habits of keen observation he has gained a val- uable fund of general knowledge which cannot be obtained through text- books or other reading. At one time Mr. Skidmore was given the oppor- tunity of naming what is now Monroe township. It was in his youth. and at the time referred to Nat Sisson, of Maryville, was stopping tempo- rarily at his father's house, being engaged in superintending the erection of a bridge across the river west of Skidmore. The organization of the new township had been practically decided upon and Mr. Sisson asked Wil- liam J. to suggest a name. The latter had it in his mind to suggest the name of his then sweetheart, which was also the name of one of the governors of Missouri, but fear of ridicule caused him to hesitate, and finally Mr. Sisson proposed the name of Monroe, several other townships having been named after Presidents. Politically, Mr. Skidmore was reared a Democrat. but in his mind was at an early age inculcated the laudable idea that honesty and honor are above politics or party lines, and this has been the guiding thought in his life.
On June 30. 1858. Marteny Skidmore married Rebecca Ann Adams. who was born in New Jersey on November 16. 1836, the second child and eldest daughter of Nathan and Mary ( Lippencott) Adams. Her father was born March 10. 1809, and died in May. 1852, while her mother, who was born October 14, 1812, died on January 16, 1907. In 1842 Rebecca Adams moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, with her parents and there she was reared and married. Her father was an old-time blacksmith, a master of his trade, who could do all kinds of expert work in his line. To Mr. and Mrs. Skid-
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more were born six children, who are briefly mentioned as follows: (1) Angeline, who was born November 14. 1859. died on September 30. 1865. (2) Emma, who was born August 17. 1861, died on October 2, 1865. (3) Flora, who was born February 18. 1863, died on October 3. 1865. These three children died within four days of diphtheria. (4) James, who was born April 3. 1866, died on December 2. 1899. As a boy, James was quiet. studious and thoughtful; as a man. charitable, considerate, public-spirited and the soul of honor. In March, 1899. he went to Alaska and remained there several months, thoroughly enjoying the unique experiences. At the time of his death he and his brother William J. were editors and publish- ers of the Skidmore Standard. (5) Ella, born on June 2, 1870, became the wife of Milton Sewell, living at the west edge of Skidmore. and they have two children. Leona Skidmore and Eleanor. (6) Jennie. born on January 4. 1872. died July 7. 1882.
The home life of Marteny Skidmore was ideal. In it were centered his hopes and affections, and he was a kind and faithful husband and a lov- ing and affectionate father. His children found in him a faithful friend and a wise counsellor as well as a sympathetic companion. He was large- hearted and public-spirited and withheld his support from no movement that tended to advance the interests of the community. materially, educationally or morally. He enjoyed a wide acquaintance, and in his death the county suffered a distinct and irreparable loss.
WILLIAM F. LEEPER.
The Leeper family is one of the most prominent in northern Missouri and many bearing this name have figured conspicuously in the various lines of endeavor to which they have directed their attention. and they have not only been important factors in public life, but have been exponents of the highest integrity in their homes and among their fellow men.
Of this large family or families. William F. Leeper, a successful farmer of Hughes township. Nodaway county. demands attention at present. He was born in this township on March 22, 1869, and is the son of Judge William and Almira Francis (Lawrence) Leeper. the father a native of Indiana and the mother of Ohio. The Judge came to Nodaway county, Missouri, in the spring of 1865 and for many years was active in county affairs. He married Almira Francis Lawrence about 1867. and they soon afterwards settled in
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Hughes township, and he farmed very successfully west of Graham, living there until his death, April 18, 1906. Mrs. Leeper survives. They became the parents of four children, William F., Fred E., Clarence R. and Hiram L.
William F. Leeper was reared in Hughes township, attended school in his native community and worked on the home place during the summer months. He has always devoted his attention to farming and is now the owner of four hundred and forty acres, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He keeps some excellent stock and he has a good dwelling and sufficient outbuildings to meet all his requirements. His attention is devoted exclusively to his farm.
Mr. Leeper was married at Hiawatha, Kansas, January 9, 1907, to Mary A. Heidtbrink, who was born in Germany.
PETER ALUMBAUGH.
In reviewing the interesting life record of Peter Alumbaugh, one of the venerable and highly-honored citizens of Grant township, we are taken back to the good old days in the Blue Grass state, the palmy epoch of the old-time planters, with their broad acres and world-famed hospitality. He was born in one of those excellent families, on May 22, 1832. in Madison county. Kentucky, the son of John and Nancy ( Messic ) Alumbaugh. The father. a native of that state. reached almost the century mark, dying in 1854: the mother was also a native of that state. They grew to maturity and were married there. coming to Platte county, Missouri, in 1842, and enter- ing a farm not far from St. Joseph, they being among the early pioneers there. Mr. Alumbaugh was one of the first ministers of the old Campbellite ( now Christian ) church to preach in this section of the state. He established the church at Bethany. Missouri, known as the Union church. In 1850 he came to Nodaway county and located near Graham, and after a residence here of one year he moved to Iowa, where he lived two years, then returned to Missouri and entered a farm of one hundred and ninety acres in White Cloud township. Nodaway county, which was unimproved. He also bought eighty acres of timber land adjoining. improved the place and built a home, at the same time continuing in the ministry, doing a vast amount of good in those early days, and became well known throughout this part of the state. He was a very able minister and rode to his work on horseback. often many miles over rough and unfrequented roads, but he let nothing stand in the
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way of filling his engagements. He was a man of many sterling qualities- a typical pioncer of the old school, honest, brave and always ready to give his time and labor to the service of others. His wife learned the tailor's trade in Kentucky, where she did a great deal of work in that line, con- tinuing the same for some years after coming to Missouri. None of the pioneer settlers of Nodaway county were better or more favorably known than they, winning the high esteem of everyone. They were the parents of fourteen children, of whom five are now living. namely: Peter, of this review : Jesse B., Mary J., Cyntha and Martin : those deceased are, William, Lydia, John, Hardin, Nancy. Elizabeth and three infants. Jesse B. is a well-known minister of the Christian church, famous for his evangelistic work. Hardin was killed in the Union army.
Peter Alumbaugh, of this review, remained with his parents on the farm during his boyhood days, and had practically no school advantages in those early days. On August 3. 1853, he was married to Jane Myers, daughter of Barnabas G. and Rebecca ( Benson) Myers, natives of Vir- ginin, the latter being well educated. Mr. Myers came to Nodaway county in 1840 and located on three hundred and twenty acres in White Cloud township, and became a well-known farmer and stock raiser.
Peter Alumbaugh entered eighty acres of land in White Cloud town- ship and began his married life on his own farm, on which he built a house and lived there five years. He sold the place for six hundred and fifty dollars in gold, and bought eighty acres near Barnard, for which he paid four hundred dollars. It was unimproved, but he went to work on it and built a home there, finally selling the place for one thousand dollars. He then bought a part of his father-in-law's farm, consisting of one hundred and forty acres, which he now owns. He has an excellent farm, which he has managed to advantage. For several years he has made his home in Barnard.
Mrs. Alumbaugh, dying on April 5. 1909. was buried on the ground Mr. Alumbaugh reserved when he sold the farm previous to the one he now owns, which is used now as a public burying-ground and is well cared for. Her father was perhaps the second oldest settler in this part of the county, a Mr. Bailey being possibly the first settler here, who built the first log house and the first home in Grant township, or this part of the county, Mr. Myers coming one year later and building the second dwelling here: both houses are standing and are in a good state of preservation, the Bailey home having been built in 1840 and the Myers house in 1841-seventy years ago.
Mr. Alumbaugh has always been a farmer by occupation, and he has succeeded admirably in this line. During the Civil war he entered the service
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in the state militia, in 1861, and served for a period of five years. He is a member of the Christian church, and he has been a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows for forty years. Mrs. Alumbaugh was a member of the Rebekahs, being active in the same. Politically, Mr. Alum- baugh is a Republican. He talks interestingly of the early days and is an ex- cellent historian of those times. He tells of how he sold a yoke of oxen for one hundred dollars and used the money to enter his first land, eighty acres. He first refused to take the one hundred dollars offered for his oxen. but his wife was standing by and said: "My boy, you had better sell and take the money and enter this eighty acres of land." He did as she directed and thus got a good start in life, and he has always been glad he listened to his wife on this occasion, taking her advice.
The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Alumbaugh : Frank B., who married Lanra Jackson, has three children ; Charlie married Maud Wohlford: Frank, and C. Mabel (wife of Dr. J. L. Gillett) ; Adaline Alum- baugh married Silas P. Bradford, and they have four children, Myrtle. Maudie, wife of Dr. J. J. Wisser, and two infants. Charley and Maud Alumbaugh have two children, great-grandchildren of Peter Alumbaugh.
JAMES REESE.
When the family represented by the subject of this memoir moved to Nodaway county, Missouri, they found a wild prairie country overrun by wild animals and occasionally a roving band of Indians. . Locating three miles east and one-half mile south of Skidmore, there was but one house between their place and Maryville, and there were not a dozen families within as many miles. Deer frequented the clearing they made, and animals and birds preyed on their crops, visiting them especially during roasting- ear time, and the domestic animals had to be looked after sharply or they fell victims to the wolves and foxes.
James Reese, a well-remembered and influential citizen here for many decades. now gone to his reward, leaving behind him a good inheritance of property and a better one in a good name, was born on the Mohawk Flats. Herkimer county. New York. December 1, 1834, and was the son of John and Evaline ( Beatman) Reese, also natives of the Empire state. his ancestors having come from Germany and settled in the Mohawk valley in an early day, and became well established as farmers and dairymen. Mem-
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bers of this family fought in the Revolutionary war. The father of James Reese spent the last years of his life in St. Lawrence county, New York, and died there. He was a good and useful man, active in the Presbyterian church. His family consisted of the following children: Eliza C. married Rufus Smith, a Lutheran minister, who spent many years in this county ; Stephen died in New York; Dorothea married R. Griffin; Mary married M. Snyder, and James, of this review.
James Reese grew to maturity on the home farm in the state of New York and there received his education in the common schools, remaining at home and taking care of his parents as long as they lived, and through his father's will he came into possession of the old family homestead, on which he continued to reside for a number of years after his marriage. He soon had a good start and was enabled to buy another place. Selling out his property in New York in 1870, he came to Nodaway county, Mis- souri, and spent the remainder of his life here as a farmer, being very suc- cessful in his chosen line of endeavor and becoming widely and favorably known. He purchased two hundred and forty acres of wild prairie land. which he placed under a high state of cultivation in due course of time, carrying on stock raising in connection with general farming, laying by quite a competence through this combination, so that he was enabled to add to his original purchase until he had a valuable place consisting of four hundred and ninety acres. He was very energetic and progressive, and was always abreast of the times. Politically, he was a Democrat and was active in the affairs of the party. He had a wide circle of warm personal friends and was highly esteemed by all who knew him, for he was a man of sterling worth. The death of this excellent citizen occurred on February 9. 1899.
James Reese was married in 1855 to Charlotte Gordon, who was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, June 16, 1835, the daughter of Amos and Emily (Simons) Gordon. lifelong residents of that county. Reuben Gordon. Mrs. Reese's paternal grandfather, was born in New York, of Welsh ancestry, and spent his life on a farm. He married Pruella Scott. and eight children were born to them, Griffin, Ezra, Polla, Anna, Betsey, Enos. William and Obed. Her mother's father. Benjamin Simons, was born in Connecticut and was a dairyman in New York. He married Fannie Beckwith, of Connecticut, and the following children were born to them : Lydia. Emily. Catherine, Lucy A .. Hubbard and Clarissa. The parents of Mrs. Reese were members of the Presbyterian church, of which her father was a deacon for many years. Their children were. Lydia. Charlotte. Jane, Caroline and Gilbert.
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The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. James Reese : Lanson J. Reese, born in St. Lawrence county, New York, November 26, 1856. died in Colorado December 15. 1896; he married Mary Jones, of Iowa, who, with four children, survived him. one child having died in infancy. Alice Reese died in infancy. Charles Reese is a farmer in Monroe town- ship, this county (see his sketch in another part of this work). Evaline Reese died in infancy. Rhugene Reese, who is farming in Okahoma, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1865 ; he married Fannie White- head, of Nodaway county, Missouri, and they have had three children, Ulysses (deceased). Alice and Hazel. Wilburt Reese was born in St. Law- rence county, New York. March 25, 1869: he was a farmer and married Rachael Bolick, of Iowa, and they had six children, two dying in infancy, Ivan, Leona H., Willis and a daughter. Willis Reese was born in Missouri, September 17. 1872. Leona Reese was born in Missouri, June 20, 1877.
As Mr. Reese left no will, his widow and son, Willis, administered the estate, and the latter has since carried on the work inaugurated by his father, and has spent his entire life on the homestead. engaged in general farming and stock raising.
JAMES B. ROBERTSON.
The commercial world has come to recognize the great importance of the tiller of the soil and has surrounded him with many conveniences and utensils unthought of a century or even a half century ago. The inventor has given him the self-binder, the riding-plow. the steam thresher and numer- ous other labor-saving devices. And the farmer has not been slow to take advantage of these blessed improvements.
One of the farmers of Hughes township, Nodaway county, who has utilized every means to render his work in connection with the farm profitable is James B. Robertson, who was born in Morrison, Whiteside county, Illinois, December 19. 1857. the son of Joseph K. and Mary ( Needham) Robertson. the father a native of Indiana and the mother of England. They were among the early settlers of Whiteside county, Illinois, and there they lived until their deaths at advanced ages. They were the parents of nine children. of whom James B., of this review, was the third in order of birth. He was reared on his father's farm in Whiteside county. Illinois, and soon learned what hard work meant. and during the winter months he attended the public schools there, remaining in that vicinity until the spring of 1878. when he
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came to Nodaway county. Missouri, and settled on the farm where he has since resided, owning one hundred and twenty acres, which he has improved and erected good buildings on, rendering his place one of the best in the com- munity, or township in fact. He has always followed farming and stock raising and well understands modern methods in respect to each.
Mr. Robertson was married in Hughes township, on March 2, 1882. to Sarah Lyle, who was a native of Illinois. Her death occurred here in Sep- tember, 1900, when forty years of age. Five children were born to this union, namely: Nancy, who is the wife of Frederick Ager: Joseph L. ; Flor- ence : Charles died when eighteen months old ; Edna M.
Mr. Robertson is a Democrat and, while not active in the party, is inter- ested in its success. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
FRED C. BARBER.
Nodaway is a county of magnificent and productive farms, in this re- spect being one of the most favored sections of the great commonwealth of Missouri, and among the fine farms of the county must be numbered that owned by the subject of this sketch and which lies in section 35. in the north- western part of Monroe township. Persistent industry, sound judgment and wise management have been the elements which have contributed to Mr. Bar- ber's success in his chosen vocation and as a representative citizen of his com- munity he is entitled to representation in a work of this character.
Mr. Barber was born in Adams county, Illinois, in February, 1857, and is a son of William and Eliza ( Hammond) Barber. He was reared on the home farm until sixteen years of age, when, in 1873. the family moved to Nodaway county and located in Green township, where they subsequently bought a fine farm in the southwestern part of the township. In October. 1883, the subject married Laura Grigsby, the daughter of Capt. John Grigsby. whose personal sketch appears elsewhere in this work. After his marriage Mr. Barber bought the home farm from his parents, the latter moving then to Skidmore, where they spent the remainder of their days. In November, 1892, Mr. and Mrs. Barber moved to his present fine farm, to the cultivation of which he has since given his earnest attention. The place, which comprises four hundred and eighty acres, is most eligibly situated and has been improved to such an extent that it is now numbered among the best farms of the town- ship. In addition to this farm, which is all in one body. Mr. Barber owns one
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hundred and twenty acres of land in section 1. Monroe township, eighty acres in section 15. the same township, and one hundred and eighty-four acres in Green township, making his total land holdings about eight hundred and sixty- four acres. Mr. Barber is thoroughly practical in his farming operations, and is enterprising and progressive in his ideas, keeping in touch with advanced ideas relating to the science of husbandry. He owns an attractive and com- fortable residence, and the general appearance of his place indicates the owner to be a man of good judgment and excellent taste. Right in the prime of his life. he takes an intelligent interest in the affairs of the community, and is al .. ays found on the right side of every question affecting the welfare of those about him. He takes a marked interest in educational matters and has seen to it that his children have received good educations.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Barber, namely : John W .. I illis and William F. Lillis died in infancy. John, who is at home with his father, received a good public school education, and supplemented this by four years' attendance at the Missouri Wesleyan College at Cameron and also at- tended the college at Baker. William Frederick is now a student in the Mis- souii Wesleyan College. The mother of these children died on December 6. 1902. and on June 1. 1905. Mr. Barber married Viola McNutt. She was born in Indiana, but spent the greater part of her childhood at Blandinsville. Illinois. Her father was a well known minister of the Baptist church. From Illinois. Mrs. Barber went to Kansas with her parents and there completed her education. Subsequently she engaged in teaching school, being located at Beloit, Kansas, seven years, going then to Princeton, Indiana, where she engaged in teaching until her marriage to Mr. Barber.
Politically. Mr. Barber renders a stanch allegiance to the Republican party. He is not an office seeker, but while living in Green township he served efficiently several years as a justice of the peace. He and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which they give an earnest support. In every relation of life he has performed well his part and because of his sterling integrity of character and his success in life he has won and retains the sincere respect of the entire community in which he lives.
ALLEN P. BOLIN.
That the plenitude of satiety is seldom attained in the affairs of life is to be considered a most beneficial deprivation, for where ambition is sat- isfied and the ultimate end realized. if such be possible. apathy must follow.
(71)
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Effort would cease, accomplishment be prostrate, and creative talent waste its activities in inactivity. The men who have pushed forward the wheels of progress have been those to whom satisfaction lies ever in the future, who labor continuously, always finding in each transition stage an incentive for further effort. Mr. Bolin is one whose well-directed efforts have gained for him a position of relative prominence in the business circles of Arkoe. Nodaway county, and his energy and enterprise are being crowned with a gratifying measure of success.
Allen P. Bolin is a native of Nodaway county, having been born in White Cloud township on the 22d day of November, 1879. He is a son of Pleasant and Margaret (Shinabarger) Bolin, who are still residents of this township. Of their nine children, Allen P. is the fourth in order of birth. He was reared on his father's farmstead and secured his elementary education in the public schools of that locality. supplementing this by attendance at the Maryville Seminary. After completing his education he engaged in teaching school for several years and then spent two years in farming. In the spring of 1909 Mr. Bolin came to Arkoe and engaged in the mercantile business, his enterprise meeting with success from its inception. He carries a large and well selected stock of general merchandise and because of his accommodating manner and the courteous treatment of his customers he is enjoying a large and constantly increasing patronage. On July 20. 1909, Mr. Bolin was ap- pointed postmaster and is the present incumbent of that office, giving an efficient administration of his official duties.
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