USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume II > Part 7
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NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
then to Texas, and a few weeks later turned back to Brashear City. In the spring of 1864 they went on up Red river and engaged in several skirmishes, Mr. Gwin being unable to carry a gun at that time owing to an accidental in- jury received while in Texas, and he was detailed as clerk at the general head- quarters. After the battle of Sabine Cross Roads he went home on a fur- lough, returning to Wisconsin. In May, 1864, after a stay of only two weeks at home, he returned to his regiment, and spent the following winter in camp at Helena, Arkansas, and in the spring of 1865 he went down the river to New Orleans, thence to Mobile and took part in the battle at Fort Blakely and Spanish Fort. He was mustered out July 4. 1865, at Mobile and the reg- iment started back home, being finally discharged at Madison, Wisconsin, the last of July. Mr. Gwin ranking as sergeant, he having been made corporal just after the siege of Vicksburg.
In the fall of 1865 Mr. Gwin bought a small farm and began work on it. remaining on the same ten years. He sold out in 1875. in March of which year he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, near where Skidmore now stands, buying a farm three miles east of that place, starting with eighty acres and he lived there until the fall of 1883. when he moved into Skidmore, two years after the town started. He afterwards traded his first farm for two hundred acres north of Skidmore and lived there at intervals for several years. When he first moved into Skidmore he went into business with H. H. Joy, general merchants, afterwards adding clothing and dry goods. Part of the time he ran the business alone, and sometimes with other partners. Selling out in 1894, he returned to the farm, on which he remained five years, spending the rest of the time in Skidmore.
Mr. Gwin was a Democrat in belief before the Civil war, since which he has been a Republican, although an independent thinker, voting his senti- ments.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gwin, two of whom died in infancy : Julia E. is the wife of Jonas F. Brown, mentioned elsewhere in this work; she lives two and three-quarter miles northwest of Skidmore. and is the mother of six children.
CURTIS WRAY.
Among the energetic, public-spirited men of affairs, to whom, as much perhaps as to any other person in recent years, Nodaway county is in- debted for the impetus which has added so materially to its growth and
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prosperity, the name of Curtis Wray. the well known proprietor and owner of the Maryville Tribune, should be mentioned. To him should be ac- corded full credit for what he has accomplished in the field of journalism, for he started out in life under none too favorable environment, but de- spite obstacles, lack of large inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, he has steadily and surely fought his way to the front, not only winning success in a material way but also gaining the confidence and es- teem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who recognize him as a leader in the affairs of this locality.
Mr. Wray was born in Polk township. Nodaway county. December 9, 1868, the son of Stephen K. and Mary C. Wray, an excellent old family, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in these pages.
Mr. Wray was educated in the schools at Hopkins and early in life decided to enter the newspaper arena. and, when a mere lad learned the printer's trade in the Journal office in Hopkins. After working success- fully at his trade for about seven years in various parts of the country, he returned to Hopkins in 1890 and purchased a half interest in the Journal. In the spring of 1892 he started the Hopkins Leader. In the fall of 1893 he moved the plant to Maryville and started the Tribune as a weekly. Having been very successful in this venture and observing the need of a live daily. in 1899 he began issuing his paper as a daily and it has been successfully continued ever since. having become an important factor lo- cally and taking its place among the best news mediums of its type in this section of the state, its circulation having steadily increased until it is gen- erally recognized by the commercial world as a valuable advertising me- dium. A job office is maintained in connection with the plant and is ex- tensively patronized, the office throughout being well equipped and under a splendid system.
Mr. Wray's marriage took place on September 18, 1888, to Abbie Pad- clock, of Markesan. Green Lake county, Wisconsin. She is the daughter of Franklin and Eliza Paddock, her parents being of English ancestry. To this union three children have been born, named as follows: Raymond. Helen and Gladys, all members of the home circle.
Mr. Wray is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, having attained the thirty-second degree; he is also past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, in which order he also takes a great deal of interest. He belongs to the Methodist church and is a Republican in politics.
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WESLEY W. GLASS.
Coming from that great army of toilers who represent the brain and sinew of the land, and who, after all, constitute the creative capacity and the true manliness and worth of a community. Wesley W. Glass, well known real estate dealer of Maryville. Missouri, stands today, by dint of his own endeavor. a man of honor and ability among his fellow-townspeople. He was born in Hancock county. Illinois, January 4. 1850, the son of Samuel Glass, who was a native of Pennsylvania, from which state he came to Illi- nois in 1840, settling in Hancock county where he spent the rest of his life, dying at the age of eighty-three years. He was a man of sterling traits, hon- est, neighborly and a hard worker. This family is of German origin and each member seems to possess the characteristic thrift of that nationality.
The mother of Wesley W. Glass was known in her maidenhood as Rachael Marshall, a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in the same county as her husband, and there they grew to maturity, were educated and married, and from there they made the long overland journey through moun- tain defile and over treacherous swamps, in a wagon to Illinois and began . life anew amid new conditions. Mrs. Samuel Glass died in August, 1879. at the age of sixty-seven years. In their family were seven children, named as follows: Robert M .. born in Pennsylvania, is deceased: James M., also born in Pennsylvania. is also deceased: George W. died at Young's Point. Louisiana, in 1861, while in the army: John M. died in young manhood ; Mrs. Sarah E. Mckay lives at LeHarp, Illinois : Wesley W., of this review ; S. F. lives at Ontario. California.
Wesley W. Glass grew to maturity on the home farm in Hancock county, Illinois, began work in the fields when but a mere boy and attended the com- mon schools in his neighborhood. later attending high school and college at Carthage. Illinois, the county seat of Hancock county. He received very serviceable education and taught school during the winter months for sev- eral years, farming in the summer. remaining at home until he was thirty years old. Although meeting with success as a teacher, he turned his attention to merchandising at Burnsides, Hancock county, Illinois, at which place he was also postmaster, and was thus engaged for two years. Abandoning the mer- cantile business, he returned to the farm and continued there until 1883. when he sold out and came to Nodaway county. Missouri, buying a farm ten miles southeast of Maryville. There he lived for twenty years, then sold that place and bought a farm two miles north of Maryville, where he lived for two years. then sold out and moved into town. He spent some time traveling in the
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west and promiscuous trading in Maryville. In 1903 he engaged in the real estate business with Austin L. Nash, which, with the exception of three years, he has continued to the present time. He has done his full share in building up a very satisfactory business, being well informed as to relative values of property throughout the county and conducting a business always fair to all parties concerned.
Mr. Glass married. on October 12. 1879. Hulda E. McMillen, who was born in Hancock county, Illinois, of an excellent family : this union has resulted in the birth of three children, namely: Milan C., deceased; Edith A. is the wife of Arthur Condon, who lives in Maryville; Claude W. is still a member of the home circle.
Mr. and Mrs. Glass and their children belong to the Christian church, of which Mr. Glass is an elder, having faithfully performed the duties of this office for a period of twenty-four years. He is a Republican in politics and he was at one time collector of Hancock county, Illinois, and he also served as school director.
NICHOLAS HELZER.
The name of Nicholas Helzer, proprietor of the "Sunniebright Farm," one of the choicest landed estates of Hughes township, Nodaway county, has, like that of his ancestors, been above reproach and his life blameless, and he is regarded as one of the leaders of this portion of the county in. all matters that tend to the upbuilding of the community, and no better farmer or rep- resentative citizen could be found here.
Mr. Helzer was born on a farm in Clark county, Indiana, August 26, 1846, and he is the son of John and Catherine ( Eiring) Helzer, both natives of Germany, where they grew to maturity, were educated and married and from which country they came to America about 1826. Soon after they settled in Clark county. Indiana, where they both lived until their deaths. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Nicholas, of this review, was the fifth in order of birth. He lived in Clark county, Indiana, until he was twenty-five years old, attended school and received a fairly good educa- tion there. He then came to Nodaway county, Missouri, working out the first winter after arriving here. Then he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, where he now lives, having resided here continuously. He has erected a fine home in the midst of beautiful surroundings, also put up other build- ings. He has been very successful in his operations and is now the owner of
NICHOLAS HELZER RESIDENCE
0
Nicholas. Helger, Mary In. Helzer.
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NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
four hundred and forty-nine acres, all of which is improved and which con- stitutes one of the best farms in the county.
On April 20, 1873, Mr. Helzer married Mary M. Rostock, in Oregon, Holt county, Missouri, of which place she was a native, having been born there February 12. 1853. She is the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Scweigert) Rostock, both natives of Germany, where they were reared and married. They came to America in 1848, and they settled in Herkimer county, New York, where they remained two years, then came to Holt county, Missouri, in 1851, and settled near Oregon. Mr. Rostock was a carpenter by trade and he followed this line of work after coming to Missouri, also en- gaged in farming, and he and his wife both died on their farm near Oregon, Missouri. Of a family of nine children, Mrs. Helzer was the third in order of birth. She was reared and educated in Holt county.
Mr. and Mrs. Helzer are the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are living, namely : Lulu; Arthur E .; Grace, the wife of J. D. McNeal, of Hughes township; Frank E., Mabel, Carl E., Myrtle B., and Clifford W .; three of the deceased children died in infancy, and Carrie, who was the wife of O. M. Tarrants, died in Modale, Iowa, March 5, 1908, in her thirty-third year.
Mr. and Mrs. Helzer are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Helzer has held several of the most important offices, and of which he is a pillar and a liberal supporter. Politically, he is a Republican, and he takes a great deal of interest in the progress of his county.
JOHN FREDERICK BARBER.
Descended from honored pioneer ancestry and carrying forward in a practical and successful manner the work so thoroughly inaugurated by his predecessors. the subject of this sketch is entitled to specific mention in a work purporting to deal with the representative citizens of Nodaway county. Mr. Barber was born September 4. 1878. at Burr Oak Grove, in Monroe township, this county, and is a son of Alfred Charles and Ann (Costen) Barber, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, therefore no further mention of them will be made here. John F. Barber spent his boyhood years on the home farm and secured a good practical education in the public schools. When seventeen years old he accompanied the family on their removal to Colorado, and on their return to this county he also came and bought a farm in the neighborhood from which they had
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moved. In 1903 the subject bought the farm on which he now resides and which is located in the south part of section 13, in southwestern Monroe township. Here he has diligently applied himself to the cultivation of this tract and his efforts have been rewarded with a due meed of success. He has made many permanent and substantial improvements, and today the place is numbered among the attractive farmsteads of Nodaway county. Mr. Barber raises all the crops common to this section of the country and also devotes some attention to the raising of livestock, which also has proven a source of considerable revenue. He is up-to-date in his methods, his progressive spirit leading him to adopt new methods when in his judg- ment their practicability has been demonstrated by experience. He is am- bitious and is a steady and persistent worker, his greatest desire being to make a comfortable home for his family and to retain in the neighborhood the good opinion of his neighbors-a good will which he has won by a cor- rect life and industrious habits.
On May 30, 1909, Mr. Barber married Myrtie Evonia Mast. the daughter of John and Adelene Mast, pioneers of Nodaway county whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this work. Fraternally, Mr. Barber is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. in the work of which he takes an appreciative interest. Every movement which promises to benefit the com- munity, morally, educationally, socially or materially, finds in him an earnest supporter and he is numbered among the stanch and influential citizens of Monroe township.
AUSTIN L. NASH.
Among those men who by their industry and business activity have con- tributed to their own advancement and that of Nodaway county as well, Aus- tin L. Nash is deserving of mention, being a man of forceful individuality and such foresight as to take advantage of opportunities which presented themselves, and he has conducted his business affairs very successfully.
Mr. Nash was born near Hopkins, this county. November 5. 1858. the son of George W. Nash, a native of Madison county, Indiana, having been born there on December II, 1823, and there grew to maturity when the country was yet new, and there he received a limited education in the pioneer schools. In 1842 he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, with his parents. Samuel C. and Nancy Nash, who settled near Pickering, then called Xenia. the parents spending the rest of their lives on a farm there. Samuel C. Nash
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was a native of North Carolina, and his death occurred in 1876, at the home of his son in this county, with whom he spent his last days. With the ex- ception of a few years spent in Taylor county, Iowa, George W. Nash spent his life from 1842 in Nodaway county, devoting his attention exclusively to farming. This country was in a very primitive condition when he first came here, sparsely settled and uncultivated, the nearest mill being at St. Joseph, but this old pioneer courted rather than shunned hardships and dangers and was successful in his work. His death occurred on December 6. 1906, at the age of eighty-three years. He always took a deep interest in the affairs of his county and held many minor political offices. He and his brother helped roof the first court house of Nodaway county. He was especially interested in the schools of his community and he was a devoted churchman, a kind, hon- est. generous man whom everybody admired. During the Civil war he was a member of Company C. Fourth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea.
Paryzetta Pistole was the maiden name of the mother of Austin L. Nash. She was a native of Tennessee, her parents having moved from that state to Nodaway county, Missouri, in an early day, locating on a farm near the Nash place. She was a good woman and faithful in her home and church duties. and her death occurred about sixteen years ago.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George W. Nash, named as follows : Martha Elizabeth, deceased; Elvina P. is the wife of E. W. Boyer. of Warrensburg, Missouri ; William T. is deceased ; John H. lives in Sheridan. Missouri; Austin L., of this review: Timothy G., of Pickering. Nodaway county ; Nora B. and Alta are deceased.
Austin L. Nash lived on the farm where he was born until 1902 when he came to Maryville. He began assisting with the common duties about the home place when but a mere boy, attending the county schools during the winter months. Although a good farmer. he early gave evidences of a busi- ness tendency and in order to have an opportunity to make a record in business circles he sought the thriving county seat and launched in the real estate business, which he still continues with W. W. Glass. They have been very successful in this venture and enjoy a very liberal patronage.
Mr. Nash married, on November 5. 1884. to Eliza B. Dickson, of Illinois. her home having been near Monmouth where her people were well estab- lished. This union resulted in the birth of one son. Joseph B., deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Nash are members of the Christian church, and fraternally Mr. Nash is a Mason and a Democrat in politics.
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THEODORE L. GOFF.
The history of Nodaway county is not an old one. It is the record of the steady growth of a community planted on the wild prairies and along the wooded streams some three-quarters of a century ago and has reached its magnitude of today without other aids than those of industry. The people who redeemed it from the primeval wilds were strong-armed. hardy sons of the soil who hesitated at no difficulty and for whom hardships had little to appall. The early pioneers, having blazed the path of civilization to this part of the state, finished their labors and passed from the scene, leaving the country to the possession of their descendants and to others who came at a later period and builded on the foundation which they laid so broad and deep. Among the latter class is the prominent farmer and enterprising citizen, Theodore L. Goff. of Hughes township. While his arrival was not as early as some. yet he came in the formative period and has done much to develop and advertise to the world the wonderful resources of a county that now occu- pies a proud position among the most progressive and enlightened sections of Missouri.
Mr. Goff was born in Menard county, Illinois, November 21. 1847, the son of William and Mary (Westfall) Goff, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of New York ; the mother died in Menard county, Illinois, sur- vived by her husband. a man who is highly respected in his advanced age for his past life of industry and honesty. To these parents eight children were born, of whom Theodore L. was the oldest. Growing to maturity in his na- tive community, he was educated in the common schools there, working on his father's farm in the meantime until he was twenty-two years of age. In the year 1872 he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and located in White Cloud township. where he lived for three years until he bought forty acres of land there. He continued to make that vicinity his home until June 30, 1890. when he settled on the farm where he now lives in Hughes township. one of the best kept and best known in this part of the county. designated as the "Evergreen Stock Farm." He owns an aggregate of five hundred acres. also, in Hughes and White Cloud townships. His life has been devoted to farming and stock raising with the most satisfactory results; he is a good manager, making few mistakes in his transactions and his plans in present and future deals and the large success that is today his is well merited. He handles large numbers of fine livestock.
On August 1. 1875. while living in White Cloud township. Mr. Goff was
J. L. Goff amie. E- Golf.
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married to Eliza Irick, who was born in Indiana, and a daughter of John Irick, who was an old settler in White Cloud township and widely known there. To Mr. and Mrs. Goff two sons have been born, Frederick William and Emmet E. Mr. and Mrs. Goff took a little girl. Susie Ryan, at the age of eight years and raised her as if she was their daughter. She is now an accomplished young lady of twenty years, and is accorded the same attention and consideration as if she was their own child.
Mr. Goff is a Democrat in politics and. while he takes much interest in local affairs, has not found time to strive for public office and apparently has little taste in that direction : however, he has served as school director. In his church relations he is a member and a liberal supporter of the Missionary Baptist church. His beautiful, modern home is known as a place of hospital- ity and here the many friends of the family often gather. Mr. and Mrs. Goff finding great pleasure as hosts.
BENJAMIN L. HOLT.
One of the sterling pioneers of northwestern Missouri is Benjamin L. Holt. known familiarly as "I ogan" Holt, who is eminently deserving of men- tion in a compilation as is the nature of this one, owing to the fact that his has been an active life. fruitful of good results and among his friends and acquaintances he has ever held an honored position. for his life has been led along conservative lines, resulting in nothing of which anyone might be ashamed, but on the contrary. now that the twilight of age is upon him. he can take a glance down the chequered vista of the past years and feel that he has done his full duty in the struggle of life and that much good has been ac- complished by his efforts along various lines.
Mr. Holt. now living in retirement in Maryville. Nodaway county, was born in Orange county. North Carolina. August 5. 1832. His father. Tere- miah Holt. was also a native of the same county in the old Tar state, men- tioned above. The elder Holt was a farmer and moved to Clay county. Mis- souri. in 1837 where he lived until his death. in March. 1897. He was a man who braved dangers with little thought of his own ease if thereby he could be of service to his family or neighbors. This same trait was also manifested in the character of his father. William Holt. also a native of North Carolina. who made the long overland journey to Clay county, Missouri. in 1839. He.
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too, was a farmer, and had been a soldier in the war of 1812, also in the Black Hawk war, being a captain in the former. He was always ready to serve his country in hours of peril. His father and Benjamin L. Holt's great-grandfather, named Jeremiah Holt. a North Carolinian, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and he participated in the battle of Guilford's Court House, North Carolina.
Grandfather Holt married Elizabeth Rainey, by whom he had eight children, five boys and three girls, the father of Benjamin L. Holt, of this re- view, being the oldest in order of birth. The mother of Benjamin L. Holt was known in her maidenhood as Rachael Troxler, who was born in Orange county, North Carolina, and she died in about 1903 at a ripe old age, having been a faithful companion to a hard working man. Six children were born to them, namely : Benjamin L., of this review ; Alexander lives in southwest- ern Missouri : Mrs. Eliza Pryor lives at Holt, Missouri; Mrs. Isabelle Fitz- gerald, of Topeka, Kansas; William lives in Oklahoma : Adeline lives in Holt. Missouri.
Benjamin L. Holt came to Clay county, Missouri, in 1837. when he was only five years old, and there he worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He then took up the carpenter's trade, which he followed successfully for a few years, during which time he invested every dollar he could save in Nodaway county land : thus he soon had a good start. for he was always a hard worker and economical. In 1857 he and his brother entered four hundred and forty acres of land from the government in Nod- away county, President Buchanan signing the patent papers. He still owns his one-half of this land, two hundred and twenty acres, which is located in Green township, nine miles from Maryville, and which he has improved and culti- vated until it ranks with the best farms in the township, and which yielded him abundant harvests for the labor expended on it for many years. At the time they procured the land there were only a few scattered settlements in this locality and there are only a few men here at present who lived here then- thus Mr. Holt has lived to see and to participate .in the great development of the county. Although very busily engaged in agricultural pursuits, Mr. Holt also devoted considerable time to carpentering for many years, and in the western part of the county there stand today many substantial buildings as monuments to his handicraft. He moved to Maryville in 1880.
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