Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 15

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago), pub
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman bros.
Number of Pages: 1316


USA > Missouri > Carroll County > Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 15
USA > Missouri > Chariton County > Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 15
USA > Missouri > Clay County > Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 15
USA > Missouri > Linn County > Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 15
USA > Missouri > Ray County > Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 15


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C IIARLES REZIN LUSTER, the able and en- terprising editor of the Mars, the only Re- publican paper in Chariton County, is also the popular and efficient Postmaster of Brunswick, Mo., handling the affairs of his office with execu- tive correctness and dispatch. Placed in a dual position of public responsibility. our subject is ever equal to the demands of the day, and as a distributor of the mails gives entire satisfaction. Mr. Luster was born Angust 7. 1817, at Spring- field, Ill., and was the son of Thomas M. and Julia D. (Rezin) Luster, each of the parents being of Scotch-English ancestry, and endowing their chil- dren with the sterling traits and prominent char- acteristics of both nationalities. Thomas Luster was among the early settlers of Illinois and always actively interested in the local affairs of his por- tion of the State. When Charles R. was four years of age his mother died. leaving him and a still younger child to the emre of the father, who. un- fortunately deprived by death of his companions, was thrice married.


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When quite advanced in boyhood. our subject began learning the printer's trade, and ere long acquired a thorough knowledge of the art, at six- teen years of age becoming proficient in handling the type and evincing peculiar adaptation to this chosen avocation. In 1863, at which period our country issued a general call for volunteers. the ardent and brave young printer boy. for-aking type and case, offered his services and was enrolled as a member of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry. re- maining constantly in active duty for two year -. when, his time having expired, he returned to his home. Being in the extreme Southwest when he was discharged from the service, Mr. Luster ex- perienced many novel and exciting incidents upon his overland return trip to Illinois, temporarily assuming the manners and habits of a cowboy as he passed through Indian Territory. Arkansas. Texas and Missouri. After a safe arrival home. our subject improved the opportunity to benefit himself by attending two terms in the academy at Monmouth, Ill. Having completed his studies. he received the position of assistant in the Circuit Clerk's office of Warren County, Ill., of which his father was an incumbent at the time.


In February, 1869, Mr. Luster came to Missouri. since which period he has been prominently iden- tified with the general interests of the State and has been a leader in the local affairs at Brunswick. After over six years devoted to the successful editing and management of the Brunswicker, our subject established the News, which under his skill- . ful guidance has attained a wide cirenlation and rapidly extending influence. As an editorial writer Mr. Luster possesses most excellent attributes. be- ing concise in detail, powerful in argument. and sound in logic. Receiving his official appointment as Postmaster in the face of the violent opposition of other candidates, Mr. Luster has ieft nothing undone to secure the convenience and sulserve the best interests of the public in so far as the conduet of the postoffice is concerned. Without regard to politieal distinction. our subject has won dattering commendations from the citizens of Brunswick. who appreciate the ready courtesy and business energy of their Postmaster. ably aided in both his social and business relations by his estimable wife.


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L.J. Forman


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


to whom he was united in marriage November 2. 1873. Mrs. Luster was Miss Mary, a daughter of I. S. and Harriet Spangler, formerly of Illinois. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Luster has been blessed by the birth of one son, Lewis, who is now approaching early manhood and who enjoys the best educational advantages of his native State, Missouri. Our subject and his family oc- cupy a high social position, are important factors in local, social and benevolent enterprises, and in their hospitable home in Brunswick entertain a host of old acquaintances and sincere friends.


AJJ. LUTHER T. FORMAN, a retired farmer of Brookfield. was born in Bourbon County. Ky., August 21, 1825. In 1830. he was taken to Monroe County, Mo., four miles west of Paris. His parents, Joseph and Margaret ( Barbee) Forman. were natives of Ken- tucky, and their remains lie buried on the old farm, although they had lived for a time on the Grand River. northwest of Chillicothe. In 1846, our subject bought land in Linn County, four miles south of Meadville. At that time his nearest neighbor was five miles away. his postoffice was Linneus, and his trading point Brunswick. twenty miles distant. Deer and wild turkeys were numer- ous, and the usual hardships of pioneer life fell to his lot. For many years his house was an hotel for the accommodation of all who visited this neigh- borhood, and he possessed the genial hospitality so characteristic of early settlers. His land was a soldier claim, and he placed substantial improve- ments upon the six hundred acres comprising the farm. At one time he was the owner of twelve hundred acres of good land.


The business in which Maj. Forman engaged with greatest success was the buying, feeding and raising of hogs and cattle, and his dealings in stock have been very extensive. In 179. he bought land two and one-half miles south of Lin- neus, and added to his first purchase until he now has a farm comprising two hundred acres of finely [ at the time of coming here and the oldest son wa-


improved land. In 1883, he sold the old farmi. and since April, 1892, has been a resident of Brookfield, where he has a pleasant home on North Main Street. Maj. Forman was reared a Whig. under the lead of Henry Clay, but in 1860 he cast his vote for Bell and Everett; in 1864 for Lincoln, later for Grant. and then became a member of the Greenback party, giving his vote for Peter Cooper. In later years public affairs have assumed for him a different aspeet, and his vote has twice been cast for James B. Weaver, the candidate of the People's party. With that party in the county our subject is closely connected, taking the greatest interest in the principles enunciated by it.


Our subject was married in 1847. in Livingston County. Mo .. to Miss Eliza Hobbs, who died in 1853, leaving two children: Mary, who married William Tuffs, and died when nineteen years of age leaving two children : and Margaret Ann. wife of Henry Hill, of Monroe County, N. Y. Maj. Forman was married in Linn County, in 1851, to Araminta. the daughter of Judge Brown, a pioneer of that county. She died in 1862, leaving four children, namely: Barton, who died at the age of twenty-one; Charles H .. who has a meat-market at Meadville, Mo .; Benjamin L., a farmer and stock- raiser of Oregon; and John E .. who is in an eat- ing house at Meadville.


Our subject was married a third time. January 25. 1863, in Linn County, his wife being Mrs. Emily D. (.Johnson) Graham, the widow of John Graham. She was born in Saline County and reared in Howard County. Mo. Her father. Wesley John- son, was a cooper by occupation and purchased a large tract of land south of Linnens. While en route to Linn County, he became involved in an altercation with a man over a matter connected with the sale of the farm. In the dispute the man struck him with a sledge hammer, inflicting an in- jury from which he died of lockjaw at Keste-ville. Mo. In company with her mother. Mr-, Forman proceeded to Linn County, where they settled on a part of the farm now owned by our subject. Her mother, now the widow of Harrison Sweeney. re- sides in Linnews and has attained to the age of eighty-two. The family consisted of four children


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ten years old, Emily being the only child who had reached maturity. After her marriage to Mr. Graham, at the age of twenty-two. they settled in Nevada, Grundy County, and later removed to Chillicothe, where he died in 1863. By this mar- riage, Maj. Forman has become the father of the following children: Kate Frances, the wife of P. B. Stanley, of Carrollton, Mo .; Joseph W., who re- cently returned from California: Lida, wife of Will- iam Archer, who lives on the old farm; Verga, un- married; Estella, Mrs. G. B. Garrett; William Er- nest, who is usually called " Peter Cooper; " and Bessie Maud. Our subjeet has been identified with the Christian Church since 1818, and his wife is also a member of that religious organization.


In 1862, Maj. Forman raised a company with a Captain's commission in the enrolled militia. After six months he was attached to the Sixty-second Missouri State Guards and was located at Bruns- wick, under Col. Moberly, for a time. He was promoted to the rank of Major in 1863. and served in that position until the close of the war. mean- while engaging in skirmishes with the noted lead- ers Holtz and Jim Rider and other guerrillas. Ilis headquarters were mainly at Laclede, so that he was able to make an occasional visit to the farm. At one time while at home, Jim Rider with eigh- teen men came there and the Major being unsup- ported, slipped away, but Mrs. Forman, who was ill at the time, was so badly frightened that she died.


In a brush with Pointdexter's men, the Major's soldiers killed two of them. On another occasion while at home, two of Pointdexter's men rode up to the house, and after some parleying they turned to run, when the Major shot, killing one outright and wounding the other, who escaped; the young man who was killed proved to be a Mr. Hart, whose father was a respected citizen of Randolph County. The latter when he came for the body exonerated the Major from blame. Some evil- minded persons circulated the report that young Hart was en route to McGee College, when he was enticed and ambushed by the Major, but firm ac- tion on the part of our subject soon put a quietus to this and similar -landers.


At one time a man from St. Louis, who was out recruiting for the Seventh Missouri Cavalry. came


to Laclede, and the Major's soldiers told him tha: if Maj. Forman would enlist they also would d .. so. When the recruiting officer reached the Mas. or's house, the latter told him of the many threat. that had been made against his life, and that guerrillas were likely to approach him under the guise of militiamen and shoot him; hence he was always on guard. The recruiting officer started back to Laclede, four miles distant, but when about one-half mile from the house. saw a party of militia approaching with the intention of asking the Major to join them in an expedition. Reca !!- ing the Major's words. he concluded that these men were guerrillas in disguise, and. wheeling his horse around, rode madly back to the house. the militiamen firing upon him as he ran. The Major soon explained the situation, and the bold reeruit- ing officer proceeded to Laelede, where he took the first train for St. Louis,-a sadder and a wher mo .. The people of Linn County never saw him again. Maj. Forman possesses many of the admirable points of the soldier and no doubt would have be- come a distinguished officer had fortune east his lot with the main armies. He is a brave. out- spoken man, plain in speech and his language is not liable to be misunderstood. He has had some experience of life in the Far West. In 1850, he crossed the plains to the gold regions and twice since then he has enjoyed the excitement of buffalo hunting on Western plains.


FOUN W. CAZELL, a properon- general agriculturist residing upon section 2%. town- ship 52. range 15, Chariton County, Mo .. i- an energetie, enterprising and popular citi- zen, satisfactorily discharging his duties as Justic . of the Peaceand Notary Public. and most efficiently transacting his public business as Collector of the township. Our subject was born in the good old State of Kentucky, January 17. 1>1. His father. John Cazzell, was a native of West Virginia, and was born December 27. ISIS. He is yet living and resides in Indian Territory. The mother of our


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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


subject, Mrs. Jane ( Wam-ley) Cazzell, was born in La Fayette County, Ky., in the year 1820, and passed away in 1875.


Unto John and Jane Cazzell were born thirteen children: William F. (deceased); Elizabeth, now Mrs. Bullock; John W., our subject: Jane and America (deceased); James; George and Nancy M. (deceased ); Sarah A., now Mrs. William M. Hor- rison; Lourana, Mr -. John Avery; Heury !I .; Beu- jamin; and Joseph ( deceased). Our subject was but eight years of age when his parents removed from Kentucky to Ohio, where they resided for two years, in the spring of 1855 locating in Missouri. They made their journey hither by water, landing at Glasgow, and from there came direct to Charison County, which they made their permanent home. John W. received his primary education in the schools of Kentucky, Ohio and Missouri. and as- sisted his father in the agricultural duties of the farm. When the father, mother and children ar- rived in their Missouri home. the father had just one dollar with which to begin life here. Nearly two-score years have passed since. upon April 3. 1855, the Cazzells settled in Chariton County, where the father met with success and from his very small beginning amassed a comfortable com- petenee. Our subject owns two hundred and forty- two acres of valuable land. eighty acres of which: he has brought under a high state of improvement, the homestead annually yielding an excellent and profitable harvest.


In 1866, John W. Cazzell and Sarah W. Price were united in marriage. Mrs. Cazzell was a na- tive of North Carolina and for some time previous to her marriage a resident of Missouri. She was a widow, Mrs. Alexander Price, when our subject made her acquaintance. The union was blessed by the birth of two children. John W., Jr., and William, deceased. Mr. Cazzell and his wife and son are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among the active workers of that religions organization. The family are also widely known as interested in the social and benevolent enterprises of their locality and are over ready to assist in the promotion of all matters tending to the elevation and betterment of lommanity. In the troublou- times of the Civil War. Mr. Cazzell served


bravely for three years in the Federal service, and from January 20, 1862. until February 20, 1865. was constantly exposed to privations and danger and actively participated in several hard-fought battles and was present at the encounters of Kirk .. ville, Mo., and Fayette. also engaging in numer- ous skirmishes with the bushwhackers. The war ended, our subject returned again to the peaceful life of a farmer, after three years of faithful service in behalf of national existence. having just at- tained his majority one month before his honorable discharge from the Federal army. As was the ardent and patriotic young boy, so is the adult man. an earnest true and public-spirited American citt- zen, highly respected by the entire community among whom he passes his useful and hon- ored life. Politically, Mr. Cazzell is an ardent advocate of the Republican party. Besides hi- other offices of trust he has for some thiemeuppre a leading position as a valued member of the School Board, and with wise suggestion and prompt action ha- materially assisted in the upward prog- ress of the district schools. A friend of educa- tion, the interests of the youth of his locality may be safely intrusted to his fostering care. Always busy, cheerful and courteous, our subject wins his upward way, and. a man of upright character. rests secure in the confidence and regard of a host of friends.


DDISON HANNUM. a representative and leading agriculturist and prominent an i highly respected citizen of Linn County. Mo., owns a tine farm of two hundred and fourteen acres. lying mostly upon section 1. township 57, range 19. and since his location within the borders of the State has materially as- sisted in the upward growth and progress of hi- home neighborhood and locality. Our subjer! was born near Springfield, Il., July 1. 1526. and is the son of Asahel and Emily ( Brown) Hannn. . who were among the very early pioneer of 1. West. The father was a native of Massachusetts.


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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


and was remotely of English de-cent, his immedi- ate ancestors having been among the prominent citizens of New England. His wife. horn in the Empire State, had a sturdy line of forefathers, whose home was among the hills of " bonnie Scotland." Mr. and Mrs. Asabel Hannum first came to Illmois in 1820, and when Addison was but three years of age removed to Putnam County. locating in what was then but little more than an unbroken wilderness.


The only instruction obtainable in those early days was received in the primitive subscription schools, held in rude little log structures, in which some of the most eminent men of the State were taught full many years ago. Addison Hannum received but very little schooling, having to walk three miles each way during his brief terms of study. Trained to sturdy, self-reliant manhood amid the pioncer -cenes and privations shared unmurmuringly by the enterprising settlers- who in many instances had left luxury and case to carve their own way upward in the broad West-our subject at a very tender age began the struggle of life. Hi- parents needing his service, he assisted upon the homestead until he was twenty-three years old. and then entered into ag- ricultural duties on his own account, locating in La Salle County. Mr. Hannum continned a resi- dent of that county for nearly thirty years, and in the spring of 1882 came to Linn County. Mo .. where he bought his present farm, now one of the most highly cultivated in this part of the State. and yielding annually a large and valuable crop of hay and grain.


For about one and a-half years our subject re- sided in Brookfield, but he has now returned to the old homestead, leaving Brookfield in Novem- ber, 1892. On the 22d of November. INIs, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Robert- son, a daughter of John Robertson, a highly re- spected resident of Putnam County. IH. Six chil- dren blessed the happy home: Samantha. Mrs. Will- iam Robertson. is the eldest; Anna, Mr -. G. W. Ul- mer, was the second-born: James A. married Miss Lena Michell; and Henry M. married Miss Roa BueHl. and has two children. Addison. his father's namesake, and a young man of worth, ability and


intelligence. died deeply mourned April 19. 1891. He had married Miss Lily Goode, and left a wife and one child. Mary M., Mrs. J. Burton, ha- one child. and complete- the list of sister- and bro- thers who used to gather in the old homestead. Their mother, Mrs. Anna Hannum, died March 19, 1889. and on April 29, 1891. their father wa- married to Mrs. Lucinda Angeline Thoipe. of Brookfield, but a native of Murfreesboro. Tenn. She was first married to AAu-tin D. Thorpe, a Ken- tuckian by birth.


Mrs. Hanmim is the mother of four children: Jolien B. Thorpe: Mattie, Mrs. F. A. Dimmick: S. Price; and Louise. Mrs. W. L. Burris. Robert is de- ceased. Mrs. Hannum also rejoices in three grand- children. Our subject has a large progeny of im- mediate descendants, his family now numbering nineteen living grandchildren and one great grandehild. Politically. Mr. H: num i- guardent Republican, and is deeply interested in both local and national issues. He has lived to witness the rapid growth and progress of the South and West. and, ever ready to aid in social, benevolent or business enterprises. and active in the advancement of the best interests of the community. he is widely known and highly esteemed as an honor- able, carnest and publie-spirited citizen.


UDGE R. T. CRAVEN. of Ray County, was born June 19, Istl, near the place where he now lives in section 2. township 52. range 29. Ilis parents. Andrew J. and Huldah ( Whitton) Craven. were natives of Ten- nessee. born respectively in 1812 and 1818. The paternal grandparent-, Richard C. and Elizabeth ( Rains) Craven, were natives of North Carolina. and from there they removed to Tennesee at an early date, when Indians still inhabited that State. There they continued to re-ide until called away from the busy scenes of earth, after having at- tained to advanced years.


In the district school of Tennesse the father of our subject gained a common-school education.


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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


In 1830 he came to Ray County. Mo., where he grew to man's estate, meanwhile becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits on his father's farm. In the fall of 1841 he married Huldah. daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Ross) Whitton, who were probably born in North Carolina but were pio- neers of Tennessee. At the time of his father's death, Andrew I. Craven came into possession of a portion of the homestead, and with that as a foundation he accumulated a comfortable compe- teney. So successful were his efforts that he he- came the owner of six hundred and forty aeres. most of which was improved during his lifetime. le was still in the prime of life when called from earth in 1865; his wife still survives him and makes her home in this township on the old home- stead.


The parental family consisted of nine children. one of whom died in childhood. The others were: R. T., of this sketch; Benjamin F., deceased; Henry; Sarah. wife of John Clevenger; Mary F .. . who first manied Aden Clevenger and after his death became the wife of Zebidee Sailors; James B., George and R. Allen. Upon the twenty-first anniversary of his birth, our subject was bereaved by the death of his father, after which he took charge of the homestead and cared for the other members of the family. Prior to that and during the Civil War he enlisted for the service of the I'nion and served with eredit to himself for nine months, when he was honorably discharged. In 1865 he went with a freighting outfit over the plains on the Platte River to Cottonwood Springs.


The marriage of Mr. Craven in November. 1868, united him with Miss Eliza J., daughter of William and Lucinda (Sollinger) Melver, and unto them have been born five children, namely: Andrew. Ada B .. Laura and Ellen (twins) and Bertha Alice. After his marriage our subject set- tled on a portion of the homestead which had been bequeathed to him by his father. and here he still makes Its home. Since the place came into his possession he has greatly improved it by re- modeling the residence, building barns of a sub- stantial kind, dividing and subdividing the fields by a neat system of fencing, and in other ways en- hancing the value of the farm.


While his attention is devoted principally to agriculture, Mr. Craven finds time to keep him-elf well informed on all topies of general and local interest. Ilis political affiliations have been with the Democratic party since boyhood and he is in- tuential in its ranks. For ten years he served of- ficiently as Justice of the Peace and has been Notary Public for twelve years. In lass he wa- chosen Associate Judge of the County Court. and was re-elected for a second term in 1890. He filled the position with great credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens. He has been identified with the Masonic order since 1867 and is a Master Mason, belonging to Harmony Lodge No. 384. A. F. & 1. M .. at Vibbard.


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M II. REASER, A. M., Ph. D., President of Brookfield College, was born in Leaven- worth. Kan .. November 22, 1863, and i- the son of the Rev. J. G. and Agnes Brown (Mann) Reaver, the former a Doctor of Divinity, and, with his wife, now residing in Webb City, Mo. After acquiring the rudiments of his education in the common schools. he en- tered Washington University, at st. Louis, Mo .. where he completed the studies of the sophomore class. Next he became a student in Westminster College. at Fulton, Mo., from which institution he was graduated in 1987 with the degree of B. . 1.


The study of law had great attractions for our subject, and in his legal studies, which he carried on at Carthage. Mo .. he became familiar with many technicalities of the law that are incompte- hensible to the uninitiated. He also when quite young entered upon the profession of a teacher. and at the age of eighteen had charge of a school at Bunker Hill, Il. After graduating. he accepte I a position as instructor in Carthage College. as Carthage. Mo. Westminster College conferred upon him the degree of A. M. in 1890. and two years later the degree of Ph. D., as a recognition of his successful labors in political economy and beta- ture. For three years he occupied the Chan of


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Literature in Carthage College, at the same time prosecuting his legal studies.


In 1891 Dr. Reaser was elected to the Presi- deney of Brookfield College, which position he has since held to the entire satisfaction of students, the faculty and general public. In 1892 he united with the Presbyterian Church. but had been en- gaged in church work for years before identifying himself with any denomination, and from boy- hood has been a devout believer in the truthis of Christianity. Study of the history of his country and of social and econonne questions has led him to maintain a great interest in the important issues that divide the political parties of the I'nited States, and, while in no sense of the word a politician, he is a warm supporter of the Republican party, and believes that its principles, if carried out, will best subserve the welfare of the people.




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