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 16
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 16
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 16
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 16
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 16
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At Fairfield. lowa. August 1, 1891. Dr. Reaser and Harriet M., daughter of the Rev. J. F. Magill, D. D., were united in marriage. Mrs. Reaser is a lady of accomplished tastes. a graduate of Oxford (Ohio) Seminary, and possesses the higher graces and gifts that attract all with whom she associates. She has made a specialty of vocal music and is at present instructor of voice culture in Brook- field College.
A few words with reference to the institution of which Dr. Reaser is President will be of in- terest to our readers. Brookfield Academy was opened September 1. 1880. by the Rev. I. P. Fin- ley. D. D. Under his able management it rapidly grew until it became necessary to obtain larger buildings. In 1858 the Academy, now chartered as Brookfield College, moved into it- present beau- tiful and spacious quarters. During this period of growth Dr. Finley associated with him as as- sistant Mrs. Pratt, who aided him in all his work. and to whom much credit is due. Prof. Frank Bradshaw and Miss Margaret Rooker (afterward Mrs. Frank Bradshaw) were also included in the faculty, and became most favorably known as able teachers in their respective departments. In 1859 Prof. L. A. Wirick and Mrs. Georgia Crandall were enrolled as members of the faculty.
January 25, 1889. Dr. Finley suddenly passed to his long rest. and his death was a great blow to the
institution. The Board elected the Rev. A. S. Leon- ard, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, as Acting President. He retained this position and served most favorably to the close of the year. About that time the college was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Palmyra, and a new board was elected. having two-thirds of its members Presby- terians. In 1889 Dr. Duncan Brown, of Highland University, Kan., was called to the Presidency. and during the two years in which he tilled that position the school grew most rapidly under his charge. New members were added to the faculty and the enrollment of students greatly inerea-ed.
At the resignation of Dr. Brown, in 1891. the present President, M. II. Reaser, Ph. D., was elected. The work has continued to prosper and many improvements have been made. The rooms have been handsomely papered. the chapel newly fur- nished. two society halls carpeted. and societies organized and put on a firm basis. Another year has been added to the course of study, and it is thorough and extensive. The city of Brookfield and the surrounding country are to be congratu- lated on having so handsomely an equipped school in their midst. and the citizens cannot do better than to send their children to an institu- tion at home which affords all the advantages of older and stronger colleges.
FREDERICK D. WEBSTER, proprietor of the Hlale Flouring Mill at Hale, has been for a number of years a leading business man of this vicinity. He is of Welsh descent. one of his forefathers having emigrated to New Eng- land at an early day. His father. Charies C. Web- ster, was born in Massachusetts and on arriving at man's estate married Mis- Ann Worsley, who was born in Kentucky, and by her marriage became the mother of eight children. of whom our subject i- the second in order of birth. The father removed to La Salle County. Ht .. in 1831, and followed the life occupation of a farmer.
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Our subject was born in Marion County. Olio, on the Ist of June. 1832, and was but two years of agre when his parents brought him to Minois. His education was acquired in the common schools of La Salle County, and at the age of twenty-four. up to which time he had assisted his father in the care of his farm. he started out in life for himself. For about ten years he devoted his attention and energies to agriculture, after which he determined to become a merchant. He opened a store in Mendota. La Salle County, which he carried on successfully for four years. In 1870, coming West- ward, he made a settlement in Carroll County, Mo., where he again became a farmer. In 188: Mr. Webster came to Ilale, and for five years was fi- gaged in general merchandising, after which he .
sold out hi- interest and became a part owner in the Hale Flouring Mill, of which he is now super- 1
intendent and manager. He still owns one hitt- dred and twenty acres of well-improved farin land.
In 1858 Mr. Webster was married to Miss Har- riet Keteham, a daughter of the Rev. Frederick Ketcham, of New York. Four daughters grace the union of our worthy subject and his estimable wife: Minnie 1 ... Lillie M .. Mary S., and Grace .i., who have all received good educational advan- tages and move in the best social circles.
Mr. Webster is a true and loyal Republican and takes an active interest in the welfare of his party and in all publie movements tending to the im- provement and elevation of his fellow-countrymen.
prosperous firm of Long & Homan. was born in Shelby County, Ky .. February 17, 1841. His father, Robert Long. also a native Kentuckian, was born near Lexington, on the 22d of Novem- ber. 1809. Grandfather Long was born in Vir- ginia. and was a member of one of the old and highly respected families of the Old Dominion Removing in an early day to Kentucky, his son Robert was reared in Lexington and there married
Miss Margaret Runnion, with whom he journeyed to Missouri in 1829, but having raised one crop in Lincoln County went back to Shelby County, Ky .. and renting his father's old homestead settled down to farming in his native State. In Iste, Father long located in Oldham County, and continued in agricultural parsuits until his death, in 1890. The mother had passed away several years before. An unele of our subject. Samuel Long, served with distinction as a Captain in the War of 1>12.
Robert Leng was a devout Christian man and had aside from his regular employment preached the word of God for over a half-century. llis memory will long be green in the hearts of all who knew him. He was the affectionate father of four- teen ebildren, of whom our subject was the cley- enth in order of birth. Mr. Long was reared prin- cipally in Oldham County. Ky .. and wa- educated in the little subscription schools of the early days. In the fall of 1865, he married Miss Lucy Shanks. danghter of lames and Elizabeth Shanks. and in October, 1866, came with his wife to Linn County. and. renting land, actively engaged in farming. In 1867 he removed to land then owned by an unele, but which that relative afterward deeded to our subject, and remained upon this homestead un- til 1879. when he came with his family to Jackson Township. Linn County. Here he bought a farm and continued in the tilling of the soil for twelve years. In 1891 our subject formed his present partnership with Mr. Homan.
The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Long has been blessed by the birth of seven children. all living: Eliza. Joseph, William Edward. Henry. Francis, Lelis and Lyman. The parents are val- ned members of the Christian Church and with their family enjoy a position of usefulness and in-
II. LONG. a leading citizen of Linneus. Linn County. Mo., and a partner of the | fuenee. Mr. Long has for many years been an Elder in the church and prominently connected with its good work, Our subject wear- the button of the Grand Army of the Republic in commen- oration of the time, in 1-62. when he bravely enlisted in Company F. Ninth Regiment Kentucky Cavalry. , and served as Corporal of the same. The company. which was enlisted as State Guard, spent the time along the Cumberland, and went entirely throne. the campaign against Morgan, continuing in Jury
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for twelve months. Politically Mr. Long is a member of the People's Party, but, an earnest and consistent citizen, favors the man he firmly be- lieves best adapted to occupy positions of trust and responsibility. Never a politician in the usual acceptation of the term, he takes a deep in- terest in the affairs of the day and gives to all matters of local and national importance grave consideration. A man of bu-mess integrity and upright character, our subject is highly respected and universally esteemed.
R EV. FATHER HERIBERT STOTTER, of the order of St. Francis, the self-sacrifie- ing and devoted priest of the parishes of Indian Grove and Brunswick, Chariton County, Mo., is one of the most energetic. earnest and faithful workers in the Christian field in the Southwest. Born in Rinkerode, Province of West- phalia, Germany. May 30. 1857, our subject was one in a family of ten children. two daughters and eiglit sons, and was the second youngest of the brothers and sisters who clustered around the home fireside. The parents were John Bernard Stotter, and Gertrude ( Luetke Woestmann) Stotter, who each represented families who could trace back their ancestry through numerous generations of their Fatherland. The father had always been a tiller of the soil, and as the sons were able they too assisted in the labors of the farm. and grew up sturdy, robust men, of tine physique and command- ing presence.
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Simple in their tastes, industrious in their hab- its, and deeply religious from their earliest life. the children were devout in their observance of church duties, giving earnest thought to the strengthen- ing of Catholicism, and our subject was not more than fourteen years of age when he resolved to devote his life to the service of the church. Keep- ing the priesthood constantly in view. Father Stol- ter continued to receive instruction in the parish school until he emigrated to Amerien. Arriving in the New World shortly after attaining hi- fif-
teenth year, it was not long before our subject be- gan his preparations for the life of a celibate. lle first studied in St. Joseph's College, and at the Monastery of St. Francis, at Teutopolis. Il., spend- ing in these religious institutions eight years, then giving two years' close attention to philosophy in the monastery at Quincy. Ill. At the expiration of this length of time, he entered the monastery of St. Anthony, at St. Louis, Mo .. remaining there four years, and then was assigned to the charge of the Brunswick and Indian Grove churches, both in Chariton County, Mo.
It was in July. 1887. that Father Stotter entered upon his new field of duty, since which time the parishes have both been greatly pro-pered. their faithful, earnest and energetie priestly guide gain- ing a host of sincere friends among the people who daily witness his pious labors.
The parish at Brunswick, a part of our subject's dual charge. was established in 1870, mainly through the persevering efforts of John Strub. Eherad Reinwald and Emil Paul Holland, who were the first Trustees of the parish. St. Boniface progressed at first but slowly. not being able for some time to establish a school in connection with the other parish work. In 1879, pupils first re- ceived instruction under the supervision of Father John Rings, O. S. F .. the school being conducted by a lay teacher until 1886. It was then placed in the care of the Benedictine and St. Francis Sisters. The immediate predecessor of the Rev. Father Stotter was Father Patrick Degraa, O. .. F .. who remained in charge six years. Among the early priests who did conscientious and elli- cient service in this religious field of work were the Rev. John Rings, O. S. F., Father Bonaven- ture. O. S. F., and Rev. Father Francis. O. S. F. The Rev. Charles Kearful. whose name is re- vered in the parishes. was among the first of the priest- who officiated here. Before the par- ishes were established a missionary priest period- ically visited the families of the Catholic faith in Brunswick, baptizing the children. and encourag- ing them in the exercise of their religious duties. For fifteen years the missionary fathers continued upon their rounds in this portion of Missouri. do- ing a great religions work when it was a strup-
For Highsmith u.s.
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gling Territory, Inboring under disadvantages and advancing but slowly to a triumphant Statehood. The career of the Rev. Father Stotter has been dis- tinguished by piety, earnest purpose, and the good judgment which has materially aided him in the promotion of the various enterprises which have received their conception and guidance during his ministrations. The brothers of our reverend suh- ject who have made their home in America have each adopted a religious life, and belong to the C. S. F., and are among the highly valued lay mem. bers of the order. Our subject, although not a na- tive-born citizen, is in full accord with the institu- tions of our Republican nation, and urges apon the members of his flock the stern necessity of making themselves worthy of the great privileges they now enjoy. Devoted to the work of the Mas- ter, untiring in his round of duty among the sick, suffering and dying, purifying and elevating grosser humanity, Father Stotter goes upon his way blessed in his efforts, and esteemed and re- spected by all who know his unblemished record and standard of principle.
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G R. HIGHSMITHI, M. D. A well-known physician located at Carrollton. Carroll County, and a man of great professional ability, who personally commends himself to all by virtue of his affable manner. is he whose name ap- pears above. Aside from his private practice. he has the work of the Wabash, Santa Fe and Chicago, Burlington & Kansas City Railroads, and is Seere- tary of the Board of Exammers for pensions. As a surgeon he is skilled and his ability is unsurpassed. Dr. Highsmith is the owner of the finest residence in the city, a beautiful home located on Main Street. which is the meeting place for the wit and beauty of the town and vicinity.
Dr. Highsmith is a native of Savannah, Ga., and was born December 1, 1818. He is a son of Ewing and Elizabeth ( Wallace) Highsmith, the former born in Georgia, and the latter in Blount County. Tenn. Our subject's paternal grandfather, the
Rev. Richard Higusinith, was a preacher in the Baptist Church and held pastorates in Georgia, Kentucky and Hlingi. The family is of German deseent. Our subject's father was employed as a farmer in his native State. He located in Lincoln County, Mo., about 1850. and later in Crawford County. til .. where he still resides. Our subject's inother died many years ago, leaving four chil- dren, of whom the Doctor is the only son. He was reared in Illinois and remained at home until twelve years of age. when he began to look out for himself. At fourteen he went to Macon County and entered school, and at the age of sixteen began to teach. Later he took a course at the Ilinois Normal, and then taught in Piatt and Moultrie Counties until 186s. when he came to Carroll County, first engaging as a teacher in De Witt. Mo.
Dr. Highsmith continued teaching in De Witt until the spring of 1809. when he entered the Kirksville Normal, from which he was graduated in the fall of that year with the degree of Bachelor of Seience. In 1872 he entered the Missouri Med- ical College at St. Louis, and three years later finished the course with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He began practicing in De Witt, giving his undivided attention to his chosen profession. In 1882-83 he attended lectures in New York. and the degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred upon him by Bellevue College. A thorough en- thusiast in his work, he was ambition, to master every branch of the healing art, and took a private course of study in surgery under Doctors Bryant & Weith. Ile also took a private course in the diseases of women at the Polyclinic College. ile also made a specialty of diseases of the nose and throat, studying under Dr. Bosworth. of Bellevue.
After this extended course our subjeet returned to De Witt. in which city he continued his practice until June, 1888. when he was appointed surgeon of the Wabash and Santa Fe Roads and found it would be expedient for him to locate in Carroll- ton. Since that time he has given his attention largely to his surgical work in connection with the railroad. Aside from his professional services he has been a publie benefactor. ready to take up all feasible enterprises that promise to advance the interests of the town. He was one of the organ-
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izers of the Dain Manufacturing Company, but finding the duties demanded too much of his time he retired from it.
Dr. Highsmith was married in this county Oc- tober 17, 1877, to Miss Emma F., daughter of Jonathan MeKinney, a prominent farmer in this locality. They are the parents of one child, Mary E. The Doctor is the President of the Board of Health. Fraternally. he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights Templar. In church matters. he and his wife are worshippers with the Methodists. In polities, he favors that party which believes in Protection, and is one of its strongest advocates. He was chairman of the Republican County C'en- tral Committee for two years. Ilis connection with medical societies is large and we will only name the most important. viz: the National Asso- ciation of Railway Surgery; American Medical Association; State Medical Society, and Carroll County Medical Society.
Le ONG & HOMAN, the energetic and suc- cessful dealers in hardware, cutlery, stoves and tinware, at Linneus, Linn County, Mo., carry a most complete stock of goods in their line of trade and command a large and rap- idly extending business, second to none in Linn County. Charles S. Homan, the senior partner of the firm, is a native Missourian and an old-time resident of Linneus, but was born in Cooper County, September 28, 1833, and was the son of Jesse Homan, born in Saratoga County, N. Y., in 1801. Father Homan remained in his native State until he had attained manhood, when he went to Kentucky, and from that State emigrated to Mis- souri, settling in Potosi. Washington County. and engaging in the trade of cabinet-maker. He after- ward removed to Cooper County, where he died at the advanced age of four-score and one years. Father Homan married in Washington County Miss Elizabeth Edgar, daughter of James Edgar, a
native Virginian, and later a resident of Ken- tucky, and one of the pioneers of Washington County, So.
Ten children clustered about the fireside of Jesse and Elizabeth iloman, four of whom are yet surviving. James P. resides in Potosi; Jesse lives at Springfield; W. J. makes his home in Boonville: our subject completes the list of the family, all of whom are citizens of Missouri. JJesse Homan with his excellent wife reared his large family to maturity and gave them a good start in life. The parents were devout members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and active in good works. The mother passed away in the year 1887, aged eighty years, and left behind her the blessed memory of a well-spent life. Our subject was reared in Boonville and educated in the public schools. He early learned the trade of tinsmith and followed that occupation for a few months in Boonville. He located in Linneus in May 1854, not having yet attained his major- ity, and received ready employment as a tin- smith, but six months later removed to Trenton. Mo., where he remained working at his trade for the next nine and a-half years, and established a hardware store, the first in Grundy County.
While in Trenton our subjeet was united in marriage with Mis- Martha Terrill, daughter of James Terrill, a prominent farmer. Mrs. Homan is a native of Randolph County. Mo .. and a lady of ability and highly esteemed. From Trenton Mr. and Mrs. Roman removed to Brunswick. where our subject opened a hardware store. but in nine months concluded to make his home in Lin- nens. Here he profitably conducted from 1861 until 1881 a tinware and furniture store. but at the latter date removed to Columbia, and there worked at his trade for three years, at the expira- tion of this time returning to Linneus. Here he worked in a store until February 2. 1891. when he bought out C. F. Collins and has since been prosperously engaged in his present business. Our subject is a valued member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellow, is Past Grand in the order, and has represented Linnen- Lodge No. 52 in the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Politically he is an active member of the People's Party, and
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during the late war commanded a company in the State Militia. He has also occupied with able fidelity the responsible position of Collector of Locust Creek Township, and. a pioneer resident, has a vivid recollection of an abundance of deer and other wild game, and well remembers a gather- ing of five hundred Indian warriors in his native city, Boonville. During his lifetime residence in Missouri Mr. Homan Is ever worthily discharged his entire duty as a true American citizen, and possesses the regard of an extended acquaintance throughout the various counties of his native State.
OHN ROWE KERBY. For many years the original of this sketch held a responsible position in the office of the Register of Deeds, his connection beginning in Decem- ber. 1860. Mr. Kerby was born in Saline County. Mo., May 27, 1815. He is a son of Overton J. Kerby, who was a native of Albemarle County, Va. His grandfather, John R., was a shoemaker in Virginia and served in the War of 1812. In 1836 he came to saline County. Mo .. and located on a farm, and thereafter engaged in the agricul- tural calling. He later located in De Witt. Car- roll County. He was a cabinet-maker by trade and carried on an undertaking business there. A ". Democrat in polities, he was yet a strong I'nion man.
Our subject's father was a surveyor and school teacher, and on coming to Saline County was em- ployed in both these directions. He was there married about 1838. his wife being a Miss Cheat- ham. They soon after removed to Chariton County, near Brunswick. Mr. Kerby continued to teach there for a year, and in 1817 located in De Witt. He taught school for a time and was appointed County Surveyor in 1818. For one year he filled that position, and was then ap- pointed Deputy County Clerk. In IS5I he was elected County Clerk, was re-elected in 1853, and continued to serve until 1860.
In 1861 Overton J. Kerby bought out the Dome
oerat, and later changed its name to the Carroll Journal, of which he was editor as well as proprie- tor. This he sold in 1871. He ran this paper as a Union organ during the war. In 1871 John R. Kerby, of whom this sketch is written, was elected County Clerk and appointed his father his Dep- my. They were associated in this way for eight years, at the end of which time he opened the ab- straet oflice, which he ran until the death of his partner, which occurred June 2, 1821.
Our subject's mother was before her marriage Miss Ann Eliza Cheatham, a native of Virgmia and of Irish descent. Her decease occurred in 1852. She was the mother of five children, three of whom lived to be grown. Of these, the origi- nal of this sketch is the oldest. After the deccase of our subject's mother his father married a second time, the lady of his choice being Damaris E. Young, a native of Ohio. Three children were the fruit of this marriage, of whom two still live. They reside in California and Southern Missouri, respectively.
Our subject has been in Carroll County since 1817 and in the town since 1819. He attended the early subscription schools and was later a student at the Carroll Seminary. When nine years of age he began to work in his father's office. continuing to be thus employed until December. 1860, when he received an appointment under John F. Houston as Register of Lands, having his headquarters at Jefferson City. Ile remained there until just before the town was captured by the Federal troops. He returned home in 1861. and in the early part of 1862 was appointed Clerk of the Probate Court. In 1861 he was appointed Deputy Clerk and also Deputy Circuit Clerk, but after filling the office for two months left for lowa.
On returning to Missouri, Mr. Kerby went into the drug business in Clark County, in November. 1861. with his uncle. He continued in that until 1867, and in the same business at another point until 187t. when he was appointed Deputy County Clerk. and three years later was elected County Clerk on the Democratie ticket with a majority of over twelve hundred. He held the office from January, 1575. to Jannary, Iss3. The next year
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he went into partnership with his father in the abstract business, in which he continued until the death of the latter, and since then has carried on the business alone. He makes complete abstracts of all the records, and i- conver-ant with all the decrees of the various courts. He also does a con- veyaneing business and is a Notary Public. This Office is the only one from which complete abstracts could be made in Carroll County.
Mr. Kerby was married in Carrollton, June 12, 1867. His bride was Mi-s Eliza Van Hook, a na- tive of this county, and a daughter of Harris Van Hook, an early settler here. They have a pleasant home and are social favorites. They are both greatly interested in temperance work and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and his wife a Baptist. Mr. Kerby belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics. he is a Democrat. Mr. Kerby knows every foot of Carroll County and is known by everyone here. He is popular with all classes, and is well fitted for the high position he holds.
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