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 19
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 19
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 19
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 19
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 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95
In Prathersville, Mo., August 5, 1885. Mr. Mareness was married to Miss Mattie King. a lady of uncommon intellect and natural talent. (See sketch of her family, which appears in the biogra- phy of Mrs. Richard King on another page of this work). As a farmer's wife she has shown good business ability and has accumulated a considerable bank account through her own efforts. Being much interested in poultry. she has made a specialty of that branch, and during the last year sold over $30 worth of turkeys alone. During the latter part of the war she was very energetic, being a strong sympathizer with the Confederates and bushwhackers and melting up lead pipes to get ma- terial with which to mold bullets for the soldiers.
Mr. Mareness is politically a Third Party man. though formerly a Democrat. He is a man of thorough worth and sterling merit and has the re- spect and good wishes of a host of friends.
le
OEL ELAM is a well-known farmer who makes his home on section 2. township 51. range 18. Chariton County. He was born in Prince Edward County, Va., August 13. 1821, his parents being Joel and Su-an ( Bradley) Elam. The former was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was also a native of Prince Edward County. After his marriage he followed various occupations, being both a farmer and doctor. His family comprised nine children, of whom the fol- lowing are living: Albert, a resident of Virginia. as is also his next younger brother, John: our sub- jeet; Elizabeth; Thomas; Mary and Ann Elva.
the last four all residents of Virginia. William. the eldest of the family. is deceased, and George. the fifth in order of birth, departed this life m 1891. The father of these children passed away at his home in Virginia in 1876. Ilis wife died soon after the close of the war.
Our subject was reared to manhood in Prince Ed- ward County, where at about sixteen years of age he commenced learning the tailor's trade, at which calling he worked for four years in Virginia. The year 1843 witnessed his arrival in Missouri. he having emigrated Westward with the family of John Gifliam. He worked at his trade in Keytes- ville for two years. and for the same length of time engaged in cabinet-making. Ile then rented the old Davis place, on which he lived for a year. then making a permanent settlement on his pres- ent farm, which he is still engaged in carrying on.
In Ists Mr. Elam wedded Mis- Mary F. Br: 1- ley, who was a daughter of Jesse Bradley, an early and respected settler of Chariton County who em- igrated here from Virginia. Mrs. Elam died in 1871, leaving one daughter, Mary Eliza. whose death occurred at the age of twenty-one years. In September. 1872, our subject married Mrs. Elvira Brown, daughter of Josiah Brightwell. She was born in Prince Edward County, Va., where she was also first married. By that union she had three children, who are living: Ira, who is a resi- dent of Virginia, engaged in farming in his native county : Samuel, a miller of Gorin. Mo .: and Leola. wife of James O'Brien, who owns one hundred and ten acres in this township.
Mr. Elam. who now owns one hundred and twenty acres of land, at one time was the possessor of four hundred acres, of which he has since dis- posed of a portion to good advantage. His pres- ent farm is well adapted to stock-raising and is thoroughly improved. On his farm are two fine springs and a deep well. At the time of his pur- chase there was upon the place only a log house. and but little improvement had been made upon the farm. This has been entirely transformed by his industry until it is now a model in every re- speet. Mr. Elam is a member of the Democracy. and is numbered among the worthy citizens of the
-
2
yours Truly Adam / Reyhan
191
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
DAM K. REYBURN, President of the Ray County Savings Bank at Richmond, is an energetic and public-spirited citizen, and has been a resident of Missouri from in- fancy. He was born in Fayette County. Ky., Aug- ust 6, 1818, and is the son of Adam C. Reyburn, whose father was a farmer and stock-raiser in Ken- tucky. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Lewis Reyburn, whose immediate ancestors were natives of "bonnie Scotland," but who himself was one of the very early settlers of Kentucky, and a participant in the dangers and privations of fron- tier life. His son, Adam C., was born in 1791, and was a carpenter by trade, but after locating in Missouri in 1819, engaged mostly in agricultural duties in Boone County. He lived to be ninety- six years of age, and died while on a visit to his sons in Hardin, Ray County. He was an earnest, conscientious man and a useful and upright citi- izen.
The wife of this honored pioneer was Elsie Kice, who was a native of Kentucky, and there married. This estimable lady was of German descent, and a loving wife and mother, looking well to the ways of her household. Sixty-one years had come and gone since she left her Kentucky home, when. in 1880, she passed to her rest. Our subject is the second in a family of nine children, and early be- gan the struggle of life and self-reliantly has won his upward way. At fourteen years of age he en- tered a general store and clerked two years, after which he removed with his parents to Indianapo- lis, Ind., and there made his home until 1839. About this latter date he returned to Missouri, and. set- tling in Lexington, engaged in manufacturing and wool-carding.
November 9, 1813, Mr Reyburn was married to Miss Pamelia A. Griffen, a resident of Lexington. and a daughter of Berry G. Griffen, an old and highly respected citizen. Our subject and lus wife removed from Lexington to Richmond in 1811. and made this latter city their place of residence until 1847, when they located upon a farm, which Mr. Reyburn has since prosperously conducted. Aside from profitable general farming, he has been especially successful as a stock-raiser. handling some of the best horse and cattle in this part of
the State. In 1869 our subject assisted in organ- izing the Ray County Savings Bank, and having long been a prominent stock-holder was in 1889 elected to the Presidency of this flourishing insti- tution, which under his able management has in- creased its business and secured a still firmer hold upon the confidence of its depositors.
Mr. and Mrs. Reyburn are the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, all living. The father and mother are members of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church, in which our subject is a Deacon, and always foremost in the promotion of its benevolent and religious work. In political af- filiation he was in other days a Whig. and since the formation of the Republican party has been one of its strong adherents. In 1865 he was ap- pointed Sheriff of Ray County, and in November. 1866. was elected for another term. Taking a deep interest in local and national issues. he he- lieves that offices of trust should be held only by tried and true citizens. A resident of Missouri for almost his entire lifetime, our subject has been in- timately associated with the growth and progress of the State and county, and ever exerting his in- fluence in behalf of worthy enterprise and local ad- vancement, is known as a man of undoubted honor and integrity, to whom the public welfare is a matter of vital importance, and who may be ever found upon the side of right and justice.
-- -
RESTON T. AKER, the popular and effi- cient Cashier of the Farmers' Bank at Smithville, is a young man of undoubted business ability and high integrity of char- acter, and through his courteous manner and ex- cellent method of transacting financial matters ha- won for himself and the prosperous banking-house he represents a host of sincere friends, who largely contribute to the success of this flourishing insti- tution. Mr. Aker was born upon his father's farm, about three miles north of Smithville, in the year 1888, and is the youngest child of Mar- tin J. and Ann (Rolling) Aker, pioneer settlers
9
192
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and highly respected residents of Clay County. Our subject was educated in the district schools and the High School of Platte City. He also en- joyed a thorough course of instruction in East- man Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., graduating from that institution in February. 1890. On his return from college. he located in Smithville, and was appointed Cashier of the Farmers' Bank, which was organized and estab- lished according to the laws of the State of Mis- souri, March 29, 1890.
The officers of the Farmers' Bank are: John B. Woods, President; James R. Scott. Vice-president: and P. T. Aker, Cashier. The members of the Board of Directors are John Brooks. Martm .J. Aker, Richardson Hulse, James R. Scott and John B. Woods. The paid-up capital of the bank is $10,000. The bank has the latest equipments and line furnishings. and ha- one of the best burglar- proof safes in the country, it having been con- strueted inside of a well-built vanit, thus doubly insuring the safety of all money and valuables entrusted to its care. The rapid increase in busi- ness since the organization of the bank is ample proof of the excellent management of its officers and the high estimation in which this financial in- stitution is held by the general public. Politically, our subjeet is an ardent Democrat, and is deeply interested in the local and national issues of the day. Able, active and intelligent, he enjoys the confidence and esteem of a host of friends. and at present holds the responsible position of Treas- urer of the Town Council.
Although a young man and yet upon the threshold of a promising and prosperous career in life, Mr. Aker exhibits the judgment usually the portion of older and more experienced men. Oc- cupied, as he is. with daily cares, he is also a social favorite and is one of the valued members of the Christian Church, being a liberal supporter in the extension of its good work, and is also foremost in the promotion of social, benevolent and relig- ious enterprises. Born almost within the limits of the town where he now resides, and where the happy days of boyhood were passed, he has been actively identified with the growth and progress of Smithville and its immediate vicinity, and no
citizen within its border- takes a more abiding in- terest in local advancement than he. Thoroughly appreciating an education, and believing it the lever to elevate the masses, he is carne-tly inter- ested in all that pertains to the welfare of the people, and is. all in all, a most liberal and pub- fie-spirited citizen. Mr. Aker was married JJanu- uary 10, 1893, to Miss Florence J. Lee, of Mt. Carmel, Ill., a daughter of William II. Lee. a prom- inent citizen of the above-named place, and at present Superintendent of Schools of Wabash County. Ill.
I'DGE SAMUEL A. WOLLORD. Much is -aid and written about Southern hospital- ity, though the Southerners themselves claim that with the incoming of railroads and factories the old-time hospitality for which they have been noted is dying out. There are a few representatives of the old school, however, who still maintain the traditional customs, the house- wifes being as noted for the toothsome delicacies produced by their fair and skillful hands as of old. One of the families which keep up this old- time lavish hospitality is that of the gentleman whose name is seen above, and of whom it is our pleasant privilege to here give a short biograph- ical sketch, Their establishment is conspicuous for the smoothness with which the domestic me- nage is conducted. Surely the dainty dishes that Mrs. Wollord prepares are mixed. as were the paints of that famous artist, with brains.
The Wollords are an old Southern family. who for many years were conspicuous in North Caro- lina, where our subjeet's father was born in Isn1. Hle left his native State at the age of sixteen and came to Missouri in company with a brother-in- law by wagon, cutting a path through the heavy timber as they came. They first stopped in Boone County, and John Wolford later proceeded West and pre-empted all of the section where our -nh- jeet now lives. He settled on the land and gave the town site where Richmond is now built. Ile
193
PORTRAIT AND BIOGBAPIECAL RECORD.
was a noted hunter, and not only bears, deci and wolves fell before his never-erring shot, but elk and buffalo. At that carly day he lived in a leg cabin until after Richmond was platted, when he located a half-mile distant from the town, and improved a farm. He died in 1877, after a long and successful career as a farmer. Ile was a large slave-owner before the war. It is related of him that his only possession on starting out in life for himself was the buckskin suit in which he was married. He was a devoted Presbyterian, and at one time knew every man in the county.
Our subject's mother bore the maiden name of Nancy Jane Lile, and was a native of Tennessee, coming hither with her parents at a very early day. She shared her husband's pioneer life until her sixty-sixth year and was the mother of four- teen children, all of whom lived to years of ma- turity, and of whom six still survive. Judge Wol- lord was the twelfth in order of birth in his parents' family. He was born in the old log house which still stands on the homestead. and at- tended school in Richmond, and lived at home until twenty-two years of age. After the war and the freeing of the slaves, he was about his father's only dependence, and gave the whole wealth of his affection and attention to the care and inter- ests of his parents. In August, 1868. he removed to his present farm, which is located on section 16, of Grape Grove Township. It was quite new when he came here, and he has made all the im- provements. He also gave a large amount of time and attention to the tract of land at Russell- ville which his father owned.
Judge Wollord was married April 16. 1868, to Miss Gertrude Groves, of Carroil County, this State, but who was reared in this county. She was a daughter of George W. and Mary E. Groves, of Virginia, who removed to La Fayette County at an early day, and there died. Mrs. Gertrude Wol- lord died, leaving her husband four children, viz: Mary V., Mrs. Charles E. Mansur: Clarence A .. James M. and Nannie G. The second marriage of our subject united him with Miss Dora Young. of Ray County. She is a daughter of S. S. and C. C. Young, the former a native of Missouri and the latter of Tennessee. They have had tive chil-
dren: Samuel A .. Reed C .. Ura G., Jewell C. and Ward L. Mrs. Wollord is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church South.
In his political interests Judge Wollord is a Democrat, and is an active worker in the party. Hle was elected County Judge in the fall of 1>>3. and, after serving four years, was re-elected to the position and gave the best of satisfaction. He owns five hundred acres of land, most of which is in one body. He has been greatly interested in stock-raising, raising cattle, horses and mules. He was the first to introduce Galloway cattle in Ray County, and still keeps them for breeding purposes. Ifis horses are, both as saddle and road- sters, of the finest breeds.
IFRED L. BRALY, born in the pioneer days of Missouri, October 25. 1827, in a prairie home three miles east of Liberty. Clay County, Mo., now resides upon an excellent farm located in township 52, range 32. but in early life was employed by the Government to carry supplies to the outposts in the Rocky Mountains. Energetic, courageous and enterpris- ing, our subject was well adapted to the require- ments of the work entrusted to his faithful care. The parents of Alfred Braly were John and Hannah ( Ligget) Braly. The mother was a native of Virginia, and the father was born in either Ten- nessee or North Carolina. John Braly was reared upon a farm, but learned the trade of a saddler. and followed this occupation at various times throughout his life. He made saddles for each of his sons and for many of the neighbors while resid- ing in Clay County. Coming with his parents to Missouri in 1820, he settled at first in Howard County, and afterward marrying the mother of our subjeet, removed with his family a few years later to Clay County.
The sisters and brothers who gathered in the Missouri home were six in number. our subject be- ing the youngest son. One of the daughters. Alice, wife of M. C. Brown, yet survives and
194
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
makes her home in Texas. The father not only bought land in Clay County, but entered a tract from the Government and prosperously accumu- lated seven hundred acres of valuable real estate. He married a second time m Clay County, los wife being Mrs. Sarah ( Coddington) Galoway. To Mr. and Mrs. Braly were born, Sarah. Mrs. John Clark: Alzira, wife of Robert Brown, and four other chi !- dren. none of whom are living. John Braly was a brave and patriotic citizen, and while a young man in Tennessee, actively participated in the War of 1812. The paternal grandparents were John and Mary ( Carson ) Braly, natives of North Carolina and among the very early pioneer set- tlers of Tennessee, afterward locating in Clay 1
County, Mo., where they both died at a good old age.
Alfred L. Braly. trained among the scenes of pioneer life, was a hardy. vigot the young man of twenty years when he made his first trip across the plains, as yet the abode of savage animals and the no less savage tribes of Indians. He was engaged one year in the service to which he was at first de- tailed, and then for two and a-half years he with the rest of his company was mustered into service and met and defeated the Mexicans. near Las Ve- gas, N. M. In another expedition for the Gov- ernment, our subjeet made a second trip to Ft. Mann, and again, during the year- Is 16 and 1847, made two trips to the same fort. and in 1818 was one in the Government train sent to Santa Fe. In 1810, Mr. Braly twice crossed the plains to Ft. Kearney, and in 1850 himself fitted out an expedi- tion to go to California, and successfully accom- plished the journey in four months and three days.
Remaining in the Golden State for three years. our subject successfully engaged in mining. and although he did not make a fortune. earned excel- lent wages, and returned home by land. accom- panied by his brother and a mutual friend. Previ- ous to embarking in this last enterprise, Mr. Braly had invested in forty acres of land, a part of his valuable homestead of one hundred and ninety-, three acres, and in 1858 married Miss Mary Howell, and with her made his residence in his present home. His wife was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Har- rison Howell, early settlers of Missouri. The home
of Mr. and Why. Braly has been blessed by the presence of eleven children, but one of whom died in mfancy. The sons and daughters are John H1 .. Frank, William C .; Laura, deceased; Cordia. wife of Frank Crow; Oscar. deceased; Mattie, Mary E .. Susan and Harry D. Our subject and his esti- mable wife are members of the Baptist Church and ace ever ready to assist in the good work of that religious denomination. Politically. Mr. Braly is a Democrat, and a firm believer in the party founded by the eminent statesman. Thomas Jeffer- son. Socially, Mr. and Mrs. Braly and their sons and daughters each and all in their several loeali- ties command the respect and esteem of the various communities among whom they spend their useful and honored lives. Our subject is widely known as a truely representative American citizen. of ster- ling integrity of character. earnest in thought and purpose, and is justly ranked among the army of pioneers who have so nobly aided in making our country great and prosperous.
OHN T. HAMILTON, M. D .. was born within two miles of his present home on section 13, township 52, rang. 29. Ray County, the date of his birth being October 11, 1856. He is an honored representative of a family which for many years has been closely con- neeted with the progress of this portion of Mis- souri. llis grandfather, Judge Thomas Hamilton. was born in Kentucky, where he grew to manhood and married. In that State he followed the oceu- pation of a distiller, but after removing to Mi -- souri in 1825 he located on Government land in Hay County and followed the calling of a farmer. He accumulated about three hundred aeres. the greater portion of which was improved during his lifetime.
With the public affairs of Ray County Judge Hamilton was clearly identified. For two term- he served as Judge of the county, and held whey offices of trust and honor. Prior to the Civil War
195
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
he was a Whig, but afterward joined the Demo- cratic party, with which he was over afterward con- nected. He was a sincere and devoted member of the Presbyterian Church and liberal in its sup- port. Hle passed from earth about 1867. his wife hav- ing died many years before. They reared a family of six sons and five daughters, of whom William C., father of our subject, was the second in order of birth.
Born in Madison County, Ky., in 1816. William C. Hamilton was brought to Missouri in his in- fancy, the journey being made by his parents via the Mississippi River. He received his education in the district schools of Ray County and remained at home with his parents until he reached the age of thirty. In establishing a home of his own. he mar- ried Miss Elvira, daughter of Orville HI. and Mary (Patton) Searcy, natives of Tennessee. She was also born in that State. whence she was brought by her parents to Missouri when two years old. Her father was a farmer by occupation. and upon coming to Ray County followed his calling on a farm situated on the present site of the city of Richmond.
After his marriage, William C. Hamilton pur- chased the farm which he still occupies and which then comprised one hundred and sixty acres. It has been added to until now two hundred acres are included in the place, which has been placed under excellent tillage and embellished with sub- stantial buildings adapted to their varied uses. Mr. Hamilton, together with his wife, is identified with the Presbyterian Church, in which he is sery- ing as Elder. In his political connections, he is a Democrat and is a man of influence in his com- munity. Ile and his estimable wife have reared four children, viz .: the subject of this sketch: Wil- lis W., who is in the drug business at Ilardin. Mo .: Elvira J., the wife of W. R. Patton, a farmer lo- cated near Richmond; and Minnie C.
At about the age of eighteen. our subject com- meneed to teach in the district schools of Ray County, and was thus employed for four years. Hle then began the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. Il. B. Hamilton, of Elkhorn. and later entered the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis. from which he was graduated in the spring of
1582, after studying there for three year -. 11 once after completing the course, he came to his present location and took up the practice which . had formerly been conducted by his uncle. At that time he was considerably in debt, but by en- ergy. pluck and good management. he has not only paid his entire indebtedness, but is the possessor of a considerable amount of this world's goods.
July 11. 1891. our subject was granted letters patent on a neck yoke clip, which he will probably soon sell at a handsome profit and which promises to do away with the old method of snap- ping the strap to the harness. He has a stock of drugs which he recently purchased, but has not yet decided where he will place them for sale. In his political attiliations. he is a Democrat, and served as Postmaster at Crab Orchard during the first ad- ministration of President Cleveland. Socially, he is identified with the Masonic fraternity at Rich- mond and is influential m that order.
The marriage of Dr. Hamilton. March 19. 1890. united him with Miss Mattie, daughter of Alex- ander and Naney (Good) Gooch. of Orrick, Mo. Mrs. Hamilton was born in Ray County and was reared on her father's farm there, receiving a good education in the common schools, and under the careful training of her parents becoming fitted for the duties of after life. She is a devoted wife, and in the community is highly esteemed for her amiability and kindly disposition.
R II. DONALDSON, a prosperous general agriculturist. and an extensive stock- raiser. devoting much of his time and at- tention to the breeding of fine horses, cul- tivates a large farm of six hundred and sixty acres, and resides in township 52. range 31. section 33, Liberty Township. Clay County, Mo. The Donaldsons are of Irish ancestry, the paternal grandfather. John Donald-on. having been born in County Armagh. Ireland. He was a brave, resolute man, and early emigrated to America, and took an active part in the struggle of the United States.
196
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
=
engaging in the War of 1812 and serving with great gallantry as Colonel of a regiment. Onr subject is the son of James D. and Patsy (Hall) Donaldson, and is one in a family of five children born unto the parents.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.