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 23
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 23
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 23
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 23
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 23
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The mother of our subject, now in her ninety- first year, resides in Saline County, and enjoys for her advanced years unusual health and strength. She is the daughter of Henry Branch, who was of English descent. and was a man of more than or- dinary ability. The Perdues are of French ex- traction, and were among the early emigrants to America, here becoming known in the South as peo- ple of intelligence and enterprise. Henry C. Perdue was the sixth of ten children born unto his father and mother, and of the large family of sons and daughters but five now survive. Our subject re- mamed upon his father's farm until he had reached carly manhood. When a lad he assisted in farm- ing duties, and attended in the winter months the little district school of his immediate neighbor- hood.
At the outbreak of the Civil War our subject engaged in the struggle, and participated in the
battle of Wilson's Creek, in which conflict he was disabled for future usefulness as a soldier. He then returned home and embarked in the drug business, which he successfully conducted until his clection as Shenff in 1888. In 1890 Mr. Perdue was re-elected to the position for a term of two years, and was the candidate on the Democratic ticket. In 1861, our subject married Miss Mary C. Ballars, of Richmond, Mo .. and a daughter of Wil- lis Ballard, widely known as a man of honor and integrity. Mrs. Perdue was born in Albemarle County, Va., in the year 1813, and died in 1879. leaving four children to mourn her loss. Henry C., Jr., is a grocer of Orrick, Ray County; Minme is the wife of Jesse Ralph, a farmer and stock-raiser of Richmond; and Emmet and Melville are at home with their father.
Our subject was a sceond time married, in 1820. his pres- ot wife having been Mi- Cora, a daughter of Jasper Cunningham, a highly respected resi- ident of Ray County. Politically our subject is an active Democrat. ever taking a deep interest in the localand national issues of the day. Fraternally he is a member of Ada Lodge No. 444, at Orrick, and is and has long been a leading factor in pub- lic enterprise and the promotion of important lo- cal interests. His position and line of work give him a wide acquaintance, and in the performance of his daily duty he commands the esteem and confidence of the general public.
AMES A. RHODES, an old-time resident and successful agriculturist and stock-raiser of Clay County, whose pleasant home is in Claytonville, township 53, range 30, has long been one of the most highly respected and energetic citizens of this portion of the State. Our subject is the son of Daniel and Mary (Roberts) Rhodus, the former a native of Madison County. Ky.
James A., having attained to manhood, began life for himself in 1850, and in August of that year was united in marriage with Mis- Nancy .J.
Orra Harmoon
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Wilson, who became the mother of a family of four children, one of whom survives, Nancy JJane, who was born in 18co, and is the wife of W. P. II. Turner. Malissa J., born in 1854, died in 1867; Mary E., born in 1856, died in 1868; Catherine, born in 1858, died in 1879. In 1866, the beloved mother passed away. January 30, 1869, Mr. Rhodus married Margaret Ketron, and they be- came the parents of the following children: Susan, born in 1870; James, in 1873; Charles, in 1875; Lula, who was born in 1877, and died the same year; Thana, whose birth occurred in 1880, and who died in 1881; Lena, born in 1884, and Elsie in 1886, who still survive.
Our subject owns a fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres, and devotes his time to the culti- vation of the fertile soil. Hle is also largely inter- ested in raising a superior quality of stock. Mr. Rhodus is one of the oldest Republicans in the county and is a firm supporter of the party. He and his good wife are valued members of the Christian Church and are ever ready to assist in social and benevolent enterprises of merit. During the Civil War he enlisted, in 1862, in the State service, under Capt. James Moss. of Company C. An earnest and intelligent citizen he has ever been closely identified with the best interests of his State and country, aiding as an able and upright man in progressive movements tending to assist in the ad- vancement of those less fortunate than himself. Bound by the associations of happy years. Mr. Rhodus is known to all the community in which he dwells and commands universal respect and esteem.
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0 RRA HARRISON. Through a life verging towards sixty years our subject has lived at peace with his neighbors, and has become prominently identified with the best interests of his community. Hle is surrounded with all that is needed to ensure comfort and contentment, and his prosperity is the result of the untiring labor of former years. Ilis fine farm is located in town-
ship 50, range 27, Ray County. He was born in Maryland in 1833, and is a son of Kinsey Harrison, likewise a native of Maryland. In the common schools of that State he gained a somewhat lim- ited education, and while still young was com- pelled to earn his own living.
The mother of our subject was Anna E., daugh- ter of John Fitzgerald, of Maryland, and she died when Orra was but four years of age, leav- ing a family of four ebildren. one child having died previously when quite young. The others are Nimrod, George W., our subject and John II. The eldest son was bound out upon a farm and the remaining three were taken by strangers, our sub- ject finding a home with James W. Simons. After thus disposing of his children, the father went West, it was thought to Ohio, but he was never heard of afterward. The four brothers grew to manhood in the same neighborhood in Maryland. Then they separated. and upon a visit paid by our subject to his native county in 1891 the most diligent search failed to furnish a single trace of the whereabouts of any one of them.
Orra made his home with Mr. Simons until his sixteenth year and then hired out as a farm hand for two years, receiving but 860 for the entire work. Later he entered a gristmill at Toolsville, Md., where he worked for one year, and afterward followed milling for six years in that part of Maryland. At the age of twenty-four our sub- ject married Sarah C., daughter of Adam and Parsies (Palmer) Michel, she being a native of Maryland. born in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison had a family of ten children, two of whom died young, the others being as follows: Clara B., wife of George M. Slade: Sarah F., Mrs. Wiley Ware; Mary E., who married John Wilson; Susan .J .. wife of Edson Wickliffe: Emma S., wife of Na- thaniel Franklin; Glenville. who married Mary Haskell; William 11., who chose for his wife Alice Wilson; and Theodore Lec.
A few months subsequent to this marriage Mr. Harrison removed to Missouri and settled in La Fayette County, where he worked in a sawmill for nearly one year. Thence he went to Welling- ton and worked in a gristmill for two years, and in 1860 came to Ray County, where he bought
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the land on which he now lives. When he in- vested in the Missouri bottoms very little im- provement had been made there. Beginning in a very small way, for he was a very poor man with a family dependent upon him, he persevered until he now owns two hundred and fifty aeres. Dur- ing the war he enlisted in Capt. Elliott's com- pany of Missouri State Militia, but was never under fire.
The first wife of Mr. Harrison departed this life in 1890, and later he married Miss Pearl Gilbert, of Baltimore, Md .. the charming and accomplished daughter of George and Sarah Gilbert, natives of Carroll County, Md. Her father is a merchant of Baltimore and she is the youngest of his four liv- ing children, the names of the others being Portia. Maud and Denton. The political faith of our sub- ject is strong and thoroughly in harmony with the teachings of the Democratic party. with which organization he works and votes.
OIIN W. SHOTWELL, a prominent and successful attorney-at-law, and a leading and influential citizen of Richmond, has been closely identified with the best inter- ests of the State for many years. Ile was born in May's Lick, Mason County. Ky .. July 4. 1828. His father, Jabez Shotwell. was also a native of Mason County, born in 1791, and was a farmer and surveyor, which occupations variously en- gaged his time. The paternal grandfather, John. was a native of Virginia, but early settled in Ken- tucky, where he reared his family. The very early emigrants of the Shotwell family who settled in the New World were French-Ihuguenots who were forced to leave their native land on account of religious persecution.
The mother of our subject was Elizabeth War- der, who was born. reared and married in Kon- tucky, and who removed with her husband to La Fayette County, Mo., in 1833. In 1835 Mr. Shotwell. Sr., made his family a home upon a farm adjoining the city of Richmond, where he resided
until the death of his wife in 1852. Ile then broke up housekeeping and lived with his only daughter, Mrs. Fannie E. Royle, the wife of a merchant of Lexington. in which place he died in November, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Shotwell were the parents of six children, all of whom lived to adult age. Jolin W., our subjeet. passed the days of his youth in Richmond, and attended the schools of the town, and later received a course of instruc- tion in the seminary at Richmond, at that time under the management and control of Prof. 1. C. Redmond. a noted teacher of his day.
Ambitiously preparing himself for the battle of life, our subject taught school winters and worked upon the farm in summer for four years. and then, abandoning teaching, he began the study of law. reading under Oliver Conrow, of Richmond. and having passed an excellent examination was admitted to the Bar January 1. 1856. G. W. Dun issuing the license to practice. Mr. Shotwell opened an office and entered upon the practice of his profession, soon after taking into partnership C. T. Garner. the firm name being Garner & Shotwell, and the partnership continuing for two years. In 1876, the firm of Shotwell & Ball be- gan its existence and successfully conducted a large legal business until six years later, when Mr. Ball was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Ray County, and the partnership was dissolved. since that time Mr. Shotwell has continued alone in the business, and enjoys an extended practice in all the courts, local, State and federal in this section.
I'mon February 11, 1861. our subject was united in marriage with Miss Julia E. Devlin, of Rich- mond, a daughter of Rev. Joseph Devlin, of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Shotwell have had seven children. six of whom are living, four sons and two daughters. John W. is the Cashier of the Ray County Savings Bank; W. M. is clerk in a clothing store: Benja- min is studying law in the office with his father; Horace E., Annie E. and Lizzie D. are all at home.
Mr. Shotwell served with efficient fidelity as Public Administrator in 1861. In political affilia- tion. he was originally a Whig. then a Know- Nothing, but is now a strong Democrat. It is
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identified with the Baptist Church, and his wife with the Methodist Church, and both are earnest in the support of religious enterprises. Mr. Shot- well has served as Chairman of the Executive Board of the North Liberty Association. Promi- nent in all good work, and upright in character, he commands the respect and confidence of a large circle of friends. fle has been greatly prospered and has worthily won his success. He is now an extensive land-owner in the State. His home- stead adjoining the city is highly improved and the family residence, a handsome brick structure, is both attractive and commodious.
C. HARREL, in early days a prominent and influential citizen of Kentucky, has for over a score of years been identified with the growth and progress of the business inter- ests of Clay County, Mo., and has long been num- bered among the leading agriculturists of Liberty Township. The paternal ancestors of our subject were of English birth, but settled in Kentucky at a very early day in the history of our country. Both the paternal and maternal grandfather fought bravely in the Revolutionary War, and in passing away, bequeathed to their descendants the patriot- ism which distinguished the conduct of their hon- orable and upright lives.
Our subject is the son of Isane and Nancy (Montgomery) Harrel, who settled in Kentucky when much of the State was almost a wilderness. and the Indians constantly terrorized the dwellers upon the frontier of this "county of Virginia." as Kentucky was named by the Federal Government. It was in the year 1750, that Isaac Harrel made his home in the new country called by the savages. "Kentucky," meaning "the dark and bloody ground," and became one of the hardy, resolute and courageous pioneers of the State. Prospering in his new home, Father Harrel hell important positions of trust, and was Surveyor of Nelson County for twenty-one year. At the expiration of this length of time, he removed with his family to Todd
County in 1821, and died in 1851. The faithful companion of his joys and sorrows, and the brave sharer in the privations and dangers of frontier life, passed away six years before his death, dying in the year 1848.
Few men possess the energy, ambition and abil- ity which were the characteristics of Isaac Harrel. who achieved prosperity through his own industry and self-reliance. lle was the owner of six hun- dred acres of valuable land. which he devoted to general agriculture and the raising of tobacco. In very early life he taught school_in the city of Natchez, but although he made an excellent in- structor, he was more adapted to the handling of extensive business interests. His thirst for practi- cal knowledge was insatiable, and after an excel- lent preparatory education, he fitted himself for the practice of law, and studying under Beniamin Shippe and Benjamin Harden, whose legal knowl- edge and ability have attained world-wide fame, graduated with honor and was admitted to the Bar.
Thoroughly grounded in the details of law. and possessing a remarkable memory. Mr. Harrel be- came authority as one of the most able land law- yers of lis day. He was also ranked as an expert civil engineer, and in all the various duties of life displayed rare executive ability. A public- spirited and progressive citizen. he entered ar- dently into discussions of political questions. and was a Whig. He and his good wife. both members of the Old-school Presbyterian Church. were al- ways active in the promotion of social and benevo- lent enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Harrel were the parents of the following sons and daughters: Alfred II., the oldest, was born in 1806. and died in 1836; Saphronia. born in 1808. died in Cooper County. Mo., in the year 1872; John E. and Paulina C. (twins). born in 1810, lived to a good oldage, John dying in 1880; our subject is next in the order of birth, and came into the home of hi- father and mother in 1812: Albert, born in 1811. died in 1821: Emmeline. born in 1816. died in 1818; George, born in 1819, died in 1861. The latter was shot while in command of the Fourteenth Regiment. He had entered the volunteer service during the Civil War with the rank of Captain. and
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had received the deserved promotion to the posi- tion of Colonel. but while gallantly cheering his regiment in its advance to the front at the battle of Cedar Creek, fell mortally wounded. He was a brilliant and successful lawyer. and had been a Representative for his county and Senatorial Dis- triet, and his untimely death was a public loss. Amanda was the youngest of the children of Isaac Harrel, and was born in 1820, and died the same year.
Our subject, W. C. Harrel. came to Missouri in 1872. Death had robbed him of his wife, and the Civil War had almost ruined him financially. In his Kentucky home he had owned thirty-one slaves, and cultivated his plantation of six hun- dred aeres, raising large quantities of tobacco. Now reduced in worldly goods, he began the bat- tle of life anew, and with his accustomed energy and determination to overcome all obstacles to suecess, once more gained a competence. and has been able to provide liberally for all his children, aiding each one in starting out in life. Ile pur- chased three hundred and twenty acres of excel- lent land, which he has given to his children. and. residing upon the homestead. enjoys the society of a host of friends, who fully appreciate his gener- ous nature and sterling integrity of character. Mr. Ilarrel was married in the year 1810 to Miss Caroline C. MeElwain, who was born in 1819. and became the mother of eight sons and daugh- ters. The brothers and sisters are: George A .. born in 1841. a physician. who resides in Tren- ton, Ky., and has also made his home in Brooklyn, N. Y., and Toronto, Canada, graduating from a medical course in the two la-t-named cities. He served two years in the Civil War. and was cap- tured at Vicksburg. James T., born in Is11. is a farmer and stoek-dealer in Trenton. Ky .. where he has a family. He also served in the Civil War. Augusta T., born in 1816. lives with her father. and is an accomplished lady, and finished her schooling at the female college at Greenville. Ky. Isaac, born in Ists, has a family. and is a farmer of Clay County. E. P., born in 1850, is a resident of Clay County. John M .. born in 1855. is the Representative for Clay County, and. living upon the homestead, is a prosperous general agricul-
turist and stock-raiser. Lee, born in 1857, i- Pas- tor of the Baptist Church at Plattsburgh. Mo., and is a graduate of William Jewell College at Lib- erty, Mo. Constant in duty, the Rev. Lee Harrel has been absent from Sabbath services but eleven times in six years of hard pastoral work. Mary B., the youngest child of our subject, born in 1802. is at home.
For several years Mr. Harrel was an active mem- ber of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, but advancing years prevent his presence at the meet- ings of the lodge. He and his wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and were liberal supporters of that religious organization. Mrs. Harrel was of Irish descent. her father hav- ing been born in Londonderry, but emigrating at an early age. arrived in America in 1798, and lo- cated in Baltimore, Md. Our subject and his fam- ils are all highly respected. and in their several localities command the esteem and confidence of the general public, who appreciate their worth, in- telligence and ability. After the various vicissi- tudes of his mainly prosperous and honored career. our subject can in the evening of his life congratu- late himself as possessing the genuine will and na- tive resolution of the true American citizen, whom business losses only stimulate to increased effort and final vietory.
G ORDON CLEVENGER. As a successful farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. Clevenger ve- eupies a position of prominence among the residents of Ray County, where the most of his active life has been pa -- ed. The farm which he owns and operates is located on township 52. range 29, and here he was born August 18. 153. His ancestor- for many generations resided in Ten- nessee. and in that State his grandparents. Richard and Sally Clevenger, were born. reared and mar- ried.
In 1818. accompanied by his family. Grand- father Clevenger removed to Missouri, making the
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trip by boat up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to Ray County, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land near the present home of our subjeet. A poor man, with a large family depend- ent upon his exertions, he was forced to put forth the most strenuous efforts to "keep the wolf from the door." The county at that early day was still the " happy hunting grounds " of the red men, who had not yet retreated before advancing civilization. Bears, deer, wild turkey's, wolves and other wild animals abounded, and as Grandfather Clevenger was an unerring shot. he kept the fam- ily larder supplied with game of all kinds. The few white settlers who had located in the county were all personally known to him, and he enjoyed their respect and esteem.
The father of our subject was born in Coeke County. Tenn., in March. 1807, and was one of seven children who lived to mature year -. namely: John, Pitman and MMMoses, now deceased; William; Lettie, formerly the wife of Edwin Odell, but now deceased; Nancy, who was three times married and is now deceased: and Rachel. the wife of Benja- min Odell. The father of this family was a Dem- verat and a prominent man in his community. He was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. and donated the property on which the Baptist Church and cemetery are now located. William Clevenger received no educational advantages in his youth and never attended school even for one term, as he was obliged to aid his father in the farm work. He remained with his parents until he was about seventeen, when he started out in the world for himself.
The first marriage of William Clevenger united him with Miss Dorcas Norris, who bore him two children. William Anderson and Nancy, the latter being the wife of Jack MeCorkle. The wife and mother was killed by negroes belonging to her husband; the murderers were condemned to death and the execution of this sentence at Richmond was the second affair of the kind in Ray County. William Clevenger chose as his second wife Miss Naney McCorkle, who was born in Missouri, and they became the parents of eleven children, viz .: John; Redmond and Samuel, deceased: George; Franklin, deceased: Martha, who first married , his place good grades of stock. He and his est-
William Trimble. and afterward became the wife of Joseph Pettigrew; Gordon, of this sketch; Elizabeth and Howard, who have passed from earth: Jasper, and Franklin (second) deceased. Two of the sons served in the I'nion army during the Civil War, and Franklin died while in the ser- vice.
Sixty aeres entered from the Government com- prised the original farm of William Clevenger, and he added thereto until he is now the owner of one hundred and eighty-six acres, all of which are im- proved with the exception of ten acres. He is a man of good judgment and marked business abili- tics, and is widely known as one of the worthy pioneers of Ray County, where he has resided since his boyhood. Politically, he is a Republican. In his religious connections he is identified with the Primitive Baptist Church as one of its most active and influential members.
The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until he reached manhood. when he rented land of his father and started out for himself. His marriage in 1875 united him with Miss Sarah E. Sisk, who was born in Ray County. the daughter of Bartlett and Sally ( Hightower) Sisk, natives re- spectiveiy of Tennessee and Ray County. Mo. Eight children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Clevenger, namely: Era. Maggie. Addic, Hugh. Joseph, Fannie, Andrew and Roy. Like his father, our subject is a member of the Primi- tive Baptist Church, and like him he adheres with loyalty to the principles of the Republican party.
After his mariage, our subject resided for a short time in Kansas, and has also made his home in other places. But the land of his birth is, in his opinion, one of the fairest spots on earth, and he returned hither about three years ago with the intention of here passing his remaining years. His large, well-cultivated farm consists of three hun- dred and eight-six acres, some of which is devoted to the pasturage of stock, while the remainder is placed under excellent cultivation. As a farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. Clevenger brings to his work keen discrimination and the latest methods; the consequence is that he annually harvests large crops of the various cereal and always keeps on
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mable wife are members of the Primitive Baptist Church. As a supporter of Republican principles, he takes a prominent part in the local work of that party and contributes his support to those measures calculated to promote the welfare of the community.
P ERRY BROWN. The home of this gentle- man is located on section 14, Grape Grove Township, Ray County, and is distin- guished for the cultured interests and pleasures that make it an ideal meeting-place for the best spirits in the locality. The home itself is well calculated to make one feel comfortable and at one's best. and the four amiable young ladies, who, under the chaperonage of their capable mother, attract the life of the locality, are a sufficient reason for its popularity.
Mr. Brown is a native of Richland County, Ohio, and was born November 14, 1832. lle is a son of John Brown, who was born in Pennsylva- nia in 1812, about the time that his father lost his life on the high seas during the War of 1812. John Brown was of a mechanical turn of mind and manufactured siekles. He subsequently be- eame a blacksmith and wagon-maker, and moving to Ohio settled in Richland County at an early day. He thence proceeded by the overland route to Mis- souri about 1840 and settled in Ray County, but subsequently moved to Richmond. where he died in August, 1820. Hle served as Postmaster at Tinney's Grove, and was one of the organizers of the Methodist Church here. His wife, formerly Matilda Jane Snoddy. was a native of Richland County, Ohio, and a member of an old pioneer family of that locality. She now resides in Car- roll County at the age of seventy-two years.
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