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 26
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 26
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 26
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 26
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 26
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most remunerative, but he declined the honor without hesitation, having firmly resolved to allow no consideration to keep him longer from his fam- ily.
Col. Wood came home by water from the Pacific Coast in 1850, and it was not until fourteen years later, in 1864, that he again visited California. A> before, he crossed the American Desert. and this time made a business of mining in Idaho City, Idaho, and was successful a second time in reaping a golden har- vest. Although the Indians were giving travelers in and about the Rocky Mountams much trouble. our subjeet recrossed the plains on his homeward way the following year, and experienced many narrow escapes from danger and death at the hands of the hostile bands which ravaged the country. While upon the return journey, the Indians one night stole from the company with whom Col. Wood was traveling one hundred head of horses and mules, but he personally suffered no pecuniary loss.
Fourteen children were born unto our subject and his estimable wife, but of this large family six died in childhood. Of those who lived to adult age. Sarah, deceased, wife of Thomas Ecton. was the eldest; James W. is a well-known millionaire of Kansas City; Susan was the wife of Capt. 11. Clay Kerr, of Kansas City, and died leaving two children; Benjamin has been one of the leading business men of Kansas City since that flourishing metropolis was a village; Rosalind married Eleven L. Thatcher; Lewis J. is in business in Smithville. Col. Wood and his estimable wife are both mem- bers of the Christian Church and have for a long series of years been identified with the social and benevolent enterprises of this denomination.
Fraternally. our subject is connected with the Masonic order and is one of the oldest Master Masons of Clay County, having joined this ancient society in 1810. At one time he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but for some years has not been actively associated with that organization. During a residence of nearly three-score years in his present locality, he has been an important factor in the growth and pro- perity of the county. and an acknowledged leader in the promotion of the best interests of the Satte.
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Ilis children and their families in their several homes enjoy a high position in both social and business eireles. In the evening of his dass, our subject can with satisfaction review his years of busy usefulness and success, fully realising that in the confidence and esteem of the general public le has gained the reward due his unblemished career as a true American citizen.
ILAS C. ROBINSON is a prominent farmer and stockman of Ray County, located on section 10, Grape Grove Township, where he has a very fine tract of land. He is & native of Garrard County. Ky., and was born Oc. tober 21, 1832. ITis paternal grandfather removed from Virginia to Kentucky about 1811, and was one of the carliest settlers in Garrard County, of that State, his home being frequently visited by the Indians, who still were plentiful there.
Michael Robinson, father of our subject, was born in Virginia in 1801, and was reared as a farmer in Kentucky, where he resided until his death in 1861. He carried on his agricultural business on a large scale, and was an extensive farmer. He brought up his family in the faith of the Presbyterian Church. His wife's maiden name was Margaret Dunn. She is still a resident in Garrard County, of which she is a native. having reached the ripe old age of eighty-five years. ller father. Benjamin Dunn, was an early settler in the State, going thither from Virginia.
Silas C. Robinson was the second in order of birth of a family of eleven children, five sons and six daughters, all of whom are still living in their native State with the exception of our subject and a brother, whose residence is in Burton County, Mo. The original of this sketch received small educational advantages. He lived with his father until twenty-one years of age, and in the spring of 1851 came to Missouri and settied in Jackson County, where he resided for two or three years. In the fall of 1557, he visited Ray County, and purchased part of his present farm, about one hun-
dred and thirty acres. After visiting his old home in 1857, he returned to Ray County and began the work of improving his tract. The country was then entirely new, and the improvements on his farm have all been placed there by himself. Ile broke his land with four yoke of oxen. From time to time he added to his original purchase until he is now the possessor of five hundred and sixty aeres of choice land.
Mr. Robinson was married June 17, 1861. to Miss Margaret Jane Bright, of Lincoln County. Ky. She came to Missouri with her brothers and sisters in the fall of 1860. She and her husband have welcomed to their household a family of seven children, who were named as follows: Lillie; William Franklin, John D .. Mollie, Lula, Lottie and Charles. One of these, Mollie, is deceased. All have had fair educational advantages. and have been reared in the faith of the Christian Church.
Mr. Robinson has one body of three hundred and ninety acres of choice land, which is watered by a branch of Crab Apple Creek. He also has some fine springs and an excellent well. Ilis pio- neer residence has been replaced by a good farm home, which has its complement of barns and out- houses, that are in keeping with the first-class order noticeable everywhere about the farm. He has an orchard of one hundred and twenty trees which ne himself put out. He has handied considerable stock, dealing principally in Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. We congratulate our subject on the success which he has so richly earned.
R 1. ADKINS, an enterprising agriculturist and successful stock-raiser. has been a life- long resident of Clay County, and has for many years dwelt upon section 23. town- ship 51, range 32. Liberty Township. The parent- of our subject were D. J. and Lizzie ( Pence) Ad- kins, to whom were born tive children: Madeline. E. V .. our subject. Lizzie and Emma. The two latter are deceased. The father, a native Kentin k-
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ian, was born in 1827, and after a life of useful- ness and honor passed away. mourned by all who knew him, in 1885. Ilis wife was a native of Platte County, Mo., and died in early woman- hood, entering into rest in 1851.
D. J. Adkins was a man of unusual business ability, and was foremost in the prominent enter- prises of his locality. Wisely trained to habits of industry, his intelligent self-reliance gained him sneeess. Arriving in Missouri in early manhood, he entered with ardor into the daily business of life, and became the owner of two thousand acres of valuable land, much of which he cultivated, reaping an abundant harvest, and at one time raising numbers of fine mules. He enjoyed the benefit of excellent educational advantages in his youth, and the more easily won his way upward until he became a business leader in his neighbor- hood. In Ists he organized the Commercial Bank at Liberty, and remained the President of this flourishing financial institution up to the day of his death. He was also profitably engaged for many years in handling general merchandise, and as a store-keeper was widely known.
Prospering in worldly affairs, D. J. Adkins was a liberal giver, and ever ready to assist the unfor- tunate. In political affiliations. he was a strong Democrat, and, fraternally, was associated with the Free Masons, being a prominent member of Lib- erty Lodge No. 31. This father. the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a brave and influ- ential man. of undoubted business integrity and ability. He served his country faithfully in the Mexican War and afterward presided with dignity and efficiency as a judge, retaining his position upon the Bench many years.
Our subject was born January 21. 1847. in Clay County, Mo. Improving his early advantages of instruction in the public schools. he afterward re- ceived the benefit of a two-year- course of study in William Jewell College. and when twenty-one years of age, was well-fitted to cope with the du- ties and responsibilities of life. The old home- stead upon which his grandfather once resided now belongs to Mr. Adkins, who cultivates four hundred and eighty-five acres of excellent land. all now undera highstate of improvement. Aside
from the pursuit of general agriculture. he engage- profitably in the breeding of Shorthorns and ha- upon the farm some of the finest cattle in the State.
June 27. 1869. Mr. Adkins was united in mar- riage with Miss Alice Wright. a daughter of Brookin and Mary ( Yorgan) Wright, and one in a family of six children. The pleasant home of our subject was brightened by the birth of two children: Brookin, who was born in 1873. is now attending school in Tennessee: Darwin, born in 1878. died in 1879. Mrs. Adkins is a valued member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. ! and is active in the good works of that religions organization. Our subject. like his father, has at- tained to a high degree in Masonry, and has long been prominently connected with that fraternity. Hle is a Democrat and is always interested in local and National issues. As a citizen. he is an import- ant factor in the growth and upbuilding of the various leading interests of Clay County and Mis- souri.
AVID W. KELL. This well-known and highly respected farmer of township 52. range 27. Ray County, has acquired much information by travel, and has also gained valuable experience by contact with the world. He was born in Madison County. Ill., in 1$11, the son of John and Emily (Swett) Kell. His father was a son of William and Naney Kell. and grand- son of Nimrod Kell. The grandfather of our sub- jeet, Wilham Kell, was born April 8. 1788. and his 1
wife. February 5, 1795. the place of-their nativity not being definitely known. They were married in Tennessee, and later in life removed to Madison County, HL. where they lived a number of year- and finally died; she September 10, 1811, and he January 27. 1816. Ilis trade was that of a tailor. and he also followed the oceupation of a farmer.
The father of our subject was born in Tennessee. June 31. 1820, and removed with his parents to Illinois in his youth. There he grew to manhood. receiving a fairly good common-school education.
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His father gave him a tract of land in Madison County, and he engaged in farming for himself. He was married February 11. 1811, to a daughter of David and Elizabeth ( Wall) Swett, natives of New Hampshire and North Carolina. respectively. After farming a few years, he crossed the plains in 1852 with a large company in ox-wagons, five months being spent in the journey. Unlike many others, he did not go to the mines, but kept store for Capt. Wing. at Suisun. The trip proved quite successful financially, and he returned in 1854, well satisfied. At Upper Alton, Ill., he em- barked in the stove and hardware business, and continued thus engaged for about a quarter of a century, when he removed to Ray County, Mo .. and engaged in farming. He now makes his home with his son, our subject. Two children were born of his marriage: Naney E .. wife of George Wright, and our subject. The Masonic lodge claims him as one of its members, his connection being with that order in Illinois. The death of his beloved wife, April 29, 1891. was a deep bereavement to Inm.
The education of our subject was limited to the common schools of Illinois, and in 1863 he com- menced farming on his own account, continuing this calling one year. In 1865 he went overland to California. consuming five months in the jour- ney, during which time he endured many hard- ships. While in California he ran a hay press on a farm. receiving wages that were anything but liberal. His return journey was much more pleas- ant, as it was made by ocean steamer. Upon reach- ing Upper Alton. he entered the store of his father. .with whom he remained about twelve months. and then came to Missouri with his parents. After one year he went to Madison County, Ill., and began farming. Thence a short time afterward he re- turned to Ray County. Mo .. and bought the farm upon which he now resides, consisting of two hun- dred and thirty-three acres.
The maiden name of Mrs. Kell was Lou Clark. She was a daughter of Reuben and Emily Clark, and a native of lowa. She became the mother of five children, two of whom died young. The liv- ing ones are: Edward C., Reuben L. and Nellie M. The faithful wife and mother died in Octo-
ber. 1879, lamented by all who knew her. In poli- ties Mr. Kell is a strong Democrat, and faithfully and honestly supports the ticket of that party. He was chosen a delegate to the Judicial Convention of 1892, and has served in other positions of trust.
HARLES G. RUST, an enterprising and sue- cessful general agriculturist and prominent stock-raiser, making a specialty of blooded horses, is a native of Clay County, and is widely known as an energetic and progressive citizen. Ilis home for many years has been on section 16. township 53, range 30. Our subject is the son of Mace and Nancy ( Kineade) Rust, and is one in a family of eight children. The father was a native of Virginia. but early settled in Kentucky, from which State he emigrated to Missouri in 1842. Ile was a practical and experienced farmer, and became the owner of a valuable property of four hundred acres, where he pursued general agricul- ture, also bred good horses and raised a variety of stock.
Mace Rust was politically a strong Democrat. Ile was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and ever a promoter in the good work of that religious organization. His father-in-law was a man of prominence and held several county offices. The father of our subject was seventy-two years of age at the time of his death. and way mourned by all of his old friends and neighbors. when, in 1861. he passed away. Charles G. Rust was born in Clay County, Mo .. November 19. Isas. Having received the benefit of instruction in the schools of the neighborhood, and spending much of his youth in assisting in the work of his father's farm, he grew to manhood a hard-working and in- dustrious man, well fitted to make a home for the wife he married in 1880. The lady of his choice was Miss Anna Green, of Clinton County. and i the mother of four bright and interesting children. two sons and two daughters. One child died in infancy. John H. is the oldest of the family. and was born May 29. 1881. The others are. Ruby 6 ..
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born December 10, 1883; Elizabeth, May 9, 1887; and Charles Richard on the 1 4th of December, 1892. The family resides upon the pleasant home farm of eighty highly cultivated acres. Mr. Rust, like his father, devotes much of his time to the rising of horses, but he also neglects nothing that will conduce to the success of the cultivation of the soil. Politically he is a strong Democrat, and always an interested observer of the conduet of local and national office. For one term he discharged the duties of a Constable with fidelity and efficiency, but is not an active politician in the asual signifi- cance of the term. He and his wife are both mem- hers of the Presbyterian Church, and are among the promoters of its social and benevolent enter- prises.
One of the brothers of Mr Rust was killed during the first year of the war. the mournful event occurring in 1861. The young soldier. a cavalryman, was shot at the siege of Vicksburg The family were in favor of the South, and this brave young life went out as a sacrifice to the cruelties of the Civil War. Mr. Rust, as a native of Missouri. has witnessed wonderful progress and improvement in the last quarter of a century, and has in the year since he attained his manhood been an active factor in local growth and prosperity. He has an extended circle of acquaintances, and enjoys tho best wishes of a host of friends.
WILLIAM G. HARWOOD, M. D. Possessing a clear comprehension of the science of medicine in theory and practice, our sub- jeet also has a sympathetic and appreciative nature, which causes him to put forth in every case his very best efforts for the alleviation of suffering, and for restoration to health. He is engaged in the practice of medicine in the village of Vibbard. Ray County. \ native of Dover. La Fayette County, Mo., he was born May 13, 1856. His fa- ther, James D. Harwood, was born June 6. 1828. in Parkersburgh, in what is now West Virginia, where he was reared and educated. He married Ellen
Rhodes, who lived but one year after the union. In 1818, he came to Missouri, and located first a' Dover, and in 1852 married Bettie Carter, forn .- erly of Richmond, Va., who bore him live children. our subjeel and four daughters, all living.
Dover remained the home of James D. Harwood for twenty eight years, during which time he car- ried on the business of a general merchant. Il. passed away March 23, 1890, having been stricken with pneumonia. which caused his death after a short illness. His end was peaceful. his faith be- ing supreme in the promise of the Gospel. At the time on his demise he was an Elder in the Chris- tian Church, of which he had been a member for twenty-eight years. He was a charter member of the church at Dover, which was the first church of that denomination organized in the State of Mis- souri. He was a man of great moral worth, just and upright. and devoted to his church. in which. ... worked carnestiy and tirelessly: a tender husband. a kind father. a benevolent and considerate man. honest and upright, his death was greatly mourned by all who knew him. His widow still survives. Our subject received instruction in the public schools of Dover, and then read medicine with Dr. R. C. Carter. of Higginsville, Mo. After grad- uating from the college at Dover in 1879. in the same year he entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, where he took the full three-years course, graduating in 1883. Then he went to Ilig- ginsville, Mo., where he remained with his uncle for one year. At the expiration of this time he came to Vibbard, where he has since resided. In the year 1885 he married Mis- Emma D .. daughter of Joseph S. Carlyle. an old settler of the county. by whom he has had two children. viz: Carl Gaines and Willie Davis. Dr. and Mrs. Harwood are members of the Christian Church. in which he is an Elder and a very active worker. He is a mem- ber of that ancient order. the Mason -. and i- reputed an active and zealous worker in it. He is somewhat of a politician, but not in any offensive sense, and is now filling the office of Coroner. he- ing in his fourth year. Dr. Harwood is a member of the Ray County Medical Society and the State Medical Society, taking much interest in the work of the latter. While in college he took a special
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course in the diseases of women and children, and also in surgery and in the hospital. His skill and zeal have brought him an extensive practice, said to be the largest in the county of Ray.
W IL.KERSON CORUM, an honored pioneer settler of Clay County, arrived in Missouri at six years of age, and locating perma- nently within its borders in 1819, has since 1824, a period of nearly three-score years and ten. been a resident of his present home upon section 12. township 52. range 33. and is widely known as an earnest, industrious and intelligent citizen of high integrity of character. Onr subject was born in Green County, Ky., January 3, 1813, and was the son of William and Barsheba (Bloyd) Corum. The father was a native of Virginia, and the mother was born in Somerset County. Md. The paternal grandparents were John and Nancy (Cookshin) Corum. John Corum was a native- born Englishman. and came to America and died in this country before the struggles of the Revo- lutionary War. The paternal grandparents re- moved with their family to North Carolina at a very early day in the history of the United States, and there William Corum entered the Federal service as a teamster, and was a most efficient aid in those dark days.
The paternal grandfather died in middle life. and left the support of the family of five children mostly to the care of the father of our subjeet, who was the eldest-born. Early in youth he embarked in business and was variously and successfully engaged as a general trader and teamster, following the lat- ter occupation for nine consecutive years. While in North Carolina William Corum married, and in about 1801 emigrated to Green County. Ky .. and bought land. While there he was drafted into service in the War of 1812. but never went upon the field of battle. He carefully reared a family of children. six in number, of whom Thomas S .. deceased, was the eldest; John L. resides in Clay
County, Mo .: Milton is also living in Clay County; Nancy, deceased, was the wife of Dennis Bog- gess; Wilkerson is our subject; Susan is the wife of Jackson Estes.
In 1819 William Corum came with his family to Missouri, first locating in Cooper County, where he bought a large tract of land. In 1824 he es- tablished his home in Clay County, and entered from the Government the present farm of our subject, one hundred and sixty acres, afterward adding to his landed property three hundred aeres more in different parts of the county. Politically this veteran of the Revolutionary War was a Jackson Democrat. In religious affiliation he was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. Ile lived to a good old age, dying at the home of our subject. Ilis wife survived him about four years.
Wilkerson Corum attended school only six months in his life. but being a great reader of ise- ful and instructive books, acquired a large stock of general information. and is more than ordin- arily well posted in the affairs of the day. Ile re- mained with his parents until their death. March 24, 1836, he married Miss Ruth E. Young, who was born in Kentucky in 1818, the daughter of Thomas and Abigail (Stroud) Young, likewise na- tives of Kentucky. Mrs. Young was born in 1798 and died at the age of eighty-nine years. Mr. Young died in 1837.
The pleasant home of Wilkerson Corum and his wife was gladdened with the presence of seven merry children who reached manhood and woman- hood. William T .. the eldest. is now deceased: Lucinda is the wife of James C. Gunn, a coal op- erator of Higginsville, Mo .. and has four children. Isabella, Price S., Edward and Joseph; Harden R., a miner with his home in Denver. Colo .. married Ida Doud and they have two children. Barnahel and Ida M .; Irene, the wife of J. M. Beech, re- sides at Higginsville. Mo., and is the mother of five children. Anna B., James. Lansing. Lester and Lottie: Susan, deceased, was the fifth child of our subject; Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Barnes. has seven children. William, George. Daniel. Laura. Harry, Artie and Irene; Nathan, the youngest of the family, is unmarried.
Our subject began life by renting eighty acres
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of his father's farm, and is living upon the old homestead in the house which sheltered him when he was a lad, nearly two-thirds of a century ago. Mr. Corum is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. Politically he is a Democrat. A faithful and efficient worker in the fields of life, he has garnered many precious sheaves of happy recol- leetions in his journey by the way, and has a store of most interesting reminiscences of the early days.
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ICHAEL A. GROOM, a prosperous and extensive general agriculturist, and a suc- cessful stock-raiser. residing upon section 3, township 52, range 32, Clay County, Mo .. is widely known as an energetic and rehable citizen, liberal and progressive, and ever ready to assist in local improvements and enterprise. Our subject was born upon his father's farm, two miles west of Liberty. in 1831. lle is the son of Joseph and Naney (Hutchison) Groom, his father being a native of Virginia, but reared in Clark County, Ky., to which State Grandfather Groom had emi- grated from the Old Dominion in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Joseph Groom was the youngest son of his parents, and remained at home until the death of his mother, who survived her husband many years. In early manhood, while residing in Clark County, Ky., he married the daughter of Col. Hutchison, a native Virginian, but an early pioneer of Kentucky, and a hero of Revo- lutionary fame, having fought with great gallantry in the War of Independence, and, as Colonel of his regiment, cheering his men on to victory.
Some time between 1821 and 1821, Joseph Groom emigrated with his wife and family to Clay County, Mo., and, journeying slowly hy wagon, reached the desired destination with the small pe- cuniary capital of fifty cents, but rich in hope. energy and native resolution. By his thrift and intelligent industry he gradually accumulated val- uable property, and owned two hundred and eighty acres of highly improved land. At the
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