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 27
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 27
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 27
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 27
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 27
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time of the "Mormon War" in Missouri, the. sturdy pioneer settler shouldered his gun, and ably defended his people and property for a few days. Ten children came into the happy home, and but two died young. The sons and daugh- ters were: Robert, Francis M .. John's .; Mary, wife of Charles Woods; Michael .A., our subject: Martha. wife of John Kincaid; Porter F .; and Belle, wife of Jolin Pickett. The father of our subject reached the good old age of ninety-two years, and was well preserved in mind and body up to the time of his death.
Michael A., our subject, remained with his par- ents until he had attained his majority. and re- ceived his education in the old log schoolhouse. a prominent feature in the early history of Clay County. In 1861, the beginning of the Civil War. he entered the State Guard, under Gen. Price. and served in Col. Thompson's regiment. Capt. Groom's company. In 1862, he entered the reg- ular Confederate service, in the Trans-Missouri Department. He fought in many of the leading battles of the war, and remained in active ser- vice until the surrender, when he returned to his home and again resumed agricultural duties. No- vember 5, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma P., daughter of D. J. Adkins, of Clay County, but in 1882 lost the faithful wife and loving mother, who had borne him seven children. one of whom died young. Elma, the eldest, is the wife of Ed Watkins; Ruth is the wife of William Gordon; Darwean; Artie is the wife of Walter Pryor; Minnie and Lizzie.
The present wife of Mr. Groom was Mrs. Amelia Collins, widow of the late Jesse B. Collins, of Clay County, and daughter of James M. Wat- kins. Mrs. Groom had two children by her first husband, Jesse B. and Martha J. Collins, Since her marriage with Mr. Groom she has become the mother of a little daughter, Louise. Our subject is a valued member of the Christian Church, and, politically, belongs to the Alliance party, but has always been a strong Democrat Financially. he has been greatly prospered, and. winning his way steadily upward. now owns a fine farm of three hundred acres, all under a high state of cultivation. He has further im-
BENJAMIN B GENTRY
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
proved his homestead by building a magnificent brick house and an excellent barn and substan- tial outbuildings. A lifetime resident of the county, Mr. Groom has been from early years as- sociated with the growth and progress of his por- tion of the State, and, commanding the respect of the entire community, has a host of sincere friends.
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B ENJAMIN GENTRY. The following biographical sketch of the well and favor- ably known farmer who was a citizen of Grape Grove Township. Ray County, but is now deceased, is a loving tribute to his many vir- tues by those that were nearest and dearest to him. Mr. Gentry was born in Boone County. Mo .. March 20, 1828. and was a son of David and Susan Gentry, the former a native of Madison County. Ky., whither our subject's grandfather had gone from Virginia at an early date. David Gentry removed to Missouri in the '20s and settled in Boone County when the country was very new. lle was an enterprising farmer there until his de- cease, which occurred in 1836. Ilis brother, Maj. Gentry, was killed in the Seminole War.
Benjamin Gentry was the youngest of the fam- ily of five sons and two daughters, all of whom are deceased. Ile was reared on a farm in his native county and came to Ray County in the spring of 1850. The same year he crossed the plains to California, the overland journey consuming four months. IJe spent eighteen months engaged in ! mining for gold in that beautiful State on the Pacific Coast. He was reasonably successful in his efforts and when he returned. the home journey being made via the Isthmus. he purchased a tract of land in Grape Grove Township.
After improving a farm of two hundred and sixty acres, the original of this sketch sold out his place, and in 1870 purchased two hundred and thirty-five acres on section- 4 and 5, which he oe- cupied as lus place of residence until his demise: which occurred December 4. 1888. The land he last purchased was but partially improved, and he
completed the work of cultivation and added the necessary builthogs until he had the farm in first- class condition. He also made other purchases of land until he owned nine hundred and sixty acres, which were in two farms. In connection with the development of the soil he handled considerable stock and fed a large number of cattle.
Mr. Gentry was a thorough-going business man and was greatly respected in the community. Hle was a prominent Mason, and in religious matters believed in the doctrines of the Christian Church. He was twice married, first in 1847 to Miss Nar- cissa, daughter of John Wollard. an old pioneer. She died in 1858, having borne him four children. of whom two are living, Susan F. and Mary C. Mr. Gentry's second marriage occurred about a year after the decease of his first wife, his bride being Miss Sarah MeKinze, of Mercer County. Va .. a daughter of Alexander and Melinda ( Allen Me- Kinzie, both of whom died in their native State. Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Gentry became the parents of a large family of children. Their names are: Adelia A., Benjamin MI., James S., Alice B .. . Jeffer- son D., John S., William E., Charles N. and Ellie M. Five of these are married and have homes of their own. Mrs. Gentry is a capable and noble woman and a devoted member of the Christian Church. She has continued to live on the home farm, in the cultivation of which she has been assisted by her sons.
AMES M. HYMER, a successful agriculturist and stock-raiser. and a prominent and influ- ential citizen. residing in township 51. range 32. section 23, Liberty Township. is one of the oldest settlers in Clay County. Mo. Born in October, 1824. our subject came with his par- ents to Missouri in 1832. when Clay County was little more than a wilderness. James M. Hymer is the son of Jacob and Sallie ( Willis) Hymer, and is the second in a family of four children living. The father and mother were from Kentucky, where the six elder of their ten little ones were born.
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Settling in Missouri. the father entered a large body of land from the Government and cultivated about four hundred acres,
Jacob Hymer was an active politician and a Democrat first and last. He tilled many impotant positions of trust, and most acceptably occupied the offices of Assessor, Collector and Sheriff. Ever- getic and enterprising. he was ever publie-spirited and a liberal giver in behalf of local progress and improvement. He and his worthy wife were mem- bers of the old Baptist Church. and were among the chief supporters of that religious organization. The living children of this Missouri pioneer are Willis S., a farmer, born in 1821: our subject, who was next in order of birth; Minerva .L., born in 1831, and who resides in Cass County, Mo .: and William, born in 1827. a farmer and stock-maisei of Clay County, Mo.
Our subject was but a little lad eight years of age when he arrived in Missouri, and in his adopted State he acquired a rudimentary education in the primitive schools of the early days. Trained in all the duties of farming when young, he was soon able to do the work of a hired hand, and was well fitted to make his own way in the world. Mr. Hymer owns a highly-improved farm of four hun- dred acres and is one of the most extensive breed- ers of a good grade of cattle in this part of the county. February 19, 1852. our subject took unto himself a wife, choosing for a, life partner Mrs. Nancy Rodgers, a most estimable lady, well known and highly respected. Mr. and Mr. Hymer are the parents of eight children. seven of whom are liv- ing. Fannie E., born May 3, 1853. i- the wife of Andrew Fritzler. a farmer: William T., born Decem- ber 18, 1851, is Deputy-Assessor of Clay County, Mo .; Sallie Gertie, born September 20. 1861; Rhoda B., born February 21, 1826, resides at home; Robert Luther, born November 20, 1867. is one of the home circle; Jacob Oscar, born November 9, 1859; and James E., bom June 30. 1870, is a school teacher. Mrs. Hymer was the daughter of David and Rachael Rogers and was born November 17, 1832. She was a great worker in the cause of re- ligion, and was an old-time Baptist.
In political affiliations, our subject has always been a Democrat and a strong supporter of the
party whose principles were maintained by the illustrion- Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Hymer was at one time a member of a company of Home Guards. sworn to protect the country. For nearly three- .core years a resident of his present home. our subject has been an important factor in many of the enterprises and local interests of the county and the home neighborhood. He was at one time a very prominent worker in the temperance can -... and during his long and honorable career has ever used his influence in behalf of right. justice and reform. Known widely as an upright and useful citizen, Mr. Hymer is universally respected and esteemed.
OHN P. FINLEY is a well-known stock- dealer, located on section 1. Crooked River Township, Ray County. He here ha- a fine farm that bears the best of improvements. Personally, Mr. Finley is noted as being a clever. whole-souled man, with marked ability in a busi- ness way. He is a native of Fleming County. Ky .. and was born September 23. 1823. Hle is a son of Samuel and Mary ( Perden ) Finley. the first a na- tive of Pennsylvania and born in 1800, and the latter of Kentucky. Maj. John Finley. our sub- jeet's grandfather, served in the Revolutionary War and was commissioned as Major. He settled in Pennsylvania, whence our subject's father went to Fleming County, Ky .. where he died at the age of ninety-three years. Both he and his wife were Presbyterians.
Samuel Finley was one of five children, there being three daughters and two sons. He became a farmer in Kentucky and was very successful. There were six children in the Finley family, of whom our subject is the eldest. He was reared on a farm and received a common-school education in the log schoolhouse of the day. After his fa- ther's death. he became the head of the family. remaining with las mother until twenty-three years of age. when he operated a farm for himself
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in Fleming County for two years. In November of 1850. he came to Missouri and settled in Ray County. Since first coming to Crooked River Township, there has been a great change, and the development of the country would indicate to one who had not watched its natural evolution that it was attended with magic. The first home was a log house in the midst of the woods and about which the wild animals of the forest strayed. peeping in upon the occupants with mild astonishment. In 1857, Mr. Finley moved to Carroll County, but remained there only four years. Coming back to Ray County, he was not located entirely to his taste, and moved to Livingston County, where he ran a ferry-boat on the Grande River for a year. Ile then went back to Carroll County and made that the family home until 1883, when he purchased his present farm in the northeast corner of the township. It is a fine and fertile tract that well repays his efforts in cultivation.
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Mr. Finley's first marriage was solemnized in 18.18, his bride being Miss Ann Colloh. She died in 1852, leaving two children, Samuel and El- vira. The following year our subject married Mary Rimmer, of Tennessee. This union has been blessed by the advent of ten children, whose names are John W., James, Ida, David, Franklin, Fleming C., Elizabeth, Charles, Florence and George A. Mr. Finley takes pride in his adherence to the Democracy. Ilis farm comprises two hundred acres of land. Here he raises all kinds of stock and feeds a large number of cattle, also buys and ships large numbers.
AMES A. DUNCAN, an enterprising. lead- ing and prosperous agriculturist and -ue- cessful stock-raiser, residing in Lawson, Polk Township. Ray County, Mo., is one of the prominent business men of this portion of the State, and is a stockholder and Director in the Commercial Bank at Lawson. He has been profit- ably engaged in various avocation- and. a native of Missouri, has been an eye witness of the growth
and progress of the State and has himself been an important factor in the upbuilding and develop- ment of various interests of his home neighbor- hood and the county. Our subject is one of a family of children born into Thomas and Mary (Hall) Duncan.
Thomas Duncan, the father of our subject, was a native of Kentucky, and was born near Lexington. He came when he was but nine years of age with his parents to Missouri, arriving within the borders of the State in 1833. Reared amid pioneer scenes and privations, he grew to manhood a courageous and self-reliant citizen. Industrious and energetic. he accumulated property and became the owner of four hundred and twenty acres, upon which he sowed, planted and reaped a harvest year after year. Hle and his good wife, who died in 1858. when our subject was but six months old. were active members of the Christian Church. Thotras Duncan was a member of the Masonic fraternity in good and regular standing. was ever a kind friend and excellent citizen and was highly re- spected.
Our subject was born in Clay County. near Smithville, December 26, 1858, and in early life received a common-school education and was trained in the duties of agriculture. At twenty- one years of age, he began farming and stock- raising upon his own account. and also bought and shipped grain and live stock. For a time our subject engaged in the livery business, both in Lawson and in Kearney. Clay County. In 1883. Mr. Duncan was united in marriage with Mis- Ellen Miller. a daughter of Andrew Miller, who at the time of Mrs. Duncan's birth. in Isas, resuled in Ray County, near Excelsior Springs. Our sub- ject owns a pleasant home in Lawson and has ptos- pered in the various businesses which have oceu- pied his busy moments. An earnest and progress- ive man, he has been an active promoter of local improvement and has aided materially in the ad- vaneement of the business interests of his native county.
Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are valued members of the Christian Church, and are active in social and benevolent enterprises of that religions organiza- tion. Fraternaliy, our subject is a Knight of
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Pythias, and has a host of friends within the order. In political preference and belief. Mr. Duncan is a Democrat and is a firm advocate of the principles promoted and supported by that great statesman, Thomas Jefferson. A generou- friend, kind neigh- bor, and a citizen possessing sterling integrity of character, our subject has deservedly won the confidence and esteem of the entire community among whom he makes his home, and is widely known as an honorable, upright Christian gentle- man.
P AUL WERTZ. Wise is that father who has his son taught a trade, for that is a capital of it-elf. Our subject owes his success in life to the skill of his own hands, which gave him his start, and enabled him to thoroughly understand the work in which he engaged after he had laid aside his tools. A retired contractor and merchant of Richmond, Mo .. he was born in Bedford County, Pa., near Bedford Springs, No- vember 23. 1830, being a son of Henry Wertz, a native of the same county and State, whose father was Paul Wertz. of German descent.
The mother of our subject was Sarah ( Abraham) Wertz, who died when Paul was but eight years of age. The boyhood of the latter was passed in Bedford County, where he worked on the farm and attended school until his twentieth year. Ile then learned the carpenter's trade at Combertain. where he remained two years: he then spent six months in Indiana, after which he was in Urbana, Ill., doing contracting and building for eight months. Davenport, lowa. became his next stop- ping place throughout a summer, and finally. in the spring of 1856. he came to Richmond, Mo. where he followed contracting and building until 1872. At this time he formed a partnership with James P. Kiger, under the firm name of Kiger & Wertz, and conducted a general store until fast. when he sold out to his partner and retired from active business.
Mr. Wertz was married to his first wife, Mis
Almedia F. Parker. October 1, 1800. but she died in February. 1870. In the year 1874 he married Miss Pernety .L., daughter of John H. and Mary Ann MeGee. Her parents came from Kentucky, her father being a native of Tennessee. and her mother of Winchester. Ky. Her maternal grand- father was William B. Martin, who came from Kentucky to Ray County, Mo. Her paternal grandmother was Miss Melinda Vallandgiham before marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Wertz are inem- bers of the Christian Church, in which body they . arc much respected for their consistent and up- right living. Mr. Wertz is a Democrat, firm in the belief that the interests of the country are -- best subserved when that party is in power.
Our subject has most unpleasant recollections of the terrible eyelone of 1878. as his home stood in the center of the path of the storm, which carried away a portion of the house and some of the fur- niture. Mrs. Wertz was picked up and borne across the street, where she was found in a nearly unconscious condition. Although the loses were very considerable. Mr. Wertz, with characteristic promptitude, soon had all damages repaired and the lost furniture replaced, so that the home pre- sented a nicer appearance than ever. Still, he has no desire to go through a similar experience, the horrors of such a calamity being utterly beyond description.
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ON. DEWITT CLINTON ALLEN, of Lib- erty, was born in Clay County, Mo .. No- vember 11, 1835, and, with the exception of a few brief intervals, ha- passed his life in that county. His family is of English-Welsh extraction, its first representatives having settled in America during the early part of the last con- tury, and his parents were people of education and refinement. His father. Col. Shubacl Allen, was a native of Orange County. N. Y., whence he emigrated to Kentucky in 1816, and thenes to Missouri one year later. and finally settled in Clay
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County in 1820. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Dinah Ayres Trigg and was born in Estill County. Ky. Her father. Gen. Stephen Trigg. emigrated from Bedford County. Va., to Kentucky near the close of the last century. and then proceeded to Howard County, Mo., in 1818.
When our subject was five years old his father died, and he was thereafter entirely under the influ- ence and training of his mother. a woman of excel- lent judgment. fine literary taste. cheerful disposi- tion, the most delicate sentiments of honor and in- tegrity,and one in every way fitted for the discharge of the duties devolving upon her. In tempera- ment our subject is more like his father, but his character was moulded by his mother, and to her encouragement and advice he attributes mainly his achievements in life. By mental constitu- tion he is a student and lover of books, and his taste for study was strengthened by example. His historical and miscellaneous reading began at eleven years of age. and has been pursued with system and regularity. Before the completion of his thirteenth year, among other works he had read all of Scott's novels.
In 1830, having previously received the bene- fit of excellent private schools. held, however, at irregular intervals. our subject entered William Jewell College, and was graduated in 1855 with the first honors in the classics and belles lettres. His grade in mathematics was somewhat lower. In col- lege his tastes inclined toward mathematics origin- ally, but, as his acquaintance with the clas-ies in- creased, his fondness for mathematics became less strong. Having completed his collegiate course. he accepted the position of Principal of the Prepara- tory Department in the Masonic College. at Lex- ington, Mo., which he filled for a year to the entire satisfaction of the curators and patrons of that institution. Hle counts the incidents of his stay at Lexington as among the most agreeable in his life. Society there was at the height of its brilliance and charm. The people, as ever, were hospitable and courteous, and he bear- with him only memories of kindness and encouragement re- ceived from them. Hi- previou- life had been one of study and seclusion, and his experiences of se-
ciety and the world were slight. Of the many persons there to whom he feels indebted for kind offices, lie especially remembers Charles R. More- head. Sr. (now deceased), and Mrs. William II. Russell.
During the year succeeding his connection with the Masonic College Mr. Allen devoted himself to those historical and special studies (suggested to him by his friend, Col. Alex W. Doniphan) which are considered by legal gentlemen as a proper introduction to the comprehensive study of law, which he had chosen while at college as the profession of his life. From the summer of 1858 until May. 1860. he pursued bis legal studies in the office of the late Richard Rees, Esq., in Leavenworth, Kan. Occasionally during that pe- riod he assisted Mr. Rees in the trial of cases in order to acquire familiarity with the procedure in the courts. Ile recognizes his obligation to the advice and suggestions of Mr. Rees as being very great, particularly in the specialties of pleading. conveyancing, and the drafting of orders, judg- ments and decrees.
In May. 1860. Mr. Allen returned to his home in Liberty, Mo., and began the practice of law. Since then he has devoted himself exclusively to the work of his profession. In November. 1860, he was elected Circuit Attorney of the Fifth Ju- dicial Circuit of Missouri, composed of the coun- ties of Clay. Clinton. Caldwell. Ray and Carroll. lle discharged the duties of that office with fidel- ity and promptness until December 17. ladl. when. under the operation of an ordinance of the Missouri Convention of that year, prescribing an oath testing the loyalty of officers. it became va- cant in consequence of his refusal to take the oath.
May 18, 1861. Mr. Allen married Miss Emily E. Settle, a native of Culpeper County. Va .. who. however, at the time of her marriage resided in Ray County. Mo. Her father, Hiram P. Settle. Esq .. was a prominent resident of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of three chil- dren: Lee. Juliet R. and Perry S. The family residence is in Liberty.
During the years 1866-67 Mr. Allen was Gien- eral Attorney of the Kansas City & Cameron Railway Company, now known as the Kansas City
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Branch of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, and in that position labored assiduously with others to secure its early completion. In January. 1875, he was elected without opposition to represent, in connection with the lon. E. H. Norton, the Third Senatorial District of Missouri. composed of the counties of Clay. Clinton and Platte, in the Con- stitutional Convention called to meet May 5, 1835. and assisted in framing the present organic law of the State. In that body, composed ot many of the ablest and most learned men of Missouri. he bore himself with ability and won the respect and confidence of its members. At its organiza- tion he was appointed a member of the Commit- tees on Education and the Legislative Depart- ment, and was esteemed in them an indefatigable and intelligent worker.
Mr. Allen has attained a high and honorable position at the Bar. He deals with the law as a science and sees the logical connection of its prin- ciples. He surveys the fields of legal lore with the clear, calin vision of a jurist. He is devoted to our system of jurisprudence, because it con- tains the crystallized thoughts of the best minds of ages and countries. Ile is noted for the power of his faculty for analysis, the quickness of his per- ception of the most remote analogies, the fineness and delicacy of his distinctions, and the rapidity of his detection of inconsistencies in argument. In forensic conflicts he brings into requisition the best materials of law and fact. His positions are always clear, logical and concise. His voice, though not strong, is distinct and penetrating. and his rhetoric faultless. When the occasion de- mands it, he ascends by casy gradation from the smooth, graceful conversational style suited to the courts, to a higher plane of oratory. Fired by the inspiration of the theme, he irradiates the case with brilliant flashes of eloquence that electrify the audience. His manner is carnest, and his ideas form in quick, unbroken succession. But his great power as a speaker is the elevation of his senti- ments and his rich and sparkling thoughts. Ring- ing tones, electric fires, and aptly chosen words merely form their drapery. He is a cultured. scholarly man. His style, both in speaking and writing. is peculiarly his own. He is an inde-
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